Category: Brandpoint Lifestyle

2022-12-13T05:01:00

(BPT) – Looking for an inspired gift this holiday season? With more time spent at home, people are looking to add comfort and luxury to their homes — and especially their bathrooms. Modern, luxurious fixtures for the bathroom will surprise and delight even the most discerning person on your list.

Upgrading faucets is one of the best ways to give a tired bathroom a fresh look. And bidet seats, which are growing in popularity, provide comfort and a new level of cleanliness to your daily routine. So why not pamper the most important people in your life with a high-impact bathroom upgrade — and a fresh start to the new year?

For the ultimate in luxurious bath fixtures with quality to match, look to the TOTO brand, which can be found around the world in luxury hotels, top restaurants, and in the homes of people who appreciate the best in style, technology and self-care.

Check out these ideas for a luxe-level bath refresh for that special someone on your gift list this holiday season.

Gifts for the star-struck — If you are looking for a gift for the person on your list who wants to live like a star, a TOTO WASHLET bidet seat is the must-have bathroom addition for celebrities ranging from reality royals to pop superstars. With personalized settings for warm water cleansing along with drying features, heated seats and built-in deodorizing features, a bidet seat delivers the A-list pampering they deserve.

Gifts for the environmentally conscious — A bidet seat not only provides comfort and cleansing, but also can reduce toilet paper use by as much as 75%. Cutting back on just one roll of toilet paper saves 37 gallons of water used in its manufacture. For that reason alone, a bidet seat is a thoughtful gift for anyone looking to reduce consumption.

Gifts for those with an eye for design — Recreate the luxe look of your loved one’s favorite hotel or spa with sleek new hardware for the vanity. The TOTO GE Single-Handle Faucet is a five-star gift with contemporary lines, inspired design and water-saving technology. Choose from an array of stylish finishes for a gift that combines focus-pulling beauty with modern functionality.

Gifts for the consummate DIYer — The right bidet seat can be the perfect quick upgrade for the bathrooms of homeowners and renters alike. The TOTO WASHLET S550e bidet seat is as easy to install as changing a toilet seat. The handy person in your life will also appreciate the fact their new WASHLET is made with top-quality materials, ensuring their gift will last for years.

Gifts for the luxury seeker — Whether they are looking for a bathroom refresh or a full remodel, go all out with this perfect pairing of high-end bath fixtures — a bidet seat and a stylish faucet to truly transform your loved one’s bathroom and their daily routine. Following a hassle-free installation, your aficionado of creature comforts will bask in their new spa-like sanctuary that achieves the ultimate in self-care.

Gifts for remote workers — Now that your favorite remote worker, design guru or rising social media star is settled in their home office, your gift of a bidet seat plus toilet will make working from home even more desirable. The Drake WASHLET+ C5 combines the comfort and cleansing of the WASHLET+ C5 bidet seat with a Drake high-performance, high-efficiency toilet with water-saving features and advanced cleaning technologies that eliminate the need for frequent cleaning.

Give the gift of surprise and delight with a refresh of the most popular room in the home — in a way that perfectly captures their unique personalities. Explore the TOTO line of bidet seats, high-performance toilets and stylish faucets. You’ll find no shortage of gifts that elevate comfort and raise the aesthetic in the bathroom. Visit TOTOUSA.com.

For ease of installation and support, locate a factory-trained TOTO technician anywhere in the U.S.

2022-12-13T04:01:01

(BPT) – If you’re heading to a “white elephant” gift swap this year, or you just have people on your holiday list that are tough to buy for, look no further. It’s possible to find all kinds of fun, unique gifts — even for those who seem to have everything — with the help of Big Lots.

Check out these ideas for memorable gifts even the Scrooge on your Christmas list will love:

1. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 2-Piece Acrylic Mug Set — For anyone whose only desire is to have a “fun old-fashioned family Christmas,” nothing will please them more than this set of moose mugs featured in the holiday classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. They are great reminders of the favorite holiday film while also providing the perfect vessel for a tasty holiday beverage. Use the mugs to make a big impression during your own holiday party, or gift the set to a fellow movie fan.

2. Flavors of the World Hot Sauce — Because some like it hot, you can’t do better than a gift that turns the heat up, like this delicious, scorching hot sauce collection. Your gift recipient can sample a variety of sauces, from Mayan Ruins to Egypt Fire, with these 30 mini bottles all rocking different spicy flavors. This collection of internationally themed hot sauces is sure to bring a little kick to anyone’s daily routine. Offering up both style and a ton of flavor, this is the ideal collection for hot sauce lovers seeking variety.

