March Madness in More Ways Than One- Jessie Fergesen, Cedar Rapids Kernels and Waterloo Bucks

In 1939 a high school athletic administrator is credited with coining the phrase “March Madness”; however, it was Brent Musberger who used the phrase during the 1982 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, and it stuck.  Personally, I go absolutely nuts for March Madness as a college wrestling and basketball fan, entering staff pools, and watching all three tournaments when I can. Even if you don’t get into basketball or wrestling, March can bring a little madness to all our lives.

Spring Break is often associated with March. Spring Break is supposed to be just that, a break, but for women, is it? Do you truly get a break during this time, or does it just make the rest of your month hectic? Common questions asked by women all over could be, have we booked our trip yet? If you aren’t traveling have you decided what you will do with your kids while they are out of school? Are you taking off work?  What will the weather be like, and can we plan some outdoor outings during spring break? What if the weather causes travel snarls?  See what I mean, madness!

It’s also tax season. No matter when you hear that term, it causes stress. Have you filed your taxes yet?  Do you have all your receipts?  Did you schedule time with your accountant? Are you filing yourself? Ugh! Thank goodness this only happens once a year.

There’s also the WILD weather of March.  Another famous phrase is, March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb. This March certainly seems to have done just this with winter storms and cool temperatures in the first few weeks of March having us all looking forward to spring.

So yeah, March is a busy month, and it can cause us all a little madness. But what I haven’t mentioned yet and what could be the most important thing in March is to celebrate WOMEN! It’s Women’s History Month and while we can get caught up in all these other events that occur in March, I encourage us all to take some time to celebrate the women in our lives and that also means taking time for yourself.

What have you done this March to celebrate the women?  Here are a few ideas of ways you can celebrate women in your life.

Have a dinner party with your close girlfriends.

If you know of a woman in your life who’s struggling to keep things together, send her a note, a text, or some flowers.

Organize a lunch at work with the women in your office or department.

Get together with your mom, sisters, and/or nieces.

Schedule a massage for yourself.

Get your nails done with a close friend or daughter.

Take an afternoon to unplug.

However you spend March, make sure a part of it is spent celebrating women.

Know Your Numbers-Katie Powell, Savant Tax & Consulting

Katie Powell, PWN 2023 Board Member

You see this phrase and many think, what numbers are you talking about?  Are you thinking about how many people will be at the next event, how many stops will be included for the next trip, or what should your monthly budget be?  These are all important questions however this phrase will be the most important and how it can save your life.

Know Your Numbers is the campaign that the American Heart Association kicked off this year to help women be aware of diabetes and what can be done to prevent it.  This phrase helps you know your body and how you can be a healthier you.  It is important to know your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and body weight.  These key areas will help you achieve your health goals.

The best way to monitor your numbers is to ask your physician at your annual exam to run the tests to start the baseline.  Many people today don’t request this with the concern of additional testing and medical cost however if you have a family history that has had heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, etc., you can provide a valuable reason on why you want to know your numbers.  Instead of looking at the out-of-pocket costs, think about the life-changing measures you can take to live a long and healthy life.  Heart disease is the #1 killer in women and diabetes is a factor that causes this.

So, celebrate a healthier you and join the movement to “Know Your Numbers”.  February is Heart month and Friday; February 3rd is the kickoff!  Join us and wear Red to support your fellow women and to all the heart survivors out there.  Share to the world you are celebrating your health and you have made the goal to “Know Your Numbers” in 2023!

For more information on “Know Your Numbers” click on the link below.  https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/prevention–treatment-of-diabetes/know-your-health-numbers

Recently diagnosed with diabetes, this website will help you get a better understanding of this disease.  https://www.knowdiabetesbyheart.org/