☃Bundle up and get outside—it’s National Play Outside Day!

Fresh air boosts mood, creativity, and overall health. Whether it’s a walk, a sled ride, or just exploring your backyard, enjoy some outdoor fun today

🧠 Happy National Trivia Day!

Let’s celebrate with some surprising health and wellness facts you may not know:

✨ Did you know…

• Laughing 100 times burns about the same calories as a 10-minute light workout.
• Drinking enough water can boost your focus and energy—even mild dehydration can impact mood.
• Your taste buds have a lifespan of about 10–14 days before they regenerate.
• A brisk 10-minute walk can improve your mood for up to 2 hours.
• Sleep is so powerful that missing just 1–2 hours can affect your alertness as much as going without sleep for 24 hours.
• Chewing gum can help improve memory and concentration for some people.
• About 80% of your immune cells live in your gut—your digestive health matters!
• Spending time in nature can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and boost overall well-being.

💬 Want to join the fun?
Share your favorite random trivia fact—health-related or totally silly—in the comments!

🏡 Home Health: Care That Comes to You

Home health services play a vital role in helping individuals stay safe, healthy, and independent—right in the comfort of their own homes.

Here’s why home health is so important:

✨ Promotes Independence
Home health allows people to recover, manage chronic conditions, and maintain their daily routines without leaving home.

✨ Supports Safety & Minimizes Hospitalizations
Regular nursing visits, medication management, and monitoring help catch concerns early and reduce unnecessary hospital stays.

✨ Personalized, One-on-One Care
Care is tailored to each person’s needs—whether it’s skilled nursing, therapy, wound care, or education for patients and caregivers.

✨ Essential Support from Home Health Aides
Our home health aides provide compassionate assistance with personal cares—such as bathing, dressing, grooming, mobility support, and daily hygiene. Their work helps patients stay comfortable, maintain dignity, and safely perform everyday activities.

✨ Comfort & Familiarity
Being surrounded by familiar people and surroundings boosts emotional well-being and healing.

✨ Helps Families & Caregivers
Home health provides support, education, and guidance, giving families peace of mind.

At Washington County Public Health, we’re proud to provide compassionate, high-quality home health care to help our community stay well at home.

💙 If you or a loved one could benefit from home health services, we’re here to help.

❄️✨ It’s National Winter Skin Relief Day! ✨❄️

If your skin is currently channeling its inner lizard 🦎… don’t worry, we’ve ALL been there.

Here are some fun winter skin “survival tips” to keep you soft, smooth, and feeling like a human again:

💧 Moisturize like it’s your part-time job
Put lotion on after showers, before bed, during commercials… you get the idea.

🚿 Skip the lava-hot showers
Yes, we know they’re amazing. But warm water = happy skin!

💨 Humidifier = winter bestie
Turn your home into a spa (or at least less of a desert).

🥤 Drink water
Because your skin can’t survive on coffee alone… sadly.

🧴 Gentle soaps, please
Let your skin chill without harsh ingredients.

Be kind to your skin this winter—after all, it’s your body’s biggest fan (literally, it covers everything!).

🚓💙 Today we honor and thank our law enforcement officers.

On National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, we recognize the dedication, service, and commitment of the men and women who work every day to keep our communities safe.

Washington County Public Health extends our heartfelt appreciation to all local officers, deputies, dispatchers, and public safety staff.
Your hard work, compassion, and courage do not go unnoticed.

💙 Thank you for protecting our communities.
💙 Thank you for supporting our residents.
💙 Thank you for the partnership we share in serving Washington County.

If you see an officer today, take a moment to thank them for all they do.

💙 National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 💙

Human trafficking involves forced labor or sexual exploitation and can affect people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds—often hidden in plain sight.

🚨 Possible warning signs include:
• Fearful or withdrawn behavior
• Someone speaking on another’s behalf
• Lack of personal identification or control over money
• Signs of physical abuse or neglect

🤝 What you can do:
• Learn the signs
• Trust your instincts
• Share resources
• Speak up when something doesn’t seem right

📞 National Human Trafficking Hotline:
1-888-373-7888 | Text 233733 (BEFREE)

More information available at www.IowaNAHT.org

Together, we can help protect our community.

💊💙 National Pharmacist Day 💙💊

Today we recognize the important role pharmacists play in healthcare and public health.

Pharmacists help ensure medications are safe, effective, and understood—while also providing health education, and trusted guidance to patients and families.

Washington County Public Health extends our sincere appreciation to all pharmacists for your collaboration, dedication, and compassionate care. Your work makes a meaningful difference in our community every day.

🩸 January is National Blood Donor Month 🩸

Blood donations are especially critical during the winter months when severe weather and illness can reduce the blood supply.

✨ Did you know?
• One blood donation can help save up to three lives
• Blood is needed for emergencies, surgeries, cancer treatments, and chronic conditions
• Most blood types are needed every day
• The donation process usually takes about an hour
• Donors can give whole blood every 56 days

If you’re healthy and able, consider rolling up your sleeve and making a life-saving difference in our community.

💙 Thank you to all blood donors for your generosity and compassion.