When Anxiety Strikes at Work, Here Are Seven Ways to Calm Yourself Down Working in healthcare is a recipe for stress and burnout these days—one that can trigger anxiety, despair, and even panic. These seven tactics can help you a grip on your emotions and get back to work.
Nashville, TN (January 2021)—We all have those moments when work is just too much. And if you’re working on the frontlines in healthcare right now, it may be happening more than ever. Maybe another patient just died, or a family member is hysterical and there’s nothing you can do, or your supervisor just announced that the COVID unit is now full. Whatever the reason, you suddenly feel triggered, overwhelmed, and on the verge of panic. You know you need to keep it together, but frankly, you feel you’re about to fall apart.
Diana Hendel, PharmD says everyone in healthcare needs an action plan for handling those triggering moments.
“Fighting as hard as you can for your patients 24/7 takes a toll, especially after enduring nearly a year of COVID-related traumatic stress,” says Dr. Hendel, coauthor along with Dr. Mark Goulston of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99). “But when you are armed with the resources to recenter yourself during periods of distress, you can deal with those triggering moments, recover, and get back to work.”
Why Cope When You Can Heal? shares therapeutic approaches that are currently used to effectively treat traumatic stress and introduces powerful exercises to help you move through the trauma and further your healing. Read on for some tools and resources you can turn to anytime you feel triggered at work by traumatic stress.
Take a few minutes to get grounded. Grounding is a great way to reduce anxiety and arrive in the here and now. Use it anytime you feel carried away by anxious thoughts or feelings, or triggered by upsetting memories and flashbacks.
Find a comfortable place to sit (or stand). If sitting, rest your hands on your legs. Feel the fabric of your clothing. Notice its color and texture.
Next, bring your awareness to your body. Stretch your neck from side to side. Relax your shoulders. Tense and relax your calves. Stomp your feet.
Look around and notice the sights, sounds, and scents around you for a few moments.
Name fifteen to twenty things you can see. For example, the floor, a light, a desk, a sink.
As you keep looking around, remind yourself that “The flashback or emotion I felt is in the past. Right now, in this moment, I’m safe.”
Harness the power of deep breathing. We tend to hold our breath whenever we are stressed, but this only exacerbates feelings of anxiety and panic. Instead use “box breathing” to calm yourself and heighten your concentration. Box breathing is the technique of taking slow, deep, full breaths. Here’s a tutorial for when you’re feeling triggered.
Slowly exhale your breath through your mouth. Consciously focus on clearing all the oxygen from your lungs. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose for four slow counts. Hold your breath for four more slow counts. On the next four counts, exhale again through your mouth until your lungs are empty. Hold your breath again for a final slow count of four beats.
Reach for an amulet to help anchor you…Carry a small reminder of what you love about your life and focus on it if you feel triggered and need to center yourself. It might be a photo of your kids or pet, a small rock you picked up on a scenic nature hike, or a special necklace. Think of the gratitude you feel for your life whenever you look at this token.
…Or grab a human lifeline. Make sure there’s at least one person you can reach out to when feeling triggered. Ideally, your workplace will have a formal support group to help you deal with the stressors of the pandemic. But if not, consider forming your own informal “fire team” consisting of the colleagues fighting by your side. Not only can this team meet a few times a week to talk through the challenges of the crisis, but you can also reach out to a member anytime you need support. And if you are feeling truly overwhelmed or desperate, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Reach out to your company’s EAP or contact a mental health professional.
Let your feelings out (when possible). At times you may find you need to step away from your duties for a few minutes and give those intense emotions some “breathing room.” Try to move to a different room so you can cry or discreetly express your feelings. Sometimes you need to release the stress that’s built up in your body, and finding a private place to let the tears fall or vent for a few minutes can lighten your stress and enable you to get back to work.
Play a mind game. “If there is no way to speak to someone else and you need comfort in the moment, imagine talking to someone who loves you,” says Dr. Goulston. “Imagine that they are listening and lovingly holding and encouraging you. As you hear them talking and walking you through it, you will feel their love and belief in you. This kind of mental pep talk can be a bridge until you are able to speak your feelings to somebody in person.”
Get out of the building for a few minutes. If at all possible, try to get outside for a few minutes of fresh air. Take deep breaths, stretch your arms and legs, and take in the gifts of nature around you. And if possible find someone else who is on a break and invite them for a ten-minute walk so the two of you can blow off steam.
“It’s important to acknowledge your feelings—no matter how inconvenient they may be—when you are in crisis,” concludes Dr. Hendel. “When you are triggered, there’s no benefit in suppressing your emotions because they will only intensify and surface again and again until you deal with them. And if you are not okay, there’s no way you can be there for your patients. Face and release what’s bothering you, and then you will be able to keep going.”
