A Life Well Lived: CalHR Benefits Newsletter — February 2026
February is a time to focus on caring for your heart and mind! This month’ tips highlight heart health, stress awareness, and supportive benefits designed to help you feel confident and balanced.
February Is American Heart Month
February is a reminder to care for your heart through simple, everyday habits that support long-term health.
Try these heart-healthy tips:
- Move more in ways you enjoy, like walking, stretching, or yoga
- Manage stress with mindfulness, deep breathing, or short breaks
- Prioritize sleep to support heart health and energy
- Eat balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins
- Stay on top of preventive care, including regular checkups
Heart health tip: Did you know that oral health plays a role in heart health? Research shows that gum disease can triple the risk of a heart attack, and according to the U.S. Surgeon General, more than 90% of systemic diseases, including heart disease, can have oral signs. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits help protect both your smile and your heart.
Keep Your Heart Healthy With Better Oral Care
Learn more about how heart health and dental health are linked.
See Your Health Clearly: Schedule Your Eye Exam
Your eyes offer a unique window into your overall health. During an eye exam, an eye doctor can:
- Diagnose vision changes. While you may feel you see fine, an eye doctor may find that your vision could be better.
- Provide tips on how to protect your eyes and keep them healthy by discussing day-to-day concerns you may have.
- Catch eye diseases early, even before you notice symptoms.
Did you know? Your eyes can also reveal clues about your heart health. A yearly eye exam can help detect signs of more than 270 health conditions and diseases, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, both of which can increase the risk of heart disease.
As a VSP member, routine eye exams are available at little to no cost. Log in to your VSP member account or visit vsp.com to find a VSP network doctor near you.
Live Well – Supporting Your Heart & Mind
Launched January 1, 2026, Live Well, CalHR’s refreshed Employee Wellness Program powered by Grokker, supports your whole wellbeing with:
- 4,000+ on-demand classes on fitness, mindfulness, stress management, nutrition, financial wellbeing, and sleep
- 150+ wellness programs with expert guidance from 130+ trainers
- Simple tools to build healthy habits and track progress
Whether you want to move more, reduce stress, or improve sleep, Live Well offers flexible support on your schedule. This month, explore featured wellbeing resources focused on mindfulness and supporting your heart and mind.
Click the tile below to learn more and register for Live Well.
Protect Your Heart and Future: Legal Wellness for Marriage
Protecting your heart also means protecting your future. If you’re enrolled in the state’s legal insurance plan, ARAG Legal gives you access to marriage-related tools and guidance to help you navigate important legal and financial decisions.
With these resources you can:
- Plan for marriage and understand legal requirements
- Manage finances with a partner
- Navigate international marriage considerations
Explore the resources below to learn how a legal insurance benefit can support you through love and marriage. If you don’t currently have legal insurance, consider enrolling during the next Open Enrollment period or following a qualifying life event, such as marriage.
Guidebook: Planning Marriage
Getting married? Congratulations! Make sure you learn more about the legal and financial matters you’ll want to address before your big day.
What to Know Before Merging Finances with a Loved One
Before merging finances with a loved one, consider these tips to know which approach can work best for you.
Getting Married? Know the Legal Requirements – and Documents – You’ll Need
Learn about the documents you’ll need to make your marriage legal.
What to Do When Marrying Someone from Another Country
If your fiancé is from another country and you want to get married and live in the United States, watch the video below to learn what you need to do legally.
Financial Wellbeing Tip: Build Your Financial Confidence
Financial stress can affect both your mental and physical health. Feeling more confident about your finances can reduce stress, improve sleep, and support overall wellbeing.
📅 Join EAP’s live webinar: Take Control of Your Finances
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 11:00 a.m.
Through Magellan’s Financial Wellbeing services, you and your household members receive three free 30-minute phone sessions per year, per topic with experienced money coaches.
Get started by taking a short financial assessment: Visit the EAP website and click on the Financial Wellbeing tile.
Live Well in 2026
As you move through February, take a moment to check in with yourself. Caring for your heart and mind does not require big changes, just thoughtful, intentional choices made over time. Whether it is moving in ways you enjoy, staying on top of preventive care, or building confidence in your finances; small steps can help you feel more supported, balanced, and confident in your wellbeing.
For more information about state employee benefits, visit the CalHR Benefits website. For questions about your benefits eligibility or enrollment, contact your departmental personnel officer. For health benefits information specifically, visit the CalPERS website.
