Health Centers’ Be Well Feel Well Event Is Next Week

Be Well Feel Well—the first Health and Wellness event of 2015, will take place at the Health and Dental Centers Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27. Each year this event is an important part of the effort to keep members and their families in the best health possible, and it will be no different this year.

In fact, Be Well Feel Well has been described in the past as one of the most valuable ways possible to spend an hour or so of your time. Funds Office Chief Executive Officer Dr. Robert Greenspan once described this event this way: If you could spend an hour of your time to avoid a lengthy stay in the hospital in the future, wouldn’t you consider that a great investment? And if you could greatly improve the chances of living a longer, healthier and happier life by taking an hour of your time to do something very easy you would jump at the opportunity, wouldn’t you? The answers to these questions are obvious, and by attending Be Well Feel Well you can see for yourself how just an hour of your time can make such a huge difference in your life,

As we have explained many times before, there is no doubt that Be Well, Feel Well can help many participants lead longer, healthier and happier lives. Here’s what we mean.

The number one killer of Americans is heart and blood vessel disease—a condition that can often be prevented or at least eased through diet and exercise, which are among the things that will be emphasized at the Health Centers March 23 through March 27.

It’s true. More than 2,500 Americans die every day from heart and blood vessel disease, and many more are incapacitated (through strokes, for example). As always, education about heart and blood vessel disease will be a major focus of Be Well, Feel Well week. The event will help you find fun ways to get physically fit and improve your heart health.

Members can also use the event to learn how to become smoke-free and stay that way, too.

As always, no appointments will be necessary for members to visit any of the Health or Dental Centers to take advantage of this opportunity to maintain good health.

We are pleased to report that last year’s Be Well Feel Well drew a record number of participants, with more than 6,000 members visiting the Health and Dental Centers that week. Basically, visitors to the Health Centers during this special week will learn about the “Do’s and Don’ts” of their lifestyles. As an example, nutritionists will be on hand to help participants learn how to eat healthy. Another example is the fact that there are many risk factors that can contribute to heart disease and stroke. They include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette/tobacco smoke, physical inactivity and a high fat diet. Diabetes, obesity, stress and a family history are other contributors to heart disease.

The good news is that you can avoid many of these risk factors and overcome others. Having medical check-ups and evaluating your own lifestyle are the first steps to good health. A healthy diet, in combination with regular physical activity, can protect your heart and reduce the risk of disease. By visiting the Health and Dental Centers during the Be Well, Feel Well week, members will have the opportunity to learn about their risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease and cancer. And that is important because proper education, along with regular visits to your physician, can greatly reduce your risk of illness.

Many who visit the Health and Dental Centers for the Be Well Feel Well Health & Wellness Event will have their height, weight, blood pressure, pulse and respiration checked.

Many will also be able to have their blood sugar tested with a simple finger stick. Many will have their Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. This test will reveal the percentage of body composition between muscle, fat and water. Many will be interviewed to identify risk factors for heart disease and stroke and, if necessary, will be directed to the appropriate resources that will be on hand.

There is conclusive evidence that proper diet and exercise can reduce your risk of heart disease and other illnesses like cancer. That’s why attending Be Well Feel Well can really make a difference in how you feel and how long you will live. Again, the event will take place at the Health and Dental Centers next week, from Monday, March 23 up to and including Friday, March 27, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. And remember, NO APPOINTMENTS ARE NECESSARY!