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About the Authors: Mark Goulston, MD, FAPA Dr. Mark Goulston is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). He is a board-certified psychiatrist, fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, former assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at UCLA NPI, and a former FBI and police hostage negotiation trainer. He is the creator of Theory Y Executive Coaching—which he provides to CEOs, presidents, founders, and entrepreneurs—and is a TEDx and international keynote speaker.
He is the creator and developer of Surgical Empathy, a process to help people recover and heal from PTSD, prevent suicide in teenagers and young adults, and help organizations overcome implicit bias.
Dr. Goulston is the author or principal author of seven prior books, including PTSD for Dummies, Get Out of Your Own Way: Overcoming Self-Defeating Behavior, Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone, Real Influence: Persuade Without Pushing and Gain Without Giving In, and Talking to Crazy: How to Deal with the Irrational and Impossible People in Your Life. He hosts the My Wakeup Call podcast, where he speaks with influencers about their purpose in life and the wakeup calls that led them there. He also is the co-creator and moderator of the multi-honored documentary Stay Alive: An Intimate Conversation About Suicide Prevention.
He appears frequently as a human psychology and behavior subject-area expert across all media, including news outlets ABC, NBC, CBS, and BBC News, as well as CNN, Today, Oprah, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Fortune,Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, Fast Company, Huffington Post, and Westwood One. He was also featured in the PBS special “Just Listen.”
Diana Hendel, PharmD Dr. Diana Hendel is the coauthor of Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020) and Trauma to Triumph: A Roadmap for Leading Through Disruption and Thriving on the Other Side (HarperCollins Leadership, Spring 2021). She is an executive coach and leadership consultant, former hospital CEO, and author of Responsible: A Memoir, a riveting and deeply personal account of leading during and through the aftermath of a deadly workplace trauma.
As the CEO of Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital, Hendel led one of the largest acute care, trauma, and teaching hospital complexes on the West Coast. She has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and professional associations, including chair of the California Children’s Hospital Association, executive committee member of the Hospital Association of Southern California, vice chair of the Southern California Leadership Council, chair of the Greater Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, board member of the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists, and leader-in-residence of the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University Long Beach.
She earned a BS in biological sciences from UC Irvine and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UC San Francisco. She has spoken about healthcare and leadership at regional and national conferences and at TEDx SoCal on the topic of “Childhood Obesity: Small Steps, Big Change.”
About the Book: Why Cope When You Can Heal?: How Healthcare Heroes of COVID-19 Can Recover from PTSD (Harper Horizon, December 2020, ISBN: 978-0-7852-4462-2, $17.99) is available in bookstores nationwide and from major online booksellers.
Faith and Tenacity Continue to Drive 91-Year-Old Founder of Boston Area Homeless Shelter
Boston, MA, February 2, 2021 — Sylvia Anthony firmly believes that life is a gift from God, and she’s been using her gift to impact more than a thousand homeless women and children through her nonprofit, Sylvia’s Haven, which she launched in 1987. At 91 years young, Sylvia remains steadfastly involved with Sylvia’s Haven, and hopes to inspire others to overcome life’s challenges and pursue their passions.
“When we do the right thing with the right motives, there is no limit to how far we can go with the help of God,” she writes in her poignant memoir, Till the End of Time. “My advice to you is never give up, whatever comes your way; it is all worth it.”
Sylvia had endured a difficult childhood that included an abusive father and a disinterested mother. Sylvia married young and remained in an abusive marriage until a divorce that left her alone to support her three children. Through her ambition and strength of character, Sylvia persevered, building a life for herself and her kids. After raising her children, Sylvia remarried — still, there was a void. She felt a calling to help young women, and her husband, Rick, encouraged her to follow her heart. Initially designed for homeless pregnant women, her shelter opened on January 25, 1987. Sadly, her husband lost his battle with cancer on March 30 of the same year, telling Sylvia before he died to “go get the girls.” And she’s been giving new hope to young, homeless women ever since.
Hers has been a lifetime woven with tragedy and triumph, but at Sylvia’s core burns a powerful source of courage and tenacity. She shares her remarkable story in Till the End of Time, which chronicles her early days as an unwanted child, born at the onset of the Great Depression; through her turbulent first marriage, which blessed her with three children; to finding love and discovering her divine purpose later in life. The book includes a chapter with testimonials from women who have been helped by Sylvia’s Haven, underscoring the impact of her unwavering dedication to others. Till the End of Time is the ultimate love story, woven with heartwarming memories, inspirational anecdotes and life lessons that will inspire readers to share their own God-given gifts with others.
Author Sylvia Anthony was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame on June 15, 2020. Invited to their museum in Seneca Falls, New York, she drove more than 350 miles for the appointment! Shortly thereafter, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who's Who.
