It was at about this time last year that I decided to dust off my running shoes and give it a try to become an actual “runner” again. When I had kids, I officially moved from athlete to athletic supporter by cheering for them on the sidelines. It was during one of those (apparently) physically exerting cheers that I felt my heart racing and was winded. I decided it was time to focus on getting [...]

Cindi Goodeaux has a joy that overflows so much, she created an alter ego by the name of Giggle Blossom—a loveable and yes, giggly clown, to help her bring that joy to others. In 2010, she went to clown school, developed her character, and then set out to spread happiness among others. Giggle Blossom was a tour de force, but in 2016, Cindi, a Communications Analyst [...]

Just how important is oral health? We all want a nice smile, and fresh breath is definitely a plus, but is it really that important to brush twice and floss daily to achieve this? The answer is YES!  In 2014, the CDC reported that about half of American adults aged 30 and over have some form of gum disease (Perio.org, 2012). Additionally, the 65 and older population reported having a 70 pe [...]

April showers bring May flowers...and tax deadlines. While filing your taxes probably isn’t your favorite springtime activity, it doesn’t have to be a total bust. Florida Blue doesn’t give tax advice, but we can give you a few tips for reducing your stress when you’ve got a big task ahead. Reduce Stress by Being Prepared Whether you’re filing your own t [...]

“I had a black dog. His name was depression.” To look at me, you’d never know. I have a full-time job, a wonderful husband and lots of friends. I genuinely enjoy life, but I also have a secret: I struggle with depression. When I confide this part of me to others, I get surprised looks and raised eyebrows. Most days, I’m OK. I was diagnosed with depress [...]

Stephanie Westerman, Program Manager, Enterprise Learning & Delivery, has a passion. Her true desire is to be more engaged in Down syndrome advocacy and make a difference for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. And that passion came to her in the most unexpected way – with the birth of her daughter. Here’s how her story, her passion, began. Step [...]

“When it rains, it pours” is a proverb meaning that sometimes, misfortunes tend to follow in quick succession or arrive all at the same time. We’ve all been there – looking for an umbrella to get us out of the storm. Deanna Stewart, a Referral Specialist at University of Florida’s UF Health Women’s Specialists in Jacksonville, recently had her own personal downpour, but through a lot of hard wo [...]

Have you ever stood in line at a pharmacy and marveled at the countless number of drugs sitting on shelves behind the counter? It seems like there’s a drug—sometimes more than one—for every health condition.  For the last 20 years, I’ve cared for family members who take a mix of prescription drugs. My 19-year-old so [...]

With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, most of us feel more than a little stressed this time of year.  Here’s the good news — there’s a stress-relieving tool right in your pocket. Free smartphone apps are available that can help you relieve stress, manage anxiety and improve your mood. Look for these apps on the Apple App store or in the Google Play stor [...]

You see your doctor for your annual wellness visit and you leave with a prescription for medicine to treat high blood pressure. But the medicine is more than you can afford. What do you do? Have you ever skipped a prescription refill to save money, or forgotten to take a dose of your medicine? You should always follow yo [...]