FCPS Wellness Bulletin Board

July 2024

Being outdoors and soaking up the sun is a summer staple. We all look forward to warmer weather and our long-awaited outdoor activities like traveling, beach vacations, hiking, hitting the golf course, or even tackling yard work. As we make the transition to spending more time outdoors, it’s vital for those of all ages to know how to stay sun and heat safe, as well as recognize signs of when it’s time to take a sun break.

Keeping Cool in the Heat

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Schedule outdoor activities carefully
• Closely monitor those who are at the highest risk from the heat
• Know the warning signs for heat exhaustion

Find all the details and more in the CareFirst pdf below.

Did you know that poor sleep can affect your memory, increase your anxiety and expand your waistline? Changing your sleep habits can make a big difference in your overall health. Make sure you’re getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to help protect your brain health and stay mentally sharp.

Challenge yourself to track your sleep by joining the Snooze Soundly Challenge. Tracking will help you understand the quality of your sleep so you can make adjustments to get a better night’s rest.

How to join

1. Register or log in to your CareFirst WellBeingSM account at carefirst.com/wellbeing.
2. Select Achieve, then Challenges.
3. Choose Snooze Soundly Challenge and click Join Challenge.

The Goal

Track 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night for at least 21 days between July 1 - July 31, 2024.

Join the CareFirst Wellness & Disease Management team once a month on Wednesdays to

learn more about the monthly health observance topic. Register for this quarter’s webinars or

view our library of recorded webinars below.

July 10, 2024: Beat the Heat and Stay Cool

An informative webinar that will equip you with the knowledge and practical tips to stay safe,

healthy, and comfortable during the hottest months of the year.

August 7, 2024: Just for the Health of It

What is well-being and why should we care about it? Join us to learn more about how a holistic

health approach can help you live healthier life. We’ll discuss nutrition, physical activity, and the

many other components that impact your health and well-being.

September 4, 2024: Stay Active, Stay Healthy, Stay Happy

Join us for a Healthy Aging webinar, designed for anyone interested in aging with vitality and

well-being. Whether you’re planning for your own aging journey or helping a loved one

navigate theirs, this webinar will equip you will the knowledge and tools to embrace the

process of aging gracefully.

From hosting a lemonade stand to preparing for college, it is never too early - or too late! - to start teaching kids about money. Join us for practical tips on how to start setting your child up for a financially healthy future at any age.

Register for the Webinar: Wednesday, July 24 at 2PM

Who Should Attend

• Parents/guardians
• Educators
• Anyone who works with children

What You Will Learn

• Financial life lessons to share with children
• Tips to set your child up for a financially healthy future
• Ways to incorporate money lessons into daily life

Presented by GreenPath’s Partner Experience Team

Did you know that CloseKnit offers Primary Care, Urgent Care, Navigation, and Mental Health services designed around your schedule and your needs? This benefit is available to FCPS CareFirst medical plan participants.

Register for CloseKnit today to access quality virtual care when you need it.

During a stressful time, have you ever had someone tell you to “take it easy?” Ugh. If only it were that simple, right?

Taking care of ourselves — and learning healthy ways to do so — is a skill that doesn’t come easy to a lot of us. In fact, it can take quite a bit of effort and attention. That’s why we are passionate about helping you practice self-care.

Here are some therapist-approved self-care tips:

• Say "no": Therapists recognize the importance of setting boundaries. We know it’s okay to turn down plans in order to take care of ourselves.
• Limit social media: Social media can help us feel connected to others. But it can also be a source of stress. (Doomscrollers, raise your hand). To strike a balance, therapists recommend taking a mindful approach.
• Use time off ...for time off!: As a society, we’re so hyper-focused on productivity that this mentality can spill over into our vacation time. So, the next time you take a day off from work, avoid filling it up with tasks. It’s okay to take time off and just truly rest.
• Listen to music: A 2018 review of studies found that creating, singing to, or listening to music can help reduce feelings of anxiety, worry, nervousness, and restlessness.
• Get some fresh air: Just 5 minutes of “green exercise,” like taking a stroll through your backyard garden, can help boost your mood and self-esteem.
• Practice yoga or mindful movement: Yoga can help reduce stress levels. You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from a few calming stretches throughout the day.
• Reach out to others: Social support can help us talk through stress and anxiety. When you’re struggling to relax, try reaching out directly to someone you trust.
• Chill out with a good book: Pick up a book that sounds fun to read. Avoid ones that you feel you “should” read. If you don’t know where to start, browse the bestseller lists. Or go to the library and talk to your librarian. Want to read more and reap the benefits of community? Join an in-person or virtual book club to make new connections.
• Find Support: Yes, even therapists have therapists! If you find yourself struggling to relax, CloseKnit offers mental health support to help you better understand how to cope with chronic stress.

Burnalong is your one-stop destination for fitness and wellness, offering thousands of classes led by top instructors in various categories including yoga, nutrition, strength training, meditation, chronic condition support, and more!

All FCPS employees have access to a complimentary account!

Summer is here! Naturally, this brings up the question "which sunscreen should I pick?"

Paying attention to the ingredients is key. In fact, some frequently-used ingredients may be harmful not only to your health, but also to the environment, and more specifically, aquatic life.

However, to make things easier for you, we’ve selected 12 sunscreen products that are rated Excellent on the app ☀

This ranking was done in a completely independent manner: no brands paid to be featured on here.️

Effective July 1, 2024, MetLife will replace The Standard as the insurer for employee and retiree, Life (AD&D), Voluntary Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance. For your review is an Introduction to our partnership with MetLife and a Question & Answer document that we trust will be helpful.

For additional questions, please email Benefits.Office@fcps.org.

Notice of Insurance End Date for Resignation or Leave of Absence for the Conclusion of the 2023–2024 School Year

• For 10 or 11-month employees who are not returning for the next school year, the school term ends in June. This means your coverage will end on June 30th even if you do not give your resignation or leave of absence notice until July or August as you have not paid insurance premiums for July or August.
• You will be offered the opportunity to continue insurance through COBRA or Leave of Absence rates.
• COBRA: You will be offered COBRA to continue coverage for Medical or Dental if you had coverage for these benefits at the time your employment ends. You may review the tab for COBRA for more information on this topic.
• If you terminate employment and were employed before 07/01/05 (benefitted) at the end of the Fiscal Year of 07/01/05, the termination date for medical, dental and life is extended one month for 10 & 11-month employees only.

Did you know that we have a Facebook page? Find the latest information on our Facebook Page about wellness for our FCPS staff here.