If you’re ready to welcome spring with open arms, check out the March edition of Healthy Living with Business Health Trust!
Our wellness partners offer up plenty of seasonal tips, whether you’re interested in spring cleaning for a healthier home or cleaning your diet.
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How often do you feel thankful for the good things in your life? Studies suggest that making a habit of noticing what’s going well in your life could have health benefits.
Taking the time to feel gratitude may improve your emotional well-being by helping you cope with stress. Early research suggests that a daily practice of gratitude could affect the body, too. For example, one study found that gratitude was linked to fewer signs of heart disease.
The first step in any gratitude practice is to reflect on the good things that have happened in your life. These can be big or little things. It can be as simple as scoring a good parking space that day or enjoying a hot mug of coffee. Or, perhaps you feel grateful for a close friend’s compassionate support.
Next, allow yourself a moment to enjoy that you had a positive experience, no matter what negatives may exist in your life. Let positive feelings of gratitude bubble up.
“We encourage people to try practicing gratitude daily,” advises Dr. Judith T. Moskowitz, a psychologist at Northwestern University. “You can try first thing in the morning or right before you fall asleep, whatever is best for you.”
Moskowitz has been studying the impact of keeping a daily gratitude journal on stress relief and health. Practicing gratitude is part of a set of skills that her research team encourages people to practice. These skills have been shown to help some people increase their positive emotions.
Her team is trying to understand better how a daily boost in positive emotions can help people cope with stress and improve their mental and physical health.
“By practicing these skills, it will help you cope better with whatever you have to cope with,” Moskowitz explains. “You don’t have to be experiencing major life stress. It also works with the daily stress that we all deal with. Ultimately, it can help you be not just happier but also healthier.”
While practicing gratitude seems to work for some people, it doesn’t for everyone. That’s why Moskowitz’s research team teaches other skills, too. These include meditating and doing small acts of kindness.
Her team has been developing and testing these skills with people who have illnesses like advanced cancer, diabetes, HIV infection, and depression. She’s also worked with people who care for others with serious illness.
When you make gratitude a regular habit, it can help you learn to recognize good things in your life despite the bad things that might be happening. Moskowitz says that when you’re under stress, you might not notice all the moments of positive emotion that you experience. With her research program, she’s trying to help people become more aware of those moments of positive feelings.
“Put some effort into experiencing gratitude on a daily basis and see how it goes,” Moskowitz advises. “It might just surprise you that—despite how bad things are—there are things you feel grateful for alongside it.” And feeling grateful may help improve both your mind and your body.
Create positive emotions by being thankful every day:
Source: National Institutes of Health, News In Health, Practicing Gratitude, Ways to Improve Positivity; retrieved March 5, 2019 from https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2019/03/practicing-gratitude
Business Health Trust (BHT) members enrolled in medical through Premera Blue Cross have access to up to three in-person visits with a counselor through Wellspring EAP. For more information on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through BHT, view the plan summary.
If you would like to access your Wellspring EAP benefits, go to WellspringEAP.org; or to purchase Wellspring EAP services, connect with us at BusinessHealthTrust.com/contact-us.
The Seattle region is experiencing unprecedented economic success. But how do we leverage this so small and mid-size businesses can participate and benefit? How can these businesses that play an integral part in our communities thrive in this environment?
Join Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce for the 2nd annual Elevate NW, a conference dedicated to the growth and success of small businesses in the Seattle metro region. From solopreneurs to companies that employ tens of thousands of people, we all play a role in building relationships that create an environment where small businesses can continue to flourish and innovate.
Event: Elevate NW Conference 2019
Date: April 30, 2019
Time: 1 – 6 p.m.
Location: Fisher Pavilion and Armory Lofts, Seattle Center
Address: 305 Harrison St. , Seattle , WA , 98109 (Get Directions)
Members: $99 pre-paid ($120 as of April 23)
Non-Members: $120 pre-paid ($140 as of April 23)
Questions: Contact Betsy Paige at 206-389-7345
Breakout sessions include:
Financing 101: When, how, and where?
As the saying goes, “you gotta spend money to make money” – but when, how, and where do you access that money? Learn from a panel of experts about the various financing options available to you and how to navigate them.
