Month: August 2025

2 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 28, 2025

2 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

5 ways to stress less

We all feel stressed at times. It can be caused by a health concern, money struggles or a disagreement with your partner. Even the constant buzz of the warehouse can be overwhelming. Managing stress isn’t easy, but you have tools and resources to help you build healthy coping skills.

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Figure out your triggers — Journaling and mindfulness can help you spot patterns in your thoughts and identify triggers. When you start feeling a strong emotion, take a second to jot down some notes. Mention what was happening at that moment and how it made you feel. Visit RethinkCare and find out how to incorporate mindfulness into your workday.
Talk it out — Your benefits include different options if you need to talk to someone. You have in-person, virtual and immediate options:
- Find a virtual or in-person therapist with help from Resources for Living^® (RFL^®).
- Get support from people going through similar things with Supportiv.
- Turn to AbleTo for programs that help with mental health and coping skills.
- Or call or text 988 24/7 for immediate support for you or someone else.
Strengthen your safety net — Finances are one of the most common causes of stress. RFL can also point you to tools and financial coaching to help you manage money more effectively.
Nurture your network — Focus on building healthy relationships. That way, you can be there for each other during stressful stretches.
Sweat the small stuff — Exercise is great for your physical and mental health. It reduces stress, which can also help lower blood pressure. Strengthen your head and your heart with help from Omada for Diabetes, Hypertension and Prevention & Weight Health.
- Tip: Lighten the load on your wallet with LifeMart. LifeMart offers discounts for both in-person and virtual gym memberships.

Remember, no problem is too small to ask for help. Browse through your Benefits Guide for even more resources that support stress management.

Tags cold-and-flu-prevention, injury-prevention, injury-recovery, preventive-care, seasonal-flu, z-no-icon

Articles

3 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 25, 2025

3 MIN WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2025

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?

Have you ever felt short of breath or your heart race? Both can be scary. You may have wondered if it was a heart attack or a panic attack. It can be hard to tell the difference. In this video, we’ll help you understand what’s happening and what to do.

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Show transcript

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Narrator: Have you ever had moments where your heart is pounding, you can’t catch your breath, you’re nauseous, maybe even light-headed, you’re scared, and you wonder, am I having a heart attack or a panic attack?

What’s the difference? It can be hard to tell, because the symptoms are very similar, and while a panic attack might make you feel like you’re having a heart attack, an actual heart attack is a medical emergency that needs immediate intervention.

So let’s take a close look at the differences, starting with how they feel.

Between the two, the chest pain feels very different.

During a panic attack, the chest pain is usually sharp or stabbing and localized in the middle of the chest. Panic attacks come on quickly, and generally reach peak intensity in about 10 minutes. Symptoms include dizziness, trembling, sweating and a sense of losing control. But the hallmark is usually intense fear.

During a heart attack, the chest pain can be sudden and intense, or start slowly, with a mild pain or pressure that radiates to the arm, jaw or back, and gradually worsens. These episodes might come and go several times before the actual heart attack occurs.

A panic attack triggers what’s known as the fight or flight response, which is our body’s natural response to a perceived threat. When that happens, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream, causing a cascade of physiological changes, including a temporary rise in blood pressure.

A heart attack happens when the blood flow that brings oxygen to the the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off, usually by a blockage of the coronary arteries.

Calling 911 and getting immediate treatment is critical.

Without prompt treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious complications, including permanent damage to the heart muscle, or even death.

You may wonder if a panic attack can cause a heart attack. In a word, no. A panic attack will not cause a heart attack.

Heart attacks are caused by a blockage in the blood vessels to the heart, but long-term stress and anxiety may play a role in the development of coronary artery disease.

Regardless of whether you suspect a panic attack or heart attack, doctors and psychologists agree: If you are feeling chest pain or pressure, you shouldn’t take any chances.

Call 911.

It is important to seek immediate medical attention. If you have questions about panic attacks versus heart attacks, I’d love to hear from you. Comment below, hit subscribe and join me here next time for answers you can trust.

  This program is not intended to be a medical service. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you heard in this program. If you have a medical emergency, go to the emergency room of your local hospital or call 911 immediately.

