American Heart Month: Protecting the Heart That Powers Your Life

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026

Every February, American Heart Month shines a spotlight on heart health and the steps we can all take to reduce the risk of heart disease—the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women.

While heart disease is common, it is also largely preventable. American Heart Month reminds us that small, consistent lifestyle choices can make a powerful difference in protecting our hearts and improving overall quality of life.

Why Heart Health Matters

The heart works nonstop, pumping blood, oxygen, and nutrients throughout the body. When the heart or blood vessels are compromised, it can lead to serious conditions such as heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, and heart failure.

Risk factors like poor diet, physical inactivity, smoking, stress, and unmanaged health conditions can strain the heart over time. The good news is that many of these risks can be reduced with informed, proactive care.

Everyday Habits That Support a Healthy Heart

Heart health doesn’t require perfection—just progress. Building heart-smart habits can start today:

• Eat a heart-healthy diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats while limiting excess sodium, added sugars, and processed foods.
• Stay physically active. Aim for regular movement such as walking, cycling, swimming, or strength training. Even short bursts of activity add up.
• Know your numbers. Monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels helps catch potential issues early.
• Manage stress. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure and strain the heart. Mindfulness, deep breathing, adequate sleep, and relaxation are essential forms of self-care.
• Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol. These choices significantly impact heart and vascular health.

Heart Health Is for Everyone

Heart disease doesn’t discriminate by age or gender. While risk increases with age, younger adults benefit greatly from establishing healthy habits early. American Heart Month encourages families, workplaces, and communities to create environments that support heart-healthy choices for everyone.

Women, in particular, are encouraged to recognize heart disease symptoms, which can sometimes differ from those experienced by men. Awareness and timely care save lives.

Making Heart Health a Priority All Year Long

American Heart Month is more than a reminder—it’s a call to action. By choosing nutritious foods, staying active, managing stress, and partnering with healthcare providers, we can strengthen our hearts and protect our futures.

This month and beyond, take time to care for your heart—it’s the engine that keeps life moving.

Restoring Regulation in the Workplace: Aromatherapy, Nervous System Support, and Intentional Practices

Tuesday, January 27th, 2026

by Sheila Tucker, RN

I would like to begin this article with a personal story that explains why aromatherapy has become an integral part of my life and professional practice. As a registered nurse, I have witnessed firsthand the physical and emotional demands people carry, often quietly. My experiences at the bedside shaped my understanding of care beyond clinical treatment and led me to embrace aromatherapy as a supportive, human-centered approach to well-being—one I now hope you will feel encouraged to explore for yourself.

A few days ago, I underwent a medical procedure that was fairly terrifying and involved multiple injections. As I waited for the procedure to begin, I felt my body begin to shift. My heart rate quickened. Heat rose into my face and neck. My jaw tightened, my shoulders stiffened, and my breathing became shallow and guarded.

These sensations were familiar. I recognized them immediately from when working with patients. They are not responses paired with weakness or anxiety, but with the nervous system moving into a fear response.

I wondered whether I could gently shift my internal state — not by forcing calm, but by offering my body a different sensory input. I immediately knew what to do. I reached in my purse and my hand landed on the forest bathing blend, an essential oil that I have nearby at all times.

I applied the rollerball of forest bathing blend slowly and deliberately to several points — my wrists, throat, heart space, lower back, behind my knees, and around my ankles — and then settled into slow, intentional breathing. There was a lightness in the moment, even a sense of appreciation. As the aroma began to register, another shift followed. The scent evoked something deeply familiar — that stabilizing experience of walking on a path through the forest filled with sounds and nature’s beauty, where the nervous system instinctively downshifts, and the body remembers how to settle. In that moment, I wasn’t trying to eliminate discomfort or control the outcome. I was restoring a sense of safety so my body could move through the experience with greater ease and resilience.

