Arcwood

Labor Day is a uniquely American holiday – it celebrates the American worker.

Observed annually on the first Monday in September, Labor Day was an idea borne out of the U.S. labor movement. Labor leaders originally envisioned this annual holiday as a dedication to the social and economic achievements of American workers. This includes recognizing the many contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the United States.

The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2 cups of fruit and 2½ cups of vegetables daily.

Most adults don’t get the daily nutrition they need, but fortunately, one of the best parts of summer is the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This month, consider buying the following in-season products:

Berries (e.g., blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries)
Corn
Cucumbers
Nectarines
Peaches
Tomatoes

While at the grocery store or farmers market this summer, shop for seasonal produce and reap the following benefits:

Fresher food—Seasonal produce likely is recently picked and hasn’t been sitting on a truck or in a warehouse. It also retains its nutritional value since some antioxidants, such as vitamin C and folate, rapidly decline when stored.
Better taste—In-season produce tastes fresher, sweeter and perfectly ripe. If it’s tasty, you’ll likely eat more. That’s a healthy win-win.
Lower costs—When produce is in season, farmers harvest more crops. The increased supply may mean lower prices for you.
Reduced carbon footprint—Out-of-season produce is typically imported or takes more energy to grow due to the need for greenhouses.

The next time you’re grocery shopping, consider choosing seasonally fresh options to give your body a nutritional boost and impress your palate.

Know Your Sunscreen

Sunscreen labels must follow specific guidelines.

Broad-spectrum protection works against UVA (skin cancer and premature aging) and UVB (sunburn) rays.
SPF is the level of protection against UVB rays.
Depending on the brand, water-resistant sunscreen needs to be reapplied after either 40 or 80 minutes of swimming or excessive sweating.
Sunscreens maintain their full strength for three years, but always check the expiration date.

Staying Safe in the Summer Sun

Spending time outside is a great way to be active and reduce stress. However, the sun’s rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes, so it’s essential to protect your body from sun damage and skin cancer. Here are a few tips to protect yourself while enjoying the summer weather:

Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the rays that cause sunburn are the strongest.
Wear clothes made of tightly woven fabrics. Keep in mind that darker colors may also offer more ultraviolet (UV) protection than lighter colors.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat that shields your face, neck and ears.
Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Use sunscreen with at least a sun protection factor (SPF) value of 30. Reapply at least every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

Routinely inspect your skin for any spots or changes in color or appearance. If you have any concerns, see your doctor.

Wishing you a safe and happy holiday.

Prevention and Response Considerations for Active Shooter Incidents Active shooter incidents can carry various consequences. These incidents often result in fatalities, serious injuries and prolonged trauma among those involved. Additionally, such incidents can leave lasting impacts on the locations where they occur, such as workplaces. With this in mind, it’s vit...

The National Association of Health Underwriters awards Valerie Sanchez with the “Wellness Certification”

We are pleased to share that Jessica Cheney, VP of Benefits is Prescription Benefit Certified. Congratulations Jessica this will be a great asset to our clients!

Arcwood updated their business hours.