Wellness

Have you ever decided that it was time to go to sleep but instead spent hours awake watching TV or finishing something you didn’t have enough time to complete during the day? If so, you may have engaged in what experts call revenge bedtime procrastination. What you’re doing is sacrificing sleep for leisure time. Putting off sleep? Revenge bedtime procrastination is much more l ...

The desire to belong and feel a sense of security and connection with others is a fundamental human need. If it wasn’t so important, we would all be living solitary lives. Instead, it is integral to how we organize ourselves: creating communities, families, groups, and organizations where people feel connected. There are three terms that come to mind when we think about the val ...

When we face a difficult problem, stress, or boredom, many of us turn to food. Food cravings can hit us when we’re at our weakest emotional points. If food is your comfort zone, you may struggle with your weight. The good news is that if you’re prone to stress eating, there are steps that you can take to get back on track. The mood-food-weight cycle Emotional eating is eating a ...

When I’m asked what healthcare should look like today and in the future, I think of my wife, Stacey Sheffield, MSN, APRN, AG-ACNP-BC, CEN. I know what she believes about how care should be delivered. I have been there with her when she was a patient and have had the honor of working with her at the bedside for almost 25 years. The idea of patient-centered care resonates with he ...

Have you ever had a good night’s sleep only to wake up still feeling exhausted? You see, sleep and rest are not the same thing. We tend to think that if we had a good night of sleep, then we’re well rested. The fact is, we are a population of chronically tired people, averaging 6.8 hours of sleep per night when adults actually need seven to eight hours per night. Because we lac ...

It’s a fact — social distancing lessens your risk of catching COVID-19. But some of us define social distancing as social isolation. “Physical distance” is more accurate. Even at a distance, we can be social. Samuel Cullison, MD, vice president of Graduate Medical Education at Methodist Health System, explains that humans are social creatures; our connection to others helps us ...

As COVID-19 affects every aspect of our lives, it’s more important than ever to focus on enhancing our physical and mental health. Staying well not only improves your immunity but also keeps you mentally sound during times of uncertainty and stress. Like now. In honor of Employee Health and Fitness Month, I encourage you to ask yourself what you can do to stay healthy during th ...

Is it even possible to ease stress, fear, and anxiety during this pandemic? I believe so. As a nurse, Registered Yoga Teacher, Mayo Certified Health Coach, and certified Mindfulness Trainer, I help people minimize stress and maximize wellness every day. And I know it can be done. It just takes a bit of focus and practice. For example, let’s say that you’re a mom or dad, you can ...

Food is the sustenance of life with many types and many ways to prepare it. Unfortunately, in today’s fast-paced, gotta-have-it-now society, fast food has become a way of life for many with drive-throughs delivering high-fat, high-calorie items to millions of Americans. While the goal is to eat to live and sustain a happy, healthy life, for many, food is a challenge. I saw this ...

We’ve seen it time and again. When the very worst happens, the very best in humanity emerges. The aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma spotlight the goodness and kindness of those who selflessly pitch in to help others in need. Over the past few weeks, this phenomenon has been demonstrated again in Houston and Beaumont, across the southeast coastline of Texas, and throughout ...

Om. When was the last time you’ve given yourself the opportunity for a zen moment at your place of work? Now you can at the new meditation garden at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center. The garden provides a physical space for employees to take a moment away from the stress of their jobs and gain much-needed respite and rejuvenation. We believe that keeping our patients’ care at ...

I think King Julien from the “Madagascar” movies has the right idea for a 2015 resolution — move it! Making the New Year an active one could well be one of the healthiest ways to pave the road ahead. Research has shown the overwhelming positive effects of regular activity. It doesn’t have to be a marathon, though. A casual bike ride or a walk around the neighborhood with a frie ...

Don’t let the roasted turkey, homemade dressing, and pumpkin pie get you off balance this Thanksgiving. Instead of stuffing yourself at one huge meal packed with carbohydrates and sugar that can wreak havoc on diabetes and other health issues, plan to eat smaller portions of healthier foods throughout the day instead. When you do sit down to eat your Thanksgiving meal, take tim ...

Sherrie Amanda What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago? “I can complete a full strengthening workout class taught by Ginnie and walk up and down the stairs from the basement to the fourth floor and not feel like I’m going to die.”  “I am now able to run or workout and maintain my stamina without having to rest or even completely stop a ...

Glenda   Joei  What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago?  “My clothes fit much better. I even had to buy smaller sizes. I can also work a whole shift without feeling dead tired.”   “I have less back pain. I am able to run around with my child without back problems.” What is the most significant change that you have made in your eating habits? ...

  Carol   Katie  What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago? “I now slow down and look at my choices. Avoiding impulse decisions helps me make healthier selections. Even though it seems I’m always in a hurry, I’m better at choosing options that are quick, but healthy.” “I am more aware of my strengths and limitations. I have learned more a ...

Rosharion Vivian What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago? “I can exercise for an hour or longer without feeling exhausted. I can wear clothes from my closet that I have not worn in the last year. I can also wear clothes that are a size smaller.” “I went shopping for uniforms and I was able to buy a smaller size. It has been a while sinc ...

                                            Debra   Angela*  What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago?  “I bought three pairs of jeans a year ago that were too tight to wear three months ago. Today, they fit perfect ...

John   Lisa What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago? “I can say no to foods that I don’t need to eat. In addition to this achievement, I can eat less when I do decide to eat something.” “Because of the lifestyle changes that I have been able to make and incorporate into my life, such as eating breakfast on a more regular basis, I’ve noticed a ...

Ema Steve What can you do now that you couldn’t do three months ago? “I’ve learned to eat smaller portions and still feel satisfied. I can now run more than three miles at a time.” “I can plank for two minutes!” What is the most significant change that you have made in your eating habits?  “One of the biggest changes has been becoming more aware of porti ...