This is how I understand aromatherapy — not as a cure or shortcut, but as a sensory support for regulation, adaptability, and self-trust. As a registered nurse with over two decades of dedicated care, my work focuses on understanding how the nervous system responds to stress, pain, and uncertainty — and how intentional, sensory-based practices can help restore choice, presence, and regulation in the body. I approach practices like aromatherapy not as products or interventions, but as part of a broader system of support that includes breath, pacing, environment, and self-awareness.

The Modern Workplace

Modern workplaces are increasingly shaped by prolonged stress, rapid change, and cumulative emotional strain. Employees may be managing demanding workloads while simultaneously navigating grief, health concerns, caregiving responsibilities, organizational restructuring, or ongoing uncertainty. In these conditions, the nervous system often remains in a heightened state of vigilance. Rather than returning to baseline after a stressful event, the body stays alert, guarded, and reactive.

Many workplace wellness initiatives attempt to address burnout by targeting symptoms such as fatigue, disengagement, or reduced productivity. True wellness practices take a different approach. Instead of forcing change or “fixing” the body, they focus on supporting the nervous system’s innate ability to return to safety and regulation. Within this framework, aromatherapy can serve as a supportive sensory practice when used with intention, education, and care.

Understanding the Nervous System at Work

Chronic stress keeps the body locked in survival physiology. Over time, this state affects sleep quality, digestion, immune function, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity. In professional environments, this often shows up as difficulty concentrating, increased irritability, decision fatigue, or emotional numbing.

The nervous system is constantly scanning for cues of threat and safety. When stress becomes ongoing, the body may cycle through fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses without adequate recovery. Gentle sensory cues — including breath, movement, sound, and scent — are among the most effective ways to signal safety and support a shift toward regulation.

Why Scent Plays a Unique Role

The olfactory system has a direct anatomical connection to the limbic brain, the area responsible for emotion, memory, and survival responses. Unlike other senses, scent bypasses cognitive filtering and reaches the brain rapidly. This is why aroma can influence mood, grounding, and perceived safety within seconds.

In workplace cultures that prioritize verbal communication and cognitive problem-solving, the role of sensory input is often overlooked. Aromatherapy does not require analysis or effort. It works through biological pathways already designed to respond to environmental cues. When used intentionally, it can complement broader wellness strategies by supporting emotional grounding and nervous system balance.

Applying “Forest-Bathing” Principles through Aromatherapy

Forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) is not a fitness activity or a productivity technique. It is a public-health practice developed in Japan to reduce stress by immersing the nervous system in cues associated with natural, non-threatening environments – the forest. The therapeutic value lies in how the body responds to nature.

Researcher Quig Li has extensively studied and written about the effects of forest bathing (Shinrin-yoku) on health promotion and disease prevention. His study of forest bathing supports the physiological findings of Park (2010). Li (2022) found that forest bathing:

1. reduces blood pressure and heart rate, showing a preventative effect on hypertension,
2. reduces stress hormones,
3. stabilizes a balance within the nervous system,
4. improves sleep, and
5. reduces anxiety and fatigue and increases vigor with a preventive impact on depression.

(Li et al.) In 2009, through extensive study, it was demonstrated that inhaling compounds found in forest air and tree-derived essential oils elevated immune markers. The study’s results linked essential oil inhalation to Shinrin-Yoku outcomes. This is powerful information when considering how to manage stressful work environments in urban areas, in confined office spaces, and certainly in our hospital settings.

Because most workplaces cannot offer access to forests or extended time outdoors, the goal is not to replicate nature literally, but to introduce select sensory cues that support nervous-system regulation.

In high-demand professional settings, many well-intentioned initiatives inadvertently increase stimulation — adding tasks, expectations, or social pressure. Forest-bathing–informed practices take the opposite approach. They aim to:

• Slow physiological pacing
• Reduce sensory overload
• Support perceived environmental safety
• Invite bodily awareness without forcing emotional processing

A Trauma-Informed Perspective on Aromatherapy

My years of experience as a registered nurse in critical care and trauma-informed wellness, I well understand that aromatherapy is approached not as a trend or quick fix, but as a body-based sensory practice. Education, consent, and context are essential — particularly in professional environments where individuals may have differing sensitivities, histories, or health considerations.

