Beacon Health | Focus On You | Spring 2021

2 | Focus on You Health checkups: Why you need them If you’re pretty much a stranger to your primary care provider, you’re missing out on something that can make a big— and positive—difference in your health: regular checkups. Seeing your provider when you feel healthy is one of the best ways to actually stay healthy. These visits are a chance for your provider to make sure you’re up-to- date on recommended screening tests or vaccines. What’s more, your provider can suggest lifestyle changes and possible treatments to protect you from diseases that run in your family. It may be tempting to skip a checkup every now and then. But that’s risky. With close monitoring, your provider can spot any downturn in your health and address it quickly. Try our virtual health services • Telehealth: Connect with your provider by computer, smartphone, tablet, or telephone. Using Zoom, you can meet face-to- face with your provider. In other cases, a regular phone call will be enough for you to get the care you need. Speak with your provider to find out if telehealth is a good option for you. • Mynorthernlighthealth.org Patient Portal: The place to go when you need secure 24/7 access to manage your health and wellness. » Securely access your personal medical information, including your results, conditions, and medications » Send messages to your healthcare team » View and request appointments » Connect your electronic health record to fitness trackers and other apps » If you need help, call 833- 217-9640 Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm • HealtheLife App: You can take the mynorthernlighthealth.org Patient Portal with you wherever you go with the HealtheLife App, which brings the portal to your fingertips—on your smartphone. » Search for the HealtheLife app in the App Store on iOS devices or Google Play on Android devices. It’s a free download! • Online Care: Available from 8am to 8pm every day (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). You can have an online care visit for the conditions listed below. Please understand that the provider will ask you various questions that may require you to end your online care visit and recommend that you go to your primary care provider, urgent care, or emergency department. » Bronchitis » Cold or upper respiratory infection » Conjunctivitis (pink eye) » Gastrointestinal virus (stomach flu) » Influenza (flu) » Minor ear irritations » Rash or skin infection » Sinusitis » Sore throat » Urinary tract infection (UTI) Online care is a free service until June 30. Visit onlinecare .northernlighthealth.org if you are: » Age 16 or older » Physically in Maine » On our Northern Light Employee Health Plan Care for your emotional and physical health this year There’s no question that 2020 left a lot to be desired. That’s why it’s important to take time this year to make a resolution to care for your emotional health too. Here are five tips: 1 Accentuate the positive. Try to keep negative emotions and thoughts to a minimum. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and remember the good things you’ve done. 2 Lower your stress levels. Chronic stress is unhealthy. Try to exercise regularly, set priorities to balance work and play, and relax. (Our virtual wellness programs can help!) 3 Get good sleep. When you don’t get enough sleep, it affects your mood, energy, concentration, and ability to cope with stress. 4 Be mindful. Be aware of what’s going on around you and accept it without judgment. When you’re mindful, you live your life in the present. 5 Strengthen your social connections. Make time to visit with friends and family, even if the visit is virtual. Virtual wellness programs make it easier than ever!