{Guest Blog} Practice mindfulness this season

To be stressed during the holiday season is to be alive. Stress saps your energy, causes fatigue and increases negative thoughts that can contribute to anxious feelings. Fortunately, there are ways to build up a healthy response to stress that can even reverse the uncomfortable feelings long after the holiday season. The most basic and important way to mitigate stress is by taking care of … Continue reading {Guest Blog} Practice mindfulness this season

{Guest blog} Suicide awareness month – how to cope with social distancing, quarantine & isolation

Since the beginning of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the nation and the world has seen significant changes to daily living. While social distancing, quarantine and isolation help prevent the spread of infectious disease, these same practices may impact your mental health in a negative way. Common reactions Everybody reacts differently to stressful situations. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, you may experience anxiety, worry or … Continue reading {Guest blog} Suicide awareness month – how to cope with social distancing, quarantine & isolation

{Guest blog} Find the motivation to get things done

We all have good days and bad days when it comes to being productive and knocking out that to-do list. But sometimes you just feel stuck. That feeling and lack of motivation can put a strain on your mental health. The secret to being productive every day is in your ability to determine how your time breaks down, set goals that best utilize the time … Continue reading {Guest blog} Find the motivation to get things done

{Guest blog} Steps toward healing from post-traumatic stress disorder

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. People who have witnessed or experienced a traumatic event, such as a car accident, military action, a terrorist attack, sexual violation, serious injury, or any act of violence can suffer severe stress as a result. Some people can … Continue reading {Guest blog} Steps toward healing from post-traumatic stress disorder

{Guest blog} Positive self-talk

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with New Directions to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. We all carry on a continuous internal dialogue with ourselves. This is known as “self-talk” and it impacts how we perceive situations. Sometimes, people use self-talk to say things to themselves they would never say out loud to … Continue reading {Guest blog} Positive self-talk

{Guest blog} Managing anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak

It’s normal to feel worried during times of stress, and many people struggle with anxiety in the best of times. Those feelings have been amplified for many during these unusual times we are living through together during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some steps you can take to manage anxiety and lower your stress. Get the facts. Go to trusted sources. Check the Centers for … Continue reading {Guest blog} Managing anxiety during the coronavirus outbreak

{Guest blog} Outsmarting stress

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas partners with Lucet to make sure our members and employees have access to the behavioral health resources they need. You’re familiar with the symptoms of stress — a pounding heart, increased perspiration, tight neck and shoulder muscles, anxiety and fear. But you may not know how to prevent or relieve these symptoms. Stress can be triggered by events, ideas, memories, … Continue reading {Guest blog} Outsmarting stress

{Guest blog} Six tips to help you avoid procrastination

Sometimes it’s easier to put your responsibilities aside when you feel overwhelmed, overworked or distracted by more enjoyable pursuits. However, when you postpone too many projects, your life can feel disorganized and out of control. Here are some tips to avoid procrastination as you learn to focus on the tasks at hand. Make a commitment to yourself to complete your tasks on time. Motivate yourself … Continue reading {Guest blog} Six tips to help you avoid procrastination