Employee Health

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 ...

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 ...

Have you finished your holiday shopping? Are the cards out? Gifts mailed? Ready for the upcoming family get-together?  If not, take heart. You’re not alone. ’Tis the season of excess and stress — and balancing a hectic personal life with your professional life can be overwhelming. The good news is there’s no need to stress over excess if you remember that sometimes less is more ...

As vice president of Pastoral Services for Methodist Health System, I see grief on a daily basis. Grieving patients. Grieving families. Grieving staff and first responders. With the tragic events of the past few weeks, it seems that the city of Dallas and the nation as a whole are enveloped by grief. The Oxford Dictionary defines grief as, “deep sorrow, especially caused by som ...

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 ...

At Methodist Health System, we care. We care for our patients and their families. And we care for each other. In fact, many feel that our deep, unwavering compassion is one of the defining characteristics of our culture that sets us apart from other health care organizations. At the heart of this philosophy is the Basic Employee Needs (BEN) Fund. Administered by Methodist’s hum ...

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 ...

By Beth Leermakers Wellness Coach Methodist Health System Not feeling so jolly this holiday season? Has a good dose of ice and cold given you cabin fever? Do you have visions of palm trees and white sandy beaches dancing in your head? There’s a lot to stress us out this time of year. Battling the weather, pressures of shopping, and balancing a hectic personal life with your pr ...

By Carrie Camin Assistant Vice President, Wellness Methodist Health System There’s nothing like the first cold snap — which for Dallas means our temperatures drop below 90 degrees — that sends many people to the kitchen for fall baking. After all, Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Celebrating the fall harvest means richer flavors, but it doesn’t have to mean that these ...

By Carrie Camin Assistant Vice President, Wellness Methodist Health System I know I’m running the risk of being perceived as the witch who wrecked Halloween or the apparition that applied logic to ghoulish fun, but I have a theory. I believe you can celebrate Halloween and fall festivals without consuming a year’s worth of sugar and calories in one night. Having a happy, healt ...

By Carrie Camin, Assistant Vice President, Wellness The I am Methodist Health Live Well, Shine Bright wellness program is a 12-week program that ran from January 8 through March 29, 2013. It included 10 employees who were selected from 75 applicants to be health ambassadors and complete the three-month healthy makeover program. Goal: The goal of the I am Methodist Health progra ...

By Beth Leermakers Employee Health Coach Methodist Mansfield Medical Center and Methodist Charlton Medical Center Want to shed some pounds? Ready to start an exercise program? These are great intentions, but what I’ve discovered is that when employees initially come to me to discuss weight loss or exercise, within five minutes the conversation invariably turns to stress. That’ ...

By Joslyn Pribble Joslyn is a manager in Pathology at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.  1.   What’s the most important takeaway you’ve learned in this program that you’ll use to stay on track for the rest of your life? The most important thing I learned is that I CAN DO this. Any doubts I had about my abilities have been erased as I realize that I am stronger than I ever re ...