LiveWell Vermont

There's still time to register for your flu shot. Be a super hero this flu season! While registering ahead is preferred, we do accept walk-ins. VT State employees/retirees register for your flu shot! For Schedule, FAQ, Directions and Vaccine Info Sheet, click  HERE .

Feeling tired? Take some time to focus on your sleep health and sign up today for our Live Refreshed Challenge! This is the final LiveWell challenge of the year! **Please note: If you are working toward the reach your peak tier then you must complete two challenges and one workshop OR two workshops and one challenge before November 1st to earn the 900 points!

VT State employees/retirees register for your flu shot! For Schedule, FAQ, Directions and Vaccine Info Sheet, click HERE .

Do you know that one of the most effective, inexpensive and pain-free ways to look and feel younger is to exercise and perform daily stretches that ward off kyphosis (rounding of the thoracic spine, resulting in a hunched shape); that keep the spine mobile; that lengthen the quadriceps to help sustain a tall, lifted posture; and that maintain a healthy range of motion in the hips? Shift your focus from “anti-aging” to “pro-aging” with these stretches that support an active body over a lifetime.  Stability Ball Chest Opener Sit on stability ball of appropriate size, feet planted on floor a little wider than hip width apart. Slowly roll down onto back while walking feet forward. (If you lack core strength, anchor your feet, toes touching wall.) Ball fully supports spine. Open arms straight out to sides, palms up. Allow back of head to rest on ball, and draw chin up slightly toward ceiling. Drop hips, allowing low back to round naturally against ball, or keep legs and glutes eng...

You may know that sleep plays a vital role on your physical and mental health, but you may be wondering if you're truly sleeping well. On average, an adult needs between 7-9 hours of sleep to feel well rested, however this can vary depending on the individual. Some people may feel great with 6-7 hours of sleep each night where others need 8 or 9. Figure out what works best for you by tracking how much sleep you're getting and how you're feeling the following day. Some other important factors for healthy sleep include: 1.) You fall asleep within 15-20 minutes of lying down. 2.) You regularly sleep a total of 7-9 hours in a 24 hour period. 3.) While in bed your sleep is continuous and you aren't lying awake for extended stretches. 4,) You wake up feeling refreshed. 5.) You feel alert and able to be productive during your waking hours. 6.) You don't exhibit any out of the ordinary behaviors such as snoring, restlessness, or pauses in breathing. ...

Feeling a little unbalanced? Participate in our summer challenge which will focus on overall life balance. Each of the 4 weeks will have a different focus to help you find or maintain a great life balance! Sign up today in the portal!

Before You Go Outdoors Ticks live in moist and humid environments, particularly in or near wooded or grassy areas. Walk in the center of trails and avoid leaf litter or shrubs. Products containing permethrin kill ticks, which can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remains protective through several washings. Use repellent containing 20% or more DEET on skin, which can protect up to several hours. Apply to children, avoiding the hands, eyes, and mouth. For detailed information about using DEET on children, see recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. After You Come Indoors Bathe or shower as soon as possible.(preferably within two hours) to find ticks that may be on you and wash them off. Conduct a full-body tick check for all parts of your body. Children should be checked under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, behind the knees, between the legs, around the waist, and especially in their hair. ...

Be proactive this cold and flu season to make your whole life healthier! While getting a flu shot is the most effective way to prevent the flu, there are other strategies you can employ to keep yourself well.   Wash your Hands: Most cold and flu viruses are spread by direct contact. Germs can live on surfaces for hours so if someone with the flu coughs and then touches a doorknob, keyboard, or phone, these germs can be picked up by the next person that touches these objects. Washing your hands helps prevent the spread of these germs. If you can't get to a sink. Try an alcohol based hand sanitizer. Keep up an Aerobic Exercise Routine: Exercise helps increase your body's natural virus-killing cells. By keeping up a regular fitness routine, you're boosting your immune system! Eat Healthy Foods: Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains will provide you plenty of vitamins and nutrients. This will help boost your immune system and your abil...

It's easy to forget to set aside time to take care of ourselves when life gets busy. Adding these 5 things into your routine can help boost your energy, lower stress levels, and make you feel healthier overall. 1.) Move You don't have to do a full hour of intense working out every day. Go for a quick walk in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Make time for stretch breaks. Every little thing adds up and it feels good to move throughout the day! 2.) Hydrate Dehydration can drain your energy and make you feel sluggish by mid morning. Make sure to reach for your water bottle frequently throughout the day. It will do wonders for your health! 3.) Nourish Fuel your body with nutritious whole foods instead of processed sugary foods. This will keep you feeling great all day long and boost your immune system in the long run. 4.) Strategize/Plan Ahead Meal plan one day a week and prep food ahead of time to make it easier to cook...

If you think back about last spring, it started early after a mild winter and the spring changed to a summer that was hot, humid and dry. Now fall is almost here and the weather continues to stay mild, so entomologists from across the nation are finding that the tick population is still building--and that could mean major problems for next year. Because it got so warm so early, the ticks came out of dormancy early and have had extra time to mature, mate, and prepare for the egg-laying season for next spring. Right now, the adult ticks are still feeding in preparation for a long winter sleep to prepare for the egg laying in the spring. Because of the mild year, few ticks have died due to weather conditions, and populations have soared to record highs. Here is the life cycle of a tick and how it can affect you and your pets this fall and next spring. Ticks have three primary stages of development: larval, nymphal, and adult. Each stage requires a special host to feed on to move on ...

The summer months are here and that means spending more time outdoors enjoying the sunshine! When spending time outside, it's important to take simple steps to protect your skin from the suns harmful rays. Sunscreen is very effective at protecting your skin when used properly. Follow these simple steps to give yourself the most protection! 1.) Apply sunscreen at least 20-30 minutes before going outside. 2.) Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while you are outdoors. Reapply sunscreen more frequently if you're perspiring or go swimming/get wet. 3.) Cover all exposed areas including ears, lips, face, and back of hands. 4.) Don't skimp - apply a generous layer. Don't forget - you can pick up a free sunscreen kit with your participation in a biometric wellness screening!

As the warmer weather appears, so do the mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can take the fun out of a lot of outdoor summer activities so here are some great ways to protect yourself from bites! 1.) Mosquito Repellent The most effective mosquito repellents have Deet in them (bonus: deet helps protect you against ticks, which are supposed to be bad this season!) . If you're looking for a more natural option, repellents such as a lemon eucalyptus spray have also been shown to be effective. 2.) Citronella Candles Citronella can help keep the mosquitoes away. You can buy them or make your own! 3.) Lavender. Whether you have lavender plants or use lavender essential oils - mosquitoes seem to steer clear of this. 4.) Rosemary or Sage Throw rosemary or Sage on the grill during your BBQ. Not only will it add great flavor to what you're cooking, but it will keep the mosquitoes away! 5.) Eliminate standing water. Mosquitoes LOVE water - they lay their eggs in standing water. Make sure...

                   Due to the warm winter, ticks are predicted to be particularly bad this year. Learn what to do to be safe. Tick season is upon us!  Protect yourself, your family and your pets!