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(This is an example of the weekly newsletters that go out to all users of The EdLogics Platform, a gamified space that improves employee engagement and health literacy. Contact us to learn how to get access for your organization.)
Hot enough that 90 degrees feels easy and breezy by comparison. Hot enough that I feel like I’m melting into an oozy puddle as I flop on the floor in front of my laughably inadequate portable AC unit, battling 115-degree temps and large, south-facing windows.
Outside, the plants and trees are scorched by direct sunlight and baked by the heat rising from the pavement. And not just the plants — in some parts of the country, the pavement and sidewalks are so hot they’re causing serious burns in people and pets.
It gets worse. Last year, more than 2,300 people in the US died from heat-related illnesses, the most in 45 years. This year is shaping up to be even hotter — and summer’s only half over.
So take the scorching temps seriously. Here are some tips that can help you protect yourself and your loved ones:
Log in now. Learn ways to stay safe from extreme heat and other threats.
(This is an example of the weekly newsletters that go out to all users of The EdLogics Platform, a gamified space that improves employee engagement and health literacy. Contact us to learn how to get access for your organization.)
I quit smoking. For good now.
It’s an odd feeling. This has happened a few times:
“I thought you quit?” my friend would say as I reached, again, for my NYC-priced Camel Blues (at that time, $15 a pack 😱).
“Sure,” I’d say. “I quit lots of times.”
Undermining, of course, the whole notion of quitting. That’s the nature of bad habits.
You know smoking’s not good for you. It hurts others. It’s expensive. And that’s nothing compared to the cancer, COPD, asthma, or heart disease you’ll almost certainly get. Diseases you can easily avoid by not smoking.
Believe me. I feel for you. More than once, I’ve decided, triumphantly, to finally quit smoking — and then reached for the next one within the same 30-second span.
It’s humbling. And it’s made it easier to empathize with, rather than judge, those who suffer from addiction.
I haven’t smoked for over 9 years now. Haven’t even wanted to. How’d I do it?
Everyone who quits will do it their own way. In my case, I took up yoga.
For someone who smoked, it was miserable at first. I was gasping for breath, dizzy, and inflexible. But that post-yoga feeling was unlike anything I’d ever experienced — wrung out, calm, happy, at peace — and I didn’t want to trade it for anything.
Not even cigarettes.
That’s the true power of habit — on both sides of the coin. Sure, it’s easy to slip into bad habits, to talk yourself into self-indulgence. But it’s also easy to develop, and stick to, good habits.
Once you get in the habit. 😉
It doesn’t have to be hot yoga (but try it!) — just anything that gets the monkey off your back. Get your mind off cigarette cravings with a quick walk. Ten push-ups. A game on your phone. A phone call to friends or family. A carrot. A handstand. A song and dance. Whatever it takes
The sooner you quit, the lower your risk for painful disease, hospital bills, and bitter regrets.
Log in now. Peruse our new slideshow: “What Happens When You Quit Smoking Tobacco.” The health benefits start within minutes — and will last you the rest of your (now longer) life.
Check back soon to see more updates on the Smoking Cessation learning page!
Your everyday choices matter more than you might think. In fact, daily habits have a bigger impact on your health than your race, gender, environment, family history, income, or any other single factor. Learn how to swap bad habits for healthier ones — and reap the rewards.
This is an example of the engaging healthcare infographics available to users of The EdLogics Platform, a gamified space that improves employee engagement and health literacy.
View, share, download, and print our huge collection of free infographics on a variety of topics, from preventing and managing common health problems to navigating the healthcare system.
Contact us to learn how to get access for your organization.
A version of this post was first published 1/9/2018.
igh blood pressure affects almost all of us as we age. But our habits and genetics can make it come at a younger age and cause more serious problems. African-Americans have a higher risk of high blood pressure, and suffer more of the complications.
Without treatment, high blood pressure can lead to:
➡️ Heart attack: Damaged arteries stop blood from reaching the heart.
➡️ Stroke: Blocked or burst blood vessels don’t bring blood and oxygen to the brain.
➡️ Heart failure: The heart can’t pump enough blood through the body.
➡️ Kidney disease: Damaged arteries around the kidneys make it hard for them to clean the blood.
➡️ Vision loss: Damaged blood vessels keep the eyes from working properly.
➡️ Sexual problems: Damaged blood vessels can cause erectile dysfunction and low sex drive.
➡️ Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Narrowed arteries in the legs, arms, stomach, and head cause pain and fatigue.
In the US, high blood pressure contributes to almost 1,900 deaths every single day.
➡️ In fact, in the US alone ...
7 in 10 people who have their 1st HEART ATTACK ...
8 in 10 people who have their 1st STROKE ...
7 in 10 people with CHRONIC HEART FAILURE ...
... also have HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, according to the CDC. ⬅️
This is an example of the engaging healthcare infographics available to users of The EdLogics Platform, a gamified space that improves employee engagement and health literacy.
View, share, download, and print our huge collection of free infographics on a variety of topics, from preventing and managing common health problems to navigating the healthcare system.
Contact us to learn how to get access for your organization.