AllWays Insider

Breaking an addiction to nicotine isn't easy, but employers are uniquely positioned to encourage and help their employees quit smoking. Research shows that helping an employee quit smoking provides a great return on investment in lower health care and workers’ compensation costs and increased productivity. With COVID-19, there’s also never been a better time to quit smoking.

Sleep is an important part of our overall health. But getting enough sleep is often easier said than done, especially during times of uncertainty and environmental change. And 2020 has certainly had its share of both: the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, massive unemployment, protests, heatwaves, hurricanes and tornadoes. On top of all that, it's an Election Year!

Lack of sleep, unfortunately, can lead to poor performance at work and have long-term health effects. Scheduling sleep should be as important as scheduling appointments and meeting deadlines. It’s important for employers to understand this issue and how they can support their employees in establishing a healthy sleep schedule.

As we’ve been barraged with news about COVID-19, the uncertainty of the economy, the job market, and questionable plans on school openings, we’ve entered a highly stressful period in many people’s lives. When faced with problems that are out of our control, it can be difficult to manage the stress that comes with them.

The practice of meditation and mindfulness is one method people use to cope with these feelings. More employers are beginning to offer resources related to meditation and other ways of caring for our behavioral health and the physical side-effects of stress.

This post was originally shared on AllWays Health Partners' provider blog, Best Practice.

Telemedicine, telehealth, e-visits, and virtual care are all ways to describe receiving care virtually without going to a provider’s office. And with the onslaught of COVID-19, it’s likely you’ll be offered one of these options if you need to see a doctor. Logging in or dialing into a virtual health visit, however, can be a new experience for many and may initially feel uncomfortable. These guidelines and tips can help you prepare for and enjoy a productive virtual health care experience.