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What’s In and What’s Out When It Comes to Your Health

Your small, daily habits add up to larger lifestyle choices that influence your health. It’s important to take stock of your daily habits and evaluate where you have room to grow. We’ve compiled a “what’s in and out” list to help you think through areas where it’s common to struggle with unhealthy behaviors. Check out these simple yet effective ways to replace these habits with healthier alternatives.

In: Good sleep 
Out: Stress and sleep deprivation 

Sleep plays a pivotal role in so many aspects of our health, from keeping our minds strong to warding off illness and disease. Unfortunately, many people fail to get the sleep they need, and an estimated 50 to 70 million people in the U.S. have a sleep disorder. Adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep each night — and the quality of that sleep is crucial. Here are three relaxation techniques to help you fall asleep! 

In: Pleasure Reading 
Out: Binge-watching and doom-scrolling 

In a sea of streaming video and ever-present screens, doom-scrolling and binge-watching are often the entertainment of choice above the more old-school option of reading a book. But research says reading can provide a healthy distraction from life’s day-to-day worries and pressures while also making us smarter, happier, and even more empathetic toward others. Audiobooks are an excellent way to read while engaging in physical activities like walking or exercising. There are free audiobook resources available, such as Librivox, OverDrive, and Audible‘s free trial, which offer a wide range of titles to choose from without any cost.

In: Homemade meals 
Out: Eating out and ordering in 

People are looking for fast and tasty foods to fit busy lifestyles. But whether you’re eating carryout or sit-down restaurant cuisine, researchers say you’ll consume about 200 more calories a day and more saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium than if you made your meals. Cooking at home, however, helps you avoid these pitfalls and is an opportunity for creativity, togetherness, and cost-cutting. 

Looking to improve your cooking skills? Need recipe ideas that are not only healthy but also affordable and simple to make? The VEBA Resource Center offers free in-person and virtual cooking classes to learn how to cook meals from our extensive recipe library.  

In: Saying no 
Out: Always hustling 

Sometimes, your body, mind, or heart sends a message that it needs time off. It’s important to heed that call, especially if it’s coming from all three at once. Occasionally saying no to an invite, request or assignment is a true form of self-care, which can lead to reduced stress; improved mood, immunity, and self-esteem; and a variety of other physical, mental, and emotional health benefits. 

In: Sober curiosity 
Out: Regularly drinking 

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, drinking can take a serious toll on your body. Limiting how much you drink or taking a complete break from drinking, what some refer to as being “sober curious,” can help boost your immunity, limit your risk of disease, lead to weight loss, and improve your sleep, concentration, energy, performance, skin health, and even your relationships. 

In: Hygge 
Out: FOMO 

Everyone occasionally experiences FOMO, or the fear of missing out, but going to every social event can be exhausting and expensive and can lead to overindulgence in food and alcohol. Instead, consider enjoying more “hygge,” a concept originating in Denmark and Norway, which means to take time away from the daily rush to be together with people you care about — or even by yourself — to relax and enjoy life’s quieter pleasures.” 

California Schools VEBA’s Self-Regulation Toolkit is a great starting point with daily 5-minute activities that will help you use your time more mindfully!  

In: Digital detox 
Out: Endless screen time 

On average, Americans spend more than seven hours looking at a screen. And most use their smartphones for over three and a half hours every day — not counting when they’re talking to someone. All this screen time can have negative effects on your health, both physical and mental, which is why experts recommend no more than two hours of screen time per day. Here are some tips to regulate phone use more healthily. 

In: Authentic friendships 
Out: Accumulating social media “friends” 

Friendship is good for your health. When you’re with friends, your body releases the hormone oxytocin, which combats stress and creates calm. And the more time spent with friends, the less likely you are to develop health issues and dementia. But creating and sustaining friendships takes commitment far beyond “liking” the occasional post. One study found it takes hundreds of hours — all worth it — to become true friends. 

In: Movement every day 
Out: Overexercising 

The CDC recommends adults get at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity activity each week. However, you don’t need to spend hours in the gym to meet this goal. Thirty minutes a day, just five days a week will do the trick. Pushing your limits can lead to poor performance and health problems, including overuse and stress injuries, too much weight loss, and decreased immune performance. 

VEBA members can sign up for live classes, in-person and virtually, available seven days a week! There’s also a video library of on-demand classes you can access anytime, anywhere. 

