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Benhealth Members Magazine
Benenden Healthcare's award winning member magazine
Available to all members of Benenden Healthcare, Benhealth is our multi award
winning magazine that we produce four times a year. Each issue covers a wide range
of health and lifestyle topics, with relevant and up to date features and news
stories on those issues that matter most to our members. An online version of
the magazine is available to those members who do not live in the UK.
The latest issue of benhealth is available in the members area, alongside an
archive of previous issues. Benenden Healthcare members can register online to gain access to a host of health and lifestyle tips.
Extracts from previous issues of Benhealth:
Kitchen keep fit
How to keep fit an healthy in your own home. Household exercises may include:
- filling two shopping bags with enough material to make them challenging to lift (but not ready to burst) – these can be used for lunges and squats (but don’t do this in the middle of the supermarket)
- filling two 2-litre milk containers with water – ready-made dumbells weighing 4.4lb. Lift them over you head or away from your sides (with the lids on!) – t’s all good exercise
- hold a towel at each end and expand your chest – great cardio workout.
Prevention is better
Hints and tips on keeping the bugs at bay.
- wash your hands often and never cover sneezes and coughs with your hand – use a tissue
- drink plenty of fl uids – not of the ‘hot toddy’ or cold tinny variety because alcohol suppresses your immune system
- fill your lungs regularly with fresh air. Central heating dries out the air, which germs love
- take regular exercise as this will mean larger quantities of blood pumped round the body – more of those good guy blood cells that kill the enemy within
- eat dark green, red and yellow fruit and vegetables.
Back to Back
Back pain is such a common problem: four out of five adults will experience it
at some point in their lives. But what’s the best way to reduce your risk
of back aches and pains?
of back aches and pains?- Exercise regularly – walking, swimming and using exercise bikes will strengthen your back muscles.
- Posture – maintain a good posture by not slumping in your chair, hunching up
over a desk or walking around with your shoulders hunched up.
Imagine there is an invisible cord from the top of your head to the ceiling lifting you into tall, relaxed posture rather then a short, bent one. - Lifting and carrying – avoid these if you can because they can cause back pain. If you do have to lift something, bend your knees not your back.Keep your feet wide apart to help you feel stable. This way, you are using your strong leg uscles and not straining your back. Carry the object against your body, and bend at your knees to put the object down.
- At home – taking some simple measures can limit harm to your back. For example, stand your washing up bowl on the draining board so that you don’t have to slump over the sink, straining your lower back. Sit down to prepare vegetables, and when you vacuum, keep your upper body upright, and with the cleaner close to your body use short sweeping movements.
- Make sure your ironing board is at waist height – most people have the board too low.
- Children – it’s never too early to start taking care of your back. Encourage
youngsters to sit at their desks properly
and be careful with school bags. Backpacks that are not overloaded and carried on both shoulders are the most suitable.
Further information
More hints, tips and lifestyle advice is available in the latest issue of benhealth,
available online now, in the members area.
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New research from Benenden Healthcare Society reveals that 80 per cent of public sector workers have never heard of total reward packages, despite recognition that a holistic approach to health and wellbeing could significantly improve staff retention and increase productivity. View the full research findings here.Benenden Healthcare membership is initially only available for current or former employees of the Post Office, Civil Service, BT, registered charities, public sector bodies and other approved organisations whose aims and objectives are deemed compatible with those of the Society. Some services have a six month qualifying period.
The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited is an incorporated friendly society, registered under the Friendly Societies Act 1992, registered number 480F. The Society’s contractual business (the provision of tuberculosis benefit) is authorised by the FSA. The remainder of the Society’s business is undertaken on a discretionary basis. The Society is subject to FSA requirement for prudential management. Registered Office: The Benenden Healthcare Society Limited, Holgate Park Drive, York, YO26 4GG.
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