Issue 008 The Village Vibe First Quarter 2023

The

Village VIBE

Village of Bald Head Island Employee Newsletter

First Quarter 2023 Issue 8

On March 22, 2023 the Utilities Department hosted another wonderful employee get-together to kick-off the peak season. This time, we had wings, beans, fries, soda, and cookies. Kenneth Adkins (aka Junior) and Anthony Sinatra manned the grill and the fry cooker.

David Cox was instrumental in supplying a variety of sauces to accompany the wings. It was quite another tasty feast! THANK YOU to all who worked to put it all together!

* * Mango Habanero group fave.

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The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 8

How to have more energy: The one secret you need to know

By Michelle Rogers, CPT | From NCBCBS Point of Blue

Health y T ips

When we’re feeling tired or run down, most of us reach for an extra cup of coffee. Getting a workout may be the last thing on our mind at that moment. But science shows that exercise is one of the best energy boosters around.

I kind of stumbled on this by chance. Before I became a regular exerciser, I struggled with fatigue and feeling stiff and achy from my desk job. This went on for many years, yet medical tests always came back normal. One day I decided to start walking every day on a treadmill, and long story short, it changed my life. I started feeling dramatically better.

Today, as a fitness professional, it’s a joy to witness this happen on a daily basis with my clients and class members. Linda, a new client, originally came to me because she wanted to lose weight. But after her first week on a personal training plan, she was amazed at the difference exercise made in how she feels physically and mentally. “Even my fiancé noticed that I have so much more energy and feel more awake. My hip arthritis feels better, too. Now I love working out, because it’s so energizing!” Like my own experience, these immediate benefits made her enjoy exercising and want to keep going with it.

It’s a thing. In a study published in Psychological Bulletin, researchers analyzed 70 studies on exercise and fatigue involving more than 6,800 people. More than 90% of the studies showed the same thing: Sedentary people who completed a regular exercise program reported improved fatigue compared to groups that did not exercise. The results show that regular exercise increases energy and reduces fatigue.

Cellular-level changes occur inside your body when you exercise. Your body produces more mitochondria inside your muscle cells, which increases your body’s energy supply. Exercising also boosts oxygen circulation and increases hormone levels that make you feel more energized.

And exercise works even if you’re not breaking a big sweat. A University of Georgia study found that low-intensity exercise reduces fatigue symptoms by 65%. Researchers said the finding suggests that exercise acts directly on the central nervous system to increase energy and reduce fatigue. Low-intensity exercise was considered a leisurely paced walk.

Exercise is also fantastic for reducing stress, which is an energy drainer. For more on that, read our post about 8 surprising ways walking can help you de-stress. Plus, exercise can help you sleep better so that you feel more rested.

Which exercise should you do and how much?

Simply put, the best exercise is the one that you will do. Pick something you like doing. That makes it much easier to create an exercise habit you will stick with.

Walking is simple and free, and most people find it enjoyable once they get going with it. Bike riding is another option that is good exercise and fun, too. A bonus with both walking and bike riding is that you’ll also benefit physically and mentally from being in the outdoors and sunshine — a proven mood booster.

Another idea is to sign up for an exercise class.

You can start with a small amount of exercise and still be successful, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. In fact, this strategy can help you succeed because small is doable and gets done.

We are lucky to have miles and miles of nearby beaches to walk and enjoy by ourselves or with our pets!

Over time, try to work your way up to 30 minutes, five days a week of moderate-intensity exercise (such as a brisk walk). This meets the minimum recommended physical activity guidelines. It doesn’t have to be done all at once.

You could do 15 minutes in the morning and 15 in the evening, or whatever works best for you.

No time to work out? Try these easy ways to fit movement into your day.

Continued on Page 6

The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 8

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GOOD STUFF Mike Harris completed Essentials of Facility Management, a course for facility professionals that teaches the key concepts and fundamentals of facility management, including ten indepth modules.

Check out this amazing video by our very own Jerry Waits. It really captures the beauty of Bald Head Island!

WAY TO GO GUYS!

Congratulations Lt. Steve Barger & PSO Chip Sudderth! They completed the 31 mile portion of the Cape Fear Badwater Race.

They trained had with the goal of completing the race and raising awareness for members of the agency & Village residents.

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Congratulations Lt. Steve Barger on obtaining his Intermediate Law Enforcement Certificate from the NC Criminal Justice Training & Standards Commission.

The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter- Issue 8

MORE GOOD STUFF Kenny Adkins & David Morales earned their System Operator Certification Ian Carico & JP McCann earned their Grade 2 Biological Operator Certification

EMPLOYEE ANNIVERSARIES Employee

Department

Hire/ Rehire Date

Steven Butler Bill Warren Jason Jacobs Stephen Pevarnik

Public Safety Public Services Public Services IPC/PO

1/3/2012 2/14/2022 2/9/2022 2/13/2019

11 1 1 4

Joseph Martino Franklin Blanton Gregory Still David Morales Mishanda Mohundro Trevor Ricker Anthony Sinatra Soto Robert Haywood

Public Services Public Safety Public Safety Public Services Administration - HR Public Safety Public Services Public Safety (PT)

2/17/2016 2/23/2022 2/23/2022 2/27/2019 3/20/2014 Started PT 3/28/2018 3/29/2018 3/30/2019

7 1 1 4 9 5 5 4

APRIL

Years of Service

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Zachary Hewett 3 9 Eric Riley Holden Hall 11 20 Dexter Altman Nathan Lindsay 25 Marcus Brendle 30

MAY

JUNE

Michael Harris 7 David Cox Anthony Sinatra Soto 11 Ian Carico 26 Mishanda Mohundro 27

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Continued from Page 3 How to get started with exercise to have more energy, in three simple steps.

