Take it outside!


The next time you feel like falling into the recliner or perching yourself comfortably with your laptop, smart phone, tablet or whatever... STOP! Take it outside. In fact, take the whole family outside. Put down the remotes, put away the technology, turn off the power. Unplug. There's a whole world waiting for your family - outside. Unplug and Be Outside is happening across Idaho in April and May. Check out the FREE activities in your area. Try a new activity. Have a family contest. Each family member can choose an activity for everyone to try - rock climbing, golf, fishing, Read more

Your Colon


  Feeling a little embarrassed to talk about your colon? Colon health isn't really "coffee table talk", but come on - we all own one! So, get comfortable with your colon. Talk to your doctor. Learn the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer. Know the screening guidelines. Get a free at-home kit. Review the resources; walk through the "inflatable colon". Colon embarrassment is not worth dying over. For a practical and fun take on colonoscopies, watch the 2.5 minute "Jo-Jo Read more

Probiotics, Herbal Remedies, Massage...and more!


Probiotics, herbal remedies, yoga, massage, meditation, acupuncture, natural products, and more ... can be considered complementary and alternative medicine or "CAM".  So what's CAM all about?  Complementary medicine is generally used in addition to standard medical care you receive from your doctor; alternative medicine is generally in place of standard medical care. As you consider different forms of CAM, check out these key points. Make thoughtful choices. Know the benefits. Take charge of your health and be an informed consumer of CAM. Information is out there! Is there an area in your life where you use complementary or alternative Read more

Taking Your Blood Pressure


It's heart month! Is monitoring your blood pressure giving you stress? There are many tools available to help you learn to use an at-home monitor. Choose the right monitor for your needs. Watch the instructional video so you feel comfortable using your machine. Take your blood pressure regularly and track it. Give your doctor a history of your blood pressure numbers at your next appointment. It might eliminate the stress of those high spikes in the doctor's office. Most importantly, take your blood pressure medication. Talk with your doctor if your medication is not working for you. (Estimate your health Read more

Winter got you tied up in knots?


Had enough of the snow, ice, and sub-zero weather? Are the kids and animals turning on you? Winter weather forces us indoors with lots of moaning and groaning and pent-up energy. Here are some ways to use that pent up energy. For your little kids, Parents.com promotes 11 Fun Activities When Winter Weather Traps You Indoors - not a bad list of things to get the little ones focused on something fun. For your older kids, create an indoor skating rink, play freeze play or do mirror dancing. Lots more great ideas on Examiner.com. For your pets, throw a nerf ball, Read more

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Take it outside!

March 29, 2013 Wellness Program Manager Things to Do, Tips, Uncategorized Leave a comment   , , , , , , ,

The next time you feel like falling into the recliner or perching yourself comfortably with your laptop, smart phone, tablet or whatever… STOP! Take it outside. In fact, take the whole family outside. Put down the remotes, put away the technology, turn off the power. Unplug. There’s a whole world waiting for your family – outside. Unplug and Be Outside is happening across Idaho in April and May. Check out the FREE activities in your area. Try a new activity. Have a family contest. Each family member can choose an activity for everyone to try – rock climbing, golf, fishing, bike rodeo, geocaching, star gazing, camping, belly dancing, hockey, zumba, ice skating, gardening…and the list goes on! Check out Health Matters for more ideas. Come on – reconnect with the earth. Take it outside!

How does your family “take it outside” and be active?


Your Colon

March 6, 2013 Wellness Program Manager Tips Leave a comment   , , , , ,


 

Feeling a little embarrassed to talk about your colon? Colon health isn’t really “coffee table talk”, but come on – we all own one! So, get comfortable with your colon. Talk to your doctor. Learn the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer. Know the screening guidelines. Get a free at-home kit. Review the resources; walk through the “inflatable colon”. Colon embarrassment is not worth dying over. For a practical and fun take on colonoscopies, watch the 2.5 minute “Jo-Jo Video”.

 


Probiotics, Herbal Remedies, Massage…and more!

