What’s Your Story
Do you have a health-related success story you’d like to share in an upcoming newsletter? Pearson Benefits would like to hear about your personal health milestones. Maybe you successfully quit smoking, started an exercise program or were just introduced to meditation and love it. Or, maybe you can tell others about your positive experience with MDLIVE, GPS™, EAP or LifeCare®. Help us all learn from your experience. If you’d like to share, please reach out to [email protected]
Being Your Best
There certainly is truth to the old adage: there’s only one you. And the fact is, we’re all unique in our own ways. Every individual has their own particular way of seeing and relating to the world around them. But those who are most successful at navigating life’s challenges — and becoming the best version of themselves — tend to have the following characteristics:
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Self Esteem
Sure, it’s always great to receive praise from others. But true self-esteem comes from within. And that’s the key. We should all recognize our own value, without having to rely on others to determine it. Know that you are worthwhile!
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Flexibility
To be human is to make mistakes. And that’s just fine, because every mistake acts as a learning opportunity. What’s important is to realize that we’re not always going to be right, and don’t have to be. We just need to accept them, admit to them and learn from them.
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Realistic Expectations
It’s easy to fall into the trap of expecting too much from others, or yourself. But a simple resetting of expectations can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals. The key is not being afraid to redefine them as you go through life.
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Ability to Adapt
We’ve all heard it before: you just have to “roll with the punches.” And that’s exactly what successful people are able to do, especially when it comes to handling the challenges life throws our way, at every stage of life.
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Aware of Their Feelings
Whether we’re fully aware of them or not, we all go through feelings and emotions. Sometimes they can be irrational, sudden or even difficult. But, it’s important to allow yourself to experience them, acknowledge them and move on, as opposed to denying that they exist.
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Accept Responsibility
It’s human nature to make excuses once in a while. But the best among us are able to accept responsibility for themselves and their actions. And equally as important, they’re able to abstain from denying responsibility or blaming others.
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Ask for Help
Of course, it can be difficult for us to admit that we can’t solve a problem on our own. After all, sometimes pride can get in the way. But people who can and do ask for help, whenever they need it, often times find the answers they were looking for — you have to learn to be successful. And you can only learn by asking.
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And Remember…
If you’re looking for answers to life’s challenges, big or small, Cigna’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is always there to help. Reach out by calling 1.800.593.4138 or online here, and enter “pearson” into the Employer ID.
A Road Map To The Best Care For You
From comprehensive diagnoses to a better understanding of your treatment options, GPSTM makes navigating the health care system simple. With confidential access to a physician-led research team, you can find affordable, quality care for you and your family. And, as a benefit-eligible employee, you’ll enjoy access to this helpful service at no cost.
Call:
1-888-361-3944 (toll free)
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET
Log on:
www.guidedpatientsupport.com
Enter “Pearson” in the company code field
SEE HOW GPS HELPED ONE EMPLOYEE REACH HER DESTINATION WITH EASE
The following email was sent to Bob Arthur, VP of Benefits:
“I have had the opportunity to request several handouts and books to enhance healthy lifestyles through the wonderful employee benefit provided by GPS. WOW what great service to your employees. The GPS representative, Carin Tobin, was an excellent resource to this healthy initiative. I wanted to email and say thanks for giving your employees these resources and helping to keep us healthy. I am very appreciative.”
Mary Kraft, FMP | Corporate Property & Facility Management Facilities Assistant | Cedar Rapids, IA
The Five Most Important Questions GPS Can Guide You Through:
- What do I have? Help confirming the diagnosis you’ve been given is correct.
- What do I need? Help understanding your treatment options and confirming that the one being recommended
- Where do I go? Help getting to the leading doctors and hospitals for your care.
- What does it cost? Help learning how to shop for your care so you get the best quality and price, and save money.
- How do I connect? Help building a strong support network with your family, friends, and other patients through local and online communities.
Great Expectations
I enrolled in the Future Moms Program soon after I found out I was expecting and have to admit that I was mostly focused on the $150 Babies R Us gift card! Yet, I have been very pleasantly surprised and impressed with the program, the quality of care I’ve received and the help and resources they’ve provided to guide me during my pregnancy.
As this will be my first child, I naturally have a lot of questions and am unsure of what to expect. Through the Future Moms program I have a personal health coach/nurse who calls me monthly to check in on my progress.
They have all of my personal health information and ask questions to make sure I’m on track with the pregnancy. I come away from each call feeling more confident about my pregnancy and often share the tips they tell me with other friends who are expecting! I have also proactively called the 24/7 Nurse Line for questions when I wanted an immediate answer but didn’t want to wait for an appointment with my doctor. The calls with the Future Moms nurses are also longer and more in-depth than my regular ob/gyn appointments and are a nice compliment to the in-person visits I have with my regular provider. I would tell any expectant parents to not miss out on this benefit! You also get a free book, Your Pregnancy Week by Week, and a maternity care diary.
Other Pearson benefits I didn’t know about until I was pregnant are the free breast pump offered through our insurance. The one I’ve ordered is valued at over $200 if purchased on your own. Another benefit to not forget about is LifeCare’s program for expectant parents which offers resources and some free gifts. There are a lot of offerings for expectant parents so don’t miss out!
Maureen Schwartz, Upper Saddle River, NJ. Senior Human Resources Manager
How Vishakha Rolls
“I love that I am exercising as soon as I step out of the door, I can use biking as a means to do other things – buy groceries, go to local shops and places, commute to work. Other forms of exercise are harder to work into my daily life.”
—Vishakha Parvate, Product Owner – Edge
GlobalEnglish, Brisbane, CA
Vishakha knew she should be exercising to maintain her good health, and over the years she tried many different types of exercise. But she could never stick with it, and never attained her goal of exercising at least 3 hours a week.
Then, in the summer of 2011, her husband brought home a bike. And she discovered that she really enjoyed biking–so much that she found interesting ways to work it into her schedule. “We did an 8-month initiative where we bought groceries without using the car. We either walked or biked to the grocery store.”
After learning to ride a bike when she was a child, Vishakha had ridden some during graduate school. But starting with her husband’s gift in 2011, biking has become a big part of her life.
She even took part in a supported bike ride between Seattle, Washington, and Portland, Oregon.
“This was a 204-mile ride with 10,000 riders. Before this, the longest I’d ever ridden was 21 miles. I like to say that this was a ridiculous undertaking–but it was the only way to do the impossible. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done physically, so it felt great when I finished, standing up and smiling!”
The rest of the family likes biking, too. Her husband has been biking the 5 miles from home to work for the past 8 years, and their son bikes to his high school and to his after-school activities. They both joined Vishakha on the ride from Seattle to Portland. Family togetherness has never been so much fun—or so healthy!