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JANUARY 2023

Put your well-being on the calendar

In January, the new year is still a blank canvas. If you’ve taken the 2023 pledge, you’re probably already thinking about your goals for your emotional, financial and physical well-being. You may also be thinking about all the ways you plan to grow this year.

Want to make the best possible start? Take the pledge (if you haven’t already) and encourage your spouse or domestic partner to join you. Then take out your calendar and start scheduling appointments that are essential for your well-being.

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Schedule these appointments in 2023

Here are just a few of the well-being appointments you should schedule for and put on your calendar. Check the resources below to learn more, including how to find a primary care doctor.

Annual physical

COST: $0*

During this exam, the doctor will check your vitals, like your blood pressure, heart rate and temperature, and will talk to you about your family’s medical history. Depending on your health background and history, your doctor might also do some blood work or further testing. Even if you’re young and in excellent health, it’s important for your doctor to get to know you, establish a baseline and be alert to changes in your health that may occur in the future.

Two dental exams and cleanings

COST: $0*

It’s important to get a dental exam and have your teeth cleaned every six months. Not only will your dentist monitor your dental hygiene, but they’ll also check for gum disease. And they’ll periodically take X-rays to check for tooth decay, impacted teeth or tooth movement. Remember, the earlier oral health problems are treated, the less costly and aggressive the treatment will be.

Dermatology exam

COST: VARIES

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Be sure to conduct monthly skin cancer self-exams. Plus, annual skin exams by a board-certified dermatologist may be recommended if you have a:

  • History of skin cancer in your family
  • History of blistering sunburns or tanning bed use
  • Large number of moles or a history of atypical moles
  • History of regular sun exposure

Vision exam

COST: COVERED UP TO $80*

The American Optometric Association recommends getting an exam at least every two years to have your eyes checked for things like cataracts and glaucoma. After age 40, you’ll want to get an eye exam every year.

Gynecology exam

COST: VARIES

If you’re female and over age 21, or are sexually active (whichever comes first), you need to start seeing a gynecologist. During this exam, your doctor will check your breasts, conduct a pelvic exam and possibly do a Pap smear (this is typically done every three to five years, depending on your age), where they’ll check your cervix to test for any cancerous cells or abnormalities. 

Mammogram

COST: $0*

A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray of the breast. Regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer at an early stage. They can often find breast changes that could be cancer years before physical symptoms develop.

  • Women under the age of 40 with family history of breast cancer, or who have discovered a lump.
  • Women between ages 40 and 44 have the option to start screening with a mammogram every year.
  • Women ages 45 to 54 should get a mammogram every year.
  • Women ages 55 and older can switch to a mammogram every other year, or they can choose to continue yearly mammograms. Screenings should continue as long as a woman is in good health.

Vaccinations

COST: $o*

Make sure to get your flu shot and any other vaccinations your in-network primary care provider (PCP) recommends. You’ll find a complete list of vaccinations the CDC currently recommends by age group here.

Financial checkup

COST: VARIES

A financial checkup looks at the current state of your finances and helps you determine any changes you need to make to meet your goals. It may include the following.

  • Reviewing your life changes. They can affect your taxes and financial goals.
  • Creating a budget to be intentional about spending, saving and investing.
  • Assessing, reducing and managing your debt.
  • Checking your credit score since it affects loan rates and terms you receive.
  • Revisiting your retirement plan to make sure it aligns with your goals.
  • Evaluating your estate plan so your loved ones are protected.

Get a free 30-minute financial consultation through Resources For Living® (RFL®)**.

*If you’re enrolled in a Costco medical plan.

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

Sources: InStyle. The 6 doctors’ appointments you need to make this year.
American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society recommendations for the early detection of breast cancer.
Investopedia. How to conduct a financial checkup.

For more information on how your Costco benefits can support your efforts to enhance your emotional, financial and physical well-being, see the resources below.

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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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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.

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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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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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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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SEPTEMBER 2022

What does alcohol do to your body?

Is that nightly glass of chardonnay a problem? How about the occasional day of heavy drinking with your best buddies? Is it safe to drink more than three cocktails if your designated driver gets you home? The answers may surprise you. The fact is, drinking too much — whether on a single occasion or over time — can take a serious toll on your health. 

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Here’s how alcohol can affect your body:

Brain

Alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works. These disruptions can change mood and behavior and make it harder to think clearly and move with coordination. 

Heart

Drinking a lot over a long time or too much on a single occasion can damage the heart, causing problems such as:

  • Cardiomyopathy — stretching and drooping of heart muscle
  • Arrhythmias — irregular heartbeat
  • Stroke
  • High blood pressure  

Liver

Heavy drinking takes a toll on the liver and can lead to a variety of problems and liver inflammations, including:

  • Steatosis, or fatty liver
  • Alcoholic hepatitis
  • Fibrosis
  • Cirrhosis

Pancreas

Alcohol causes the pancreas to produce toxic substances that can eventually lead to pancreatitis. This is a dangerous inflammation and swelling of the blood vessels in the pancreas that prevents proper digestion. 

