October 2014 – Page 3 – Risk Management 365

How Can I Cope With Stress?

The effects of stress tend to build up over time. Taking practical steps to maintain your health and outlook can reduce or prevent these effects. The following are some tips that may help you to cope with stress:

Seek help from a qualified mental health care provider if you are overwhelmed, feel you cannot cope, have suicidal thoughts, or are using drugs or alcohol to cope.
Get proper health care for existing or new health problems.
Stay in touch with people who can provide emotional and other support. Ask for help from friends, family, and community or religious organizations to reduce stress due to work burdens or family issues, such as caring for a loved one.
Recognize signs of your body’s response to stress, such as difficulty sleeping, increased alcohol and other substance use, being easily angered, feeling depressed, and having low energy.
Set priorities-decide what must get done and what can wait, and learn to say no to new tasks if they are putting you into overload.
Note what you have accomplished at the end of the day, not what you have been unable to do.
Avoid dwelling on problems. If you can’t do this on your own, seek help from a qualified mental health professional who can guide you.
Exercise regularly-just 30 minutes per day of gentle walking can help boost mood and reduce stress.
Schedule regular times for healthy and relaxing activities.
Explore stress coping programs, which may incorporate meditation, yoga, tai chi, or other gentle exercises.

If you or someone you know is overwhelmed by stress, ask for help from a health professional. If you or someone close to you is in crisis, call the toll-free, 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255).

via NIMH · Fact Sheet on Stress.

What is Ebola?

Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees).

Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. There are five identified Ebola virus species, four of which are known to cause disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d’Ivoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans.

Ebola viruses are found in several African countries. Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in Africa.

The natural reservoir host of Ebola virus remains unknown. However, on the basis of evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne and that bats are the most likely reservoir. Four of the five virus strains occur in an animal host native to Africa.

via About Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever| Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever | CDC.

What is a Reasonable Accommodation Under ADA?

A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy an equal employment opportunity. An equal employment opportunity means an opportunity to attain the same level of performance or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are available to an average similarly-situated employee without a disability.

The ADA requires reasonable accommodation in three aspects of employment:

to ensure equal opportunity in the application process,
to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of a job, and
to enable an employee with a disability to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include making existing facilities accessible; job restructuring; part-time or modified work schedules; acquiring or modifying equipment; changing tests, training materials, or policies; providing qualified readers or interpreters; and reassignment to a vacant position. For additional information about reasonable accommodation under the ADA, visit Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship (EEOC Guidance) at http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html.

via Employers’ Guide.

Symptoms of a Concussion

It is not always easy to know if someone has a concussion. You don’t have to pass out (lose consciousness) to have a concussion.

Symptoms of a concussion range from mild to severe and can last for hours, days, weeks, or even months. If you notice any symptoms of a concussion, contact your doctor.

Symptoms of a concussion fit into four main categories:

Thinking and remembering

Not thinking clearly
Feeling slowed down
Not being able to concentrate
Not being able to remember new information

Physical

Headache
Fuzzy or blurry vision
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Sensitivity to light or noise
Balance problems
Feeling tired or having no energy

Emotional and mood

Easily upset or angered
Sad
Nervous or anxious
More emotional

Sleep

Sleeping more than usual
Sleeping less than usual
Having a hard time falling asleep

via Concussion: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.

Healthy Michigan

The Michigan 4 x 4 Tool incorporates four key healthy behaviors with four key health measures. If each of us practice the Michigan 4 x 4 Plan, we will improve our quality of life and reduce health costs.

Each of us can improve our personal health by:

Practicing four key healthy behaviors:

maintain a healthy diet
engage in regular exercise
get an annual physical examination
avoid all tobacco use

Being aware of four key health measures that are closely tied to several chronic diseases:

body mass index (BMI)
blood pressure
cholesterol level
and blood sugar (glucose) level

via Healthy Michigan – Healthy Michigan.