ISO Laughter and Self-Care Tips during “Hunker Down” Order
By Tonya Mott, Vice President of Operations
I don’t know about all of you but life got serious real quick.
Looking back about a month ago I’ll never forget my coworker asking me, “Do you really think we’ll have to close the office”. I said, “No way, but we’re prepared if it comes to that”. Now, here we are, the entire team working remote.
When our office went remote on March 23rd the majority of us had already experienced a remote work environment. Operationally, it was like turning on a light switch with a few minor adjustments. What I wasn’t prepared for was the reason this was happening. Between juggling work, family, and trying to keep up with the fast moving train that is Covid-19, I was overwhelmed. One of the first things I did was find resources that would help us through these strange times. Okay, if I’m being honest one of the first things I did was watch, The Tiger King. Once that well dried up, I had to find something else to fill the void. Here’s what I found-
First, laughter:
Check out Frank James’ YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxc0c4cOfFmSUnzX9uY7Jww/videos
He does comedy sketches based on personality types.
(If you don’t know your personality type you can take a free test here: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test)
Now, self-care:
The Most soothingly effective self-care activity for your Myers-Briggs Type, Found:
https://www.wellandgood.com/good-advice/self-care-activities-mbti/
I’m an INFJ and the suggested self-care activity is journaling. Not something I’m used to doing but then again neither is social distancing so I’ll probably give it a try.
- Published in Blog
New Tool for News Junkies
By Ashley Snodgrass, Executive Account Manager
Are there still any news junkies out there? In light of recent events, I know plenty of folks who say they can’t read the anxiety-inducing news. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, I had friends and acquaintances who refused to read the news because of constant barrage of articles on war, politics, and crime. Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment, but I love to read the news. I always have.
I should clarify, I do not like to read the news because I enjoy observing the calamity. I am often overwhelmed with the conflicts occurring, and I do not revel in tragedy. If you’re familiar with the Kolbe Index, I score high on the Fact-Finder index, which means my reaction to nearly any question is often, “I need more information.” Good or bad news in the world, being informed is a critical piece to maintaining society and holding local and national leaders accountable.
I’ve recently discovered an app that has made this commitment to news reading easier and more enjoyable. Knewz is a news aggregator that brings together articles from a variety of sources, organized by topic. If you want to read articles about the Race for the White House, or Coronavirus, or the Royals, you can sort through that grouping of articles to read all about that specific topic. On a personal note, I strongly prefer the iPhone app to the desktop experience. The iPhone app is easy to navigate and provides a streamlined view, but I find the desktop experience to be overwhelming.
In my experience with Knewz, I’ve found that the articles are delivered from different sources, so it is easier to see all the related articles, instead of switching between tabs to look at four different news sites. This app has helped me in my goal to remain informed. Regardless, it is always important to think critically about the information presented in news articles, and do additional research when necessary.
- Published in Blog
Parents Are Not OK
By Aimee Johnson, RISQ Consulting Account Executive
Working in employee benefits during a pandemic equates to clients needing more than ever. This is a great thing as it presents a tremendous opportunity to show our worth – and we are worth it (in my not so humble opinion).
The problem here, is that my 11-month old has no idea there is a pandemic occurring and she still wants your attention, needs to eat, nap, and have her diaper changed. Go figure. She obviously didn’t get the memo that Mom and Dad still have to work and can’t play all day.
I, by no means, have it the worst or even bad. I am thankful to have a job that allows me to continue working and helping others during this time. We are all adjusting to the new way of life.
Chloe I. Cooney articulates what I, and I imagine, many other parents are feeling right now. I do not have any school age children, but I can still relate to her and her husband’s situation. I hope you, too, can find solace in knowing you are not alone and it’s OK if you are not OK right now. We are in this together and we will persevere.
Here’s to that extra glass of wine, extra push on the treadmill, “not hearing” that “Mom” or “Dad”, or binge watching your favorite show. Whatever it takes to take the edge off and feel OK during these unprecedented times.
I, for one, am thankful I was able to witness my daughter crawl. I may have otherwise missed this monumental milestone in her life if things had been “normal”. Try to find the silver lining and be thankful for our health, family, love, and ability.
- Published in Blog
Quarantine With a Teen
By Jessica Carlson, RISQ Consulting Employee Benefits Consultant
Since school has changed to distance learning, and I am working from home, I have been with my 14 year old for the last three weeks and will be for the foreseeable future.
