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February is recognized as Low Vision Awareness Month to spread the word about resources available for people living with low vision.

The National Eye Institute predicts that by 2050 the number of people living with vision impairment or blindness will double. Another 16.4 million Americans are predicted to live with corrective eye problems like short or far-sightedness, which can be corrected using glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. 

Yet statistics show that more than half of Americans don’t seek eye care, citing lack of awareness and cost of services as the main reasons for not seeking help. 

This highlights the importance of initiatives like Low Vision Awareness Month, where we can all do our part to share information with those who can benefit from it.

What is low vision?

Low vision is a degenerative condition where a person’s eyesight fades until they find it difficult to cope with everyday activities like reading price labels when shopping, recognizing people’s faces, and seeing television or computer screens clearly. There is no cure for low vision, but people can keep their sight for longer by using corrective devices like magnifying glasses, specialized computer software, and sometimes surgery if a reversible eye disease like glaucoma or cataract is the cause of low vision.

Whether you develop a low vision problem depends on many factors. One of them is genetics. If your parents wore glasses and experienced vision loss during their twilight years, chances are that you might also need glasses one day.

National Health Institute has identified four types of low vision resulting from various eye diseases or conditions.

1. Peripheral vision loss. When you cannot see out of the corners of your eyes.
2. Central vision loss. When you cannot see things in the center of your eye, objects and people’s faces seem like blurry blobs in the middle with clearer details on the outside.
3. Night blindness. When you cannot see well in twilight or low-light conditions, driving a car at night can be difficult or impossible because you cannot see the lane markings.
4. Blurry or hazy vision. When you cannot distinguish details of objects or read print, the words appear blurry or hazy, and you cannot make out letters (especially small print).

Causes of low vision

People of any age can be diagnosed with low vision because it can arise from various conditions and injuries. Low vision may result from eye or brain injury during an accident, but it’s more common in adults over the age of 45 and most common in adults over the age of 75.

The main causes of low vision are age-related conditions like:

• Diabetes-related retinopathy
• Macular degeneration
• Cataracts
• Acute and Chronic Glaucoma

Risk factors for developing eye disease

Risk factors for developing problems with vision increase with age. If you’re already over 75, you may be at increased risk. But age isn’t the only risk factor for developing low vision. 

‍Other factors that can put you at higher risk for developing vision impairments are:

• Weight
• Family history of eye health issues
• Chronic condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure
• African American, Hispanic, or Native American descent

Even if none of the above factors apply to you, it’s still a good idea to get your eyes examined, especially if you’re over 45. That way you can be on the lookout for any deterioration that may be happening unnoticed.

Keep your eyes healthy and protect your vision

It’s important to get your eyes examined by a qualified medical professional at least once every two years. Keeping tabs on your eye health will help you get better, more effective treatment in case any eye problems are discovered during the exam. It’s especially important to have your eyes checked out because many eye diseases don’t have any warning signs until it’s too late and the eye structure has been damaged. Starting treatment early in the disease process has a far greater success rate.

Schedule a full dilated eye examination

Just like you go to a doctor for a yearly physical, you can book an appointment for an eye examination with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. The exam is painless, and it’s the only sure way to discover if there are any problems with your eyes or vision. Early diagnosis equals better treatment outcomes. So make a routine eye exam part of your yearly checkup.

Simple tips to protect your eye heath

Even though you may not be able to prevent developing a low vision condition, according to the National Health Institute, taking care of your eyes every day will preserve your sight for as long as possible.

• Wear sunglasses. When going outside, wear sunglasses. Even if the weather is cloudy, the sun still penetrates the clouds, and the UV rays can cause damage to your eyes.
• Wear protective eyewear. Use protective eyewear if you’re doing activities that may cause injury to your eyes—especially during welding, construction work, or home repairs. Pleasure activities like skiing, motorbiking, or diving can easily result in eye damage if you don’t use protective eyewear. Also, don’t forget to protect children’s eyes during sporting activities. Protect their eyes while they’re young so they can keep their vision for longer as they age.
• Prevent eye strain. When you’re working at a computer screen for long hours, remember to take breaks and let your eyes rest throughout the day. Also, you may want to invest in protective glasses that reduce screen glare.
• Keep contact lenses clean. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how long a contact lens should be worn. Make sure your hands are clean before removing or inserting contact lenses, and use the prescribed contact lens solution to make sure you don’t introduce any germs into your eyes. Repeated infections may cause damage to your vision.

Best place to find help when your eyesight is fading

If you notice changes in your vision, visit an eye specialist to be examined and, if need be, directed to a vision rehabilitation service. 

‍Vision rehabilitation can be a lifesaver for those living with vision loss. These services help you keep your independence despite deteriorating eyesight and help you choose the correct assistive devices so you can keep the vision you have left for longer.

Living with low vision

Millions of people in the US live with a visual impairment which can make it hard to do everyday activities like driving, reading, or cooking. Unlike some visual disturbances like near or far-sightedness, visual impairments can’t be corrected with glasses, contacts, or surgery.

