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Dear Neighbors,
As we close in on the end of 2023, I would like to thank each of you for your involvement with Stilly Valley Health Connections this past year. Our staff has enjoyed getting to know many of you at our in-person events and outreach activities. Overnight the temperature has dropped, and the sweaters are coming out of the closet. As we approach the holiday season, we invite you to join us in staying healthy as the season changes from fall to winter.
Staying active is important in these winter months. Please see below for our #MoveitMonday tips for staying active at home or inside on these cold, rainy days. We also have two upcoming healthy cooking demonstrations with Sound Dietitians, LLC. You can attend in-person or online. If you can't attend the live presentation, you can also sign up to receive a recording. Look for: Simple and Healthy Holiday Desserts and Healthy Breakfast on the Go!
Join us for Mental Health classes to manage the winter blues and holiday stress. We have online offerings available with the Women & Family Wellness Studio, including: Self-Care During the Holiday Season, Mindful Connection with Yoga, and Somatic Stress Release. The holidays can be a time of grieving and sadness and we thank Hospice of the NW for their program, Coping with Grief During the Holidays, which will be offered both in-person or online. We are also partnering with Washington State University Extension to provide training for Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid.
We are already looking ahead and planning our 2024 calendar. If you are aware of a need for specific support groups or have other programming ideas, we would like to hear from you. Please email us at info@stillyvalleyhealth.org or call us at 360-386-9918.
Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season.
Warm regards,
Ardis Schmiege
Superintendent/CEO
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Stilly Valley Health Connections out in the community - busting germs!
Over 500 Kindergarteners, 1st, and 2nd graders have or will become ‘Germ Busters’ as our staff from SVHC get out to the local elementary schools.
SVHC has been to President’s Elementary School and Pioneer Elementary and next week we'll be at Eagle Creek Elementary to help the students learn the importance of washing their hands to combat germs.
In addition to hearing the story of Buddy Bear, the students also learn the six steps of handwashing. Testing their skills, any remaining "glitter bug potion lotion" can be seen through purple UV lights upon inspection after the children have lined up for handwashing in their classrooms.
“It was so heart-warming to hear a little voice coming from the restroom A, B, C, D, E, F, G – the message of the importance of thoroughly washing hands has gotten through! Hopefully, we’ll have fewer sick kids this winter!” said Kristina Wigren, Program Coordinator at Stilly Valley Health Connections.
To find out more about our Germ Busters program, please contact us at info@stillyvalleyhealth.org or call us at (360) 386-9918.
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Myths & Facts
While there is a common misconception that vaping is completely harmless, the truth is a little cloudier. Help your child or a child you know, get rid of all the vapes and tobacco products, because this month, we are promoting the prevention and cessation of youth tobacco use and vaping!
Even with new information coming in on a daily basis, it is all pointing toward one central theme… vaping is much more harmful to youth than is advertised. Aside from the negative effects smoking can have on the lungs and body, most vapes, if not all, contain nicotine. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that can ultimately negatively alter one’s brain chemistry, especially that of a developing teenage brain, to become inefficient without it.
Source: Talking with Your Teen About Vaping (samhsa.gov)
Join us this November as we learn about the effects vaping has on our youth with presentations from the Washington State Poison Center and Snohomish County Health Department.
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Vaping and Cannabis
E-cigarettes, also called vapes or vape pens, are battery-operated products that deliver nicotine, cannabis, and/or other chemicals in an aerosol for inhalation. Known as vaping, this mode of nicotine and cannabis use comes with a host of public health concerns, especially for youth.
Join the Washington Poison Center in taking a deep dive into vaping and cannabis, including the devices used, their contents, health effects, current trends, and youth-specific concerns.
Date: Thursday, November 9, 2023
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Format: Online via Zoom
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Vaping and Our Youth
Join the Snohomish County Health Department to learn about youth vaping today. This virtual presentation will include an overview of Snohomish County vaping trends, popular devices among youth, the health effects of adolescent nicotine and marijuana use, and more.
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Format: Online via Zoom
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December is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) awareness month. SAD is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons, with most cases beginning in the late fall and early winter.
As days become shorter, the lower levels of sunlight may affect your body chemistry, by altering your levels of melatonin (which increases sleepiness), and serotonin (which regulates mood). Seasonal Affective Disorder impacts millions of Americans each year.
Source: Seasonal Affective Disorder (nih.gov)
Join us this November and December as we host a variety of classes to help you learn boundaries, self-care, coping and relaxation skills, and overall mental well-being.
See below for opportunities to beat the blues:
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Self-Care During the Holiday Season
Join the Women and Family Wellness Studio for a workshop focused on taking care of ourselves during the season of giving. Understand the concept of stress and its effect on the body, especially pertaining to the holiday season. The need for boundaries, self-care, and coping skills are emphasized and defined, and examples of how to carry out each are shared and practiced together.
Date: Wednesday, November 15
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Format: Online via Zoom
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Mindful Connection with Yoga
Join us for an hour of rest and self-care. Mindful centering and gentle movement will be practiced together with an emphasis on the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system, as well as toning the vagal nerve to signify safety and rest in the body. The goal of this workshop is to slow down and develop connection to and appreciation for one’s body, mind, and overall self. Jasmine McCarthy with Women and Family Wellness Studios will lead this class.
Date: Wednesday, November 29
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Format: Online via Zoom
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Coping with Grief During the Holidays
The holiday season can be particularly challenging for those experiencing grief and loss. In this class, a representative with Hospice of the Northwest will discuss the ways that grief can show up during the holidays. Participants will learn coping strategies to use for support. The instructor will help explore ways to honor and remember loved ones. They will also provide compassionate guidance to assist in healing this holiday season.