This will either tear us apart or bring us closer. I for one would prefer that it make us a stronger family so I have been looking for things to do together to keep our sanity.
I came across this list of things to do with your teens while you are stuck at home. There are many great ideas in the linked blog that we are going to try out (although I do not know how a sit up and pushup competition would fare around here).
Here’s to surviving the quarantine and keeping your sanity! Good luck!
- Published in Blog
Live Life at the End of the Leash
By Shayla Dablemont, RISQ Consulting Individual and Family Benefits Consultant
“A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk” – O.A. Battista
Fido does more for you than just provide companionship. As if you really need more reasons to cuddle your furry friend, one of the side effects of owning a dog is living longer. According to a study by a peer-reviewed journal from the American Heart Association, dog owners had a 24% risk reduction for death from any cause.
Owning a dog also increases your opportunities to exercise since most dogs need 30-60 minutes of physical activity per day. Often times, pet owners take their dogs on a daily walk to make sure that they are burning energy and staying healthy, little do those owners know that they are also helping themselves. 30 minutes of walking each day can lower your blood pressure, decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and boost your digestion and immune systems.
“Skin hunger” is a term used to describe a human’s need for physical touch and a pet can help to satisfy this need. Studies show that when interacting with a dog, a person’s cortisol levels go down and their levels of serotonin and dopamine increase. This reduces stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Caring for a living animal that provides you unconditional love can boost your sense of self-worth by allowing you to feel needed.
When you get off work after a long day, sometimes you just want to go scratch Fido behind the ears. Now you know why you get that zen feeling when loving on your dog. Please remember that owning a pet is a lot of responsibility and not everyone is ready to make that type of commitment. If you are looking into adding a friend to your family, please your research to find the right fit for you.
- Published in Blog
9 Ways to Stay Connected During Social Distancing
By Casey Kirkeby, RISQ Consulting Strategy Consultant
Humans are social creatures and even the most introverted need some type of social interaction from time to time. For example, I am an extroverted person that loves to go to networking events with large groups of people and support the business that is showcasing it’s location. Any given week I will be at a fundraiser, ribbon cutting or after hours and try to attend something at least twice a week. Now with COVID-19 taking over the world we have to practice this new thing called “Social Distancing” which means exactly what the name implies.
Today is my 8-year anniversary and my wife and I are celebrating it in the comfort of our own home. We plan an outdoor ski around lunchtime, romantic snack afterwards, and a nice dinner in the evening (If we can find any food to cook from the grocery store). Thank God the kids are at Grandma’s today so I can get some work done at home too! Now that I’ve rambled on about life at home, let’s talk about how to stay productive while working at home.
1. Talk to one friend each day
Sharing experiences always helps people understand their situation better because everyone thinks and acts differently. Especially right now, I think it is important because different perspectives helps with the notion of “being heard “no matter if it is electronically or through a text. We seek commonality while feeling connected and there is no better way than taking five minutes out of your day to say hi to someone.
2. Send someone you love a handwritten letter
I know this seems silly and it’s unknown what kind of value it would create but it may brighten someone’s day when they need it the most. Grab a few at the store, print some of your computer or order a bundle from your favorite art/crafts site. Then send out to a friend, family member or even a special client.
3. Foster connection with those you’re stuck at home with
Everyone has a routine and now if you work or a stay at home parent. We now are coinciding with both in one space so we need to be effective and efficient with how we spend our time together. When you take a break from a task, go forth and do something productive together like organizing a cluttered space or put together a board game to play when you are not busy to keep the creative juices flowing. Make the most of the opportunity to spend time at home with friends or love ones by engaging with them and you choose the activity.
4. Reach out to friends who have depression or anxiety
Everyone feels some type of depression from time to time and everyone deals with it in different ways. This may be particularity troublesome for people that are more extroverted. Some folks enjoy texting over calling so just send a quick “You don’t have to respond—I just want you to know that I’m thinking about you’ is a great message.” This will help that person who feels particularity alone when it comes to social isolation.
5. Have a family member read your child a bedtime book through FaceTime
This can be fun for all ages and keeps the social interactions u when you need it. Try to incorporate a grandparent or an uncle to keep it interesting for the child when they are reading the book or if they are being read to.
6. Have a virtual watch party with friends
Looking forward to hanging with your besties and gathering at the house to binge watch some shows? Now you can all jump on a video party through Netflix called Netflix party, which gives you the ability to everyone to stream the show at the same time and conduct a virtual group chat afterwards. Hey, if you do not like this try a virtual book club with your posse instead!
