2022 – EPIQ Risk Management

Wellness Tips to Maintain Good Health Throughout the Holiday Season and Into the New Year

December 1, 2022/in Health and Wellness/by admin

Maintaining your health during the holiday season can be challenging. Between the pressure of social events, finding the perfect gift, and juggling all the festivities with never ending “To Do” lists and year end work obligations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The holidays are undoubtedly the busiest time of year and one of hardest in which to maintain your healthy habits and meet your wellness goals.

To help you combat the holiday stress, better enjoy the “most beautiful time of the year!” and maintain a healthy lifestyle, we’re offering several stress-free holiday tips to help you achieve better mental and physical health through the holidays and into the new year!

1. Make Time for Yourself.

Enjoying some much-needed “me time” isn’t selfish but rather a necessary component of a healthy and active lifestyle. This is especially important as you navigate the joy and chaos of the holiday season. “Me time” can be whatever you want, or need, it to be – from taking a walk, going for a run, or doing yoga to enjoying a good book, spending time on a hobby, or indulging in a spa day. Whatever it is you enjoy, setting aside time to de-stress, detoxify, and take care of yourself is one of the best ways to maintain your mental health.

2. Maintain Healthy Eating Habits

Culinary temptations abound throughout the holiday season! From decadent desserts to favorite comfort foods, most every holiday celebration involves food. The key to navigating the snack tables and dinner buffets is to enjoy your favorite food, desserts, and beverages in moderation. Remember there is nothing wrong with mindfully enjoying a treat or two, and one meal, or day, of overindulging is not going to derail your health. Just be sure to recommit to your healthy eating habits at the next meal, or the next day, and do your best to balance your unhealthy indulgences with fresh fruits and vegetables, water, and other healthy eats.

3. Drink in Moderation

Like food, adult beverages abound during the holiday season! From work-related events to personal holiday parties, vacations, family get togethers, and meet ups, it can be easy to lose track of your alcohol consumption. To better enjoy your holiday beverages in moderation, drink water between alcoholic drinks and be sure to eat before drinking.

4. Sleep Well

Holiday anxiety is real and often exacerbated by a lack of proper sleep. Whether from anxiety, busier social schedules, holiday obligations, or year-end stress, it’s easy to become sleep deprived during the holidays. The average adult requires an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep for their brains to function normally; getting a good night’s sleep is key to staying healthy over the holidays and ensuring you have enough energy for all of the social events and activities filling your calendar.

5. Enjoy Quality Time with Loved Ones

While it can be both challenging and exhausting to try to attend every event and make time for friends and loved ones, enjoying quality time with loved ones can be as simple as a phone call or holiday greeting. The key is to brighten the other person’s mood and let them know that you’re thinking of them. You might even notice that the more you do this, the more other people are willing to return the favor!

6. Stay Active

Leading an active lifestyle can be achieved by doing many things including playing with your kids, going for a walk with friends, working out, cleaning your house, or simply engaging in activities and hobbies that you enjoy. And it’s important to maintain your activity throughout the holiday season! Try to move at least 30 minutes a day.

7. Plan Ahead

One of the best ways to reduce your holiday stress is to plan ahead. Doing so can help you stay on top of your errands and to-do lists as well as encourage you to finish your shopping earlier. Planning ahead enables you to know your holiday shopping and preparations are done well ahead of schedule so you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday season.

8. Maintain Your Budget

Creating a budget, and sticking to it, is key when it comes to holiday shopping and preparations. Committing yourself to spending limits (for gifts, holiday outfits, and entertaining) and tracking your spending can help ensure that you enjoy the holidays without blowing your budget.

We hope you have a happy, healthy, stress-free holiday season!

23 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions You Can Actually Keep

December 1, 2022/in Health and Wellness/by admin

Each new year brings a fresh start! For many, it also brings new health goals and resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, exercise more, and improve health and wellness. The unfortunate truth is the health and wellness resolutions people make tend to be highly restrictive and unsustainable and lead to inevitable failure. This is why so many the same resolutions year after year.

To help break that cycle, it is important to make resolutions that not only improve your overall health but also enable you to succeed! So we are sharing 23 New Year’s resolutions you can actually keep!

1. Eat more whole foods

One of the easiest and most sustainable ways to improve overall health is to eat healthier. And one of the best ways to eat healthier is to incorporate more whole foods into your diet. Whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and fish, contain a plethora of nutrients that your body needs to function at an optimal level. Research also shows that following a whole-foods-based diet may significantly reduce heart disease risk factors, body weight, and blood sugar levels, as well as decrease your risk of certain diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Start by adding one serving of fresh fruits or veggies to your diet every day.

