Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference — A Letter from the Editor

With the new year approaching, many of us will be making resolutions to improve ourselves. To help you stick to them and make healthy changes, Health & Wellness News is starting a “Small Change, Big Difference” campaign. We invite you to join us in this effort that will last throughout the new year.

It’s much easier to succeed when you set realistic goals. Below is a list we made of 100 small steps you can take for improving all aspects of your life. Click a category and choose the steps that interest you and begin to incorporate them. You’ll find that small changes really can make a BIG difference.

Recipes, inspiration, and more health tips

Next month you’ll find a lot more to support and inspire you. When you’ve successfully made a change in your life, we hope you’ll share your experiences with us. You’ll be hearing from us as well, because the Medical Trust staff is going to let you know about the small changes that we're going to be making. We’ll share our individual stories with you and pass along which tips are helping us succeed.

We’ll also be including a monthly article and free downloads from the National Episcopal Health Ministries, a group that promotes parish health ministry. You’ll find great ideas for how you can promote health and wellness within your congregation, such as organizing “Walking to Jerusalem” programs and emphasizing healthier meals at church functions.

Why small changes can be so significant

Even if someone needs to lose a lot of weight, studies show that losing even a little can still significantly improve one’s health. And while daily exercise is best, new studies show that simply walking is very beneficial. So whether you want to lose weight or exercise more, starting off small is a great way to begin achieving your ultimate goal. The only thing that will stop you is not getting started!

What if you’re not ready to change

That’s ok. If you do nothing else this year, try your best to maintain your weight and stay aware of your numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose). Whatever you eventually want to change, make holding right where you are your goal.

How your health plan can help — $0 co-pays

The Episcopal Church Medical Trust offers health plans rich in prevention benefits that support wellness. Most of our active health plans offer counseling sessions with a dietitian or nutritionist and routine in-network physicals and eye exams have $0 co-pays. Most dental plans offer three free in-network dental cleanings per year. We encourage all of our members to take advantage of these preventive health benefits so that we will all be “well to serve.”

Report card

In 2011, we'll report whether in 2010 more people took advantage of the preventive services their health plans offer than they did in 2009. We'll also print some of what our readers send us about their progress. We can't wait to hear from YOU!

Remember: health and wellness is a lifelong journey, not a destination.
Let’s make that journey together.

— Libby Miller, Editor