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Stay safe and healthy this winter

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JANUARY 2023

Stay safe and healthy this winter

When temperatures start to dip and icy winds begin to blow, will you be ready? Winter storms can be dangerous. But you can stay safe and healthy, whether your winter is snowy or steamy. Here are some practical suggestions to help you plan ahead.

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Prepare for emergencies

  • Stock food that needs no cooking or refrigeration and store water in clean containers.
  • Ensure that your cell phone is fully charged.
  • When planning travel, be aware of current and forecasted weather conditions.
  • Keep an up-to-date emergency kit in your home and car.
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Take precautions outdoors

  • Wear appropriate outdoor clothing: a tightly woven, preferably wind-resistant coat or jacket; inner layers of light, warm clothing; mittens or gloves; hat; scarf; and waterproof boots.
  • Sprinkle cat litter or sand on icy patches.
  • Work slowly when doing outside chores because your body is already working hard just to keep you warm.
  • Take a buddy and an emergency kit when you’re participating in outdoor recreation.
  • Carry a fully-charged cell phone.
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Do this when you plan to travel

  • Be aware of current and forecasted weather conditions.
  • Avoid traveling when the National Weather Service has issued advisories.
  • If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival.
  • Follow these safety rules if you become stranded in your vehicle.
    • Make sure your vehicle is visible to rescuers and other drivers by turning on your hazard lights.
    • Move anything you need from the trunk into the passenger area. Stay with your vehicle unless safety is no more than 100 yards away.
    • Keep yourself warm.
    • Stay awake and stay moving. You’ll be less vulnerable to cold-related health problems. As you sit, keep moving your arms and legs.
    • Run the motor (and heater) for about 10 minutes per hour, opening one window slightly to let in air. Make sure snow is not blocking the exhaust pipe — this will reduce the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.

Check on family and neighbors who are especially at risk from cold-weather hazards: young children, older adults and the chronically ill. If you have pets, bring them inside. If you can’t bring them inside, provide adequate, warm shelter and water to drink.

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Prepare your vehicle

  • Service the radiator and maintain the antifreeze level.
  • Check your tire treads or, if necessary, replace tires with all-weather or snow tires.
  • Keep the gas tank full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines.
  • Use a wintertime formula in your windshield washer.
  • Prepare a winter emergency kit to keep in your car in case you become stranded.
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Prepare your home

  • Install weather stripping, insulation and storm windows.
  • Insulate water lines that run along exterior walls.
  • Clean out gutters and repair roof leaks.
  • Have your heating system serviced professionally to make sure it’s clean, working properly and ventilated to the outside.
  • Inspect and clean fireplaces and chimneys.
  • Have a safe alternate heating source and alternate fuels available.
  • If you don’t have a working smoke detector, install one. Test batteries monthly and replace them twice a year.
  • Prevent carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning emergencies.
    • Install a CO detector to alert you of the presence of the deadly, odorless, colorless gas. Check or change the battery when you change your clocks in the fall and spring.
    • Learn the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.
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Here’s what Costco employees are saying about 98point6®:

“It was easy! And when someone is sick, it takes all their strength to get out of bed, dressed, to their car…”

98point6 gives you on-demand, text-based access to board-certified physicians, 24/7.

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What if your winter is hot and sunny?

Even if your region is known for its year-round beach weather, you can still benefit from being prepared. Make sure you’re ready for tropical storms, hurricanes and power outages. And when you go to the beach, stay hydrated and take your sunscreen.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Stay safe and healthy in winter.

To learn more about staying safe and healthy during the winter months, and where to go when you do need medical care, see the resources below.

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Get SMART about your goals

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LEARN MORE

JANUARY 2023

Get SMART about your goals

Who hasn’t made a New Year’s resolution only to see it fizzle out by February? Don’t blame your lack of willpower. (Trust us, it’s not that!) If you want to achieve an important goal, make small, specific changes that can lead to a big change. You can do it if you set SMART goals.

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What are SMART goals?

