Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. – Jeremiah 33:6

“Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la, la la la la!”

What about our health and wellness? Can this be the season for these things as well? ABSOLUTELY!

To be in good health or healthy is described by the World Health Organization as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. This means we can be in a good state of health, even when living with a chronic condition, injury or disability. It’s about the big picture.

Additionally, the National Institutes of Health identifies wellness as the act of regularly practicing healthy habits to achieve better overall health outcomes and moves us beyond surviving to thriving. It’s necessary for good self-stewardship – for us and for those we care about and who care about us.

As you can see, the two terms are 100% interconnected and, hopefully, you can discern the fact that our wellness practices are directly correlated to the status of our health – whatever that looks like for YOU.

Something to think about …

A small study, funded by the Swedish Alzheimer’s Foundation, found that type 2 diabetes, and possibly even earlier stages of this condition, called prediabetes, causes accelerated brain aging. In fact, type 2 diabetes is a known risk factor for dementia.

Fortunately, this study also showed some good news that this correlation may be counteracted by a healthy lifestyle, such as regular physical activity, as well as abstaining from smoking and heavy alcohol consumption. Considering the effect stress has on our blood sugar levels and how we make decisions for our health, effective stress management and release tools are also necessary to protect our bodies and minds.

Need some support with establishing, or re-establishing, a healthy lifestyle for yourself and your family? Your Concordia Health Plan offers MANY wellness solutions that are meant to meet you right where you are on your health and wellness journey. Aside from these robust available solutions, lean on each other. Work together. Encourage with grace.

As we move into the New Year, consider where you want to be in six months … one year … five years. Of course, Concordia Plans will be encouraging everyone to start 2025 off with some vital assessment of health and wellness – where you are currently. How about taking these last few weeks of 2024 to schedule a screening exam – such as an eye or dental exam. Or better yet, get that Annual Physical appointment on the calendar for early 2025.

It’s difficult to know where to start if you aren’t sure where you are in comparison to where you want/need to be. In addition to learning what’s going well and where there’s room for some improvement, completing a prevention visit between Jan. 1, 2025, and March 31, 2025, can earn you an extra 250 Vitality Points – on top of the points already associated with these visits.

Log into Vitality and check out all the “Prevention” and “Health Management” activities available. Select one, two or five and get them on your calendar. Once you’ve completed at least one of these activities, submit it to Vitality. You’ll see your initial activity points populate in your “Points Statement” shortly after. Then, once the Prevention Challenge concludes at the end of March, you’ll see that BONUS 250 points added as well! It’s a WIN – WIN – WIN! More details will be included in your January Wellness Champ Newsletter, but why wait? Most providers are scheduling now for 2025.

Plan to use this information to set reasonable, measurable goals for overall better health and wellness for this season and beyond. What’s your WHY? God’s not done with you yet. What plans does He still have in store for you? Or what promises are you still believing for, that you need to be ready for? Also, consider who needs you to be healthy and well to show them how to live healthy and well? You’re the only YOU.

Source: A healthy lifestyle may counteract diabetes-associated brain aging | ScienceDaily

Interested in more opportunities? Read on to discover helpful resources from our partners that will help you finish 2024 strong and dive into 2025 with confidence and positive expectation for your health and wellness!