For Your Benefit Magazine — Spring 2022

Page 4

Health Benefits

A Message from

Dr. Van H. Dunn

Stress Relief

CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER These past few years have been challenging, taking a toll on the physical and emotional health of all of us. For healthcare workers and their families, it has been especially acute. Now that we have left the harshness of winter behind us and stepped into the sunshine of spring, it is time to renew our commitment to our physical and emotional well-being—one step at a time.

Try deep-breathing exercises, meditation or yoga.

Protect Your Physical Health Catching hidden

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many conditions early can people got vaccinated against the virus, many missed help you live a routine vaccinations—such as for the flu, HPV, MMR LONGER, (measles, mumps, rubella) and hepatitis—and lifesaving HEALTHEIR cancer screenings. So, if you have not visited your doctor’s office in a while, go ahead and schedule that LIFE appointment. Even if you are feeling great, there could be hidden conditions that your doctor should screen for. Catching these conditions early can keep you on your path to health and help you lead a longer life.

Enjoy the extra daylight and sunshine outdoors by taking a walk.

That is why it is important to have a doctor you can trust, who listens to you and who you feel comfortable talking with. Relationships matter, and so do you.

Reconnect in person with friends and family members.

If you need to find a doctor, visit findadoc.1199SEIUBenefits.org.

Protect Your Emotional Health Reducing stress Many of us have suffered from greater levels of stress and anxiety can during the pandemic. An April 2021 national survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Washington DECREASE Post showed that almost two-thirds of frontline CHRONIC healthcare workers said that worry related to the CONDITIONS pandemic negatively affected their mental health. Something as simple as deep breathing can help reduce stress. Reducing stress and anxiety can decrease your risk of high blood pressure, obesity, gastrointestinal distress and other chronic conditions. So, start breathing deeply, and if you would like to talk to someone, you can reach out to our Wellness Member Assistance Program social workers to help you find a therapist or you can go directly to our network or Teladoc to find one.

If you need to find a therapist, visit findadoc.1199SEIUBenefits.org. or www.Teladoc.com

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www.1199SEIUBenefits.org

Don’t go it alone: talk to a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist.

For more information on boosting your emotional well-being, see “Your Mental Health Matters,” page 6.


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For Your Benefit Magazine — Spring 2022 by 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds - Issuu