The S.M.A.R.T process was developed to help managers set achievable management goals and objectives. Today the SMART process is everywhere, offering useful guidelines for anybody who wants to make a big change in their lives.

letter S

Specific

Include details. Setting a goal to lose 15 pounds works better than “lose weight.”

letter M

Measurable

Track your progress as you work toward your goal. Try using a journal or an app 3 or more times per week.

letter A

Achievable

Make sure your goals are realistic. Retiring at age 30 is not very realistic. Saving an extra $100 a month might be achievable.

letter R

Results-oriented

Focus on what you’re trying to accomplish. But if you encounter obstacles, such as family obligations, adjust as necessary.

letter T

Time-bound

Set a realistic amount of time to achieve your goal. Celebrate as you check off smaller goals along the way, such as making a substantial credit card payment.

Put SMART to work in your life

Now that you know what SMART goals are, here are some examples of how you can use them to achieve your well-being goals.

emotional well-being icon

Strengthen family bonds

Goal: I will work on nurturing and strengthening my family ties.

SMART breakdown

  • Specific: I will plan two family activities every week.
  • Measurable: I’ll keep track of my ideas in a notebook, then write them on our family calendar.
  • Achievable: Our family has consistently done Taco Tuesdays and trips to the movies every month; therefore, scheduling family activities is doable.
  • Results-oriented: These activities will play a big part in fostering and deepening the bonds among all family members.
  • Time-bound: My goal is to put a deposit on a family vacation in six months for a trip we will take next summer.
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Live within a budget

Goal: I will create a budget of $3,450 every month.

SMART breakdown

  • Specific: I will create a budget of $3,450 every month and spend $300 less.
  • Measurable: I’ll keep a record of every expense and ensure that I spend less than my budget of $3,450.
  • Achievable: My average monthly spending is $3,250; therefore, I can try my best to stay within the budget if I don’t use my credit cards.
  • Results-oriented: Keeping my expenses within a budget of $3,450 will prevent me from splurging on items spurred by impulse buying. It will also help me save more and make me more responsible.
  • Time-bound: The goal is to develop a consistent habit of living within a budget of $3,450 every month throughout this year.
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Get regular exercise

Goal: I will consistently work out a minimum of 20 minutes per day, three days a week by summer.

SMART breakdown

  • Specific: I will do low-impact exercises for 20 minutes per day, three days a week.
  • Measurable: I will measure my progress using a fitness tracker and calendar, making sure I complete my 20-minute workouts.
  • Achievable: Scheduling workouts for Monday, Wednesday and Friday is manageable for me in the long term. Also, keeping it at 20 minutes will help build up the intensity and allow me enough time to benefit from the cardio, while being short enough to not impact my other routine tasks.
  • Results-oriented: Working out for 20 minutes three days a week will give me the amazing benefit of moving from low-impact to high-intensity workouts while being manageable enough to sustain for the long term.
  • Time-bound: I will consistently work out a minimum of 20 minutes per day, three days a week by July 15.

Sources: LifeHack. How to write SMART goals (with SMART goals templates).
LifeHack. 20 personal SMART goals to improve your life.

If you’d like to learn more about Costco benefits and resources that can help you achieve your SMART goals, the following resources can help.

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How to beat the holiday blues

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EXPLORE MORE

DECEMBER 2022

How to beat the holiday blues

The holidays are a time for family and friends, festive meals, presents, parties and classic films on TV. It’s also a very busy time at work. But for some, the holidays can be depressing. The more pressure you feel to be cheery, the sadder you may become. These feelings could be due to loneliness or a recent loss, such as divorce, a break-up or the death of a loved one. You could also be feeling sad for another reason — and you’re not alone. Here are some tips to help you find joy and meaning throughout the holidays.

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Listen to your own needs and feelings

Why pretend to feel cheery, if that’s not the way you feel? Skip parties you don’t really want to attend. Don’t force yourself to “be merry.” On the other hand, don’t isolate yourself completely. That can make you feel worse. Choose one or two events where you can relax and enjoy yourself. Or invite a few friends to your home for a simple meal.

Take a break from holiday stress 

Feeling pressure about decorating and shopping? Resist the urge to make things perfect. Instead, be kind to yourself. Take time to relax or meet a friend for coffee. Skip the holiday TV shows if they make you feel blue. Watch something that interests you or makes you laugh.

Volunteer

Food banks and other services that support the less fortunate look for volunteers to help during the holidays. Volunteering can take your mind off your own challenges and make you feel better for doing something nice for someone else.

