November 2021 The WELLesley Employee

^{A Monthly Safety and Wellness Newsletter brought to you by The Town of Wellesley Employee Safety  & Wellness Committee}

November's Wellness Initiative

_{Submitted by Robin Tusino}

1. Register here:
Registration & Participation Document*
* Use this link to register for the program,
and to check off your progress as you watch
5 videos on Resilience.
2. To learn about the program, go to:
app.wellable.co/Resilience
Access code: WSHG
View the short introduction video.
There are 5 videos on Resilience in this
program. It is recommended that you watch
one video per week, and work on that
resilience exercise during each week.
Each Wednesday, from Nov. 3rd - Dec.1st, a
reminder email will be sent to you with the
link of the week; along with the link to
record your progress. (If you prefer, you can
watch all 5 videos at any time during the 5 weeks.)
All participants who have watched all 5
Resilience Videos by 12/1 will be entered into a raffle for wellness e-gift cards.

The Results Are In! Working Together, Walking Together

_{Submitted by Jen Glover}

This year's fall walking program has completed. Wellesley finished in 5th place! Our total average minutes per teammate was 528 minutes.  Top walkers and their total minutes walking in 6 weeks are: Cay Meagher (1260), Jen Glover (1110), Jennifer Rixon (1080), Maureen Bamberry (1050), Sally Rose (1005).

Nice job Wellesley!

Preventing and Managing Hypertension

_{Submitted by Jen Glover & Robin Tusino}

Hypertension has been identified as one of the high claim conditions throughout West Suburban Health Group. 

 This flyer outlines lifestyle choices and steps for preventing and managing hypertension,

November is National Healthy Skin Month

_{Submitted by Monica Visco}

Who knew that November wasn’t only about honoring our Veterans and eating turkey?  Not me!

The American Academy of Dermatology has named November “National Healthy Skin Month”.  

 Skin is big business AND it’s your body’s biggest organ. There are so many products dedicated to helping our skin look better that it can be mind boggling.  From make-up to moisturizers to special equipment, our skin gets lots of attention and can cost a fortune to maintain or improve.  The American Academy of Dermatology, though, advises that it does not take much cost or effort to have healthy skin. These are the steps that they advise:

 Check your skin regularly for changes and abnormalities (see a dermatologist)

• Wear Sunscreen – not just in the summer
• Avoid tanning beds
• Clean your skin daily
• Use products that are appropriate for your skin type
• Use lip balm – don’t forget to protect your lips
• Keep your hands off of your face 

Visit aad.org for details for more information.  

 If we don’t get enough rest, eat too many processed foods, stay indoors and don’t exercise it shows on our faces.  It’s incredible that even our stress levels impact how our skin looks!  Hydrate, develop good habits, moisturize and your skin will respond.  It’s really that easy.

Most importantly, see a dermatologist annually.   According to the Skin Cancer Foundation:

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70
• More than 2 people in the U.S. die of skin cancer every hour
• Having more than 5 sunburns doubles your melanoma risk
• Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are the two most common types
• Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer, but highly treatable if detected early.

 Take care of your skin all year long.  But, during the month of November, take some extra time to hydrate and rejuvenate.  It’s easy!

Great American Smoke Out - November 18

_{Submitted by Vivian Zeng}

Smoking weakens your immune system, lowering your body’s ability to fight off disease. Studies have shown that adults who smoke have a higher risk for getting sick with pneumonia and having severe illness from infections like the flu. Adults who smoke also have a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 (CDC, 2020). If you smoke, the best choice for your lung health is to quit. Quitting isn’t easy. It takes time and a dedicated plan. Let the Great American Smokeout event on November 18 be your day to start your journey toward a smoke-free life. You’ll be joining thousands of people who smoke across the country in taking an important step toward a healthier life and reducing your cancer risk. The American Cancer Society can give you access the resources and support you need to quit.

No matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking, quitting improves health both immediately and over the long term. Giving up smoking is a journey, and it can be hard, but you can increase your chances of success with a good plan and support. Visit the American Cancer Society for resources to start your Day One of a smoke free life: https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html 

Daylight Savings Time Ends on November 7th; Don’t Forget to Turn Your Clocks Back!

