October is Menopause awareness month and given how common this life transition is, we do not talk about it enough. This month, let’s start the conversation, examine the facts, and talk about how we can support ourselves and other’s experiencing menopause.
Menopause is defined as the period of time when a woman has gone twelve months without a menstrual period. It can happen in the 40s or 50s, but the average age in the U.S. is fifty-one. It is also important to acknowledge that not only cisgender women experience menopause. Transgender men, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming individuals can also experience menopause, and some people may experience menopause earlier due to certain medical conditions.
March is National Nutrition Month®, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of making informed food choices and developing healthy eating habits. This year’s theme, “Beyond the Table,” addresses the farm-to-fork aspect of nutrition, from food production and distribution to navigating grocery stores and farmers markets — and even home food safety and storage practices. It also describes the various ways we eat — not only around a dinner table, but also on the go, in schools and restaurants, at games and events. This theme also includes sustainability, for instance, decreasing food waste from school and work to home and beyond.
As we navigate the complexities of modern diets and lifestyles, National Nutrition Month serves as a timely reminder to prioritize our health and make informed choices about the foods we consume. By embracing the principles of balance, variety, and moderation, we can cultivate healthier habits that promote wellness and vitality for ourselves and future generations.
This March, let’s celebrate National Nutrition Month by embracing the power of nutrition to nourish our bodies, nurture our health, and enhance our quality of life. Whether it is through trying new recipes, participating in community events, or simply making small, positive changes to our diets, let’s take this opportunity to invest in our well-being and empower others to do the same.
Here are some ways you can celebrate at home:
Commit to trying a new fruit or vegetable each week during National Nutrition Month®.
Give family members a role in meal planning and let them pick out different recipes to try.
Plan to eat more meals together as a family or with friends during National Nutrition Month®.
If you watch TV, take breaks during commercials to be physically active.
Practice mindful eating by limiting screentime at mealtime — including phones, computers, TV, and other devices.
Try more meatless meals — choices like beans and lentils are versatile plant-based protein sources that work in a variety of dishes.
Let everyone help with food preparation — a skill for people of all ages. If you have kids, there are age-appropriate tasks they may enjoy learning how to do.
Bring out the flavors of food by trying new herbs, spices, or citrus fruit such as lemon or lime.
All faculty, staff and students of the GMHEC colleges are invited to join the Green Mountain Higher Ed. Consortium team for the annual Step Up for Stepping Strong steps challenge supporting The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The challenge runs from May 1st through the 31st. Be part of an effort to raise a $100,000 gift to advance trauma research provided by Cigna, honor and support those who have been affected by trauma and be entered into weekly drawings to win gift cards. There is no cost to participate and there is no individual fundraising requirement. Download the MoveSpring app, connect your device and get moving. It’s simple and fun and you can feel good knowing that you’re activity is making a positive difference.
November is Diabetes Awareness Month, a time when communities, organizations, and individuals unite to raise awareness about the impact of diabetes. Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide and if left untreated, it can lead to significant health complications. Diabetes Awareness Month provides a platform to share information, support those living with diabetes, and promote healthy lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of this prevalent disease.
There are two types of diabetes, type 1, and type 2. Type 1 is typically diagnosed in childhood and is not preventable, whereas type 2 can be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes. Recent data from the CDC reports that 11% of the U.S. population has diabetes, that up to 23% may have undiagnosed diabetes and that almost 40% have prediabetes. You are at risk for type 2 diabetes if you:
Health literacy is all about understanding and using health information to make the best choices for your well-being. Just like reading a map helps you navigate new places, health literacy is the skill that helps you navigate the world of healthcare. It involves being able to read and understand health information, ask questions about your health, and communicate effectively with doctors and other healthcare professionals. When you have good health literacy, you can take charge of your own health, make informed decisions about your care, and live a healthier, happier life. It’s like having a key to unlock the doors of knowledge and better health.
As humans, our overall health is significantly affected by our natural and built environment: where we are born, live, learn, work, play, and congregate all influence our health. While we often think of these environmental factors as relating largely to our physical health, it is important to consider the effect of our environment on our mental health and well-being.
What we know for sure is that there are many factors that contribute to mental well-being, and we all benefit from stable environments, strong communities, and ready access to needed services. During this year’s Mental Health Month, which has been celebrated annually in May since 1949, Mental Health America invites you to Look Around, Look Within as we consider every part of our environment and its effect on our mental health and well-being. While some aspects of our environment may be outside of our immediate control, in other areas we have the potential to make change. Consider your home, your community, and the time you spend in nature and what you might modify to make these environments more supportive of your well-being.
We’ve all heard the old adage that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” (Benjamin Franklin). When it comes to our health, and specifically heart health, this quote could not be more applicable. While genetics certainly play a role in the health of our hearts, our lifestyle and preventive care behaviors also play a significant role. Since February is American Heart Month let’s talk about some things we may be able to do to keep our hearts healthy.
Activity challenges are a great way to support you to be happier, healthier, and more energized by recognizing the benefits of every day activity. The Move More challenge is open from January 25th through March 7th. Earn points by engaging in the activities that you enjoy most. Set a goal to increase your activity or compete against your colleagues. This event is open to all employees and family members. All participates will be entered into a raffle for prizes including $100 gift cards. Join with the organization GMHEC, register as a GMHEC employee, create or join a team or participate as an individual. Click here to learn more and here to register.
GMHEC is proud to announce the launch of a new wellness program – Movejoy!
Movejoy has created a wellness check-in program for employees of our member colleges and registration is open now. Movejoy matches employees from our member institutions based around compatible schedules and wellness goals. Together the matched pairs help one another stay accountable to a wellness goal/action for the duration of the program. This program is open to all employees and is a great way to connect with someone new and support one another.
The program will run from Monday, February 6th to Friday March 31st and we are asking everyone to sign up by Sunday, January 29th. Click here to visit the GMHEC sign up page
November is National Diabetes Month so it’s the perfect time to talk about prediabetes. Prediabetes is a serious health condition affecting more than 88 million Americans, most of whom don’t even know they have it. Prediabetes puts you at an increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes. In fact, people who have prediabetes have a 50% chance of developing diabetes over the next 5 to 10 years. The good news though is that by making small lifestyle changes, it is possible to manage or reverse prediabetes and prevent it from turning into type 2 diabetes.
