Nurses are well aware of the stress that comes with the job. Taking care of numerous patients atl varying levels of sickness, and dealing with many competing priorities, is enough to make anyone stressed out. Now, with the help of the BREATHE technique, nurses and patients can lower their blood pressure, heart rate, and experience a decrease in stress. The BREATHE technique was developed by John M. Kennedy, medical director of preventative...  Read More »

None of us see the world as it is, we see the world the way we are. We all operate from different experiences, values, cultural norms, etc., that affect how we treat each other. When I walked into a room and a patient or family member would start to complain, I use to feel as if I was a bad nurse and become defensive. I now recognize that complaints are actually requests in disguise–when patients or families are complaining they are...  Read More »

Most of us grew up with the food pyramid that had grains at the base of what we should be eating. Then about 10 years ago, researchers announced that was out of date. Because there is a natural lag time between research and translation into public materials, we are just now seeing an updated food pyramid filter into the system. The updated food pyramid has fruits and vegetables at the base of what we should be eating, and grains have moved...  Read More »

Many of the products we buy are infused with chemicals that may be harmful to our health. Take formaldehyde for instance, which is a cheap preservative the U.S. Federal and Drug Administration allows in cosmetics because it is used in very low doses. The problem is formaldehyde is a fat soluble chemical that is absorbed through the skin and stored in fat tissue, meaning formaldehyde levels can build up over time. While you may not care...  Read More »

Supplements are a great tool for getting all your vitamins and minerals into your diet. Some supplements have even been shown to reduce cholesterol. While there is sound research on the benefits of supplements, purchasing one can be a dicey game. In my article, “Why doctors tend to prefer prescriptions to supplements” I explain how the lack of federal regulation has made the industry vulnerable to snake oil artists. I haven’t...  Read More »

I have worked in the healthcare industry as a nurse and in the wellness industry as a health coach. While these two different industries have very similar goals, their philosophies and approaches can be quite different. I have found few healthcare professionals are able to combine the best of both worlds for a holistic approach to their practice. And there are several reasons for that lack of crossover. 1.  Education and training. Out of...  Read More »

Class started back up last week. It’s hard to go back after the long break between semesters, but it is also exciting to know this is my last semester. Balancing work, school, and a personal life is a great challenge, and it’s at times like this that it can be so easy to stop taking care of yourself. However, I can feel the difference between my old life and my healthy life, and I can do more when I take care of myself. I’m...  Read More »

My sister got married last fall and I recently found out that she is pregnant. I currently have two nieces and five nephews and I’m excited that I will soon have another. My mother used to say she wanted 64 grandchildren. I doubt that will ever happen, but she will likely end up with more than the average grandmother by the time all eight of her children finish having children of their own. Pregnancy is a major event that brings many...  Read More »

Are you determined to get healthy this year?  This is a big goal involving many complicated behaviors. Don’t try and make all your changes at once. You may want to break the process down into stages. What do you want in five years, one year, three months, or one month from now? For some people, exercise is easier, while changing eating habits is easier for others. As a health coach, I start my clients on a healthy diet first. We don’t...  Read More »

Do find you set New Year’s resolutions that never happen? If so, there may be two reasons for this: 1. You set yourself up for failure by trying to take on too many changes at once 2. You lack a vision that will lead you toward achieving your goals Creating a clear vision before setting goals generates excitement and energy that helps drive you toward completion. It isn’t enough to imagine what you want your life to look...  Read More »