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1 Board of County Commissioners P.O. Box 99 200 East 4th Street Woodbine, GA 31569 Phone: (912) 576-5601 Fax: (912) 576-5647 www.co.camden.ga.us In this Issue: Coffee 5 Ways to Reduce Cholesterol…....2 Wellness is Stress……....….2 August 2008 Coffee Tea is the most popular beverage worldwide (after water), but coffee is close behind it. Caffeine is a mild substance - it stimulates the central nervous system and improves alertness. It also boosts the analgesic effect of aspirin and other pain relievers, which is why it's added to some of these drugs. In large enough amounts, it can cause heart palpitations, stomach upset, and insomnia. Coffee has been blamed for causing many ailments, but in nearly every instance, it has been declared NOT GUILTY! ♦ It was linked to heart disease, as well as pancreatic cancer - but then exonerated. ♦ Coffee was blamed for fibrocystic breast disease (lumpy, painful breasts), but there proved to be no connection. ♦ Coffee was a suspected risk factor for osteoporosis, but it does not appear to increase the risk, even in heavy coffee drinkers - though there is still some controversy about this. ♦ Coffee was suspected of raising the risk of miscarriage and birth defects, but - again - studies have not supported this, except perhaps for high intakes. BOTTOM OTTOM OTTOM L L LINE INE INE If you're healthy it's fine to drink coffee in moderation (no more than three or four cups a day). If you like the lift it gives, and the sociability it affords, there's no health reason to deprive yourself of coffee. If you overindulge and get coffee nerves, the remedy is simple—cut back. If it keeps you awake, stick to decaf in the evening. Brought to you by the Camden County Medical & Wellness Program Danny Daniels, RN-CWCP Wellness Newsletter Volume I - Issue 1 ---PAGE BREAK--- How much does it cost to be “UNWELL” ♦ Overweight/Obesity costs $117 billion in the US ♦ Annual medical expenses for employees range from $114 for normal-weight to $620 for the overweight ♦ High blood pressure costs related to obesity: $4.1 billion per year ♦ Lost productivity costs related to obesity: 3.9 billion per year ♦ Osteoarthritis costs related to obesity: 21.2 billion What does it cost to walk around the block? What does it cost to make better nutritional choices? What does it cost to change behavior in meaningful ways? WELLNESS IS And that’s not all … ♦ Physically active people save an average of $500 a year in health care costs ♦ Adults gain 2 hours of life expectancy for 1 hour of physical activity ♦ Drink one 20 oz bottle of water in place of soda and lose 26 lbs a year ♦ Take the stairs; total of 2 minutes, 5 days a week is the same as a 20 min walk ♦ Sit up straight to eat - you’ll eat 10% less It’s a start!! Walk the dog, play with the kids, think before you eat! One of the most significant problems human beings face is how to handle stress. You may not always be able to make stress disappear, but you can manage it with some very simple techniques. 1. TALK! Don't hold all your feelings within! Discuss your stressful feelings with someone you trust . 2. ACT! Be willing to take risk and make change, no matter how small. 3. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY! Learn to listen to your body's signals and find ways to reduce your stress, even if it is just “taking five" to clear your mind. 4. BE IN CHARGE! Discover what you need to feel good about yourself and get your needs met. 5. DON'T OVERWHELM YOURSELF: Perhaps you are trying to handle too much, rid yourself of extra duties that are not necessary. 6. GET AWAY: Sometimes a change, however small, can do wonders for your spirit. Go somewhere new for a few hours, a few days, even if its a warm bath for a little while! 7. PRIORITIZE: You may not be able to avoid all the responsibilities obligations you currently have, but you can learn how to complete them without resentment and consciously choose how you will handle them. 8. EXTEND YOURSELF: Make your own life better by making someone else's life better. Give of yourself. Volunteer! You will feel empowered, positive, important ...and you will be! 9. MAKE SUCCESS HAPPEN! If you can't change the world, change yourself! Learn how to love yourself as you are, while you work towards your goals. Instead of immediate, dramatic change, learn to enjoy the journey of lifelong self‐ improvement. You are always a work in progress. 10. SOCIALIZE: Spend time with family and friends for love and support. WELLNESS ELLNESS IS IS F FREE REE Reduce Cholesterol with these Lifestyle Changes 1. Lose excess weight 2. Eat healthy foods 3. Exercise daily 4. Quit smoking 5. Drink alcohol moderately If lifestyle changes aren't enough Sometimes healthy lifestyle changes are not enough to lower cholesterol levels. Make sure the changes you choose to make are ones that you can continue, and do not be disappointed if you don't see results immediately. If your doctor recommends medication to help lower your cholesterol, take it as prescribed. But remember the significance of the healthy lifestyle choices you have made. 2 HOW SO? FREE REE W WELLNESS ELLNESS IS IS G GOOD OOD!