Author Archive:


The Pack Man: Get Outside Hiking Tips

Published by in Fitness, Health on June 5th, 2014

Celebrate June by going for a hike on one of many local or national trails in your area. First, make sure you have packed properly. Below are necessary items for basic packs/day trips. Once you have your basic pack ready, you can build from there.

Determining what to take depends on where you will be hiking and the duration of the hike.

The basics according to Jeff Wetherington from the Suite101.com backpacking website are:

  1. Hiking boots or quality walking shoes with an extra pair of socks
  2. Backpack or daypack—how big depends on how long your trip will be.
  3. Proper clothing—remember to layer if you are beginning in chilly weather and ending in warm weather and vice versa. A simple type of rain/wind gear can be beneficial.
  4. Water—It is the best form of hydration, 2 quarts per person, more if you are hiking in a dry area or for more than a half day.
  5. Food—Make a little extra just in case.
  6. Map/Compass or GPS.
  7. First Aid Kit and a multi tool.
  8. Sunscreen/Insect repellent.
  9. Your Identification.
  10. Ziploc baggies/toilet paper&mdash”Leave no trace” motto meaning leave Mother Nature beautiful and take home your garbage.

Above all, make sure to tell someone if you are hiking alone when you will return or even in a group, someone needs to know where you are.

Smart wool socks are a great addition to anyone’s closet and there are many all purpose hiking shoes/boots out there; just make sure you are comfortable. As noted in the above listing, layering is key. You can always take off or put on clothing as needed

Food was mentioned above. Simple, small and nutritious is the best. Some suggestions: GORP also known as gobs of raisins and peanuts (have fun creating and adding your own elements to the mix); real jerk (jerky); fresh fruit like apples, hard cheese and crackers. The site www.outdoorplaces.com is an excellent reference for information on where to hike and gives more detailed information.

Now that you have your pack basics; let’s go hiking! A great local resource is a state gazetteer. It features everything from hiking, biking, camping, fishing, natural/historic landmarks and food manufacturing, places to see—all in your state! Travelling with this giant map is great because adventure is at your fingertips and many times free. It also enables you to familiarize yourself with the beauty within your state.

If you are fortunate enough to live close to national parks and mountains, you can use www.npca.org or www.thebackpacker.com/trails websites. The backpacker is a monthly publication that features local and national hiking/backpacking trails and gives information on anything you want to know about this outdoor activity.

Remember to don your boots and get outdoors! Discover something new in your state that will provide a great memory!

Posted By National Wellness Institute, Tuesday, June 01, 2010
Updated: Friday, December 28, 2012

Tags: , , ,

What is Your State of Mind Today?

Published by in Corporate Wellness on May 27th, 2014

Physical health is often the focus when discussing health and well-being. Exercise and healthy eating are frequent priorities, but when does mental health receive attention? Professor Barbara Sahakian from the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine recommends mental health be a priority similar to physical health to decrease mental disorders.

An estimated 25 percent of adults experience a mental condition each year—a large portion of the disorders stemming from depression and anxiety. Maintaining brain health is important to decrease psychological health risks as well as improve well-being. If mental disorders go untreated, conditions can worsen and become more difficult to treat. While physical activity has benefits on cognition and physical health, being aware of one’s mental health is important to maintain psychological well-being.

Regularly reflecting on one’s overall health can decrease the incidence of mental disorders and help an individual to recognize when certain dimensions of wellness need more focus. Setting aside time every month to journal, meditate, or contemplate the current state of individual mental health can prevent conditions before other aspects of life are affected.

A few symptoms of mental disorders can include extreme mood changes, excessive anger, feelings of sadness, and changes in eating habits. For more information on signs and symptoms of mental disorders, visit the Mayo Clinic website.

While only health professionals can give a diagnosis of mental disorders, review this overview on depression from the Mayo Clinic to help understand mood symptoms and options for treatment.

Posted By National Wellness Institute, Friday, March 01, 2013
Updated: Thursday, February 28, 2013

Article by Kelli Oligney, Associate Editor

Reference: Maul, G. (February 17, 2013). Get your brain fit. Bio-Medicine. Retrieved on February 18, 2013, from http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Get-your-brain-fit-100293-1

Tags: , , ,

Meet WellAdvantage’s Director of Coaching Programs Sherry Del Giorno

Published by in Corporate Wellness on May 20th, 2014

Sherry Del Giorno, CHC, CPT, is a director of coaching programs at WellAdvantage where she trains coaches through the WellAdvantage Coaching Institute. She co-created this evidence-based training program with Liz Clark, her WellAdvantage colleague, and enjoys teaching other wellness professionals how to motivate and inspire others. Ms. Del Giorno obtained her health coach certification through the American Council of Exercise (ACE) and her wellness coach certification from WellAdvantage, Inc.

