Winter 2025
As 2025 continues to unfold, we are excited to bring you the latest edition of Whole You — a newsletter from Sunshine Health.
In this first edition, we have plenty of tips to help you keep you healthy. You’ll also have access to mental health resources, learn about heart healthy tips, and more!
Miss an issue? Visit Newsletters.
It’s the time of year when goals are set but not always completed. Studies show that it can be difficult to meet our goals without the right tools.
Here’s a short list of helpful tips.
- Teamwork makes the dream work
Being with people with similar goals can be inspiring and motivating. Plus, they can help you stay focused. - Lend a helping hand
Try volunteering at an animal shelter, visit a retirement home or donate clothes. There’s added health benefits when you help others, including lower risk of depression and reduced stress. - Eating good feels good
Pay attention to the food you eat and how it makes you feel. Understanding what you’re putting into your body can help you make healthier choices. - Adding a positive can make a difference
There’s nothing wrong with the occasional sweet treat, but try swapping it out with a piece of fruit from time to time. Feel like you could be drinking more water? Have a 12-ounce glass of water before and after meals. You’ll feel fuller longer. Plus, there’s health benefits like improved brain function, better skin and more. - Shake it up
Try signing up for an event like a 5K walk or run. Having an end goal and mixing up your routine can be just the thing to get you out of a slump. Most events benefit nonprofit groups, so you’ll be giving to a good cause while you’re at it!
Looking for a great way to keep your fitness resolution? Look no further than our NEW YMCA Membership benefit.
Available for individual Sunshine Health members or families of four, this benefit includes access to free standing YMCA facilities and the Y360 virtual platform. Members must be aged 18 years and older while a guardian must be present for those aged 17 years and under.
Questions about the YMCA Membership or other benefits? Visit Benefits or call Member Services at 1-866-796-0530.
February is American Heart Month, but cardio health should be a goal all year round. Check out these tips that will help boost your heart and mental health without hitting the gym:
Join the Y. The YMCA not only has a full gym, but there are also fun physical classes you can join. Plus, with our new YMCA Membership Benefit, you have access to free standing YMCA facilities and the Y360 virtual platform. Visit Benefits for more details.
Jump around. Short on time and space? Get jumping, jack! Try doing 10 sets of jumping jacks, and increase your reps by 10 each week to build up your strength. The average calories burned for 10 minutes of jumping jacks is more than 100 for a 150-pound person! Plus, there’s an added bonus of lowered blood pressure, stronger muscles and reduced stress.
Walk it out. Take a stroll and enjoy nature. Too cold or not in a walkable area? Hit the mall, take advantage of the space to window shop and get your steps in. You can even “house walk” — which is the practice of walking around your home or marching in place.
Get in the groove. Turn up the tunes, and dance like no one is watching. Get creative and try different styles like hip-hop, swing or salsa. Different dance styles can help you use a variety of motions and engage multiple muscle groups. You’ll not only get your heart pumping, but you’ll also burn calories and increase your energy too!
Every step counts. Tackle your to-do list by walking instead of driving to pick things up. If taking a leisurely walk isn’t possible, you can still add other activities. Find a parking spot further away from where you’re going. Switch it up and take the stairs. If you’re using public transit, hop off one or two stops early and walk the extra distance.
The start of a new year isn’t always joyous. Maybe you haven’t been feeling like yourself lately, or you’re worried about things that never bothered you before.
Everyone worries from time to time. When worrying makes it hard to focus or enjoy life, it may be time to ask for help. We’re here to let you know you have options to get the help you need.
Visit your doctor. Your doctor is your partner in understanding your physical and mental health. If you don’t have a doctor, it’s time to find one that’s right for you. Use our Find-A-Provider Tool to find a provider near you.
Speak with a nurse 24/7 for free. No matter what time it is, we are here to make sure you have the answers to questions or concerns about your health. When you call our 24/7 Nurse Advice Line, you can speak directly to an experienced nurse about your health. Call 1-866-796-0530 (TTY 1-800-955-8770) to talk to a nurse.
Video visit with a doctor. Telehealth is good for non-emergencies or when you can’t visit your doctor in person. Pick a mental health expert to talk to right away, or make an appointment. Get started with one of our Telehealth providers.
Call, text or chat for fast mental health help. With the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, you can get 24/7 help for you or a loved one. Call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org.
Your mental health matters. With Sunshine Health Connects, you can access resources like food, shelter, healthcare, money, and more for you and your family. Visit Sunshine Health Connects or call 1-866-775-2192 (TTY 711) for help.
Sunshine Health has several programs to improve the health of our members with chronic conditions. Our programs are geared toward helping you understand and actively manage your health. We are here to help you with things like:
- How to take medicines
- What screening tests to get
- When to call your doctor
- When to go to the Emergency Room
Learn more about the benefits and services we offer related to chronic conditions.
It can be easy for you to identify what your child physically needs. However, their mental and emotional needs may not be as obvious. Good mental health allows your child to think clearly, develop socially and learn new skills. Here are a few ways you can nurture your child’s mental health:
- Give your child unconditional love. Love, security and acceptance is crucial to your child’s development. Make sure your child knows that your love does not depend on their accomplishments.
- Nurture your child’s self-esteem. When your child loses a game or fails a test, they may feel discouraged or need a pep talk. If a child loses a game or fails a test, find out how he or she feels about the situation. Children may get discouraged and need a pep talk. Later, when they are ready, talk and offer assurance.
- Make time for play! For children, playtime is just as crucial to their development as nutrition and hygiene are. Through playtime and time with playmates, your child can be creative, learn problem-solving skills and more.
- Provide a safe and secure home. It’s normal for your child to feel afraid sometimes. However, if your child has fears that are starting to affect their behavior, it’s important to find out what is frightening them. Be patient when your child is explaining their fears – even if the fear they have isn’t grounded in reality, it is still very real to them.
Want to learn more about mental health in children and infants? Visit the Florida Association for Infant Mental Health for more information.