A woman of faith, courage, tenacity and love, Sylvia firmly believes that the “golden years” are a time to get busy. As the founder and president of Sylvia’s Haven, a shelter for women and children near Boston, she has helped transform over 1,100 lives in the past three decades. Sylvia refers to her organization as her “magnificent obsession.” Life hasn’t always been easy for Sylvia, but she believes that God not only gives her courage during times of hardship, but also keeps her healthy so that she may realize her dream to open up Sylvia’s Haven locations in all 50 states.
Till the End of Time rose to No.1 in four different categories when it was launched on Amazon and has received 5-star reviews.
4 Healthy Tips for Effectively Losing Weight This Year
With more than half of U.S. citizens overweight, many are looking for ways to shed those extra pounds this year. Although there are dozens of eating plans and exercise routines to choose from, there doesn't seem to be a magic bullet that works for everyone. However, doctors and weight loss experts recommend a few basic behavioral changes that can help anyone reach a healthy size. Here are some tips you can implement to lose a little extra weight this year.
Start Exercising
Just twenty minutes of sustained movement each day can help to whittle away excess weight. You don't have to take a hard job, climb endless steps, or swim a mile. You can walk at a steady clip while listening to music or talking to a friend. As you get used to regular movement, you can pick up the pace to go a little faster or a little longer, week by week. A stationary bike at home will work, or you might prefer following an online workout routine. As long as you are moving safely but effectively, you can burn calories and tighten muscles to begin looking and feeling better. Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise plan.
Adjust Your Eating Habits
Choose the eating plan that works with your lifestyle and food preferences. You can alter your meal sizes, making breakfast the biggest meal of the day, with dinner the smallest. Enjoy an occasional dessert by having an extra helping of vegetables to balance your daily nutritional intake. Eat from a smaller plate rather than a full-size one as you get used to reduced portions. Cut back on salt, sugar, fat (the bad kind), or carbs to trim calories off your daily intake. Load up on fresh fruits and veggies, as they are filling as well as nutritious.
Manage Your Emotions
Many people overeat or eat less healthy foods when they are emotionally upset. Grieving a loss, stewing over an insult, or stressing about an upcoming meeting can send someone repeatedly to the fridge or cupboard for comfort food. Keep a journal to record your strongest emotions as well as when you eat the wrong way, and then see if there is a correlation. Journaling helps to express emotions safely while thinking them through logically. You can confide in a friend or take a walk to ease your mood.
Join a Weight Loss Support Group
Many commercial weight loss programs offer a support group for mutual encouragement and exchanging ideas. You may want to join a weight loss group, at least initially, and get to know others who share similar goals to realize you are not alone.
Weight loss is a challenging but meaningful goal. Talk to your doctor before making significant lifestyle changes to protect your health and well being.
Chuck Gillespie, CEO of National Wellness Institute, praises
COVID Recovery & Wellness Program at the YMCA of South Collier
The YMCA of South Collier and its community partners welcomed Chuck Gillespie, CEO and President of the National Wellness Institute for a tour of a community-based model of wellness that provides personalized COVID Recovery & Wellness guidance, under medical supervision.
(Marco Island, FL – February 1, 2021) – The YMCA of South Collier and community partners unveiled a new model of community wellness for Marco Island residents and visitors. Through the COVID Recovery & Wellness Program, members are guided through a personalized action plan to safely recover from the mental and physical effects of living through the pandemic.
For more than 40 years, the South Collier YMCA has been working to build a healthy spirit, mind, and body for the Marco Island Community. Recognizing that residents of all ages have suffered negative impacts from the stress of social isolation to muscle atrophy from reduced workout routines, and unseen health damage, program leaders developed a strategy to offer coordinated education and support including:
COVID-19 Testing – to identify if a person has had the virus and may be at unknown risks.
Customized Health Screening – to identify potential health concerns that should be addressed prior to starting a fitness routine.
Customized Mental Health Screening – to identify underlying signs of anxiety, depression, or substance abuse to help guide individuals to treatment.
Recommended Health & Wellness Plan – because each person is unique, this program will provide individualized recommendations to recover individually and reconnect with the community.
“We have seen across the US and throughout the world that individual citizens are not getting the help they need because health and wellness programs are not accessible. Even if they have access, they are unable to navigate what is available to them,” said Chuck Gillespie, CEO of the National Wellness Institute. “What is happening in Collier County, though the YMCA of South Collier is a model for the rest of the world.”
In 2019, the organization formed a healthy living advisory committee to improve services for those living with chronic disease. While the committee began supporting children and families living with diabetes, in April 2020, the organization pivoted to support the overwhelming needs that emerged from the pandemic.