Trauma-informed aromatherapy emphasizes:

• Choice and autonomy
• Low-dose, gentle exposure
• Predictability and consistency
• Respect for individual nervous-system responses

This approach aligns with modern workplace wellness principles that prioritize psychological safety, inclusion, and self-regulation rather than performance pressure.

In workplace contexts, effectiveness depends on how the blend is used — not on intensity or frequency.

Best Practices for Use

1. Individual, Not Ambient, Use

Forest-bathing aromatics should be used personally, never diffused into shared airspaces. Appropriate formats include:

• Rollerball use
• Diffusers placed in a quiet, reflective space
• Scent cards stored in a drawer or bag

This preserves choice, respects sensitivities, and aligns with trauma-informed principles.

2. Brief, Intentional Exposure

Slow and targeted diffusion or rollerball application is sufficient. The goal is not prolonged exposure, but a clear sensory cue that signals the nervous system to slow and orient toward safety.

More scent does not increase effectiveness. Consistency matters more than strength.

3. Pair With a Regulating Action

Aromatics are most effective when paired with another regulating behavior, such as:

• Slow nasal breathing (4–6 second exhale)
• Gentle posture adjustment or grounding through the feet
• A brief pause with eyes softly focused or closed

This pairing helps the body associate the aroma with settling rather than alertness.

Structuring a Personal Forest-Bathing Ritual at Work

A workplace-appropriate forest-bathing ritual should be:

• Predictable
• Time-limited (30–90 seconds)
• Free of performance expectations

Example structure:

1. Step away from the screen or task
2. Close your eyes and focus on the aroma coming from your diffuser.
3. Notice physical sensations (temperature, contact with chair or floor)
4. Resume work intentionally

This is not meditation and does not require emotional reflection. It is a physiological reset, not a cognitive exercise.

When to Use Nature-Inspired Aromatics at Work

Forest-bathing aromatics are particularly well suited for:

• Transitions between meetings
• After difficult conversations
• During recovery breaks
• At the end of the workday to signal closure

They are not intended for use during active collaboration, meetings, or times requiring heightened alertness.

Why This Approach Works

Nature-inspired sensory cues operate through the limbic system, which governs emotion, memory, and survival responses. When the nervous system receives signals associated with non-threatening environments — such as earthy, grounded aromas — it becomes easier to shift out of chronic vigilance.

Over time, repeated low-intensity exposure paired with regulation can help:

• Reduce stress reactivity
• Improve emotional steadiness
• Support clearer cognitive functioning
• Reinforce recovery habits

This is particularly relevant in professions characterized by constant decision-making, emotional labor, or crisis exposure.

A Sensory Regulation Framework

In my work, I use a simple, trauma-informed framework for sensory regulation:

• Notice – Track physical sensations without judgment — changes in breath, muscle tone, temperature, or heart rate.
• Orient – Reconnect with the present moment by feeling the surface beneath you, noticing your surroundings, or naming – where you are.
• Engage the Senses – Introduce supportive sensory input intentionally and lightly. Apply aromatics to pulse points, pair with slow breathing, and allow the sensation to feel inviting rather than overwhelming.
• Allow the Shift – Let the nervous system move gradually — fear may soften into curiosity, curiosity into steadiness, and steadiness into grounding.
• Integrate – When regulation happens during challenge, the nervous system learns resilience and adaptability over time.

Important Boundaries

Aromatherapy and sensory practices are not substitutes for medical or mental health care. Individual responses vary, and practices should always be adapted with consent, sensitivity, and respect for personal history — particularly for those with trauma or sensory sensitivities. Key ethical boundaries for workplace use include:

• Use must always be voluntary.
• No claims of treatment or cure should be made.
• Aromatherapy must complement — not replace — medical or mental-health care.
• Sensory practices should never be used to override fatigue or distress.

