LiveWell Vermont

  It's that time of year again— open enrollment ! This is your chance to review and make changes to your health insurance, dental, vision, and other benefits offered by our company. Here's a simple guide to help you navigate through open enrollment. What is Open Enrollment? Open enrollment is where you can sign up for, drop, or make changes to your benefits for the next year. It’s the only time you can make these changes unless you have a major life event, like getting married, having a baby, or losing other coverage. Why is it Important? This is your opportunity to ensure you have the right coverage for yourself and your family. Whether you’re happy with your current plan or think you might need something different, open enrollment is when you make those decisions. It’s important to review your options because your needs may have changed over the past year. What Should You Do? Review Your Current Benefits : Look at what you have now. Are you satisfied? Did you use all the bene

Try these fruit themed snacks for fun and healthy treats to celebrate the day!  Banana Mummies Munchy Apple Minions Ghost Strawberries

Making broth from food scraps is an easy and sustainable way to reduce waste while creating a flavorful base for soups, stews, or sauces. Here's a step-by-step guide to turn kitchen leftovers into a delicious broth. Ingredients Vegetable scraps: Carrot peels, onion skins, celery leaves, garlic ends, herb stems, etc. Avoid bitter scraps like broccoli or cabbage. Meat scraps (optional): Chicken bones, beef bones, or leftover meat trimmings. Water: Enough to cover your scraps. Seasonings: Salt, pepper, bay leaves, thyme, or parsley. Equipment A large pot or slow cooker Strainer or cheesecloth Storage containers for freezing or refrigerating Instructions Collect your scraps: Save vegetable peels, bones, and her stems over time. Store them in a bag or container in the freezer until you're ready to make broth. Prepare your ingredients: Take out your scraps from the freezer and rinse them if necessary. If using bones, roast them in the over for added flavor (optional). Simmer the br

 5-Minute Self-Guided Laughter Yoga Exercise Try this self-guided laughter yoga exercise by yourself or with others. The goal is to laugh intentionally to boost your mood, reduce stress, and increase energy. Remember, even fake laughter can have real benefits- so don't worry about forcing it. Just have fun, let go, and enjoy the process! Warm-Up Deep Breathing: Start by taking a deep breath in through your nose, hold it for a moment, and slowly exhale through mouth. Do this two more times-inhale deeply... and exhale completely. Light Stretching: Gently stretch your arms overhead and lean from one side to the other. Roll your shoulders forward and backward. Shake out your hands, arms, and legs, getting your body loose and ready to laugh. Laughter Exercises Simple Giggles (30 seconds): Start with light, small giggles. "Hee hee hee!" Even if it feels fake, let yourself laugh. Slowly build up the intensity. Your giggles might turn into louder laughs naturally-just let them!

Checking your cholesterol regularly is essential for maintaining heart health and preventing serious conditions like heart disease and stroke. Cholesterol, a fatty substance found in your blood, is necessary for building healthy cells, but when levels become too high - especially the "bad" LDL cholesterol - it can lead to the buildup of plaque in your arteries. This plaque hardens over time, narrowing the arteries and restricting blood flow. which can increase the risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues. Monitoring cholesterol allows you to take preventative steps before any problems arise, giving you the opportunity to adjust your diet, exercise routine, or medications as needed. Another important reason to check cholesterol levels is that high cholesterol often presents no obvious symptoms, making it a "silent" risk factor. Many people are unaware that they have elevated cholesterol until they experience a serious health event. Regular screenings hel

 Join the next Healthy Habit Challenge on the Portal starting on October 21st! This challenge asks us to develop our social awareness by each day, noticing one time we had privilege during the week.

Functional Movements that prepare the body for winter are key to maintaining strength, mobility, and injury prevention, especially for activities like shoveling snow, walking on ice, or skiing. These movements enhance overall fitness while targeting muscles and joints often used during colder months. Squats: Strengthening the legs, hips, and core, squats mimic the action of lifting and bending required for shoveling snow or getting up after a fall.  Deadlifts: Deadlifts prepare the back, hamstrings, and glutes for heavy lifting, such as moving snow or carrying winter gear. They teach proper bending technique, reducing strain on the lower back. Try these other exercises that incorporate proper bending technique without weight . Lunges: Forward and reverse lunges build leg strength and stability, improving balance on slippery surfaces. They also engage the core and glutes, which are crucial for walking in snow or uneven terrain.  Core exercises (Planks, Pointer Dogs): A strong core pro

Hobbies play a crucial role in maintaining and improving mental health. Engaging in activities that bring joy, relaxation, or a sense of accomplishment helps to reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. Hobbies provide an outlet for creative expression and allow individuals to disconnect from daily pressures, offering a mental health break that fosters relaxation and a sense of well-being. Participating in hobbies also stimulates the brain, enhancing cognitive functions such as concentration, problem-solving, and memory. Whether it's reading, painting, gardening, or sports, these activities promote mental clarity and mindfulness, often leading to improved mood. Hobbies can also foster social connections, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Group activities, like team sports or book clubs, offer opportunities to build relationships and strengthen community ties, which are vital for emotional health. Moreover, hobbies contribute to a balanced life, helping people cultiv

