Happy Health & Wellness Week!
Our focus this week is on YOUR health and wellness.
Your health — whether physical, mental, emotional, or relational—affects you, the people who care about you, and the many areas where your lives are intertwined. So, let’s talk about it! Maintaining or improving your health and wellbeing takes intention, time and energy. So, when you’re ready to invest in your health, we’re here with resources to help you make the most of your investment.
Health & Wellness Week is a time to focus on your personal health, as well as to get connected with resources available to you through the Invest in Your Health program that can help you achieve your goals.
Friday, July 15 – Quit Tobacco
Many of the negative side effects from smoking are reversible. According to the American Lung Association, soon after quitting you will notice more energy and less stress, less eye and throat irritation, a reduction in your smoker’s cough, an improved sense of taste and smell, and better-smelling breath and clothes.
Over time you will also benefit from fewer colds and respiratory infections, much of the damage smoking caused will be repaired, and your risk of cancer, heart disease, COPD, and high blood pressure will be reduced.
- New day, new you (ActiveHealth resource)
- Track your cravings (ActiveHealth resource)
- Tobacco Cessation/Survival Bag (ActiveHealth resource)
- Interactive Tool: Are you ready to quit smoking?
Thursday, July 14 – Eat Well
Nearly 117 million American adults are suffering from one or more chronic diseases due to improper nutrition and lack of exercise, says the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
The World Health Organization stated that at least 80 percent of all heart disease, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes, and up to 40 percent of cancer could be prevented if people ate better, engaged in more physical activity, and quit using tobacco.
Wednesday, July 13 – Physical Activity
One in four adults doesn’t exercise as much as they should, according to the World Health Organization. Research shows that regular physical activity offers numerous health benefits including, but not limited to, the regulation of blood pressure, management of anxiety and depression and the prevention of weight gain.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends all healthy adults aged 18–65 participate in moderate intensity aerobic physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes, five days per week, or vigorous intensity aerobic activity for a minimum of 20 minutes, three days per week. Every adult should perform activities that maintain or increase muscular strength and endurance a minimum of two days per week.
Tuesday, July 12 – Health for Life
Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes are responsible for 7 of every 10 deaths among Americans each year and account for 75% of the nation’s health spending. – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Preventive care is a great way to prevent the development of chronic disease. Taking a proactive approach to your health can also improve the overall quality of your life. Some of the benefits include things like reduced stress, lower blood pressure, more energy, fewer aches and pains, a reduced risk of obesity and fewer sick days.
Monday, July 11 – Stress & Mindfulness
55% of Americans are stressed during the day – The American Institute of Stress
If left unmanaged, unhealthy levels of stress can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, anxiety, and depression. While it is impossible to eliminate all stress from our lives, there are things we can do to better manage our stress levels.
A few resources to get you started are listed below:
- Optum Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Stress management resources from healthwise.net
- Optum EAP Services overview
- Stress tools and resources
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Share Your Story
Are you taking steps to improve your health and wellness? Is your office doing something unique or special to celebrate wellness in the workplace?
Are you taking steps to improve your health? If so, the Indiana State Personnel Department (INSPD) is accepting story, photo, and video submissions from state employees! Whether it’s getting outside and being active in a local park or enjoying a wholesome meal, let us know how you and your family live a healthy lifestyle. Your submission may be selected to use in one of INSPD’s statewide communications, social media channels, newsletters, or on the Invest In Your Health Indiana website.
To learn more about how to share your story, visit www.investinyourhealthindiana.com/send-us-your-story.
