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In this Issue
Self-Care Academy
www.self-careacademy.com
PHONE: 303.904.9803
FAX: 303.904.7266
EMAIL:
kim@self-careacademy.com
BLOG:
nursefit.com/blog
Self-Care Academy Newsletter
"We deeply value
the work and beauty Self-Care Academy is offering to health care
organizations and practitioners around the world and honor their unswerving
commitment to infuse theory-guided practices, Caritas and Caring Science
into their programs."
Jim D’Alfonso, COO/CNO
Watson Caring Science Institute
"Wow, you knocked my socks
off last week. Self-Care is the catalyst to make RBC sparkle for individual
nurses. They are so tired of initiatives that are supposed to transform
their work but lead, almost inevitably, to them having to do more. Or at
least most of them experience it that way because they don’t get any
self-care help. So, in my book you are the tops."
Tilla, RN
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A Lifelong Commitment:
Healthy Body, Mind and Spirit
Nancy Rollins Gantz, RN, MSN, MBA, PhD,
EA-BC, MRCNA
President and Senior Consultant, CAPPS International
"We will be
known forever by the tracks we leave."
- American Indian Proverb
When I was in my basic three-year nursing
program, the mental and physical demands spoke loudly to my soul. If I was to be
a representative of the professional practice of nursing then I must be of a
healthy, mindful, positive mentor through my career of good health and living. I
believe that as a professional we must demonstrate, verbally and through our
actions, a commitment to this philosophy. Nursing is very difficult work, both
mentally and physically, and will only become increasingly demanding as health
care continues to evolve, change, and transform. We as health care providers, a
critical link to patients and the community, are the primary role model for
demonstrating the value of healthy lifestyle practices. There has been an
abundant amount of clinical research that illustrates the importance of
exercise, healthy eating habits, embracing stress reducers, practice
non-smoking, and engaging in mental, spiritual habits…all in the support of well
health and living.
During my 30 year career, there was a period of
time when I became seriously ill, unable to work and even be a mom and wife! I
realized that I had become so consumed with my career and work - typical type A
- that exercise and healthy eating took a back seat on the priority list. When
looking back over that time period I can clearly see what led up to my illness
and how I could have minimized the severity. Luckily, this was a short illness
but one that had momentum affect on me. This experience showed me how delicate
our bodies can be and if we do not treat them as a “temple or sanctuary of
significance importance" then the consequences are poor health, lack of
mobility, increased mortality, the list goes on and on.
It is very sad and concerning when I see young
children and adults not caring for their body or mind. It has become much faster
to go through McDonald’s than prepare a well balanced meal at home.
When life becomes overly busy and stressful, I
have always kept a journal of what I eat on a daily basis. Many times when we do
this our eyes are opened to just how many calories we actually feed our body and
then get coupled with lack of exercise. When we eat a well balanced and
nutritious diet coupled with exercise routine we can greatly reduce our chances
of the most come aliments today - high blood pressure, diabetes and heart
disease.
A simple guide to use which I have done for 30
plus years is:
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First thing in the
morning drink 16 oz of water followed by a super lean but nutritious meal
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Mid-morning snack
is usually an apple (fruit) plus 8oz of water
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Lunch is a salad
that I bring from home (when working) plus 16oz of ice tea or water
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Mid-afternoon
snack is cheese/crackers or granola bar plus 8oz of water
-
Dinner is my
lightest meal but includes all food groups. I also drink 8 oz of water. I
eat not later than 6 pm and keep on a pretty good schedule in order to
balance sleep, work, meals, and importantly exercise.
I am reminded of
two very significant quotes.
Please share your comments
on our blog!
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Weekly Ways
Introducing our new, free weekly
e-application!
We have collected numerous applications of
self-care in the work environment and want to share what we've learned with you
through a weekly e-mail program called Weekly Ways.
This "e-application" will be delivered to your
inbox each Monday morning so you can begin your week more mindful of the
importance of making self-care a priority in your life.
Be sure to check your email for a validation
email regarding your subscription...
and thank you!
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Become a Fan
on Facebook
Become a Fan of the Self-Care Academy Facebook page!
It's free and a great way to stay in touch. If you don't have an account,
you can create one for free. Just follow the instructions after you click
the graphic below.
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New
Book Release!
 Kim
Richards co-authored 2 chapters in the new release of 101 Global Leadership
Lessons for Nurses: Shared Legacies from Leaders and their Mentors
The chapters include:
~
Self
Recovery and Renewal
~
Jobless and Searching
Richards, K, Campbell, J, Flaherty, K (2009).
Self Recovery and Renewal and Jobless and Searching. 101 Global Leadership Lessons
for Nurses: Shared Legacies from Leaders and their Mentors, ed. Nancy Rollins Gantz. Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.
Find out more about the book and order yours today!
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Invite
Kim to Speak!
Invite Kim to
speak at your next event!
If you need a motivating, thought-provoking, inspiring, passionate and humorous
presentation on “Caring for the Caregiver. How About Me?” for your next event or
conference, contact Kim today and find out what she can deliver for you!
Contact Kim today!
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