In honor of National Wellness Month, we’re focusing on four components of wellness and ways you can boost your holistic well-being. Check out the tips below.

Physical wellness

We all know that physical wellness is a reflection of our commitment to what we’re eating and how much we’re moving. But in the summer, there are additional factors of physical well-being that need to be considered. Here are five tips to keep in mind this month:

1. Hydrate aggressively. Don’t forget to drink water, especially when moving in the sun. Consider adding a low-sugar sports drink or coconut water on hot days to help replenish electrolytes and potassium.
2. Make SPF your BFF. Yes, even on cloudy days! Always apply sunscreen when you’re planning to be outdoors for prolonged periods. Wearing a hat and polarized sunglasses can also help protect your skin and eyes from intense UV rays. Pro tip: you can use your FSA to pay for sunscreen!
3. Don’t forget to stretch. Stretching helps your body ease into new activities and it’s a great way to avoid muscle pulls or strains. Try bookending activities with stretching so you can loosen up and feel great before, during, and after. Worried that a muscle pull could be something more serious? Get a free second medical opinion through Teladoc.
4. Time your workout. The sun is hottest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the summer months. If you’re planning to be active outdoors, try to do so before or after this heat window. Looking to take your workout inside? Check out Beneplace for deals and discounts on fitness gear, gym memberships, and more.
5. Recognize that every body is a summer body. Don’t let harmful stereotypes and ads hold you back from feeling good about yourself and prevent you from enjoying your summer activities. The moment is now. Get out there and enjoy the day. Your body will thank you. If you’re struggling with self-esteem, or just feel blah, help is here through our free and confidential Confide/EAP.

Financial wellness is based on how you feel about your current financial situation, as well as your outlook for the future. Here are five ways you can help improve your financial well-being this month and beyond:

1. Audit your subscriptions. Annoyed by the Spotify price hike? Us, too. Take this as an opportunity to review all of your subscriptions…and review your credit and debit card statements to find forgotten ones, too. Chances are you may be paying for items you no longer use or enjoy.
2. Use Beneplace to save on summer fun. Summer isn’t over yet! Take advantage of the last few weeks of summer by planning a trip with Beneplace. Beneplace offers deals on rental cars, up to 60% savings on hotel rooms, discounted tickets on events ranging from baseball to Broadway, and even discounts on admission to Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, and more. So, what are you waiting for? Head over to Beneplace and start planning that trip today!
3. Track your spending. This one might seem like a no-brainer, but when was the last time you sat down and reviewed your daily, weekly, and monthly spending habits? Start logging your expenses to become more aware of your spending habits – you’ll see what you’re doing well, and where you can improve. After all, you can’t change what you don’t measure.
4. Check your interest rate. Need to pay off a few loans? Tackle the loan that has the highest interest rate first. Another resource at your disposal is Kashable, a newly expanded short-term loan program that can help you cover unexpected expenses or consolidate credit card debt with a lower interest rate.
5. Ask for an energy audit. Summer months can be expensive when it comes to home energy usage. Save money on your utility bill by having a technician assess your home. They'll inspect for drafts, seal air leaks, and provide recommendations to make your home more energy-efficient. You can find a professional auditor through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star website.

Want to better cope with stress, handle emotions in the face of challenges, and quickly recover from disappointments? Try these tips to build your emotional well-being:

1. Join ERG members for a Shades of Mental Health One-Hour Panel Discussion on August 16 at 2 p.m. ET. Adopted from NAMI’s #ShadesofMentalHealth theme, this panel discussion features several ERG leaders as they reflect on their own well-being journeys and shed light on the unique mental health challenges and opportunities for communities of color. Our panelists will highlight the importance of inclusion, empathy and understanding in creating more equitable and culturally competent approaches to mental health support. Join the meeting online or call in (audio only) at 972 908 7777 Conference ID: 620 901 330#.
2. Download the Happify app, free to all BAE Systems employees as part of your Confide/EAP. Happify is designed to help you build resilience, reduce stress and anxiety, develop mindfulness tactics, and gain confidence, all through science-based activities.

Building social wellness can be a great way to build emotional wellness. When we feel socially connected, we also tend to just feel better, have more positive emotions, and are able to cope better with challenges. Here are two ways you can build your social well-being:

1. Manage your relationship with technology. Too much news and social media can affect your emotions, drain your energy, and make you feel like you’re missing out. So why not try reducing the amount of time you spend on social media? Delete social apps you don’t use or like, and set times each day to check your accounts, rather than monitoring them all day long.
2. Practice gratitude. This can be done in many different ways, including jotting a few notes on what you’re grateful for; paying attention to the little things; paying someone a compliment; or reaching out to a friend or family member to let them know how much they mean to you.