by California Casualty | News |
Why do we still do it?
I’m talking about Sunday’s time change. Almost everyone I talk to dreads saying goodbye to daylight saving and turning our clocks back this weekend for the return of standard time. We might regain an hour, but it’s depressing leaving work in the dark at 5 p.m.
It’s more than just an inconvenience; the “fall back” can be a real health hazard. Some 40 million of us already have some type of chronic sleep disorder and 40 percent of us admit we’ve recently fallen asleep while driving. Sleep experts say that setting the clock back an hour is contrary to how our body clocks work, leading to some interesting health effects –both good and bad – that you may not have known about.
- Your risk of being in a car accident may increase
A Texas A&M University study found there was a seven percent increase in car crashes the week after daylight saving time comes to an end, with morning crashes jumping 14 percent. Researchers think the hour difference affects us much like jet lag when we disrupt our normal sleep pattern
- Your odds of a heart attack may drop
In a 2014 study, researchers found a 21 percent decrease in heart attacks on the Tuesday following the fall time change. That compares to the 24 percent increase just after the switch to daylight saving.
- Your mood may improve
As the weather gets colder and daylight diminishes, we tend to be more depressed. But in the weeks following the fall time change, your wake time may actually sync with the sunrise, giving you a temporary mood a boost. Exposing yourself to morning light is one of the most powerful things you can do to stave off winter blues.
- The quality of your sleep may take a hit
Many of us have trouble after we set the clocks back; we actually stay up later because we aren’t tired when it’s bedtime and our brain is still programmed to get us up an hour earlier than the clock says. One study suggests that instead of capitalizing on the supposed extra hour of sleep, you may actually lose sleep the week after the fall time change. A Finnish study found that the quality of sleep after the fall transition actually decreases for many of us.
Now you probably already know if you are sleep deprived, but just in case, you can take the National Sleep Foundation’s “sleepiness test” to show how you stack up against other Americans.
And, if you find turning the clocks back leaves you out of sorts, overtired and more cranky than usual, here are some recommendations from the Sleep Foundation:
- Avoid napping during the day
- Limit stimulants such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol in the late afternoon and evening
- Use relaxing exercise like yoga or meditation before bedtime
- Stay away from heavy, late meals
- Don’t experiment with spicy dishes for dinner
- Expose yourself to as much natural light as possible
- Establish a regular, relaxing bedtime routine
- Keep the bedroom for sleep – eliminate the TV
- Make your bed and sleeping area as comfortable as possible
Oh, here are a couple last things:
- Don’t forget to set your clocks back Saturday night so you won’t show up an hour early for church or other morning activities.
- Don’t forget to test and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Don’t lose sleep worrying about your auto and home insurance; contact a California Casualty advisor today for a free, no hassle policy review and comparison at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com. You’ll sleep better knowing you have the best coverage with exclusive professional discounts.
Sources for this article:
https://www.better-sleep-better-life.com/insomnia-statistics.html
https://www.yahoo.com/health/4-weird-ways-the-time-change-affects-your-health-101686684992.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079212001141
https://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6793/8/3
https://sleepfoundation.org/ask-the-expert/sleep-hygiene
by California Casualty | Safety |
The National Weather Service is describing the ice storm tightening a frozen grip on the southeastern part of the US with words like: Catastrophic, crippling and an even of historical proportions.
Unlike blizzards, ice storms present unique problems that require special preparations.
For your safety, we have excerpted an article from ehow.com on ice storm preparation.
Instructions
Place a winter emergency kit in your car. There are going to be times when a winter ice storm will hit when you are away from the house. Unfortunately, most employers will not let you call out because the weatherman is calling for a winter ice storm. Your winter emergency kit will help you to get home in one piece no matter what you encounter.
Collect all of your flashlights and candles together and make sure that everything is working correctly before the winter ice storm hits. Winter ice storms have been notorious for knocking out power to millions with the weight of the ice on power lines. Do not be left in the dark during the winter ice storm.
Keep your pantry stocked with food that you can eat with out having to cook it. If you lose power during a winter ice storm, you want to make sure that you can still eat. You can also make sure you have all the usual food necessities in case you still have power but are stuck in the house for a few days due to the winter ice storm.
Tips & Warnings
- Try to prepare for a winter ice storm as far in advance as you can. This will keep you home and safe as the storm is on the way.
Read more: ehow.com
Here are some safe driving tips if you encounter ice:
Driving safely on icy roads
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
- Keep your lights and windshield clean.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
- Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
- Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
- Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
- Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
If your rear wheels skid…
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
- If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
- If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
- If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid…
- Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
- As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
by California Casualty | Safety |
There are many dangers associated with being a law enforcement officer. Many come simply from driving. The police have to protect the public but also protect themselves by not taking risks while in or around their vehicle. Here is a roundup of eight ways for police officers to keep safe on the job.
