Wellness might feel like the latest buzzword, but now more than ever, it’s important for each of us to be intentional in how we’re maintaining our well-being. Wespath defines wellness as encompassing five dimensions: mental-emotional, financial, spiritual, social and physical health.
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALTH
- Decrease your screen time: While many of us struggled with living life behind a screen before COVID-19, the pandemic has amplified the amount of time we spend in front of the TV, tablet, phone and computer. Don’t know where to start? Try these practical tips or make Saturday’s screen-free days.
- Take a nap: Adults know a nap feels like a luxury. Indulge yourself by slowing down, resting and taking a moment to pause.
- Talk it out: Stay connected with friends and family. If needed, schedule time to talk with a counselor or therapist. HealthFlex participants get eight free call through the Employee Assistance Program.
FINANCIAL HEALTH
Wespath
provides resources focused not on how much money you have but on attitudes toward money, building sound financial habits and using tools to effectively manage financial resources. Some of them include:
- Creating a plan to pay off debt
- Starting an emergency fund
- Revisiting your retirement plan contributions
- Engaging in the Saving Grace Financial Well-Being six-week study
SPIRITUAL HEALTH
- Pair physical activity with your prayer life: Try these yoga poses while reciting the Lord’s Prayer and scripture.
- Take a moment each day to reflect on one thing you’re grateful for. Praise God for the good gifts given.
- Daily Devotional: Pause and engage in a daily devotional, like those provided for free from The Upper Room.
SOCIAL WELL-BEING
- Maintain Friendships: For many COVID-19 ushered in a quiet season for friendship. Revive old friendships by reaching out and reconnecting. “Repot” relationships by connecting over a new activity, like scheduling a regular walk. Read more ideas in this guide to making and keeping friends.
- Contact a local organization and find out how you can serve. You might be surprised by the ways you can volunteer both in-person and virtually!
- Try Something New: There has never been a better time to get out of your comfort zone – from the comfort of your couch! The Internet makes learning a new skill accessible and low risk. Search online to see if you can find a virtual course for an item on your to-learn list.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
- Wespath Programs: For HealthFlex participants, the familiar physical well-being programs have received new names and are accessible in your Virgin Pulse account. View Wespath’s roadmap to physical well-being here.
- Find a Partner: Exercise is easier with a friend! Make plans to walk, bike or run regularly with an exercise accountability partner. If you can’t meet in-person, try doing a fitness video together over Zoom.
- Build a Habit: Reimagine physical activity for any fitness level with this guide to designing a fitness routine.
For those on HealthFlex plans, Wespath launched Benefits Access,
benefitsaccess.org, in December. The new hub provides one place to manage retirement, health, well-being, and life and disability benefit information. Participants can log in using their existing Benefits Access credentials.