Get your blood flowing with this short workout video!

Fitness is something you can sneak into your busy schedule of work, family and other commitments.  Your body and mind will thank you for doing this 10 minute workout video brought to you by our Norton Healthcare Y @ Works and the YMCA of Greater Louisville.  No equipment is needed to perform the exercises and you will benefit by getting your heart rate up to build cardiovascular fitness.  Other benefits include improved muscular strength and a nice release of accumulated stress and anxiety.  Find a small space in your home or work area and treat yourself to some “me” time.  You deserve it!

Why exercise should be a priority in stressful times

Stress is an inevitable and natural part of daily life and although we cannot completely eliminate it, we can learn to manage it and reduce the effects it has on our body.  If we allow stress to hang around long term, our health can begin to suffer and the risks for anxiety, depression, heart attack and other potential ailments increases. 

Exercise is a proven stress reducer and when physical activity is included on a regular basis these health risks are greatly reduced.  Some of the physical and mental benefits of exercise include:  improved physical condition and body composition, reduced fatigue, improved alertness and increased concentration.  By moving your body and increasing your heart rate, the natural production of endorphins increases, which makes you feel good and boosts your mood. 

During this stressful time of dealing with COVID-19, N Good Health will be providing a variety of workouts at least 3 times per week that can be done in a small space with little to no equipment.  You are encouraged to take some time to perform these exercises.  They could come in the format of a game, a video or just a picture of movements with instructions.  These will be posted on ngoodhealth.com where you will also find nutrition info as well as other techniques and outlets for managing stress.  Take care of YOU. 

Continue eating well (while protecting yourself) with online grocery shopping

Over the past couple weeks, it seems like one of the main pleasures of the day is food. Looking forward to a comforting, nourishing meal at the end of a long, stressful day can be a positive focus to help get you through; but with experts saying people should avoid crowded places, how should you handle grocery shopping? Options that people are turning to are online services. But, in order to use online grocery ordering, you will need to think in advance about your grocery needs.

As of right now, pick-up options are being slightly delayed due to higher demand. That means, you need to be ahead of the game and order ahead of time or before you usually do. Meal planning is tough, but grocery websites are doing a better job than ever in helping provide user-friendly groceries to create quick, healthy meals for you and your family!

Walmart Grocery has a section of easy family meal suggestions where fish taco night is just 4 clicks away! (Frozen tilapia fillets, taco seasoning, guacamole, salsa) Kroger has salad kits and Home Chef kits that get a home-cooked dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less!

Never used pick-up or delivery options? Here’s a great how-to video on Kroger pick-up and there are more out there for any grocer you choose.

But whether you buy your groceries online or shop in-store, there are some simple safety steps you can take to limit your exposure.

  • Wash containers. Simply run down with soap and water.
  • Wash your hands well after shopping and after putting all packaging away.
  • Wash your hands again always prior to eating. 
  • Wipe down your countertops after groceries have been on them.
  • Wash produce with soap and water. Rinse well.
  • If shopping in store, limit contact with credit card machines, money, magazine stands, etc. Continue to social distance, not getting closer than 6 feet to other shoppers or staff. Sanitize often including prior to getting into your car and touching steering wheel and wash hands immediately after returning home.
  • If having groceries delivered, avoid direct hand-of. Arrange to have items delivered at your doorstep. Do not let deliverers into your home. You can tip electronically, so no need for money to exchange hands.

Happy shopping and happy eating!

Erin Wiedmar, Clinical Nutritionist, N Good Health

Spring Into Action is almost here!

Spring into Action starts April 1st & sign ups are happening NOW! Visit www.ngoodhealth.com to join a team, start your own, or choose to be a team of one. Encourage your co-workers to walk and your family to join you at home. 

Spring into Action also kicks off National Walking Day. Anyone who is signed up for the challenge and reaches 7,500 steps on April 1st will not only receive 1 point towards Step 4, but will also be entered to win a Fitbit Inspire. FIVE winners will be drawn that day, so make sure your device is synced or remember to manually enter your steps for that day.

Check out the Nsite > Health and Wellness tab for great motivation on ways to move more during the challenge and other great health and wellness tips.

Tell me something good!