The YMCA of South Collier is a licensed medical facility, where members may participate in screenings that provide nutritional, physical, and mental wellness recommendations. Through these reports, members can be guided into programs with a similar cohort, with a goal of increasing long-term participation and overall success.
“Our primary goal moving forward is to keep the momentum of this solution moving forward by engaging more members and bringing more specialized partners into the alliance to improve the overall health and wellness of our community,” said Paul Thein, Managing Partner of CORE Health Partners.
Community partners contributing to the COVID Recovery & Wellness Initiative include the YMCA of South Collier, National Wellness Institute, University of Florida College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, CORE Health Partners, David Lawrence Center, Help a Diabetic Child, the Diabetes Alliance Network, Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida, and the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs (SOPE).
COVID Recovery & Wellness Program Community Partners include:
About the National Wellness Institute:
The National Wellness Institute (NWI) is the worldwide voice of the wellness community. NWU provides professional development and engagement opportunities that support individuals from a variety of disciplines in promoting the whole person's high-level wellness for all. For more information, visit www.nationalwellness.org.
About the YMCA of South Collier County YMCA:
The YMCA of South Collier was established in 1977 with an original facility built on for the purpose of serving youth. Today the YMCA is the only human service organization in the area providing support for all ages and income levels in our three focus areas: youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, and the Y services stretch throughout the southeast corridor of Collier County and as far south as Everglade City. The Marco YMCA facility is the first known medically licensed facility in Florida. For more information, visit www.marcoymca.org.
About Help a Diabetic Child:
Help a Diabetic Child (HADC) is a 501c3 non-profit formed over a decade ago by the parents of a newly diagnosed child with type1 who set a goal to help others navigate the complexities and expense of diabetes. To date, HADC has purchased hundreds of thousands of glucose test strips, lancets, meters, syringes, pen needles, and other diabetes supplies along with tens of thousands of units of insulin and glucagon pens for children and college students. Besides purchasing lifesaving medical supplies, insulin, and services for children in financial need HADC expanded its scope of service to include promoting diabetes education on self-management, nutrition, and wellness programming and assisting those in financial need with access. For more information, visit www.helpadiabeticchild.org.
About the Diabetes Alliance Network:
The Diabetes Alliance Network (DAN) originated through the grassroots effort of Naples Florida philanthropists, people affected by diabetes, physicians, and other healthcare providers. DAN was designed to improve communication between agencies that directly, or indirectly serve those with diabetes to address barriers that people with diabetes may experience. Together, agencies pledge to partner with DAN to collectively bridge gaps in resources, care, and diabetes education. The collaboration and communication between agencies are what makes DAN unique. Specific diabetes education and nutritional services are provided by DAN’s partner agencies, as well as support systems that include supplies and financial assistance and access to world-class expertise. For more information, visit www.findmydan.com.
About the University of Florida College of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Endocrinology:
The UF Division of Pediatric Endocrinology is the top-ranked program in the State of Florida and serves over 1,000 children and young adults with diabetes. Dr. Haller, who serves as the Chief of the Division also serves as the medical director of the Help a Diabetic Child Foundation. In collaboration with HADC, the Schulze Foundation, the Naples Children and Education Foundation, and as a part of the Diabetes Alliance Network, the UF Pediatric Endocrinology team is dedicated to improving health disparities throughout the State and specifically in Collier and Lee Counties. For more information, visit www.endo.pediatrics.med.ufl.edu.
About David Lawrence Center:
Based in Southwest Florida, the David Lawrence Centers is a not-for-profit, leading provider of behavioral health solutions dedicated to inspiring and creating life-changing wellness for every individual. The Center provides innovative, comprehensive inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based prevention and treatment services for children and adults who experience mental health, emotional, psychological, and substance use challenges. For more information, visit www.davidlawrencecenter.org.
About Core Health Partners:
Core Health Partners operates under the belief that as much as 90% of what impacts an individual’s health takes place outside clinical walls. The benefits of effective clinical preventive services (CPS) are clear, yet on average Americans only receive half of the recommended care needed. Core Health Partners formed in late 2017 by a group of former Y employees that were credited for opening the Nation’s first medically integrated YMCA (Clive, Iowa), a unique venture known for initiating the YMCA’s first-ever “Healthy Living Center. CHP became independent in late 2019 and earned national recognition from the American Diabetes Association for its efforts in diabetes-education and self-management. Today CHP offers a variety of pediatric and adult therapy and medical nutritional services at the YMCA and Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in North Naples. For more information, visit www.mycorehealthpartners.com.
