What does supporting your mental health look like this season? The research shows that about 1 in 5 US adults will experience a mental illness at some point in their lives. Given the prevalence and our current body of knowledge to draw upon, it is recognized that mental health is more than the absence of a mental illness, rather it’s a vital part of our health, well-being, and quality of life.

What heart-healthy practices are you striving for this season during American Heart Month?

Are you feeling ready to freshen up your snack & meal options by adding a variety of veggies and plant-based foods this season?

Do you find that moving into a new year often coincides with plans to add exercise and physical activity into your life consistently?

To support our ongoing efforts during the pandemic, we can reconnect with the benefits that can substantially improve our overall health, well-being and quality of life along with understand the guidelines and COVID-19 considerations.

In a season of giving thanks during what may feel like a continuation of coping with challenges & adapting to change, what benefits can we derive from practicing gratitude? While similar to appreciation, the study of gratitude within the field of positive psychology provides us with an understanding on how we can experience gratitude in our daily lives.

Mental and emotional health and well-being are essential to our overall health. Positive mental and emotional health allow us to realize our full potential, cope with the stresses of life and work, create meaningful connections and contributions in our communities. Many of us are facing challenges that can feel stressful as the pandemic continues to impact our personal and professional lives with stress manifesting in different ways.

When talking about health and protection against chronic diseases, nutrition and lifestyle choices matter. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control (CDC), six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, such as heart disease and stroke, cancer, or diabetes.

The good news is that a nutritious, balanced diet is one health behavior in addition to physical activity, smoking cessation, and alcohol reduction that can help lessen the burden of disease. While recommendations and benefits derived from health-promoting nutritional and lifestyle choices can be varied and numerous, finding credible sources can feel challenging.

What better time than now to focus on boosting our immune system through lifestyle choices, particularly with exercise and physical activity. Stemming from research on exercise immunology beginning in the late 1980s, it is now widely accepted that regular bouts of short-lasting (<45 minutes) moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise are beneficial for immune defense, especially in older adults and individuals with chronic diseases (i.e., heart disease, obesity, diabetes).

While more than 34 million Americans have diabetes, another 88 million US adults (1 in 3) have prediabetes, a reversible-yet-serious health condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. A staggering 90% of adults with prediabetes do not know that they have it, unaware they’re at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Stats:

-250,000: The annual number of women in the U.S. who are diagnosed with breast cancer, the second most common cancer, behind skin cancer.

-50 and older: The age of women when most breast cancers are found, though younger women can also be affected by breast cancer.

-1 out of every 100: The approximate number of breast cancers diagnosed in the U.S. found in men.

Did you know that more than 102 million American adults have total cholesterol levels at or above 200 mg/dL, which is above healthy levels? Although the National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that adults aged 20 years or older have their cholesterol checked every 5 years, your healthcare provider may advise more frequent testing with blood work often recommended as part of one's annual physical exam.