Month: October 2024

Thanks for everything

Post author By Asha Bhakta
Post date October 31, 2024

THANKS FOR EVERYTHING

DECEMBER 2024

Here’s to you!

Once again, it’s you — our employees — that have fueled Costco’s success this year. We’re grateful for the hard work, creativity and dedication each one of you brings to your work on a daily basis.

And you’ve been working on yourselves, too. Over 92,000 of you have taken this year’s We’re in This Together pledge to learn more about the benefit resources available to you and your family. Your spouses or domestic partners have increased their participation in the pledge, as well. Over 10,000 of you enrolled in our new digestive health program, Cylinder*, in its first month. And Supportiv, our peer-to-peer chat support resource, earned a user score of 4.7 stars (out of 5).

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Why pledge in 2025?

Every year brings different challenges — and often new or enhanced benefits programs to meet them. So even if you pledged in the past, pledge again starting January 1, 2025, along with your spouse or domestic partner. Look for more information coming soon in the mail and on this website.

It’s a wonder-filled life

Research shows that experiencing wonder is good for you in many ways. It can lower stress, decrease inflammation and promote trust and bonding. So we’ve chosen “wonder” as our We’re in This Together theme for 2025. Take advantage of your Costco benefits, and you might just be in awe of what you can achieve.

Your stories are the best stories

This year, four Costco employees shared how they used their benefits to help themselves and their families get the care they needed right when they needed it. If you haven’t heard their inspiring stories, you can listen here. It’s a great way to see your benefits in action.

At Costco, it’s our responsibility and ongoing promise to provide our employees with exceptional health benefits that are reflective of how much we value their service to Costco. And it’s just as important for our employees to understand the great benefits they have available so they can use them wisely.

The best way to stay informed about the many benefit programs available to you and your family is by taking the annual We’re in This Together (WITT) pledge. By taking the pledge, you will have access to beneficial content that will result in you getting the most out of your benefits that Costco is proud to offer to you.

Thank you for your continued hard work and for your many contributions toward Costco’s great success. My best wishes to you and your family for a healthy 2025!

Ron Vachris,
President & CEO

*Not available in Puerto Rico.

Sources:
The New York Times. How a bit of awe can improve your health.
The Washington Post. Why it is awesome that your brain can experience awe.

Tags Benefits, emotional-well-being, financial-well-being, physical-well-being

Articles

Take action

Post author By Asha Bhakta
Post date October 31, 2024

TAKE ACTION

DECEMBER 2024

How and why to take a social media break

The average person spends 2 hours and 23 minutes per day on social media.¹ What could you do if you got that time back?

While quitting social media for good may not be an option, taking a break can make a difference in your health and happiness. This is especially true for teens and tweens, whose social media habit can lead to things like sleep deprivation and a negative self-image.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

What a social media break can do for you

Research suggests that although social media can be useful, it can also increase stress, anxiety, depression and even make you feel lonelier.² By taking time off, you can gain:

More opportunities to connect with friends and family
Better mood
Higher self-esteem
A deeper sense of gratitude
More relaxation and contentment

Try grabbing a coffee with a friend, digging into a good book or taking a walk in nature. Then notice the difference it makes.

How to get started

There are no set rules on taking a social media break. You may simply limit your time to 15 minutes a day. Or opt to tune out completely for two weeks or more. Once you’ve figured out what you’re going to do, you may want to announce your plan online if you think people might worry about your absence or just to make it feel more real.

Here are a few quotes people have used with their social media break announcements that might inspire you.

If you find taking a break more difficult than you originally thought, reach out to Resources for Living for counseling and digital resources to help you manage your social media time. Be patient with yourself and allow some backsliding now and then. Your efforts will pay off in the long run.

¹Soax. What is the average time spent on social media each day?
²Harvard Summer School. Need a break from social media? Here’s why you should — and how to do it.

Sources:
The Tiny Life. How to take a 14-day social media break — A practical guide to reclaiming your time with social media detoxing.
Cleveland Clinic. When (and how) to take a social media break

Tags Behavioral health, emotional-well-being, Relationships, Stress

Articles

Learn more

Post author By Asha Bhakta
Post date October 31, 2024

LEARN MORE

DECEMBER 2024

Tips to stay healthy over the holidays

Gathering with friends and family is a big part of the holiday season. But so are colds, the flu and other respiratory viruses, which spread more commonly over the fall and winter.

Luckily, there are actions you can take to help you and your family stay healthy. And if you or a family member does get sick, turn to your Costco benefits right away to get the care you need.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Cold or flu or ?

