Livio Cares - Edition 9

In this edition of Livio Cares...

You have probably heard the term “mindfulness” but may not fully understand what it means or how to practice it. In this edition of Livio Cares, we will focus on tips and strategies to embracing a mindful mentality. Being more mindful means to be in tune with your thoughts and feelings, while being cognizant of the outside world, and to be at ease in the present moment.

Choosing to reframe negative thoughts, practice gratitude, or being more intentional in daily life can lead to a happier lifestyle overall. Our minds are so powerful, and that’s why we want to provide you the right tools to help focus on more good days.

Thank you for trusting us with your care, Connie Marsolek

Connie Marsolek Social and Spiritual Care Manager

Clinical Social Workers

At Livio, we understand how confusing and complex the healthcare maze might seem. Clinical social workers can help you and your family navigate life’s most challenging moments. As a critical part of Livio’s care team, they partner with our nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, chaplains, and your existing doctors and specialists.

SUPPORTING YOUR BROADER NEEDS

The scope of our clinical social workers extends beyond traditional medical care to identify your strengths and to address your broader needs. While managing the physical impacts of illness and aging is important to our care teams, our clinical social workers focus deeply on supporting you as a whole person and aligning care to what you value. They can assess your social, financial, emotional, and environmental needs and work with you to address any burdens that are present in your life.

LIVIO’S CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKERS

Kate Madson, Livio’s Clinical Social Work Lead, strives to do just that. She starts her support where her patient is and leverages years of

experience in healthcare to identify and champion patients’ priorities to support them, their families, and their caregivers as they navigate health challenges.

OUR ROLE IN HELPING YOU

As a clinical social worker, Kate can:

• Assist in advance care planning and completing health care directives

• Help interpret complicated medical information

• Help adjust to changes in illness, mobility, and independence

• Support and provide resource referrals for caregivers

• Assess coping mechanisms with grief and loss

• Provide non-medication-related interventions for pain, anxiety, insomnia, and other symptoms

• Help explore alternative care options when appropriate

LEARN MORE

Whatever a good day looks like for you, Livio’s care team will create a care plan that lets you focus on that outcome. To learn more about clinical social workers call us at 612-398-7000 or talk with your care team at your next visit.

& WELLNESS

Embracing a mindful mentality

Is your mind constantly full of swirling thoughts? Or are you able to be mindfully present? Practicing gratitude involves recognizing and appreciating the blessings in your life, whether tangible or intangible. While it’s a feeling that often comes after receiving gifts, kindness, help, or generosity from others, studies show that you can create gratitude yourself—and there are plenty of benefits to doing so.

Regularly practicing gratitude can positively impact your physical, mental, and social health. It can ease anxiety, lower stress hormones, increase energy, boost your mood, and improve your relationships with others. It’s important to note that this is a gradual process. It takes time and effort to incorporate more mindful moments of gratitude in your life, but here are some tips to start building mindful habits.

BE INTENTIONAL

Gratitude starts with your mindset. We each have so many blessings to be thankful for, sometimes you just have to make an effort to notice them. Each day, take a moment to think about the people, possessions, and activities in your life that spark joy.

WRITE IT DOWN

One easy way to practice gratitude is writing down what you’re thankful for. This can be in the form of a short list, answering a prompt, or journaling about your thoughts. Writing things down helps you to verbalize your thoughts and can also encourage positive reflection.

BE PRESENT

It’s difficult to think about what you’re grateful for when your mind is occupied. Make sure you’re allowing yourself to slow down every once in a while. Practice whatever brings you peace, whether that’s prayer, meditation, music, or silence. Mindfulness is allowing yourself to be in the present moment.

CREATE REMINDERS

Whether it’s a post-it note on your mirror or a framed photo on your desk, place a reminder in a space that you use often. Maybe it’s the question “What are you grateful for today?” or maybe it’s a photo of your family or pet.

REFRAME NEGATIVITY

When it’s hard to think positively, try to take a step back and ask yourself “What can I learn? What can I do to start feeling better?” You don’t have to force yourself to find the good in every situation, but this strategy can help you move forward even when the glass seems half-empty.

To create habits of grateful thinking, practice over time. These tips are long-term strategies to embrace mindfulness in your everyday life.

The benefits of hypnotherapy

Clinical hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy, is a heightened state of mental awareness that patients can enter to influence their physiological and emotional responses to symptoms they may be experiencing.

WHAT IS HYPNOTHERAPY?

Hypnotherapy is used for symptom management for individuals with chronic or serious illness, pain, nausea, IBS, anxiety, and emotional obstacles. Hypnotherapy is a non-medication approach that uses a focused, relaxed state of mind to positively influence barriers a patient may be facing.

There are many benefits to trying hypnotherapy including:

• Lowered blood pressure

• Enhanced relaxation

• Reduced feelings of anxiety

• Altered perception of physical pain

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Livio has a licensed clinical social worker, April, who is trained in hypnotherapy.

Before a hypnotherapy session, April will answer questions and ensure patients are comfortable and aware of the process before starting.

During a session, April will speak to a patient in a soothing tone and guide them into a relaxed state of mind and body using different techniques like affirmations or imagery. A patient is always in full control of the session.

In this calmer state, April will suggest ways a patient can achieve their goals. In doing so, a patient can become more aware of the way they are responding to their symptoms and take a different approach.

To end the session, April will gently reorient the patient to the present moment.

AM I A GOOD FIT?

Hypnotherapy is not a good fit for all as it doesn’t work the same for everyone. But if you have a good memory or are looking for alternative approaches to symptom management, you may be a good fit.

LEARN MORE

If you’re interested in learning more about hypnotherapy, ask your care team during your next visit or call 612-398-7000.

Winter can bring some challenges, but with the right planning and awareness, we can all stay safe and prepared.

DRESS FOR WARMTH

Cold temperatures can bring the risk of frostbite and hypothermia. Be sure to wear warm socks, gloves, a scarf, and a heavy coat over exposed skin when going outdoors.

PREPARE FOR SEVERE WEATHER

Be sure you have the proper necessities to get through power outages. Things like blankets, an LED flashlight, water, and non-perishable foods are essential supplies.

AVOID FALLS

Wearing shoes with good traction, using a cane if needed, and removing shoes when going indoors to avoid bringing in any snow are all good preventative measures.

FIGHT THE WINTER BLUES

Colder months can be gloomy, lonely, and difficult to enjoy. Find joy in the little things like, board games, shared meals

with company, keeping a journal, reading, or phone calls with family or friends

GET IN YOUR VITAMIN D

Since we are more confined to the indoors in the wintertime, we are often depleted from Vitamin D. Eating foods such as milk, grains, tuna, and egg yolks can help you stay well nourished - always remembering to stay well hydrated, too.

If you’re experiencing fatigue, poor sleep, achiness, loss of appetite, or mood changes, which are all common effects of low Vitamin D, talk to your Livio care team. They may recommend additional Vitamin D supplements.

BE AWARE OF CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING

Using fireplaces and gas heaters can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning if not monitored correctly. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors have batteries, get your fireplace inspected yearly, and invest in a new heating appliance if you’re due for one.

What precautions can I take to stay safe this winter?

You’ve asked, we’ve answered

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