Tag: Behavioral health

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date September 21, 2023

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NOVEMBER 2023

Audio: Feeling worried? Try grounding

Worrying can bring your day to a halt. When you’re focused on past experiences or anxiety about the future, it can be hard to concentrate and think clearly. And when that happens, you can miss what’s going on in the here and now.

Grounding can help anyone, at any age. This mindfulness technique works to redirect your thoughts back to the present with the help of your five senses. Grounding is simple, powerful and only takes a few minutes. And it’s as easy as counting down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Listen below to get started. Grounding is a great tool to have anytime, but especially as we enter the holiday hustle.

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Podcast — Mental Health Fitness: Grounding technique

Show transcript

Hey, folks. I’m Alex, a licensed social worker and trauma coach.

You know, after a period of acute, or prolonged stress – which many might consider traumatic – it’s normal, perfectly normal, to experience flashbacks of our traumas or the stressors we’ve endured. It’s common to experience depression as a result of our thoughts about the past, or even anxiety due to racing thoughts about the future.

And sometimes we can even get stuck in a loop of constant worry and fear, which prevent us from being present in the moment. We can sometimes get stuck in our past or spend too much time worrying about the future that we miss what’s going on around us in the present moments.

Today, I’m going to take you through a grounding technique. Grounding techniques are practices that we can do for ourselves which help control symptoms, like worry, and bring one’s focus back to present moments.

So the grounding technique I’m going to talk to you about today is simply known as the 5,4,3,2,1 technique – and it’s very simple: If you catch yourself thinking too much about the past or future, you can bring your focus back to the present by engaging your senses.

And specifically, you want to look for 5 things that you can see,

4 things that you can touch or feel,

3 things you can hear,

2 things you can smell,

And 1 thing that you can taste.

So, if I were doing this exercise, it might be because I’m noticing myself struggling to concentrate – maybe I’m starting to worry about several upcoming deadlines that I have. I might try this exercise to reset my focus a little and increase my awareness to the tasks that are present in front of me.

First, I’d identify 5 things that I could see – I might look around my office for small objects or details. Or I might notice the way the light is coming through my window. I also keep a diffuser on my desk, so I might focus on the vapor coming from the diffuser.

Once it feels like you’ve started to really engage with your sense of sight, you want to move on to things that you can touch or feel. And this can be noticing the sensation of the clothing on your body, if there is any sun coming through your window that may be touching your skin, if you can feel that warmth, the feeling of the chair you may be sitting in. Or if you’ve got objects on your desk or near to you, you could pick these things up and notice the weight of them, or the texture, or any other physical aspects.

Next, we engage our hearing – you want to pay attention to the sounds that your mind may have tuned out. It could just be white noise, or maybe the subtle ticking of a clock, or if you could hear the wind outside, or maybe a car passing by your home.

Second to last is our sense of smell, and here’s where I have some examples on things that you can actually double down on. For example, the diffuser I mentioned earlier. These are things that I can reflect on in multiple ways, and just as I might notice their appearance, I can also take a moment notice their aroma.

Lastly is our sense of taste, and this too can be duplicated, such as a warm cup of coffee – this is something that you can hold and feel the warmth of it, you can smell the aroma of it, but you can also sip and taste it. Some other good ideas are simply keeping some chewing gum on you, or mints or candy.

Now I know this was a very simple exercise – but it’s meant to be. And it’s also a powerful exercise. With practice, you may not even need to do the full list. You might just engage with one sense or another and find that that was enough to get your mind refocused. Or if you’re just starting out, you might need to do the exercise a couple of times. Or maybe do the exercise in a different location or while going for a walk.

It’s easy to sometimes get lost in our thoughts and struggle to focus on our present moments. But if or when you find yourself lost in your thoughts, just remember you can always ground yourself by engaging your senses to bring yourself back to the present. And it’s as easy as counting 5,4,3,2,1.

Source: Resources For Living^®. Mental health fitness: Grounding technique.

Check out the resources below to learn how your Costco benefits can help you care for your mental health.

