In 2008 study, researchers at the University of Minnesota "matched grade point averages with the typical health problems such as smoking, drinking and stress reported by nearly 10,000 Minnesota college students. They found a clear connection between student health and academic success." Riverland places a high value on student and employee health and so does H.E.A.L. (Health Empowerment Access Links) Global, Inc.

According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, "it is unreasonable to expect that people will change their behavior so easily when so many forces in the social, cultural, and physical environment conspire against change." HEAL MY Body.net seeks to disrupt this conspiracy with its unique online environment as a practical and innovative web-based solution, according to J. Allen Zow, Sr., the founder & CEO of HEAL Global, Inc.

"HEAL My Body is designed to educate, empower and encourage members who are looking for a 'real place to heal' on the internet," said Zow. HEAL MY Body is exclusively dedicated to the four dimensions of health-physical, emotional, financial and spiritual. Each member can create a private personalized "Empower Page" profile with a unique URL. A member's "Empower Page" may reflect personal customized favorite videos, music, poems, photos, RSS feeds, etc. designed to uplift, inspire, educate and empower the member on a daily basis.

"Our partnership with HEAL MY Body is consistent with and supports the mission and vision of Riverland's health and wellness goals," said Riverland President Terry Leas. "I like having great options for our constituencies, and it appears that our pilot program with HEAL My Body compliments the recent Blue Zones Health Makeover in Albert Lea as well as our state system's GPS (Goals + Plans=Success) Life Plan project."

HEAL MY Body (www.healmybody.net) is the social media division of HEAL Global, Inc. The first online social network focused exclusively on balancing the four dimensions (physical, emotional, financial and spiritual) of health to improve well-being. Consumers, employers and employees are offered an innovative and exciting best-of-breed social media platform. An innovative free membership-oriented, interactive, prevention-based and e-commerce web portal where like-minded people connect while linking to wellness information, services and products.

HEAL (Health Empowerment Access Links) Global, Inc. (HG) (www.healglobal.com) is an early-stage wellness company whose mission is to link people to information, services and products that lead to a lifestyle of wellness. HG's goal is to provide access and linkages that keep people empowered and in control of their personal health. HG's services include its unique social media division and employee assistance programs. HG is currently focused on the higher education community and private/public employees.

Riverland Community College, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, is a regional comprehensive community college inspiring learning for living through a personalized educational environment. Approximately 4,000 students are served, annually, through a wide range of credit-based educational opportunities. An additional 5,600 students are annually served in non-credit courses. Facilities are located in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Minn. Riverland may be found on the Internet at www.riverland.edu.

The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system comprises 32 state universities and community and technical colleges serving the higher education needs of Minnesota. The system serves about 250,000 students per year in credit-based courses and an additional 140,000 students in non-credit courses.

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