Tag: z-no-icon

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6 min listen

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date September 2, 2025

Tags z-no-icon

Articles

2 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 28, 2025

2 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

5 ways to stress less

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

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

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

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

Articles

3 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 25, 2025

3 MIN WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2025

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?

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

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Show transcript

[♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

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

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

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

Between the two, the chest pain feels very different.

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

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

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

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

Calling 911 and getting immediate treatment is critical.

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

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

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

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

Call 911.

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

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

 [♪ ♪ Upbeat Music]

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

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

Articles

2 min watch

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 25, 2025

2 MIN WATCH

SEPTEMBER 2025

Video: Suicidal doesn’t always look suicidal

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

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Show transcript

Real talk from real people who contemplated suicide

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

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

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

There’s always hope — and help

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

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

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

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

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

Articles

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 20, 2025

1 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

Protect yourself with free flushots and virtual physical therapy

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

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Stop by your Costco pharmacy for a free flu shot

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

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

Make sure you’re moving safely as well

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

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

Recipes

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date August 20, 2025

1 MIN READ

SEPTEMBER 2025

Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies

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

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Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 min | Total Time: 30 min

Serves: 24

Ingredients:

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

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

3 tbsp. canola oil

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3/4 cup powdered peanut butter

1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Step 1

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

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Serving size: 1 cookie

Nutrition

Source: WeightWatchers

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

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

link

7 min listen

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date July 28, 2025

Tags z-no-icon

Articles

3 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date July 28, 2025

3 MIN READ

AUGUST 2025

Do’s and don’ts of making friends

Friends are a big part of feeling happy and supported in life for both kids and adults. For kids especially, having friends can improve their quality of life and how well they do at school. Friendships can also help them adjust to changes more easily.¹Talk with your kids about how to be a good friend — and how to recognize who is a good friend.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

A good friend:²

Listens: They care about what you have to say or want to do.
Supports: They’re there for you when you’re sad or having a hard time.
Respects: They treat you kindly and don’t try to hurt your feelings.
Shares interests: You have fun together and like the same things.

Here are signs someone isn’t a good friend:

It feels one-sided: They don’t think about what you like to do or how you feel.
They make you feel bad: If they put you down or treat you differently around certain people, it’s a red flag.
They’re mean or bossy: A good friend won’t be unkind or controlling.

How to set boundaries:

Boundaries help protect what you are and aren’t comfortable with. Here are some tips:

Say no: It’s okay to say no to things that make you uncomfortable.
Speak up: If someone hurts your feelings, tell them.
Choose your friends wisely: Spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself.

Tips for parents:

Talk openly: Have regular conversations about friendships and feelings.
Model good behavior: Show how to be a good friend by being one yourself.
Encourage self-reflection: Help your child be aware of what they like and don’t like in a friend.

Are you or your kids having a hard time?

Some phases of life aren’t easy for us or our kids. It could be an adjustment to a new job or school year. Or maybe navigating tough dynamics with a co-worker or friend. Lean into your benefits for help to get through it. See below for resources that support making friends and healthy relationships.

¹Exchange Family Center. The benefits of early childhood friendships and 3 tips for helping your child establish meaningful friendships.
²Cleveland Clinic. Social skills 101: How to help your child make friends.

Tags companion, connection, frienship, making-friends, Relationships, social-skills, z-no-icon

Articles

2 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date July 22, 2025

2 MIN READ

AUGUST 2025

How to save on childcare

A growing family means changing childcare needs. Your benefits can help support you and your family through all of life’s stages. Learn more about maternity programs in the May WITT content and the Women’s Health Guide.

Looking for more? Find other articles below

Where to get help saving time and money

Finding childcare that fits your schedule and budget can be exhausting. Worklife through Resources for Living^® can help make researching childcare options less overwhelming. And you can find discounts on childcare through LifeMart.*

You can also save with Inspira Financial.** Set aside pretax dollars for a Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP). This helps you pay less in taxes overall. It can be used for both qualified child and elder care expenses. This includes daycare, in-home care and some summer camp expenses.

And if things change (such as the price of daycare) you may have the option to update how much you put into your DCAP. Keep in mind that a DCAP isn’t for dependent health care expenses. To save on those, you’d use an HCRA (Health Care Reimbursement Account). An example of this type of expense would be braces. Sign up during annual enrollment in November and start saving.

*Childcare discounts aren’t available in Puerto Rico.
**Inspira Financial isn’t available in Puerto Rico.

Thinking about adoption?

Your Costco plan offers up to $5,000 in adoption assistance per child (with a maximum of two adoptions). You can request reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses, such as attorney fees, transportation and lodging. Visit Costcobenefits.com to learn more or apply for reimbursement within 180 days of adoption.

Tags adoption, baby, childcare, family, high-risk-pregnancy, motherhood, new-parent, newborn, parenthood, Pregnancy, z-no-icon

Articles

1 min read

Post author By Chris Johnson
Post date July 22, 2025

1 MIN READ

AUGUST 2025

Get back to routine

Summer usually means more flexible schedules. When school starts, it can be tough to get back on track with routines and activities. Feeling prepared can help.

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How to fall into a new routine

Plan ahead — The night before, prepare all lunches, outfits and supplies so you don’t have to wake up even earlier.
Limit screen time — Looking at a screen before bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep.¹
Dial back bedtime — A few extra hours can make adjusting to a new schedule easier.

Feel refreshed with better rest

If you’re struggling with sleep, Sleepio can help. Sleepio is a free virtual program that helps adults improve their sleep habits and sleep quality in just six weeks. Learn wind-down routines, relaxation exercises and ways to calm your thoughts.

If stress or parenting challenges are keeping you up at night, your benefits include RethinkCare. RethinkCare gives you 24/7 access to digital training, tips and articles. This includes support figuring out how to adjust your child’s bedtime routine. It’s completely confidential and requires no diagnosis. And it’s at no cost to Costco employees.

¹Sutter Health. Screens and your sleep.

Tags back-to-school, bedtime, daily-routine, family, Parenting, plan-ahead, screentime, z-no-icon

2 MIN READ

5 ways to stress less

3 MIN WATCH

Video: Heart attack or panic attack?

2 MIN WATCH

Video: Suicidal doesn’t always look suicidal

Real talk from real people who contemplated suicide

There’s always hope — and help

1 MIN READ

Protect yourself with free flushots and virtual physical therapy

Stop by your Costco pharmacy for a free flu shot

Make sure you’re moving safely as well

1 MIN READ

Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients:

Directions:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Nutrition

3 MIN READ

Do’s and don’ts of making friends

A good friend:2

Here are signs someone isn’t a good friend:

How to set boundaries:

Tips for parents:

Are you or your kids having a hard time?

2 MIN READ

How to save on childcare

Where to get help saving time and money

Thinking about adoption?

1 MIN READ

Get back to routine

How to fall into a new routine

Feel refreshed with better rest

A good friend:²