PRESENTED BY:
Thankyounurses! Thank you nurses! Weappreciateallthatyoudo.
Telluriancelebratesallnurses,asweknow theamazingdifferencetheymakeinthe livesofthepatientstheyserveeveryday!
IfyouareaRegisteredNurse,LPN,orCNA,andhaveapassionforhelpingthosewithaddictionandmental healthconcernstogetbacktothelifetheydeserve,pleaseconsiderjoiningourteamofprofessionals! Visit Tellurian.org/careers formoreinformation. Tellurianisanequalopportunityemployer.
Fortheseventhconsecutiveyear, MadisonMediaPartnersishonoring thearea’snurseswiththeNurses: TheHeartofHealthCareprogram -acontestandsectionsupported bypresentingsponsorUniversityof Wisconsin-MadisonSchoolofNursing. Thenursesencounteredthroughout theprogramshareseveralidentifying characteristics:compassion,respect andempathy.Theyworkinhospitals, clinics,schools,residentialfacilities, in-homecareandevenvirtually.They educate,console,relate,comfortand endearthemselvestopatientsand families.
Theprogrambeganwithacall fornominations.Thepublicwas
encouragedtonominatenursing professionalswhomadeanimpact onthelivesoflovedonesandthe communityatlarge.Thecommunity answered.
Peers,patients,friendsandfamily sharedtheirstoriesandgratitudefor nursingprofessionalsacrossthearea. Nursenominationsweresubmitted bythecommunityfromtheirpointof view.
Celebratethesetirelessprofessionals andtheirunfadingrecognitionduring NationalNursesWeek,May6-12, 2024.
SSMHEALTHST.MARY’SHOSPITAL-MADISON
Iamsopleasedtobeabletonominateagroupofnursing/ carestaffatSSMHealthSt.Mary’sHospital-Madison.Ihad cardiacsurgeryjustbeforeChristmaslastyearandspentaweek onFloor5Ebeinglookedafterbythemostamazinggroupof nurses,CNAs,PAsandmore.Everyonewaspatient,caring andpositive.Theyworkedlonghours,oftenshort-staffed,and showedextraordinarycompassiontopeopleintheirworsthours. Theywereinspiring.
UWHEALTHUNIVERSITYHOSPITAL
AdamGreenisanovernightnurseat theUWHealthUniversityHospital
I.C.U.unit.Helikesthefastpaceof theunitandtheopportunitytohelp patientswiththeirhealing.
WILLIAMS.MIDDLETONMEMORIAL VETERANSHOSPITALANDCLINICS
Dr.Strauss’nursingcareerspans41 years,spendingmanyofthoseyears educatingpatients,students,faculty, nursingassistants,colleaguesand practicingnursesfromthebedside totheboardroom.Shehasbeen instrumentalincreatingandteaching manynewandinnovativeprogramsto continuouslymoveVAnursesforward. ThisincludesnotonlyConflict,CommunicationandResiliency coursesandretreats,butalsoleadershipcoursessothatVAnurses maygrowintheircareers.Dr.Straussapproachesherworkwith utmostprofessionalism,butalwayshasatwinkleoffuninhereyes. Sheishighlyrespectedamongstherpeersandthosesheteaches. ShekindlygivestheconstantreminderthatourroleasVAnursing staffistoalwaysprovidethehighestqualityandsafestcarewecan toourveterans.
MYCHOICEWISCONSIN
Chrisworksaboveandbeyondforherclientsandshowsrespect andcaringforpeoples’differences.Shenevershowsanythingbut enthusiasmeventhoughIknowshehastobeoverwhelmedat timesbythedemandsfromhermanyclients.Shetakesapersonal interestintheirhealthandwell-being.
UWHEALTHREHABILITATIONHOSPITAL
AnnmarieisawoundcarenurseatUWHealthRehabilitation hereinMadison.Sheworkslonghoursandtakesveryfewdays offtoensureallofherpatients’woundcareneedsaremet. It’samazinghowherknowledgehashelpedsomanypeople.She looksatherjobasachallenge.Shealwaysputsthepatientfirst.
