VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2014
A SLICE OF ORANGE Refreshing Your Health
GIVE THE GIFT OF HEALTH FOR CHRISTMAS! • Healthy body for Christmas • Fit for summer • Stress busters
Give the gift of health for Christmas! WHAT MORE COULD BRING BETTER TIDINGS AND GOOD WILL TO YOUR FELLOW MEN THAN A LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIFE? The holidays have always been a time of indulgence, merriment, and expanding waistlines. While joy is undoubtedly good for the heart, over-indulgence is not, and
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the results of these thoughtless merriment fill emergency rooms the day after. But no, we will not be Scrooges today. Instead, we will give you fantastic and healthy ideas to spread the cheer and health this season of hope. Read on!
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2014
Healthy body for Christmas Try these gift suggestions that promote
uid asthma medicine such as salbutamol in
A health basket
the health of your dearest loved ones.
nebules into breathable mist. This is perfect
Many people give gift baskets or fruit
for severe attacks not relieved by an inhaler,
baskets for the holidays. How about giving
Automatic blood pressure monitor
or for children who do not have the hand
a health basket this year? While many phar-
Many people don’t take their blood pres-
coordination to use an inhaler yet. Nebuliz-
macies have their own version of this bas-
sure (BP) because they don’t have a BP ap-
ers are available at drugstores and medical
ket, make your own so you can control your
paratus, and even if they do, they are not
supply stores. The price ranges from P1,000
budget and customize your gift depending
sure if they are taking it properly. An auto-
to P6,000 depending on brand, size
on the recipient’s needs. Here are some sug-
matic BP monitor (ABPM) is a battery-pow-
and portability.
gestions, based on what generally healthy
ered gadget that works much like a usual BP
people need to maintain their health:
apparatus, minus the other person. There are
Pre-paid health coverage
• Fiber supplements (capsules or sachets)
many kinds available, but I prefer the one
Most people have health insurance or
• Low- or zero-calorie sweeteners
worn over the arm over the one on the wrist.
coverage from their employers. However,
• Multivitamin/mineral tablets
The ABPM has some degree of error, but this
these policies or products usually have an
• Portable first-aid kit
can be minimized by ensuring your batter-
age cut-off. This means that many people,
• Povidone iodine wound antiseptic
ies aren’t drained. ABPMs are available in
including those who are self-employed,
• Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
pharmacies and medical supply stores. The
contractually employed, or the elderly, do
• Pocket tissue
price ranges from P1,000 to P3,500, and
not have any form of coverage except for
• Moisturizing body cleanser
averages at P2,000.
Philhealth. For these people, even a year’s
Place the contents in a nice basket or
worth of coverage could be helpful during
container, wrap in cellophane, gift wrapper
Nebulizer
times of need. Why not give them a pre-
or craft paper, and tie with a ribbon.
Do you know someone who has moder-
paid health coverage card? There are many
ate to severe asthma (those who have called
kinds available from various clinics, health
Fit for summer
in sick from work because of it), or someone
providers, health insurers, or health mainte-
with an asthmatic child? A nebulizer may be
nance organizations (HMOs). Visit their re-
for a summer body. Immediately after New
a perfect gift. For its cost, it is a worthwhile
spective websites for more information. An
Year’s Day, put down the ham and fruitcake,
investment that could prevent inconvenient
ideal New Year’s gift, these products can be
and coax your loved ones to get active with
and costly hospital visits. Nebulizers turn liq-
bought for as low as P999.00
these fitness suggestions.
The New Year is the best time to prepare
A SLICE OF ORANGE
VOLUME 8 • ISSUE 12 • DECEMBER 2014
Shoe bag Many office workers now have options to
as the crunches and the plank. It is also es-
take a quick run after work with the develop-
sential for stretching. Some kinds of mats can
ment of running paths in many business dis-
be bought for less than P500.00.
tricts, such as Makati, Fort, and Eastwood.
Aromatherapy Scents, perfumes, and air fresheners
But running shoes can be bulky, and some-
Stress busters
have always been a staple for trinket gifts.
times stinky. You wouldn’t want to mix those
Stress is one of the most common causes
However, many of us just buy them mind-
with your other stuff. A shoe bag, with or
of high blood pressure, gastrointestinal prob-
lessly. But scents are powerful triggers of
without handles, can be a thoughtful gift for
lems, and mental distress. Keep the season
emotion, and can be used to bring forth
a runner-friend.
jolly for your loved ones with these stress-
mental wellbeing. Here are some of the
relieving gift ideas.
effects of scents to guide you in your scent
Resistance bands
gift-shopping:
Resistance training is one of the best
Other versions of the stress ball
• Relieve anxiety: bergamot, cedar wood,
ways to get fit. Not only can it burn fat, but
Stress balls are great distractions for re-
frankincense, lavender, orange,
more importantly it helps tone muscles. If
lieving stress. Who hasn’t felt better after
peach, rose
your friend finds the gym too intimidating or
squishing that ball in frustration? However,
• Ease depression: bergamot, jasmine,
time consuming, get them resistance bands
for many people, stress is less about de-
so they can work out at home, even while
mands and frustration, but about inactivity
ylang-ylang
watching TV. A set of three resistance bands
and monotony (yes, idleness can be just as
• Overcome fatigue: camphor, carda-
for varying levels of resistance, costs less
stressful). These other “versions” of the stress
mom, cinnamon, eucalyptus, lemon,
than P1,000, and comes in many cheerful
ball can be great gifts for officemates:
peppermint, pine, spiced apple
colors.
• The Kooshball
• Relieve tension and insomnia: bergamot,
lavender, lemon, orange, sandalwood,
• A big box of paperclips to bend and
chamomile, cinnamon, lavender,
Yoga mat
straighten during boring meetings and
nutmeg, orange, rose, sandalwood,
phone calls.
vanilla, violet, ylang-ylang. Just remember, a healthy mind and body
A yoga mat is a thoughtful gift for a yoga
practitioner, but it can also be used for other
• A big box of rubber bands to make
purposes. It can be used to do basic and
rubber band chains or to stretch and
is the best gift you could give. Enjoy your
advanced core (abdominal) exercises, such
squish for tactile stimulation.
Christmas shopping!
Looking to enhance your corporate healthcare benefits? E-mail us at benefits@activelinkbenefits.com. The information in this newsletter is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a doctor for all matters relating to your health, particularly for symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. © 2014 ActiveLink
Benefits Made Better
ActiveLink 7/F Electra House Building 115-117 Esteban St., Legaspi Village, Makati City www.activelinkbenefits.com
A Slice of Orange
is a newsletter designed to help clarify basic health information and offer juicy tips on uplifting your health.
Editorial team Alvin Delfin Christine Llenes-Delfin Ivan Olegario, MD