June 2025

Join us for a Wellness Webinar: 

Healthy BBQ

Thursday, June 12, 2025 at 1:00 pm

Cookouts can be a great way for family and friends to spend time outside. Please join Victoria Emmitt-Kasick, RD, health coach, in this wellness webinar where we will discuss healthy food options and substitutions, summer drinks, and grilling safety.  

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:

Bringing Out the Best in Others

Wednesday, June 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm

Whether in your personal or your professional life, are you the kind of person that brings out the best in others? Do people shine around you, or do they tend to withdraw, hesitant to show their best? Some people seem to have a knack for challenging, motivating and inspiring their friends, family members and co-workers. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to do your part to make sure others are at their best around you.

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

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:  June 3, 2025 - June 13, 2025

June 23, 2025 - August 18, 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.

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. July 9 - EAP Webinar:  Walking for Mental Health, Register Here July 17 - Wellness Webinar:  Summer Fun in the Sun.  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.

Juneteenth, a shortened form of June 19th, is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.

History of Juneteenth

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were free. This was two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. That executive order had had little impact on the Texans due to the small number of Union troops available to enforce the order there. With the end of the Civil War, those forces were deployed to influence and overcome resistance to ending slavery.

Juneteenth Today

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law establishing the date as a federal holiday. The national holiday celebrates African American freedom and achievement, while encouraging continuous self-development and respect for all cultures. It is also a time for many to gather with family and community to honor the present and reflect on shared history and tradition.

For more information:

Your EAP is committed to supporting diverse workforces and strives to fulfill your preferences for culturally competent mental health professionals who can meet your emotional needs. Contact us to learn about what else may be available to you.

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.

Chopped Cucumber & Tomato Salad with Lemon

Ingredients:

Directions:

Summer Wellness: Beat the Heat and Stay Hydrated!

Summer is here- while it brings long days, baseball games, and BBQs, it also comes with rising temperatures and increased risk of dehydration. Here are simple ways to stay hydrated, nourish your body, and stay cool.

Hydration- More than Just Water!

Water is essential to stay hydrated, but when you are sweating more, you lose important electrolytes that your body needs, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium.  Electrolytes help regulate our pH and fluid balance and are essential for our heart, muscles, brain, and nerves to function properly.

• Try to drink water regularly throughout your day, not just when you “feel thirsty.”
• Adding a pinch of sea salt and a splash of lemon to your water makes for a natural electrolyte boost
• Drinks such as coconut water are also a great way to add electrolytes.
• Try a DIY hydration recipe such as citrus, honey, and sea salt.

Try to choose foods that keep you full and hydrated!

• Watermelon
• Cucumbers
• Strawberries
• Cantaloupe
• Celery

Quick cooling tips:

• Use a damp washcloth or cooling towel on your head, neck, and wrists
• Submerging your hands, forearms, and elbows in cool water can help cool the body
• Use fans to create a cross-breeze — place a bowl of ice in front of it for an extra chill
• Sleep with light cotton sheets  

Things to AVOID:

• Don’t exercise during peak sun hours (10AM-4PM)
• Avoid alcohol and sugary drinks
• Don’t ignore signs of dehydration: dry mouth, dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, muscle cramping, or craving salt

Recommendation from the National Academy of Medicine:

• 88 ounces of water per day for women
• 120 ounces of water per day for men

Resources:

Best Sources To Replenish Electrolytes

Wellness Wherever You Go!

Summer can be the perfect time to explore, relax, and enjoy good food—but that doesn't have to mean you have to throw the health habits you’ve been working towards out the window. Whether you’re staying put or travelling this summer, the change in routine (and environment) can throw us off our game with healthy eating! Here are some travel-friendly health tips, portable snacks, and how to stay fit during your vacation.

Going Out to Eat

• When you know you’re going to have an indulgent meal or night out on the town while traveling, find balance with fresh, whole food options during the day or time leading up to it. Add some fruit to your breakfast, a veggie-forward lunch, and then enjoy that pasta you’ve been eyeing on the menu for dinner. (Note: This does NOT mean to skip meals or severely reduce your intake leading up to it).
• Savor your food, especially when out to eat or when trying a different cuisine. Take time to really taste, chew, and experience your meal. Eating slowly helps your brain catch up with your stomach, helps reduce overeating, and helps you stay mindful to enjoy the experience!

Road Trip Snack Ideas

• Homemade trail mix (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, dark chocolate chips)
• Individually packaged dips like hummus, guacamole, and salsa are great to add to a snack box with crackers, baby carrots, peppers, and cucumber slices.
• A simple deli meat sandwich and hard-boiled eggs are great for a lunch on-the-go the day that you depart!
• Fruit – apples, grapes, bananas, etc.
• A make-ahead option is DIY energy bites (many recipes online use oats, nut butter, honey, chia seeds, and other add-ins).
• Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle!

Staying Fit While You Explore

• You don’t need a gym to stay active on vacation. Movement can be part of the adventure!
• Opt to explore on foot or by bike if your destination allows. Walk through local markets, hike local trails, or rent bikes to see the sights better!
• Ask your host or hotel concierge about local walking tours, trails, or other activities nearby.
• Commit to doing a 5-minute daily circuit in your hotel or accommodation – squats, lunges, wall push-ups, and stretches.
• Stretch daily, especially after a long drive, flight, or walking 10,000+ steps!

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.