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UK Health & Wellness February 2011
 Greetings!

cashEarn rewards. Improve your health. It's that easy.

Do something good for yourself this year: Get started with UK Healthtrac Rewards. Take your Health Assessment by March 31, 2011 to earn $25. Click here for details.

What is UK Healthtrac Rewards?
Healthtrac is an easy-to-use, confidential, online health improvement program. It gives you an overview of your health status and a customized action plan to help you improve your health.

What's in it for me?
In addition to the potential to help you improve your health, you may earn up to $180 per fiscal year for participating.

Who is eligible?
Any UK employee, retiree, spouse, or sponsored dependent enrolled in a UK health plan.
7 Tips to Beat Workplace Stress

Courtesy of StayWell

deskworkHow do you pace yourself at work? Most jobs require you to be like a marathon runner, managing your efforts to get across the finish line in a timely manner without collapsing.

Like a distance runner, you need to maintain a certain detachment from the immediate demands of your job, remembering to reserve enough energy to deal with what you anticipate down the road, as well as any surprises.

Here are 7 tips for pacing yourself:

1. Pay attention to your natural rhythm to determine when you tend to perform optimally, and schedule your most difficult tasks then.

2. Try to set up your day so you shift back and forth between pleasant and more difficult tasks. After something tough, make an effort to schedule something you enjoy.

3. Schedule periods of time into your day for work-related tasks that are pleasurable. Try to do this even when you feel rushed.

4. Take advantage of your coffee breaks and lunches to do things that will reverse the stress response. For example, go to a quiet place and do a relaxation exercise. A 10-minute brisk walk will give you as much energy as a cup of coffee. A light conversation with your co-workers will release tension and may give you a fresh perspective on a problem that was weighing you down.

5. If you are fortunate enough to have a flexible schedule, consider taking a break in the middle of the day to do aerobic exercise or a personal errand.

6. Choose leisure activities that balance the unique stresses of your job.

If your job requires certain activities, try a complementary leisure activity:

- Much sitting or mental concentration: Try aerobic exercise
- Mindless repetition: Try intellectually challenging hobbies and interests
- A controlled environment: Try hiking in nature; adventure
- Boring tasks or no recognition: Try competitive or achievement-oriented activities
- Responding to people demands: Try solitary activities
- Dealing with conflicts: Try peaceful activities
- Working alone: Try social activities

7. Carefully plan the timing and type of vacations that you take to maximize their recuperative effects.

Source: Pace and Balance Yourself, New Harbinger Publications
 

Upcoming Events

     

Grocery Store Tours -- Your own personal dietitian!

Have you ever wished you had your own personal dietitian with you at the grocery store? Your wish has been granted! Join our registered dietitians on a FREE Grocery Store Tour in celebration of National Nutrition Month in March. The experts will be on hand to answer all of your questions about food labels, marketing gimmicks, and making the healthiest choices from the grocery aisles. All tours held at the Kroger on Chinoe Rd (meet in the atrium). Register online now for the following dates:  
· Wednesday, March 2, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

· Thursday, march 19, 5:15-6:30 p.m.

· Friday, March 18, Noon-1 p.m. 

 

FREE Lunch & Learn Series

Please join us for free lunch-time sessions geared toward keeping you healthy and well at work and at home. All sessions held from 12:10-12:50 p.m., in the Gallery Room, W.T. Young Library. Feel free to bring your lunch. Register online today

 for these upcoming presentations:


 · March 8 - Tools for Less Stress: Learn about tools to manage your stress such as meditation techniques, exercise, nutrition, and sleep tips.

· April 7 - Health Myths: Let us help you clear up the confusion of health information overload by debunking common health myths.

 

FREE Health Smart Conversations
The goal of Health Smart is to help you make informed choices about your health and your family's health. Join us for FREE monthly sessions. Feel free to bring your lunch. Register now for these upcoming presentations:
 

· Unconventional Healing - Complementary and Alternative Medicine: presented by Dr. Connie Jennings, March 17, from 12:10-1 p.m., W.T. Young Library Gallery Room.

· Ovarian Cancer - Protect Yourself: presented by Dr. Ed Pavlik April 14, from 12:10-1pm, 127 Commons Room, Wethington Bldg.

 

FREE Spring Specialty Class: S.T.A.R.R. Women's Self Defense Program

The UK Police Department and UK Health & Wellness are proud to offer you the Self Defense Tactics and Risk Reduction (S.T.A.R.R.) course, designed for women. The program begins with a 3-hour discussion of ways to reduce your risk of being targeted and general safety tips. The remaining 9 hours is all active learning. So get ready to break a sweat! Punching, kicking, and ground defense techniques are all taught in a non-threatening atmosphere by instructors who have been trained and certified.


To register for the class click here and choose class 11-06. The class will be held March 24 and 31 and April 7 and 14, from 6-9 p.m., in the basement of Blazer Hall on North Campus. Class size is limited.There is no fee for the class.


Parking is available in the small Student Center lot (located behind Alumni Gym) or the parking lot between Memorial Coliseum and the New North Hall.

 

Know Your Numbers: Get a FREE Health Screening

Wellness On Wheels (WOW) is a FREE mobile health screening. Your 10-minute appointment  will include tests for: cholesterol (fasting optional), triglycerides and glucose, height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. Our expert staff will be on-hand for a consultation regarding your results. Check out the schedule and make your WOW appointment online today. 

recipeLighter Beef & Broccoli


Ingredients:
 

1 large (about 1 1/2 pounds) bunch broccoli
1 pound(s) beef tenderloin steaks, trimmed, thinly cut into 1/8-inch-thick strips
3 clove(s) garlic, crushed with garlic press
1 tablespoon(s) grated, peeled fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon(s) crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon(s) olive oil
3/4 cup(s) chicken broth
3 tablespoon(s) soy sauce
1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon(s) Asian sesame oil

 

Preparation:

 

Cut broccoli flowerets into 1 1/2-inch pieces. Peel broccoli stems and cut into 1/4-inch-thick diagonal slices.

In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat 1/2 inch water to boiling over medium-high heat. Add broccoli and cook 3 minutes, uncovered, or until tender-crisp. Drain broccoli and set aside. Wipe skillet dry.

In medium bowl, toss beef with garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper. Add 1/2 teaspoon olive oil to skillet and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add half of beef mixture and cook 2 minutes or until beef just loses its pink color throughout, stirring quickly and frequently. Transfer beef to plate. Repeat with remaining 1/2 teaspoon olive oil and beef mixture.

In cup, mix broth, soy sauce, cornstarch, and sesame oil until blended. Return cooked beef to skillet. Stir in cornstarch mixture; heat to boiling. Cook 1 minute or until sauce thickens slightly, stirring. Add broccoli and toss to coat.

 

Makes approx. 6 servings. Calories 245; Total Fat 11g; Saturated Fat 3g; Cholesterol 57mg; Sodium 1,010mg; Total Carbohydrate 10g; Dietary Fiber 3g; Protein 28g.

Source: Good Housekeeping

 

 

In This Issue
Tips to Beat Workplace Stress
Upcoming Events
Tasty Recipe!
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Editor: Melanie J. Sparks
 
Please Note: Only University of Kentucky employees, retirees, spouses, and sponsored dependents are eligible for UK Health & Wellness services and programs.