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

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date August 16, 2023

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OCTOBER 2023

Dental health and mental health

Did you know that when you brush your teeth, you’re also supporting your mental health?

“People are often surprised that their mental health is connected with their oral health, and their oral health, in turn, with their mental health,” says Cleveland Clinic Psychologist Susan Albers. “But they’re really interconnected.”

A dental checkup can be an opportunity for a mental health tune-up. That makes seeing your dentist twice a year even more important. Make sure to get your visits in before the end of the year. Your Costco dental plans cover preventive care at 100% when you see an in-network provider.

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How dental health affects mental health (and vice versa)

In a 2015 American Dental Association study, 1 in 5 adults reported experiencing anxiety because of the condition of their mouth and teeth. This is especially significant for young adults, whose oral health concerns led 22% of them to reduce participation in social activities.

“When your oral health is suffering, it can decrease your quality of life,” explains Dr. Albers. “If you feel embarrassed about the health of your teeth, it can trigger social anxiety. You may withdraw. Or it may hurt your self-esteem. This can lead to an increase in some of your mental health symptoms.”

The opposite is also true — your mental health can affect your dental health. The health of your teeth can give clues to your stress level, your anxiety, your mood and the presence of chronic eating problems.

For example, worn enamel can be a big red flag that you’re experiencing high levels of anxiety or stress. Stress can also increase the level of cortisol in your body, weakening your immune system and making you more susceptible to canker sores, gingivitis and gum disease. In addition, if you’re struggling with depression, you may not have the motivation or energy for dental care.

Managing your dental and mental health

Because your mental health and dental health are interconnected, things you do for one also benefit the other. These small changes in your day-to-day life can have a lasting impact.

Eat a healthy diet

Eating a wide variety of nutritious foods, like veggies, fruit and lean proteins, boosts your mood and protects your teeth and gums.

Watch out for dry mouth

Certain antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications and mood stabilizers can reduce the saliva in your mouth and cause dry mouth. Since saliva washes away cavity-causing bacteria and germs, this could be a concern. If you think you might have dry mouth from your medication, talk with your dentist, doctor and therapist to make sure it’s not hurting your teeth.

Practice stress-reduction techniques

Deep breathing, meditation or using an app to help you relax are some of the techniques you can try to reduce stress and anxiety. If you notice you have worn enamel, or that you clench or grind your teeth at night, you may want to try wearing a mouth guard when you sleep. You can get a custom-fitted mouth guard from your dentist, or, for a shorter-term solution, you can look for an over-the-counter option.

See your dentist

Dentists aren’t just there to polish up your pearly whites. They can also detect when other things are going on in your life. Dr. Albers notes that dentists are often the first professionals to identify and diagnose a mental health issue. And that many referrals to counselors and therapists come from dentists.

“Dentists are very willing to help,” says Dr. Albers. “They’ve seen signs and symptoms of conditions before. And a dentist and therapist working together can help you work through your mental health issues and protect your oral and overall health.”

Sources:
Cleveland Clinic. The link between dental health and mental health: what you need to know.
American Dental Association. Oral health and well-being in the United States.

Use your Costco benefits to support your dental health and mental health. See the resources below to learn more.

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

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date July 31, 2023

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SEPTEMBER 2023

Video: Living with chronic pain

Do you live with chronic pain? Whether it’s from an old injury, a surgery or an undiagnosed condition, chronic pain can affect more than your physical well-being. It can prevent you from doing the things you love — from playing with your kids to taking a road trip. Chronic pain can be isolating and lead to anxiety and depression. It can make you feel helpless and like you have no control over your life.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with chronic pain, this video can provide you with information on how to better manage it — and enjoy your life again.

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Source: Resources For Living^®. Living with chronic pain.

Tags Behavioral health, emotional-well-being, Health care

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date July 6, 2023

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AUGUST 2023

Teach your child self-compassion by learning it yourself

Remember the first time your child said “mama” or “papa?” It was a thrilling moment for you. You helped by patiently repeating the word and pointing to yourself. Your child did their part by watching, listening intently and trying to mimic you.

