OPH360

In an effort to increase physical activity, encourage healthy eating, improve productivity, and boost a positive culture in our workplaces, the Office of Public Health is implementing a statewide wellness program for all employees. OPH360 will support you in improving your personal health through peer encouragement, educational opportunities and wellness activities. Wellness activities will focus on healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco cessation and mental health. Be on the lookout for emails from your Wellness Champions for upcoming events and activities.

Join our Facebook group to stay updated on all things OPH360! Your wellness champion will share what’s happening in your area there. Stay engaged and motivate your coworkers by sharing your healthy habits, recipes and successes. 

Moving Well-Ahead

Making small, healthy changes is easy when your community is also committed to health! Find health resources near you with the Community Resource Guide! You can find resources for different health topics here.

Is your child’s school a WellSpot? Use our Find WellSpots tool to learn more. What about your favorite lunch spot? Find out here!

Become a Wellness Champion

A Wellness Champion is a co-worker that volunteered to lead your region or location’s wellness activities. Have a question? Contact your Champion and shoot them an email. Our Wellness Champions include OPH employees who are committed to moving OPH’s health forward. Click here if you’d like to apply to become a Wellness Champion. 

April is Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and providing education about stress and its effects. Stress is defined as a feeling of emotional or physical tension that can arise from various sources, such as work, major life events, or any situation that increases anxiety.

When experiencing high stress, the body releases hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, resulting in an increased heart rate and heightened alertness. This response is known as the “fight or flight” reaction, which is the brain’s way of assessing whether a situation is a real or perceived threat.

Chronic or high levels of stress can interfere with your ability to function normally, making routine tasks feel overwhelming. Understanding stress and learning healthy coping strategies are important steps toward maintaining overall well-being during Stress Awareness Month and beyond.

There are four main categories of stress: acute, chronic, eustress, and distress.

• Acute Stress: This is the body’s immediate reaction to a perceived threat, often referred to as the “fight or flight” response. After the stressful event passes, it takes about 90 minutes for the body to metabolize stress hormones and return to its normal state.
• Chronic Stress: This type of stress occurs when stressors are ignored or left unmanaged over a prolonged period. Chronic stress can negatively affect physical health.
• Eustress, also known as “good stress,” is associated with positive life events, such as getting married, having a baby, or embarking on a new adventure. It brings about feelings of excitement and fulfillment.
• Distress: This is negative stress resulting from difficult or traumatic experiences, such as divorce, financial problems, or the loss of a loved one. Distress can impact emotional and physical well-being.

Understanding these categories of stress can help you recognize and manage different stressors in your life.

A less common but important category of stress, especially among professionals, is called episodic acute stress, which occurs when a person experiences acute stress on a frequent or regular basis. Typical acute stress allows the body time to recover and return to a calm state, whereas episodic acute stress does not allow for sufficient recovery time between stressful events.

Episodic acute stress is often seen in high-pressure professions, such as health care, emergency services, and law enforcement, where individuals are repeatedly exposed to challenging and demanding situations. Over time, this constant state of heightened alertness can affect both physical and emotional well-being.

Recognizing the signs of episodic acute stress is crucial for professionals in these fields to manage stress and maintain their overall health.

Stress can have far-reaching effects on your day-to-day life, impacting both physical and emotional well-being. When you experience stress, you may notice changes in how you feel and respond to various situations.

Common effects of stress include:

• Feelings of fear, anger, sadness, worry, numbness, or frustration
• Changes in appetite, decreased energy levels, and shifting interests
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Nightmares or sleep disturbances
• Physical symptoms such as headaches, body aches, stomach issues, or skin rashes
• Worsening of chronic health problems (like heart disease or diabetes) and mental health conditions

Recognizing these effects is important in managing stress and maintaining both physical and mental health.

Stress is a part of daily life and, at times, can feel overwhelming. However, there are practical strategies to help you cope with stressful moments:

• Avoid Known Stressors: Identify and create distance from situations or people that trigger your stress. Say no when it’s necessary to protect your well-being.
• Communicate Boundaries: Clearly express your expectations and limits to others. Setting boundaries helps manage both your time and stress levels.
• Accept What You Can’t Control: Focus your energy on things you can influence. Accepting situations beyond your control reduces frustration and anxiety.
• Adapt to Change: Embrace flexibility when circumstances shift. Instead of worrying, adjust your plans and approach as needed.

By incorporating these coping strategies, you can better manage stress and maintain a healthier, more balanced outlook.

Everyone experiences stress at some point in their lives. The key difference lies in how you manage and respond to stress, which ultimately determines its impact on your mental and physical health. Developing healthy coping mechanisms can help you navigate stressful situations more effectively and protect your overall well-being.

Here are some upcoming activities in Baton Rouge:

• Live After Five: Friday nights from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at North Boulevard Town Square, Galvez Plaza.
• Hot Wheels Monster Truck Live: April 2nd – April 3rd at Raising Cane’s River Center.
• Baker Faire: National Bake Week Baking Contest on April 12th at the Main Library at Goodwood.
• Baton Rouge Blues Festival: April 17th–18th in Downtown Baton Rouge.

These events offer a great opportunity to enjoy local community entertainment and fun!

Resources

• What is Stress?
• Types of Stress
• Coping with Stress
• Managing Stress

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Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour
•  ⅓ Cup cornstarch
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt ¾ cup sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado
• 1 large egg white
• 1 ½ teaspoons freshly grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two baking sheets with cooking spray.
2. Whisk flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. Beat 1/2 cup sugar, butter, and oil in another mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add egg white, lemon zest and vanilla; beat until smooth. Beat in lemon juice. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold in with a rubber spatula just until combined.
3. Drop the dough by teaspoonful onto the prepared baking sheets 2 inches apart. Place the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar in a saucer. Coat the bottom of a wide-bottomed glass with cooking spray and dip it in the sugar. Flatten the dough with the glass into 2 1/2-inch circles, dipping the glass in the sugar each time.
4. Bake the cookies until they are just starting to brown around the edges, for 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a flat surface (not a rack) to crisp.

Tip: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

These lemon cookies are made healthier with whole wheat pastry flour, and they get their zippy flavor from fresh lemon zest and juice rather than lemon extract. This lemon cookie recipe would be the perfect accompaniment to afternoon tea.