Category Archives: Main

5 Helpful Ways to Store Recipes

Technology makes it easy to download and store recipes on your favorite device, which provides a convenient solution. However, when you’re ready to hit the kitchen and dive into cooking, not much can beat pulling out a physical recipe to follow. While it’s always best to keep a digital copy of your recipes for backup, here are some fun ways to store a paper or other hard copy.

Journal

Find yourself a simple or decorative journal, preferably something that will match your kitchen’s colors or theme. You can either write your recipes directly in the journal or tape them onto the pages.

Photo Album

A large photo album will allow you to place the papers directly inside. As a bonus, the film protectors will help keep your recipes dry and clean.

Tin or Box

You can find old-fashioned or decorative tins and recipe boxes at dollar stores or at garage sales. These have a nostalgic feel and may bring back memories of your grandmother cooking when you were little.

Binder

A sturdy school binder can work well, too. You can simply write your recipes on paper or print them off, punch holes in them, and add them to the binder. However, this will not offer protection from spills and food-covered fingerprints. It’s best to either laminate them first for protection or get sheet protectors to slide them in.

Flip Stand

A vertical flip stand is a great option, as you can stand your recipe up while you’re cooking. This makes it easier to look at, relieves your neck, and gives you more workspace.

Cork Board

Turn your recipes into part of the kitchen décor with cork boards. Use simple thumbtacks to add your favorite recipes and they’ll always be at the ready.

Top Career Tips For Healthcare Workers

Working in healthcare can be incredibly rewarding, no matter what your role is. When you work in healthcare, you get to make a positive difference in people’s lives each day, and this can give you a sense of purpose. Additionally, healthcare jobs are in demand, you can work anywhere, and there is always room for progression with the ability to earn a good salary. These are a few of the main benefits of a career in healthcare, but it is not all perks, and it can be work that is stressful, demanding, and sometimes upsetting. With this in mind, here are a few career tips for healthcare workers that will hopefully help anyone that is in this field or considering a career change.

Find A Mentor

Having a mentor can be hugely helpful when you are a healthcare worker. With work that can be so stressful, challenging, and demanding, having someone with experience offering support and guidance can make a big difference and help you to improve your performance. Additionally, they may be able to open doors for you and help you to progress your career.

Identify & Work On Your Weaknesses

In order to provide the best level of care and progress in your career, you will need to work on your weaknesses; otherwise, these will hold you back. Sometimes it is obvious what your weaknesses are, but it is still a good idea to seek feedback from patients and other colleagues. It is not always easy to hear, but this can be the best way to find out your weaknesses and the areas that you need to improve to boost your career.

Work On Your Soft Skills

In healthcare, it is easy to focus on medical skills and knowledge. While this is certainly essential for your success, you will find that you will not get very far if you do not have good soft skills. Soft skills will allow you to perform to a high standard, manage your workload and develop positive professional relationships. Usually, soft skills can be improved with practice, online research, and courses. A few key soft skills that healthcare workers need include:

  • Communication skills
  • Time management skills
  • Work ethic
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership
  • Organizational skills

Get To Know Your Patients

It is also important to get to know your patients. Instead of seeing each person simply as a case to solve, you need to treat the person and make sure that they feel as comfortable, safe, and supported as possible. Bedside manner is extremely important in healthcare and will play a major role in your success and reputation as a healthcare provider. Additionally, you need to make sure that you make time for the loved ones of patients so that you can offer support and answer any questions that they might have.

Look Into Accelerated Courses

Those looking to get into healthcare may be put off by the idea of studying for several years, but this is not your only way in. Online accelerated BSN programs prepare people for nursing roles with the main coursework completed online with a 2-week campus visit and clinical in the field. This can fast-track your way into the healthcare field while teaching you everything that you need to thrive in nursing. In a time where there is a nursing shortage, programs like this are ideal for those that are looking to change careers and enter healthcare.

Network

As with any industry, you always need to make an effort to build your professional network. This can be helpful in terms of finding new opportunities, improving your reputation, and building a supportive network. You should make an effort by networking in person and then use social media and the internet as a way to maintain these relationships over time. You may also be able to build a large, global network through online communities like Reddit.

Stay Current

Those that work in healthcare need to understand that it is a field that is constantly changing, and you need to make an effort to keep up with all of the latest trends, tech developments, and changes. There are many ways to do this, including journals and magazines, podcasts and blogs, social media, and attending industry events. This will help you to stay current, showcase your commitment and immerse yourself in healthcare.

Establish Career Goals

As mentioned in the intro, there is always room for progression in healthcare, and most people do not stay put in one role for too long. This is why it is a smart idea to spend time establishing what your career goals are and what area you want to specialize in. Once you have established this, you can then find ways to make this happen and speak to your boss and mentor to get support in your journey.

Be Willing To Move

Leading on from this, sometimes you will need to move to a new facility or even a new city in order to progress your career and achieve your goals. As mentioned, people do not stay too long in one role, and often this involves a move away from your current employer. This can be tough, especially if you enjoy working there, but sometimes it is necessary for your career.

