Understanding your reactions to stressful times (like the ones we live in during a pandemic) can help you know how to cope and get help when you need it. Read More
Source: healthgrades.com
Even a short one-minute deep breathing exercise can help lower your heart rate, increase focus and elicit the body’s natural relaxation response. Set a reminder on your phone or watch to prompt you to practice deep breathing several times a day. If you need some guidance and want to earn bWell points, sign up for the Breathe Deep bWell challenge or listen to a guided meditation created just for BMC.
We often turn to highly processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt to manage stress. These foods can provide the same brain response as alcohol and hard drugs, which increase dopamine responses in the brain and result in a pleasurable feeling. Examples of these foods include French fries, chocolate, and baked goods. Read tips to minimize stress eating.
Source: cooperaerobics.com
This recipe with kale and sun-dried tomatoes, flavored with lemon juice, garlic, and oregano, is bursting with flavor. Read More
Source: skinnytaste.com
Fried rice that helps hit the veggie quota for the day? Absolutely! Peas, edamame, and cabbage (along with brown rice instead of white rice) make this spring meal way more nutritious than takeout. Read More
Source: bhg.com
When we encounter stress, our brains and bodies go into “fight-or-flight” mode, causing our heart rate and breathing to increase and muscles to become tense. Over time, repeated activation of this stress response takes a toll on the body, both physically and psychologically. Since we encounter stressors every day, we need tools to use on the fly that give quick results and relief.
Join a Magellan Health expert for a live webinar on Wednesday, April 21 at 9 a.m., Central. In this training, participants will learn to identify stressors and signs of stress and fast and straightforward ways to de-stress. Add this webinar to your calendar.
April is Stress Awareness Month. This health observance aims to educate Americans about the prevalence and seriousness of stress while highlighting helpful coping strategies.
Learn more here or call 1-800-327-1393 for confidential mental health resources.
Useful Links
An Exercise to Help Your Team Overcome the Trauma of the Pandemic: COVID-19 has changed how we work. Many people were facing disturbed routines, upended identities, and a loss of financial security. One strategy for growth from this trauma comes out of storytelling for posttraumatic change. This strategy can encourage growth by acknowledging the grief and loss caused by adversity, analyze its effect and meaning, and adopt a positive resolution that activates self-transformation. Read More
Source: harvardbusinessreview.org
Mental Health Navigator from Teladoc Medical Experts: If you or your eligible dependents face depression, anxiety, or a related condition and feel like your current treatment plan isn’t working or your situation isn’t improving, Teladoc Medical Experts can help. The Mental Health Navigator service was designed to help you get on the right path to feeling relief. Watch this short video about Nadia, who got the help she needed. Visit here or call 1-800-TELADOC (835-2362).
WLA Dream Team Moves, Grooves, and Wins
Congratulations to the WLA Dream Team, winners of the Pump Up the Jams Challenge in February. This fantabulous team logged the highest average number of cardio minutes during the challenge. Team members include Irwing S., Ze’ev G., Arthur Y., Taylor C., Melvin A., and Erik R.
Individual prizes for the most cardio minutes logged during the challenge were awarded to Elwood H. and Anna I. Way to move and groove, winners!
If you participated in the challenge and logged 500 minutes of cardio between February 1 and March 5, you earned 500 bWell points. Stellar.
The Brick is Back
Brick mobile phones were a status symbol for Yuppies in the 80s. That’s why Totally bWell has elevated it to top-level status. Participants earning 8,000 bWell points and reaching the Brick Phone level by August 31, 2021, are eligible to win rad prizes.
After six months of awesome effort, Totally bWell participants are blowing through the levels and collecting rewards along the way:
Remember, Totally bWell allows you to create your own customized challenges. Whether you want to spend less, play more, or conquer a bad habit, you design the challenge that will help you change for good. Points will be awarded for up to 12 custom challenges – that’s up to 1,200 bWell points, but there’s no limit on how many custom challenges you can create. You can also make any custom challenge a Peer Challenge. Invite your BMC colleague to be your accountability partner and earn extra bWell points.
