The COVID-19 pandemic was a wake-up call for HR departments in 2020. Suddenly, employees were looking to HR teams for guidance in areas not typically considered their responsibility.

This article outlines four ways HR teams can prepare for future public health crises. Employers can use this information to help cope with the current COVID-19 pandemic fallout and beyond.

1. Assess the Risk

One of the first steps during a public health crisis is to assess the risk of the organization. To do this, employers should first educate themselves about the crisis in general. This means staying updated on federal and local health guidance to help inform organizational strategies.

An assessment should consider the impact on workers, and can help prepare employers to make informed choices.

2. Adapt Quickly

Based on the risk assessment, employers should prepare to adapt to the crisis. Employers must ensure safeguards are in place so that employees don’t need to choose between their jobs and their health.

3. Communicate Thoroughly

At every stage, employers should keep employees in the loop. This means sharing the outcome of the risk assessment and clearly communicating any new workplace protocols. Employees should never have to wonder how their workplace is handling a crisis.

4. Welcome Change

Employers should be ready to make these decisions swiftly, and must embrace the changing landscape. This might mean having some employees work remotely while others remain in the workplace. Employers should think about such contingencies and be prepared to follow through if a public health crisis necessitates it.

Employer Takeaway

Responding to a health crisis will be much easier when an employer plans for such an event ahead of time. Reach out for more workplace guidance to help in this effort. Read More

Eating healthy on a limited budget may seem impossible, but with a little time, planning and strategic shopping, you can eat healthier and stay within your means.

Importance of Planning

Planning your meals for the week is the best place to start. Planning will help you make sure you are including foods from each food group—pay special attention to serving enough fruits and vegetables in family meals. Planning ahead helps you achieve a healthy balance— for instance, if you plan to serve a food higher in fat or salt, you can plan low-fat or low-salt foods to go with it.

In addition, planning saves time and money. Making a shopping list helps you know what food you already have, and what food you need—and helps avoid pricey “impulse” buys. Plus, planning your meals means fewer trips to the grocery store and helps you make use of leftover food and ingredients.

Planning Tips

Following these planning tips to make sure you are getting the most out of your money:

•  Build the main part of your meal around rice, noodles or other grains. Use smaller amounts of meat, poultry and fish.
•  Add variety to family favorites and try new, low cost recipes. There are many online resources for finding healthy recipes.
•  Try new ways to cook foods, such as a slow cooker or crock-pot, to make meals easier to prepare.
•  Make use of leftovers to save time and money.

For instance, if you make a pot roast, serve half of it and freeze the rest to use later in a casserole.

•  When time allows, cook large batches of certain meals and freeze family-size portions for meals later in the month.

Tips for Shopping

Use the tips below to help you grocery shop on a budget:

•  After planning your meals, make a list of all the foods you need (don’t forget to check the kitchen first!)
•  Look for coupons in the local newspaper or online for the foods you plan to buy.
•  Avoid convenience foods (baked goods, frozen meals, etc.); you can usually make these at home much cheaper and can control the nutritional value as well.
•  Try generic, store brands. They usually cost less, taste just as good and have the same nutritional value.
•  When buying produce, buy what is in season. Compare fresh, frozen and canned to see which is cheapest. Read More

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a recurring depression that affects individuals during the winter months and recedes during the spring and summer.

How common is SAD?

It is estimated that between 4 and 6 percent of Americans suffer from SAD, with three-quarters of those affected being women, mostly in their 20s, 30s and 40s. Though SAD is most common during these ages, it can also occur in children, adolescents and the elderly.

What causes SAD?

The exact cause of SAD is still unknown, but researchers suspect that an increased level of melatonin in the blood could be a factor. Melatonin increases the need and desire to sleep. SAD affects people more during the colder, darker months because the body produces more melatonin during this time.

Decreased exposure to sunlight resulting in an increased production of melatonin causes the biological clock that regulates mood, sleep and hormones to run slower in winter. This is why those most affected by SAD tend to live in northern states; areas that experience decreased daylight for months at a time.

What are the symptoms?

Signs of SAD can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Here are some general symptoms:

 Difficulty concentrating

 Low energy and fatigue

 Decreased interest in daily activities

 Moodiness and irritability

 Increased appetite with weight gain

 Cravings for carbohydrates

 Increased sleep, with more daytime sleepiness

Coping with SAD

In severe cases, your doctor can prescribe medication,but oftentimes self-help tactics can be just as

effective:

 Increase the amount of light in your home. Open blinds, add skylights and trim trees that block sunlight.

 Get outside. Walk outdoors on sunny days, even during winter months.

 Exercise regularly. Physical exercise helps relieve stress and anxiety, which can exacerbate SAD.

 Find ways to relax.

 Learn how to manage stress better.

 Take a trip. If possible, take winter vacations to sunny, warm destinations. Read More