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Spread The Love 2795

It's day 5 of the  Bring in the Joy  challenge.  When you do experience joy, share it! Studies suggest that telling others about your positive experiences can make them happier too. When other people tell you about their good times, soak it in. So talk about fun times with your coworkers, friends, loved ones or us on  Facebook ! Post pictures on social ...

Plan Your Next Vacation 2792

It's day 4 of the  Bring in the Joy  challenge.  Taking vacation is good for your health and well-being. And it’s not just the time off work, but also anticipating your trip that makes it so joyful. Even if you’re not ready to plan your vacation, start thinking of where you’d like to go and what you’d like to do. Not ready for a weeklong trip? Then add something ...

Take A Break 2783

It's day 3 of the  Bring in the Joy  challenge.  To allow joy in, you need space for it. Schedule an activity this week that will give you a restful break. Read a magazine while getting a pedicure or foot massage, spend time in nature, or even cancel an activity that you don’t want to do and get some rest instead. Our discussion  has some great tips on how to take ...

What's Funny? 2763

It's day 2 of the  Bring in the Joy  challenge.  We want funny things to just happen and crack us up, but there’s no guarantee that will happen every day — unless you actively look for things that make you laugh.  Seek out the funny.  Here are some ideas: Search YouTube for funny TV shows or late-night monologues. Find a good meme or video online ( here's one! ...

What's On Your “makes-me-happy” List? 2756

It's day 1 of the  Bring in the Joy  challenge. Before you can add more joy to your life, you need to know what makes you joyful. Today, grab a sheet of paper and pen and jot down 10 things that truly fill you up. What do you love to do? Your list may include getting a massage, spending time with a friend, or dancing to a favorite song. Try to come up with unique, yet ...

Take A Pet Photo Op 2734

It's day 5 of the  Pets to De-Stress  challenge.  Today’s mission is to take a picture of any cute animal you see — your own or someone else’s. Keep it on your phone for a quick hit of those feel-good hormones whenever you need a boost. Post a picture of an animal that makes you smile on Facebook  group. Find this helpful? Share it with a nurse you know by using ...

Make An Animal Happy 2722

It's day 4 of the  Pets to De-Stress  challenge.  To make yourself and an animal in your life happier, do something extra kind. If you own a pet, buy a new toy, serve their favorite food, or play a fun game with them. Or start exercising together! Owning a pet (a dog in particular) automatically adds more activity to your life, since they will need to be walked ...

Have You Signed Up For A Pet Experience? 2708

It's day 3 of the  Pets to De-Stress  challenge.  Not ready for pet ownership?  You can still add animals to your life to boost your happiness and reduce stress. Try these ideas: Volunteer at an animal shelter Sign up to be a dog walker or pet sitter through Wag , Rover , or similar apps Offer to walk a neighbor’s dog or care for their pets whenever they’re ...

Schedule An Animal Excursion! 2693

It's day 2 of the  Pets to De-Stress  challenge.  Today we want you to think about  scheduling an animal excursion.  You don’t have to physically touch animals to reap the stress-reducing benefits. Today, think about where you can go when you need an animal antidote for stress. Then find time on your calendar this week to get there. Try some of these ...

Find Time For Play! 2672

It's day 1 of the  Pets to De-Stress  challenge.  If you already own a pet, you have a natural stress-reliever right in your home! But think about the last time you truly played with your pet. It’s easy to get caught up in life and just quickly let your dog out in the backyard or give your cat a cursory rub when you fill her food dish. Today, spend 15 minutes ...

Express Your Gratitude 2604

It's day 4 of the G et Your Gratitude On  challenge. Although feeling thankful can boost your mood and health, research suggests that telling or showing someone you appreciate them or their actions can make you feel even happier. Plus, the act of expressing gratitude may boost the bond between you and that person. Today, when you’re feeling grateful to a ...

Find The Bright Side 2593

It's day 3 of the G et Your Gratitude On  challenge. Take a few minutes to think about the times in your life when you’ve faced a hardship or had a tough experience. Then see if you can find a silver lining in the situation . For example, maybe you were laid off and it paved the way to finding a job you love. Whatever it is, taking time to flip the script and see good ...