2. Get up and move

Whether it’s due to having a sedentary job or simply being inactive, people often sit more than they should. This can have negative effects on health as sedentary lifestyles have been linked to an increased risk of overall mortality. Making a resolution to sit less is an easy and attainable resolution that can be tailored to fit your daily lifestyle. If you have a desk job that requires long periods of sitting, make a resolution to go for a 15-minute walk at lunch or to get up and walk for 5 minutes every hour. If you’re unable to walk during your shift, opt for a walk during your break or schedule time before or after work where you can move your body.

3. Cut back on sweetened beverages

Sugary drinks are linked to an increased risk of obesity, fatty liver, heart disease, insulin resistance, and cavities in both children and adults. In the coming year, gradually begin minimizing how many sweetened beverages you drink and replace them with water. Before you know it, you may kick your sugary drink habit for good.

4. Sleep well

Sleep is an essential part of overall health! Sleep deprivation can lead to serious consequences such as an increased risk of weight gain, heart disease, and depression. To help improve your sleep, it’s important to focus on your schedule and lifestyle. Decreasing screen time before bed, reducing light pollution in your bedroom, cutting back on caffeine, and getting to bed at a reasonable hour are some simple ways to improve sleep and help you get the recommended 8 hours a night.

5. Exercise

Each New Year, people purchase expensive memberships to gyms, workout studios, and online fitness programs in hopes of shedding excess body fat and achieving better health. And while most people start strong, the majority don’t make their new routine into a lasting habit. To help you achieve your fitness goals, opt for an exercise activity you enjoy and one that can be incorporated into your daily routine. Also set realistic expectations for yourself. For example, taking a half-hour walk, jog, or bike ride before work, or swimming at a gym that’s on your way home, are simple and sustainable exercise resolutions. And designating a few days a week for your workout, rather than aiming for every day, can enhance the chances of making your new routine last, especially if you’re new to working out.

6. Prioritize self-care

Taking time for yourself is not selfish. In fact, it’s imperative for optimal health and wellbeing. For people with busy schedules and limited time, making a resolution to engage in self-care may take some planning. The good news is self-care doesn’t have to be elaborate or time consuming. It can simply mean taking a bath every week, attending your favorite weekly yoga class, preparing a healthy meal for yourself, going for a nature walk, or getting an extra hour of sleep.

7. Eat in more

Research shows that people who cook more meals at home have better diet quality and less body fat than people who eat more meals on the go. Start by making one meal a day, then increase the frequency over time until you’re making the majority of your meals and snacks at home.

8. Enjoy the outdoors

Spending more time outdoors can improve health by relieving stress, elevating mood, and even lowering blood pressure. Taking a walk outside during your lunch break, hiking on weekends, going camping with friends, or simply soaking in the beauty of your backyard or local park are all ways to incorporate nature into your daily routine.

9. Limit screen time

Many people depend on their phones and computers for work and entertainment. However, spending too much time on electronic devices — particularly on social media — has been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness in some studies. Setting a resolution to cut back on the time you spend scrolling through social media, watching TV, or playing computer games may help boost your mood and enhance productivity.

10. Start meditating

Meditation is an evidence-based way to promote mental well-being. It may be particularly helpful for people who have anxiety or depression. There are many ways to meditate, and it’s easy to find books, podcasts, and apps that teach you how to start a meditation practice. Peloton also offers meditation classes.

11. Eat less junk

Many people rely on convenience foods, such as packaged chips, cookies, frozen dinners, and fast food, for a quick meal or snack. Though these items may be tasty and readily available, they can have detrimental effects on your health if eaten too often. To cut back on your consumption of convenience foods, make a resolution to prepare more meals at home using healthy ingredients.

12. Rethink dieting

Chronic dieting is harmful to both physical and mental health. Plus, most people who lose weight through restrictive dieting regain up to two-thirds of the weight lost within 1 year. Dieting can also make it harder to lose weight in the future. Rather than setting a New Year’s resolution to lose weight by using restrictive measures, such as a fad diet, try a healthier, more sustainable method of weight loss by focusing on increasing physical activity and eating healthier foods.

13. Grocery shop regularly

Having a well-stocked pantry and fridge is necessary to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals. If you’re not used to going grocery shopping, make a New Year’s resolution to go to the supermarket or farmer’s market more regularly to stock up on nutritious ingredients.

14. Use healthier household products

It’s obvious that what you put into your body can significantly impact your health. However, what you choose to put onto your body and what products you use in your home matter, too. Make a New Year’s resolution to decrease your toxic load by purchasing more natural beauty products, household cleaners, laundry detergents, and personal care products to create a healthier environment for yourself and your family.

15. Eat more fresh produce

Adding more cooked and raw vegetables and fruits to your diet can go a long way towards improving your health in the new year. Numerous studies have shown that eating a diet rich in produce helps protect against various illnesses, such as diabetes, heart diseases, certain cancers, and obesity, as well as overall mortality.

16. Cut back on alcohol

Though alcohol can certainly fit into a healthy diet, imbibing too often can negatively affect your health. What’s more, drinking alcohol frequently may keep you from reaching your health and wellness. If you think cutting back on alcohol may be helpful for you, set a reasonable goal to keep yourself on track, such as limiting drinking to weekend nights only or setting a drink limit for the week.

