Page 2
Keeping Your Diabetes
in Check
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Turkey Day Trivia
Do opposites attract? Apparently not, according to a study conducted by Michigan State University.
Close to 1,300 married couples were given personality tests to see if similarities in their personalities
had increased over the length of their marriage. The study showed that people picking a spouse chose
someone with a similar personality. Couples do not become more alike over time. The only personality
trait that is contrary to this theory is aggression. One spouse may become more aggressive over time.
tips and tools for when
life happens
everyday
Emotional Wellness
November 2014
Volume 6 Issue 11
Kindness is the Answer
Kindness is the answer to
many questions: How do we
combat the senseless violence
and bullying we see almost
nightly on the news? How do
we teach our children to relate
to others? How do we enhance
our health and well-being?
These are just a few.
As it turns out, there is a day
in November that is designated
as World Kindness Day
(November 13th). While this
day is meant to call attention
to the need for kindness in
our world, why limit it? Kindness should be a way of life. It simply
involves having an awareness of those around you and what their
needs might be.
Acts of kindness can be simple gestures. We underestimate the
value of a well-timed smile or a kind word. Writing a short note to
let someone know you appreciate them can speak volumes. In the
workplace, little things can mean a lot. Offer to help a coworker
who is overwhelmed with work. Leave a small candy or flower on
someone’s desk. Give a compliment. Basically, we just need
to think about how we would like to be treated if we were the
other person.
Spreading kindness can also be done on a more organized basis.
There are limitless possibilities when it comes to volunteer work.
Check your local social service agency for opportunities like Meals
on Wheels or a friendly visitor program. You can also search
online, by zip code, at sites such as www.volunteermatch.org or
www.servenet.org. Volunteering is a great way to spend time with
family members and provides a hands-on lesson for children.
Those who receive acts of kindness benefit in some way. Those who
perform the acts of kindness also benefit. Think about the last time you
did something nice for someone. It felt good, didn’t it? This is what’s
known as the “helper’s high” and it involves the release of endorphins,
which serve as our body’s painkillers. Studies have shown that performing
acts of kindness can improve many health issues that are triggered by
stress including depression and asthma. People are left with a greater sense
of self-worth and happiness. This is truly a win-win situation. So, what are
you waiting for?
Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can read.
Mark Twain
At Your Service
Keeping Fido Fit
While it is tempting to give in and toss Fido an extra treat, keep in
mind that he needs to watch his calories, too. A study conducted by the
Association for Pet Obesity Prevention shows that 51.5% of dogs and
cats in the United States are overweight.
How do you know if your pet has
a paunch?
• Hard to feel ribs under fat
• Sagging stomach
• Broad, flat back
What can you do to keep him fit?
• Try carrots or celery for a treat
• Give three or four small meals instead of two big ones
• Add water to food
• Get plenty of exercise
Ideal pet weight ranges can be found at petobesityprevention.com.
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Employee Quote
Fun Facts
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them,
is the true measure of our thanksgiving.”
W.T. Purkiser
Healthy Living
Keeping Your Diabetes in Check
Glucose meters give you feedback. They are
small—about the size of a cell phone—and can easily
be carried with you. All it takes is a tiny sample of
blood and a few seconds later, you have your blood
sugar reading.
We have all heard the saying information is power.
Once you have your reading, you can think back to
what might have caused it. Below are some examples
of why your reading may be too high, too low, or
just right.
Too High
• Eaten too much food, especially starchy or
sugary foods
• Have had a recent infection or illness
• Been in an extremely stressful situation or
recently upset
Too Low
• Taken too much of your medication
• May have not eaten enough food
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When you sit down to dinner on Thanksgiving Day, share some
“Turkey Day” trivia with your family.
• Why the name “Tom Turkey?” Benjamin Franklin named
it after Thomas Jefferson, who wouldn’t declare the turkey the
national bird.
• The average Thanksgiving dinner has about 3,000 calories.
During American Diabetes Month, we pause to
consider its effects. More than 29 million people in
the United States are afflicted with this disease. If
you are one of these people, you know how important
it is to manage your condition to keep your diabetes
in check.
You probably also know that it’s important to keep
your blood sugar levels within a healthy range. But
you may not be sure how to do that or know what
your levels mean. Home blood glucose monitoring
can give you the information you need to best manage
life with diabetes.
Turkey Day Trivia
• Only male turkeys gobble, mainly to attract the ladies!
• Three towns in the United States share the name Turkey.
• The biggest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds and was 12 feet long! (Guinness Book of World Records)
• Plymouth, Massachusetts celebrates Forefather’s Day each year on December 11 to honor those who founded Plymouth.
Just Right
• Got enough exercise
• Remembered to take your medications
• Canada celebrates Thanksgiving in October.
Once you start checking your blood sugar regularly,
you’ll begin to notice what things affect your
readings. You may also see patterns around time of
day. Some people may have higher readings in the
morning. Other people may have higher readings
after certain meals. For most adults, the goal before
meals is between 70 and 130 mg/dl. When checking
one to two hours after meals, the goal is generally no
higher than 180 mg/dl.
• The first Thanksgiving Day football game was played in 1934 between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.
How many times a day you check your blood sugar
depends on the type of medication you take. People
who take diabetes medications may check their blood
sugar only once or twice a day, while people who
take insulin may need to check four or more times
a day. Your doctor or can help guide you to know
what to do.
As you work toward controlling your diabetes and
keeping your blood sugar at healthy levels, remember
how useful home blood glucose monitoring is. It’s a
great way to keep yourself on track!
• President Truman was the first to pardon a turkey on Thanksgiving. The turkey goes to Frying Pan Park in Virginia.
• The first Thanksgiving, in 1621, lasted three days.