LiveWell Vermont

Leap day reminds us that life isn't always predictable and that unexpected opportunities can arise in unexpected moments. February 29th encourages us to embrace the unusual, venture into the unknown, and make the most of the additional day gifted to us by the calendar. This Leap Day, take a leap of faith toward one of your Wellness goals! Try out a new activity to get moving! -Rock climbing -find a gym near you -Ice skating - skate rentals and passes may be more affordable than you think -Go dancing -Try out a new class at a gym Try a new food -Visit a restaurant that serves a type of food you've never tried -Test a recipe you've never made before -Buy a new ingredient and learn how to incorporate it into a meal -Order a different dish at your favorite restaurant  Take the first step toward learning something new -check out a book from the library on something you want to build, make, or learn -sign up for a class (remember- SOV employees benefit from  tuition reimbursemen...

When it comes to eye health many adults mistakenly believe that as long as nothing is bothering their eyes, there’s no need to get them checked out. However, getting regular eye exams is very important, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye exams allow an eye care professional to monitor your eyes for common vision problems and signs of disease. There aren’t early warning signs for the most common eye diseases, so by identifying diseases early, you have the best treatment options and the best chance of preserving good vision. If you haven’t had an eye exam in more than a year or at all, schedule one now. A comprehensive exam will often include eye dilation. After checking your vision sharpness, your doctor will place drops in your eyes to dilate (widen) the dark center of your eyes, called the pupil. This allows more light into your eyes, just like opening a door lets light into a dark room. The doctor can then examine the inside of your eyes. Your eye doctor will tal...

Breathing is like a magic reset button for destressing, and 3-Part Yoga Breathing is one of many ways you can harness the power of your breath to release tension. This special way of breathing does amazing things for your mind and body. It makes you calm, chases away stress, and helps you focus. Best of all, you can do it anywhere, with no equipment, and nobody has to know when you're practicing it! It's simple yet powerful! Find a quiet spot, sit comfortably, close your eyes if it feels good, and breathe in slowly, sending breath to three areas in your abdomen in one inhale: First, imagine that you're filling up a balloon in your belly. When that balloon is filled, allow your ribs to expand out to each side. When you have no more room to fill up sideways, feel your chest rise as the last few sips of air top you off. With all three areas filled, pause and hold this breath for a brief moment. Then, let it all out together. Feel the bad vibes release as you let everything...

  Double Points for March You talked, we listened! To help you meet your goal by the end of the quarter, LiveWell Vermont is DOUBLING points on many Wellness Portal activities in March. Thank you for all the hard work you’ve put in to learn the new Wellness Portal! Virgin Pulse Portal Tutorial Video Series here! If you earn 15,000 points by March 31st, and  carry Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance through SOV, State employees and retirees can  earn up to $350 annually.  If not insured through SOV, State employees and retirees can earn fantastic wellness prizes!  Not enrolled?  Get Started with the Wellness Program ! Questions? Contact us at DHR.LiveWellVermont@vermont.gov

 This blog post is intended to make you feel good. As you read each of these, imagine the sensation for yourself: The smell of cinnamon and cloves Fresh snow clinging to trees, outlining every branch and twig against the gray sky The perfect quiet stillness after a heavy snowfall Sitting in front of a campfire: your back is cold, your front is hot Hot cocoa warming your icy fingers Write your own bliss list!  You can write it looking forward, like a to-do list of experiences you want to cultivate. Or you can write it as a record, keeping track of the bliss you've experienced recently.

  Would it surprise you to know that some  30% of Americans have tapped into a savings account  or rainy-day fund to fuel their travel plans this summer? In this period of higher costs where everything from Airpods to airplane tickets are more expensive, consumers are having to prioritize where their money goes more than ever. Surprisingly, more people are choosing experiences over things. Even with the pinch of high inflation, there’s a way to feel good about your spending. Purposeful spending – like paying for an experience that’s been on your bucket list for a while – can contribute more to long-term happiness than the latest trend or gadget that’s purchased on a whim. Let’s take a closer look at the science behind spending and see how our savings tools can help you spend your cents smarter. Short-term versus long-term happiness While buying things might provide momentary happiness,  research from the University of Texas  suggests that experiences win out. 1 ...

Did you know the average American household spends $1,866 on food  that ends up being wasted every year? Wasting food is hard on the budget, but the true cost of unused food reaches much further. Just one year’s worth of uneaten food in the US alone results in resources being wasted: Enough calories to feed 150 million people for a year 170 million MTCO2e GHG (Metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas)   emissions (not including landfill emissions) – a massive amount equal to yearly CO2 emissions of 42 coal-fired power plants.  664 billion kWh energy – which is the equivalent of the energy needed to power more than 50 million U.S. homes annually. The greatest benefit to your budget and the environment is through   waste reduction,   rather than composting.  Fortunately, little changes can add up to a big difference over time! Step1: Get to the fridge and set it up so food stays good for as long as possible! Set your refrigerator tem...

  At the start of the year many people make ambitious resolutions around fitness. Unfortunately, by the time February rolls around many of these resolutions have fizzled because they’re not realistic. Indeed, when it comes to exercise, we often think about how to get fit, but so many of us fail because we don’t put time or effort into how to stay fit.  Staying fit isn’t always easy, especially when you factor in busy schedules, nasty weather, and/or waning motivation. This isn’t to say it’s impossible though! Heed these tips to get and stay moving for the long haul.  Focus on feelings. Yes, a great benefit of regular exercise can come in the form of a strong, sleek physique. But if outward appearances are your only motivation, you’re likely setting yourself up for failure. As we age it becomes more challenging to attain our ideal physique. You can certainly continue to work towards it, but you may be disappointed and give up if you’re not meeting these...

A fresh start has amazing power to kick start healthy habits, reset mindsets, and wipe the slate clean. That's why new year's resolutions are so popular! But after the excitement of the first week of January cools off, many people let go of their intentions or break their streaks. However, you don't have to wait until next January for a fresh start. You can invent fresh starts whenever you feel like it! Just declaring a clean slate is powerful! You can start over at the beginning of a month, the first day of the week, your birthday, the change of the season, or an anniversary. Just push the reset button whenever you feel like it! If you've broken your streak on flossing daily, reset the counter today. If you've skipped a week of transferring money to your savings account, do it right now! If you intended to spend more time with loved ones this year, call them up right now and make a date! If you finished your first book and haven't picked up another one for a we...