Vital Life Stories: An Active Vital life Team

Tom Hess

Supervisor of Grounds

Tom Hess agrees that he is more mindful about wellness than before, especially with the launch of the Vital Life Community wellness program at St. Leonard. Tom commented that "when you are surrounded by it you have to take notice." Tom is a supervisor for St. Leonard, and he has involved his employees in the wellness programming and activities. Tom states that his employees enjoy the activities that he can design to fit the individual members of his team. It is clear that the number of active participants in the Vital Life Community wellness program are growing throughout the campus. For example, the social walking program just seems to "draw people to each other as it brings people together for wellness and optimal health".

Team Spiritual Care: The Cup of Life and a Balanced Life

Marcy Morgan

Spiritual Care Manager

The Cup of Life Take this cup, I've filled it up, with love and joy and laughter. Now it's empty, Fill it up. Repeat, Forever after. First, so full I'm giving All my love and joy in living. Then near empty, Tired of living, And I'm the One who needs the giving. This cup, this cup, this cup of life, It's always overflowing; We give and get And get and give, Life's balance Keeps on going. Take this cup, I've filled it up, With love and joy and laughter. Now it's empty, Fill it up, Repeat, Forever, after. ~Laura Byrnes~

Team Environmental Wellness: St. Vincent de Paul Donation

Tom Jenkins heads up the collection of gently used items to be donated back to the community. With a population of over 750 residents, 400 employees, and 500 volunteers, many St. Leonard volunteers strive to organize various recycling programs for the campus throughout the year to help the community and the environment.

Team Fitness Gurus: Creating Your Fitness Plan No. 11

Just 10 Minutes

The Surgeon General has recommended that older adults exercise at least 2 hours and 30 minutes a week. This includes favorite exercises as well as muscle-strengthening activities. This may sound like a lot of time, but it is just 150 minutes that become an investment each week that can dramatically improve your well-being. According to the Surgeon General, you can develop an exercise strategy that spreads this amount of time into smaller chunks of time such as ten minute workout sessions. Recent CDC facts inform us that, by age 75, about one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity. Do not allow yourself to be included in this statistic, invest the time to stay as fit as possible, after all its only 150 minutes a week or 15 ten minute sessions.

Team Spiritual Wellness: Seeking God

Sister Kateri Theriault Mission Integration

Seeking God Creation is all God's initiative; yet, in the mystery of freedom, we must accept God's power in order to make a response. To "Seek God" is to allow ourselves to be found. — from Believing in Jesus The question is – are we open/are we ready to being found?

Team Wellness Advisory Board: Emotional Wellness

Submitted by Dr. Dennis O'Grady Wellness Advisory Team Member

HOW DOES A POSITIVE MOOD AFFECT YOUR LIFE? Pleasures abound for you and the company you keep when you simultaneously work on a good mood and a good attitude… Profits go up Bridges of trust and respect are built and reinforced Communication enables dreams to take flight Morale takes a boost and teamwork soars Your company winds up leading the pack Attitudes create positive action in spite of fear of the unknown Enthusiasm is found in common tasks Professional image is polished with the gold of good deeds done Others' moods are lifted in optimistic confidence Safety is secured Productivity peaks Customer satisfaction scores rate you as an "A" player Reputation is appreciated Personal values are solid and can't be bought out for a quick fix Decision-making is seamless You are driving under the influence of a positive attitude You are "On your toes," and "Your game is right on" Relationships deepen All team members focus like a hawk on the target goal Quality is priceless Opportunity seeks you out Others are connected heart-mind to your mission http://www.drogrady.com/

Level One: Assessment of Wellness Information

Analysis of Health Related Pamphlets and Product Advertising ************* Become knowledgeable about the sponsor of the pamphlet or product Review credentials and look for well-known professional affiliations When in doubt confirm registration of credentials and affiliation Is the pamphlet or ad generic Is the information dated Consider reviewing the product using health related safety websites: Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm 2011 Safety Alert for Medical Products http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts/ucm238512.htm Herbs and Supplements http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/herb_All.html Consumer Reports for Health http://www.consumerreports.org/health/home.htm?CMP=OTC-NAV4 Are the claims in the pamphlet or ad too good to be true Is this a bait and switch scam Is the original product available Are there claims of curing or improving a wide range of ailments Examples of phrases in ads or pamphlets that may be suspicious: Scientific breakthrough Secret ingredients Secret formula Miraculous cure Weight loss without effort Rapid weight loss Testimonials Revolutionary Permanent weight loss Can you buy just one Do you have to purchase something else Is the product registered with well-established quality inspection groups or government agencies such as the FDA What is the refund policy What guarantees are stated What complaints about the product or service are being publicized

Blue Zone Your Memory No. 15: Decision-making

Decision-making and forgetful moments

Do you often feel that decision-making is difficult during times of forgetfulness? Now, more than ever there are a lot of alternatives to every decision. Once you make a decision it is natural to want to see it through, because giving up too early can also be a mistake. The important thing to remember is that decision-making involves more than intellectual processes, which is just one dimension of wellness. So how do we avoid complicated pitfalls, such as holding onto a poor decision when the costs are too high? Try not to make decisions based on a small amount of information such as using mental "rules of thumb." Avoid framing or seeing all potential outcomes in terms of pluses and minuses because this stimulates our emotional filters and can lead to irrational decision-making. Watch out for sunk costs, as it may be time to walk away from a once favorable decision to avoid further loss of investment. Taking time to reflect and meditate may be the key to opening up your spiritual beliefs about the decision in question. Avoid making decisions in isolation, discuss your concerns with your friends, family or mentors. In addition, maintaining a calm atmosphere and environment where decisions can be systematically evaluated is another tip for making better decisions. All too often there is a heightened sense of arousal during decision-making, which is called "auction fever." Decision-making involves many processes and many aspects of the dimensions of wellness. Therefore, it is beneficial to take the time to recognize the intellectual, spiritual, social, emotional, and environmental aspects of decision-making to relieve the possibility of stress, anxiety, and apprehension occurring during this process.

