With busy schedules and lifestyles, keeping the mind, body and soul healthy can be a major challenge. Moen – a manufacturer of kitchen faucets, bathroom faucets, showerheads and stainless steel sinks for residential and commercial applications – offers employees a comprehensive health and wellness program. The company offers these eight tips to help you and your employees live a happy, healthy, safe and balanced life:
1. Get Physical
Exercise not only helps you build muscle, lose weight and gain self-confidence, but it's vital in maintaining a healthy heart. Don't think you need to spend hours at the gym to achieve a new physique. From strength training and cardio workouts, to walking the dog or taking the stairs – anything that gets your heart pumping will benefit your health.
2. Stress is a Mess
Over time, stress can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, depression and even death. Wellness experts at Moen suggest that when you start seeing red, instead think blue – as in blueberries. Antioxidants found in the tasty fruit fight stress hormones. Also, don't forget to breathe. Inhaling a deep breath for 5 seconds, then exhaling for another 5 seconds can help clear your mind and enhance blood circulation.
3. LOL, Laugh Out Loud
Build your immune system through laughter! Health-increasing hormones like endorphins are released into your body when you laugh. Additionally, laughter works your abdominal muscles.
4. Eat Healthy
We know we should eat healthy, and with new online tools it’s a no-brainer. The new MyPlate program (https://www.myplate.gov/), developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, allows you to choose the ideal proportions or foods and food groups to eat according to your body size and structure.
5. Get Plenty of Zzzzzz’s
Between work, family and extra activities, it’s sometimes difficult to get the necessary 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night. Be sure to avoid caffeine or exercise right before bed. Instead, try reading a book or mediating.
6. What’s Up, Doc?
Going to the doctor only when you’re sick isn’t going to cut it. For both your physical and mental well-being, it’s wise to have a routine physical examination. A yearly checkup is especially important if you have a family history of health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure, as frequent exams and conversations with your doctor can help prevent or detect serious health issues.
7. Yoga-tta Do It
Yoga, an ancient practice of stretching and breathing techniques, has become a popular exercise for both men and women. In addition to releasing positive energy, yoga prevents injuries, promotes flexibility and can add relief to a stressful day. In fact, according to the book,Real Men Do Yoga, PGA golfer David Duval practices yoga every day. So, if it’s good enough for professionals, it may be an excellent addition to your weekly stress-relief routine.
8. The Right to Recreation
You schedule meetings and appointments each week, so why not schedule time for recreation? Be sure to set time each week for activities you enjoy. Whether it’s dinner with family and friends, turning off your phone or curling up with a good book, be sure to block out time on your calendar with activities that you enjoy and will rejuvenate you.