 [♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

Source(s):
American Heart Association. Heart attack vs. panic attack: Know the difference.

Tags anxiety, chest-pain, heart-health, mental-health, shortness-of-breath, Stress, z-no-icon

Articles

2 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 25, 2025

2 MIN WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2025

Video: Suicidal doesn’t always look suicidal

Depression isn’t always obvious. While it can make people feel sad and hopeless, it may not show on the outside. This video from the Campaign Against Living Miserably shows us that, sometimes, the people who need the most help don’t act the way we’d expect.

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Show transcript

Real talk from real people who contemplated suicide

Depression and thoughts of suicide are like tunnel vision — they can make any light or hope seem small and impossibly far away. Supportiv collected stories from people who changed their minds about suicide. Even Olympian Michael Phelps has admitted to wanting to die by suicide.

“I remember going to treatment my very first day. I was shaking, shaking because I was nervous. I said to myself so many times, ‘Why didn’t I do this 10 years ago?’ But, I wasn’t ready. I am extremely thankful that I did not take my life.” — Michael Phelps

All these stories have one thing in common: They’re so glad that they’re still here. See below for some examples from the article.

There’s always hope — and help

Remind someone that you’re a safe person to turn to or get help if you need it. There are free, anonymous, in-the-moment support options such as Resources for Living^®. Call 833-721-2320 for help for you and your family if needed.

If you’re thinking about suicide or think someone might be at risk, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Hotline for immediate support, 24/7.

Looking for people who understand what you’re going through? Supportiv offers anonymous peer-to-peer group chats. All conversations are moderated and connect you with people who understand what you’re going through.

And don’t forget — you’re not alone. There are resources and people who can help.

Tags crisis-support, depression, mental-health, suicidal-thoughts, z-no-icon

Articles

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 20, 2025

1 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

Protect yourself with free flushots and virtual physical therapy

Staying healthy has never been more convenient. Last year, ER visits related to the flu more than doubled among Costco employees. Protect yourself and others by getting your flu shot.

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Stop by your Costco pharmacy for a free flu shot

They’re available to all Costco employees. Walkups welcome — no appointment needed!

Help out your friends in the pharmacy department by getting your flu shot before the flu-season rush. Employees and family members enrolled in a Costco medical plan can also get their flu shot for free. Remind them to make an appointment with their provider or at a Costco pharmacy.

Make sure you’re moving safely as well

Omada for Joint & Muscle Health offers virtual one-on-one physical therapy with a licensed physical therapist to help you bounce back from an injury, build strength and flexibility, or stay pain-free during everyday activities.

Tags cold-and-flu-prevention, injury-prevention, injury-recovery, preventive-care, seasonal-flu, z-no-icon

Recipes

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 20, 2025

1 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies

The famous chocolate and peanut butter duo has a costar in this recipe. Canned chickpeas add nonfat moisture and texture and give each cookie 3 grams of protein.

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Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min

Serves: 24

Ingredients:

15 oz. canned chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

3 tbsp. canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup powdered peanut butter

1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Step 1

Arrange racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 large sheet pans with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a food processor, pulse the chickpeas until finely chopped, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add the sugar, egg, oil and vanilla, and process until smooth.

Step 3

In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered peanut butter, flour, baking soda and salt. Add the flour mixture to the food processor, and pulse until just blended, 6 to 8 times. Add the chocolate and pulse until just combined, 2 to 3 times.

Step 4

 Scoop 1½ to 2 tbsp. of the dough onto the prepared pans, about 12 cookies per pan. (The dough will be sticky.) Using a spatula, flatten each cookie slightly. Bake until the cookies are set, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating the pans after 7 minutes. Put the cookies on a wire rack to cool.

Serving size: 1 cookie

Nutrition

Source: WeightWatchers

Looking for more healthy recipes? With the WeightWatchers^® program and award-winning app, you can lose weight, eat healthier, move more and develop a more positive mindset. All Costco employees age 18+ get an exclusive discount off the retail price and can join for as low as $9 per month. Sign up at WW.com/Costco or call 866-204-2885.

Tags Healthy-eating, healthy-habits, Recipes, z-no-icon