6 Tips to Brighten Your Life This Season

GE Privacy

Introduction: protecting your privacy, enhancing your online experience

When it comes to data privacy, protecting your personal information is most important. We feel it’s also important to give you, your colleagues, and your family members a voice in the development of this web site and your overall experience with it. To do this, we need to collect certain types of information to help us evaluate how the HealthAhead web site is being used, so we can continually improve your experience and the content we offer to you. By tracking overall usage patterns, providing an easy channel for your feedback, and allowing you to tell us what content is most useful to you, we can refine our offerings and provide more of the content you personally find valuable.

Overall, we are committed to giving you the option to participate – or not participate – in a manner that’s right for you. Read more for how we do this.

Information we collect and how we use it

Identifiable Information Collecting

All methods of identifying yourself to GE will be optional and opt-in, may be updated by you at any time, and will not be required for all areas of the web site.

We will not collect any identifiable user information from the areas of the HealthAhead web site which do not require SSO (Single Sign On), unique User ID (Identification), and/or Password.

There are areas of the web site that require you to identify yourself to us (authenticate). This allows you to access certain parts of the web site that may otherwise be restricted for privacy and security purposes.

There are also areas that may provide the option to create a personalized profile. The information you provide is optional and what you tell us will determine the level of personalization you will experience.

Access to identifiable information is restricted to internal, administrative personnel and solely for purposes of providing web site support, awarding prizes and other recognition, and customizing the web site content and overall functionality for the user. However, we will also allow you to change your mind and opt-out of sharing personal information with us at any time.

Non-Identifiable Information Collecting

When you visit the HealthAhead web site, we track, collect and report on certain aggregate and non- identifiable information. In other words, the information we collect does not relate to a single identifiable visitor. It tells us things such as how many users visited our web site and what pages they viewed.

This non-identifiable data will be collected and stored in a secure database in the U.S., and may be viewed by GE. We will analyze this information to refine our web site to better reflect user preferences, such as the type of content users are searching for most, and to improve the usability of the web site and the user’s web site experience. The information may also be used for purposes of promoting the web site. The data will not be used for medical analysis or other medical purposes.

Cookies

Like many web sites, the HealthAhead web site uses browser cookies – bits of text placed on your computer’s hard drive when you visit. We use them to tell us things like whether you’ve visited us before, and to help us identify features in which you may have the greatest interest. We also use cookies to track country and language selection.

In the future, we may use cookies to track additional details, such as city and state.

We keep this information unless you don’t wish GE to capture this and choose to delete your cookie history. If you wish to stop accepting new browser cookies, get notification when you receive a new cookie, or disable existing cookies, the “help” portion of the toolbar on most browsers will tell you how. Keep in mind, without browser cookies, you may not be able to take full advantage of all our web site features or have your preferences saved for future visits.

We also use Flash cookies on the web site to enhance your online experience. These are similar to browser cookies, but they store data more complex than simple text. Flash cookies, by themselves, cannot do anything to or with the data on your computer. In addition, Flash cookies cannot access or remember your email address or other personal information unless you provide the information on this web site.

Web Beacons

Certain pages on our web site contain “web beacons” (also known as Internet tags, pixel tags and clear GIFs). These web beacons obtain information such as the time the page was viewed, the type of browser used to view the page, and the information in cookies. Web beacon data does not include IP address. The web beacon data is stored at Google Analytics, a third party (see ‘Tracking and Reporting’ for more information on this technology).

Tracking and Reporting

Specifically we will track, collect and report on the following data using software from Google Analytics. For more information about Google Analytics, including information about how to opt out of these technologies, go to www.google-analytics.com

Our primary metrics include: Poll response rate, repeat visits, number of times content is shared, and visits by country.

The sub-metrics include:

Most Popular Content Types, Most Popular Content Topics, User Pathing, Exit Links, Bounce Rate, Traffic by Source (region), Time on Web site, Visit Time of Day, Unique Views/Page Views, Thumps Up/Down, Most Shared Content, Number of Times Content is Rated, Most Rated Content by Type, Language Selection.

