Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Winter 2021-2022

Focus Your Health 5 get seriously sick if you do get COVID-19. 5 Vaccines are strongly recom- mended for eligible schoolkids. If your kids are nervous about their shots, you can show them that the vaccines are safe by getting yours at the same time. The vaccine is now available for children 5 to 11 years old. It’s important to feel OK about any medical decision you make for yourself or your family. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, it’s best to talk to your doctor. Together, you can discuss your concerns. Your doctor can help answer questions you have about what’s right for you. You can also learn more about vaccines from trusted resources such as: ● California Department of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov ● Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov HPSJ believes in the safety of COVID-19 vaccinations and flu shots. The combination of both could help you stay healthy this winter. HPSJ is supporting “no wrong door” vaccina- tions. This means that HPSJ members can go to any contracted PCP’s office or pharmacy for a flu shot. Less light can mean darker moods Does your mood seem to mirror the seasons— maybe growing darker as the fall and winter days get shorter and lifting as the brighter days of summer come close? You could have seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a type of depression that’s linked to seasonal changes in light. SAD can make you feel tired, crave carbs, gain weight, stop doing things you often enjoy, or withdraw socially during the fall and winter months. Sunlight helps run your inner clock. When there are changes in how much light you get, that clock can change and affect your body. This can mean that levels of melato- nin, a sleep hormone, will be higher than normal for you. This may cause feelings of low mood. Shining a light A diagnosis of SAD is based on your symptoms and history. If you have SAD, getting more sunlight may make you feel better. It might be helpful to take walks outdoors or to place yourself near a window during the day when at home or work. Talk with your doctor about your choices. Support is here Behavioral health benefits are a part of HPSJ mem - bers’ care. You can call BEACON, a mental health provider, at 888.581.7526 . BEACON links you with mental health services, including therapy, to help you feel better. With support, you can enjoy what makes you happy. HealthReach 2057