Don’t overspend

If you get into debt over the holidays, you’ll be bluer when the bills come in. If you want to give gifts, get creative. Make “gift cards” for things like a trip with you to a museum, your help with household repairs or an afternoon at the movies. Remember, it’s the thought — not the price — that counts.

Start new traditions

If old family customs make you sad or stressed, create some new ones. Include the people who matter in your life right now. Try new activities that feel fun and meaningful. They may become your new traditions.

Watch your sugar and alcohol intake

Holidays bring lots of fun treats and desserts. But overdoing it can affect your mood and energy. Try to control your eating and drinking so you don’t have to start the new year with a few extra pounds and regrets.

Stay active

Exercise increases your endorphins which are the hormones that enhance your feelings of well-being. Taking a short walk, or doing anything active can help you better manage your stress.

Finding help

If you find yourself struggling with significant depression, seek professional help. Research indicates a high level of success with appropriate help. So consider turning to your Costco benefits and these other resources for support:

  • Resources For Living® (RFL®)* offers help for people with depression, anxiety and other behavioral challenges.
  • SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Helpline: 800-662-HELP (4357)
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 988 or text TALK to 741741. You can call or text for someone else who may need immediate help.
  • Call 911 for emergency services

Source: Resources for Living. Lifting your spirits during the holidays

*Resources For Living is available to all employees and members of their household, including children up to age 26 living away from home.

For more information on ways to manage depression during the holiday season, see the resources below.

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Mindful holiday feasting

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TAKE ACTION

DECEMBER 2022

Mindful holiday feasting

The holidays can be a challenge if you’re trying to stay healthy or lose weight. Surrounded by eggnog and sugar cookies, latkes and sour cream, roast beef and all the trimmings, it’s not easy to celebrate and maintain a healthy relationship with food. But it is possible — if you remember to eat mindfully.

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The benefits of mindfulness

Mindfulness is the act of being focused, present and engaged in whatever you’re doing right now. Mindful eating is being aware of what, when and why you eat, as you eat. It can help you learn about and control your eating habits. Mindful eating can help you stay healthy. Rather than “inhaling” your meals, mindfulness encourages you to really taste your food and notice how you feel while you’re eating. It helps you enjoy each bite and listen to body signals that tell you when you’re satisfied. You tune in to your body and the experience of eating.

There are many benefits to mindful eating. For example, it can help you:1

  • Lower stress by slowing you down
  • Pay attention to times you use food for reasons other than hunger — like self-soothing or boredom
  • Enjoy your meals and snacks more by noticing and appreciating them
  • Learn about your eating habits by helping you focus on how each type of food makes you feel while eating and afterwards
  • Feel full sooner, eat less and digest better
  • Eat in a healthier, more balanced way

Mindful eating during the holiday season

Holiday gatherings include lots of people and food. It can be easy to graze away on snacks and goodies. You might eat while chatting with other guests. Or you might eat out of anxiety if parties make you nervous. You might not even realize what or how much you’re eating. That’s where mindfulness comes in. Here are a few tricks to help you eat mindfully during the holidays:

  1. Don’t go to parties feeling ravenous. Have a healthy snack right before leaving home.
  2. Check in with yourself during a party to gauge whether you’re eating because you’re hungry or just to be social.
  3. If you feel full, switch to drinking water or eating veggies.

You can celebrate without unhealthy eating and extra calories. Being mindful can help you make good decisions and enjoy this special time of year. 

1Mindful eating. Accessed October 2021.

Source: Resources For Living. Mindful eating during the holidays

For more information on how to maintain healthy habits and enjoy the holidays, see the resources below.

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Thanks for everything

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YOU’RE THE BEST!

DECEMBER 2022

Thanks for everything

Another eventful year is coming to a close. You brought your best every day. And thanks to your dedication, hard work and collaborative spirit, Costco is a great company.

You also made strides in your well-being journey. During 2022, more than 103,109​ of you, along with your spouses or domestic partners, took the We’re in This Together pledge to improve your emotional, financial and physical well-being. You explored your Costco benefits and learned how they can help you reach your goals. And more than 182,000 of you received our monthly well-being emails.

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Get ready to grow

Are you ready to make 2023 your best year yet? Starting in January 2023, you and your spouse or domestic partner can pledge to continue working toward your emotional, financial and physical well-being goals.

