upcoming events

How Cool Are You?

Some safety tips for staying cool, fireworks safety, water fun and summer grilling. Click here for more information.

Summer Workshops from the Maine Cooperative Extension

The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering various workshops around the state, such as "Growing Vegetables in Raised Beds," "Backyard Composting" and "Preserving the Harvest." Most workshops are free, but registration is required. Click here for more details about these workshops and to register.

The Farmer's Market Returns
to the Portland Campus

Mr. Meservy is back to offer the Farmer's Market again this year. He will be at the Portland Campus parking lot every Friday starting May 9th, from 11:30am-1:30pm. Plan to make it a weekly habit to buy fresh flowers, seedlings, and produce in season.

Get in Shape with Lifeline!

All USM faculty/staff can take part in Lifeline’s professionally guided exercise programs with a non-credit tuition waiver. The only cost is your gym usage fee (which can be payroll deducted), and the one-time fitness evaluation cost of $30 for men under 45 years and women under 55 years old, or $65 for men over 45 and women over 55 (physician stress test included) for a 1 year program. Please click on this link to learn more about the programs.

Looking for More Articles?

Then visit our Site Index, which has all of our previous articles, resources and recipes, arranged by topic.

Monthly Quiz

quiz

Find out last month's winner!

National Health Observances

Eye Injury Prevention Month

July is Eye Injury Prevention Month. More than one million people suffer from eye injuries each year in the United States. Ninety percent of these injuries could have been prevented if the individual had been wearing appropriate protective eyewear (with “ANSI Z87.1” marked on the lens or frame). Click here to learn how to prevent eye injuries wherever you are.

National Hemochromatosis Awareness and Screening Month

July is National Hemochromatosis Awareness and Screening Month. Hemochromatosis is an inherited disorder; people with this condition absorb extra iron from the diet. The body has no efficient way to excrete iron, so over time, excesses build in vital organs of the liver, heart, pancreas, pituitary and joints. Simple tests can define body iron levels. To learn more, visit www.irondisorders.org

 

More Features

Too Worried to Work?

We all have stressful days on the job. But if stress and worry consistently disrupt your ability to work, you may be experiencing an anxiety disorder. Severe forms include excessive worry, panic or fear of a specific situation. Click here for more information.

Travel Well

When traveling abroad, you don’t want to worry about digestive problems. The usual culprit in many foreign countries is water, which may not be properly treated for removal of disease-causing bacteria. Click here for advice from the CDC.

Cleaner Options

Modern cleaning products available off the shelf often contain synthetic chemicals that can be toxic to humans, animals and the environment. They are particularly harsh for people with skin or lung sensitivities. And these chemicals generally degrade slowly after disposal. Here are some recipes for self-made cleaning products with less enviromental impact.

Back Care at Work

Whether a full day’s work means sitting in meetings, caring for patients or checking groceries, your back is at work, too – and subject to strain and injury. Lifting, repetitive movements, and awkward positions increase your risk of backache. Learn how to protect your back by reviewing your daily habits.

Recipes of the Month

This month we have two refreshing summer beverage recipes for you: Cappucino Cooler and Boston Iced Tea.

Employee Assistance Program

USM, along with all campuses in the University of Maine System, has contracted with CIGNA Behavioral Health to provide an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all employees. Services include free counseling sessions and 24-hour crisis intervention. You can reach CIGNA 24 hours a day, seven days a week by making a confidential, toll free call. Call 1-877-622-4327 or access the CIGNA Web site at cignabehavioral.com. If you would like further information about the program please contact our Benefits Office at 780-5218, 780-5653, or call Suzanne Roy, Health Promotion Manager, at 228-8151.

Trying to Quit Smoking?

Are you trying to quit smoking, or thinking about quitting? Perhaps you tried to quit, but found it hard to not smoke? Quitting can be difficult, but every time you try, you will be closer to living without tobacco. The Center for Tobacco Independence and the Partnership for a Tobacco Free Maine can help you. Healthy USM offers free smoking cessation kits and coaching for USM employees and their family members and retirees. Contact Suzanne Roy at 228-8151 for more information.

Let's Go!

Let’s Go! is a community-based initiative to promote healthy lifestyle choices for children, youth and families in 12 Greater Portland communities. Their goal is to increase physical activity and healthy eating of children and youth - from birth to 18. In each of the participating communities, Let’s Go! would like to partner with interested community members to work on ways to increase physical activity and healthy eating. For more information, visit their website at www.letsgo.org