3. White Sand Cruiser Plus Bluetooth Portable Turntable — Have a music lover on your list? They can experience the quintessential Cruiser design upgraded with Bluetooth output functionality, so your friend or family member can listen to their favorite records on the speaker system of their choice. They’ll find all the classic features they know and love — the charming portable suitcase shell, three speeds and pitch control for all their listening needs, and a Bluetooth receiver and built-in speakers so they can listen on the go — but with the added option to pair it with their favorite external speakers via Bluetooth output.

4. Donut Bath Bombs — This is a fun item for bath lovers and anyone with a sweet tooth (and a sense of humor). They can add some fresh-baked satisfaction to their bath with this pack of three handcrafted bath fizzers shaped and decorated to look just like donuts. They boast a delightful fizzle and fun sprinkle accents that your gift recipient can watch as the bath gobbles them up.

5. Gray and Yellow Two-Person Inflatable Kayak — Any lover of the great outdoors will adore this inflatable kayak that can be quickly inflated once they’ve reached their destination and rolled away when stored. It’s designed to hold up to two people, and comes fitted with multiple air chambers to help it stay inflated in the event of a puncture. Secure valves make for easy inflation and deflation, and splash guards help keep passengers dry. The I-beam floor helps improve comfort and rigidity to help the kayak keep its shape.

6. Bottle-Shaped Storage Tin — Modeled after the iconic Sriracha bottle and sporting a collection of goodies, this delightfully detailed tin is a spicy-sweet gift for your favorite hot sauce lover. It includes the bottle-shaped tin, with a 9-ounce bottle of original Sriracha sauce, 2 ounces of salted popcorn and a pair of reusable chopsticks inside.

Just getting started on that list and need more inspo? Visit BigLots.com to find even more fun and creative ideas to make your holidays even better this year.

2022-12-12T10:51:00

(BPT) – When Kabrina Clark woke up on her 18th birthday, she had no idea what was in store for her.

Just four years earlier when she was 14, Kabrina was diagnosed with cancer of the soft tissue, facing the fierce realities and difficult medical protocols that come with a devastating, life-threatening diagnosis. However, Kabrina has always had a positive attitude and her grandmother shared that while they always thought they’d have to be Kabrina’s rock during her most difficult times, it turned out that Kabrina was everyone else’s rock, never letting her medical diagnosis define her.

While going through treatments, Kabrina and her family were introduced to Make-A-Wish. Kabrina’s wish was to travel to the tropical islands of Hawaii and experience something she had only dreamed of — swimming with dolphins.

Now on the morning of her milestone birthday, she woke up thinking she had to fill out some paperwork for her wish, with no plans yet set. On their way to the Make-A-Wish New Jersey headquarters in Monroe Township, Kabrina’s grandmother shared that she needed to stop at Subaru of Cherry Hill to look at a car she had been interested in purchasing.

To Kabrina’s surprise, when she and her family entered the showroom at Subaru of Cherry Hill, they were greeted by tropical decorations and a cheering crowd filled with Make-A-Wish and Subaru staff and volunteers. They all had one special birthday message for Kabrina — her wish to swim with the dolphins was coming true!

Kabrina shared her life’s journey with Subaru of Cherry Hill Owner Ziad Nashed during an interview on the showroom floor, holding back tears of joy.

“To see her so excited. I almost cried,” Nashed shared. “It just warms you up, seeing her feelings, how her grandparents felt. You can’t beat that.”

During the celebration, Kabrina was presented with a gift basket of goodies to take on her trip, her wish itinerary and learned many of the details about her wish, including her limo to the airport, her beautiful hotel in Waikiki, and all the exciting activities in store for her, complete with a dolphin experience.

Kabrina was overwhelmed with emotion as both of her grandparents hugged her. “I didn’t know anything,” Kabrina said while trying to hold back tears.

The celebration concluded with a special performance from a Hula dancer to get Kabrina and her family in the Hawaiian spirit. Then, Kabrina was serenaded by everyone in the dealership singing “Happy Birthday,” and was presented with a beautiful Hawaiian-themed birthday cake.

The smile did not leave Kabrina’s face as she continued to let the reality sink in that her wish was about to be granted, and in one short week, she would soon be basking in the sun in Hawaii, giving herself and her family a chance to exhale and begin a new chapter in their lives.

“I am just so thankful,” Kabrina kept saying to everyone.