Forest-bathing aromatics are not tools for pushing through stress. They are tools for recognizing when the body needs to slow.

Final Thoughts

Forest bathing in the workplace is not about recreating nature — it is about restoring regulation. When nature-inspired aromatics are used gently, personally, and with intention, they can provide meaningful nervous-system support in environments that demand constant engagement.

Shinrin-yoku — whether experienced directly in nature, supported through diffusion or, as with me just prior to a medical procedure, quickly through application by a roller ball — reminds the body of its innate capacity to settle, adapt, and endure. When the nervous system feels safe enough, resilience naturally follows.

Learn more about aromatherapy and the uses and benefits of essential oils at Florida Oils Rn.

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References

Antonelli, M., Barbieri, G., & Donelli, D. (2022). Effects of forest bathing (shinrin-yoku) on levels of cortisol as a stress biomarker: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Biometeorology, 66(1), 1–15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31001682/

Harvard Health Publishing. (2016). The healing power of nature. Time. https://time.com/collections/guide-to-happiness/4405827/the-healing-power-of-nature/

Li, Q., Kobayashi, M., Wakayama, Y., Inagaki, H., Katsumata, M., Hirata, Y., Hirata, K., Shimizu, T., Kawada, T., Park, B. J., Ohira, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2009). Phytoncides (wood essential oils) induce human natural killer cell activity. Immunology Letters, 123(2), 124–130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imlet.2009.02.006

Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 9–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-008-0068-3

Li, Q. (2018). Forest bathing: How trees can help you find health and happiness. Penguin Random House UK.

Li, Q. (2022). Effects of forest environment (Shinrin-yoku/Forest bathing) on health promotion and disease prevention — the establishment of “Forest Medicine”. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 27, Article 43. https://doi.org/10.1265/ehpm.22-00160

Park, B. J., Tsunetsugu, Y., Kasetani, T., Kagawa, T., & Miyazaki, Y. (2010). The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): Evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, 15(1), 18–26. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9

Song, C., Ikei, H., & Miyazaki, Y. (2025). Physiological effects of forest environments on human health: A review of field experiments. Forests, 16(2), 310. https://doi.org/10.3390/f16020310

Immune Function / NK Cells: Forest bathing trips have been associated with increased natural killer (NK) cell activity and increased expression of immune-related anti-cancer proteins, with effects lasting days to weeks in some studies.  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2793341/

The Benefits of Hosting an Employee Health Fair for HR Leaders

Wednesday, January 14th, 2026

For today’s HR leaders, employee wellness is directly tied to retention, productivity, engagement, and overall organizational performance. An Employee Health Fair is a strategic, high‑impact initiative that allows HR teams to address multiple workforce priorities at once—while demonstrating genuine care for employees.

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1. Aligns Wellness with Business Outcomes

Employee Health Fairs help HR leaders bridge the gap between wellness initiatives and measurable business results. Preventive screenings and education can lead to reduced healthcare claims, lower absenteeism, and improved productivity—key metrics HR is often accountable for.

By proactively addressing health risks, organizations can mitigate long‑term costs associated with chronic conditions and burnout.

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2. Enhances Employee Engagement and Retention

Employees are more likely to stay with organizations that visibly invest in their well‑being. Hosting a health fair sends a clear message: employees are valued beyond their job performance.

Interactive, on‑site wellness experiences increase participation and foster positive employee sentiment. For HR leaders, this translates into stronger engagement scores, improved morale, and higher retention rates.

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3. Supports a Holistic Total Rewards Strategy

Employee Health Fairs complement existing benefits and total rewards programs. They provide a platform for benefits education, ensuring employees fully understand and utilize what’s already available to them.

HR teams can spotlight medical, mental health, wellness incentives, EAPs, and voluntary benefits—maximizing ROI on benefits spend while reducing employee confusion.

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4. Improves Access to Preventive Care

One of HR’s ongoing challenges is encouraging employees to prioritize preventive health. Health fairs remove common barriers such as time constraints, lack of awareness, or access issues by bringing services directly to the workplace.

