Making New Year’s Resolution Goals

Posted on January 18, 2017 by Patricia Thao

Each year, people make New Year’s resolution goals that they want to achieve for the upcoming new year. It usually is a goal that seeks self improvement or changing things in one’s life. It’s not necessary to start out the years with goals or without, but it is good to at least have some idea of what kind of things you want to do or change either about yourself or your life.

www.care2.com

So what’s the point of New Year’s resolution goals?

It serve as a reminder of the goal that you want to achieve throughout the year
Motivates you to take action and stay on track with your plans
It is small stepping stones that can people take to achieve bigger goals

There are different goals for everyone, but the most common ones are:

Lose weight
Live a healthier lifestyle
Do well in school or go back to pursue education
Obtain something important (buying a home, getting a car, obtaining citizenship, etc.)
Travel more
Save more money

So what actions can you take to achieve your resolution goals?

Put a reminder in a notebook, cellphone app, or on a piece of paper on your fridge to constantly tell you what you want to do differently, achieve, or improve on
Plan and take small steps first (Putting aside $10 a month can help you buy something more valuable in the future)
Think about the reasons why you want to achieve your goals:
- Is it for self-improvement? What about yourself specifically that you want to improve on? Your sociability/communication skills? Your physical state? Your living lifestyle?
- Is education important to you? Do you plan to pursue higher education and beyond? What type of field that interests you that would need you to have a certain type of educational background?

Who are the Sandwich Generation?

Posted on January 5, 2017 by Patricia Thao

https://www.psychologytoday.com

“More than 1 in 8 Americans are both raising a child and caring for a parent. They are known as the sandwich generation. Seven to 10 million adults are also caring for an aging parent who lives far away.” – https://www.cdc.gov/

So why is this occurring? Possible reasons are because:

More people than ever are aging
People are living longer due to advancements in medicine and technology
It is taking longer and harder for children to become financially independent

(CDC) Some caregivers may need to change an employment situation to fit in their caregiving role. Caregivers may consider talking to a supervisor about work options allowing the caregiver to maintain both their employment and caregiving roles. These options could include the following:

Having more flexible hours
Reducing working hours
Working from home
Taking a leave of absence
Downgrading to a less demanding job

Facts (CDC):

People giving care to both young and older family members report higher levels of depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life. Research has shown that 17% of these caregivers rate their health as “fair” or “poor” compared with 10% of non-caregivers.
Among the 44 million unpaid caregivers to older adults in the United States, 75% are employed. The average employed caregiver works about 35 hours a week.

Postcard Highlights of 2016

Posted on January 1, 2017 by Patricia Thao

2016 has ended and it’s officially 2017! To wrap up another year of successful the bicultural healthy living blog, here is a list of postcards highlighted from each month.

Jan 2016

Feb 2016

March 2016

April 2016

May 2016

June 2016

July 2016

Sept 2016

Oct 2016

Nov 2016

Dec 2016

Winter Activities & Events in Dec | 2016

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Patricia Thao

The holiday season is here and that means there are tons of events occurring everywhere. Do you want to participate in fun winter activities, join a event, or know what’s happening locally? Here are some activities listed of where and what you can take part of:

http://365twincities.com/

Ice skate at your local park that has ice rinks. If not, you can try going to a couple locations like The Depot Ice Rink in downtown Minneapolis, Parade Ice Garden, and Wells Fargo WinterSkate in St. Paul.
Want to ride train with magical Christmas lights? The event “Santa at Night Trains” is happening between Nov. 5th – Dec 17th from 6PM-PM at the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St. Paul. Check this link for more info!

http://www.shutterstock.com/

Simply enjoy the snow through making a snowman and sledding. Sometimes, the fun is right outside of the door, we only need to go there ourselves. Check ahead of time of the weather so that you can enjoy your time in the snow the most without it being too windy and cold.
Check your local community for volunteer opportunities and donation spots. It is the season of receiving and giving love. So you can choose to show your appreciation to your community in different ways.
Skiing is another popular activity during the winter season. Locations such as

Hyland Hills Ski Area, Buck Hill, and Mount Kato Ski Area are great ski resorts to check out.