The good news is there are resources available, like vision rehabilitation services, that can help people with a visual impairment make the most of the vision they have so they can keep doing the things they love. 

Take some time this Low Vision Awareness Month to spread the word about vision rehabilitation and be sure to sign up for Evidation today to get more health tips and resources. 

Reach your health goals. Download the app today.

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Flu season typically peaks in February. If you spend time around other people, like working in close proximity to others or riding on crowded buses, chances are you’re likely to get it. But there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family from catching the flu.

Here are some tips to help prevent catching the flu.

Influenza, more commonly referred to as the flu, is a viral respiratory infection that causes mild to severe symptoms. When you have the flu, you can expect headaches, sore throat, runny nose, and generalized body aches. Most people experience mild to moderate symptoms and recover within a week. But for some, especially those who are very young, older, or with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk, flu can be very dangerous. 

Get Vaccinated To Prevent Catching The Flu

Vaccines are a controversial topic for many people, especially after the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the drive to get COVID vaccines marred by anti-vaccine protests. But there’s a substantial amount of research on the safety of flu vaccines. And research indicates getting vaccinated is the safest and most reliable preventive measure you can take against getting the flu. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that most people should be vaccinated yearly, especially those at a greater risk of developing complications from the flu. If you’re over 65 years or suffer from chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular illness, getting vaccinated should be a priority for you.

Avoid Large Crowds If You Can And Practice Good Hygiene

It may be unavoidable to avoid crowds. You have to work to survive, which means getting out and about among people. The flu spreads easily in crowded spaces like public transport, confined offices, schools, and even shopping malls. Try to limit the time you spend in those crowded spaces as much as possible during the peak months (from December to February) to avoid catching the flu.

The flu virus spreads person to person. 

You can get infected by being in close contact with an infected person, like hugging or spending time with them. The virus spreads through droplets the infected person breathes out during coughing, sneezing, or talking and lingers in the air you breathe before falling to the ground or the nearest horizontal surface. It can also spread through infectious particles that land on inanimate objects and surfaces in your environment. If you touch a contaminated surface, the virus can transfer to your hands, and if you touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, the virus can enter your body. 

To prevent getting infected by the flu virus lurking in your environment, wash or sanitize your hands often, and avoid touching your face.

Always sanitize your hands after touching surfaces in public areas like door handles, handrails, and counters or after using public transport. COVID-19 has taught us to always carry a small bottle of sanitizer with us whenever we leave the house, and it can now be used to help prevent flu.

Wash your hands often throughout the day to reduce the number of flu and other pathogens present on your skin. Good hand hygiene practices go a long way to preventing flu and other diseases. Always wash your hands after using the toilet, before preparing or eating food, and after blowing your nose. 

How To Prevent The Flu With A Strong Immune System

A strong immune system helps you fight illness-causing germs before they invade your body cells and multiply, triggering symptoms to develop.

To ensure that your immune system can fight off the flu virus and turn your body into a flu-prevention machine, try to follow a healthy lifestyle to ensure your body is as strong as it can be. 

A healthy lifestyle includes things like:

• Getting enough sleep. A great night’s sleep makes you feel better and helps your body fight off infections. General guidelines recommend that adults should sleep 7-9 hours each night.
• Eating a well-balanced diet. A diet that includes multiple healthy food groups, like lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats, is extremely beneficial to building a strong immune system. And don’t forget to stay hydrated. For healthy individuals, the recommendation is at least 8 glasses of water a day to help your kidneys flush out all toxins and keep you healthy. If you have kidney disease or other health factors that limit how much water you’re able to drink each day, talk to your healthcare provider to help you determine how much water is right for you.
• Taking time to exercise. Exercise helps reduce weight, keep your muscles strong, and increases your resistance to infections. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes at least three times a week or do any other brisk activity that raises your heart rate. As always, seek the advice of your healthcare provider before starting or increasing your exercise routine, especially if you have underlying health conditions.
• Relaxing. Reducing stress is super important to maintaining a healthy immune system. You can use meditation and deep breathing to get rid of stress. Or take up a hobby that makes you feel happy when you’re doing it. Even a relaxing bath after getting home from work can be sufficient to relax and unwind. High-stress levels can lead to a weakened immune system and a higher likelihood of contracting flu virus.
• Take vitamin supplements. Taking supplements is not a replacement for following a healthy diet but can offer an additional boost to your immune system. You can take supplements containing zinc, Vit D, and Vit C to help protect yourself from the flu. Be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist first if you’re on prescription medications to make sure there are no contraindications before starting any new supplements.

Include More Fiber In Your Diet For Flu Prevention

As weird as it may sound, adding more insoluble fiber to your diet may help protect you from severe flu complications this year.

Dietary fiber has been known to protect against allergic airway inflammation. Since the virus often attacks human airways, and one of the most serious complications of flu is pneumonia, it may be possible that adding insoluble fiber to your diet, especially during the flu season, may add some protection against some of the severe complications of the flu.

