Manage stress and boost wellness with Blue365

Every year on the first Wednesday of November we celebrate National Stress Awareness Day, a time to help people recognize, manage and reduce stress. The event is sponsored by the International Stress Management Association (ISMA).

Stress is a normal part of life, but you can take steps to manage it in healthy ways. Managing stress is important for your overall health. Long-term stress can increase your risk for health problems like depression, anxiety, sleep and memory problems, high blood pressure, heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

Blue365, a health and wellness discount program available to Blue Cross of Idaho members, has tools and savings that can help.

Healthy ways to manage stress – with support from Blue365

Stay active. Physical activity helps your body and your mind. Try to get 20-30 minutes of physical activity every day. Blue365 can help you meet that goal. Members get discounts on fitness centers with in-person and virtual classes, fitness equipment, activity trackers, golf memberships and heart rate monitors.

Try relaxation techniques. When stress is high, knowing how to pause and find calm is key. Blue365 offers mindfulness and emotional well-being subscriptions. Some fitness centers also include access to services like acupuncture, chiropractic care, as well as stress management, yoga and wellness classes.

Connect with others. Spending time with friends, family or people in your community can lower stress. If you’re not sure where to start, or if vision or hearing loss makes socializing harder, Blue365 can help remove the roadblocks. Blue365 members get discounts on travel, gyms that offer group classes and savings on hearing aids and vision correction.

Get enough sleep. Most adults need seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep a night. Not getting enough sleep can raise your risk of some health problems, like high blood pressure, obesity, heart disease and stroke. If you struggle with sleep, the reasons why may not be things you can change overnight. But there are steps you can take to start sleeping better soon. Blue365 has discounts on sleep-supporting products and services, including nutrition programs, wearable technology, mindfulness classes, and gym access.

Eat healthy foods. Healthy eating supports your overall health and wellness. Choose lean proteins, whole grains, low-fat or non-fat dairy, and lots of fruits and vegetables. Try to limit foods that have a lot of added sugar, salt, or that are high in unhealthy fats. Blue365 offers savings on home delivery healthy meal programs and supplements.

Don’t smoke. If you do, make a plan to quit. Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health. Check out Blue365 for savings on smoking cessation programs with mindfulness and behavioral strategies to help you quit for good.

Learn more

Simple habits can have big impacts when it comes to managing stress. Blue Cross of Idaho members can get extra support and tools with Blue365.

Blue Cross of Idaho members can sign up for Blue365 by logging in to their member account at members.bcidaho.com.