May Wellness Newsletter
May 3, 2021 8:30 AM
Wellness 360⁰ off to a great start! This week's newsletter is jam-packed with lots of opportunities to continue to engage in activities and learning opportunities in May. Read on and join in!
WELLNESS CHALLENGES - WIN PRIZES!!
Starting this week and running through July, you'll have opportunities to engage in three fun wellness Challenges:
- Motivated to Move More (April 27 to May 25),
- Build Healthy Habits (June 1 - June 22), and
- Gratitude Challenge (June 29 - July 20).
Complete one of the Challenges and you are eligible for a great wellness prize such as a wellness walking kit, yoga mat, yoga ball, and other wellness-themed prizes. And, feel free to complete more than one challenge--you are eligible to win a prize every time you complete a Challenge!
Register now for the "Motivated to Move" Challenge (registration closes Monday 5/3 at midnight!)
Let's get "motivated to move"! Through weekly readings, videos, and activity tasks, along with tracking your steps in an online step log and/or tracking minutes of activities in an online cardio log accessed through a dedicated Challenges Portal, you'll discover what motivates you and explore ways to increase your time in motion. The goal is to accumulate the equivalent of 35,000 steps each week of this 4-week challenge. If you have a tracking device such as FitBit, Garmin, etc., you will have the ability to sync your device to the portal for automatic tracking. After registering, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days with instructions on how to access the Challenges Portal.
Dental Health Activities (Win Prizes!)
Brought to you by Delta Dental and open to all employees, fun and educational online health education activities are available now. The first 2000 registrants will receive a dental kit! Register here.
A series of 45-minute live webinars will be brought to you by United Concordia Dental starting May 4 and running through June 15. You'll have the opportunity to interact with Valerie Fleming, a registered dental hygienist and Oral Wellness Consultant as she presents on a variety of oral health topics. Member Benefits Specialists will join the webinars to answer general membership benefits questions. All webinar participants will be entered to win an Oral B electric toothbrush! May session descriptions and registration links are below:
5/4, 11:00 am: Getting the Most From Your PPO Plan
In this live webinar, United Concordia Member Benefit Specialists will help you deepen your understanding of your dental PPO benefits as well as learn how to access helpful tools and additional discounts under your plan. Register here
5/11, 11:00 am: Ask The Expert - Tips and Tricks For Optimal Oral Wellness
In this live webinar, you'll learn great tips and tricks for a healthy mouth from Valerie Fleming, a registered dental hygienist and Oral Wellness Consultant. Register here
5/18, 11:00 am: Your Mouth and Body Connection
Many people don't realize that a healthy mouth and a healthy body are linked in terms of overall good health. If you think about it, it does make sense: our mouths are the pathways for good nutrition to support the whole body. This live presentation will offer more information about how a healthy mouth is important for disease prevention and better health and wellbeing. Register here
5/25, 11:00 am: How Does the Pandemic Affect Oral Health?
Nearly 30% of us have not seen the dentist since the pandemic started. What's the impact on our oral health? What should we do? This webinar will provide answers. Register here
WELLNESS FROM THE KITCHEN
Chef Sandra Lewis
"Wellness From the Kitchen" is a series of live cooking demonstrations presented by Chef Sandra Lewis. She is an entertaining and deliciously inspiring chef. Her mission is to educate, energize, and motivate people to live healthy, happy, and productive lives by answering the most important question of the day - “What’s for dinner?”
5/4, 11:00 am: Pan Searing - Sear it Here, Finish it There
Using high heat to seal in juices that form a delicious crust, you'll learn how to get a restaurant quality sear on a piece of protein (or tofu or portobello mushroom for the vegetarians or vegans in the group). You'll create a centerpiece for a beautiful evening meal. Register here
5/11, 11:00 am: Sauté - Sauté Veggies With the Best of 'Em
Transform your weeknight cooking and rekindle your love affair with vegetables using this technique. Register here
5/18, 11:00 am: Healthy Summer Grilling
Some of the tastiest fare on the planet is served up using the oldest and most primitive cooking technique known to man: fire and smoke. Gather around our indoor grill to learn tips and techniques to serve up perfectly grilled foods guaranteed to excite your taste buds. Register here
5/25, 11:00 am: Salad Making - Finally, Interesting Salads!
