At work, we have what is called a Wellness Program. This program is designed to be proactive in health issues. For instance, we are currently taking part in the Winter Aerobic Challenge. This program is supposed to keep us active during those months that we really want to veg and hibernate. Heh.

We are planning a Skin Cancer screening day to bring more awareness to this disease that affects more Arizonans than any other disease. We have the highest rate of skin cancer in the WORLD except for the entire country of Australia…and it took an entire country to beat us out.

I think Arizonans are sun-lovers. I know that I am. When you have 350+ days of sunshine a year, it’s hard not to love it. It’s funny. Most people from other areas of the country are used to clouds and overcast days. Here, when it becomes overcast for more than a day at a time, you can really notice it in people’s attitudes. People either get really grumpy or really depressed. We need our sun.

So, this wellness program…it only works if people participate, of course. HR (which I’m a part of) tries really hard to do things that will interest the employees. It’s hard, though. People are cynical. People think they are too busy. People want something for free. And when I say free, I mean that they want to lose weight without working at it…they want to feel better without taking the steps to do so.

Honey…ain’t nothin’ for free when it comes to your health. It’s an investment, though. You take care of you and you get to live longer. That’s the benefit.