As if we needed another reason to get out onto the water, the fact remains that whether you are looking for it or not, kayaking is a form of exercise, not to mention the beautiful settings that surround you.  Kayaking gives us a balanced approach to our cardiovascular system and our upper body strength.

These health benefits are often a side effect of simply doing what you love most.  During kayaking the low impact movements may improve joint health in some people.  The extra calories burned through kayaking may also lead to natural weight loss, which in turn can help aching joints.  Kayaking also is a great way to relax and reduce stress.  It is a great sport to help with physical and emotional healing.

Kayaking is a great way to promote a healthy lifestyle for your family too!  Kids of all ages love can enjoy kayaking.  Safety is the main goal when involving children in this sport.  Life preservers are a non-negotiable.  Children should ride with an adult several times before venturing on their own and must be supervised by an adult at all times.  Keep in mind when children are learning to kayak it is best to start in calm shallow water until they get the hang of the movement.   Half an hour to an hour is just right for all first trips regardless of age. You may also want to make certain that children are familiar with the water, experienced in swimming, physical strength, and coordination level.  So enjoy kayaking !  Get your family on the water and begin a healthy life!

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak to one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC).  You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

SMALL BUSINESSES, BIG RISKS
There’s a direct correlation between an employer’s size and the likelihood that the firm will provide health benefits to its employees. The smaller the company, the less likely it is to provide coverage – a reality that impacts all demographics.

That’s a particular problem for North Carolina, because small businesses are increasingly the engine behind the state’s economy: 98 percent of businesses in North Carolina are small businesses,* and more than half of them don’t offer health insurance.** It’s hard for small businesses to qualify for rates as low as those available for large firms, particularly if some of their workforce is in poor health.
About half of the uninsured in North Carolina (55.3 percent) work for a small firm or belong to a family where someone works for a small firm (fewer than 25 employees).***

For more information on health insurance coverage in North Carolina, please visit our website at www.nchealthplans.com or call our toll free number 888-765-5400 and speak with one of our qualified agents.  Our agency provides coverage for health insurance in North Carolina through Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (BCBSNC). You may qualify for a 15% healthy lifestyle discount if you are in excellent health.  Call us for details.

United States Small Business Administration. http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/profiles/06nc.pdf
Fifty-nine percent of North Carolina businesses don’t offer health benefits. Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts. 2002.
“North Carolina’s Uninsured.” North Carolina Medical Journal. May/June 2006.BCBSNC, Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, Small Businesses and Health Insurance, Health Benefits