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Here’s an interesting wellness fact we would like to share with you: consuming more vegetables is associated with a lower risk of death! But did you know that our method of cooking vegetables usually drains them of their nutritious value? 

Here is a suggested recipe that contains the recommended daily amount of vegetables to keep cancer or heart disease away: 

  1. 8 whole kale leaves
  2. 1 large cucumber
  3. a bunch of parsley
  4. a head of lettuce
  5. 1 pear
  6. 1 lemon
  7. a large handful of spinach
  8. a piece of ginger. 

How would you eat these? Salad? Tea? Snack? Smoothie. Not so easy to consume in one sitting. TRY JUICING! We know that employees in the long-term care industry are extremely busy and have limited time to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. Juicing can offer a perfect balance of nutrition and free time. Juicing is the easiest way to consume a large number of vegetables and fruits in one sitting; just by squeezing all different ingredients together! 

In addition, the juice is much more delicious than a single vegetable dish. Furthermore, juicing accelerates the delivery of nutrients to our bloodstream, and turns out to have remarkable advantages on our body and cognitive function. 

Our body is able to assimilate nutrients in 15 minutes when you have fresh vegetable and fruit juice, compared to a solid meal that may take over 2 hours! That’s because juicing is able to extract the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, chlorophyll, enzymes and phytochemicals from solid fruits and vegetables to liquid form so our body can absorb these nutrients almost instantly.

Need some tips on juicing? Here we go!
  1. Thoroughly wash all vegetables and fruits before you squeeze them. 
  2. Add more vegetables and keep fruit content low. We know fruits taste better than vegetables, but they also contain much more sugar! Try to incorporate cucumber, courgette or lettuce, they are low in sugar, but high in vitamins.
  3. Try to choose organic food to squeeze in order to avoid pesticide exposure.

We just shared our favourite juice recipe with you. Do you have your own exclusive juicing recipe that you find both easy to prepare and healthy? Share with CareStory in the comments…we’d love to hear!

REFERENCES:
Huffpost


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To all of our beloved caregivers, how long has it been since you allowed yourself to feel everything you feel during a day, a week, or even a month of caregiving?

Some of us go years holding onto energy that isn’t ours. Well, guess what, it’s time to start releasing it. Because that stuff is heavy. How does this show up? BURNOUT! The Ontario Caregiver Organization states that nearly 60% of caregivers experience burnout, with symptoms including depression, constant headaches, sleep disturbances, irritability, emotional dysregulation, and digestive issues, to name a few.

Let’s take a look at some QUICK and CONVENIENT ways to get that energy moving, shall we? Try some self-care activities together!

Try self-foot reflexology!

Research published in the Journal Korean Academy of Nursing shows that self-foot reflexology could reduce pain, stress and depression. Soaking your feet in hot water and mineral salts, and massaging your big toes’ base can minimize headaches caused by burnout.

Listen to podcasts on your commute!

Many people listen to podcasts and use them as a form of entertainment. Based on that, you can listen to your favourite podcasts and create a better state of mind for yourself. Some sample podcasts are “Feeling Good Podcast” by Dr. David Burns and “Tell Me What You’re Proud Of” by Dr. Maggie Perry.

Write down and celebrate small achievements every day!

At the end of each day, you should celebrate yourself for completing different tasks during the day. For example, completing your to-do list on time, receiving compliments from colleagues, getting along well with the seniors, etc. Please tell yourself every day that you are fantabulous! Take this one step further and write out all the negative feelings you’ve felt: the frustration, the annoyance, the insecurity: anything that we don’t like to admit that we feel.

Sleep in on your day off!

If you feel overwhelmed, you need rest, and the weekend is the perfect time to relax! Turn off your alarm and wake up naturally, and then do activities that you really enjoy. Watching TV series, reading, exercising, painting, cooking, etc. I know days off are for errands a lot of the time, but schedule afternoon appointments. Give yourself permission to rest.

So tell us, how are you feeling today? Remember to try the self-care activities and tell us your changes!

