Mental health conditions do not discriminate based on race, color, gender, or identity. Anyone can experience the challenges of mental illness regardless of their background. However, culture, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation can make access to mental health treatment much more difficult. National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (NAMI) was established in 2008 to start changing this. Watch the new three-part docuseries Strength Over Silence: Stories of Courage, Culture, and Community. NAMI explores unique perspectives on mental health from the African-American and Latino communities. Read More
Stay Out of The Sun Day is celebrated on July 3 of every year, and encourages everyone to stay indoors with their comfortable attire and do some relaxing activity all day. This day is all about keeping yourself away from the damaging rays of the sun and also for looking after yourself by staying in a shady place.
The Skin Cancer Foundation has always recommended that adults thoroughly examine their skin at least once a month for signs of skin cancer. As technology continues to change the way we live our lives, it also changes the ways we perform self-exams! Here’s what two expert dermatologists want you to know about using tech to check. Read More
Source: skincancer.org
Pushups, produce, protein, water, and sleep. Check out this potent combination to keep your healthy habits in check while on vacation. Read More
Source: foodnetwork.com
What sport is equally tough on your upper and lower body while being gentle on joints? Hint: it is one of the best and hardest workouts you can do. Read More
Source: mensjournal.com
Do you hold stress in your shoulders? One of the easiest tips for opening up those tight muscles around your shoulders and neck is a door stretch. There are several variations of this stretch, but the most popular is often called the doorway pectoral stretch. Every time you get up from your desk, give those tight muscles a good stretch to open you up and counteract the desk jockey syndrome.
Source: massagetherapy.org
Birthdays, anniversaries, the start of a new season, heck, even an ordinary Monday can be an opportunity to kick-start a new habit, all thanks to a concept researchers refer to as the temporal landmark. Timing is everything. Learn how to bend it to your favor. Read More
Source: sunbasket.com
Sriracha Glazed Grilled Chicken Skewers with Peaches and Basil: Light, fresh, and made on the grill, this dish is everything you want in a summertime meal. The fruit caramelizes for a sweet, smoky flavor that beautifully pairs with the bright basil and citrus-Sriracha marinated meat. Read More
Source: domesticateme.com
Grilled Chipotle Lime Cauliflower Steaks: These “steaks” are a satisfying centerpiece to any plate, vegetarian or not. They are smoky and spicy, with a squirt of lime and flurry of cilantro. Read More
Source: thekitchn.com
Congratulations to the Red Hot Chili Steppers (Pat Tagtow's Team), winners of the 2019 Battle of the Business Units Step-IT-Up Challenge. The team recorded an average of 213,501 steps per person during the May competiton. The team was honored to award the $5,000 BMC donation to a charity.
Second place was awarded to Walk and Reinvent (Eric Olmo's Team) with 137,088 steps and third place went to Steve Solcher's Team with 117,977 steps.
Congratulations to the winners of the $250 gift card awarded to the member from each team with the highest step count of the competition:
All employees who logged 160,000 steps in May earned 500 bWell points.
Destination bWell ends on August 31, 2019, and you have two months to continue to make your way through the reward levels. As of June 27, many BMC travelers are making amazing progress along their well-being journey:
Upcoming bWell Challenges
Healthy Gathering – Instead of taking cupcakes to your next BBQ, bring a fruit salad! Earn 150 bWell points for making three gatherings a little healthier from July 1 – August 31. The most creative healthy upgrade will win a $50 Whole Foods gift card.
Shut Down – Turn off anything with a screen at least one hour before bed. Earn 350 bWell points for taking time to shut down from July 1 – August 16.
Redeem Your Rewards!
You have until August 31 to redeem your rewards for gift cards or 2020 medical discount premiums. Visit www.mybmcwellness.com and visit the Rewards Mall to redeem your rewards. For this year, any employee enrolled in a BMC medical plan who fails to redeem their rewards by August 31 will have their reward defaulted to 2020 medical premium discount. Employees not enrolled in a BMC medical plan will lose any reward not redeemed by August 31.
If your teenager becomes a college freshman this fall, you may have questions about what happens if your child needs health care away from home. Most colleges require students to have health insurance, and that's where your BMC benefits come in. Use this benefits checklist to make sure your teen knows how to access and use BMC benefits while away at college. Read More...
If international travel is part of your summer plans, your BMC medical plan coverage means you can take care of your illness or injury wherever you are.
BCBS Global Core provides emergency medical and travel services and pre-trip information services when you travel outside the U.S. When you need assistance, BCBS Global Core is available to help you find a provider outside of the U.S. Download the BCBS Global Core app for Android or iPhone.
Prolonged stress often leads to burnout that can destroy your energy levels, cause unusual mood swings, and lower your work performance. Join Magellan’s live interactive webinar on Wednesday, July 10, Your Survival Guide for Creating Balance and Managing Work-life Stressors. Learning objectives include:
Space is limited, so register now.
Does it feel like you’re often juggling too much in life, and you’re afraid that you’ll soon start dropping things? If so, you’re not alone. Keeping up with packed schedules—getting it all done, while taking care of those around us—is a well-recognized challenge today. The struggle can lead to illness, depression, and strain on our most meaningful relationships. Adopting some basic stress management techniques can help.
Source: magellanascend.com
If you're drowning in student debt, you're certainly in good company. The average Class of 2017 graduate came away $39,400 in the hole, which represents a 6% increase from the previous year. All told, Americans are on the hook for nearly $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, and it's going to take some time to knock that cumulative balance down. On an individual level, though, there are things you can do to get a handle on your debt. Here are a few moves to consider making. Read More
Source: thefool.com
Useful Links
Bankrate asked several experts to share some of the best ways to pay off graduate student loans. Here’s what they recommend. Read More
Financial education at BMC isn’t taking a summer break this year. The FEDTalk financial education series continues in July with the Take the First Step to Investing workshop. Mark your calendar for a live workshop in Houston on July 16 and a virtual workshop on July 24. Attendees earn 150 bWell points and have a chance to win a pair of Apple AirPods*.
The workshop will take you through some key investing concepts and help you determine your next steps as an investor. Regardless of your financial knowledge, this workshop will firm up your understanding of a wide range of topics, including:
Watch your email for details. Registration is required for the virtual workshop on July 24.
* The IRS considers the value of this item as taxable income.
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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