This Month in Japan | December

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Like other countries located around the world, Japan is experiencing winter and celebrate the snowfall in their own unique ways. Despite the oncoming cold weather, Japan is remains a popular destination to travel to during the winter because of the festive events, beautiful sceneries, and amazing shopping experiences. Here are some activities and events occurring in December around Japan:

http://www.kyotoguide.com/

Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri is held in mid December, usually around Dec 15th-18th. “The On-Matsuri is a festival held at Wakamiya-jinja Shrine which stands in the precincts of the Kasuga Taisha Grand Shrine. It was first organized in the 12th Century when an epidemic prevailed, and prayers were offered at this festival for the eradication of the plague and also for the blessing of a rich harvest. This historic festival continues to be one of the largest annual events of Nara Prefecture, attracting a great many tourists.” – https://www.jnto.go.jp/

flutrackers.com

Sendai Pageant of Starlight is a free illumination event where pedestrians can enjoy the view of tons of LED light bulb to bring in the holiday spirit. It is held outside and throughout the entire month of Dec. “The venue for the light-up is the Zelkova lined boulevards of Aoba Dori and Jouzenji Dori right in the center of Sendai. A good starting point is Kotodai Station at the eastern end of Jouzenji Dori.” – https://japancheapo.com/
A event held in mid Dec and again in mid Jan is a flea market where people sell old antiques, toys, food, plants, and fabrics. “Setagaya Boro-ichi is a Tokyo-designated intangible folk cultural asset dating back some 430 years.” – http://www.gotokyo.org/
Popular destinations to visit in Japan are Kyoto, Takayama, Tokyo, Hokkaido, Sapporo, and more! These are just a few locations that offers great sight seeing, seasonal food, and famous local cuisines.

Tips for this Holiday!

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Patricia Thao

http://www.wellness4ky.org/

1) Keep the focus on fun, not food. Indulge in only the most special holiday treats. For example in the Chinese new year eve dinner, the dumpling is the most special dish, and when families prepare the dumplings, they will hind the couple coins in the dumplings, who gets to bite on the coins, who will have the best luck at coming year. It’s fun to eat the dumplings to find the coins, but keep in mind not overdoing it.

2) Staying physically active during the holidays. A study conducted by the U.S. government found adults gained, on average, more than a pound of body weight during the winter holidays – and that they were not at all likely to shed that weight the following year. The good news is that the people who reported the most physical activity through the holiday season showed the least weight gain. Some even managed to lose weight.

3) Toast the new year with just one glass of bubbly.

Alcohol can interfere with your blood sugar by slowing the release of glucose into the bloodstream; it also contain a lot of calories – 89 calories per glass of white wine or champagne, 55 calories in a shot of vodka, and 170 calories in a pint of stout beer. What’s more, alcohol breaks down your inhibitions and judgment, which makes you that much less likely to resist the junk foods that you would otherwise be able to pass by.

4) Shop wisely this season. It’s easy to be tempted to buy things that you don’t need that are on “sale” and “clearance”. Best thing you can do to prevent this from happening is:

Set a budget to limit your spending on gifts.
Make a list of all the people you are going to buy gifts for and the things you plan on buying.
Differentiate wants from needs. “I want this, but do I need it?”
Use coupons when applicable. There are coupons available through online websites, in your mails, and in stores.

Bullying Prevention

Posted on November 23, 2016 by Patricia Thao

Act to Change

What is bullying?

Bullying is the act of intimidating someone through influence or through force.

Can bullying happen to anyone?

Yes, bullying does occur everywhere and to anyone of any backgrounds. Bullying doesn’t have to happen person to person. Bullying can occur through online, social media apps, letters, and more.

What can I do if I or a friend is experiencing bullying?

