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What you should know:
– Blue Shield of California announced that the Headspace mindfulness and meditation app is now available to its members through the non-profit health plan’s Wellvolution program.
– Headspace offers hundreds of tools and over 1000 exercises to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. The app joins the many resources offered on Blue Shield’s Wellvolution, a digital lifestyle-focused medicine and health platform provided in conjunction with Solera Health that can be customized to suit the health needs and preferences of each member.
Addition of Healthspace Expands Behavioral Health Support
The addition of Headspace expands Wellvolution to now include behavioral health support. Blue Shield members already benefiting from Wellvolution’s Lifestyle Medicine service can now add Headspace to their support system at no additional cost to them. Blue Shield of California continues to grow its behavioral health program for its members and the community which now includes expanded telehealth options and BlueSky, the health plan’s multi-year commitment to support youth mental health statewide.
Headspace Results / Results
Headspace research has shown that the app’s guided meditations can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and increase focus, self-esteem and resilience. The company found:
– 10 days of Headspace use resulted in a 14% reduction in stress.
– Eight weeks of Headspace use resulted in a 31% decrease in anxiety symptoms and 46% decrease in depressive symptoms.
“There is no doubt that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has high stress levels for everyone,†said Bryce Williams, vice president, Mind Body Medicine at Blue Shield of California. “With Headspace, our members receive a scientifically validated and clinically effective solution to improve their mental health and well-being.”
Almost two years after its onset, the pandemic continues to affect the lives of many Americans and stress remains present and problematic. According to the American Psychological Association, 78% of adults report that the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives, and 67% report having experienced increased stress during the pandemic.
