Mental Health Resources

Healthy Behaviors Help Fight Stress

BY DEBRA L. WENTZ ON JAN 19, 2022

The pandemic has led to significantly increased stress, which affects both mental and physical health. In addition to physical precautions, such as getting vaccinated, wearing masks and practicing social distancing, stress management and other healthy behaviors are essential for individuals’ well-being, productivity and effectiveness…

Mental Health: The New Imperative

BY SUZANNE M. KUNIS ON FEB 10, 2022

A mental health crisis was already well underway in the US when the COVID-19 pandemic’s upheaval swelled the numbers of individuals facing mental health issues. Because people don’t set aside those issues when they start work every day, what may seem to be a personal challenge also becomes a business challenge. Employers are realizing they must support their employees’ mental well-being…

Exercise Is Medicine

BY DON TOMASZEWSKI ON MAR 9, 2022

Physical inactivity contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Performing moderate-intensity physical activity on a regular basis can help individuals live longer and help reduce health problems at any age. For example, individuals who exercise have an easier time keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels under control and maintaining a healthy body weight…

The Surprising Connection Between Oral Health and COVID-19

While many people are likely aware of the most common risk factors associated with complications from COVID-19, including diabetes or high blood pressure, a surprising connection has emerged with dental health. A recent study found that people with gum disease, who become infected with COVID-19, are at increased risk of poor outcomes, including a greater chance of admission to the intensive care unit…

Coping with Pandemic-Induced Substance Use

BY MEG FRY, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

US alcohol sales have increased more than 14% since the beginning of the pandemic – and continue to rise, according to Bloomberg News, whilce cannabis sales have also increased due to widespread legalization.

Employment After Addiction

BY GIESEL GIRONA-USSERY ON JUN 14, 2022

For individuals coping with substance use disorders, finding and sustaining addiction recovery is only half the battle. After finding recovery assistance, the common barriers that may make it difficult to secure and retain employment include legal issues stemming from previous arrests while under the influence, poor work history, and lack of access to stable housing, internet, telephone, food, clean clothing, transportation and childcare, which can make it difficult to even begin the interview process.

Heart Disease Can Be Preventable

BY GERALD SOTSKY ON JUL 7, 2022

Although heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States, many Americans don’t recognize that it’s largely preventable. Fortunately, 90% of heart disease is due to modifiable/controllable risk factors. This means that heart disease is largely preventable and controllable by addressing treatable risk factors and making lifestyle changes. Key factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking.

Recovering from Nicotine Addiction

BY CONNIE GREENE ON AUG 15, 2022

Smoking causes about 480,000 deaths every year and remains the single largest preventable cause of death and illness in the world. When an employee or a member of their family is addicted to nicotine, the impact on business can be significant. According to a study published by Ohio State University, smoking can cost an employer nearly $6,000 per employee, per year. Increased healthcare costs, lower productivity and the potential for serious illness are documented consequences of smoking and vaping. Empowering your employees, and providing them with the tools to overcome nicotine dependence and lead healthier lives, results in rewards that extend far beyond the walls of the office.

6 Ways to Get Your Child Back to Sleep

BY PRABHAVATHI GUMMALLA, MD, FAAP ON SEP 2, 2022

Children are going back to school and that means they need to get back to a sleep schedule! Having a good night’s sleep is vital for a child’s growth, immune function, and overall development, so getting them back on schedule is important.

As per the Sleep Foundation, the recommended duration of sleep for preschoolers (3 to 5 years) is 10 to 13 hours, while school-age kids (6 to 12 years) need 9 to 11 hours each night. Adolescent children (14 to 17 years) need 8 to 10 hours of sleep. Some children may need more sleep or less sleep, and it depends on whether they feel tired and sleepy during the day. Following are tips to help children get a good night’s sleep:

Accommodating the Disabled

ON OCT 13, 2022

What is a disability?

Our definition of disability comes from the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). According to the ADA, an individual with a disability is a person who:

• Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities;
• Has a record of such an impairment; or
• Is regarded as having such an impairment.

Major life activities include caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating and working.

9 Questions to Ask Before You Retire

ON NOV 14, 2022

For most of the past 20 years, retirement rates in the US were declining. People were staying in jobs longer, experts speculated, because of factors such as increased life expectancy, higher education levels, and the rise in the minimum age to collect full Social Security benefits.

In the past two years, that trend reversed: Beginning with the pandemic-related economic shutdown in March 2020, a significant number of US adults who hadn’t necessarily planned to retire, did so. It’s estimated that two and a half million “excess” retirements took place between March 2020 and the second quarter of 2021.

How to Have Happy, Healthy Feet

ON DEC 16, 2022

The Holistic Approach to Cancer Treatment

BY ANGELA MCCABE ON JAN 12, 2023

The statistics on cancer are sobering. One in three men and one in two women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. We know that a cancer diagnosis is life-changing for patients and their families. We also know that cancer doesn’t travel well, and patients ideally shouldn’t have to travel to multiple locations to receive the best care possible. But what does world-class cancer treatment look like? One thing is for certain. It’s about more than just medicine.