Health and wellness is important to you and to MSU. The healthier our faculty and staff are, the healthier MSU will be. This category features information related to wellness at MSU.
The beautiful summer weather is meant to be enjoyed, but that can be hard to do when you work inside all day. The solution is to spend your lunch hour at one of the Fresh Air Fitness classes! There are different classes on different days throughout the month of June, so you are sure to find something that you will enjoy.
All of the classes are free of charge! Be sure to go online and register today so you can make the most of your lunch hour.
Here’s a video to give you some more information about the classes:
In today’s fast-paced world, one of the most under-rated health practices is getting adequate, proper rest. And “burning the midnight oil” – whether you’re working late, raising a family or cramming for exams – is not the only thing that prevents you from getting the deep, restful sleep your body and mind need.
When you don’t get enough sleep, your judgement, reaction time and other functions are impaired.
About half of all people over 65 have frequent sleeping problems, such as insomnia or sleep apnea, and deep sleep stages in many elderly people sometimes become minimal or even non-existent. Young adults with active work and social lives are also at high risk for sleep deprivation. While insomnia can come from many sources, including stress, environment and medical conditions, setting yourself up for a good night’s sleep is a critical part of a generally healthy lifestyle.
Sleep apnea is a common condition, causing your breathing patterns to abruptly awaken you frequently during the night, which diminishes the depth and quality of your sleep. A leading cause of daytime sleepiness, apnea often goes undiagnosed, because it is difficult for your doctor to detect the condition during routine office visits.
How much sleep each of us needs depends on several factors, including age. For adults of all ages, 7 to 8 hours a night is widely considered the best amount of sleep, and it increases if you have already been deprived of sleep in previous nights. When you haven’t slept enough (even if you are accustomed to a sleep-depriving schedule), your judgment, reaction time and other functions are still impaired.
In fact, driving experts say that sleep deprivation is a leading cause of traffic accidents, while most fitness trainers typically include sleep as one of the central components of a comprehensive physical training program.
Besides boosting alertness, sleep – particularly rapid eye movement (REM) sleep – helps your brain store new information into long-term memory by replenishing the components of your brain that control memory, alertness and problem solving. Generally speaking, REM is the most restorative component of your sleeping time.
As part of your Best Doctors benefits, an in-depth review of your medical case gives you an easy-to-understand report that either confirms your diagnosis and treatment or recommends a change. Regardless of how well-rested you may feel, Best Doctors is your one-stop shop for eliminating uncertainty and getting additional guidance on your health and wellness.
As we head into summer, you may have noticed more and more construction projects popping up around campus. If you want to know exactly where all of that work is happening so you can avoid it as you make your way around MSU, here is an interactive map.
With a campus as large as MSU, even when half of it is under construction, there are still many beautiful and fun places that you can visit. We’ve compiled a list locations you should check out if you want to enjoy campus during the season of road work.
Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy
Beal Botanical Garden: Not only is this garden beautiful, but it’s also historically significant as the oldest continuously operated garden of this type in the U.S.!
MSU Observatory: Come study the galaxy at the MSU observatory, located at the edge of campus and far away from any construction!
The River Trail: On the banks of the Red Cedar is a walking and bike path runs through the center of campus. This is the perfect place to walk if you want to get out of the sun and enjoy the soothing sounds of the river (you may also find some friendly MSU ducks and squirrels along the way).
The MSU Dairy Store: The Dairy Store at MSU sells arguably the best ice cream ever.
Beaumont Tower: No trip to MSU would be complete without a trip to this campus landmark.
Behold the winding paths within Baker Woodlot.
Baker Woodlot: This is a little-known sanctuary located on campus that allows you to take a break from civilization and explore nature.
Broad Art Museum: You can stop for a picture outside the futuristic building or head inside to look at their awesome exhibits.
Summer Circle Courtyard: This courtyard hosts Summer Circle Theatre, which is free for anyone who wants to attend. The theme this season is Travel Across America…and Beyond!
