March is National Nutrition Month and National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month! This issue of our newsletter has tips on those topics, plus stress relief for better sleep and the latest on telemedicine. Marpai (Mar-pay), your employer health plan services provider, delivers SMART Health Insights every month to help you feel great and live well through better health. With tips for better physical and mental wellness, highlights of exciting new health technology products, and news from Marpai, it’s designed to help improve your health journey.

Telemedicine, which enables video or phone appointments between a patient and their health care practitioner, benefits both health and convenience. More health care providers are offering to “see” patients by computer and smartphone.

In a recent national survey, 44 percent of adults said stress had caused sleepless nights at least once in the previous month. All that tossing, turning and staring at the ceiling can leave you feeling tired and more stressed the next day. If you’re caught in this vicious cycle of anxiety and insomnia, there’s good news: Simple stress relief techniques can help you sleep better and feel calmer.

“Let thy food be thy medicine,” said Hippocrates (a long, long time ago), but the sentiment still rings true. National Nutrition Month, celebrated in March, stresses the importance of a balanced diet and exercise. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics promotes the transformative powers of healthy food choices. The Academy encourages using a registered dietitian in order to develop and stick with a healthy eating plan.

For people at average risk The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many elective procedures being put on hold, and this has led to a substantial decline in cancer screening. Health care facilities are providing cancer screening during the pandemic with many safety precautions in place. Learn how you can talk to your doctor and what steps you can take to plan, schedule, and get your regular cancer screenings in Cancer Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

It’s American Heart Month, a time when everyone can focus on their cardiovascular health. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and the disease accounts for 1 in 4 deaths annually. This issue of SMART Health Insights brings you simple things you can do to take an active role in reducing your risk and staying heart healthy.

February 1st marked the beginning of American Heart Month. The 28-Day celebration and public campaign seeks to raise awareness about and provide strategies for preventing heart disease while encouraging people to live heart healthy lives. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and the disease accounts for 1 in 4 deaths annually1. Key risks factors include smoking, high Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and diabetes.

Your body needs a certain amount of sodium. Sodium helps your body maintain normal nerve and muscle function as well as fluid balance. But too much sodium, mostly consumed as salt, can spell trouble for your heart and health by placing added strain on your heart, blood vessels and kidneys as your body tries to get rid of any excess sodium.

Do you sometimes feel like you just can’t catch a break? You know — the truck that cut you off, the weird feedback you got from your boss, the grocery item you need but is never on the store shelf? Do you sometimes feel negative and cynical? Sure, we all do this a little, but doing it a lot can lead to depression, which is linked to poor heart health, more inflammation and even a weaker immune system. Yikes!

You know exercise is heart smart and good for you. But do you really know how much physical activity you’re getting? And how can you get more, day in and day out, for your heart health? A fitness tracker may help.

Visit the member portal today and discover how Marpai makes it easy for you to make the most of your health plan.