Coping with the Reality of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and COVID-19

No doubt about it: 2020 has been a year for the record books. We’ve faced the most serious public health threat we’ve seen in more than a century. We’ve experienced months of lockdowns, travel bans, closures, and restrictions. As a result, we’ve seen the global economy teeter on the verge of collapse, even as we…

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Low-Cost Ways to Cope With a Disability Diagnosis

After weeks, months, or even years of searching for answers, a diagnosis – even a challenging one – can be a relief. There’s something extraordinarily powerful about being able to put a name to your symptoms and the cause behind them. However, that relief brings a hefty dose of its own fear and uncertainty with…

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5 Ways to Embrace the Danish Concept of Hygge

Hygge may not be a household world in the States quite yet, but it’s currently experiencing a popularity growth spurt and influencing the way many Americans live their lives. With origins in Denmark, the word—pronounced “hoo-gah”—roughly translates to “coziness” in English, although most Danes will argue that hygge has more to do with well-being than anything else. It’s thought to…

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Back to Work: Beating the January Slump

It’s a new year, a new beginning. We’re feeling refreshed after a season of holiday cheer and celebrating with family and friends. Maybe some of us ate and drank a little too much. And maybe we spent our entire year-end bonus on presents that the kids are already tired of playing with. But we all…

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How HR Can Make the Most of “Dead Week”

Is your office quiet that last week between Christmas and New Year’s? Chances are good it is; one survey found that 1/3 of U.S. workers planned to take the entire week as vacation, with nearly 70% expecting to take at least part of it.   But while the rest of your office might be relaxing by a…

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Supporting Employees During The Holidays

When we think back to how “stressed” we used to feel during the holidays, we might long for a bit of that back…especially as we look ahead to what might be an isolated holiday. With your employees coping with burnout and COVID fatigue, the “holiday blues” may be stronger this year than ever. Here are…

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Four Methods of Budgeting That Will Help You Save Money

The thing about budgeting is that we all know we have to do it, and often the hardest part is getting started. The challenge is even greater for adults with disabilities. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans with disabilities have a hard time finding employment and thus experience financial insecurity. Their economic situation is aggravated…

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A Guide to Accessible Home Buying

How has the real estate industry changed over the past year? From full-time remote employment to social distancing measures, 2020 has been a year that constantly questioned the status quo and the way we interact with the world. The home buying process is one of the best examples of how a well-established procedure has adapted…

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Planning For New Holiday Traditions

Just like everything else about 2020, the holidays are looking extremely different. Since most of our traditions revolve around groups—whether your own social posse or attending large events—it might feel challenging to consider how you will celebrate this season. The good news is that you can still carry on most of the traditions you cherish,…

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Virtual Holiday Fun to Get Your Team in the Spirit

If there ever was a time to pull out all the stops for the holiday, this is it. Unfortunately, many companies are forgoing the traditional year-end celebration, with one survey finding that 44% of organizations say they won’t hold one this year. However, there’s no reason to be a Grinch, given that your team might…

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How Having a Chronic Illness Complicates Retirement

Retirement is something we all dream about. We often envision it as a well-deserved reward after a lifetime of hard work. We imagine it as a time of rest and relaxation, golden years of worry-free ease. The reality is far different for the majority of us. Studies show, for example, 23% of Americans have less…

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Earthquakes, Shooting Ranges and Employee Benefits Innovation

Inspiration for employee benefits research can come from unexpected places – like earthquakes and shooting ranges. In my work leading an innovation team, we use a variety of techniques to gain deeper insight into what an employee may experience while on disability leave or when enrolling in their benefits. Most absence and leave management companies…

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