The first step is to choose your exercise, as described above.

The very important second step is to schedule this time into your day. Give it the same priority as an appointment or meeting.

The third step is to actually do it. When I started with exercise, I walked every day for 15 minutes at the same scheduled time. A big reason for this is so that I could establish it as a habit. I knew from past experience that if I skipped one day, it could easily turn into two or more and I’d be off track yet again.

Your initial exercise plan that incorporates these three steps might be: This week I will walk the dog for 15 minutes each day at 7:00 a.m. It can be helpful to make these plans short-term (week to week) rather than open-ended, so you can adjust as needed.

To progress, in a coming week you could plan to walk for 20 minutes instead of 15, or to walk faster. You get the idea. But even if you never do more, you’re still ahead of the game and benefitting yourself by exercising each day, whatever the amount.

Focus on creating the habit A mistake people make is to focus mainly on the goal and the outcome they want, rather than on creating the habit that will get them there. Without the habit and the schedule, exercise becomes an option rather than a priority in your busy day. And we both know what happens then. Exercise doesn’t get done.

That’s one reason why I’m a fan of morning workouts. I do it first thing, and then it’s done. It’s not hanging over my head the rest of the day, gnawing at me that I need to do it as the day gets busier and I get more tired. Exercise gives me energy to get through my day and be the best me I can be.

Let’s face it, there will be days you wake up and don’t feel like exercising. This is normal. Do it anyway, even if it’s just a small amount. Once you get going, you’ll feel better, and you’ll be glad you did.

If you’re struggling on your own, enlist the help of a certified personal trainer for assistance and ongoing support.

Remember, it’s the movement that helps us feel more alert and energized, not the other way around. You’re sitting around waiting for the energy to exercise, when actually it’s exercise that will give you the energy you want.

If you are experiencing persistent fatigue or lack of energy, be sure to see your health care provider for an evaluation. Thyroid issues, heart disease, sleep apnea, diabetes, hormonal unbalances, depression, nutritional deficiencies and other health conditions can also cause these symptoms, so it’s a good idea to get checked out.

The information provided in this material has been consolidated for your convenience from various health resources. The information should not be viewed as medical advice from Blue Cross NC. If you have any questions concerning your medical condition or any drugs, treatment plans or new symptoms, consult your health care provider.

The Wilmington Riverwalk might be a good change of scenery for your walks. It is 1.75 miles long and goes from the foot of Nun Street on the South to the Isabel Holmes bridge on the North along the bank of the Cape Fear River in downtown.

A Quit that Sticks If you or someone you love would like to quit smoking, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) offers Pivot — which you are eligible for at no cost to you as part of your plan — to help our members reduce or quit smoking.

The Pivot program provides you with pockets of motivation and inspiration needed to effectively quit smoking, right on your own smartphone.

Experience how small steps add up as you work to achieve something great this year — a quit that sticks.

For those who prefer a telephone-based program, Blue Cross NC continues to offer QuitlineNC. Available 24/7, QuitlineNC quit coaches offer support and resources including Nicotine Replacement Therapy products like patches, gum and lozenges at no extra cost. Call QuitlineNC today at 1-844-8NCQUIT (1-844-862-7848). More info: https://account.pivot.co/eligibility

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The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 8

Baby Picture Contest!

Can you name the Village employee in the picture below? Email or text the correct answer to: cfaulkner@villagebhi.org or (910) 368-6338. If you have the correct answer, you will be chosen in a drawing of all of the correct answers received by May 26, 2023.

If you have a baby picture to submit for a future contest, please send them to Carin at the email or text number above.

Where did you grow up?

Herndon, Virginia What do you like to do for fun?

Going to see live music/comedy, sitting by the bonfire, hunting for the best seashells.

What is your favorite food?

Nachos, peanut butter cups, grilled anything.

Anything else?

I've earned the nickname "Villa" because I am pretty handy around the house.

And the winner is...

BILL WARREN He won the baby picture contest from the last issue.

The baby from last issue was

MISHANDA MOHUNDRO Mishanda was born in Michigan and moved to Southport when she was 15 years old. For fun, she likes to go paddleboarding and spends time with her family. Her favorites foods are pizza and breakfast.

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The PIO has Moved to Public Safety!

In preparation for new Finance Department staff coming aboard, the Public Information Officer has moved to the Department of Public Safety Building. Her office is in the hallway to the left of the reception desk. Nothing else has changed as far as job duties, phone number, email address, etc.

VILLAGE HOLIDAYS Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day

Monday, May 29, 2023 Monday, June 19, 2023 Tuesday, July 4, 2023 Monday, Sept. 4, 2023

When the FY23 budget was adopted, TWO holidays were added!

Juneteenth (Monday June 19, 2023) and a floating holiday (you can pick an unobserved holiday, your birthday, or any other day off - with supervisor's approval - please mark "FH" on your timesheet for tracking).

We want to hear about you!

This is YOUR newsletter. Tell us about your hobbies! Do you compete in competitions outside of work?

Is your family growing?

New child/grandchild/pet/engagement? Is your child/grandchild about to graduate?

Do you have some amazing recipes? Do you volunteer? Tell us about it!

Send information to: publicinformation@villagebhi.org or text (910) 368-6338 Submit your photos

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We need your baby/early childhood photos for future contests. Send them to the email or phone number above!

The Village Vibe VBHI Employee Newsletter - Issue 8