Mental health moment: Rebuilding your "resilience bank account"
Have you been operating on surge capacity? Are you suffering from ambiguous loss? Do you know how to rebuild your "resilience bank account?"
Here are a few important points and tips from an article titled, "Your Surge Capacity Is Depleted," by Tara Haelle, science journalist, public speaker, and author.
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Surge capacity is a collection of adaptive systems — mental and physical — that humans draw on for short-term survival in acutely stressful situations, such as natural disasters. But natural disasters occur over a short period, even if recovery is long. Pandemics are different — the disaster itself stretches out indefinitely.
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Research on disaster and trauma focuses primarily on what’s helpful for people during the recovery period, but we’re not close to recovery yet. People can use their surge capacity for acute periods, but when dire circumstances drag on, a different style of coping is required.
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Ambiguous loss is any loss that’s unclear and lacks a resolution. It can be physical, such as a missing person or the loss of a limb or organ, or psychological, such as a family member with dementia or a serious addiction. Loss of way of life, of rituals and gatherings, and of normal routines fall into this category.
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Ambiguous loss elicits the same experiences of grief as a more tangible loss — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — but managing it often requires a bit of creativity.
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Important steps to take may include accepting that life is different, expecting less of yourself, and recognizing different aspects of grief.
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Rebuild your resilience bank account by doing the following:
- Look for activities, new and old, that fulfill you
- Focus on maintaining important relationships
- Experiment with "both-and" thinking
- Build practices to fall back on by focusing on sleep, nutrition, exercise, self-compassion, gratitude, and saying no so you're not overwhelmed.
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Coming soon: Flu vaccine
Flu shots will be more important than ever because of the pandemic. The CDC has released recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The advice says that influenza vaccination of persons aged greater than or equal to 6 months will, in addition to reducing prevalence of illness caused by influenza, also reduce symptoms that might be confused with those of COVID-19.
"Prevention of and reduction in the severity of influenza illness and reduction of outpatient illnesses, hospitalizations, and intensive care unit admissions through influenza vaccination also could alleviate stress on the U.S. health care system," the text reads.
More information on flu shot clinics for associates is coming soon! Clinics will be in September and October.
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Diving in!
Thanks to all of the associates who have been working through the Labor Pool to help other departments with staff shortages. Onaga Surgery associates have been helping in Dietary recently.
Mollie Hiltibrand, RN, is pictured at right. Mollie said, "Although it can be intimidating to work in another department, everyone was very welcoming and helpful!"
We appreciate the team spirit and eagerness to assist.
Please continue to cross-train and support other departments as we move through this pandemic. Read last week's E-Connection for more detail about the Labor Pool.
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Cookies!
A patient from the St. Marys Clinic delivered still-warm cookies to staff. What a lovely treat!
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Talking turkeys (and other poultry — plus cake pops, pie, canning, and more) |
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Many associates do amazing things outside of their position at CHCS. Our occasional series of profiles helps us learn more about the great people who work here.
Samantha Correll is a Clinical Support Specialist. She works at Holton Family Health Center and handles outside physician referrals for Holton, Onaga, and Westmoreland. She has a number of other talents and interests and recently took time to answer a few questions.
What do you do outside your work at CHCS?
My husband, Jacob, and I own a small farm south of Denison, Grey Oak Farm. We have lived there for 10 years. We have 2 children, Greysen (9) and Oakleigh (4). (Oakleigh is pictured with Sam in the photo at right. Sam says Oakleigh likes doing chores and is the "official sticker girl when we label cake pops.")
How did you get involved in baking/catering? What is your favorite thing to make?
I started cake pops and cupcakes around 10 years ago. It started just as a hobby. I enjoyed doing them for friends and family, and it has grown. My absolute favorite thing to make is PIE! I don't love to eat sweet, but I do love to bake and create pretty treats. (Note: Sam's business is called Grey Oak Farm & Kitchen and will soon have its own Facebook page. She can also be contacted at 785-851-0589.)
Why are you interested in exotic poultry? What species do you have, and how did you get started?
My husband grew up with many different breeds of poultry. We started with a few chickens, and it has expanded many, many times now! We have roughly 15 breeds of chickens (five different colors of eggs!), geese, ducks, guineas, three breeds of quail, peacocks, and five different varieties of turkeys. We have recently added goats to our growing farm. Our son is involved with 4-H, and that has been our drive to continue to breed show-quality stock. He also shows rabbits in 4-H.
What do you like about growing and preserving your own food?
Gardening is a passion. I grew up gardening with my dad and in the kitchen canning with my mom. Being self-sufficient is a continued goal for our family. We have raised most of the meat in our freezer and have processed quite a bit of it ourselves. Our shelves are lined with veggies and fruit that we have canned. The salsa and pickles don't last long around our house! I love learning about new homesteading practices, and we will continue to grow and branch out in the years to come.
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Do you know of a CHCS associate who would make a great profile? Email Sarah at sarahhancock@chcsks.org or call extension 5133.
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Delivering the WOW experience |
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Deanne Tanking from Onaga Utilization Review sent the following note about a co-worker:
"Today a patient was brought to the ER who was very ill, and prognosis was poor. The patient was alone as the family had not yet made it to the ER. Nahtahna Smith, ER ward clerk, went in to sit with the patient so he would not be alone and help comfort him until his family arrived due to his deteriorating condition. This act was very much appreciated by all the nursing staff."
Thank you to Nahtahna for showing empathy and providing the best possible care, and thanks to Deanne for sharing with us!
