Monthly Newsletter

Why National Men's Health Month is Important

It's a conversation starter: Men's Health Month gets men talking about health - which gets men acting on their health! Decisions are made to eat healthier, move a little more, and manage stress - it's a beautiful thing!
It's a call to action: Research shows that men are less likely to go to the doctor than women, which means skipping health screenings and ignoring symptoms of a health condition. Men's Health Month encourages men to get checked out so they can feel better and maintain good health.
It's an excuse for pampering: Lots of things that are good for men's physical health are also good for their mental health, like playing golf, getting a massage, and taking an extra long nap. It's all healthy, and if anyone asks "what's the occasion?" men have an answer: "It's Men's Health Month!"

June Men's Health Webinars: Great information for men and for women who have men in their lives in our Thursday Health Promotion series!

Register today for our newest challenge, Summertime!

Registration is now open - Register here!

Remember when you were a kid waiting for dusk to turn to darkness so you could watch the fireflies come out?

Get ready to "light up" your summer night sky as you relive this and more memories from past summers in Summertime, an activity program with an all-summer-things theme.

You'll be rewarded with fireflies when you record steps and/or activity minutes each day of Summertime. And earn bonus points by forming a team with friends to participate in the Thrive Thursday challenges!

As you re-visit wonderful childhood summer experiences, you'll be entered into raffle prize drawings for $25 gift cards! Use the gift card for ice cream at your favorite Maryland ice cream parlor and enjoy Thrasher Fries at the OC Boardwalk - or wherever your favorite summer memories are!

June Wellness Buzz with good news about free wellness resources!

Summer weight gain - it may seem counterintuitive that in summer it's easy to gain weight, however, think about this: a typical weekend can take you from your kids soccer game (where you've grabbed breakfast on the way there) to a BBQ, where hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, and potato salad are the main courses, and then to the ice cream shop for treats afterwards. Suddenly a summer Saturday has introduced hundreds of calories into your day that you otherwise may not have eaten! Being constantly in a summer weekend eating mode can cause the pounds to creep up.

So, how to enjoy the summer fun (and fun food) while managing your health and weight? The answer: a small mental shift can help you enjoy the best of both worlds. Our health benefits providers have just the programs for you - at not cost to their members! Read below to learn more:

Carefirst NOOM

As part of the State of Maryland Carefirst health plan benefits, Noom now is offered to Carefirst eligible* members at no cost! NOOM helps participants achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which has been shown to help lower the risk for chronic conditions like diabetes. Ready to get started? Log in to http://carefirst.com/wellbeing. Once logged in, select You followed by Benefits. Next, click Health & Fitness and then Noom..

*Must be 18 years or older with a BMI of 25 or greater, having been identified as prediabetes or at risk for developing diabetes.

United Healthcare Real Appeal

As part of the State of Maryland United Healthcare plan benefits, Real Appeal is offered to United Healthcare eligible* members at no cost! Real Appeal helps build weight management healthy habits for lasting change. Participants receive ongoing support from a Real Appeal coach, weekly group sessions with others who join at the same time, a success kit with access to online fitness classes and more! Ready to get started?Click here

*Must be 18 years or older with a BMI of 23 or greater.

Kaiser Permanente omada

Beginning June 15, Kaiser Permanente members are invited to register for Omada, a no cost weight management program that helps eligible* members get results without cutting out favorite foods or counting calories. Omada makes it easy to adopt small changes by providing Kaiser members with a dedicated health coach plus helpful tools and resources. Watch for the Omada invitation in your email box on June 15!

*Must be 18 years or older with a BMI of 25 or greater, having been identified as prediabetes or at risk for developing diabetes.

June Mindful Mondays:
Focusing on Being a Healthy Person

Register for one or more Mindful Monday Sessions here

Monday, June 5, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Mindful Eating Habits

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly munching on a bag of chips while scrolling through social media, only to feel unsatisfied and still craving more?

Many of us have fallen into a pattern of distracted eating, where we consume food without truly experiencing it. Mindful eating offers a different approach - experience how to really enjoy food and feel more satisfied!

Monday, June 12, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Healthy Eating Made Easy

Learn from our very own Registered Dietitian, Amy Hatfield, on how to make healthy eating more convenient, quick, and budget-friendly. Following this discussion, she'll lead you through a short meditation to help you shift your daily decision making toward a "what would a healthy person do in this moment" perspective.

Monday, June 26, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Curb Your Cravings

It's uncommon for us to crave fruits and vegetables - when cravings strike, it's usually for foods high in fat or sugar! There's a reason for this, as a Harvard study explains: these foods have a feedback effect that reduces stress-related responses and emotions. Simply put, these foods really are comfort foods because they seem to counteract stress, calming us down and providing a stress-break. Rather than being reactive when stress rules, you can try being proactive with the strategies you'll learn to overcome emotional eating.

June Financial Wellness: Planning With Pride Your Money Matters Woman with pile of coins

Tuesday, June 13, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Planning with Pride - Tips for the LGBTQ+ Community Workshop

Although many financial planning strategies are the same for everyone, some unique characteristics of the LGBTQ+ community can require different planning. That's why we're offering MetLife's Planning with Pride workshop. Participants will learn about specialized needs and solutions regarding marriage and family planning, tips for ensuring a comfortable retirement, how to plan for long term care, and how to set up an estate plan. Register here

Have questions but unable to attend the workshop? Click here to schedule a free consultation with a MetLife financial professional.