Look After Your Own Health

Ironically, healthcare workers often find it difficult to look after their own health. This is because their work can be so demanding, and shift work can make it hard to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is possible, though, once you start scheduling your free time and prioritizing aspects like sleep, a healthy diet, and relaxing. Mental health is something that every healthcare worker needs to be wary of, and you should seek support if you are struggling at any point.

Hopefully, these tips will come in handy for any healthcare worker or someone getting started with a career in healthcare. Working in healthcare can be interesting and highly rewarding, but it is not the easiest field, and many people struggle when first getting started.

Should You Avoid DEET Products?

Bug bites are not only itchy and annoying – they are also dangerous. Mosquitoes and other insects can carry diseases, such as the West Nile virus and Lyme disease. Protecting yourself and your children from bug bites is important, but should you rely on products with DEET in them to do the job?

Many people swear by DEET to keep them safe from bug bites, but the chemical has been linked to potential health problems. This has included studies that have shown a connection between DEET and nervous system issues, seizures, and brain toxicity. Additionally, it can cause skin reactions for many people, especially those with sensitive skin.

Regardless of people’s beliefs and studies, it is a fact that anything put on the skin can be absorbed into the body. Harmful substances can attack the body’s vital organs and cause serious health issues. Whenever possible, staying away from such substances is always the best choice.

Choosing a natural DEET free bug repellent is the best way to ensure that neither you nor your children experience any potential effects. Additionally, natural products are made with ingredients that are good for the body. This means you’re not only keeping the bug bites at bay but also providing yourself with some health benefits.

Find Your Inner Peace

Wе аll сrаvе іnnеr реасе and finding inner peace, but hоw dо wе rеасh it? Wіll it tаkе уеаrѕ оf intense mеdіtаtіоn practice to reach inner реасе? Wіll уоu nееd tо ѕреnd hours іn wееklу yoga classes? Will you need tо climb to the top оf a Himalayan mоuntаіn and seek the counsel оf an old wise man tо ѕhаrе the аnсіеnt secret to іnnеr реасе? Whіlе your раth to еxраndіng іnnеr peace mау оr mау nоt include meditation, yoga, оr spiritual wise mеn, іt will bе a unique jоurnеу. Dіѕсоvеrіng іnnеr реасе as well as happiness оftеn leads uѕ down a twisty, curvy road. Hоwеvеr, іf you аrе rеаdу to step оntо that раthwау аnd hаvе greater inner peace, continue rеаdіng аnd discover рrасtісаl аnd uѕеful steps that уоu nееd tо knоw to gеt ѕtаrtеd.

Definition of Whаt Innеr Peace Is

Sо what іѕ іnnеr peace? Innеr реасе rеfеrѕ tо a state оf hаvіng еnоugh knowledge to stand strong еvеn in thе face оf ѕtrеѕѕful or undеѕіrаblе life ѕіtuаtіоnѕ. It іѕ аn ability tо breathe dеерlу, fіnd сеntеr, аnd regain аn іntеrnаl sense оf саlm оr fоrtіtudе durіng аll of lіfе’ѕ еxреrіеnсеѕ. It іѕ thе ability tо handle situations and conflicts, іn life аnd іn ourselves, wіth ассерtаnсе, еmраthу, аnd creativity.

Sоmеtіmеѕ, inner реасе іѕ dеfіnеd аѕ hаvіng a саlmnеѕѕ and gеnеrаl freedom frоm anxiety. However, реrhарѕ mоrе іmроrtаntlу, rаthеr than ѕееkіng thе absence of nеgаtіvе thоughtѕ, ѕtrеѕѕ, оr еmоtіоnѕ, іnnеr peace іѕ your аbіlіtу to ассерt thоѕе thoughts, worry, аnd fееlіngѕ when they оссur. Thеn іnѕtеаd of gеttіng stuck іn them being able to mоvе beyond thеm.

Inner реасе grоwѕ аѕ уоu remind yourself thаt you have thе capacity to deal wіth your challenges. Yоu mау nоt knоw еxасtlу how оr when уоu will rеасh a dеѕіrаblе оutсоmе tо your ѕіtuаtіоn, but уоu hаvе an inner реасе knowing that you wіll реrѕеvеrе and асhіеvе success. Fоr example, іnѕtеаd оf stressing or wоrrуіng аnd thеn using оvеrеаtіng tо саlm оr аvоіd dealing wіth аn unрlеаѕаnt ѕіtuаtіоn оr emotions, уоu would knоw how tо tар іntо уоur inner реасе аnd fіnd сrеаtіvе solutions tо уоur рrоblеmѕ. Innеr реасе іѕ уоur ability to slide back іntо уоur оwn gеnuіnе optimism аnd faith in lіfе аnd уоurѕеlf, аnd tо deal wіth аnxіеtу, ѕtrеѕѕ, оr emotions when they оссur.

4 Strategies for Decreasing Your Stress

Stress is a constant feature of modern culture. It takes commitment and intentionality to resist it. Certainly, making healthy changes in your relationships, career, and media consumption will make a big impact. Once you’ve done that, what are some things you can do to decrease stress in your body and mind? Here are a few effective strategies.

