Have you been preparing for a healthcare cost hike come January 1?

If not, it’s time to seriously start considering how healthcare costs will eat into the company budget if you offer employees healthcare plans.

Many U.S. employers are now looking at ways to prioritize employee wellbeing and healthcare affordability as health benefits are expected to increase by more than 5 percent in 2022, stated an October 2021 survey released by Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company.

Here’s a look at a few different survey insights and cost-saving measures employers may want to consider moving into the new year.

If you’re in a leadership position, you know all too well how full your schedule gets, leaving little time for the “fun activities”. But, for health’s sake, it should never be too full to where there’s no time for self-care.

Why is self-care important? It’s what will keep you balanced and overall healthier. It keeps you grounded.

When you take care of your body and mind, you’re bound to be more productive, healthier, and happier. Every leader knows their best work comes when they feel their best. That’s really what self-care is all about.

If you’re still giving pushback to the idea, maybe this post will change your mind. Below you’ll uncover why it’s essential for leaders to increase their own self care practices now rather than later.

Does it feel like you’re walking through a fog these days?

Learning how to improve concentration and applying specific techniques can help kick the foggy feeling.

If you have brain fog — like issues with memory, concentration, or thinking —  it may be a daily battle to remember even the most basic of tasks you need to do. Whether the cause is from lack of sleep, medication, COVID after-effects, or something else, that’s where concentration tricks can come in handy.

This post will cover what brain fog is, how it impacts work and other activities, and simple ways to get a clear brain boost.

Mental health and the holidays go hand in hand.

While many people look forward to rocking around the Christmas tree and more, others want nothing more than January 1 to arrive ASAP.

Not surprisingly, an estimated 64% of those with mental illness feel their conditions worsen during the holiday season. Between pandemic isolation and other factors like loneliness and grief, the holidays can create a huge burden on individuals’ mental health. Shorter days and less sunlight can also contribute to seasonal depression as well.

As an employer, taking time to check-in, offering resources, and lessening the holiday work event pressure can be helpful for struggling employees.

 This post will look at how the holidays can hurt employees’ health and  tips for staying mentally fit during some of the busiest and most stressful times of the year.

Already planning for the holidays?

Be sure to plan on ways to reduce holiday stress, too. For some employees, this can be the most stressful time of year. With in-laws visiting, looming work deadlines, party planning, present shopping, and more, it can sometimes feel like way too much.

Luckily, with some tweaks to time management and stress management techniques, this holiday season can be approached with a stress-free attitude.

This post will look at ways to keep calm and healthy, including working as a team, creating detailed to-do lists, meal planning, taking mental health days, and more.

Read on for the secrets to a happy-go-lucky holiday season ahead!

When was the last time you gave thanks?

Research shows gratitude benefits us in more ways than one. As we go into the Thanksgiving and holiday season, it’s a great time to reflect on what we’re thankful for in life. It’s also a prime time to start reaping some gratitude practice benefits — including improved sleep and major mental health perks.

In a season that is often rushed and frantic, now is an ideal time for employers to encourage team members to slow down. It’s a good reminder for everyone trying to wrap up end-of-year projects between travel plans, holiday prepping, and event scheduling.

This post shares the benefits of gratitude reflection, including how it impacts relationships, productivity, positivity, and overall mental health.

Are you struggling to stay asleep but can’t figure out why?

You may be enjoying dinners or evening snacks of foods that keep you awake.

If you’re finding it increasingly harder to sleep, but you can’t pinpoint why, your diet may be one place to start. With Daylight Saving Time coming up on November 7, sleep schedules are about to get even more out of whack.

Taking a mindful approach to keeping your sleeping patterns on track can make it easier to fall asleep when the time change comes. Sleep plays a big role in overall good health and strong immunity, which is a must-have during cold and flu season.

This post will look at foods that can cause restless nights like alcohol, salt, spicy foods, and more. Read on and see if any of these foods may be causing your sleepless nights!

Pandemic pounds are real.

Earlier this year, 42% of individuals surveyed by the American Psychological Association reported a weight gain of 29 pounds on average during the pandemic.

One-third of Americans are severely overweight, a stark obesity fact that can’t be ignored. Excessive pounds can lead to heart problems, stroke, diabetes, and other serious health conditions that can impact an employee’s productivity, energy, and overall health.

Other than the COVID pandemic, one of the most serious public health concerns today is obesity. It’s been proven that those with extra comorbidities like obesity are more likely to struggle harder with a case of COVID.  

Employers must find a way to bring these discussions to light for employees. This can help employees take steps to minimize associated healthcare costs later down the road and lead to an overall better quality of life. This post will share obesity facts to spread awareness along with some ideas on helping workers stay in their healthy, happy weight range.

This article was updated on December 3, 2021 based on new recommendations from the CDC.

Thinking you may need the COVID-19 booster shot?

While there’s been a lot of back and forth about whether everyone needs a booster shot, health officials have now confirmed that everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot.

This article will cover:

• Who is eligible
• The timeline to wait between the second and third dose
• Where to get the COVID-19 booster shot
• What type of side effects to expect

Share this post with employees who are interested in learning more about the booster and if they need it for full protection.

Do you know the signs and symptoms of depression?

Depression is a costly condition for businesses and for the individuals who leave it unchecked. The American Psychiatric Association estimates depression causes $44 billion annually in lost productivity and about half of employees with depression are untreated.

Even before COVID hit, our country saw an increase in mental illness. Between 2017-2018, 19% of adults experienced a mental illness, which is an increase of 1.5 million people over last year, according to Mental Health America’s report, The State of Mental Health in American 2021.

On top of that, the number of individuals seeking help for anxiety and depression has gone through the roof. Since the previous year’s screening, there was a 62% increase over 2019’s depression screens.

October 7 is National Depression Screening Day. You would want your employees to get their cholesterol, heart, and blood pressure screened — why not their mental health?

Below, learn more about the signs and symptoms of depression, free resources for mental health, and how to connect with an employee in a depressive state.