Those of us looking to strengthen our financial health may be interested in two presentations especially for County employees - one actual, one virtual - over the next couple of weeks:
Virginia Credit Union will host a live seminar, Strategies for Eliminating Debt, on Tuesday, June 25 in the Annex Conference Room (just east of the Wickham Building at the Hanover County complex) from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn how to organize and reduce your debt, explore ways to reduce interest rates and even look at opportunities to create income from current debt! A credit union rep will be on hand from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. to talk individually to those interested. Attendees are free to bring their own bagged lunch. Registration isn't required, but contact Kelly Kapolka at kckapolka@hanovercounty.gov and let her know you're coming so that adequate handouts can be prepared.
Optima EAP presents a webinar, It's Not Just About the Money: Setting Retirement Goals at Any Age, on Tuesday, June 18 at 12:00 noon and again at 2:00 p.m. Retirement isn't just about how much you've managed to save - it's a whole new chapter in your life! Ending your working career could mean new housing arrangements, new interests, and even a completely new work or volunteer opoortunity. It's never too early to begin your retirement planning. Register for the webinar by calling 1-800-899-8174 or by visiting www.powerflexweb.com/5002/login/html. When prompted, enter the user name Optima and the password Hanover County.
Use one or both of these great educational opportunities to ensure that "what's in your wallet" isn't just empty space!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Friday, May 24, 2013
Living Longer, Living Better
Did you know that, according to data from the National Alliance for Caregiving, an estimated 65 million people in the U. S. are currently serving as unpaid caregivers for a family member, and that 70 percent of those are caring for a family member over age 50?
Let's face it: as a nation, we are living longer these days (thanks in part to better health care and a bigger focus on personal well-being). Chances are, the longer we live, the more likely that we'll need some type of assistance with daily living down the road. Where can you go and who do you turn to when faced with the task of becoming a caregiver for the person who took care of you?
I just got word of a fabulous new seminar being offered for PRL staff by the fine folks at MetLife called Caring for Aging Parents.This seminar will provide tips on anticipating your loved one's daily living needs, prepare you for the financial, mental and physical impact of being a caregiver, and will help your explore planning options are your loved one's needs change. It's also ideal for those caring for a spouse, other relative or friend.
Caring for Aging Parents will be held on Thursday, June 27 in the Social Services Large Conference Room, 12304 Washington Highway, Ashland, VA from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. Visit www.metlifeplansmart.com and enter "Hanover County" (two words) as the company name when prompted. You can also register by calling 1-866-801-3547. Your mom and dad will be so proud of you!
Let's face it: as a nation, we are living longer these days (thanks in part to better health care and a bigger focus on personal well-being). Chances are, the longer we live, the more likely that we'll need some type of assistance with daily living down the road. Where can you go and who do you turn to when faced with the task of becoming a caregiver for the person who took care of you?
I just got word of a fabulous new seminar being offered for PRL staff by the fine folks at MetLife called Caring for Aging Parents.This seminar will provide tips on anticipating your loved one's daily living needs, prepare you for the financial, mental and physical impact of being a caregiver, and will help your explore planning options are your loved one's needs change. It's also ideal for those caring for a spouse, other relative or friend.
Caring for Aging Parents will be held on Thursday, June 27 in the Social Services Large Conference Room, 12304 Washington Highway, Ashland, VA from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Registration is required. Visit www.metlifeplansmart.com and enter "Hanover County" (two words) as the company name when prompted. You can also register by calling 1-866-801-3547. Your mom and dad will be so proud of you!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Take a road trip (to wellness!)
Nothing says "springtime fun" like a road trip! What if you could combine your next road trip with the opportunity to live a healthier life? My colleague Christy tipped me off to a fabulous road trip/wellness opportunity taking place this weekend. Take a breezy 45 minute drive past Mechanicsville on I-64 East to York County, VA and explore the fun at their Yorktown Fitness Market. There's something for everyone to check out: activities and demonstrations ranging from Zumba to Tae Kwon Do to Segways and line dancing; health and wellness education and awareness, yummy healthy cooking demonstrations; free health screenings and even giveaways and live music!
The Fitness Market takes place Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown (voted one of the best shopping destinations in the 2012 Daily Press Choice Awards!). Christy notes, "They have a nice sandy beach, walking trail, free trolleys, a park, tons of history and (if you're adventurous enough to do a bit of rock climbing) a secluded private beach" plus shops, restaurants and free parking. Kudos to our friends at York County Parks and Recreation for their generous sponsorship of this fun event!
The Fitness Market takes place Saturday, May 11 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown (voted one of the best shopping destinations in the 2012 Daily Press Choice Awards!). Christy notes, "They have a nice sandy beach, walking trail, free trolleys, a park, tons of history and (if you're adventurous enough to do a bit of rock climbing) a secluded private beach" plus shops, restaurants and free parking. Kudos to our friends at York County Parks and Recreation for their generous sponsorship of this fun event!
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Water, water everywhere
About a week ago, my wonderfully talented, super motivational Zumba instructor issued an "8 X 8" challenge to her "divas" where she promised to send out a couple of text messages throughout the day, reminding us to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Now, we've all heard the benefits of consuming this much water each day (more in a moment) but how many of us actually do this on a regular basis? Not me, for one, but I'm always up to a challenge! I got on board and starting getting the texts...more importantly, I started drinking (that much!) water, and oh! what a difference it's made in my life!
Our friends at the Mayo Clinic extoll the virtues of this much daily water consumption, reminding us that good old H2O flushes our organs of harmful toxins and carries nutrients to our body's cells. (Hey, we are what we eat - and drink - and the human body is composed of about 60% water.) But did you know that too little daily water consumption could actually lead to dehydration, fatigue, lethargy, muscle cramps and body pain?