Director Coaching ProgramMs. Del Giorno is a Certified Personal Trainer with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). As an American Academy of Health and Fitness (AAHF) Senior Fit Personal Trainer, she works with seniors and recognizes the importance of health, nutrition and fitness to maintain and improve one’s quality of life. She is also an American Lung Association-certified Freedom From Smoking® Facilitator and is currently working on a nutrition certification through ACE.

In addition to overseeing the coaching staff, Ms. Del Giorno engages in both individual and group coaching relationships. She enjoys helping individuals make life-changing wellness choices and the dimension of group dynamics where people empower each other.

Ms. Del Giorno is also a health educator for WellAdvantage and makes presentations on nutrition, fitness, stress, smoking cessation and behavior modification topics.

Ms. Del Giorno received a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, with a concentration in nutrition. In the community, she spent 12 years as a campaign manager for a state delegate and served many years in the local school board, PTA’s and curriculum councils.

Active in the Stephen Ministry, Ms. Del Giorno has extensive training as a Christian caregiver  and serves as a leader in Bible studies and other activities at her local church. In this role as a Christian caregiver, she is inspired to see how reliance on faith can help people journey through difficult times. She also integrates the power of one’s faith into behavior modification and trains other health and wellness coaches how to incorporate faith components into their coaching.

Ms. Del Giorno resides in Eldersburg, Md., with her husband of 30 years. They have three grown daughters and a son-in-law. She enjoys playing tennis, golf, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Introducing the WellAdvantage Coaching Institute™

Published by in Press Releases on May 12th, 2014

Today marks an exciting time for all of us at WellAdvantage as we embark on a new dimension of health and wellness services with the launch of the WellAdvantage Coaching Institute™.

WellAdvantage, CoachingDeveloped in response to increasing demand from individuals and corporations for personalized help in creating the behavior changes needed to bring about lasting improvements in health and wellness, the Institute represents the continual growth of WellAdvantage’s benefits-oriented services to clients.

We invite you to visit our new website at welladvantagecoaching.com. There you will find information about the coaching programs offered to both individuals and groups, including a special free trial offer for those seeking personal wellness coaching. While exploring our new website, we invite you to sign up for our free newsletter and download a copy of our new cookbook, WellFed: 10 Recipes for a Healthy Lifestyle.

Tags: , ,

WellAdvantage Online makes employee health education easy and accessible

Published by in Corporate Wellness, Fitness, Health, Nutrition on May 6th, 2014

For companies participating in WellAdvantage’s Employee-Driven Preventive Health Programs, the WellAdvantage Online Web portal provides a host of tools designed to assist individuals in monitoring their health. The portal also tracks individual wellness-related activities and keeps employees up to date on company health-related events.

Access to the secure portal is provided to employees. Individuals then set up their accounts using a confidential user name and password.

Just by logging onto WellAdvantage Online, employees can:

  • Download the wellness mobile app
  • Connect a FitBit® device
  • Look at their individual biometric results
  • Use health tools, such as food and exercise planners and logs
  • Register for events
  • Talk to a coach, dietician, or personal trainer
  • Track their individual incentive points

In addition to these great features, the portal displays real time company-wide health challenge statistics and offers a complete health library with videos, recipes and quick links to valuable resources.

Companies interested in establishing a Web portal for their employees can learn more at: https://www.welladvantage.com/services/web-platform/

Tags: , , ,

Get smart about your health. Give yourself a SMART goal.

Published by in Fitness, Health on April 29th, 2014

Chances are, you’ve heard of SMART goals. Long used in the corporate world, many of us have started setting them to achieve personal objectives – especially when we make the decision to begin the journey to wellness.

At WellAdvantage, we encourage our clients to set SMART goals for their personal wellness visions. In fact, clients who begin a wellness regimen by setting SMART goals are far more likely to achieve success than those who take a more casual, undocumented approach or those who try to achieve too much, too soon.

But exactly what are SMART goals and what makes them a smart choice for you?

