SFS-Qatar Wellness

Monthly Message - November 2011

Dear SFS-Q Colleagues:

I know that November is a busy month in Doha. As always, I encourage you to find small ways to incorporate healthy habits into your daily routine. If you're a smoker, one of the best things you can do for yourself (and your loved ones) is quit. November 17 is the Great American Smoke Out. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this day brings support to all those who may be considering a healthy change. If you, or someone close to you, is thinking of quitting their tobacco habit, here are some helpful resources:

Tools to help you quit (smokefree.gov)
Thinking about quitting? (smokefree.gov)
Just how bad is smoking for you? (beanex.org)
Smoking Cessation Resources (wellness.georgetown.edu)

November is also Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 8.3 percent of the world's population has diabetes; nearly 7 million of these don't know it. This month contact your Health & Wellness Officer, Mary Bryan, and have your blood glucose levels checked to see if you're at risk. You can also check out these links for more information:

Facts about Diabetes (CDC)
Are you at Risk? (CDC)
Small Steps to Prevent Diabetes (CDC)

Coming soon...

It's almost time, once again, for the GU Olympics. For those of you new to SFS-Q, the GU Olympics is held over the course of the academic year. The faculty and staff community are split into two teams: Blue and Grey. The teams will enjoy friendly athletic competition, with the added benefit of better fitness. The Olympic games will consist of approximately one physical competition per month, in a variety of sports. A tentative list includes: walking, football (soccer), bowling, kickball, dodgeball, cricket, and frisbee. Depending on the level of interest, changes and additions may be made to the list. The GU Olympics will commence at the conclusion of the Eid break. Stay tuned for more information.

In early 2012, SFS-Q will once again host its annual Walking Challenge. So, dust off those walking shoes and get ready to log some miles! You'll also want to attend the annual Health Fair. As soon as a final date is set, Mary Bryan will be sending you all the details so you can mark your calendars.

This November I hope you'll find ways to incorporate wellness into your day. With the days becoming cooler, it's a great time to get outside and stretch your legs.

Yoga Classes
Monday's, 5pm to 6pm
Performing Art Studio

Step Classes
Tuesday's, 5pm to 6pm
Performing Art Studio

Meditation
Tuesday's, 12 to 12.30pm
Recommences November 22nd

Be well,

Charles DeSantis
Associate Vice President & Chief Benefits Officer

-- 
Director, Communications/GUWellness: Mind, Body, Soul
Office of Faculty and Staff Benefits
Georgetown University

202-687-1190
http://benefits.georgetown.edu
http://wellness.georgetown.edu

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.