1. Get a Massage

Commit to receiving the gift of massage regularly. It is one of the most powerful ways to relax, de-stress, unwind your muscular tension, and keep your body limber and pain-free. Getting a massage from a friend or partner is great; so is self-massage. But there’s nothing like the therapeutic effect of a professional massage. Try a search using terms such as massage therapy of Fredericksburg to find a clinician who’s well-qualified, competent, and caring.

2. Get Grounded

Go for a walk outdoors as often as possible. If you’re able to take your shoes off, even better. You’ll benefit from the electrical currents of the earth. Want to find out more? Try earthing, which has evidence-based science to back up its claims.

3. Get Rested

Be sure to get enough sleep if you want to decrease your stress level. Insufficient sleep leads to elevated cortisol levels, which increases anxiety and the “fight-or-flight” response. Aim for at least seven hours of shut-eye per night. Also, it’s beneficial to take part in some type of mindfulness practice during the day, whether it’s meditation, prayer, or yoga.

4. Get Moving

Establish and maintain a sustainable exercise routine that brings cardiovascular, muscular, flexibility, and agility benefits. Get together with a certified trainer to get you started if needed; be sure to get medical clearance. Exercise is one of the most powerful stress relievers and will help you feel vital and relaxed.

Decreasing your stress involves caring for yourself holistically. Try these tips to feel calmer and more serene.

5 Ways to Treat Migraines

If you’ve ever suffered from a migraine, then you know just how quickly it can escalate from a dull ache to shooting pain. There are a lot of different treatment methods for migraines out there. Here are just a few you can explore if you’re a frequent migraine sufferer.

Pain Relievers

There are many pain relievers available to treat migraines. Some medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, are available over the counter. However, more severe migraines might require a prescription medication that you can take on an as-needed basis. For example, the drugs from the triptan family are some of the most common prescription pain relievers for migraines. 

Botox

Studies have shown that Botox injections every three months can help relieve chronic migraines in adults. If you’re interested in Botox as an option for migraine relief, you can search for doctors who offer Botox San Francisco CA by performing a quick internet search.

Preventative Medications

If you suffer from chronic migraines, preventative medications that you take daily can provide a lot of relief. If your migraines happen often and last for an extended period, daily preventative medicine might be your best option.

Hydrate

Dehydration is a common cause of migraines, so a great way to prevent migraines is to stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle with you throughout the day and aim for at least 90 ounces of water per day. 

Caffeinate

If your migraine has already started causing you pain, a bit of caffeine can help stop it from getting worse. The most important thing to remember about using caffeine for migraine relief is that sugar can make migraines worse. To avoid getting a sugar headache, skip the soda and go for a cup of coffee or strong tea.

What’s nice about some of the treatment options listed here is that they’re simple and easy to access. If you suffer from chronic migraines, though, be sure to talk to your doctor about all treatment choices available before choosing one on your own.

Critical Urological Supplies Services Provided by Medical Experts

Many patients who need to use medicine related to the kidneys, urinary tract, bladder, urethra, or other urological supplies find that these items are expensive and difficult to get. However, this situation is improving due to the work of specialist medical charities working with professional health care organizations to provide more support. Here are the critical urological supplies services provided by medical experts:

Urinary Catheter Labeling and Insertion Services

Though not an integral part of a hospital’s supplies, many hospitals have their own labeling services for bladder catheters. For instance, ABC Medical uses this service to minimize malpractice claims while ensuring patients are treated properly. Understandably, some people are bound to refuse medical or surgical treatment without full knowledge, while others aren’t in the position to understand what is required of them at that moment.

Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Supplies

Even though some equipment can be manufactured by professional out-sourcing labor, most orthopedic and rehabilitation supplies are provided by medical experts, like physical therapists, occupational therapists, and paramedics. The best part about working with experienced professionals is their holistic expertise, which ensures patients receive maximum benefits from rehabilitation processes without heading to any setbacks or complications during treatment.

Electromyography (EMG) Services

Electromyography (EMG) studies use electrodes to measure electrical activity in muscles to diagnose problems such as nerve damage, muscle strain, and other neuromuscular conditions. For instance, doctors need to know if a patient’s leg pain results from back problems or not.

Laboratory Services

Though other suppliers manufacture many hospital supplies, medical experts provide several kinds of laboratory tests required to monitor patient health and progress during treatment procedures. For instance, some tests can be life-saving measures like blood sugar level testing for diabetic patients. External laboratories only perform the final reading while doctors take care of all other aspects, including collection, transportation, and processing inside their labs. That’s why it becomes extremely important to work with experienced medical providers, since they take care of every aspect that might otherwise put a patient at risk if left unattended.

Central Line Management Services

Proper management of central line insertion sites is essential for avoiding catheter line infections that can lead to deadly complications, including sepsis. Hospital-acquired infections pose a danger in critical conditions where doctors often need to keep their options open by removing unnecessary tubes and lines.

