Wellness at Work: Too Much Health Advice?

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the amount of health information provided in the media and by health professionals? We hear hundreds of recommendations about what to eat and what not to eat. We are told different things about how much exercise is needed and what types of exercise are best. It becomes difficult to remember healthy living recommendations, let alone follow them.

It is no wonder that many people just give up trying to make healthy lifestyle changes after years of hearing complicated and conflicting health messages. How many people gave up eggs for years based on medical recommendations, only to be told later that eggs were fine in moderation? Contradictory health information has caused many to be skeptical of any health advice.

In the midst of all this confusion, we should remember that there are basic health recommendations that have not changed over the years. These simple common-sense guidelines can help us make changes that will have immediate health benefits and that will enable us to continue doing the things we enjoy as we age. The Wellness Councils of America have provided the following five essential rules for living a healthy life:

1. Assess your health and health risks to identify areas that need improvement. (N.C. State Health Plan members can take a personal health risk assessment at www.statehealthplan.state.nc.us. Non-members can take their risk assessment at www.fittogethernc.org/HRA.aspx.)
2. Pay attention to what you eat. Control portion sizes and caloric intake, eat more fruits and vegetables and less fat. (See www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com.)
3. Exercise every day.
4. Protect your sleep.
5. Quit smoking.

We often have a hard time believing that it is the simple choices that we make in our lives every day that make the most difference to our health. The types and quantities of food we regularly eat, how often we exercise, how much sleep we get, what our stress levels are, and whether we smoke all have the greatest impact on our health.

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The DHHS Wellness Initiative works throughout the department to create and sustain work environments that promote and support employee health and wellness.

Wellness committees provide wellness activities and health information for employees in DHHS agencies and facilities. They work toward changes to policies and work environments that provide employees opportunities to:

• Increase their levels of physical activity;
• Have access to healthier snack and meal options;
• Avoid tobacco; and
• Better manage stress.

The committees also address other health concerns such as flu prevention, chronic disease management, injury prevention, and the importance of taking an annual N.C. HealthSmart Health Risk Assessment (HRA).

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Last Modified: September 1, 2006