A study done on mice at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2018 has shown a clear link. According to the study’s findings, eating more insoluble fiber produces a potential protective effect against flu pathology. In the study, two sets of mice were observed after exposure to the Influenza A virus. One set of mice was fed a low-fiber diet, while the others received a high-fiber diet. The mice who received the high-fiber diet exhibited milder flu symptoms and better lung function. Researchers concluded that the high-fiber-fed mice were better protected against influenza-induced tissue destruction and lethality.

Try adding more high-fiber foods like cauliflower, beans, and nuts to your diet this flu season. Another small diet change you could consider is swapping that white flour bagel for a slice of whole wheat toast.

To Summarize

You can protect yourself and others by actively taking flu prevention measures. By getting vaccinated, staying home more often during the height of the flu season, following a healthy lifestyle to support your immune system, and remembering to wash your hands regularly, you can help stop the spread of flu.

FluSmart on Evidation

For more tips on staying healthy this flu season, and to stay up to date on flu rates in your area, download the Evidation app and join the FluSmart program.

More about FluSmart:

• FluSmart is a program that looks for changes in your activity data from wearable devices and alerts you when a change suggests you may be feeling under the weather.
• The goal is to understand whether changes in activity patterns can identify symptoms of influenza-like illness, but you can also report symptoms even if you don’t have a wearable device.
• You may also be eligible to participate in health research. You can opt out of the program at any time.

Let's shine the light on privacy in celebration of International Data Privacy Day!

‍Data Privacy Day has been celebrated in Europe on January 28th since 2006, when it was established to commemorate the January 28, 1981 signing of Convention 108, the first legally binding international treaty dealing with individual privacy and data protection. The U.S. and Canada started celebrating the day in 2008. 

More recently, and given the prevalence of data in our increasingly digital world, Privacy Day has been extended to a full week. The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) has set the theme for Data Privacy Week 2023 to be part of its global online safety, security, and privacy campaign called ‘STOP. THINK. CONNECT.’ You can learn more about the NCSA's Data Privacy Week initiative here. 

Evidation's commitment to data privacy is a cornerstone of our business and reputation. As part of that commitment, we will not share your health information without your permission. We also make sure you have the tools you need to exercise control over your data. Our Privacy Notice can give you more insight into our privacy principles and how we collect, handle, and protect your personal information and data. 

Recently, a number of states have enacted new consumer privacy laws intended to ensure that individuals are able to protect their privacy and the data they share with companies. These laws require companies to (among other things) inform individuals about the personal data they collect, why they collect it, how and with whom they share the data, and to enable certain rights for individuals with respect to their own information. 

While these laws can help to ensure that individuals have control over their data, the protection and privacy of your information is actually a partnership between you and the companies to which you entrust your personal information.

What you can do to keep your data and identity safe

We’re honored to be a partner on your health and wellness journey and are committed to protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your information.  But it's important to recognize that, as individuals, we owe ourselves a similar commitment to our own privacy and personal information. Just like the new year is an opportunity for many folks to make changes to improve their lifestyle and health choices, Data Privacy Day can be the inspiration we each need to prioritize understanding (and exercising control over) who has our data and why, and ensuring our personal information is secure. So, be sure to take some time for yourself on this year's Data Privacy Day.

4 tips to protect your identity and data:

1. Know. You are likely giving your personal data to every app, online account, platform, etc. that you join, even if it's not needed. Know what data you're allowing to be accessed, by who, and why, and consider either limiting the access or not using the app. Does your recipe app really need your geolocation? Does your music app really need access to your contacts? Likely not. If you're not sure what data you've permissioned, try looking in your settings or, if you're able, submit an access request  to the company. 
2. Get cleaning. Get rid of apps and accounts that you're not using or no longer need. This can include reward programs (like at grocery or retail stores). As part of this clean up, (if you're able) submit a deletion request. 
3. Control. Check and update your privacy and security settings. Most apps and accounts allow you to do this in “settings” either in the app or on your device. And be sure to check your internet browser and "cookie" settings as well. You can find additional information about managing cookies here. 
4. Secure it. Here's how you can better secure your information:

• Use strong, unique passwords and consider a password manager.
• Turn on multi-factor / two-factor authentication whenever possible.
• Don't be hooked - be able to spot and avoid phishing attempts (including via text or phone).
• Freeze or put blocks on your credit (as well as those of your dependents), and  consider credit monitoring services.
• Manage your "cookies" on your internet browsers and on webpages.
• Know what other tools your mobile devices or other services offer that can provide additional privacy or security options (e.g., on iOS, gmail and others you can "hide" your name and email address)

And remember to celebrate your favorite privacy professionals and enthusiasts on January 28th. ‍

Last June, Evidation Members started seeing a new kind of offer in the Evidation app—the Daily Check-In. These Check-Ins provided what proved to be a much-needed opportunity to pause for a moment of reflection.

Inspired by the overwhelmingly positive response to the Daily Check-In offer, in December we created the Daily Mood and Daily Sleep Quality Check-Ins. Look familiar?

Since launch, over 4 million of these new check-ins have been completed! 

Today, we’re sharing some insightful and intriguing findings based on the responses, from changes in mood during the holiday season to the connection between sleep quality and mood. 