On‑site screenings and consultations increase participation and allow employees to take immediate, informed action regarding their health.

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5. Addresses Mental Health and Burnout Proactively

Modern HR leadership requires a strong focus on mental and emotional well‑being. Employee Health Fairs provide an opportunity to normalize conversations around stress, burnout, mental health, and work‑life balance.

Including mental health resources demonstrates organizational commitment to psychological safety and supports HR’s role in building a resilient workforce.

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6. Customizable to Workforce Needs and DEI Goals

Employee Health Fairs can be tailored to workforce demographics, industry risks, and organizational priorities. HR leaders can curate vendors and programming that reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion values while addressing specific health disparities.

This flexibility ensures relevance, inclusivity, and higher employee participation.

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7. Strengthens Employer Brand and Workplace Culture

A well‑executed health fair reinforces a culture of care and positions the organization as an employer of choice. These events contribute to a positive employee experience—an increasingly critical factor in talent attraction and employer branding.

For HR leaders, this cultural impact extends well beyond the event itself.

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8. Efficient, Scalable, and Cost‑Effective

Compared to ongoing wellness programs that require sustained resources, Employee Health Fairs deliver concentrated impact in a short timeframe. Many services are bundled, scalable, and cost‑effective, making them an ideal option for organizations of all sizes.

The result is a high‑visibility wellness initiative with long‑term benefits.

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Conclusion

For HR leaders, hosting an Employee Health Fair is a strategic investment—not a one‑time event. It supports organizational goals, enhances employee experience, and strengthens the overall health of the workforce.

By integrating Employee Health Fairs into a broader wellness and benefits strategy, HR professionals can drive meaningful impact while positioning their organization for sustainable success.

Epilepsy – What you should know

Tuesday, January 13th, 2026

Epilepsy: a practical guide for the person living with it—and the people who love them

Epilepsy can feel unpredictable, and that unpredictability can be stressful for everyone involved. The goal of this article is to replace fear with usable knowledge: what epilepsy is, what seizures can look like, how to treat and manage it day-to-day, what to do during a seizure, and how loved ones can support without taking over.

(This is general education, not personal medical advice. If you’re worried about new seizures, worsening seizures, or medication side effects, it’s worth contacting a clinician who treats epilepsy.)

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1) What epilepsy is (and what it isn’t)

Epilepsy is a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. A seizure is a change in normal brain activity that can last from seconds to a few minutes. (CDC)

One seizure doesn’t always mean epilepsy. Many people have a single seizure in their lifetime, and epilepsy is typically defined by a pattern/risk of recurring unprovoked seizures (there are formal clinical definitions used by specialists). (World Health Organization)

Epilepsy isn’t contagious. You can’t “catch” it from someone else. (CDC)

Most people with epilepsy can live full lives. Treatment works well for many, though some people need more support and different approaches to get good seizure control. (CDC)

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2) Seizures don’t always look like what movies show

A lot of people picture only the “fall down and shake” kind of seizure. That’s real—but it’s not the only form.

Seizures might look like:

• staring and being unresponsive
• confusion, wandering, or not making sense
• unusual movements (lip smacking, fidgeting)
• sudden loss of muscle tone (a drop)
• full-body stiffening/jerking with loss of awareness (CDC)

The big categories you’ll hear

• Focal seizures: start on one side/area of the brain. Awareness can be intact (focal aware) or affected (focal impaired awareness). Sometimes they spread and become a convulsive seizure. (CDC)
• Generalized seizures: begin (or appear to begin) on both sides of the brain at once and often affect awareness. (CDC)
• Unknown onset: when the start isn’t observed (for example, some night seizures). (Epilepsy Foundation)

Why this matters: seizure type strongly influences which treatments are most likely to help. (Epilepsy Foundation)

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3) Getting the right diagnosis really matters

Not every “seizure-like” event is epilepsy. Some events that can mimic seizures may have other physical or psychological causes (for example, low blood sugar, heart rhythm issues, and functional/dissociative seizures). That’s one reason a careful evaluation is so important. (Epilepsy Society)

Clinicians diagnose epilepsy by combining:

• a detailed history of what happened (witness descriptions help a lot)
• a neurologic exam
• EEG (records brain electrical activity)
• brain imaging like MRI, when needed, to look for structural causes (Mayo Clinic)

Practical tip: If it’s safe, a loved one can record a short video of an episode to show the clinician. That can speed up accurate diagnosis.