Level One: Assessment of Wellness Information

Analysis of Wellness information on the World Wide Web ************* 1. Ownership of the web page 2. Domain type (.edu, .gov., .org., .com., .net) 3. Author's credentials 4. Last update of website 5. Purpose of the website 6. World view of this topic 7. Industry ratings and certifications 8. Reliability and validity of information 9. Point of view or bias of the website 10. Peer-review process 11. Sponsoring agency for the research 12. Quality control (who can contribute) 13. Intended audience 14. Additional ads and links on the website 15. Navigational tools must be easy and connected to the purpose of the website 16. All elements of the website must be functional and in order

Team Houck: First Hair Cut!

Matthew celebrates another stage of growing up as he experiences his first hair cut!

Team Spiritual and Social Wellness: Martin Luther King Breakfast

Yankee Trace Golf Club sponsored a breakfast event to celebrate Martin Luther King's life

and contribution toward spiritual and social wellness.

Starting Point #42: Nutritional Wellness Starting Point Library

Nutritional Wellness Starting Point Library MyPyramid.gov http://www.mypyramid.gov/ My Food-a-pedia http://www.myfoodapedia.gov/ Menu Planner http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov/planner/launchPage.aspx Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/list-all/ Life Stages http://www.nutrition.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=11&tax_level=1&tax_subject=395 Nutrition associations and organizations http://phpartners.org/nutrition.html American Dietetic Association http://www.eatright.org/Public/ Food safety http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/default.htm Healthy recipes http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/healthy-recipes/RecipeIndex Alcoholics Anonymous http://alcoholicsanonymous.com/addictions.html Eating disorders http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/eating-disorders/complete-index.shtml Cholesterol http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cholesterol-levels/CL00001 Dental care http://www.adha.org/media/facts/access.htm

Starting Point #41: Nutritional Wellness Questions

Nutritional Wellness Questions to Ask Your Medical Team, Psychologist, and/or Dietitian Name________________________________________________Date: _____________ Nutritional Wellness Basic Questions Yes No Notes Is following the right diet important? Will following the right diet for me help with my overall optimal well-being? What are digestive and nutritional tests? Is it possible to have a healthy body if a person has always been under or over weight? Specific Questions Notes Can eating disorders be cured? How do I know if I have an eating disorder? How do I know if I am drinking too much alcohol? Do fad diets really work? Can street or prescription drugs affect my nutritional wellness? Will my caloric needs change when I enter an exercise program or advance to the next level? Medical How important is it to have your cholesterol values tested on a regular basis? How do I know when I need medical help for a digestive or nutritional issue? Nutritional Potential If I receive proper dental care will it improve my overall health? Will a proper diet reduce the risk of other dangerous diseases? How do I find a nutritional expert? Where do I look for food safety advice?

Starting Point #40: Nutritional Activity Readiness

St. Leonard Wellness Program Nutritional Activity Readiness Questionnaire- NAR-Q This questionnaire is one of the first steps to take when you are planning to evaluate your nutritional wellness. The NAR-Q will help you decide whether or not you may need to seek outside support from your medical team, mentors, or clergy to begin the sometimes emotional process of improving your nutritional wellness. Having other professionals involved in your nutritional improvement plan is a good idea, as they can help you with the change process. Please read the questions carefully and check YES or NO opposite the question if it applies to you. If yes, please explain. YES NO ____ ____ 1. Do you ever wonder if you have an appropriate relationship with food? Yes, ____________________________________________ ____ ____ 2. Do you avoid weighing yourself? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 3. Do you have trouble balancing your hunger needs with your energy needs? Yes, ____________________________________________ ____ ____ 4. Do you wonder if you may be drinking too many alcoholic beverages? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 5. Do you feel that you are too young or old to worry about your diet? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 6. Have you tried to lose weight and/or do you have trouble keeping your weight stable and within your ideal range? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 7. Have you avoided discussing nutrition topics with your doctor? Yes______________________________________________ ____ ____ 8. Are you taking herbs and supplements and wonder about their true benefits, and worry about their risks? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 9. Do you worry about common foodborne illnesses and whether you are taking the proper precautions in all situations? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 10. Do you avoid the dentist even though you have had dental issues? Yes, _____________________________________________ ____ ____ 11. Do you suffer from food related cravings and addictions? Yes,______________________________________________ ___ ____ 12. Do you have digestive disorders that are unstable? Yes, ________________________________________________ If you answered NO to all of the questions above, it gives a general indication that your nutritional wellness is stable. You may now wish to keep a journal of your nutritional wellness. This journal can act as a teaching tool for others who may need your help in this area. If you answered Yes to any of the above questions, then you should evaluate the issue and develop a plan for improvement in this area. Seek outside support as often as needed, and remember that change can be difficult if it occurs in isolation or without a network of support from friends or family.