In April, you can also join your fellow Costco employees in our first-ever quarterly Well-being Challenge. It’s a great opportunity to set a short-term goal, form a healthy habit and reap the rewards. At the end of the year, you’ll receive a digital well-being toolkit to help you continue the good work you’ve started.

Throughout the year, your well-being portal will also feature audio podcast interviews with Costco employees. Learn how they’ve used their Costco benefits to improve their well-being. And get insights you can use in your own personal growth. And, each month, you’ll hear from a fellow Costco employee about their experience with one of our many Costco benefits. Their testimonials can help you learn more about a resource that could enhance your well-being, too.

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The health and well-being of our employees is a top priority. That’s why we remain committed to providing our employees with exceptionally valuable benefit programs that we regularly review and enhance when appropriate. Because of this, we feel it is important that you are familiar with the benefit programs that are available to you so that you and your family can get the most out of them. The best way you can do this is by participating in the We’re in This Together pledge. By participating, you receive important information that is tailored to your needs.

Thank you for the important role you play in making Costco a great company. My best wishes to you and your family for a healthy 2023!

Craig Jelinek, President and CEO

Craig Jelinek
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Video: 7 ways to create a new habit

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LEARN THE BASICS

DECEMBER 2022

Video: 7 ways to create a new habit

January 2023 will be here before you know it and so will your annual list of New Year’s resolutions. Will you start exercising regularly? Get to bed by 10:00 p.m. every night? Lose 20 pounds? Stop drinking soda?

If you’ve tried and failed to keep resolutions before, don’t be discouraged. Just take a minute to watch this video — and learn some tips that can help you succeed.

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Source: The Mayo Clinic. 7 ways to create a new habit.

Ready to create some healthy new habits in 2023? Your Costco benefits can help. Check out the resources below for more information.

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Get ready for Annual Enrollment!

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START YOUR ENGINES.

NOVEMBER 2022

Get ready for Annual Enrollment!

November 1–22, 2022 

Each year, Annual Enrollment offers you an opportunity to review your Costco benefits, make changes that better reflect your needs and goals, and confirm eligibility for your enrolled dependents. An Annual Enrollment letter and the 2023 Benefits Plan Changes booklet were mailed to you the last week of October. The booklet contains details about your 2023 benefits. You also can view the booklet on Costcobenefits.com.

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The finish line is in sight. Now’s the time to get ready.

Here’s a handy checklist to ensure you have a successful Annual Enrollment. You have until November 22, 2022, to complete the following steps:

  1. Sign up for text reminders on the Enrollment Website.
  2. Review your current benefits plan elections on the Enrollment Website.
  3. Complete the Dependent Verification to continue coverage for your family members, even if you don’t make any changes to your benefits.
  4. Enroll or re-enroll in your Health Care Reimbursement Account and/or Dependent Care Assistance Plan, administered by PayFlex®, for 2023.* This must be done every year. Important note: The balance carryover and grace period for reimbursement accounts will change effective January 1, 2023.
  5. Review your 2023 Benefits Plan Booklet.

To complete the steps above, log in to Costcobenefits.com.

*Not available in Puerto Rico.

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What’s new in 2023?

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ENHANCED BENEFITS

NOVEMBER 2022

What’s new in 2023?

Costco takes your emotional, financial and physical well-being very seriously. And that commitment is reflected in your Costco benefits, which continue to evolve to be more accessible and more relevant. This coming year, your Costco benefits will feature some exciting enhancements affecting fertility challenges, adoption expenses, and parenting guidance and support.

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Check out these enhanced benefits

aetna logo

Find help for fertility challenges

Starting January 1, 2023, Costco medical plans will offer coverage for fertility treatments. This benefit will be available to both employees and their covered spouses. You’ll have access to your own fertility advocate, who can guide and support you every step of your treatment journey.

As an Aetna® medical plan member, you’ll also have access to the Aetna Maternity Program.* This benefit offers a wide array of resources, whether you’re planning for a family, already pregnant or working through infertility.

For coverage details, visit Costcobenefits.com.

Make adopting a child more affordable

Starting January 1, 2023, Costco will reimburse you for eligible adoption expenses you pay or incur in 2023, up to $5,000 per child you adopt. The plan covers up to two adoptions, for a maximum reimbursement of $10,000. Eligible expenses include adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees and other adoption costs.

