Dear HCCUA Members:
As we enter flu season, it is more important than ever that you make sure you are taking good care of yourself. Doctor’s nationwide highly recommended the flu shot. As the weather begins to change, it is vital that we take proper precautions towards cold and flu season which is most common during November through March. Under these kinds of conditions it is easy to catch the common cold or flu because defenses are down, we get less vitamin D from being indoors more often and people have the tendency to fall out of daily routines like eating right and exercising daily.
There seems to be a lot controversy on whether or not to get the flu shot. Many people think you can get the flu from getting the flu shot. This is one of the biggest misconceptions. The reason you sometimes feel a little down or some flu like symptoms after receiving the flu shot, tells us that the vaccine is working and your body is flaring your immune system to fight off and target the flu if you get it. Even though it’s not a 100% guaranteed, it does offer a lot of protection so you do not get severely sick or have a shorter deration of being sick.
Included in the HCCUA e-Newsletter, we have attached an article Eating Healthy While You Are Sick to give you helpful tips in fighting the cold and flu season through healthy eating. We provide you with foods that may boost your immune system, foods that can help you heal in that event that you do get sick and tips on how to keep germs away by continually washing your hands and coughing or sneezing into your inner elbow. In addition, we cannot stress enough the importance of getting a full nights rest, eating a well-balanced diet, taking daily vitamins, exercising regularly, decreasing stress levels and cutting back on unhealthy habits such as smoking and over consuming alcohol. These all play a role in staying healthy.
Furthermore, you would be surprised how important exercise is to maintaining good health. Being an active person can boost your mood and improve your life in multiple ways. By taking 30 minutes a day, every day, you can stay healthier, feel better about yourself and loose or maintain a healthy weight.
It is also important to plan your meals in advance so you can regulate your calorie intake and watch your diet. Remember to purchase necessary items beforehand and help shorten your prep time. Included as part of the e-Newsletter is a healthy and quick recipe from Eatingwell for Chicken, Arugula & Butternut Squash Salad with Brussel Sprouts that provides tons of nutrition and quite tasty as well.
Our goal is to help keep our HCCUA members on track and remind you of the extensive benefits at your fingertips that can assist you in staying healthy. For instance, your access to physicians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year through Telehealth; the Adult Wellness Testing provided to members once a year that can help you pinpoint a variety of health issues (if any) and detect problems at an early stage. Moreover, the numerous discounts in prescriptions, entertainment, pet care, travel, dining and much more can definitely make your life easier!
In hopes that you are taking full advantage of the extensive services and valuable benefits offered through your membership, we at HCCUA are working hard to keep our members updated with the latest information related to your health and well-being. Have a pleasant month and stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Kristine Eckardt, Director of Member Communications
HCCUA