Celebrate Men’s Health Week & Month Throughout June

Make it all about the fellas during June, when Men’s Health Month takes center stage — an especially June 12-18, when Men’s Health Week takes over the calendar.

The purpose of the week and month are simple, and laudable: heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Men aren't always the best about taking care of themselves. Sure, plenty are good about diet and exercise, but when was the last time your dad, husband, brother, son (you get the idea) went in for an annual physical? If the answer is “I have no clue,” then do a little nudging to get that doc visit on the calendar right away.

A regular doctor’s visit, even if there’s nothing wrong, is a great way for men (and women) to make sure they’re staying on top of screenings. For men, especially those over 50, that’s the time to make sure that testosterone and Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA, levels are checked through bloodwork (the best way to get early signs of prostate cancer or other trouble), schedule a colonoscopy if one’s needed and even keep tabs of little, but important things, like tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough boosters.

Still on the fence? Use this handy checklist to see where you’re all caught up, and what might need some attention.

Since it began in 1994, Men’s Health Month has been out there trying to get men to take care of their physical and mental health through screenings, health fairs and other education/outreach activities. A big part of Men’s Health Week is Wear Blue Friday, which takes place this year on June 16, the Friday before Father’s Day. Break out those blue scrubs!

Men (and women) often put the health of others before their own, or as we mentioned earlier think they’re doing great because they’re crushing it at the gym and eat clean. But cancer and other killers strike the young and healthy, so it’s important to get that annual physical take care of, and pay attention to little signs that the body may be sending out. Good health is as much about prevention as it is about diet, exercise and work/life balance. Do your part, and it’ll all come together!

Nurses Week reminds us all to salute our favorite caregivers

Once again, we find ourselves at May 6, Florence Nightingale’s birthday and the kickoff for Nurses Week 2017!

The American Nurses Association has, as usual, lots going on including a free webinar, “A Nurse’s Guide to Preventing Compassion Fatigue, Moral Distress, and Burnout,” which is a great way for those who spend so much time and energy providing great care to learn about stepping back and making sure their own needs are met as well.

This year’s theme is the “Year of the Healthy Nurse,” so in addition to the webinar, nurses (and those who love them) are encouraged to explore all the ways to maintain the proper balance with body, mind and spirit.

First up, it’s good to be aware of all the things that can cause nurse burnout. Even the most devoted caregiver can, if not careful, get run down quickly. You know what they say, nurses are the worst patients! Here’s a few tips to avoid getting worn thin:

Take breaks. No one, nurse or otherwise, can run full steam for 8+ hours. Meals are essential — and sit down for them, don’t grab something and gobble it while running from one task to the next. And take 5 minutes every so often to just relax; maybe even do some short breathing or relaxation exercises.

You can’t do it all. No matter how great the intention, no one person can heal a hospital full of sick people, make all the family and visitors happy, or make HCAHPS scores magically rise. A positive attitude and a willingness to work hard will see you through the day, but know that you’re only one person. Rely on the team!

Decompress. And speaking of the team … make sure to talk to people. Whether it’s a supervisor, coworker, spouse, therapist or friend, have someone (or a group of someone’s) available as a friendly, nonjudgmental sounding board. Sometimes your best answers to ongoing problems come when you speak the issue out loud, and get some input.

Being a nurse is more challenging than ever before — but also more exciting! From nursing informatics to assisting with in-hospital clinical trials, as well as the growing number of CNO and supervisory positions throughout healthcare, there are more ways than ever to find success in the field of nursing. Just make sure that you’re taking care of yourself as much as you would any patient in your charge, and from all of us at Scrubin Uniforms, have a wonderful Nurses Week!