Unity Health Harris

from Eye On Magazine February 2021

Tasty Talk

Finding Hope in the New Year

Michelle Foshee is a wife, mother, dog lover, and Newport native who promotes Unity Health Harris Medical Center to improve the quality of health and well-being for the communities we serve through compassionate care. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and prior to joining Unity Health, she worked in sales and marketing in Little Rock. She challenges herself and others to be Health Centered – physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Joanna M. Ronnau, LPC / Behavioral Health Therapist Unity / Health - Clarity Health and Wellness

What a start to the New Year! Most of us just spent the holidays making merry, reconnecting with others, and focusing on the important things in life. Now it’s the season where many reflect on what happened last year and look ahead to what this year can bring. Taking stock of our latest trip around the sun provides growth and a renewed sense of purpose which is important to our mental health and wellbeing. But to be honest, the past year, for many of us, was incredibly difficult, and the challenges continue into the New Year, requiring a lot out of each of us.

We are all experiencing something called “collective grief”. It is a particular type of loss that can be difficult to put into words. Wishing things were different, longing for gatherings that can’t be, not being able to go and see loved ones, and desiring a sense of normalcy. The collective grief right now is present and sometimes feels immense and overwhelming. And whether you are there for a few moments or a few months, it’s tangible and has its impact.

Many of us have been left with more questions than answers, and have been saying, “If only…” • “If only we weren’t having to deal with COVID” • “If only I could send my loved ones to school or work without worrying…” • “If only I hadn’t been laid off…” • “If only my loved one or I wasn’t at increased risk for illness…” • “If only more people would/wouldn’t (fill in the blank) …”

These concerns fall into a wide range of controllables and uncontrollables. It’s real, and scary, frustrating and also exhausting. It can feel like we’re navigating blindly, not sure if the steps we take are the right ones. Even more alarming than the concerns themselves is the fact that feeling out of control can often lead down precarious paths.

Fear can lead to out of character actions, or impact better judgment. People might make rash decisions or engage in destructive behaviors. They might take out their frustrations on a loved one or a stranger. They might have trouble concentrating or have their performance at work or home impaired. They might have a lot of mood swings. They might engage in behaviors to attempt to escape or numb out, which can include overuse of substances, video games, screen time, or any other thing to help make them “numb” from whatever they may be dealing with.

Although most things in moderation are just fine, and in fact useful for maintaining one’s mental health and well-being, many have been defaulting to using these breaks all too frequently and find it has impacted functioning in their relationships and responsibilities. Small issues become bigger problems the longer they are not attended to, and over time, have detrimental deficits on one’s mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.

So, you might ask, “What do we do?” What do we do when faced with such challenging times and scary circumstances? We often turn to what we know, and when what we know can no longer serve us in a helpful way, we start seeking information about what additional knowledge might be out there that we haven’t yet accessed.

During a recent Sunday service behind our church building, sitting around a fire in camp chairs spaced 6 feet or more apart, my pastor encouraged us to ask some different kinds of questions this year: • “What if things don’t go as badly as I fear?” • “What if I focus on doing the next right thing?” • “What if I learn a new skill, to help me or just for fun? • “What if I intentionally focus on being grateful?” • “What if I stop ignoring my needs?” • “What if I grow in spite of my circumstance?”

Many of us continue to have a difficult time, and the truth is, it likely didn’t change instantly just because 2021 started. But the good news is, there are others in your family, friend group, faith group, church, and community that know what you’re going through, and that can be there for and with you. You don’t have to weather the storm alone.

And perhaps the most important thing I want to convey is this: It is okay if you’re not okay, and that you are not alone in that experience.

Some of us are dealing with the heavier grief from a lot of losses. From losing loved ones, homes, job loss, missing the school routine, to those feeling overwhelmed with a routine that leaves you no time to yourself. These losses of normalcy weigh heavily on our hearts. We have all been dealing with the collective loss of our time with others.