Learn more about Totally bWell here. Visit mybmcwellness.com to sign up for Totally bWell, check your progress, or see the variety of ways you can earn bWell points. Here are just a couple:
Self Care
Everyone has the tendency to over-extend themselves in caring for others. Whether it be caring for coworkers, neighbors, children, or friends, we all tend to make more time for others and less time for ourselves. Self-care can mean many things to many people, but don’t overthink this challenge’s focus. If you feel as though you carved out a couple of minutes for yourself today, track “Yes.” It could be five minutes with your eyes closed before you open your email or maybe a whole day spent outside at a park. Take what you can give yourself at that moment. Find the Self Care challenge under the Quarterly Challenges section at mybmcwellness.com.
Track “Yes” 60 times out of the next 90 days to earn your 150 bWell points.
Naturally Slim Enrollment Starts April 19
After a year like last year, you deserve some self-care. BMC will again offer the Naturally Slim (NS) program starting May 17. This free program can help you build life-long healthy habits that can improve your physical and mental health. Applications will be accepted between April 19 and May 2, 2021, and the program begins May 17.
Naturally Slim is a digital weight loss program developed and taught by leading scientists and doctors with your lifestyle in mind. NS can help you learn how to:
Employees, spouses, and adult dependents over 18 enrolled on a BCBSTX medical plan are eligible to apply. Past participants can apply as long as they have not participated within the last 12 months. Complete all 10 of the first 10 online video sessions and earn 250 bWell points. Points are automatically applied within 30 days after successful completion. Learn more and join the waitlist here.
Coming Soon!
Naturally Slim™ is rebranding to Wondr Health™. Same program, new name, and look. To learn more about the rebrand, go here.
The COVID-19 vaccine is a vital tool to help end the pandemic. Because the vaccine was developed so quickly, you may have concerns about its safety and effectiveness. Plus, social and cultural considerations may make you hesitant to get vaccinated. There’s also been a lot of conflicting information going around, so it makes sense that you may have questions.
Kaiser Permanente has created videos and flyers to help answer your questions and build your confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine:
You can get the COVID‑19 vaccine at no cost in and out of network under all BMC medical plans (during the public health emergency).
COVID-19 vaccination eligibility expansion starting in April
California is expanding vaccine eligibility to people 50+ starting April 1, and to people 16+ starting April 15.
How to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination in California
If you are covered under the Kaiser medical plan, here’s how to schedule a COVID-19 vaccination in California. In order to properly screen and physically distance people, vaccines will be provided by appointment only. People should:
Appointments will be scheduled as supply allows.
Visit California’s My Turn site where people can search for available vaccination appointments at many locations in their area, including select Kaiser Permanente facilities, vaccination hubs (new hub opening in Bakersfield), and other sites. Some cities and counties may have expanded vaccine eligibility to additional groups. People can check local health department sites for additional information.
Answers to your COVID-19 vaccine questions
Visit kp.org/covidvaccine to find the latest information on who Kaiser Permanente is vaccinating now, who will be vaccinated next, and Kaiser Permanente’s total vaccination progress across California.
Teladoc Medical Experts give you access to the brightest minds in medicine. They are the top 5% of doctors in the U.S., and they’re available to answer your questions and give you a second opinion on any medical diagnosis. All at no cost to you. This resource is automatically provided by BMC when you enroll in any BMC medical plan.
Once Teladoc Medical Experts receive your records, their experts review them – like a virtual second opinion. You’ll receive an easy-to-understand report detailing the expert’s findings and recommended next steps. Find more information about Teladoc Medical Experts in the BMC Benefits Guide.
Worried about covering seasonal gaps in care? Schedule back-up care at our nearby centers, all of which follow industry-leading COVID-19 protocols. Or, find in-home care for your child or adult or elder loved one with providers who must comply with specific health and safety guidelines. Plus, there’s no copay when you reserve Bright Horizons Back-Up Care™ in April! Read more.
