"Blueprint to Wellness 2024"
ESHCA Wellness Newsletter
April 2024
The shareable link (printable) for this issue: https://conta.cc/4ak7dD4
For complete member services visit us at: www.eshca.org
Alcohol Awareness Month

Alcohol is a toxin; it is difficult to metabolize stressing bodily organs. There is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

"Know" when alcohol is a problem for you or a loved one.

Some choices are healthier than others.

If needed, how can one get help?
  • The Summary Plan Description (SPD) outlines your health benefits including Substance Abuse.
  • Questions regarding health benefits? Contact Donna (ESHCA Health Benefits Administrator)
Vitamin D:
A "Number" to Consider?

"Know Your Numbers" is a key concept to understand and manage your health...
  • Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, and Body Weight are indicators of current and future health.
  • Keep these "numbers" balanced through "take action" lifestyle habits (bottom).
Why consider adding Vitamin D to "Know Your Numbers"?

  • 1) Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to poor bone health, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

  • 2) It is most likely included in your annual physical bloodwork because deficiency is common in the northeast.

  • 3) It is simple to understand and deficiency is easily remedied!
  • Lack of sunshine and poor diets contribute to low measures.
Why is vitamin D important?
  • Vitamin D is crucial in maintaining the level of calcium (in blood and bones) to build and maintain bodily tissue (especially bones and teeth).
  • Also, reduces low-grade inflammation which increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Deficiencies can contribute to health issues including:
  • Fatigue, aches, and pains
  • Bone pain and stress fractures
  • Muscle weakness, muscle aches, and muscle cramps
  • Depression and mood changes
  • Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma.

Vitamin D comes from 3 sources:
  • 1) Sun exposure
  • Winter months deplete vitamin D levels.
  • 2) Food
  • Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines); fortified milk and cereal.
  • Note: the AHA recommends 2 servings of fatty fish (rich in unsaturated fats) per week!
  • 3) Supplement
  • May be beneficial in the winter months, discuss with your PCP at your annual physical.
"Take Action":
Measure Health in Feet

There are 3 "Take Action" Lifestyle Habits: Fingers (smoking), Forks (food), & Feet (exercise)

  • This month's challenge assesses "Feet". Exercise is arguably the most important health habit: boosting HDL, lowering triglycerides, and balancing blood sugar (read: Mayo Clinic Article). Evaluate yourself on 2 characteristics of movement:

1) Activities of daily living...do you have an active lifestyle?


2) Heart Pumping Exercise

  • Exercise can be a "tough sell", however, there are significant health benefits to elevating your heart rate even 5 minutes/day.

  • Expand your understanding of "Daily Activity" and "Heart Pumping Exercise"!!!

$25 "Take Action" Challenge - Move your feet!!!

  • 1) Print and fill in the "Move Your Feet Log", if you are unable to print make your own log, I will take it!
  • 2) Email (attach a good cell phone picture), mail, or fax Patrick a copy of the log and you will receive the $25 incentive.
  • 3) This challenge ends on 5/15/24 (last day submit logs).

  • Note: All members of the household are encouraged to participate, however, only one incentive can be issued to each member-household with the exception that more than one employee-member lives in a household. Each member-household is limited to 6 newsletter incentives per year, if you participate in more than 6 newsletter challenges your company will be given additional participation points toward the "Golden Boot" award, recognizing the ESHCA Wellness Company of the Year!

Get your crew (or office) involved!!!
  • Take the lead, be a "Wellness Champion". Encourage the members of your crew to participate in newsletter challenges, have a group discussion and complete the challenge as a team.