Mental Health Month raises awareness about mental health conditions and the importance of good mental health for everyone. A healthy lifestyle can help to prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions, as well as chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. It can also help people recover from these conditions. Taking a mental health screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety, are real, common and treatable. And recovery is possible.
Source: mentalhealthamerica.net
You know that depression is dangerous for your mental health. But did you know it’s also dangerous for your physical health? Untreated or uncontrolled depression can take a big toll on you physically. Depression can make you sick and keep you from taking care of yourself when you are sick. A depression treatment plan can help you avoid these eight health risks linked to depression.
Source: Healthgrades.com
If you’re struggling with an issue, you shouldn’t feel anxious about seeking help. Accessing your EAP benefit is convenient, confidential and safe.
When you want to make changes in your life—whether personal or professional—your program helps you create a practical plan of action.
Getting the perspective of a qualified, experienced, non-judgmental coach or counselor is a valuable component in making the self-improvements you seek.
Source: magellanhealth.com
If a chocolate bar, slice of cake or bag of chips has become your ‘friend’ when you’re stressed or anxious, you may be an emotional eater. It’s likely that you’ve been conditioned to turn to food for comfort if you find that it is one of the few things that make you feel better.
If you eat because of emotions, consider keeping a food journal of what you eat, when you eat and why you eat. To help break the habit of emotional eating, find other things to do, such as walking around the block, taking a bike ride or playing with the dog. Get tips to get control of your eating habits here.
Source: American Dietetic Association
The week before Memorial Day (May 20–26, 2019) is Healthy and Safe Swimming Week. The goal of this awareness week is to maximize the health benefits of swimming by minimizing the risk of illness and injury. To help protect yourself and other swimmers from germs or injury, here are a few easy and effective steps all swimmers can follow while using a public pool or hot tub.
Source: cdc.gov
May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, designated in 1983 by the President's Council on Fitness to promote healthy lifestyles among all Americans and improve our quality of life. Get out, get active, and show how you play! There are plenty of ways to get moving, (including the Step-IT-Up Challenge) and some may even surprise you! It's time to be active, get healthy, and have some fun!
Source: hhs.gov
This quiche is super-satisfying, a wonderful combination of flavors, a crowd-pleaser, and perfect for Mother’s Day brunch. Read More
Source: noshandnourish.com
These healthy muffins get their unique flavor from chai tea blend and roasted pistachios. Read More
Source: cookinglight.com
It’s National Fitness and Exercise Month and the perfect time to head out on the biggest trip of Destination bWell – the 2019 Step-IT-Up Challenge.
We’ll “spring” into action on Monday, May 6 for a four-week competition and an opportunity for participants to earn 500 bWell points by logging 160,000 steps (or equivalent activity) in May.
If you plan to participate and are a first-time visitor to mybmcwellness.com, you’ll need to register first. You’ll also want to install the WellRight app for iPhone or Android to make tracking activity easy and convenient.
Destination bWell ends on August 31, 2019, and you have plenty of time to make your way through the reward levels. As of April 18, many BMC travelers are making amazing progress along their well-being journey:
Destination bWell includes a new feature this year that gives you the flexibility to earn up to 1,500 points your way. You can create 15 personal challenges unique to your health goals, each worth 100 points. Whether you want to spend less, play more or conquer a bad habit, you design the challenge that will help you change for good.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has partnered with Albertsons to provide free diabetes education to its Texas members. Diabetes education classes are now available at no additional cost to you and a guest at Albertsons Market, Randall’s, and Tom Thumb pharmacies in Texas.
The classes include:
Reserve your spot today. (Type “diabetes” in the keyword search box to find a class near you.)
Are you overpaying for medical services where you live? How do you know? Find out by playing the Healthcare Bluebook Price is Right game. You’ll learn about the fair price for health care services near you and score 100 bWell points.
In this game, you’ll shop for the right price on some typical consumer products and a couple of health care services. You’ll learn about the dramatic price difference for your health care.
