TALK ABOUT IT: Thanksgiving is Family Health History Day

As your family gathers for the holidays, make the most of the opportunity to ask relatives about their health history. If you have a close family member with a chronic disease, you (and your children) may be more likely to develop that disease, too.

To get the conversation started, explain that you are gathering health information to find out about any health risks in your family—so that ALL family members can be informed and take steps to reduce those risks. Here are some questions to ask:

  • Are you aware of any health conditions that “run” in our family?
  • Do you personally have any health issues (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, diabetes, cancer, or another chronic condition)?
  • Ask about relatives who have died. What was the cause of death and how old were they when they passed?

Start with your immediate relatives: biological parents, siblings, and children. If possible, talk to your grandparents—they may know the histories of many family members. Then talk to aunts, uncles, cousins, and other blood relatives.

Share your health history with your doctor so that s/he can help you understand your potential health risks, which screening tests you need, when you should get tested, and advise you on what you can do to stay healthy.

Resources to help you:

REDUCE HOLIDAY STRESS: Try These Tips For Coping

Stress can take the “happy” right out of your holidays and hurt your health. Common signs of stress are digestive symptoms, headaches, sleeplessness, depression, anger, and irritability.

Here are a few practical tips that can help you minimize holiday stress…you may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would!

Be realistic. The holidays don't have to be perfect or just like last year. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to and be open to creating new ones.

Stick to a budget. Before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don't try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts.

Plan ahead. Schedule time for shopping, decorating, baking, and social events. Be realistic about what you can and can’t do.

Stay healthy. Overindulgence only adds to stress and guilt. Limit your alcohol consumption and make healthy food choices; and aim for 30 minutes of exercise a day, 5 days a week.

Reach out. Talk to a counselor if you feel overwhelmed or start having physical symptoms of stress. In just a few sessions, you can learn simple techniques to keep stress under control.

Resources to help you:

OPEN HERE: Click “Menu” For Full Website Access

Whenever you have a question about your benefits, make your first stop the Trust website (sdtrust.com). That’s where you have easy access to your benefit information, right from the Home Page.

But did you know when you click on “Menu” (at the top right of the home page), you’ll open up SO much more? Here’s where you’ll find:

  • Benefit coverage details
  • Enrollment information
  • Life events that qualify for benefit changes
  • Blog: articles, infographics, and videos
  • Your legal rights, forms and much more

And here’s another tip: Click the talk bubble (also at the top right of the home page) to see contact information for benefit carriers, the Trust Administrative Office, PPS Benefits Office and participating bargaining groups.

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