Age well with AudioMob
GlycanAge sign on for higher brand exposure in mobile games for the first time with AudioMob’s pioneering rewarded audio ad format
2 February 2021, London. GlycanAge, a precision health test of biological age and wellness, are taking the step to expose their product to wider audiences, utilising in-game audio ads this year. The potential they have unlocked with AudioMob’s innovative audio ad format in mobile gaming is continuing to rise and drive potential customers to their website directly from games. Whilst the connection between mobile gaming and biological health tests might seem tenuous, the gaming demographic has expanded exponentially and now caters to an audience of 2.5 billion, 63% of whom are women: an audience no longer narrow and belonging to a teenage boy’s club, who already are seizing the opportunity to check in on their health with GlycanAge.
GlycanAge, a service that strives to inspire change through knowledge, reveals the age of your immune system and gives you the opportunity to improve your lifestyle and take control of your health. Backed by world leaders in glyco-science, the GlycanAge team made up of award-winning scientists have studied ageing and created a test that is proven to work. With patented technology they boast over three decades of innovation and groundbreaking research to offer the highest standards for quality and put users’ health back in their own capable hands. Working with AudioMob the core objective was to reach more users concerned with their health, or interested in preventative services, but unsure how to take the first step. Building audio ads into mobile games, gave GlycanAge the opportunity to drive website traffic without breaking the budget and with astounding results. The average click through rate on the audio enhanced banners resulted in an increase of 150% compared to the industry standard, with a cost per click of just $0.21.
‘We’ve always wanted to find a way to use mobile gaming to promote our service to a wider audience. Before AudioMob, it was always too expensive to use video and mobile banner ads were pretty much invisible. This is definitely something we’ll continue to utilize as it’s worked wonders driving users and health clinics to our website.‘ said Nikolina Lauc, CEO of GlycanAge.
AudioMob, a Google for Startups backed tech maverick, has created the world’s first rewarded audio ad format for mobile games. The non-intrusive ads play directly into the ears of the gamer whilst they can continue to play the game, and therefore don’t get frustrated by ads interrupting their experience or taking them away to another site completely. It’s a seamless plugin that has already proven, in a YouGov survey from last year, to be preferred amongst 67% of adult gamers compared to video ads, and can amplify ad placements with a huge potential of 250% revenue increase. For developers, the opportunity to monetise and retain players is impressive, whilst huge brand names like Warner, Dell and Amazon have already seized the opportunity to advertise using AudioMob.
‘We already believe in the power of video ads, for monetising games, but audio is soaring and this year will see the true potential it has to amplify the world of Adtech. Monetising using audio is a win-win-win for developers, brands and players alike. The highly targetable potential of audio ads meant that we could specifically implement the GlycanAge audio enhanced banners into games where we knew the overwhelming age range was 30+, and therefore get the highest revenue.’ said Christian Facey, CEO and Co-Founder of AudioMob.
Stretching across brand genres from music, electronics and health, AudioMob’s format is incredibly versatile and the results already being seen are hugely promising. As more developers continue to integrate and brands race to sign on to use AudioMob’s rewarded audio ads, the format is set to gain impressive traction this year. The future of audio is already incredibly bright, and for AudioMob, for developers, players and brands, the potential is definitely one to seize early on.
Headquartered in Google for Startups, London, UK, AudioMob is the brainchild of ex-Google and Facebook alums Christian Facey and Wilfrid Obeng. AudioMob, backed by some of the savviest investors in the industry, is the only company in the world to offer a holistic in-game audio ad solution welcomed by the games and advertising industries alike. Its platform enables developers to better monetise their games while keeping players loyal, and advertisers a seamless and highly effective gateway to an untapped gaming audience. For the first time gamers can enjoy their gaming experiences and their ad experiences at the same time.
GlycanAge is the most accurate test of biological age and wellness available. Delivering trustworthy, scientifically proven results with personalised advice you can act upon, GlycanAge reveals the age of your immune system. The strong belief amongst the GlycanAge team is that self-knowledge inspires change, and knowing the true extent of your biological health will encourage people to take control. GlycanAge is perfect if you are making lifestyle improvements, interested in ageing well, bouncing back from a major life event, measuring fitness recovery, interested in science or looking to compare results with family and friends. GlycanAge is made up of a team of world leaders in glyco-science and own patented technology to offer the highest standard of quality results.
Equicare Health, Inc. Announces the Appointment of New Board Member
{Equicare names industry leading expert to help further advance the Equicare portfolio.}
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Equicare Health, Inc. announces the appointment of Christopher Hanna, Ph.D. to the Board of Directors. He re-joins long time colleagues, Greg Peet and Len Grenier, as the fifth member of the Equicare Board.
"I am pleased to welcome Chris to Equicare Health's Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of experience in health care IT and cancer care to Equicare's Board as we work to broaden our product scope by leveraging our core strengths," said Len Grenier, CEO of Equicare Health, Inc. "This is an exciting time as we continue to develop strategic relationships while evolving the role of care coordination as a key tool to support those with chronic diseases like cancer for millions of patients."
