LiveWell Vermont

Annie isn't joking! Tomorrow the Make Your Wellness 20/20 Incentive Program begins. Eligible participants can earn up to $250 this year! More information? Check out the Wellness Portal or the Incentive Program Page ! If you have questions please contact Live Well Vermont: 802-828-7308 or DHR.LiveWellVermont@Vermont.gov

The holiday season can be a joyful time, but for many it might also bring on some stress. If you find during this holiday season, or at any time in your life, you are feeling overwhelmed- step away from the situation for 2 minutes. All you need is 120 seconds to reset before diving back in. 2 minutes? Great! What do I do with them? YOU BREATHE. 5 second inhale through your nose. 10 second exhale through your mouth. Repeat this process for at least 2 minutes. While this 2 minute trick may not solve all of your problems, it is a quick way to regroup. If you would prefer to have some guidance through the 2 minutes, take to the internet! There are a variety of breathing exercises online. Explore, find something you like and use it to your advantage.

We have quickly approached the time of year where we get the opportunity to "enjoy" a little less sunlight. MyFitnessPal posted 9 tips for getting outside even if it is dark. Here are our top 3! 1.  Think about the end result. How will you feel when you feel when you get back? “Before you decide to skip the walk, take 30 seconds to envision how you will feel in an hour from now,” says Noam Dinovitz , LCSW, a Philadelphia-based mental health therapist. “Now take 30 seconds to envision how you will feel if you didn’t go.” The hope is that either the prospective sense of accomplishment in pushing yourself to go for the walk or the prospective disappointment of not going for your walk, can be enough to help you make the decision to go even if it’s dark.” 2. Get lost in a story. Enjoying great narration can help you focus on something other than your dark surroundings. Find a podcast you love and pair it with movement. By having a podcast you look forward to, it might ma

Of course we support the great act of volunteering throughout the year, there is an increased need for your help through the busy holiday season! If you are looking for Christmas volunteering opportunities, check out some of the organizations below. Or comment below with your favorite ways to give back to your community! 1.  COTS Online  - TCOTS (the Committee on Temporary Shelter) provides emergency shelter, services and housing to homeless or marginally sheltered people in Vermont. For the holiday season, a lot of volunteers are needed for the organization's annual Phonathon which raises money for COTS shelters and services Also check out the various  holiday gifts  for sale, including cookies, holiday cards and a music CD. 2.  Vermont Foodbank  - The Vermont Foodbank provides nutritious food to each county in the state by servicing 150,000 individuals and working with over 200 network and agency partners. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the year for food

Fitness! This holiday season we are putting a spin on the traditional song. Start today and try these exercises every day until Christmas!

Massage Who doesn't love a massage? After all the Stress of the Holiday, your muscles could use some tension relief! Group Fitness Class Does your friend have a favorite class? Most places offer a discount for a multi class punch card! Treat them to health! Personal Training Session Whether they are new to the gym or looking to revamp an old routine, a session with an experienced professional could be just what they need! Foam Roller They love to workout — but when their muscles ache, you hear about it. This foam roller will help keep your favorite fitness lover loose and flexible. It’s small enough to travel with too. Fitness Kettlebell Set Help them stock their home gym with this highly rated set, featuring 5, 10 and 15-pound kettlebells. The bright hues are motivating, too. Yoga Mat The lightweight mat (it’s just one pound) folds up into a square so they can pack it into their carry-on. It's a great option for the yogi who likes to flow on the go!

Surprise! Two weeks early! Check your paycheck folks!  You should have a little something extra for your participation in the State Employee Wellness Program! Stay tuned for more opportunities to earn money in the the 2020 Incentive Program!

Being in the loop is important year round, but especially in the winter! Stay informed of pending disaster, traffic information, weather conditions, public health notifications and other alerts at www.vtalerts.gov You decide what types of alerts you want to receive and how you receive them! How convenient is that? Register for this no cost, AWESOME service today! You can check out VT ALERTS on Facebook too!

For the Thankgiving holiday we are throwing it back to last year's 3 fun holiday facts. If you missed them last year or forgot them, here is another opportunity to enjoy! Happy Thanksgiving, State of Vermont Employees! Here are 3 fun facts about Thanksgiving for your day: 1. The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was in 1924 and had NO balloons. It did have animals from the Central Park Zoo. German American illustrator and puppeteer, Tony Starg introduced the first balloons in 1927 . 2. The woman behind "Mary Had a Little Lamb" is also responsible for Thanksgiving's recognition as a national holiday. In 1863, through countless letters and articles, writer and editor Sarah Josepha Hale convinced President Abraham Lincoln to officially declare Thanksgiving a national holiday that reoccurred every year. 3. According to CNN, about 46 million turkeys are cooked for Thanksgiving every year.

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving! So many people find they have more food than they know what to do with- here is a simple salad idea to avoid wasting.   Thanksgiving Leftover Salad: For the Cranberry Vinaigrette: 1 tablespoon Cranberry Sauce 1 tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar 3/4 tablespoon Olive Oil For Salad: 1 cup lettuce of your choice (kale is recommended) 1/4 cup cooked Quinoa/grain of your choice (if you're feeling crazy, try it with a little extra stuffing) 1/4 cup turkey meat, shredded 1 tablespoon pecan halves Mix ingredients to make vinaigrette in a small bowl. Put all salad ingredients in separate bowl. Drizzle dressing over salad and enjoy! Explore different options with this salad! Consider adding sweet potatoes or apples to change the taste. If salads are not your favorite thing, consider using leftovers to create an amazing sandwich or a soup. Regardless of what you choose to do with your leftovers- have a happy holiday!

Are you thinking about dropping smoking as a habit? Today is the Great American Smoke Out! Join us and the American Heart Association in celebrating all of those that have stopped smoking and supporting those that are trying to quit. "Quitting smoking isn’t easy. It takes time. And a plan. You don’t have to stop smoking in one day. Start with day one. Let the Great American Smokeout event on November 21 be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk. Plus, the American Cancer Society can help you access the resources and support you need to quit." Learn more about GASO and how to quit smoking or support a loved one that is trying HERE. If you are looking for a Vermont resource to quit smoking, check out 802Quits !