Physical Wellness – Page 27

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants for their health benefits. Research results on the effectiveness of aromatherapy have been mixed, but it’s possible that aromatherapy works by sending chemical messages to a part of the brain that affects moods and emotions. Perhaps you’ve seen lavender eye masks or pillow sprays that are intended to help you relax and sleep. But lavender isn’t the only scent known for its relaxing properties. Vanilla, valerian, rose, and jasmine are also potential sleep inducers.

Keep in mind that any scent that makes you feel good can help you relax. If you have fond memories of Grandma baking pumpkin pie, a candle with that scent might lull you into slumber. Just be sure to blow it out before you doze off! Also, be careful with scents containing lemon; while research has shown it to be a mood enhancer, it’s also considered to be a stimulant.

Article from the StayWell Company, LLC

Well Wisconsin Incentive deadline is October 20th

If you are covered under the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance program, you are eligible for a $150 incentive to complete a health screening and assessment. For more information about the incentive, please visit the Stay Well website, and click on “Learn More” by Well Wisconsin. The deadline is Friday, October 20, 2017.

October Wellness Webinar: Understanding Health Values

By now, you’ve participated in your health screening as part of the Well Wisconsin incentive program. Join us to learn more about what the numbers mean and how you can maintain or improve them for your overall health and well-being.

Date: Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Time: 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Cofrin Library, 7th floor, room 735

No need to RSVP – just mark your calendar to join us, and bring your lunch!

You could also participate in this webinar at your workstation if you prefer – please visit wellwisconsin.staywell.com and go to Webinars to register.

Wellness webinars highlighting various health and well-being topics will take place the 3rd Wednesday of each month. All webinars will be recorded and available to Well Wisconsin Program participants on the wellness portal after the event date.

To access the wellness portal, you must be an employee, retiree, or enrolled spouse/domestic partner enrolled in the State of Wisconsin or Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance Program.

Flu Shot Clinic

Fight the flu this season by getting your annual flu shot! The Well Wisconsin Program is offering a flu shot clinic during our Benefits & Wellness Fair. Flu shots are free and voluntary for all site employees who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program.

Date: Thursday, October 5, 2017

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: University Union, Phoenix Rooms

The shot will vaccinate against the four most likely causes of flu illness during the upcoming season, including the H1N1- strain of influenza.

The vaccine is not preservative free and is not recommended for the following individuals:

Those allergic to eggs or egg products
Those who are sensitive to the mercury-based preservative thimerosal
Those who have an active neurological disorder
Those with a fever, acute respiratory or other active infection or illness

If you are pregnant, you should receive the vaccine directly from your physician.

Pre-registration required. No walk-ins, cash payments or insurance payments accepted. To register for your flu shot appointment, log into the StayWell wellness portal at wellwisconsin.staywell.com and click on Programs, then Learn More on the Flu Shot Clinics box, and then Register Now. Scroll through the list of available clinics and look for the October 5th clinic at UWGB and click Register. Then select your preferred time, and complete the registration process. Last, you will receive a confirmation email.

For more information about the flu shot, visit: cdc.gov/flu.

What if I am not able to make the flu shot clinic offered by the Well Wisconsin program? The UW-Green Bay Counseling and Health Center offers flu shots to employees at a cost of $25, which can be paid by cash or check. You can call them at ext. 2380 to schedule an appointment. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and you should have your Campus ID card ready when you call to schedule your appointment.

Please contact us at wellness@uwgb.edu or ext. 2203 if you have any questions about the Flu Shot clinic.

See What You Know About Fruits and Veggies

Whether you heard it from your parents, your doctor, a government agency, or any number of media outlets, you are most likely familiar with the fact that fruits and vegetables are good for you. Here’s your chance to show the world (or just yourself) how much you know about the health benefits of produce.

Questions

1. True or false: When a fruit or vegetable has a vivid color that means it’s not as good for you.

2. When you’re prepping fruits and vegetables to eat, which of these precautions should you take to ensure they’re clean and won’t make you sick?

A. Wash your hands before handling produce
B. Rinse produce with warm water—even if you don’t eat the skin or peel
C. Cut away bruised or damaged areas before eating
D. All of the above

3. Which of these is not a proven health benefit of eating fruits and vegetables?

A. It boosts your mood.
B. It strengthens your immune system.
C. It improves your hearing.
D. It improves your psychological health.

4. True or false: It’s possible that eating fruits and vegetables helps prevent cell damage in your body.

Answers

1. False. In fact, vivid colors mean the produce is full of chemicals like carotenoids and flavonoids, which contain good-for-you antioxidants.

2. D—All of the above. If the produce has a firm skin, you should use a scrub brush to clean it.

3. C—It improves your hearing. Sadly, this hasn’t been found. But you should still eat a lot of produce, because the other three health benefits have been proven.

4. True. The antioxidants that are prevalent in produce might help combat a process in your body that triggers cell damage.

Article from The StayWell Company, LLC

On-Site Health Screening on September 14th

Know your numbers!

Register today for the on-site health screening event at UW-Green Bay for employees and their spouse/domestic partner who are enrolled in the State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance Program!

Date: Thursday, September 14, 2017

Time: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Room: Phoenix Room in University Union

Complete two easy steps by October 20, 2017 to earn the $150* Well Wisconsin incentive:

STEP 1: Get your 2017 health screening** – log in to wellwisconsin.staywell.com and click the Programs tab to register for this event.

You’ll be in and out in 20 minutes
Screening includes measurements for blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), cholesterol (HDL, LDL and Total), triglycerides and glucose
Fasting is not required, but is highly recommended for more accurate results
Screening completion will be displayed in the StayWell wellness portal within two business days. Your results will be automatically uploaded to your profile within 10 business days
On-site health screenings are confidential, free and voluntary

STEP 2: Complete the StayWell health assessment** at wellwisconsin.staywell.com

It takes about 10 minutes and is mobile and tablet friendly!

NOTE: You must register ahead of time for this health screening – they do not allow walk-ins that day.

If you already completed your health screening this past April, you do not need to complete it again in 2017. There will be another on-site screening event in April 2018, for the 2018 Well Wisconsin incentive.

Questions? For more information on on-site health screenings or the Well Wisconsin Program, log in to wellwisconsin.staywell.com or email payrollandbenefits@uwgb.edu.

* Those enrolled in Humana’s Medicare Advantage plan or have a postal address outside of the U.S. are not eligible to receive the $150 incentive. The $150 incentive is treated as taxable income and will be reported to your employer.

** Individual health information will never be shared with the employer.

Fit More Fitness Into Your Workday

Moving more at work is easier said than done, especially if your job requires a lot of sitting. But physical activity can be added into the average workday in ways you may not realize.

Take a Stand

Set an alarm on your phone or computer for every 30 minutes. When it rings, do a two-minute exercise challenge.

2 Minute Challenge Ideas

Exercise can be done almost anywhere at any time at work. Here are some tips to get you off on the right track:

Walk in place with high knees
Perform arm circles forward for one minute, then backwards for another minute
Squats or walking lunges
Desk pushups

To gain support, challenge a coworker to perform these exercises together.

Quick Tip: Try changing out your chair. Use a stability ball instead of a chair to challenge your core and improve your posture.

Article from The StayWell Company, LLC