March Newsletter

Hello to our incredible team!

Can you feel it? After our 'lost' hour due to daylight saving time, our mornings are suddenly much brighter! It's like someone turned up the sunshine dial! And hey, the weather seems to be in on the fun too, with warmer days and birds chirping all around Spring is peeking around the corner, and we're smiling ear to ear about it

March was a whirlwind of events, wasn't it? Hopefully, you all had a blast celebrating and making memories Now, as we hop into April, which all about embracing health awareness

We have World Health Day on April 7th, and Stress Awareness Month is reminding us to take a breather So, in this newsletter, we're diving headfirst into my favorite topic – wellness!

Happy spring, everyone! While you're busy spreading sunshine to our beloved clients, don't forget to soak up some rays for yourselves too

Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open "

We have sent out an email regarding recent Measles outbreak This is just another reminder to please be aware and find out if you have Measles Vaccine If you haven’t received this vaccine or are unsure if you’ve received it, the HSE are strongly recommending attending your GP or one of their free vaccination clinics to get it To book this you can follow this link:

https://www2hseie/services/mmr-vaccine/book-an-appointment/

Measles Outbrea Moments f

If you had a vaccine in a childhood you can have a booster, which is highly recommended during the outbreak Protect yourself and others, stay safe!

World Health Day (Ap

World Health Day, observed annually on April 7th, is a global health awareness day celebrated under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The theme for World Health Day 2024 is 'My health, my right’

This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to have access to quality health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination

Did you know your rights in Ireland?

Right to Complaint and Redress:

Right to Access Healthcare:

In Ireland, individuals have the right to access healthcare services provided by the public health system, This includes access to general practitioners (GPs), hospitals, specialist care, and other healthcare facilities

Right to Confidentiality and Privacy:

Individuals have the right to confidentiality and privacy concerning their medical information and personal health details. This right is protected under various laws and regulations, including the Data Protection Acts and the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) guidelines.

Individuals have the right to make complaints about the quality of healthcare services they receive and to seek redress for any harm or injury caused by medical negligence or malpractice This right is supported by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Right to Informed Consent:

Patients have the right to be fully informed about their medical condition, treatment options, risks, and benefits before consenting to any medical intervention This right is enshrined in the Irish Constitution and supported by ethical principles governing medical practice

Right to Participation and Decision-Making:

Patients have the right to participate in decisions regarding their healthcare, including treatment plans, care goals, and end-of-life preferences This right is upheld through shared decision-making models and patient advocacy initiatives, empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and well-being

Stress Awareness Month

Stress Awareness Month is observed annually in April to raise awareness about the causes and effects of stress, as well as to promote stress management strategies and mental well-being It serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing stress in our lives, as chronic stress can have significant impacts on both physical and mental health

5symptomstorecognisestress:

Physical: Headaches, muscle tension, fatigue.

Emotional:Irritability, anxiety, sadness

Cognitive:Memory problems, constant worrying.

Behavioral:Overeating, social withdrawal.

PhysicalHealth:Increased susceptibility to illness.

Great, so you discover that you are experiencing stress. What to do next?

On the next page, I am sharing 3 tips how to manage the stress without any cost And we all already know the benefits of meditation, going for a walk, talking to someone etc This time, I tried to think of something unusual and less heard off or though of Hope this helps, and let me know what you think!

Three Stress Management Tips

(Available at No Cost)

We all know journaling is great for mindfulness but sometimes it might feel daunting and not knowing where to start I suggest you Brain Dumping - no expectations, no preparations Grab a piece of paper, notebook or open Notes App on your phone And literally dump everything what’s on your mind! It doesn’t have to make sense, doesn’t have to be pretty Try this every time you’re overwhelmed or practice as often as possible Believe me, your head will feel more empty after the session! If you don’t know what to write just start by writing ‘i have no idea what to write’ or start writing what are you feeling in that moment and see where it takes you

Yes, sounds simple but have you actually managed to stay away from any form of screen for more than 1 hour? Didn’t it feel amazing? Look, everything we see - affects us It can cause you so much anxiety without even noticing If this seems impossible task, start by DECIDING what’s on your screen Unfollow accounts that make you feel worse about yourself, have no purpose for you Watch shows or movies that make you feel good etc

Then start by taking conscious decision to be without screen for 30 min a day and increase the time gradually This doesn’t count if you’re sleeping, exercising or working No, IN YOUR FREE TIME, choose activity without the screen or simply ALLOW yourself to feel bored It will be uncomfortable at first but soon you will notice the heavy energy of stress lifting away

Mindful Eating Digital Detox BrainDumping

I know, you’re probably thinking ‘what? I eat everyday, that doesn’t help my stress!’ But how often we eat on the go, in front of the screen, maybe not even noticing what have just you ate? And it’s not about WHAT you are eating, but instead try taking that time to really focus solely on the process of eating, having mindful breaks during meals, savoring each bite, and paying attention to hunger cues and feelings of fullness Or what about cooking? Try cooking without distractions, really taking that time to notice all the feelings and the process in front of you

If you are struggling now and need more simple, accecible tools to manage your stress, go to our Instagram account

@bluebirdcaredublinsouth and go to beginning of the year posts where each week we were sharing wellness and mindfullness tools that you can build up within 4 weeks. They are simple, not time consuming, the most important thing is taking one step at the tine! You’ve got this!

EAP Information Sessions

Have you already checked Spectrum.com, our employee wellness app?

You are invited to attend the SpectrumLife Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) online information session

During this presentation we will provide a detailed overview of SpectrumLife’s EAP service This presentation is less than 30 minutes long The EAP is a short-term confidential counselling service that supports individuals and their immediate families as they work through any personal or work-related concerns

We will leave some time for Q&A Please note that this session is open to employees from many organisations, so please be mindful of this if you are asking any questions re to support you every step of the way

WHEN?

2nd Thursday of every month at 9 30am

WHERE?

in April, this will take place on Thursday the 11th, via the following link/password:

us02web.zoom.us/j/83655530547

Password:009370

At Bluebird Care, your mental well-being matters. Together, let's foster a workplace where everyone can thrive!

Have the most fanstastic month!