7. Stream a class
Bing your favorite social activity or hobby to life with others by participation or hosting a class dedicated to cooking, knitting etc. I recommend using Zoom because it has some key features that are free and especially during this time will offer more than 40 minutes of free streaming.
Don’t have a hobby you want to teach, try teaching a fitness or yoga class virtually and socialize with the conference at4ndees at the same time.
8. Participate in an online community
I think most people have something they participate in if they find it interesting when it comes to passions and interests online so here are a few options for you to participate in that may bring you that sense of community:
• Anchorage Zen Community www.anchoragezen.com
• Community Information – Alaska Department of Commerce www.commerce.alaska.gov
• Anchorage Chamber of Commerce https://www.anchoragechamber.org/
• Alaska Municipal League | Serving Alaska’s Communities www.akml.org
• The Alaska Community Foundation: Home www.alaskacf.org
9. Learn to love solitude
The world we see is like a cloud of smoke and to see through it, we have to stop and wait for the smoke to clear. This is something very challenging for some people (including myself) and now we are mostly at home or in a secured facility somewhere with our thoughts to ourselves. I always try to find the best in different situations so try to focus on time with yourself by doing meditating, putting together a puzzle or even going for a hike. We can take advantage of this solo time more than ever and really become one with ourselves without interruption.
- Published in Blog
Tuition Reimbursement- Helping Employees with Their Financial Goals
By Casey Kirkeby, RISQ Consulting Strategy Consultant
When an employer hires their first employee, benefits are on their mind. There are so many employee benefits out there that it is quite overwhelming to talk about all of them in one blog. There is telecommuting (remote workers), Telemedicine, New Parent Leave, Lactation aid for new mothers, Loan repayment in exchange for employees not taking vested paid time off, and so much more. I want to talk about one in particular that has the added benefit of saving our younger generation helping post college students pay back the collapsing debt that ultimately holds them back.
College debt is a growing epidemic in our society and today it is actually hindering people from saving for retirement. According to a recent survey done by Society of Human Resource Management, more than $44.7 million borrowers owed more than $1.5 trillion in student loans. That exceeds the gross domestic product of all but a dozen countries around the globe and employers can help with a little education and providing a resource to help people pay the money back. I have student debt, my mom just paid off her debt about 10 years ago and she is 63 years old today. I know more than a handful of people who have more than $80,000.00 that they owe back to the government for schooling that they took over 8 years ago and will be paying on it for most of their life.
Now honestly this can be addressed at the most basic level by providing guidance and education when they first apply for financial assistance, but as an employer, you do not have control of this. You can provide direction by offering a tuition repayment benefit that not only helps employees pay student debt off sooner, but also helps manage their expense and forecast their financial needs.
Many companies choose to reimburse up to $5,250 per year, which is the ceiling that the federal government allows for tuition benefit expenditures to be exempt from withholding tax. Other employers are offering to make loan payments in exchange for employees not taking vested paid time off, such as vacation days. It can be as easy as facilitating payments through payroll deferral and offering to match up to 50% of their payment that will get them excited. You can also construct quick videos that contain onsite financial advice that provides an outline with a good approach for whittling down their repayment and financing.
Now these are just some examples of what the current workforce is doing to help keep our debt-challenged workers ahead of the game and over at RISQ we can help you design an Employee Benefits Program that works for you and more importantly, your workforce.
- Published in Blog
The Most Popular Employee Benefits- Are You Offering Them?
By Alison Nelson, RISQ Consulting Sales and Marketing Coordinator
The average initial cost to hire and train a new employee is $4,129 (SHRM). So how do you reduce turnover and retain your employees? Well, one way is to offer competitive employee benefits.
A colleague recently sent me an interesting article that ranks the 15 most requested employee perks in order of popularity, ranging from family leave to pet-friendly workspaces. An employer could easily implement many of the listed popular benefits for a minimal cost. For example, one of the requested benefits is to have healthy snacks onsite, so signing your business up for a healthy food service is an easy way to keep employees happy.