Smart Business Growth
How can you put yourself and your company on the right track to growth? Hear from a panel of peers for insight on how to map your strategy, take calculated risks, recover from a stumble, track your success – and continue for growth.
Creating a People-Centric Workplace
What are the ingredients for a culture where people want to work? Learn about strategies and tools you can use to improve employee engagement, retention, communication, morale, and productivity.
Business Health Trust members enrolled in medical insurance benefits through Premera Blue Cross have convenient, anywhere access to health plan information with Premera’s mobile app. With the app in hand, you can:
Download the mobile app today so it’s ready when you need it.
Tip: You can download the Premera Mobile app for free. It’s available on Android and iOS.
At the Chamber 101 you will meet other members, introduce yourself and your company, and learn about the ways you and your employees can utilize your Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce membership to grow your business.
Event: Chamber 101
Date: March 22, 2019
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Microsoft Events Center at the Seattle Metro Chamber
Address: 1301 5th Ave, Ste. 1500, Seattle, WA, 98101 (Get Directions)
Members: Free, registration requested
Non-Members: This is a members-only event
Questions: Contact Hannah Holman at 206-389-7216
Come to Chamber 101 to learn how to get the most out of your investment in the Chamber. As a Chamber member, you have access to a host of events and programs that will help you grow your business and help us work together to build a prosperous future for our region. Your Chamber membership provides you with cost-savings resources, valuable networking opportunities, and a chance to develop your business skills.
Did you see the February edition of “Healthy Living with Business Health Trust“?
Our monthly newsletter offers small employers in Washington the information and tools they need to design and manage a competitive employee benefits program, help their employees make good use of medical and wellness benefits, and keep up-to-date on policy issues that affect small businesses in the state.
Subscribe today to stay up-to-date with Business Health Trust!
When winter weather brings snow and ice, Business Health Trust partner Kaiser Permanente wants you to stay safe and be able to get the care you need. While Kaiser Permanente is working hard to keep care locations open, some facilities may need to close for the safety of members and staff.
If you plan to visit a medical facility or urgent care center, please check the Weather Updates page before you travel, or call ahead. If you have a scheduled appointment and you don’t feel safe to travel, please call your doctor’s office to reschedule.
If conditions make it difficult for you to travel to a medical facility, you have other options.
If you would like to be seen in person by a Kaiser Permanente provider, CareClinic by Kaiser Permanente at Bartell Drugs may be easier to get to than a medical facility or doctor’s office. These walk-in clinics offer care for minor medical issues for everyone ages 2 and up. Find an open CareClinic location near you.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is also a major cause of disability. There are many things that can raise your risk of heart disease. They are called risk factors. Some of them you cannot control, but there are many that you can control. Learning about them can lower your risk of heart disease.
Your risk of heart disease increases as you get older. Men age 45 and older and women age 55 and older have a greater risk.
Some risk factors may affect heart disease risk differently in women than in men. For example, estrogen provides women with some protection against heart disease, but diabetes raises the risk of heart disease more in women than in men.
Certain groups have higher risks than others. African Americans are more likely than whites to have heart disease, while Hispanic Americans are less likely to have it. Some Asian groups, such as East Asians, have lower rates, but South Asians have higher rates.
You have a greater risk if you have a close family member who had heart disease at an early age.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to reduce your chances of getting heart disease.
High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease which can include heart attack, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, but also many other symptoms. It is important to get your blood pressure checked regularly – at least once a year for most adults, and more often if you have high blood pressure. Take steps to prevent or lower high blood pressure like diet (check out the DASH Diet), exercise changes, and sometimes even medication, but check in with your doctor about these types of thing. What is high blood pressure? Normal blood pressure is 120 over 80 so higher than this is considered elevated. At home blood pressure monitors are an affordable way to keep tabs on these numbers. A healthy heart rate when resting is generally considered under 70-100 beats per minute and over 50-70 beats per minute.
High levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) can clog your arteries and raise your risk of coronary artery disease and heart attack. Lifestyle changes and medicines (if needed) can lower your cholesterol. Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. High levels of triglycerides may also raise the risk of coronary artery disease, especially in women.