17. Be more present

Research shows that being more present may improve life satisfaction by decreasing negative thoughts, which may thereby improve psychological health. Making a New Year’s resolution to be more mindful and present may help you feel more content in your everyday life. Spending less time on your phone, stopping to notice your environment, and listening intently to others are simple ways to be more present.

18. Take a vacation

Taking a vacation, even a short one, may have significant and immediate positive effects on stress levels and may enhance well-being. Make a resolution to take a vacation with friends or family members, or on your own. Whether you travel to an area you’ve always wanted to visit or simply plan a staycation at home, taking some time for rest and relaxation is important for health.

19. Try a new hobby

Research shows that partaking in a hobby that you love can help you live a longer, healthier life. Make a resolution to try out a hobby that you’ve always been interested in or pick back up a hobby that used to bring you joy.

20. Eliminate negative self-talk

Make a healthy New Year’s resolution to engage in positive self-talk regularly and reduce negative body talk. This may not only help improve your mental health but also your relationship with your own body.

21. Schedule your annual exam

It’s important to visit your primary care physician for an annual check-up. During this appointment, they can help assess your health and complete regular blood work and screenings to help gauge your level of health and identify potential problems before they turn into something more serious.

22. Schedule a dental visit

Maintaining your oral health is equally as important as maintaining your physical health. While brushing and flossing your teeth regularly can help prevent oral conditions like gum disease and bad breath, most dentists recommend a checkup and cleaning at least once a year.

23. Opt for a nutritious, sustainable diet

If you are making a resolution to eat healthier or lose weight year after year, it’s likely because you’re prioritizing short-term changes over long-term health benefits. Rather than following a restrictive fad diet, make a resolution to break the dieting cycle and create a sustainable, nourishing eating pattern that works for you. The healthiest diet is one that’s rich in whole, nutrient-dense foods and low in heavily processed, sugary products.

These healthy resolutions offer sustainable ways to improve your physical and emotional health in the new year and beyond! By creating a healthier relationship with food and taking better care of your body and mind, you can create healthy habits that will not only help you achieve your immediate goals but also set you up for a healthier lifestyle you can sustain.

Year-End Employee Healthcare Benefits Checklists

December 1, 2022/in Employee Benefit/by admin

The end of the year is near, and we want to help you and your employees get the most out of their current healthcare benefits offerings before programs reset! This is also a great time to prepare them to use their new benefits in the coming year.

As your teams may be weary from the open enrollment season, which often involves in-depth presentations, office hours, and employee communications, it’s best to keep your end-of-year benefits communications as simple and direct as possible. The goal is to inform employees about the action items they should complete, and when they should do them, to maximize their coverage. Checklists are a great way to share deadlines, organize any outstanding action items, and help your teams get organized so they can stay on track with their health goals as they wrap up one benefits year and transition into the next.

Here are two sample checklists to use as a template, and adapt as needed, for your company’s program needs.

Checklist #1: Maximizing In-Year Health Benefits

Before the benefit year ends, here are a few action items to take to ensure you get the most out of your insurance, FSA, and other healthcare offerings.

If you’re behind on annual screenings (for example, mammograms or colonoscopies), schedule an appointment to take place before the end of the benefits year.
Make sure you (and any family members on your plan) are up to date on immunizations and vaccinations.
Schedule an appointment with our primary care physician for an annual wellness exam. Make sure your family members do too.
Complete any procedures or tests you’ve been putting off, including blood work or other lab tests recommended by your doctor.
Take advantage of your vision benefits, including exams, contract refills, or ordering new glasses.
Schedule your semi-annual dental cleaning. It’s free with most dental plans!
Refill any prescriptions, especially if you have a chronic or acute condition, to avoid any possible delays if you’re switching doctors or plans in the new year.
Max out your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) pre-tax dollars before they expire. A lot of items are eligible for FSAs—more than you may think. A few examples include:
- Alternative healthcare like acupuncture or chiropractic care
- Mental health appointments
- Medical supplies such as vitamins, first-aid kits, and over-the-counter medications

Checklist #2: Planning for the New Benefit Year

Before the new benefit year begins, here are a few action items to complete so you start your healthcare routine off right.

Review your statement of benefits coverage (SBC) to familiarize yourself with what’s covered under your plan.
Look at deductibles/out-of-pocket amounts to know how much you’re responsible for financially in the coming year.
Get clear on any healthcare plan changes and make necessary adjustments (e.g., choosing new doctors, finding new pharmacies, locating your nearest in-network hospital and urgent care, etc.).
Review your HSA (health savings account) and FSA (flexible spending account) account options, particularly if this is your first time signing up.
Explore any new healthcare benefits, including telemedicine options, mental health apps, and chronic condition management programs. Make sure your dependents sign up for services available to them as well.