February 24, 2013 Wellness Program Manager Tips, Uncategorized Leave a comment   , , , , ,
Herbal Remedies

Probiotics, herbal remedies, yoga, massage, meditation, acupuncture, natural products, and more … can be considered complementary and alternative medicine or “CAM”.  So what’s CAM all about?  Complementary medicine is generally used in addition to standard medical care you receive from your doctor; alternative medicine is generally in place of standard medical care. As you consider different forms of CAM, check out these key points. Make thoughtful choices. Know the benefits. Take charge of your health and be an informed consumer of CAM. Information is out there!

Is there an area in your life where you use complementary or alternative medicine?

 

 


Taking Your Blood Pressure

February 3, 2013 Wellness Program Manager Clinics, Tips Leave a comment   , , ,

It’s heart month! Is monitoring your blood pressure giving you stress? There are many tools available to help you learn to use an at-home monitor. Choose the right monitor for your needs. Watch the instructional video so you feel comfortable using your machine. Take your blood pressure regularly and track it. Give your doctor a history of your blood pressure numbers at your next appointment. It might eliminate the stress of those high spikes in the doctor’s office. Most importantly, take your blood pressure medication. Talk with your doctor if your medication is not working for you. (Estimate your health risks from high blood pressure. Take the quiz.)


Winter got you tied up in knots?

January 24, 2013 Wellness Program Manager Things to Do, Tips Leave a comment   , , , , ,
Winter Stress

Had enough of the snow, ice, and sub-zero weather? Are the kids and animals turning on you? Winter weather forces us indoors with lots of moaning and groaning and pent-up energy. Here are some ways to use that pent up energy. For your little kids, Parents.com promotes 11 Fun Activities When Winter Weather Traps You Indoors - not a bad list of things to get the little ones focused on something fun. For your older kids, create an indoor skating rink, play freeze play or do mirror dancing. Lots more great ideas on Examiner.com. For your pets, throw a nerf ball, play tug-of-war, hide treats, use a laser pointer. Get dogs outside for a brief walk; it doesn’t have to be long, just enough time for them to experience another world. Pets can get destructive when they don’t have stimulation or outside time. More great ideas on keeping your pet active and fit indoors is on Petfinder. For you, look at “winter confinement” as a gift! Remember what it was like to read a good book? Now you have time. Get members of your family involved and read aloud, or create your own home-bound family book club. Always wanted to try new, healthy vegetable recipes? Now is the time to go online or scour your cookbooks and magazines for healthy alternatives. Walking DVD’s are great for winter weather; get off the couch, plug in the DVD, and get a mile under your belt in 15 minutes. How about your own DIY project? BuzzFeed has insanely easy fun projects that even I can manage! This is my new favorite website. I’m going to make a firefly jar….

What are your ideas for staying active indoors?


Baby, It’s Cold Out There!

January 4, 2013 Wellness Program Manager Tips, Uncategorized 1 , ,
Winter Pets

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, there’s only bad clothing.”  That was a quote on the morning news – and, I think it’s right. This is a good time to double check your winter weather habits before you get caught in the cold. Remember to layer your clothing; you can always take a layer off. Several light layers are going to be warmer than one heavy layer. Wear clothes that wick moisture away from your body. Keep your head, feet, and hands warm when you are outside. Double check the winter supplies in your car. Always, always travel with a hat, gloves, mittens, flashlight, and waterproof boots/warm shoes somewhere in your car; a couple energy bars and water are important. Be sure your house is winter ready. Know where your main water shut-off valve is in case of frozen pipes. Have a good supply of candles, matches, warm blankets, heavy socks, hats, gloves/mittens, flashlights and batteries, water, and quick energy foods. Don’t leave candles or the fireplace unattended – ever. Don’t forget your furry friends. Outdoor pets may need to come indoors at night; water bowls should not be frozen. Consider increasing your pet’s food so energy levels can remain high. And, be sure your pet has a warm place away from the wind. Stay warm and enjoy the winter!


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