REFERENCES:
GR8NESS
Relax The Feet
Verywellhealth


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Happy Wednesday caregivers! We are accustomed to taking care of others, however, we often put our health on the back burner. Caring for yourself is one of the most important things, but caregivers often forget about it. Start from now, and spend more time on your own fitness, nutrition and other needs! Let’s check some fun wellness activities for caregivers together XD!

Walking Meetings

Make sure you’re not all sitting in a chair during the day. Get up from your chair, take a walk outside and move throughout the day! Some fresh air can help you stimulate your creativity. Set aside 10-15 minutes a day to go for a walk. Trust me, exercise is always helpful.

Meditation Breaks

We know that caregiving is challenging and sometimes, overwhelming, therefore, stress management is crucial for caregivers. Whenever you feel stressed, take a deep breath and then take a ten-minute break for meditation. You can also just close your eyes and implement “no-talk times” during the day. Try it, it can help you de-stress and refocus your energy so that you can become more productive afterwards.

Healthy Recipe Sharing

Healthy eating is just as essential as fitness for maintaining your wellness. But for caregivers, we probably do not have enough time to prepare fancy nutritious meals for ourselves. Find healthy meal recipes that take 10 minutes to prepare. During the lunch break, chat with your colleagues and share your recipes! Could be an avocado egg sandwich, tuna, kale and spinach salad, etc. Discover your creative side and generate some easy healthy meal ideas! 

Have more ideas? Share with us! Please comment below with the caregivers’ wellness activities you have attended or you would like to try! CareStory wants to hear from you!

REFERENCES:
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rise People
Walder Wellness


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Good morning care staff! Did you get enough sleep last night? Did you eat a hearty breakfast? (No, coffee is not an adequate breakfast). We know that you have designed plenty of tailored care plans and activities for seniors, but what are yours? What are your self-care techniques?

The Facts

Research conducted by the Ontario Caregiver Organization mentioned that 77% of caregivers are dealing with challenges in their mental health, however, it’s difficult for them to find mental health support. As a result, 43% of caregivers are dealing with feelings of isolation and loneliness, which drastically increased during the pandemic. Now is the time to start taking better care of your body, soul, and mind, so we have some self-care tools you can check out to relieve some stress.

Mindfulness

First, let’s talk about the practise that seems to be one of the main focuses right now when it comes to self-care and self-awareness: mindfulness. Mindfulness can help individuals regulate negative emotions and build emotional strength, which is exactly what we need when we are taking care of others.

As an effective stress-management tool, studies at The Gerontologist, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology show that mindfulness meditations can improve negative emotions experienced by caregivers all over the world. For instance, depression, stress, anxiety, isolation and sleep issues can all be improved with mindful practises.

Even if meditation isn’t your thing because you find your mind takes you too many places (yes, it is a skill), you can try simple things to get you started and self aware in the present moment. For example, have a look around and start naming everything you see, hear, and smell. 

Thymus Thump

Next, let’s talk about the Thymus Thump. Have you heard of it? We haven’t up until recently. The best way to describe it would be to call it the happiness point. The happiness point can assist to release fear, neutralize negative energy, and relax mentally and physically. How? Well, simply tap the thymus point (under the collar bone, in front of the heart, behind the sternum) for about 30 seconds to receive new energy! Amazing right?

Acupuncture

Finally, let’s take a look at acupuncture. Acupuncture, is a traditional Chinese medicine practice. It inserts thin needles into specific points to stimulate nerves and muscles, which can seem daunting, but honestly, you can’t feel a thing. The pressure caused by the needles helps the body to balance and heal itself, and relieves stress, anxiety, depression and insomnia. 

Have different self-care techniques? Please feel free to share your techniques with CareStory! Want to become better at caring for others? Start with caring for yourself first!