To participate, you (or your spouse, if they’re a Costco employee) must have at least one year of continuous Costco employment and be eligible to enroll in a health plan under the Costco Employee Benefits Program. The child you’re adopting must be under 18 years of age.

To learn more, including plan details, how to submit a reimbursement request and what supporting documents are required, visit Costcobenefits.com after November 2022.

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Get additional parenting support

The last few years have been challenging for school-age children, not to mention the parents who support them. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Beyond getting sick, many young people’s social, emotional and mental well-being has been impacted by the pandemic. Trauma faced at this developmental stage can continue to affect them across their lifespan.”1

RethinkCare offers parents tools and resources they can use to help their child or teen manage challenges at home and school. Take advantage of virtual consultations with a behavior expert, as well as an online library with thousands of step-by-step videos and research-based resources on common social, learning and behavioral topics.

New this year, the program has been expanded to support all families with children or teens, not just those with behavioral or learning issues. The program includes a comprehensive library of over 2,400 step-by-step how-to videos that build socialization, language and other skills; a Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum; downloadable at-home learning materials; and a catalog of goal-based training on parental and family well-being. With the pandemic-related challenges all families are facing right now, RethinkCare is truly a lifeline for parents.

To get started, visit Costcobenefits.com or call 800-714-9285.

*Not available in Hawaii or Puerto Rico.

1CDC. COVID-19 Parental Resources Kit.

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Spend less on taxes

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LEARN MORE

NOVEMBER 2022

Spend less on taxes

Only available on the Mainland and in Hawaii.

Do you have children in day care? Are your out-of-pocket prescription drug costs increasing? Do your kids need braces? Does your elderly parent require a caregiver?

These expenses can add up. But with a reimbursement account, administered by PayFlex®, you can set aside pretax dollars and pay yourself back through a Health Care Reimbursement Account or a Dependent Care Assistance Plan.* Just be sure to make your 2023 elections during Annual Enrollment, November 1–22, 2022.

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Save on health care and dependent care costs

Your Costco benefits include two different reimbursement accounts, both administered by PayFlex:

Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)

The HCRA allows you to reimburse yourself for health care costs your medical plan doesn’t cover. For example:

  • Your medical plan deductible
  • Out-of-pocket costs for medications
  • Copays for doctors’ visits
  • WeightWatchers membership
  • Children’s braces
  • LASIK surgery

Here’s a complete list of eligible HCRA expenses.

To enroll or re-enroll in a HCRA, you must make your annual election during Annual Enrollment. You can contribute between $120 and $3,050 per year. The money you elect will be taken out of your paycheck and deposited into your reimbursement account before payroll taxes are calculated.

You can then use the amount you set aside to reimburse eligible health care expenses incurred by you, your spouse and your eligible dependents. To be eligible for reimbursement, expenses must be incurred during the year in which you elect to participate.

After submitting your expense receipts through PayFlex, you’re paid back from your reimbursement account. You can access the full amount of your annual HCRA election on January 1, 2023.

Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)

The DCAP lets you set aside pretax dollars to reimburse yourself for eligible child (under age 13) and elder care expenses necessary for you and your spouse to work. Here are just a few examples:

  • Licensed child care centers
  • Nursery and preschools
  • In-home care (au pair/nanny) and babysitting
  • Elder/senior care during the day

Here’s a complete list of eligible DCAP expenses.

To enroll, or re-enroll, in a DCAP, you can either make your annual election during Annual Enrollment or when you experience a change in your dependents’ expenses during the year. You can contribute up to $5,000 per year ($2,500 per year if you’re married and filing separately) to a DCAP for work-related dependent care expenses. To be eligible for reimbursement, expenses must be incurred between January 1 of the year you elect to participate and March 15 of the following year. For example, if you elect a DCAP account for 2023, you would have until March 15, 2024 to incur eligible expenses.

The money you elect is taken out of your paycheck and deposited into your reimbursement account before payroll taxes are calculated. Since your payroll taxes are then based on a lower gross amount, the amount of taxes deducted from your paycheck is lower, too.

After submitting your expense receipts through PayFlex, you’re paid back from your reimbursement account. With DCAP, however, you can only access the amount currently in your account at the time of your reimbursement request, not the entire annual amount you elected.

Got money in a PayFlex account? Use it or lose it!