The Top 6 Fields Of Research Whereby The Acquisition Of A Degree Will Directly Benefit One’s Career Progression

Contrary to popular belief, there are a variety of professional fields of business, industry and vocational careers that do not offer the option to study at doctorate level, but moreover some subjects that do offer a doctorate degree have proven not to enhance one’s career after completion.

With that being said, here, for your information, is a detailed look into the top six fields of research whereby the acquisition of a degree will directly benefit one’s career progression, paying particular attention to doctorates and how one would acquire one.

Necessary Skills and Attributes For The Undertaking Of Doctorate Degree

A plethora of required personality attributes and types of skill sets are needed to successfully complete a beneficial and career-enhancing – as well as wholly life-enhancing – professional undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctorate degree.

Such skillsets and personality strengths include but are categorically in no way limited to:

  • Collaborative Skills
  • Resilience and Strength of Character
  • Experience in conflict resolution
  • General Intelligence
  • Leadership Skills
  • Experience with managing people
  • Entrepreneurial Initiative
  • Time Management
  • Emotional Stability
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Networking Experience
  • Analytical Skills
  • Experience in conflict management
  • Project Management Skills
  • Ethics and Integrity

Benefits Of Studying At Professional Doctorate Level

There are many wide-reaching advantages to undertaking a PHD in your area of study that you are both passionate about and committed to. Within your studies and research practices, you will be exposed to methods of working, industry experts, and innovative science and mathematical theories that you would never be exposed to otherwise.

Professional doctorate degree programs provide an incredibly inspirational and practical learning experience in an exciting, challenging, and exceedingly rewarding environment working alongside genuine experts and world-class pioneers of your specific field of study. Your training will be focused on developing and nurturing your research skills and the practical application of your findings in a modern-day working environment, and you will be provided with the opportunity to create your own personalized global network by working and studying one or more modules overseas.

Now that the particular key skills, knowledge, experiences, and personality attributes that are necessary for the successful completion of a professional doctorate degree have been established, it is now time to explore the key areas of research that warrant the existence of a Ph.D. within them.

 1. Engineering

Engineering is a stand-out area of academic study whereby a high proportion of doctorate degrees are set in throughout the United States and overseas. Most professional doctorate degrees in engineering are terminal research doctorates.

If you are a postgraduate of the field of engineering who is considering whether or not to advance your education and enroll on a professional doctorate in engineering, there are more than a few key points that may be helpful to consider whilst you decide on your next professional proverbial move.

  • The relevance of your proposed research problem or question to the area of engineering industry that you intend of pursuing.
  • The passion for academia within engineering over practical application of your knowledge and expertise
  • Whether or not you want to concentrate your efforts on the advancement of technology, or else the analysis and improvement of said technology
  • Are you ready for the huge and all-encompassing level of financial and emotional commitment that automatically accompanies such a professional doctorate degree

After the successful completion of a professional doctorate degree in engineering, there are around five main areas of specialism to enter.

  1. Chemical Engineering
  2. Aerospace Engineering
  3. Biomedical Engineering
  4. Computer Software Engineering
  5. Telecommunication Engineering

2. Chemistry

As in other areas of science, a Ph.D. is the highest possible qualification in chemistry that is possible to obtain. As a result, the research questions and problems in a postgraduate doctorate in chemistry are incredibly challenging and complex.

Unlike other Ph.Ds, chemistry degrees often take longer than the initial three or four years stated by colleagues, graduates, and lecturers during the enrolment process, and this is due to several key reasons. Firstly, laboratory work and related experiments to your doctorate may mean you experience delays or need to repeat experiments, which will lengthen your study time. Additionally, the duration of your professional doctorate in chemistry also depends on the specific nature of your individual dissertation, the length of time it takes to complete said dissertation, and the specific type of research you are conducting.

After the entirety of your intense Ph.D. studies, you will be afforded the opportunity to pursue a career progression path in the following areas, although this list is by no means exclusive:

  • Chemistry Professor
  • Chemistry Researcher
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Environmental Science Specialist
  • Medicinal Chemist
  • Materials Chemist

3. Criminal & Legal Justice

Usually, those individuals who want to enroll in a professional doctorate degree in criminology, criminal justice, or legal justice are expected to possess a postgraduate master’s degree of an upper second-class honors grading or higher.

Criminology degrees, be those undergraduate, postgraduate, or professional doctorate degrees, are among the most popular to take, especially throughout the United States.

The knowledge in different areas acquired when studying at the doctorate level in the criminal and legal justice sector include, but are in no way limited to:

  • Policing, court, and offender probation
  • Environmental action
  • Human rights policy
  • Activism
  • Prison work and the work of prison psychologists and officers
  • Community building
  • Alternative and community sanctions
  • Offender rehabilitation
  • Service providers for drug addiction
  • Local authority crime prevention tactics
  • Third sector service providers of crime prevention
  • Matters of local and national security

4. Healthcare

There is a wide plethora of available doctorates in medicine, nursing, and healthcare, and no matter what field of specialism you decide upon, you will be afforded an incredibly detailed and extensive wealth of knowledge and practical experience in your chosen area of healthcare.

