Employee Wellness Blog

2026 wellness calendar

HEALTHY AGING: Eat Well, Sleep Well

September is Suicide Prevention Month

This month, your Lafayette Employee Wellness Program (LEWP) offers the following free webinars, tips, and resources from our benefit providers focused on Healthy Aging and Suicide Prevention!

PLUS: Your Q3 Wellness Challenge, health discounts and savings, and more…

FREE: WEBINARS, LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS & PROGRAMS

Don’t miss these free virtual offerings from your benefit providers:

Women's Health Series (Live Multi-Session Program Offering)

Wednesdays, September 2 - September 23, 2026
12 PM-1 PM ET

Learn the best methods for balancing nutrition, exercise and hormone support for optimal wellness.

Kale & Fennel Sausage Skillet: Virtual Cooking Demonstration

September 10, 2026
12-1 PM ET

One pan wonder: this kale and fennel sausage skillet is packed with bold flavors and makes dinner easy and satisfying with minimal cleanup.

Protecting your Family: Smart Strategies for Legal & Financial Planning

September 16th, 2026
12:00 - 12:30 PM ET

Many families put off important legal and financial decisions until it’s too late. Wellthy care experts will share approachable steps to organize essential documents, plan for future care, and ensure your family’s financial and legal wishes are honored.

Suicide Prevention: What to Know and How to Help

September 17, 2026
10:00 - 11:00 am

Suicide affects people from all walks of life—and awareness can save lives. Recognizing the warning signs and understanding how to support someone at risk can make a critical difference. When we feel prepared to talk about suicide openly and respond with care, we become a powerful source of help and hope.

Heart Smart (multi-session program offering)

Mondays, September 21 through October 12, 2026
11 AM to 11:30 AM ET

Capital Blue Cross dietitians discuss how everyday lifestyle choices impact heart health. Exploring key factors such as physical activity, nutrition, sleep, tobacco use, and managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar - providing practical strategies for immediate use.

Understanding your Healthcare Choices

Tuesday, October 6, 2026
11 AM-12 PM ET

Learn how healthcare consumerism and taking an active role in health decisions can lead to better outcomes, lower costs, and greater confidence. Learn practical steps to become an informed participant in your care, including choosing a PCP, finding the right sources of care, and accessing resources.

Health and Wellness and Beyond

Friday, October 9, 2026
1 pm-2 pm ET

Explore Capital Blue Cross Connect services, coaching, fitness, events & personalized support. Learn how our licensed representatives, certified health coaches, and professional trainers can support your health and wellness.

Avocado Egg Salad & Apple Chickpea Salad: Virtual Cooking Demonstration

Wednesdays, October 14, 2026
12-1 PM ET

Join Kelsey Henry, Capital Blue Cross registered dietitian, as she whips up some fresh ideas for delicious and energizing lunches. Simple recipes perfect for fueling yourself on busy days.

Strategies for Coping with Grief, Trauma & Beyond

October 15, 2026
10-11 AM / 4-5 PM

News and social media are full of negative, disturbing, and tragic events that can have an impact on our well-being and productivity. Learning how to cope can help us stay grounded and reduce the impact of information overload. Explore strategies for managing difficult news and protecting your well-being.

To stay sharper while aging, get active, challenge your brain, and eat healthy. (Associated Press | July 29, 2025)

Older Americans worried about cognitive decline can stay sharper for longer by exercising both their bodies and their brains and eating healthier. That’s according to initial results released by a rigorous U.S. study of lifestyle changes in seniors at risk of developing dementia. People following a combination of healthier habits slowed typical age-related cognitive decline — achieving scores on brain tests as if they were a year or two younger.

Eat Well

Small changes in eating habits can make a huge difference in the quality and length of your life and your teeth.

Sleep Well

Sleeping well means getting enough sleep to feel good and stay healthy. How much sleep is enough varies by person. Sleep gives your brain time to grow and repair cells and rebuild your energy. Lack of sleep over time affects your energy and mood. It's also linked with conditions like diabetes, obesity, and depression.
~© 2024 Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.

Sleep is vital to good health and emotional well-being. Sleep is a complex biological process that helps your brain process new information and gives your body time to rebuild cells and energy. The amount and quality of sleep are essential. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. The health benefits of getting enough, good-quality sleep are numerous and includes lowering risks of chronic diseases, maintaining healthy weight, improving attention and memory, and improving immunity to sickness.

SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

Mental Health America

Sometimes, “I’m fine” means exactly that. Other times, it can mean, “I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling,” or “I don’t want to burden anyone.” And sometimes, it’s simply the easiest answer.

When things feel hard, pausing to ask yourself—or someone else—“How are you, really?” can matter more than we realize.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available:
- Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
- You can also reach Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741
- Or call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room
- You can also call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746 at the SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline. Trained crisis workers will listen to you and direct you to the resources you need.

No suicide attempt should be dismissed or treated lightly. We should all learn more about suicide, self-harm, and mental health so that the stigma surrounding the topic is reduced and people aren’t afraid of openly talking about their struggles before crisis.

*More than 25,000 depression screeners reported having thoughts of self-harm or suicide on more than half the days of the week. (Data from MHAscreening.org)

Q3 WELLNESS CHALLENGE

BALANCE Virtual Stress and Mindfulness Program

Stress can cloud our thoughts, leaving us to feel overwhelmed, unorganized, and unfocused, and there is plenty of it to go around, according to “Stress in America 2023," a report from the American Psychological Association. For six Wednesdays during August and September, Capital Blue Cross's Health and Wellness team is offering “Balance," a virtual stress and mindfulness program designed to help you manage life's stressful situations. These one-hour virtual sessions, will begin at 1 p.m. ET and last approximately one hour.