“We must
take care
of our families wherever
we find them.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert
Fall 2015
I N Y EAR S PAS T,
we’ve often thought of health care as an
individual condition.
I’ve got the flu. She was diagnosed with
cancer. He caught the measles.
That approach is changing. While each person receives
individualized care at PeaceHealth, community wellness
has been at the core of our mission since the 1800s,
when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace traveled across the
country to care for people in the logging communities of
the Pacific Northwest.
Today, we’re helping our communities focus on
wellness. For many of us, our core community is our
family. No matter what your family looks like—children,
parents, grandparents, partners, or close friends—
staying healthy together is one of the most caring things
you can do.
Here are a few ways to help keep your family and
community healthy:
Eat together.
Studies have shown that families who
sit and eat together are often healthier. Preparing foods
at home and gathering around a dinner table can lead to
better nutrition, fewer instances of depression, and lower
body mass index.
Move together.
Having a workout partner can help
you stay committed to fitness. Having your family as your
partner helps you all keep moving and having fun. Also,
when you are committed to meeting your spouse or your
sister for a workout, chances are you won’t cancel.
Play together.
One of the greatest ways to release
daily stress is to just have some fun. Remember the old
saying about laughter being the best medicine? It is
difficult to stay angry when you’re riding a bike or playing
a game of charades.
Healthy families,
healthy communities
Want to stay updated on wellness between
issues? Sign up for the Healthy You e-newsletter
and get monthly tips in your inbox. Visit
www.peacehealth.org/healthy-you .St. John Medical Center
PeaceHealth Medical Group
St. John Medical Center Foundation
P e a c e H e a l t h
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