Chris was a co-founder of ALI Technologies and functioned in the role of President with a focus on product and business development. After ALI, Chris joined Mayo Clinic, Department of Radiology in Rochester, Minnesota where he helped design and develop one of the first enterprise-scale medical image archives. The archive technology was spun out of Mayo Clinic Ventures to form a start-up company, TeraMedica, which was subsequently acquired by Fujifilm. Chris currently is a co-founder and the CEO of another Mayo Radiology start-up called FlowSIGMA, which is commercializing intelligent process automation software for medical imaging departments. FlowSIGMA integrates artificial intelligence algorithms into daily clinical workflows. Chris holds BSc, MSc and PhD degrees in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology and has over 25 years of leadership experience in healthcare information technology and data science companies.
"I very much look forward to being an active member of the Equicare Board," said Chris Hanna. "The company's chronic disease management technology, telehealth capabilities and patient engagement portal are well positioned to help Global Providers and Payers deliver high quality remote care during and after the pandemic."
About Equicare Health Equicare Health is the industry's leading provider of comprehensive care coordination solutions. EQUICARE CS™ (ECS) is a multi-facility web-based software tool that facilitates patient engagement including patient reported outcomes, patient navigation, survivorship care and other clinical tools, i.e. MDT, Clinical trials, a suite of educational material, etc. In additional to the clinical toolset, Equicare offers an administrative suite of worklists and reports for managing adherence to accreditation standards including Meaningful Use, Commission on Cancer (CoC), NAPBC, QOPI, OCM, etc. ECS enables cancer centers to influence clinical outcomes for patients, optimize revenue streams, and increase operational efficiency.
SOURCE Equicare Health Inc.
Trying to Have a Baby? Study Shows Most of Canada's Employers Don't Offer Fertility Benefits and the Ones That Do, Offer Less Than $3,500
National awareness campaign launches to advocate for women and families, calls on employers to do better
TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - On February 2nd, fertility patient groups, Conceivable Dreams and Fertility Matters Canada are launching Fertility Benefits Matter, a new campaign to encourage employers to improve fertility benefits and raise awareness on the current state of fertility support across Canada. Given the number of Canadian couples facing fertility challenges has doubled over the last 40 years, and the high costs of treatment and drugs, the campaign hopes to put a spotlight on this critical issue.
In Canada, the average cost of one round of IVF is approximately $20,000 and surrogacy costs upwards of $80,000. With limited provincial government funding (only five provinces provide some sort of public funding – see our infographic here) and employer benefits, these high costs put these procedures out of reach for many Canadians.
To better understand how employers are supporting their employees to create families, the group commissioned new research to review employer benefits plans in Canada. The research reviewed a sample of small to large employers, across all provinces, in all industries. It found that the majority of Canadian employers did not provide fertility benefits. Of those that did provide benefits:
Only 5% provided coverage for both fertility drugs and other fertility costs such as IVF procedures and testing.
More than 85% of these benefits plans had lifetime maximums in place for fertility drugs; these ranged from $2,400 to $18,000 with a median of $3,250 per lifetime.
One in five (21%), had annual maximums in place; these ranged from $600 to $2,000 with a median of $1,150 per year.
"Many Canadians are choosing to have families later in life when their fertility is on the decline. Single parents and non-heteronormative individuals and couples rely on family building options such as IVF, surrogacy, gamete donation, or adoption," says Carolynn Dubé, Executive Director of Fertility Matters Canada. "Family building has changed. We recognize that many employers do not understand what that looks like for countless Canadians. We want to educate them so they can provide better benefits to their employees."
Despite the increase in fertility challenges, and the actual fertility costs experienced by patients, it is apparent that the coverage provided by employer benefits plans is not adequate. Employers who offer family-friendly benefits can also improve employee retention and productivity finds US research from FertilityIQ. Employees who had their IVF covered reported being more likely to remain in their job for a longer period (62%), were more willing to overlook shortcomings of their employer (53%) and were more likely to work harder (22%).
In addition, the perceived stigma associated with fertility challenges forces many employees to struggle in silence. According to a survey from Fertility Network UK, 50% of women did not disclose their treatment to their employer out of fear that the employer wouldn't take them seriously and over 40% due to concerns about its negative effects on their career prospects.
"We are calling on employers and insurers to be part of the change and lead by example," says Tara Wood, Fertility Advocate and the Board President of Conceivable Dreams. "Employers that offer inclusive benefits that meet the needs of all employees, plus attract and retain great talent. We are asking insurance providers to offer more comprehensive fertility coverage options for plan sponsors and to update plan language to reflect modern family needs and treatment options."
