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| Volume 4 | Issue 50 | December 16, 2015 |
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Make a Freshstart this January. To support our employees and their adult family members who are trying to quit tobacco, Employee Wellness is offering the Freshstart program, the American Cancer Society's tobacco cessation support program.  The program consists of four, one-hour webinars held weekly. The program begins on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Employees should email Employee Wellness at bsv-employeewellness@bshsi.org no later than Jan. 11 to register.
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Sign up for Healthy Weight Coaching by Dec. 31. In support of your well-being, Bon Secours offers free Healthy Weight phone coaching to all employees. For more information, visit inhealthcommunity.com/BSHSIphonecoaching or call 888-494-9355. 
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Will improving your finances be a resolution for 2016? Register for "Building a Better Budget," a free webinar on Jan. 29. It is presented by Bon Secours Employee Assistance Program and Virginia Credit Union.
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A Happier Holiday Season
 Are the pressures of the holidays getting to you? Take this Employee Assistance webinar on holiday stress. Access it through our archives, and bring back the joy of the season.
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Finding Peace in This Busy Season,
and All Year Long
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| | Sister Chris Webb (center), Pam Phillips and Michael Bratton (both standing behind Sr. Chris) lead the blessing of the new DePaul Tranquility Rooms. |
In the busyness of our days, it can be difficult to stop, take a deep breath and allow for a moment of quiet. Yet, in each of our facilities, there are places of stillness where you can go to pray, meditate and find peace.
At DePaul Medical Center, we've recently opened Tranquility Rooms, with massage chairs and serene surroundings. A blessing was held Nov. 23. The rooms were made possible through the Employee Health & Hardship Mission Fund Grant, which helps employees with an emergency financial need, but also supports the overall health and well-being of employees. Carrie Farmer, senior corporate Foundation relations officer, completed this grant application.
At our other facilities, chapels and gardens provide the same opportunity to find stillness.
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Try sitting silently for 10 minutes
each day and paying attention to
your breath and thoughts.
Research shows that this type of mindful
meditation slows your breathing rate, blood
pressure and heart rate. It may also change the structure of your brain, increasing your ability to
focus and remain calm in stressful situations.
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 Control Hypertension: 10 Ways to Fight Back Take on your high blood pressure with these
10 tips: | |
1.
| Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline. Losing just 10 pounds can help lower your blood pressure. | |
2.
| Exercise regularly. | |
3.
| Try the DASH Diet (see right). | |
4.
| Take the sodium pledge. | |
5.
| Avoid tobacco use and second-hand smoke. On top of all the other dangers of smoking, the nicotine in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure for up to an hour after you smoke. | |
6.
| Reduce your stress. Stress or anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure. | |
7.
| Watch your alcohol intake. | |
8.
| Limit caffeine. | |
9.
| Monitor your blood pressure at home and make regular doctor appointments. | |
10.
| Check out the American Heart Association's Get Healthy resources. |
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DASH: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension
Do you have high blood pressure? The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) may be able to help you lower your blood pressure using a food-based approach.
The DASH diet helps to lower blood pressure by providing more key nutrients, such as potassium, calcium and magnesium, all of which are associated with lower blood pressure. These key nutrients are boosted by including more fruits, vegetables and low-fat or nonfat dairy in your daily diet.
Some people see additional benefits by lowering sodium or salt in their diet. With a focus on whole, unprocessed foods, reducing sodium, sugar, and saturated fat intake, researchers have estimated that the DASH diet could reduce heart disease cases by 15 percent and strokes by 25 percent.
In support of your well-being and in alignment with the DASH diet, SimplyFresh offers recipes with reduced sodium. Click here to try the recipes.
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Christina Johnson, a sports performance trainer and full-time Wellness employee, wants to hear your questions. Email Christina.
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 | | Christina Johnson |
Question: I would appreciate information regarding healthy eating and portion size that would lead to a healthier weight.
Answer: We, as employees of Bon Secours, have the excellent benefit of speaking one-on-one with our InHealth coaches for free through Healthy Weight Coaching. It's a way to not only get your questions answered, but to have a level of accountability and continued support.
There's an added incentive: If you're on the Bon Secours Medical Plan, you can earn your "Well Coached" badge on the Motivation Alliance website (bonsecourswellness.com) at the completion of this program and that comes along with a $300 incentive added to your Health Reimbursement Account card.
You'll have to embark on this journey by Dec. 31 if you'd like to be able to finish your coaching this fiscal year. For more information, you can visit inhealthcommunity.com/BSHSIphonecoaching or give them a call at 888-494-WELL (9355).
You can also get discounted nutrition services through Bon Secours In Motion.
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Employees Share How
Diabetes Program Makes a
Difference for Them
I wish to express my gratitude for the DPP program. I am sorry to say that I am pre-diabetic, and was very interested in learning how I might reverse my HgA1c. Fortunately, the DPP program was offered, and I was able to participate in the majority of 16 classes.
Not only did I learn invaluable information about nutrition and weight control, but I also discovered a delightful community in our small group who offered each other support and encouragement. Best of all, my HgA1c has changed significantly.
Special thanks to Asja Swann and Kathy Scarnaty for their sense of humor and motivational spirit! I leave with an abundance of tools to keep me on the path of wellness, and am most thankful that Bon Secours makes this available to their employees!
Gratefully,
Mary Houston, Administrative Director, Missions, Bon Secours Richmond
I have learned so much in the Diabetes Prevention Program. The information about calories and fats was especially helpful. When I tracked my meals and determined how many calories I ate it helped me become more mindful of my nutrition. Also realizing the need for exercise pushed me to do it. Abigail Walsh was a great teacher and all of the helpful tips on how to eat healthier have already prompted me to make healthier choices and stay on track. Thanks so much for a great program!
--- Melody Wagner, RN, Bon Secours Hampton Roads
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Wellness at Work
Elizabeth Partin of Women's Services shows off this Wellness and safety board at the DePaul Women's Center. Thanks for sharing the news about our Wellness Incentives and much more!
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 About this eNewsletter
Look for this Bon Secours Wellness electronic newsletter on or about the third Wednesday of every month. It's packed with tips, resources and inspiring stories. Share your story ideas via Amy Cutter in Hampton Roads and Asja Swan in Richmond.
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