Nursing News

Welcome to October! Where did the summer go? The days are getting shorter and nights are cooler and darker. October is the month we think of our emotional health; winter months can be tough. There are many reasons people feel a little down this time of year, they call this “the winter blues”. People need to start thinking of their emotional wellness and how to keep their minds healthy as much as their physical health, exercise or nutrition.

Here are some ways to maintain your emotional dimension of wellness. 1) Manage stress, find your niche, be it exercise or planning a friends’ day or just pamper yourself with a massage reserving time for you. 2) Be practical about your responsibilities and what you can feasibly accomplish (know that you can say “No” to request from family or friends). Set realistic goals and priorities, and tackle what needs to be done first. 3) Be positive, don’t get caught up in the day to day negativity. Write and talk with positive affirmations. Surround yourself with positive people. 4) Accept mistakes, they are inevitable. No one is perfect. Acknowledge when you have done wrong, accept it, and then move on. 5) Adopt the concept of “this too shall pass”. The only constant thing in life is change, try not to dwell on things and look for the light at the end of the tunnel and 6) Accept support when you need it, ask for help or guidance when you need it and get plenty of exercise, sunlight, and eat a healthy diet for a complete emotional wellness.

Maya Angelou said “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude”

Have a great winter!

Lisa Gerleman

Interim Director of Nursing, MDS coordinator