Volume 5, Issue 2, April 2012

Trees are blooming, flowers are budding, birds are chirping and daytime savings has arrived. Spring has sprung! Here are some things you should know.

NYC Water

Get Your Fill

NYC water is clean and delicious and tastes as good as bottled water, or better, at a tiny fraction of the price.

Drinking water is healthy

• It helps you lose weight
• It prevents kidney stones and urinary infections
• It helps make you more alert
• It has zero calories
• It helps to prevent dental cavities
• It is sodium free

Tips to Help You Drink More Water

1. Drink a glass of water every morning - it helps you wake up and get ready for the day
2. Drink a glass with each meal - drinking water with (or a halg-hour before) a meal will help keep you from overeating
3. Keep a bottle of water with you
4. Drink extra water when you feel thirsty - when you start feeling thirsty, your body needs water fast
5. Drink water when you exercise to prevent dehydration
6. If it's hot or humid, drink water to keep cool - it works!
7. Drink water with your snack - it will help you eat less!

Source: nyc.gov/health

Sleep Well

Do you struggle to get a good night's sleep? Read on for tips on how to get better sleep.

CIGNA© Sleep Better, Feel Better, Live Better Program

Sleep is required for a clear head, a fit body, and a good mood. It keeps your immune system strong and can reduce stress. But sleep trouble can affect anyone.  Dogs bark, babkes cry, you worry. In fact about 35 per cent of adulst have occasional sleep problems. Learn how to prevent insomnia, rest undisturbed and avoid waking up early. CIGNA's free 6-week program, along with audio resources, reminder emails and a coaching format, lets you go at your own pace. To participate in this program, login to www.MyCIGNA.com. Go to Manage My Health and click on My Health Program and Resources. Each week you'll receive tips and advice on how to improve the quality of your sleep.

 Source: MyCIGNA.com

Manage My Health/My Health Program and Resources

April is Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month

Keep Your Kids Safe!

Eyes are very sensitive parts of the body and can easily be injured. A whopping 40,000 sports related eye injuries happen each year, and many of these eye injuries can be circumvented if protective eyewear is worn. It’s best to check with your eye doctor to get the perfect fit for your child, wearing faulty or ill-fitting equipment can be just as dangerous as wearing nothing at all.

Common eye injuries occur from blunt trauma to the eye and sports most apt to contribute to blunt trauma are hockey, tennis, baseball, golf and water sports. Whether your child gets hit with an athletic object or even an elbow, you better believe they are going to be in pain, and they will want you to fix it.

A black eye is one of the most common of a sports related injury - this can be prevented by wearing goggles or another type of protective eyewear.

Remember, any type of eye or head trauma should be looked at by a physician, and before you send your child out on the court or the field, make sure he/she is always protected against any type of sports injury!

Source:

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness & Prevention Month

Osteoporosis is a disease that causes bones to become thin and weak, making them more susceptible to fractures, especially as people age. It is estimated that approximately half of all women older than 50 years of age, and as many as one in four men, will suffer broken bones due to osteoporosis. The rate of bone loss varies among individuals and is likely influenced by both genetic factors and lifestyle choices. Although some loss of bone mass is expected as people get older, osteoporosis and health problems associated with weak bones are not a normal part of the aging process. People are strongly encouraged to take steps to promote strong bones for life, including making healthy lifestyle choices such as a healthy diet, regular exercise and discussing bone health with a care provider.

Source: http://www.http://NYSOPEP.org

June is Cataract Awareness Month

SIDEBAR

For a quick energy boost:

• Eat a snack with complex carbohydrates and protein, like an energy bat or hal a peanut butter sandwich on wheat bread
• Take a short walk
• Have a min-meditation session at your workstation
• Vary your day or routine when you start to feel tired

Tips for Taking Care of your Eyes

• Always wear sunglasses when outdoors to avoid exposure to the wind, sun and dust.
• Take regular ‘eye breaks’ when working on the computer.
• Exercise your eyes frequently by shifting your focus from near objects to objects in the far distance and back again.
• When indoors, it’s a good idea to use an air cleaner that can filter dust and other particles from the air, but avoid using a humidifier.

To help alleviate ‘dry eye syndrome’ - Regular use of artificial tears (lubricating eye drops) may alleviate the symptoms of dry eyes. Be sure to obtain preservative-free artificial tear eye drops as part of your dry eye treatment- they are soothing and contain fewer additives that could potentially irritate they eye further. 

Tips for Preventing Osteoporosis

• Eating a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables.
• Choosing foods high in calcium, such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese; dried figs; salmon; canned sardines with bones; soy nuts; and cooked greens, including bok choy, dandelion, kale, mustard and turnip.
• Getting the recommended amount of vitamin D (which often requires a supplement).
• Engaging in exercise every day, through routine activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or dancing.
• Not smoking or quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol use.
• Taking safety precautions to avoid falls.
• Discussing bone health with a health care provider.