Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have recently given us even more reason to take the effects of stress seriously. According to the newest results of a longitudinal population study, girls who are born into families with high levels of stress are more likely to suffer from anxiety and disruptions in brain function as teenagers. The study, published in the…
nurses4wellness blog.
29
Oct 2012
When Times Get Tough
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I must admit that it is so much easier for me to have a positive attitude when life is going well. But boy, can it be a slippery slope when things get tough! Over the past few months, I have been paying more attention to the way that I react when disappointments come up. My friend, Jen, has been an…
17
Jul 2012
What Nurses Should Know About Smoking Cessation and Seasonality
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Did you know that contrary to popular belief, cigarette sales in the U.S.peak during the summer months? While there have only been a few studies focusing on the influence of seasonality on smoking behavior, research suggests that there are “several factors contributing to the effect of seasonality on cigarette consumption” including weather conditions, summer vacation, timing of cessation efforts, and smoking restriction…
28
Jun 2012
The Freedom of Forgiveness
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Several years ago I read a heart-wrenching and inspiring story about Kai, a five year old Boston girl. Kai had been paralyzed at age three when a stray bullet severed her spinal cord. Sadly, stories about innocent bystanders getting caught in the midst of violent acts are not unique, but Kai and her family’s response to the accident caught the attention of the media….
11
Jun 2012
10 Great Apps for Nurses
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From smart phones to tablets, technology, in some form or another, has become integral to both our personal and work life. In recent years, health care professionals have begun to utilize modern mobile technologies to readily access information and more efficiently care for their patients. Here are 10 phone apps that you may find helpful in your nursing practice: MedCalc…
8
Jun 2012
The Skinny on Sweeteners
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We’ve all heard countless warnings about how sugar rots our teeth, makes us gain weight, causes hyperactivity and hypertension, and is linked to cardiovascular disease and an array of cancers. However, if you’ve browsed through the sweetener aisle at the store recently, you may have noticed that sweeteners (both natural and artificial) have been snatching up more and more shelf…
15
May 2012
Buddha on Health
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“To keep the body in good health is a duty, for otherwise we shall not be able to trim the lamp of wisdom, and keep our mind strong and clear. Water surrounds the lotus flower, but does not wet its petals.” ~Buddha
11
May 2012
Spread Kudos to Fellow Nurses
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One of the nicest compliments I have ever received as a nurse actually came from a fellow nurse. I was working in the surgical ICU at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at the time. Michelle, the nurse in-charge said to me, “If I were ever a patient, I would want you to take care of me.” Wow – what a nice compliment!…
24
Apr 2012
Don’t Believe Everything You Think
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I recently had a big weight lifted off of my shoulders. For weeks, I postponed calling the parents of a college student – one of my son’s best friends and roommate – who was late in paying rent for a condo we own in Colorado. He wouldn’t return our phone calls or emails and was two months late in paying…
9
Apr 2012
Sleep Better With the Sleep Cycle iPhone App
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Waking up early in the morning can be hard to do. One of the things I dislike most is the jolted feeling I get when I hear that first piercing ring of my alarm clock. However, a colleague of mine has been urging me for months to try the iPhone alarm clock application, Sleep Cycle. At first, I was quite…
