Challenge Tips

It's day 10 of the Renew Challenge .   As a nurse, you’re constantly helping others. It’s part of your job. But taking care of patients at work is different than a random act of kindness. Science shows that helping others boosts feel-good hormones like serotonin and dopamine. It increases empathy and smiling and counteracts the effects of the stress ...

It's day 9 of the Renew Challenge .   Every little bit helps because life-extending benefits of physical activity add up. One study found that short bursts of vigorous exercise are just as good as longer bouts of exercise. We’re talking something small — how about taking a 15-minute walk outdoors before starting your day? Or taking a quick morning ...

It's day 8 of the Renew Challenge .   Did you know that focusing on gratitude — even when life gets tough — can make you healthier and happier? It’s good not just for your mind, but for your body, too. How Gratitude Changes You and Your Brain Take 5 minutes to jot down a list of everything you’re grateful for. Aim for 10 items, but if you can think of more, go for it. ...

It's day 7 of the Renew Challenge .   As a nurse, you’re busy. You’re taking care of others all day, but that doesn’t mean you’re meeting the Department of Health and Human Services ’ recommendation to strength train at least two times a week. Every minute counts. One study from the University of Utah found that small bursts of exercise throughout the day ...

It's day 6 of the Renew Challenge .   Your thoughts when you wake up can make or break the rest of your day. If you begin the day with a negative mindset, you’ll probably go through the day feeling pessimistic.  Positive thinking is simply a mental and emotional attitude of expecting good results. Many people confuse positive thinking with optimistic ...

It's day 5 of the Renew Challenge .   It’s refreshing to tell someone how much you appreciate them. Choose a person in your life who means a lot to you. Sit down and write them a note. It can be as long or short as you’d like. Before you write a word, close your eyes and envision this person in your mind. As you see them in front of you, breathe in and out slowly. Think ...

It's day 4 of the Renew Challenge . Reviving your life requires peace of mind. Meditation is an ideal way to clear the mind in a short amount of time.  If you are seeking a dynamic meditation practice, walking meditation, also known as mindful walking, requires you to move in the environment.  It reaps many of the same benefits of traditional meditation. ...

It's day 3 of the Renew Challenge . Consider signing up for a fun workout class.  Who says exercise has to be boring? There are many fun group classes popping up and many times the first class is free. They’re so unique and amusing, you may not even realize you’re burning calories. Indulge your inner ballerina at Barre or Aerobarre® classes, or use your love ...

It's day 2 of the Renew Challenge . Today's focus is on moving more while decluttering, and we are going to start small.  Studies show that when homes are well-organized, occupants are happier and more at ease. Also, did you know that cleaning your house is an example of moderate exercise? Vacuuming the floors, taking out the trash, and making the beds are ...

Today is day 1 of the Renew Challenge . To begin this challenge, first let’s set your intentions . Everything that happens begins with intention. How are you doing with your fitness this year? Are you moving more?  Trying new activities? Are you feeling stuck and need motivation to keep going? Or do you need to forgive yourself for dropping the ball? Let us ...

Check out our 2024 challenges!   Month Challenge Topic January Find Your Balance in 2024 February Your heart needs love too! Sponsored by Humana March Nutrition Challenge,    Powered by support from Compass One Healthcare April Quality of Life/Safety Challenge ...

It's day 10 of the  Healthy Sleep  challenge. Think about what prevents you from getting quality sleep and see what you can do to change it. Have trouble sleeping when light filters through your window? Use room-darkening shades. Too much noise coming from another area of the house? Invest in a white noise machine or earplugs.   Find this helpful? Let us ...

It's day 9 of the  Healthy Sleep  challenge. Just like caffeine can interfere with sleep, so can H20. Although water is important and you should be sipping it throughout the day, try to limit how much you drink in the 2 hours before bed. Drinking too much of any liquid can make you wake often to use the bathroom and contribute to a restless sleep.  Find ...

It's day 8 of the  Healthy Sleep  challenge.   If you're headed home from a shift tonight, please don't drive when drowsy. ANA’s Nurse Fatigue Position Statement recommends that nurses never drive when drowsy. Take naps, use caffeine if needed, call a cab or family member, or sleep at work until you are rested enough to drive home. Learn more on how you and ...

It's day 7 of the Healthy Sleep  challenge.  Just like you may set an alarm to wake up, set an alarm to remind you to wind down and go to bed at a reasonable hour. It’s easy to feel tempted to stay up late since that may be the only time you get to yourself, but “future you” will be thankful that you hit the sack at an earlier hour! Find this helpful? Let us know here ...

It's day 6 of the Healthy Sleep  challenge.    Many nurses rely on naps to feel refreshed during shifts. Napping is a healthy way to catch up on sleep, but keep your snooze to a 20-minute catnap or less. Anything more than that can cause you to toss and turn when it’s time to go to bed. And always check your organization’s policy on napping while at work. Find ...