UWHEALTHDIGESTIVE HEALTHCENTER
Thisstaffiswonderfultowork with.Theyalwaysputthebest interestsofthepatient’shealth first,evenifthepatientisbeing seeninadifferentclinic. Theyalsoarewillingtohelp thesupportstaff.
EBONYWILLIAMS| TheAtlantaJournal-Constitution
Becominganursecanbebothexcitinganddaunting.There’ssomuchtorememberfromschoolandevenmore tolearnonthejob.
Thegoodnewsfornewnursesisthatthey’renotalone;abigpartinkeepingone’ssanityinthehealthcare fieldishavingacommunityofexperiencedcolleaguestohelp.
“Friendshipsatworkareoftenthebestsourceofemotionalsupport.Nurseswithstrongconnectionstoother nursesreportedexperiencinglowerstresslevelsthanthosewithouttheserelationships,”notedNurseJournal. ScrubsMagaskedexperiencednursesforadviceandtipsfortheiryoungercounterparts.Herearefiveofthebest:
Asidefromgettingagoodnight’srest—whicheveryone agreedwascrucial—severalnursesfocusedontherelationship betweenstressandpooreatinghabits.Stresscausesthebody toreleaseaseriesofhormonesthatcauseustocravebad foods—especiallysaltyfoods.Ifyoufindyourselfrushing tograbsomesaltysnacks,considersomethingwithasqueeze oflemoninstead.
“Lemonjuicereducestheneedtosaltfood.Thisis particularlyusefulwhensomebody’sonalow-saltdiet.Skip theMrs.Dashandgrabasliceoflemon,”advisedScrubsMag.
Whetheryou’reworkinginahospitalorasmaller clinic,healthcareisalwaysfast-paced.Tohelpkeepabusy scheduleintact,it’simportanttolearnhowtoprioritize.
“Asanurse,youhavemanytaskstomanage:taking
vitals,doingassessments,performingnursingdiagnoses, administeringmedications—andallformultiplepatients. Atthesametime,somepatientsaremorecritical,andsome tasksmorepressing.It’scrucialtofindanorganizational techniquethatworksforyou,”notedNightingaleCollege.
Findingsomeone’sveinscanbetricky—andcanbe mademoredifficultbasedonanythingfromwhatthepatient haseatenrecentlytothetemperatureoftheexamroom.If tappingonthearmdoesn’tmaketheveincomeforward,hot patchescanhelp.
“Heatwillhelpdilateveins(dilationiswhereaveingets bigger).Keepingwarmbeforeinjectingwillmakethemeasier tofind,”saidInjectingAdvice.
Ifyouhaveapatientwhodoesn’tlikethetasteof medicine, drinking watermight notbeenough toflushcertain tastesoutofthemouth.
“Potatochipseaten immediatelyaftertakingmetronidazolewillkeepthenasty metallictasteofthemedicineatbay,”notedScrubsMag.
Asahealthcareprofessional,you’llneverstop learning.Althoughyouryearsofschool,testsandexams areover,you’llconstantlylearnnewthings.That’swhyit’s soimportanttoaskquestions.
“Askingabouttipsandtrickstobettermanageyourtasks canhelpyoudeveloparoutinethatworksforyou,”said NightingaleCollege.
SSMHEALTHST.CLARE
HOSPITAL-BARABOO
ConnorworksatSSMHealthSt. ClareHospital-Baraboo.Hehas onlybeenaregisterednursefortwo yearsaftergraduatingfromViterbo University.Heisoneofthemost kindandcompassionatenurses Ihaveevermet.Hecaresabout everyonebuthasaspecialplace inhisheartfortheelderly,which Ifindrefreshinggivenhisyoungage.Heworkshardandnever complains.
