November 2020
REACH for Wellness
Series Update

Join us on December 17 for the final virtual presentation in the 2020 REACH for Wellness series... Avoiding Burnout for Caregivers.

Caregiver stress is due to the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. Caregivers report much higher levels of stress than people who are not caregivers. Many caregivers are providing help or are "on call" almost all day. Sometimes, this means there is little time for work or other family members or friends.
It is imperative that caregivers understand the signs of burnout and how to manage it so they may be able to take care of themselves while looking out for the well-being of others. This presentation will teach attendees about vicarious trauma and the importance of self care while taking an active caregiver role.

The Tangible Benefits of Giving Thanks
by Alexis Ramirez, School-based Therapy Program Manager

Did you know that there are scientifically proven benefits to expressing gratitude? Studies have linked gratitude to better sleep and lower blood pressure. Additionally, grateful people are also more likely to exercise and to attend regular health check-ups. When we work to replace negative emotions like frustration and regret with thoughts of gratitude, we feel happier and less stressed. Individuals who are grateful experience fewer aches and pains and report feeling healthier overall.

We have learned that gratitude activates the part of our brain that regulates a number of our body's functions, including our appetite, sleep, temperature, metabolism and growth. Our mind is very much connected to our physical wellbeing... when we take care of our mind, through the focus of positivity, those benefits are passed down to our body.

Here are a few easy ways to incorporate gratitude into your everyday life:
  • Start a gratitude journal and set aside some time each week to write down the things you are grateful for.
  • Try out a gratitude guided meditation on YouTube
  • Write a hand-written letter to a person you are particularly grateful to have in your life.
  • Complete the “Greater Good at Berkeley Quiz”- This 20-item questionnaire will provide you with ideas on how to promote further gratitude in life.
  • If you are religious, incorporate your gratitude in prayer.
  • Download one of the many available gratitude apps on your smartphone.

Just a few minutes a day focused on the things that make our life better can have lasting benefits on our mental and physical health. Consistency is the key to incorporating gratitude into our life and is most impactful when we find time to incorporate it into each day.

It is normal for us all to feel down at times in our lives and practicing gratitude doesn’t mean you are not going to have tough days. In the midst of the hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will continue to be days where gratitude is the last thing on our mind. Allow yourself to be human, challenge yourself on the bad days to continue to practice gratitude, while also honoring the difficulties you are facing. It is often in the midst of life’s challenges that we have the most to gain from a grateful perspective. Gratitude can energize us to push through and ground us in hope.

You deserve a few minutes a day to focus on positivity. Give gratitude a try!
Integrated Pediatric
Primary Care
Broomfield Pediatrics and Mountainland Pediatrics provide comprehensive pediatric primary care and behavioral health services for children and teens in two convenient locations. Same-day sick visits are available for existing patients and new patients are always welcome.

Both locations maintain the strictest levels of cleaning protocols recommended by Colorado Department of Health and Environment to ensure safety for our patients and staff.

Come experience the difference that our integrated approach can make in the overall well-being of your child!
Community Reach Center has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to promoting total mind and body wellness for all ages for more than 60 years. We do this by recognizing the interplay between mental and physical health and by providing services and programs when and where you need them most. As the only CARF accredited mental health provider in Colorado, you can expect top quality treatment and customer service. Community Reach Center can help you or your loved one address any type of mental health concern - including depression and anxiety, grief and loss, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or upset related to a traumatic event. Individual, group, family and couples counseling is available. Help starts here.