The good news today comes to us from a Gallup News survey on tobacco use in the U.S. This survey has conducted has been conducted on a semi-regular basis since 1945. It finds that tobacco use among adults in the United States is clearly on the way out.

Today, only 16% of adults in the U.S. describe themselves as tobacco users. From its all-time high of 45% in 1954, we have seen a decrease of nearly 30%.

The U.S. has decreased tobacco use by almost 5% since 2014 alone!

Today’s stress busting workout from N Good Health

Turn on your favorite upbeat music, lace up your sneakers and let’s get moving!  Today’s stress busting workout brought to you by the Norton Sports Performance team.   This video shows the whiteboard workout then offers a demonstration of each “no equipment needed” exercise with some modifications in case you need it.  Give it a try today and feel great.

Get motivated to move more during Spring Into Action!

Spring into Action with N Good Health’s upcoming step challenge. No prizes will awarded, but our high steppers will still get bragging rights.

Challenge will start with a kick off to National Walking Day on April 1st for anyone who reaches 7,500 steps on April 1st will not only receive 1 point towards Step 4, but will get entered to win a Fitbit Inspire. Make sure your device is synced or manually enter your steps for that day and five participants will win a Fitbit Inspire.

Remember April 1st is not only National Walking Day, but it kicks off Spring into Action that will wrap up on April 29th.  Spring into Action is a great way for us all to make sure we are taking care of ourselves and being physically active throughout the day.

There is still time to sign-up, visit www.ngoodhealth.com to join a team or start your own.

Earn healthy action points for the 4 steps! 7,500 steps = 1 point

Questions?
Contact N Good Health at (502) 629-2162 or submit a service request form on Nsite.

Call EAP in the time of need!

With coronavirus (COVID-19) now a global pandemic, anxiety and stress levels may be higher than normal for many people. Your EAP is here as a resource for help and support through this difficult time. Currently they are offering telebehavioral health to support your mental well-being as part of Staying Balanced With EAP. Sessions are available by video or phone.

Receive support in areas such as:

◦Emotional difficulties

◦Marital conflicts

◦Stress

◦Alcohol or drug problems

◦Relationship issues

◦Parent/child/family conflictsYou can earn 30 points per visit (up to 90 points) toward step 4 when you make an appointment through EAP. Points are awarded when you voluntarily submit a tracker form to N Good Health by faxing it to (502) 666-7667 or emailing it to [email protected]. 

To make an appointment, contact EAP by calling Wayne Corp. at (502) 451-8262  or (800) 441-1327 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and N Good Health abide by all HIPAA standards and do not share any health information. No personal or appointment information will be shared between the EAP and N Good Health. To receive N Good Health points for using the EAP, submit a tracking form to N Good Health.

These facts are bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S.

Banana Facts:

  • Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the American diet.
  • Bananas grow on plants that are officially considered an herb.
  • The banana is actually classified as a berry.
  • Bananas may be considered a mood enhancer because it contains the amino acid, tryptophan and Vitamin B6 that helps the body produce serotonin.
  • The bananas we eat today, the Cavendish, are different from pre-1960s’ bananas, the Gros Michael, as those have been wiped out by “the panama disease.”
  • Bananas can help lower blood pressure and protect heart health due to high potassium and low salt content.
  • The inside of a banana peel can help relieve itching and inflammation, such as from bug bit or poison ivy.
  • Bananas are great pre-workout snacks because they are loaded with potassium that aids in maintaining nerve and muscle function during work outs.

Exercise as an outlet to reduce mental and physical stress

Stress is an inevitable part of life and we cannot completely eliminate it but we can learn to manage it and reduce the effects it has on our body.  Some of the physical and mental benefits of exercise include improved physical condition, reduced fatigue, improved alertness and concentration and increases the natural production of endorphins which make you feel good and boost your mood. 

During this stressful time of dealing with COVID-19, N Good Health will start providing workouts at least 3 times per week that can be done in a small space with little to no equipment.  You are encouraged to take some time to perform these exercises.  They could come in the format of a game, a video or just a picture of exercises. 

Click here to access today’s workout that can be done at your desk or at home.  Have fun while taking some time to care for yourself.