Depression is a major challenge to health and is the focus of World Health Day 2017 on April 7. The theme “Depression: let’s talk” recognizes that depression is a treatable condition and seeks to address the fact that, despite this, about 50 percent of cases of major depression still go untreated.
Depression is different from usual mood fluctuations and short-lived emotional responses to challenges in everyday life. Especially when long-lasting and with moderate or severe intensity, depression may become a serious health condition. It can cause the affected person to suffer greatly and function poorly at work, at school and in the family. At its worst, depression can lead to suicide.
Useful Links
Depression: What You Should Know from the World Health Organization.
Watch the video, “I had a black dog, his name was depression.”
Psychology Today asks, “Have you got the “too-busy” blues?” If you’ve been feeling low, it could be that you’re simply too busy.
Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. Whoa. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and a good time to pledge not to drive distracted in any way. Learn more and commit to distraction-free driving at distraction.gov or at the National Safety Council’s “Just Drive” page.
Going for a bicycle ride is good for your heart and muscles, and it may improve how you walk, balance, and climb stairs. Read More…
Source: health.harvard.edu
Health Tips
Squats help build a strong lower body and improve flexibility. See how to do a squat.
Relieve allergies the natural way. Over-the-counter medicines will ease your symptoms, but some natural remedies may work, too. WebMD suggests a few to consider trying.
Healthful eating is never so easy as it is in the spring. With fresh fruits and vegetables flourishing, you only need minimal preparation to bring out maximum flavor.
Slow-Roasted Halibut with Shaved Asparagus & Fennel Salad: Thinly shaving the asparagus gives the familiar vegetable a new look—and a delicate taste. Because the asparagus is shaved so thinly, there is no need to cook it. Read More…
Source: epicurious.com
Portobello “Philly Cheese Steak” Sandwich: Skip the fatty beef and heavy cheese sauce. This recipe cuts down on the fat but not on the taste. Read More…
Source: eatingwell.com
According to the American Institute of Stress, an estimated 75-90 percent of visits to primary care physicians are for stress-related disorders, ranging from stomach trouble to heart disease. Surveys and studies confirm that occupational pressures and fears are the leading source of stress for American adults.
If you find your stress to be overwhelming, get help from your BMC resources.
Useful Links
“Six Myths about Stress,” from the American Psychological Association.
Sometimes life can feel like a bit of a mess, but these five talks from Ted.com can help you de-stress.
The BMC Shoe returns in May to help you fend off the villain of inertia during the 2017 Step-IT-Up! Team Challenge, starting May 1. Step up your game health heroes. This is your chance to pick up 500 bWell points before Mission Superheroes ends on July 31. Form or join an alliance (team) and log 375,000 steps each week between May 1 and 28. Teams must collectively meet the 1.5 million “steps” goal (through walking or converted from ANY fitness activity).
Two teams will take home a $150 gift card for each member — one for the team with the highest total steps, and one for the team with the highest average steps per member.
Houston employees: Give your step count a power boost at the Cinco de Mayo 5K Fun Run on Friday, May 5. Watch your e-mail for details.
Visit mybmcwellness.com to sign up the new opportunities to earn bWell points starting April 3.
A Marathon of Exercise. Run 26 miles between April 3 and May 28. Not interested in running? You can complete other forms of exercise towards your goal. Reward: 200 bWell points.
Protect Your Backside. Schedule a colonoscopy with your health care provider. When you have your colon checked, your doctors are looking for any changes or abnormalities, which in some cases can indicate cancer. And catching these issues early may give you a chance to prevent them from turning into cancer. Reward: 100 bWell points.
Learn About Ergonomics. Practice proper ergonomics to stay healthy and avoid injuries during exercise. Reward: 100 bWell points.
Up the Ante. What would happen if you pushed yourself to do one more exercise, one more set or repetition or one more workout a week? Once you open yourself to those possibilities, you may find that the opportunities are endless. Reward: 20 bWell points.
Have you used the BMC benefits program to become a health or wealth hero? Do you know a colleague at work who has? We’re looking for stories that might just inspire and encourage your co-workers to use their benefits wisely or improve their health. Topics can include fitness and exercise, nutrition, managing stress, or other health-related topics. We’re also looking for financial wellness topics, such as how you are saving and investing for your future. Nominate yourself or a colleague and you might see yourself—or them—in the spotlight when we include real employee stories in upcoming editions of Benefits eNews or on our Benetube channel at mybmcbenefits.com
Need inspiration? See how Anthony G uses bWell to level up his health behaviors, pay less for medical and drop 30 pounds.
Stephen’s larynx was severely injured during a basketball game. After three surgeries, he turned to Best Doctors for another medical opinion and got the right treatment plan. Read Stephen’s Story…
Best Doctors is a BMC benefit that can connect you to world-leading medical experts when you or your family members have medical concerns. No matter where you are in your diagnosis or treatment plan, Best Doctors can help you, your covered spouse/domestic partner, and dependents, at no cost. Learn more about Best Doctors at mybmcbenefits.com.
Do you consider yourself financially fit? If not, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at your finances to see if you can be smarter with money. Financial issues can be stressful—to think about, talk about, and overcome. Unresolved money concerns can adversely impact your relationships in addition to your physical and mental health.
Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar “Prescription for Financial Wellness” on Wednesday, April 12 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Central time. Register now.
Let’s face it: You can’t easily broadcast the health of your 401(k), but when you pull up to the curb in a sleek new car, people notice. When you’re in the market for a car, it is understandably easy to get pulled toward a shiny status symbol. New cars today have an amazing amount of new technology and features. They often feel like a computer on wheels. But if you’re trying to stretch the value of your hard-earned savings, you don’t have to veer all the way to the other end and choose the purely practical vehicle—there is still room to find an economical but fun ride. The ideal time to buy a used car is after depreciation hits and before maintenance costs increase. Read More…
Source: Fidelity
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