August 2017

Work & Well-beingMaking Great CompaniesBetter Places to Work

Celebrate Family Health Month: Protect Against InfectionsThe Centers for Disease Control estimates that vaccines given to children born between 1994 and 2013 will prevent 223 million illnesses and help avoid 732,000 deaths. Celebrate Family Health Month by making sure you and your family take responsibility for preventing and spreading infections.

• Wash your hands often. • Follow your doctor’s advice for vaccines. Visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines for a complete list of recommended vaccines for children and adults alike.

• Get a yearly flu vaccine. • Stay home when you are sick. • Keep foods safe to eat by using clean hands, surfaces and utensils during food preparation. Store food that can spoil between 14 and 40 degrees F, depending on the type of food.

Work & Well-being a monthly publication for clients of The Solutions Group

EAP: 505.254.3555 | 866.254.3555 Wellness: 505.923.54291240 Pennsylvania NE Albuquerque, NM 87119www.solutionsbiz.com

Children’s Eye Health & Safety

Family Health Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

HealthObservances AUGUST

Health Fact _______________________________More than 90% of children get vaccines they need, but only 39% of adults do.

Brush Up on Proper Handwashing TechniquesA recent study by Michigan State University researchers found that only 5% of people washed their hands long enough to kill the germs that can lead to infection. Of the 3,749 people observed in public restrooms, 33% did not use soap and 10% didn’t wash their hands at all. Brush up on proper handwashing techniques with these tips:

• Use clean water and soap. • Lather your hands all over. Don’t forget to include your palms, between your fingers, the backs of your hands and fingers, the base of your thumbs, your fingernails and your wrists.

• Take at least 20 seconds each time you wash. Track time by humming “Happy Birthday” twice through.

• Rinse your hands with clean running water. • Dry your hands with an air drier or clean towel.

Work & Well-being a monthly publication for clients of The Solutions Group

EAP: 855.231.7737 Wellness: 505.923.54291240 Pennsylvania NE Albuquerque, NM 87119www.solutionsbiz.com EAP Login: SONMEAP

Work & Well-being

Food Focus: CinnamonPrized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years, cinnamon has recently taken center stage as a commonly used nutritional gem that offers a multitude of evidence-based health benefits.

Cinnamon is an abundant source of protective antioxidants, which help to defend against neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as protection against DNA damage, cell mutation and cancerous tumor growth. The spice has anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial in pain management including muscle soreness, pre-menstrual syndrome pain, and even the severity of allergic reactions. Cinnamon can reduce heart disease and the risk factors associated with it, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. It helps to fight diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and improving

sensitivity to the hormone insulin, necessary for keeping blood sugar levels in balance. The essential oils in cinnamon have been shown to boost immunity by inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungal infections. It also improves dental health and freshens breath by protecting against mouth infections.

Not all cinnamon is created equal, so choose Ceylon or “true” cinnamon for optimal health benefits.

This month, Guest Blogger Dr. Emiliana Simon-Thomas shares her insights on “Why Happiness at Work Matters,” the first article in a three-part series on happiness. Dr. Simon-Thomas is the Science Director at the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at UC Berkeley and the keynote speaker at The Solutions Group Annual Wellness Event on September 8.

Be our guest at The Solutions Group’s third annual wellness event, where we’ll make the scientific connection between happiness, health, compassion,

relationships and much more. If you’re interested or involved in employee wellness, this event is for you!

The Science of HappinessKeynote Speaker

Emiliana Simon-Thomas, Ph.D. Science Director,

Greater Good Science Center

Guest Speaker Dale Maxwell

President and CEO, Presbyterian Healthcare Services

Friday, September 8, 2017, 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Presbyterian Rev. Hugh Cooper Center Auditorium

Lunch included. Space is limited! Reserve your spot today!

Earn Continuing Education Credits when you attend this event!

Human Resources Certification Institute National Commission for Health Education Credentialing (NCHEC)

New Mexico Nurses’ Association Accredited Approver Unit (NMNA AAU) Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)

State Based Services (National Association of Insurance Commissioners)

Why Happiness at Work Matters A prevailing theme among working adults today is work-life balance. How can we get everything done at work and at home and still find time to enjoy our relationships, creative endeavors, get enough rest and exercise? While we cannot change the number of hours in each day, research suggests that there are things we can do to bring more happiness into each of the hours we have, for the benefit of ourselves, our productivity, our communities, and the organizations we work in.

Studies that examine well-being at work report that happier workers are more committed to their workplaces, escalate into positions of leadership more quickly, are more productive, and take fewer sick days. People who work in happier workplaces struggle less with work-life balance, and don’t subscribe to the work = bad ideology. They feel fulfilled, effective, and have a greater sense of belonging and purpose, which makes working time well-spent.

Prioritizing happiness at work is a way to shift the trajectory away from frazzle and burnout, and toward an integrated experience where work is a constructive ingredient of, rather than a weight against, our potential for a richly satisfying and meaningful life.

Read the full blog here.