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 people generate their own good fortune by:
~ creating and noticing chance opportunities
~ listening to their intuition
~ producing self-fulfilling prophesies via positive expectations
~ adopting a resilient attitude that transforms bad luck into good.
The study also found that unlucky people are generally more tense and anxious than lucky people. Anxiety makes you less aware of chance opportunities.
I believe that the same traits that make a person lucky – awareness, intuition, positive expectations and resilience – play an important role in keeping us healthy. Of course, it takes more than “luck” to be healthy. In the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day, we hope you’ll practice being “lucky” and spread some Irish cheer with these green strategies and resources for better health.
Be well,
Janet Fontana, RN, MA
Save $Green$
Did you know that Americans spend $1.2 trillion on non-essential goods a year? During tough economic times, it’s important to recognize and reflect on your purchasing behavior. Being mindful about your spending encourages you to think before you buy, eat smarter, and be friendlier to the environment.
Americans annually spend roughly $7000 per person on food and drink. While cutting back is not easy, reducing your food costs can keep green in your back pocket. To learn ways to minimize waste, cut food costs, and get the most out of resources to save money, check out our nursing CE webinar, “Healthy Eating for Less.”
Eat Green
Don’t let the term leafy bitter greens scare you away. Not only can they add nice texture, color, and flavor to your plate, they’re packed with tons of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Foods like collard greens, kale, and spinach are high in glucosinulates, a cancer-preventative property that when converted to isothiocyanate supports our detox and anti-inflammatory systems. Leafy bitter greens are also high in fiber which lowers cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart disease.
Get the health benefits of greens by including them regularly into your diet. To get started, here’s a great Kale recipe from our nursing CE webinar “Creating Meals for Lasting Satisfaction & Energy.”
Live Green
It’s no secret that being environmentally friendly is crucial for a healthy world, but did you also know that it can be vital to your own health and well-bring? Here are some excellent green tips you can practice everyday that are healthy for both you and Mother Nature:
1. Refrain from drinking bottle water
2. Cut back on meat consumption
3. Walk, bike, or use public transit
4. Avoid pre-packaged foods
5. Rely on natural sunlight more than artificial lighting
6. Eat seasonal produce
7. Eliminate hazardous chemicals in your home
8. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. Not only are they loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, B vitamins, protein, and calcium, they are among the whole grains with the highest antioxidant activity.
Studies show that one tablespoon of chia seeds can keep up your energy all day long! Click here for more chia information.
It’s Easy Being Green
“When we heal the earth, we heal ourselves.”- David Orr
Going green is not only a trend, it’s a lifestyle. For more information on what you can do to stay healthy by being eco-chic, check out The Daily Green website or pick up a copy of Kate Geagan’s book Go Green, Get Lean.
