FRUITS AND VEGGIES - MORE MATTERS MONTH

A broad educational initiative called Fruits & Veggies – More Matters Month is observed every September, to educate the general public on how you can bring balance to your current diet and reward your body with the kind of wholesome goodness only fruits and veggies can provide. This includes phytonutrients, which is discussed in detail a bit more in this month's newsletter. VIEW NEWSLETTER

SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK

Each year, more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide, leaving behind their friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of loss. In many cases, friends and families affected by a suicide loss (often called “suicide loss survivors”) are left in the dark. Too often the feelings of shame and stigma prevent them from talking openly. You can use this month to reach out to those you know who have been affected by suicide, raise awareness of resources on social media, help to remove stigma from the need for help, and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services.

NATIONAL PROSTATE HEALTH MONTH

Your district social media and internal communications could include information that will help further awareness and advocacy, including:

Increasing public awareness of the importance of prostate health
Providing easily accessible prostate health screenings
Educating about risk factors and symptoms of prostate related diseases, and
Advocating for further research on prostate health issues

Apps that help you track your rest, mindfulness, fitness, weight loss, diet, or exercise goals can keep you on track to achieve them, with reminders and alerts to remain aware. The average individual is looking at their device over 60 times a day, so you might as well have some useful information handy to inspire and motivate you to reach your wellness goals, even if the goal is just to breath for 5 minutes a day. You can actually be more mindful with your time and energy with the help of the right apps to fit your lifestyle.

DAILY WATER REMINDER
Thirst is a signal in which our body warns us that we have lost water balance and that cells have already dehydrated to a serious situation. Remind yourself to stay hydrated with this app.

FIND ME GLUTEN FREE
Find Me Gluten Free helps you eat gluten-free. No need to hunt for a review of a restaurant that mentions eating gluten-free. All the reviews on Find Me Gluten Free are from other members of the gluten-free community.

FROM KENDALL
Did you know that at least 90% of children use backpacks over the recommended weight!? As we get back into the full swing of school, take time on September 19th to celebrate National School Backpack Awareness Day and raise awareness about appropriate backpack habits.

Although our back contains some of the strongest muscles in our body, carrying too much weight while the spine is still developing could impair growth and change a child’s posture. Because our spine develops until about age 18, it’s important we make sure that backpacks weigh no more than 10% of a child’s body weight through high school. Use this backpack checklist to make sure your students aren’t breaking their backs to succeed!

Yours truly,

Kendall Taylor
Valley Schools Wellness Director

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