Cancer

Drinking alcohol has been linked with several types of cancer. That’s why the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention states that it may be best not to drink alcohol. A study by ACS researchers supports this recommendation.

The study, published in Cancer Epidemiology, found that alcohol accounts for a “considerable proportion” of cancer diagnoses and deaths in all US states. From 2013 to 2016, drinking alcohol was tied to more than 75,000 new diagnoses of cancer and almost 19,000 deaths from cancer each year.1

Clear patterns have emerged between alcohol consumption and increased risks of certain types of cancer:

  • Head and neck cancer, including oral cavity, pharynx and larynx cancers.
  • Esophageal cancer, particularly esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. In addition, people who inherit a deficiency in an enzyme that metabolizes alcohol have been found to have substantially increased risks of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma if they consume alcohol.
  • Liver cancer.
  • Breast cancer: Studies have consistently found an increased risk of breast cancer in women with increased alcohol intake. Women who consume about one drink per day have a 5% to 9% higher chance of developing breast cancer than women who do not drink at all.
  • Colorectal cancer.

Immune system:

Drinking too much can also weaken your immune system, making your body a much easier target for disease. Chronic drinkers are more liable to contract diseases like pneumonia and tuberculosis than people who do not drink too much. Drinking a lot on a single occasion slows your body’s ability to ward off infections — even up to 24 hours after getting drunk.

1Cancer Epidiomiology. Proportion of cancer cases and deaths attributable to alcohol consumption in the U.S. state, 2013–2016.

In the end, it’s important to be informed, and to weigh the risks of drinking alcohol against the benefits.

Source: NIH NIAA. Alcohol’s effects on the body.

For more information on alcohol misuse and support services that can help you or someone in your household develop a healthier relationship with alcohol, see the resources below.

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TAKE ACTION

AUGUST 2022

Stay flexible with everyday stretching

Stretching is an important part of good health, no matter what your age or activity level. As you get older, your joints become less flexible. And this can put a crimp in daily activities, making it harder to walk, raise your arms overhead or even turn your head while backing up the car. It can also affect your balance, which can cause life-altering falls.

As with all types of exercise, you need to engage in stretching regularly to reap lasting benefits. If you only stretch occasionally, the effects are short lived. One study found that the greatest increase in hamstring length occurred right after the stretch and began to diminish within 15 seconds, though there was a noticeable effect for up to 24 hours.

A daily regimen will deliver the greatest gains. But typically, you can expect lasting improvement in flexibility if you stretch at least two or three times a week.

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Try these simple stretches

Check out these videos of stretches you can add to your exercise or stretching routine. Some options will be easier for you, so you can increase or decrease the challenge. To increase it, try substituting a harder option. To make the stretch easier, add a pillow or rolled towel or use a stretch strap. The stretches include:

  • Floor hip flexor
  • Floor hamstring with strap
  • Full body stretch
  • Double knee torso rotation
  • Cat, cow
  • Child’s pose
  • Downward dog
  • Standing calf

Source: Harvard Health Publishing. Everyday stretching.

To learn more about how to maintain your physical well-being through daily stretching and exercise, see the resources below.

 

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AUGUST 2022

Do your physical therapy at home

If you’re experiencing joint and muscle pain, virtual physical therapy (PT) may be a welcome and comfortable alternative to a traditional office visit. No struggling to get in and out of the car. No commute. No waiting rooms. You do your PT in the comfort of your own home.

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Omada for Joint & Muscle Health offers a pain and injury prevention program, as well as a recovery program. Both are virtual physical therapy programs which are described in this short video.

Start with a video consultation

You’ll start with a face-to-face video chat with a licensed physical therapist, who will work with you from diagnosis through treatment. They’ll carefully assess your condition by guiding you through a series of movements and performing a full musculoskeletal evaluation.* Next, they’ll recommend your best care option – whether you choose Omada’s virtual physical therapy or prefer to see a local, in-person physical therapist.

Move on to your recovery

The Omada recovery program is an enhanced version of what you might experience with in-person physical therapy. It combines symptom relief, therapeutic exercise, patient education and an always-available dedicated physical therapist. They’ll partner with you to provide:

  • A personalized recovery plan designed to treat the source of your pain, not just the symptoms
  • App-guided exercises with 3D animations and voice narration to ensure proper pacing and form
  • Guidance every step of the way with support, adjustments, education and more

Plus, Omada will mail you an exercise kit complete with elastic bands, door anchor and a phone stand.

Avoid future injury

Starting in a new department, a new activity or just looking for a tune-up? It’s easy for your body to get out of balance. That’s why Omada also offers an injury prevention program that’s an option for those who don’t even have current joint or muscle pain. The program can be tailored to your needs, helping you focus on your flexibility and strength so you can guard against future pain and injury.

*This evaluation will not satisfy the requirement for spine surgery pre-authorization. This type of surgery generally requires the following: In-person physical therapy for at least 6 weeks within the last 12 months. Your plan offers access to an expert second opinion by 2nd.MD. If you would like to call them the contact number is 833-579-2509. 