1. Don’t drive tired: It’s been proven that driving fatigued can be as bad as driving drunk. You’re especially at risk if you work overnight; the darkness can make anyone want to doze. Recognize the warning signs and know when you need to take a break: eyes closing or going out of focus, persistent yawning, irritability and wandering thoughts, among others.
2. Wear a seatbelt: This should go without saying, but it doesn’t. Not only is it a good example for the public, it is a no-brainer for keeping officers safe on the roadways. Sadly, almost half of officers killed in vehicle accidents were not wearing a seatbelt.
3. Use GPS: 911 dispatchers can use GPS to see where officers’ vehicles are at all times. Not only does it allow for the monitoring of safe driving habits, a live map shows the dispatcher which officer is nearest to the scene of an emergency. GPS speeds up the decision-making process, saving what can be critical moments, and the operator can send an officer who can get to the incident the soonest. As always, be sure officers are trained on any new technology in the vehicle, such as GPS-enabled laptops.
4. Avoid multitasking: Police officers today are outfitted with all kinds of equipment in their vehicles, including cameras and computers. Use extreme caution if you have to use this technology while behind the wheel. Eating, drinking or having a conversation while driving can be distracting, too. If it’s not an emergency situation, stop the car and do what you need to do.
5. Wear a reflective vest: Increasing your visibility is a simple but crucial step to take when you exit your vehicle to enter the roadway or stand on the shoulder. If the situation allows, pick these locations wisely — try not to pull over on a blind curve, where other drivers have little or no chance to see you in time to slow down.
6. Keep tires maintained: The vehicle should have a light that warns the driver when tire pressure is low, but it doesn’t hurt to check it once in a while, especially when the temperature drops significantly at the beginning of winter. Check tire treads using the “penny test”: place an upside-down penny in one of the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your treads are wearing down and the tire should be replaced.
7. Don’t speed unless necessary: Speed can kill. The faster a car is moving, the less time the driver has to react to any obstacle. Making sudden maneuvers at high speeds leads to accidents.
8. Call for backup: If you have a feeling that backup is needed, ask for it. Don’t worry about inconveniencing other officers. You are better safe than sorry if you suspect that someone has a gun or that you will be in a threatening situation.
Author Bio:
Cheryl Bikowski is Marketing Communications Supervisor of Gamber-Johnson in Stevens Point, WI. Gamber-Johnson is a leading supplier of vehicle computer mounts and vehicle docking stations and is a member of the Leggett & Platt Commercial Vehicle Products (CVP) Group.
by California Casualty | Nurses |
This Guest Blog post is by blogger Keith Carlson, RN, BSN. Nurse Keith, the blogger behind Digital Doorway, is the featured article in our Nurses’ News Resource: Nursing Pulse. To sign up to receive the Nursing Pulse in your inbox once a month, click here!
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Self-Renewal for Nurses: A Guest blog by blogger Keith Carlson
Spring is a time of year often associated with the theme of renewal in many cultures. Easter, Passover, Lent, Daylight Savings, the Equinox and other special cultural moments mark the increase in daylight, the flowering of the earth after the long, cold winter, as well as the general notions of rebirth and resurrection.
In the lives of most nurses, not much changes when winter turns to spring. For some, perhaps the commute becomes less icy and the snow gives way to grass (or mud!), but nothing much changes at the hospital, clinic or agency.
If a nurse is involved in home care, visits to patients’ homes may take on a different feeling as fireplaces become dormant and flowers begin to bloom, and these itinerant nurses may notice significantly less dangerous driving conditions as they shuttle between visits.
Outward signs in nature aside, the changes are actually few as winter turns to spring, so the nurse must find his or her own way of manifesting self-renewal at a time of year when change is in the air.
Physical Renewal
We all know the syndrome. Many of us gain weight over the course of the winter. In fact, some scientists hypothesize that human bodies naturally store fat in the winter based on ancient physiological adaptations in response to the potential for famine. So, as the weather warms, we put on our running shoes, grease up our bicycle chains, and otherwise reactivate our exercise routines.
Exercise is, of course, a great way to “wake up” your body, burn off some of that winter fat, and enjoy the outdoors.
Setting realistic goals for exercise is key to remaining optimistic and empowered in our exercise routines, so make sure you choose goals that are measurable, attainable and realistic. For instance, resolving to walk ninety minutes every day might be setting yourself up for disappointment and self-recrimination, but a goal of walking twenty minutes five days per week might be more attainable.
Food is another place where we can renew ourselves in the spring, especially as fresh, local produce becomes more available. At this time of year, we can make a conscious choice to “lighten up” our diets with more fresh fruits and vegetables, decreasing the intake of carbohydrates that we naturally crave during the colder months. Along with increased exercise, dietary changes help to increase our potential for weight loss, muscle strengthening and improved fitness.
