In April, healthcare professionals unite to raise awareness of the impact of stress. When stress triggers your body’s “fight-or-flight” response, it strains your emotional and physical health. Over time you may lose the ability to recognize the harmful effects of stress. Get tips to help you take back control.
Take control of unhealthy alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol increases people's risk of injuries, violence, liver disease, and some types of cancer. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol use, start tracking how much you currently drink, set new, lower goals for drinks per day, involve yourself in healthy, distracting activities, and identify and avoid your trigger situations. Read More.
To slow the spread of COVID-19, most recovery groups are not meeting in person. You can still get help; many programs have regularly scheduled virtual meetings that are increasing in number each day. Click here to find virtual meeting information for AA, NA, Al-Anon, and Nar-Anon.
Source: magellanascend.com
Whether you're aching to run for miles or simply want to walk around the neighborhood, getting outside is still likely to do you more good than harm, even during the COVID-19 outbreak. Use these tips to get fresh air and boost your immune system while social distancing. Read More
Source: prevention.com
Here’s how to bookend your day with tiny habits that boost your mood, alleviate your anxiety, and stabilize you. Read More
Source: mequilibrium.com
Staying active in safe, healthy ways has never been more critical. Doing that, the way you used to may no longer be an option. Gather the people around you — virtually or in-person — in April and embark on a month-long initiative to move more. Read More
Because the COVID-19 outbreak overlaps with allergy season, it can be challenging to determine if you are getting sick or just experiencing seasonal allergies. The CDC’s updated list of COVID-19 symptoms is a useful resource for additional information. Read More
Source: bcm.edu
See how your social connections can help you counteract stress and uncertainty. Read More
Source: fidelity.com
Use cutlets for this easy chicken Parmesan recipe or place a boneless, skinless breast flat on a cutting board, hold it steady with your palm and, using a sharp knife, slice the breast horizontally into two thin pieces. Read More
A frittata is known as a flat omelet in Italy, can be filled with a variety of vegetables and cheeses, and makes a great impromptu brunch dish or supper. In this version, fresh mint and basil brighten the mild taste of zucchini. If you prefer, use feta or ricotta salata in place of the goat cheese. Read More
Source: eatingwell.com
Living amid so much uncertainty can create a lot of tension and stress. Here are some resources and tips you can use as we all navigate this time together. Read More...
In addition to the resources BMC provides you here, there are many excellent public resources online. Here are a few websites to go to for reliable information and guidance.
Center for Disease Control
World Health Organization
National Institutes of Health
Read more about BMC’s response to COVID-19 on mybmc.
We are six months into bWell Builds, and despite isolation at home for most of us, participants continue to rack up points while building up their well-being. As of March 31, many BMC builders are well on their way to reaching the Master Builder Level:
Remember, bWell Builds allows you to create your own, customized challenges. Why not get creative and put together a stress-busting challenge for coping with the quarantine? You'll receive points for up to 20 custom challenges, but there’s no limit on how many custom challenges you can create.
Check out these new Pop-Up challenges available in the bWell portal:
The 7th annual BMC Step-IT-Up Team Challenge will kick off on May 4. Step-IT-Up is one of the biggest challenges of the year, with 500 bWell points up for grabs. Whether you regularly compete in Ironman Competitions or haven’t stepped foot in a gym in years and the thought scares you a little, the Step-IT-Up Challenge is for you! Start thinking about creating or joining a team to compete for great prizes and bWell points.
Remember, movement can boost your mood, which helps your body better handle stress and reduce anxiety. According to Oman Healthcare, even light movement can increase the circulation of disease-fighting white blood cells, and raise your body temperature, which may make your system less hospitable to harmful bacteria or viruses. A disease outbreak like the coronavirus is an anxiety-provoking and stressful time for everyone, and the Step-IT-Up Challenge can help.
Watch your email for details coming soon.
It’s the perfect time to get (and stay) healthy—both physically and mentally. While things may feel out of your control right now, BMC is again partnering with Naturally Slim to help you take control of your health at no cost to you.
The next Naturally Slim program starts on May 18. Go to naturallyslim.com/BMC and apply between April 20 and May 1. Participating in Naturally Slim can help you to:
Pick Up 250 bWell Points
You can earn 250 bWell points when you complete all 10 of the first 10 online video sessions with the Naturally Slim program. Points are automatically applied to your bWell account 30 days after you complete the program.
Who Can Participate?
Applications are open to employees, spouses, and adult dependents over the age of 18 who are covered under a BCBSTX medical plan. Past participants can apply as long as they have not participated within the last 12 months. Space is limited.
Amid all the rules to stay put during the coronavirus outbreak, there’s a consistent companion message: it’s essential to keep moving. Your BMC benefits can help you with that. Employees have unlimited access to over 1,000 streaming audio and video workouts across strength, cardio, stretching, meditation, and more through ClassPass.
Even if you aren’t interested in a BMC-subsidized paid membership, you can register with ClassPass to get started. Create your free account here.
Bright Horizons recently launched their World at Home program which offers activities for children from infant to school-age. Build a raft with supplies from your backyard or an apple bird feeder! World at Home also includes videos and webinars for parents as you transition to life and school at home.
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act was signed by President Trump to help provide financial stability and relief for individuals and businesses affected by COVID-19.
If you need to access your 401(k) funds for coronavirus-related expenses, a BMC 401(k) Plan special provision (Section 2103) for coronavirus-related relief can help you access your funds quickly. This provision waives the 10% early withdrawal penalty for distributions up to $100,000 from qualified retirement accounts for coronavirus-related purposes.
Note: Income attributable to disaster-related distributions would be subject to tax over three years. Within those three years, you may recontribute funds to an eligible retirement plan without regard to that year’s contribution cap.
A coronavirus-related distribution is a distribution made to an individual:
Cashing out a 401(k) due to COVID-19? Consider these things first, from nerdwallet.com.
Visit the COVID-19 Resource Center on NetBenefits for additional information.
Confirm your account is in good hygiene with this checklist from Fidelity.
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.
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BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
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BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.
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BCBSTX ResourcesOther Resources/ServicesView recorded WebEx presentations on benefits topics.