Kabrina’s wish is granted in partnership with Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Subaru of Cherry Hill through the annual Subaru Share The Love(R) Event taking place now until Jan. 3, 2023. Throughout the nationwide campaign, for every new vehicle purchased or leased, Subaru will donate $250 to the customer’s choice of participating charities, including Make-A-Wish. Learn more at wish.org/subaru.

After 14 years, Subaru of America, Inc. and its participating retailers have donated more than $227 million to select charities through its annual Subaru Share the Love Event. For years, Make-A-Wish has benefitted from the campaign, having received more than $29 million in support, a generous sum that has helped the organization grant more than 3,000 wishes and spark everlasting hope and joy for wish kids and their families.

2022-12-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – It’s challenging to live with a rare disease. When faced with uncertainty about symptoms, support and treatment options, it’s critical to seek out information and resources that can help you take control of your health.

People living with scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis (SSc), understand this well. This condition is a type of connective tissue disease (CTD) that can impact a person’s skin, internal organs, bones and other connective tissues.

While SSc poses challenges of its own, many patients aren’t aware of the connection between SSc and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) — a rare, progressive disease that causes narrowing of the arteries from the right side of the heart to the lungs, leading to elevated pressure in the lungs. SSc can cause inflammation, which may then increase your chances of developing PAH.

Am I at Increased Risk?

While PAH can occur in people with many different CTDs, it’s most common in people with SSc. In fact, up to 19% of people with SSc will develop PAH. Several factors have been associated with increased risk of PAH-SSc, including age and sex — females and people over the age of 50 may be most at risk of developing PAH associated with CTDs such as SSc. Although PAH can affect people of all races, African Americans may be more likely to develop PAH-SSc.

What Symptoms Should I Look For?

Noticeable signs of PAH-SSc — which may start out mild and get worse over time — include light-headedness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, fatigue and swelling of the abdomen, ankles or legs (also called edema).

Because PAH-SSc can begin before you notice it, annual screening is an important tool that can help your doctor detect possible signs of disease. The earlier you’re diagnosed with PAH-SSc, the sooner your doctor can help determine the right treatment plan.

What Else Can I Do?

The best way to take control of your health is by talking to your doctor about your risk of developing PAH-SSc. You can also visit www.UnmaskPAH.com for more information about who is at risk for PAH, the importance of routine screening, and a downloadable discussion guide with questions to consider asking your doctor.

Being in the driver’s seat of your health means listening to your body, being aware of your symptoms and how you’re feeling, and communicating openly and often with your care team about screening and treatment options. Understanding your potential risk of PAH-SSc — and what you can do about it — is part of that journey.

Sponsored by the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

2022-12-12T08:15:00

(BPT) – Hosting during the holidays can be stressful but with a little extra prep, you’ll still have time to make memories with family and friends. Whether you are hosting this year’s holiday party or housing out-of-town guests, it’s essential to slow down and savor the moments that make this time of year so special.

See below for five ways to make hosting a little easier and a whole lot sweeter, so you can focus on what really matters.

1. Build in time buffers within your prep schedule

No matter how busy your schedule is, be sure to add extra time before or after events and errands, even if it’s just 15 minutes, to give yourself breathing room. Cushions of “empty time” will help relieve stress when traffic or other problems slow you down. When things go smoothly, they’ll give you a few minutes here and there to stop, take a deep breath and smell the holly!

2. Recruit your own elves

Invite your family to get in on the fun and help with holiday party prep. If you have kids in the group, assign tasks based on their ages and abilities. Have creative older children? Gather brightly colored paper and ribbons, fir branches and sprigs of holly, and let them create centerpieces, placemats and place cards for your dinner party. If your kids are a bit younger, try making templates for names on place cards and let them color in the letters. Relinquishing a little control over your preparations is well worth letting others help you out and will create a jolly, bustling atmosphere throughout your home. You and your guests will then be able to enjoy the meaningful touches you all have put on your gathering!

3. Cook ahead when possible

Take some of the pressure off hosting days by prepping or even cooking as much of the food ahead of time as possible. Beyond complete dishes that can be refrigerated or frozen and later reheated, consider trying the French culinary preparation technique called “mise en place.” It means “putting in place” and is done by prepping all your ingredients beforehand, such as chopping up veggies and measuring out liquid ingredients. By planning ahead, cooking on the big day will be a merry time!