Mood and Sleep During the Holidays

Perhaps it’s no surprise that the festive spirit has a positive impact on our mood, but Christmas Day (December 25th) proved to be the day with the highest mood reported since we launched the Daily Mood Check-In on December 7th.

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More specifically, on Christmas Day:

• 31% of people reported they were in an excellent mood, which is 8% higher than the average.
• 78% of people reported they were in a good or excellent mood, which is over 6% higher than the average. 

Christmas wasn’t the only holiday where we saw a spike in good cheer. People also reported better moods than average on New Year’s Eve. 74% of people reported they were in a good or excellent mood, which is over 2% higher than the average.

What about sleep? It appears people had better sleep quality than usual on the first night of 2023. 77% reported good or very good sleep that night, which is over 3% higher than the average. 

Perhaps after staying up until midnight (or later) the night before, members needed a chance to catch up on some much-needed sleep. We can’t be sure, but let’s call it a reasonable hunch!

In Other Sleep News…

Since launching the Daily Sleep Quality Check-In, we’ve found that Evidation Members generally report good sleep quality. 74% report good or very good sleep, to be exact.

Our last Community Results post shared which days of the week people felt best. But which day of the week comes out on top when it comes to sleep quality? 

‍Based on the Daily Sleep Quality Check-In, we’ve found members report:

• The highest sleep quality on Friday nights, with 76% of members reporting good or very good sleep quality.
• The lowest sleep quality on Monday nights, with 73% of members reporting good or very good sleep quality. 

You may be wondering about the connection between sleep quality and the amount of sleep members get. Fortunately, since many of our Evidation Members have a connected app such as Fitbit or Oura, we’re able to see if there’s a connection. 

When members reported good or very good sleep, they slept an average of 7 hours and 11 minutes a night. That’s 11% more than when members reported poor or very poor sleep. See the chart below for more details. 

Mood, Steps, and Sleep Quality

The results are in, and we see an undeniable connection between more steps and an improved mood.

Since launching the Daily Mood Check-Ins, we’ve found that Evidation Members who said they were in an excellent mood walked an average of 8,600 steps a day. That’s 19% more than members who said they were in a bad mood.

When it comes to mood and sleep quality, 96% of members reported they were in a good or excellent mood on days following a night of very good sleep. 

Stay tuned for our next round of findings in the coming weeks, and don’t forget to fill out your Daily Mood and Daily Sleep Quality Check-Ins to participate and contribute!

As the short days and long nights of winter progress, our body and mind can be more susceptible to increased stress responses and even seasonal depression. So it’s important to take care of yourself; not only physically, but mentally this season. That’s easier said than done, but taking the following tips into consideration can help boost your mental health this winter.

Enjoy the outdoors when you can

You’d be amazed how spending some time outdoors each day can help mentally. Mental health self-care is especially important this time of year when the days are often gloomy. Take advantage of sunny days by going outside—bundle up and brave the cold if need be. Going for a walk every morning can drastically reduce stress and change your mood overall.

If there’s snow nearby, many people take on winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing—all of which are great ways to increase your daily exercise and improve your mental health. Consider joining a club that meets weekly for outdoor activities to help motivate you to get outside and move. 

Have you heard of the healing power of nature? It’s real. Research shows immersing yourself in nature gives both short and long-term mental health benefits. Make going outside a daily priority and you’ll feel improvements in your mood in no time.

Create a safe space

When you’re done enjoying the outdoors, it’s nice to come home to a cozy spot to relax. Having a safe space in your home, somewhere away from other people, noises, and distractions can be great for your well-being. 

Consider creating a calm space for yourself in a spare room you may have, or make a corner of a room your own. If you own your home, you might evaluate whether you’d like to do a renovation to add more space. Although renovations are pricey, you may be able to use your home’s equity to fund a project like this.  

Fill your new safe space with things you enjoy. Print your favorite pictures, write positive affirmations and hang them on the wall, add plants, and make a cozy spot to sit. If you enjoy reading you might create a small reading nook, or make space for a yoga mat where you can meditate or stretch. Once your calm space is finished, sit back, relax, and enjoy the positive effects on your mental well-being.

Spend time with friends and family

Humans rely on social support to be fulfilled. Leaning on your friends and family can even provide health benefits. Prioritize seeing friends or family you enjoy being around—you’ll find it has a positive impact on your life.

Lean on loved ones to help talk through challenges or support with daily tasks that may be hard for just one person to handle. Have a puzzle or game night, or just plan to run errands together.

While not everyone has a close relationship with their family, good friends can fill the same role. Surround yourself with friends that you can both have fun with and rely on—and who make positive life choices you respect. Friends like this can motivate you to do the same.

Prioritize exercise

Just like going outdoors, prioritizing exercise can positively boost your mental health. If you don’t love the idea of going outdoors every day, try to push yourself to do some sort of exercise indoors every day. The more you move your body the better you will feel mentally. 

