• Spring Cleaning • Take Care Of Your Eyes
A Newsletter on your
• Maintain Your Smile • Red Thinkin’ Rewards • Staying Healthy On The Road • Stretching High Five
VOL. 9
SPRING EDITION
MANAGING ALLERGIES THIS SPRING Helpful Hints To Prevent Seasonal Allergies
Spring is in full bloom, but so is allergy season. Use these tips and tricks to avoid the sneezes and itchy, watery eyes as the weather begins to warm up. REDUCE EXPOSURE TO POLLEN • Travel with your windows up to avoid pollen, mold spores and other irritants from entering your cab. • Keep the inside of your vehicle clean and wiped down. Dust, pollen and other allergens can be easily transferred to your face by touch and through the air.
• Shower as often as possible to wash dust and pollen off your skin. CHOOSE THE RIGHT ALLERGY MEDICATION • Consult your doctor about which medications are best for you. • Consider using brands like Claritin, Clarinex and Allegra consistently to relieve symptoms. • Avoid any allergy medicines that may cause drowsiness while driving. Medication that includes the antihistamine diphenhydramine, like Benadryl, have been known to cause drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision.
TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF YOUR INSURANCE BENEFITS • Use your FSA or HSA dollars to purchase allergy medication. Tablets, nasal sprays and many other allergy relief products are eligible. • Other preventive measures, like allergy shots, may be covered by your BlueCross BlueShield benefits.
Visit InsideAveritt.com/benefits to see if you qualify. W m
Take care of your eyes (Page 2)
Red Thinkin’ Rewards (Page 3)
Staying healthy on the road (Page 4)
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION: 800.233.9944 / Option 3 • averittbenefits@averittexpress.com • Wellness Matters 2022
PAGE 2 SPRING CLEANING Vehicle Cleanup Promotes Wellness
SPRING 2022
Here are six tips from FleetNet America to help get your equipment in order: 1. Get rid of unnecessary items Look at your belongings. Are there items you never use or wear? If so, remove them and leave them at home. If you have old uniforms, recycle them through our exchange program at InsideAveritt.com/uniformexchange . requires a little creativity. Start by grouping similar items and consider purchasing plastic boxes or travel organizers to use for storage. Maximize your space by storing things in cabinets, compartments and seat backs. Organization isn’t just about keeping your cab tidy; it’s also about safety. Putting away items can prevent them from moving around while driving. 2. Organize your belongings Figuring out where to put everything in a small space
Our over-the-road drivers can spend a week away from home, and most of that time is spent inside the vehicle. Between driving long hours to deliver a shipment, time is typically spent eating, sleeping and relaxing in the truck. Living in a confined space can make tidying up a difficult task, but it’s important to take the time and effort to keep the cab clean and organized. Picking up trash, arranging belongings and wiping down surfaces can benefit your overall mood, health and driving performance. A well-kept cab can: • Preserve the quality of the interior • Prevent germs and bacteria from growing and spreading • Make your truck appear more professional (which can help during a DOT inspection) • Prevent distractions while driving
3. Take out the trash It’s easy for trash to pile up when you’re on the road. To keep it under control, designate a convenient spot for a trash bag. Throwing everything in one bag means you won’t have to collect trash from multiple places. Whenever you stop, empty the bag to prevent odors from forming. 4. Dust Dust particles can cause health problems like eye irritation, coughing, sneezing and even asthma attacks – especially in compact spaces like a truck cab. An easy way to get rid of dust is to wipe down interior surfaces. Use a microfiber cloth to clean hard surfaces. Remember to avoid oil- based products with a shiny finish that can cause a glare from the sun. 5. Vacuum regularly Vacuuming on a regular basis means less dust, trash and food crumbs on the floor. Start by
removing floor mats and rugs. Vacuum the floor and seats, and use a long attachment hose or crevice tool to get hard-to-reach areas. Vacuum the floor mats and rugs before placing them back in the vehicle. 6. Clean the glass Washing the windows, especially the windshield, is crucial. Poor visibility because of dirty glass poses a potential danger to you and other drivers. When cleaning glass, use a nonstreaking agent and spray the product on a microfiber cloth instead of directly on the window. W m
TAKE CARE OF YOUR EYES Schedule Your Next Eye Exam
Allergy season can wreak havoc on your eyes. Pollen, dust and other allergens can leave them itchy, watery and irritated, but a visit to your optometrist can help ease the struggles of spring. Through our partnership with VSP Vision Care, associates enrolled in either the standard plan or maximum plan receive an eye exam that is 100% covered by your benefits when visiting an in-network eye doctor. Both plans offer retinal imaging for a $10 copay and diabetic eye care for a $20 copay. Both plans also offer an annual allowance for contact lenses, and the maximum plan gives you the option to receive either frames or contact lenses with your annual allowance. For a full list of eye care benefits, visit InsideAveritt.com/benefits , or log on to your VSP account at VSP.com to view your plan. W m
Wellness Matters 2022 • BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION: 800.233.9944 / Option 3 • averittbenefits@averittexpress.com
PAGE 3
HELP MAINTAIN A HEALTHY SMILE Delta Dental Tips For Taking Care Of Your Teeth
your label for the following ingredients to see what exactly is in your
A bright and friendly smile can have a significant impact on your first impression with other people, including customers. Delta Dental, America’s largest and most trusted dental benefits carrier, provides the following tips to ensuring your teeth are healthy. 1. Give your mouth a thorough cleaning. • Gargle before brushing. Swishing and gargling with salty water before you brush helps loosen up plaque and bits of food. Plus, it can even lower your chance of developing a late-season cold or flu. • Try a tongue scraper. This handy tool reaches the back of your tongue to remove that gross layer of bacteria. • Set your timer. You think you brush for two minutes, but do you really? Track the seconds with a stopwatch to be sure.
