I first met my FitBit when our office manager gave each of us one to wear. The device came in a colorful package with directions on how to start an online account, which, upon sign-in, produced a rainbow of graphs, weekly rankings, and goals.
At first I was a little bit afraid of all of those graphs and numbers. Did I really want to know how many steps I took in one day? What if the numbers were lower than I thought? The device also tracked sleep. I was worried.
Yet, as time went by, the FitBit won me over. A hardy little device, it survived accidental dips into water, as well as day upon day of riding along on my belt. Though occasionally I thought my sleep and exercise rates were terrible, FitBit helped me stay on track.
Overall the FitBit was fun, it allowed us to keep track of our steps, and it made the reality of a day’s work more clear. Some of my peers averaged well over 10,000 steps a day, which stacks up to 5 miles. On the FitBit’s screen, a small flower began to sprout if enough steps were taken.
The data made sense, and it was quite a revelation. When I came home and felt like I’d just run a race, well, it wasn’t too far from the truth! On one extremely busy day, I racked up a half-marathon worth of miles.
For a patient or peer who can take the truth, I’d recommend a FitBit in a heartbeat. It provides information that you can act upon. I may not recommend it for someone like my grandpa, however, who is convinced that he walks three miles a day, when in reality, he may be walking only one. Not everything has to be tracked in order for it to be a source of health. If data can offer motivation, it’s priceless.
Though FitBit is by now a classic pedometer, a few other types of pedometers have sprung up around the FitBit’s success that can offer the same metrics. Nike+ gives a great option if you’re a runner. You can buy them online or at sports outlets, and they’re also easy to find on sites like eBay.
I hope this blog takes you on a great journey through the world of health. Do you know anyone who uses a FitBit or Nike+ ? What are your thoughts?
It’s March, which means it’s finally time for warmer weather, basketball, and … yes, spring cleaning!
After a particularly rough winter in the United States, we all might be feeling even more cloistered than usual. From Chicago to Atlanta, it’s been freezing – and the great outdoors has reminded us all of the benefits of the great indoors.
Just as things can accrue in the real world, they seem to add up as well in the digital realm, and right now is a better time than ever to spring-clean your phone, tablets, and computers. Here are a few short tips on how to conduct spring cleaning on your beloved electronic devices.
1. Tackle that Desktop
When you open your computer, do you see a few unwanted icons on the desktop? There might be a few files from forever ago. If you have a Windows machine, wrangle the unused icons into a single folder. If you have a Mac, feel free to make folders and archives for files you haven’t opened in the past three months. You can even move apps, photos, files away from the computer completely by dropping them onto an external hard drive or USB.
Basics: Just rearranging the desktop will give you peace of mind.
Bonus Points: Moving photos, files, and apps onto an external drive will free up your computer’s memory.
2. Empty your email. Or at least, filter it!
Gmail has a great feature that allows you to filter current messages as well as all incoming future messages. If you love those emails from your mom but you’d still like to hear from your favorite blog, consider making an email folder just for Family messages, and another one for Media. Here’s more on how to do this.
Instead of a single large inbox, you’ll be able to access mail in smaller, more organized folders. You can even set up filters to send unwanted messages directly to the trash.
Basics: Make a few filters in @gmail using the handy tips here.
Bonus Points: Do you really need those emails from Staples or that candle store that you visited once with your sister? Unsubscribe entirely! It takes a few seconds and it saves many more. If only unsubscribing with snail mail were so easy.
3. Consider donating, re-gifting, or trading in unused device
If you’re anything like me, you might have a digital camera from 10 years ago that’s shoved away in a drawer somewhere. Though we’ve had some good memories, it may be time to donate the camera, or give it to a person who can make use of it.
Another option: trading in old devices for new ones. Old phones can usually be traded in or sold. Same thing for tablets and computers.
That said, some devices have staying power, and others … not so much. If you finish spring cleaning with your electronics and you find you’re in the market for a new computer/phone/tablet, it’s good to ask a lot of questions before purchasing new tech. Here’s a few that can help:
1. What kind of processor does this machine have? (Intel Core processors are great)
2. Will it be able stay functional (and fun!) for at least five years?
3. If it is broken/crashed/falls into a pool of goo, what kind of options are there for repair/replacement?
4. If this computer/phone/tablet has problems, how reliable is tech support?
A device that’s kept healthy can stay alive and active for years. If a new computer/digital camera/phone is on your wishlist, consider the options carefully before buying.
And there you have it! Those are my tips for streamlining all things electronic in your life. I hope this is helpful, and have fun with cleaning, repurposing, and revitalizing your devices!
After a long day, there’s nothing like coming home to a friendly face. But with long shifts, studying, and traveling from office to office or house to house, it can be hard to keep up with the needs of a creature.
Though owning a pet can take time and care, pets are the MVPs of our hearts. Studies from across the world have shown that pet owners usually live longer than non-pet owners, and a few studies show that pet owners have a reduced risk of heart attacks and heart disease.
Here are a few pets that will warm your heart, each one picked specifically for the lifestyle of a nurse:
Cats
Cats are independent and generally low-maintenance, though they may meow a bit if they are not fed at the same time each day. For cats that may be left alone for 24-48 hours, we recommend getting a pair of cats so they can keep one another company.
