Proper eye care and regular vision examinations throughout our lives, starting in childhood, are critical for maintaining good eye health. Whether you’re blessed with perfect eyesight, are one of the millions of Americans wearing corrective lenses, or have had your eyesight improved through surgery, there’s much we should know about our eyes and how they change, need protection and age. May is Healthy Vision Month. It’s a good time to consider when you last had your eyes examined by a medical … [Read More...]
Healthy Connections Articles
Use Your Brain to Protect Your Heart
When we get tense, angry or stressed, we often complain about our blood pressure rising. For some it may simply be a euphemism for frustration…but for many people, it’s a life-threatening reality. As many as 73 million Americans have high blood pressure. And of the one in every four adults with high blood pressure, 31.6 percent are not aware they have it. Doctors have long called high blood pressure “the silent killer” because a person can have high blood pressure and never have any symptoms. … [Read More...]
Sunny Side Up: Good for Breakfast, Not for Our Skin
It’s already May, and we’re outdoors again as much as possible, enjoying the mild weather and longer days. We love the stunning spring colors, and those seasonal rituals like squeezing into our spring wardrobes, first barbeques, and basking in the sun. But remember: While we’re savoring the warmth and working on that early tan, we’re also soaking up damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Every year we hear stories about the importance of covering up, applying sunscreen, and donning hats. But … [Read More...]
Stress at Work: Recognizing and Understanding Symptoms
We all experience stress, in different ways and from different sources and it affects each of us differently. The common denominator, though, is that stress in the workplace manifests itself in increased absenteeism and presenteeism, lower productivity and increased service errors. Stress also has a negative impact on safety, quality and teamwork. According to the 2013 Work and Well-Being Survey released in March by the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Center for Organizational Excellence, … [Read More...]
Now That’s Funny! How Humor and Laughter Help Keep Us Healthy
Wait for it…you know the punch line is coming, you anticipate it, you’re poised and ever the good audience. When humor arrives laughter rolls out of us, and we feel better. We crave laughter, and the relief it offers. In fact, we dose ourselves with situation comedies, flock to funny movies, tell one another jokes and stories, share goofy emails and videos online, and find the humor in almost every situation. And that is very, very healthy. April is both National Humor Month and Stress Awareness … [Read More...]
Understanding Our Love Affair with Carbohydrates
It’s spring, the weather’s nice again, and you’re heading outdoors…without several layers of clothes to hide beneath! If you’re thinking you need to shed a few pounds, you should be thinking about carbohydrates. Many of the popular diets recommend cutting back on carbs -- and often refer to “good and bad” carbs. But to improve your chances of getting a handle on your weight, you need to understand how carbs work, why we need them, and how to eat the right foods. Carbohydrates are … [Read More...]
It’s April, Let the Sneezing Begin!
It seems like every spring we hear news reports about it being “the worst allergy season in years.” While most of us look forward to the warmer weather this is a difficult time of year for millions of Americans. The severity of allergy season can vary according to where you live, the weather, indoor contaminants, and many other elements. But if you’re an allergy sufferer, you know that sneezing, wheezing, and running for the tissue box is upon us. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is usually caused … [Read More...]
The Price of Obesity in the Workplace
The increase in obesity rates in the United States is costing every employer -- and every employee. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 36 percent of U.S. adults are obese (at least 20 percent above their ideal weight), and current estimates of the medical cost of adult obesity range from $147 billion to nearly $210 billion annually -- more than alcohol- and smoking-related costs combined. A 2012 report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood … [Read More...]
Preventing Kidney Disease is in Our Blood
Early symptoms and hints about kidney health often get overlooked, even though more than 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease. Kidney damage typically occurs slowly over many years, often due to diabetes or high blood pressure and advancing age. Secondary risks include obesity, autoimmune diseases, urinary tract infections, and systemic infections. Like with most health issues and chronic diseases, awareness and early intervention are critical. Our kidneys filter extra water and wastes … [Read More...]
Adding Some Culture to Our Diets
Coming out of the winter months we’ve been ducking bacteria left and right, washing our hands as often as possible, properly preparing our food, and taking antibiotics for bacterial infections. However, there’s a flip side to the bacteria story that doesn’t get as much attention. There are “good” bacteria, as well as “bad” bacteria, and one of those “good” types of bacteria aids digestion and promotes a healthier digestive system. Probiotics (from pro and biota, meaning “for … [Read More...]
