Employees are walking away from their employers in record numbers; some are calling it the “Great Resignation.” A Prudential survey conducted toward the end of 2021 found that 46% of workers were actively seeking or considering finding a new job, and labor statistics backed those findings. According to the U.S. Labor Department, approximately 4.5 million workers quit their jobs in November 2021, setting a new record.

This might appear like welcome news for employers looking to hire—greater unemployment means more potential job candidates. However, confoundingly, there were still around 1.5 available jobs for each unemployed person near the end of 2021, according to USA Today. And, for the last six months of the year, job openings posted by employers topped 10 million, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

This information helps illustrate the key problem employers face right now: Workers are willing to quit jobs—and turn down open positions—that don’t satisfy their needs. Expanding employee benefits offerings is one of the best ways employers can show they provide workers with more than just a paycheck. The following are some of the most attractive perks employers are using to strengthen their attraction and retention efforts:

• • Affordable health plan options
• • Retirement benefits
• • Flexible working conditions
• • Personalized well-being resources

Family-oriented Perks That Matter to Employees

Currently, many workers juggle work and caregiving responsibilities, thanks largely to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, according to a survey from Boston Consulting Group, 60% of U.S. parents report that they’ve had no outside help with child care during the pandemic. With that in mind, it’s safe to assume there are employee caretakers within virtually every workplace. Thus, employers may want to consider expanding employee offerings that can assist these working families.

Here are some methods that can help:

• • Encourage employees to request flexible work arrangements that allow them to balance work and personal responsibilities.
• • Reassign job duties that employees are unable to perform because of caregiving responsibilities.
• • Post employee schedules as early as possible for positions with changing work schedules.

Balancing work and caregiving responsibilities can be difficult and contribute to decreased productivity, poor mental health and increased stress among employees. But, with meaningful, family-oriented workplace initiatives, employers can help reduce these negative effects. Read More

Everyone’s personal life gets a bit hectic at times. These stressful times can cause headaches, upset stomach, back pain, sleeping disturbances and difficulty concentrating. Stress also makes it harder for your body to defend against illness and can make current health problems worse.

Not only is stress hard on your body, it also affects your work life and responsibilities. When personal stressors—divorce, death of a family member or friend, money troubles, problems with children or taking care of an elderly relative—affect your personal life, they can have negative effects on your work life, too.

To ensure that your work does not suffer during a time of personal stress, consider the following recommendations:

• Keep a stress journal and write down exactly what is making you stressed: “I can’t seem to pay off my credit card,” “My children keep acting up at school,” or “The death of my mother has made me feel like I can’t go on.” Then, record how you react to these stressors and analyze effective alternatives.
• Eliminate activities in your life that are unnecessary, especially when going through personal stress. Focus your time on your health, your work and getting past the stressful situation.
• Work on letting go of things that you cannot change.
• • Take care of yourself. That means getting plenty of sleep, eating well and getting regular exercise.
  • Ask for assistance from family members or friends. Chances are, if it is affecting you, it is also affecting them.
  • Talk, laugh and cry about your stressors. This will help you feel some relief from these burdens by releasing your emotions. Read More

   

About 795,000 Americans will have a new or recurrent stroke this year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people think of strokes as only affecting the elderly, but 25% of all strokes occur in those under age 65. Not only is stroke the third-leading cause of death among Americans, it’s also a leading cause of long-term disability.

What is a Stroke?

Also called a brain attack, a stroke is as serious as a heart attack. It most often occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a clot. The brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they are prevented from receiving the oxygen and nutrients they need to function. There are two kinds of stroke, each with a different cause. In an ischemic stroke – the most common type – a clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is caused by a blood vessel that breaks and bleeds into the brain.

Risk Factors

Some risk factors are genetically determined, while others are the result of certain lifestyle choices. The most common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Increasing age
• Being overweight

Signs and Symptoms

One or more of the following symptoms may signal a stroke:

• Numbness or weakness of face, arm, or leg (usually on one side of body)
• Confusion or difficulty speaking or understanding
• Blurred, double or decreased vision
• Dizziness and/or loss of balance
• Sudden severe headache with no known cause
• TIA, or transient ischemic attack (a temporary loss of blood to the brain which lasts no more than 24 hours; it indicates a serious underlying risk that a full-blown stroke may follow.)