You don’t need a home gym to exercise inside. Yoga is a great way to get your workout in and it offers many health benefits—both physical and mental. Yoga can help alleviate stress, improve balance, and boost sleep quality. If you suffer from anxiety or depression, yoga is a great way to ease the weight of both.

If yoga isn’t your style, you can do other at-home exercises. Try following a YouTube workout video, walking up and down stairs, or lifting dumbbell weights in your living room. Pushing yourself to do any form of exercise will have a positive effect on your mind. 

Final thoughts

These are just a few of the many ways you can support your mental well-being. Put a few to the test and see what works best for you this season. Winter can be a great time to reset, but it may also bring extra challenges and stressors—like the holidays or the marathon of short, cold days. Check in on yourself and make a plan to support your mental well-being to thrive all the way to spring. 

Winter is a fun and exciting season. Between holidays, family gatherings, and outdoor fun, it’s essential to take care of yourself and your general wellness. However, one of the most important health factors we often tend to overlook is our eye health. 

Optical health is always important, but it’s even more crucial to focus on during the winter season. With colder and drier weather, our eyes can react differently and experience irritation. This can not only cause distractions but impair your vision as well. 

Next time you get ready to spend an extended period of time outdoors or have a social gathering, consider these essentials to help better your eye health. 

Utilize Eye Drops

Eye drops can be a lifesaver during colder weather. Unfortunately, during this time of the year, eyes can become red and dry. When your eyes experience this kind of irritation, it can be a huge inconvenience and can even cause difficulty with your vision. 

Having eye drops available in your purse, pocket, or work bag can be a game changer. Especially when you factor in the irritation that your eyes can get from looking at digital screens, eye moisturizing is crucial. 

Depending on the level of irritation or impairment you experience, eye drops may help. Some have extra hydrating qualities to help make the effects last longer, whereas others focus specifically on combating redness and itchiness or enhancing clarity. 

Prioritize Sleep

It may sound self-explanatory, but getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for your eye health and overall wellness in general. Many may struggle with getting enough sleep, especially during this time of year. However, it’s important to get enough rest in order to keep yourself in good health. 

Maintaining a good sleep schedule is key to both maintaining and improving your health. Your eyes need just as much rest as the other parts of your body.

Being properly rested can help reduce some of the day-to-day irritations your eyes may experience. For example, eye twitching or redness can occur due to lack of sleep. Although it may be difficult during the busy winter season, your body will thank you for prioritizing rest and relaxation.

Use Anti-Fog Lens Spray

If you usually wear eyewear, you know that foggy lenses are all too common this time of year. Additionally, wearing a mask can add an additional cloudiness to your glasses. Trying to prevent your lenses from fogging up can be a challenge, but luckily there are ways to help keep your vision clear and crisp. 

Anti-fog lens spray is a great item to keep on you this time of year. Whether you experience fogging from a change in temperature or from wearing a mask with your glasses, this essential can help minimize any distractions that may be caused by your lenses blurring up.

It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing eyeglasses or sunglasses, it’s important to take precautions to keep glasses from fogging if and when wearing a mask. Consider investing in an anti-fog protectant as this can benefit both your sight and extend the life of your lenses. This handy essential also helps to prevent any blurs or spots on your eyewear, ensuring that your vision is crystal clear. 

Be Conscious of Pre-Existing Conditions

When you already have trouble with your vision or are visually impaired, winter can be a trying time for optimizing your eye health. With the additional dryness and irritation you can experience during this season, it's crucial to keep your eyes both healthy and hydrated.

Our eyes can often play tricks on us when they face different conditions, which is why it's important to be conscious and aware of your surroundings. Using contrasting colors to help with definition can make a huge difference in noticing and searching for objects.

Additionally, having a magnifying glass or labeling items with a larger font can be a huge help for you during this time of year. Many everyday objects often contain small and hard-to-read lettering on their labels, so having one of these solutions handy and available to use can be a lifesaver whether you're at home or in a grocery store.

Incorporate a Healthy Diet

Having a healthy diet can play a huge role in benefitting your eye health. Your eyes give you the opportunity to witness amazing things, so you want to make sure you’re taking good care of them. Luckily, there are many seasonal fruits and vegetables you can incorporate into your diet to help improve your eye health. 

Foods such as carrots, salmon, and kale all have nutritious properties that benefit your eye health directly. For example, carrots contain ingredients that help boost the Vitamin A in our bodies, which positively impacts vision. 

Salmon is another great option to help benefit your eye health. Many fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are extremely beneficial when it comes to maintaining healthy eyes. 

Wash Your Hands

It’s almost impossible not to hear about the importance of keeping clean hands, especially during the winter. Unfortunately, viruses, such as the common cold and flu, are much more prevalent during this season – and it’s often hard to avoid coming in contact with someone who’s experiencing symptoms. Especially if you’re in a school, office, or public setting. 

All too often, we touch the areas around our eyes—most of the time without even realizing we’re doing it. For many, it’s just a habit. However, the eyes are an entryway into the body, and germs can be transmitted simply by touching or rubbing your eyes with dirty hands. 

