SFS-Qatar Wellness

Monthly Message - February 2012

Dear SFS-Q Colleagues,

I am so excited and inspired by the latest wellness challenge being embraced by SFS-Q: Step Into Action. It's easy to make resolutions each year to improve our health, but actually making the changes required to make those resolutions a reality can be tough. Lifestyle changes are particularly difficult when you go it alone; that's why the Step Into Action challenge will be so fun and beneficial as you work together to keep your resolutions.

Before you can start your journey you have to know where you are right now.You've already taken the first step by attending last month's health fair, getting your base line health screenings and educating yourself with an array of wellness information. Over the course of the next three months, I'll look forward to cheering you on your way and applauding your community's progress. So, whether you are looking to lose weight, improve your overall fitness, eat better or stress less, I hope you will engage with the resources that your Health and Wellness Officer, Mary Bryan, has put in place to support you. If you would like more information about Step Into Action, or if you have any questions, please contact Mary at meb252@georgetown.edu.

Here's a look at what's happening and available in February -

GU Olympic Walking Challenge

Kick Off- Sunday, February 12, 12noon to 1pm

VIP Entrance to Green Spine-treats on arrival

Monitor steps (exercise) for one month

Wellness Wednesday Discussions

Wednesdays, 12 to 1pm

Room 1D66 New South HR Conference Room

Bring your 'healthy' lunch. Join a discussion group focusing and supporting healthy eating and lifestyle at lunchtime. Example of topics: Detoxification/fibre, GI Factor, portion control, green smoothies.

Yoga Classes - Mondays, 5 to 6pm, Performing Arts Studio

Step Classes - Tuesdays, 5 to 6pm, Performing Arts Studio

Capoeira Classes - Wednesdays, 4.45pm to 6pm, Performing Arts Studio

All Classes are FREE.

I will be watching your progress with a supportive eye this month as you kick off the Step Into Action challenge. Take a moment to document where you are today - take a picture, write a journal entry or record your current biometric stats. When I come out for my annual visit in April, I will look forward to seeing how far you've come as a community working together to embrace wellness.

Be well,

Charles DeSantis

Associate Vice President & Chief Benefits Officer--

Director, Communications/GUWellness: Mind, Body, Soul

Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits

Georgetown University

Wellness Articles

Nutrition Fact Labels

Nutrition facts labels
Helping you make healthier shopping choices

CardioSmart Survival Guide

Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Arrhythmia, High Blood Pressure, Heart Attack

Sleep Apnea and Obesity, an article by Vianesa Vargas

Sleep Apnea and Obesity, an article by Vianesa Vargas

If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it may be time to take a closer look at the connection between sleep apnea and obesity. While lack of sleep won't directly cause the body to gain weight, there are many indirect factors that can lead to weight gain, making it much harder to lose or maintain your weight.

Here are some of the most important connections to be aware of.

Tips for Sleeping Well by FSAP's Dan McKenna, MA, LPC

Tips for Sleeping Well by FSAP's Dan McKenna, MA, LPC

The following are recommendations that sleep researchers¹ have suggested will improve the quality of your sleep. I recommend following as many of these steps as you can for three weeks to see if you notice improvement. Often, clients improve sleep quality within the first few days after changing their behaviors around sleep. Continue to take medications regularly during this time. Research suggests that the combination of changing your sleep behavior and use of sleep medication is helpful in improving the quality of sleep. Once you are sleeping well, you can consult your doctor about decreasing or stopping sleep medications.

Exercising in the Heat by Professor Ed Ingebretsen

Exercising in the heat by Professor Ed Ingebretsen
When exercising in a hot environment (86 degrees F), even a little loss of fluid will impair performance and increase the possibility of suffering a heat injury. Proper hydration impacts health on an assortment of levels and is necessary for proper digestion of food and cellular metabolic processes.

Breastfeeding Awareness Week August 1-7, 2011

Children's Eye Health & Safety

A child’s ability to see the blackboard and the words on a page clearly is critical to their learning experience. Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month in an effort to encourage parents to learn about ways they can help protect their child’s vision.