Emotional, Psychological and Social Renewal
Emerging from the relative hibernation of winter, spring can make us feel like we’re bursting at the seams. Friends come out of hiding, we begin to feel a general sense of optimism, and we can feel drawn to come out of our wintry shells and embrace the world.
In Oriental Medicine, the winds of spring are often associated with the liver and the expression of anger, so some people can find early spring challenging on an emotional level.
In Southern France, a spring wind called “Le Mistral” is said to drive people mad, and those of us who live in the desert Southwest of the United States can also feel irritable as the spring winds blow the dusty soil and raise the risk of wildfires.
Meeting with friends, seeking short-term support from a therapist, coach or counselor, or requesting the counsel of a trusted member of the clergy can be helpful in times of transition. Engaging in a therapeutic relationship—whether brief or longer term–can sometimes be just the thing to move forward and galvanize personal growth.
Spiritual Renewal
I mentioned the counsel of a trusted member of the clergy in the previous section, and this can, of course, be one aspect of spiritual renewal.
For those of various faiths, spring brings renewal in the form of Easter’s celebration of the Resurrection, Passover’s acknowledgement of the Jews’ escape from imprisonment in Egypt, and “Al Hijra,” the Muslim New Year’s Day in April that celebrates Mohammed’s migration from Mecca to Medina. Pagan holidays and celebrations also abound in springtime.
Spiritual renewal can also be quite personal and non-denominational. Personally, increased time in nature brings me a sense of renewal and reconnection, with the budding of trees and the return of migratory birds signaling rebirth, change and promise.
Professional Renewal
Apart from the spiritual, physical, psychological and emotional aspects, we can also take a moment to reflect on the notion of professional renewal.
Whatever the season of the year, we’re always free to take stock of our careers, examine our goals, weigh our options, and decide if we’re still heading in a direction that feels growthful and satisfying.
Is your job indeed satisfying? Are you treated like a valuable asset or an expendable cog in a corporate wheel? Does your job feel more mechanical and routine than it used to? Are there professional skills you want to develop? Are there new opportunities to explore?
Questions such as these can spur an inward and outward examination of your career and professional life. Sometimes we can do this on our own, and at other times, a coach, therapist or trusted friend or colleague can assist us in sorting out the professional wheat from the chaff.
You might even decide that, every spring, you’ll take the time to polish up your resume, update your Linked In and social media profiles, and otherwise till the soil of your professional garden so that the ground is ready for the planting of new seeds of opportunity and change.
Spring Forward….and Carpe Diem
Truthfully, spring doesn’t really have to hold any meaning for you at all. In fact, the notion of spring’s renewal may just seem like an artificial construct to you.
Maybe spring is when your allergies are activated and you hole up in your bedroom with the air purifier on full blast as you escape the massive clouds of pollens that fill the air.
Or maybe spring is when you’re busy with your taxes and the last thing you want to do is examine your career or your spiritual standing.
You can find self-renewal at any time of year, and you can choose to seek support or enter a period of self-examination whether there’s snow on the ground or a lawn mower buzzing outside your window.
Self-renewal can occur as discrete events or as ongoing processes. Coaching, psychotherapy and other avenues of exploration are available year-round, but if the energy of spring speaks to you as a time for deeper introspection and personal action, you can certainly seize the day and delve as deeply as you like.
Remember that your life is your own, and the paths you choose to take are personal decisions. Nursing is a career that can bring much promise and professional satisfaction, as well as the possibility of disenchantment and disillusionment. Remain realistic about the course of your life, both personally and professionally, and use the tools and recruit the help that can help you navigate the hard times while celebrating the good.
We each have the opportunity to renew ourselves each day as we awaken from sleep and our feet hit the floor. How will you renew yourself today?
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Keith Carlson, or Nurse Keith as he’s known to his blog community, has been in the nursing field since 1996. Keith runs a Nursing Blog called Digital Doorway. A Registered Nurse and Certified Professional Coach, Keith says he has equal passion for both, which he uses “to help nurses live the most healthy, balanced and satisfying lives possible.” When Keith isn’t busy nursing, coaching and blogging, he’s working on “RN.FM Radio: Nursing Unleashed.” Keith co-founded the station, which strives to be “a place where nursing thought leaders, entrepreneurs, writers, bloggers and gifted clinicians can make their voices heard.”
To check out Keith’s blog, click here. More information about his coaching can be found here.
To tune in to RN.FM Radio, click here.
To keep up with him on Facebook, click here.
You can find him on Twitter by clicking here!
Check out our Q& A with Nurse Keith, click here.
