LiveWell Vermont

Feeling a little anxious or scattered with the transition to Fall? You are NOT ALONE!! Luckily, yoga has been known to help ease stress, reduce feelings of nervousness, and enhance mindfulness. For these reasons, yoga can be a great tool during this time where many things are changing at once and feelings of anxiety can be extreme.  When you’re anxious, your mind can get carried away with worrying about things that might happen, and that actually makes you feel worse and can cause other symptoms, like insomnia. Meditation teaches people certain skills that can help counteract that tendency, like staying in the moment, recognizing worried thoughts when they’re happening, and preventing them from getting worse. If you are not interested in meditation, perhaps practicing a few simple grounding poses can help! 1st Chakra - Muladhara “Mula” (root) “Adhara” (support) Aka the root/base chakra. It is associated with primordial instincts such as our sense of smell and need for stability in ...

Similar to developing physical fitness, sleep fitness takes effort and the implementation of small changes in daily behaviors to promote and support better sleep. Before change can occur, you have to raise your level of awareness, and the best place to begin is by examining and tracking your sleep habits throughout the week. Observe such things as: What you do before bed (read, watch TV, scroll social media, etc.) What time you turn the lights out What time you rise Caffeine and alcohol intake What time you eat dinner The temperature of your room The type of light you’re exposed to before bed Your energy levels throughout the day How many hours of sleep you think you get each night By journaling your observations, you are more likely to discover a pattern of behavior and make connections between the quality of your sleep and the behaviors you engage in. Once you have an idea of what your sleep ritual, routine, and contributing (or detracting) behaviors are, you can refine your habits t...

According to the   American Sleep Association , sleep issues and sleepiness are a top health concern in our society. Statistics indicate that: 50-70 million American adults suffer from some type of sleep disorder 9% of American adults reported falling asleep during the day (unintentionally) 37% of 20- to 39-year-olds report short sleep duration, while 40% of 40- to 59-year-olds report short sleep duration 3% of adults report less than 7 hours of sleep during a typical 24-hour period (even 30 minutes less than the minimum carries consequences) Adults need a minimum of seven to nine hours of sleep each night, yet more than one-third of the population does not get the minimum number of  recommended hours . Even a slight deficit can have a significant impact on your life! Join us for a 30 day sleep challenge to gain a better understanding of your sleep habits and learn ways to improve your routine. Register today on your wellness portal . 

Summer is coming to an end which means it is officially PUMPKIN SEASON!! In 2019, LiveWell created a Fall Festive Employee Recipe Book ! The recipe book includes some seasonal favorites submitted by State of Vermont Employees. We recognize that not every recipe is “traditional healthy”. However, we have included a list of simple substitutions you can make to reduce calories, unhealthy fats and simple sugars!  Remember, you can enjoy the taste of any fruit or vegetable year-round. Fresh, frozen, canned, dried, and 100% juice – it all counts! Click here to check out more Fall Favorites.

In our current society we are inundated with stress triggers that turn on on our stress response.  In this Lunch & Learn, you’ll learn what this term, stress response, means and how practicing breathwork can help you turn it off and return to a state of calm. You'll also practice two breathwork techniques: a beginner level and an intermediate level. 9/22/2021, 12 noon click here to register

Besides hoarding (and maybe freezing) the last of your summer produce, get ready for fall by stocking up on: Apples Basil Broccoli Brussels sprouts Carrots Cauliflower Grapes Kale Potatoes Stay seasonal with this delicious vegan pecan apple chickpea salad wraps with a creamy maple dijon tahini dressing. These easy chickpea salad wraps take just 15 minutes to make without any cooking involved, making this a great recipe for healthy lunches and parties! Enjoy the apple chickpea salad in your favorite wrap, on toast, as-is or even in lettuce cups! Ingredients:  1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained 1 cup small diced organic honeycrisp apple (from about 1 small to medium honeycrisp apple) 1/3 cup coarsely chopped raw or toasted pecans* 1/3 cup dried tart cherries 1 stalk of celery, diced 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley (or sub cilantro) ¼ cup chopped green onions Easy vegan chickpea salad wraps in 4 simple steps Combine the salad mix-ins. Start by mashing your drained ...

On September 11, Patriot Day gives all of us time to reflect on the devastating terror attacks that took nearly 3,000 lives. We commemorate those who we lost and give thanks to the brave first responders who put their lives on the line. Take a moment on this day to consider what we stand for as a nation and how we can work together to make the world a better place for all. Traditions of the Day Every year since the tragic day of September 11, 2001, all American citizens come together to remember and honor the fallen. This tragic day can bad memories and feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. Know that you are not alone and reach out to friends and family to connect. Additionally, InvestEAP offers 24/7 short term counseling and referral to all state employees and their household members. If you need support on anything, please call (888) 834-2830 or visit Invest EAP Organization Password: "vteap" Moments of silences are observed several times during the day. The timings...

Getting your cholesterol levels checked is an important part of staying healthy. High cholesterol increases your risk for heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death in the United States. Knowing your cholesterol status can help you stay in control of your health. Learn about cholesterol screening and why it is important. Cholesterol is a waxy substance that your body needs to make hormones and digest fats. Your body makes all the cholesterol it needs, but you can also get cholesterol from eating certain foods, such as egg yolks and fatty meats. Having high blood cholesterol can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, putting you at risk for heart disease and stroke. High blood cholesterol doesn’t have symptoms, which is why getting your cholesterol levels checked is so important. Learn more about cholesterol screenings. You should get your cholesterol checked at least every 5 years. If you have cardiovascular risk factors, talk with your health care team about getting tested...

People have become increasingly comfortable talking about their mental health, particularly this past year. But the topic of suicide – when it comes up – is still scary for many people to think about.  It’s time to deepen the conversation. Some are afraid that by asking someone if they’re having thoughts of suicide, it will put the idea in their head, or push them to take their lives. (Which research shows is not true.) Some are worried that they won’t know what to do, or how to help, if the person tells them, “Yes – I am thinking about suicide.”  It’s only by learning more about what leads someone to suicide, the ways we can help to prevent it, and what resources are available – and not being afraid to ask when we’re worried about someone, or for help when we need it ourselves – that we can empower our communities to address this leading cause of death.  We all have mental health. It’s time we take the next step, ask more deeply about what someone is experiencing, and if...