Be Specific! 2590

It's day 2 of the G et Your Gratitude On  challenge. It’s easy (and tempting) to list the same big things you’re grateful for again and again – your health, your family, your job! But experts say being specific is key . Instead of writing down that you’re thankful for your life, recall a specific moment you appreciated. Maybe you helped a struggling new mom ...

What Are You Thankful For Today? 2584

It's day 1 of the G et Your Gratitude On  challenge. We’re all overwhelmed, so most of us aren’t feeling 100 percent grateful, 100 percent of the time – and that’s OK. Select a certain time of day – as soon as you wake up and right before bed are good options – to put three things on your gratitude list . Thinking about the special things in your life just might be ...

Inspire! 2564

It's day 10 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana .     It’s the final day of our challenge and we want to hear from you! Tell us why you are inspired to make a difference and what actions you’ve taken or will take. Sign our commitment wall . Post those photos from your Turkey Trot in our Facebook group . Let us know what you have ...

Happy Thanksgiving! 2556

It's day 9 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana .  Happy Thanksgiving! Turkey Trotting today? Fuel up with a healthy breakfast and snacks! Even if you aren’t running, a good morning meal will keep you from reaching for that extra serving of pumpkin pie later. Here are some ideas: A banana with peanut butter Oatmeal with ...

Turkey Trotting Tomorrow? Set Yourself Up For Success. 2551

It's day 8 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Turkey Trotting Tomorrow? Set Yourself Up for Success.   Have you picked out your event day outfit? We recommend dressing in layers. You’ll stay warm and can easily peel off a layer at a time when you start to overheat. Start with a light weight material for your first layer.  ...

Train In Intervals 2546

It's day 7 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . If you are signed up for an event, take a moment to think about your current fitness routine. Do you walk leisurely on your lunch break? Jog before heading into work? Take a spin class in the evening? Whatever your routine, commit to building on it with interval training . There are ...

Think Outside Of The Box! 2511

It's day 6 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Walking, racing or biking not your thing? There are plenty of other ways to get active and support a cause.  Think outside of the box! Volunteer at a local park or recreational center as a guide, referee, or other helper. Help build a playground or deliver meals to the homebound. ...

Recruit Some Friends 2466

It's day 5 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Today's tip is  recruit some friends.   Reach out to friends, coworkers, or family members to see if they’d like to take on the challenge and support a cause too. Having buddies to train with or even just to share words of encouragement with can help keep you motivated. Maybe you ...

Put It In Writing! 2456

It's day 4 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Now that you’ve spent some time thinking about causes to support, it’s time to pair that passion with action! Today, we challenge you to commit to an event or an activity over the next year. Here are some examples:   The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training : They train ...

Get App-y 2448

It's day 3 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Haven't found a Turkey Trot near you? Consider participating virtually. Commit to running, walking, or biking 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) on Thanksgiving Day. Different fitness apps feature a variety of tools: You can map out your route in advance, join virtual races, and even ...

Find Your Cause 2440

It's day 1 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Today’s activity is a mental one: find your cause.   Take some time to think about issues that are important to you. When looking for a cause to get behind, consider: Illnesses or disease that have had an impact on your family, friends, or patients Ways to support certain ...

Put It Out Of Mind 2426

It's day 5 of the Healthy Sleep  challenge.    What is it about nighttime that makes us think of everything we have to do the next day and week ahead? Think about keeping a pen and notepad on the nightstand.  Tonight, write down what you need to do, put it out of your mind for the night, and refer to it in the morning instead of worrying. Consider making ...

Castoff Caffeine 2418

It's day 3 of the Healthy Sleep  challenge.  Today's tip is castoff caffeine.   Although caffeine can give you the boost you need to power through a long day or shift, studies suggest you should cut off caffeine consumption 6 hours before you plan to turn in for the night. Just like caffeine can interfere with sleep, so can water. Although drinking water is ...

