Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2016)
How to avoid unhealthy habits at the oi ce neck for looking at the com- puter screen. Get out of your chair, walk around the offi ce and get the blood moving in your body. • Pack your lunch. Bringing lunch to work puts you in greater control over the foods you are eating. You can pack a healthy and diverse selection of foods. Don’t forget to also Getting up and moving around is key to good health while on the job. bring some snacks that offer a healthy mix of protein and possible to get up and leave your carbohydrates to keep your energy offi ce. Instead of sending an in- levels up. Otherwise, you may stant message or making a phone succumb to the temptation of the call to a coworker, visit him or her lunchroom snack machine. in person. Use your lunch hour • Take frequent breaks. Stale air to get outside instead of eating at inside an offi ce environment can your desk. Plan a brief, mid-after- make you feel fatigued and less noon walk outside of your offi ce productive. Also, spending too to clear your mind and get some much time behind your desk may fresh air. contribute to feelings of stress and • Disinfect surfaces often. Of- tension. Use every opportunity tentimes, when one person at the offi ce gets sick, many others soon follow. Colds and the fl u can Brightening Lives One Smile at a Time spread rapidly in close quarters. Keep your desk drawer stocked with some alcohol swabs or disin- fecting spray and routinely clean your keyboard, mouse, touch- screen, and desk surfaces. You also can wipe off door handles and knobs around the offi ce if you want to be proactive. • Rest your eyes. Close your eyes and look away from the computer monitor every 20 minutes. Focus- ing on objects of varying distanc- es can help keep the eyes strong and reduce fatigue. It’s not diffi cult to remain healthy at work. Breaks, exercise and watching what you eat can help. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, work- ing professionals spend an aver- age of 8.5 hours per day at work. Many professionals spend much of their time at work sitting down in front of a computer, which can be detrimental to long-term health. Staying sedentary for long peri- ods of time can contribute to a host of health ailments, including being overweight and obese. But professionals who work in offi ces can take various steps to ensure all that time at work is not having an adverse affect on their overall health. • Get out of your seat. Modern workplaces are built around sit- ting, so workers must fi nd some time to stand up and stretch. Sitting too long can compromise posture and lead to craning of the Douglas G. Maddess, DMD See our new website: douglasgmaddessdmd.com 2 Handling Valentine’s Day when you have diabetes Celebrating a holiday can be challenging for those with diabetes, as sweet treats are a part of many holiday celebrations. Come Valentine’s Day, chocolates, candy and rich desserts can often be found on the menu, which can prove problematic for those who have to watch their blood-glu- cose levels. Diabetics may be tempted to indulge in too many sugary foods on Valentine’s Day. Fortunately individuals do not have to put their health in jeopardy in the name of Valentine’s Day, as there are many healthy ways to celebrate with some minor tweaks. • Focus on fun, not food. Rather than mak- ing food the focus of the day, shift your attention to all the fun things you can do with your valentine. Fill the day with ac- tivities such as ice skating or sightseeing. Even though the weather may be cold, it’s possible to enjoy the great outdoors. Dress appropriately and enjoy a walk in the park, or do something out of the ordinary, like sledding. If you must retreat indoors, watch a romantic movie. • Plan ahead when changing your diet. It’s often possible to work small amounts of a particular dessert or food into your normal meal plan by adjusting what you eat for the rest of the day. If you plan ahead for a bite of chocolate, you can balance out sugar levels by eliminating something else. Keep tabs on your sugar levels throughout the day, and always weigh the benefi ts and drawbacks of the foods you eat. • Include smart substitutions. Many favor- ite foods are available in low-sugar or sug- arless varieties that are diabetic-friendly. Lean toward low-carb offerings and foods that are relatively low in fat. Baking your own treats or cooking your own meals will give you greater control over the ingredi- ents used in your recipes, and that can pay big dividends in terms of health. • Send nonfood items into the classroom. Diabetes affects people of all ages. When sending valentines into the class for chil- dren, do not accompany the cards with chocolate kisses or other candies. Instead, choose toys or keepsakes, such as heart- shaped erasers or scented stickers. Moderation is key when managing diabe- tes around Valentine’s Day. Place a greater emphasis on time spent together, entertain- ment and socialization rather than poten- tially unhealthy treats. 2016 Health & Wellness
