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Health
Chat.
Your regular catch-up with UniMed.
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Member edition #6 – December 2022.
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Kia ora,
Welcome to our Christmas edition of HealthChat.
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As we head into the summer holidays, we hope you will take some time for yourself to relax, refresh and recharge.
To help support our Members, we’re extending our partnership with Clearhead. Please see the details below on how to access support for your mental health and wellbeing.
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Did you know that more than half of all New Zealanders, 51 percent, feel added financial and social stresses during the festive season?
At a time when we should be winding down, for many of us the festive season and lead into the summer holidays, can induce feelings of anxiety and stress, ultimately affecting our ability to cope with daily activities in both our personal and professional lives.
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At UniMed, the health and wellbeing of our Members is our number one priority. If you’re feeling overwhelmed due to the Christmas rush or stressed due to family or workload pressures that often increase at this time of year, you’re not alone. We’re here to help you get through this busy time, well.
If you’re not already aware, our partnership with Clearhead has been extended through to 31 December 2023 to support your mental health and wellbeing needs. This means you can access three free sessions with a counsellor or psychologist.
To find out more about this service, click here, or please feel free to contact us – we’d love to hear from you.
Our friends at the Mental Health Foundation also have some great tips on how you and your family can reduce stress over the Christmas period. Although this information from the Mental Health Foundation is some years old, the advice it provides still stands true. You can view their tips here.
From all of us here at UniMed, we wish you and your whānau a safe, restful and refreshing holiday break, and we look forward to supporting your health and wellbeing again next year.
Mere Kirihimete – Merry Christmas!
Ngā mihi nui,
Louise
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HealthFocus.
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A reminder to check your sunscreen.
With Summer on our doorsteps, many of you will be digging out the sunscreen, and ready to slip, slop, slap, and wrap!
We know that if you’re heading to the beach or spending time outside, using a high SPF sunscreen is your best protection against harmful UV rays. However, if you’re still using your same sunscreen from last summer, you may want to check the use by date.
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Sunscreen has a limited shelf-life. This means the effectiveness of the SPF can decrease over time. If you’re using sunscreen that has passed its used by date, you could risk getting sunburnt, which also increases your chances of developing skin cancer.
According to the Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand. Along with Australia, we have the highest melanoma skin cancer rates in the world.
To make sure you and your family are sunsmart this summer, you may want to follow these tips.
Use plenty of broad-spectrum, water-resistant, sunscreen of at least SPF 30. Ensure the AS/NZ 2604 standard is on the label.
Sunscreen protection depends on the correct application. Make sure you:
- Apply 20 minutes before you go outdoors.
- Reapply every two hours or after being in water or sweating.
- The average sized adult should apply one teaspoon to each arm, and to the face (including the ears and neck); and at least a teaspoon to each leg, the front of the body, and the back of the body. That's seven teaspoons for a full-body application.
- Make sure kids apply their sunscreen correctly.
- Check the expiry date on your sunscreen and make sure you store it in a cool, dark place (below 30°C).
By making sure you and your whānau are protected, everyone can have fun in the sun this summer!
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HealthViews.
We’ve recently published a new article on LinkedIn that explores the link between climate change and health.
Our ongoing health and wellbeing are closely linked to the health and wellbeing of our planet. How can the healthcare sector develop sustainability business initiatives that help build our climate resilience while also supporting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders?
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HealthCheck.
Are all your details up-to-date? For example, have you moved house recently? Keeping your details up to date in our system means we can always ensure seamless communication with you.
If you do need to update your details, please call us on 0800 600 666 or visit us online www.unimed.co.nz
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Share your experience with us
As you know, we love to hear from our Members. For any enquiries or if you’d like to contact us to share your UniMed experience or story, please write to us with all the details at members@unimed.co.nz.
And if you’re happy, we may share your story in an upcoming HealthChat.
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We’re here for you these holidays
Our office will be open over the Christmas and New Year break, except for the public holidays, so we’re here if you need us.
If you need to get in touch you can:
Call us on 0800 600 666
email us at members@unimed.co.nz
We’d love to hear from you.
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