4. Provide crowd-pleasing desserts with a side of nostalgia

To really win over the hearts of your guests, consider bringing in a nostalgic, fan-favorite dessert like a Carvel ice cream cake to round out your meal. The holidays are one of the most nostalgia-inducing times of the year, and a great opportunity to reminisce on all of the sentimental moments with family and friends over a shared experience. Take the time to reflect on the year behind as well as what is to come, acknowledging the lows and celebrating the highs.

If you know your guests prefer to express their own flavor, Carvel’s new Sundae Dashers^® inspired by KIT KAT^® DUOS could be your tasty solution. Featuring classic Carvel soft serve ice cream in either strawberry or mint, layers of hot fudge and topped with whipped cream and chopped KIT KATS^®, you can’t go wrong with these frosty treats.

These delicious desserts are available at participating Carvel shoppes for pickup or can be delivered at home through food delivery platforms. Find your local Carvel shoppe and delivery availability at Carvel.com.

5. Create special keepsakes with ease

Create a special photo area with holiday decorations for picture-perfect holiday snaps. After the party is over and everyone heads home, send out handwritten thank you notes with the photos attached. Want to go all out? Consider using an online site to order personalized souvenirs using the photos and send them out as a memorable holiday gift.

2022-12-12T06:01:00

(BPT) – We plan ahead for the things in life we look forward to — the birth of a baby, weddings, vacations and holidays. It doesn’t come as naturally to plan for our funeral. It’s easier to avoid the conversation altogether. But, by discussing your personal wishes for your final arrangements, you can protect your loved ones from having to make difficult decisions in a time of immense grief, and potentially ease their financial obligations.

None of us wants to be a burden on those we love. Yet conversations around funeral planning can be tough. Some families find it more natural to discuss the details of their final wishes after the death of a friend or colleague. Others look for specific milestones, like birthdays or retirement. And some families don’t want to have the discussion at all, preferring to write their wishes down. (Just don’t forget to tell your loved ones where to find the document!)

Starting the conversation can be challenging, whether you’re talking about your funeral or asking a loved one how they want to be memorialized. Perhaps watch a movie with a funeral scene or even just schedule a casual conversation after dinner. Here are a few suggestions for kicking off the discussion:

• Do you want to be buried or cremated?
• Have I ever told you my favorite scripture?
• If you could write your own eulogy, what would you say?
• Would you prefer a traditional funeral or more contemporary celebration of life?

If you’re still unsure how to broach the subject, The Insider’s Guide to Funeral & Cremation Planning is a great resource. Following along with the free guide will help you and your loved ones understand the steps of advance funeral planning. Or you can download Imagine, a free booklet that will help you design the one-of-a-kind service you’d like to have.

Remember that almost any funeral or cremation can be planned in advance, including the venue, catering, mementos and cemetery property, but you might be surprised at all there is to consider. A memorial service is unlike any other event, and, by some estimates, your loved ones could have up to 200 decisions to make in a short timeframe, during the darkest hours of their lives. The most memorable services are planned thoughtfully, with personalized touches that reflect the individual and bring comfort to those in attendance. A Dignity Memorial funeral director can help you navigate your options and develop a plan for a truly personalized event.

Talking openly about the memorial you envision — and encouraging your loved ones to do the same — removes the guesswork from the planning process, and the focus can stay on honoring a unique life lived and celebrating the moments you and your loved ones cherish.

For more information, visit DignityMemorial.com.

2022-12-12T08:01:00

(BPT) – Amazon recently introduced Amazon Access, a new hub for customers to explore programs, discounts, and features that make shopping on Amazon even easier and more affordable. With the tough economic climate, and many facing rising costs on essential needs, Amazon is introducing even more accessible offerings on its site for all customers, no matter their circumstances.

Here’s how you can start saving today using Amazon Access:

1. Register your SNAP EBT benefits. Did you know that Amazon was one of the first retailers to launch SNAP online purchasing? Amazon has expanded its reach to 99.7% of U.S. SNAP households with one or more SNAP online purchasing option, and customers with a valid SNAP EBT card in all states, except Alaska, can use their SNAP funds to order eligible groceries online from Amazon.com, Whole Foods Market, and Amazon Fresh.
2. Enroll in Prime Access. Qualifying government assistance recipients in the U.S. can enjoy all the benefits and perks of a Prime membership for $6.99 a month — more than 50% off the cost of a full-priced membership. That includes fast, free delivery; unlimited streaming of movies and series like The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and live sports like Thursday Night Football with Prime Video; ad-free access to millions of songs and thousands of podcasts with Amazon Music; free games with Prime Gaming; more than 3,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading; exclusive perks like a free, one-year Grubhub+ membership trial; unlimited photo storage with Amazon Photos; and more.
3. Reserve select items with Amazon Layaway year-round. That’s right — Layaway isn’t just for the holiday season. Customers can shop thousands of items with no credit check, interest, or fees, and pay 20% of the total cost of the selected items to lock in the price. You’ll have up to eight weeks to pay off the items in full, and then enjoy that fast, free shipping Amazon customers know and love. Shop everything from Beats headphones to Black + Decker vacuums and across categories like furniture, baby, toys, and lawn & garden.