Source: Omada for Joint & Muscle Health

To learn more about the Omada Joint & Muscle Health program, see the resource information included below.

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JULY 2022

Healthy weight, healthy wallet

It’s well known that obesity has been linked to health conditions like arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. But a recent study, based on the results of two federal health surveys, has taken a much closer look at that connection — with some surprising results.

Overall, health care costs for obese adults were nearly $1,900 higher each year than those of their healthy-weight peers. And once adults were in the “obese” category, even incremental increases in weight resulted in higher health care expenses.

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Even small changes count

“It’s not just categorical shifts in BMI that increase health care costs — it’s small shifts, too,” said Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at the University of Connecticut.

“On the other hand,” she added, “that suggests even small improvements in BMI could make a difference.” Schwartz was not involved in the study.

BMI, or body mass index, is a measure of a person’s weight in relation to their height. It’s often described in terms of categories: A BMI of 30 to 34.9 is the “obesity class I” category, 35 to 39.9 is “class II,” and a BMI of 40 or higher is “class III” or “severe” obesity.

Higher BMI, higher expenses

In the study, once people reached a BMI of 30, even a one-unit increase caused annual health care expenses to creep up — by an extra $253 per person. Not surprisingly, severe obesity carried the heftiest price tag — costing an additional $3,100 per person compared to what Americans with a normal BMI would pay annually. Still, study leader Zachary Ward agreed that the findings can be seen in a positive light.

“If people can maintain their current weight as they age, that might avert some of these extra health care costs,” said Ward, a research scientist at the Harvard School of Public Health.

The study comes at a time of soaring obesity rates among Americans. As of 2018, more than 42% of U.S. adults were obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That was up from 30% about 20 years ago.

Never too late to improve your health

Ward said childhood is an ideal time for prevention. But it’s also never too late for adults to make diet changes or start exercising. It is an uphill battle, Schwartz noted, and as people age, they are fighting the natural slowdown in metabolism.

But as the latest findings suggest, even preventing further weight gain — particularly the slide into severe obesity — can be considered a win.

“Every step in the right direction counts,” Schwartz said.

Source: WebMD. Obesity costs the average U.S. adult almost $1,900 per year: study.

Are you thinking about making small but long-term dietary changes that can have a significant impact on your health? These resources can help.

 

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TAKE ACTION

JUNE 2022

7 habits to protect your mental health

Sometimes it seems like life gets more stressful every day. Whether you’re dealing with the typical pressures of balancing work and family, or coping with more serious challenges, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So how do you become more resilient? The answer is surprisingly simple: It takes practice.

Finding ways to stay relaxed can help keep stress from taking over your life. And making lifestyle changes can help relieve or even prevent symptoms of depression and anxiety. Here are seven practices to help you stay physically and mentally healthy.

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1. Get enough sleep.

Sleep problems are a risk factor for mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. Managing sleep problems early can help lessen the symptoms of mental health conditions and help protect your mental health. If you’re dealing with sleep issues, see the resources below for information on an interactive program that can help.

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2. Treat yourself with compassion.

Being overly self-critical can be a risk factor for anxiety and depression. This can include feeling like you have to be perfect to be accepted, having difficulty accepting your own flaws or having an unrealistic sense of what other people expect of you. The answer isn’t to let it all go or say goodbye to having standards; it’s having compassion for yourself. How we treat ourselves through the ups and downs of life can have a tremendous impact on physical and mental health. The next time you’re being self-critical, stop, identify it, and replace the self-critical thought with a more encouraging and positive one.

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3. Stay connected.

In a recent Harvard study, researchers attempted to understand how we can protect ourselves from depression. After analyzing over 100 factors, they found that social connection was by far the most important. And it can be as simple as talking with a trusted friend about how you’re really doing.

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4. Exercise regularly.

An inactive lifestyle is a risk factor for depression. But one study has shown that even 15 minutes of vigorous exercise each day can greatly improve your mood. And another study found that 12 weeks of vigorous exercise for 30 minutes, three to five times per week, reduced depression symptoms by 47%.

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5. Eat a healthy diet.

A lot has been written about the link between food and mood. We have so many neurons and neurotransmitters in our gut that it’s been dubbed “the second brain.” Traditional diets (like the Mediterranean diet) that are high in vegetables, whole grains and good-for-your-brain fats are associated with a 25–35% reduced risk of depression compared to a diet that’s higher in sugar, processed foods and dairy.

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6. Find meaning and purpose.

If you struggle with mood and negative emotions, it’s particularly important to find sources of meaning in everyday life. Whether you find it through work, acts of kindness, giving back or in some other way, make time for it in your life — and reap the mental health benefits.

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7. Practice mindfulness.

Through mindfulness, you can change how you relate to upsetting thoughts and feelings. Many people find that with continued practice, they can view them with a little more perspective. Mindfulness is not a cure-all, but it can be a helpful tool for shifting how you experience challenges. Try taking a 10-minute mindfulness break the next time you feel stressed.

Source: Psychology Today. 7 simple habits to protect your mental health.

Costco offers the following safe, secure and personalized resources to help you manage stress and improve your emotional well-being.