LiveWell Vermont

Do you wake up with the determination to fit in a workout only to find that there just doesn't seem to be enough time? Try fitting in a workout during your lunch break! There's plenty you can do in 30-60 minutes mid-day. If you're at a loss for ideas, think about running, walking, cycling, taking a fitness class, going to a gym near your office, or doing a body weight workout. Working out mid-day can make you feel happier and more productive throughout the rest of the day. Here are some tips to get you started! 1.) Pack your clothes the night before or pack a gym bag for the entire work week. Make sure you have everything you need to complete your workouts. Include facial wipes, brush, and other items that you may need when you're finished with your workout. 2.) Pack your own lunch. Practice meal prepping at the beginning of the week or pack leftovers from dinner the prior night. Instead of spending time and money going out for lunch, spend your lunch break wor...

Feeling tired? Did you know there's still time to sign up for our Live Refreshed Challenge? Take some time to focus on your sleep health and sign up today! 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!

Are you on Instagram?! So is Live Well ! Live Well supports the State of Vermont employee and retiree population through partnerships with health and wellness resources both within and outside of state government . Keep up with the State of Vermont Employee Wellness Program on by following @vtlivewell on Instagram today! Tag us in any photos of you and your loved ones participating in healthy activities. Whether its preparing a healthy meal, practicing self-care or getting your heart rate up, Live Well wants to know!

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...

Is that to-do list weighing you down? There are many reasons why we procrastinate including indecisiveness, a difficult or dreaded task, or fear of failure. However, there are ways you can fight procrastination and tackle that to-do list! One way to look at your to-do list is through a value standpoint . Where do you place value and how can you add value to the items that have forever been stuck on your to-do list? If you find a way to add value to these to-do list items, it will then make it important and possibly even exciting for you. You may also try eliminating interruptions . Sometimes all it takes is one distraction to make it difficult to get back on task. If you can, turn off your phone, social media, and email for a couple hours to tackle that to-do list. Is there one project that seems very overwhelming? Breaking a large project up into smaller pieces , may make it seem easier to tackle. Additionally, try this tip: Remember what your strengths are.  Is one...

Did you know studies have shown that optimistic people have healthier hearts and are better at managing stress? However, looking at the bright side can be easier said than done. Fortunately, even if you don't consider yourself to be an optimist, you can try incorporating these tips to help you live with more positivity!   1.) Have gratitude Being grateful for the good things in your life will help you feel satisfied. Take an inventory of all the good things around you. Additionally, try to be grateful for the hardships and obstacles because these give you strength and teach you how to persevere, which help you form resilience. 2.) Practice listening. When you are actively listening, you're taking in more information and knowledge without the distraction of your own thoughts and words. It also can increase your own self-confidence when you show you have respect for others. 3.) Smile more. Frown less.  When you smile you create a happy and positive environment that d...

Did you know that water can help provide relief from a headache.  Did you know staying hydrated can reduce afternoon irritability? See below for all the different ways that water can make you feel awesome! 1.) It can aid in weight loss and reduce the feeling of hunger. Extra water can not only make you feel full, but it can also boost your metabolism! Try drinking a glass of water before every meal. 2.) It powers your exercise.   Staying hydrated has many benefits around exercise including: increasing your ability to perform at your best, enhancing the quality of your workout and allowing you to recover faster. 3.) It aids digestion and keeps your kidneys working. Drinking water helps your body break down foods and helps your kidneys and liver flush out waste products. 4.) Hydration can improve your mood! Drinking water not only makes you feel refreshed but also can improve your mindset. Even mild dehydration has been shown to negatively impact mood. Next ti...

Feeling stressed out? Can't sleep? Check out these ideas to help you relax in 5 minutes or less! 1.) Sip on a cup of tea. If it's early in the day, sip green tea (this has caffeine in it so don't drink it too late in the day). Green tea not only has a lot of antioxidants, but it contains compounds that can help you reduce anger. If it's later in the day, drinking herbal tea can help you relax. 2.) Meditate. 5 minutes of meditation is all it takes to feel the benefits. Find a comfortable spot in a quiet place and focus on your breath. Watch your stress and anxieties start to disappear. 3.) Try counting backward. If you're feeling stressed, frustrated, worried, or upset, try counting back from 10. Sometimes all it takes is 10 seconds to help you refocus your thoughts. 4.) Close your eyes. If your office or environment is chaotic, closing your eyes for a minute is an easy way to regain calm and focus. 5.) Squeeze a stress ball. This is an easy and por...

