May Meeting at Ocean

Our meeting got a little late start because of a prior group’s meeting in the same room. Lunch - tuna and turkey wraps - was waiting outside our meeting room. They were quickly devoured once we got in.

Diane JanTausch introduced our speaker, Nurse Lisa Calabrese from Meridian Health Community Outreach. Lisa began by talking about a new program, Meridian’s Women’s Heart Connection, which offers topics on risk factors, disease prevention, healthy living and much more through lectures, special events, teas, etc. All women should join this free program by calling 1-800-DOCTORS to sign up or get applications in the hospital.

Lisa gave out handouts covering all phases of stress, acute and chronic. Acute stress occurs when a tragic event takes place, such as an accident, untimely death, bad news, etc. Chronic stress is the stress we live with every day, from medical conditions, emotional events, negative attitudes, thoughts of things to come, and so on. Stress causes sleeplessness, back pain, high blood pressure, stomach issues, anger and social isolation.

To reduce stress, we must relax, take deep breaths, get moving forward in our thinking, focus on solutions.

Stress can cause inflammation. This affects the immune system: diabetes, osteoporosis and arthritis.

Internal stress is our own reaction to our fears. Let go of perfection in everything; look at the positive side of life. Be around positive, energetic fun-loving people. Get involved!

Get rid of stress by exercising, walking near water or nature settings, dance (Lisa chose the new Zumba classes), spiritual events and yoga. Also have some quiet time.

Follow a healthy eating plan. Research shows a Mediterranean diet (vegetables, fruits, grains) contains more omega 3’s and is very healthy. This diet also wards off depression. Calorie-count, reduce, and start off with little goals.

Lisa discussed post-traumatic stress disorder bringing on nightmares, flashbacks (9-11 for example) and sleep deprivation. People become depressed, irritable and non-social. Beware of this; seek professional help if necessary. Don’t be hard on yourself. Reach out for help! treat yourself to a reward when you accomplish a goal. Enjoy life!

We spoke about young people and how stress is affecting their lives: heart attacks in the 18 to 25 age group, more suicides. High-tech living, too much noise; no social time: all are destructive to a stable, stress-free life style.