Think about how to make your life simpler on the home front.
1. Get that shopping out of the way early. Make a list of everyone in your life, check it twice and buy in the fewest trips to the store. Shop locally, if possible, at a deserving business and tell them what you are looking for when you walk through the door—or give them a call ahead.
2. Share the burden of managing the holiday cooking and events calendar, by delegating to kids, partners, spouses, and friends. Other people can and do cook well, and they’re happy to contribute.
3. Give yourself permission to RSVP “NO.” Staying home or prioritizing other tasks before social events nets you peace of mind, but it can take practice to deny FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) any real estate in your mind.
No, to tobacco. Yes, to Jefferson Parish.
The Great American Smokeout (GASO), recognized on November 19, is a national day dedicated to bring individuals together to start their journeys toward a smoke-free lifestyle. This year, GASO is even more significant in the Jefferson Parish community. As Jefferson Parish continues recovery and rebuilding efforts in the wake of an active hurricane season and the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, we must remain mindful of the emotional toll these disasters have had and continue to have on our community. Too often we see individuals turn to unhealthy behaviors, like smoking/vaping and chewing tobacco as coping mechanisms to deal with stress.
Data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey revealed that 20.5 percent of Louisiana’s adult population smoke, compared to just 13.5 percent of all U.S. adults. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women (in LA). Smoking also causes cancers of the larynx (voice box), mouth, sinuses, pharynx (throat), esophagus (swallowing tube), and bladder. It has also been linked to the development of cancers of the pancreas, cervix, ovary (mucinous), colon/rectum, kidney, stomach, and some types of leukemia. Cigars and smoking pipes cause cancers, too.
All employers can protect their employees’ health and promote GASO by sharing resources from QuithWithUsLa.org with their employees and encourage healthy, tobacco-free workplaces. Quit With Us, La offers cessation coaching and nicotine replacement therapy. Individuals can enroll by calling 1-800-QuitNow or visiting QuithWithUsLa.org.
Hospitality and gaming industry employers can visit HealthierAirForAll.org for resources on how to create healthier tobacco-free workplaces for their employees, who may have experienced additional stress during this trying time.
For us to rebuild, re-open, and stay open we need to be more strategic and prioritize health more than ever before. The people of Jefferson Parish are resilient, and we can do anything. We can rebuild. We can protect our local businesses. We can even say “NO” to tobacco.
Join the Great American Smokeout on Nov. 19 and say “NO” to tobacco and “YES” to a healthier, more prosperous Jefferson Parish.
Read more about Great American Smokeout here.
Learn more about tobacco cessation here.
Learn more about smoke-free workplaces for everyone here.
Written by Matthew Broussard
Regional Manager, Region 1
Tobacco Free Living
Roadway to a Healthier Jefferson
During another successful Tour de Jefferson, it was exciting and encouraging to see hundreds of bike riders take to the streets and safely engage in family-friendly, physical activity. Every opportunity for people to exercise helps them to meet their fitness goals and improve their overall health and wellness. It is now more important than ever that people focus on their health. At the American Heart Association, we are committed to our mission of being a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. One of our priority areas is working with local communities to adopt a comprehensive Complete Streets policy.
This policy ensures that street infrastructure projects are designed and developed with safety, equity, and accessibility at its core. Complete Streets benefit everyone whether you are walking, biking, driving, or using transit. These streets built to share ™ will promote physical activity and healthier communities. Sidewalks that connect to parks, protected bike lanes, and streets that accommodate all people will allow people to safely be active and improve our quality of life.
At the onset of the COVID pandemic, the Jefferson Parish Complete Streets Coalition was preparing to host the first annual Walk to Lunch Day in the Metairie area. This program was to highlight the benefits of safe and accessible transportation options that provide walkable communities, promote health, and stimulate economic development. Creating a pedestrian-friendly design with connected walkways as well as business locator maps and mileage trackers would encourage people to walk to area restaurants and establishments and provide greater exposure for local businesses. We are working toward rescheduling this event as we resume our work in this area.
We realize that the road to healthier neighborhoods literally begins with a better road. We are not getting the recommended amount of daily physical activity and our health results are reflective of this reality. The development of a comprehensive Complete Streets policy will eliminate barriers and increase opportunities to be active. If you want to support our work in this area, please reach out to me at Rica.Trigs@heart.org. Let’s work together to adopt and implement a policy that fully addresses the infrastructure and processes that will contribute to a Healthier Jefferson.
Written by Rica Trigs
Community Advocacy Director, American Heart Association
Calming the Mind
With all the unrest in the world currently, most of us are carrying mental baggage. How often are we carrying the events of the day, week, or month with us by worrying or constantly thinking?
Meditation is a practice to calm the mind and believe it or not, anyone can do it. Ok, I know what you are thinking… “My mind doesn’t stop long enough for meditation.” This is completely normal. Initially, you may only be able to calm the mind for a minute or two. But, with practice, the mind calms for longer periods of time.
Meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, promotes emotional and physical health, enhances our awareness to ourselves, and improves sleep.
I know what you are wondering, “How do I meditate?”. Below are simple and easy to follow instructions.
- Choose an area that is quiet, and you will not be disturbed for a few minutes.
- Set a timer for the length of time you’d like to set aside.
- Sit or lay in a comfortable position, where you can allow your body to completely rest.
- Take a few deep breaths in, filling your lungs completely. When you exhale, set your intention to release any stress and tension, as if you are pushing it off you.
- Breathe normally now and begin to notice the feeling of your breath. Feel the coolness of the inhale and warmth of the exhale. Feel how your body rises and falls with each breath.
- If your mind starts to wander, simply recognize it, and notice the feeling of your breath again.
- When you are ready, bring gentle movement in your body and open your eyes.
I hope you enjoyed this exercise and will continue your mind calming journey!
Written by Jennifer Guillot
Owner, Heal from Within, LLC
Jennifer Guillot is a Meditation Guide, Holistic Energy Healer, and Well-being facilitator. She is the owner of Heal from Within, LLC and works at Ochsner West Bank facilitating their staff well-being program. Her passion is working with others on their own healing journey.
Prioritize Your Mental Health, Now More Than Ever
Written by Roselle M. Ungar, CFRE, Executive Director
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans
As we face this time of great upheaval, it is essential to prioritize our mental health. Many health experts are concerned that, without our normal schedules and access to mental health professionals compounding unprecedented events, many people are not seeking out the care they need or are accustomed to receiving. They warn us that, alongside the health crisis of coronavirus, a mental health crisis is playing out in our homes.
According to MentalHealth.gov, our mental health “includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.” As our country grapples with the stultifying challenges of a global pandemic and nationwide protests, feelings of fear, anger, depression, anxiety, paranoia, sadness, and panic are not unexpected consequences. While our personal reactions to current events may vary, we all need to check in with ourselves and, perhaps, check out a form of counseling.
Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans is accepting new clients, and we’re currently offering telemental health counseling. In addition to checking in with a mental health professional, our therapists offer some tips to prioritize your mental health.
- Limit news & media intake.
- Spend time outside, and be sure to exercise.
- Maintain good sleep hygiene.
- Maintain a routine as best you can.
- Eat a balanced diet.
- Take time to relax, whether that be sitting quietly or enjoying a hobby like playing music or meditating.
- Call family and friends. If you’re not yet able to see family and friends in person, call them. Hearing their voice will provide more feelings of connection than a simple text.
If you’re interested in speaking with a JFS therapist, get in touch with us: (504) 831-8475 or jfs@jfsneworleans.org. Follow our social media channels for more tips: @jfsnola on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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