By clearly communicating the timing and tasks employees should take to prepare themselves for the end of one benefit year and the start of the next, you’ll be taking great strides toward helping employees make informed healthcare decisions and feel prepared for the year ahead.

Planning Ahead for Holiday Party Risks

December 1, 2022/in Risk Management/by admin

While holiday office parties are a good opportunity to bring employees together, they present a variety of potential risks for organizations. And with social media, even slight misconducts can be amplified if they go viral. What might have been an embarrassment that could be handled quietly, internally, can quickly become a reputation issue.

According to an article by Lloyd’s, the addition of social media “can seriously impair a company’s ability to manage a crisis.”

“Social media and business entertainment can be a challenging mix—whether it is a sales conference, awards dinner or a Christmas party—the use of social media in the work environment has to be carefully considered,” he said, adding that websites like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram enable almost instant sharing of information, but even email can cause problems. An employee intending to send a funny email to a coworker, for example, could accidentally send it to clients.

Steve Adcock, Underwriting Manager at QBE Europe observed that alcohol can lead to a heightened risk of inappropriate comments, behavior or even assault. “People can lose their inhibitions and may not think about what they say or do,” he said. “Employees will not always get along at the Christmas party. Disagreements can lead to hurt feelings through to a potential assault.”

Paul Griffin, Head of Employment and Labor at international law firm, Norton Fulbright cautioned that an employer is liable for the wrong doings or injuries of their employees, unless they can show they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent them.

To protect themselves and their employees, organizations need to advise staff attending a party that the usual company rules still apply, Alter advised. “A company policy should make it clear that any event that is associated with work should be treated as work, and that the social media policy continues to

To help you avoid safety mishaps and mitigate your holiday risk, risk management professionals advise you:

• Inspect all venues (both on- and off-site) it to ensure they meet safety standards. Note exits, emergency lighting, and flooring to prevent slips and falls, particularly if there is a chance of bad weather.
• Consider the effects weather may have on safe travel to and from the party. If needed, take precautions to keep sidewalks and parking lots clear if the event is outside of normal business hours.
• Consider potential security needs, especially if the event is in an unfamiliar neighborhood or if the venue is closed to the public.
• Observe party-goers to ensure no one drives drunk, one wanders off, or enters a parking lot or garage alone after dark.
• Create an emergency plan in case someone is injured or needs medical assistance. Locate the closest hospital and designate anyone who can perform CPR or use a defibrillator.
• Review situations for employees with disabilities who may require special attention. For example, if a disabled employee must use a wheelchair, check that there is a safe entrance, navigate the event and know how to deal with a possible emergency.

Enjoy a happy, risk-free holiday season!

Nine Tips for a Healthy Thanksgiving

November 1, 2022/in Health and Wellness/by admin

The season of thanks is upon us and if you find yourself thinking about the upcoming feast, you’re in good company! Since Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, and the feast often includes some once a year favorites, it’s easy to splurge. And luckily, you can do so without sabotaging your diet!

With a little pre-planning and self-discipline, you can enjoy your traditional holiday favorites in a guilt-free way! Here’s how:

1. Stay Active

Before indulging in your favorite holiday foods, drinks, and treats, create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn off extra calories. The winning formula for preventing holiday weight gain is to eat less and exercise more, or simply exercise more to account for your elevated caloric intake. Some easy ways to accomplish either include increasing your steps or lengthen your fitness routine the days/weeks leading up to the holiday or increasing the time or intensity of your workout the day of the feast. You may also consider making fitness a family adventure by taking a morning walk, participating in a flag football game, or participating in a fun run.

2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

While you might think it makes sense to skip breakfast to save calories for your Thanksgiving feast, experts agree eating a small meal in the morning not only gives you more control over your appetite but also decreases the likelihood of overindulging later in the day. Start your day with a small, healthy breakfast, like an egg with a slice of whole-wheat toast, a bowl of whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk, or yogurt with fresh fruit and granola. By eating a nutritious meal with protein and fiber to start your day, you stave off a huge appetite later and make better food and beverage choices at your big meal.

3. Lighten Up

Whether you are hosting Thanksgiving dinner or simply bringing sides or desserts to share, find ways to make your recipes healthier with less fat, sugar, and calories. Some easy swaps include using fat-free chicken broth to baste the turkey and make gravy, using natural sugar substitutes (such as stevia or agave) in place of sugar, using fruit purees instead of oil in baked goods, and using plain yogurt or fat-free sour cream in creamy dips, mashed potatoes, and casseroles.

4. Watch Your Portions

Thanksgiving feasts are just that! The tables are bountiful, beautiful displays of traditional family favorites and over-indulgence is expected. Before filling your plate, consider your options, decide what you’re going to choose, and select reasonable-sized portions of your holiday favorites. Supplement your meal with fresh ingredients such as salads and fresh fruit, or roasted veggies. Some other healthier Thanksgiving foods include white turkey meat, plain vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, thin gravy, and pumpkin pie.

