October Toolkit: Dealing with Burnout

Welcome the fall season with Thrive’s quarterly toolkit. We designed it to help you learn about workplace burnout and strategies to eliminate it from your life. This toolkit starts with October, but we encourage you to refer back to it over the next couple of months to track your progress and remind yourself of helpful tactics.

Option Period for Plan Year 2022 now open

Benefits enrollment for 2022 is now open through Oct. 31. If you would like a brief training session with the Employee Benefits Department, contact Joy Fite at joy.fite@omes.ok.gov or 405-522-6691. Be sure to check out the PY 22 Benefit Enrollment Guide, and contact your flex representatives and benefits staff if you have any questions.

Additional Option Period 2022 reminders:

• If you want to opt out, you must complete the annual Opt-Out form. Contact your HR coordinator for details.
• If you contribute to an FSA or HSA, you must enroll each year.
• You have until Oct. 29 to submit a Life Insurance Application.
• You must complete the Tobacco-free Attestation by Nov. 12 for HealthChoice High or Basic plans. If the attestation is not completed, you will be enrolled in one of the alternative plans. If you or your dependents are tobacco users, you can still complete the attestation if each tobacco user does one of the following:
  • Enrolls in 1-800-QUIT-NOW and completes three coaching sessions.
  • Obtains a letter from their doctor stating that it is medically necessary that they do not quit at this time.

Financial education workshops planned

Oklahoma’s Credit Union is hosting financial workshops for those starting to think about retirement and those wanting a better understanding of the home or property buying process.

• Social Security workshop on Oct. 5 – learn more here.
• Homebuyer workshop on Oct. 7 – learn more here.

Family Fun Day Golf Tournament provided good challenges

Clayton Fletcher’s Team from left to right  Matt Followell (Longest Drive winner), Dan Avery, Adam Marshall, Clayton Fletcher.

Roman Nose State Park’s golf course was one of the most challenging locations of the year. Beautiful despite the typical western Oklahoma wind, the course offers hills, valleys and canyons.

At the end of the day, two teams – led by Clayton Fletcher and Jerry Moore – were tied with a 63. However, Clayton’s team ended up winning after the on-grounds golf pro assessed the rules.

Whitney Moore and Matt Followell won the Longest Drive contest but, because of the complexity of the course, there was no Closest to the Pin winner.

Whitney Moore (Longest Drive winner).

Recreational League news

Bowling league is back after a year-long hiatus.

Bowling league rolling right along

After a year-long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bowling league started the season in September. The bowling alley follows all CDC guidelines and provides a safe environment for the teams. It was nice to see people having friendly competition again.

Tennis begins fall season

After taking a break from the summer heat, the tennis league began a shorter six-week league on Sept. 19 at the Oklahoma City Tennis Center at Northwest 36th and Portland.

Tennis Keandra Webb (foreground) and Amanda Marcott-Thottunkal.

Caregiver Corner

The Oklahoma Family Caregiver Conference is just a couple months away. Mark your calendar for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 10.

This is a great opportunity to connect with other family caregivers and learn about respite programs, stress management and strategies for recharging and more.

Register at okcares.org/. For more information, email Ronelle.Baker@okdhs.org or call 405-985-9560.

Caring Assistance Line 800-211-2116: Oklahoma Human Services, OK Caregiver Coalition, OK Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and OU Sooner SUCCESS have partnered to provide a statewide information and referral support line for individuals with special needs and their family caregivers.

Follow the prompts to be connected to the appropriate agency in your area. Resources can also be found at okcares.org/.

Health tip

Vitamin D is important in maintaining good health! It supports our immune system and protects bone, heart and muscle health.

Our body produces Vitamin D when we are in sunlight. As the days get shorter and colder, we are exposed to much less sunlight, so it is a good idea to get your Vitamin D from foods like salmon, tuna, egg yolks and mushrooms.

Try taking a Vitamin D supplement with your meal as well.

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