Tips for Social Distancing in the Workplace
What do they mean, and why do they apply to you in the workplace?
Your Quarantine Shopping List
Many of us are spending our days housebound due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At some point, you’ll have to venture out to the grocery store and NOAH wants to make sure that you have a printable list of what to get.
Avoid Cabin Fever During the Coronavirus Pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, millions are practicing social distancing at home. By now, you or your children may be going a little stir-crazy. Avoid cabin fever with these top tips to keep kids entertained and give much needed parents a little break.
30 At-Home Brain Breaks
Anytime your student begins to feel restless and is struggling to pay attention, try one of these Brain Breaks. Most only take a few minutes and help to take their mind off of the lesson plan at hand
Treating Yourself to a Good Night’s Sleep by Dr. Xiao Kristin Liang, MD Family Medicine Resident, PGY2
What better way to jumpstart your day than with a solid, restful night’s sleep? In today’s fast-paced, high-tech world, there is still no substitute for a good old-fashioned snooze, which comes with numerous health benefits. These include improved mood, alertness, work or school performance, and even heart health.
Here are some ways to get the most bang for your buck while you catch those z’s! Also known as “sleep hygiene:”
- Avoid caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea in the afternoon.
- Have a regular sleep schedule and stick to it, e.g. bedtime at 10 pm and alarm clock set for 6 am.
- Sleep in a cool, dark, and quiet room.
- If you are unable to fall asleep after 20 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing (see activities below) so that your body does not associate the bed with wakefulness.
- Do something relaxing before bed such as drinking a warm beverage, reading a book, or meditating.
- Avoid screen time before sleeping, as the blue light from phones and computers stimulates wakefulness.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol as it can disrupt your body’s sleep cycle.
- Regular exercise, ideally in the morning or early afternoon, also improves quality of sleep.
Are you doing all of these things but still having trouble with falling or staying asleep? If so, you may have a sleep disorder. Our doctors at NOAH are happy to work with you to achieve your best sleep, health and wellness. Feel free to call us for an appointment at 480-882-4545.
Creating a Positive Body Image by Stephanie Olsinski, MS, RDN
In learning about eating disorders and how they can affect everyone, it is important to care for not only those affected but for yourself to ensure that you are always taking care of your health, both mental and physical.
NEDA created a list of 10 Steps to Positive Body Image which is shared below:
- Appreciate all that your body can do. Every day your body carries you closer to your dreams. Celebrate all of the amazing things your body does for you like running, dancing, breathing, laughing, dreaming, etc.
- Keep a top 10 list of things you like about yourself such as things that aren’t related to how much you weigh or what you look like. Read your list often. Add to it as you become aware of more things to like about you.
- Remind yourself that “true beauty” is not simply skin-deep. When you feel good about yourself and who you are, you carry yourself with a sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and openness that makes you beautiful regardless of whether you physically look like a supermodel. Beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body.
- Look at yourself as a whole person. When you see yourself in a mirror or in your mind, choose not to focus on specific body parts. See yourself as you want others to see you; as a whole person.
- Surround yourself with positive people. It is easier to feel good about yourself and your body when you are around others who are supportive and who recognize the importance of liking yourself just as you naturally are.
- Shut down those voices in your head that tell you your body is not “right” or that you are a “bad” person. You can overpower those negative thoughts with positive ones. The next time you start to tear yourself down, build yourself back up with a few quick affirmations that work for you.
- Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you feel good about your body. Work with your body, not against it.
- Become a critical viewer of social and media messages. Pay attention to images, slogans, or attitudes that make you feel bad about yourself or your body. Protest these messages: write a letter to the advertiser or talk back to the image or message.
- Do something nice for yourself; something that lets your body know you appreciate it. Take a bubble bath, make time for a nap, find a peaceful place outside to relax.
- Use the time and energy that you might have spent worrying about food, calories, and your weight to do something to help others. Sometimes reaching out to other people can help you feel better about yourself and can make a positive change in our world.
