201218 Since 1974, May has been recognized as National High Blood Pressure Education Month. High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and kidney disease. You can maintain healthy blood pressure by changing your lifestyle or combining lifestyle changes with prescribed medications. Symptoms of high blood pressure include: headache, dizziness, blurred vision, nausea/vomiting, chest pain and shortness of breath. For more information, contact your Healthy Solutions Wellness Nurse at 1-877-846-8930 or wellnessRN@gatewayhealth.com 201214 Too often a salad is thought of as a side-dish, and even then it is quickly thrown together then covered in a heavy dressing. Of course there is no right or wrong way to make a salad, but keep in mind the amazing nutritional opportunity a salad can present. Using high quality vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, dairy products and proteins will not only ensure the highest nutrient content, it will also ensure high-quality taste. Salads make wonderful main course dishes when lean protein sources and healthy fat sources are among the ingredients. For more information and recipes follow the link to Train for Life America. 201214 Averett University is pleased to announce that free onsite health screenings will be offered April 18 & 19 from 7-10:30 a.m. in the multipurpose room for all employees, spouses, and adult children (ages 18-26) on the Averett University Employee Health Plan. Sign up online by visiting www.gatewayhealth.com, select "login, members" and login to your personal health record. If you have not registered previously, click the "register" link to sign in and complete the required information. Once you complete your Health Risk Assessment, you will be directed to select a date and time for your onsite screening. 201211 Gateway Health's new physical and mailing address is 1500 Fulton Heights, Danville, VA, 24541. Claims should still be sent to the Charlotte, NC address. 201211 Wellness Clinics will be held on Wednesday, April 18 and Thursday, April 19 in the multipurpose room of the Student Center. Appointments will be available from 7-10 a.m. Stay tuned for more information. 201211 Updates to the plan document for our Health Insurance Plan are now posted on the web at www.averett.edu/facstaff/forms/hr. This document outlines coverage, co-pays and care management and more. Please refer to this document when you have questions concerning the Averett University Employee Health Plan. 201203 As you set fitness goals for yourself in the New Year here are some pointers to keep you on a balanced path: 1. Schedule time throughout the week for your workout. Keep in mind that you can break it into 10- or 15-minute periods that you can work into your day. 2. Plan for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise. 3. Include strength training at least two days a week that works all your major muscle groups. 4. Select your activities based on your personal interests. Do you like to work out in a group or alone? Do you enjoy swimming, biking or running or do you prefer playing tennis, dancing or skating? For more recommendations on a balanced fitness program click here and for more articles and videos on wellness related issues please visit the health library. 201203 The Wellness Services section of the Averett University Health Plan has been amended to add the following for 2012. Flu shots will now be payable at 100 percent when administered by an In-Network provider. For example, if you are having prescriptions filled at CVS, which is an In-Network provider, then you will also be able to add your flu shot to their list of services. The pharmacy will submit the cost of the service for you. Click on faculty/staff forms for more information concerning this amendment. Feel free to contact Kathie Tune in the human resources office with questions. 201147 Open enrollment for Averett's benefits plan will run now through Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. During open enrollment, employees with Averett insurance coverage need to confirm their coverage choices and make any relevant changes to medical coverage, dental coverage, vision coverage or their Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Also at this time, employees who had waived Averett insurance coverage in the past may sign up for coverage for 2012. If you have any questions or need more information email Kathie Tune or call her at 434-791-7106. 201146 This holiday season add some low-fat recipes to your list of favorites for entertaining. This one was developed by the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign. Unlike your old recipe for "Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip," this dish features low-fat plain yogurt and part-skim mozzarella cheese. The result is delicious, plus one serving has only 80 calories and 2 grams of fat. It also provides 20 percent of the recommended daily calcium. So it's a winner all the way around! Your family and friends will thank you for serving this at your next holiday gathering. For more information about dairy products and recipes visit: National Dairy Council or visit Food Facts. 201143 Flu shots will be administered by nurses from the Virginia Department of Health on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 7:15-9:15 a.m. and on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the SGA Conference room on the fourth floor of the Student Center. Please bring a copy of your insurance card for billing purposes. For your convenience, the Health Department has sent the links to the consent form and flu vaccine statement sheet to complete prior to your arrival...a real time saver! consent form vaccine facts 201142 Flu shots will be administered by the Virginia Department of Health nurses on Wednesday, Oct. 26 from 7:15-9:15 a.m. and on Thursday, Oct. 27 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. in the SGA Conference room on the fourth floor of the Student Center. Please bring a copy of your insurance card for billing purposes. 201141 A flu shot clinic is in the works. The Virginia Department of Health will confirm the dates of the clinic this week. The clinic dates are tentatively scheduled for the latter part of October. This clinic will be announced in Coffee Break and posted on the AU web calendar. 201140 A Wellness and Health Screening Clinic is scheduled for Thursday, October 6, from 7-9 a.m. in the multipurpose room of the Student Center and Friday, October 7, from 7-9 a.m. at the Riverview Campus (512 Bridge St.). Please remember to register for your morning of choice and make sure to complete the assessment prior to your registration date and time. 201138 For those employees who are on the University's health plan: Please be aware of an upcoming change starting January 2, 2012. Walgreens Pharmacy will no longer be a provider in the pharmacy network because they will be raising the cost of the prescriptions. For information visit: or for questions go to Express Scripts or call 877-508-1379. 201136 For those employees who are on the University's health plan and are looking for ways to better their health visit Primary PC. This link will allow employees to access personal information and screening results as well as provide educational information for better health. For employees who are not on the University's health plan, the same educational information for better health is also available to you at Train For Life America. 201132 While a well-balanced exercise program should incorporate three components—cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility training—flexibility training is often overlooked. Being more flexible won’t help you lose weight. It won’t help your muscles become more defined. But it will make achieving both of those goals easier. One of the great things about flexibility training is that you can make it as simple or complex as you like. It can consist of some simple stretching a few times a week or it can be an intense yoga workout. In either case, the benefits are far reaching. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends a stretching program that includes all of the major muscle groups. Each stretch should be held for 10 to 30 seconds and should be repeated at least four times. The program should be completed at least two to three days a week. Here are some basic stretches: Neck/Shoulders: • Shrug: Raise the top of your shoulders toward your ears until you feel slight tension in your neck and shoulders. Hold this feeling of tension for 3-5 seconds, and then relax your shoulders downward into their normal position. • Front head tilt: Gently tilt your head forward to stretch the back of the neck. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Do not stretch to the point of pain. Repeat by tilting head back and to each side. Upper Body: • Arms/upper back: Interlace fingers and straighten arms out in front of you. Your palms should be facing away from you as you do the stretch. Feel the stretch in your arms and through the upper part of the back (shoulder blades). Hold stretch for 20-30 seconds. • Arms/ribcage: Interlace fingers and turn palms upwards above your head as you straighten your arms. Hold for 10-20 seconds. • Shoulders/arms/chest: Interlace your fingers behind your back. Slowly turn your elbows inward while straightening your arms. Hold for 5-15 seconds. Lower Body: • Upper leg: While seated, hold your lower leg just below the knee. Gently pull toward your chest. Hold for 30 seconds. Repeat for other leg. • Calf: Stand near a solid support and lean on it with your forearms, head resting on your hands. Bend one leg and place your foot on the floor in front of you, leaving the other let straight, behind you. Slowly move your hips forward until you feel a stretch in the calf of your straight leg. Be sure to keep the heel of the foot of the straight leg on the floor and your toes pointed straight ahead. Hold for 30 seconds. Do not bounce. Stretch both legs. For more articles and videos on wellness related issues please visit our Health Library.