IBEW Local 617-NECA
Wellness Hotwire
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April is National Stress Awareness Month. Stress is a natural physical and mental reaction to life experiences. Everyone expresses stress from time to time, especially this past year. However, chronic stress impacts your body, putting you at risk for numerous health-related issues. (see chart) We encourage you to take control of your wellness and try some of the following methods to control your stress.
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Photo by Brittany Butts Flickr |
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Regular exercise can help lower stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins and improving your sleep and self-image. Check out our BaySport Virtual Fitness Studio. https://baysport.com/virtual-studio April password: dumbBe!!
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Reduce your caffeine intake. High quantities of caffeine can increase stress and anxiety.
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Write it down. Keeping a journal can help relieve stress and anxiety, especially if you focus on the positive.
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Spend time with family and friends. Social support can help you get through stressful times.
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Learn to say NO. Try not to take on more than you can handle. Saying no is one way to control your stressors.
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Learn to avoid procrastination. Prioritize what needs to get done and make time for it. Staying on top of your to-do list can help ward off procrastination-related stress.
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Try meditation. The Wellness Program’s Introduction to Meditation workshop is a great place to start. https://baysport.com/virtual-studio/4-week-meditation-program/
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Give yoga a try. The BaySport Virtual Fitness Studio offers FREE classes. https://baysport.com/virtual-studio April password: dumbBe!!
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Eat a healthy balanced diet. (See below)
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Seek support from a professional. There are counseling services available to you through Optum and your Employee Assistance Program. They provide support for Drug & Alcohol issues, Depression, Anxiety & Stress, Marriage & Family issues, Finacial & Legal issues. Call 1-800-622-7276 or visit liveandworkwell.com
Access code: IBEW617 (Inside Wireman) IBEWNECASOUND (Sound & Communications)
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Many clients working from home have reported an increase in stress levels. Cortisol is a stress hormone that increases appetite, the motivation to eat and it can mess with your wellness journey. It is released by our adrenal glands and It's important for helping your body deal with stressful situations, as your brain triggers its release in response to many different kinds of stress. Persistent stress can lead to an increase in cortisol levels and when cortisol levels are too high for too long, this hormone can hurt you more than it helps. Physical or emotional distress increases the intake of food high in fat, sugar, or both which can increase insulin levels. According to Harvard Health, fat and sugar-filled foods seem to have a feedback effect that dampens stress-related responses and emotions. These foods really are "comfort" foods in that they seem to counteract stress — and this may contribute to people's stress-induced craving for those foods. Stressed people also lose sleep, exercise less, and drink more alcohol, all of which can contribute to excess weight.
Managing stress eating
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Meditation. Countless studies show that meditation reduces stress, although much of the research has focused on high blood pressure and heart disease. Meditation may also help people become more mindful of food choices. With practice, a person may be able to pay better attention to the impulse to grab a fat- and sugar-loaded comfort food and inhibit the impulse.
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Exercise. While cortisol levels vary depending on the intensity and duration of exercise, overall exercise can blunt some of the negative effects of stress. Some activities, such as yoga and tai chi, have elements of both exercise and meditation.
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Social support. This may be difficult these days with stay-at-home orders. Reach out by phone, video, or social media to stay engaged with others.
Healthy Foods to Eat When Cravings Strike
Healthline.com has a great list of healthy snacks. here are a few. Read the full article to find more ideas.
- fruit
- yogurt
- hot drink
- snack bar
According to Eatright.org, "Research linking certain nutrients to stress management is limited.
Recent studies have focused on nutrients the brain needs to function normally. This can include nutrients like antioxidants or B vitamins. Some studies also report a potential link between low levels of nutrients in the body such as vitamin D and stress. Studies have looked at how supplements may help manage stress but results have been limited. As these nutrients are already important in a healthy eating pattern, the best way to get them is through the foods you eat. For example, fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants along with other nutrients that may work together to promote health. And many foods provide a variety of B vitamins naturally, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, beans and meats."
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IBEW 617 Health Screening Options |
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Open to IBEW Local 617 Members, Retirees & Benefited Family Members. Must be at least 18 to participate.
A core service of the IBEW Wellness Program is our health screenings. Your biometric screening test results provide important information about your health and help identify risk factors associated with high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.
Due to pandemic restrictions, we have not been able to provide onsite group screenings, but we want to ensure you have access to these important services. We look forward to offering onsite screenings again when it is deemed safe, but for now, here are TWO FREE screening options available to you immediately.
- You can schedule an appointment at one of our three BaySport Clinics located in San Francisco, Redwood Shore, or Los Gatos.
- You can schedule an appointment at a LabCorp location.
A $20 Safeway Gift Card will be mailed to you for participating in a screening option.
BaySport Option
The screening will include a finger-prick blood draw for Total Cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Chol/HDL ratio, Triglyceride, and Glucose; a blood pressure check; and a body mass index assessment. Fasting is recommended but not required. The results will be reviewed with you immediately.
To schedule a screening at a BaySport Clinic, please make an appointment at a convenient location.
San Francisco: (415) 901-9090 - 275 Battery Street, Suite 860
Redwood City: (650) 593-2800 - 203 Redwood Shores Pkwy, Suite 250
Los Gatos: (408) 395-7300 - 14830 Los Gatos Blvd, Suite 101
LabCorp Option
The screening will include a blood draw from the arm for Total Cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, Chol/HDL ratio, Triglyceride, and Glucose; a blood pressure check; and a body mass index assessment.
To schedule your screening through LabCorp:
- Log onto www.labcorp.com.
- Enter zip code in “Find a Lab” click search.
- For the type of service, select “Employee Wellness with Body Measurements.”
- Choose a convenient location and hit "Schedule an Appointment." Please allow 20-25 minutes for your Wellness Screening appointment.
- You will be asked whether you will be fasting (fasting is recommended but not required).
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Under Insurance Coverage, select “I have already paid or someone else is responsible.”You should not provide ANY insurance information to LabCorp at any time during this evaluation.
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Please PRINT the correct LabCorp Requisition form Inside Wireman OR Sound & Communications Member and take it with you to your appointment. All billing information for LabCorp is on the form. Please do NOT provide any insurance information to LabCorp or pay for any services and be sure to bring your lab requisition with you.
- BaySport will send your results to you via US mail approximately 5-7 days after your LabCorp appointment.
- The Program Manager will follow up with resources based on your results.
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BaySport is here is to help you achieve your
wellness goals…
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IBEW Local 617 members, partners & retirees have access to FREE Health Coaching and Registered Dietitian Services. Services are remote and can be done now.
Health Coaching Services: Do you need some support in getting back on track and taking better care of yourself? Working with a Health Coach is one of the BEST ways to take charge of your health! A Health Coach is a trained counselor who will provide you with individualized support and guidance based on your goals and needs. Book a free session today!
Nutrition Services: Do you have questions or concerns about your diet and nutrition? Do you need some guidance and support? If you or a family member is interested in booking a free nutrition session, contact Patti Miller RDN at patti.miller@baysport.com.
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Click the button to ask your nutrition questions. |
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To subscribe directly to the newsletter, please email Denise Brown.
Type "IBEW 617 subscribe" in the Subject line.
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