The Power of Positivity

The Power of Positivity

by | Jan 10, 2023 | Uncategorized

As we begin a new year and leave many of the challenges of 2022 behind, it may help to face 2023 with a more positive way of looking at the ones ahead of us.

Dr. Barbara Frederickson (renowned researcher on negative mood) wrote the book Positivity. She stated that reducing depression does not mean that one will be happy. Happiness is vague and elusive. Positivity is more realistic and doable. When a negative thought surfaces, it is more beneficial to replace it with 3 positive thoughts. In addition, for a balanced life people should include the following 10 concepts each day. I added a Christian perspective:

 

  • Serenity –       Spend 20 minutes each day deep breathing—relaxing and in prayer.
  • Interest –        Do something new and interesting to avoid the danger of boredom.
  • Hope –              Have the attitude that things will get better.
  • Inspiration –   Enjoy inspirational stories (Chicken Soup books).
  • Awe –                Appreciate nature – the beauty of God’s creation.
  • Amusement – Laugh more.
  • Gratitude –      Be thankful for all your blessings—look for them.
  • Joy –                   Remember times of joy and fun.
  • Pride –               Succeed in small accomplishments.
  • Love –                Treasure family, friends and the love of Jesus—seek out people.

I loved this story that she shared as well:

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Negativity. It’s anger, sadness, stress, contempt, disgust, fear, embarrassment, guilt, shame and hate. The other is Positivity. It’s joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration, awe, and above all, love. The grandson asked which wolf wins? He answered…the one that you feed.”

Finally, the sermon topic this week was a reminder that challenges will always be a part of life but we’re not alone. God uses those opportunities for us to be a positive witness in a dark, negative world.

So, the next time that you encounter someone who holds an opposite point of view as you do…take a deep breath, say a quick prayer that our Lord will use you to His glory.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Sources:
Barbara L. Fredrickson (2009) Positivity: Top Notch Research Reveals the 3 to 1 Ratio that Will Change your Life.

Jennie Johnson RN-BC,, PhD  – Author of the following books:

Wake Up Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for a Heart Attack and Stroke (2015)

Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022)

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ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Healthy Living through the Holidays

Healthy Living through the Holidays

by | Dec 6, 2022 | Healthy Eating

Healthy Living Through the Holidays

The holidays are a wonderful time to offer thanks for many blessings, celebrate the birth of our Savior and ring in the New Year but it can also be a challenge on waistlines. Food and especially holiday food is certainly a wonderful gift from God. Here are a few things that you can do to navigate December safely.

  • Eat a healthy meal before you add the sweets.
  • Check out all the items on the buffet or at the party before you make a selection.
  • Don’t deny yourself but select small portions (bites) of the high caloric foods.
  • If you have a high caloric day, eat healthy the day before or the day after.
  • Walk more…it’s a great stress buster and improves mood.
  • Simplify your activities.
  • Get the same gift for everyone.
  • Call an old friend or check in on a lonely neighbor.
  • Take a moment each day to remember a very special miracle.

Jesus is the reason for the season.

Have a blessed Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Author of:  HELPING THE HURTING: NURSING MINISTRY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (2022)

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ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

The Importance of Sleep

The Importance of Sleep

by | Nov 1, 2022 | Uncategorized

The American Heart Association recently revamped its Life’s Simple 7 recommendations by adding sleep to what is now the Essential 8 lifestyles to prevent a heart attack and stroke.” Why? Researchers found that sleep provides important health benefits for a longer life.
The Essential 8
1.Eat a healthy diet. 
2. Increase physical activity.
3. Quit smoking and tobacco use.
4. Manage a healthy weight.
5. Maintain a normal glucose.
6. Maintain normal cholesterol values.
7. Maintain a normal blood pressure.
8. Get 7 to 9 hours (adults) & 8 to 16 hours (children and teens) of sleep each night.

4 Levels of Sleep
Stage 1 NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement).  1-5 minutes (Dozing off.)
Stage 2 NREM                                                  10-60 minutes (Brain activity slows.)
Stage 3 NREM                                                  20-40 minutes (Deep sleep).
Stage 4 REM                                                     10-60 minutes (Vivid dreams).

We move through these stages 4 to 6 times each night. During the last deeper stages hormones such as testosterone, estrogen and progesterone are made. Blood pressure and heart rate decrease. Cognitive thinking and creativity are enhanced. Importantly, immunity to eliminate pathogens and abnormal cells is enhanced.

The Danger of Insomnia 

Sleep apnea or “not breathing” occurs as sleep progresses. The airway becomes blocked causing oxygen levels to plummet. The dangerous lower oxygen levels damage organs! The brain senses the problem and releases adrenalin to increase heart rate and blood pressure to awaken the person to resume breathing.

Unless the blockage is resolved the person will have continuous sleep interruptions all night never entering deeper beneficial sleep. In addition to organ damage, thinking, creativity, hormone production, glucose control and immunity will be reduced. Heart attacks, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes may result.

If you suffer from insomnia, ask your doctor to find out if you have sleep apnea. Recently, my Sleep Study indicated dangerous, low oxygen levels throughout the night. Surprisingly, (I don’t snore) I was prescribed a CPAP machine to protect my heart. During the study while connected to a CPAP machine, I had the BEST sleep in years!

An excellent book by Matthew Walker is “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep & Dreams.” You can also visit the Sleep Foundation for more information.

