Healthy Monthly Series
Monthly Prevention Topic Spanning the ELEMENTS of Health
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finish strong (health levers)
finish strong (health levers)
We can easily fall into the trap this time of year of 'coasting to the finish'...unfortunately, in worse shape (if not broken down) by the time the New Year rolls around. This time, we are BUILDING (pun intended) upon the messages from the past couple of months to help you flip the script and finish the year strong. We will share results from the 2025 Pro-Activity Health Survey and challenge you to work smarter (not harder) to 'finish the year strong' along with your friends, family, and team if you choose to accept the challenge!
building blocks
building blocks
Why do we care so much about the 'building blocks' of health (i.e., the ELEMENTS)? Why do we encourage you to regularly 'check in' on current status (i.e., through things like the Pro-Activity Health Snapshot Survey) and make small but strategic improvements? What is REALLY happening? This month, we dive into the details to spur motivation to make meaningful improvements to your health building blocks. Whether it's the power of MOVE to halt cancer cell growth, the impact of a serving of broccoli per day on high BP, or how a few nights of sleep deprivation leads to quick changes in cardiovascular disease blood biomarkers, we are bringing you some of the latest 'updates' so you can make the best choices on how you choose to build.
Checking Trajectory
Checking Trajectory
On any journey, taking the time to check our trajectory intermittently to ensure we are still heading towards our intended destination is always wise. When it comes to our health trajectory, it can be tempting to 'tune out' until major warning signs pop up...but when we are willing to check early & often, we have tremendous opportunity to influence our path (even with minor changes). We invite you to reach out to a Pro-Activity consultant to help understand where you are right now, and receive actionable info on what levers to pull to maximize your health now and for years to come.
score your move (upper body)
score your move (upper body)
Upper extremity health is extremely important for everyday & industrial athletes alike. This month, we dive into a self-screening test for you to identify areas you can IMPROVE your MOVE as it relates to the upper extremity, and improve your risk for aches/pains in the process.
Tuning the Endure Channel - Mindset, Mops, and Matches
Tuning the Endure Channel - Mindset, Mops, and Matches
It’s that time of year...we are climbing the Summer peak and therefore likely to run into stressful times. This month we will revisit themes of how stress impacts us all, and also dive into some interesting new findings which we hope you can leverage.
summer wave surfing
summer wave surfing
Many of us are somewhere between paddling out, riding the wave, or tumbling in it by this point of the year. This month, we dive into the details of how to handle the swell to keep your body on the right side of the risk equation as we head towards the peak of the season!
summer resilience toolkit
summer resilience toolkit
This is the time of year when heat starts to creep, and so does work & life load on the system.
This year, we put together a "Pro-Activity Summer Survival Guide" with the top 5 tactics you can implement to stay healthy & feel at the top of your game this summer. The shortlist: Recover First, Get Fit Now, Fuel Your Gut Bacteria, Hydrate Your Joints, and Prime Tendons for Tension.
Smoothing Sugar Spikes
Smoothing Sugar Spikes
From 'the lab' - our team takes on 4 metabolism hacks to help 'smooth the sugar spike'...using continuous glucose monitors to watch their body's response in real time! Listen in for what we learned about 'fueling your powerhouse' for optimal performance.
a stable base
a stable base
This month we dive into the details on building a 'stable base' to maximize performance and reduce risk of stability related aches, pains, and injuries.
restoring power - knee edition
restoring power - knee edition
The human body is a healing machine...but what about when it stalls out? Listen to this month's presentation as we dive into a 'case study' of knee pain for one of our own team members, and see how they managed to get back on track by 'restoring power'.
Charting a Course
Charting a Course
As we think about goals for the year ahead, we are encouraged to share just how much control you hold over your health trajectory. It is NEVER too late to change course, or too early to start adjusting slightly. Our team takes great pride in working with our incredible populations, and are here, ready, and honored to help if you have goals that we can support this year.
2024 in Review
2024 in Review
We take a look in the rearview mirror at our key themes from 2024. Thank you for a wonderful year of achievements!
readying for the ramp
readying for the ramp
This month, we dive into strategies to prepare your body for the 'ramp up' that is often experienced in the final months of the year. Taking an 'ELEMENTAL approach', we cover how you can position your body to absorb the increased stress (good and bad!) that can pile up over the holiday season.
