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August 2015 Exclusively for Health Advocate Members
Real-Life Help
Monthly Webinar • Tuesday, August 18th
Set the Right Prioritiespage 2
Unplug to Rechargepage 3
Create Balancein Your Life
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As the leisurely days of summer give way to more hectic schedules, juggling the demands of family, work and personal responsibilities can leave you feeling exhausted. Handling everyday stressors can be overwhelming. In this issue, you’ll learn how to stay balanced and in control by streamlining your life, dealing more effectively with money issues, ensuring that your kids get a healthy start at school, and more.
Feeling overwhelmed by caregiving? Read on to find out how your Personal Health Advocate can make it easier and how your Wellness coach can help you maximize healthy “family time.”
Read on to find out how…
A Licensed Professional Counselor can help you with balancingdemands and addressing stressors such as money matters.
A Work/Life Specialist can locate caregivers, pet sitters, and a fullrange of other resources to help you better juggle work/life demands.
The EAP+Work/Life website provides many articles aboutstress management, organization, financial issues and other topics.
A Personal Health Advocate can help ease caregivingresponsibilities by scheduling doctor appointments, resolving insurance issues and more.
A Wellness Coach can offer great “family time” fitness ideas!!
1 in 3 workers say work/life balance is getting more difficult. We can help make it easier.
Strike a Better Balance
Webinar! Tuesday, August 18th
Money 101
Learn about budgeting, building savings and managing debt.
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Real People, Real Stories
Money Problems? Learn to Budget, Not Bicker
Fighting over money is a common source of imbalance and friction among many couples. In Keith and Jan’s case, they couldn’t even discuss the price of gas without getting into an argument. They sought out a Licensed Professional Counselor for help.
“The first thing we learned was to set a time for ‘the money talk’ when we both felt calm, and to take breaks when things got overheated. Putting our favorite jazz music on in the background helped.” The couple learned how to discuss things rationally and discover one another’s views about money and its importance to each. “Even though Keith feels we should spend money on frequent vacations and I’m more focused on saving, we learned how to compromise. We’re now doing basic budgeting and focusing on solutions. Both of us feel more hopeful about our future.”
Marital issues throwing you off balance? Call us.
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Determine what’s most satisfying.Is your goal to enjoy work and have enough energy to enjoy your home life? Cultivate a better relationship with your family and friends? Your answers will help you set the right goals.
Say “no” without apology or guilt.It’s ok to decline requests regarding activities that don’t interest you.
Eliminate energy drainers.This includes surfing the web, and listening to others complain.
Pare down and organize errands.Delegate chores to family members.
Focus on doing one thing at time.You think you’ll come out ahead if you multitask. In fact, multitasking adds stress!
Overwhelmed by juggling? Let us help!
Streamline Your LifeSet LimitsAn important way to regain balance is through consciously focusing on what’s meaningful to you and setting limits. Here is what our experts suggest:
Unplug to RechargeHaving 24/7 access to technology can often distract us from things that are most meaningful to us. If you’re constantly checking emails, for example, you tend to focus on other people’s issues rather than on your own needs.
Whenever possible, limit checking your personal emails to no more than once in the morning, noon, and night – or less! If you’re over-checking your work emails, ask yourself, “Do I really need to check it now or can it wait?”
Above all, turn off your phone during dinner or when sharing activities with family and friends. This helps you become more mindful in the present moment –a key to feeling more balanced and less stressed!
Immunization Awareness Month Prepare for a Healthy School Year Making sure your kids are up-to-date on their vaccinations can help protect them and give you peace of mind. Recent epidemics emphasize the importance of immunizing your child. Check with your pediatrician about what immunizations are needed.
Plan to protect your kids emotionally, too. Talk to them about bullying, drugs and back-up plans for after school care.Need help? Turn to Us.
Health AdvocacyYour Personal Health Advocate can help untangle medical bills, find qualified doctors, locate eldercare services and much more.
EAP+Work/Life ProgramTalk to a Licensed Professional Counselor to learn coping skills. You may be referred to the appropriate professional for in-depth, long-term help.
Use self-search provider databases, get 4,000 updated and authoritative articles, view video clips, attend monthly online seminars and more.
Wellness CoachingYour personal Wellness Coach can help you lose weight, eat better or reach other health goals.
Just call 866.799.2728
Your All-in-1 Benefit
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Log your weight!
Track progress on your Wellness websiteMaintaining a healthy weight is ideal for your overall health. Logging your weight on your Wellness website can help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement. Plus, our website now supports nearly 100 different fitness devices and apps, so try connecting yours with our online weight tracker!
Your Wellness website features a variety for easy-to-use health trackers to help you stay on top of your wellness goals. In addition to tracking your weight, you can also track your exercise, sleep and more.
Website Spotlight
Wellness Workshop: WalkingBeing strong and active can help you stay healthy. One simple way to fit more fitness into your day is by walking more. Visit your Wellness website to take the Walking Workshop, which can help you begin a regular walking routine.
Remember, your Health Advocate Wellness website features a variety of resources to help you improve your health and well-being.
Pack a HealthyPicnic Lunch Eating nutritious foods can help your body and mind function at peak. Just make sure you keep perishable items (meats, dairy and cut produce) cooler than 40 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce the risk of foodborne illness.
Follow these tips:• Pack lunches in insulated lunch bags. If they
contain anything perishable, refrigerate them.• If refrigeration is unavailable at school or work,
use at least two ice packs to help maintainproper temperature.
• Freeze juice boxes and bottled water to serveas additional ice packs.
• Consider non-perishable options (norefrigeration needed) such a whole-graincrackers, bananas, oranges, granola, etc.
For even more healthy tips, contact your Wellness Coach!
Ask the Wellness Coach How can I get my whole family active?Sharing regular physical activity can help your kids establish healthy habits, and supports the physical and mental well-being of the entire family. Follow these tips to keep your family moving!
• Write a list of activities your family can do together. Ideas includewalks, bike rides, visiting parks, physical games like freeze tag orgoing to the playground.
• Schedule a regular time each week for family activities.
• Take turns choosing activities so everyone has an opportunity to pick.
• Vary your activities to keep it fresh and fun!
• Encourage participation in team sports or fitness class. Find opportunitiesfor your children to try soccer, baseball, softball, gymnastics, etc.
• Get moving during your downtime. Move around during TV commercials,play video or computer games while standing up, or take a stretch breakwhile using tablets or cell phones.
Your Wellness Coach can help you achieve your fitness goals. Call today for one-on-one guidance!
Get started at:HealthAdvocate.com/members
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Caring for a Loved One?Get the Support You NeedIf you are among the one in six American workers taking care of an elderly, disabled or ill loved one, you know how difficult it can be to juggle caregiving with work and personal responsibilities. We’re here to help. Your Personal Health Advocate can:
• Arrange doctor appointments, including those withhard-to-reach specialists
• Research transportation to and from appointments
• Interpret doctor’s explanations and instructions
• Find in-home care, nursing support, community services
• Research adult day care, assisted living, long-term care
• Arrange for transfer of medical records between providers
• Help resolve benefits or insurance issues
Remember, your spouse, dependent children, parentsand parents-in-law can all use the service. Call any time.
Your EAP+Work/Life Website is Available 24/7 Access Online Help and Resources, Anytime
Your Health Advocate EAP+Work/Life website is packed with important information to help you with personal, family and work issues and better balance your life! Here’s what you’ll find:
Orientation video of the many ways we can help
Locators for childcare, summer camps, in-home agencies, pet care, education,older adults, volunteer opportunities
Authoritative articles on emotional well-being, relationships, financial guidance, legalconcerns, health issues, working and personal growth
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