Thispastyear,Iexperienceda seriousinjurytomyneckthat couldhavehadbothshort-and long-termmajorconsequences. Thementalstresscouldhavebeen overwhelminghaditnotbeenfor Dawn’sreassuringcontact.Shewas alwaysavailableforreassurance, supportandcalmingconversation. Sheofferedpositiveandhelpfuladvice.ThoughIamstillin long-termrecovery,IknowIcouldcallDawnatanytimefor helpifitwasneeded.SheisatrueassettoUWHealthUniversity Hospitalandtoallpatientsshecomesincontactwith.
SSMHEALTHST.MARY’S
HOSPITAL-MADISON
Diannisanurseinthecardiac cathlab.Diannabsolutelyloves herjobandherpatients.Diann hasawayofhelpingherpatients feelcalmduringmomentswhen theyaremostafraid.Sheisvery knowledgeableandprofessional. Diannisverymodestabouther skillsbutnotaboutherloveforher jobandwhatshedoes.Diannisthenurseeveryoneexpectswhen theyfindthemselvesindifficultsituations.
SSMHEALTHST.MARY’S HOSPITAL-MADISON
Donelle’spassionforpostpartum, newbornandNICUpatientsis evidentdaily.Sheindividualizes hercaretomeettheneedsofher patients,wherevertheymaybeon thecontinuum.Donelletreatsevery patientasiftheywereafamily member,makingaconnection witheachinteraction.Sheis frequentlyrecognizedbyfellowstaffmembersandpatientsfor herdedicationandcompassionandismostdeservingofthe recognitionbecauseifyouaskedher,shewouldsay,“I’mjust doingmyjob.”
SSMHEALTHDAVISDUEHRDEANEYECARE
IhavehadthepleasuretoknowDanasinceIstartedatSSM Healthtwoyearsago.FromthemomentImether,shewasso kindandwarmhearted.Shealwayshasasmileonherfacefor ourpatientsevenonthehardestofdays.Herbubblypersonality iscontagiousandcreateshappinessallaroundtheclinic.Patients andnursesalikeloveher.Justsimplytalkingtohereachday makesworkmuchmorefun.Ifeelluckytohaveherasnotjusta coworker,butalsoafriend.
WILLIAMS.MIDDLETON
ElisabethFotihasbeenanurseat theWilliamS.MiddletonMemorial VeteransHospitalsince2013and joinedtheICUin2018.Inashort time,shebecameproficientat providingahigh-levelofcareto criticalcarepatients.Sheexcelsin thechargenurserolebyengaging herresourcestoresolveproblems. Nomatterwhatisthrownather,shealwayssays,“Itwillbe fine.Wewillfigureitout.”Herdesiretoimprovepracticeand revisepolicieshasstreamlinedourapproachtocare.Elisabeth’s consistentpositivityandwillingnesstohelpoutinanysituation makesheraninvaluablememberofourICUteam.Herhigh levelofcompetency,professionalismandcompassionhasgreatly improvedthelivesofourveterans.
EBONYWILLIAMS| TheAtlantaJournal-Constitution
Whenitcomestoworkingalongshift,havingsomethingtasty—and healthy—forlunchcanmakeallthedifference.Andthatmeanshaving agoodlunchboxtostoreitin. • AccordingtoTravel+Leisure,finding theperfectlunchboxisallaboutlookingfordurability,well-designed compartmentsandgoodinsulation. • “Thankstomoderntechnologies, youcanenjoyyourlunchatnoonasfreshasthemomentyoupackedit,”saidtheoutlet.