In the first years of life, our children learn everything from language to how to catch a ball by watching and listening to us. As the years go by, they also learn from teachers, other kids, books, TV and social media. But when it comes to self-compassion, your child is taking almost all of their cues from you. Here’s how to help them take away the right lessons.

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What is self-compassion?

Whether it’s on the playground, at school, on the job or in our relationships, when we experience a setback, it’s common to respond in one of two ways. Either we become defensive and blame others, or we blame ourselves. Neither response is especially helpful.

Blaming others may lessen the sting of failure, but it comes at the expense of learning. Blaming ourselves, on the other hand, may feel deserved in the moment, but it can lead to an inaccurately gloomy view of our potential, which can undermine personal development.

What if instead we treated ourselves as we would a friend in a similar situation? More likely than not, we’d be kind, understanding and encouraging. Directing that type of response internally, toward ourselves, is known as self-compassion, and it’s been the focus of a good deal of research in recent years. Psychologists are discovering that self-compassion is useful in our personal growth and well-being.

Tips for teaching self-compassion

Children are masters of observation. They’ll pick up on — and repeat — both your words and your behavior. To that end, if you want your child to develop self-compassion, start modeling self-compassion, rather than self-criticism. Here’s how:

Acknowledge your feelings

It’s okay to not be okay! If you explain the context to your child — in an age-appropriate way — you show them how to discuss their feelings in a healthy way. Start by acknowledging they are experiencing an emotion. This simple act of acknowledgment, which may be as effortless as saying, “I can see that this upset you” can go a long way.

Give thanks

Positivity is a skill, and one way to build it up is through gratitude. Noting what you’re grateful for — even that first cup of coffee in the morning — nudges your brain to look for good things in other parts of your day. Sharing these observations aloud can teach your child to do the same.

Practice self-care

Self-care shouldn’t be a reward you can only earn once you finish all your to-dos. If you try to bring it to the top of the list, your child will learn to care for themselves, too. Ask yourself: What makes you feel like the best version of yourself? Perhaps it’s taking a few minutes for yourself each day to read a book or spend time outdoors. Do your best to prioritize those things.

Forgive yourself

Self-compassion is key to self-acceptance, so show your child how it’s done! Focus on progress over perfection. When things go awry — as they always do — point out how you’re doing the best you can and moving forward, instead of dwelling on what didn’t go according to plan.

Learn something new

When you take time to try out new experiences and learn new skills, you’re teaching your child the value of curiosity and a love of learning — not to mention how to be resilient. (You won’t succeed at everything, and that’s okay!) Make a list of new things you’d like to try, then have at it.

Build emotional awareness

Emotions are often held in the body. That’s why you get butterflies when you’re excited or sweaty palms before a meeting. Becoming aware of when and how your emotions show up can help you better understand them. Share these insights with your child, and you can work on identifying emotions together.

Troubleshoot

No one expects you to be positive all the time. (And thank goodness, because that sounds exhausting.) If you’re having a bad day, use it as a teaching moment to share your feelings with your child. Your child can learn by watching you get through it.

And as helpful as techniques like deep breathing and meditation can be, sometimes you need to address the stressor itself. Once you pinpoint the source of your chronic stress, think about what’s within your control to change. A trusted friend or therapist can help.

Remember this takeaway

Changing your mindset may be a challenge. (It’s so much easier to be hard on yourself!) But when you try to be self-compassionate, your child is more likely to be kind to themselves, as well.

Source: The Greater Good Science Center. Three simple ways for kids to grow their self compassion.

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

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date July 6, 2023

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AUGUST 2023

Get expert parenting support

Raising a child is a rewarding, exhausting, joyous and, often, challenging experience. And in recent years, the challenges have become particularly difficult. From pandemic-related educational setbacks and social isolation, to bullying on social media, kids today are dealing with stressors their parents could have never imagined. In today’s world, social media can be fun for learning and games but, it’s always “on”. Not only does it open up risk for inappropriate content being shared, it opens your kids up for sharing information with strangers.

