The Top 3 Sources of Holiday Stress (and How to Combat Them)

Woman feeling stressed sitting by a holiday tree.
These days, the holidays and stress seem to go hand-in-hand. Everywhere you go, people are harried, overwhelmed, and overscheduled. Instead of slowing down and spending time with family and friends, most people seem to be in overdrive. The reality is, the holidays have morphed into the most hectic, and unfortunately for some, the most dreaded time of year....
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Your Health Insurance Cheat Sheet

Woman looking at her laptop computer, concerned
Whether you are familiar with your health benefits or you’re on a brand-new plan, unless you work in the industry, many health insurance terms can seem like a different language. I’ve been there! It’s important to understand common health insurance terms. Because when you’re using your benefits, you want to make sure you know what you’re paying for....
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What You Should Do When You Can’t Stay Home Sick

Man at work face down on computer
You wake up on a Tuesday, and it hits you — a sore throat. Likely caused by post-nasal drip, you know it’s only a matter of time before the coughing and sneezing start. You take your temperature, and sure enough, you have a slight fever. You think, “I don’t have time to be sick!” No one ever does!...
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Independence Blue Cross and Mercer Join Forces to Prevent Opioid Misuse and Abuse

Nurse examining a pill bottle
It’s hard to follow the news today without reading an article about the opioid epidemic. It truly is a crisis — one that Independence Blue Cross is committed to preventing and treating any way we can. That’s why when Mercer recently approached us and asked if we’d join forces with them to help one of our shared,...
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Take Control of Your Diabetes

Optometrist giving an eye exam to a senior
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, you may feel at times that your life revolves around the disease. And it’s true that diabetes isn’t something you can just ignore and hope it will go away. But the good news is there are preventive measures you can take to reduce your risk of either developing diabetes or developing complications from diabetes....
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Food vs. Food: Are You a Health Nut?

You’ve probably heard that a handful of nuts is great for a healthy snack. While it seems easy to grab some almonds or pecans in a pinch, certain nuts may be a healthier choice than others. In a nutshell, some hold more nutritional value than others. So, let’s see how they stack up in the ultimate nutty battle royale....
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Surviving the Holiday Food Season: 5 Tips for Healthy Eating

Family enjoying a healthy holiday meal
‘Tis the season for friends and family, fun, and lots of food! Temptation is everywhere, so it’s easy to splurge and overeat. On average, Americans gain approximately one to two pounds during the holiday season. But, you don’t need to wait until the New Year to lose the weight — just a few tweaks can help you avoid holiday weight gain....
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Nutrition and Meal Planning for Type 2 Diabetes

sautéing veggies
Consider for a minute that more than 30 million Americans have diabetes. That means there are more Americans with diabetes than the total population of Australia! The good news is diabetes can be managed through diet and lifestyle. Fortunately, there is a wealth of information out there to help people with diabetes manage their disease. To help navigate that information,...
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Get Better Soon: Tips for Giving Kids Medication

Child taking medication
I’d like to think that after 18 years of parenting (my kids are 18, 16, and 6) I would have mastered something as simple as giving medicine to my kids (and self) as properly instructed by the doctor. But, to be honest, I usually fall somewhere between day seven and day nine of the adherence to drug treatment....
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Are there germs hiding in your office?

Woman on phone in office
You may think your office is clean and neat, especially if your files are in order and you’re good at clearing out the clutter. But, even if your workspace appears pristine, there could be unseen germs lurking. Steering clear of transmittable germs can be particularly difficult in close-quartered working environments, where illnesses easily spread from one worker to another....
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