5. Skip the Seconds

There’s nothing like Thanksgiving leftovers so rather than overindulging on a second serving of your favorite holiday fares, save them for the next day. By limiting yourself to one plate, you are less likely to overeat and have more room for a delicious dessert.

6. Savor Your Meal

One of the easiest ways to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied with one plate full of food is by eating slowly, putting your fork down between bites, and savoring each mouthful. Rather than rushing through your meal, take your time to enjoy both the food and the conversations your feast offers.

7. Go Easy on Alcohol

Not only do alcohol calories add up quickly, when you overindulge on alcohol you are more likely to make poor food choices. Opt for a glass of wine or a wine spritzer and enjoy a glass of water between alcoholic drinks. By balancing your alcoholic and water intake, you can stay hydrated, limit alcohol calories, and stay sober.

8. Be Realistic

The holiday season is a time for celebration! And with busy schedules and added temptations, it’s a good time to strive for balance. Focus on weight maintenance rather than weight loss. And if you find you’ve overindulged, give yourself some grace and commit to getting back on track the next day. One day of overeating or missing your workout won’t derail your overall health.

9. Count Your Blessings

Thanksgiving is not just about the delicious bounty of food, it’s a time to celebrate relationships with family and friends and express gratitude for all the good things in your life. By taking the focus from the feast and expanding it to include socializing, spending quality time with loved ones, and acknowledging the positive in your life, you’ll boost your overall health.

We wish a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Ten of the Best Holiday Team Building Activities

November 1, 2022/in Workplace Wellness/by admin

The holidays are upon us and we want to share some of our favorite team building activities and holiday themed games, exercises, and challenges to do with your employees this holiday season!

1. Volunteer Your Time

Arguably one of the most meaningful, effective, rewarding teambuilding activities, volunteering during the holidays gives employees a shared mission and helps coworkers bond with each other. Whether for a few hours, half day, day, or month-long campaign, volunteering your time and giving back to the community is incredibly rewarding for all. While food pantries are always in need, and tend to be accommodating of larger groups, volunteering opportunities are plentiful. From fun runs and turkey trots, to canned food drives, to delivering meals to seniors, volunteering at homeless shelters, writing letters to soldiers, to volunteering at local animal shelters, there are countless ways to give back during the holidays (and beyond!). When coordinating, reach out and connect with local organizations to assess their needs and determine where your team(s) can make an impact in your surrounding community.

2. Donate to Charity

While of the one of the more low-key holiday team building ideas, coordinating a charitable donation is one of the easiest ways to give back to the community. This option is especially attractive to busy offices or companies that run several shifts, as employees can pitch in and participate without having to be together at the same time. Prior to selecting organizations to support, consider polling your employees to see where they would like to see their donations go. Encourage employees to contribute personally or engage in fundraising efforts and, if feasible, have the company match their donations. For maximum impact, select local organizations and then share updates about the good work they are doing throughout the year. This will help employees feel more connected to the charity and encourage future donations, should you wish to donate to them again next year.

3. Host a Holiday Scavenger Hunt

Split your employees into groups, or create department centric teams, and create a fun, concise, holiday themed scavenger hunt list. Give each team five to ten minutes to grab the items on the list. Here is a list of scavenger hunt apps and treasure hunt clues for game inspiration.

4. Host a Holiday Meal or Potluck

Holiday feasts and potlucks are one of the most obvious holiday team building events, especially as the holiday itself revolves around food. You can either make reservations at a restaurant, cater in, or coordinate a potluck. You may also consider booking a few food trucks, participating in tastings, going to a farm to table restaurant, or attending a cooking class that ends with a meal, to offer a more unique dining experience.

5. Plan a Special Appreciation Day

Though Employee Appreciation Day officially falls on the first Friday of March, the holiday season is the perfect time to celebrate your staff for their hard work and dedication. During the week leading up to the holidays, consider planning a staff appreciation day and plan special events for employees to enjoy. Some ideas include chair massages, complimentary meals and snacks, raffles and giveaways, and handwritten thank you notes.

6. “Gratitude Tag”

“Gratitude tag” is a game that revolves around giving thanks. To play, team members take turns thanking each other for kind deeds. Once an employee has been thanked, that teammate must find a new coworker to show gratitude. Participants can give thanks via email, verbally expressing their gratitude during a meeting, or by leaving each other notes. The game continues until every team member has been thanked at least once. To ensure that everyone receives a sincere word of gratitude, we recommend keeping track of mentions on an Excel spreadsheet.

7. Write Thank You Letters

One of the most meaningful holiday-themed team building activities is writing thank you letters. To do this exercise, simply set up a station with nice cards, pens, envelopes, and stickers or seals. Be sure to block off thirty minutes to an hour where teammates can sit down together and jot out notes to those who have made a difference in their lives this year. Examples might include bosses and mentors, family members, colleagues, vendors, clients, or staff at a nearby restaurant. Team members can then sign group cards and deliver them together.

