Did you know that your oral health can have a significant impact on your overall health? It’s true! Your mouth offers clues about your general well-being. Good dental hygiene can help improve your overall health. As a bonus, maintaining good oral health can even REDUCE your healthcare costs!
Your Mouth: A Window to Your Health
Your mouth is a gateway to your body. It’s home to a diverse community of bacteria, some beneficial and some potentially harmful. When oral health declines, it can have a ripple effect throughout the body. Oral bacteria can contribute to:
Cardiovascular Disease: Heart disease, as well as clogged arteries and even stroke, can be traced back to oral bacteria.
Diabetes: People with diabetes may experience more severe gum disease, and poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of oral health problems.
Respiratory Infections: Bacteria from the mouth can travel to the lungs, increasing the risk of respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
Low birth weight: Poor oral health has been linked to premature birth and low birth weight in newborns.
Over $45 billion is lost in productivity in the United States each year because of untreated oral health problems. These oral diseases can result in the need for costly emergency room visits, hospital stays, and medications, not to mention loss of work time. The pain and discomfort from infected teeth and gums can lead to poor productivity in the workplace, and even loss of income. Children with poor oral health are more prone to illness and may require a parent to stay home from work to care for them and take them to costly dental appointments. In fact, over 34 million school hours are lost each year because of emergency dental care.
So, how do you prevent this nightmare of pain, disease, and increased healthcare costs? It’s simple! By following through with your routine yearly dental check-ups and daily preventative care, you will give your body a big boost in its general health. Check out these tips for a healthy mouth:
Maintain a regular brushing/flossing routine: Brush and floss your teeth twice daily to remove food and plaque from your teeth and between your teeth where bacteria thrive. Use the right toothbrush—when your bristles are mashed and bent, you aren’t using the best instrument for cleaning your teeth. Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three months.
Visit your dentist: Schedule regular check-ups and cleanings with your dentist. They can identify and address any potential issues early on.
Eat a healthy diet: Limit sugary foods and drinks, as they contribute to tooth decay. Starchy foods have a similar effect.
Drink more water: Water is the best beverage for your overall health—including oral health. Drinking water after every meal can help wash out some of the negative effects of sticky and acidic foods and beverages in between brushes.
Quit Smoking: Smoking weakens the immune system and increases the risk of gum disease.
Investing in your oral health is an investment in your overall well-being. By practicing good oral hygiene, you can not only maintain a beautiful smile but also significantly improve your overall health and quality of life. And at the same time, you can increase your productivity and potentially lower your healthcare costs – a win-win!
February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health and how to keep your heart in top condition. Are you taking steps to protect your heart? You can actively reduce your risk for heart disease by adopting a healthy diet, staying physically active, and managing your cholesterol and blood pressure.
Heart disease is responsible for nearly one-third of all deaths worldwide. Experts and research consistently emphasize exercise as a key factor in maintaining heart health, but diet also plays a major role in lowering the risk of heart disease. A balanced diet, mindful portion sizes, and enjoying the foods you eat are essential to long-term success in heart health.
Let’s take a closer look at four key components of a heart-healthy diet and how you can incorporate them into your daily routine:
1. Fruits and Vegetables
Leafy greens are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support heart health. A review of eight studies found that eating more leafy greens was linked to up to a 16% reduction in heart disease risk.
2. Healthy Proteins:
Lean meats, poultry, fish, low-fat dairy, and eggs are excellent sources of protein. Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils offer a low-fat, plant-based alternative. Replacing animal protein with plant-based options (like a black bean burger instead of a beef burger) helps reduce fat and cholesterol intake while increasing fiber.
3. Healthy Fats:
Not all fats are bad. Foods with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are important for your brain and heart. Limit foods with trans-fats, which increase the risk for heart disease.
4. Whole Grains:
Whole grains are rich in fiber and essential nutrients that help manage blood pressure and support heart health.
Eating heart-healthy is a lifestyle choice—one that involves making nutritious, balanced food choices. What you eat affects nearly every aspect of heart health, including blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation, and triglycerides. A well-balanced diet is key to maintaining a healthy heart and lowering the risk of heart disease. With a little planning and some simple substitutions, you can make heart-healthy choices a part of your daily life!
The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings truer than ever in today’s world. While reactive healthcare plays a crucial role in treating illness, a growing emphasis is being placed on the power of health prevention and wellness.
Investing in preventive measures and promoting overall well-being isn’t just about individual health; it’s a strategic decision with far-reaching benefits for individuals and communities. Here’s why:
Reduced Healthcare Costs:
Reactive healthcare, focused on treating existing conditions, can be incredibly expensive. Chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer often require ongoing treatment and management, placing a significant strain on healthcare systems and individuals’ finances.
Investing in preventive measures like healthy eating, regular exercise, and preventive screenings can significantly reduce the risk of developing these chronic conditions, leading to substantial cost savings in the long run.
Improved Quality of Life:
Health prevention isn’t just about avoiding illness; it’s about promoting overall well-being. By prioritizing healthy habits, individuals experience increased energy levels, improved mental clarity, and a greater sense of vitality. This leads to a higher quality of life, allowing individuals to be more productive, engaged, and fulfilled in all aspects of their lives.