Our Care Team at NOAH are here to help you create & manage your healthy lifestyle habits. Need help setting or sticking to your goals? Call 480-882-4545 today!
Signs of an Eating Disorder by Mina Goodman, RDN
“There are some signs and symptoms of disordered eating that can be a bigger problem such as an Eating Disorder.”
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
Eating disorders are a serious mental and physical illness that can affect anyone. It’s important to know what to look for when it comes to signs and symptoms of an eating disorder so that you are able to get help as early as possible and begin the recovery process. Not everyone will display the same signs and symptoms at once. It’s also important to note that there are both emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms to be on the watch for.
Common symptoms include:
- Refusing to or discomfort with eating certain foods. This may lead to restrictions or food rules against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates).
- Preoccupation with tracking weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat, and other nutrients.
- Impaired immune functioning causing more frequent colds or illnesses.
- Maintaining an excessive or rigid exercise regime – despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury.
- Signs of stealing, hoarding food, disappearance of large amounts of food in a short time period or a lot of empty wrappers and containers indicating consumption of large amounts of food.
- Spending hours thinking about what food might be served at upcoming events.
- Intense anxiety, depression and/or distress if unable to exercise.
To learn more about eating disorders we recommend going to https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms. If you, or someone you know displays any of these symptoms, give us a call. At NOAH, we offer behavioral health consulting and traditional outpatient counseling programs where highly skilled and trained behavioral health staff work alongside our medical, nutrition and dental teams to assess, diagnose and effectively treat the core-symptoms of our patients.
What is an Eating Disorder? by Rhyan Geiger, RDN
An eating disorder is a mental and physical illness that can affect people of all genders, ages, and weight. An eating disorder is a psychological condition that causes unhealthy eating habits to develop. At times it may present as an obsession with food, body weight or body shape.
“20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.”
National Surveys
The symptoms of an eating disorder can vary but the most common include:
- A severe restriction of food.
- Food binges.
- Purging behaviors like vomiting or over-exercising.
In severe cases, eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death if left untreated. At NOAH, we offer behavioral health consulting and traditional outpatient counseling programs and services where highly skilled and trained behavioral health staff work alongside our medical, nutrition and dental teams to assess, diagnose and effectively treat the core-symptoms of our patients.
Come as You Are by Stephanie Olzinski, MS, RDN
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a movement by the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) aimed at bringing awareness to those affected by an eating disorder and allowing them to safely share their story and be accepted by a community with unconditional support. This year’s theme is Come As You Are, encouraging the embracement of all people, regardless of their stage of body acceptance or recovery.
When discussing eating disorders, having compassion and understanding is essential for showing true care for those affected by eating disorders. This week is aimed at providing information on eating disorders, who can be affected, and ways to support both those with an eating disorder as well as their family and friends.
“When discussing eating disorders, having compassion and understanding is essential for showing true care for those affected by eating disorders.”
Stephanie Olzinski, RDN
This week we celebrate National Eating Disorder Awareness by reflecting on positive steps you’ve taken towards accepting yourself and others. Call 480-882-4545 today. #Nutrition #NEDAwareness #ComeAsYouAre
Healthy Smile Tips by Dr. Lou Sarrosa, Dental Director
During the month of February, thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators come together to support National Children’s Dental Health Month. The goal is to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers and members of the community. At NOAH we believe in educating our little community members on the importance of having a healthy smile. We do this by partnering with local school districts, hosting free dental health screenings and providing oral health education to all attendees. We also attend various events in the community where we offer the same services while encouraging families in need of a dentist to come see us at one of our dental offices. At NOAH, we take oral health education a step further by providing these free community screening events all year long. With your help, and just a few simple tips from our dental pro’s, you and your child can have a healthy smile that is bright and cheerful.
HEALTHY SMILE TIPS
- Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between your teeth daily.
- Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary beverages and snacks.
- See your dentist regularly for prevention and treatment of oral disease.
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