If you have a 2022:

You can carry over into 2023:

money icon with "HCRA"

Health Care Reimbursement Account (HCRA)

A maximum of $570

money icon with "DCAP"

Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)

$0

You have until April 30, 2023, to submit reimbursement claims for eligible expenses incurred between January 1 and December 31, 2022.

To enroll or re-enroll in an HCRA or a DCAP for 2023, visit Costcobenefits.com during Annual Enrollment, November 1–22, 2022. See the resources below for more information.

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Have an attitude of gratitude

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LEARN MORE

NOVEMBER 2022

Have an attitude of gratitude

You can’t always change your circumstances, but you can decide where to focus your mind and heart. By choosing to make gratitude a daily practice, you can increase your happiness, enhance your emotional well-being and even improve your health. 

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What is gratitude?

Gratitude is being aware of and thankful for the good things you have. These good things are not necessarily material possessions. They can be relationships, events or anything positive in your life. 

Gratitude is a feeling that can come to you spontaneously, but it’s also a daily practice you can cultivate. During this busy time at work, it’s still important to take a few moments to focus on what’s meaningful to you. Choosing to count your blessings and taking the time to be grateful for the good things in your life can have far-reaching positive effects. 

The benefits of gratitude

A gratitude practice can lead to:

  • Increased happiness. Gratitude helps people feel happier and experience positive emotions. When you focus your mind on things that make you feel grateful, you’ll find that positivity follows.‌‌
  • ‌Reduced depression. Verbally expressing or silently reflecting on gratitude decreases depression. Practicing gratitude regularly has also been shown to protect against developing depression in the future. 
  • Strength when facing adversity. Gratitude is good for your emotional health. It can help give you emotional strength and resilience when you’re confronted with stress, loss, grief or trauma. Gratitude lowers cortisol, a stress hormone, in your body. Lowered cortisol levels help you avoid many physical and mental side effects of stress.
  • Improved physical health. People who are grateful tend to sleep better and have fewer aches and pains. Increased feelings of gratitude might even indirectly improve immune function and reduce inflammation. 
  • Community building. People who are focused on gratitude are inspired to give back and support their community in positive ways. This means cultivating gratitude will not only benefit you — it’ll also benefit those around you.

How to foster gratitude

Gratitude can be felt and expressed in several ways. Your feelings of gratitude can be for the past (thankfulness for memories and blessings), the present (appreciating what you have) or the future (an optimistic outlook). If you want to foster gratitude in your life, there are many simple ways you can try. 

  • Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness and gratitude are connected. Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally focusing your attention on something. Even just a few minutes of meditation focusing on thankfulness can increase your feelings of gratitude. 
  • Say thank you. The simple act of saying a sincere “thank you” to others will grow your gratitude. Both saying “thank you” out loud and taking the time to write a thank you note will help you increase gratitude in your life. If you can’t thank someone personally, even pausing to thank them in your mind can foster gratitude. 
  • Keep a journal. Gratitude journaling doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated to be effective. One study showed that people who made a simple daily list of things they were grateful for reported a significant increase in happiness and life satisfaction after just two weeks.‌
  • Start saying grace. Pausing to express your thanks before eating is a popular practice for cultivating gratitude. Grace is commonly said as a prayer of thanksgiving before a meal, but you don’t need to be religious to say grace. Just take a moment to thank the people you’re with and recognize the blessing of a nourishing meal.
  • Surround yourself with gratitude cues. Fostering gratitude might require some reminders. Surround yourself with pictures of people, pets or places that inspire your feelings of gratitude. Leave yourself sticky notes with reminders of what you’re thankful for and make it a habit to take a moment to give thanks whenever you see them.

A little gratitude leads to more gratitude 

When you try to focus your mind and thoughts on the things you’re grateful for, you’ll start to notice more things to be grateful for. Scientists have found that brain scans of people who foster gratitude show changes that make them more likely to continue their practice. This means that as you work to have more gratitude in your life, the positive feelings of thankfulness will begin to flow more easily and naturally. ‌

Fostering gratitude takes a little bit of time and intention, but your efforts will pay off. You’ll transform your mind and possibly even improve your physical and mental health by choosing to focus on gratitude. 

Source: WebMD. How to foster gratitude.

If you’d like to learn more about starting a gratitude practice or other tools for improving your emotional and physical health, the following resources can help.