Pros: Easy to care for and independent.
Cons: Newly-adopted cats may need to be supervised to keep them from forming bad habits. (scratching furniture, ect)
Poodle mixes
Since poodles and poodle mixes boast high intelligence, they will pick up instantly on your moods and know exactly what to do. They can be fine with being alone, and are thrilled to spend time with their human owners. Their loyalty makes them the ultimate best friend. Great around children.
Pros: Smart, healthy, and emotionally flexible. Great supporters.
Cons: Big responsibility.
Birds, especially finches
A bit more lively than fish, birds can make for lovely companions. Finches can make excellent pets as their colorful feathers offer a touch of cheer to any room. Their cages do take regular cleaning, but if you’re looking for low-maintenance creatures, birds make for a great choice.
Pros: Lively, brightly-colored, and cute.
Cons: Not many! As long as you’re okay with chirping, birds have few drawbacks.
Volunteer!
If you know that you just can’t keep a pet, but you’d still like to feel the warmth of an animal’s heart, consider volunteering at a no-kill shelter or a boarding kennel. Also, some adoption centers offer foster programs, where you can provide a temporary home to a dog or cat before the animal is matched with its forever home.
Pros: You’ll improve the life of an animal (and the animal will improve yours!)
Cons: It’s always bittersweet to see a pet move on to its forever home.
Looking for reading material in all the wrong places? Feeling like you’d like to read something other than a textbook? (don’t we all…) These books will refresh your soul and offer a few new perspectives in patient care. The two nonfiction books and two fiction books profiled below offer a balance of fact and fantasy.
INSPIRING NONFICTION
1. David and Goliath – Malcolm Gladwell
What if our greatest disadvantages could actually give way to our greatest skills? In this book about the strength of the underdog, Gladwell reveals how some advantages turn out to be not so advantageous after all. In one chapter, Gladwell profiles the extreme chances taken by a pioneer child leukemia researcher in the 1950s.
When to read it: The short chapters can fit into breaks or over the weekend.
2. Play at Work – Adam L. Penenberg
In this book about games and play, a doctor utilizes the mechanics of simulations to better instruct surgeons and doctors. It’s fun to see this unusual take on health education at work, and this book will revitalize your take on teamwork.
When to read it: Perfect for before-bed rumination. Inspiring.
STUNNING FICTION
1. Cutting for Stone – Abraham Verghese
A set of twins are abandoned by their father, raised by two physicians in Ethiopia, and have a wild life ever after. Amidst the conflict and chaos of the protagonists’ lives, the book makes a brilliant case for having empathy towards patients.
When to read it: Over vacation or over the weekend.
2. 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami
This strange, fantastic book takes place in 1984 Japan… or does it? Shortly after a mysterious portal is opened, the main characters fall into an alternate universe, 1Q84. In the last half of the book, one character visits a rural Japanese fishing town where spirited nurses take care of his aging father. In this cat-and-mouse mystery novel where nothing can be trusted, the nurses act as healing forces amongst the chaos.
When to read it: Anytime that’s not at night! This book is a spooky one.
New research in the past year alone has emerged to tell us that video games are not as bad as they’ve seemed to be. In fact, game play may help us flourish since it is a plentiful source of stress-relief, and some video games may even help us feel more calm. Gone are the days of intense running, jumping, and button-mashing, here to stay are games that can fit any mood!
The best part about the games profiled below: They’re perfect for all-ages. If it’s a rainy day and that walk in the park just can’t happen, these games will do just as well.
Whether the last game you played was Pac Man in 1990 or you’re a champ at Call of Duty online, these games below will offer a healthy mix of challenge and zen. I hope you enjoy them!
5. Endless Ocean
An interactive aquarium on Wii. This video game features a world of no danger, just endless depths to explore in a brilliant blue ocean. It’s as free-floating as scuba diving, with no need to rent gear or worry about poisonous sea-creatures.
4. Super Mario Bros 3D World
Of all the games profiled in this blog, this game is the hardest, but it can sure be fun. It’s available for Wii U only, but most critics have mentioned that it is the one reason to own a Wii U. The 2-4 player mode is a great way to spend time with friends and family.
3. Little Big Planet
This game’s first iteration won Game of the Year and it reminds us of playing a pop-up storybook. The first few levels prove to be simple enough, and later the game gets a bit more complicated. But just a few runs through this lively world can brighten your outlook. This classic can be picked up for only $19.99 at most stores.
2. Flower
What if you could transform into the wind itself, and roam the Earth over prairies and mountains? This game makes it possible. The goal of the game is not to save the world or defeat evil – rather, all you must do is travel the Earth as a breeze carrying petals. Pair this with beautiful music and you have a perfect meditative experience.
1. Katamari Damacy
Katamari in any form on any console is the number-one best stress-relieving game on Earth. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But nothing beats what this game has to offer: the unique, all-powerful feeling of rolling up trees, cars, and buildings into a neat ball. The controls are easy for anyone to use, and the eye-melting color schemes will spruce up even the drabbest of days. It’s totally weird, but also totally satisfying.
