Staying Hydrated in Cold Weather

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When the temperature outside becomes freezing, the last thing on your mind is drinking a nice cold glass of water. However, dehydration doesn’t disfavor the cooler months. In fact, it may be easier to become dehydrated as the dry winter weather can lead to a decreased thirst sensation, causing you to drink less.

Up to 60% of the human adult body is made up of water, which is why our bodies need water in order to function properly. Staying hydrated is essential and beneficial for exercise, sleep, and so many other natural body functions. Drinking water can even give your immune system a boost and prevent you from getting sick during peak cold and flu season. Try these simple tips to help you stay hydrated this winter season:

  1. Carry a water bottle with you so you have an opportunity to drink more on the go
  2. If you are thirsty, don’t wait, stop and take a drink
  3. If your urine is dark, you may need to drink more water
  4. Drink mostly water; avoid alcohol and caffeine as these can cause dehydration
  5. Make sure to drink before, during, and after exercise

Hopefully, these five tips will be enough to remind you to keep your water intake up during the cooler months. Remember, stay hydrated so that you stay well!

R-HEALTH PARTNERS WITH CLEMENS FOOD GROUP TO BRING ENHANCED PRIMARY CARE TO EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS

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R-Health is pleased to announce the launch of R-Health Hatfield, its newest primary care office, located on the campus of Clemens Food Group in Hatfield, PA.

Clemens Food Group team members and their families now have access to enhanced primary care through this new partnership between Clemens and R-Health. R-Health’s transformative model of relationship-based primary care features longer appointment times and better access to R-Health physicians. Clemens Food Group is committed to providing convenient, superior care to its team members and their families. This partnership provides Clemens employees and family members with convenient, relationship-based care during and after work hours, including evenings and weekends.

R-Health Hatfield offers members the same 24-7 access, including secure text and video messaging through a HIPPA compliant app, in-office blood draws, and the little to no wait time that patients currently enjoy at R-Health’s seven New Jersey locations. Clemens members can receive a full range of primary care services including preventive, urgent, and sick care with walk-in and same-day urgent appointments. Chronic disease management, nutrition counseling, well woman care, pediatric care, and health coaching are all offered at R-Health Hatfield.

“Our goal in partnering with Clemens is to re-invent onsite health services to move from episodic urgent care to transformative relationship-based primary care,” said Mason Reiner, R-Health CEO. “We envision Clemens team members and their families utilizing R-Health Hatfield as their true primary care medical home, not just coming in for their annual exam or when they are sick.”

To continue serving Clemens members, as well as its growing number of employer clients, R-Health plans to launch multiple new locations in the Greater Philadelphia area in 2019.

4 Common Handwashing Mistakes

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Handwashing is important to reduce the spread of infection.  We pick up infections daily by touching contaminated surfaces, then touch our hand to our mouth, nose, or eyes. There are some infections that are airborne, but most are spread through contact with the hands. According to the CDC, handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections.

Handwashing takes on an especially important role during the winter months, so I thought I’d share with you the 4 most common handwashing mistakes that people tend to overlook.

      1. Not washing when you should
        After using the bathroom is not the only time you should be washing your hands. You should be washing them before, during, and after preparing food, after touching garbage, after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, and after touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste.
      2. Not washing long enough
        Many people tend to wash their hands for only 5 or 10 seconds but scrubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds is recommended. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
      3.  Not completely drying your hands
        Drying your hands is an essential part of handwashing. Germs love wet, moist areas so making sure your hands are fully dry will help prevent bacteria from spreading on your skin.
      4.  Touching germy surfaces directly after 
        If you wind up touching contaminated surfaces such as the faucet handles or door handle after handwashing, it becomes ineffective. Try using a paper towel when turning off the faucet or reaching for the door handle.

If you find yourself in a situation where there is no running water, use hand sanitizer. It doesn’t work nearly as well as soap and water, but does help.

No matter where you find yourself, good hand hygiene can protect and prevent you, your family, and others from illnesses.