Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Summer 2020

Spring Health Yourself Challenge Aim for better health Join our Juneau community in daily habits that can keep you physically and mentally healthy in the face of COVID-19 and, in turn, protect our whole community. Every month, the City and Borough of Juneau/Bartlett Regional Hospital wellness program has a specific focus or challenge. As things began to ramp up with our coronavirus response, Wellness Coordinator Jess Brown created this challenge to help everyone take one day at a time and literally take an inventory of everything they are doing to stay healthy. Take charge of your health “My hope is that the challenge helps our employees feel like they are on the right path and making a difference when things can otherwise feel chaotic and out of their control,” says Jess. Track your habits A. While the need to respond to COVID-19 feels very urgent, we may be battling this virus into 2021—in which case all of the lifestyle changes you make in the next couple months can better protect you. This virus seems to be more detrimental to those who are in poorer health—including those with diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. These conditions in particular can be improved with the help of good nutrition, physical activity and adequate sleep over several months. Ultimately improving existing health conditions while also supporting a healthy immune response—with most of the same interventions—helps each of us stay healthier. This translates into fewer COVID-19 cases needing acute medical care—which then frees up resources and limits the exposure of our medical professionals to the virus. Since individuals can be asymptomatic and still transmit the virus, “taking care of yourself ” also includes staying out Eating well: Eat a balanced diet, with lean proteins, healthy fats, and half of each meal as fruits or vegetables.  Yes  No Movement: Aim to get 30 minutes of physical activity in your day—the more joyful, the better!  Yes  No Handwashing: Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds every time, and wipe down high-touch surfaces.  Yes  No Limiting your vector path: Stay home as much as possible, and eliminate nonessential trips to public places.  Yes  No Sleep: Carve out seven to eight hours of restful sleep each night by turning off electronics an hour before bed and nixing alcohol, food and drinks after 8 p.m.  Yes  No Gratitude: Write down three things that went well from the day before going to bed, and reflect on why they happened.  Yes  No —Continued on page 6 Jess adapted this challenge for House Calls readers. Every day, review the list of habits below and check off the ones you’ve achieved. Then, at the end of the week, you can look back and see how your accomplishments add up. Give it a try. UP TO THE CHALLENGE? Check out the full charts at www.bartletthospital.org/ challenge . www.bartletthospital.org 5