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December Body Bulletin, Personal Best newsletters now available

The December issue of the Body Bulletin newsletter is being distributed to Laboratory employee mail stops and the Personal Best is now online.

Both newsletters have essentially the same content, however additional or expanded articles are included in the online Personal Best.

How successful have you been with your health goals this year? Eating more vegetables? Relaxing more or thinking about quitting smoking? This month's cover story features a check list to help assess progress in meeting health improvement goals and to prepare 2004 goals.

The media surrounds us with images of thinness and beauty that are impossible for most people to attain or maintain. Pursuing this unattainable image has resulted in more eating disorders, cosmetic surgeries, fad diets and children worrying about body image by age 9. The Body Bulletin suggests that practicing self-esteem exercises helps build a more positive body image.

"Something to Cheer About at Holiday Time" discusses the holiday stress depression people suffer through. This month's newsletter makes some suggestions on how to minimize holiday stress, such as relaxing with a cup of steamy, hot chocolate.

Many people float around in retirement unable to find their niche. So, before retiring, people should ask "What happens next?" According to the American Association of Retired Persons, eight in 10 baby boomers have plans to work at least part-time during retirement. If planning to continue working in some capacity, read the December issue of the newsletter for some suggestions to get started with work life after retirement.

This month's issue of Personal Best has a number of tips to help beat the "Monday Blues." The recipe of the month is black bean wraps.

According to the American Medical Association, hand washing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of colds, flu and other infectious diseases. The December newsletter has some AMA advice on hand washing and other tips to avoid infection.

The colon is the final staging area for digestion and the third most common site of cancer for Americans. Yet we could see 75 percent fewer cases with positive lifestyle habits, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. This month's newsletter outlines the institute's advice for "Colon Health" and cancer prevention.

"Think Before You Drink" addresses the fact that alcohol is the cause of a large percentage of traffic deaths as well as other accidents and injuries. Since alcohol is usually a part of holiday celebrations, Personal Best has suggestions on how to party safely and keep party guests safe.

In the "mood for food" even when not hungry? Many people eat to satisfy emotional needs such as boredom, loneliness, depression, stress and low self-esteem. Indulging those food cravings is only a problem if you regularly overeat or replace nutritious foods with "junk." Personal Best has some suggestions for ways to control the food cravings and help avoid junk foods.

Also in this month's issue: causes of fatigue and ways to fight it; mindful breathing; how to not become a victim of assault; safe holiday home checklist; expert advice on naturopaths, tai chi and core training.

Body Bulletin and the online Personal Best are published by Scott Publishing in Edmonds, Wash., and are part of the Lab's Positive Health Directions program in Occupational Medicine (HSR-2) and Benefits and Employment Services (HR-B).

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