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4) Treatment: what helps, and what “success” can look like

Epilepsy treatment is individualized—but there are common pillars.

Anti-seizure medicines

For many people, medication is the first and most effective step. CDC notes medicines work for about 2 in 3 people with epilepsy, and it can take time (and sometimes combinations) to find the best fit. (CDC)

Key habit: Take medicine exactly as prescribed. Missing doses can raise seizure risk and can increase the chance of serious complications. (CDC)

If seizures aren’t controlled

If seizures continue, other treatments may be considered, such as:

• surgery (for certain seizure patterns)
• devices (neuromodulation like vagus nerve stimulation)
• dietary therapies (like ketogenic diet—medical supervision matters) (CDC)

A hopeful reality check

With proper diagnosis and treatment, it’s estimated that up to ~70% of people could live seizure-free. (World Health Organization)
That doesn’t mean everyone becomes seizure-free—but it does mean there are real reasons to keep working the plan with your clinician, especially if seizures persist.

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5) Daily life: reducing seizures and staying safe

Know your triggers (if you have them)

Not everyone has triggers, and triggers don’t cause epilepsy—but they can make seizures more likely for some people. (CDC)

Commonly reported triggers include:

• lack of sleep
• missed medication
• stress
• alcohol or substance use
• illness
• flashing lights/patterns (for a smaller subset)
• hormonal changes (CDC)

What works in real life: a simple “seizure log” (sleep, stress, meds, alcohol, illness, menstrual cycle, time of day) can reveal patterns you can actually act on.

Driving and independence

Driving rules depend on where you live. For example, CDC notes many U.S. states require a seizure-free period (length varies by state). (CDC)
In the UK, guidance includes notifying the DVLA and following their rules about when you can drive again. (nhs.uk)

This topic can feel emotional because it’s tied to independence. It helps to treat it like any other safety rule: temporary restrictions are about keeping you and others alive.

Water safety

Swimming and water sports can be risky—avoid swimming alone and talk to your clinician about what’s safest for your situation. (CDC)

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6) Seizure first aid everyone should know

If you only take one thing from this article, take this.

What to do during a seizure

CDC’s key steps include:

1. Stay calm and stay with the person
2. Move dangerous objects away
3. If they’re on the ground, turn them gently on their side to help keep the airway clear
4. Time the seizure
5. When it ends, help them recover somewhere safe; reassure them and explain what happened (CDC)

What NOT to do

• Don’t hold the person down
• Don’t put anything in their mouth
• Don’t give food or water until they’re fully alert (CDC)

When to call emergency services (911 in the U.S.)

Call if:

• the seizure lasts > 5 minutes
• they have another seizure soon after
• they have trouble breathing or waking up
• they’re injured
• it happens in water
• it’s their first seizure
• they are pregnant or have diabetes and lose consciousness (CDC)

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7) The serious stuff, explained gently: prolonged seizures and SUDEP

Status epilepticus (a medical emergency)

Repeated seizures close together or a seizure that won’t stop can raise risk of brain injury or death and needs urgent care. (CDC)

SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy)

SUDEP is rare, but it’s a real concern many families worry about. CDC defines SUDEP as death in someone with epilepsy that isn’t due to injury, drowning, status epilepticus, or another known cause. (CDC)

CDC notes:

• Experts estimate roughly 1 in 1,000 U.S. adults with epilepsy per year may die from SUDEP (lower in children). (CDC)
• Main risk factors include generalized seizures and uncontrolled/frequent seizures. (CDC)
• Taking seizure medicine as prescribed is highlighted as one way to lower risk. (CDC)

