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 thro...

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!