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Order CHCS apparel: NEW options available |
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Fall is nearly upon us, so it may be time for a cuddly new jacket, a fresh cardigan, or some new CHCS T-shirts. If so, you're in luck!
We now have TWO ordering options. Please read carefully so you understand the differences.
Option 1: Blue Chip Athletic
- This is our usual vendor for the ever-popular CHCS T-shirts.
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The store contains short-sleeved and long-sleeved T-shirts, plus a small selection of quarter-zips and J. America brand sweatshirts/pullovers.
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Order from the web store and pay by credit card. Shipping is free; items are shipped to CHCS in Onaga and distributed by the Gift Shop to all locations.
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The Gift Shop receives fundraising credit, which is then invested in inventory for the shop. The Gift Shop will order some T-shirts after the store closes.
- Order deadline: September 10 at 12 midnight.
- Items will arrive in Onaga roughly 3 weeks after the store closes. We will distribute ASAP after we receive them.
Option 2: NZone
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This is a new vendor for CHCS. The store contains laser-etched jackets (see photo, above) and other new items for men and women.
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Samples of laser-etched jackets are available for size. A few other samples will be arriving soon, but the company can not make all items available. Samples will be available in the Gift Shop for the next week, then they will travel around the system.
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Order from the web store and pay by credit card. Orders will ship to your home. Shipping charges will apply.
- Items will be embroidered/embossed as they are ordered and shipped as soon as they are ready.
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The store will remain open for two months. See the bottom of each page of the web store for contact information if you have questions about products.
- The Gift Shop is unlikely to carry these items in inventory.
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Eastridge staff recently held a superhero-themed cookout for residents. We love seeing our own real-life superheroes in action! |
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Sending sympathy
Several departments have received sympathy cards from staff at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. The cards express support after the loss of Keaton Blaske and Quinton (Chuck) Norris. One is shown here with notes of encouragement.
Take a moment to feel the love from healthcare colleagues.
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Tech help: Web filtering software for families
Are you looking for internet filtering software for your family? Our own IT expert, Dom Freeman, looked into a solution for his family and was gracious enough to share the information below.
Many different filtering options are available. Please note that no software is perfect and no solution will block everything that's inappropriate 100% of the time. Pros and cons of two platforms are below; Dom chose Qustodio for his family.
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Cost: $55 per year for 5 devices
- Pros
- Pause button on Internet browsing
- Website and app blocking
- Location tracking
- Screen time limits and schedules
- Accountability web searches
- Individual profiles
- Cons
- Not the easiest to set up
- No social media monitoring (but you can block social media sites and apps)
- Not the strongest content filtering
- Some browsers aren’t supported, Edge Chromium, for example.
- VPN breaks web filter on desktop browsers (if you use a VPN service to mask your activity online, this will not work while using the VPN)
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Cost: $50 per year for 5 devices
- Pros
- Screen time limits and schedules
- Website and app blocking
- Accountability web searches
- Individual profiles
- Easy to set up
- Location tracking
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Cons
- VPN breaks web filter on desktop browsers (if you use a VPN service to mask your activity online, this will not work while using the VPN)
- Social media tracking is limited
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Here's to our associates with September birthdays! Join us in wishing them all the best as they celebrate.
Danielle Baxter, Amy Cerny, Lori Hiltibrand, Jennifer Traxler, Lana Sauvage, Jazmine Sauvage, Debra Nolte, Tanya Bottom, Jill Nolte, Patrick Hansen, Suzanne Booth, Karen Elliott, Jean Calkins, Jessica Hipp, Michele Koch, Betty Hoglan, Teresa Koch, Amy Lee, Naomi Floyd, Taylor Fund, Brooke Gerstner, Shannon Shults, Christina Hasenkamp, Hannah Kolterman, Melissa Talley, Cole Alderfer, Jolene Wessel, Jade Olivera, Marissa O'Roke, Nancy Willert, Cassie Mitchell, Alexis Pineda, Deb Rezac, Jade Rumbo, Cheryl Bailey, Theresa Spellmeier, Jane Brown, Andrea Charles, Jeanne Devader, Myrna Shum, Bailey Tucker, Jody Becker, Brandy Miller, Lofia Daniels, Whitnea Evans, Jenna Fordham, Maria Trujillo, Carol Wells.
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Welcome!
We are happy to have the following associates joining us. Welcome to CHCS!
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Destiney Schwant, registration, Onaga
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Samantha Lowrance, CNA, St. Marys Manor
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Shelby Bird, radiology tech, Onaga
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Garden goodness
The CHCS garden has been very productive in the last few weeks! We've harvested several large bowls full of tomatoes, many cucumbers, and some peppers. Herbs have been shared on the "giveaway ledge" outside the Cafeteria several times. Thanks to Onaga Dietary and members of the Livewell Committee for their efforts to maintain the garden, and to Dietary staff for using the produce in tasty dishes.
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Coffee Shop special
August 31-Sept. 4
Snickers latte
- Chocolate, caramel, and hazelnut
- Hot, iced, or frappe
- 16 oz., $4
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Final clearance is here!
Stop in the Gift Shop to check out our summer sale. Select items are 50% off, plus we have special items for $5, $2, and $1! Visit August 13-31.
We have a few fall preview items on display, and more new stock is coming soon!
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Note: St. Marys menus are available each morning through the Activities chronicle.
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Send items for the E-Connection or for sharing with our broader social media audience to sarahhancock@chcsks.org. Please send items by close of business on Tuesdays when possible. Ideas are welcome!
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