Being overweight or having obesity can increase your risk of heart disease. This is mostly because they are linked to other heart disease risk factors, including high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Controlling your weight and preventing weight gain can lower these risks. It is important, however, to pursue healthy weight loss that can be maintained in the long run.
What is a heart healthy food? Try to limit saturated fats, foods high in sodium, and added sugars. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains. The DASH diet plan is an example of an eating plan that can help you to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, two things that can lower your risk of heart disease. Try these recipes for heart healthy meals.
Exercise has many benefits, including strengthening your heart and improving your circulation. It can also help you maintain a healthy weight and lower cholesterol and blood pressure. All of these can lower your risk of heart disease.
Does alcohol raise blood pressure? Yes, drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure. It also adds extra calories, which may cause weight gain and prevent weight loss. Both of those raise your risk of heart disease. Men should have no more than two alcoholic drinks per day, and women should not have more than one.
Does smoking cause high blood pressure? Yes, cigarette smoking raises your blood pressure and puts you at higher risk for heart attack and stroke. If you do not smoke, do not start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. You can talk to your health care provider for help in finding the best way for you to quit.
Stress is linked to heart disease in many ways. It can raise your blood pressure. Can stress cause a heart attack? Yes, extreme stress can be a “trigger” for a heart attack. Also, some common ways of coping with stress, such as overeating, heavy drinking, and smoking, are bad for your heart. Some ways to help manage your stress include exercise, listening to music, focusing on something calm or peaceful, and meditating.
Having diabetes doubles your risk of diabetic heart disease. That is because, over time, high blood sugar from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels. So, it is important to get tested for diabetes, and if you have it, to keep it under control.
If you don’t get enough sleep, you raise your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. Those three things can raise your risk for heart disease. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Make sure that you have good sleep habits. If you have frequent sleep problems, contact your health care provider. One problem, sleep apnea, causes people to briefly stop breathing many times during sleep. This interferes with your ability to get a good rest and can raise your risk of heart disease. If you think you might have it, ask your doctor about having a sleep study. And if you do have sleep apnea, make sure that you get treatment for it.
Source: Medline Plus, How to Prevent Heart Disease, Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/howtopreventheartdisease.html, on 2/8/2019
Business Health Trust (BHT) members enrolled in a medical plan through Premera Blue Cross have access to up to three in-person visits with a counselor through Wellspring EAP. For more information on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through BHT, view the plan summary.
If you would like to access your Wellspring EAP benefits, go to WellspringEAP.org; or to purchase Wellspring EAP services, connect with us at BusinessHealthTrust.com/contact-us.
Winter weather keeping you indoors? Enjoy cooking some heart-healthy comfort food to keep your hands busy and your belly full!
The National Institutes of Health, Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has a library of recipes featuring all kinds of meals.
Search the full library, or check out some of the featured Soups and Stews below!
For more information on cardiovascular healthy, check out these Tips for a Healthy Heart.
Business Health Trust (BHT) members enrolled in medical insurance through Premera Blue Cross have access to up to three in-person visits with a counselor through Wellspring EAP. For more information on the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through BHT, view the plan summary.
If you would like to access your Wellspring EAP benefits, go to WellspringEAP.org; or to purchase Wellspring EAP services, connect with us at BusinessHealthTrust.com/contact-us.
How do small businesses keep pace with the challenges and opportunities of a growing city? To find out, join the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce at its next installment of the Elevate NW Series: How to Succeed in a Growing City.
You will hear from three long-standing small businesses on changes and trends they’ve seen in Seattle and how they’ve managed to stay successful as our region develops. Learn how these fellow businesses tackle issues like increasing rent, an expanding workforce, competition with larger companies, and a changing marketplace.
This event is free and includes sips and snacks, networking, and activities in a fun and relaxed environment.
Questions? Contact Hannah Holman at 206.389.7216.
Speakers:
Kristi Brown
Founder and Chef
That Brown Girl Cooks!
Vivan Hua
Executive Director
Northwest Film Forum
Anna Johnson
VP of Operations
DRY Soda Co.
Moderated by:
Domonique Meeks
Small Business Advocate, City of Seattle
Office of Economic Development
Elevate NW, a bimonthly series designed specifically to help startups and small to mid-size businesses with different challenges they face, is offered through the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the sponsoring association of Business Health Trust.