We will also be tracking how much communicators, web site leaders and other HealthAhead operations teams are leveraging the web site to support and align their business, regional and web site specific efforts. Some of these metrics may be tracked using existing support central tools.

These metrics may include:

Number of Content Submissions by Region, Number of non-corporate Driven Promotions by RCs, Number of Promotional Downloads by Region, Support Central Survey

Feedback Form

Your feedback is important to the web site’s ongoing development, so we’d love to hear your opinions and ideas. To contact us, please use this Feedback form. We will not be able to respond directly, but all feedback will be reviewed, evaluated, and factored into future content decisions. Please note: this form is monitored by IT support staff only. Please do not submit any personal or medical information. And thank you in advance!

Poll and Quiz Responses

On the web site, we will conduct polls and quizzes to better understand user activities, attitudes, interests and knowledge across multiple health topics. These polls may also help us serve you better by asking questions that relate to the usefulness of our web site. We will not capture any personally identifiable information through the collection of poll response data. As part of these polls and quizzes, we will capture responses sorted by country. In the future, we may capture responses sorted by additional anonymous demographics such as language, affiliated GE business, work web site location, gender, etc.

Sharing Content with Family and Friends

We want you to share the web site’s content with important people in your life, so most articles, videos and slideshows can be emailed. To do so, we will ask you to provide your name and the recipient’s email address. We simply use this information to send the content as you request. At this time, we do not capture or store your, or the recipient’s, email address. Please see below to learn how we track and report on email sharing activity.

Please also review GE’s Social Media Guidelines

How we protect information

GE maintains administrative, technical and physical safeguards to protect against unauthorized disclosure, use, alteration or destruction of any information you provide on this web site. We use secure socket layer (SSL) technology to help keep the information you provide on this web site secure. See ‘Information We Share’ and ‘Information We Transfer’ for additional details.

Information we share

We do not sell or otherwise disclose personal information about our visitors, except as described here. We may share information provided by visitors with service providers we have retained to perform services on our behalf. These service providers are contractually restricted from using or disclosing the information, except as necessary to perform services on our behalf or comply with legal requirements. In addition, we may disclose information about you if we are required to do so by law or legal process; to law enforcement authorities or other government officials; or when we believe disclosure is necessary or appropriate to prevent physical harm or financial loss or in connection with an investigation of suspected or actual illegal activity.

Information we transfer

We may transfer the information we collect on this web site to other countries where we do business, but only for the purposes described above. When we transfer your information to other countries, we will protect that information as described here unless otherwise required by applicable laws.

Links to other web sites

We provide links to other web sites for your convenience and information. These web sites may have their own privacy statements in place, which we recommend you review if you visit any linked web sites. We are not responsible for the content of linked web sites or any use of the web sites.

Children’s privacy

This web site is not directed to children under the age of thirteen and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of thirteen on the web site. If we become aware that we have inadvertently received personal information from a visitor under the age of thirteen, we will delete the information from our records.

Some links on this web site may take web site visitors to web sites that are directed to children. These web sites have their own privacy notices that address children’s privacy. We encourage you to read these privacy notices if you visit any linked web sites directed to children.

Updates to our privacy & data policy

This Privacy & Data Policy may be updated periodically and without prior notice to you to reflect changes in our online information practices. We will post a notice on this web site to notify you of any significant changes to our Privacy & Data Policy, and indicate at the top of this policy when it was most recently updated.

How to contact us

If you have any questions or comments about this Privacy & Data Policy, or if you would like us to update information we have about you or your preferences, please contact us by visiting our Feedback Form.

6 Tips to Brighten Your Life This Season

The early morning dawns and sun-lit evenings of summer are far behind us. As the days get shorter and shorter, you may find yourself missing the warmth or mood-boosting powers of the sun—especially if you work during daylight hours. Some people even struggle with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression that typically strikes during fall and winter. Fortunately, we have six simple tips to help light up your life this season. With our easy strategies, you can get the most out of autumn and winter days.