Repair Mode
Repair Mode
Part 2 of a 2 Part Series
This month, we dive into a case study from one of our very own team members demonstrating the human machine in 'repair mode'. Listen in to hear how 6 months of implementing an ELEMENTS 'recipe' reversed cardiovascular risk for one of our team members...and what you can do to get started, too.
the living machine
the living machine
Part 1 of a 2 Part Series
We often refer to the human body as 'the most amazing machine' in existence...the only one that is able to heal itself (when given the opportunity and environment to do so). This month, we dive deeper into the 'living machine' that is the human body and how our risk is MORE than mechanical in nature. By appreciating the importance of the biological (blood flow) and chemical (inflammation, irritants) influences on the human machine, we can start to peel back the complexities of our ache/pain risk and set the stage for what to DO to best position our human machine to thrive for years to come.
fourth quarter comeback- transition zones
fourth quarter comeback- transition zones
Fatigue impacts the human movement system, and is often reaching a peak during this final season of the summer. A focus on the body's 'transition zones' can help buffer injury risk and ensure your body is primed to win the fourth quarter.
internal ecosystem
internal ecosystem
Now that we are in the thick of Summer, implementing strategies to optimize our 'internal environment' can help us ENDURE. Listen in for key principles that you can implement this summer to speed up your body's 'recharge rate'.
finding our pace
finding our pace
This month, we dive into the science between 'finding our pace' to endure the heat of the summer. The body is made for this, but listening to it can help us know when to 'push forward' and when to 'pull back'.
summer defense = offense
summer defense = offense
Sometimes the best defense is a good offense. This month, we are diving into things we can start doing today to build a good offense to combat the summer heat.
fuel hot topics
fuel hot topics
The FUEL good pyramid is pretty simple, do what's tried & true, 80% of the time or more. Today we go into the other 20%.
recover, what we know
recover, what we know
RECOVER is critical for future health. This month we do a refresher on one of the most powerful areas for future health.
Readiness Recipe
Readiness Recipe
Getting "ready" everyday for work and life comes with MANY different routines. Maybe it's turning on the coffee pot or making a healthy breakfast. If nothing else, there's a specific routine for simple things (socks BEFORE shoes). This month we make the case for another CRITICAL part of the routine - readying the body & mind for the action of the day. MOVE, like a body should...everyday!
change in the air
change in the air
There aren't many times of the year when it's common to seek out change - January is one of them. This month we dive into the approaches proven to increase the odds of success.
rules of the road
rules of the road
End of the year review. What did we cover in 2023?
thank you through our lens
thank you through our lens
November works well as a month focused on pausing, reflecting and saying thanks. This month we dive into how it impacts health.
fall rebuild, winter prep
fall rebuild, winter prep
It's only Oct. why are we talking about Winter already? Simple - the body needs time to change gears and ready for the season's unique stresses. Phase 1 - movement
September Stacking Winning Transitions
September Stacking Winning Transitions
We get a natural fitness gain in the summer. Can you use it to your advantage and use the weather-break and return-to-normal in routines of September to your advantage? Here's how.
all the bells and whistles
all the bells and whistles
There's a lot coming at us. It's literally changing our brains. This particular adaptation brings risk - more errors and likely more accidents. There are things we can do about it.
Boiling Point; In the Heat of the Summer
Boiling Point; In the Heat of the Summer
The heat of the summer adds risk and inches us closer to our body's threshold. This month we talk more about the threshold, what raises/lowers it, and how simple improvements in movement can make a significant difference.
top off: summer fluids
top off: summer fluids
Take a deeper dive into hydration - when we need to focus on it, why we care about it, and how we go about addressing it.
Heat stress is gut stress, too
Heat stress is gut stress, too
For years we've told you that heat stress is heart stress...that the demands of increasing body temps stress our cardiovascular system (still true). Now we dive a little deeper, literally, into the gut biome.
under the hood
under the hood
We take a look 'under the hood' of metabolic health and building efficient energy systems.
spring loaded
spring loaded
Early Spring is here which means change is here with it. Now is a great time of year to focus on RECOVER so we can truly Spring forward.
Winterize The Body
Winterize The Body
Winter is HERE and the body has to deal with it....now what? Understanding the risks of a cold & slippery season is important for putting the odds in our favor!
make it stick
make it stick
January is a month for "new". New slates, new goals, new habits, new resolutions. How do we make it stick? Dive in.
year in review
year in review
The year to move forward. This year we covered 3 critical concepts - this month we review them.
LEVEL UP MOBILITY
LEVEL UP MOBILITY
Move like a body should? Yes...and here's a few ways to dive deeper into knowing if you do and if not what to do about it.
Focus on Strength
Focus on Strength
October is a great month of the year to get back to getting strong. From an injury, illness and disease prevention perspective, it's one of the best tools we have and gets better with age!
View from the top
View from the top
A break in the weather? Which path will you choose?
Endure the peak
Endure the peak
Getting through hard times is not something we often look forward to, but it is something we can learn from (and get better at). This month we take inspiration from 3 amazing stories and the science that backs up their approach
Getting Through the Heat
Getting Through the Heat
Tactics to manage heat exposure better.
