August has arrived, and with it comes a wonderful opportunity to refocus on self-care, manage stress, and enhance our daily health routines. Especially with school starting again and falling back into fall rhythms. It's National Wellness Month, a time when Orchard Hospital encourages you to prioritize your well-being. Even small changes can be impactful and lead to a healthier life.

August marks the beginning of back-to-school preparations, a time when parents, teachers, schools, and students gear up for a season of education. It's a time to dust off the backpacks, fill them up, and plan for a new school year. But beyond the traditional back-to-school checklist, August is also recognized as National Immunization Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of vaccinations and preventive health measures.

Here are some ways you can get your child ready for school health-wise, highlighting the significance of immunization and providing tips for ensuring your child practices good hygiene to prevent illness.

Many people look forward to the summer. During the summer you can enjoy the beautiful weather outdoors, the days are longer, and there are plenty of fun things to do. The only complaint that people have during the summer is that it can get too hot. When the temperature reaches the 90's and the 100's, it can be very difficult to get comfortable. It can also be dangerous. If you are not careful and you don't keep yourself cool, your body can overheat, which can be very dangerous and even deadly.

We love enjoying our summers in Northern California! This is the season when we go camping, participate in sports camps, and enjoy water based recreational activities. With all the fun we can have, it’s still important to recognize that prolonged exposure to sunlight can have harmful effects on our skin and overall health.  

Have you ever stopped to consider how important your limbs are to your everyday life? They allow us to move, work, and play in ways we often take for granted. But for millions of people around the world, limb loss or limb difference is a reality they must face every day.

April is Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the millions of people around the world who live with limb differences or have lost a limb. While the reasons for limb loss are varied, diabetes and vascular disease are the most common causes in the United States. Rural and agricultural communities may have unique risks and challenges related to limb loss.

February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about heart disease and the importance of taking care of our hearts. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, with more than 600,000 Americans dying from it every year.

Fortunately, there are steps we can take to reduce our risk and improve our heart health. We will explore some simple heart-healthy habits you can incorporate into your daily routine, as well as resources for where to go to learn more about heart health.

Remember when your parents used to remind you to eat your vegetables so you can grow big and strong? Well, it’s actually important at every stage of life to get the proper nutrition so your body can be healthy. There are signs to when your body is missing key nutrients, and each symptom can be correlated to a specific nutrient.

It’s time to trade in your swimming suits for school supplies - back to school season is upon us! While many parents and caregivers are ready to get back into a routine again, actually doing so can take some time. The tips below can help you make healthy choices for your kids as you start the summer to classroom transition. 

The official start of summer brings the fun of outdoor activities, summer camps, vacations, and high temperatures. It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of activities and a more relaxed routine, forgetting to take proper care of ourselves and our loved ones when the temperatures get into the triple digits. High temperatures combined with strenuous physical activity can lead to heat exhaustion. Luckily, with the right knowledge and precautions it’s completely preventable.

We all experience levels of stress, sadness, depression, anxiety and other emotions in our lives. They are part of who we are as human beings and our natural way of responding to situations. But as many as 1 in 5 people are affected by these expected behaviors and responses turning into a mental health condition. The signs of mental illness are not always obvious, and each mental health condition has its own symptoms. It’s important to be able to recognize the symptoms and to know how to help yourself or someone else who is suffering.