Go for a Lunchtime Walk

When sunlight hits your skin, it triggers the production of vitamin D—an essential nutrient for the development of strong bones. Enjoying time outdoors may also help relieve stress and boost your mental health, reports the University of Washington. But as the days get shorter, it may be trickier to get outside while the sun is still shining. If you work during the day, consider taking time on your lunch break to go for a walk, even when the weather gets cool. Daily walks are a great way to get some exercise, while enjoying the sun’s rays. In fact, five half-hour walks at a brisk pace are enough to get your recommended dose of 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Visit Old Sites in New Seasons

It’s amazing how familiar haunts can change from one season to another. From migrating birds, to the changing leaves of fall, to the soft and silent contours of snowy landscapes—there’s a lot to appreciate this time of year. So make the most of your weekends this fall and winter, by visiting your favorite parks, nature reserves, or walking trails. You may be surprised at the different sights, sounds, and smells you discover while enjoying the sunlit scenery. Remember to dress for the weather and research conditions before setting out. Some sites may have restricted access during the off-season, while others may operate year-round. Stick to well-maintained trails for safe and comfortable trekking.

Explore New Activities

Beach season is a distant dream for those living in colder climates. But there’s a whole world of fall and winter sports and activities to explore, including many seasonal sports for those in snowy climates. Check your local listings for recreational opportunities, such as touch football leagues in the fall or skiing lessons in the winter. Enjoy outdoor adventures with your kids, by jumping in piles of leaves or sledding down snow-covered hills. Plan a romantic date or fun family outing at a nearby pumpkin patch, sugar bush, or outdoor ice skating rink. Or consider renting a yurt or heated cabin in the woods for an unforgettable getaway.

Upgrade Your Gear and Wardrobe

Depending on where you live, fall and winter may be wet or cold or both. Dressing appropriately is essential to enjoying outdoor activities year-round. Consider dressing in layers that you can remove when you start to sweat or add when you feel cold, suggests the Mayo Clinic. Invest in waterproof outerwear and footwear to help you stay dry and warm. And investigate options for practicing your favorite warm-weather sports in other seasons. For example, you may be able to find waterproof gear for running, insulated wetsuits for water sports, or studded snow tires for cycling. Don’t forget to shield your face and eyes from UV-rays with sunscreen and sunglasses, even when you’re all bundled up.

Let in the Light

For times when you can’t get outside, let the sunshine in. Adjust your curtains and blinds at home to let in more light, consider moving your work station to a sunnier area, or choose a machine at the gym that is located near a window. According to research published in Healthcare Papers, setting up near a sunny window with a scenic view may help ward off stress. Increasing your body’s uptake of tryptophan—an amino acid involved in the regulation of mood and sleep patterns—by eating foods such as tuna, salmon, sardines, nuts, legumes, and leafy vegetables may also make a positive difference to your wellbeing.

Supplement the Sunshine

For some people, the darker days of fall and winter are downright depressing. If you find yourself feeling more tired, irritable, or depressed in the late fall or winter, you may be experiencing seasonal affective disorder (SAD), warns the Mayo Clinic. Reduced sunlight can play a role in this condition, by disrupting the body’s internal clock and its production of mood-boosting hormones. If you’re experiencing symptoms of SAD, speak with your doctor. In addition to outdoor activities and regular exercise, they may recommend medications or light therapy.

Don’t Let Darkness Get You Down

It may be tempting to hibernate indoors when the days get short, especially if you live somewhere wet and cold. But with a little imagination, planning, and seasonal gear, you can enjoy outdoor activities year-round while staying safe and comfortable. Spending time in the sun may help relieve stress, boost your mood, and regulate your sleep schedule. Even sitting in bright spot near a scenic window may have a positive effect on your mental health. So consider trying a new outdoor activity, visiting a favorite spot in a new season, or rearranging your interior space to maximize your sunny moments this fall and winter.