Things can happen at a Costco warehouse. Fruit spills on the floor, creating a slipping hazard. A loose load drops off a forklift. Cars back up within inches of an employee collecting carts in the parking lot. Cardboard cuts split open a finger.
Luckily, many of these hazards can be avoided if you know how to reduce workplace risks. That’s exactly what Safety Week is about. Hosted by the Costco Safety Department, Safety Week is a time to become familiar with safety practices at Costco to prevent injury, illness and the stress that goes along with them. You’ll also receive tips and information from Employee Benefits to safely navigate the world outside of work.
Are you suffering from chronic pain? Do you feel too tired to get things done? Is not being as efficient as you like getting you down?
Chronic pain can be a stubborn and complex condition to treat, since it can create problems beyond the obvious physical discomfort. Your Costco benefits offer a variety of programs to help you manage chronic pain (and the stress that can come with it) and get back to living your life.
According to the National Institutes of Health, 25.3 million U.S. adults live with chronic pain (pain that lasts three months or longer).1 This persistent pain can result from an injury, illness, infection or medical condition such as arthritis or migraine headaches. It can range from an annoyance to a source of severe suffering.
Chronic pain and fatigue
When chronic pain persists, the discomfort can make it difficult to get restorative sleep. Pain can trigger feelings of sadness and despair, which can make getting a good night’s sleep even harder. At the same time, a lack of quality sleep can decrease your pain tolerance and intensify your experience of pain.
Chronic pain and depression
Chronic pain can make it difficult to exercise, socialize, work and enjoy even the simplest things in life. Thoughts about the pain and reduced physical activity can lead to feelings of sadness and loss.
The stress of putting all your efforts into managing your pain while still trying to keep up with life’s demands can be stressful and deepen feelings of depression. It’s a common predicament — between one-third and three-quarters of people with chronic pain experience moderate to severe depression.
4 ways to manage the mental health effects of chronic pain
No matter the location, source or intensity of the pain, if left untreated, it’s likely to affect your ability to live a healthy, happy life. Here are some approaches you can take to reduce the fatigue and depression from chronic pain.
Get counseling.
Therapy can help you identify and change the negative thoughts and feelings that can make pain worse. Start with a program tailored to your specific needs through AbleTo*. These no-cost eight-week programs provide one-on-one therapy, coaching and digital exercises to help you deal with the anger, frustration, depression and anxiety that can come with chronic pain.
Participate in physical therapy.
A physical therapist will work with you to identify areas of weakness or stiffness that may be adding to the pain and treat those areas with targeted exercises. Take advantage of free virtual physical therapy through Omada for Joint & Muscle Health and work one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist in the comfort of your home to get the help you need.
Try meditation.
Studies show that meditation can lessen pain and stress by retraining the brain to better deal with pain. Keep it simple to start out — just allow yourself to focus on the present moment, letting go of any judgement. For help, turn to Resources for Living and their library of videos and podcasts that can get you started with a meditation practice.
Cut back on unhealthy substances.
Alcohol can make sleep problems worse and increase depressive symptoms. Smoking restricts blood flow, which prevents healing. If you have chronic pain, drink less or no alcohol. Work with the Costco Tobacco Cessation Program to help you quit nicotine products for good.
These strategies can help ease your pain, promote relaxation and improve your outlook. Check out the resources below to get started.
Sources: AbleTo.Why chronic pain causes fatigue and depression. Mayo Clinic Health System. Pathways through persistent pain: tips for managing chronic pain. Healthline. Meditating for chronic pain management.
Did you know Costco has a free program to treat nearly all muscle and joint issues, such as low back pain and osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis can be a very painful condition that occurs when cartilage, the flexible tissue at the end of bones, wears down over time. You can get relief from pain, as well as improve physical function and fitness, with virtual physical therapy.
Virtual physical therapy through Omada for Joint & Muscle Healthcan be an easy and convenient way to build strength and flexibility when recovering from an injury, living with chronic pain or starting a new exercise routine.
From your desktop or mobile device, you’ll work one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist who will assess your condition and create a personalized plan to help you reduce your pain and even live pain-free. They’ll guide you through each exercise so you can start moving with more ease. If equipment, such as resistance bands, is needed for your exercises, it will be delivered right to your home. Check out this shortvideo for a program overview.
Conditions treated include:
Surgery and 2nd opinions
If you’ve already tried physical therapy and are at the point where your doctor has recommended surgery, you can get an expert second opinion through 2nd.MD. This no-cost program connects you to leading specialists who can gather and review your records and give you guidance via video or phone.
2nd.MD doctors can address questions about:
An upcoming surgery
A chronic condition or chronic pain
A new diagnosis
Your treatment plan
You can download the 2nd.MD mobile app to make accessing the program even more convenient. Learn how to use the app with this one-minute video.
Your Costco benefits provide these programs and more to help you stay safe and healthy and give you peace of mind about your medical treatment. For more information, see below.
Suicide affects people of all ages. It’s the second leading cause of death for children ages 10 – 14 and for adults ages 20 – 34, and among the top 9 leading causes of death for all people up to age 64.1
Suicide Prevention Month, happening this September, is a time to acknowledge the pain and suffering of those struggling with suicidal thoughts and the impact on their families, friends and communities. It’s also a time of hope. Suicide can often be prevented. Knowing the warning signs for suicide, and how to get help, can save lives.
Please take time to watch the video below from Resources for Living. You’ll learn what thoughts, feelings and behavioral changes may signify that someone is thinking about suicide.
If these warning signs apply to you or anyone you know, get help as soon as possible by calling or texting the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
A back-to-school favorite, these chicken nuggets are extra crunchy due to their corn-flake coating. You can use a food processor to crush the corn flakes, or just bang themon the table in a zip-top bag until crumbly. There are many kinds of paprika to spice these up, from sweet to smoky to mild to spicy. Feel free to use your favorite.Serve the nuggets with your favorite dipping sauce.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
Step 2
Process the corn flakes into crumbs in a food processor or blender. Scrape into a shallow bowl or pie plate.
Step 3
Combine the flour, salt, garlic powder and paprika in another shallow bowl. Beat the egg in a separate shallow bowl.
Step 4
Working one at a time, coat the chicken chunks with the flour mixture. Then dip each chunk into the egg to coat. Transfer to the corn flake crumbs, pressing the chicken to coat on all sides. Place on baking sheet.
Step 5
Repeat with the remaining chicken. When done, spray chicken chunks with cooking spray.
Step 6
Bake for 15-17 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Let cool slightly before serving.
With the WeightWatchers program and app, you can lose weight and eat healthier. Costco employees can join WeightWatchers for as low as $14 per month, and spouses/domestic partners and dependents can join for as low as $19.50 each per month. Participants must be age 18 or older to join. Sign up at WW.com/Costco or call 866-204-2885.
