Increase Health Literacy to Increase Wellness
What is Health Literacy?
Affecting one’s ability to manage their medical needs and decisions, Health Literacy is the capacity to understand medical information and services in order to make the best decisions for your own wellness.
Why it Should Matter to You:
Data shows that the less literate someone is about health matters, the more likely they are to be hospitalized and to not use preventative services. Only 12% of adults have the necessary understanding to manage their health, leading to higher healthcare costs.1
How Do I Get Started?
- Sleep!- Fatigue directly affects your productivity. Try adjusting the nighttime settings on your phone so you don’t get notifications all night long. Pick up a pair of blue light filtering glasses or screen cover- the blue light from screens can cause insomnia!2
- Nutrition!- Keep healthy, filling snacks on hand at work so you don’t go for the chips and cookies. Learn how to read nutrition labels and the difference between healthy fats and their sugar-laden low- and non-fat alternatives.
- Stress!- Countless studies have been done to demonstrate how stress contributes to a host of illnesses. Try meditating, taking a yoga class, or just carving out time for yourself to do what brings you joy and relaxation.
- Workplace Benefits!- Check in with your HR department to see what information they can offer. You may have access to classes and education that you don’t even realize!
SOURCES:
https://health.gov/communication/literacy/quickguide/factsbasic.htm
https://totalhealthmagazine.com/Sleep-Insomnia/Your-light-bulb-could-be-giving-you-insomnia.html