Appreciate the diversity of what a salad can be and learn how to make you own delicious salad dressing. Register here
Friday Unwind Times
Our first two Friday Unwind Times on 4/23 and 4/30 were huge successes, with a total of 221 of you participating! Survey comments revealed that Unwind Time provides the perfect "bookend" to the week that starts with Mindful Monday. One participant wrote: "Please continue with what you do to improve our wellbeing - Mind, Body, and Soul!"
If you missed the first two Friday's Unwind Time 15-minute practices, you can access the recorded version below. And, with the recordings, made available each week in the weekly newsletter, you can have "unwind time" every day!
Friday, 4/23, 11:00 - 11:15 am: Acupressure Points Acupressure Points Recorded version
Friday, 4/30, 11:00 - 11:15 am: Body Scan Body Scan Recorded version
Friday, 5/7, 11:00 - 11:15 am: Compassion Meditation
In positive psychology, compassion is seen as a pathway to happiness and inner peace. Register here
Friday, 5/14, 11:00 - 11:15 am: Conscious Breathing
Conscious breathing is a technique that relieves stress and can be a powerful tool in your stress management toolbox. Learn how in this 15-minute practice session. Register here
Friday, 5/21, 11:00 - 11:15 am: Gratitude Meditation
There are many benefits of gratitude reflection according to recent research, including better sleep, less anxiety, and improved self-esteem.
Register here
Mindful Mondays: A Fresh Start Every Monday!
Begin your week each Monday with calmness and intention by participating in these 30-minute live interactive webinars. Each 30-minute session includes a practice of mindful techniques. You'll start your week mindful instead of manic!
Monday, 5/3, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Secrets to a Calm Mind
Add more tools to your stress management toolbox as you learn and practice the secrets to a calm mind! Register here
Monday, 5/10, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Mindful Meditation
MIndful Meditation is a very strong tool in your stress management toolbox. Think you can't quiet your busy mind and meditate? Learn how in this session. Register here
Monday, 5/17, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Positive Thinking
The practice of positive thinking has been shown to reduce stress and improve overall health. Learn what positive thinking is and how to do it. Register here
Monday, 5/24, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Happiness on Demand
Access happiness on demand! Learn how to in this session. Register here
May Healthy U: GET THE FACTS!
May Healthy U helps you separate health and wellness facts from fiction.
Wednesday, 5/5, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Health and Wellness Myth Busters
Multiple sources of health and wellness information can create confusion. Learn how to evaluate information, and participating in debunking some of the common health and wellness myths in this informative live session. Register here
Wednesday, 5/12, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Know Your Health Numbers Facts
Learn what the important health numbers are, what the numbers mean, and why it's important to know your numbers to maintain good health. Register here
Wednesday, 5/19, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Know Your Fats Facts
Learn the facts about cholesterol, triglycerides, omega 3 and omega 6 fats and how they play an important role in your health and wellbeing. Register here
Wednesday, 5/26, 11:00 - 11:30 am: Healthy Back Facts
This webinar presents the facts on how to improve or maintain a healthy back. Learn risk factors, how to prevent back issues, and how to get relief if you experience back issues. Register here
Spring is a Great Time to Take Care of All Parts of Yourself!
The May Thursday 3-part health series focuses on Self Care--all parts of yourself! Learn how to care for emotional self in "10 Ways to Care for Your Emotional Self", how to take care of your physical self in "Take Care of YourSELF (sleep, exercise, love, food)", and how to take care of your thinking self in "Brain Health".
Thursday, 5/6, 11:00 - 11:30 am: 10 Ways to Take Care of Your Emotional Self
The 10 action steps presented in this live webinar will enable you to take the best care of your emotional self! Register here
Thursday, 5/13, 11:00 - 11:30 am: 4 Ways to Take Care of Your Physical Self
The 4 action steps presented in this live webinar will enable you to take the best care of your physical S.E.L.F. (sleep, exercise, love, food)! Register here
Thursday, 5/20, 11:00 - 11:30 am: 8 Ways to Take Care of Your Thinking Self (your brain)
The 8 actions steps presented in this live webinar will enable to you take the best care of your thinking self--your brain! Register here