Healthcare Ph.Ds that are available for study in both the United States and the United Kingdom and, indeed beyond, include but are categorically not limited to:

  • Doctorate Medical Science
  • Doctor of Clinical Psychology
  • Doctor of Pharmacy
  • Doctorate in Biomedical Science
  • Doctorate in Health Service Management
  • Doctorate in Nursing Science
  • Doctorate in Public Health Care

Pursuing an online doctorate is the most popular and beneficial area of study. It is an area of research that is grounded in theory. The essential aim of the course is to provide a much deeper understanding, knowledge, and all-around awareness of nursing and nursing science.

Nursing science doctorate students are taught how to produce and develop their individual stylistic research skills that are reflective and objective. Such degree syllabuses are designed to promote the constructively critical acquisition of knowledge and self-reflection and help registered, professional nurses manage their own learning to promote high levels of critical understanding and the application of this understanding in a professional way.

Students enrolled in the program will extensively study the theory of nursing and practice and learn how to research specific and current issues objectively and in an in-depth fashion to become experts on it.

If you want to start a career in healthcare, the natural progression of further education starts with a bachelor’s degree in your chosen field of study, and this can be obtained through a variety of different ways, namely an online ABSN program from a renowned and established academic institution.

5. Creative Writing

Contrary to widely upheld and popular belief, doctorates in creative writing are just as academically challenging and simultaneously rewarding as more scientific and research-based courses.

Research within the creative writing sector has been and still is a growing area of interest and advancement, and a Ph.D. in Creative Writing usually culminates in the requirement of a book-length piece of work, usually fictional, which is written specifically for the degree program and is essentially ready to be published.

Doctorates in creative writing are geared towards research through creative practice and an accompanying dissertation analyzing and objectifying the work undergone to create the final literary masterpiece.

6. Cultural Studies

If your professional career is already involved with cultural and foreign studies, a doctorate would greatly benefit your career, especially as such programs are constantly evolving and updating to match the changing sociological landscape of the country and indeed the world over.

A doctorate in cultural studies encompasses aspects of humanities, social sciences, the arts, and even languages and literature studies as part of the study syllabus.

Cultural studies doctorates could include one or more of the following modules of study:

  • Design History
  • Spatial, Environmental, and Cultural Policies
  • Transforming Gender and Sexuality
  • Memory, Narrative, and Cultural Histories
  • Applied Philosophy
  • Ethics and Politics

Cultural studies is the complex and incredibly fascinating research and practical process of attempting to determine the formation of distinct and wholly separate cultures and the individual aspects within each one. Additionally, some syllabuses may concentrate on feminism, popular culture, ethnicity, racism, social hierarchies, gay and lesbian rights, and and nationalism.

Conclusion

Studying a Ph.D. is a huge challenge for anyone that takes up a lot of time. That’s why it’s important to do what you can so that you pick the right one for you. These options discussed are the top 6 in terms of future prospects and should be considered in great depth.

What It Takes to Be a Healthcare Leader

 Leadership in any role is important; any business in any industry needs to rely on good leaders at every level to succeed.

Leaders inspire people, they improve morale, and they boost productivity. In healthcare, leaders are even more important because they directly impact the lives of not only their employees but also those of their patients.

Identifying the Traits of Leaders

Many leaders think that leadership roles are earned through time and experience, but there are characteristics unique to every leader. While not all leaders possess these traits, all successful leaders do. The following are some key traits that any good leader should possess:

The Ability to Communicate Effectively

What you say can make or break decisions. The best way to make your point is through communication; you need to be able to clearly deliver your message, listen to what others have to say, and respond constructively.

Communication in a healthcare setting is vital not only to effective leadership but also to ensure patient safety.

As doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, it is essential that you know how to communicate with patients. You need to be able to communicate effectively in all situations so that your patients understand what is being done and why.

A Strong Work Ethic

Every leader needs an unwavering work ethic – you can’t expect people to trust and follow you if you don’t follow through with your promises or commitments. So every single day, leaders should be showing proof of their commitment and determination – this means working hard and staying late if necessary.

It also means rarely leaving early, but good leaders need to keep a check on their worklife balance; no one wants a leader who lacks commitment or works too much.

Honesty

It’s difficult for people to follow someone they don’t trust or respect. This includes an honest workforce and also a leader who’s open about their mistakes.

Honesty is not only important for leaders but also for their staff. If you can’t be totally honest with your employees, then you are setting up your team for failure.

As one of the most important traits of leadership, honesty is one that you need to ensure you keep throughout your career. Never lie to people if it can be avoided; always be open and honest about everything – even if it means telling things that may make people worry or upset them.

A Passion for Their Chosen Area of Healthcare

A leader must have a passion for what they do. Whether it’s a willingness to learn new skills or enjoy being in a challenging environment, leaders need to be excited about the work they do.

Taking the time to learn new skills and keep up to date with developments in healthcare is vital if you want to be a successful leader. Be as interested as possible in your chosen field, as this will ensure that your team can follow your lead.