In: Water 
Out: Caffeine-laden energy drinks 

Water is an ideal choice for hydration. While some people prefer sports drinks over water because of the taste and added electrolytes, the standard sports drink contains 140 calories, 34 grams of added sugar, and 270 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, excess caffeine can be harmful, causing changes in heart rate, increased blood pressure, anxiety, sleep and digestive issues, headaches, and dehydration. 

Embracing changes like these will have a profound and positive impact on your overall well-being in the long term. Now, what’s on your list? If you’re unsure where to start, California Schools VEBA has developed a library of downloadable resources to equip you with the support you need to navigate your health and well-being journey. As they say, out with the old, in with the new!

Thank you to our content partners at Sharp HealthCare.

7 Important Health Tips for Women

The foundation of good health is the same no matter what your age is! For National Women’s Health Week, VEBA is emphasizing the importance of taking care of your health, especially to those with underlying health conditions. We encourage all women and girls to take the following steps to make their health a priority not only this week, but all year long!

Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

Take care of your body and mind by talking to your healthcare provider. Whether you have concerns about COVID-19, ongoing or sudden health issues, or if stress seems to be getting in the way of your daily activities, it is important to always stay connected with your healthcare provider for these concerns. If you are nervous about talking to your healthcare provider, the National Institutes of Health offers advice and tips.

Get Recommended Screenings and Preventive Care

Regular check-ups are important to prevent disease, disability, and injuries. During the pandemic, fewer people have been keeping up with their routine check-ups. VEBA’s Co-Medical Director, Dr. Lee Remington-Boone, explains why it’s critical and safe to see your doctor.

By getting preventive services and screenings, women can detect problems early so that any necessary treatment is more effective. Talk to your doctor to find out what screenings and exams you need and when.

Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Nutrition is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. The basics of healthy eating and good nutrition starts by limiting your intake of unhealthy foods. This includes eating more fruits and vegetables, and cooking at home more each week. Join our weekly cooking classes or browse for healthy recipes to make at home.

Women have unique nutritional needs compared to men, such as needing more vitamins and minerals during pregnancy or after menopause. Fiber is also super important for women’s health. Fiber helps lower the risk for diseases that affect many women, such as heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer. Learn more about these unique nutritional needs at WomensHealth.Gov.

Get Moving and Stay Active

Being physically active is one of the best and most important steps for staying healthy. By staying active, you lower your risk of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women. According to WomensHealth.Gov, everyone should be active for at least 30 minutes each day. These active 30 minutes should be in addition to normal activities of daily living.

To help you get moving, the VEBA Resource Center offers movement classes like HIIT Cardio, Strength Training, and Dance Fitness. All classes are great for all levels, so check out our class calendar and register for a class today!

Take Care of Your Mental Health

More than 1 in 5 women in the United States experienced a mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety, in the past year. As important as being active is for our health, we need to remember mental health is just as equally important. Prioritizing your mental health will help you improve your overall health and well-being.

With COVID-19, it is easy to get lost in the news and start to feel overwhelmed. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need a reset, we offer classes at the VEBA Resource Center to help, like Midday Mindfulness Refresh. These classes are designed to promote healing and restoration, and will help you improve your mindset in a calm, nurturing environment. View our class calendar for an upcoming class.

If you or someone you know is in need of mental health help, we have put together this list of local and national resources.

Find Healthy Ways to Manage Stress

Stress is a bodily reaction to either a change or a challenge. Long-term stress can lead to serious health conditions, so it is important to find healthy ways to manage stress. For women, stress can cause health problems such as migraines, depression, anxiety, problems getting pregnant, menstrual cycle problems, and heart problems.

Below are some videos to help with stress management:

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed and stressed, join our Yoga Therapy for Stress Management Classes. This class will teach you how stress and anxiety presents itself in the body, mind, and emotions. Learn effective tools to help manage and reduce your stress and anxiety through yoga poses and techniques. Check out our calendar to sign up for an upcoming class.

Practice Healthy Behaviors

Small actions and daily decisions to practice healthy behaviors can keep you safe and healthy. These small actions can include getting enough sleep, avoiding distracted driving, being smoke free, and monitoring your alcohol intake. If you need help overcoming obstacles and living healthier, meet with one of our Care Navigators who can help create a tailored plan for you.

It is not always easy to take the first steps toward better health, and every woman will have her own approach. The key is finding what works for you. Take time to reflect on your health goals, figure out what motivates you, and determine what’s holding you back from being your healthiest you.