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Format: Online via Zoom or in-person at Stilly Valley Health Connections
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Somatic Stress Release
Join us to learn new ways to relieve stress and practice mindfulness. Our bodies carry stress in different ways. In this class, learn what unfinished stress cycles in the body are and how to complete those cycles. A range of emotions and how to approach them will be discussed. Mindfulness, grounding, and somatic relaxation skills will be practiced. Jasmine McCarthy with Women and Family Wellness Studios will lead this class.
Date: Wednesday, December 6
Time: 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Format: Online via Zoom
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Getting to Know Series: Fall Line-up | |
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Our "Getting to Know our Community Resources" webinars are held weekly on Tuesdays at 10:00 am. With each presentation, we are building a growing library of these recordings on our website. To view recorded presentations, click HERE.
Upcoming Webinars:
11/14 - Department of Social & Human Services
11/21 - Arlington Food Bank
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Car & Booster Seat Checks | |
Now scheduling appointments in
Arlington and Darrington!
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Get your car seat professionally checked by a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) at no cost! Caregivers will be provided with the instruction and guidance they need to ensure their children are safely buckled in. Car seat checks will be held at Stilly Valley Health Connections or Darrington Fire District #24. To participate, you must sign up and complete registration prior to the appointment date.
If you are interested in signing up to have your car seat or booster seat checked by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, please contact Stilly Valley Health Connections at 360-386-9918 or email info@stillyvalleyhealth.org.
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Partner Programs and Support Groups | |
Washington State University Extension | |
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Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adults. You’ll build skills and the confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to those who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
You will be able to:
- Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges.
- Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
- Understand how to interact with a person in crisis.
- Know how to connect a person with help.
- Use self-care tools and techniques.
Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023 Time: 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Format: In-Person at Stilly Valley Health Connections
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Youth Mental Health First Aid
Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among adolescents ages 12-18. You’ll build
skills and the confidence you need to reach out and provide initial support to young people who are struggling. You’ll also learn how to help connect them to appropriate support.
You will be able to:
- Recognize common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
- Recognize common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
- Understand how to interact with a young person in crisis.
- Know how to connect a young person with help.
- Better understand trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.
Date: Friday, December 8, 2023
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Format: In-Person at Stilly Valley Health Connections
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We hosted a cooking demonstration on Cooking for Good Gut Health in October. The demonstration was led by Kelsy with Sound Dietitians, LLC, with a chance to taste the food. Recipes included Mint Berry Chia Pudding, Basic Congee, and Prune Energy Balls. Kelsy also provided a guide on prebiotics and probiotics, available HERE.
Did you miss the event? Watch the recording HERE
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Upcoming Cooking and Nutrition Classes | |
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Healthy Breakfast On the Go
There is no doubt that a balanced breakfast is a great way to start the day. Learn quick and healthy breakfast options for when time is hard to come by. Join a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with Sound Dietitians, LLC, to learn easy and healthy breakfast ideas.
This event is free and can be attended either in person or online via Zoom. Not able to attend? Register anyway and we will send you the recording.
Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Format: In-person at Stilly Valley Health Connections or Online via Zoom.
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Simple and Healthy Holiday Desserts
It is possible to make holiday desserts that are both healthy and delicious. Join us for our December demonstration to learn nutritious new recipes that will have you coming back for seconds!
The class will be led by a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist from Sound Dietitians, LLC, and is sponsored by Skagit Regional Health.
This event is free and can be attended either in person or online via Zoom. Not able to attend? Register anyway and we will send you the recording.
Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Format: In-person at Stilly Valley Health Connections or Online via Zoom.
REGISTRATION: ONLINE | IN-PERSON
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When the weather is sunny and delightful, taking a stroll through the neighborhood or exploring your local park is a terrific way to get your daily dose of physical activity. But gloomy storm clouds and frost-covered sidewalks can often discourage us from venturing outside. Even if you can’t get to indoor facilities like gyms and shopping centers, there are still many ways to get in your weekly steps from the comfort of your own home.
Stairs
Walking up and down the stairs is a surprisingly effective form of aerobic exercise. It burns more calories than jogging, and can also increase muscle strength, improve endurance, and preserve bone density. Although you may not go the same “distance” as if you were on a treadmill or track, you will still get in a tremendous workout.
Hallways
Fitting in fitness can be fun, especially if you’re stuck in the house all day. Put on some headphones and walk around the house listening to an energizing soundtrack. If you have a step counter or another wearable fitness device—even better! You can challenge yourself to beat your last week’s step total. Use breaks in the workday to take a few laps around the house or apartment. It will benefit your body as well as your state of mind.
Supermarkets
We’re not advocating that you use your local supermarket as a gymnasium, but if you have the opportunity to go grocery shopping during off-hours, you can actually manage to get a pretty good workout strolling up and down the many aisles. Pushing a cart around the perimeter of the store is a fun (and delicious) way to get in extra steps during the week.
Treadmill
This one is pretty obvious, but if you have a treadmill, you can easily walk at any time of day. Set it up in front of your television and turn on one of your favorite shows. Next thing you know, you’ll have effortlessly walked a couple miles by the time the episode is over.
Living Room
How can you walk a mile in your living room? Easy, just walk-in-place. Sure, it might sound silly, but walking in place is actually a great source of aerobic exercise that you can do during downtime or commercial breaks.
Source: The Monday Campaign
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Questions about an upcoming program or need assistance registering?
Please contact us at (360)-386-9918 or email info@stillyvalleyhealth.org
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