Remember to wash your hands frequently throughout the day, especially if you’re going to touch your face. With the dry weather, you may also want to look into a nice hand lotion to pair with this ritual. This will assure your skin is clean and hydrated during the cold weather. 

For many, winter is an extremely fun season, and you want to experience it in the best way possible. Although the weather may not be kind to your eye health, there are many preventative measures you can take to help. 

Taking time to remember to wash your hands, rest, eat healthily, and keep extra preventative gear on hand can help make these moments much brighter and clearer for you to remember. 

If you enjoyed this article, feel free to share it with your friends and family!

Happy New Year! However you celebrate over the holidays, there’s often lots of preparations and get-togethers filled with mouthwatering foods and drinks on the table. For some, that means leaving behind healthy eating and physical fitness. 

In fact, about 50% of Americans have broken a diet due to holiday food temptation and about 90% planned to enjoy the holidays without worrying about maintaining a healthy diet. 

So, how do those of us who indulged this season get back on track? We commit to getting back into healthy habits, or building new ones, in the new year!

That’s easier said than done, however. So we’re sharing these tips on how you can get back on track and rebuild those healthy habits after the holidays.

Keep on reading to find out how.

How to reset from the holidays and restore healthy habits

1. Recommit to a healthy diet

Holidays often mean overindulging. Many of us eat foods we don’t normally eat. And once the festivities are over, and it's time to return to a healthy diet, it can be challenging. Taking small steps, like introducing more fruits and vegetables, whole foods, and lean meats can help. Whether on a specialty diet like keto or paleo or a standard diet, choose foods rich in vitamins and minerals.

Brian Nagele, the CEO of Restaurant Click, provides food lovers with various options while eating out. “We encourage clients to reserve restaurant seats for the upcoming holidays. But we always promote healthy eating habits by choosing whole fruits, green leafy vegetables, and lean meat. We also advise limiting salt, sugar, and fat intake and avoiding processed foods.”

2. Stay hydrated

During the holidays you may have enjoyed more sugary beverages and alcoholic drinks than normal. To get back on track, make an effort to stay hydrated. 

How much water your body needs depends on a variety of factors—like your activity levels, health factors, and where you live—but generally speaking, for healthy individuals, the Mayo Clinic recommends:

• 3.7 liters per day for men (15.5 cups)
• 2.7 liters per day for women (11.5 cups)

3. Get enough sleep

Now that the parties are over, and the preparations and travel are behind you, give yourself time to rest. More importantly, prioritize getting restful and restorative sleep. The CDC recommends at least 7 hours for most adults.

 As a personal trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), Matt Scarfo emphasizes the importance of rest and sleep to his clients. According to Scarfo, a resident training and nutrition expert at Lift Vault, which offers free workout plans, sleep is when our bodies recover and repair muscle. 

4. Get regular exercise

It’s easy to forget about your fitness routines during the holidays. With the disruption in routines, many people aren’t able to exercise as consistently as they usually might. But as we turn over a new leaf, include regular workouts in your new year’s plans and resolutions.  

John Gardner, Co-Founder & CEO of Kickoff, believes consistency is the key to fitness success. “We encourage our clients to hit the gym at least three times each week. But if they have less time, we suggest being physically active, such as walking for at least 30 minutes daily. That will make a difference in their overall health.” Try working activity into your daily routine to build consistency. If choosing to walk instead of drive to the grocery store isn’t an option, try making choices like parking in the furthest parking spot while running errands. The extra steps can add up. 

5. Practice meditation and mindfulness

Holidays can be stressful, which may increase feelings of depression and anxiety in some. Preparing for celebrations and buying gifts can cause financial stress; and you may feel lonely if you’re unable to be with your loved ones. If you’re feeling stressed—or even just a little deflated following the holidays, try supporting your mental well-being by practicing meditation and mindfulness. 

Tory McBroom, Chief Editor at Yoga Answered, recommends trying yoga. “It’s a mind-and-body exercise that promotes physical and mental wellness. While poses keep your body fit and flexible, breathing with meditation calms your mind.” 

6. Pursue your hobbies and interests

If you spent a lot of time over the holidays without much time for yourself, try to create time for yourself in the new year to relax and pursue your hobbies and interests.

Love reading? Find some new books and nourish this hobby. Or put your favorite music on and sing or dance along. Want something more active? Call some friends to play sports, or travel somewhere new. Ultimately, pursuing your passions is good for your mental health.

7. Check in on others who might need support

You might think of the holidays as a time when people come together. However, many seniors cite it as the loneliest time of the year. If you have friends, family, or neighbors who may be lonely or isolated, consider checking in to see if they need any support. It could make a huge difference for their mental and physical well-being. 

8. Practice self-care

If you tend to lose yourself during the holidays, you’re not the only one. After the festivities are over, take some time to focus on yourself.  

Self-care is the foundation for physical health and mental well-being. In addition to staying hydrated, eating healthy, sleeping well, and exercising regularly, here are some ways to take care of yourself:

• Separate professional and personal life
• Socialize with people
• Have 'me time'
• Pursue your passion
• Motivate yourself
• Celebrate small joys
  

Promoting health and well-being after the holidays

The end-of-year holidays can be a wonderful time, celebrating with family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. Or maybe you just enjoy the fresh start of a new year.