• Herearefourofthebestlunchboxesfornurses,asrecommendedbyNurseJournal:
Yitote’sbagsaremadeof water-andtear-resistant nylon,withheavy-duty metalzippersandbar tacksatmajorstress points.Thebagsare paddedwithEPEfoamto keepitemscoldorhot, andarelinedwithleakproofaluminumfoilthat iseasytoclean.Comes withfouricepacks. AvailableonAmazon. $25.98-$26.98
Themaincompartmentexpandsup to2inchesandfeaturesaneasy-tocleanlining.Thislunchboxfeatures aninternalmeshpocketforanice pack(notincluded),azippered outsidepocketandhandlestraps. Availableinseveralcolorsatllbean. com. $19.95
Availableinsevencolorsand patterns,andfeaturingawide rectangularbase,thisPackIt bagiseasytocleanand featuresbuilt-inEcoFreeze technologysoyoudon’tneed separateicepacks.PackIt alsosellsbentocontainers thatfitneatlyintothebag (notincluded).Availableon Amazon. $22.99-$26.99
Thisdouble-decker baghasroomfor everythingbutthe stethoscope.The thickinteriorliner insulatesand preventsleaks whilekeeping contentswarm orcold.Availableon Amazon. $24.99-$26.99
Shewasmyhusband’svisitingnursewhenhewasgoingthrough chemotherapy.Shewasalwaystotallycompetent,caringand conscientious.
SSMHEALTHST.MARY’S HOSPITAL-MADISON
JaimeisachargenurseatSSM HealthSt.Mary’sHospitalMadison.Sheisafantasticleader, coworker,teamworkerand confidant.Jaimegoesaboveand beyonddailytomakesurethather co-workersandpatientsarewell takencareof.Shesetsuprooms, makespre-opphonecalls,answers questions,makesassignmentsandalwaysdoesitwithasmile. Jaimeisverykindtoeachpatientaswell.Shesitsdownandtalks tothem,makessurethattheyfeelcomfortablewiththeirhospital stayandanswersallquestionstohelpeasetheirminds.
JessicaAnghahasbeenanurse attheWilliamS.Middleton MemorialVeteransHospitalfor 15years.Inthattime,shehas workedonaninpatientunit,been ahousesupervisorandiscurrently theassistantnursemanagerfor theICU.Asamanager,sheis knownforherapproachability, understandingandfollowthrough.Shehasparticipatedon severalinitiativesthroughoutthefacilitytoimprovestaff engagement,resiliencyandrecognition.Ms.Anghaisastrong advocateforhercolleaguesandhasapassionforimproving staffsafetywithinourunitandfacility.Hercontinuedwork toincreaseawarenessandreduceabusetowardshealthcare workersisgreatlyappreciated.Herworkasaco-chairofthe codebluecommitteehasimprovedtheresponseandpractice ofthosemanagingcriticalsituations.Ms.Angha’snumerous contributionstoourunitandfacilityareatestamenttoherdrive toexpandthecultureofsafety,engageandempowerstaffand improvethepatientexperience.
Shehaulsavarietyofnewbornneedsinhercaranddrivesall overDaneCountytohelpmothersinneedbeforeandafterbirth. Sheeducatesthemaboutsafety,breastfeeding,healthservices availabletothemandmuchmore.Shemeetsthemwheretheyare andtheyappreciatethat.
SSMHEALTHST.MARY’S HOSPITAL-JANESVILLE
Lt.Col.KathyMcKillipsisthe epitomeofanexcellentnurse. Shehasbeenanurseforover 22years,workingthepast12 yearsatSSMHealthSt.Mary’s Hospital-JanesvilleinourICU. Asaleaderatourhospital,she takesgreatprideinteachingand mentoringnewnursestoensurea successfulstarttotheircareers.Sheiscontinuallylookingfor opportunitiestoimprovebothherpracticeandourdepartments. Shetakesthetimetogettoknowherpatientsonapersonal level,frequentlybeingrecognizedbypatientsandfamiliesfor herexceptionalcare.Herclinicalexpertiseandknowledgeis evidenteverydaysheworks,andshehastherespectoftheentire multidisciplinaryteam.Outsideofherciviliancareer,Kathy hasservedintheU.S.ArmyReservesince1998.Herleadership hascontinuedthroughouthermilitarycareer.In2023,shewas namedcommanderofthe452ndFieldHospitalinMilwaukee. In2003,shewasdeployedtoBagramAirBaseinAfghanistan aspartofOperationEnduringFreedom.In2018shewassentto CampArifjan,Kuwait,wheresheservedasassistantchiefnurse forthe452ndFieldHospital.Andthenin2020,shewassentto NewJerseytosupporttheUrbanAugmentationMedicalTask Forcetoassistmedicalpersonnelwhowereoverwhelmedduring theCOVID-19pandemic.Outsideofherresponsibilities,she volunteershermedicalservicesfortheVetsRollorganization, helpingfacilitatetripstoWashington,D.C.,forveterans.Without volunteerslikeKathy,thosetripswouldnotbesuccessful.Weare blessedtohaveKathyasapartofourteam!