Enhanced Productivity and Economic Growth:
A healthy workforce is a productive workforce. When individuals are free from chronic illness and experience better overall health, they are more likely to be present at work, focused on their tasks, and less prone to absenteeism due to health issues. This translates to increased productivity and economic growth for both individuals and organizations.
Strategies for Investing in Health Prevention:
Investing in health prevention can take various forms, both at an individual and community level:
Individual Level: Prioritizing healthy eating habits, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and preventive screenings are essential steps individuals can take to safeguard their health.
Community Level: Promoting access to healthy food options, safe parks and recreational facilities, and community-based wellness programs can significantly impact population health.
Investing in health prevention and wellness is a wise decision with far-reaching benefits. By prioritizing proactive measures and promoting overall well-being, individuals, communities, and societies can reap the rewards of a healthier, happier, and more productive future.
Mental health isn’t just the absence of illness. It’s a continuum ranging from severe symptoms such as panic attacks and major depression to excellent mental strength and well-being.
Sometimes you’re not ill, but you aren’t well either – and you need help. If you’re feeling down about work or a problem in your life and need to talk to somebody, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a great solution.
What is an EAP?
EAPs are mental health services available at work, and they can be beneficial in helping you work through problems. An EAP provides voluntary, confidential services that help you manage personal difficulties and life challenges under the guidance of a professional counselor.
An EAP can provide counseling, support groups, and other resources to help you cope. An EAP is usually offered 24/7, so you can always access it when you need it most. These programs are usually an employee benefit offered by your employer at little or no cost to you.
Employee Assistance Programs aren’t just for crisis situations. They can also provide advice and practical support for:
The Bottom Line
EAPS offer free benefits like short-term therapy, stress management, financial counseling, and relationship support, among other services. Even though they’re short-term, EAP benefits can help you to address issues that have been building up. The end goal of an EAP is to improve your well-being, using a plan that works for your unique circumstances.
Mental health includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is more than the absence of a mental illness—it’s essential to your overall health and quality of life. Self-care can play a role in maintaining your mental health and help support your treatment and recovery if you have a mental illness.
How can I take care of my mental health?
Self-care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health. This can help you manage stress, lower your risk of illness, and increase your energy. Even small acts of self-care in your daily life can have a big impact.
Here are some self-care tips:
Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t do 30 minutes at one time.
Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Pay attention to your intake of caffeine and alcohol and how they affect your mood and well-being—for some, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption can be helpful.
Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.
Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say “no” to new tasks if you start to feel like you’re taking on too much. Try to appreciate what you have accomplished at the end of the day.
Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind.
Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
Stay connected. Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
Self-care looks different for everyone, and it is important to find what you need and enjoy. It may take trial and error to discover what works best for you.
Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted 2 weeks or more, such as:
Difficulty sleeping
Changes in appetite or unplanned weight changes
Difficulty getting out of bed in the morning because of mood
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable
Inability to complete usual tasks and activities
Feelings of irritability, frustration, or restlessness
How can I find help?
If you have concerns about your mental health, talk to a primary care provider. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker, who can help you figure out the next steps. Find tips for talking with a health care provider about your mental health.
‘Tis the season for family, festivity, and food—lots of food. The holidays dish up a triple whammy of wintry weather, irresistible foods, and stress, which can cause even the strongest-willed person to reach for another festive goodie.
While the notion of enjoying “healthy holidays” has a nice ring to it, reaching that goal can be very challenging. Between the endless social gatherings and the to-do lists that seem longer than Santa’s list of names, balancing the season’s obligations often means that our diets take a backseat until the New Year.
If you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle this holiday season, you may be wondering what foods you should prepare and how to stay on track with your goals.
Here are six tips for savoring a healthier holiday season:
Portions Matter – Eat slowly and mindfully and opt for smaller portions. Also, avoid going back for seconds; your body needs time to feel full so give yourself 20 minutes before you reach for more.
Fit in Favorites – No food is on the naughty list. Deprivation leads to backlash – it’s better to have a plan and do it on purpose. In advance, plan for the indulgences that matter most to you so you can be sure to savor a small serving of Aunt Carol’s pie!
Make Movement Merry – Be active after a big meal; not only does activity help you burn off some calories but you may also feel more energized. Exercise is the secret to holding the (waist)line when holidays indulgences call. Choose fun activities like ice skating or sledding with friends and family or take a walk with family after a holiday meal.
Include Some Healthy Options – A platter of raw veggies or fruit with a low-fat dip can be a colorful and healthier alternative to a tray of sliced cheese, deli meats and crackers. Or replace the cheese dip with a bowl of cold large shrimp with cocktail sauce.
Try a New Tradition – You may not be the only person at the gathering trying to maintain healthy eating goals. Why not try a healthier recipe that may become a new tradition?
Get Your Zzz’s – Going out more and staying out later means cutting back on your sleep. Sleep loss can make it harder to manage your blood sugar, and when you’re sleep deprived, you’ll tend to eat more and prefer high-fat, high-sugar food. Aim for 7 to 8 hours per night to guard against mindless eating.
Set an example for your children. By incorporating some of these ideas, you can create healthy traditions for your kids. As these traditions are passed down from one generation to the next, your family will learn that it’s possible to make positive lifestyle choices while still enjoying the holiday season.
Remember, a healthy holiday makeover doesn’t require drastic changes to have a significant impact. Modifying a few choices and behaviors can lead to health benefits that can last a lifetime of happy, healthy holidays.
