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June 2015 Exclusively for Health Advocate Members

Real-Life Help

Monthly Webinar • Tuesday, June 16th

IN THIS ISSUE

How to Ease Family Tensions this Summer page 3

Prevent Communication Breakdowns page 4

Get Support for Stress page 5

Wellness, assistance and resources for personal, family and work issues

June 2015 | @yourservice 2

We’re On Your Team!The summer break can be a roller coaster of fun as well as stress for many families. Meal schedules can turn upside down, worries about your kids’ whereabouts can intensify, and the usual squabbles can spin out of control. Read on for tips and activities that can help things run a little more smoothly and how getting support from our experts can help make summer more fun for everyone.

And because taking care of your health, including refilling medications, doesn’t take a vacation, you’ll also see how Health Advocate can help you save on your prescriptions. Ready to rev up your fitness? Read on to see how your Wellness Coach can help you meet a fresh goal like running a 5K race!

Read on to find out how…

A Licensed Professional Counselor can address familystress and help you learn ways to communicate more effectively.

A Work/Life Specialist can locate recreational activities,childcare, pet-sitting and other resources you may need this summer.

The EAP+Work/Life website provides many articles aboutstress, communication and more.

A Personal Health Advocate can help you find low-cost medications.

A Wellness Coach can help you learn how to switch up your fitnesslevel this summer. 

Managing Family Stress

Webinar! Tuesday, June 16th

Rules for Parenting

The three common mistakes parents make and ways not to repeat them.

Register now!

Free!

Real People, Real Stories

Ease Family TensionsTed really enjoys having his kids around when school lets out for the summer. But this year, his teenage son Scott got into habits that caused constant arguments. “We yelled a lot about his unwillingness to help with chores and staying out late,” Ted says. When the escalating tension started distracting Ted at work, he reached out to his Licensed Professional Counselor for help.

“The Counselor helped me learn how to listen to Scott without reacting, and work with him to set ground rules.” Ted also received information from the Work/Life Specialist about local volunteer opportunities for teens. “Scott signed on at the parks department to help a boy with physical challenges play softball. It’s made a big difference. Scott is a lot more cooperative, and enjoyable to be around!”

What support do you need to ease stress this summer? We can help!

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June 2015 | @yourservice 3

Pause before you walk inthe door. If your day was particularly stressful, do some deep breathing. This enables you to better handle any challenges that may await you.

Eat dinner together. It’s a greattime to communicate, learn aspects of each other’s lives, and provides a sense of comfort and stability.

Divvy up chores evenly. It’s thebest way to teach that your family is truly a team and to avoid conflicts.

Need help bringing the family together? Turn to Us.

Strengthen Bonds to Weather Storms 3 Good Habits

Whether it’s school troubles or a sudden illness, all families face stress. Cultivating certain habits and activities that strengthen family bonds sets a good foundation to help everyone pull together when challenges arise. Our experts suggest the following:

Strive for Healthy Family Communication Interruptions, hectic schedules and bad moods can all get in the way of positive communication among family members. But it’s possible to open the lines of communication to help make your interactions more fulfilling.

Start by calling a family meeting and asking the simple question, “What needs to be changed about how we talk together?” Let everyone have their say. You may find out that Dad lectures too much, Mom doesn’t listen or interrupts, brother makes snide comments and sister screams to get heard. Your kids’ viewpoint could be an eye-opener and a catalyst to change!

Having a communication breakdown with loved ones? Your Licensed Professional Counselor can help.

It’s National Safety Month Water sports and drinks don’t mix!Half of all water recreation deaths of teens and adults involve the

use of alcohol which impairs judgment and increases risk-taking. At pool, boating and beach parties, avoid alcohol and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Struggling with alcohol or substance abuse? Your EAP+Work/Life Program can help.

Health AdvocacyYour Personal Health Advocate can help untangle medical bills, find qualified doctors, locate eldercare services and much more.