MaggiegavemesuperiorcarewhenIwasinthehospital,but morethanthat,shebondedwithmeoverdogsandbooks.She reallymademefeelasthoughsheSAWmeasaperson,notjust asapartofherjob.
TheSchoolofNursingatUniversityof Wisconsin–Madisonhasalottocelebrateasthe schoolcommemoratesitscentennialthisyear.The SchoolofNursinghasearnedareputationforopeningdoorsforgraduates,whobenefitfromexceptional employmentplacementrates.Studentsactivelylearn throughstellarfacultyinstructioninastate-of-theartlearningfacilityandwithhands-onclinicalpracticetomeettheneedsoftoday’spatientsandachangingmedicallandscape.
Expandingonthetraditionalpracticeofteaching vialectures,memorizationandexams,UW–Madison utilizesacurriculumthatincorporatesparticipatory learningactivitiesanddevelopscriticalthinkingin nearly250areasofcompetency.Suchactivelearning isenhancedbytheinnovativefacilitythathousesthe nursingprogram.
BadgernurseshaveaccesstoSigneSkottCooper Hall,withhigh-techlearningcenters,hospitalsimulationrooms,afullyequippedlabanddozensofresearchandprojectspaces,allofwhichempowerstudentstopracticereal-lifenursingexperiencesbefore settingfootinaclinicalsetting.Truetoitspurpose, itisalsodesignedasahealing,soothingenvironment thatenhancesstudentwell-being.
UW–Madisonisespeciallyproudofitsclinical partnershipsthatplaceover400Badgerstudentseach semesteracrossaspectrumofsettings.“Wehelpstudentsfindwheretheywillflourish,”saidLisaBratzke, associatedeanofacademicaffairs.“Studentsgaina vital,career-shapingexperienceworkingsomewhere thatspeakstotheirinterests,orinanareatheymay haveneverconsidered.”
Placementsareavailableinschools,publichealth departments,criticalaccesssites,hospitals,hospice, long-termcarefacilitiesandevenprisons.Immersion programswithlocalpartnerssuchasEastersealsand
GirlScouts,andinternationalopportunities,arealso available.
TheSchoolofNursingiscommittedtobuildinga cultureofhealthequityinWisconsin.“Studentsare preparedtomeetexistingandemerginghealthcare needs,suchastheshortageofnurses,theagingpopulationand,ofparticularnote,thegrowinghealth inequitiesamongvariousgroups,”saidBratzke.
Forexample,residentsinruralareashavefewer healthcareoptions,justassomecommunitieshave limitedaccesstoeducation,socialconnectionsand nutritionbasicssuchashigh-qualityproduce.
“Wherewearebornandlivehasahugeinfluence onourhealthoutcomes,”Bratzkesaid,“andthis,in turn,mustimpacthowweeducatestudents.”
Studentsaretrainedtorecognizedisparitiesand adjusttheirpatienteducationandinteractiontechniquesaccordingly.UW–Madisonfurtheraddresses
thesedisparitiesbyintentionallyrecruitingstudents fromruralandunderservedareas,recognizingthat manyarelikelytoreturntothesecommunitiesafter graduation.
