The quarterly Blood Drive will be held April 2 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. Regular donors know that it must be seven weeks since the last blood donation. Please keep this date in mind when asked to donate at other sites.

This month the health pro- motion theme continues with TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF. Think for a moment, when was the last time you did something just for yourself? For better health, set aside at least a couple of hours a week just for YOU. Taking a little bit of time to take care of yourself may be the single most important thing that can be done to reduce stress and prevent serious illness. Taking personal time goes beyond the things that would normally be done such as eating nutritiously and sleeping well. This is an opportunity to make small adjustments so that day to day living is not overwhelming.

Start smart. Just 15 personal minutes a day will be a good habit-forming start.

Seek connections that soothe the soul. Participate in a retreat once a year to renew a commitment to individual well being. (Shrinemont!)

Be realistic about what can be accomplished in a day.

Occasionally ask someone for relief if taking care of an ill family member or friend.

Send the children to bed early. This will allow some time to read, relax or do something other than chores.

Redistribute responsibilities with a partner. This is not always easy to do, but one person cannot do it all.

Learn to say no! This is a tough one, but once said, there is great relief. No excuses need to be made, just say it.

And, if leading a fast-paced life and taking care of others is what you truly love, GREAT. Just make sure that some individual needs are still being met.

Adapted from Pick Your Path to Health, a campaign sponsored by the US Dept of HHS.