Life is a bit different nowadays. When the dust settles and we’re ready to comfortably reopen our local economies, it’s important to make sure that we implement healthy practices to keep ourselves and our communities safe.
Every business is different, and so too are the guidelines that they’ll follow when they’re ready to open shop. The transition to everyday life is one we’re eagerly awaiting, but it’ll take some caution to make sure we cover all of our bases.
Check out some of these tips to better navigate both your physical and mental health for a smoother transition back to work, as provided by Sunbelt provider UnitedHealthcare!
Check your symptoms
First, consider any symptoms you may be experiencing in order to make appropriate decisions to come into the office.
UnitedHealthcare offers a tool to help with questions surrounding potential symptoms. The Buoy Symptom Checker is an app that allows you to answer a series of questions about the severity and urgency of your symptoms. It then assesses care options ranging from self-isolation to emergency care. A testing site locator feature also provides information on nearby COVID-19 testing sites, if recommended by a physician.
Employers across the United States also have a new tool available for employees, at no charge. ProtectWell is a smartphone app that helps screen employees for COVID-19. It features a symptom checker with guidance on whether it may be safe to go to work. Employees found to be at-risk for COVID-19 are directed to get a test and the app notifies employers of the results to help them maintain a safe environment for all employees.
Consider telehealth
If you still need to see a doctor but may be worried about the potential risk of exposure with an in-person visit, you may want to consider telehealth. This allows you to connect 24/7 with a healthcare provider via a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. Telehealth may be especially helpful as an initial option for medical advice related to COVID-19, and to help evaluate other possible health issues.
Monitor your mental health
Beyond physical health, access to virtual mental health resources may also be an important tool as you head back to work. The pandemic may have caused possible loneliness, stress or anxiety after being isolated over the past few months. A free emotional support line (866-342-6892) staffed by mental health professionals is available 24/7 to the public courtesy of Optum, which is part of UnitedHealth Group.
When it’s time to get back to work, you can make sure that you’re prepared by contacting our team of professionals at (800) 822-8045!