Whether or not you monitored what you ate, or stuck with your workout routines over the holidays, now is a great time to reset and restore or renew healthy habits. Consider the eight recommendations above to help promote your overall health and well-being in the new year and beyond.

Whether you’re working on resolutions like doubling your average daily step count, or dreaming up epic spring break travel plans, the beginning of the new year is a great time to gear up for what’s to come.

But before we get too far down the line on our future plans, it’s important to pause and reflect on what went well in 2022. For the Evidation community, 2022 was full of exciting programs, interesting health insights, and a wide variety of opportunities to earn points for everyday actions. 

For example, last year Evidation Members…

• Earned 8 billion points
• Completed 45 million offers
• Redeemed millions of dollars in rewards

What came out on top in terms of time of year, where new members hail from, and more? 

We’ve analyzed the stats, and found that in 2022: 

• Members were most active in May, and least active in January. 
• California emerged as the state with the most new Evidation Members.
• Overall, Fitbit is the app that most members have connected to Evidation, but in 2022 more members connected Apple Health than any other app.

Speaking of connected apps, in 2022 members like you logged a total of…

• 952 billion steps. That’s like the equivalent of walking around the earth 18,000 times!
• Climbed 929 million floors. That’s like walking up the Empire State Building over 9 million times!
• 2 billion minutes of exercise
• 349 million hours of sleep
• Aside from walking, biking and swimming were the most commonly-tracked exercise activities. 
• Swimming and breathwork were the fastest-growing types of tracked exercise compared to last year.

All Things New in 2022

Evidation rolled out new features and programs in 2022, including…

‍Personalized Insights: How did your average daily steps compare to the average for other Evidation Members in your state? What’s your sleep chronotype? In 2022 we helped you make sense of your activity data with personalized insights. 

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‍Daily Check-Ins: Many of us know that our mood is easily influenced by things like sleep and exercise. However, in 2022 we took a deeper dive to see exactly how our members’ mood relates to other aspects of their day-to-day life. 

We began asking members about how they felt on a daily basis with a Daily Check-In offer, and were able to share personalized insights back with members. Recently, we added in additional daily check-ins, such as the Daily Sleep Quality Check-In. Since launching our first check-in back in June, we’ve received over 15 million responses!

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‍FluSmart: After the success of the Flu Monitoring program over the last two years, we launched year three of the program—this time with a shiny new name: FluSmart! The program looks for changes in your activity data from wearable devices, and alerts you when a change suggests you may be feeling under the weather. 

Coming Up in 2023

2022 was a great year for Evidation, and we suspect 2023 will continue to bring new and exciting things for our members. Here are a few things you can look forward to in the new year on Evidation:

‍More Personalized Insights 

Using Daily Check-Ins, connected apps, and more, we’ll continue to share new personalized insights. These insights provide an opportunity for members like you to reflect on changes to your physical and mental health, and figure out what might be causing trends in your mood, sleep, and more. 

For example, maybe you figure out that your mood is best on certain days of the week, or your sleep quality is influenced by your daily step count. Whatever it may be, it’s always helpful to learn more about your everyday activity in order to improve your health!

Refreshed Homescreen: You can expect to see an improved layout and new features in the home screen this year, including: 

• Easier navigation, with offer cards sorted by importance and relevance. 
• An improved view into how you’ve earned your points—and how close you are to reaching your 10,000 point goal!

From everyone here at Evidation, thank you for making 2022 one of our best years yet, and cheers to 2023!

‍*Note: Data shared in this post represents totals from January 1, 2022 to December 21, 2022. ‍

Toxins are everywhere—from the air we breathe and the food we eat, to the water we drink and the products we use.

But what are toxins exactly? A toxin is a naturally occurring substance that can act as a poison to living things. While small doses may not trigger a reaction, large amounts or exposure over an extended period of time can be detrimental to your health.

• But what are toxins?
• How do they impact your health?
• Can you be exposed at home?
• Can you be exposed at work?

Read on to learn more about these common toxins, as well as how you can limit exposures at home and at work.

What are common toxins?

Mercury

Mercury is a naturally occurring element in the Earth's crust. In the past, mercury was mostly used in thermometers and electrical devices, but now it can be found elsewhere. Mercury is commonly found in seafood, especially swordfish, shark, and marlin among other species of fish. Why seafood? Past and current industrialization has increased the amount of naturally occurring mercury in the environment. It makes its way into soil and water sources, eventually ending up in the bodies of fish and widely eaten marine life. 

Asbestos

Asbestos is a natural silicate mineral that forms tiny, long-lasting, and heat-resistant fibers. Asbestos has been used in a multitude of building materials—including ceiling and flooring tiles, roofing shingles, and insulation. 

What are the main concerns with asbestos?

1. Small amounts of asbestos are still used in thousands of everyday products. If a product contains less than 1% of asbestos, manufacturers do not have to disclose it on the packaging. 
2. Buildings and structures constructed before the 1980s are likely to still contain higher amounts of asbestos in the building materials. If the asbestos is disturbed, the fibers can become airborne and expose those in near proximity. 