Other frequently requested benefits from the list include the ability to work remotely, pet insurance, having a pet friendly workplace, and sabbatical leave. Having good employee benefits is vital for recruiting and maintaining employees, making it essential to stay aware of the constantly evolving top ranking benefits. Take a look at the article listed below and review the 15 most popular employee benefits, and then review your current offerings to help ensure that your business is staying competitive.
https://www.benefitnews.com/list/the-15-most-popular-employee-benefits
- Published in Blog
My name is Jennifer and I am a DOOFUSS!
By Jennifer Outcelt, RISQ Consulting Account Specialist
In your youth, did you vow to never, EVER be like your parents? And now, do think your parents are some of the most remarkable people you’ve ever known?
I recently had a child of my own and the thought dawned on me, “How can I learn from my own parents to be the best parent for my daughter?”. In contemplating my own upbringing, I decided to let you in on a part of my core personality that will undoubtedly influence how I rear spawn of my own. So how about I tell you about the people who created me? *bow-chicka-bow-wow* OK, I promise we won’t go that far back, but I want to introduce you to one half of my parental unit, my dad. I want to tell you why I feared becoming my dad and why I am now thrilled that I have.
My dad used to have this reoccurring dream. He would be eating a giant marshmallow, and when he woke up, his pillow would be gone! Funny right? Well try hearing that once a week your entire life.
Growing up, my dad, Karl, was what most dads seemed to be; A dad jokester. But that was just the tip of the iceberg… just a piece of the puzzle, just one ingredient in… well, you get the point. My father was exhaustingly… hilarious… to himself. He had a plethora of ready to wear jokes and anecdotes to amuse the masses (whether they wanted it or not). My family called them Karlisms.
*clear throat* “I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy” “Don’t use force get a bigger hammer” “Two wrongs don’t make a right but three lefts do”
These Karlisms were heard, ad-nauseam, in perpetuity. As a little kid they were funny. As a teenager, they were annoying. I had heard them all. Why did he bother?! But he didn’t say them just for us. He said them for the people around us. In line at the store, at my mom’s work functions, to my friend’s parents at Girl Scout meetings.
*clear throat* “There are only three kinds of people in this world, those who are good with numbers, and those who are not” “Time flies like the wind, but fruit flies like bananas.”
I was surrounded by smiles and good cheer, BLAAH! Kryptonite for a teenager! “OMG dad, you’re so lame!” I was embarrassed when he didn’t say the bare minimum. I was embarrassed at how long he joked with people. I feared his jokes would become so ingrained in me that I would someday become this walking cliché. I told myself I would not be like that, and I would not waste my time acting like a doofuss.
Fast forward to toady… that is all I do. My name is Jennifer and I am a DOOFUSS! (Hello, Jennifer) I make silly dad jokes and I like it!
What I didn’t know growing up (because I truly had it good) was that being an adult is freaking hard! Seeing how many things in the world you can’t control is scary. You see all the hypocrisy and all the bad. But even scarier is seeing how many people are crippled by their inability to detach from the negative or enact positive change.
As a teenager, I was mortified when my dad was asked a simple yes or no question and instead he replied, “Definitely, maybe not, probably so, could be, you never know, then again you can’t be sure, but then again on the other hand it might not be, but let me be perfectly clear when I say this about that…”
But now… that answer is hilarious. Because I’ve learned that it’s never yes or no and it’s hilarious to think you know anything for certain. My father makes light of the world and the uncertainties in it. He uses humor as an antidote. You will never get a completely serious answer from him; a trait I’m proud to carry and hope to pass on. Because I would much rather break the script and make people laugh if it means they have a better day. Life is too short not to laugh and it is too boring to look at the world in black and white.
I hope we can all agree that I’m not that old (30 is the new 20 I think). I don’t have many decades of personally cultured wisdom to drip like a fine wine into your ears. But what I do have is the ability to look at myself… then look at my dad, then look at myself, then back at my dad… and see, that apart from the baldness *wipe brow* (whew!), we are a ton alike.
And this “becoming my father” is not the disaster I thought it’d be. It is because of my father that I find humor in mundane things. He’s the reason I can smile and laugh through all of my mistakes. I’m not afraid to tell a joke. I’m not afraid to make a friend. And I’m definitely not afraid to make fun of myself.
What my dad knows is that humor, no matter how corny, is infectious and a smile spreads like wildfire. I once vowed to never be like my father because I saw his antics as a weakness. I know now that my father (one of the most remarkable people I know) uses his humor to keep himself and those around him strong. That’s the kind of parent I want to be. And I don’t mind being a clown… if it turns a frown… upside down.
- Published in Blog