Printer friendly version

August Personal Best health, wellness newsletter now online

The August issue of the Personal Best health newsletter is now online.

Most injuries can be prevented if people plan, avoid risky behaviors and follow safety advice. In 2002, "unintentional injuries" caused nearly one million deaths, according to the National Safety Council and safety experts now use this term instead of "accidents" because these injuries usually involve preventable factors. In Safety Solutions, the focus is on safety rule number one: there are no accidents, and discusses what some preventable factors are along with how to "Think Injury Prevention."

The cover story this month explains how people can easily improve their health by walking. Health officials advocate 10,000 steps a day, yet Americans average only 4,000 steps a day. A brisk, 30-minute walk is an easy way to fill a daily quota of activity and it's enough to gain significant health protection regardless of age or weight. Read more about the health benefits in Find Your Stride.

Between ages 40 to 50, muscle and joint pain becomes more frequent and recovery from strenuous activity is slower. The back, hips, knees and feet are especially vulnerable to strains, injury and arthritis after decades of use. Everyday Aches and Pains discusses what causes these aches, ways to help prevent aches and provides some simple stretches that can relieve tension.

This month's Personal Best has some suggestions for relieving the physical effects of stress by relieving the pressure on the mind. These therapeutic mind-body techniques have been explored for centuries, and some of the most popular techniques are outlined in Mind Over Matter.

Lifestyle File presents statistics on the health habits of U.S. adults, such as alcohol, smoking and obesity. There also are tips to keep energy levels up for all-day endurance.

In Body Matters, the terms "pronation" and "supination" are explained along with how the mechanics of these motions can lead to foot fatigue and pain, or other muscloskeletal problems. The article explores ways to boost bone health, which helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and talks about why many people find it difficult to maintain a steady weight.

The food we eat impacts our health. Test your knowledge about some leading nutrition and diet concerns in Nutrition Review. The recipe of the month is Thai Style Dressing.

Also in this issue: Face Your Feelings; Parenting Teens; dehydration defense; help with weight loss; Immunization Awareness Month; quitting smoking; sports and recreation injuries; carbon monoxide detectors; reliable health Web sites; tanning salons; fiber and colon health; fall hazards; vacation driving safety; boosting metabolism and; what is bursitis?

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

Other Headlines