LiveWell Vermont

  The Fourth is coming up, and that means fireworks!  During your celebration, don't forget to be safe and follow these tips: Always supervise: Although often given to young children, sparklers burn at around 2,000F hot enough to melt some metals. Light fireworks individually, then move away quickly When lighting firework fuses, make sure no part of you body is directly over it  Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that didn't light properly the first time Do not aim or throw fireworks at people, houses, etc Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby After they are done burning, pour plenty of water on spent fireworks before throwing them out

  Eating a brain-healthy diet Source: HealthyBrains.org Did you know that what you eat can impact your brain? There are a few key aspects of eating that can have significant impact on keeping your brain healthy and reducing your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Spice up your life Many herbs and spices such as turmeric, cinnamon, and ginger are packed with antioxidants that may decrease harmful inflammation in the brain. The strong flavors and the bright colors hiding inside your spice cabinet can be used as a healthy boost of flavor. For example, turmeric can be added to soups, scrambled eggs, rice, or vegetables. Balance your fats A high consumption of saturated fat is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Choose lean cuts of beef and pork. Skip the skin on your poultry to reduce saturated fat. On the other hand, eating omega-3 fats is great for your brain. You can increase your healthy fats by eating fatty fish, walnuts,...

  Fend Off Brain Fog With Healthy Habits “Brain fog” is a term used for certain symptoms that can affect your ability to think. You may feel confused, disorganized, or find it hard to focus or put your thoughts into words. Many of these symptoms can be prevented or improved by making healthier lifestyle choices. Learn more tips about daily choices that can keep your mind sharp and help fend off brain fog below: Stay Mentally Fit Mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness. Learning new skills or experiencing new things is a great way to stay mentally awake. Take a new route to work, find a new hobby, or memorize a few words in a foreign language. You can do crossword puzzles, play chess, or learn a musical instrument for a brain workout. Learning new activities stimulates the brain. When you learn new things daily you reduce mental decline. Get Physically Active The benefits of exercise are numerous, but did you know that physical exercise promotes mental strength? Movi...

Looking for creative ways to get outside with your family? Want to hike to a waterfall, climb a fire tower, grow a pollinator garden, create a survival kit, meet a park ranger, or search for a beaver-chewed log- and earn points? Participate in the Venture Vermont challenge to earn a coin to get you into any Vermont State Park FOR FREE!  For an additional challenge, start your collection of coins from every year! https://vtstateparks.com/venture-vermont.html Here's how it works: 1. Do fun outdoor activities listed on the score sheet between April 15, 2022 - October 15, 2022. 2. Make sure you (or someone else) take a photo of you completing each task. 3. When you reach 250 points, submit your score sheet and clearly named photos describing which activities are shown. 4. Receive a VIP coin, good for free state park entry for rest of this year and all of next! 5. Have a blast! Three Main Rules: 1. One submission per person. This means a completed scorecard and photos of the person comp...

  There are many ways to celebrate Juneteenth. From an outdoor cookout with traditional foods to the modern-day office conference room, Juneteenth can be celebrated in various settings. Start with a reading of the “ History of Juneteenth ” to learn how Juneteenth celebrations have endured and evolved through the years. For a deeper understanding of the spirit in which current-day celebrations are held, read the “ Juneteenth In Modern Times ” section. One of the most important and immediately impactful actions anyone can take is to support black-owned businesses and organizations. These grassroots, ground-level contributions make a daily impact on work, quality of life, and growth in the community. Make a daily, weekly, and yearly conscious effort to plant your economic seeds and watch them grow. In The Workplace Recognizing Juneteenth in the workplace supports corporate diversity ideals and sends a signal  that the company is truly dedicated to its diverse employee base. Idea!...

  Did you know that food poisoning increases during the summer?    Warmer temperatures combined with picnic and grilling season allow food born germs to grow and multiply.   Follow these quick tips to ensure food safety: Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling food Refrigerate meats before grilling.  If you need to bring food to a camp site, make sure to keep at 40F or below in a cooler Make sure raw meat juices and germs do not touch other utensils or cross contaminate other foods.  Of course if juices do get on utensils, wash them. Don’t forget to make sure the grill and grill tools are appropriately cleaned Cook all food to safe temperatures .  Use a food thermometer to be sure! Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours

  Did you know that sunburn can occur in as little as 15 minutes?  Sun damage can happen fast, so let’s talk prevention! First of all, it is important to know what situations put your at risk of a burn: sunburn increases when traveling near the equator, during summer months, at high altitudes, and between 10am and 4pm.  Other factors, such as reflection from sand or water also increases sun exposure and therefore increases the risk of a burn.  Protect yourself: Wear clothing and wide brim hats to protect skin Drink plenty of fluids Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays Use sunscreen: SPF 15 or higher that blocks UVA and UVB rays or states “broad spectrum” on the label Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and each time you get out of the water or sweat heavily Apply sunscreen liberally Stay out in shade during the middle of the day Don’t forget that UV rays can burn you on cloudy days too! If You Do Get a Sunburn: Take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin for ...

Did you know that young workers, those ages 15-24, have higher rates of job related injury?  This can be prevented when workers, employers, and parents all work together on this issue. Here is what teens, parents, and employers can do:  Parents: Take an active role in discussing employment, understanding the nature of the work and possible risks Ask if the teen has received any safety trainings Know if the teen works with dangerous machinery or hazardous equipment Ask what the plan is if there is an emergency or injury Remind their teen to speak up if they feel unsafe Make sure their teen knows their rights and responsibilities Teens: Follow best practices for their work site Report hazards Speak up when they feel unsafe or unsure of how to do something safely Teens under 18 have special protections at work under labor laws,  but all workers should know their rights Employers: Understand federal and state child labor laws that apply t...

Warm summer days are fun to play in, but the threat of heat stroke and heat exhaustion are real. Prevention is important for all people, but those under 4, over 65 years old, or with certain medical conditions are most at risk.   The best protection is staying cool and hydrated:         Find air conditioning inside, shade or another comfortable space during hot hours of the day         When possible, plan your day so you can avoid heavy labor during the hottest hours of the day         Wear cool clothing         Pay attention to heat advisories         Drink plenty of liquids Those that work outside, or other hot environments such as firefighters, bakery workers, farmers, construction workers, miners, boiler room workers, factory workers, etc are also at risk.  Check out the CDC’s guide on heat stress prevention here  for more tips on acclimatization and...