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Showing posts from April, 2026

Green Up Day

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  Green Up Day , is observed each year on the first Saturday of May, is a statewide effort in of  Vermont  to clean up  roadside trash . You can also get points on Personify Health, just list it as a LiveWell Event. I'm new to this... how does Green Up Day work? This year, Green Up Day takes place on May 2nd officially, but you may see volunteers on the roads all weekend in some areas. On dirt roads or roads with limited space for pedestrians, please be a little extra cautious.  Green trash bags are distributed throughout the state which are then used by volunteers to clean up the roads in their area. Citizens can pick up bags at the local  town hall  or other community location. T owns have a coordinator who can be contacted with questions, find information specific to you below. Town Details – Green Up Vermont Green Up Day Safety Download the app: Google Store or Apple Store

National Walk @ Lunch Day

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We are celebrating National Walk@Lunch Day with BlueCrossBlueShield of Vermont. Learn more below about the initiative and get some tips for walking in your community. Walking just 30 minutes a day can improve both your physical and mental health. Taking a brisk daily walk can lower your blood pressure, reduce risk of heart disease, help control stress, and improve your mood. You can celebrate National Walk@Lunch Day by getting outside to walk wherever you are. During your lunchtime walk you’ll enjoy fresh air, the sights and sounds of spring, and hopefully some sunshine. You’ll also be giving your health a boost. A great way to begin a daily walking habit is to participate in National Walk@Lunch Day, held on the last Wednesday of April. This year,  National Walk@Lunch Day  falls on  April 29.  Finding Places to Walk In Vermont, we’re fortunate to have thousands of miles of scenic dirt roads to walk on. Remember to walk on the left side of the road so that you...

3-4-50: Prevent Chronic Disease (From the Vermont Department of Health)

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  Vermonters know that health isn't just personal - it's something we build together.  The Department of Health's 3-4-50 initiative  focuses on three behaviors (tobacco use, poor diet, and physical inactivity) that are linked to four chronic diseases (cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes. Together, they account for over half of all deaths in Vermont. That's the data. But the real story is how much of this shows up in our everyday lives and our communities. Where It Shows Up You can see 3-4-50 in places we already know: A community garden getting people closer to fresh food A well-used trail or sidewalk that makes it easier to move a little more A workplace that encourages people to step away, take a walk, or eat lunch together Local decisions that make the healthy choice the easy choice These things don't feel like "health initiatives," but they add up to something real. A Shared Effort In a small state like ours, these changes ripple. One gar...

Practicing Everyday Optimism (Without Toxic Positivity)

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  As we move into the heart of spring, many of us are looking for ways to boost our energy and outlook. One powerful tool for wellbeing is optimism - but not the "everything is perfect" kind.  Psychologist Martin Seligman, a pioneer in the field of positive psychology , describes optimism as a learned pattern of thinking rather than a fixed personality trait. His research shows that how we interpret everyday setbacks can influence our motivation, coping skills, and overall wellness. In optimistic thinking, challenges are more likely to be viewed as temporary and specific rather than permanent or overwhelming. For example, instead of thinking "Nothing is going right," an optimistic perspective might be "Today was tough, but tomorrow is another chance to try again." This shift may seem small, but research suggests it can have meaningful effects. Studies have linked optimistic thinking with greater resilience , lower stress , and improved health outcomes ....