Studies show voting helps mental, physical health

Vote, it’s good for you

Voting fits right there with vegetables, exercise, and healthy relationships for good health.

Voting reflects a positive outlook, a sense of personal empowerment to influence the world around you. This election we are voting on the president, Congress, the state legislators, county commissioners, and several Constitutional amendments. Voting expresses a sense of hope, which we know is linked to better mental and physical well-being. Voting is a form of expressing a sense of control over some of the factors that affect your life.

People who vote report better sense of well- being and better health over all.

Where and when to vote? Go to www.voteanywhere.org to find where and when to vote or, if not too late, to get a ballot to vote by mail.

Amendment 2

On the ballot, one issue is directly related to health. The exact words of Amendment 2, Use of Marijuana for Debilitating Medical Conditions are: “allows medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating medical conditions as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not immunize violations of federal law or any nonmedical use, possession or production of marijuana”.

Break up with tobacco; it’s also good for you

Tools to help you quit smoking

Tobacco is addictive; quitting is tough but doable. Now you have more resources to help you. Tobacco Free Florida offers free tools, including a two-week starter kit of nicotine replacement patches, Text2Quit, Email Tips and a Quit Guide. You can choose as many as you need or use them in addition to Tobacco Free Florida’s Phone, Group and Web Quit services. Already, over 137,000 Floridians have used these tools to successfully quit. Since 2007, Tobacco Free Florida has offered its free and easy ways to help people quit tobacco, including classes that are held in each county by Area Health Education Centers. You can develop your own comprehensive quit plan with support from a certified Quit Coach. For more information, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com/quityourway

Parks are great for health

This time of year it is great to get out and enjoy our spectacular weather. We have so many different parks, including “linear parks” for biking and walking.

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Health insurance can be a gateway to better health. The open enrollment period to buy health insurance at the government "Obamacare" marketplace starts Nov. 1. It ends Jan. 31. Go to www.healthcare.gov if you are uninsured, are looking for affordable insurance or have insurance from the marketplace. Also, licensed navigators in Central Florida are available to provide in-person and confidential help, completely free of charge, at coveringcfl.net or call 1-877-564-5031. 

Dr. Nancy Rudner Lugo, local workplace nurse coach with HealthAction.biz, helps individuals and employees understand their health, make healthy choices and achieve their health goals. Send your questions to [email protected]