8. Play a Game of “Guess the Gratitude”

“Guess the Gratitude” is one of the easiest games. It not only gives employees the opportunity to express their gratitude in a group setting but also helps employees get to know each other on a more personal level. To do this exercise, each employee writes down one thing they are thankful for; answers do not have to be office-related, and more personal answers can help team members get to know each other better. Then, the leader chooses responses at random to read out loud, and the rest of the group must guess which team member the answer belongs to. To help vary the responses and make the game more fun, ask employees to avoid more common answers such as family, shelter, freedom, having a job, etc. and encourage them to think more creatively about the things they are personally thankful for.

9. Participate in a Turkey Trot

Turkey Trots are one of the more popular holiday event ideas. These races started as ways to burn calories before consuming a large meal but have become a holiday team building favorite among employers and employees alike. Running a race together can inspire friendly rivalry and encourage exercise. Plus, teammates can cheer each other across the finish line. To increase engagement and encourage inclusivity, consider sponsoring several teams of walkers, joggers, and runners and encourage employees who are unable to participate in the race to come cheer their coworkers. You may also consider opening the event to employees and their families.

10. Play a Game of “Holiday This or That”

“This or That” is another fun, easy holiday team building game. To play, the leader reads out a series of prompts, and players must respond with their preference. If playing in person, then players can move to one side of the room or the other to broadcast their choice.

A few starter questions include:

White meat or dark meat?
Mains or sides?
Spend with friends or spend with family?
Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes?
Sit down dinner or mingling dinner?
Football or parade?
Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Dress up or wear sweats?

We wish you and your teams a happy holiday season!

Tips for Coping with Holiday Stress and Depression

November 1, 2022/in Health and Wellness, Workplace Wellness/by admin

We’ve all heard the term, “the holiday blues.” But what exactly does it mean and how can impact you? In short, “the holiday blues” encompasses feelings of depression and stress that the holidays often invoke. Not only can this stress and depression ruin your holidays but also negatively impact your overall health.

While enjoyable, it’s no wonder the holidays carry an added level of stress, which can lead to depression. Good and bad, the holiday season presents a dizzying array of demands, from cooking meals and baking, to cleaning and entertaining, to buying the perfect gifts, and outfits, for all the celebrations. Between the never-ending To Do lists in your personal life, on top of the year-end demands and deadlines associated with your job, the holiday season is often one of the busiest, most stressful times of the year. Luckily, with some practical tips, you can minimize the stress that accompanies the holidays. You may even end up enjoying the holidays more than you thought you would! All it takes is making a conscious effort to set realistic expectations, planning ahead, maintain your boundaries, and seeking support.

Here are some tips to prevent holiday stress and depression:

Acknowledge your feelings. If you find yourself feeling blue, understand you can’t force yourself to be happy just because it’s the holiday season. Acknowledge your feelings and give yourself grace as you navigate them.
Reach out. If you find yourself feeling lonely or isolated, seek out community, religious or other social events or communities. Many may have websites, online support groups, social media sites, or virtual events that offer support and/or companionship. You can also reach out to trusted family and friends or seek volunteer opportunities that allow you to connect with others on a more meaningful level.
Manage your expectations. The holidays don’t have to be perfect and traditions from previous years may no longer suit you. As families change and grow, traditions and rituals often change as well. Choose a few to hold onto and be open to creating new ones.
Set aside differences. Try to accept family members and friends as they are, even if they don’t live up to all of your expectations. If you have grievances with loved ones, try to set them aside until a more appropriate time for discussion. Also, try to be understanding of others who may be upset or distressed, they too may be feeling the effects of holiday stress and depression, too.
Establish your budget. Holiday expenses can add up quickly! So prior to shopping for food, clothing, and gifts, decide how much money you can afford to spend and track your spending so you can stay on budget.
Plan ahead. Scheduling time and/or days for shopping, baking, connecting with friends, and attending parties not only helps you maintain a schedule but also helps prevent holiday burnout. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by holiday crowds and to do lists, consider shopping online and scheduling pick-ups whenever possible. When possible, plan your holiday menus and make shopping lists for gifts and holiday needs as early as possible. Doing so helps prevent the stressful, last-minute scrambling to buy forgotten ingredients, grab another gift, or find an outfit for that upcoming holiday get together.
Learn to say no. The holidays are filled with celebrations, projects, and activities. Saying yes to everything can leave you feeling resentful and overwhelmed. Understand that it’s ok to say no when you’re feeling stressed or suggest alternate times to get together in the new year.
Maintain your healthy habits. During the holiday season, it’s easy to get off track you’re your diet and exercise routine. And once you’re off track, it’s easy to stay there. Maintaining your healthy habits can help you combat stress, guilt, and holiday weight gain as well as promote your mental health. Here are some suggestions to keep you stay healthy throughout the season:
- Don’t skip meals to save calories
- Enjoy a healthy snack before attending a party or enjoying a holiday meal
- Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your feasts
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Drink plenty of water
- Strive for 30 minutes of physical activity each day
- When feeling stressed or overwhelmed, try deep-breathing exercises, meditation, or yoga
- Avoid excessive tobacco, alcohol, and drug use.
Prioritize self-care. Taking some time for yourself can go a long way in helping you maintain your overall health. Spending just 15 minutes alone, without distractions, may refresh you enough to handle everything you need to do. Seeks activities that help you reduce stress, clear your mind, slow your breathing, and restore your inner calm. Whether reading, listening to music, taking a walk, enjoying a bath, spending time doing a hobby, taking a break for yourself, by yourself, can help you combat holiday stress.
Seek professional help when needed. Despite your best efforts, the holidays may leave you feeling persistently sad or anxious, plagued by physical complaints, unable to sleep, irritable and hopeless, and/or unable to face routine chores. If these feelings last, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional.

