This is the time to start looking at your diet. You have several months before spring to get yourself in good physical shape before summer. This is the time.
Healthy eating starts with preparation, and should include fruits and vegetables. Add some exercise and you have a great receipt for success.
I have a few tips to help you on this journey. Prepare your food the night before to ensure you always have nutritious food to consume. Find a picture of your former self, and place it on the bathroom mirror and or the refrigerator. This picture will serve as a constant reminder of your goal. Find several exercises that you enjoy, so you can participate at least three days per week. Finally ask yourself, why is this goal important? Many times we complete these goals for family and others, but do this for yourself.
This is February 2022 and we have been isolating off and on for the past two years. It has been a time of reflection for many or additional stress and or trauma for others. I have been in a self reflection mode trying to decide what am I going to concentrate on this year. I have so many interest and projects I have started and not completed over the years.
I want to start a new project but was asked what I was good at, and to ask others. It has been interesting to get the responses from my friends. We all know where we do not excel and many would love to share your deficiencies with you, but, why be negative.
My friends thought I was selfless, dedicated, loyal, great communicator, honest and empathic, compassionate but firm, great at identifying problems with solutions. I was humbled.
Take some time to reflect on your strengths, we all have them. Sometimes you need a reminder of how wonderful and awesome you really are. We all have a sphere of influence and can contribute something positive to others, even if its a kind word. The world can use some positivity and love right now and it can start with you.
Use your super power and be an example of compassion and understanding. A small ripple of kindness and love can effect humanity in small ways.
As a registered nurse I feel I have credibility. Nurse are the voice and advocates for patients utilizing the healthcare system around the world. We care for patients in various areas of the healthcare spectrum from life to death. It can be a humbling experience. For the last 19 years, patients have rated nurses the most ethical and honest of all professions (ANA, 2021). Never the less, nurses are being abused in the workplace by patients, families and others.
As nurses continue to labor through the pandemic, hospitals have decided they want Congress to intervene and cap the pay for travel nurses. Many in Congress have signed on to the idea. As CEO’s are making millions of dollars in salaries and bonuses, nurses are leaving the bedside. Surely they can share the wealth and compensate their largest workforce. Hospitals can not operate without nurses.
Use your voice to correct those spouting false information. Educate the public when you can and do not let anyone diminish your light. Although nursing can be a thankless job, acknowledge the stress, laugh and keep going, because that’s what nurses do.
Congress needs to hear from YOU regarding issues that affect the profession, this includes the wage gap, toxic work environments, and nurse patient ratios. California has lead the way in some of these issues and the rest of the country has to catch up. Although we are millions strong we seem not to have a voice, and those who hold the purse strings are not listening.
Just keeping you informed!
References
American Nurse (Feb.2021). Trust in nation’s nurses rise during pandemic. 16 (2) 35.
Valentines Day is taunted as the day of love. I often wonder who made that decision, and why can’t every day be the day of love for someone you care about?
Every February 14th, people are buying flowers, candy and stuff animals. I don’t want to be a cynic but flowers die, candy gives you cavities,and the stuff animals collect dust. How about just spending time with your loved one and enjoy creating a meal and watching a movie? Simple huh? Or be creative and think of your own activity, the goal is to be loving and attentive, with or without gifts.
Everyone has a different love language and for healthy relationships it is wise to understand your partners love language, instead of trying to guess. Couples who have been together for many years, still may not know their partners love language. Many women love gifts, and men usually like touch, but this is not always true. Take the quiz below to find out your love language and share it with your partner, you maybe surprised.
Black History is American history. It is time to embrace all of America’s history the good, bad and the ugly. The counter narrative that was established to keep Black Americans in “a place” has been a disservice for all Americans by ignoring history and its affects.
Black Americans have been essential in the growth of America, even though the United States would not see them as full citizens, until 1966. It was only 56 years ago, that Black Americans got the right to vote without any barriers. Black people have had a difficult relationship with America, and have had to fight for citizenship and equal rights since they were brought to this country (Hannah-Jones, 2022). Think about that and why does this matter?