Abrams Planetarium: Have some family friendly fun by taking in one of the featured star shows.
The Gallery at Snyder/Phillips: A contender for best dining hall on campus, The Gallery offers great food and an even better atmosphere.
Mental health is a vital component of a person’s well being, but many may feel uncomfortable openly discussing mental illnesses. The Best Doctors Live Webinar Series will dive into the topic of mental health and provide education on this important topic.
Be sure to register before the live webinar on February 23.
During the webinar, a panel of experts will discuss the topic of mental illness and debunk the thinking that it is different from other physical medical conditions or something that should be kept hidden. Additionally, the experts will also talk about what steps are taken to diagnose mental illness and what patients should expect during this process. After the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.
“Mental Health: putting it into perspective” will be presented by Dr. John Oldham and Dr. David Harrison. Dr. Oldham is the Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff at the Menninger Clinic and oversees clinical cares at Baylor College of Medicine, and Dr. Harrison is the Best Doctors U.S. Medical Director.
This webinar is free and open to anyone who would like to attend! Mark your calendars for Thursday, February 23 from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. To register, visit this link.
Every day, more than 2,200 Americans die of heart disease (Center for Disease Control). This statistic is staggering, and it emphasizes the need for education about the importance of heart health. The good news is that small lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of heart disease by as much as 80 percent.
Photo of HR Solutions Center staff on National Wear Red Day.
Since February is American Heart Month, we have compiled a list of tips to help you improve your heart health and reduce your risk for heart disease. These simple changes can have a huge impact on your overall health.
Stay active. Be sure to get in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.
Watch your cholesterol levels. You can manage your cholesterol by exercising and eating a variety of nutritious foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads.
Eat healthy. The American Heart Association recommends eating fruits and vegetables, eating fish twice a week and cutting back on sugars and saturated fats.
Manage your blood pressure. This can be done by avoiding alcohol, exercising regularly, managing stress and reducing sodium in your diet.
Reduce your blood sugar. You can accomplish this by moderating your consumption of soda, candy, sugary deserts and other foods that contain simple sugars
Hopefully these tips help you to start thinking about ways to improve your heart health! If you want more information, be sure to check out the American Heart Association’s website or Go Red for Women.
Take control of your tobacco or nicotine addiction, register for Breathe Easy today!
Quitting tobacco and nicotine products is extremely difficult. That being said, this program is available to provide the support that you need to make this change. Nearly 30 percent of MSU Breathe Easy participants have remained nicotine free. This is an excellent figure when you consider the fact that other cessation methods report success rates between 3 and 12 percent.
The next information session is Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in the Olin Student Health Services Building. To register for the information session, you and/or your adult benefits-eligible family members should call Health4U at 517-353-2596, send an email to Health4U@msu.edu or register in person at 330 Olin Health Center.
Attending this information session does not obligate you to enroll in the Breathe Easy program. This session is only meant to provide you with information so you can decide if the program is the right fit for you. Both the information session and the Breathe Easy program are free for benefits-eligible MSU employees and their adult benefits-eligible family members. The total time commitment for the program is 17 hours, which is spread out over the course of the 15-month program commitment. You will not be required to use your own time accruals to participate in the Breathe Easy program, so long as you are compliant with attendance at the meetings and your supervisor approves release time.
A limited number of off-campus employees now have the option to participate in the program via teleconferencing. Participants will join the information session, support sessions and medical-related sessions through Zoom. If you’re interested in participating remotely, let Health4U know when you register for the information session.
Do you find yourself feeling down or sluggish when winter comes around? Well, you’re not alone. Many people are impacted by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) each year, around the time fall transitions to winter. SAD is a type of mild depression that can be caused by a decrease in sunlight that offsets your biological clock, a drop in serotonin levels or unbalanced levels of melatonin, which can affect sleep patterns and mood.
Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.
