1. Mental health is a must

With the stress of family get-togethers and a growing to-do list, now’s the time to prioritize your mental health. Not sure where to start? Check your workplace benefits. RBC Wealth Management supports employees with convenient telehealth medicine options as well as several programs that offer free, confidential counseling for employees and their family members. Plus, employees have access to mental health webinars. And when employees need to unwind and de-stress, they can log into the meditation app Headspace, thanks to a yearlong subscription paid for by the firm.

2. Work out your way

Holly Amos, an office manager at RBC Capital Markets in Dallas, lost 50 pounds by walking over her lunch breaks while working at home during the pandemic. She joined Living Well, a healthy-living platform available to employees, to track her progress and get inspired by colleagues’ posts in the newsfeed. PrimeGo and LIFT session apps are also available to employees and provide on-demand workouts, planning tools and scheduled reminders to move during the day. Both programs are free and can be customized to fit your fitness level.

3. Gratitude is an attitude

Research shows that taking stock of what you are thankful for can lower stress and improve your mood. Set aside time each day to make notes in a gratitude journal. And when you want to smile, go back and read your list.

4. Reward yourself

Need a little extra motivation? Treat yourself. When you reach a goal (fitness or otherwise), recognize your hard work with a reward. Immerse yourself in your favorite hobby or celebrate with a special meal at home. Companies like RBC Wealth Management know that sometimes a little extra nudge is needed on a health journey. That’s where the Living Well platform can help by encouraging employees to complete healthy activities and earn points that can be exchanged for gift cards.

5. The benefits of a buddy

Whether it’s a colleague, your best friend or a family member, lean on your great relationships through the holidays. Your workout buddy can keep you accountable, and your best friend is there to listen to whatever’s on your mind. Research from the Mayo Clinic shows that adults with strong social support are less likely to have significant health problems like depression, high blood pressure or a high body mass index (BMI). Studies have even shown that those with friends are likely to live longer than those with fewer social connections.

The fall 2021 edition of RBC's Prosper US magazine is now out! This is the fourth issue of the magazine, which showcases different aspects of our unique culture at RBC Wealth Management-U.S. and features several #WomentofRBC sharing personal stories about their lives at work and at home. >Read the latest issue