Treat Yo-Self Healthy

  My favorite part after work (after seeing my husband of course 😉) is coming home and plopping down on the couch! It feels soooo good to sit down and rest my body and brain after a busy day.  Taking a moment for ourselves is is not selfish, it's necessary . Just as we are educated to incorporate daily, physical exercise and practice good eating habits, we should also be educated to incorporate daily, mental rest!  Our minds work 24/7. Think about it... are you ever not thinking about something? (No pun intended 😜) Our stress directly affects our immune system and our ability to heal  1 Below are some tools I have found that can help provide stress relief for your mind, body and soul Massage Stones The first time I saw massage stones was in a nail salon getting a pedicure! Most pedicure places now have an option within their menus for a hot stone massage on the calves and feet. Not only do they have these stones for pedicures in nail salons, but also for places that offer full-b

There I was.  A nursing student in one of my third semester hospital rotations... watching a birth take place in the labor and delivery department.  I’m supposed to learn nursing stuff... you know... like how to administer medications and care for mom & baby etc.  But that day hit me a little more than just “nursing stuff”. This momma had been in labor for a couple hours now after being induced. She chose to have this baby unmedicated (no epidural), and was coping very well with the pain.  It came about time to push. Contractions became more frequent as the baby was about to enter into the world.  Momma looked exhausted and ready to be done. When the delivery doctor arrived, he quickly gowned up and got ready to do what he probably does every day.... deliver another baby. He had a flawless routine.  I remember wondering if he ever got tired of getting interrupted throughout his day when he would get called in to deliver a baby.  Then... his phone rang. I thought, sur

  Embrace Your Crutches Too often I would hear the words "ditch your crutches" when overcoming anxiety. For those with anxiety, you know what I mean. The common phrase:  "Stop leaning on your crutches" is often used in an attempt to help anxiety sufferers 'face their fears'; therefore overcoming anxiety in a swift manner. Although such a phrase was created with good intentions, instead, the results are more often discouraging, disheartening, and can even slow the healing process.  There's a reason why doctors recommend crutches for assisting patients to walk.  Could you imagine having a broken leg, tightly encased in a protective cast, and you were told to simply "ditch your crutches"? Not only would that slow the healing process, but it may even cause further injury.  My Safety Crutches Below is a list my crutches; some of which I have completely healed from and no longer need, while others I continue to use as they aid in my path to recover

My Experience With Anxiety I never would have considered myself an anxious person.  In fact, I would say that I coped with stress very well.  Like everyone else, I would get anxious every now and then when it came to things like taking an exam, applying for a new job, public speaking, etc.  It wasn't until August of 2019 that I had a panic attack (although I didn't know what it was at the time). I was in the kitchen at about 8pm prepping for my lunch to bring to school the following day. I was cutting an apple when I suddenly felt my heart leap out of my chest. It was the biggest heart palpitation I had ever felt.  Next, the vision in my left eye started to black out. I immediately felt the need to quickly sit on the ground in case I were to pass out. I shouted for my husband and told him something didn't feel right. I was very shaky, light-headed, and short of breath. We got some pillows and propped my feet up right there on the kitchen floor. I felt for a