If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Proverbs 3:24

Sources:

–Todd Neale, “AHA Revamps Life’s Simple 7, Adding Sleep to Create ‘Essential 8,” June 9, 2022.  https://www.tctmd.com/news/aha-revamps-lifes-simple-7-adding-sleep-create-essential-8.

–National Heart Lung & Blood Institute, “How Sleep Works, Why Is Sleep Important?” March 24, 2022.

–Eric Suni, “Stages of Sleep,” October 7, 2022, National Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep.

–Jay Summer, “What Is REM Sleep & How Much Do You Need?” April 26, 2022. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/stages-of-sleep/rem-sleep.

Author of:  HELPING THE HURTING: NURSING MINISTRY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (2022)

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

It’s Time to Gear Up for the Cold & Flu Season:

It’s Time to Gear Up for the Cold & Flu Season:

by | Oct 4, 2022 | COVID-19 Top Ten

What To Do……………………

As the leaves begin to turn in October, it’s our reminder to get ready for the cold and flu season. Thankfully, the worst of COVID ended with the Omicron variants and blessings of natural herd immunity. Due to concerns over the COVID vaccines, many are opting out of the flu vaccine as well. Whether you decide to get the flu shot or not there are simple things that you can do to decrease your risk this season.

  1. Increase your Vitamin D3. During the summer, being outdoor raises it naturally through skin absorption but once days become shorter those levels plummet. The best way to know how much to take is to get a Vitamin D blood test and speak with your doctor. Experts vary on the correct amount Interestingly, some have called it the Low Vitamin D Season rather than the Cold/Flu season.

  1. Increase your Vitamin C intake through juice or citrus fruits.

  1. Go for a walk each day. Physical activity enhances immunity.

  1. Get a good night’s sleep. The body heals when in deep sleep. People should strive for 7 hours each night. If you don’t sleep well, ask your doctor for a Take Home Sleep Study test. It often identifies the problem.

  1. Keep busy! Volunteer at your local church or school. Teachers need the help. Children suffered from school closures. My neighbor is a kindergarten teacher who had 23 kids last year and NO aide. She spent most of her time teaching them preschool skills that they missed and regulating troublesome behavior.

While it’s certainly great being back with people; be mindful when flu outbreaks occur in your area. Consider avoiding crowds during those times and maintain good hand hygiene.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health,
as it goes well with your soul. 3 John 1:2

Author of:  HELPING THE HURTING: NURSING MINISTRY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (2022)

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of new book: Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ

Monkeypox: How Dangerous is it?

Monkeypox: How Dangerous is it?

by | Sep 10, 2022 | Uncategorized

The new scourge to hit may be Monkeypox, but how dangerous is it? Recall that a plethora of viruses and bacteria are found throughout the earth; most do not cause disease. Monkeypox belongs in the family of viruses like Cowpox and Smallpox which were certainly much more deadly! 

Primarily it’s been infecting people in Nigeria and the Congo. Due to international travel, an outbreak occurred within a gay community of homosexual men in England and is now spreading to other countries. In June 1, 2022 there were minimal cases in the US. Currently there are 21,000 in the US with 0 deaths and 56,600 cases globally. 

It’s spread by direct contact with the lesions of an infected person, droplets exhaled or contact from infected drainage on materials such as linens.

COVID was much more contagious as the virus droplets were much smaller, airborne and could linger in the air for hours. Monkeypox droplets are heavier and fall to the floor. Close contact is needed to acquire the disease.

Common symptoms are chills (from fever), headache, back and joint pain, weakness, sore throat, other respiratory symptoms, itching and pain from the pox lesions.

The incubation period is 6 to 13 days from exposure. The rash appears 1 to 5 days after the first symptoms. The rash begins as a raised reddened area much like a pimple. Over time it opens…drains, forms a scab and falls off.

The CDC recommends isolation from other people and pets (can also spread the disease) “from the time symptoms start until the rash has fully healed and a fresh layer of skin has formed.” This may take between 2 and 4 weeks.

Children and unborn babies are at the greatest risk as they haven’t built immunity strong enough to fight it. However, most cases are currently in gay men.

In 1980 the World Health Organization stated that the deadly Smallpox disease had been irradicated. While the Smallpox vaccination program ended in the  US in 1971, it does provide some protection for those who were vaccinated. It is currently the vaccine being used to treat highly at-risk populations where Monkeypox is spreading.

The good news is that Monkeypox is a much milder disease than Smallpox, but it is spreading. Governments all over the world have stockpiled the Smallpox vaccine in case of a bioterrorism event. Time will tell if it will be utilized for Monkeypox.

A great place to go for current information that you can trust is from Dr. John Campbell at https://www.youtube.com/c/Campbellteaching/videos. The CDC has good information as well.

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying His hands on each one, He healed them. Luke 4:40

Source:

–CDC, Monkeypox, https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/about/faq.html#Basics

–CDC,  2022 Monkeypox Outbreak and Cases,  https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/monkeypox/response/2022/index.html

–Dr. John Campbell, videos https://www.youtube.com/c/Campbellteaching/videos

–CDC Smallpox https://www.cdc.gov/smallpox/

–C. Henry Kempe, “The End of Routine Smallpox Vaccination in the United States” (1972), https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article-abstract/49/4/489/47117/THE-END-OF-ROUTINE-SMALLPOX-VACCINATION-IN-THE?redirectedFrom=fulltext

If you found this blog helpful, please pass it on…

ã All rights reserved 2022, Jennie E. Johnson, RN-BC, PhD

Author of new book: Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