by Jennifer Smith, Registered Nurse, Australia

Working as a nurse, I spend a great deal of time standing and walking during my work day. I could easily say that I would walk 5kms most days as part of my job. I used to think that I was getting plenty of exercise during my day, at work and that would suffice for regular daily exercise. So other than the activity that I would do at work, I did no exercise.

I loved walking, but would only walk if it meant that I was travelling from point A to point B. This worked quite well for me when I use to live in a city and relied on public transport, but once I moved to a country area I needed to use my car all the time. So the ‘incidental exercise’ and walking that I did came to a standstill.

Fitness and exercise as a young adult, was also very goal driven for me. There was an area of work that I was keen to join that required a certain level of fitness. I was very determined to get into this line of work, so I pushed myself very hard so that I could run so far, do so many sit-ups and push-ups, all within in a certain time frame. I can honestly say that I didn’t enjoy any of it and I had a particular dislike for running, but I had to do it. I was determined to get into this job. Once I was in, there was no need for me to continue this style of exercise, so I stopped and did nothing. Continue reading “Exercise, Fitness and Nursing.” →

by Cherise Holt, Gastroenterology Nurse, Brisbane

Around two years ago I made the choice to eliminate gluten and dairy from my diet and my body instantly benefited from the decrease in stomach bloating, changing bowel habits and other symptoms I had experienced within my gastrointestinal tract. I had eaten these foods all my life leaving me unaware and numb to their compounding symptoms in my body. I had become an expert in overriding what my body truly felt.

The choice to decrease and then to eliminate sugar from my diet came later, and whilst it was obvious my sleep patterns and the raciness I was experiencing in my body did not leave me feeling wonderful – as with all my food choices – I couldn’t make a change without first being willing to understand and heal the reasons why I chose to be unloving with me in the first place, which then lead me to override what I truly felt.  Continue reading “My Body’s Reactions to Gluten, Dairy and Sugar” →

By Cherise Holt, Nurse, Australia

A group of health professionals gather at a conference with the purpose of sharing through research and experience, so as to educate and support each other in their common specialities of health and medicine. Professors, Doctors, Scientists and Nurses have travelled from around the country with special guests from across the world to contribute, communicate and impart knowledge from their experiences or simply to ascertain further understanding of the health issues and complications that are presented with their patients each day. I appreciated being here, as I understand the importance of science and medicine to our health and our wellbeing.

For me, the most interesting portion of the conference was the presented case studies. A patient’s disease symptoms were discussed (in a confidential and professional manner) so that colleagues can share from their own expertise to reach diagnosis and treatment options with the patients’ best health interests as the aim. Offered alongside the symptoms is a brief outline of their medical history, including any other illnesses, medications, family history, age, sex, marital status, (children), religion if applicable and whether they smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol. It was here that I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing, like I had a puzzle in front of me with many missing pieces. Although the ability to diagnose and manage the immediate symptoms could be made, the puzzle still felt incomplete. Continue reading “Medicine for Humanity” →

By FL, Registered Nurse and Midwife, Australia

I was never all that keen on work. For many years I saw it as a necessary evil and hoped the years until retirement would pass quickly and I could get into a laid back lifestyle that would suit me better. I had been nursing for years, really liked the patients and giving care, but felt burdened by the misery and problems I saw every day amongst patients and staff. How could I help them? I had no real clue. I was just as burned out by the ‘system’ as those that perpetuated it. From my university based training, I learned that I had to do everything right and have all the answers as often as possible, placing me under enormous pressure to be perfect. There was no discussion ever about the way in which I worked or the quality I offered to people when I walked through the door.

A few years ago I started attending the Universal Medicine (UM) clinic and met people who worked there who were incredibly dedicated and interested in their work and this was always the case at any session. I never once felt like they were watching the clock or bored out of their minds by clients. Never once did they appear to have “Monday I have Friday on my mind” syndrome.  Instead I felt a steadiness; I could tell they actually understood me and they held a love very solid. Hmmm, how was this possible? Were they superhuman or very good fakes? Continue reading “From Misery to Fun at Work!” →

by Elizabeth Dolan RN, Australia

In a recent article published in the BBC News Health section¹ the author reports on an analysis of studies involving more than 2 million shift workers published in the British Medical Journal.²  The studies found that shift work can disrupt the body clock and has an adverse effect on lifestyle. They also reported that shift workers are more at risk of having a heart attack or stroke than day workers. Other studies have shown that shift work has an adverse effect on appetite, digestion, increases the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes and has an overall negative effect on health. Continue reading “Shift-work with Ease” →