category: Spreading Wellness Newsletter

Colonoscopies Save Lives and Money

colonoscopy, colon cancer, prevent colon cancer

Dear Fellow Nurse, Of the many reasons I was not thrilled to turn fifty, the thought of getting a colonoscopy was at the top of the list. So I did what many people do; I postponed having it done. I thought, “I’m healthy, and I am not at high risk for colon cancer. Do I really need to do this…

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The Power of the Mind July 2012

Dear Fellow Nurse, As July 4th approaches, I am reminded of a surprising story about Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Strikingly, these founding fathers both died on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1826! Herbert Benson, MD, a world-renowned leader in mind-body medicine shared this remarkable story during a training program to illustrate…

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Nurses’ Health Study Findings May 2012

Dear Fellow Nurse, Did you know that thanks to over 235,000 female nurses we have gained a greater understanding of the factors that influence women’s health? The Nurses’ Health Study (NHS), which began in 1976 and was expanded (NHS II) in 1989, collects data from dedicated nurse–participants about disease, hormone use, menopause status and lifestyle factors. Amazingly, response rates to…

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Spring Cleaning for Body & Mind April 2012

Dear Fellow Nurse, When my friend Jean was going through a difficult time, Barbara, a mutual friend said to her, “Just as a few spring showers and warm days bring the grass and flowers back to life after winter, with a bit of care and attention to your needs it won’t be long before you’re in a brighter place.” I…

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Think Green for Better Health March 2012

Dear Fellow Nurse, St. Patrick’s Day reminds me of two things – the color green and the expression, “Luck of the Irish.” Luck is an interesting concept. Is it luck that brings us health, happiness and prosperity? According to a 10-year scientific study, to a large extent, people make their own good and bad fortune. Psychologist Richard Wiseman found that lucky…

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Creating Positive Change February 2012

Dear Fellow Nurse, The women in this photo are fellow nurses who are interested in holistic nursing and meet monthly to study various healing modalities and to share experiences. At last month’s meeting, we harnessed the power of our mind to promote positive change in our life by creating “vision boards.” Some of us focused on healthy behaviors while others…

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Holistic Practices for Holiday Stress Relief December 2011

Dear Fellow Nurse, I recently saw some interesting findings about the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among nurses. A study published in the online version of Health Services Research in August found that 83 percent of nurses useCAM, compared to just 63 percent of the general population. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that so many of us…

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Benefits of Gratitude November 2011

Dear Fellow Nurse, I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday! Thanksgiving is a nice reminder to pause and appreciate the many blessings that fill our life. Today, our challenge is to keep this sense of gratitude alive. With the holiday season fast upon us, feelings of gratitude and abundance can easily slip away and we can find ourselves in…

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Healthy Eating on a Budget September 2011

Dear Fellow Nurse, Not surprisingly, eating a healthier diet can come with a higher price tag. Researchers at the University of Washington looked at the economic impact of following the new U.S. dietary guidelines, which recommend eating more potassium, dietary fiber, vitamin D and calcium, and avoiding saturated fat and added sugar. They discovered that eating according to the new guidelines…

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Eating for Better Health August 2011

Dear Fellow Nurse, I grew up in a household where my mother’s answer to the question, “What’s for dinner?” was most likely “steak,” “chicken” or “pork chops.” Most of our meals focused around meat with white rice or potatoes – french fries were our favorite – and one serving of vegetables. I am very grateful to have grown up in…

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