Stress SmartsHealthy Coping Skills for

Unhealthy

Theresa McGuire, RN, MREM, COHN(c), CRSP

Who?

Bad stuff about stress

GOOD stuff we can do to cope

Resilience

What’s on today’s plate?

Body’s way of responding to any kind of demand

If excessive, may cause the bad stuff…

increased pulse/ blood pressure, shallow, fast breathing

Headaches/ muscle aches

Panic, fear, anger, sadness, irritability, apathy

Lack of concentration, fatigue, anxiety, depression

GI upset, insomnia or early awakening

Psychosocial effects on family, friends, coworkers

What? Where?

,

Resilience

Be the Bouncing Ball

12 easy everyday tips

for healthy coping

Good stuff

Yoga is great but there are other options….

Self worth

Give ourselves permission

I don’t have time for Yoga!!!!!

Conscious breathing

Deep belly breathes

Count slowly to 5, exhale

Repeat often !

Breathe

Progressive Muscle Relaxation, 2 min per cycle

Sitting in traffic

On the bus

On a bench

In a bed

Anywhere

PMR

Patch Adams

Movie night, in or out

Laughter is the best medicine

Crazy Busy!!!!

Laughter Clubs

Posters, internet

Respectful and Appropriate in the Workplace

Humour

Science of Colour Psychology to affect mood

Clothing, paint, home, accessories

blue green yellow purple grey red orange black

Colour therapy

Priorities- Become a Priority in your own life

Perspective- What’s the worst thing that could happen?

Present- Easier to be anywhere else sometimes!

Mindfulness vsCatastrophophising

PPP

shift work challenges

sleep hygiene

brain and tissue regeneration

Sleep

Effects of cortisol build up

Endorphins released

Walk around the block

1o minutes for mood

Stairway to sanity

Exercise

Vitamin N

Sunshine, Natural light, clouds, snowflakes

trees, flowers

birdwatching, wildlife

water, still or running

Focus all the senses

sounds, smells, textures

Biophilia

Music, country, jazz, pop, rock

Match the beat and vocals

to suit mood

Dance as if no one is watching

Music

Nutrition/ vitamins- carbs and protein

Vitamin B, C, D, Omega 3

Stay hydrated, dehydration

strains the brain

Water, fruit juices

Tea, coffee, chocolate, herbal teas

Good food and drink

Lavender- soothing

Mint-refreshing

Lemon –energizing

Showers and Baths

Candles and lotions at home

Aromatherapy

Lowers blood pressure

Act of nurturing

Bonus of exercise with dogs

Humour of their antics

Cats, dogs, fish, birds

Pet therapy

" Health isn't just the absence of illness or pain, it's also physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual fitness - in short it’s about the joy of being alive” Richard Louv (2010)

Here’s to you and a joyful life!

Questions???

Thank you!