June 2013 Tracking Success One of the most effective tools for behavior change is tracking your current behaviors and setting small, achievable goals. Many people are unaware of their current behaviors. Keeping written records is a way to track patterns and work toward positive change. According to a new survey by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, seven in ten (69%) U.S. adults track a health indicator, such as weight, diet or blood pressure, for themselves or a loved one. Many say this activity has changed their overall approach to health. 763-287-0740 info@healthsource-solutions.com
In This Issue Tracking Success Healthier Living: Small Business Solution Company Highlight: Stratis Health
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Over the past 10 years, HealthSource Solutions has offered behavior change programs on various health topics and collected pre-post data from participants. We compiled the results for all physical activity tracking programs done in the past four years into an aggregate summary report to help show the effectiveness of tracking and behavior change programs. This summary report included responses from over 3,800 participants. The physical activity programs were eight weeks in length and encouraged participants to track either their daily steps totals or minutes of physical activity. The report showed a 100% increase in the number of people meeting the recommended amount of five or more days of being physically active. Participants also reported experiencing several benefits during the eight week program: Sixty-six percent said they felt better physically, 49% reported an increase in energy and 46% felt better mentally. Click here to view the full summary report. There are many tools available for tracking, including both online and paper tools. Tracking methods don’t need to be elaborate, just consistent. You can keep track of nutrition choices by food-journaling, physical activity by an exercise log or blood pressure readings with a simple card in your wallet. Tracking your health behaviors and health numbers can help you set mini-goals along the way. If you are looking for an easy tool to help you track your behaviors try the USDA SuperTracker. Also there are many useful tracking apps on the market for Smartphone users; two of the top rated FREE apps are: MyFitnessPal & LoseIt.
Healthier Living: Small Business Solution HealthSource Solutions created the Healthier Living program as a solution for small businesses looking for a comprehensive, high-touch employee wellness program that’s affordable and easy to implement. This 12-month program includes regular communication pieces, programs and events, environmental support, outreach activities, summary report, and a dedicated HealthSource Solutions program coordinator. Learn More
Company Highlight Stratis Health is a small company based in Bloomington, MN. With a company size of 66, they were looking for a wellness program that was easy to implement but wouldn’t take a lot of extra time. They launched the Healthier Living Small Business Wellness Solution in June of 2011. They are now busy wrapping up their second year of Healthier Living and plan to begin year 3 in July. Nancy Hickey, HR Generalist at Stratis Health, told us “the most impactful piece of the Healthier Living Package is the continuous reminders employees receive about making healthier choices.” Employees have expressed an appreciation for these nudges. With everyone being extremely busy and just having gone through a remodel of their office space, they really appreciate how simple the tracking programs are. Since launching with Healthier Living, they have seen a noticeable change in the environment and culture around wellness. According to Nancy, “Employees are making healthier choices when bringing in food for meetings, there have been requests for installing a bike rack onsite and other similar requests that show people are thinking more about their health.”
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