Fertility Benefits Matter will start a national dialogue to encourage employers to play an integral part in creating change and supporting the creation of Canadian families. Patients across Canada are urged to visit www.fertilitybenefits.ca to download a toolkit to help them to feel confident when speaking to their employer about improving benefit plans. Employers can download information on the business case for providing comprehensive fertility benefits. Employers, insurers, and employees are invited to visit FertilityBenefits.ca on February 2nd for more information.
About Conceivable Dreams Conceivable Dreams is a volunteer-run patient group that advocates for equitable access to fertility treatments. Since 2008, Conceivable Dreams has led the public movement towards achieving government funding for IVF in Ontario and now has a national mandate to improve fertility benefits. Learn more at ConceivableDreams.org.
About Fertility Matters Canada Fertility Matters Canada is the national organization that empowers Canadians to reach their reproductive health goals by providing support, awareness, information and education; and promoting equal access to fertility treatments. They are a registered charity and Canada's fertility resource.
SOURCE Conceivable Dreams
Isophit welcomes four-time World Figure Skating Champion and Canadian icon Kurt Browning to its ownership team
TORONTO, Feb. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - It is with great pleasure that we welcome four-time World Figure Skating Champion and Canadian icon Kurt Browning to the ownership team at Isophit™ (Isologex Corp).
"Two years ago, after sustaining a hockey injury that left my neck and arm injured, I was introduced to Brad Thorpe for rehabilitation. I did not know at the time that he was the inventor of an exercise product called Isophit.
Our immediate goal was to eliminate my pain and restore my muscular function. Within days, I was feeling much better, and working out with Brad's Isophit invention.
Weeks later, I accepted an invitation from Brad to experience his five-hour Isophit workout challenge. He calls the program 30inThirty™. It's 30 isometric exercises in just 30 minutes. There's no weightlifting or cardio training required. Just pressing my arms and legs into the Isophit in different positions.
As a lifetime athlete and exerciser, I never would have believed that isometric strength training with Isophit could have such a profound impact on my life.
Isophit eliminated my pain and dysfunction. At the end of the five-hour challenge, I lost approximately 4lbs pounds without altering my diet or lifestyle. That's huge on a small frame like mine.
Jump forward to today, I am now 54 years of age and I no longer experience the pain I experienced during my forties. To top it off, because of Isophit, I am still skating professionally and look more muscular poolside.
Brad informed me that isometric strength training is a great way to help lower blood pressure and increase bone density and muscle strength.
If I can sum it up, Isophit has given me the option to keep performing as a professional figure skater. And, this is how I want to stay in shape as I age!
I wanted to help bring the feeling of pain-free living to everyone across Canada and around the world. That is why I invested in Isophit"
~ Kurt Browning
Isophit specializes in the design, development, and distribution of isometric strength training products, education, and media. Isophit is now available in over 130 facilities in 15 countries. Our more notable clients include the US Army, the Boca West Country Club, Canyon Ranch, and EXOS.
When it comes to combating the most common symptoms of low T, testosterone replacement therapy can be an extremely effective solution. In fact, most men report an improvement in their symptoms as soon as two weeks after beginning treatment.
But some of the most unwanted symptoms of low T also benefit from another solution: peptides.
If you’re asking yourself “what’s a peptide?” right now, you’re not alone. In a recent survey by men’s telehealth company Vault Health, only 35% of respondents reported knowing what peptides are.
Peptides are small naturally-occurring molecules of less than 50 amino acids that signal the body’s natural production of certain compounds such as hormones, according to Dr. Myles Spar, Vault’s Chief Medical Officer. “Chances are, you’re already familiar with a peptide or two. Insulin, for example, is a peptide that draws blood sugar, or glucose, into cells,” he says.
Different peptides will have different (and very specific) effects on the body.
“Growth hormone secretagogues are one example of peptides that can increase the body’s natural production of growth hormone in a safe and effective way, which can help you boost energy, burn fat, and build muscle. Other peptides can affect hair growth, support the immune system, or improve brain cell functioning,” says Dr. Spar.
Though the research behind peptides and their effects on the body continues to expand each day, Vault Health’s medical team has zoned in on several specific peptides that are safe, FDA approved, and have been proven to help with physical, cognitive, and sexual performance. They include:
Growth Hormone-Releasing Peptides
Growth hormone-releasing peptides (GHRPs) are small molecules that naturally boost the body’s production of growth hormone. GHRPs gently coax the body to produce growth hormone by affecting the pituitary gland, making these a safe and effective option for men looking to improve their body composition and physique, regardless of T levels. Increased levels of growth hormone can help with energy levels, sleep quality, and mood while making it easier to pack on muscle mass and lose some body fat.
Dr. Spar says: “For example, our Body Kit utilizes two different peptides in combination for their synergistic effect— CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin. CJC-1295 stimulates the secretion of growth hormones while Ipamorelin blocks a growth hormone inhibitor.”