This is a good topic to discuss directly with an epilepsy clinician—because the best risk-reduction plan is almost always: better seizure control + consistent medication + a clear action plan. (CDC)

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8) Make a plan (this reduces panic for everyone)

A Seizure Action Plan is a one-page “what we do if X happens” document. Mayo Clinic describes it as a roadmap (especially useful for schools/work) that includes seizure type, what the person’s seizures look like, whether rescue medication is used, and when to contact family or seek urgent help. (Mayo Clinic)

What to include:

• seizure types and typical length
• what’s normal after a seizure (confusion? sleep?)
• when to call emergency services
• rescue medication instructions (if prescribed)
• emergency contacts
• clinician info
• allergies/other conditions

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9) The relationship side: how to support without smothering

For the person with epilepsy

You deserve two things at the same time:

• safety
• agency (control over your own life)

A good balance sounds like:

• “Here’s what I need help with during/after a seizure.”
• “Here’s what helps me feel normal again afterward.”
• “Here’s what doesn’t help (even if it’s well-intended).”

Also: mood changes, loneliness, and anxiety/depression can show up alongside epilepsy. That’s not weakness—just part of the health picture. CDC explicitly notes the mental health impact and emphasizes support. (CDC)

For loved ones

Your job isn’t to become the “seizure police.” Your job is to become a steady teammate.

What helps most:

• Learn seizure first aid (practice the steps mentally)
• Help build the seizure action plan
• Encourage medication routines without shame (“Want a reminder system?” beats “Did you forget again?”)
• Ask what support feels respectful (“Do you want me to check in, or give you space after?”)

Also: caregiver stress is real. If you’re constantly on edge, it’s worth getting support too.

(If anyone is in immediate emotional crisis in the U.S., 988 is available for urgent mental health support.) (CDC)

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10) A short “pocket card” summary

During a seizure:

• Stay calm, stay with them
• Clear hazards, cushion head if needed
• Turn on side if on the ground
• Time it
• Reassure after

Never:

• restrain
• put anything in the mouth
• give food/water until fully alert (CDC)

Call emergency services if:

• 5 minutes
• repeats
• breathing/waking problems
• injury/water
• first seizure
• pregnancy/diabetes with loss of consciousness (CDC)

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Trusted places to learn more (and share with family)

If you want a “single click” resource hub, these are consistently solid:

• CDC’s Epilepsy pages (basics, treatment, first aid, safety) (CDC)
• World Health Organization epilepsy fact sheet (global perspective + stigma) (World Health Organization)
• Epilepsy Foundation (seizure types, treatment options, first aid training) (Epilepsy Foundation)
• NHS epilepsy overview (practical living issues like driving and pregnancy considerations) (nhs.uk)

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How to Bring Health Fairs Back to the Workplace

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021

The past year and a half have been full of uncertainty about our health as a society. Ironically, it also caused us to put a hold on the promotion and education of health in the workplace. Like so many other businesses, we had to get creative to stay afloat! We created a personalized virtual health fair option. Our mission to bring health to the workplace slowed, but it never stopped.

As people become more comfortable with the world post-pandemic, there’s a growing awareness of the importance of our overall health. Now is the time to get back to in-person health fairs. Let us help you find the value in moving beyond the virtual world and coming back together to bring health to your workplace.

Boost Morale

It’s been a difficult time for everyone. Lives were turned upside down, some lost jobs; others lost loved ones. Mental health issues are at an all-time high, and fear has run rampant throughout our nation. What we all need now is a sense of normalcy.

Bringing people back together for an in-person health fair provides many opportunities to improve mental health and morale. Interacting with others in a controlled health fair setting boosts confidence in the safety of the workplace.

Giving health vendors a place to fully showcase their products and services helps boost the economy. As we interact at a health fair, we build connections and education in a way that cannot be achieved in the virtual world.

