1st Annual Blood Pressure Challenge
Did you know?
- High blood pressure increases risk for heart disease and stroke, which are leading causes of death in the United States.
- Because high blood pressure has no warning signs or symptoms you may not know you have it.
- By getting your blood pressure checked regularly and taking a few simple steps to keep it in control, you can avoid serious health consequences.
From March 24th-May 18th, the Rochester community will be taking action to help people know and control their blood pressure!
Click here for more information!
Want to know where RIT stands in the challenge to collect the most blood pressures? Click here to find out!
2013 Eat Well. Live Well Challenge
For those who don’t know about the Challenge, it is an 8-week challenge with two components:
- Get in Step is intended to increase a person’s weekly physical activity by increasing the number of steps a person takes each day (RIT will provide a FREE pedometer to all participants); and
- Strive for Five promotes healthy eating through behavior change by challenging people to increase the number of cups of fruits and vegetables they consume each day.
The Challenge begins on March 24th.
Click here for the team application!
Better Me Updates
Check out the latest Better Me Update here.
Better Me at RIT
For the 2012- 2013 school year the Better Me Wellness Program is focusing on three critical health issues that are effecting the RIT community. They include:
- Decreasing the incidence of metabolic syndrome among RIT employees / faculty and staff.
- Reducing smoking and the use of tobacco products by RIT employees / faculty and staff.
- Lessening the impact of musculoskeletal disorders, especially low back issues identified by employees / faculty and staff.
Look for wellness initiatives throughout the year that focus on addressing these important health problems.
Employee health is very important to the Rochester Institute of Technology. The Better Me wellness program is provided for all employees and they are encouraged to explore and learn more about healthy lifestyles. See our brochure for more information.
There are many benefits to investing in an employee wellness program. We recognize that by providing employees with resources to maintain their good health and by educating employees about making personal choices that promote good health, we can help to:
- Enhance your quality of life
- Improve your effectiveness at work and at home
- Reduce unintended absences due to illness or chronic health problems
- Slow the increasing cost of health care
- Demonstrate our commitment to all employees
RIT has quickly become a leader in employee wellness, offering a strong core of wellness opportunities to our employees. RIT boasts a state-of-the-art fitness facility as well as personal training, a wide variety of fitness and wellness classes, Weight Watchers at Work, and services through Excellus BlueCross BlueShield and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). RIT was also a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal’s Wealth of Health Award in 2009 and 2011, underscoring our commitment to employee wellness.
How has Better Me changed your life? Submit your success story by emailing us.
Small Changes Make a Big Difference
Here are some simple—and small—steps you can take toward better health and wellness:
- Step it up. Track your steps and add 2,000 steps to your daily routine. Wear a pedometer to keep track. Take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk to places close to home instead of driving.
- Make calories count. Bypass sugary sodas and reach for low fat or fat free milk instead. Milk offers more nutrients per penny than almost any other beverage option in the supermarket—providing key vitamins and minerals like calcium and vitamin D. Studies even suggest that milk drinkers tend to have healthier diets and are likely to be leaner than people who drink little or no milk. While companies have tried to duplicate milk’s benefits in manufactured beverages, none are as wholesome and naturally nutritious as milk.
- Rise and dine. Don’t skip breakfast to cut calories or time. Studies show that people who eat breakfast are most likely to maintain a healthy weight.
- Pat yourself on the back. Reward yourself for making small changes—it can motivate you to make even more.
- Set the stage for success. Create an environment that supports healthy behaviors. Stock the pantry and refrigerator with healthy foods, and keep them in front so you’ll reach for them first. Keep a pair of walking shoes in your office so you can take that walk at lunch—or even better—recruit a co-worker to walk with you. You’re much more likely to succeed with a buddy.