DON’T OVERDO IT: Moderation Is Good for Your Health

“Tis the season” to eat, drink and be merry…but too much of a good thing can have a noticeable impact on your health:

  • Too much food: Gaining just 5 pounds during the holidays can increase blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart attack or stroke. [Source: Medical News Today]
  • Too much inactivity: Skip a few workouts and your body starts to convert sugar into fat, rather than using it as energy. That means weight gain. Plus, your blood pressure rises, and moodiness takes over. [Source: Outside magazine]
  • Too much drinking: One night of binge drinking (5 drinks for men/4 for women within 2 hours) can throw off your heartbeat (which could cause a heart attack or stroke), make you more likely to engage risky or violent behaviors, and cause memory problems. [Source: WebMD]
  • Too much socializing: Not enough “me time” can leave you feeling drained and exhausted. It can trigger headaches, low energy, difficulty sleeping, irritability, depression, and anxiety. [Source: PsychCentral]
  • Too many late nights: Lack of sleep causes brain fog and decreases immunity. The risks increase over time: weight gain, depression, anxiety, diabetes, heart disease and decreased fertility. Aim for 8 hours of sleep every night. [Source: NHS-UK]

Give yourself the gift of balance and self-care this holiday season. Instead of overindulging in December, practice moderation and start 2022 on a healthy note.

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KEEP YOUR TEETH: Make the Most of Your Dental Benefits

More than half of Americans say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused them to put off general dental check-ups. Not only did people skip routine checkups, but their dental hygiene took a hit:

  • 31% snacked more on sweets.
  • 25% waited until later in the morning to brush their teeth (and 21% didn’t brush in the morning at all).
  • 24% flossed less frequently. And 23% just don’t floss. Ever.

Bad habits like these lead to poor dental health, causing decay, plaque buildup, cavities, and gum disease. The good news is it’s not too late, even if you haven’t been to the dentist in a while.

A routine checkup can catch minor issues before they become serious problems. For example, a small cavity can easily be filled, avoiding a future a root canal, crown, or extraction.

If you missed a routine cleaning or two, it’s time to get back on track. Simply schedule a checkup!

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LIFE HAPPENS: Make Benefit Changes When It Does

Outside of Open Enrollment period each Fall, you may make benefit changes only when you have a “qualifying event”.

Qualifying events are certain changes in your family, employment status or other health coverage. When you have a qualifying event, you may be allowed to make mid-year changes to your benefit selections. For example, you may be able to add new dependents, change your medical plan, or enroll for benefits.

Qualifying events include:

  • Birth, adoption, or legal guardianship
  • Marriage
  • Domestic partnership
  • Divorce or legal separation
  • Death
  • Change in employment status
  • Change in other coverage

It’s critical to meet the deadline. For most events, you must make any changes within 31 calendar days from the date of the event. The only exception is when you gain a child through birth, adoption, or legal guardianship…then you have 60 days to make changes.

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