Strategies to Reduce Working-Parent Stress and Guilt
Chasing the elusive work-life balance has always been a challenge for working parents. The COVID-19 pandemic has left parents scrambling to juggle school and child care responsibilities in an ever-changing landscape. In this live workshop, you will learn strategies for letting go of working-parent guilt, approaches to alleviating stress, and how to maximize time with your child.
Reserve Your Spot
April 15, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern. Register
May 18, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Register
June 9, 2021, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern. Register
Suggested for: Parents/guardians of children 0-12
Learn more about your Back-Up Care benefits and get started. If Prompted: Employer Username: BMC; Password: CARE4YOU. Ready to reserve back-up care? Visit the Bright Horizons website or call 1-877-BH-CARES (1-877-242-2737).
Suppose you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible to participate in Livongo. This holistic program empowers people with health challenges to live better and do more. Livongo can make it easier to manage your condition(s), giving you the support, tools, and feedback you need when you need them most. The best part? It’s all paid for by BMC for employees and dependents covered under a BCBSTX medical plan. For more information and to enroll, visit the Livongo enrollment page.
If a family member is heading to college this year, your BMC benefits can help with the planning. Your BMC IonTuition benefits include IonMatch, a college research tool designed to show you the return on higher education investment.
After logging in to IonTuition, use IonMatch to:
IonTuition has concierge advisors available by phone or web chat to answer questions about financial aid. Invite family members to create their own IonTuition accounts and help them find the best college for the price.
Overcoming Stress and Burnout
Wednesday, April 14, 1 p.m., Central
In this webinar, you will learn the difference between stress and burnout and discuss the cause of both. You will also learn lifestyle changes and coping strategies to manage stress and prevent burnout. Register
Helping Your Teen Learn Emotional Regulation
Wednesday, May 12, 1 p.m., Central
In this webinar, you will learn how the teenage brain is different from any other development point and how to engage with your teen without conflict. You will receive information on teaching emotional regulation by example and how to know when to seek professional help. Register
3 Secrets to Having Your Best Relationship
Wednesday, June 9, 1 p.m., Central
In this webinar, you will learn different ways to communicate with your partner. You’ll also discover ways to deescalate arguments and increase intimacy in your relationship. Register
People usually consider doing taxes one of the most demanding financial tasks of the year. Getting it done will make all of the other items on your financial to-do list seem more effortless.
Knowing where you stand well before the May 17 federal tax filing deadline gives you time to adjust your current tax withholding. You can also calculate what you can contribute to accounts like traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, and health savings accounts. Contributions will be based on your modified adjusted income and overall financial picture. Read other reasons to get going on your tax prep if you haven’t started.
Source: Fidelity.com
Join a Fidelity expert for a virtual workshop, “Maximize Social Security in Your Retirement Strategy,” Thursday, April 15, at 11:00 a.m., Central. Register for this workshop and learn about strategies for claiming your Social Security benefit and how it fits with other income sources to create your retirement paycheck. This webinar will also provide strategies for claiming Social Security and creating your retirement income plan.
Health care is one of the most significant expenses for retirees. According to Fidelity Investments, the average couple retiring in 2020 will spend $295,000 on health care costs in retirement. This includes Medicare premiums, prescriptions, and other out-of-pocket expenses. It’s important to know how much of your retirement income health expenses will consume and be prepared. If you have access to a health savings account, that can be a great vehicle to build savings for the long term in a tax-advantaged way.
Join a Fidelity expert for a virtual workshop, “Prepare for the Reality of Healthcare Expenses,” on Tuesday, June 1, at 11 a.m., Central. Register for this workshop and learn how to avoid this costly surprise by being prepared, understanding key terminology, and knowing your options—whether you plan to retire before 65 or after.
Get Your Points
Everyone who registers and attends a FEDTalk workshop will earn 150 bWell points. You are eligible to receive 150 bWell points per quarter for the Financial Guidance bWell challenge.
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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