Are you and your team ready for the upcoming flu season?

While Covid-19 stole the limelight for the last few years, health experts warn that the flu is still out there, too. Flu season begins in October and runs through May.

A recently released 2021-22 influenza season report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  indicated that while last year’s activity was considered low for the season, the flu cases also extended well beyond the normal flu “season.” CDC reports show flu cases increased to between eight million and 13 million between October 2021 and June 2022. That’s up from just over 2,000 cases reported for September 2020 to April 2021.

Wondering what will happen this year?

Here’s a look at what to expect for the upcoming flu season, how to prepare, and insight from two naturopathic physicians on prevention steps to take.

How good are you at knowing how to handle stressful situations at work?

Learning how to appropriately manage your workplace stress can make all the difference when it comes to your health, mental state, and productivity. No matter how much you love your job or what you do, there is always going to be a certain amount of stress that comes with it.

In the workplace, stress can come at you from all angles. Whether it’s an angry client, an awkward colleague conversation, or making a mistake on a big project, mounting stress that’s not taken care of can lead to physical and mental health concerns.

If you’re looking for some better ways to handle stress, we’ve got your back.

Check out these tips below for tackling stressful situations at work.

Employee wellbeing — how is it faring in most companies these days?

This won’t be a shocker for most: Employees are unhappy. As a result, their wellbeing is suffering, too. Overall, globally, unhappiness has been on the rise for the last decade.

Recent Gallup research found that emotionally, the second year of the pandemic was more draining than the first one. Stress, worry, and sadness plagued more people and set new records in 2021 for Gallup’s Negative Experience Index survey. Unfortunately, those negative feelings leak over into the work experience, too.

So what can you do to help improve employee wellbeing? Here’s a look at some simple ways to take charge of creating a healthier and happier workspace for your team:

Nowadays, many employees work remotely and the lines of when work ends and relaxation begins are quite blurred.

That’s where a workday shutdown ritual can be helpful.

Even if it’s as unceremonious as closing a laptop and putting it away, it’s a way to mentally and physically disconnect from work in a healthy way. By creating an end-of-day routine, workers can create a more restorative period of time off — whether it’s just for the evening or for a whole weekend.

 Here’s a look at why every employee should consider a workday shutdown ritual:

Workplace distractions.

These pesky diversions in the workplace can prevent productive workflows and even create unhealthy behaviors in some cases. From cell phone usage to clutter and gossip to last-minute meetings, distractions galore exist if you let them. Without a doubt, these distractions lead to productivity loss, and, in some cases,  poor health.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to avoid or manage distractions that cost you time and energy.

Below, we cover the top unhealthy distractions and how employers can help workers avoid these time-sucking traps.

While the monkeypox virus has been declared a public health emergency, it’s important for workers and employers not to panic.

What’s helpful is learning how the virus is contracted, ways to avoid it, and what to do if an employee does contract the virus. Luckily, the symptoms tend to be mild and the virus is rarely fatal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

 Below, we take a look at the virus and offer tips for employers on handling another public health concern with ease and confidence. Here’s what you need to know about the monkeypox virus.

Ready to talk about immunizations in a more exciting way?

Now is the time to do it as August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM).

Each year, this observance is held to highlight the importance of vaccination for all age groups. While the COVID-19 vaccine is still getting press, it’s essential for your team to remember there are other shots that keep them healthy, too.

If you’re tired of giving the same spiel about the flu or COVID shot, change it up. Have some fun with it during National Immunization Awareness Month with games, printed materials your staff can read on their own time, and more.

Here are 7 simple ways to keep this health topic educational and interesting.

What do employees want?

By the looks of it, a four-day workweek is at the top of the list.

More than 90% of U.S. workers claim they’d want four-day workweeks, according to a January Qualtrics survey. Gone are the days when a traditional 9-to-5 worked for both employees and employers. Workers are shifting the way they want to work and if workplaces want to keep them happy, then dangling four-day workweek benefits may just work.

Below, discover the benefits of a 4-day workweek, studies on how it’s worked out in various countries so far, and the pros and cons of doing so in your own workplace.

Are you or your team members feeling those end-of-summer blues?

It’s normal.

The summer is a glorious time of vacations, relaxed work days, warmer weather, and fun outdoor activities. When it comes to an end, it’s normal to feel a bit blue or bummed emotionally. Once workers return from extended time off and fun times, it can be hard to get back into the groove of work.

But it doesn’t have to be a total bummer. In fact, you can make it enjoyable for your workers coming down from their vacation high by giving them something to look forward to upon their return.

Here’s a look at how employers can get their staff to reframe their mindset around the end of summer.

Wondering how affirmations and mental health go together?

One simple yet profound way to improve mental health is to practice positive affirmations regularly. Research shows positive affirmations can help change thought patterns and influence different behavioral changes for the better.

This can be particularly helpful for those who struggle with anxiety, depression, or self-esteem issues. 

Below we dive into what affirmations are, how using them daily can benefit mental health, and several examples of affirmations employees can use at any time.