“Amidstallthechange,thefoundationofwhatwe doasnurseshasremainedthesamesincethedaysof FlorenceNightingale,”saidBrittaLothary,clinical instructor.“Clinicaljudgment,education,communicationandempathyhavealwaysbeenattheforefront ofnursing.Whathaschangedisthewayweareable todeliverthoseservices.”
WhileLotharycautionsthattechnologyisnot alwaystheanswer,itoffersnewvenuesofpatient access,collectingdataandinformationsharingthat UW–Madisonisusingtoshapethenextgeneration ofnurses.
FormoreinformationabouttheSchoolofNursingatUniversityofWisconsin–Madison,pleasevisit nursing.wisc.edu.
MERCYHEALTHHOSPITALAND TRAUMACENTER-JANESVILLE
Melissatakesthetimetohelpherpatientswhentheyarein thehospital,andalsowhentheygohome.Shecallsthemthat eveningandthenextdaytoseeiftheyneedanything.Sheisa verycaringnurse.
SSMHEALTHST.MARY’S HOSPITAL-MADISON,RETIRED
PeggyWeber’slifecommitment is:“Onceanurse,alwaysanurse.” After45yearsworkingatSSM HealthSt.Mary’sasamental healthadvocateforpatientsand staff,agriefcounselor,facilitator for“CanCope”andparishnurse, Peggyretired,butherpassion fornursingdidnot.Today,she continuestoorganizegriefsupportgroupsthroughoutthe community.Asacertifiedgriefcounselor,shehasimplemented programsforsurvivorsofsuicide,deathandloss,cancerand theirsupportpeople.Shehasgreatenergy,insightandloveforall whoneedalisteningearandakindvoiceofreassurance.
UWHEALTHCARBONECANCERCENTER
IwouldliketonominateSandySwenson,RN.Sandyhasdevoted herlifeandnursingcareertothecareofterminalcancerpatients. ShecurrentlyworksattheUWHealthCarboneCancerCenter. Sheisverycaringandtakesapersonalinterestinherpatients andtheirfamilies.Sheisadmiredbyhercoworkersandher patientsandisalwayswillingtolendahand.
SSMHEALTHDEAN MEDICALGROUP
Sarahisafantasticchargenurseat SSMHealthDeanMedicalGroup’s departmentoffamilymedicine. Shegoesaboveandbeyondfornot onlyherpatients,buthercoworkers andprovidersaswell.Sarahisan outstandingteamplayer.Herareas ofexpertisearegreat.Shehandles directpatientcare,triagephone callsandacutestaffingchallenges.
WILLIAMS.MIDDLETON MEMORIALVETERANSHOSPITAL ANDCLINICS
TamiTowneistheWomenVeteran ProgrammanagerattheWilliam S.MiddletonMemorialVeterans HospitalsandClinics.Sheis beingnominatedonbehalfofthe entirewomen’shealthteamforher dedicationtoservingourveterans andherexpertiseasanurseleader. Sheispassionateinherpursuitofexcellenceandtrulyrepresents altruisminnursinginherdailypractice.
WILLIAMS.MIDDLETON
MEMORIALVETERANSHOSPITAL Tammihasbeenanurseatthe WilliamS.MiddletonMemorial VeteransHospitalforalmost 17years.Sheisknowledgeable, compassionateandafierce advocateforherpatients.Shehas beenapillarofthenightshiftfor manyyears,butshehascontinued tobeanactiveparticipantinour organization’ssharedgovernance.Shehasanamazingeyefor detailandknowsthatthelittlethingsmatter.Shestrivesto givethebestpossiblecaretoourveterans,andwehopeshewill remainaninstitutionaltreasureformanyyearstocome.