2. Book your next dental cleaning. As essential as they are, your humble toothbrush and floss are no match for a dental hygienist’s tools. A professional dental cleaning can remove hardened plaque, called tartar, before it develops into decay. 3. Toss out old supplies. If it’s been more than three months, it’s time to say goodbye. Collect any old toothbrushes or electric toothbrush heads and toss them in the trash. When the bristles start to fray, your toothbrush just won’t be as effective. Same for your tongue scraper after several months or any signs of wear. Toothpaste, like food, can “go bad.” If it’s expired, toss it. 4. Rethink mouthwash. Not all mouthwash is created equal. Fluoride is essential for keeping your teeth strong and healthy, but alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate can do more harm than good. Check
mouthwash. • Fluoride: A
fluoride rinse is a great way to boost your fluoride intake, especially if you don’t drink
fluoridated water. This
key mineral can strengthen your teeth to prevent cavities. • Alcohol: Steer away from alcohol-based mouthwashes. This type of
toothpaste to make it foam. But that’s not all it does. Research has also found a potential link between SLS and painful or frequent canker sores. If you’re prone to canker sores, consider an SLS-free mouthwash. W m
mouthwash can dry out your mouth and may be linked to oral cancer when used regularly. • Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS): This detergent agent is sometimes added to mouthwash and
RED THINKIN’ REWARDS... Help You Do What You Love Warm weather has arrived and you’re probably considering taking a spring break. Or maybe you’re already planning a summer vacation. Before you book, remember to check out the Red Thinkin’ Rewards catalog for everything from trips and entertainment to electronics and sports equipment! Thinkin’ about getting away? You can use your points for travel, hotels, restaurants and events around the world! The RTR catalog offers beach stays, cruises, fishing trips and concert tickets. It’s easy to find something the whole family will enjoy. If a staycation is more your thing, RTR has you covered, too. Amp up your time off at home with a Nintendo Switch, an 85-inch Samsung television or a new recliner. Maximize your at-home experience with a huge selection of great products. With the positive actions you do every day – delivering outstanding service, staying safe, referring People Like You and meeting operational goals – you’re earning Red Thinkin’ Rewards points! Visit RedThinkinRewards.com to log in to your Red Thinkin’ Rewards account, check your balance and cash in your points. If you’ve never accessed your account, go to InsideAveritt.com/rewards and follow the simple steps to log in for the first time. W m
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION: 800.233.9944 / Option 3 • averittbenefits@averittexpress.com • Wellness Matters 2022
PAGE 4
SPRING 2022
STAYING HEALTHY ON THE ROAD Five Health Tips for Truck Drivers
Drivers know how challenging it can be to exercise, eat healthy and get quality sleep while on the road. When you practice better daily habits, you can avoid risk of common health issues. Start a healthier lifestyle behind the wheel with these tips from FleetNet America. Sparing just 15-30 minutes each day for exercise helps control weight, reduces the risk of high blood pressure and strengthens muscles. It’s best to start with basic exercises to get your body used to the change. Download a fitness app or watch videos online for workout ideas, or develop a personal plan with simple exercises, cardio and light weights! 1. Committing to a daily workout plan
2. Making healthier food choices While fast foods and soft drinks are typically the cheapest and most convenient options, they’re also some of the most unhealthy. Making wiser food and drink choices controls weight gain and blood sugar levels, boosts the immune system and improves sleep. Stock up on snacks and foods that are high in protein, are low in sugar and contain fiber, such as:
3. Getting plenty of sleep Getting enough sleep is crucial for health and safety reasons. Make it as comfortable as possible by using a blackout curtain or sleeping mask to block sunlight, a fan to stay cool and provide white noise, and anything else you need to rest deeply. Avoid watching TV or looking at devices before bed–these lights can stimulate your brain and make it harder to fall (and stay) asleep. Additional tips Use the advice below to learn how to live and maintain a healthy life as a driver: • Start slow . Don’t go all in at once – you’ll be more likely to give up. Instead, start by changing one thing at a time like
your exercise routine or the types of food you eat. • Don’t give up . Whatever changes you make, challenge yourself to stick to it for at least a month. By then it becomes a habit, making it more difficult to quit. • Track progress . Hold yourself accountable by tracking your daily nutrition and workouts. Seeing the progress in writing makes you push yourself harder. W m
• Fruits and veggies • Yogurt • Granola bars • Nuts (almonds or walnuts are best) • Hard-boiled eggs • Whole-grain crackers with hummus
STRETCH IT OUT The ‘Stretching High Five’ Will Get You Loosened Up
Stretching is an easy activity to overlook – especially when it comes to planning your workday – but it is an important part of staying healthy and injury-free on the job. From working the dock to spending hours in the cab, stretching keeps your muscles flexible and strong. We need that flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight. Then, when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. Before and after physical activity or driving for a long period of time, practice the Stretching High Five. Visit InsideAveritt.com/stretching to follow along with four-time World’s Fittest Man and CrossFit Champion Rich Froning. This activity includes five easy stretch sets and focuses on the:
• Chest • Back • Shoulders • Triceps • Hamstrings
• Quads • Obliques • Abdominal • Neck • Wrists
Being a dock associate or city driver requires a lot of movement. Climbing in and out of the cab, lifting heavy objects and maneuvering the floor uses a lot of muscles, so stretch as much as possible to guarantee you’re up for the challenge! If you’re an over-the-road driver, you probably spend a lot of time behind the wheel with little movement. After a stop, limber up before jumping back into the driver’s seat. Stretching will make your ride more comfortable and help ease aches and pains caused by sitting long periods of time! W m
BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION: 800.233.9944 / Option 3 • averittbenefits@averittexpress.com • Wellness Matters 2022
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