LiveWell Vermont

 This blog post is intended to make  you feel good. As you read each of these, imagine the sensation for yourself:  Seeing first bulbs coming up Hearing the birds sing in the morning Hearing spring peepers in the evenings Seeing buds on trees Grass turning green The smell of lilacs The first day you feel great going outside without a jacket The first tree you know will burst with blossoms Foraging for ramps and fiddleheads Spring onions, peas, and asparagus Drinking something cool on a warm day Choosing what to grow in the garden Meeting the first toad 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.

  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to understand and care for our minds. Just like we take care of our bodies, it's important to look after our mental well-being too. Sometimes we feel sad, worried, or stressed, and that's okay. Talking about how we feel and seeking help when needed is brave and smart. We can practice self-care by doing things we enjoy, talking to trusted adults, and being kind to ourselves and others. Let's remember that it's okay not to be okay sometimes, and together, we can support each other and create a happier, healthier world. Take time to support yourself by taking advantage of the CAPS Mental Health Month materials, attending a Mental Health America Webinar , or doing something else just for you.

Blood Pressure  Blood is typically recorded as two numbers, written as a ratio.  It's read as "117 over 76 millimeters of mercury"  Systolic: The top number, which is also the higher of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats (when the heart muscle contracts).   Diastolic: The bottom number, which is also the lower of the two numbers, measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats (when the heart muscle is resting between beats and refilling with blood).  The goal is to be less than 120 for the top number and less than 80 for the bottom number. Here is a list of lifestyle practices you can add that may improve your numbers!   Reduce caffeine  Manage stress  Exercise  Quit smoking  Cut down alcohol   Get enough hours of quality sleep  Reduce salty foods (like canned food, processed meats, or mixes with flavor packs)   As always, if you have concerns, talk to your doctor!

In a world that often feels chaotic and divided, there's an antidote: volunteering. Beyond the act of giving back to the community, volunteering offers a myriad of benefits that extend to both individuals and society as a whole. Make it actionable... If you are in central Vermont, one opportunity to connect with the community is by volunteering with the Corporate Cup State Agency Race . You can learn about opportunities here , or register for one of the options here . Looking to support young people? Check out MENTOR Vermont , which aims to drive equity through quality mentoring relationships, so every young person in Vermont has the supportive mentoring relationships they need to grow and thrive. Love the outdoors? See if the  volunteer opportunities with Green Mountain Club  are right for you. Check out your local library, animal shelter, hospital, or foodbank to see what types of volunteer support they are looking for. Many of these appreciate the extra help, and are an importan

 It's Wellness Screening Season!  This means we're all thinking about ways we can take care of our cholesterol levels to support our cardiovascular health.  Check out these suggestions: What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in the bloodstream and in all your body's cells. While your body needs cholesterol to continue building healthy cells, having high cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood; it has to be transported to and from the cells by carriers called lipoproteins. These include: low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). These, along with triglycerides, the most common type of fat in the body, make up your total cholesterol count. Total Cholesterol: Less than 200mg/dL HDL (“good cholesterol”): >40mg/dL in men, >50mg/dL in women LDL (“bad cholesterol”): <129 mg/dL Triglycerides: <149mg/dL Ratio Total Cholesterol:  ≤ 3.5 How can I boost my HDL level