  Eustress and stress are two distinct types of emotional and physical responses, although they share common roots in the body's reaction to challenges. Stress, in its broader sense, refers to the body's response to demands or threats, triggering the "fight or flight" response. While this response can be helpful in survival situations, prolonged exposure to stress without relief can lead to negative consequences like anxiety, depression, and health issues such as high blood pressure or heart disease. Eustress, on the other hand, is considered positive stress. It occurs when a person faces a challenge that they perceive as within their abilities to handle and that they find motivating. Eustress often leads to personal growth, enhanced performance, and satisfaction. For example, starting a new job, preparing for a competition, or planning a wedding can induce eustress. It energizes individuals, pushing them to rise to the occasion and often leads to feelings of accompli

  As the weather gets cooler, look for ways to stay warm and cozy! Try this heart-healthy take on Butternut Squash Soup. Ingredients 2 teaspoons olive oil or another heart healthy oil 2 medium shallots (chopped) Garlic cloves, minced 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cubed (about 3 cups) 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth 2 teaspoons minced, peeled gingerroot 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper (coarsely ground preferred) 1/3 cup fat-free half-and-half 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg Directions Heat the oil in a pressure cooker on sauté. Cook the shallots for 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently. Turn off the pressure cooker. Stir in the squash, broth, gingerroot, salt, and pepper. Secure the lid. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure. Turn off the pressure cooker. Remove the pressure cooker lid. Allow the soup to cool slightly. Working in batches, transfer the

  Flu and Covid immunizations are provided to State Employees and Retirees at State worksites from September 30th through November 7th. For more information including FAQ 's and directions to vaccination sites visit the  LiveWell Vermont Programming  page. Schedule your appointment now at  kinneydrugs.com/livewellvermont/ . According to the  CDC , the  single best way to reduce the risk of seasonal flu and its potentially serious complications is to get  vaccinated  each year, but preventive actions like avoiding people who are sick, covering your cough and washing your hands also can help stop the spread of germs and prevent respiratory illnesses like flu.  The tips and resources below will help you learn about actions you can take to protect yourself and others from flu and help stop the spread of germs. Avoid close contact. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.  Stay home when you a

  Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) is a simple way to help your body relax and reduce stress. It involves tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups in your body, one at a time. This activity can be used to manage tension during stressful times, at night to fall asleep.  Benefits of PMR: Allows for a mindful check in with your body Can help you notice and let go of tension Helps you sleep better A quick, activity to help manage stress that doesn't require special tools How to Perform Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Find a Quiet Place : Especially your first few times trying this, sit or lie down in a comfortable position in a quiet room where you won’t be disturbed.  Take a Few Deep Breaths : Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Focus on your breathing to help you relax. Start with Your Feet : Tense the muscles in your feet by curling your toes and holding the

  The Ladder of Inference is a tool that helps us understand how we make decisions and form beliefs. Imagine a ladder with several rungs, each representing a step in our thinking process. Here’s how it works:  Observation: At the bottom, we observe raw data and experiences. This is what we see, hear, or read. It's important to remember that we don't necessarily observe all information available.  Example: Here is what I see... Selection: Next, we select certain pieces of data to focus on. We can't pay attention to everything, so we choose what's important to us from what we observed. Example: What I think is relevant about that is... Meanings: Then, we interpret the data. This means we add meaning based on our past experiences and knowledge. Example: I take that to mean... Assumptions: After that, we make assumptions based on meanings we added to our selected data. And I assume that... Conclusions: Next, we draw conclusions. We decide what we believe is true based o

  Sleep is essential for everyone. It helps our bodies and minds function properly. Without enough sleep, we can feel tired, moody, and have trouble concentrating. Here’s why sleep is so important and how you can improve your sleep habits. Why Sleep is Important: Restores Energy : Sleep recharges your body and mind, giving you the energy you need for the next day. Improves Memory : While you sleep, your brain processes information, helping you remember things better. Boosts Mood : Good sleep can make you feel happier and less stressed. Supports Health : Sleep allows repair to occur, and helps you to recover from exercise.  Good Sleep Habits: Stick to a Schedule : Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Consider a routine that is relaxing for you. This could include a hot shower, mug of tea, guided meditation, or yoga. Create a Bedtime Routine : Do calming activities before bed, like reading or taki

  Exercise is important for staying healthy and feeling good. Experts recommend regular exercise most days of the week. However, adding more into already full days can sound impossible. Here’s how to make exercise a regular part of your day. How Much Exercise Do You Need?   Cardiovascular Exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate cardio, like brisk walking, 5 days a week. You can also do 15 minutes of vigorous exercise, like running, 5 days a week. Moderate Exercise: Activities that make you breathe harder but still let you talk, like walking fast, biking, or dancing. Vigorous Exercise: Activities that make you breathe much harder and make talking difficult, like running, aerobics, or swimming laps. Strength training: Aim for at least two sessions per week, hitting all major muscle groups. As you improve these sessions may take a little more time than if you are very new to strength training. Stretching: Find time for sessions at least twice per week. Aim to stretch as much of