Let’s dive into this acronym. We think you’ll be amazed at its simplicity.

S SpecificSimply state your goal, being as specific as you can. Note what you’ll do and when you’ll do it. Write down the days of the week and times, and any specific details that will help you manage your goal. For example, if you want to exercise, note your type of activity and what days and times you’ll be doing it – schedule it like a doctor’s appointment.

 
M MeasurableMake sure your goal is measurable. How will you measure it? How will you know when you have accomplished your goal?

 
A Attainable / Action-OrientedIs your goal challenging, but still possible to achieve? What actions do you need to take in order to achieve your goal?

 
R Realistic / RelevantIs your goal realistic to achieve with your available resources? Are you willing to commit to it? Why do you want to reach your goal? Is your goal relevant to your life’s purpose and your big picture? Will achieving your goal help you lead the life you want to have?

 
T Time-BoundWhen do you want to reach your goal? Are you able to track the progress you are making toward it?

 

Examples of SMART goals

On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, I will pack my bag with gym clothes in the morning and go to the gym directly after work. I will work out using the elliptical for 30 minutes.

To help me lose 5 pounds:

  • I will journal my food for the entire day on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays and stay under my allotment of 1400 calories.
  • I will plan my weekday meals and make my grocery list by Friday evening, so I can shop on Saturday mornings for the next week.
  • I will not eat after 7 p.m. on weekdays, except for hot tea, water or one piece of fruit.

Take the first step!

Health and wellness are your most important assets. Following these guidelines for setting and pursuing your SMART goals is the first step toward achieving the healthy life you want to lead.

Tags: , ,

Meet WellAdvantage’s Director of Coaching Programs Liz Clark

Published by in Corporate Wellness on April 24th, 2014

WellAdvantage Director of CoachingLiz Clark, CHC, RYT, is a director of coaching programs at WellAdvantage. Ms. Clark obtained her health coach certification through the American Council on Exercise and her wellness coach certification through WellAdvantage, Inc. She is also a certified American Lung Association Freedom from Smoking Facilitator.

Passionate about wellness, Ms. Clark has dedicated her career to helping others be their happiest and healthiest.  She understands how empowering it is to work with clients, and is committed to helping individuals realize their vision of becoming their best selves.

In addition to working with clients, Ms. Clark trains coaches through the WellAdvantage Coaching Institute, a training program she created in collaboration with her WellAdvantage co-director, Sherry Del Giorno. She is excited to nurture other health and wellness specialists through their process of professional growth.

Ms. Clark has a long history of guiding others in their health and wellness journey In addition to health coaching, she has been teaching yoga for nearly 15 years. A certified yoga instructor , she was trained by the internationally renowned YogaKids Intl, Inc.™ and the Yoga Center of Columbia, Md.  Registered with the Yoga Alliance, Ms. Clark teaches a wide range of classes for children and adults, and specializes in using yoga as a catalyst for creating positive changes in life.

Bridging her two areas of interest and expertise, Ms. Clark is currently developing a yoga, meditation and breath-work series designed to work in conjunction with a smoking cessation program. This cutting-edge project is evidence based and experiential in nature. Ms. Clark and her WellAdvantage colleague Cathy Rees are tracking data on the effectiveness of the program and hope to present research on the topic next year.

Ms. Clark also has 25 years of marketing experience in the health and wellness industry.  Working as director of marketing for the Council for Relationships in Philadelphia, she gained a broad range of experience from website design to advertising to program management. She also marketed her own yoga business for many years.

Married for 23 years with a daughter in college, Ms. Clark resides in Sykesville, Md.  When she is not working with clients, she enjoys dancing, singing, water recreation, and spending time with family and friends.

Workplace biometric screening alerts employee to life-threating high blood pressure risk

Published by in Corporate Wellness, Health on April 22nd, 2014

WellAdvantage conducts many workplace health and wellness programs that benefit both employees and their employers.

Some attendees simply come to obtain information or learn more about the benefits offered through their company or health provider. Many take advantage of the special services and testing. In the case of one employee, a casual visit turned into a life-saving experience.

Emory went to a biometric screening conducted by WellAdvantage, his company’s wellness provider. The nurse at the screening informed him that his blood pressure was extremely high. She was ready to call 911 and recommended that he go immediately to the hospital.

Emory declined the nurse’s offer to make the emergency call, but took her advice to spend some calm time in his office and return to have his blood pressure rechecked. When he returned, his blood pressure was still dangerously high.