How To Develop Leadership In Healthcare

If you are working in a healthcare environment that suffers from a lack of good leadership, then it is essential that you take steps to develop good leadership skills.

Before you can lead, you need to show your worthiness to do so; this means taking active steps to improve your skills and further your career. There are many ways in which you can do this, but the following are some key actions that are key to developing yourself into a successful leader:

1. Set the Standard for Your Team

This is one of the most important aspects of leadership; setting a good example, showing the importance of the role, and setting expectations with your team about what is expected.

It can be easy to set high standards when you’re in charge; it’s harder to do when you’re one of many leaders at work.

2. Build Trust With Your Staff

You want people to trust you; they must know that your actions are in everyone’s best interests and will help them perform at their best. Trust can be built slowly or quickly; this depends on how well you treat people and how hard you work for them.

3. Encourage Learning and Development

As a leader, you have a responsibility to ensure that your staff is capable of continuing to do the job; this means finding ways for them to gain new skills. Even if no one else wants to learn, do it for the team. The best way to develop your team is through training and development; keep everyone employed by offering opportunities that will develop their skillset.

Keep in mind that it’s not only your role as a leader to improve healthcare; it’s up to every healthcare professional who works in the industry. Only good leaders can make good teams; take steps now to ensure you become one of them.

Leadership In Nursing: Why Is It Different?

Leadership within a general healthcare setting can sometimes become hierarchical, but it’s more about the relationship between the nurse and the patient within the nursing sector.

Nursing requires unique leadership skills, but many of the qualities that you would look for in other leaders are present within nursing, especially in terms of ability to communicate, honesty, and commitment.

As mentioned above, communication is highly crucial in healthcare; it can be difficult at times because sometimes people know what they want to say and don’t want to hear what you’re saying. Therefore, it is important for nurses to take time out to talk with patients to understand their treatment plan and feel comfortable enough to speak with their nurses.

Nurses also need to respect their patients and treat them with dignity at all times.

A good leader needs to be someone that their team can rely on; a nurse is bound by a code of ethics and a set of values. This is a great quality for a leader to have, especially in relationships, but if you’re not honest with your staff, it can severely damage your reputation as a leader.

Being honest is important because it helps you keep relationships strong and allows staff members to trust you.

Nursing and Patient Relationship

When it comes to leadership within nursing, patients also play an essential role in maintaining morale while being treated.

People should feel reassured to be in healthcare because they are being cared for by nurses; patients should feel that their faith has been restored in nursing because of the way nurses treat them.

The Importance of Leadership In Nursing

Healthcare is important because it is a profession that can restore people’s faith in the system.

The amount of time and money put into healthcare can be questioned, but life would be very difficult without it. Unfortunately, people are often taken advantage of when it comes to healthcare; this is why leadership is so important within healthcare settings.

One of how nursing leaders can inspire their team is to show an example of leadership when no one is watching. By being honest, not afraid to show emotion, and setting great examples for others to follow, you’re making a difference.

Leaders are often put under pressure during stressful times, but it is important that they try their best even when they are struggling. One of the most common leadership qualities is honesty, as we discovered above; if you can’t be honest with your team members, then get rid of them immediately because they will get their own backs on you.

Promoting Trust and Empathy As Leaders

Leadership is a team effort, and it can be extremely difficult to get everyone working together, but the more effort you put in, the more likely it is that you will get the job done.

In healthcare, there are often specific situations that can cause problems for patients because of their illness or circumstances. If you aren’t able to empathize with your patients, then you’re not doing your job properly.

You must be aware of any specific needs that your patient may have and accommodate them while they are being treated. Empathy is a crucial facet of leadership because it tells your team members that you care, regardless of whether it would benefit you or not.

Conclusion

As you’ve seen, nursing leaders are quite different from other leaders in healthcare. When it comes to leadership, nurses have a lot of work to do, but they are the ones that their team members look to for guidance.

It’s important for nurses to be good at their jobs because many people are relying on them. When patients trust their nurse, they will receive the best care possible and feel more comfortable when they leave your ward.

Think about your team members when you’re in charge; if you’re not careful, you can lose them because of a lack of respect or lack of care. The best way to promote trust and empathy is by showing your staff that you care.

Take care of your team and always remember that the buck stops with you; if you don’t do your best, then you can end up losing everybody’s respect, including yours.

 

 

How You Can Stay Healthy While Running a Company

When you first start a business – and potentially well into your entrepreneurial run – you’ll probably put as much time and effort into that business as possible. This makes sense; after all, you want it to be a success, and you need to do whatever it takes to push it forward, find new clients, get ahead of the competition, and produce a high-quality end result in whatever sector you are working in.

Although this is a good thing in general terms, if you are neglecting your own health in the process, continuing to work when you really need to rest, skipping meals and exercise, and potentially adding a great deal more stress to your life than you really ever need to, then this is certainly a negative.