Semax Peptide
A recent study found that Semax can improve brain circulation and functioning–and also significantly improve memory and attention. Other studies have even shown Semax to
be effective in protecting brain cells from damage. Semax works by increasing the production of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which boosts brain cell production and protects brain cells from early death.
“This peptide is so powerful that it is used in many settings for people with dementia or traumatic brain injury,” says Dr. Spar. Vault Health also offers Semax as part of its Brain Kit where it is accompanied by a brain-boosting mix of natural supplements that can help protect the brain from the toxic effects of chronic stress and improve the overall resiliency of brain cells.
Bremelanotide Peptide
Bremelanotide, a peptide hormone that activates melanocortin receptors, is an effective and efficient treatment for both erectile dysfunction and increased libido in men and women. It’s also one of the key ingredients in Vault’s Libido Kit. “So, if you’re having trouble getting turned on, ask your provider if Bremelanotide can help,” says Dr. Spar.
Oxytocin Peptide
The Oxytocin peptide is a safe and potent supplement based on the hormone Oxytocin that our bodies produce naturally in many scenarios, like when you have an extended hug with someone for 30 seconds or more. Dr. Spar says: “As a bonding hormone, Oxytocin will help you feel more connected to your partner and has the incredible side effect of increasing the intensity of orgasms, which is one of the main reasons it’s included in our Sex Kit. Not only this, but Oxytocin works to promote a generally improved sense of wellbeing and acts to reduce stress.”
“We believe supplements should be treated like icing on the cake rather than standalone treatments. When used to support a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress and sleep management, peptides can have an incredible impact on body composition,” says Dr. Spar.
APA: U.S. ADULTS REPORT HIGHEST STRESS LEVEL SINCE EARLY DAYS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
More than 80% report emotions associated with prolonged stress, says post-inauguration Stress in AmericaTM survey
WASHINGTON — As the U.S. confronts a bitter election season, political unrest and violence, a shaky economy, and a soaring death toll due to COVID-19, 84% of U.S. adults say the country has serious societal issues that we need to address, according to a new poll.
At the same time, 9 in 10 adults say they hope that the country moves toward unity, according to Stress in AmericaTM: January 2021 Stress Snapshot, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association.
The survey found that the average reported stress level during the prior month was 5.6, (on a scale from 1 to 10 where 1 means “little to no stress” and 10 means “a great deal of stress”). This is higher than stress levels reported in 2020 Stress in AmericaTM surveys since April. It is therefore no surprise that 84% of adults reported feeling at least one emotion associated with prolonged stress in the prior two weeks. The most common were feelings of anxiety (47%), sadness (44%) and anger (39%). Additionally, 2 in 3 adults (67%) said the number of issues America is facing is overwhelming to them.
“Nearly a year into the pandemic, prolonged stress persists at elevated levels for many Americans. As we work to address stressors as a nation, from unemployment to education, we can’t ignore the mental health consequences of this global shared experience,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer. “Without addressing stress as part of a national recovery plan, we will be dealing with the mental health fallout from this pandemic for years to come.”
The majority of adults reported the future of our nation (81%), the coronavirus pandemic (80%) and political unrest around the country (74%) as significant sources of stress in their lives. And despite more than three weeks having passed since the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 66% of adults said this event was a significant source of stress. The events on Jan. 6 also impacted adults disproportionately: Almost three-quarters of Black adults (74%) said that the Capitol breach was a significant source of stress, compared with 65% of white adults and 60% of Hispanic adults.
Regardless of political affiliation, the majority of Americans reported emotions associated with stress (85% of Democrats, 83% of Republicans and 83% of independents). They also shared similar concerns about the country: When looking at the future of our nation, slightly more than 8 in 10 Democrats (82%), Republicans (82%) and independents (81%) said it was a significant source of stress.
APA offered the following evidence-based advice to help people manage their stress:
Give yourself permission to take a break from the news, social media or even certain friends. Constantly exposing ourselves to negative information, images and rhetoric maintains our stress at unhealthy levels.
Practice the rule of “three good things” and ask friends and family to do the same. The rule states that at the end of each day, reflect on three good things that happened — large or small. This helps decrease anxiety, counter depression and build emotional resiliency.
Practice self-care in 15- or 30-minute increments throughout the day. This can include taking a short walk, calling a friend or watching a funny show. Parents should encourage or help their children to do the same.
Stay connected with friends and family. This helps build emotional resiliency so you can support one another.
Keep things in perspective. Try to reframe your thinking to reduce negative interpretations of day-to-day experiences and events.
More information about managing stress and infographics on the findings are available at www.stressinamerica.org.
Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of the American Psychological Association from Jan. 21 to 25, 2021, among 2,076 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey was not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, contact sbethune@apa.org.
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