Take Advantage of Health Plan Benefits to Give Yourself the Gift of Good Health and Happiness This Holiday Season
OAKLAND, Calif. (December 5, 2019) – The holidays are fast approaching and that means festive parties, great food, and fun. The upcoming season can also be a reminder for people to take full advantage of their health plan benefits that can help them enjoy themselves while maintaining good health.
For Blue Shield of California members, that means Wellvolution: the nation’s largest network of clinically proven, evidence-based digital therapeutics and community-based programs that help participants maintain good health, and even prevent, treat or, in some instances, reverse chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“It’s possible to successfully use proven lifestyle approaches to meet your health goals and manage stress at any time of the year, but it’s especially important to stay focused on this strategy during the holidays, when big meals become commonplace and exercise tends to wane,” says Bryce Williams, Blue Shield of California’s vice president of Lifestyle Medicine.
“Whether it’s eating fresh, nutritious foods, sleeping soundly at night or engaging in physical activity, Wellvolution’s proven lifestyle strategies all work together to help people feel their best and manage any anxiety and stress that can come with the season. No meds are required!” he adds.
Wellvolution includes 70 digital-health programs and more than 30,000 brick-and-mortar services that makes do-it-yourself health possible for enrolled members, improving their ability to address:
- Sleep quality
- Stress management
- Physical activity
- Diet and nutrition
- Tobacco cessation
- Prevention, treatment and reversal of chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension, etc.)
Williams offers four simple lifestyle tips for staying physically and mentally healthy during the holidays:
Move! Take a hike, ride a bike, walk the dog, or tackle the treadmill at the gym. Find simple ways to move your body.
Eat! Celebrate the festivities and fun that come with eating and drinking with friends – but make healthy food choices when you can and always be mindful of portion control.
Sleep! Before heading to bed, choose an approach that allows you to settle your mind and body. Whether it’s a mobile app that guides you into a calm, meditative state, a few chapters of a good book, a cup of herbal tea, or other rituals, use them consistently before your head hits the pillow, to ensure a sound night’s sleep.
Socialize! Enjoy the holidays with friends and family; healthy social connections can play a key role in one’s overall health and well-being.
“As 2019 winds down and the new year approaches, remember that you have the ability to give yourself and your loved ones the gift of good health and happiness this holiday season,” says Williams.
About Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California strives to create a health care system worthy of our family and friends that is sustainably affordable. We are a not for profit, independent member of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association with over 4 million members, 6,800 employees and more than $20 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $500 million to Blue Shield of California Foundation since 2002 to have an impact on California communities.
For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com.