Whether your child is anxious about returning to school, struggling with a learning disability or dealing with a serious mental health condition, there’s good news. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. As a Costco employee, you can access expert care, resources and information — much of it at no cost to you — through your Costco benefits.

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parent and child supported in art activity

Even when life is going smoothly, make sure you’re familiar with the benefits Costco provides for your family’s emotional well-being. Know where to turn when challenges arise and access a wide array of webinars, videos and articles designed to help you better manage the many challenges of parenting.

Check out these resources for parents and kids

Resources For Living^® (RFL^®)*, your enhanced Employee Assistance Program (EAP), is the place to start when you or your child needs mental health support or help with everyday challenges. RFL offers you and the members of your household free, 24/7 access to mental health resources, for you, the members of your household and your dependent children up to age 26 living away from home.

Through RFL, you can also access Talkspace, confidential, on-demand chat therapy with a licensed therapist. Counseling sessions can be by phone, video or on-demand chat. You decide what works best for you. After your sixth no-cost session, you can keep using Talkspace under your medical plan, with a copay.

RFL also gives you access to:

Interactive self-care programs
A library of informative articles, podcasts and webinars
Help finding in-network providers who are accepting new patients
Referrals to community resources
Many work-life support services, such as help finding child care or legal services

Telemynd offers virtual access to therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists specializing in hundreds of conditions. They can evaluate, diagnose and provide therapy or psychiatric treatment for kids, teens and adults. Telemynd offers:

• Talk therapy
• Couples counseling
• Family therapy
• Psychiatry and medication management

Telemynd.com/costco | 877-403-9348 | Age 5+ | Copays apply

RethinkCare gives you access to virtual consultations with parenting experts. It also includes online training courses to help you learn how to help your child set healthy boundaries, be optimistic, practice self-compassion and self-advocacy, set goals and solve problems, become more resilient, and more.

For more support raising happy, healthy kids:

Tune in to RethinkCare’s Behaviorally Speaking podcast for tips from parenting experts on topics like Emotional Intelligence, Resiliency and Growth Mindset, and Stress Management for kids and teens.
Help set your child up for success in the new year school by checking out this webinar about Helping Kids Strengthen their Social Skills, available on-demand to fit your busy schedule.
New! Your RethinkCare benefit now offers courses that focus on boosting your child’s executive functioning skills, including attention, focus, organization, time management and impulse control. These skills are critical to helping children grow up to be successful in school, work and relationships, improve their ability to solve problems, get along with others, make safe and healthy decisions, and more.

This year, as your child returns to the classroom, remember that if challenges arise, your Costco benefits are there to support you. All you have to do is use them.

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

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date July 6, 2023

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AUGUST 2023

Self-care tips for moms

Parenting is hard work. And life can be even more hectic if you balance a career outside the home. With so much time devoted to your family and career, finding time for self-care is probably the first thing left out of a busy schedule. But the fact is, self-care is essential because of the important role you play in your family. Like all caregivers, you need to focus on your own well-being to stay resilient, engaged and refreshed. And it’s not just for yourself, it’s for the benefit of your family. If you’re tired, stressed-out and crabby, you simply can’t be as loving and effective a parent as you can when you take time for self-care.

So, what is self-care? It’s the practice of caring for your own health, well-being and happiness. Making time for yourself may feel indulgent, but that’s far from the truth. Even small acts of self-care or self-kindness can go a long way in decreasing feelings of exhaustion, burnout, stress and even depression that busy mothers often feel.

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Make self-care a part of your routine

Start by following these four simple tips:

Delegate and ask for help.

It’s hard to admit you may need help or can’t accomplish everything on your own. Some say it takes a village to care for a family, and they’re not wrong. Find your village and ask for help. Accept help when offered. And understand that things won’t be done exactly the way you do them — and that’s OK. Is perfection more important than your well-being? Of course not! Take the extra time to focus on yourself. You deserve it. And don’t be afraid to say no to commitments that don’t interest you or that you don’t have time for.

