September 2026 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER ISSUE 09 / SEPTEMBER 2026 WWW.HEALTHYWAY-PSI.COM HEALTHY AGING MONTH Aging and Brain Health As we age, staying mentally sharp becomes increasingly important. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to adapt, learn, and form new connections throughout life. You can support neuroplasticity or even enhance cognitive fitness through healthy habits including physical, mental, and social activities. Here are six lifestyle strategies to strengthen memory, learning, and promote overall brain health: 1. Move more, think better Exercise boosts BDNF, a protein that helps brain cells grow and stay healthy. Aim for at least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, along with strength training, to support memory, focus, and mood. 2. Fuel your brain with the right foods Mediterranean and MIND-style diets—rich in vegetables, berries, whole grains, fish, nuts, and healthy fats—are associated with better brain health. 3. Keep your brain active Challenge your mind to strengthen neural connections and build cognitive reserve. Learn a new skill, play challenging games, travel, or explore a creative hobby. 4. Prioritize quality sleep Sl eep helps consolidate memories, clear waste from the brain, and restore neural pathways. Aim for 7–9 hours per night. 5. Str ess less for a healthier brain Chronic stress can interfere with memory and neuroplasticity. Reduce stress with mindfulness, deep breathing, music, exercise, or time in nature. 6 . Stay socially engaged Social interaction stimulates the brain and supports memory and mental clarity. Connect with loved ones, join a group, or attend community or cultural events. Staying physically active, mentally challenged, well-rested, and socially connected can support neuroplasticity and help keep your brain strong as you age. Be Well Spotlight Message from the Health Coach Performance Services has been recognized as one of the 2026 Healthiest Employers in Indiana for our commitment to employee well-being and exceptional corporate health and wellness programming. Have you completed your wellness requirements? Time is running out on your chance to have free health insurance premiums in 2027. Schedule your Wellness Review and finish your CoreHealth points before it is too late. All appointments are scheduled in EST and can be completed in-person, by phone, or a Teams meeting. UPCOMING EVENTS CoreHealth Challenge September 1-30 Health Awareness Spotlight BINGO: Complete 1 mood- boosting activity per day until you achieve a Bingo *It’s the final month to earn your wellness points! Participate in our 1-mile/5K and fundraising event to support Zoe Empowers. Be Well Empower Well October 2026 Check out our wellness and benefit vendor booths and complete a free hearing screening during the All- Company Social (3:30-5:30 PM) Health & Wellbeing Fair September 15, 2026

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6 P S I B E W E L L N E W S L E T T E R Ingredients • ½ cup nonfat milk • ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce • ½ cup all-purpose flour • ½ cup quick-cooking oats (uncooked) • 1 cup sugar • ½ Tbsp. baking powder • ½ tsp. ground cinnamon • 1 tart apple (cored and chopped) Directions 1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. 2. Place 6 cupcake liners in a baking tin. 3. In a mixing bowl, add the milk and applesauce. Stir until blended. 4. Stir in the flour, oats, sugar, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix until moistened. Be careful not to overmix. 5. Gently stir in the chopped apples. 6. Spoon the mixture into the cupcake liners, distributing it evenly. 7. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. 8. Cool the finished muffins in the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Store unused portions in an airtight container. Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Makes 6): Total calories: 218 calories, Total fat: 1 g, Protein: 3 g, Sodium: 132 mg, Carbohydrate: 52 g, Dietary fiber: 2 g, Saturated fat: 0 g. Source: My Plate More recipes: • 5 Overnight Oats Recipes for Busy Mornings • Summer Garden Crustless Zucchini Pie • Paleo Apple Crisp • Healthy Back To School Snacks For Kids (& Adults!) More Resources: • What is Grip Strength and Why is it Important? • Get Your Eyes Checked to Protect Your Vision • The MIND Diet For Your Healthy Aging Brain Apple Oatmeal Muffins Meal Prepping Tips September brings a shift in routine as school schedules kick back in and free time shrinks. Meal prepping is the concept of preparing meals for the week ahead. It can lead to more nutritious choices and help save valuable time on busy weeknights. HelloFresh's State of Home Cooking report revealed that 38% of Americans don't have groceries on hand when they need them, which is one of the biggest obstacles to making dinner. Fortunately, meal prepping can help solve that problem. Consider these best practices: • Stick to a schedule for when you plan, grocery shop and prepare your meals. • Pick recipes with varying cooking methods (e.g., oven or stovetop). • Choose which meals to prepare first based on their cook times. • Focus on ingredient prep. Prepare foods in advance (cooking your protein or grains, wash and chop vegetables) so that a meal can be assembled more quickly during busy weeknights. • Store meals properly in portioned containers. Refrigerate meals you plan to eat within three to four days and freeze the rest. Meal prepping doesn’t have to be intimidating. Try these basic steps to cut down on cooking time and have more time for other activities.

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 6 M E N T A L H E A L T H M I N U T E Mental Health Minute Do You Know About 988? The Suicide Prevention Lifeline, established in 2005 and rebranded as 988 in 2022, has made crisis support easier to access. In just three years, call volume has risen 40%, with over 13 million calls, texts, and chats answered nationwide. September is Suicide Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, promote prevention efforts and support those affected by suicide. Suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, with an estimated 49,000 lives lost each year. Understanding how to use 988 can make a life-saving difference. How It Works The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free and confidential, offering support by phone, text, or online chat. Callers can connect to the Veterans Crisis Line, receive help in English, Spanish, ASL, or access interpretation in 240+ languages. Once connected, trained counselors listen, provide resources, and help de-escalate distress—turning to 911 only when absolutely necessary. The Lifeline’s goal is to reduce emotional pain, offer immediate support, and guide people toward ongoing help. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org if you or someone you know is experiencing mental health-related distress. For further guidance, contact a mental health professional. Mental Health Benefits of Reading Curling up with a good book is more than a cozy hobby; it’s a genuine workout for your mind and emotions. In fact, researchers continue to uncover the advantages of being a habitual reader. Studies have found that reading offers several benefits, such as the following: • Strengthens your brain —Regular reading strengthens the neural pathways tied to memory, focus and comprehension. • Builds emotional resilience —Books can stir the full range of feelings which can help build resilience and improve one’s ability to cope with difficult situations. • Sharpens empathy —Reading literary fiction has been shown to improve your ability to sense what others are thinking and feeling, even when it differs from your own. • Relieves stress —Losing yourself in a good book can help reduce stress by lowering cortisol, blood pressure and heart rate. • Improves focus and attention span — Reading can help train the brain to sustain attention on a single thread for an extended stretch. • Eases feelings of loneliness —Getting lost in a story can offer a sense of companionship without the pressure of social interaction.