From sneezing to aches and fever, cold weather sniffles can be hard to diagnose yourself. But the earlier you determine if you have a common cold, the flu or COVID-19, the faster you can treat it and start feeling better. Use the 98point6^® app (or log in to TeleconsultaMD in Puerto Rico) to talk to a provider in minutes. The doctor can assess your situation, write prescriptions, order lab work and more, with no appointment — or leaving home — necessary. And with 98point6, there is no copay.

If follow up is required, be sure to make an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP). If you don’t have one, go to Costcobenefits.com and click “Find a Doctor” under Health & Wellness to start your care.

98point6 made everything easy — from downloading the app to texting the doctor and getting my prescription called in.

A Costco employee

In the meantime, follow this action plan from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stay healthy.

7 ways to fight off winter illnesses

Get your flu shot.

It’s your best protection against getting the flu virus and can limit the severity of your symptoms if you do get sick.

Stay home.

Keeping away from others when sick limits the spread and avoids exposing you to more germs.

Cover coughs and sneezes.

Use a tissue or sneeze and cough into your elbow to help stop the spread of germs. Teach your kids to do this, too.

Stay away from others who are sick.

The closer you are to a sick person, the more likely the droplets and particles that can make you sick will affect you.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

80% of germs are transfered by touch. Germs can spread to the hands by sneezing, coughing and rubbing the eyes.

Wash your hands.

Soap removes most germs. If not available, hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can work.

Open a window.

Viral particles in the air spread more easily indoors than outdoors. An open window or air purifier can reduce the amount of virus you’re exposed to.

Source:
CDC. Take steps to help you stay healthy during the holidays.

Tags physical-well-being, Preventive care

Articles

Watch now

Post author By Asha Bhakta
Post date October 31, 2024

WATCH NOW

DECEMBER 2024

The science of gratitude

Gratitude may be the best-kept secret to reduce stress and help you feel better. Its benefits include improved physical health, higher self-esteem, better sleep and stronger social connections. And it doesn’t take a lot of work. Here are a few ways you can get started on a gratitude practice today.

Write down one thing you’re thankful for each day
Say thank you or write a thank you note
Visualize people, pets and things you’re grateful for
Take a “gratitude walk” and appreciate the space around you

Check out this 2-minute video to learn more about the science behind gratitude and how you can get more into your life. You can also check out the digital resources available from Resources for Living and AbleTo* to improve your emotional health.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Show transcript

*Not available in Puerto Rico.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gratitude works.
Tremendousness. What is the science behind gratitude?
Resources for Living. Practicing gratitude — why it helps and how to do it

Tags emotional-well-being, Relationships, Videos

Recipes

Healthy recipe

Post author By Asha Bhakta
Post date October 31, 2024

HEALTHY RECIPE

DECEMBER 2024

Mini vanilla bean-pomegranate cheesecake tarts

These easy-to-make tarts are ready in 30 minutes and add a beautiful element to your holiday table. The crisp mini phyllo shells hold a luscious vanilla-laced cream cheese filling made lighter by the addition of rich Greek yogurt. The fresh vanilla bean gives these tarts an extra oomph of vanilla flavor (if you’re new to fresh vanilla beans, the end of a butter knife or the tip of a spoon are the effective ways to scrape out as many of the seeds as possible). Pomegranate seeds and fresh mint are pretty toppings, but you can use any fresh fruit you like, such as chopped blood oranges, grapes, kiwi or strawberries.

Ingredients: 9

Prep Time: 20 min | Total Time: 25 min

Serves: 30

Ingredients:

4 sprays cooking spray

30 mini phyllo shells, thawed if frozen

8 ounces low-fat cream cheese, at room temperature (use 1/3 less fat variety)

¼ cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 vanilla bean pod

½ cup pomegranate seeds

¼ cup fresh mint leaves

Directions:

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Step 2

Place phyllo shells on a baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Let cool.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, briskly whisk together softened cream cheese, yogurt, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Split vanilla bean pod in half and scrape seeds into bowl. Gently combine into cream cheese mixture.

Step 4

Divide cheese mixture evenly among shells. Top each with some pomegranate seeds and a mint leaf. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours.

Nutrition

Source: WeightWatchers

Enjoy even lower monthly rates from WeightWatchers. Costco employees can join for as low as $9 per month, and spouses/domestic partners and dependents can join for as low as $14.50 each per month. Participants must be age 18 or older to join. Sign up at WW.com/Costco or call 866-204-2885.