Tuesday Wellness From the Kitchen with Chef Sandra: Fire Up the Grill!

Grilling is healthy! It reduces the amount of fat you consume because the fat drips off the grates; nutrients like riboflavin and thiamine - 2 important B vitamins - remain intact; and you can grill seasonal veggies without losing flavor or nutrients to your heart's content!

Tuesday, June 13, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Arrachera (Grilled Skirt Steak Tacos)

Up Experience the wonders of how flame and smoke transforms food with easy and delicious grilled skirt steak tacos. The marinade comes together in a flash and the steak grills up in 6 minutes. Register here

Tuesday, June 20, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Grilled Carrots with Pesto + Grilled Lime Chile Corn

Grilling transforms carrots and corn in a way that will have your taste buds and your family and friends begging for more! The carrots are served with a basil pesto and the corn with a lime chili butter sauce. Register here

Tuesday, June 27, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Spanish Grilled Pork Tenderloin

It’s all about the marinade with this Spanish grilled pork tenderloin! Bets are on that you have most of these ingredients in your pantry right now, just begging you to give this a try. Register here

Wednesday Healthy U:
Brain Health Month

From scratching your nose to solving challenging problems, you have your brain to thank for your every thought and action! A healthy brain allows you to interact with the world in your professional and personal lives so that you experience optimal fulfillment. This series will provide a handbook on how to best care for your brain.

Register here for one or more Healthy U sessions.

Wednesday, June 7, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: 6 Ways to Boost Your Brain Power

Can certain lifestyle habits boost your brain's ability to function more efficiently and effectively? The answer is a resounding "Yes"! Learn about easy to adopt lifestyle habits that boost your brain power - and your overall health as well - in this informative and insightful live webinar.

Wednesday, June 14, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Sleep and Your Brain

Healthy sleep habits are crucial to your brain's ability to learn and remember. During sleep, while your body rests, your brain is busy processing information from the day and forming memories. Learn which sleep habits are sleep superpowers and which are kryptonite!

Wednesday, June 21, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Stress and Your Brain

There is evidence that chronic, persistent stress may actually rewire your brain - too much stress results in the survival part of the brain getting stronger while the thinking part gets weaker. These days, stress is persistent for many of us - learn how to protect your brain through easy-to-adopt lifestyle tools.

Wednesday, June 28, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Loneliness and Your Brain

Researchers in a recent study found that participants who reported greater levels of social engagement had more robust gray matter in the brain which is a good thing, as gray matter plays a significant role in physical and mental functioning. Learn more about how loneliness impacts the brain, participate in a discussion on potential solutions to loneliness, and experience social connection in this interactive webinar

Health Promotion Thursdays: Keep Dad Healthy and Strong!

Group of Diversified People Holding up Health sign

Dr. David Gremillion of the Men's Health Network, states that "There is a silent health crisis in America...it's a fact that, on average, American men are sicker and die younger than American women." Dr. Gremillion has written extensively on men's health, and he is encouraged to see that the tide is beginning to turn as more men have become interested in their health status. Let's keep this momentum going - join these webinars so that you can motivate yourself and the men in your lives toward greater health awareness!

Register here for 6/8 Men's Health Issues

Register here for 6/15, 6/22, and/or 6/29 Men's Health Webinars

Thursday, 6/8, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Men's Health Issues

While men experience common diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and depression, these are disproportionately represented, with men have higher rates. Learn the risk factors for chronic diseases so that men can prevent and/or get early detection for optimal physical and mental health outcomes.

Thursday, 6/15, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Keep Dad Healthy and Strong

In honor of Father's Day on June 18, we'll share information specific to those special men in our lives. Learn ways to help them stay happy and healthy with balanced nutrition, physical activity that will stick, and practical ways to reduce stress and relax. So, if you're a dad, be sure to join - and invite your dad to join this webinar!

Thursday, 6/22, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Man Up to Good Health

This webinar will encourage men to make their health a priority. Join this comprehensive presentation to learn valuable information on men's health screenings, disease risk factors, and healthy lifestyle strategies for men. Invite the men in your life to participate!

Thursday, 6/29, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Men's Mental Health

How do men express their emotional and mental stress? You may be surprised to learn that some of the common emotional stress-related signs are anger and irritability, engagement in risky behaviors, and physical symptoms such as headaches and digestive issues, to name just a few. This enlightening presentation will present information on these and additional symptoms as well as how men can be supported.

June Unwind Time Meditations:
Accept, Relax, Still Your Mind, Notice What Brings You Joy

TakeTime to Unwind

Please note: During Summer, Unwind Time will be offered at 11:00 am - 11:15 am.
Register here for these sessions.

Friday, 6/9, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: The Power of Acceptance

Many of us resist accepting an outcome or situation that we don't like. To accept is not an endorsement or opinion - it is simply to recognize reality. And, when you and reality are no longer battling, there will be a softening, movement, and ultimately, change.

Friday, 6/16, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Relieve Anxiety

Discover a newfound technique that helps you to relax and allow life to come. It will be your new superpower!

Friday, 6/23, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Still the Mind

Do you find that your mind is on autopilot for hours on end? Use this practice of stilling the mind to help you settle into calm awareness. And bonus benefit - you will find that you are more productive and present in your professional and personal lives!

Friday, 6/30, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Notice What Brings You Joy

One of the most pleasant ways to cultivate mindfulness is to notice what brings you joy. By taking the time to appreciate where and how you experience joy, you will train your mind to recognize and experience more joy!