Wellness Wednesday

What is mental health?
Although the terms are often used interchangeably, poor mental health and mental illness are not the same. A person can experience poor mental health and not be diagnosed with a mental illness. Likewise, a person diagnosed with a mental illness can experience periods of physical, mental, and social well-being.
About Mental Health

Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress from the CDC
- Take care of your body
- Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals
- Exercise regularly
- Get plenty of sleep
- Avoid excessive alcohol, tobacco, and substance use
- Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including those on social media. It’s good to be informed, but hearing about the pandemic constantly can be upsetting. Consider limiting news to just a couple times a day and disconnecting from phone, tv, and computer screens for a while.
- Continue with routine preventive measures (such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, etc.) as recommended by your healthcare provider
- Ask your doctor about a COVID-19 vaccine
- Make time to unwind — Try to do some other activities you enjoy
- Connect with others — Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling
- Connect with your community
Helplines
We’re here for you.
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a benefit program intended to ensure a healthy work environment for all staff. Through a partnership between Pasco County Schools and New Directions (our behavioral health care provider), our employees will have access to enhanced services. These services include counseling and referral for personal or work-related issues, health coaching, legal and financial consultation, and a wealth of online resources. Click here for more info
New Directions Employee Assistance Program
A free confidential tool to help you overcome life challenges and live a happy, balanced life.
Click here to access New Directions
Company code is: Pasco

Patty's Points
Exercise Your Financial Muscles
Do you ever wonder where all your money goes? Do you feel like you barely see your paycheck? You need a budget.
Click here to access our Financial Wellness Challenge and learn more about: Expenses, Budgeting, Saving, Reducing Debt, and more.
Healthy Holiday Tips from MHO
Maintain, Don’t Gain This Holiday Season - Join The Holiday Challenge!
This holiday season, the only thing that should be “stuffed” is the turkey. Many Americans gain between 1 and 5 pounds each holiday season. While it might not sound like much, most people never manage to lose those extra pounds. You are invited to join the 15th annual Eat Smart, Move More, Maintain, don’t gain! Holiday Challenge. Rather than focusing on trying to lose weight, this FREE seven-week challenge provides you with strategies and resources to help maintain your weight throughout the holiday season.
Registration for the Holiday Challenge is always open and does not close, so new participants may sign up at any time. To learn more and to register, please click here: 2021 Holiday Challenge.
Coming up in January

2021 HEALTH & WELLNESS INCENTIVE (HWI) PROGRAM
Pasco County Schools offers incentives for covered employees and retirees who complete their annual Vital Health Profile. This program is voluntary; however, participants must follow the steps outlined here in order to qualify for the 2021 incentive.
Already Completed your VHP?
Work with a My Health Onsite Health Coach to achieve your wellness goals! Talk with your My Health Onsite provider to be enrolled. Employees enrolled in the Pascofit option may be eligible to earn additional incentive rewards by completing up to 2 wellness programs with a Health Coach. More information about the wellness programs through My Health Onsite can be found here.
The HWI 4th quarter for Pascofit is October 1 - December 31, 2021. Click here for more information.