Each year, millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental health condition. In 2018, 19.1% of U.S. adults experienced mental illness or about 1 in 5 adults. However, mental illness affects everyone directly or indirectly through family, friends, or coworkers. During the first full week of October, Mental Health America will focus on sharing information about 7 major mental health conditions. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and participants across the country will raise awareness of mental illness, fight stigma, and provide support. Know the ten common warning signs of mental illness. Read More
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: mhanational.org and nami.org
Research suggests that people differ in how they experience empathy — the ability to sense other people’s emotions, along with the ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking or feeling. And empathic people tend to be more generous and concerned with others’ welfare. They also tend to have happier relationships and greater well-being. So how empathic are you? This quiz will help you find out.
Source: greatergood.berkeley.edu
Hard to fit exercise into your day? Then, maybe this workout is for you. It covers everything you need — from cardio to strength training to stretching. Read More
Source: npr.org
If you’re going to Google your symptoms—and everyone does—you might as well do it right. Experts comment on the most common mistakes people make. Read More
Try the physician-reviewed Symptom Checker from familydoctor.org.
Source: thehealthy.com
The deep flavors of molasses, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and nutmeg make these wholesome pumpkin cookies delicious without the addition of butter. Read More
Source: eatingwell.com
It doesn’t get much easier—or more delicious—than this quick recipe for roast salmon topped with a smoky maple-mustard sauce. The sweetness of the maple balances the tangy mustard; smoked paprika or ground chipotle adds another layer of flavor. Read More
Source: eatingwell.com
Destination bWell ended Aug. 31 with 37 employees reaching the Luxury Resort level with 8,000 points. Congratulations to the 2019 Destination bWell prize winners. Winners’ names were drawn randomly from the list of 37 eligible participants.
Prize Winners
It was a fantastic race. Congratulations to everyone who participated in Destination bWell and earned rewards or discounts on their 2020 medical premiums!
A new phase of BMC’s wellness program—bWell Builds—is under way. Start building your well-being this month, and take advantage of the health and well-being programs BMC provides. By working together, you and BMC can lay the foundation for your happier, healthier future.
Join bWell Builds and experience fun and new community and wellness challenges that cover the spectrum of well-being: physical, emotional, financial, and social. And bWell Builds now offers more opportunities to compete in challenges that won’t leave you breathless and sweaty.
Start building today! Complete the Well-Being Survey at mybmcwellness.com, and attend a biometric screening. BMC will be hosting on-site biometric screenings at the Santa Clara, Austin, and Houston offices, or you can download the form to take to your physician or LabCorp near you. When you complete both a biometric screening and Well-Being Survey, you’ll earn a reward valued at $100 and Junior Builder status. You’ll also learn more about your overall health. And, if you discover any health risks, you can develop an action plan to address them. Learn More
Get Ready to Stack Your Steps, bWell Builders!
It’s time to summon your legs, lungs, and willpower and start stacking for the annual Stack Your Steps Stairwell Challenge. We kick off the challenge on October 15. Watch your email for more details coming soon.
October On-Site Biometric Screenings
Santa Clara:
° 10/23/19: 7:00 – 11:30 a.m. in SCC – CONF RM 519
° 10/30/19: 7:00 – 11:30 a.m. in SCC – CONF RM 519
Austin:
° 10/24/19: 7:00 – 11:30 a.m. in Y – EBC A&B
Houston:
° 10/22/19: 7:00 – 12:45 p.m. in Basketball Court – Building 3
° 10/23/19: 7:00 – 12:45 p.m. in Basketball Court – Building 3
° 10/24/19: 7:00 – 12:45 p.m. in Basketball Court – Building 3
° 10/30/19: 7:00 – 12:45 p.m. in Basketball Court – Building 3
Register for your on-site biometric screening by visiting mybmcwellness.com and clicking on the Measure Up challenge.
The BMC Dental Plan covers three dental cleanings each calendar year at no cost to you—and no deductible. If you haven’t booked your third dental cleaning of the year, now is a good time before the flurry of holiday preparations begins.
Like all preventive health care, regular dental cleanings can help protect your oral health and help you avoid more costly and expensive procedures.
Relax, Breathe Deep and Improve Your Teeth
An increasing number of people are turning to yoga to help manage the stress and anxiety of everyday life. According to Delta Dental, yoga can also benefit your oral health. Read More.
Join your BMC colleagues for the 2019 BMC Global Run, on Saturday, Oct. 19 in Houston. Register and choose your distance – 3K, 5K or 10K. You can also register up to four friends and family to run with you. The 2019 BMC Global Run is also coming to a location near you so be sure to check the BMC Cares Global Run site for additional locations and dates. You can also earn 150 bWell points for participating in the 2019 Global Run.
For each employee who completes the run, BMC will donate $10 for a noble cause. Learn more and register.
When significant changes in work or home life seem overwhelming, it’s natural to worry. However, most events in our lives are beyond our control. The most resilient people learn to identify those factors that are within their control and take a problem-solving approach to their situations.
Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 9, ‘Positively Maneuvering Change in the Workplace.’ Learning objectives include:
Space is limited, so register now.
Focus on What You Can Control
Tips for Handling Change
Source: magellanascend.com
In 2018, the American Institute of CPAs, sponsored a Harris Poll to find out how well Americans understand workplace benefits. Based on the survey results, several CPAs offer a few suggestions to consider during annual benefits enrollment.
“A robust benefits package is often a large chunk of total compensation. It’s the employee’s job to make sure they’re taking advantage of it to improve their financial position and quality of life. Imagine how employees would react if they were not 100% confident that they could get all the money in their paycheck. Leaving benefits underutilized should be treated the same way,” says Gregory J. Anton, CPA.
Another CPA, Jaleigh White, suggests taking 30 minutes during annual enrollment to answer these questions:
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a smart way to set yourself up for success. If you participate in the HSA medical plan but are not contributing to an HSA, you’re missing out on triple tax savings. You can use it to pay for expenses now or have a leg up on future costs if you don’t use all your HSA money by the end of the plan year.
According to Fidelity, the tax treatment of HSAs provides the potential for more significant investment growth and higher after-tax balance accumulation versus other retirement or health care savings options. Assuming you use HSA funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, you do not pay any federal taxes. That’s why it’s at the top of the list for tax-efficient investment options for your retirement. Read More
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.