Jackson College has partnered with Henry Ford Jackson Hospital to offer Jackson College students and employees medical care evaluation and treatment from the clinic’s caring staff. A licensed nurse practitioner and technical staff will be in the office to see patients, make diagnosis and assessment, prescribe medications or make referrals.
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HEALTH CLINIC HOURS
Monday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. (virtual care only)
Call 517.990.1374 to make an appointment.
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The holidays are here and hopefully it is a time for joy, celebration and togetherness. Sometimes however the holidays can be a demanding, tiring time of, excessive travel, indulgence and stress. Thus, in the rush of family gatherings, gift shopping and festive meals, make sure to keep your general health and safety in mind. Below are some essential tips to ensure a safe, healthy and fun holiday season.
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Common Holiday Injuries and
How to Avoid them
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• | | Falls - Hanging up those Christmas lights or putting a star on the top of the tree may require use of a ladder. With roughly 160 decorating related fall injuries in the U.S. every day during the holiday season, ladder safety is important (UCLA Health, 2021). Before using your ladder make sure it appears to be in working order. When you set your ladder up, make sure it is on level ground, also make sure that you have someone else with you, so you have a spotter. |
• | | Fire - Candles, overloaded electrical outlets and Christmas trees are the major sources of fire around the holiday season. Most burn injuries around the holidays can be attributed to the lighting of the candles during Hanukkah, which lasts for eight days (Journalist Resource, 2023). Avoid fires by making sure your Christmas tree is well watered. If you have an artificial tree, purchase one that is fire resistant. Keep candles away from children, and never leave a candle burning in an unattended room (UCLA Health, 2021) |
• | | Back Strain - There is a lot of lifting during the holidays, from carrying heavy packages, boxes of decorations and Christmas trees. If you need to lift something heavy, make sure that you don’t bend from the waist. Instead, squat and lift with your legs (Piedmont Orthopedics, 2023). Also never try to do a task that requires heavy lifting alone, find a buddy when doing heavy lifting. |
• | | Food and alcohol related injury - Holiday celebrations are usually surrounding by some type of festive food, potluck and alcohol. Leaving food out too long at the family potluck can lead to food-borne illness. Avoid this by making sure food is kept at proper temperature to prevent bacteria growth. Leftovers should be refrigerated within two hours of serving (UCLA Health, 2021). The holidays are also a time of alcohol overindulgence, with 42 percent of Americans considering drinking as a family tradition (American Addiction Center, 2022). Make sure to drink in moderation, never drink and drive, always have a designated driver planned ahead of time before attending a holiday function. |
• | | Cuts - Difficult-to-open packages can lead to using sharp tools to open them in a hurry. Instead of the knife cutting through the tape it ends up cutting more than intended and you end up with a laceration to the hand. Remember to always cut away from you and someone else. |
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Even during the holidays, it is important to stick to your normal self-care routines so remember to:
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• | | Stay active - After that holiday meal, get bundled up and go outside for a walk. It’s a great way to stay moving and aid in digestion. |
• | | Prioritize sleep - Maintain a consistent sleep schedule, go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day (even during the holidays). This will boost your immune system, reduce fatigue and keep your mood stable. |
• | | Mental health - Although the holidays can be joyful, they can be stressful as well. Make sure to prioritize your mental health, set boundaries. Set realistic expectations and try not to overcommit. Remember it is okay to say no if you need to. |
• | | Mindful Eating - The holidays typically equal indulgence. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Keep portions in mind, stock up on the veggie tray, grab the lean protein and try to avoid the dessert table. |
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While staying safe is important, don’t forget to enjoy the holidays to the fullest. Take time to recharge, enjoy the company of family and friends and count your blessings.
Happy Holidays from the Jackson College Health Clinic!
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