Tip Tuesday: 7 Ways To Be Happier During the Holidays!

It's one of the most celebrated holidays of the year, but with the presents, great food and family time, comes inevitable stress! This year, take time to savor the moments by truly enjoying the holidays!

While researching for today's blog post, I came across an article by Lucy Danziger of Self Magazine. She has come up with 7 great ways to be - and stay - happier this month.


From budgeting, to self-confidence, to the in-laws, Danziger has a solution for you!


Click here to read how to be happier this holiday season!


Until Next Week,
M.J.


AND don't forget....Only ONE WEEK left to take our survey to win an Apple iPad, just in time for Christmas! Get started now!

2011 Preventative Care Guidelines from BCBSFL

Under the Affordable Care Act, you and your family may be eligible for some important preventive services—which can help you avoid illness and improve your health—at no additional cost to you.

BlueCross BlueShield of Florida has just released its 2011 Preventative Care Guidelines: To discuss with your Health Care Provider. Click here to view the comprehensive document.

Now, more than ever, it is time to take charge of your health and start living a healthy lifestyle. With that said, here's another great health tip resource from BCBSFL: It’s never too late to establish healthy habits and lower your risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

• Eat more fruits and vegetables and choose low-calorie, high fiber foods.

• Get active and consult your physician on the appropriate amount of physical activity.

• Take advantage of preventive benefits included with your plan.

• Stay healthy; know and keep track of your numbers regularly for blood pressure, cholesterol (LDL & HDL) and Body Mass Index (BMI).

Please note: Be sure to verify your benefits for preventive services. These recommendations were developed as a guide for BCBSFL members and are not intended to replace your physician’s judgment.

Until Next Week,
Michelle

Tip Tuesday: You Could Win An Apple iPad!!!

We all know the iPad is a serious contender this year on Santa’s gifting radar….so why not take one home just in time for the holidays and let Santa off the hook for a change? Benefit Advisors is excited to announce its inaugural Facebook iPad Contest. Entry is SIMPLE….complete a short, five question survey and “like” our Benefit Advisors Facebook page for one entry into the drawing. But wait…want more than one chance to win? Simply forward the survey to your friends and family that qualify and if they name you in Q5 as the referrer, you will be entered again into the drawing pool. The number of entries per person is unlimited, so start telling everyone you know today!

OFFICIAL SURVEY RULES: OFFER AVAILABLE TO FLORIDA RESIDENTS ONLY. This is an official survey conducted by Benefit Advisors (www.benefit-advisors.com) for a chance to win an Apple iPad. Each question must be answered truthfully and to the best of your knowledge in order to qualify for the grand prize. All entries are due by Monday, December 20 at 5 p.m. Each survey participant will be entered ONCE into the drawing. Increase your chances of winning by telling your friends about the sweepstakes! For every person that completes the survey (and names you as the referrer in Q5) you'll receive one more entry to win! Drawing will take place on Tuesday, December 21 and the winner will be contacted via e-mail no later than Wednesday, December 23.

Good luck. Until Next Week,

M.J.

Tip Tuesday: Enjoy your Thanksgiving!!

All of us at Benefit Advisors are wishing you and your family....
A Happy & Safe Thanksgiving!

Enjoy all the turkey and pie! :)

Until Next Week,
MJ

Tip Tuesday on Wednesday: Managing stress in the workplace is important!

Apologies for not posting this week's tip yesterday. With that said, here is BA's Tip Tuesday on Wednesday:

Recently, the news has been reporting on the effects suffered by women who have highly stressful jobs. In fact, it has been reported that women in these types of professional positions up their odds of suffering a heart attack or stroke by 88 percent (according to a study released on Sunday at an American Heart Associated meeting in Chicago).

So, what can women (& men alike) do to help lower their stress levels in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle? Well, according to Dr. Michelle Albert (interviewed by today.com), there a few things everyone can do to help eliminate or lessen the stress:

1. Exercise. It clears the mind, lifts the mood and curbs other heart risks, such as high blood pressure and cholesterol.

2. Limit bringing work home.

3. Get a life. Do things with friends, whether they're folks you work with or not.

4. Build "me time" into every day. It can be as little as 10 or 15 minutes to meditate, pray or take a walk

Tip Tuesday: Join The Great American Smokeout!!

The American Cancer Society is marking the 35th Great American Smokeout on November 18 by encouraging smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. By doing so, smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life – one that can lead to reducing cancer risk. Quitting smoking is not easy, but it can be done. To have the best chance of quitting successfully, you need to know what you're up against, what your options are, and where to go for help.

Many insurance carriers, like BlueCross BlueShield of Florida are also offering tools to current members to help with smoking cessation. According to BCBSFL, "There’s a FREE Smoking Cessationprogram on MyBlueService. Your employees will get everyday tips and tools to helpthem stop smoking for good. Simply go to the Living Healthy section, select WellnessPrograms and then Smoking Cessation."

Until Next Week,

MJ