Lead

Lead is a soft and malleable metal also found in the Earth’s crust. It was often used in pipes, as well as paint, but most commonly used in car batteries. While banned for commercial use in 1979, industrial use of lead can still be found throughout the automotive and construction industries.

How do they impact your health?

Mercury

Toxic to humans, mercury poisoning often occurs with blood mercury levels above 100 ng/mL. Mercury is known to specifically attack the brain, kidneys, and lungs. Symptoms of this poisoning can include tremors, memory loss, body numbness, and the loss of motor functions. Another common early warning sign is a metallic taste in the mouth.

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Is it curable?

Mercury can stay in your body for years, and mercury poisoning is not technically curable. There are ways to treat it, however, like chelation therapy. When the drug is injected into the body, it binds the metal in the blood and allows it to pass through the kidneys and leave the body through urine. 

Asbestos

Leading up to the 1980s, asbestos’ strength and heat-resistant characteristics made it a popular additive in many household products. Although it’s known to contribute to serious and terminal health conditions like asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer, it’s still not fully banned in the United States. Signs and symptoms of these illnesses are shortness of breath, chest pains, constant cough, and fatigue. 

‍Is it curable?

Unfortunately, the damage asbestos does to the lungs cannot be reversed or cured. The strong fibers that made asbestos so desirable are now known to cause irreparable damage when inside the lungs. The foreign fibers irritate the lung tissue causing scarring; as the scarring progresses and fibers stiffen, the lungs cannot expand and contract at a livable rate. Common treatments to combat mesothelioma and lung cancers are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Lead 

High exposure to or ingestion of lead can cause a multitude of health problems, including kidney damage, brain damage, and anemia. Young children are especially susceptible to lead poisoning. In fact, 1 in 40 children under the age of 5 has unsafe blood lead levels. Signs of this can include constant irritability, developmental delays, and loss of appetite. 

‍Is it curable?

Similar to mercury poisoning, the effects of lead poisoning are irreversible. However, there are treatments that can get the level of lead in the blood back to normal, including chelation therapy. Also, determining the source of lead and removing it from your space or routine can help limit further exposure.

Where can you be exposed at home?

Some exposures are easier to avoid than others, however, educating yourself is the first step in possible prevention. 

First off, be conscious of your food choices. As we previously mentioned, certain kinds of seafood like swordfish carry high levels of mercury. Avoid eating these foods or only eat them on rare occasions to reduce the amount of mercury you're knowingly consuming. 

Aside from asbestos in the materials of the home itself, you may also be bringing it home in the products you buy. For example, talc and asbestos have been known to form together while mined, and consumers claim to be unknowingly exposing themselves and their families to these toxins. 

On a similar note, paint on both walls and on items can pose a threat if it contains lead. Lead paint was often used before the 1980s, and peeling or cracking of lead paint can release the toxins into the air. Although lead paint has been banned in the U.S., it’s still widely used in other countries. Both antique U.S.-made toys and toys from other countries pose the risk of lead-containing paint.

Where can you be exposed at work?

In the same way you can be exposed at home, there are certain professions that pose a higher risk of toxin exposure at work. 

School

For those who work in education, it’s important to note that a stunning one-third of U.S. schools contain asbestos. Especially for schools built before 1980, there is a high chance it’s somewhere on the property. If no renovations or remodels have taken place, asbestos was likely not removed and replaced. When disturbed, exposure can come from loose tiles, disturbed drywall or insulation, or roofing shingles. Over the past few years, multiple schools have also discovered that old synthetic flooring gives off mercury vapors as it breaks down, which can contaminate an entire building. 

Trades

Trade professionals in welding, auto mechanics, or construction are actually among those with the highest risk of toxic exposure. Lead pipes are still widely found across the U.S., and welders have a high risk of lead poisoning if proper protection isn’t used. Auto mechanics can be exposed to asbestos on car parts like brake pads, and construction workers likely come into contact with asbestos and lead anytime they do work on a house built before 1980. 

Military

In recent years, it's been found that many military bases had toxic exposures which ultimately caused veterans to become terminally ill. From Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina, and hundreds in between, groundwater contamination has exposed millions of military personnel to a multitude of toxins. Many of these chemicals made their way into the groundwater through the use of toxic firefighting foams, which have now been banned in certain states. Outside of bases, concentrated amounts of lead were used in indoor firing ranges, and mercury was used in batteries and other tactical gear.

Conclusion

While toxins may not be completely avoidable, the more you know about them the better. 

Be sure to educate yourself on your home, environment, and workplace. And make smart purchasing decisions to avoid any unnecessary exposures to you and your family.

Early detection is key, so if you feel you’ve been exposed to toxins or are experiencing some of the mentioned side effects, contact a medical professional right away. Building experts are also available to test for toxins around the home— to give you peace of mind and reduce future exposures.

If you found this helpful, please share it with others to help keep your neighbors and your friends safe!