Symptoms of SAD include:
Irritability
Tiredness or low energy
Problems getting along with other people
Hypersensitivity to rejection
Heavy, “leaden” feeling in the arms or legs
Oversleeping
Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
Weight gain
However, you don’t have to simply “deal with” these winter blues. MSU Extension offers several ways to help overcome SAD this winter. One thing you can do is manage stress by planning ahead and not taking on too much during these dreary months. Also, try to be mindful and don’t fixate on negative thoughts. Another tip is to exercise and eat healthy. Exercising regularly can relieve stress, improve memory, help you sleep better and boost your mood. Eating the right foods can keep you feeling full longer and give you energy to take on the day. You should also try to participate in activities you enjoy and surround yourself with positive people.
Additionally, there are medical means to combat SAD if your symptoms are more severe. Be sure to consult with your doctor for medical advice.
For more information on SAD and tips to overcome it, visit MSU Extension’s website.
Are you feeling chronically fatigued or sluggish? Have you been sleeping too much? Do you lack mental focus? These symptoms are all linked to hypothyroidism as well as depression. Hypothyroidism is a deficiency in the levels of hormones created by your thyroid gland.
Since the indicators of hypothyroidism and depression are similar, doctors sometimes overlook the possibility that a person who is depressed may have low thyroid levels as well. Although they are two separate diseases, depression can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.
Depression is a common symptom of hypothyroidism.
Other hypothyroidism symptoms include:
Slower heart rate
Sensitivity to cold
Joint or muscle pain or cramps
Low blood pressure
Weight gain
Constipation
Dryness or yellowing of the skin
Brittle or thick nails
Swelling in front of the neck
Hair thinning or loss
Because depression is among the more common symptoms of hypothyroidism, it’s imperative that you have an open dialogue with your physician about both your physical and mental feelings. Once you have your diagnosis, Best Doctors can offer a confidential, expert analysis of your case that will give you the facts you need to make informed decisions about your treatment.
If you think you may have hypothyroidism, or are contending with its symptoms, you should take advantage of this service to focus on the best course of action.
Read the full Best Doctors article to learn more.
Best Doctors LIVE Webinar Series is back with, “Best Doctors Outlook for 2017.” In this special edition of the monthly series, presenters will revisit 2016 and look ahead at what’s in store for 2017. Presenters included Dr. Mark Graber, founder and president of Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine, and Dr. Lewis Levy, chief medical officer of Best Doctors. Dr. Graber will share insights on gains being made in combatting medical error, and Dr. Levy will provide a sneak peek at the trends and technologies that Best Doctors is focusing on in 2017.
Participants will have time for a live Q&A after the presentation. If you are unable to attend, a recording of the webinar can be provided. This free presentation will take place on Thursday, December 15, at 1 p.m. Eastern. To register, click here.
There are nearly as many treatments for cancer as there are types of cancer, making it one of the most complex and life-changing diagnoses possible. In addition, cancer has become so common that doctors are often quick to diagnose it and treat the disease as if it is invasive or fast-moving—which is not always the case.
While cancers are alike in some ways, they can differ significantly in many others—including how they grow and spread. Cancer can begin in the lungs, the breasts, the colon or even in the bloodstream. It can stagnate in certain areas of the body or spread through the body, and the spreading can happen slowly or very rapidly.
Cancer can be difficult to diagnose, and misdiagnosis is increasingly common. With treatments that include surgery and radiation therapy, the need for certainty in your diagnosis is imperative before you and your doctor can even determine an appropriate treatment method. Once you have been diagnosed, it is also vital to confirm that you are receiving the appropriate treatment.
This is where your Best Doctors benefit can be so important and useful. After an in-depth review of your medical case by the Best Doctors experts, you will receive a straightforward, easy-to-understand report that either confirms your diagnosis and treatment or recommends a change.
To read the full Best Doctors article on cancer, click here.
Abrams Planetarium
