HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Financial Wellness

Workstation Exercises

Work Life

Shoulder Stretch

Push your shoulders backwards, then up towards your ears, then forward to make circles. Repeat 3 to 5 times. Do it again in the other direction.

Neck Rolls

Touch your chin to chest. Slide your chin from shoulder to shoulder until you feel looser.

Finger Fan

Spread the fingers of both hands wide. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat 3 times.

Tall Stretch

Reach up as high as you can 3 times, first with one hand and then with the other or do both hands at the same time.

Squeeze a Ball

Squeeze a foam ball 5 to 10 times. Put the ball down and stretch your fingers.

Arm Circles

Extend your arms straight out and move them slowly around in smaller to larger circles, forward then backward. Do this several times.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Difficult People In The Workplace

WORK LIFE

A manager rushes into his employee’s office at 4:30 p.m., drops a pile of papers on her desk, and barks, “I need these read, edited, and finalized by 8:30 a.m.”

A woman calls in sick. She is shivering, coughing, and has a fever. Her supervisor screams, “I don’t care what illness you have. If you’re not in the office today, I’ll take it as your resignation!”

These are real examples of workplace bullying that cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The National Mental Health Association estimates that each year more than one billion sick days can be due to mental health disorders caused by work stress. That’s $193 billion a year in lost earnings.

Psychology Professor Katerina Bezrukova studies the psychological effect of workplace injustices and intergroup relations at Santa Clara University.

She says there are 4 kinds of co-workers and supervisors to look out for:

1.Narcissistic.These types have fragile self-esteem. They may become outraged when someone challenges them. Bezrukova says avoid criticizing them. Document your own work, too, so you have a record of everything you do.

2.Aggressive.To them, everyone is a predator or prey. That’s why they like to intimidate others and even bully them. They also tend to act frantic when a project comes in or a deadline is fast approaching. Bezrukova advises victims to stay out of the way. If they can, show them how management-by-hysteria can be inefficient.

3.Rigid.These types won’t try anything new. They manage with viewpoint of “It’s my way or the highway.” This stems from fears of being pushed around. Bezrukova says let them feel like they are a part of the decision.

4.Impaired.These people have ADD, anxiety, depression, burnout, or substance abuse issues. They need professional help. Employee Assistance Programs or other kinds of intervention are best.

“People, who suffer from a workplace injustice of some sort, develop anger, frustration, anxiety, insomnia, headaches. These relationships, coupled with the connection between long-term, chronic psychological distress and increased risk of physical health problems such as cardiovascular disease, make this a crucial dollars and cents issue for business,” says Bezrukova.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Learn How To Check Your Credit Report

FINANCIAL HEALTH

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says everyone should check their credit report at least once a year. The information on your credit report could affect your ability to get a mortgage, car loan, a credit card or other loans. It can also affect the interest rate you get. Usually, a higher credit score makes it easier for you to get a loan and a lower interest rate. Most credit scores range from 300-850.

You are entitled by law to a free report from all three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) once every 12 months. Take advantage of it – and check it over carefully when you receive it.

But what should you look for when you get your report? Errors can happen, so be on the lookout for:

* Wrong name, phone number or address

* Accounts that don’t belong to you (this can happen when two people have similar names, or as a result of identity theft)

* Closed accounts reported as open

* Being listed as owner of an account where you are only an authorized user

* Accounts incorrectly reported as late or delinquent

* Wrong dates of payments, when the account was open or delinquency dates

* Same loan or debt listed multiple times (possibly with different names)

* Past errors that were corrected that may show up again

* Incorrect current balance or credit limit

* Accounts that appear more than once with different creditors listed (especially in the case of delinquent accounts or accounts in collections)

If you find errors, contact:

* The credit reporting company who sent you the report, or

* The creditor or company that provided the incorrect information. This is known as the “furnisher” of the information.

Your credit report tells you how to dispute inaccurate information. Sample dispute letters are available atwww.consumerfinance.gov. Go to Consumer Tools, then click on Credit Reports and Scores. You can use these letters if you find something incorrect on your credit report.

How do I get my report?

Many websites claim to offer free credit reports. But, some of them are trying to sell other products or services. To get your free credit report authorized by federal law, visit:

* AnnualCreditReport.com, or

* Call 1-877-322-8228

This website offers free reports only, not scores. Your credit score is available for a fee. You do not have to buy any products or services advertised onannualcreditreport.com.

You can also contact the credit agencies directly if you have questions or problems with your report:

* Equifax: 1-866-349-5191

* Experian: 1-888-397-3742

* TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Sick Days: When To Stay Home

WORK LIFE

You’re feeling under the weather, but you don’t want to miss work. What should you do? In some cases, it may be okay to go to work when you’re not feeling 100 percent. But other times, you should make your wellness a priority. These guidelines can help you decide if you’re well enough to work:

Fever:

The CDC recommends you stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone. This helps minimize the spread of illness to others. You should also skip social gatherings, shopping, and other outings.

Sniffles and sneezing:

Many people simply can’t miss work every time they have a minor cold. Let your symptoms be your guide. If you’re feeling well enough to work and don’t have other symptoms, such as a fever or body aches, you can go to work if necessary. But, if you have fatigue or feel that you won’t be able to safely do your job, consider using sick time.

Vomiting or diarrhea:

Stomach-related illnesses such as norovirus are highly contagious. Even after you stop vomiting, you could get other people sick. If you serve or prepare food as part of your job, the CDC says you should stay home for at least 48 hours after your symptoms stop.

Remember that staying home from work may help you to recover more quickly, as your body needs rest to fight an illness. In addition, staying home will help avoid spreading illness to co-workers, customers, and others you encounter.

