The growing prevalence of chronic disease in the U.S. is staggering. Chronic disease is becoming the new norm, with 51.8% of U.S. adults living with at least one chronic condition and 27.2% with multiple chronic conditions (3). Some experts suggest this rise in chronic disease is due to a mismatch between human biology’s innate interdependence with nature and the disconnect … Read More
Coping with Change: Supporting Employee Physical and Mental Wellbeing in Challenging Times
The human brain is hard-wired to be suspicious of change. This serves as a built-in defense mechanism that makes up part of our primitive survival instincts. Moreover, we face heightened levels of stress when experiencing change, regardless of whether we perceive it to be good or bad change. There is no denying that we’ve all faced a significant amount of … Read More
School District Purchasing and Procurement 101
We all know how to buy things … stop at the store, go to the mall, buy and repeat. What if, however, you’re purchasing on a grander scale … like for thousands of employees in a school district vs. your family of four? Imagine routinely buying products priced at more than $100,000. Think of how you would maintain order while … Read More
Self-Compassion: The Secret to Stress Reduction
Growing up, we learned our actions have consequences – “treat others the way you want to be treated.” While an important lesson, when did we learn how we should treat ourselves? Recent research shows that being kind to ourselves and addressing our mistakes with grace may be the key to stress reduction. What is Self-Compassion? Compassion is having a sense … Read More
Benefits Plan Changing? Here’s How To Prepare
The one constant in life is change. Employee benefit plans are no different. Whether your employer is changing vendors or adding new plan benefits, it’s important to be prepared, ask the right questions and understand how the changes are going to affect you. Here are a few tips to help you prepare. Plan, Prepare and Do Your Research One of … Read More
Managing Employee Burnout and How To Avoid It
Cynical. Critical. Crabby. All are tell-tale signs of employee burnout and all are more common than you might think. According to Mayo Clinic, “job burnout is defined as a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.” The experts at Mayo add … Read More
3 Ways To Streamline Your Employee Benefits Education
Open enrollment is likely happening now, or it’s right around the corner. Employers, as you help your employees through open enrollment, be sure to provide them with the information they need to make the best decision for themselves and their families. Here are a few ideas for you to help streamline communication to your employee about their benefits package. The … Read More
The Healing Power of Nature – Get Outside Challenge
As we focus on lifestyle habits that promote health and wellness, research suggests that getting outdoors is an important part of reaching our goals. With the modern conveniences available today, it’s not uncommon for the average person to spend little time outdoors. So, what health benefits are we missing out on by not spending enough time in nature? Nature mixed … Read More
Make The Most Of The Next Open Enrollment Period
If you are an employee of a school district or municipality in Arizona, the window for open enrollment is fast approaching for you to choose your benefits package for the next plan year. Many public sector employers operate on a fiscal year, running from July 1 through June 30. However, the open enrollment period is typically held in the spring … Read More
Can Hobbies Improve Our Mental Health?
There is no doubt that the pandemic has taken a toll on our mental health. In the last year, many individuals have understandably felt more anxious, lonely, and depressed than ever before. Organizations such as the CDC and the WHO have even issued guidance on how people can look after their mental health during this difficult time. While much of … Read More