The following proverb has been making the rounds on the internet recently from an unknown author that says, “We are not in the same boat, but simply in the same storm.” We are all facing this pandemic, yet we do not all have the same resources.

If you are having difficulty, feeling like you could sink at any moment, and feel helpless and hopeless, I encourage you to keep going and I hope you can look around and see where you can find a place of safe haven, even if it’s just for a short time. If you are thriving, may you be of help and make a difference for others in your community who are having a harder time, answering distress calls where you’re able.

Why do I bring this up, during a time of year that’s supposed to be hopeful? Because, truth and hope are the lighthouse for the soul and can guide you out of the storm to shore.

Here are some helpful tips that I hope can assist you:

First, don’t try to do this alone. Find a trusted friend, family member, faith-based group, or professional to support you in this endeavor. And many times, by giving to others you receive as well, so reach out to those who might have a need. Give your time, your talent, your advice, your concern, your ideas, your service, or even just your presence. Second, please remember grace, both for yourself and others. Everyone really is doing the best they know how to right now, and I guarantee you’re not the only one struggling and feeling you’re falling short. Be gentle with yourself. Breathe, regroup, reach out to others, and utilize self-care. Embrace the different, the new, and the change. The coming year will likely not be the same as what you are used to. Keep what you’re able to, discard what isn’t serving you, and modify what you can. Find ways to connect utilizing technology. Get out of the house for a drive. Do a virtual party or drive by parade. Try focusing on what you can control. Do a house chore you’ve been putting off. Clean out your garage or attic. Clean out your closet or dresser drawers. Rearrange your furniture. Do some deep breathing. Count backwards from 10. Focus on a proverb or scripture or quote that gives you peace, hope, or happiness. Engage in simple activities mindfully. Check in with your body and notice any sensations that come up for you. Don’t judge it as good or bad, just notice it, and reflect on it. Adjust your “bar” or standard for how things are “supposed to be” this time of year. Seek quality over quantity and connection over entertainment. Keep things simple. Share a favorite movie, or call your family.

Make some gifts instead of buying them (this in and of itself is often quite therapeutic). Cook something and bring the extra to a neighbor. If things feel too big, break them down into smaller tasks.

Stay connected. (I know this has been said, but I can’t emphasize this enough.) Keep reaching out, even if you don’t say much, listen to them. It helps. If you’re quarantining or social distancing, utilize technology. You can call, text, email, skype, zoom, Facetime, messenger, you name it! The point is reach out and contact someone. You can combat loneliness with connection. It really helps.

Consider your boundaries. Is there someone in your life that takes more than they give or who disrespects your boundaries or adds stress? Set healthy perimeters for yourself and minimize exposure to these difficult relationships, and, if need be, consider how much access that person gets, or if they should get much at all. You deserve to be respected.

Get outside of your little “box”, literally. Get outside and go for a walk or drive and see the sights. Go walk down art alley or around the downtown area. Put on your coat and visit a park. Do some yard work, plan for the coming gardening season. Sit on your porch in some sunshine. Breathe some fresh air and observe nature. Even 15 minutes of sunshine improves your mental and emotional health.

Engage in art. It doesn’t matter what kind. Reading,

Finding Hope... continued on page 10

Lot 12 Trinity Grove Lane, Batesville MLS #20-314 / $28,900

This Lovely building lot is only minutes from amenities of town. Underground utilities is perfect for beautiful new home. This lot is partially cleared already, but still has some wooded area as well. See also: Lot 13 is available if larger building lot is desired.

690 Autumnwood Road, Ash Flat MLS #20-290 / $110,000

10 acre mini farm close to town, fenced for livestock with an older barn, chicken coop shed, and has a pond. The two story 4 bedroom, 2 bath farm house has a newer HVAC and metal roof. New flooring in some rooms, and is ready to paint your own colors.

