2023 June Employee Wellness Newsletter

What is wellness? New & updated programs, financial wellness with Nusenda & more well-being trends in the news!

Wellness Wire  -  What is wellness or well-being? 

We lob that word around like a volleyball on a hot, sandy beach court on a summer day. Now, we interchange wellness with well-being and quite frankly, all of us may have a different idea of what that means. That's not a bad thing - necessarily - but it can be limiting depending on our self or societal imposed expectations around wellness, health, fitness, or nutrition. Those expectations can create barriers for us to achieve any sense of well-being right off the bat.

As we kick off "Employee Wellness Month" let's take a look at wellness/well-being by first defining what it is and identifying what it can be for you.  

Over the years wellness and well-being have been defined and used interchangeably and that's okay. But let's understand that wellness is multi-dimensional and integrated. There are elements of wellness that comprise our total well-being. They are: emotional, financial, social, spiritual, physical, intellectual, and occupational/environmental. These all fit into our basic, safety and psychological needs.  When our needs in those areas aren't met, we struggle, we may have conflict and stress, we may feel vulnerable, and many times adopt negative lifestyle behaviors to cope.   

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, wellness is the quality or state of being in good health, especially as an actively sought goal. 

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines wellness as “the optimal state of health of individuals and groups" and it is expressed as “a positive approach to living.” The organization goes on to define well-being as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."  This is the definition that hits closer to home for me. 

The most important thing is that you identify and define what well-being means for you.  And, more importantly, what do you want to get out of it? One person may want to lose weight, reduce stress, or manage blood pressure, while another just wants to wake up feeling better with more mental and physical energy to get through the day. Another person may be flying under the radar of depression, bored with life, and languishing in an unfulfilling career and need to address those aspects of life. 

The beautiful thing about wellness or well-being is that it is completely unique to you. With a few exceptions, there's not a whole lot of right or wrong about wellness. The opportunities to feel and function better are endless. 

Wellness is time spent every day meeting our emotional, mental, and physical needs. It can be walking, lifting weights, intentional devotion or meditation time, cooking healthful meals, gardening, honing in on a hobby, and practicing it regularly like music, art, photography, and journaling.  It's engaging with the activities that spark our interest and feed our souls.

Well-being is also connecting with a community of people so we feel a sense of belonging and purpose. Humans were made to be in a community with others. We thrive with that unity and balance. Without family, friends, peers, and support groups, we face loneliness and isolation which affects our emotional wellness by increasing depression and anxiety.  

This week my encouragement to you is to take the first step and identify what well-being means for you. Ask yourself honest questions like:

• How do I really feel in the morning and throughout the day? How do I want to feel?
• What habits am I embodying that contribute to my wellness or to my illness?  What mindset shifts do I need to make to change my trajectory from illness to wellness?
• Can I move comfortably? Are my mobility and energy where I'd like them to be? 
• Am I cultivating a life that brings me joy inside and outside of work? Do I have connections with family, friends, and peers? 
• What is "the thing" that excites me, gets me up in the morning, motivates me, or that I look forward to? 

Once you've been able to identify one area above, enlist the support of health coaches or another APS Employee Wellness resource below to get started on how to make small, meaningful changes. 

Do You Suffer From Joint & Muscle Pain? 

Get the relief you need to feel and function better with this NEW virtual physical therapy program by Hinge Health. 

Hinge Health gives you the tools you need to conquer joint and muscle pain including back, neck, knee, and shoulder pain, recover from injuries, prepare for surgery, and stay healthy and pain-free.

Learn more and register for the program. Begin your journey today with a physical therapist and health coach team!

Hinge Health is available at no cost to employees covered under the APS Benefits plans and eligible dependents.   

New!  Expanded Benefits for Weight Loss, Diabetes, Blood Pressure & Mental Health!

Manage diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood pressure, weight and healthy lifestyle goals, and mental health with this integrated wrap-around solution. Livongo is a holistic program that empowers people with chronic illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and other health challenges to feel better and do more. 

This is an integrated solution with free 1-1 health coaching, mental health support, and connected device monitoring.  Depending on your health condition you'll receive a blood pressure cuff, glucose meter/test strips,  and/or connected scale. It's all seamlessly integrated through a mobile app with results you can share with your doctor. 
*This is a free program for all employees and eligible dependents under the APS Benefits plans. 

Getting started is easy!  

• Text “GO APS” to 85240 to learn more and join
• Join by visiting Go.Livongo.com/APS/register
• Or call 800-945-4355 and use the registration code: APS

Register Anytime For The New Wellness at Work Well-being Platform

Virtual and Email-Based Wellness Opportunities 

Wellness Trends In The News 

News: Overcoming Exercise Barriers Older adults benefit from physical activity, yet a less-active model is the trend. Researchers wanted to identify the exercise barriers to a more active lifestyle. read more »

Nutrition: The Link Between Diet and Longevity Changing your diet at age 20 to include more fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains and less red meat and ultra-processed foods could increase lifespan. read more » For more guidance on Nutrition APS offers free health coaching.

Mind-Body: Low Physical Activity Still Helps Mental Health Here’s good news to motivate adults to exercise: Low physical activity levels, even those below public health recommendations, can reduce depression risks. read more » If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or feel the need to talk to someone please check the mental health resource page.

Recipe: Raspberry-Granola Chia Pudding Sources of soluble fiber include flax, oats, barley, berries and chia seeds. That makes this raspberry-chia pudding a brain-boosting way to kick off the day. read more »

Video: Knee Hug to Lunge With Rotation Keep your chest up and contract the glute of the standing leg. You should feel it stretching your glutes, hamstrings and hip flexors. read more »