Sharon Health Department Journal

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June is Men's Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices for men and boys. Regular checkups, recommended screenings, physical activity, nutritious eating habits, and attention to mental health all play important roles in maintaining overall well-being.

Many health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cancers, can be prevented or better managed through early detection and healthy habits. This month serves as a reminder for men to take charge of their health and encourage the men in their lives to do the same.

"To fully live, we must step out of our minds and into our lives." — Steven C. Hayes

Over the past several months, the Sharon community has been on a gradual journey, building the foundations of a compassionate and intentional life. The series began by introducing self-compassion and mindfulness, focusing on how to pause and anchor in the present moment. From there, it explored secure connections and values-based living, utilizing that mindful awareness to take intentional action toward what matters most. Now, as summer begins, this month introduces a practice that takes these foundational tools of presence and intention and points them directly at capturing joy: Savoring.

Savoring simply means intentionally focusing on, fully engaging with, and deeply enjoying a positive experience. Life is undoubtedly challenging, but it also holds immense beauty when one intentionally pauses to pay attention and cherish it. Summer brings wonderful opportunities for this practice, whether during a family vacation, a quiet evening walk, or simply watching a funny movie inside with the AC on. Because meaning-making is shaped by how individuals choose to perceive their experiences, savoring offers a powerful way to take intentional hold of those joyful moments before the season swiftly slips by.

The Savoring Pause Try this simple tool when encountering a pleasant or meaningful moment:

• Hit Pause: Take a mindful breath to step out of "autopilot" and immerse oneself in the moment.
• Engage the Senses: Notice what can be seen, heard, or felt (e.g., the warmth of the sun, the sound of laughter, the taste of fresh fruit).
• Linger: Allow the connection to that positive experience to remain for just a few seconds longer than usual.

Wishing all Sharon residents a joyful, present, and beautifully savored summer!

- Sejal

June is a great time to get outside and enjoy all that our community has to offer. Spending time outdoors can improve physical health, reduce stress, boost mood, and provide opportunities to connect with nature. That can be in ways such as walking local trails, gardening, biking, playing sports, or visiting a park - outdoor activities are an excellent way to support overall health and well-being.

While enjoying the outdoors, it's important to protect yourself from ticks, which are common throughout Massachusetts during the warmer months. Ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease and Alpha-gal syndrome, and may be found in wooded areas, tall grass, leaf litter, and backyard gardens.

To reduce your risk of tick bites, follow these helpful tips:

1. Create a tick-free zone around your house
1. Keep your lawn well manicured
2. Create a tick barrier between your lawn and taller grasses or brush (wide strip of wood chips or bark to separate)
3. Reduce mouse activity (ticks get Lyme disease from mice)
2. Enjoy the outdoors safely
1. Avoid exposure in wooded, overgrown areas
2. Stay on marked trails when hiking
3. Stay out of tall grass and uncleared areas of forest floor
3. Protect yourself, your children, and your pets by wearing protective clothing
1. Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, long pants tucked into socks, and shoes
2. Avoid going barefoot or wearing open-toe shoes
3. Use insect repellent
4. Perform tick checks after coming in from outdoors
1. Common sites of attachment: behind knees, underarm, scalp. navel, groin, and back
5. Remove ticks once found immediately by grasping them with a tweezer and pulling them off of the skin
1. Grasp the tick between the head of the tick and skin and pull firmly but gently away. Sometimes, this will leave behind small black mouthparts of the tick in the skin. Don't worry, these parts do not transmit Lyme disease.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can enjoy the many benefits of outdoor recreation while keeping yourself and your family healthy all summer long!

Care Solace is a free and confidential, 24/7/365 service that helps individuals and families quickly connect with mental health, substance use treatment options, and social service support.

Call (888) 515-0595 or click on the button below.

HESSCO's mission is to help older adults and individuals living with a disability remain safe and independent at home for as long as possible.

HESSCO contracts with a comprehensive network of health and supportive services to meet consumer’s needs. Some of the services provided include:

• Care Management
• Home Care (homemaking, personal care)
• Caregiver support
• Nutrition counseling
• Assistance with health benefits through the SHINE program
• Protective services for elder abuse.

HESSCO Elder Services

545 South Street, Suite 300

Walpole, MA 02081

P: 781-784-4944

F: 781-784-4922

https://hessco.org/services/

https://www.facebook.com/HESSCO/

https://www.instagram.com/hesscoelderservices

https://www.linkedin.com/company/hessco-elder-services

Staying hydrated is an important way in which we can take care of our body. It is important to hydrate every day but becomes even more important when the temperatures rise! Fluid needs vary by age, sex, activity level, and overall health but it is estimated that women should have around 11.5 cups per day and men should have around 15.5 cups per day.

Ways in which water helps the body:

• Regulates body temperature.
• Cushions and lubricates joints.
• Protects sensitive body parts such as spinal cord.
• Acts as a crucial part of the body’s waste removal system (urination, sweat, etc.)

Times when your body needs additional hydration:

• Hotter temperatures.
• Increased physical activity.
• Have a fever, or elevated body temperature.
• Are losing fluids through vomiting or diarrhea.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding.

How can I increase my water intake?

• Purchase a reusable water bottle that is easy to take with you (fits in a cupholder, isn't too heavy).
• Freeze water to keep it icy cold during the day.
• Add subtle flavor to water by adding fruit or mint leaves.
• Order water with meals when out to eat.
• Serve water with meals at home.

Color test?

A quick and easy way to assess your hydration status is to look at the color of your urine! If you’re consuming enough water and are adequately hydrated your urine will likely be clear to pale yellow. If your urine is dark yellow or amber in color, chances are that you need to be drinking more fluids!

While other fluids do count towards your hydration, be sure to limit drinks with high sugar content, highly caffeinated beverages, and alcohol.

*Always consult with your medical provider about how much water you should be consuming. Those with renal disease, congestive heart failure, and known electrolyte imbalances may have different fluid needs than others.

Pop-In with the Public Health Nurse, second Wednesday of the month 10:30AM-12:00PM at the Sharon Council on Aging.

Fresh, colorful, and bursting with summer flavors, this California Avocado Super Summer Wrap is a nutritious twist on lunch you won't want to miss!

Yield

• 4 servings

Ingredients

• 1 ripe avocado (seeded, peeled, and cut into chunks)
• 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1/2 cup carrots (grated)
• 1/4 cup red onion (chopped)
• 2 cups fresh arugula (chopped)
• 12 ounces cooked chicken breast (cubed)
• 4 8" whole wheat tortillas

1. Mash half the avocado chunks with yogurt and lime juice in a medium bowl.
2. Add remaining filling ingredients, including the rest of the avocado chunks; mix gently.
3. Top each tortilla with 1/4 of the filling mixture.
4. Roll tuck in ends. Slice in half diagonally, securing with toothpicks if needed.

To find more recipes, visit: https://www.nutrition.gov/recipes

Report My Meal is an online system for reporting suspected foodborne illness to public health officials in Massachusetts. After completing the attached online form, the information goes to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) where it is reviewed and shared with local health departments within the state for follow-up.

If you have any ideas you would like The Health Department to include in future newsletters, please reach out to us at (781) 784-1500 ext. 1205 or email agreeley@sharonma.gov

It's important to regularly check the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) recall list because defective or unsafe products, including drugs, food, and medical devices, can reach consumers.

When you're aware of active recalls, you can act quickly - stop using the product, follow the manufacturer's instructions, and contact your healthcare provider or retailer of needed. Failure to do so can mean exposure to serious health risks or harm even when the chance may seem small.

Staying informed is a simple but powerful step in protecting your health and the wellbeing of those around you.