Summit Ridge Drive, Willford MLS #20-310 / $29,900

2 lake front lots on Vagabond Lake. These lots are ready to go with a concrete driveway, 2 docks, and a fenced in area. Lot has been cleared and ready to build.

Buying? Selling? Relocating? The Choice is Clear...Choice Realty

www.BatesvilleRealEstate.net 513 Batesville Blvd., Batesville, Arkansas

writing, dancing, painting, building, crafting, music. Or even just observe art in others, listen to music poetry, a book on tape. Take a free online tour of a world-renowned art gallery. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE GOOD AT IT! The point is not to “be good” at creating, the point is to “feel good” when you create and being creative is healing and helps you feel alive and whole.

Don’t forget to play. Play a game with your family and engage them in daily activities, like cooking. Have a dance party. Play wrestle. Be silly. Laugh, hug, and cuddle. Reach out to a neighbor and do a kind act. Put someone’s grocery cart away. Seeking intentional connection in small tangible ways often yields accumulative results.

Know that your best is enough. Everyone has days they’re more or less productive based on internal or external stressors. Be flexible with your expectations of yourself and others on the days that you have more going on as far as challenges. Sometimes instead of gritting your teeth and bearing through something, it’s better to pull back, rest, regroup, and face the challenge at a later time.

Finally, know when it’s time to seek professional support. In our community, there are so many caring and competent providers that stand willing and ready to help others navigate difficult storms in their lives. Know that we are here for you to act as your support and guide in whatever challenges you’re facing. And together when we all partner to take care of our emotional and mental wellbeing, we not only create health within ourselves, but in our families, our communities and ultimately our world. These are suggestions, so don’t feel you must engage in these ways. Engage in things that YOU enjoy, that make you feel happy, hopeful, or comforted. Make your own New Year’s list, check it twice, and seek out the things that help you feel alive and that have meaning and purpose for you.

Some of the things on this list may not seem like much, but small consistent steps make for a great journey over time. And in the meantime, it keeps you going, keeps you holding on until things get better.

Things will change this coming year, it’s one of life’s few guarantees. And when change comes, you will be better prepared and ready to embrace what is to come, good or bad.

Whatever the coming year may bring our way, may it have laughter, light, creativity, ingenuity, and most of all, hope. So, keep making merry, sing and laugh, reconnect with others, and get back to the important things in life. May this New Year bring you and your loved one’s peace, love, and hope.

Unity Health offers Behavioral Health services for ages four and older, including counseling, psychiatric care and medication management. Some specific areas of treatment include depression, anxiety, grief, life stressors, trauma and psychosis. Outpatient services are offered at Clarity Health & Wellness in Cabot, Newport, and Searcy. Inpatient services include Courage – Adolescent Behavioral Health for adolescents ages 12 to 17 in Searcy; Compass – Adult Behavioral Health for ages 18 and older in Newport and Searcy; and Clearview – Senior Behavioral Health in Newport and Searcy for those ages 55 and older. For inpatient referrals call toll free (844) 255-8229 or for more information visit www.unity-health.org/ services/behavioral-health. N

New Year, Better You!

Mallory Jordan

The New Year always brings time for reflection. What are the habits and goals you want to leave in 2020? What are the ones you want to refine in 2021? ASU-Newport, like many, faced challenges in 2020. No one could have anticipated a year like that. Faculty, staff and students adapted to virtual learning, social distancing, mask wearing and much more. While 2020 forced the institution to overcome many obstacles, 2021 brings a year of great opportunity while keeping health and safety top of mind.

The fall 2020 semester challenged us all to adapt to the new normal. Nevertheless, it better prepared us for 2021. This spring, you will see many of the same safety protocols on campus. All students, faculty and staff that come to campus must complete the self-monitoring tool. Masks are still required to be worn in all campus buildings and outside when safe social distancing is not possible. Each classroom is still designed for socially distanced learning.

