Employers are increasingly looking to consumer driven health plans to help soften the blow of continually rising health care costs. Depending on the model, consumer driven health plans typically include health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs). Consumer driven health plans generally increase employees’ stake in their own health care costs. In most cases, a consumer driven health plan covers a wide range of m

High cholesterol increases your chances of developing heart disease—the leading cause of death for adults in the United States. Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in fats in your blood which your body needs to function. Having too much cholesterol, though, can be dangerous for your health. What’s in a Number? In the past, doctors thought that total cholesterol was a good indicator of one’s risk for heart disease, heart attack, diabetes and stroke. The lower your low-densi

Staying both physically and socially active as you get older can oftentimes be a struggle. Getting involved in a sports team or club can be very beneficial to your overall health and social well-being. Here are just a few of the benefits. Promotes a Physically Active Lifestyle Going to the gym can get repetitive and boring, which may cause you to stop going altogether. Joining a sports team or club can keep you physically active by incorporating exercise in a way that seems

Many organizations use internship programs, and these programs can have many advantages for the employer and the intern. However, employers that hire interns must be aware of the rules that apply to interns under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The FLSA requires most employees of for-profit employers—including interns—to be compensated for their services. Unpaid internships are generally permissible in the public sector and for nonprofit charitable organizations. However

Fuel Your Workout the Right Way You have to put gas in your car to make it go, right? The same concept can be applied to your body and working out. Just like you can’t expect your car to get you from point A to point B without fuel, you can’t expect your body to get you through a workout if it’s not properly fueled. Here’s what you should be eating before, during and after a workout for optimal results. Before Your Workout Nutritionists agree that the best way to fuel your w

An employee’s mental health includes how they think, feel and act, and includes their emotional and social well-being. While mental health includes mental illness, the two aren’t interchangeable. An employee can go through a period of poor mental health but not necessarily have a clear, diagnosable mental illness. Additionally, an employee’s mental health can change over time, depending on factors such as their workload, stress and work-life balance. While 1 in 5 U.S. adults

We all know that financial stress can be a burden, but it can also have a negative effect on your health. Understanding the relationship between financial and physical wellness can help you improve both areas of your life. Health Concerns Financial stress often causes anxiety, depression and hopelessness, and that stress can also contribute to heart disease, high blood pressure, insomnia, more frequent colds and minor illnesses and more. Plus, many cope with financial stress