A Healthy February

Sometimes we get so busy with the day to day details of life -- what's for supper, when is my dentist appointment, unload the dishwasher -- that we lose sight of the big things. Often times, health becomes one of the "big things" that gets lost in the shuffle of everyday.

Today is National Wear Red Day. When I mentioned it to my teenager, he declared it "totally random". But actually, it isn't. February is American Heart Month ad their color is red so... So why not wear red today and check out some ways to make sure you and the people you love have healthy hearts on the American Heart Association site. Did you know your drooly old terrier is improving your heart health? There's still time to attend our local Red Dress-Red Tie Event sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill. The combination of fun (dinner dance) and education (expert speakers) will be held at st. Nicholas Hall tonight from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Each attendee will receive  a CPR kit. There will also be a basket auction held to benefit the hospital. Tickets are $55 in advance and $60 at the door. You can contact Mary Bardell for more information at 570-621-4242 or Mary.Bardell@lvhn.org

If you or someone you know is in Danger of Falling, attend a workshop at Luther Ridge at Seiders Hill Assisted Living, 160 Red Horse Road, Pottsville to learn more about balance, dizziness, vertigo and strategies to prevent falling. The free workshop will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2 pm. Please register in advance by calling 888-929-7677 or going to the Achieva Rehabilitation site.

Being a parent to a teenager I worry about A LOT of things. Too many, according to my son. One of them is vaping -- maybe more than others because it is a mysterious sort of thing I know little about. If you're like me, educate yourself by attending a workshop on Vaping in the Morgan Auditorium, Penn State Schuylkill Campus. The free workshop that will include information on the risks of vaping will take place on Monday, Feb. 24 from 7 pm to 8:30 pm. The guest speaker will be William Rowan, LPC from Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill. See you there!

Even if none of these workshops is for you, do something to make your February healthy! Try it just for today and if that works out try it again tomorrow. Take ten minutes to exercise. Eat an extra piece of fruit or a vegetables. Think happy thoughts. Stop smoking. Try it!