HealthyLife Articles

Author: AIPM

  • 3 “C”S To Be Your Best At Work

    WORK LIFE

    Two coworkers sitting at the table looking at the computer screen.

    Every job can be done half-heartedly – or done really well. Doing your best will help you feel satisfied with your job, which is great for your mental health.

    1.Confidence:Be confident in your abilities, especially your ability to go above and beyond at work. Not only is this good for your clients, coworkers and/or customers, but it has an added bonus: you’ll feel great too!

    2.Connect:Build positive relationships with people at work to help you succeed. If you’re experienced, help others learn from you. If you need guidance, don’t be afraid to ask others for their advice and input.

    3.Communicate:If you see a problem, speak up. Constructive feedback can be done in a way that’s respectful and kind. If you see good things happening, point those out, too. It’s a great way to build morale.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 Keys To A Virtual Family Gathering

    FAMILY LIFE

    Couple waving in front of a computer screen while have dinner.

    While there is no true replacement for being with family & friends, the option to connect virtually is sometimes the best available. To get the most out of your virtual time, consider these tips.

    Have the right technology and try it out in advance

    You need a quality device setup for video chats, such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. You also need a good internet connection.

    Choose an app that works for everyone

    There are so many video chat apps out there. The right one for you depends on the size of the group and the devices people are using. Shop around.

    Plan virtual activities that everyone can enjoy

    *  Pictionary

    *  Charades

    *  Scattergories

    *  Talent show

    *  Trivia

    *  Get-to-know-you-better questions

    *  Jokes or riddles

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3″M”S For Giving Kids An Allowance

    FAMILY LIFE

    Child hands holding a dollar bill.

    An allowance can help children learn about responsibility. It also helps children learn about the value of money. The 3 M’s of allowance will help you guide kids of all ages in the right direction.

    1.  Make yourself clear. Tell them that chores should contribute to the family, not just themselves. For instance, they should do more than keep their room clean and pick up their own things. They may also do things like help with yard work, clean the bathroom sink or empty the dishwasher. Make sure they do these things well before you pay them. If they don’t know how to do it, show them.

    2.  Modest amounts. Kids should use allowance for fun things, not clothes or necessities. There’s no need to give them big amounts of money. Remember this is not a salary, but a way to teach kids about work. Older children should have more difficult jobs and therefore, their allowance should be larger.

    3.  Monitor their spending. Once they earn their money, talk with kids about spending and saving. While they should have some freedom to spend their money on something they want, help them make wise choices. They may regret their purchase later if they don’t give it a lot of thought.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 “S”S For Being Active At Work

    FAMILY LIFE

    Two coworkers holding a set of dumb bells in hands.

    Many people have jobs that require sitting at a desk or being inactive for long periods of time. This can make it hard to reap the benefits of exercise, like having more energy and weight loss. But you can fit in fitness at work with just a few tricks.

    1.  Shoes. If you wear a dress or work shoes, bring your sneakers to work. Keep them under your desk and slip them on during your lunch break so you can take a brisk walk in comfort.

    2.  Stairs & standing. Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator. A few extra calories burned is better than none. Try to stand or walk when you don’t need to be sitting. This could be during a phone conversation, or going down the hall to speak to someone instead of calling or emailing them.

    3.  Schedule. Put time in your schedule to exercise. It’s one of the most important things you can do for YOU! If you don’t have enough time at lunch, find a way to exercise either before or after work. Write it down in your work calendar as a reminder that it’s an important commitment.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 “S”S For Taking Supplements

    WELL-BEING

    Close up image of hand with supplements.

    Many people use vitamins, herbs, and other supplements. But sometimes, supplements aren’t safe or helpful. Follow these 3 S’s before you take vitamins, herbs, or natural remedies.

    1.Say something to your doctor.Supplements can interact with medications. Some are not safe if you have health conditions. Your doctor can tell you whether certain supplements are safe for you.

    2.Skip them if pregnant or breastfeeding.Some supplements are not safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always ask your obstetrician or gynecologist before taking supplements.

    3.Stop taking them before surgery.Some supplements can cause problems if you take them before surgery. They may make bleeding worse or change how you respond to medicines. You may need to stop them two weeks or more before your surgery.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 “S”S To Close The Deal On A Car

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    A man with a car salesmen looking at a new car.

    1.See.See what you agreed to. Look at all the paperwork for the loan documents. Check the annual percentage rate (APR), which is the cost of your loan interest measured by a yearly rate. Look at the finance charges, which includes the total amount of interest and certain fees you’ll pay.

