Elevated stress levels are associated with more frequent physical illness and numerous health conditions including high blood pressure, asthma, and chronic pain.  In fact, 60 to 90 percent of all doctor visits are for stress-related complaints.

Stress affects budgets, as well as minds.  Health care costs are nearly 50 percent higher for those who have high levels of stress.  In addition, more than half of absenteeism in the United States is stress-related. Bottom line, $150 billion every year is spent on medical issues related to stress.

The Balance Program is designed to educate, encourage, promote, and support healthy behaviors that truly manage daily stress.

This past October, 23 sites in the Saint Paul School district participated in the Balance Program.  Fourteen of the 23 sites were Steps sites.  Staff utilized the simple and effective strategies they learned from the activity events, emails, and resource links to help them shape their lifestyles for the better.  Some of the resources included in the weekly emails were tips on organizing your office space; reasons to get up, stretch, and take a walk during your work day; important facts on why you should get enough sleep; and reasons to quit smoking; and much, much more.  All of these categories relate to elevated stress in our lives.  The tips and information were valuable to the staff in reducing stress.

The Balance Program was sponsored by District Wellness, HealthPartners and Steps to a HealthierMN-St. Paul.