Understanding the past, hopefully will decrease and dispel the stereotypes that have plagued Black Americans for generations. The contributions of Black Americans to American culture can be seen in various areas that include but not limited to health, food, music, fashion, and industry. I invite you to take time to learn more about Black American history, and read about the stories that have not been told.
Reference
Hannah-Jones, N. (2021). The 1619 project. Penguin Random House.
Prime Video (2022). Black history, freedom & love, Master Class. Here is a link if you do not have Prime Video.
Bullying and violence in the workplace in not new. Nurses and others have experienced bullying and violence in the workplace by various disciplines, including peers, families and patients.
The Workplace Violence Prevention of Healthcare and Social Workers Act (H.R. 1195) was passed by the House of Representatives in April, 2021. I have been following this bill since it was introduced in the House in November, 2019 (H.R 1309). The Senate has not voted There are other less serious crimes to which you confess whaton the bill. The bill will hold healthcare employers accountable for addressing the risk of workplace violence. This is essential because many healthcare organizations turn a blind eye to nurse bullying and pretend it does not occur.
For those who have experienced violence at work, realize that this is a real issue for nurses and others. I suspect it is getting worse because of the additional strain related to the high patient load related to COVID-19.
Although both the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the Joint Commission have denounced violence in healthcare facilities, there is no incentive to ensure hospitals are doing their part to reduce the practice. The ANA reported one out four nurses were assaulted (as cited in Stand & Francis, 2021) in the workplace. Nurse bullying continues to be an unreported issue in the workplace (Crosby, 2020). In fact many people outside of the healthcare system are surprised to hear nurses are bullied by others.
Nurses remain devoted to patients by advocating for their well-being but we can not continue to be bullied and abused by the public and others. To ensure efficient and safe healthcare occurs nurses and others in healthcare need the public to understands that we have your best interest in mind, and are not here to do you harm.
The volume of critical patients has increased due to COVID-19. Some patients and family members remain distrustful and disrespect healthcare professionals while they are trying to provide care. This additional stress has caused many nurses and others to leave the bedside, thus adding to hospital staff shortages which also affects patient care and outcomes (Crosby, 2019).
Thread lightly people. Nurses have been voted the most honest and and the most ethical professionals for the last 20 years (ANA, 2020). This should emphasize the need for hospital administrators, and others to acknowledge workplace violence in all forms and put real effort in abolishing the practice to protect the nursing workforce.
Never criticize yourself you have your friends and family for that. When was the last time you did a personal self-assessment and reflected on your positive traits. In others words, what are your strong points? We all have friends and family that can point out our negative traits and make you feel sad and nonproductive. During these times of isolation and polarization, so many people are negative and nasty to others.
I recently asked my friends and family for a self assessment and was pleasantly surprised by some of the responses. There were a few people who did not answer my request and I was perplexed. Once again it is human nature to dwell on the negative. The individuals that had not answered my request was seen by me as hurtful, especially when its a relative or close friend but overall the input from my other friends was positive.
Remember to stay positive and be kind, words are hurtful. This world needs more kindness and reverence for others.
It appears edibles are the latest crave. Edibles are food products that contain cannabis in baked good, candies, and beverages (Leonard, 2020). So many people want instant results and edibles can assist with a mild medical issue, like stress, or anxiety, but they are not for everyone. It is best practice to seek medical advice instead of self medicating.
It appears that people feel better about ingesting an edible instead of smoking cannabis or taking a pill. Keep in mind the packaging may not list all the ingredients in the product, except the amount of THC, which may or may not be accurate. Edibles do not affect everyone in the same way.
Edibles have not been evaluated for efficacy by the Food and Drug Administration, or been confirmed by research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, but to make you feel better.
Shops may have sprung up all over your town, but remember to do your research before you indulge. Edibles are not for everyone, and a simple life style change maybe all you need to get lasting health benefits.
