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Know Your Numbers for Healthier Living

BCBSIL Connect Team January 10, 2024

If you have high cholesterol, there are ways you can lower it. When you do, you help reduce your risks for heart problems. You also boost your chances for living a longer, healthier life. What’s the first step? Work closely with your doctor. T.....
- 12195 Views
Supporting a Loved One with Cancer

BCBSIL Connect Team January 8, 2024

“I have cancer.” They are three words you never want to hear from a friend, family member or significant other. Learning that a loved one has cancer can be very overwhelming and scary. You probably have a ton of questions you want to ask...
- 13518 Views
Three Ways to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health

BCBSIL Connect Team January 2, 2024

Teens are facing more challenges than ever. There’s pressure from school, friends and social media. No wonder their mental health can suffer. You don’t have to wait until your teen is in crisis to talk about it. Talk to your teen early an...
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Get Big Benefits From a Small Weight Loss

BCBSIL Connect Team December 5, 2023

Some small changes can have a big payoff. That’s true when it comes to losing weight. If you're carrying extra weight, dropping even 5 percent of your weight can be good for your health. That level of weight loss can help lower your risk of chr....
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How Fiber Keeps Your Brain and Heart in Shape

BCBSIL Connect Team December 1, 2023

Just about everyone knows eating fiber is the key to keeping you, um…regular. That's just one benefit of the food voted “Most Likely to Make a Middle Schooler Snicker.” It’s true. High fiber foods make you poop. They also mak...
- 9065 Views
Are You Dehydrated?

BCBSIL Connect Team October 26, 2023

Your body doesn’t work well when it’s low on fluids. When it loses more water than it takes in, you may have dehydration, which can lead to some serious health problems. You might not know when you’re dehydrated. But it could be beh...
- 15756 Views
Mind Your Food for Better Brain Health

BCBSIL Connect Team October 25, 2023

You’ve probably heard about foods that are good for your brain. But can you also harm your brain with what you eat? Our brains work better when we eat nutrient-rich food. So yes, there are foods that are bad for your brain. The best foods for ....
- 11904 Views
Be an Advocate for Your Own Care

BCBSIL Connect Team October 16, 2023

Prevention is an important part of being healthy. That can mean having a yearly exam. It can mean having routine screening tests. When an illness can’t be avoided, stepping up to help direct your own health care is critical. Get Involved in You....
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Every Breath You Take

BCBSIL Connect Team October 5, 2023

Your home may be warm and cozy, but is it good for your lungs? People tend to take their lungs for granted. We know we can’t live without them, but we don’t spend much time taking care of them. But as outdoor activities give way to indoo...
- 13624 Views
Healthy Gut, Healthy Life?

BCBSIL Connect Team September 28, 2023

You may have heard that your gut is your second brain. The saying gives a sense of how vital your digestive system is to the rest of your body. But what does it mean? A network of hundreds of millions of nerve cells called neurons line the gut, or...
- 18667 Views
Create a Routine for Better Sleep

BCBSIL Connect Team September 28, 2023

Most Americans have some type of trouble with sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 3 American adults say they’re not getting enough sleep every day. And millions of Americans have chronic sleep disorders....
- 8358 Views
Healthy Eating: Avoid Portion Pitfalls

BCBSIL Connect Team September 7, 2023

Most people know they should eat nutritious foods to maintain a healthy weight and avoid serious health problems. Still, there may be a big part of healthy eating you’re not paying enough attention to — portion sizes. What you eat matters...
- 21590 Views
Find Out If a Low-Intensity Workout Is Right for You

BCBSIL Connect Team August 30, 2023

Many people learned how to get their exercise without classes or gym workouts during the pandemic. Some turned to low-intensity workouts, and they haven’t gone back. There are benefits to stepping away from the “no pain, no gain” ap...
- 7166 Views
Does When You Eat Make a Difference?

BCBSIL Connect Team August 29, 2023

When it comes to healthy eating, we know that what we eat matters. So does how much we eat. And research shows that when we eat is important, too. Many studies point to health improvements from making changes to when you eat. That’s because our....
- 13160 Views
Wash the Rind to Leave Bacteria Behind

BCBSIL Connect Team August 15, 2023

The peak of summer brings ripe, tasty melons, like cantaloupe and watermelon, from the farm to your table. Watermelons are not only refreshing, they’re also a great source of the antioxidant lycopene. What’s so special about lycopene? Lyc...
- 9927 Views