Real-Life Wellness, assistance and work/life support for the whole family get to the right place with Benefits Gateway

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1 Exclusively for Health Advocate Members May Real-Life Help Wellness, assistance and work/life support for the whole family get to the right place with Benefits Gateway Monthly Webinar Tuesday, May 20th

2 EAP+WORK/LIFE } Facing a Transition? Tips to Get You Through Life is full of transitions, and even those that are voluntary like changing jobs or becoming a parent can be stressful. One of the most important things you can do to make the adjustment easier is to reach out to others even online. A recent study found that using computer-based social support is a proven way to reduce transitional stress. For example, turning to an online parenting group can help ease the uncertainty about your newborn s sleeping patterns. Another benefit of online social networks is they re always available! While it doesn t take the place of offline relationships, building online social ties can help you get through a life change. Read on for more tips to handle the stress of common life transitions. Remember, you can always turn to your EAP+Work/Life program for help with personal, family and work concerns. [Source: University of Utah, 2013] Life Upset Your Balance? Stay Steady Life changes can turn your reality upside down. Here are some suggestions for staying on your feet as you transition to your new situation: Learn to let go of what you can t control. And take action in those areas where you do have control. Maintain self-care strategies. This includes a healthy diet, getting proper rest and exercise, and using stress management strategies, such as meditation. Establish short-term goals. Working towards a goal helps minimize uncertainty and provides some level of accomplishment. Use positive and rational self-talk. Positive emotions build your resiliency strengths. Negative self-talk limits and weakens your resiliency. Tap into a network of personal and professional relationships. This support can help you deal with challenges, maintain a broad perspective, and achieve your goals. Recall how you handled past transitions. Draw on the inner strength you demonstrated to help you get through current changes. Remember, your EAP+Work/Life program can help with stress-related issues.

3 EAP+WORK/LIFE } Job Changes? 4 Coping Tips Your company s reorganization has shuffled jobs suddenly, and your duties have changed dramatically. These tips can help you regain balance and dispel any initial feelings of resentment or disorientation: Reach out. The person who previously held the position can advise you on how to handle your new job. Or ask advice from an experienced staff member. Take on one aspect at a time. Initially, focus on the parts of the job that you are most comfortable doing. See it as skill-building. Your new challenges might take your career in a new, exciting direction. Keep a perspective on your priorities. When you factor in family, friends and hobbies, your daunting new job description will be less overwhelming. For job concerns, consult your EAP+Work/Life program. Your All-in-1 Benefit Monthly Webinar Tuesday, May 20th 12 pm and 2 pm ET Home Alone: When Kids Outgrow Child Care Learn the signs for readiness, general laws around self-care, and other options for care as children grow and become more independent. You can register at Enter the name of your organization and click Submit Click on the umbrella icon at the bottom of the page under EAP+Work/Life Click Online Services Scroll to online seminars, choose Home Alone: When Kids Outgrow Child Care Select your registration session Click Register on the Welcome to e-learning center page Enter your name, other information and click submit *Please note: Webinars are available only in English. Surviving Teen Independence Your sweet son or daughter has started wearing outrageous clothes, gets easily emotional, and spouts opinions on everything. Here s how to survive the teen years, stay connected and be supportive of your child on the bumpy road to independent adulthood: Understand their mind-set. Read books about typical teen behavior and the challenges youth face today. Watch the movies and listen to the music they favor. Give them space to express themselves. Think back. Remember that weird hairstyle you tried out years ago? Or the posters you hung in your room? Respect their privacy. Unless you suspect a dangerous situation, don t lurk during their conversations or check their text messages. Set rules and consequences. This includes internet use, curfews, reporting their whereabouts, and what happens when the rules are broken. Be sure you have the talk about sex, drugs and alcohol and the earlier, the better. Parenting issues? Turn to your EAP+Work/Life program. Health Advocacy Your Personal Health Advocate can help untangle medical bills, find qualified doctors, locate eldercare services and much more. EAP+Work/Life Program Talk 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 Coaching Your personal Wellness Coach can help you lose weight, eat better or reach other health goals. Benefits Gateway Benefits experts can quickly guide you to the benefit you need, including medical, dental and pharmacy. Just call

4 WELLNESS CORNER } Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels Keep Bones Sturdy Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, making it an essential component of bone health. You can get Vitamin D from eating foods like fish, eggs, and fortified milk. Additionally, your body makes Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun. Adults ages should get 600 IU (International Units) of Vitamin D a day. Due to the risks associated with too much sun exposure, it is recommended that you maintain your Vitamin D levels through food sources and supplements, as recommended by your physician. Keep in mind that using a tanning bed will not provide you with the vitamin D that can help your body. Plus, it can also expose you to damaging levels of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. For more healthy tips and guidance, contact your Health Advocate Wellness Coach or log on to your Wellness Website. Safely Exercise Outdoors Follow These Rules As the weather warms up and you move your workouts outside, consider these precautions: Dress according to the weather. Layer clothing to help regulate your temperature. And if you re biking, remember to wear a helmet. Use sun protection. Remember, you can get sunburned even when the sky is overcast. Stay on the beaten path. Stick to terrain and routes that are safe, familiar and comfortable. And especially important for runners and bikers follow the rules of the road. Wear proper footwear. Investing in a new pair of sneakers may help prevent injury and promote comfort. Wear reflective clothing or use lights after dark. This helps you be easily seen by motorists. Know your fitness abilities and exercise appropriately. You can gradually increase the duration and intensity of your exercise over time, but if you overdo it, you may increase your risk of injury or exhaustion. Reminder! Your Health Advocate Wellness Coach is available via telephone, or instant message to help you reach your health goals.

5 HEALTHCARE HELP } Your Health Advocate Member Website is Available 24/7 Online Health Information on Demand The Health Advocate member website will tell you how your FREE benefit can help you and your family with healthcare and insurance-related problems. You can view features of your benefit, as well as online health tools. You can always talk to a Personal Health Advocate or a Wellness Coach for one-on-one help. Log on to the website: Download member essentials Access your Wellness tools Complete your Personal Health Profile Connect to us Need Long-Distance Help? Call Us Mom and Dad moved south years ago, and now they need help with healthcare issues. Take heart. Your Personal Health Advocate can help in the following ways: Find local doctors accepting Medicare, help make their appointments Facilitate the transfer of any necessary medical records Research conditions and treatments Give cost estimates for medical procedures, facilities and doctors in their area Sort out medical billing issues Remember you and your eligible family members can call your Personal Health Advocate for help with a full range of healthcare and insurance-related issues. Help is Just a Phone Call Away 24/7 Support Download our NEW Smartphone App App Store / Google Play Plus, access Health Cost Estimator 2014 Health Advocate, Inc. HA-CWEGM MAY