_{Submitted by Cay Meagher}

Did you know that many believe the lack of daylight can impact our sleep, our moods, and that all can impact our overall health? Here’s a few tips to help deal with the changes that come when we turn the clock back.
1.    Get out and walk in the sunlight; take a moment to get some outside time (even when it’s cold out)! A quick brisk walk in the daylight; morning light particularly, can help wake you up and improve your mood
2.    Establish a sleep routine; just because it’s dark out you don’t have to be in bed. Stick to your regular routine and don’t take long naps.
3.    Think about using some vacation time to travel somewhere warm and sunny
4.    Start a new hobby with a friend
The change in time and daylight may impact your mood, if you experience prolonged sadness or depression during this time, please reach out to a mental health professional for help.

Preventing Drowsy Driving

_{Submitted by Michael Carmody}

The National Sleep Foundation sponsors Drowsy Driving Prevention Week each year on the week following the end of Daylight Saving Time. Their website at thensf.org contains important information on avoiding drowsy driving and strategies for staying alert and avoiding drowsiness before and during driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 4,111 motor vehicle deaths and about 50,000 injuries in 90,000 police-reported crashes involving drowsy driving between 2013 and 2017. In a 2018 report of a survey by AAA, 24 percent of those responding admitted to having driven while being so tired that they had had a hard time keeping their eyes open, at least once in past 30 days. 

Those individuals who begin or continue to drive while drowsy likely are aware of the risks. Besides falling asleep at the wheel, drowsiness impairs a driver’s ability to make decisions while driving, slows reaction time, and awareness of their surroundings. A common condition that occurs while drowsy driving is microsleep when a person loses consciousness for a few seconds, more than enough time to cause a serious crash.

The Department of Public Works faces the challenge of drowsy driving prevention each winter when sanding and plowing roads, sidewalks, parking lots and other public ways. Snowfalls of long duration mean extended hours of continuous plowing. The DPW Fatigue Management Program employs several strategies to keep seventy-five equipment operators awake and alert during snow events.

These strategies begin when snow is forecast by helping employees plan when to sleep, based on the estimated arrival of snow in Wellesley. During long snow events, designated quiet areas for sleep are set up with cots, water bottles and snacks. Meals are also brought in. Foremen regularly check in on plow and sanding operators to make sure they are alert and getting adequate sleep. Drivers are encouraged to take short breaks every 2-3 hours for a muscle stretch or short walk to maintain good circulation. 

Like most programs, fatigue management relies on the continual improvement model to determine new strategies and those needing improvement using feedback and suggestions from operators, supervisors and managers. The overall goal is ensuring safe public travel on roads and sidewalks while reducing fatigue to help our plow and sanding operators to work efficiently and safely.

COVID-19 Testing Info

COVID-19 testing for symptomatic individuals and close contacts, when ordered by your doctor, is usually covered by insurance and available at no cost https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing

Free testing is currently available at the Stop the Spread sites for MA residents: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread

Out of state residents should check with their home state about any free testing programs.
For example, RI: https://health.ri.gov/covid/testing/asymptomatic/  and NH: https://www.nh.gov/covid19/resources-guidance/testing-guidance.htm

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

• BOOSTERS NOW AVAILABLE, if you are:
  
• 65 years and older
• Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
• Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
• Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
• You can receive any brand vaccine for your booster!
• 
  
• See the latest information about obtaining the COVID vaccine or booster in Massachusetts https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine
• The CDC explains eligibility for boosters: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/p1021-covid-booster.html

Upcoming Trainings

Click to see MIIA Training Calendar                           

 Do you have an event or training that you would like to make available to all employees? Please contact Jen Glover jglover@wellesleyma.gov

Safer Ways to Celebrate Holidays

_{Submitted by Scott Szczebak}

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/celebrations.html

Monthly Action Item!

_{Submitted by  Emma Weiler}

It’s incredibly important to take breaks during work, even when you feel like there’s a rush to get your task at hand done. For the times when you can’t leave your desk, you can still stretch while sitting for five minutes without intervention.  Stretching can also help with discomfort and work-related pain or injuries. 

The simplest stretch you can do is the upper body and arm stretch. To do this:

1. Clasp your hands together and push upward with your palms facing the sky.

2. Stretch and hold the pose for 10 seconds.

3. Try twisting your torso left and right for 30 seconds, then repeat.

 Want more stretches to do at work?  Go to https://www.healthline.com/health/deskercise#upper-body

^{Interested in learning more about joining the town's Safety & Wellness Committee? Email Jen Glover! jglover@welleselyma.gov}