Welcome to the Local 4 Funds Office Wellbeing Hub.
We’re glad you’re here!
We’re glad you’re here!
“Being healthy is a success that many people forget to celebrate.”
– Unknown
Karen Larsen
Social Worker and Care Coordinator
Dry January
Dry January started in 2013 in England to promote cutting back on alcohol. It has since developed into a yearly event which focuses on abstaining from alcohol for the month of January. Now that the holiday season is over, it may be a good time to look at your relationship with alcohol.
What are the benefits of eliminating alcohol?
- Improved sleep. Alcohol may make you feel sleepy, but it reduces the quality of your sleep. According to the Sleep Foundation, Alcohol and Sleep, you are more likely to have interrupted and low-quality sleep when you drink alcohol. Sleep apnea, snoring, and insomnia can be worsened by alcohol consumption.
- Saving money. The money spent on bar tabs, Ubers, and at the liquor store can add up. Use it to add to your savings, pay off bills, or treat yourself to something nice.
- Weight loss. Alcohol has a lot of calories. Eliminating alcohol may have a beneficial side effect of losing some weight.
- Reduction in cancer risk. According to the National Cancer Institute Alcohol and Cancer Risk Fact Sheet – NCI, there is strong evidence that drinking alcohol is linked to cancer diagnoses, including oral cancers, liver cancer, throat cancer and esophageal cancer. People who both drink alcohol and use tobacco further increase their risk of cancer diagnoses.
Don’t want to quit for the whole month of January? Try a week or two and see how you feel.
For resources about navigating Dry January, including mocktail recipes, what happens when you abstain from alcohol, and navigating nightlife sober, see this information from Shatterproof: Dry January.
If you drink daily or have many drinks over a weekend, if you suspect that you have a drinking problem or if you have cravings for alcohol, speak with a physician before starting Dry January. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. If you find yourself experiencing nausea, vomiting, headaches, agitation, palpitations, sweating, shakiness, anxiety, hallucinations, tremors, or dizziness, get immediate medical attention.
If you are looking for help with your drinking, see the attached flyers for information on programs that are part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield network and information about our employee assistance program, Lyra Health
This Month’s Featured Partners
Alternative Care Benefits through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Did you know that Local 4 eligible members and their dependents have access to alternative care benefits through their Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan? The alternative care benefit includes coverage for acupressure, homeopathy, and massage therapy. These types of services may help with pain relief, stress management, and other conditions. Your copayment for services is $15. Coverage is limited to $1,000 per calendar year for these services. Providers must be licensed in the state where they are providing care and carry malpractice insurance. There are times when the Plan requires you to obtain a referral from a licensed physician to approve treatment. You must file a claim for reimbursement for these services. Claim forms can be found here: Medical-Subscriber-Reimbursement-Form.pdf. Alternative care does not include naturopathic medicine; hormone, hair, saliva, or fecal testing; supplements and minerals; or services not rendered by a physician unless services are acupressure, homeopathy, or massage therapy.
Wellness Updates
Primary Care
Every adult should have a primary care physician (PCP). Having regular visits with a PCP establishes a relationship where the doctor gets to know you, your health history, your family health history, and can stay on top of chronic conditions. Primary care doctors provide comprehensive care, including routine health screenings, identifying mental health needs, and recommendations for lifestyle changes. A PCP helps coordinate referrals to specialists when needed. If you don’t have a PCP and generally get your care from urgent care centers, pharmacy-based clinics, or emergency rooms, you are often seeing a new provider at each visit. You may lack someone to help coordinate care with multiple providers, if needed, or to follow up on chronic health issues. If you don’t have a PCP, login to MyBlue or the Blue Cross Blue Shield website at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. You may also contact Blue Cross Blue Shield at 800-401-7690. For those who would prefer a telehealth option, Firefly Health is an in-network provider for BCBS. Firefly becomes your PCP. Video visits to Firefly have no copayments, and you can message your team from your device. They can refer you to specialists and other in-person services to in-network providers (copayments, deductibles and coinsurance apply). Firefly also has mental health providers, offering short-term mental health support and referrals for longer-term care. For more information about Firefly visit Health Plans & Primary Care | Firefly Health. Unsure about your options when you are ill? See the attached flyer.
Tips from Lyra
Tips from Lyra
January can be a time to think about your health goals for the new year. Mental health is health. For tips from our Employee Assistance Program, Lyra Health, and to see what Lyra can offer you and your family, see the following flyer: Lyra New Year
Contact Lyra at 844-926-2482 or Lyra Health.