2022-12-09T15:05:00

(BPT) – Facing an uncertain economy, rising inflation and a potential recession on the horizon, many are stressed about their own finances, and women are especially feeling financial pressure. According to a new study by Fidelity Investments, nearly half (47%) of women say their outlook on money and economic issues has worsened over the past year.

With primary stressors including inflation (71%), the rising cost of essentials (65%), and not having enough saved for emergencies (58%), women are demanding more from their money and taking control of their finances to improve their immediate future, in three key areas: spending, saving and learning.

1. Continue evaluating spending

One of the first places to look when evaluating short-term finances is your spending. Many women are already scaling back on spending to make their money stretch further. Fidelity’s study found 53% of women cut back on nonessential activities and entertainment, while 39% cut back on travel and vacation expenses in the past 12 months. There’s never a better time than the present to evaluate your budget, income, and goals to see what changes you can make to make the most of your financial priorities. One quick way to cut back on costs is to review streaming services, monthly subscriptions and memberships and pause the ones you didn’t use much this year or didn’t enjoy using.

2. Saving for a rainy day fund

Because most women are concerned about not having enough saved for emergencies, it’s a great idea to start or add to an emergency fund. In fact, 30% of women are already planning to start or add to their emergency funds in the next 12 months. But it can be challenging to set aside money for emergencies, especially when money is already tight. When your budget doesn’t allow much wiggle room for emergency savings, you can focus on adding extra funds into an emergency fund. For example, take any money from cash gifts, cash back from credit cards or cashback services, and your tax refund and immediately deposit them into your emergency savings account. This will help you grow your fund while maintaining your current budget.

3. Boosting financial knowledge

Financial education can be a powerful tool to help you get the most out of your money and women are eager to learn how they can make their money work harder for them. More than a quarter of women surveyed want to learn more about managing debt and credit, 25% want to learn how to create and stick to a budget and 24% want to learn about savings.

Many women also want to change their financial habits and mindsets to get more out of their money, especially younger women. One in four Gen Z women are interested in learning how to improve their money mindset, such as learning how to overcome spending guilt, break bad habits or improve their overall relationship with money.

Developing a strong financial foundation and practicing good financial hygiene are all ways to help make your money work harder for you. Even though women want to learn, there haven’t always been resources for women to learn about money. Women want financial basics, but they also want to learn about them in an open and honest environment, and they want to learn about the unique money challenges facing women.

A learning community for women, by women

Reinforcing their ongoing commitment to helping women achieve financial success, Fidelity created Women Talk Money, a community made for women, by women, to help normalize money talk in an honest and open environment. Through the community, Fidelity offers live events, workshops, newsletters and educational content on everything from financial basics like learning how to save and invest, to more in-depth concepts like the financial benefits of life insurance, to career guidance, such as negotiating a pay increase. Women Talk Money also covers women-specific topics like gender pay gaps and career breaks to help women navigate the unique financial challenges facing them. And the community recently launched on both Instagram and LinkedIn, to help reach more women and meet them where they are.

To start demanding more from your money and controlling your financial future, visit Fidelity’s Women Talk Money hub.

2022-12-08T14:49:00

(BPT) – Heavier jackets are out. Noses are running. Germs are thriving.

During this time of year, it’s important to arm yourself with information on how you can help protect yourself from the flu. This may be especially important this winter, with COVID-19 variants still prevalent in some communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a decline in flu hospitalizations and deaths last season, citing masking and social distancing as likely contributions. However, reduced COVID-19 restrictions may result in increased influenza activity.

Getting a flu vaccine may be the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones — and can help keep you from missing important events, like family gatherings over the holidays and into the new year.

If you’re unsure if a flu vaccine is right for you, you’re not alone. There can be a lot of confusion out there surrounding vaccines. To help, here are five common flu vaccine myths — and the facts behind them.