Choosing to stay home may also depend on your employer’s sick day policies. Make sure you are familiar with these and abide by them.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Using This Credit Card May Be Bad For Your Health

WELL-BEING

High levels of credit card debt and the stress of having debt may be bad for your health, a study in Social Science & Medicine suggests. People who reported higher levels of stress about their debt showed higher levels of physical impairment and reported worse health than those with lower levels of debt.

In the study, researchers asked people to rate their own health on a scale of very poor to very good. They rated how much they worried about their total debt. Researchers also asked how difficult it was for survey participants to do everyday activities such as climbing stairs and carrying groceries. Participants also reported how many credit cards they have and whether they carry a balance from month to month.

But it didn’t matter how many credit cards a person had, the big stress factor related to health was the ratio of credit card debt to their total family income-in other words, how much you owe compared with what you earn.

“The stress of owing money, and knowledge that we’re paying high interest rates, may lead to increased stress resulting in worsening health,” said the director of Ohio State’s Center for Survey Research. Credit counseling is one way to reverse debt-stress.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
3 Ways To Be A Positive Force At Work

WORK LIFE

*Give – or share – the credit.If you are recognized for a job well done, accept it graciously, but don’t forget about those who may have helped. If a co-worker or team had a hand in your achievement, be sure to mention them.

*Always use “please” and “thank you.”We often forget these simple words when we’re busy and trying to get through a long to-do list. But they can have a big impact on how others respond to you. A (genuine) smile also helps.

*Don’t take feedback personally.As hard as it may be, try to accept constructive criticism gracefully. Remember it’s not a personal attack, and consider the other person’s point of view before responding or getting upset.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Eap Is At Your Service

WORK LIFE

In an edition of Psychology Today, Steve Albrecht, doctor of business administration, encourages employees to find out about the many services available from their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and reach out for help if needed. Dr. Albrecht has written or co-written 15 books, including Ticking Bombs: Defusing Violence in the Workplace, and Fear and Violence on the Job. He is also a former police officer and domestic violence investigator with the San Diego Police Department.

Dr. Albrecht gave four reasons why employees do not use their EAP services:

1. They do not think what they say or do will be held in confidence.

2. They see reaching out for help as a weakness. This is especially true for men.

3. They think they need to get permission from their boss or Human Resources to seek services from their EAP.

4. They do not know their EAP exists.

First, according to Dr. Albrecht, services and discussions between employees and EAP providers are kept confidential. There is an exception-an EAP counselor has a duty to warn or intervene if the employee wants to harm himself or herself or others. The company gets no reports or records of employee use of EAP services.

Second, employees need to be reassured that EAP offers help for many very common issues that affect most people. Examples are money worries, marital issues, raising children or step-children, blended families, sick kids, and dealing with parents with Alzheimer’s disease.

Employees can also get help for financial problems, burnout, stress-related illnesses, cancer and mental health issues. These include substance abuse, workplace conflicts, depression and suicidal thoughts.

Third, employees simply need to call the EAP phone number and make an appointment. They do not have to tell coworkers, their boss or Human Resources.

Lastly, Dr. Albrecht is puzzled why employees do not know about their EAP. Companies with EAP programs list their services and contact numbers on posters and brochures in lunch rooms and break rooms. New employees receive EAP information.

To find out if your company offers EAP services, check your benefits manual or website or ask your human resources manager. Help is just a phone call away.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Listening: A Skill Well Worth Mastering

WELL-BEING

You’ve heard the saying, “You’re born with two ears, but only one mouth.” According to the Society for Human Resource Management, being a good listener has many advantages at work and at home. You can come up with better ideas, work with others more easily, and connect with people more deeply.

So how is it done? Try these tips:

* Don’t interrupt.

* Don’t offer a solution or advice unless the person asks for it.

* Don’t think about your response while the other person is still talking. Hear them all the way through.

* When the other person is finished, repeat what they said in your own words. “So what I hear you saying is…”

* Don’t make it about you. Remember the other person wants to tell you their story first. Stop yourself from turning it into a discussion about yourself or your problem.

Having this valuable skill can enhance all the professional and personal relationships in your life.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Smart Ways To Avoid Cybercrime

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Cybercrime is a growing problem as we rely on computers and the Internet more than ever before. Many people regularly shop online, send personal information, and even control appliances or household security over the Internet.

Though this offers convenience, it’s important to take steps to keep your information and your family safe from cybercrime. Cybercrime happens every day with hackers stealing bank information, using computers to attack others, or erasing important online information.

The U.S Department of Homeland Security recommends:

* Only use the Internet on a network that is password protected. Free or open networks may leave you vulnerable.

* Do not send personal information, such as your social security number or bank information, over the Internet. Companies will not ask you to send information this way.

* Do not open or respond to emails from people you don’t recognize and never click on the links inside the email.

* Use long, hard-to-guess passwords for all your devices and email accounts. Change your passwords regularly.

* Consider scaling back your social media sharing. Tighten privacy settings so only people you know well can see your activity.

* If you see an email or online offer that seems too good to be true, it’s probably a scam.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Where Does The Money Go?

FINANCIAL HEALTH

Regular expenses are a necessary part of life. In your household, you probably have a certain amount of money coming in and a different amount going out.

Even if you have a rough idea of how much you spend, tracking your monthly expenses can help you find out a lot about your money. Small amounts here and there can quickly add up. For one month, write down everything you spend on bills, food, gas, clothes, and any other purchases – even your morning latte. Then, you can look for ways to cut back on unnecessary costs. Money you have left at the end of the month can be saved for an emergency fund or for future needs.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026