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Take Your Mental Health As Seriously As Your Physical Health.

Check in with yourself. Speak up if you’re feeling spread too thin or need support.

About 1 out of 5 Americans will be diagnosed with a mental health issue – anxiety or depression, for example – in their lifetime. But some experts say this number is likely far greater, especially amid the upheaval of life due to COVID-19 and growing financial concerns.

“These are diagnosable mental health issues that affect your life and get in the way of your ability to live, love and laugh,” says Karla Lever, PhD, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and director of the Employee Assistance Program at Atrium Health.

“When we distance ourselves physically, we also – for whatever reason – distance ourselves emotionally,” Dr. Lever says. “We're social beings, and even if you are the most introverted person on the planet, you still need other people."

She offers advice to reset and help make mental wellness a priority:

Pay attention to how you think about yourself and the world around you. We are often critical of ourselves and tend to repeat not-so-helpful thoughts in our head. “Some of these things can be extremely harmful,” says Dr. Lever. “Generally speaking, the more positive your thoughts are, the easier it is for your brain to create and release serotonin and dopamine, which make you happy and relaxed giving you the energy you need to do the things that will make you happier, like spending time with other people.”
Find your inner child and a hobby. As children, we can’t wait to grow up and do grown-up things. The problem is, many of us grow up and become serious adults – too serious. We can squelch joy without even realizing it, which not only affects our mental health but also strains our most important relationships. “Hobbies are adult play, so find something you enjoy,” says Dr. Lever.
Move your body to whatever extent you can – every little bit counts. “Just getting outside and moving your body is helpful,” advises Dr. Lever. “Our bodies were designed to be in motion, not to sit like many of us do all day long.”
Learn to say “no.” Dr. Lever says “no” is one of the most wonderful words in the English language. “We need to stop and figure out why it is we’re trying to do all these things. You don’t need to be all things for all people. Practice saying ‘no’ with a friend or therapist because when you really believe your ‘no’ is the right thing for everyone, people accept it.”
Talk with someone. Whether it’s through a referral from a friend, your primary care office or your Employee Assistance Program at work, it can be helpful to talk with a therapist about your worries and how to reprioritize. “Sometimes we get mentally stuck like a hamster on a wheel furiously getting nowhere. And all we need is just a little help to get bumped off the wheel,” says Dr. Lever.

Counseling with Betsey Brooks

Elizabeth "Betsey" Brooks, MS, EdS, LCMHCA, NCC is the Ralph Lauren onsite Counselor. She is here to help employees and their families. Her services are free to employees and their qualifying spouses and dependents.

Individual counseling
Career counseling
Referrals to other mental health professionals
Depression
Workplace stress
Anxiety
Grief and loss
Trauma
Conflict Resolution
And more!

Appointments are available on Tuesdays at HPD and Wednesdays at NC66; 9 am - 5 pm.
Contact Betsey at 336-416-3623.

Skin Cancer Affects 1 in 5 People

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. When it’s caught early, it’s highly treatable.

Anyone can develop skin cancer, but your risk for skin cancer is higher if you have:

Had a lot of exposure to the sun, used tanning beds, or had sunburns that blistered
Pale skin that burns or freckles easily
Blonde or red hair
Light-colored eyes

Apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), and don’t forget to reapply throughout the day; remember that the sun can still do damage in the colder months, so get into the routine year-round.

Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. And a hat to help keep sun off your head, face, neck and shoulders.

Seek out a shady spot during peak sun hours, usually 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Never use tanning beds and if you have in the past, let your doctor know.

Get a yearly screening with a skin doctor (dermatologist), and tell them if cancer runs in your family.

Do regular skin checks using a full-length mirror and be sure to look at your back, bottom, in between your toes and the soles of your feet.

Remember the ABCDE rule when checking spots and moles for skin cancer. Look out for:

Asymmetry – if one side of a mole doesn’t match the other
Border – the edges or shape isn’t the same
Color – there are different colors like reds, browns or blacks
Diameter or size – if it’s more than ¼ inch across
Evolving – meaning the size, shape or bump is changing

Don’t Wait! Get Your Child’s Sports Physical Now

Sports physical exams review a child’s physical fitness and determine if there are any health problems that might need to be better controlled while playing sports. Sports physicals are in addition to your child’s well visit and are usually needed at least 6 weeks before the start of the sports season. But don’t wait, appointments can be hard to get near school deadlines.

The goal of a sports physical is to keep kids safe when starting or continuing a sport. It gives athletes the best opportunity for full and safe sports participation.

What’s involved? Sports physicals are done to:
Check overall health and fitness level
Measure height, weight and look at the child’s overall growth
Measure blood pressure and heart rate
Check vision
Review medical history
Evaluate range of motion, joints, strength and flexibility
Check the heart, lungs, abdomen, ears, nose and throat
Find conditions that a child may have been born with that could make injury or health problems more likely.

Remember, you will also need to provide a current list of immunizations received.

May 6-12 is National Nurse Week. Meet Your Onsite Care Nurse

Meredyth, RN

Meredyth, BSN, RN, started her nursing career in Dallas, Texas. She has worked primarily in cardiac and surgical areas. She also holds a B.S. in Public Health. Meredyth has a passion for treating the "whole person" and using a holistic approach to provide care to her patients and their families.

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