|
 Join us for a Wellness Webinar:
Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life
Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Please join Amie Ungerer, Behavioral Health Specialist, in this interactive session where you will explore how positive and negative thinking affects the brain and emotional health. This topic will help you to gain a better understanding of the connection between thoughts and feelings and introduce strategies to overcome common thought traps, build resiliency, reduce stress, and increase your sense of well-being and happiness.
Live sessions are limited to the first 2,000 attendees. All others can view the recording 6 hours after the live event.
Members that attend the live session or view the recording within 7 days of the original broadcast, will receive 1 HealthQuest Credit for attendance. Credits take 7-10 business days to be reflected in your HealthQuest Portal post completion.
No registration required! Simply follow the instructions on how to access this webinar directly on the HealthQuest Portal under Marathon Health Webinars.
|
|
 |
|
- 30 days of Fitness Statewide Challenge has begun! The challenge runs from April 1 - April 30, 2024.
- The 30 Days of Fitness Statewide Challenge is worth 5 HealthQuest credits!
- If you haven't registered for the Statewide Challenge, don't worry! Registration closes April 23, 2024, so you still have time to get registered and participate!
|
2024: Condition Management Programs
Earn 5 HealthQuest Credits for Completion
As part of the HealthQuest program, you have access to four condition management programs. Each 8-week program is confidential and conducted by Marathon Health medical professionals.
You may only participate in one program at a time, but don't worry! Upon completion of the program including watching all the videos in their entirety, submission of the pre-survey (completed during your registration process) and submission of the post-survey, members will receive Five (5) HealthQuest Credits.
Note: You can only participate in each program once throughout the calendar year (i.e. you cannot complete the same program twice).
Weight Management
- Registration: April 9 - April 19, 2024
- April 29 - June 17, 2024
- This program offers a supportive, judgement free environment where we’ll focus on understanding the psychology behind decisions and the impact that lifestyle and behavior choices have on our health, focusing on weight.
Healthy Hearts
- Registration: April 9 - April 19, 2024
- April 29 - June 17, 2024
- The Healthy Hearts Program includes education and group support to help you lower the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Who should participate? Anyone looking to achieve and maintain healthy levels for blood pressure and cholesterol with the overall goal of living a heart healthy lifestyle.
Diabetes Management
- Registration: April 9 - April 19, 2024
- April 29 - June 17, 2024
- The objectives of the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program is to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, and problem solving. As well as support active collaboration with the health care team to improve clinical outcomes, health status, and quality of life. DSMES covers topics that a person diagnosed with diabetes needs to know about including, but not limited to, standards of medical care for diabetes, an overview of medications used to treat diabetes, nutrition, physical activity, and planning for sick days and their impact on blood glucose.
Tobacco Cessation
- Registration: April 9 - April 19, 2024
- April 29 - June 17, 2024
- The ALA’s Freedom from Smoking® Program has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans end their addiction to nicotine and begin new tobacco-free lives. Freedom From Smoking® is based on proven addiction and behavior change models. The program offers a structured, systematic approach to quitting, and its positive messaging emphasizes the benefits of better health.
 |
|
April 3 - EAP Webinar: Making Connections at Work and in Life, Register Here
April 11 - Wellness Webinar: Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life. Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Marathon Health Webinars.
May 1 - EAP Webinar: Healthy Food Choices on the Go, Register Here
May 9 - Wellness Webinar: Grocery Store Tour. Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Marathon Health Webinars.
|
Should you need accommodations for any webinar, please email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov two (2) business days in advance.
 by Valerie Porter, HealthQuest Health Coach
Monthly recipes are provided by Valerie Porter, RN, HealthQuest Health Coach. Health Coaching appointments are available to all benefits-eligible employees, and their SEHP-covered spouses, free of charge. To schedule an appointment with Valerie or another health coach, call (785) 783-4080.
 |
|
Low-Sugar High-Fiber Green Smoothie
|
Ingredients:
-
7 ounces spinach leaves fresh
-
2 cups iced water
-
1 apple seeds and stem removed
-
2 ounce lime juice fresh
-
3 tablespoons chia seeds
-
2 teaspoon ginger fresh
-
1/8 teaspoon salt
-
28 drops stevia liquid
Directions:
-
-
Add all ingredients, except chia seeds, to a high-speed blender.
Blend for a few seconds until roughly combined.
Add chia seeds.
Blend for 1-2 minutes until very smooth.
Taste and adjust for sweetness versus acidity, if necessary.
Serve.
|
|
 
The connection between your thoughts and feelings is a fundamental aspect of human experience.
Our thoughts can directly influence our emotions, and vice versa. This is the basis of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing negative thought patterns to improve emotional well-being.
For example, if you think about a past event that made you happy, you might start feeling happy in the present moment. Similarly, if you dwell on a negative thought, it can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, or anxiety.
This connection is bidirectional, meaning that our feelings can also influence our thoughts. For instance, if you're feeling anxious, you might start having negative thoughts about a future event, even if there's no immediate threat. This can also lead to stress which can alter your body’s hormone balance. When you catch yourself in a negative thinking loop, use thought-stopping to get on a more positive path.
Notice the negative thought.
- Tell yourself to “Stop.”
- Replace the thought with something positive you truly believe!
- Repeat
Understanding this connection can be empowering because it allows you to become more aware of your thought patterns and how they impact your emotions.
By practicing mindfulness and cognitive-behavioral techniques, you can learn to manage your thoughts and emotions more effectively, leading to greater emotional well-being.
 Exercise with Positive Thinking
Positive and negative thinking can both have an impact on exercise and physical activity.
- Positive thinking can be a powerful motivator for exercise.
When you approach physical activity with a positive mindset, you're more likely to enjoy the process and stay committed to your fitness goals. Positive thoughts can help you push through challenges, stay focused, and maintain a sense of accomplishment, which can all contribute to a more fulfilling exercise routine.
- On the other hand, negative thinking can be a barrier to exercise.
If you approach physical activity with thoughts like "I'm not good enough" or "I'll never reach my goals," you may feel demotivated and less likely to stick with your workout routine. Negative thoughts can also lead to feelings of self-doubt and decrease your overall enjoyment of exercise.
- Practicing positive thinking can help you overcome these barriers and enhance your exercise experience.
By focusing on the benefits of exercise, setting realistic goals, and cultivating a positive attitude, you can create a more positive and enjoyable exercise routine.
|
|
Each person's path to well-being is unique and personal. Need an accessible alternative for an activity? To learn more email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov. |
|
|
|
|
