Useful Info (Original Patient Education) JASE Medical - Page 9

Avoid A Holiday Heart Attack By doing This

Heart attacks are highest December 25th, avoid being a statistic.

Holidays can be a time of connecting with loved ones that you don’t normally connect with. It is also the time when strained relationships magnify because of family get togethers. Either way, holidays have a way of bringing on intense feelings and expectations that are rarely met in real life. Changes in health, loss of or additions of family members (passing of a loved one, marriage, birth, adoption, etc.) job loss, (or new job) and even pressure to show up at holiday gatherings when you may not be able to afford presents change the family dynamics and add additional stress to the holiday season.

Our activities and stress levels

Filling our lives with activities we really don’t want to do or have little meaning sets you up for depression and a downward spiral of emotions. Manage stress through eliminating meaningless chores and responsibilities taken on during past years. This will free you to experience a fulfilling life rooted in meaning and purpose.

Set Realistic Expectations and Priorities

Remember, you are in control

Hallmark movies, retailers and clever marketing have played on our emotions and can lead us to feel inadequate. Decide what is truly important and makes the holiday season special If you now have additional responsibilities, life changes or just don’t care for the holiday season. Don’t overextend yourself by accepting invites to parties and get togethers unless it fits into a realistic schedule.

Streamline your schedule and commitments

Let all involved know this year will be different (if it is) and why.

  • If travel is difficult, set up zoom calls to connect with family and loved ones. Zoom calls are an ideal way to connect if you or your family are dealing with a major health challenge. By doing this, you avoid extended travel, exposure to viruses and disruption to your daily schedule.
  • Invite people to your home around your schedule. Ask anyone who is sick or has been exposed to anyone ill to stay home.

Prioritize your health

Communicate your needs and what you can do that won’t stretch your limits. Overextending yourself, along with poor diet and lack of sleep can set you on a downward spiral of depressive thoughts and emotions. These emotions lower your immune system and can set you up for increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular events.

  • Have your prescriptions refilled in advance. You avoid lengthy waiting times in lines, exposure to seasonal viruses, and you won’t run out at the most inopportune time. It is also a great time to use your HSA (before years end) and buy a Jase Case or refill chronic medications with Jase Daily if you haven’t already.
  • Maximize your vitamin D level, either by spending time in the sun or using supplements. Vitamin D is a powerful immune booster.
  • Avoid sugar and alcohol. Both can bring on depressive moods (which, in turn, lowers immunity).
  • Take time for yourself – go for a walk, take a hot bath, shut off the phone and read – whatever you can do to energize. Your heart and immune system will thank you for it!
  • Prioritize your mental and physical health. Eat a healthy meal before you head to festivities or get togethers. If you struggle with alcohol addiction, either avoid the activity or bring an accountability partner to support and encourage abstinence.
  • Get good quality sleep. Keep your sleep schedule as close to normal as possible. Our bodies repair and rejuvenate more during our sleep cycles than at any other time of day.
  • Cold weather puts stress on the heart. Layer clothing, and pace yourself when engaging in outdoor activities.

Men and women can have a different set of symptoms during a heart attack. Download and print this pdf. Hang it in a highly visible spot of your home. Don’t ignore symptoms by wishing them away. The sooner you seek help the higher your chances of survival.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Why a conquered disease is back, and what we can do.  .  The Measles Resurgence: A Call For Health Preparedness Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease - once relegated to history books - is making a disturbing comeback in the United States....

read more
5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

With relentlessly busy lives, in a world as volatile as ours, you never quite know what may happen tomorrow. .  Being as prepared as possible is the only way to safeguard your family against preventable mishaps during an unpreventable emergency. Remember,...

read more
Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Next time we may not be so lucky.United Health group learned Wednesday of a cyber security threat  that had accessed some of their information technology systems. Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health-care technology companies and a subsidiary of...

read more
Planning a Cruise?

Planning a Cruise?