Slow down Before Bed 2413

It's day 4 of the Healthy Sleep  challenge. Today's tip is slow down before bed.   Stressful conversations, suspenseful TV shows, or intense exercise before bed can cause you to toss and turn. Instead, relax during the hour before going to bed with these ideas:     Meditation   Stretching  Doing deep breathing  Taking a bath  How do you ...

Turkey Trot For A Cause 2412

It's day 2 of the Move for a Cause  challenge, powered by support from Humana . Today's tip is  Turkey Trot for a Cause.  Are you signed up for a Turkey Trot this year? It’s not too late! Turkey Trots can be a great way to support a cause, get moving and connect with members of your community. Imagine the sense of accomplishment you’d feel sitting down to ...

Is Your Bedroom A Tech-free Zone? 2407

It's day 2 of the Healthy Sleep  challenge. Today's tip is  make your bedroom a tech-free zone.    The blue light from smartphones, television, and other electronics stimulates the body.  Watch TV in a room other than the bedroom. Keep cell phones away from where you sleep. Designate a charging station in your home and have all family members put ...

Rest Between Shifts 2389

It's day 1 of the  Healthy Sleep  challenge. It may seem like a no-brainer, but always make sure you have enough time to get adequate rest in between shifts. Take your commuting time and any childcare responsibilities into account before determining your schedule. If your work schedule seems too tight for you to truly rest, talk to your manager about ...

Try The 4:7:8 Technique 2327

It's day 9 of the Stress Less  challenge. Controlled breathing can promote feelings of relaxation and calm while reducing stress. Today's tip is try the 4:7:8 technique . Slowly inhale over four counts, hold the breath for a count of seven, then exhale for a count of eight. Repeat the process three times in a row to calm and center yourself. You can also try ...

Count Your Blessings 2326

It's day 10 of the Stress Less  challenge, the last day of our challenge. We hope you’ll use these techniques to keep stress at bay and help you relax whenever you need them. Today's tip is  count your blessings.  Joy and gratitude are inextricably linked. The more you give thanks for what you have, the happier and less stressed you’ll be. In fact, there ...

Schedule A Mani-pedicure Or Massage 2319

It's day 8 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is  schedule a mani-pedi or a massage. You don’t have to drop everything and do it today, but schedule it. When we’re busy and overwhelmed, we tend to set little indulgences aside. A pedicure, in particular, is great since there are more nerve endings per square centimeter in the foot than in any other ...

Take A Tech Break 2305

It's day 7 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is take a tech break. Between texts, emails, and social media, it’s easy to be glued to your smartphone. But, all of that time you spend looking at a screen can prevent you from being in the moment. Make certain times of day tech-free – maybe during family meals or in the hour before you go to sleep. Consider ...

Laugh! 2303

It's day 6 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is laugh! We’ve all heard the saying, “laughter is the best medicine.” Well, research confirms laughter can help you feel relaxed and reduce physical symptoms of stress. Let’s help each other get a good laugh: Post a funny meme, joke, photo, or article that made you laugh in our  Facebook group ,  ...

Tap It Out! 2276

It's day 5 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is tap it out. Tapping (AKA Emotional Freedom Technique) involves a series of tapping meridian points on the head and body after acknowledging and rating a specific issue you wish to rectify such as pain, stress, or anxiety. Research shows tapping has been effective in reducing anxiety in nursing ...

Join The Movement Contest and Existing HNHN Participants 2275

Thank you for participating in our community! We are so glad you are here.   We have entered all Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation Connect Community members into our Join the Movement contest to win the prizes below. What do you need to do? If you have already created an account and joined Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation, you do not need to do anything at all to ...

Strike A (yoga) Pose! 2268

It's day 4 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is try yoga. In addition to physical benefits, studies suggest yoga practice can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Today try some of these beginner poses or this 10-minute beginner yoga routine to reap the benefits. Let us know about your experience with yoga in our  challenge thread . Don't ...

Have You Tried Meditating? 2262

It's day 3 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is try meditating. Research suggests meditation may reduce stress and anxiety while boosting feelings of happiness and well-being. It’s surprisingly easy to do too. Use our Beginner’s Guide to Meditation to get started. Let us know about your experience with meditation in our  challenge thread ...