Stay organized.

Hang a planner, calendar or list of upcoming appointments and tasks in the kitchen and encourage everyone in the family to use it. Remind them that when responsibilities are shared, everyone’s load is lighter. By doing this, you can avoid stress from the unexpected, such as the school project your child needs help to complete the night before it’s due. Prioritize tasks to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Start by completing the most time-consuming or least interesting tasks to get them out of the way first.

Focus on basic, healthy lifestyle habits. 

Although, it may not always be possible, aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Try for some daily physical activity each day, aiming for 30-minutes a day. Eat a healthy diet of lean meats, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Avoid sugary drinks, alcohol and high-fat foods. Drink six to eight cups of water daily.

Add “me time” to your schedule.

For example, schedule a fitness class, lunch with a friend or coffee with a good book. Once the date is scheduled, try your best to keep it just as you would any other appointment.

The most important components of self-care are to be realistic and purposeful. If your schedule is hectic and chaotic, it may not be realistic to expect hours a week to focus on self-care activities. So start small with attainable expectations. For example, take 10 minutes a day to focus on you. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet moment reading a book, or having a relaxing cup of tea, it may be all you need to reset and return to your schedule.

A mom’s health and well-being affect the entire family. By incorporating self-care into your regular routine, you’ll become an even more amazing caregiver. You’ve got this, mom!

Source: Mayo Clinic Health System. Self-care tips for moms.

Tags Behavioral health, Parenting, physical-well-being, Relationships

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date March 30, 2023

worried person looking over his shoulder at gray cloud and lightning bolt

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MAY 2023

The emotional side of disaster

Hurricanes, earthquakes, train derailments, mass shootings, wildfires, you name it. Disasters lead the nightly news and leave a wake of destruction. But sometimes the emotional stress they cause lasts far longer and can result in greater harm than the more immediate financial and physical damages do.

If you’ve experienced a disaster and still feel the emotional impact, there are actions you can take to feel better. Understanding your responses to upsetting events can help you cope with your feelings, thoughts and behaviors, and help you on the path to recovery.

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After a disaster, your emotional well-being needs care

Remember that:

It’s normal to feel anxious about your own safety and that of your family and close friends.
Profound sadness, grief and anger are normal reactions to an abnormal event.
Acknowledging your feelings helps you recover.
Focusing on your strengths and abilities helps you heal.
Accepting help from community programs and resources is healthy.
Everyone has different needs and ways of coping. It’s common to want to strike back at people who have caused great pain.

Find ways to ease disaster-related stress

Here are some actions you can take:

Reach out to Resources For Living^® (RFL^®)* for in-the-moment and ongoing emotional support for personal issues, 24/7. Remember you have six free counseling sessions that can help you deal with post-disaster stress and other mental health concerns you may experience after a traumatic event in your community.
Talk with someone you trust about your feelings of anger, sorrow and other emotions — even though it may be difficult.
Don’t hold yourself responsible for the disastrous event or be frustrated if you feel you can’t help directly in the rescue work.
Take steps to promote your own physical and emotional healing by eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep, exercising, relaxing and meditating.
Try to maintain a normal family and daily routine, and limit demanding responsibilities for yourself and your family.
If there are memorials, participate in them.
Turn to your support groups of family, friends and religious institutions.
Ensure that you’re ready for future emergencies by restocking your disaster supplies kits and updating your family disaster plan. Taking these positive actions can be comforting.

Your top concern after a disaster should be your own health and that of your family. To feel in control of your life and situation, limit your media exposure and keep your routines consistent. Also seek professional help for yourself and/or loved ones who are suffering emotionally and physically.

Disasters don’t happen often, but they do happen. Fortunately, there are people and organizations you can turn to for help.

Source: Resources For Living. Coping with disaster.

