Dear Fellow Nurse,
I am writing to personally thank you! You may not realize it, but you were among the first 100 people to visit our website after we launched this summer. Congratulations on your interest in living a healthy, happy life and in helping others enjoy good health too.
As I approach my 50th birthday, I am increasingly aware of how important it is to take good care of myself. Since there are a lot of changes occurring in my life, I realize that, now more than ever, I need to eat well, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, manage my stress and take time to have fun.
As nurses we are caregivers by nature and often put our own needs at the bottom of the to-do list. We all need up-to-date health information, wellness reminders and a dose of inspiration to stay on the path to good health. So no matter your age, I hope the information in our monthly newsletter and online nursing CE webinars will educate and motivate you to enjoy improved health and greater happiness.
Be well,
Janet Fontana, RN, MA
Fast Food Frenzy
Did you know that eating at a kitchen island creates a fast food environment in your home? According to Linda Varone, RN, MA, sitting in a row at a kitchen island makes it hard to hear and make eye contact with others. And since your feet are not touching the floor, you can’t settle in and relax. Basically you are setting yourself up for an “eat and run” meal.
While the kitchen island is great for snacks and hanging around while you fix a meal, Linda recommends that you enjoy at least one meal a day around a table. So shift from the kitchen island to a table and make meals a time to relax and connect with your family and friends.
Wellness Research
Want to de-stress? Recent research shows that listening to relaxing music is just as effective as massage for reducing anxiety. While getting a professional massage is wonderful and brings many benefits, it’s nice to know that there are inexpensive, accessible and just as effective ways to reduce anxiety.
When you’re feeling a bit stressed or anxious, find a quiet place to relax and listen to music. Some of our favorites include: Merlin’s Magic Reiki, Crimson Collection Vols 1&2 and Norah Jones’ album Come Away with Me.
Study published in Depression & Anxiety, Feb, 2010. To read the abstract, go to Wiley Online Library.
Did You Know?
If you eat 1/2 cup of oatmeal and a pear daily, you consume 3 grams of soluble fiber which can lead to cholesterol lowering benefits. Insoluble fiber (whole wheat bread, brown rice) does not have the same effect on cholesterol levels. Other foods high in soluble fiber include: apples, prunes, barley, kidney beans and citrus fruit.
Here’s a sneak peek of a handout Sandy Sarni, RD, MS includes in her program materials for her nursing CE webinar “Drug-Free Alternatives for Lowering Cholesterol.”
Something we think you’ll enjoy
In her book, “The How of Happiness” professor Sonya Lyubomirsky, PhD reveals key strategies for living a happier life. Backed by years of research, Dr. Lyubomirsky offers simple, proven ways to be happier and includes a diagnostic tool you can use to determine which happiness activities are best suited for you. We hope you like the book as much as we do!
Featured New Webinar
Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD, assistant professor atHarvardMedicalSchoolexplores research on the effectiveness of yoga in treating back pain, hypertension, diabetes and other medical and psychological conditions in his webinar, “Yoga as a Therapeutic Intervention.”
Email your ideas for future webinars to: [email protected].
