Presbyterian | Your Story | Centennial Care | Fall 2021

4 Reduce stress. Stress can weaken your immune system. Find ways to manage stress, such as practicing deep breathing exercises or listening to music. Keep your immune system healthy Think of your body like a castle, complete with its own army—your immune system— to defend it. When germs try to invade your body, your immune system sees they don’t belong and launches a defense. First, your skin tries to stop germs from getting inside your body. Your mucous membranes also try to trap and fight off the germs. And your body makes white blood cells to attack the invaders. The immune system is one of the most important tools we have to stay healthy. Shots make it smarter. But there are other ways you can keep it strong. Your annual flu shot Influenza (the flu) is a potentially serious disease that can lead to hospitalization and sometimes death. An annual flu shot is the best way to help protect against the flu. Presbyterian Centennial Care members can get standard no-cost flu shots during the flu season at participating pharmacies. Members are also able to get a flu shot through their medical benefit at their provider’s office. In addition, high-dose vaccines (e.g., Fluzone HD and Fluad) are covered for Presbyterian Centennial Care members 65 years of age and older. More info about the flu and flu shots is provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention online at www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm . Contact your provider today to schedule an appointment for your shot or go to your local pharmacy. The Path for Wellness Diabetes Prevention Program Want to learn more about mindful eating? Ready to improve your health? You may be eligible for the Path for Wellness Diabetes Prevention Program. The program is offered at no additional cost to eligible members with prediabetes or certain risk factors for type 2 diabetes. It is designed to help members: ● Lose or manage weight ● Get more active ● Reduce risk of type 2 diabetes It’s easy and fun to participate—the program is all by phone or online. The classes are also available in Spanish. Find out if the program is right for you: • Visit phppreventionprogram.goodmeasures.com . • Call 1-855-249-8587 . Don’t forget to ask your provider what other things you can do to stay healthy this cold and flu season! Sources: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; American Heart Association; National Institutes of Health Eat well. Go for foods that are high in nutrients like vitamin C and zinc, which help support the immune system. Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands with soap often to prevent the spread of germs. Make healthy sleep a priority. Poor sleep can weaken your immune system. Adults should try to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Children need as much as eight to 14 hours of sleep, depending on their age. Get moving. Exercise can help your body produce immune cells that fight off disease.