As July comes to a close we all start to feel the anticipation of a brand new school year. While lying out on a terry cloth towel basking in the warmth of the sun, we begin to start making a mental "to do list" of everything needed to start the school year off right. This need makes us 'pop up' from our towel, and we race for a pad and pencil to write down all the great ideas we have concocted for the fall curriculum. But, wait a minute…hold on, there is still a bit of summer left to enjoy. This brings me to the focus of this section.

It is very exciting to commit to all these ideas that will stir up motivation, and enrich the lives of your students. However easy is to get caught up in all of this, it is equally easy to ignore the little voice shouting "what about me?" During the year a lot of us get so consumed with all the "to do's" we need to accomplish, that we often forget to stop and just breath. The summer has hopefully allowed you to focus at least a little bit on yourselves, and on activities that you like to do.

As a new school year apapproachesdon't forget to take that bit of summer with you, meaning take time for yourself. Set aside at least an hour a week for "me time," whether it is a soothing bath, exercise, or yoga. Make sure it is time spent on you. Doing so can rejuvenate and ground you for the demands of a busy schedule.

In this month;s health section, I am focusing on articles, links, and information about the effects of stress, and tips on healthy living on a busy schedule.

Dawn Sakaguchi
Health & Fitness Section Editor

The Great Race Across the States
Do you want to get your students motivated to run? In Len Saunder's "Project ACES Handbook" Len suggests an event called "The Great Race Across the States." This activity is for students of all grade levels, and not only motivates students to run, but also creates an opportunity to discuss with your class the importance of physical activity and healthy eating, as well as the benefits of aerobics.

The Great Race Across the States can occur in a gymnasium or outdoors. Points are distributed to students for each lap completed. Generally, it takes about 7 states to get across the country, so the class can start with any state from either the east or west coast. When the class reaches 100 points they can obtain one of the 50 states of their choice.

Again, the purpose of this activity is to get students excited about running, so the event is aimed at being noncompetitive. However, you can make it competitive by having a winning class for each grade level.

For more information, please see Len Saunder's "The Project ACES Handbook: 15 Great Projects for Making Fitness Fun!" The chapter also includes samples of a parent letter, press releases, and certificates.

In a conversation with a friend, have you ever complained about being stressed out? Most of us have, but what exactly is stress? An article from WebMD, entitled "Stress Management" defines stress as "…a complex, dynamic process of interaction between a person and his or her life. It is the way we react physically, mentally, and emotionally to the various conditions, changes, and demands of life." In essence, stress is an inevitable part of living, and though it is often thought of in a negative light, some stress is good. Stress can create a sense of importance. or need to get things accomplished.

Please read "Mind/Body Health: Job Stress" and "Stress and Disease: New Perspectives."

However, too much stress can be dangerous. The American Psychological Association Help Center, in the article entitled "The Different Kinds of Stress," explains different types of stress.

	Acute Stress- "Acute stress is the most common form of stress. It comes from demands and pressures of the recent past and anticipated demands and pressures of the near future. Acute stress is thrilling and exciting in small doses, but too much is exhausting."
	Episodic Acute Stress- "There are those, however, who suffer acute stress frequently, whose lives are so disordered that they are studies in chaos and crisis. They're always in a rush, but always late. If something can go wrong, it does. They take on too much, have too many irons in the fire, and can't organize the slew of self-inflicted demands and pressures clamoring for their attention. They seem perpetually in the clutches of acute stress." The APA also describes those called "worry-warts" as people subject to episodic acute stress. They tend to be filled with concern, believing that disaster is hiding around every corner.
	Chronic Stress - "Chronic stress comes when a person never sees a way out of a miserable situation. It's the stress of unrelenting demands and pressures for seemingly interminable periods of time. With no hope, the individual gives up searching for solutions."

For more thorough information read the article "The Different Kinds of Stress."

Provided here are some resource links to websites that offer suggestions on reducing stress, or stress management.

	Resources from MedlinePlus
	Tips to Reduce Stress from the National Center for Farmworker Health
	Stress - Coping with Everyday Problems from The National Mental Health Association
	How Can I Manage Stress? from the American Heart Association

Even though we hear the constant mantra of the importance of eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep, we often forego them in order to complete tasks or meet deadlines. We end up with only five hours of sleep, or ordering from the drive-thru for a quick bite to eat. The information in the next column encourages you to heed these mantras with the hope of ingraining in you the importance of taking care of your health.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can cause inefficiency throughout the day. You may find yourself unable to concentrate, or having difficulty in completing a task. A lack of sleep can also result in more serious problems.

"Recent research suggests that sleep deprivation impacts on aging and diabetes. Insufficient sleep may also make it difficult to exercise, and can reduce the benefit of hormones released during sleep. Just as compelling are the serious consequences of sleep deprivation that lead to approximately 100,000 sleep-related vehicle crashes each year and result in 1,500 deaths."

Following are some ways to ensure a good night's sleep from the National Sleep Foundation's article entitled "Are You Getting all the ZZZs You Need?"

	Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening. Caffeine and nicotine can delay your sleep, and alcohol may interrupt your sleep later in the night.
	If you have trouble sleeping when you go to bed, don't nap during the day since it affects your ability to sleep at night.
	Exercise regularly, but do so at least three hours before bed-time. A workout after that time may actually keep you awake because your body has not had a chance to cool down.
	Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine that will allow you to unwind and send a "signal" to your brain that it's time to sleep. Avoiding exposure to bright light before bedtime and taking a hot bath may help.
	Don't use your bed for anything other than sleep or sex. Your bed should be associated with sleep.
	Consider your sleep environment. Make it as pleasant, comfortable, dark, and quiet as you can.
	If you can't go to sleep after 30 minutes, don't stay in bed tossing and turning. Get up and involve yourself in a relaxing activity, such as listening to soothing music, or reading until you feel sleepy. Remember, try to clear your mind. Don't use this time to solve your daily problems.

Being involved in the field of health and physical education, we know the benefits of eating right and exercising. Below are link tips healthy eating, and fitting simple exercises into your daily life.

	Healthy Eating on the Run: A Month of Tips from the American Dietetic Association
	10 Tips for Healthy Eating on the Run from Medicine.net
	How to Fit Exercise in your Busy Schedule from ehow.com
	Exercise: a Healthy Habit to Start and Keep from familydoctor.org

Stress Tips - By Bill Reddie
26 ways to minimize and manage the unhealthy effects of stress, anxiety and burnout.

37 Stress Management Tips - By Michael Castleman
Although stress is part of life, you don't have to be stressed out.

Free Online Stress Test - This test is a lot of fun. Your computer mouse is used as the tool for measuring your stress level, moving the mouser on your skin, so make sure to rotate your mouse over different types of services to obtain different results.