Have an upcoming televisit with your Active Health provider and unsure how to proceed? This step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of navigating an online telehealth visit. 

First Time Visit/Setting Up Online Portal

For first time televisit users, you will receive an email for Portal Log in information if you have not yet signed up for Active Health’s Online Medical Portal, and the bottom of that email has an orange box to click to set up Portal Access. The steps include: verification creating a portal account and updating to a new desired password.

Verification

• Once the Portal Account is set up, you must complete the USER VALIDATION process which requires receiving a text / phone call for verification.
• Once the verification code is entered, click VERIFY to continue.

Next is Authentication, Reset Password and Consent. You have to create a new password, enter it twice to CONFIRM and click on NEXT.

After completing Portal Access, you are brought to the main page and by clicking the 3 line MENU in the top LEFT, the DASHBOARD is displayed which allows patients to view messages, account info, records, appts, results and trackers.

Attending the Telehealth Visit

An email will be sent with the Televisit Appointment Confirmation and THIS is the email to open to begin the visit successfully. We advise starting the visit approximately 15 minutes prior to the start time to ensure any issues can be resolved prior to the start time of the visit. When you open the appointment confirmation email you will see the date and time of visit and then an orange box with the option to “start Televisit.”

If you cannot access the email for the televisit you can also long on to the portal and access the visit from there.

Next you will see the option to fill in all the health vitals. Per the providers, this is helpful but NOT necessary and patients can just click NEXT.

Once the vital page is done and NEXT is clicked, you have the last window with an estimated wait time. The START Televisit will be clickable once it is much closer to start time and the provider also entering will officially start the visit. Once the you have logged in successfully, it will appear to the provider that you have checked in to the appointment.

Unexpected Errors

Please note that there can be can be some errors that can occur when logging in to the televisit and that is why we advise starting the visit approximately 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time. There will be red text to indicate there is no microphone, camera or video connection and the only option would be to “proceed with error”. Sounds and camera are needed in order to proceed with telehealth visit so please do not proceed with error. To correct these errors you are going to want to ensure that your microphone and camera are connected, and if you are seeing a white screen that means that you have to disable the pop-up blocker in your browser.

If you have run into any issues with the appointment please call the office so we can try and fix them before your scheduled time.

Caring for Your Mental Health in Winter: How Light Therapy Can Support Mood, Energy, and Sleep 

Winter places real demands on both the body and mind. Shorter days, reduced sunlight, colder temperatures, and disrupted routines can quietly take a toll on energy, motivation, and emotional well-being. For many people, this shift is more than just a case of “winter blues.” 

If you find yourself feeling persistently low, fatigued, unfocused, or emotionally flat during the winter months, you’re not alone—and there are effective ways to care for yourself during this season. 

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that typically occurs during the winter when exposure to natural light decreases. It’s well-documented and affects both mental and physical health. 

Common symptoms of SAD include: 

• Persistent low mood or emotional numbness 
• Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little) 
• Changes in appetite or increased cravings 
• Low energy and physical fatigue 
• Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated 
• Loss of interest in activities you previously enjoyed 
• Increased irritability, frustration, or withdrawal 

When left unaddressed, these symptoms can strain relationships, affect work performance, and erode overall quality of life. In more severe cases, feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness may develop. The key takeaway: winter mental health challenges are real, and support matters. 

Building a Supportive Winter Routine 

Mental health is not about forcing positivity or “powering through.” It’s about aligning daily choices with your physiology—especially during winter. 

Foundational habits that support mental health include: 

• Maintaining consistent wake and sleep times 
• Getting outside during daylight hours whenever possible 
• Prioritizing restorative sleep 
• Eating balanced, nutrient-dense meals 
• Staying socially connected, even when motivation is low 
• Scheduling movement and self-care intentionally 

These habits form a baseline, but for many people, they don’t fully address the biological effects of reduced light exposure. That’s where bright light therapy becomes a valuable tool. 

Bright Light Therapy: Supporting Your Body’s Internal Clock

Natural light plays a critical role in regulating circadian rhythm, serotonin production, and melatonin release—all of which influence mood, energy, and sleep quality. During winter, reduced sunlight can disrupt these systems, especially for people who work indoors or commute in darkness. 

Bright light therapy uses a specialized light box to simulate daylight and help restore normal biological signaling. 

Potential Benefits of Light Therapy 

• Improved mood and emotional stability 
• Increased daytime energy 
• Better sleep timing and quality 
• Improved focus and mental clarity 

Important clarification: Light therapy does not produce vitamin D. Vitamin D levels should be addressed through safe sun exposure or supplementation when appropriate. Light therapy’s primary benefit is circadian and mood regulation. 

How to Use Light Therapy Safely 

• Use a 10,000-lux white light (UV-free) 
• Sit 16–31 inches from the light 
• Use it early in the morning, ideally within an hour of waking 
• Duration: 20–30 minutes daily (up to 60 minutes if recommended) 
• Avoid looking directly into the light 

Light therapy lamps are widely available and affordable, and some include gradual “sunrise” features to support more natural waking. 

Additional Treatment Options to Consider 

Medication Support 

For some individuals, antidepressant medication may be appropriate during winter. Others may benefit from seasonal adjustments to existing prescriptions. These decisions should always be made in collaboration with a healthcare provider. 

Therapy and Counseling 

Winter can amplify stress, isolation, and emotional fatigue. Working with a licensed therapist—either in person or via telehealth—can help you develop practical coping tools, address negative thought patterns, and build resilience through the season. 

You Don’t Have to Navigate Winter Alone 

Caring for your mental health in winter is not a weakness—it’s proactive health management. 

At Active Health, we take a comprehensive approach that recognizes how sleep, movement, light exposure, stress, and routine all influence mental well-being. Whether you’re looking for guidance on sleep hygiene, structured movement, health coaching, or medical support, our team can help you build a plan that works with winter—not against it. 

Take the Next Step 

Check out our website to learn how we support mental and physical health throughout the winter months with personalized, evidence-based care.