Diagnosis

It is important to recognize that there are other conditions that may imitate a stroke, such as brain tumors, brain abscesses, migraines, meningitis, an overdose of certain medicines, or an imbalance of sodium, calcium and/or glucose in the body. Only a medical professional can properly diagnose a stroke. To do so, he or she will likely perform an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG), along with monitoring vital signs and taking blood. Other procedures such as CT scans, MRIs or angiograms may also be utilized.

Treatment

The most common forms of stroke treatment include a tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), an intravenous drug that dissolves blood clots; blood-thinning drugs such as heparin and aspirin; and keeping blood pressure, cholesterol and/or diabetes under control. If the stroke was serious, a patient may need to undergo rehabilitation to re-learn how to speak and walk.

Prevention

Know the controllable risk factors and focus on making any necessary lifestyle changes you can. For example:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Watch your diet (limit sodium and saturated fats).
• Exercise regularly.
• Do not use tobacco products.
• Drink alcohol in moderation.
• Avoid using illegal drugs.
• Always take prescribed medications as directed.
• If you’ve never had a stroke but are at high risk for developing one, your doctor can start prevention treatment, such as aspirin therapy. Read More

Reducing Your Stress During American Heart MonthAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, half of all Americans are currently considered “at risk” for heart disease, and that figure continues to rise. Due to the prevalence of the disease, February is recognized as American Heart Month to raise awareness about heart disease and prevention. To celebrate, you can focus on dialing down your stress level.
Stress and Heart Health
While there are risk factors that contribute to heart disease that you can’t control, there are many things you can do to maintain your heart health. One of those things is to reduce your stress. Having too much stress for too long is bad for your heart.

Some people may handle their stress with poor health behaviors—such as smoking, eating unhealthy foods and drinking alcohol. Such behaviors can put you at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke.
Take Charge of Your Stress
Managing stress is good for your health and well-being. Taking steps to reduce your stress will improve your overall health. Try these tips:
• Simplify your schedule. If you’re feeling rushed or too busy, prioritize essential items on your calendar and to-do lists.
• Practice relaxation techniques. Try listening to relaxing music to help you calm down or look into stress management or relaxation classes.
• Get enough sleep. Adults should strive for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
• Exercise regularly. Movement can get your blood and endorphins flowing, relieving stress, tension, anxiety and depression.
• Maintain social connections. It’s important to make time for friends and family and talk with people you trust.
If the stresses in your life become more than you can bear or manage with these techniques, consider seeking professional assistance.

Benefits of Reducing Your Alcohol Intake
Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 1 in 10 deaths among working-age adults every year, according to the CDC. Excessive alcohol consumption has immediate effects that increase risks associated with injuries, motor vehicle crashes and alcohol poisoning. It can also cause serious long-term health problems like liver disease, high blood pressure, stroke, depression and cancer.
In addition to lowering your risk for those short- and long-term impacts, there are multiple health benefits for drinking less. By eliminating or cutting back on alcohol, you may experience:
• Increased energy
• Better sleep quality
• Improved mental health
• Boosted immune system
• Healthier complexion
After weighing the risks and benefits of alcohol, you may be considering reducing your alcohol consumption. If you or a loved one are concerned about alcohol use, talk to a doctor or use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline by calling 800-662-HELP (4357).

Should You Take Daily Aspirin for Your Heart?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently changed its guidance on aspirin use, stating that most adults do not need to take aspirin to prevent first heart attacks or strokes. This change to a long-standing recommendation is based on new evidence that the potential harms of aspirin—including major bleeding—cancel out the benefits. Here’s an overview of the new guidance:
• Adults ages 40 to 59 who are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease but don’t have a history of it should decide with their health care provider whether to start taking aspirin.
• Adults 60 years and older shouldn’t start taking aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke.
• Adults who are already taking aspirin for a previous heart attack or stroke should continue to do so unless told otherwise by their clinician.
Talk to your doctor if you have questions about taking aspirin. Read More