Wellness February 2023 Newsletter

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Getting to Know our Hearts February is American Heart Month. Every year more than 600,000 Americans die from heart disease and it’s the number one cause of death for most people groups. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and excessive alcohol use. The good news is that certain lifestyle choices can you help reduce these risk factors. Here are some ways to reduce your risk of heart disease:  Reduce or eliminate smoking tobacco: Chemicals in tobacco damage the heart and blood vessels. The risk of heart disease reduces in a few days after quitting.  Exercise 30 to 60 minutes each day: Exercise of any kind has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. Just going for a walk every day can help your heart health. Eat a nutrient-dense diet: A variety of different greens and fruits can improve blood pressure and cholesterol. Find a healthy recipe online and make nutrient-dense food at home. Get good quality sleep: People who do not have enough sleep are at higher risk of obesity, high blood pressure, heart attacks, etc. Sleep is when our bodies restore themselves and is as important as nutrition and exercise. Reducing your risk for heart disease is attainable, and, can be a rewarding experience. Start today and earn points by completing the “Getting more and better sleep” activity in your LIVEwell Limeade app. Sources: American Heart Month February 2023 https://nationaltoday.com/american-heart-month/  Strategies to prevent heart disease by Mayo Clinic Staff https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/heart-disease-prevention/art-20046502  It's Not too Late to Join the Challenge! It’s not too late to join the 3rd annual LIVEwell Virtual Steps Team Challenge! Form a team of up to five people to complete a combined one million steps before February 19, 2023. When teams reach this milestone, each member will earn 100 points in their LIVEwell account, a special event medal, and a LIVEwell waterproof drawstring bag! Special prizes will go to the Top 5 teams. Learn more about this challenge at https://livewell.la/stepsteamchallenge2023 Random Acts of Kindness Day! February 17, 2023 is Random Acts of Kindness Day!  “The positive effects of kindness are experienced in the brain of everyone who witnessed the act, improving their mood and making them significantly more likely to pay it forward.” - Jamil Zaki.  The Random acts of kindness foundation was created to showcase the importance of kindness and how there can never be enough. Earn 15 points towards your LIVEwell rewards by participating in the Random Acts of Kindness activity here. Squeeze 30 minutes into your daily routine to recharge with LIVEwell’s live Zoom classes! Lunch Time Classes 12:00 noon to 12:30 p.m. Mid-Afternoon Stretch/Meditation Break 3:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. Evening Classes 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ACCESS CODE: LIVEWELL2023 Visit LIVEwell.la for the full schedule and class description. Learn How to Prepare: One Pot Lasagna Wednesday, February 15, 2023 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. A shopping list will be provided. California Burger Bowl - On the LIVEwell.la Community Feed!  California Burger bowl? Yes, you heard right! Crunchy, meaty, and fresh. Give it a try and let us know how you like it. Head over to the LIVEwell.la social feed for the full recipe here.  Recipe by Taste of Home Keep yourself and others safe and healthy. Learn more at coronavirus.lacity.org! Employee Benefits Division Personnel Department 200 N. Spring St., Room 867 Los Angeles, CA 90012 LIVEwell.la  (213) 978-1619 OPT OUT OF PRIZES