Ahhhh-Choo!! Allergy Season is Back!Seasonal allergies are caused by inhaled allergens that are present in large

quantities during the spring and fall. During these times the air is filled with pollen from trees, grasses, and other plants, causing watery eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, etc.

Seasonal allergies can be doubly vexing for asthma sufferers. That’s because often the same substances that trigger hay fever can also cause asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness.

But seasonal allergies are not a reason to stay cooped up in an air-conditioned house for several months out of the year. With a little management, most people with seasonal allergies are able to lead perfectly normal lives.

The first step to managing a seasonal allergy is to learn what triggers your allergic reaction. One way to do this is to talk to your healthcare provider about having a skin allergy test. It is important to be sure your symptoms are triggered by pollen in the air, for example, and not something you normally eat for breakfast. The skin test checks for reactions to pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites.

Pollen CountThe pollen scale used to measure the amount of pollen in the air is called the pollen count. It refers to the grams of pollen per cubic meter of air. The pollen count can range from 0 in the dead of winter to 12 on the worst days of spring or fall.

Low: 0 - 2.4Low-Medium: 2.5 - 4.8Medium: 4.9 - 7.2High-Medium: 7.3 - 9.6High: 9.7 - 12

On really high-pollen-count days, you should avoid going outdoors, especially early in the morning, when pollen counts are highest. During this time of year, the best time to go outside and engage in outdoor activities is after a good rain, which helps clear the air.

You also should:• Resist the urge to mow your lawn, trim your hedges, prune shrubs, pull weeds or

garden. • When you return inside, change the clothes you’ve worn outside. You may also

want to shower to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.

• Never hang laundry outside to dry during pollen season, especially sheets and towels. Pollen will stick to them and will be waiting for you at bedtime.

There are a number of over-the-counter and prescription medicines available to relieve allergy symptoms. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting a new medication.

Reference

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/allergies-and-asthma/art-20047458

www.preventure.comIFCNInternational Fitness Club Network

Pushing Back Against StigmaThe stigma of having a mental disorder can be almost as bad as the disorder itself. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is often the stigma that prevents people from seeking the help they need.

The Mayo Clinic offers these suggestions for overcoming the stigma of mental illness and seeking potentially life-changing therapy:

• Don’t let stigma create self-doubt and shame. Counseling and educating yourself about your condition can help you gain self-esteem and overcome destructive self-judgment.

• Don’t isolate yourself. Reach out to people you trust for the compassion, support and understanding you need.

• Don’t equate yourself with your illness. You are not an illness. So instead of saying “I’m bipolar,” for example, say, “I have bipolar disorder.”

• Get Treatment. If you think you may have a mental illness, don’t let the fear of being stigmatized prevent you from seeking help.

• Join a support group. Some local and national groups, such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offer programs and Internet resources that can help.

• Speak out against stigma. Consider advocating on behalf of yourself and others by expressing your opinions at events, in letters to the editor, or on the Internet.

References http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/index.shtmlhttp://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/any-mental-illness-ami-among-adults.shtml http://psychcentral.com/lib/15-ways-to-support-a-loved-one-with-serious-mental-illness/0007039

Healthy Employees are Happy, More Productive EmployeesGlobal Employee Health and Fitness Month (May) seeks to promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to employers and their employees through worksite health promotion activities and health-conscious work environments. The observance was founded by the National Association for Health & Fitness. According to the NAHF, employee health has been increasingly recognized as a powerful strategic component of an organization’s human resources management. Progressive employers who understand that their most valuable asset is their workforce are making substantial investments in employee health. Their investment has helped with health cost management, and also has been rewarded with improved productivity and employee morale.

pathways ISSUEMay 2016

Don’t wait until the weekend to start getting in shape for summer. Here are some simple exercises you can do

right at your desk.

Hamstring curl (20 reps)While standing, bend your arms at the elbow. Bring one foot up toward your rear end while straightening your arms so that your hands are down when your foot is up. Alternate feet. Do this about 20 times to start.

Knee lift (20 reps)Knee lifts are a lot like the hamstring curls, except you lift your knee up in front as your arms go down. Again, alternate knees, almost as though marching in place. Lift your knees as high as you can.

Side lunge (10 per side)With hands on your hips, step out sideways with one foot and bend your knees deeply. Then bring your foot back and

repeat with the other foot. Do 10 lunges per side to start.

Desk pushups (10 reps)Place your hands on edge of your desk, about shoulder width apart, with your legs out behind you. While keeping your back straight, lower yourself and push up again until your arms are nearly straight. Repeat 10 times to start, gradually increasing the number of reps over time.

Punching (20 reps)While rocking foot to foot, punch with alternating arms. To reduce elbow stress, try not to fully straighten your arm.

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Prep Time: 25 MinutesCook Time: 8-10 MinutesServings: 4 Calories: 158 • Carbs: 8g • Fat: 6g • Protein: 18.5g

Directions:1. Grate lemon peel, mince garlic, cut chicken into

16 chunks, cut onion into 16 chunks. 2. In a small bowl, combine yogurt, mint, lemon zest, ¼ tsp. salt,

and ¼ tsp. pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving time. 3. In shallow bowl, combine lemon juice, oil, garlic, oregano,

remaining ¼ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper. Add chicken and

onion, tossing to coat. 4. Preheat grill or broiler. Alternately thread chicken, onion and

tomatoes onto 8 skewers. Grill kebabs, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve with minted yogurt sauce.

Healthy RecipeChicken Kebabs with Mint SauceRecipe Courtesy of Healthwise

Ingredients:• ½ cup low-fat yogurt• 2 tbsp. fresh spearmint• 1 tsp. lemon peel• ½ tsp. salt

• ½ tsp. black pepper• ¼ cup lemon juice• 1 tsp. olive oil• 1 large onion

• 1 garlic clove• 1 tsp. oregano• 8 boneless chicken thighs• 1 cup grape tomatoes

These kebabs can be made inside under the broiler. But it’s May, so why not uncover the grill! Try something new, delicious, and healthy, with a Middle Eastern flavor.

Office workout: Shaping Up in the Workplace Source: The Washington Post ● https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/health/workout-at-work

“Respect your body. Eat well. Dance forever.” ― Eliza Gaynor Minden