SSMHEALTHDEAN MEDICALGROUP
IamnominatingTaraShale,RN, fromSSMDeanMedicalGroup. Havinghadtheprivilegeofhavingher ontheSSMPalliativeCareteamfor twoyears,Icannotsayenoughabout herexceptionalskills,dedication andcompassioninprovidingcareto patients.Tarapossessesaremarkable abilitytoestablishrapportwith patientsandtheirfamilies,creatingasupportiveandcomforting environmentduringdifficulttimes.Herempatheticapproachand activelisteningskillsenablehertounderstandtheuniqueneedsand concernsofeachpatient,ensuringpersonalizedcarethatrespects boththeirphysicalandemotionalwell-being.
HUNTERBOYCE
TheAtlantaJournal-Constitution
Nursescombatanumberofchallengesonthejob.Staffingshortages,overwhelmingworkloads anddauntinglylongshiftsare constantburdensfortoday’s healthcareheroes.Thereisoneburden,perhapsaboveall,thatmodernnursestakehome withthem:stress.
AccordingtoasurveypublishedbytheNationalCouncilofStateBoardsofNursing, roughly100,000nurseslefttheU.S.workforce duringthepandemicduetostress,burnout andretirement.By2027,900,000nursesare expectedtoleavetheworkforce.That’safifth ofallnurses,andwork-relatedburnoutisa majorfactor.
Withthatinmind,herearesomestress
relievinghobbiesthatareperfectfornurses.
TheSemelHealthyCampus InitiativeCenteratUCLA reportedthementalhealth benefitsofknittingtobe “remarkable.”According tothecenter,theactivitycanhelpcalmboth thebodyandthebrain throughsoothing,repetitivemotions.
It’sahobbythatregisterednurseChandaKim standsby.
“Iactuallyknitandcrochettorelax. Imakeanythingfromjewelrytoprayer shawls,”shetoldScrubsMagazine.“Inever
Veryrelaxingafteradayonthejobwherewe don’talwaysgetthanked!”
Adultcoloringbookshaveexplodedinpopularityoverthepastfewyears,andthereisa scientificexplanationtothecraze.Accordingto theMayoClinicHealthSystem,adultcoloring booksaregoodforyourhealth.
Adultcoloringbookspromotemindfulness byallowingparticipantstomeditativelystay inthemoment.Asanoncompetitiveactivity, theyalsoallowparticipantstoembracethe imperfectandpromotetheircreativity.Italso calmsthebrainandallowsthebodytorelax, relievingstress.
“Althoughcoloringisn’ttheultimatecure forstressandanxiety,sittingdownforalong coloringsessionholdsgreatvalue,”thehealth systemreported.“Asyoucolor,payattention toyourbreathingrhythm,ensuringsteady,full
breathsfromyourdiaphragm,andtuneinto yourheartrateperiodicallyifyoucan.”
keepanyofitformyself.It’salwaysgiven asapresentordonatedtocharity.Imake babybootiesforthelocalhospital. Ievenmadeashawlfora residentrecently.Shewas goinghomeonpass toafamilyreunion, andwasconcerned becauseshedidn’t haveanything ‘nice’towear inthepicture thatwouldhave hereightgreatgrandchildrenin it.Shewassohappy whenIgaveittoher, sheinsistedonshowing itofftoeveryone.Igetalot ofenjoymentoutofseeingpeople’s excitementwhentheygetahandmadegift.
AccordingtoTheAmericanInstituteof Stress,gardeningisagreatstressreliever.By encouragingcreativity,engagingmentalfocus, vitaminDexposure,healthyexposuretobacteriaandpromotingphysicalactivity,gardeningcanreducecortisollevels,improveyour immunesystemandyouroverallhealth.
“Whenwespenttimeoutsideinourgardens, weregulateouremotionsaremoreefficiently thatwewouldifcoopedupindoors,”theinstitutereported.“Partofthatisdowntothe vitaminDthatwehavepreviouslydescribed, partlydowntothefactthatweareengagingin mindfulnessandthusnotallowingourminds towandertounwelcomethoughts,andpartly becauseweareengaginginaphysicalworkout —whetherwe’reconsciousofthisornot.”