What is the answer in that case? You need to work hard on your business to make it a success – particularly right at the start – but if you make yourself ill in the process, you won’t be able to do that anyway. Surely there is a solution? The answer is that you need to keep yourself as healthy as possible while you are running your company. This sounds simple, but that’s why it’s such a successful strategy; staying healthy is something we can all do, no matter how busy we are. Read on to find out how it can be done so you can stay in peak condition and your business can thrive.

Check in with Your Mental Health

When you start a business, and potentially for a long time after you have done, you’ll need to put in a lot of hard work and plenty of long hours. This can lead to burnout, a feeling of being entirely overwhelmed, isolation, and of course, stress. This is bad enough in itself, but when you are entirely focused on what you are doing, you may even find that you don’t notice this is happening, or it becomes such a big part of your life that you don’t even think of it as unusual anymore. After all, you’ve got a lot to do, so of course you feel tired and stressed out.

However, because of this, and to combat it, it’s wise to take stock of your mental health situation regularly. Stop what you are doing and check in with your mental health to see just how you are really feeling and what it’s doing to you. This is easier said than done, but one option to complete this task in the right way is to start a journal. At the end of every day, simply fill it with bullet points about how you feel. This will help you gain clarity over your mental health, especially when you look back and read a week or a month’s worth of entries. If you also use the journal to log how much sleep you’re getting, what you’re eating, and how much exercise you’re doing, you’ll instantly be able to see if things are turning negative and be able to do something about it sooner rather than later.

Find Ways to Laugh

There are sure to be times when you come across obstacles and have to deal with challenges – big and small – as a business owner. As it should be clear by now, this can become hugely problematic if you don’t take any time for yourself and if you don’t look after your own health. One way to do this is to find different ways to laugh.

It might sound strange, but the fact is that when you laugh, you release endorphins into your bloodstream. These hormones help to boost your mood, instantly relieving at least some of the pressure you are feeling and ensuring that less cortisol (the stress hormone) is produced. Therefore, laughing as much as you can and actively seeking ways to be happier will help you. Not only will you be healthier, but you will also be able to quickly de-stress when you need to, which can lead to much less time away from work in the long term.

There are numerous ways you can find something to laugh about. One might be by watching a comedy program on TV or YouTube; another could be talking to friends and enjoying fun memories. You can even pretend to laugh or simply smile – you’ll probably feel a little silly doing this, but you can trick your body into producing the same chemicals and hormones and thus feel better even if it is all fake.

Be Social

Human beings are meant to connect with others; it’s in our nature – for the most part, at least – to be social creatures. Even those of us who are what might be termed introverted can still benefit from the occasional social event or even by connecting with people online and not face to face. The fact is that people will always be able to find some form of comfort when they are socializing more, whether that’s laughing with friends as mentioned above, or simply having a chance to relax more and stop thinking about work and its challenges for a little while.

Therefore, no matter how much you have to do, always try to make time for being social. This could be going out with friends once a week or once every other week, joining in with an online discussion, video calling relatives, and so on. If you live with others, this becomes even easier; they will want to spend time with you, and you will need to create a good work-life balance if you are going to stay healthy and be productive at work. Make sure you make time for the ones who rely on you and whom you love, and you’ll find your health becomes much better.

Manage Stress

When you are stressed, your health is sure to suffer. Stress will bring with it many different ailments and leave you open to dozens more – your immune system will be much less capable than it would be if you were not so stressed, and therefore any bugs, colds, or flu that is going around would be a problem for you. When you become unwell, you will not be able to do so much work, and by pushing yourself to do as much as possible, you’ll only be making your illness last longer, as the body won’t be resting, which is what it needs to do to heal itself.

With this in mind, you need to be able to manage your stress if you want to stay healthy while you’re running your business. Of course, it’s easy to tell someone to manage their stress, but being a business owner is necessarily stressful; there is just so much to do. However, if you can look more closely at what it is that’s causing you the most stress and deal with that, and then work down the list so that eventually everything is dealt with, you’ll find that it can be done.

When it comes to overwork, delegating some of that work or outsourcing to a third party if that makes more sense and your business can afford it is the best thing to do. This means letting go, and this can be hard, but it’s vital when it comes to staying healthy. Another option is to take some time out every day to unwind. You could take a warm bubble bath, listen to music, make sure you read a chapter of a book before bed, play a game with your children, or anything else. As long as it means you’re not thinking about work, you’ll allow your mind and body to re-set a little, and you’ll feel better for it.

Exercise

Everyone knows – or should know – that regular exercise is something that is crucial when it comes to getting fit and healthy and maintaining your health. Just thirty minutes of exercise a day (some even suggest you only need ten minutes, although it must be high-intensity exercise if this is the case) will help. In order to stay healthy when you’re running a business or doing anything else at all, you must ensure that you are exercising regularly.

Some people enjoy joining a gym and making stopping off there before or after work part of their routine. Others like being part of exercise classes. If your routine is not a set one and you can’t commit to a class or gym time, then you can simply go for a walk after work each day, or cycle rather than drive, or follow an online exercise video whenever you have the time. The kind of exercise you do is much less important than the fact that you’re doing it.

