 |
|
|
Your Workplace Wellness Newsletter
Second Quarter - Samaritan's Purse
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
|
PTSD — Could you or someone you know
be suffering?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD, can occur after someone has been through or has witnessed a major trauma – typically a high-stress, shocking, dangerous event or circumstance. The person is often left feeling scared, helpless and emotionally fragile.
The good news is there are treatments for PTSD, and addressing it early is essential. Knowing how to recognize it and offer support is an important first step.
Some common traumatic events that lead to PTSD include:
- Military combat or war
- Sexual abuse and violence
- Assault or psychological abuse (child abuse, elder abuse, neglect)
- Natural disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, wildfires)
- Car or plane crashes
- Sudden, tragic death of a loved one
Seeking social support and professional counseling are important ways to help prevent or recover from PTSD. Stress and uncertainty around the event can make PTSD more likely.
| |
| What to watch for
Each person’s reaction and experience with PTSD is different. For some people, symptoms may start soon after the event. For others, symptoms may not appear for months or even years later. Still others may never develop PTSD despite a devastating experience.
People who suffer with PTSD often:
- Have bad memories, nightmares, flashbacks and/or feelings of intense distress, especially when faced with any reminders of the traumatic event.
- Avoid settings or situations that might trigger painful memories of the event – often to escape the reality of what happened.
- Lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.
- Feel on-edge, anxious or easily startled along with other physical signs of stress.
- Are overcome with negative thoughts or changes in mood.
| |
Treatment and ways to cope
It’s a process and varies based on the individual, but it’s important to get help and talk with a health professional who specializes in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. Start by speaking with your primary care team or on-site clinic provider.
It can also help to:
- Learn about PTSD. The sooner someone is able to confront the traumatic experience and learn about PTSD, the more likely they will feel equipped to face it head on.
- Keep tabs on anxiety levels. Recognizing how you feel in certain situations will help you anticipate and manage triggers.
- Find support. Talking with other people with PTSD who’ve been successful in moving forward in positive ways can be helpful. There are also many PTSD support groups.
- Find ways to cope and build resilience. For example, by volunteering, spending time in nature, journaling, practicing deep breathing, avoiding alcohol or drugs, walking with a friend, and being around positive people. These activities can help the person feel more in control, calm and safe. Many of these activities also offer a healthy distraction.
- Take medicines, if prescribed by your health care team.
- Eat healthy and prioritize sleep.
- Confide in people you trust.
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call, text or chat 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
| |
Yes, You Should Wear Sunscreen Year-Round
We tend to associate the sun – and the need for sunscreen, sunglasses, hats and other sun protective measures – with summer vacations and long days at the beach or on the water. But sun exposure, which can lead to damage, happens year-round, even during the winter months.
You can’t really judge the strength of the sun based on weather conditions because the sun’s rays can cut through clouds, light clothing and windows. And sun damage is cumulative; so, every time your skin is exposed to dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays, the damaging effects of those rays increases. That means things like driving to work, walking the dog or waiting with your child at the bus stop all add up – even when it’s cold and cloudy outside.
To protect your skin year-round, follow these tips:
- Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (one that protects against UVA and UVB rays) with an SPF of 30 or higher to any exposed skin. Do this no matter the season or if you think that you’re less likely to burn. The sun’s rays are strong, even during the cooler months. Don’t forget your ears, the tops of your feet and hands, and the back of your neck.
- Seek out shade when you can. UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so if you need to be outside during that timeframe, protection is key. Keep in mind, sunlight is particularly strong when it reflects off bodies of water, sand, snow and pavement, which can increase your chance of a sunburn or hurting your eyes.
- Wear protective sunglasses. Look for lenses that have a UV400 rating, which provides 100% UV protection. And try to keep an extra pair of sunglasses in your car or bag for easy use on-the-go.
- Take time each month to look at your skin for any signs of changes. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends looking at your skin and moles following the ABCDEs of Melanoma found below.
Ask someone you trust to look at your back and the back of your legs too. Be sure to tell your care team about any changes as this is the best way, in addition to skin checks, to catch pre-cancerous cells and skin cancers early.
| |
The ABCDEs of Melanoma – Look for these warning signs when checking your skin:
A – Asymmetry – One half of the spot is unlike the other half.
B – Border – The spot has an irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.
C – Color – The spot has varying colors from one area to the next, such as shades of tan, brown or black, or areas of white, red or blue.
D – Diameter – While melanomas are usually greater than 6 millimeters, or about the size of a pencil eraser, when diagnosed, they can be smaller.
E – Evolving – The spot looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.
For more information about skin safety, speak with your primary care team or your on-site clinic provider.
| |
Exercise Shouldn’t Cause Anxiety
For many of us, the idea of exercising regularly can be unsettling. But being physically active doesn’t mean you have to sweat it out for hours at the gym or run a half marathon. It’s really about moving your body more; the health benefits will follow.
Finding ways to make physical activity fun helps keep you motivated. And staying motivated shifts actions to longstanding habits that lead to lifestyle changes.
Here are 8 ideas to get you started.
- Pick an activity you enjoy. You’ll be much more likely to stick with it. For example, hiking, swimming, walking, tennis, pickleball or a stretching class.
- Find a workout buddy. It’s always more fun to exercise with a partner. It will also make the time pass faster, give you a chance to connect and destress, and research shows that more feel-good hormones called endorphins are released when people work out together. You’ll also be more inclined to work out even if you don’t feel like exercising.
- View exercise as a reward. Life gets busy. Setting aside time to be active can be a great way to relieve stress after a hard day’s work. It’s also a chance to build in dedicated “me” time that can leave you feeling more energized and balanced.
- Be creative and try something new. Mix up your routine every once in a while. There are lots of different exercise classes from high intensity interval training, water aerobics, and Zumba to barre, cycling and even hula-hooping. Many apps offer an array of classes that you can participate in from home too.
- Turn up the tunes. Music can be a great motivator and distraction. Create a playlist of your favorite upbeat songs to keep you going.
- Exercise around the house. Gardening, mowing the lawn and housework can burn just as many calories as walking and other exercises. Plus, you’ll be able to mark things of your to-do list.
- Gamify your workout. There are lots of video and virtual reality games that can make fitness fun and even add a little healthy competition.
- Move for a cause. There are lots of charity run/walks and other events you can join to get exercise while helping to raise money for a good cause. And research shows that giving back can improve your mental health as well.
| |
Wellness Committee Event Reminders
Special Events
Wellness Fairs (save-the-date):
Boone: April 17, 2024
N. Wilkes: May 2, 2024
Spring Invision Diagnostics Mobile Mammography
(held during the Wellness Fairs)
Boone: April 17, 2024
N. Wilkes: May 2, 2024
Physical/Nutrition
New River Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K
Todd, NC
May 17 – 18, 2024
Financial
In-Person Retirement Planning Meetings with Nick Walker from NFP. Spouses are encouraged to attend!
Boone
Tuesday, April 30, 2024; MADP (HR) Building Conference Room
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eastern
Link to Reserve a Time in Boone:
Samaritan's Purse One on One's - BOONE - Online Scheduling
N. Wilkesboro
Wednesday, May 1, 2024; Capin 3B Conference Room
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eastern
Link to Reserve a Time in N. Wilkesboro:
Samaritan's Purse One on One's - WILKES - Online Scheduling
Virtual
Tuesday, May 7, 2024; virtual appointments
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Eastern
Link to Reserve a Time Virtually:
Samaritan's Purse One on One's - VIRTUAL - Online Scheduling
Please make sure to check out the Ministry Announcement Page daily for Financial Wellness Event.
| |
|
|
|
