| Join our e-mailing list
Fitter than your grandkids?
Changing to a Medicare Advantage plan
Are you getting enough sleep?
Exercise fights aging
Join our e-mailing list
The Human Resources communications division is compiling an e-mailing list of retirees. Just register your e-mail address here. We'll never give out your address. We'll use it to notify you of updates, important information and when we need sources for Benefits Pulse stories.
top
Fitter than your grandkids?
“Not too many people argue with the wisdom of fitness,” notes Harvey Lauer, president of American Sports Data, a research company that recently surveyed a national sample of almost 15,000 people about their exercise habits. “Over 80 percent of the population endorses the concept of physical activity for better health, but only 20 percent get nearly enough exercise.”
Interestingly, a larger percentage of older Americans are participating in the fitness arena. Today 23 percent, of the health-club members in the U.S. are 55 or older, an increase of 379 percent since 1987. By contrast, sports and exercise participation by those 12 to 17 is in severe decline.
Percent of people who participate in a fitness activity 100 times in a year |
 |
Source: American Sports Data Inc.
top
Changing to a Medicare Advantage plan
When you and your covered dependents are covered under Medicare and meet other eligibility requirements, you may change your medical plan to the TexanPlus or Texas HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans on the first day of any month. There is no waiting period. Benefits are almost identical to those under the HMO plan, including prescription drugs. From now until Dec. 31, the premium for each person is $7.50 for Texas HealthSpring and $15 for TexanPlus. For more information, call the benefits division customer service unit, (713) 837-9400.
top
Are you getting enough sleep?
Most Americans, particularly older people, don’t get enough sleep. Lack of sleep can dull your mind, make you less productive and accident-prone, weaken the immune system, promote insulin resistance and decrease growth-hormone production.
Napping can partly make up for insufficient sleep. But you’re better off trying to sleep more at night, which may help you work more efficiently during the day.
To sleep better, exercise at least three hours before bedtime, avoid drinks, especially with alcohol or caffine, and block out disturbances.
Sleeping pills should be used only to treat occasional bouts of insomnia. Studies have failed to find that melatonin supplements improve sleep significantly. There’s even less evidence to support the use of valerian or kava.
Try these tips:
• Go to bed only when you’re sleepy.
• Use your bed only for sleeping and safe sex.
• If you suffer from heartburn at night, eat nothing for several hours before going to bed.
• Relax when you get into bed by tensing and then slackening muscles in your body, taking deep regular breaths, or visualizing a comfortable scene.
• If you don’t drift off within about 30 minutes, or if you wake up and can’t fall back asleep, get up and do something else as long as it’s not too stimulating.
Source: Consumer Reports on Health (c) 2000
top
Exercise fights aging
Medical studies suggest regular exercise may stave off some effects of aging. Researchers at Ball State University studied 12 men, ages 65 to 75, who had similarly good health but contrasting exercise habits. Half did moderate to high-intensity exercises such as cycling, jogging, rowing, or swimming at least four days a week; the others exercised less often. Tests showed that the frequent exercisers had about one-third the average level of joint inflammation compared with the less active men. Other research linked low-exercise levels with age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.
Previous studies have linked increased exercise levels with increased longevity and reduced coronary risk. Even something as simple as walking has documented health benefits.
Consult your physician before you begin a new exercise program. Ask: Is it safe for me to exercise? What forms of exercise should I avoid? Will any of my medications make it dangerous for me to elevate my heart rate? Your physician knows what your specific needs are and will make the best recommendations.
Source: Consumer Reports on Health (c) 2004
top
|