Encourage Wellness

Now more than ever, individuals are focused on their health. We are hyper-aware of its importance. When we bring in-person health fairs back to the workplace, we communicate how important health is. We also give people the tools to care for their health.

There is no better way to promote wellness and a healthy immunity than with person-to-person interaction. There is an accountability to in-person relationships that can be more easily ignored when we are sequestered away from one another.

As we once again promote health and wellness in our workplaces, we also contribute to lessening the spread of every disease. It has to begin at an individual level. As we encourage that personal responsibility, we make the world a safer, healthier place.

Safety Precautions

While many mask mandates have been lifted, some employees may still feel most comfortable wearing a mask. Having things like hand sanitizer and masks available for use are a great way to set employees at ease.

Be sure the facility you are using for your health fair has plenty of open space. Consider hosting your event outside. For your indoor event, provide specific time slots for groups of employees to attend. This can decrease the total number of people attending at one time. It can also allow each employee to seek out the information they need without waiting in line or standing in a crowd.

Listen to your employees and any needs and concerns they may have. We can accommodate most things to allow for an environment that feels safe and secure.

We are a resilient society. We have gained so much in the way of creativity and ingenuity over the past year or so. When challenges arise, we meet them and rise above them. That is how we grow! We will continue to grow and spread health and wellness. We look forward to seeing everyone in person at many health fairs to come.

Benefits of Recreational Therapy

Sunday, December 29th, 2019

There are many life skills and simple daily tasks we take for granted. They may come so easily to most of us that we fail to recognize the great impact they have on our overall health. People with disabilities, mental health challenges or other injuries can suffer from a lack of these everyday life skills and general well being. Recreational Therapy provides a solution to this problem.

What is Recreational Therapy

Recreational therapy is defined by any form of activity that contributes to the mental, social and physical health of the patient. Recreational Therapy can take many forms and is as varied as its patients. Recreational Therapists are certified and specialized to tailor a therapy program specifically for each person. Through a series of observations and conversations, a program is developed to promote growth and health.

Recreational therapy focuses on the whole health of a person. Its benefits have even been known to render other therapies or medications unnecessary.

Benefits of Recreational Therapy

People who are suffering from a debilitating injury or illness sometimes suffer from depression and anxiety, isolation and general dependence on others. Recreation activities provide more than just leisure and enjoyment – although those things are more important to your health than you might realize. They are specifically targeted to an individual’s needs.

Recreational therapy promotes independence, mental clarity, socialization skills and exposure, decision-making skills and creative expression. These things all contribute to a quality of life that may otherwise be nonexistent. The things we take for granted, others without them are longing to possess.

Who Can Benefit from Recreational Therapy

Research has shown that recreational therapy can have positive outcomes for a number of different people of all ages. Some examples of types of people whom recreational therapy can benefit are:

• Physically disabled
• Mentally disabled
• Elderly People
• Pediatric Patients
• Developmental Disabilities
• Brain Injuries
• Psychiatric Disorders

Recreational therapy provides a cost-effective way to treat patients. It treats the whole person and provides skills that carry over into all aspects of life.

Examples of Recreational Therapy Activities 

Each activity used in recreational therapy is used for a purpose. Patients with Alzheimer’s may use memory games and do crafts that help link synapses in the brain. Individuals with balance issues can try bowling which helps develop balance and strength simultaneously. Exercise, dance, music and other creative expression activities help with a range of mental health illnesses.

Pet therapy is another form of recreational therapy. One type is “Beta Fish Therapy” which can lower blood pressure and depression, simply by observing the tranquil, beautiful fish. Balancing stones on top of one another is a concentration activity that promotes mindfulness and stress management.

If you think you or someone you know may benefit from recreational therapy, talk to your healthcare provider. Most practices have a referral process in place and can direct you to the proper therapy provider.

For more information and resources on Recreational Therapy, visit our National Wellness Calendar. Join us in February as we spread awareness about Recreational Therapy Month by sharing this blog post!