By taking steps to prevent the stress and depression that can descend during the holidays, and learning to recognize your holiday triggers, such as financial pressures or personal demands, you can combat stress before it overcomes you. With a little planning and some positive thinking, you can find peace and joy during the holidays!

Seven Risk Management Tips for Your Holiday Party

November 1, 2022/in Risk Management/by admin

While the office holiday party is a great opportunity for socializing away from work, and a nice way for employers to say “thanks” to their employees for their efforts throughout the year, holiday parties pose risks to employers and employees alike. And unfortunately, every holiday season includes a company party where an employee has a few too many drinks and says something inappropriate, gets into an altercation, or worse, gets into an accident on the way home and injures or kills someone. Not only does this pose challenges from an HR perspective but worse, opens the company to risk including investigations, the threat of costly lawsuits, and a marred reputation.

Though the holiday party carries some of the greatest risks employers face throughout the year, many of these risks are avoidable. By treating the party as a serious risk management responsibility, and considering the potential risks surrounding liquor law liabilities, sexual harassment and assault, violence, slips and falls or other injuries, food poisoning, premises damage, and reputational damage, employers are better able to navigate the holiday party season.

Here are seven holiday party risk management tips to keep you, your employees, and your party safe, happy, and disaster-free:

1. Establish boundaries for conduct. Prior to the party, review company policies on acceptable behavior, the potential liabilities, and the consequences of noncompliance. Ensure each employee understands the rules and reiterate to all that the party is a work-related event, and sexual harassment or other inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated. If you are planning to serve alcohol, take the time to remind everyone about responsible drinking and consider imposing drink limits.

2. Abide by your liquor law liabilities. When it comes to holiday parties, it’s no surprise alcohol is easily the biggest risk. If someone is served alcohol at your party and ends up getting injured, or injures someone else, in a car accident or altercation, your company may be responsible for medical bills, vehicle repairs, a wrongful death lawsuit, and a host of other liabilities. For this reason, it’s imperative employers establish safe drinking standards. To further mitigate your risk:

Do not have an open bar
Create a drink voucher system
Hire a professional bartender
Offer non-alcoholic drinks
Stop serving liquor an hour before the end of the party
Arrange alternate transportation for those who need it

3. Host your party offsite. If something should happen, it’s better for it to happen outside of your business location. While you may still be named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit, some of the liability will likely be shared by the venue.

4. Identify and eliminate safety hazards. Before the party, tour the venue to identify potential hazards and ensure all areas, indoors and out, are free from slip and fall hazards, standing water, obstructions, etc.

5. Use professional food service. Foodborne illnesses are becoming a more common threat and parrty buffets are a perfect breeding ground for contamination. If planning to serve hors d’oeuvres or food, hire a reputable firm that is knowledgeable in food handling safety standards.

6. Investigate incidents in a timely manner. If an incident happens during or after the party, immediately gather and thoroughly document the facts and circumstances while the incident is still fresh in everyone’s mind.

7. Double check your insurance coverage. Review your company’s policies to see if your liquor liability is covered under your CGL policy. Also consider coverage such as Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) to protect against claims of discrimination, sexual harassment, emotional distress, and other issues.

We hope your company holiday party is a time for celebration and encourage you to put your holiday party on your risk management to-do list! Should you need any help, please contact our risk management experts and let us help you keep your business and employees safe this holiday season!

Ten Halloween Safety Tips

October 1, 2022/in Safety/by admin

Halloween is right around the corner and if you plan on taking your kids Trick-or-Treating, you not only want them to have fun but also keep them safe while doing so! Here are 10 Halloween safety tips to have the best time Trick-or-Treating!

1. Plan your route. Trick-or-treating can lead to wandering through new neighborhoods and unfamiliar streets. By mapping out a route before you leave the house, and staying on paths you and your child(ren) are familiar, you can avoid getting lost.

