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Trick-or-Treat Tips

Halloween- such a fun time to show off costumes but also a potential health trap. Try these 5 quick tips to keep Halloween fun, but slightly healthier:

1. Pass out candy alternatives. You can pass out fun, kid-friendly items like fruit leather, raisins, all-natural crackers, stickers, or cheap dollar store toys (tops, puzzles, etc.) 

2. Monitor and prioritize. Let your kids (and you) pick a few pieces each day to keep within reasonable limits. Discard or donate less desired items to the Food Bank. 

3. Incentive or trade. You can also give your child a nickel for each small piece or quarter for each big piece of candy they give up; they may think they've won the lottery!

4. Travel in groups. Make sure to go treat or treating with little ones and have older kids go in packs in well-lit areas and familiar neighborhoods to keep safe. 

5. Try other tasty treats- like pumpkin or squash, roasted nuts, or apples in place of at least some sugary alternatives. 

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.

Dealing with Dry Skin

If you're like me, dealing with dry skin is a constant battle- especially in the winter. Try these simple tips to save your skin.

Limit fragrances. Pick cocoa, shea, vanilla, and honey based lotions or washes instead.

Use mild detergents for hand washing, showering, and laundry.

Soften your water to rid it of heavy metals that prevent moisturizers from absorbing into your skin.

Get your vitamins. Getting vitamins A and C can help your skin better absorb moisturizers.

Limit acne medications. You certainly don't have to give them up, but try using them every other day to keep the oil down and keep hydrated.

Humidify. Especially during the winter months when you've got heaters going, a good humidifier will help counteract your skin from drying out.

Use hydro cortisone. At the first signs of chaffing, peeling, cracking, or eczema, use hydro cortisone to quickly restore moisture and prevent itching.

Regulate hand washing. Make sure to continue washing your hands after possible contaminations like using the restroom, sneezing, food prep, etc, but limit to only those times.

Lotion after each wash. Putting lotion on damp skin can further lock in the moisture immediately after washing your hands or showering.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/beauty-pictures/7-surprising-causes-of-dry-skin.aspx?pos=2&xid=nl_EverydayHealthWomensHealth_20150920

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.

All About Wellness Checks

What is a Wellness Check? 

A Wellness Check is a quick, 15 minute health screening that measures your blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, body fat, waist, and BMI. 

How is everything tested?

All of your personal results will be assessed by trained screeners. There's no lab work involved; just a simple finger stick for blood work and even less invasive tests to collect the remaining data. 

What is the benefit of a Wellness Check?

Immediately following your Wellness Check, you will receive a health report card where you can see your specific results, how they compare to nationwide standards for optimal health, and how they compare to your results from prior years if you've been screened before. 

What about confidentiality?

All personal results will remain confidential. They will be emailed to you through a secure, one-time link and then password-protected. EMI Health does not share individual results with employers and does not use results to alter individual insurance premiums.

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.

5 Quick Tips to Preventing the Flu

Fall and winter are fast approaching, so it's time to start building up our defenses against cold and flu viruses. Here are 5 quick tips to avoid getting sick this season:

1. Get a flu vaccination. It's the #1 defense against the flu. Even if you still get sick, you can get over it faster and experience fewer  symptoms. 
2. Wash your hands frequently. Protect yourself and others. Wash after using the restroom, blowing your nose, before and after preparing foods, etc.
3. Stay away from people who are sick or wash up after interacting. Be courteous when you're sick to keep your germs at home. 
4. Clean and sanitize often. Germs can be spread through many surfaces such as desks, tables, doorknobs, bathrooms, electronics, etc. Wipe them down with a disinfectant to greatly limit the number of germs you and others are exposed to.
5. Avoid touching your face. Germs get your sick when they're introduced to your system  through your eyes, nose, and mouth.
   

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.

Tired of Love Handles?

Do you ever get tired of core exercises that just don't seem to work? Learn all of the steps involved in sculpting your midsection to finally get the results you're working for:


Start with cardio. Studies show again and again how effective it is at not only improving your heart health, but reducing inches around your midline as well.

Evaluate eating. In order for the fat to melt off, your need to be sure you're within your calorie/ portion limits and eating lean.
 
Now, it's Crunch Time! Once you have the other two habits down and the layer of fat slowly melts away, you will start to really see your core muscle tone showing through.

Although these steps sound simple, we all know they're extremely difficult to maintain. Start one step at a time. You can do this!

http://www.everydayhealth.com/fitness/say-good-bye-to-your-love-handles.aspx?pos=1&xid=nl_EverydayHealthHealthyLiving_20150905

Prevent the Flu This Season

It looks like flu season has started early this year, so make sure to get your flu shot to prevent you and your loved ones from getting sick this season. The CDC recommends that everyone get an annual flu shot, especially pregnant women, young children, and older adults.

Did you know?

• Getting a flu shot is still the #1 way to prevent the flu each year.
• Flu shots can not give you the flu because you are given a dead virus. 
• It takes two weeks to be fully protected after receiving a flu shot.
• Each flu shot protects you against the latest  3-4 strains of flu virus, but there is still a possibility of contracting another strain or type of illness.
• You should still get a flu shot even if you've already gotten sick this year to prevent getting sick again.

What else can I do to prevent the flu?

Eat Healthy. Eating a balanced diet high in vitamin C and water can help. You can also watch your intake of Zinc and Echinacea.

Sleep Well. Being sleep deprived can really hinder your body's immune system. Whether you're trying to avoid illness or already sick, be sure to get plenty of rest.

Exercise. It speeds up your immune cells so they can better prevent and conquer viruses. Those who exercise five days a week have half the chance of getting sick and when they do get sick, it lasts half as long.

Limit Stress. Stress can lower your resistance to viruses and increase your chances of getting sick.

Avoid the spread. Germs can be spread many ways. Prevent getting sick or spreading it to others by washing your hands frequently, keeping distance from others, and not touching your eyes, nose  or mouth.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/flu/in-depth/flu-shots/ART-20048000
http://www.everydayhealth.com/cold-flu/tips-to-shorten-cold-duration.aspx

EMI Health is a nonprofit organization that has been providing health benefits in the Intermountain West for 80 years. We currently provide medical, dental, and vision coverage to more than 150,000 members in Utah and Arizona. For more information, visit EMIHealth.com.