Sleep Hygiene

Hi All, Chrisy from the WWRT here. Here are some interesting sleep statistics for you to ponder- 16 to 18- hours per day, on average, a newborn baby sleeps. 3.5 hours of uninterrupted sleep, on average, a new mom gets per night. 70- number of Americans, in millions, who suffer from a sleep problem. The most common culprit? Insomnia, which affects up to 40 percent of adults each year. 6.9- hours of sleep Americans get per night, on average- a full hour less than a decade ago. $15.9- estimated cost, in billions, that sleep disorders and deprivation add to the nanual national health-care bill. 60- in decibels, the average volume of snoring- about the same volume as as normal conversation. No wonder 80 percent of snoring couples sleep in separate bedrooms! How is your sleep?? -Chrisy Muhler

Sarah here from the WWRT!

As the weather gets warmer out, you may be noticing your employees in better moods and more energized. It's amazing what warm, sunny days do to individuals!

Of the places I have worked, I know that many companies have walking clubs where employees team up to walk before or after lunch or before going home for the day. A walk during the lunch hour (even if it's at a slow pace and for 10-15 minutes) will increase their work productivity and mood to get them through the remainder of the afternoon.

The following is a great website from WebMD about Walking for Wellness. It informs you on what you need to know about starting a walking program, why walk for wellness, how to stay motivated with a walking program, and other great ideas on running a program.

Get out those walking shoes and check it out!
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/Walking-for-wellness

Happy Spring!

Produce for Better Health Foundations Fruits and Veggies- More Matters Health Initiative

Sarah here from the WWRT!

Yet another healthy food campaign is underway. This time Del Monte is behind it trying to increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables in families.

Check out a recent article about the new campaign launched today: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070319005728&newsLang=en

Or you can check out the campaigns official website: http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/

Try implementing this campaign into your wellness program!

Off to eat some broccoli! Happy Monday!

Wellness at work

Hi all !

Coordinating a wellness campaign is no easy task even when it is prepackaged. I took it upon myself to run such a campaign in my own workplace, The Fisher Institute for Wellness & Gerontology. I hoped that by doing this at least some of the students on the Living Well Resources team could get first hand experience in running a wellness campaign in a workplace. By working alongside the wellness and HR managers we provide training for at our conferences and seminars I think it gave us a great opportunity to see what aspects of a prepackaged wellness programs might or might not work based on the unique culture of a workplace.

Gina

Stress Management

Hi, Chrisy here from the WWR. This is the time of year that can be pretty stressful for everyone. If you have kids or in school, it's right before spring break. Projects and papers are due and the stress is mounting. Being in grad school, I'm searching for an internship. So I have to keep telling myself to deep breathe and try to relax. A great resource for learning how to cope with stress is www.stress.org. This site has wonderful ideas to help you manage your stress!

Happy Sunday Everyone!

Chrisy

Nature vs. Nurture...

I had the opportunity to speak with an administrator the other day and he offered a little insight on his views on wellness. He said some of the employees, for one reason or another, have no interest in wellness or in their personal well-being (from what he can tell). I asked him what made him think so and he said too many responsibilities leave little time for personal reflection. He also said some people just have it (a wellness centered life) while others do not. I guess this can take it back to the whole nature vs. nurture argument...any thoughts?

-Melissa DeSutter