I'm standing here today (sipping water, of course) to tell you that I am living proof of this fact. Before climbing on board with the 8 X 8 challenge, I frequently experienced horrible episodes of pain all over my body, in my joints, neck, wrists, hips, knees and back. I know the benefits of daily exercise, but a lot of times the pain would interfere with my daily three-mile walk. Occassionally Zumba class would leave me so whipped, I'd feel like crying as I limped and crawled out of there. And approaching rainy days would practically send me over the edge with achy, throbbing bones and fatigue. I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not ancient by any means, not even in horse years, so I knew deep down this agony I'd experience wouldn't be considered normal. But then I took the challenge and started consuming at least 64 ounces of water a day.
Literally (magically!), within two days of starting the challenge, I noticed a much higher energy level than in previous weeks or months. My tummy seemed to get flatter, I noticed my clothes appeared to feel looser, and (best of all!) my pain levels miraculously dropped all over my body. Woo hoo!
Encouraged by early results (but wondering if it was "all in my head"), I kept up the challenge over the weekend. Last week's Zumba class marked the first time in months where I bounced out with a smile on my face, energized and not hurting all over (who is this girl?!). I knew the real test would come when I saw the weather forecast for this week, which promised at least three days of steady, get-under-your-collar and ache-your-joints rain. Thankfully, continuing the 8 X 8 challenge provided me with more pain relief than I've had in a looooong time. In the words of the old rock song, "I (now) love a rainy night." How awesome is that?
Try the 8 X 8 challenge yourself, even for just ten days. See if it makes a difference in your daily routine. I have a feeling it will - for the better! And to that, I'll gladly raise a glass (of agua)!
Our friends at the Mayo Clinic extoll the virtues of this much daily water consumption, reminding us that good old H2O flushes our organs of harmful toxins and carries nutrients to our body's cells. (Hey, we are what we eat - and drink - and the human body is composed of about 60% water.) But did you know that too little daily water consumption could actually lead to dehydration, fatigue, lethargy, muscle cramps and body pain?
I'm standing here today (sipping water, of course) to tell you that I am living proof of this fact. Before climbing on board with the 8 X 8 challenge, I frequently experienced horrible episodes of pain all over my body, in my joints, neck, wrists, hips, knees and back. I know the benefits of daily exercise, but a lot of times the pain would interfere with my daily three-mile walk. Occassionally Zumba class would leave me so whipped, I'd feel like crying as I limped and crawled out of there. And approaching rainy days would practically send me over the edge with achy, throbbing bones and fatigue. I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not ancient by any means, not even in horse years, so I knew deep down this agony I'd experience wouldn't be considered normal. But then I took the challenge and started consuming at least 64 ounces of water a day.
Literally (magically!), within two days of starting the challenge, I noticed a much higher energy level than in previous weeks or months. My tummy seemed to get flatter, I noticed my clothes appeared to feel looser, and (best of all!) my pain levels miraculously dropped all over my body. Woo hoo!
Encouraged by early results (but wondering if it was "all in my head"), I kept up the challenge over the weekend. Last week's Zumba class marked the first time in months where I bounced out with a smile on my face, energized and not hurting all over (who is this girl?!). I knew the real test would come when I saw the weather forecast for this week, which promised at least three days of steady, get-under-your-collar and ache-your-joints rain. Thankfully, continuing the 8 X 8 challenge provided me with more pain relief than I've had in a looooong time. In the words of the old rock song, "I (now) love a rainy night." How awesome is that?
Try the 8 X 8 challenge yourself, even for just ten days. See if it makes a difference in your daily routine. I have a feeling it will - for the better! And to that, I'll gladly raise a glass (of agua)!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
May is Mental Health Month
Some wonderful person (my fairy godmother? An admirer? Hanover County's Mental Health Association?) sent me the coolest poster this morning in celebration of May being nationally recognized (since 1949!) as Mental Health Month. The poster, 31 Ways to Wellness, features a fabulous "tip-a-day" of little things we can all do to keep an "even keel" and get the most out of life. Here are the first ten. Why not start doing these today? What have you got to lose?
For more information on mental health and well-being, visit Mental Health America (click "Continue to Site" from the first page) or the Hanover Mental Health Association.
- Call or e-mail a good friend. Having good relationships, studies suggest, can mean the difference between happiness and unhappiness.
- Reminisce about something hilarious you've seen or done. Laughter really is the "best medicine" - it boosts your immune system.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Exercise increases brain blood flow, releases "feel good" hormones and even lowers stress.
- Hold doors open for people. "Paying it forward" - even with a simple gesture of kindness - leads to less depression and better overall health in those "paying."
- Swap your normal cup of joe for decaf. Cutting down on caffeine leads to better sleep, which leads to more production during the day.
- Spend 10 minutes on a funny website. Whether it's a joke meme or those silly LOLcats (one of my favorites), studies have shown that laughter lowers pain sensations, reduces anxiety and dcreases production of stress hormones.
- Eat a salad for lunch or dinner. Diets rich in fruits, veggies, lean meats and limited fats can boost both your overall mood and your immune system.
- Take care of your spirit through religion, meditation, or connecting to what you find meaningful. Spirituality not only improves your outlook on life but lowers anxiety as well.
- Identify the positive aspects of a challenging situation or circumstance. If you "ac-cen-tu-ate the positive" as the old World War II song tells us to, you tend to be less upset by difficult memories or situations.
- Take a 10 minute break and go for a walk. Small breaks will help clear your head and lower your stress levels. Physical exercise is good for your body, mind and spirit.
For more information on mental health and well-being, visit Mental Health America (click "Continue to Site" from the first page) or the Hanover Mental Health Association.
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