LiveWell Vermont

Celebrate!   Share a photo of a joyful tradition that creates happiness and light during the winter months. Post a pic of a festive dish from your cultural celebrations. Share a photo of a holiday decoration that holds sentimental value. Capture a moment of joy from a winter festival or event you love. Highlight a unique tradition that reflects the essence of your family. Share a snapshot of a winter activity enjoyed in your community.

  Knowing more about finances isn’t just good for your budget.  Money and choices go hand in hand, and knowing all about your choices is great for your happiness! There are also links between  money and mental health  - difficulty with finances can lead to stress and anxiety that can further impact your financial situation.  Start by taking advantage of and understanding the benefits that you have, by being a State of Vermont Employee.  Medical Benefits  – do you fully understand your plan, and know how to take full advantage of your insurance? InvestEAP   -  provides a range of services including assistance with mental health Child Care  and  Elder Care  assistance Member discounts are available through VSEA and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont for members. You can also find room in your budget by shopping around.  Here are some other ideas of expenses that can be reduced just by making sure you are getting t...

 Appreciate your loved ones!   Capture a moment with the people (or animals) who warm your heart during the cold season. Name a friend who makes you smile on chilly days. Share a cozy moment with a pet that warms your heart. Recall a family member who brings warmth to winter. Think of a favorite winter memory with a loved one. Appreciate a colleague who brings sunshine into the office.  Acknowledge a neighbor who adds warmth to your community. Highlight a small act of kindness that melted your heart.

  To combat the loss of life that occurs on the road at this time of year, December has been recognized as   National Impaired Driving Prevention Month .  Weekends and holidays can be dangerous times on the roadway. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are among the deadliest. Celebration during dark nights and unpredictable weather are a dangerous combination.   Before going out, develop a plan. Determine whether a designated driver, a taxi or ride share, or an overnight stay at a friend's home are best for you. One drink can cause a decline in vision, judgment and motor skills, resulting in driver impairment. Alcohol is a cause of impairment many of us are familiar with, but it is not the only cause. Drugs such as  opioids, marijuana and some over-the-counter medicines can be extremely problematic.  E ven exhaustion and stress can impair your ability to drive. Drivers should avoid driving while impaired by any factor, just as if they consumed alcoho...

 How do you warm up and relax?   Share photo of something that brings you warmth, comfort, or ease on a chilly winter day. A mug of something warm! A cozy fireplace scene Snuggling with pets or kids Your favorite scarf, blanket, hat, gloves, boots, etc.  For me, ultimate cozy includes hot tea, a blanket, and a book by the fireplace! The cozy is even more delicious after coming inside from playing in the snow.

A Roth IRA is a type of individual retirement account. When you have a Roth IRA, you contribute after-tax dollars — up to a certain limit every year. That money stays in your retirement investment account and can potentially earn investment returns as you work your way toward retirement.  Roth IRAs are similar to traditional IRAs in many ways, but they come with some differences. Discover exactly how Roth IRAs work, including how to open one, how much you can contribute, and which potential advantages or disadvantages you should be aware of.  How does a Roth IRA work? In a lot of ways, Roth IRAs work like some other popular retirement savings plans, such as  401(k)s  and traditional IRAs. Here are some of the similarities you'll find between these types of plans: You choose to put some of your income into these plans now as a way to save for retirement later. The money is a voluntary amount you can contribute each year, and you can change how much you contribute ever...

Week 1: Winter Magic Capture the beauty of winter Share a photo that shows off the charm of winter, whether you’re grateful for the beauty of nature or for the great indoors. Puppy paw prints in the snow The way the freshly fallen snow outlines each tree branch and twig Frost patterns on the surface of a frozen lake The magic of snuggling in front of the fire under a blanket, sipping hot cocoa with loved ones A baby or pet experiencing their first snowfall

About half of working age adults have lower back problems. Common causes of lower back pain include muscle strain, poor posture, and sprained ligaments that support the spine. Most of the people who experience lower back pain can return to feeling normal within a month. Here are some tips for home treatment and stretches you can do to feel better and prevent back pain in the future. Using Heat and Ice In the first 48 hours following a back injury, use an ice massage. Apply ice gently and massage in a circular motion. Focus using ice on a six-inch area where the pain is felt. Avoid applying ice directly over the bones of the spine. Don’t apply ice for more than five minutes at a time, to avoid ice burn. Repeat ice massage two to five times a day. After 48 hours of an injury, switch to heat therapy.  Short applications of heat, about 15 to 20 minutes, are sufficient for minor back tension. Longer applications of heat, up to 30 minutes, may be needed for more severe pain. Stretches fo...

 Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we've done our duty with gratitude, right?  Not so! Gratitude has powerful benefits for mood and mindset at any time of the year! This December, join LiveWell Vermont for a 4-week gratitude practice to wrap up 2023! Freeze the moment! Each week, take a photo of something for which you feel grateful. Follow along with the theme each week!  Week 1: Winter Magic Week 2: Cozy Comforts Week 3: Warm Hearts Week 4: Joyful Traditions