EAP+Work/Life ProgramTalk to a Licensed Professional Counselor to learn coping skills. You may be referred to the appropriate professional for in-depth, long-term help.

Use self-search provider databases, get 4,000 updated and authoritative articles, view video clips, attend monthly online seminars and more.

Wellness CoachingYour personal Wellness Coach can help you lose weight, eat better or reach other health goals.

Just call 866.799.2728

Your All-in-1 Benefit

June 2015 | @yourservice 4

Log your exercise!

Track progress on your Wellness websiteMaintaining a healthy weight can help you have better health overall. In addition to regularly exercising and eating a well-balanced diet, consider tracking your weight. Logging your weight can help you to notice areas for improvement and be proud of the progress you’ve made. We make it easy to track your weight—you can log it right on your Wellness website. Plus, our website now supports nearly 100 different fitness devices and apps, so try connecting yours with our online weight tracker!

Website Spotlight

Wellness Workshop: Beginner NutritionVisit your Wellness website to take the Beginner Nutrition workshop, which can help you learn what healthy foods you should be eating and how to incorporate them into your daily diet.

Remember, your Health Advocate Wellness website features a variety of resources to help you improve your health and well-being. Log on today to explore all our expert resources!

Host a healthy barbecueOutdoor cookouts provide a fun opportunity to serve up tasty, healthy fare. Try these tips:

Grill something new. In addition to the usual hot dogs, steaks, burgers and fish, experiment with grilling veggie kabobs. Spear wedges of bell peppers, zucchini, onions and squash on skewers splashed with balsamic vinegar or marinade. Or simply grill individual slices.

Feature fresh fruits. Toss berries, melons, peaches, and other fruits with flaked coconut and crunchy nuts.

Brew some sun tea. Set a glass pitcher of water with a few tea bags in the sun for a couple of hours. Flavor with lemon slices—or try a sprig of mint!

For more healthy tips, contact

your Wellness Coach!

Ask the Wellness Coach How can I prepare for my first 5K race?A 5K race, equivalent to 3.1 miles, is a great introduction to running for fitness, and good for anyone looking to switch up their fitness routine. Here’s how to prepare:

Allow enough time to train. If you have been sedentary or are not a regular runner, give yourself at least 6-8 weeks before the event to train. And be sure to talk to your doctor before you start training!

Start slow. If you haven’t done much running before, start out with walking or jogging, and increase your pace when you feel ready.

Don’t get overheated. Train during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening.

Wear good running shoes. Visit a running store where you can be properly fitted.

Set realistic goals. The best goal for your first 5K race is to cross the finish line. Once you get a better idea of your running time, you may want to set a new goal to improve your time.

Your Wellness Coach is a great source of ideas to help you get moving this spring. Call today for personalized, one-on-one guidance!

Get started at:HealthAdvocate.com/members

Reduce the Cost of Your MedicationsWe Can HelpIf you take more than one prescription medication or need a pricey maintenance medication for a chronic condition, the cost can really add up. Here is how we can help keep your medications more affordable:

Help you enroll in your plan’s mail order service. Getting a three month supply via mail is cheaper and enables you to automatically receive your refills at your doorstep!

Locate generic versions. You could save up to 80 percent or more over the brand name versions.

Inform you about local pharmacies offering the lowest prices for your medication. We will also tell you about discount coupons, refer you to the manufacturer for special offers, and provide other resources such as patient assistance programs for help with medication costs.

Let us help you save money. Just call your Personal Health Advocate any time.

Your EAP+Work/Life Website is Available 24/7 Access Online Help and Resources, Anytime

Your Health Advocate EAP+Work/Life website is packed with important information to help you with personal, family and work issues and better balance your life! Here’s what you’ll find:

Orientation video of the many ways we can help

Locators for childcare, summer camps, in-home agencies, pet care, education,older adults, volunteer opportunities

Authoritative articles on emotional well-being, relationships, financial guidance, legalconcerns, health issues, working and personal growth

Sign up for webinars

Savings Center

Support groups and other community resources Connect to us

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