Good Health is published semiannually for Blue Care Network and BCN Service Company members. Good Health is meant to complement the advice of health care professionals and is not intended to take the place of professional medical care. Your specific contract may not cover every procedure or treatment recommended.

Blue Care Network of Michigan is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, one of many individual Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® plans in the United States. Blue Care Network is controlled by a board of directors including private citizens, business, labor and health care professionals. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association licenses Blue Care Network of Michigan to offer certain products and services under the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names.

Blue Care Network of Michigan is an independent organization and solely responsible for its own debts and obligations. Neither the association nor any other organization using the Blue Cross and Blue Shield names acts as a guarantor of Blue Care Network of Michigan’s obligations.

In This Issue:
When your toddler has a cold, don’t reach for the medicine bottle
Are you shaped like an apple?
Relaxing ways to ease stress

Download Good Health, Spring 2008

PDF format, 2.1MB, 32 Pages.

Tips for reducing stress

Exercise, just about any form, is a good stress-buster. Getting enough sleep is important too. Taking a vacation can also do wonders for the body and soul. If you want some other ideas, try some of these:

• Get a massage
A good massage relaxes and may also have some healing benefits. Massage can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, increase blood circulation, relax muscles, reduce stress levels and increase endorphins that affect pain perception.

• Breathe slowly
Lie down in a quiet room and slowly inhale and exhale, focusing your thoughts on your breath. You can also focus on consciously relaxing your feet, ankles and all the way up through your torso to your head and neck.

• Say yes to yoga
Yoga exercises work with the breath to achieve increased strength, flexibility, balance, and peacefulness in your body and mind.

• Try Tai Chi
Tai Chi combines breathing exercises with a series of slow, graceful and precise body movements that increase body awareness and enhance strength, coordination and inner peace.

• Smell some lavender
Aromatherapy, which uses essential oils of flowers and fruits to cause biochemical effects, has a positive effect on the mood. The smell of lavender is especially relaxing.

It’s not a crystal ball, but…

The health risk appraisal on MiBCN.com will help identify what your health risks are. The more you know about your health, the better you can control the risks to it. Based on the information you provide, we will send you a detailed profile with a snapshot view of your health and health risks, as well as tips and advice on how you can minimize those risks. And unlike palm readings, it’s free.

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