Corporate Fitness Products

Breathing exercises are one of the most commonly recommended stress reliever. When used over time, they can help you avoid the negative effects caused by chronic stress. You can consciously use breathing to affect your involuntary bodily processes like heart rate, blood pressure, circulation, and digestion. Breathing therapy has had a role in treatment of hyperventilation, feelings of tension, burnout, chronic fatigue, sleeping problems, concentration problems, anxiety, phobia, panic disorder, depression, and heart disease. While breathing exercises shouldn’t replace a doctor’s care in the treatment of serious conditions, they can be a valuable part of treatment. 

Additional benefits of breathing exercises include:

 · Convenience—You can do them anywhere and they work quickly

· Free and easy to master

· Release of tension from your body

· Help you respond more calmly to stressful situations

         •          By trying to make our bodies more healthy, we may be inadvertently making our planet less healthy by creating excessive emissions or other waste.

         •          Try these green workout ideas to reduce your carbon footprint:

             –   Go outside to go green:  always try to take your walk or run outside when you can, instead of jumping on the treadmill.

            –        Use a refillable water bottle:  skip buying bottled water and switch to reusable.  It keeps down the amount in the landfill and means less energy to produce the plastic and transport it to the grocery store.

Health Benefits of changing your household products:

o   Avoid harmful fertilizers and insecticides. Rain can wash the chemicals into the water supply and they can seep into the ground. Additionally, if you are not careful, you can get the chemicals on your body and in your food if you get your garden. Use environmentally friendly fertilizers to eliminate this problem. 

o   Clean with healthier household cleaners. Many cleaning products can cause headaches, respiratory problems and enhance other health issues. You might notice a difference when you stop using these chemicals and replace them with non-toxic household cleaners, some of which you can use at home.

o   Consider your paint: Many paints release compounds into the air of your home that can be harmful. Choosing high-quality paint for your home’s interior, with a low-incidence of volatile organic compounds can help you reduce headaches and breathe easier.

o   Be wary of plastic containers. Some studies suggest that contaminants found in some plastics can cause fertility issues and other health problems. Storing your food in these containers can be damaging to your health, just as their production is damaging the environment. Use environmentally friendly containers for food storage and reduce harmful effects to your health.

o    Your financial health. Finally, going green can be good for your wallet. You can save money by making your own household products, as well as save money on transportation costs when you adopt green practices. And, of course, when you are physically healthy, you save money on insurance and medical expenses.

1.      Think Ahead—when possible, prepare a healthy, portable meal at home.  If you must dine out, look for restaurants with a wide range of menu items and take time to look over their selections.  Some menus offer a separate section for “healthier” choices. 

2.      Read Menus Carefully—the terms used on menus can clue you in on the fat and calorie content.  Terms that mean higher fat and calories: batter-fried, pan-fried, buttered, creamed, crispy, breaded.  Less fat and calories: braised, baked, broiled, grilled, poached, roasted, steamed.

3.      Watch Portion Sizes—Order the regular or child-size portion.  The supersized order is probably more than you need.  Appetizers can be just as filling as a main course and the portions are usually smaller.

4.      Make Simple Requests and Substitutions — Order a baked potato or side salad instead of French fries. Hold the mayonnaise or bacon on your sandwich.  Request the sauce be served on the side.  All of these requests will help eliminate extra calories.

5.      Enhance the Nutrition of Your Meal— Veggies are full of healthy vitamins and fiber.  Add tomato, lettuce, or other vegetables to your sandwich and choose lean beef, ham, turkey, or chicken on whole grain bread.   Top your pizza with veggies and lean meats.  Choosing a baked potato or side salad over French fries provides you with more fiber. 

6.      Share Your Order— Split large portions with a friend or take half of the dish home for later. If you are craving dessert, order one and share with everyone at the table.

7.      Wash it Down with Water— Avoid adding sugary, calorie –rich drinks (soda, milkshakes, coffee drinks, alcohol) to your meal.  Water is available everywhere and will help you feel full earlier.

8.      Come Prepared—Keep healthy, portable goods on hand for a snack if you know you’ll be on the run.  Grab one of these snacks when you’re hungry and you’ll be less tempted by the drive-thru.  Snack ideas include: fruit, granola bars, and single serving packages of crackers or cereal.

9.      Fill Up on Low—Calorie Food First— Broth based soups or a garden salad are both good choices prior to a light main course.

10. Remember the Big Picture— Moderation is key, but planning ahead can help you maintain a healthy diet.  If you are planning on dining out, choose healthier options for your other meals that day.  Remember to eat mindfully, savor every bite, and listen to your body when it is full. 

Source: www.eatright.org

· Subway: Offers 6 subs for 6 grams of fat or less.  Choose from a variety of veggies, lean meats, and light dressings.

· Au Bon Pain: Serves up sandwiches, soups, salads, and hot entrées made with whole grains, veggies, and hormone-free chicken.

· Chipotle: Buffet-style gives you complete control over your burrito, taco, or salad. Choose from fresh, local ingredients.  But go easy on cheese and sour cream!

· Panera Bread: Half-size soups, salads, and sandwiches make it easy to control portion sizes.

· Noodles & Co: Offers smaller portions, whole-grain pasta, and lean protein.

· McDonald’s: The Grilled Chicken Classic sandwich and wraps are healthy choices (just skip the mayo or sauce). A variety of salads are available with low fat dressings. Nutritional info is available right on the tray liners.

 Source: www.eatright.org

If you think you may be at risk for developing a specific disease you should talk with your doctor.  Your level of risk depends on your family history, lifestyle, and current health condition.

 Heart and Vascular Disease

 Blood Pressure Screening: All men and women—Ages 50 and over, at least every 2 years

 Cholesterol Screening: All men and women—Ages 50 and over, every 1—2 years.  If you have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, you should have   this checked yearly.

· Diabetes Screening: Men and women—Ages 50 and over with high blood pressure.

Cancer

· Breast Cancer Screening: All women, ages 50 and over, every 1—2 years.

· Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap Test): All women, ages 50—65, at least every 3 years.

· Colorectal Cancer Screening: All men and women, ages 50 and older.

Bone Disease

· Osteoporosis Screening: Women at risk—Ages 60 to 65, All Women– Ages 65 and older. 

Mental Health

· Depression Screening: All men and women—Ages 50 and over.

Immunization

· Flu Vaccine: All men and women—Ages 50 and older, annually.

Aspirin

Some doctors prescribe to at risk men and women—Ages 50 and over, to prevent heart attack or stroke.