May 2025

I’ve Seen Health Coaching on the HealthQuest Website Before, But What Exactly Is It?

As a Certified Health and Wellness Coach for the past 10 years, I get this question a lot! At HealthQuest, each of our Health Coaches comes from a health-related background and education AND is trained in Health Coaching principles through evidence-based techniques like cognitive behavioral therapy, positive psychology, and motivational interviewing.

We offer Health Coaching to members to provide support, accountability, and an outlet to discuss challenges, brainstorm ideas, and review progress on any of your health-related goals! 

Health Coaching uses a patient-centered approach – meaning that we focus on each individual’s needs rather than blanket ‘solutions’. Each member is different in their needs, values, preferences, and access. Health Coaching is also collaborative, nonjudgmental, and focuses on how to form and sustain healthy behavior changes.

Weight management, nutrition, exercise, stress, and sleep are common topics in a typical Health Coaching session. Members may decide to focus on one topic at a time or may come to understand how to speak about how each of these may affect one another in their lives. Some Health Coaches have additional expertise or hold additional certifications, such as personal training, dietetics and nutrition, and/or tobacco cessation.

Join us for a Wellness Webinar: 

Cancer Awareness & Prevention

Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 1:00 pm

According to the American Cancer Society, 12 million Americans are affected by cancer. Please join Health Coach, Rebecca Berlin, for this wellness webinar which aims to help you understand what lifestyle behaviors can reduce your risk for cancer.

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 Wellness Learning Events.

Join us for an EAP Monthly Webinar:

Mental Health Impacts of a Medical Diagnosis

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm

You or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with a serious medical condition. The emotions experienced after receiving a cancer diagnosis, having a heart attack, or while trying to manage a chronic condition can be overwhelming. This training will discuss how you can expect this news to impact mental health, and strategies you can utilize to help process and adjust to changes in your lives. 

Registration is required!  After you register, and after the live event, you will receive an email within the next 24 hours so you can view the recording, if you miss the live session.

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 3-5 business days after the vendor file is received, to be reflected in your HealthQuest Portal post completion.

2025: Condition Management Programs

Earn 5 HealthQuest Credits for Completion

Reminder that all four condition management programs begin May 5!

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

May 5, 2025 - June 23, 2025

• 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.

Heart Health

May 5, 2025 - June 23, 2025

• 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

May 5, 2025 - June 23, 2025

• The objectives of the Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) program is to support informed decision-making, self-care behaviors, problem solving, 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

May 5, 2025 - June 23, 2025

• 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. 

Summer Camps

It’s never too early to start thinking about summer camp for your kids. Many of the most-popular camps begin taking applications as early as March, so it’s important to act quickly to secure a spot before they’re all filled.

Call Your GuidanceResources^® Program for Help!

Whether you need a day camp, overnight camp, a specialty camp for drama, sports, language, computers, music or survival skills, or a camp for a child with special needs, we’re here to help. Tell us what you’re looking for, and we’ll provide you with three to five listings that match your request.

Each referral includes:

• Program description
• Contact information
• Details on camp tuition

The camp may not be free, but our help with finding one is.

Don’t Miss Out!

Spaces fill up quickly, and camps may not guarantee a spot until they’ve received your application and fees (if any).

Call your GuidanceResources^® program today and ask to speak to someone about summer camp referrals.

EAP Information:

Call: 888-270-8897

Online: guidanceresources.com

App: GuidanceNow

Web ID: SOKEAP

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.

Salsa-Topped Avocado Toast

Ingredients:

Directions:

Mind Over Mocha

Did you know that caffeine is absorbed within 15-20 minutes into your bloodstream, and the effects can last up to 1-10 hours after consumption?

Consuming too much caffeine can have a variety of short- and long-term effects on both the brain and overall health. While moderate caffeine intake can boost alertness and improve concentration, overdoing it may lead to some unwanted consequences.

Effects on the Brain

• Increased Anxiety & Restlessness
• Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, which can increase anxiety, jitteriness, and nervousness, especially in high doses.
• Caffeine elevates cortisol (stress hormone) and adrenaline levels.
• Insomnia or Disrupted Sleep
• Caffeine blocks adenosine, a brain chemical that promotes sleep, leading to difficulty falling or staying asleep.
• Caffeine can reduce deep sleep quality, even if consumed 6+ hours before bedtime.
• Dependence & Withdrawal
• Regular use can lead to tolerance and dependence.
• Withdrawal symptoms include headaches, fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating, usually starting within 12–24 hours after stopping.

Effects on Overall Health

• Heart Health
• In large doses, caffeine can temporarily raise heart rate and blood pressure.
• In sensitive people, it may increase the risk of arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat).
• Digestive Issues
• Too much caffeine can cause stomach upset or acid reflux due to increased stomach acid production.
• Bone Health
• Excessive caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption, potentially impacting bone density if not balanced with adequate calcium intake.
• Increased Urination & Dehydration
• It acts as a mild diuretic, which can increase fluid loss and contribute to dehydration if you're not drinking enough water.

 How Much is Too Much?

• Moderate intake is considered around 200–400 mg/day (roughly 1–3 cups of coffee).
• Going over 500–600 mg/day increases the risk of side effects.

References: 

How Caffeine Affects Your Body and Mind

May 7 - EAP Webinar: Mental Health Impacts of a Medical Diagnosis, Register Here May 15 - Wellness Webinar: Cancer Awareness & Prevention.  Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events. June 4 - EAP Webinar:  Bringing Out the Best in Others, Register Here June 12 - Wellness Webinar:  Healthy BBQ.  Access the webinar directly in the HealthQuest Portal under Wellness Learning Events.

Should you need accommodations for any webinar, please email SEHPHealthQuest@ks.gov two (2) business days in advance.

Questions?

HealthQuest Portal

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.