To play this quick and easy game, log in to mybmcwellness.com by August 23, 2019, and click on the Price is Right graphic. First-time visitors to the website will need to register before playing the game.
See the U.S. Benefits Guide to learn all the benefits of using Healthcare Bluebook before you buy health care.
A must-have addition to your packing list for this summer’s family trip won’t take up any suitcase space. It’s the MDLIVE app for your smartphone that gives you access to a board-certified telehealth physician from wherever you happen to be sightseeing.
MDLIVE is a convenient and cost-effective way to get quick medical attention by phone, online or on your mobile device for many non-emergency conditions. In some cases, MDLIVE U.S. Board Certified doctors can even prescribe routine medications and send them to the pharmacy of your choice.
Just be sure to activate your MDLIVE account BEFORE you leave on vacation if you don’t already have one. It’s like having a doctor that goes everywhere that you do!
To get started, download the mobile app. Select Activate Benefit Here, under Employer or Insurance Benefits. You’ll be asked to enter your employer, or insurance provider, and your BCBSTX member ID number, which starts with BMY. See the Benefits Guide for more information.
If you create an MDLIVE account between May 13 and June 7, you will earn 100 bWell points. If you already have an MDLIVE account, earn 100 bWell points when you log in and confirm or update your information. Points will be awarded after June 7. Please check your bWell points total in late June. Log on to mybmcwellness.com to learn more about the MDLIVE Challenge.
The Naturally Slim program has the secret to lasting weight loss, and it doesn’t include starving, counting calories or eating diet food. Apply and learn how to eat to reduce your chances of getting a serious disease, like diabetes or heart disease, and increase your chance of living a longer, healthier life — for free.
The next application window runs from June 10 – 21, 2019 and the program starts July 8. Space is limited, so mark your calendars and go to naturallyslim.com/bmc to learn more.
Employees, spouses and adult dependents over the age of 18 covered on the BCBS medical plan are eligible to apply.
Resilience is the ability to recover from hardship and difficulties, and even to cope with life’s inevitable stresses. People who are resilient cope with stress in a positive way and tend to live longer, have lower rates of depression and are more satisfied with their lives. Learn how to increase resilience abilities and maintain emotional balance. Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar on Wednesday, May 8, Resilience: Focusing on Recovery Not Drama. Learning objectives include:
Space is limited so register now.
It’s important to be aware of your mental health and that of your household members. Good mental health supports your resilience, self-confidence, interpersonal relationships, and professional successes.
Source: Magellan Health
Tap into your Employee Assistance Program for interactive online resources, wellness tips and private counseling. Log in to MagellanHealth.com/member to get started. When prompted, type in BMC’s toll-free EAP number, 1-800-327-1393.
Congratulations to the winners of the prize draw for attending the FEDTalk workshops held on April 9 and 12. The winners learned the financial wisdom of identifying and prioritizing their savings goals, scored 150 bWell points, AND won a pair of Apple AirPods.
Houston: Sharon M.
Santa Clara: Venkat M.
Webinar: Lisa G
Watch your email for information about the next FEDTalk, scheduled for July 16, 2019.
Employees are consistent—year upon year and across generations—when they define financial wellness in terms of aspirational goals like freedom from stress and financial worry, and being able to make choices to enjoy life, according to the 2018 PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey. Employees say Financial Wellness means:
Source: pwc.com
Having a baby isn't a financial decision—but your finances will be affected. Getting on top of your finances ahead of time can help you enjoy your new family member—without fretting about your finances. Here are six money-smart moves to take before your baby arrives. Read More
Source: Fidelity.com
MyBMC Rewards provides a snapshot of your pay, retirement benefits, health and insurance benefits and corporate programs. Visit MyBMC Rewards to:
Go online anytime or call 877-262-4849. Representatives are available from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Eastern time.
From enrollment reminders to important 401(k) information and benefits updates, you can be the first to know when your attention or action is required.