While these safety protocols are in place, another form of protection is also coming to campuses in 2021. In January, Governor Asa Hutchinson released COVID19 vaccines to those that work in education, and ASUN is quickly making the vaccine available to our faculty and staff. While the vaccine offers protection, those that receive the vaccine are still required to mask up, social distance, and monitor symptoms.

Even with all these safety precautions in place, we understand that learning is not the same for every student. Some students want to be inside the classroom, some prefer online classes, and some want a blend of both. This semester, ASUN has options for all types of learning from on-campus to online and hybrid options. Our faculty members are more prepared than ever and ready to make sure students have the learning environment that suits them.

ASUN is ready to help students achieve their dreams. Whether students want a degree in an essential program or want to get started toward a transferable associate degree, ASUN is your community college. ASUN’s mission is to provide an accessible, affordable, quality education that transforms the lives of our students, enriches our communities and strengthens the regional economy. This mission, along with our vision and values, never wavers.

In this New Year, do not focus on becoming a new version of yourself. Instead, look at what is important and decide how you can improve the person you are.

Let’s SOAR together in 2021! N

Caroline Beauchamp is a local insurance agent for M & P Insurance & Investment Services. She offers personalized life and health insurance solutions and is known for her widelypublished informational column, ‘Caroline, Can We Talk?’.

The Annual Election Period is over, Santa has come and gone, we’ve celebrated the beginning of a new year –what’s next?

Now that you’ve taken care of your medical and drug plans for 2021, TV commercials are telling us we need a dental plan while others tell us to buy life insurance to pay burial expenses. I share conversations Ruth and I have at lunch as well as questions Ruth and her friends have. Since some of you have called and asked me about the insurance I personally have, I’m going to share that with you.

I have dental insurance and it has been a money saver for me. Even though I go to the dentist every six (6) months and “brush regularly”, I am still the proud owner of some crowns. And crowns are expensive – about $1000 each. Since my dental insurance pays 50% of the cost of a crown, my cost has been reduced from $1000 to $500. Even though $500 is a lot, it’s a whole lot less than $1000 – or seems like it. When I go to the dentist twice a year, I only pay my small deductible one (1) time and the balance is paid by my dental insurance. I walk in the dentist office, have my teeth cleaned and examined, and x-rays once a year and walk out owing nothing! You may be asking how much do I pay monthly for this plan? It varies depending on the plan you choose – you may be surprised how reasonable it is and everything it covers including implants which are really expensive.

Life insurance is readily accessible, guaranteed to be there when it’s needed and quick to get when you die. Your family doesn’t have to sell anything or liquidate investments or cash in a CD. Life insurance can provide monies for whatever your heirs need it for - burial or other expenses. Money may be needed to pay monthly living expenses for your heirs while they adjust and make adjustments for no longer having your monthly income. I have a small life insurance policy for those reasons.

How much life insurance do you need? Is a small policy enough? These answers are specific to you and your situation. Do you have handy, readily accessible cash? Would you like to leave your family debit free? Do you have monthly credit card balances? Would you just like to leave your heirs some cash to make things easier for them? Or give to a charity? There are few charities that are meaningful to me that help those who are hungry or homeless or sick or help dogs and cats who need food and a

We're Proud to Welcome Jamie to Our Lending Team!

www.mandp.bankwww.mandp.bank (870)(870) 523-3601523-3601

Proudly Serving Batesville Newport Newark Searcy Tuckerman Swifton McCrory Des Arc Jackson & Independence Counties (870) 523-3601

JamieJamie ChapmanChapman Loan OfficerLoan Officer

NMLS MLO# 1818834 INST. NMLS# 402181

WWW.KENTSFIRESTONE.COM

1316 E. Main, “at ST. Louis and Main”

home. It makes me happy to know they will benefit from my life insurance.

What’s next for you - a dental plan? A life insurance policy? I’d like to hear about your plan. Call me at 501868-6650 and say “Caroline, can we talk?” N