Tag: Daylight Saving Time

Noteworthy in November

In November, the United States not only celebrates Thanksgiving, but also observes the end of Daylight Saving Time, Armistice Day (Veterans’ Day), and Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Hans Duvefelt shares his experiences of his first Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Tradition of Giving Tuesday encourages acts of generosity and shared humanity, aiming to bridge societal gaps in wealth.

There is a new version of this post at November Dates and Days.

Say “November”, and we in the United States think of Thanksgiving. Yes, for the abundant and delicious food we consume, but mostly because it’s a time spent with family, often ones we don’t see every day.

But for some, it’s a new experience in a new country. Or it’s a lonely day, or a day to grieve for what’s lost.

Dr. Hans Duvevelt immigrated to the United States from Sweden and writes a blog, “A Country Doctor Writes”. One year he wrote about his first Thanksgiving in Maine and I invite you to read it, just click on the title.

Another Thanksgiving Reflection

Daylight Saving Time ends

If you don’t like changing from standard time to daylight saving time in the spring, you will welcome the change back in the fall. We used to change in October but a few years ago it was extended to the first Sunday in November, which in 2023 is November 5.

Will we ever quit changing to DLST? Or will we ever change and just leave it that way? Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, if the change messes with your sleep, this post offers help to adjust quickly.

Sleep Practices for Restful Nights

In this post I review options to improve our sleep. Daylight Saving Time can disrupt sleep, akin to jet lag. Chronic insomnia involves difficulty sleeping regularly, potentially linked to medical conditions. Treatment begins with addressing underlying issues and adopting sleep hygiene practices, such as exercise and routine. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is effective…

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Armistice Day

Maybe you’ve never heard of this day. It’s become more of a historical term for the end of World War I, said to have ended “at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month” in 1918. Many countries observe it in various ways. In the United Kingdom it’s called Remembrance Day. In the United States, we mark it as Veterans’ Day, where we honor those who have served in the military in all wars and peacetime.

Honoring Those Who Served

Veterans Day on November 11 honors those who served in the U.S. armed forces. The Veterans Administration supports veterans through health care, education, and research. Personal stories highlight the ongoing impact of veterans, including therapeutic relationships with pets and reflections from veterans of past conflicts, emphasizing resilience and community connection.

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Native American Heritage Month

The Thanksgiving holiday mostly celebrates the immigration of Europeans to the North American continent. Native American Heritage Month, and day, November 24, recognizes the people who were already here.

It is a time to celebrate the traditions, languages and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation….we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation.

We celebrate Indian Country with its remarkable diversity of American Indian and Alaska Native cultures and peoples while remembering and honoring our veterans who have sacrificed so much to defend our Nation.

U.S. Department of the InteriorIndian Affairs

The Rich History of Watercress in Native American Culture

In 1889, the Locvpokv Muscogee Creeks established the village of Talasi near the Arkansas River, later called Tulsa. The Council Oak remains a cultural landmark, where Native Americans hold ceremonies. This article explores watercress and its culinary uses, highlighting its significance to local indigenous communities and the environment.

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Giving Tuesday

It started with Black Friday. Then Small Business Saturday was added, as well as Cyber Monday. All for the purpose of consumers spending money so retailers can be profitable.

And that’s good, we need a strong economy. But some parts of our society can fall through the cracks of that economy. While some of us may be doing well financially, not everyone is. And that’s where Giving Tuesday bridges the gap.

Everyone has something to give and every act of generosity counts.

Join the GivingTuesday movement and reimagine a world built upon shared humanity and radical generosity.

GIVING TUESDAY

In 2023, Giving Tuesday is November 28, but you don’t have to wait or limit giving to that day. Generosity is a habit worth cultivating year-round.

Exploring the HEART of health in November

Thank you for reading this post. I strive to make them worth your time.

I share information and inspiration that sparks transformation in your body, mind, and spirit.

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Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

a world globe with two crossed bandaids

Doctor Aletha

Health Tips for Spring You Must Know

Daylight Saving Time and the arrival of spring with the vernal equinox,brings increased daylight until summer solstice. It’s wise to be proactive in avoiding dangerous spring and summer weather conditions that can turn deadly.

Remember to “Spring Forward” to Daylight Saving Time

Most of the United States changed to Daylight Saving Time on the second Sunday in March. A few states do not change their clocks, and some states are considering staying at DST year-round.

So you will either go to bed an hour later than usual or wake up an hour earlier (if you want to arrive at church on time.)

Either way, your body will tell the difference until your sleep cycle adjusts; I know mine always does.  In this article about “falling back” when DST ends, WebMD offers these tips to make the change easier.

And if you have persistent problems with sleep, consider the tips in this post.

Expert advice to sleep well every night.

a bed with ornate headboard
photo by Dr. Aletha- at the Hemingway House, Key West, Florida

Welcome Spring

We welcome the first day of Spring in March, in the northern hemisphere, with the occurrence of the vernal equinox. The amount of daylight we enjoy will continue increasing until the summer solstice, the day with the most hours of sunlight.

An equinox occurs when a planet’s subsolar point passes through its Equator. The equinoxes are the only time when both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres experience roughly equal amounts of daytime and nighttime.

This National Geographic link explains what vernal equinox means.

graphic of the earth explaining equinox and solstice
original source not known

 

At this link, I tell you how to stay safe and well this spring and summer.

blooms on a dogwood tree blooming in the spring
In Oklahoma, dogwood trees bloom in the spring. photo by Dr. Aletha

Exploring the HEART of health through spring and summer

Are you looking forward to spring as much as I am? Where I live we enjoy warmer, sunnier days in the spring but also contend with thunderstorms and sometimes tornadoes. Maybe the weather is turning colder where you live, or you live where the climate is mostly the same year-round.

Is your area prone to blizzards, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or other threatening weather? And do you know how prepare to stay safe?

Our environment significantly affects our health and the way we live, so paying attention to what’s happening is one way we can explore healthy and safe lifestyles.

An emergency room doctor addresses weather risks to life, and other health risks in a new book, which I review at this link.

How 99 Ways to Die Might Save Your Life-a book review

In this post I review “99 Ways to Die and How to Avoid Them.” Dr. Ashely Alker, an emergency physician, humorously outlines various health risks and preventive measures. Combining personal anecdotes with medical insights, she emphasizes the importance of awareness in avoiding fatal incidents and advises readers to prioritize health habits over misinformation, and seeking…

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Thank you for reading this post. I strive to make them worth your time.

I share information and inspiration that sparks transformation in your body, mind, and spirit.

You can follow this blog in two easy ways. One is to put your email address into the box below.

Another way is to follow me on Facebook, where I share new posts, timely topics, photos, and an occasional cartoon.

Watercress Words by Dr. Aletha

 

Dr. Aletha

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