Summer body language
Summer body language
Feedback, Feedforward and the ways in which our bodies tell us we are getting a little wilted in the heat. Win the Summer!
100 Days of resilience
100 Days of resilience
The Summer heat is a significant injury risk. NOW is the time to get ahead of it.
Fuel good to spring forward
Fuel good to spring forward
April is a great time of year to "prep" the body with good Fuel. This month we talk through what to eat and the proper "dosing schedule" to get some pretty amazing results.
Shouldering the Burden
Shouldering the Burden
What if shoulder pain wasn't as simple as a strain or sprain? It's not. This month we dive into why.
Looking Back to Jump Forward
Looking Back to Jump Forward
We look back on the information of the past to project into the future.
Back to a future of thriving
Back to a future of thriving
It's time we begin to shift from just surviving the world toward actually THRIVING. This month we explore some of the health power habits we can leverage to move us along.
Our wish for you
Our wish for you
If we could give you a healthy gift this season, THIS is what it'd be.
healthy HOlidaze
healthy HOlidaze
Holidays can be joyous.....and stressful. Here are some ways to keep them healthy.
Yoga Starter kit
Yoga Starter kit
Tuning into a deliberate movement practice has benefits across the body systems. Focusing on a yoga practice can be a great step in the fall season to balance the body for the slippery season to come. Hear some of the 'why' and 'what' behind our favorites.
Elements Hacks
Elements Hacks
September is a great time of year to make an improvement in health and well-being. There are many simple tactics and approaches we can put on our side to make it easier. Here are some of our favorites.
Knee Joint Health
Knee Joint Health
Keeping knee joints healthy and young can help us maintain a quality life long term. Thankfully we've learned a lot about what really drives pain in this area and how to stay ahead of it. Dive in for the details!
Low Back Health
Low Back Health
By far the most commonly limiting area of the body. This month we unravel some of the mystery of low back pain. We break down some common myths & history, patterns to consider, and strategies to navigate a new or old flair.
shoulder health
shoulder health
Shoulder discomfort is on the rise. Over the last several months it's been the most common reason for consultation at employer clients. Dive in to learn a bit more about "why" shoulders hurt.....what they are "supposed to do", how to test them and get them back to where they need to be.
BRING THE HEAT
BRING THE HEAT
The hot part of the year is on its way.....the good news is.....we were built for this. With a few other tips/tricks/tactics we can be ready for summer in 2 weeks or less.
inflammation reset
inflammation reset
Inflammation has been linked to a variety of diseases and disorders. Food choices can increase or decrease inflammatory load. Some of the "best diets" have this as a critical underlying premise. This month we review some of the keys and a few case studies of how people have been able to reset this.
Twisting Injury Prevention
Twisting Injury Prevention
Whether baseball, golf, gardening or work, improving weather in March often means more spinal twisting. Although known to increase risk of lower back pain, with some risk lowering steps, it doesn't have to.
ENDURE - Through the ELEMENTs
ENDURE - Through the ELEMENTs
Although challenges are inevitable, how we prepare for and manage them can make the difference for our health long term. Here are a few simple strategies to manage stress and build resilience.
Muscle Rupture Prevention
Muscle Rupture Prevention
Muscle and tendon rupture are catastrophic injuries - they usually require surgery or extended rehabilitation and can keep us out of work. Understanding the risks can help us prevent this from happening.
MOVE - Deliberately
MOVE - Deliberately
Movement is CRITICAL for health.....and fitness....and quality of life.....and even the ability to fight off cancer. But sometimes the "how to" part can get missed. Dive into the PDF for more!
Don't Just Sleep, REcover
Don't Just Sleep, REcover
Sleep is critical to health....but it's more than just quantity. It's also QUALITY. So the question is - are we getting enough of the good stuff? This video explores this and other related questions.
Fuel - From the Ground Up
Fuel - From the Ground Up
If you want the sweetest fruit you've got to get all the way to the top of the tree. For those that are still working on building momentum, the place to start may just be FUEL. Here's some thoughts to get started.
Strain Risk - Dialing in Conditions
Strain Risk - Dialing in Conditions
While there are many uncontrollable risks for pain and injury, we know certain conditions set the stage for strain. Dialing in these factors starts with first identifying where you stand.
Fatigue Proof Factors
Fatigue Proof Factors
Keys to finding a healthy groove in the heat. When "age" is less about years and more about fitness. These metrics give us a different benchmark for resisting fatigue. Test yours today.
HEAT STRESS
HEAT STRESS
August is the peak injury risk in many ways. Weather has taken its toll, bodies are feeling fatigued and reserves may be low. Here's some of the reason why.
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