Be sure to pack these Jase add-ons An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea has been reported on the luxury cruise ship, the Queen Victoria. As of last count, at least 154 people have taken ill since the ship set sail in early January. The number of passengers on board...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Want to live longer? Change your thoughts

The holidays are meant to be a joyous time shared with friends, family, and coworkers. However, many things can take a toll on your emotional health. Job loss or job insecurity, financial woes, loss of health or a loved one can cause depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness. Holidays of years past may bring back memories filled with past friends and family get togethers and traditions. If you have had a significant life change over the past year, you may be dreading the holiday season. Focusing on what you have and not what you don’t have is the start to successfully finding your way towards a healthy outlook this holiday season.

Hopefulness, enthusiasm and emotional balance are associated with a substantially reduced risk of heart attack and stroke.

As Dr Caroline Leaf, neuropsychiatrist  points out: thoughts occupy mental real estate in our brains.

Inflammation, brought on by emotional stressors and negative thoughts, triggers the release of hormones and chemicals in the body-namely cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones and chemicals can also cause the body to produce inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines leading to production of more inflammatory molecules, such as C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation.

Inflammation and how it relates to heart disease

Inflammation can cause heart attacks by damaging the inner lining of the arteries. This can lead to the formation of plaque. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances can build up in the arteries and cause them to narrow. This narrowing of the arteries can reduce or block the flow of blood to the heart, leading to a heart attack.

Start With Gratitude

Studies show that gratitude, meditation, and prayer enhance immune system function and lowers inflammatory markers. Inflammation, along with smoking and poor lifestyle habits are some of the primary drivers of heart disease. Gratitude journals, where you list 5 things you are grateful for each day, is a powerful tool to combat negativity and increase feelings of well-being.

Decrease Inflammation by Increasing the Levels of These 4 Chemicals

The following are powerful feel-good, stress relieving messengers that can aid in reducing your risk of heart disease. You may note that many of the same activities overlap. For instance, you can increase serotonin, endorphins and dopamine by exercise.

Serotonin

Promotes feelings of belonging and well-being. Up to 95 percent of serotonin is synthesized from tryptophan in the mucosal lining of the gut. Serotonin plays a valuable role in not only mental health but is the precursor to melatonin, and plays a role in digestion, wound healing and even sleep (as the precursor to melatonin).

Loneliness and depressive moods are linked to an altered and limited diversity of the gut microbiome. Inflammation caused by stress can lower levels of serotonin. Taking care of the gut can result in decreased inflammation.

Enhance serotonin levels by:

  • Consuming mega 3 rich foods – decrease inflammation, probiotics and fermented foods can help maintain gut integrity.
  • Connect with loved ones
  • Practice self-care everyday
  • Exercise Spend time outdoors
  • Practice gratitude

Endorphins – Natural pain killers, AKA as the “runners high”

Released by the pituitary gland, endorphins are the body’s natural pain killers. They are released when you are under stress, experiencing pain, eating or exercising. 

Enhance endorphin levels by:

Dopamine

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is mostly manufactured in the brain. However other organs, such as the adrenal glands also manufacture some dopamine. Dubbed the “feel good” chemical, dopamine also plays a role in blood pressure regulation, cardiac output, and blood flow to organs.

Enhance dopamine levels by:

  • Getting plenty of sleep
  • Exercise
  • Meditation or prayer
  • Avoid stressful situations.
  • Listening to music
  • Singing

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is nicknamed the “cuddle” or “love” hormone. It is produced in the hypothalamus region of the brain. It promotes social interaction which can lead to feeling of well-being, cuddling, sex and even petting your dog or cat can produce oxytocin.

Enhance oxycontin levels by  

  • Physical affection
  • Showing love and affection
  • Spending time with loved ones and friends
  • Petting your dog or cat or favorite animal

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Why a conquered disease is back, and what we can do.  .  The Measles Resurgence: A Call For Health Preparedness Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease - once relegated to history books - is making a disturbing comeback in the United States....

read more
5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

With relentlessly busy lives, in a world as volatile as ours, you never quite know what may happen tomorrow. .  Being as prepared as possible is the only way to safeguard your family against preventable mishaps during an unpreventable emergency. Remember,...

read more
Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Next time we may not be so lucky.United Health group learned Wednesday of a cyber security threat  that had accessed some of their information technology systems. Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health-care technology companies and a subsidiary of...

read more
Planning a Cruise?