Starting your day off early can give you the opportunity to get in a workout, check off some to- do items, do some yoga, or relax with a cup of coffee or herbal tea before starting your day. The morning offers an opportunity to take some time for yourself before the buzz of the day begins. Did you know that a 20-minute moderate intensity workout in the morning can provide a brain boost for the following 12 hours? Morning exercise is a great use of your time.   Additionally, you can incorporate a few of these morning habits to get your day going on the right foot. 1.) Drink 16-ounces of water upon waking to re-hydrate from your 7-9 hours of sleep. 2.) Make your bed. Did you know making you bed in the morning is correlated with better productivity throughout the day? 3.) Eat a healthy breakfast. Your body needs fuel so it can tackle the day. 4.) Drink a cup of coffee/herbal tea while taking a few moments for yourself. 5.) Prioritize your day. Establish your top pri...

Did you know that nighttime exposure to LED rays produced by tablets, computers, TV's, and smartphones can disrupt your body's natural rhythms? This can impact your sleep and health! Artificial light produced by these devices impact the quality of sleep you get by slowing the neurons that induce sleep, activating those that cause wakefulness, and suppressing the sleep hormone melatonin. Lack of sleep can contribute to health risks including obesity, type 2 diabetes, depression, and heart disease. Additionally, lack of sleep can cause concentration issues. Check out these tips below to learn how you can power down and unwind before bed, which can help improve your sleep. Unwind before Bed: At least 15-30 minutes before bed, make sure to power down technology. Electronic Free Zone: Make your bedroom a place free of electronics. Make a List or Write Down Your Thoughts: If you're overthinking before bed, make it a habit to write out those thoughts or to-do ...

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. ...

Did you know incorporating these 10 healthy habits can improve your brain health? It's never too late to start new healthy habits!

Congratulations to our third place recipe contest winner Tabbi Daly! Check out the recipe for Asparagus Pasta Salad below! Asparagus Pasta Salad Ingredients: 8 oz penne pasta uncooked 1 pound asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes 1/2 cup purple onion, thinly sliced Dressing: 1/3 cup plain greek yogurt 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley 1 tsp sugar 1 tsp lemon zest salt and pepper to taste Directions: Boil pasta for 12 minutes then add the cut asparagus. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes and then drain and run under cold water until cooled. Drain completely and place in a large bowl.  Add tomatoes and onion then toss to coat.  Whisk together the remaining ingredients for the dressing and pour over pasta. Stir to coat.  Serve.

Live Well Vermont is looking to recognize and reward employees who have had success after participating in State of Vermont Wellness programming!  Examples include, but not limited to: Positive health and wellness changes Living a more balanced life Reduction in stress Weight loss Exercising regularly Share your story and motivate and inspire others!

 The University of Vermont Medical Center is partnering with The American Legion to bring a Hepatitis C screening to Vermont in May 2017—this is a statewide invitation.  There are 56,000 vets living in Vermont and 36.7% of all VT vets (approximately 20,552 are Vietnam vets) who may be at risk. 75% of those infected with Hepatitis-C are not aware they have it. Our goal is to reach as many vets as possible.    If you are a veteran and/or employ veterans who served from 1964-1975 being screened for Hepatitis C  is recommended.  Free Hepatitis C testing with the OraQuick® Rapid HCV Test will be available to all veterans born between 1945 to 1965 and/or all veterans who served 1965-1985. Hepatitis C is a viral pathogen and Vietnam-era vets are at a 10 times higher risk. The free and strictly confidential screening will take place: Location: Camp Johnson,  Green Mountain Armory, 789 Vt. National Guard Road, Colchester, VT.  S...