Tags Behavioral health, emotional-well-being, Relationships, Safety, Suicide awareness

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date March 30, 2023

TAKE ACTION

MAY 2023

5 ways to reduce mental health stigma

Taking control of your mental health is no easy task. The stigma surrounding mental health can be so deeply ingrained in us that we may believe we aren’t allowed to be depressed, anxious or sad. But these feelings are part of the human experience, and we must make room for them.

Being connected to our emotions has the power to positively impact every aspect of our lives. Getting honest with ourselves about the state of our mental health can improve our relationships, and it can help us lead healthier and more fulfilling lives.

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How can you help reduce the stigma around mental health?

Talk openly about mental health.

Share your stories about your own mental health challenges. This helps to fight the stigma and normalizes those experiences.

Watch your words.

Be careful how you talk about mental health issues. Don’t use negative words like “crazy” or “insane” in casual conversation.

Understand that mental health is just as important as physical health.

Recognize that using medication or therapy to manage anxiety or depression is the same as using medication or doctor visits to treat a physical health condition.

Reach out for support.

Don’t be shy about getting mental health support when you need it. Work with a therapist or coach. Use a mental health app to journal or track your moods. Schedule your favorite self-care activity.

Seek out accurate mental health information.

Find dependable resources to debunk mental health myths. Follow organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) or Mental Health America.

“My AbleTo* therapist really listened to me and helped me figure out how to move forward. She helped me look at things differently and ask different questions than I had been. And when I was able to see things differently, I was able to react to my problems more constructively, really get myself unstuck and lower my anxiety greatly.”

— Costco employee

*AbleTo is not available in Puerto Rico.

Source: AbleTo. 5 ways to reduce mental health stigma.

Tags Behavioral health, emotional-well-being, Relationships, Safety, Suicide awareness

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date March 30, 2023

A person sitting in a chair speaking with their therapist, thought bubble of money appears

LEARN THE BASICS

MAY 2023

How to find affordable therapy

When searching for a counselor or therapist, it’s easy to become discouraged by the choices, costs and lack of availability. Out-of-pocket therapy typically costs anywhere from $100 to $200, with higher costs in more expensive urban areas.

You may be tempted to end the hunt and find other ways to cope with life’s challenges. And while lifestyle changes, such as getting enough sleep and regular exercise, can be enormously beneficial for your mental health, meeting regularly with a mental health professional can be an invaluable resource.

But don’t give up on connecting with a counselor before taking a closer look at what’s available — some of it for free — through your Costco benefits.

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Make Resources For Living your first stop

Costco is committed to the well-being of employees and their dependents. Resources For Living^® (RFL^®) is just one example of that commitment. RFL, Costco’s employee assistance program (EAP), gives you access to a wide range of mental health support services as well as assistance in finding the resources that best meet your needs. And it’s free to you, your household members and your dependent children up to age 26, whether or not you’re covered by a Costco medical plan.

Find support every step of the way

The front door to RFL services and support is your RFL Care Partner. They are your single point of contact throughout your mental health journey. Not only can they help you understand your benefits, they can also guide you through your options, help create a plan and connect you to care that meets your preferences.

For example, if you’d prefer a therapist who bills on a sliding scale (based on your ability to pay), offers evening hours and is your same gender and ethnicity, your Care Partner will do the leg work for you and find an in-network provider who is accepting new patients and checks all those boxes.

They will also refer you to resources in your community and connect you with the many work-life support services that are available through Resources for Living.

Care Partners are available 24/7:

Connect with a Care Partner by calling 833-721-2320 (TTY: 711)
Visit RFL to access Live Chat

Take advantage of six free counseling sessions

Through Costco, you and every member of your household have access to six free counseling sessions, with in-person, televideo and chat options. You decide what works best for you. Counselors can help you with such issues as:

Relationship support
Stress management
Work/life balance
Family issues
Grief and loss
Depression
Anxiety
Substance misuse
Self-esteem and personal development

All RFL counselors are qualified mental health professionals. But, if for any reason you’d prefer to talk to a different counselor, just contact RFL and they’ll help you get scheduled with someone else.