REFERENCES:
http://www.balancedhealthclinic.co.uk/articles/19-the-thymus-thump
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/about-oco/about-ontarios-caregivers/
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/OCO-Spotlight-report-English-Dec10.pdf
https://ontariocaregiver.ca/whats-your-self-care-plan/
https://vimeo.com/443464579 


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Do you ever feel guilty that you’re not doing enough for the seniors you need to care for? Maybe (and by maybe, we mean definitely), you also feel that there aren’t enough hours in the day? Yeah, us too.

The Guilt

We’re in the caregiving industry; we try our best to take care of our seniors. However, sometimes, it just doesn’t work out the way we want it to. Unfortunately, sometimes, the seniors we care for may get worse, and we attribute that to things we coulda shoulda woulda done.

Just so you know, you’re doing amazing.

Letting Go of Said Guilt

Just so you also know, guilt is an insidious feeling that can make you even more stressed! It’s time to release it. Here’s how:

  • First, recognize the guilt. It’s common for caregivers to feel guilt. Acknowledge it and send it some love. It’s just here to remind you that you’re a good person.
  • Next, accept that we have imperfections. All people make mistakes, even professionals. Recognize your strengths instead of fully focusing on your weaknesses. Not good at handling emotional issues? That’s ok! You probably excel at the physical aspects of caregiving!
  • After acceptance, understand that you are making the best decision for the seniors you care for. You are skilled, experienced and professional! Trust yourself as much as the seniors and their family members trust you, and remember, you are doing the best you can with the resources you have.
  • And finally, and maybe most importantly, reach out for support. Don’t be hesitant to seek out caregiver support resources to address your feelings of guilt. Caregivers need care as well.

Remember that you have many positive accomplishments! Think about all the incredible achievements that you have done and all the barriers you have overcome. You’re fantabulous :)!

REFERENCES:
https://caregiver.com/articles/dealing-caregiver-guilt/#:~:text=Talk%20to%20a%20professional%20if,and%20the%20help%20is%20available
https://dailycaring.com/7-ways-of-dealing-with-caregiver-guilt-that-improve-health/
https://caregiver.com/downloads/228/download/50100764_web.jpg?cb=f0b7f624f03ab72e18180c3870ade2ed 


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Attention all care staff, caregivers and CareStory followers! You really care about residents’ wellness, and you have checked blood pressure nearly thousands of times for seniors…but how long has it been since you checked your own?

Studies at BMC Public Health​​​​​​​ have found that the prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher among caregivers than non-caregivers. Even some small adjustments can make a huge difference in your blood pressure readings. Here are some tips for you:

  1. Drink Wine! — Just kidding. That’s not recommended, but it does pair nicely with a bubble bath on stressful days.
  2. Shed a Couple of Pounds! — We promote body positivity here, however, studies at Harvard Health Publishing show that the most effective way to reduce elevated blood pressure is to lose weight.
  3. Go with a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) Diet. — Choose food that is rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, fibre and protein. Also, choose ingredients low in saturated fat and sodium
  4. Exercise. —  Aim for a half-hour exercise daily. It could be running, biking, dancing, or any activities you love.
  5. Limit Alcohol Intake (so much for #1). —  Drinking too much, too often, can increase blood pressure. Try to drink in moderation by limiting your intake to 1 drink or less per day. 
  6. Meditation. — Research at Harvard Health Publishing also found that stress hormones can constrict your blood vessels. Over time, stress can lead to chronic hypertension. Meditation techniques help to reduce stress and lower your blood pressure.

We need you! So please take care of yourselves.

REFERENCES:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/6-simple-tips-to-reduce-your-blood-pressure
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/dash-diet/art-20048456
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3303565/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4340290/#:~:text=Results,27.6%25%2C%20respectively



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    Contact us


    Call us

    1-647-243-2981


    Visit us anytime

    294 College Street, Toronto, ON, Canada


    Send us an email

    info@emersewell.com



    Subscribe


    Sign up for Medicare newsletter to receive all the news offers and discounts.




      Social networks


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      Twitter

      #CareStory_ca


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      Copyright by Emersewell Inc. 2020. All rights reserved.



      Copyright by Emersewell Inc. 2020. All rights reserved.