Wellness Week

DEM Blogger

June 11, 2018

Week 2 of National Safety Month focuses on wellness. It is important to be in good shape so you can perform your best at work, school, and home. Eating healthy and staying active are two great ways to stay in shape. However, sleep and hydration are other important factors too.

Did you know 1 in 3 Americans aren’t getting enough sleep? Adults should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of sleep and children should be getting between 8 and 11 hours of sleep per night. Technology is a leading factor in sleep loss for today’s society, especially for teenagers and young adults. Without a good night’s rest, you are at a higher risk for developing diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and distress.

Don’t be at risk and practice healthy sleep habits:

• Keep a consistent sleep schedule, and don’t switch it up on the weekends.
• Turn off technology at least an hour before you go to bed and don’t put your phone, tablet, or computer close to wear you sleep.
• Be active daily. This will naturally tire you out.
• Eat healthy and don’t eat junk food close to bed time.
• Don’t consume caffeine or alcohol close to bed time.
• Have a comfortable mattress and pillow to sleep on.

Here is a link through Consumer Report to help you decide the best pillow and mattress type for you.

Heat health is extremely important in the summer. Staying hydrated and wearing sunblock can prevent you from getting heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion. Children and adults 65 and older are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.

Here are some ways to stay cool in the summer heat:

• Drink plenty of water, even if you are not thirty.
• Wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or greater, even when it is not hot outside. The sun’s rays can harm you all year round.
• Wear light weight and light colored clothing.
• Wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B rays.
• Limit the amount of time you are outdoors. If you have to be outdoors for work, be sure to take frequent breaks in a shaded area.
• Never leave someone unattended in a vehicle.
• Check on children and older adults frequently.

Here are some of our related blogs on heat and sunglass safety.

Along with heat safety, it is important to stay hydrated. Recently, there has been a debate on whether water or energy drinks are better to stay hydrated. According to Harvard Health Publishing, water is the way to go. Sports drink have unnecessary calories and sugar intake. Though, they may seem like a popular drink, they are not the best in nutrients. Stay hydrated this summer and choose water.

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Sleep Foundation, Consumer Reports, and Harvard Health Publishing were used for this blog entry.