As we move into another year, most of us revisit our goals and make new resolutions for the new year. The previous year, 2021 has been an eventful year for many including the country. Hopefully you have made it through this year and are looking forward to 2022 with positive expectations.
I create goals and resolutions every year and use this time to reflect on my achievements and make change for the next year. Last year, was the first year I did not make any resolutions or goals. I made short term goals and did not write them down, and was not very deliberate about completing them even though I had an intention.
Goals should be documented and have an end date and worded in a positive manner to reflect your intention. These are some of the phrases I use when I write my goals, I will, I am so happy and grateful that.. and I have.
You can also create a vision board. The mind loves pictures and it sparks energy to create action. Vision boards are simple to create. Cut out pictures and words that generate a positive mood and reflect what you would like to accomplish for the following year. It is a great way to encourage children and others to create goals.
Happy New Year and be intentional, it is your year!
The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and it does not appear to be slowing down. Symptoms are not as deadly for those who have been vaccinated. Getting vaccinated may keep you out of the hospital and prevent death from the virus. Symptoms for Omicron variant may range from fatigue, chills, fever, headache, cough, and or a sore throat to nothing at all.
The point of this story is to let you know that it is your responsibility to keep yourself healthy and well. This can be achieved by getting vaccinated, and wearing a mask. Nothing is 100% but it may decrease your odds of catching the Omicron variant.
For those who are worried about what is in the vaccine, think about all the things you consume that have unknown ingredients. The goal of this announcement is to keep you out of the hospital and from dying, but it is your choice.
I have learned several new things this week about childbirth. It has been many decades since I have had a baby. Things have changed, but somethings remain the same. These last few years, the pandemic has given rise to in home births, and the use of midwives at a birth center. This was a common practice in the early 1900’s, but by the 1950’s hospital births were the norm.
Women are keeping the placenta (the after birth) once the the delivery is completed. I thought what could they be doing with a placenta at home? Apparently this is not a uncommon practice. Some of my friends were aware of this practice and others were just as surprised as I. I have recently obtained a list of what to do with a placenta.
Plant it under a tree, watch it grow with your newborn.
Keep it attached to your newborn, this is called Lotus birth. It naturally dries and falls away within 3-5 days.
Pamper your skin with it. Hire someone to turn it into a salve to massage into c-section scar/or stretch mark.
Turn it into artwork. Stamp it onto paper to make a natural blood print or paint it and stamp it into paper for a beautiful piece of art/statement piece.
Wear it. Hire someone to dehydrate and make it into jewelry.
Encapsulate it. Hire someone to dehydrate and place into capsule to ingest to help with post birth hormone imbalances, milk production, and energy.
Donate it. Ask your doctor or midwife if they would like to keep it.
Throw it away. Do nothing and throw it out in the trash, preferable double wrap in a Ziploc bag and put it out on trash day. I have recently found out that kitty litter should be placed in the bag to reduce the smell and leakage.
I showed the list to a friend. She was also amazed and baffled, but we both learned something new. I would love to hear your comments.
Celebrating the holiday can bring extra pounds, as a result of constant eating during this season. The cold weather increases the need for indoor activities and creates the perfect conditions to catch colds, flu and now the spread of COVID-19 and the variants. Here are a few health tips to help you through the holidays and stay well.
Get plenty of rest. Try to keep your bedtime schedule the same.
Consume a healthy diet, but it is the holiday season. So I am going to suggest you eat your favorite deserts in moderation.
Wash your hands prior to consuming any type of food or snack. It sounds elementary but so many people still do not wash their hands prior to eating or drinking.
Limit your alcohol intake, and drink more water.
Exercise, and pick an activity that you enjoy. This will enhance your pleasure and commitment.
Enjoy your family, we are social beings and not meant to be alone. However, if you have elderly family members as part of the celebration, I hope all your family and friends are vaccinated . Remember vaccines are not 100% so social distancing and or wearing a mask maybe appropriate. Happy holidays and stay well!!!!
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