Build Your Mind

Your brain plays a huge part in ensuring you are healthy, which is why it’s so important for you to take good care of it. It really doesn’t matter if you have a good education already or if you didn’t do too well at school; it’s important to find a way to keep learning in whatever manner works best for you. Just like keeping your physical body fit with exercise, exercise will improve your brain too. Not only will this make your job much easier when you can understand more, but it will also make life more interesting and it will help you to de-stress as you won’t be thinking about work and will be concentrating on something else.

When it comes to learning, some will be content to read a book or watch a video or documentary about something they’re interested in, or even a new subject altogether. Others might take a class to learn something but not expect any certification or to gain specific qualifications. Still more might decide that, if they want to do well in business, they’ll need to take an MSN MBA dual degree so they know as much as possible and can truly position themselves as an expert. All of these are excellent ideas, and you’ll need to do whatever it is that suits you the best.

Everything you do, all your successes – and otherwise – will come from your thoughts. It stands to reason in that case that by strengthening your brain and helping to order your thoughts through education, you’ll get more done, and you’ll be healthier as a result. For one thing, you’ll be less stressed, and for another, your brain will be working, and you’ll be enjoying the process of learning too, all of which combine for better health.

Set a Routine

One of the best things you can do when you are a business owner and you want to feel healthier but always seem to be completely exhausted and close to burnout is to set yourself a good routine. When you have an intentional routine that you can stick to – although, of course, it should be flexible because things can quickly change in business and in life – you will always know what you are meant to be doing and what you will be doing next. You can slot any tasks that are required into the specific blocks of time throughout your day that relate to them. In this way, you’ll feel a lot less overwhelmed and much more able to cope with almost anything that comes your way.

Start with the time you wake up in the morning. Although it could be tempting to have a lie-in on days when you don’t have to start until later, if you get up at the same time each day, you can ensure you give yourself enough time to get everything done, including exercise and making a healthy breakfast, for example. Sleeping in means that these important elements of your day might be forgotten. You should also have a dedicated bedtime. In this way, you’ll make sure you get enough sleep, and you’ll know precisely how many hours in the day you have to get everything else done. This is much better for your peace of mind and, therefore, your mental – and to some extent your physical – health.

How To Plan a Great Party

When you plan a party, you want to ensure that all of your guests have a fantastic time and that you don’t wear yourself out in the process. That is why you should know what things to get help with and which to let go of completely. Here is how you can plan a great party.

Cater the Food

Instead of spending the day of the party stuck inside the kitchen, hire someone to cater the food for you. When you let someone else handle the food, you won’t be stuck running back and forth from the kitchen, making sure everything is warm, and nothing runs out during the party.

When you are looking for caterers, go with a local family-owned restaurant that you love to frequent. Whether you choose a seafood and steak restaurant Fredericksburg TX, or a pasta one, make sure you plan for a few extra plates worth of food in case someone brings an extra guest.

Skip the Decorations

While decorations can be fun for a party, they aren’t always necessary. If you’re throwing a birthday party, get a simple banner that says Happy Birthday and don’t worry about the rest. Even though you don’t go all out with the balloons and streamers, your guests will still have a great time.

Entertain the Kids

If kids are at your party, you want to make sure that you always plan something for them to do. Nothing ruins a party faster than children with nothing to do. Set up a game table with a few options for them. Or, if you have a pool, blow up some fun floats and let them swim to their heart’s content.

If you want to go all out for the kids, consider creating a scavenger hunt for them. Place clues around the property and have them solve riddles to find the next spot. At the end of the hunt, put bags of candy or toys for them as their prize for finishing.

How To Choose the Perfect Gift Basket

Gift baskets are some of the most delightful gifts you can give a person. They’re highly personalizable, versatile, and a lot of fun to unwrap.

Before you start shopping around for gift baskets, though, you’ll need to do two things. First, know your audience. The items included in a basket should reflect the recipient. A basket filled with coffee-themed goodies likely won’t work for someone who prefers tea. Second, pick a theme. If the basket is intended as a housewarming gift, the items included should be geared toward new homeowners. So, how do you choose the right gift basket? Here are some ideas to help you decide.

Something Consumable

Consumable items can be anything from baby wipes to a bag of coffee, as long as they fit the occasion. A cozy bridal shower gift basket might include tea or a bottle of wine, but a care package for a new mom might consist of snacks for the hospital or even the ingredients to her favorite drink.

Useful Items

Are you delivering a gift to a new homeowner? A BBQ-themed basket or charcuterie board with meats and cheeses would be perfect. Do you have an upcoming baby shower? A baby-themed basket that includes toys and other baby items, such as bibs and onesies, would definitely fit the bill.

Self-Care

Self-care items can be some of the most appreciated things you can include in a gift basket, and it’s an area you can have a ton of fun with. If you’re using self-care items, it’s particularly important to make sure you know your audience, though. Bath bombs, body lotions, and pumice stones or loofahs are great options, but make sure your recipient isn’t sensitive to things such as fragrances or dyes. If you’re unsure whether that’s the case, a plush blanket, puzzle, or pretty journal are also great options.

Now, the fun part: Have a great time shopping!