Taking Work Stress Home With You? 2234

  It's day 2 of the Stress Less  challenge. Today's tip is make meaningful transitions. Whether you feel stressed at home, at work, or just everywhere this time of year, take a few moments to decompress before you transition to a new environment. Play a favorite song before you get out of the car or take a few deep breaths before you walk through your front ...

Make The Most Of The Time You Have 2232

It's day 1 of the Stress Less  challenge, . Today's tip is try to squeeze self-care into your shift whenever you can . Working non-stop during your shift isn’t good for your health. Make the most of the time you have. Try some of these Take deep belly breaths while charting Close your eyes and do a two-minute meditation Use breaks as an opportunity to take ...

What Are You Signed Up For? 2219

  It's day 14 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is sign up for a fitness event.  Even if you train and exercise on your own, consider signing up for a 5K, an obstacle course race, bike ride, or even a fitness class or intramural team sport. These events can be fun and create an opportunity for time spent with coworkers, ...

Welcome To The Movement 2214

Congratulations! You are now part of a movement of individuals with a focus on healthy living. Ready to take advantage of the many free resources brought you by Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation™? Take two minutes and register now ! When you do, you get immediate access to: Health surveys with customized results and recommendations Fun and engaging ...

How Much Are You Sitting? 2212

It's day 13 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is activate your work set-up.  The Mayo Clinic reports that spending too much time sitting can lead to obesity and other health problems. How can you make changes to your sitting routine at work? Try sitting on an exercise ball while you work to engage and strengthen the ...

Banish Mindless Snacking. 2207

It's day 12 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is be careful when snacking.  Avoid eating out of boredom or procrastination when at home. It’s easy to find yourself heading to the fridge every time you’re stumped on a work project or feeling overwhelmed.  In a clinical setting a break after a rush can also lead to ...

Swap happy hour for fitness fun 2204

It's day 11 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is swap happy hour for fitness fun. It's important to connect with colleagues after work, but instead of meeting for drinks, suggest some active ways to spend time as a group instead. Ideas could include creating a company softball or bowling team, going to a batting ...

Make Meetings Active 2200

It's day 10 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is make meetings active Take a walk while you catch up on phone calls. Need to put in some face time with a colleague or client? Skip coffee or lunch and suggest meeting for a walk in a local park, a hike, or a driving range to burn calories and use your muscles while you talk ...

Let Fido Help You Get Fit! 2195

It's day 9 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is let Fido help you get fit.  Instead of letting your dog out in your backyard or letting someone else in your house walk your pet, do it yourself. A 15-minute or brisk walk will be good for you and your pup. Can't leave the house? Consider a play session. Post a photo of you and ...

Get (virtual) Fitness Buddies 2186

It's day 8 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is get (virtual) fitness buddies.  Do you know other people who want to be more active as well? Share encouraging emails or texts and give each other virtual high fives after a workout. Meet other nurses committed to getting healthy in our Healthy Nurse, Healthy ...

Pencil It In ! 2177

It's day 7 of the Move More! challenge, powered by support from Humana. Today's tip is pencil in time for fitness . Schedule time to be active. When you’re planning out your day, include time to take a walk or to hit up a class at the gym. Try to time it for a point in the day when you notice your energy slumping. Getting in a workout can help you come back to your ...

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Most Recent Comments

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I absolutely LOVE being around water. Being in a swimming pool, floating on my back with my ears under the water, staring up at the sky…… Im basically in heaven!! One of my all time favorite memories is when I had my own private balcony next to the ocean in Cancun Mex., and I left the door open every night to feel the ocean breeze and hear the waves…. again, heaven...

yes meditating while walking is great! You're active, but getting relaxed at the same time!

it also works for me.  I use it to talk to God and it works. It is relaxing and soothing. 

I did the standing calf raises, the push ups and took the stairs between documenting on patients. 

Taking care of self is not always easy, so today I challenge myself to indulge in Self Care. Be Well!