    2.Say no.Say no if you’re not comfortable. If you are unhappy with the loan conditions or the vehicle, don’t feel forced into it. You can always leave without finishing the deal if you change your mind. If you’re not sure, tell them you need more time to think about it. Dealers cannot force you to sign the loan.

    3.Sign.Sign all the blanks. Before you drive away with your new vehicle, make sure both you and the dealer have signed everything in the loan papers. All blanks should be filled in. You should also get a copy of all the paperwork on the spot.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 “S”S To Get Fit During The Holidays

    BE FIT

    Jump roap shaped into a christmas tree with ornaments and fitness gear.

    Do you assume the holidays are too busy for exercise? Think the holidays are just about treats? Keep these three tips in mind and you could have a fit, healthy and happy holiday season!

    1.  Short bursts: Make your exercise bite-sized! Ten minutes of exercise here and there can be just as effective as 30 minutes at once. Try a quick walk first thing in the morning, at lunch and after work.

    2.  Stress relief: Is the holiday season too stressful? Exercise is one of the most effective ways to lower stress hormones in the body. Make time to move and you’ll feel great mentally and physically.

    3.  Savor it: Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. Pick something you like, or play your favorite music while doing it. Make exercise your “me time.”

    Sources: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, U.S. National Library of Medicine

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 Steps To Cleaner Eating

    HEALTHY EATING

    A bowl of falafel with hummus, green peas, carrots, and purple cabbage.

    Eating well is one of the most important things you can do for your body. A well balanced diet contributes to overall health and protection from disease.

    Making micro or small changes to your diet eventually add up to better health. If you’re ready to clean up your food choices, here are three easy habits that can help.

    1. Focus on plants

    Instead of worrying about all the foods you shouldn’t be eating, focus on what you can include. Plant foods provide the best nutrition and should make up a majority of your diet.

    A good first step to cleaning up your diet is to add more plant foods to each meal and snack. These include:

    *  Fruits

    *  Vegetables

    *  Beans

    *  Nuts and seeds

    *  Whole grains

    *  Healthy oils like olive, sunflower, and avocado oil

    2. Have a salad or smoothie

    Choose a healthy salad or smoothie to make up the bulk of one meal each day. This is a simple way to increase your plant food intake while controlling calories and portion size.

    Make your daily smoothie or salad fiber-packed to promote fullness and digestive health. In addition to adding plenty of fruits and vegetables, consider including nuts, chia, hemp, or flax seeds for an extra boost of nutrients and fiber.

    3. Snack on whole foods

    Feeling deprived and hungry will quickly result in giving up on your healthy new eating habits. Clean eating is delicious and should make you feel good!

    So, keep tasty whole food snacks on hand to keep you satisfied all day long. Here are some ideas:

    *  Sliced apple with peanut butter

    *  Hardboiled egg and a piece of fruit

    *  Sliced vegetables and a piece of cheese

    *  Hummus with cucumbers

    *  Mixed nuts and a piece of fruit

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 3 Ways To Avoid Distractions At Work

    WORK LIFE

    Close up of hands typing on laptop keyboard.

    It’s a common problem: you need to focus on work, but you keep getting distracted. Here are three quick ways to focus and check things off your to-do list.

    1. Turn off the “rings” and “dings.” Turn off notifications for emails or texts on your phone before you start a task.

    2. Set a timer. Work blocks can be a valuable tool to help you get things done. Set a timer for 25-40 minutes and focus on one task during that time. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute breather. Get a drink of water or go for a quick walk.

    3. Schedule email check times. Check your messages at scheduled times between work blocks. Spend a few minutes checking and responding. Then, set your timer and start another work block.

    Source: Society for Human Resource Management

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine

  • 4 “D”S For Avoiding Fraud

    FINANCIAL HEALTH

    Lock sitting on top of credit cards.

    1.  Do protect your personal information all the time. Never share your birthday, social security number, credit card number or passwords with others. No one should call or email you asking for this information.

    2.  Do stand your ground. Scammers may try to scare you by saying if you don’t give them money, you’ll be arrested or turned into the IRS. Don’t believe them. Police and government agencies don’t use phone calls to collect money.

    3.  Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can change the caller ID to look like an official business or even a government agency.

    4.  Don’t pay someone with wire transfers or gift cards. Some scammers will tell you to wire them money or may ask you to send them gift cards. Don’t do it. A real organization would not ask you to send money this way.

    © American Institute for Preventive Medicine