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LIFE-BOOSTING TIPS & IDEAS

The
Power
of Color
Try this experiment: Visit your
local hardware store and leaf
through the paint chip cards.
Do the blue shades calm you
down? Are you warmed and
energized by reds? Do you
gravitate toward greens?
We are incredibly sensitive
to color. In fact, the human eye
can detect seven million unique
variations, according to a 2014
study published in SAGE Journal,
and were also sensitive to the
mood and feelings that colors
Photo by Richard Westley Wong, Styling by Sara Bartus

can create.
Psychologist Ayben Ertem, who
researches the eects of color on
human behavior, says pink has
been shown to be soothing and
relaxing. To encourage deeper
conversations, she suggests
using orange in the dining room.
Want to fall asleep more easily?
Paint your bedroom pink or
purple because those colors have
a relaxing eect.
Of course, your best bet may be
to forget about the color rules
and simply surround yourself with
the shades and hues you enjoy
most. Turn the page for simple
ideas on how to infuse color into
your own home.

by UnitedHealthcare | 5
live laugh learn
HOME HUES
No need to get out the ladder
and drop cloths to paint an entire
room. Here are some easy ways
to incorporate pops of color into
your living spaces and still feel their
mood-boosting benefits:
p Pillow talk: Buy inexpensive
throw pillows in hues you love
to bring life to a neutral space.
You can even change them out
depending on the season.
Accent the positive: Paint a small
area a door, a piece of furniture
or a small area on a wall to
quickly add a splash of color.
Windows on the world: Hang
colorful sheers or curtains to frame
up your favorite view.
Get artsy: You dont need to
spend big bucks at a gallery visit
secondhand and big box retailers
for artwork that puts your go-to
color on full display.
Go natural: Love yellow? Keep a
glass bowl filled with lemons on your
kitchen counter. Dig orange? Treat
yourself to a fresh vase of gerbera
daisies. These small splashes of
color (and texture) add visual interest
and bring a little joy to any space.
6| There are no mistakes. Only opportunities. Tina Fey
Make the Most of Your Plan
We think your health care plan should feel simple and rewarding, and we
want to help you make this your most rewarding year yet. Our Customer
Service Advocates are dedicated to delivering you personal attention and
service and helping you make the most of your plan. So well be here with you
every step of the way as you navigate your plan based on your current health
needs, and potential health needs in the future.
Health care needs may change throughout the year, and were here to help
you navigate your plan to help address your changing circumstances. For
example, if youre diagnosed with a health condition, our Customer Service
Advocates can suggest possible programs and resources to help manage your
condition. If you need to see a specialist, we can help you find one. And if
youre prescribed a new medication, we can help you determine if your drug
is on the drug list or if theres a lower-cost drug alternative (if your plan has
prescription drug coverage).
Here are just a few things you can count on when you call the Customer
Service number on the back of your member ID card:
A caring approach that educates, guides and supports.
Coordinated care, social support and personalized service.
Help finding a Primary Care Provider that fits your unique needs;
well even help schedule your appointments.
We want you to be happy with your plan now and in the future. After all, your
health care coverage is so much more than a Medicare plan its about your
health, happiness and satisfaction. And were with you every step of the way.
How Are We Doing?
At UnitedHealthcare, our mission is to
help you live a healthier life by providing
easy access to care, predictable expenses,
excellent customer service and reliable savings.
We want your health care experience to be second to none.
Throughout the year you may get surveys asking you about your
experience with UnitedHealthcare. We hope you participate! Your
feedback will help us learn what were doing well for you and how
we could be even better. Our goal is to provide you with a health care
experience that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. We
value your membership and will listen closely to what you have to say.
After all, were not satisfied until youre satisfied.
 10 Things to Do Before 10 a.m.
If it has to happen, then it has to happen first, says Laura Vanderkam, author of What the Most
Successful People Do Before Breakfast. Start your day right and you may see positive eects all day long.

1
MAKE YOUR BED 4
In The Power of Habit, BREATHE DEEPLY
author Charles Duhigg Just five minutes of
says this tidy chore is linked morning meditation can
to increased productivity help you stay focused
throughout the day. all day long. Practicing
meditation may be helpful

2
for conditions such as

8
anxiety, according to
FUEL UP a 2014 study in JAMA
Aim for a breakfast that Internal Medicine. WRITE IT DOWN
includes protein, healthy Try beginning each day
fats, vegetables and fruit. with stream-of-
Protein in the morning may consciousness writing.
help you consume fewer Use longhand and go for
calories throughout the day. up to three pages. This
practice helps get you in

3
a creative and problem-
solving mindset for the day.
MOVE AROUND

5 9
Move in a way you enjoy to
help you stick to a morning
exercise routine. CONNECT DO SOMETHING HARD
YOUR HEART Youre more likely to finish
Before the day gets away an unpleasant task when
from you, call or text youre fresh in the morning.
an important person in

10
your life.

6 7
... AND HAVE SOME FUN
According to the National
START WITH CITRUS UP AND AT EM Institute for Play, you can
Rehydrate first thing in the Dont hit the snooze button. stay sharp by engaging in
morning with lemon-infused It can disrupt your sleep activities you find joyful
water (hot or cold) for a cycle and set you up for a and energizing yes,
refreshing vitamin C boost. bad start to the day. even at 8 a.m.

by UnitedHealthcare | 7
live laugh learn

Winter Wonders
Feeling the winter blahs? Head to the
supermarket, where seasonal leafy
greens are on full display. Packed with
vitamins A, C, K and E, theyre also
rich in minerals like iron, calcium, Kale
manganese and potassium. They Swiss
Chard
even pack a punch with antioxidants.

Heres a guide to the tasty delicacies

of midwinter. PRIMARY CARE
PROVIDER VS.
Kale SPECIALIST
Toss bite-sized pieces with fresh You might wonder what
lemon juice, garlic and extra virgin the dierence is between a
olive oil, then saut quickly until just primary care provider (PCP)
tender. Pair with ancient whole grains and a specialist and when
such as quinoa or sorghum for a youre supposed to see one
satisfying and nourishing meal. or the other or both. This
quick primer may help you
Collards find a great doctor in the
A nutritional powerhouse of green Collards UnitedHealthcare network
goodness, collards make a smart to help meet your needs.
addition to hearty soups. Toss chopped

Photo by Richard Westley Wong, Styling by Sara Bartus

pieces into the pot toward the end of PRIMARY CARE
a soups cooking time, and simmer PROVIDER (PCP)
until theyre soft and tender. What They Do:
Is the main point person
Swiss chard to help coordinate your
A relative of the beet family, this hardy health care.
veggie comes in rainbow varieties that Keeps a complete record
bring welcome color to winter dishes. of all your medications,
For brunch, steam leaves lightly, tests, vaccines and
then use as a base for poached eggs. treatments.
Recommends specialists
as needed.
Check out page 20 for deliciously easy recipes that make
the most of vegetables. Sign in to your plan website and
See Them For:
go to the My Health and Wellness tab for some great tips
Routine preventive care.
on making kale chips that out-crunch and out-taste those
expensive packaged products. myAARPMedicare.com Immunizations
(flu shot, etc.).
(continued)

8| Theres power in looking silly and not caring that you do. Amy Poehler