It depends on the severity of the bullying to know what you can do, but here are some tips on how you can handle the situation:

Reach out for help. Whether it is your parents, a legal guardian, a counselor, or your close friend, make sure to let them know that you are being bullied. You don’t need to feel helpless or ashamed of anything. There are people who will support you to help you solve and cope with your situation.
Try to avoid confrontation. If possible, avoid getting into physical fights or argument with bullies. It will not help stop the bullying, it is better to ignore and walk away when you can.
Use {free} services to address about bullying. You can call or email a hotline or a online tool to help you talk about your bullying experience. They will keep you anonymous and your information confidential. This link is a government website that gives your free resources.
Don’t watch, stand up. If you see another person being bullied, the best thing you can do is grab a adult nearby to stop it. If you feel that the situation can be handled by you stepping in, you can try to deescalate the situation by using methods such as:
1. Pulling the victim away to a place far from the bully
2. Show up and ask them where they have been (acting as a friend to neutralize the negative space)
3. If you have someone nearby or ask a stranger to aid the victim to escape the situation
4. Call 911 if you feel that the situation is dangerous

From the Act to Change website:

About 1 out of 5 students report being bullied during the school year
Bullying occurs once every 7 minutes 5 to 6 times more likely
Bullied students were 5 to 6 times more likely to miss school than those who were not bullied 50% of AA students
Half of Asian American students in New York City public schools reported biased based harassment

Distracted Driving

Posted on November 8, 2016 by Patricia Thao

What is distracted driving?

While driving, the driver is engaged in another activity that hinders their ability to drive a moving vehicle safely.

What can you do?

Pay attention to your surroundings.
Follow basic driving regulations and speeding limits.
As passengers, alert distracted drivers of oncoming traffic and inform them

A Message from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety:

Distracted Driving, a Deadly Choice for Teens

Twenty percent of fatalities involving teen drivers in Minnesota are distraction-related.

Distracted-related teen driving fatalities and injuries

Year

Fatalities

Serious injuries

Other Injuries

2011

1

38

1,181

2012

3

21

1,242

2013

8

39

1,117

2014

6

24

999

2015

7

25

1,153

Total

25

147

5,592

Make the Safe Choice

Cell phones — Put the phone down, turn it off or place it out of reach.

Speak Up – Offer to be the driver’s designated texter.

Music and other controls — Pre-program radio stations and arrange music in an easy-to-access spot. Adjust mirrors and ventilation before traveling.

Navigation — Map out the destination and enter the GPS route in advance.

Eating and drinking — Avoid messy foods and secure drinks.

Children — Teach children the importance of good behavior in a vehicle and model proper driving behavior.

Passengers — Speak up to stop drivers from distracted driving behavior and offer to help with anything that takes the driver’s attention off the road.

World Stroke Day

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Patricia Thao

On Oct 29, 2016, it is recognize as World Stroke Day to bring awareness and provide information on what people can do.

http://www.strokeassociation.org/

“Responding quickly can be the difference between recovery and disability, or even death. Luckily, stroke is largely treatable when you know the signs and act fast. A few seconds could save a life, possibly your own.” – http://www.strokeassociation.org/

What are the signs of stroke?

Numbness in the face and arms
lack of coordination
trouble speaking or understanding

http://www.strokeassociation.org/

Call 911 right away if notice the signs of someone having stroke.

National Health Education Week (Oct 17-21)

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Patricia Thao

“Sponsored by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE), National Health Education Week (NHEW) is celebrated during the third full week of October. This celebration brings national attention to public health issues and promotes consumers’ understanding of the role of health education and health promotion in society.

Celebrate this week with us as we focus on partnerships to build community health. ” – https://www.sophe.org/

What is the goal of National Health Education Week?

Spread awareness and knowledge of health care cost, healthy behaviors, and health programs to communities and schools.
To highlight the accomplishments and efforts of organizations towards public health.
To share health advises between professionals, the government, and between the people.
To continue to improve health education and other health conditions.

Click here for more info on day to day participation!

Bicultural Healthy Living

A Balanced Approach to a Bicultural Healthy Life

Category Archives: Healthy Youth Development