Explore other RFL mental health resources

RFL also provides the following mental health resources.

Talkspace offers virtual therapy for teens 13+ and adults. Send text messages to your therapist via web browser or the Talkspace mobile app. Your therapist will typically respond once per day, five days per week. You also have the option to meet with your therapist online for 30-minute televideo sessions. Each meeting counts as one of your free sessions. If you are enrolled in an Aetna Medical plan, you can continue to access Talkspace services after you’ve completed your free sessions, with a $15 copay.
Digital self-paced support: Access to evidence-based support tools to help manage depression, anxiety, work/life balance, stress, substance misuse and more.

Get mental health support through your Costco medical plan

If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan, mental health benefits are covered through your plan, including counseling and substance-misuse treatment. If you want to continue counseling after your six free sessions, you can continue with your therapist under your Costco medical plan, with deductible and co-pays. Your Care Partner can also help you find another in-network therapist, if that’s your preference.

Before you pay out of pocket for therapy, turn to your Costco medical plan for local therapists who are in your network. You can find a counselor, therapist or psychiatrist, just as you would any medical provider, by going to Costcobenefits.com and clicking Find a Provider under What if I. You can even narrow your search by specialty, such as anxiety disorders, child specialist, marriage/family focus and many more. You’ll pay the same copay for a therapist that you would for a medical doctor.

Money got you stressed?

Americans say money is their number one stressor. To learn how to deal with money stress and improve your financial management skills, visit SmartDollar and create your free account. Key word: costco.

Source: Resources For Living

Tags Behavioral health, financial-well-being, Relationships, Safety, Suicide awareness

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Post author By Walter Franks
Post date January 30, 2023

person holding trophy, happy and proud of their achievement

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MARCH 2023

Podcast: Recognizing your successes

Did you set SMART goals back in January? Whether you’re striving to spend more time with your family, increase contributions to your retirement account, reach a healthier weight or finally read a new book, take a moment to pat yourself on the back. Your ultimate goal may be months in the future, but, according to this short audio podcast, if you’ve made any progress, it’s important to step back and acknowledge what you’ve already achieved.

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Podcast — Recognizing your successes

Show transcript

Mindful moment: Celebrate!

Congratulations! You’ve done it! Way to go!

We live in a very task-driven world where we often just move to the next item on our list rather than taking time to recognize and celebrate our successes and our journey. But did you know that celebrating in a healthy way is good for us? Think about this:

Celebrating gives us an opportunity to reflect. I was recently reminded of a winter hike I took on a high, snow-covered mountain. After climbing for a while, I paused to rest. I turned around and could see my footprints in the new snow trailing down the mountain and into the foothills below. I could see the distance and the elevation I had climbed. And that gave me an appreciation for what I had accomplished.

In a similar way, when we take time to reflect, we can look back on our journey and see how far we’ve come. We can see our personal progression, and we can see the people that have helped us get to where we are. We get a vision of our success.

Celebrating helps us be grateful. Andrew Merle wrote, “One of the main reasons celebrating is so important is because it reflects an overall attitude of gratitude and enjoying what we have, instead of focusing on what we don’t have or only on what we want in the future.”

According to research conducted by Dr. Robert A. Emmons and Dr. Michael McCullough, people who cultivate a daily attitude of celebration and gratitude have more energy and have less stress and anxiety They are more likely to help others, exercise more frequently, sleep better, have improved physical health and make greater progress toward achieving personal goals.

Celebrating helps us recognize people around us that contribute to our success. It strengthens the connections we have with others, and, as Jody Clark noted, “People like feeling genuinely appreciated. When you celebrate success with others, you are nurturing the kind of meaningful relationships that allow those same people to want to help you in the future.”

Healthy celebrations help us acknowledge our successes and enjoy our journey. They put us on a path of being our best selves. So, the next time you complete a task or reach a milestone, break out the party favors, invite a couple of friends over and celebrate!

Source: Resources For Living. Recognizing your successes.

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