Myth 1: You can get the flu from the flu vaccine.
Every year, some people choose not to get a seasonal flu vaccine because they have heard you can get the flu from the vaccine. However, that’s not true. In fact, doctors strongly recommend getting the flu vaccine because it is the best way to help protect yourself from the flu. The flu vaccine has a good safety record, it doesn’t cause serious side effects and may even help reduce the seriousness of your symptoms if you do get the flu.

Myth 2: The flu vaccine isn’t safe for older adults.
The flu vaccine is safe, simple and a smart choice — no matter your age. In fact, the flu vaccine is especially important if you’re 65 or older because older adults are at higher risk for serious flu complications, which could result in a hospital stay.

Myth 3: The flu vaccine causes strong side effects.
Side effects from the flu vaccine are typically mild, if any happen at all. The most common side effects are soreness, redness or tenderness where the shot was given. A low-grade fever, headache or muscle aches may occur but usually only last a day or two. The flu vaccine also doesn’t interact with other medications, so you don’t have to worry about changing your medication routine.

Myth 4: I got a flu vaccine last year, so I’m fine for this year.
Even if you received a flu shot last year, the CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for optimal protection, due to the fact that a person’s immunity from vaccination declines with time. Also, the flu viruses are constantly changing so the vaccine is updated each year, as needed.

Myth 5: I got the COVID-19 vaccine, or a booster, and so I can’t get the flu vaccine.
The two vaccines are very different and protect you from different viruses. There are no interactions between the two vaccines. Both are recommended by the CDC to help maintain optimal health and you can save a trip by getting both vaccines at the same time.

Whether you are enrolled in Original Medicare or have a Medicare Advantage plan, your flu vaccine is covered at no additional cost. So don’t wait — visit your doctor’s office or a participating pharmacy and get your flu vaccine today.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a medical provider.

2022-12-08T14:13:00

(BPT) – By Rhonda L. Randall, D.O., Chief Medical Officer at UnitedHealthcare

The holiday season can evoke a range of strong emotions. While stereotypically associated with feelings of joy and excitement, the holiday months can also be ridden with physical and mental demands — from cooking meals and hosting family, to entertaining and traveling — which may trigger less-than-jolly experiences.

In fact, studies show the holiday season brings an increase in stress for many of us, and for the majority of those with pre-existing mental health conditions (64%), their symptoms may worsen.

With the holiday season in full gear, recognizing the intrinsic connection between our mental and physical health may be more important than ever. If your mental health is suffering, your physical health may suffer and vice versa — which may mean our nationwide decline in mental wellbeing has potential physical consequences.

How can we better prepare for this potential one-two punch to our health? Approaching this holiday season with a whole-person health perspective — acknowledging that social, emotional, economic and environmental conditions may affect your health — can make all the difference, empowering each of us to develop a system that integrates practices to boost physical and emotional health.

Learn And Recognize Your Triggers And Responses

The first step to developing healthy coping mechanisms and managing your response is pinpointing your triggers. Some unhealthy responses to stress include smoking, drinking or eating too much, and lashing out at others. If you notice any of these feelings arise, pay attention to what might have triggered the response and consider the following tips to help mitigate your response:

1. Deep breathing and guided meditation. Meditation trains your mind to focus and redirect your thoughts. This technique is linked to reductions in anxiety, improved responses to stress and may help improve depression symptoms and reduce negative thoughts.

Tip: If you’re confused where to start, consider trying out an emotional support, self-care app that may help you cope with mild stress, anxiety and depression.

2. Maintain physical exercise and good nutrition. Physical activity is linked to lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, and gut health is directly linked to our mental health. This does not need to be complex or expensive — a 30-minute walk may help ease symptoms related to depression and anxiety, relieve stress and improve mood.

Tip: Many health plans offer wellness incentives and rewards programs for everyday healthy living, such as exercising, avoiding nicotine, or enrolling in a gym membership or other wellness programs.

3. Connect with your primary care provider. While taking action to implement physical health and mindfulness practices may provide great benefits, remember that it is not a substitute for mental health treatment. If you find yourself continuing to struggle, consider talking to your primary care provider (PCP) about ways to feel better. Your PCP can also provide guidance on obtaining additional support from a mental health professional. If you don’t have a PCP, now is a great time to establish a relationship with one. You can get details on your health plan’s website or app — or call the number on your member ID card.

Tip: If you are at home for the holidays and are having a hard time finding a quiet and private place to connect with a mental health professional, or are concerned about financial pressures, some health insurers give members access to a provider virtually via an app on their phone or computer.

With a little preparation, we can help ourselves — and our loved ones — have happier, healthier holidays, and a fresh start for the new year ahead.