LiveWell Vermont

You may not have ever realized or thought about it, but you belong to a lot of different communities. Where you live, where you’re from, and where you work can all comprise different and thriving communities. Indeed, communities can be formed from almost limitless avenues, including but not limited to:  » Neighborhood  » Language  » Religion  » Gender and sexual identity  » School  » Family and friends  » Online groups  » Sports teams  » Work  » Volunteering  » Interests and hobbies (music, arts, running, reading, movies, etc.)  » Issues you care about  Connect with Your Communities  The more communities you’re involved in, the more you’re able to build strong, lasting relationships. Knowing that we belong and are connected to something larger than ourselves is also essential to maintaining our sense of mental well-being. Of course, it’s not always easy to get and stay connected. Not all of us are “social butterflies” by nature. For many of us, it takes a lot of courage and effort to

Summertime is usually the time of year when we refresh our goals to drink more water. Did you know that winter is another important time to fit in enough fluids?  Summer Winter More water than normal is lost through skin when sweating Dry air may increase water losses You may feel thirsty when you get hot, reminding you to drink more! It may be harder to notice you’re thirsty when you’re cold This year, keep your gloves close and your water bottles closer! Try these ideas to keep your chilly weather hydration routine fresh: Hydrating Hot Tea Just like hot temperatures during summer reminds us to drink more, let winter do the same! Whenever you feel chilly, brew a cup of hot tea to warm up AND rehydrate.  Our favorite herbal teas for wintertime:  peppermint cinnamon spice turmeric-ginger Winter Spritzer Mocktails Liven up your seltzer water with any of these festive flavorings! A splash of apple cider OJ + cranbe

Taking care of yourself on a daily basis is a wonderful way to prioritize your mental health.    Food: Eat enough, often enough, in delicious nutritious ways! Good nutrition supports our brain chemicals! Get in as many colors as possible through your fruits and veggies, and include fats, proteins and carbohydrates in every meal. Play with seasonings, switching up what herbs and spices you use whenever you get bored.  Exercise: Move in ways that are enjoyable during and leave you feeling great after! Exercise affects hormones, so moving can help lift you up. Each week, try to include some cardiovascular activity, strengthening, stretching, and cardiovascular activity. If you don't currently do this, build to 150 minutes per week of cardio, and at least two stretching and strengthening sessions per week. Some activities, like rapidly hiking hills might be both strengthening and cardiovascular activity for you, don't forget to give yourself credit for that! If you don't curre

 Stewed Apples Recipe Not ready to let go of holiday cheer yet? These stewed apples with refresh the joy in your home - through your mouth AND your nose! No need for festive candles when you're stewing apples on the stove. Try starting a batch of these just before guests arrive- they won't believe how good your home smells!   Holiday-scented home freshener  Ingredients: 2 firm cooking variety apples (like Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Granny Smith) 1 tbsp butter 1 tbsp maple syrup (depending on sweetness of the apples) 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice Pinch of salt 1/4 cup water, plus more as needed  Accessorize with toasted walnuts or almonds, coconut flakes, crystalized ginger, raisins or Craisins or chopped dates, or even chocolate chips! Steps: Core and slice apples into 1/4 thick slices. There's no need to peel them. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add spices Add sliced apples, syrup, salt, and water; stir and turn down to low heat Allow apples to s

Planning ahead and creating an emergency fund is one way to give yourself a buffer from financial burdens and peace of mind by expecting the unexpected.  There are important links between  money and mental health . U nderstanding how they affect each other can help you achieve better financial and mental health. What:  An  emergency fund  is designed to protect you against unexpected expenses.  These could be a serious illness or a very big home repair.  To prepare for these types of events, it is important to save between 3-6 months’ worth of expenses depending on your situation.  Use this calculator  for a guide. Who:  Everyone needs an emergency fund!  Currently stable finances can become unstable quickly.  Natural disasters, a shifting economy, a split from a partner would all be times when an emergency fund could be used.  An emergency fund is invaluable for increasing the number of options available during bad times. Where:  Your fund should be held in an easily accessible accoun

It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's finally here!  It is Soup Season. I was in an exercise class around this time last year, and the instructor mentioned her Sunday Soup ritual. I decided to try it out myself, and that is how I found my favorite wintertime self-care routine! Each Sunday afternoon or evening, simmer a pot of homemade soup, stew, or chili on the stove.  This habit has double benefits: Tending to a bubbling pot is a mindfulness practice that helps ward off the Sunday Scaries You end up with more than a few delicious, healthy, zero-effort meals on hand! Once my soup has finished and I've had dinner, I like to cool the soup to room temperature the same night, and then portion it into individual servings. Some I freeze for later, and a few I keep in the fridge for lunches or quick dinners that week.  Here are a few favorites to get you started:  Best Lentil Soup from Cookie and Kate Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Soup from Halfbaked Harvest Black Bean Soup

Mental health professionals can help with big, current issues and be a wonderful preventative resource.  Mental health support can help you catch and manage a potential issue while it is still small, prepare for big life changes, and be there when unexpected events hit hard. Having a relationship with a licensed professional that is a good fit for you is an incredible resource, regardless of your current state of health.  So many kinds... What is the difference? Therapists, psychologists, and counselors  are all licensed mental health professionals. Psychologists have earned a doctoral degree. Often “therapist” and “counselor” are used interchangeably, but generally therapists offer longer-term, mental health care, while counselors offer shorter-term care that may focus on one domain, such as marriage, career, or academic challenges. Ready? You can find support through: Invest EAP - Ask for their free short-term counselling if you are looking to be connected to help within the next tw

Introducing the 2024 Employee Wellness Incentive Program, "Building Bridges"! This year's theme is all about building connections in two impactful ways: Connecting you to your personal goals Connecting us all together In a world where the challenges from loneliness are on the rise, we're proactively addressing the issue, starting in the workplace. Social connection is the key to a happier and healthier life, and our network of colleagues is an important resource! Picture a workplace where everyone feels like an integral part of a thriving community—that's the vision for the year. As a bonus, achieving peak well-being becomes more attainable when we work toward our goals side by side. We are embarking on this health journey together—where goals are not just achieved individually but celebrated collectively! Let's make The State of Vermont a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. Get ready to bridge the gap and build a stronger, healthi

Now that we've said goodbye to 2023, it's time to reflect on the past year and take the experiences we had forward to 2024. What stood out about 2023, and how do you want to use your new knowledge moving forward? Instead of just making a list of things to do, think about the kind of life you want. What's important to you? What do you love doing? Answering these questions helps you figure out your plan for the new year. Here are some questions to ask yourself: What were the best moments of 2023? How did I handle challenges, and what did I learn? What values are most important to me? What makes me excited and happy? What do I want to get better at this year? Imagine the awesome things you want to happen in 2024. Write the story you want to live! Dream about the kind of person you want to be! Paint a picture of the adventures you want to have! Here's to 2024—a year full of cool experiences and discovering more about yourself! Cheers!