Emory immediately went to an urgent care facility, where the providers recommended he go to the hospital’s emergency room. He declined admission to the hospital, but immediately followed up with his doctor. He has been taking medication for his condition ever since.

It appears the simple act of attending a company-held biometric screening allowed Emory to avoid a potentially life-altering stroke and other consequences related to high blood pressure. The doctors believe Emory’s high blood pressure may have been the cause of the recurring headaches experienced prior to his diagnosis.

Emory is grateful that his company offered this screening … and that he decided to attend. His participation potentially saved his life!

Tags: , ,

WellAdvantage CEO honored among “Maryland’s Top 100 Women”

Published by in Corporate Wellness on April 9th, 2014

WellAdvantage CEO Jeanne Puglisi Sherwood has been named to The Daily Record’s list of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women.” The list, now in its 18th year, recognizes outstanding achievement by women as demonstrated through professional accomplishments, community leadership and mentoring.

“I am honored to be among such a distinguished group of women,” said Ms. Sherwood. “This represents a great achievement on both a personal level as well as for the power of women-owned business in our state. I’m proud to have such a dedicated group of WellAdvantage employees on our team.”

Maryland’s Top 100 Women

WellAdvantage CEO named to The Daily Record’s list of “Maryland’s Top 100 Women.”

Ms. Sherwood, a registered nurse, founded WellAdvantage in 2001. Based in Sykesville, Md., the company provides clients with access to activities, services and education to promote healthier lifestyles. Working with employers, insurance companies and individuals, WellAdvantage offers innovative, customized programs that cover fitness and exercise, stress reduction, smoking cessation and healthy eating through workplace programs and one-on-one coaching.

More than 370 nominations were received this year. A panel of judges, made up on business professionals and past award winners, reviewed the applications and selected the 2014 honorees. The awards will be presented at an evening reception May 5 at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore and profiled in the May 9 issue of The Daily Record.

“Each of Maryland’s Top 100 Women honorees is different in some way from one another, yet all share a common goal–to inspire those around them to be the best,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. “Women are an amazing resource for our state, and The Daily Record is honored to recognize their accomplishments.”

Tags: , ,

Does Daily Stress Affect Mental Health?

Published by in Health, Stress on April 8th, 2014

Is it true that what doesn’t kill us makes us stronger? Many people believe daily stress builds strength and helps endure future obstacles; however, University of California, Irvine, psychological scientist Susan Charles suggests that daily stress may not build strength and actually negatively influences long-term mental health.

Charles’s study (released April 2, 2013) used data from two national surveys that focused on daily obstacles and the mental health impacts on participants after 10 years. Researchers discovered that mental health was affected similarly by small life experiences compared to major events. Small issues such as an argument at home influenced the future of participants’ mental health.

Those who properly manage daily stress lead happier and healthier lives. Managing stress takes practice as the pressures of life can be overwhelming at times. Incorporating daily stress management can benefit future mental health and decrease psychological distress. Use the following ideas and methods to help manage everyday stress:

  • Determine whether stress is internal or external. If you are constantly dwelling on the negative and worried about things beyond your control, this is internal (self-generated) stress. Recognizing the form of stress you have can help you control stress.
  • Engage your senses for immediate stress relief. Using sight, sound, scent, taste, and touch can decrease stress levels. While some individuals may relax to music, others may find the scent of a candle helps them unwind.
  • Stress relief takes practice, so if one management technique does not work for you, try something else.
  • Is stress keeping you awake at night? If so, using a white-noise machine may be beneficial and help you conquer stressful tasks the following day.
  • Maintain a network of friends who you can talk to about your stress. Surrounding yourself with positive friends can decrease anxiety and increase optimism during stressful events.

Posted By National Wellness Institute, Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Article by Kelli Oligney, Associate Editor

Reference:
Mikulak, A. (April 2, 2013). Negative emotions in response to daily stress take a toll on long-term mental health. Retrieved on April 2, 2013, from http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/negative-emotions-in-response-to-daily-stress-take-a-toll-on-long-term-mental-health.html

Segal, J., Smith, M., and Robinson, L. (March 2013). Quick Stress Relief. Help Guide. Retrieved on April 17, 2013, from http://www.helpguide.org/toolkit/quick_stress_relief.htm

Tags: , , ,
© 2023 WellAdvantage