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FALL 2022
AVOID HOLIDAY STRESS AND DEPRESSION Put Your Mental Health First This Season
The holiday season is a chance to celebrate with family and enjoy time outside of the cab, but it can also be very stressful. The demands of entertaining, cooking and shopping can weigh heavy on your mind, ruining your holidays and hurting your health. This year, remember these helpful tips to avoid stress and depression during what is supposed to be the happiest season of all. Recognize How You’re Feeling If someone close to you has recently died or you can’t be with loved ones for other reasons, know that it’s normal to feel sadness and grief. It’s OK to take time to cry or express your feelings. You can’t force yourself to be happy. Be Realistic The holidays don’t have to be perfect. As families change and grow, traditions often change as well. Choose a few to hold on to and
Take A Breather Make some time for yourself. During this break, listen to soothing music, read a book or get out from behind the wheel and take a walk. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Find something that reduces stress by clearing your mind, slowing your breathing and restoring inner calm. Despite your best efforts, you may find yourself feeling persistently sad or hopeless. If these feelings last for a while, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional. Health Advocate , provided by Unum, is our EAP benefits partner, and it is available to all associates even if you’re not enrolled in our benefits. To talk to a Licensed Professional Counselor or Work/Life Specialist over the phone, they’re available 24/7 at 800-854-1446. W m
be open to creating new ones. If your adult children or other relatives can’t come to your home, find new ways to celebrate together, such as sharing pictures, emails or videos. Or meet virtually on a video call. Stick To A Budget Before you do your gift and food shopping, decide how much money you can afford to spend. Then stick to your budget. Don’t try to buy happiness with an avalanche of gifts. Instead, take part in a Team
Up Community Challenge, give homemade gifts or start a family gift exchange. Don’t Abandon Healthy Habits Don’t let the holidays become a free-for-all. Overindulgence only adds to your stress and guilt. Eat healthy meals, don’t go overboard on sweets, and incorporate regular physical activity into your schedule. At the end of the day, make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep.
GET OUT AND ENJOY THE FANTASTIC FALL WEATHER Healthy Activities For Your Favorite Season
Cooler weather, fresh air and the beautiful colors of fall makes it one of the best seasons of the year. Autumn is the perfect time to enjoy activities that are fun, healthy and beneficial before the winter months creep in. Go for a walk, enjoy better sleep Take a walk, navigate a corn maze or go for a hike! All can help you get better sleep at night. Those who go for a brisk walk at least 20 to 25 minutes often fall asleep faster and rest easier at night! Throw open the windows Is there anything better than opening the windows of your house on a pleasant day? Not only will you save some money by shutting off you’re a/c unit, but you’ll also be detoxifying your home! Circulating cool, fresh air flushes out settling dust, pollen and other allergens that can lurk in a sealed home.
Try a new recipe Pumpkin spice may be the most popular flavor of the season, but there are plenty of tasty fruits, vegetables and hot dishes to enjoy for fall! Pick up some fresh carrots, potatoes and broccoli from the farmers market for a healthy homemade soup or stew to enjoy on a chilly night! Get up a backyard football game Falls means football season, so get out in the yard with the family and play! Don’t worry about complete teams or all the nuanced rules of actual football. Just focus on being active and having fun! Plant spring bulbs Begin thinking about your spring garden now! Daffodils, tulips and iris bulbs all need to be planted before the ground freezes to ensure you have a colorful flower bed. More importantly, gardening is great exercise! W m
Wellness Matters 2022 • BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION: 800.233.9944 / Option 3 • averittbenefits@averittexpress.com
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