2. Wear reflective clothing. Keep your kids visible by having them wear glow-in-the-dark necklaces and bracelets. Consider putting reflective strips on their costumes or having them carry small flashlights.

3. Wear ID cards. In the unlikely event you get separated from your child during Trick-or-Treating, having them carry a discreet identification card under their costume can help expedite your reunion.

4. Wear comfortable shoes. Make sure you and your children are in comfortable, well-fitting shoes. You can end up walking miles while Trick-or-Treating so wearing well tied shoes and avoiding uncomfortable footwear such as costume shoes and high heels can alleviate sore feet, trips, and falls.

5. Wear comfortable, non-restrictive costumes. Avoid costumes that drag on the ground or those that could get caught on bushes or create a tussle. Also opt for costumes that allow you to move, and see, freely.

6. Establish a curfew. This is especially important if your child is going trick-or-treating without you or if you want to make sure you’re not out with the kids all night. Solidifying the plans and times beforehand can alleviate issues later in the evening.

7. Take your phone(s). Not only should you have your phone with you, but also child if they are Trick-or-Treating without you or another parent.

8. Stay hydrated. As the October weather can be unpredictable and costumes can get hot, especially when walking long distances during Trick-or-Treating, remember to bring some water bottles with you and stay hydrated throughout the night.

9. Inspect all candy before eating. Make sure all treats are sealed and throw out candy with torn packages or holes in the packages. It’s also good practice to toss any treats that may be spoiled or that are homemade by anyone you don’t know and trust.

10. Keep your own home safe. Just as you want to keep your Trick-or-Treating children safe, you should prioritize the safety of those Trick-or-Treating at your home. Remove anything that could cause kids to trip or fall on your walkway or lawn and keep family pets away from trick-or-treaters – even if they seem harmless to you. Make sure all exterior lights are on and, if possible, illuminate the walkway to your door.

Have fun and keep safe! Happy Halloween!

15 Wellness Tips to Keep You Healthy This Fall

October 1, 2022/in Health and Wellness/by admin

The seasons are changing and the transition to shorter days and cooler weather can be challenging. To help ease the transition, here are 15 wellness tips to keep you healthy in body and mind.

1. Start taking a Vitamin D supplement. Since we get most of our Vitamin D from the sun, natural intake tends to decrease during the fall/winter seasons. To help offset the deficit, consider taking a Vitamin D supplement to boost your mood and immune system.

2. Prioritize your mental health and self-care. The fall and winter months tend to force us to slow down and the shorter, darker days can trigger depression. Consider starting a journal to track your moods and stay more in tune with your feelings.

3. Schedule your annual check-up. Before the winter months hit and flu season ramps up, try to get your health in order by completing your annual tests and getting up to date on your health checks.

4. Boost your immune system. Drinking plenty of water, getting plenty of sleep, frequently washing your hands, and eating nutritious foods are a great place to start.

5. Start preparing for Daylight Savings Time. Make it a point to go to bed earlier when you can, especially the week before the time changes.

6. Schedule some fun for the upcoming months. During the fall and winter months, when the weather is cooler and it gets darker earlier, it’s easy to stay in. While this can be a welcome change, hibernating too much can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Try to schedule some fun getaways or get togethers to ensure you maintain some level of social engagement.

7. Protect and hydrate your skin. Harsh temperatures can dry out your skin while cloudy weather can make you forgo your sunscreen. Regardless of the weather, be sure to keep your skin hydrated with a quality moisturizer and wear your SPF.

8. Enjoy in-season foods. The fall months are filled with an array of healthy, seasonal foods. Enjoy the bounty by eating fresh beets, broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, kale, pumpkin, broths, roasted squash, roots, and sautéed dark leafy greens.

9. Stay active! Don’t fall victim to the fall/winter slump by becoming more sedentary. Make an effort to move throughout the day whether walking, jogging, hiking, or even doing house or yard work. The key is move your body for a minimum of 30 minutes each day.

10. Dress appropriately. As the fall weather can be unpredictable, consider wearing layers so you’re prepared for unforeseen temperature changes.

11. Do some fall “spring cleaning.” Clean out your closet, organize, and rid yourself of things you don’t need.

12. Prepare your home for weather changes. Before the temperatures change and harsher weather arrives, be sure to check your home for any possible leaks or openings, make sure your heater is in working condition, and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, and flashlights.

13. Refresh your reading and watch lists. When the weather is chilly or wet, and you just want to relax at home, having a new book to read or a new series to watch can help you enjoy the downtime even more.

14. Maintain a schedule. The cooler months can seem to drag on, sometimes triggering feelings of depression and isolation. Stay on track by scheduling time each day to do things enjoy and maintain open lines of communication with friends and loved ones.

15. Be kind to yourself. The start of fall not only means the start of the holiday season, which can cause weight gain, but also the start of shorter days can impact your mood and the flu season, which can impact your health. Give yourself some grace by listening to your body, properly nourishing your body and mind, and getting plenty of sleep.