REDUCE STRESS, BE HEALTHY: Take Steps to Build Resilience
Two years of pandemic life has taken a toll on Americans, according to the Stress in America™ 2021 survey, conducted by the American Psychological Association.
The survey found that nearly two-thirds of adults (63%) agreed that uncertainty about what the next few months will be like causes them stress. Almost half (49%) went further to say that the pandemic makes planning for their future feel impossible. More than one-third said it has been more stressful to make both day-to-day decisions (36%) and major life decisions (35%) compared with before the pandemic began.
Unhealthy levels of stress—for example, when it affects your decision-making ability—can have physical consequences, including headaches, body pains, stomach problems, skin rashes, and difficulty sleeping—among other things.
You can build up your resilience and relieve stress before it gets to an unhealthy level. Making mental wellness a regular practice, like a daily workout, can help you manage stress—as well as anxiety, depression, and worry. Get started with the resources listed below.
Resources
- SD-1 Trust Library: NEW! Resilience / Mental Wellness Video
- Cigna: Managing Stress Toolkit
- Kaiser Permanente: Stress Management
RETHINK YOUR DRINK: April is #AlcoholAwarenessMonth
Most of us enjoy an occasional drink. However, since 2 in 3 adults drink above moderate levels at least once a month, it’s smart to be objective about your habits. This short, confidential online quiz is a great way to self-assess your patterns.
Studies show that even drinking within the recommended limits (1 drink or less in a day for women; 2 drinks or less in a day for men) may increase your risk for:
- Motor vehicle crashes, violence, and risky sexual behaviors
- High blood pressure and some forms of heart disease
- Death from several types of cancer
Because the health risks increase with the amount of alcohol you drink, your doctor will ask a question or two about your drinking habits at your annual checkup. This is a great time to discuss how you can minimize any alcohol-related health risks you may have based on your lifestyle, health history, and family background.
Resources:
- Cigna: Fast Facts: Alcohol Abuse
- Kaiser Permanente: Alcohol or Drug Addiction and Recovery
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Digital Mental Health Services through Uprise Health (login code OEBB)
GOT DEPENDENTS? Keep Them Current
Your adult child has their 26th birthday. You get separated or divorced. Your spouse or domestic partner gets called to active military duty.
When you go through significant life events like these, you might forget that your dependent is no longer eligible for SD-1 Health Trust benefit coverage. But if you don’t notify the Trust when your dependent is no longer eligible, you may be required to repay the Trust for any benefits paid after the dependent’s eligibility ended.
Take a moment to ensure your dependents continue to be eligible for benefit coverage; this includes:
- Your legally married spouse or eligible domestic partner
- Your children and your legal spouse's or domestic partner's children, up to age 26:
- Disabled children over age 26 if unmarried, incapable of self-support, dependent on you for primary support, and the disability occurred before the age of 26.
Click here to view and update your enrolled dependents online:
- Active Employees: Use the PPS Self Service Portal
- Substitutes and Early Retirees: Use Zenith American’s Edge Hub
Resources:
- SD-1 Trust Library: When Your Life Changes, Change Your Benefits infographic