Planning a Cruise?

Be sure to pack these Jase add-ons An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea has been reported on the luxury cruise ship, the Queen Victoria. As of last count, at least 154 people have taken ill since the ship set sail in early January. The number of passengers on board...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Are They Telling Us Everything? Probably Not

If it weren’t for the fact there was so much conflicting information before the Covid-19 pandemic, it would be easier to believe the CDC, WHO, Chinese health authorities and other health professionals that White Lung Syndrome is really nothing to worry about. It wasn’t too long ago that a few months before Covid 19 was declared a pandemic we were told the same thing. And who can forget the infamous 2 weeks to flatten the curve?

The information on where, what, and how these outbreaks of M. pneumonia are occurring has been limited. We will continue to monitor this outbreak and bring reports periodically.

Be prepared, not scared

For now, we can get medically prepared. Check and refill (as needed) your stock of pain and fever relievers, nebulizer treatments and other supplies. One valuable supplement that can help keep your immune system in top shape are probiotics. Probiotics are even beneficial if you do get sick. For instance, they can treat antibiotic associated diarrhea.

Probiotics to curb antibiotic associated diarrhea.

Mycoplasma pneumonia is a bacterial pneumonia, and azithromycin is one of the antibiotics used to treat M. pneumoniae. Whether you or a member of your family are given an antibiotic, one common side effect is antibiotic associated diarrhea.

Probiotics are sometimes prescribed at the same time as antibiotic therapy are initiated to treat antibiotic associated diarrhea. Young children are more at risk for dehydration because of their smaller body size than teens and adults. Dehydration can be life threatening and lead to further complications.

A study titled “Role of Probiotics in Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia in Children: A Short-Term Pilot Project”  concluded M. pneumoniae can be successfully treated with azithromycin; however, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common adverse effect. This study determined the effects of probiotics (live Clostridium butyricum plus Bifidobacterium infantis) prevented AAD in children with mycoplasma pneumonia when co-administered with intravenous azithromycin. The probiotics also helped reconstruct the gut microbiota, especially the restoration of bacterial diversity, which is important to overall health.

Use probiotics with caution and under the guidance of your care provider

While it has been well documented that probiotics and probiotic rich foods enhance immune system function, there can be some drawback to their use. In the immune compromise population, beneficial bacteria can take over and turn pathogenic. Young children especially need to be monitored if given any probiotics. In addition to probiotics in supplement form, adding probiotic rich foods offer powerful immune boosting benefits to your diet.

Probiotics are powerful immune modulators. The gut-lung axis is poorly understood at this point, however there is undeniable evidence that probiotics, especially Lactobacilli modulate immune response via gut lung pathways. Even though the exact mechanism of action is still being researched, the following are some known benefits of probiotic supplementation.

  • Viral respiratory tract infection (RTI) is the most frequent cause of infectious illnesses including the common cold. Antibiotics don’t work on viral illnesses and there are limited medications available to treat viral respiratory infections.
  • Supplements with L. paracasei MCC1849 can provide protection against influenza virus.
  • Lactobacillus strains have a beneficial role in respiratory diseases including respiratory tract infections (RTIs), asthma, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis (CF) and COPD.
  • The combination of oral L. paracase, L. casei CRL 431 and L. fermentium PCC also reduces rhinovirus-induced common and influenza-like infection. (mainly Lactobacilli) can decrease the risk of respiratory failure in COVID-19 patients by 8-fold.
  • Rhamnosus GG, L. gasseri TMC0356, L. plantarum IM76, L. plantarum CJLP133 and CJLP243 can effectively improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. In clinical trials. L. gasseri KS-13, L. casei Shirota and L. acidophilus L-92 have been used to effectively prevent seasonal allergic rhinitis.
  • Common fermented foods, such as live culture yogurt, sauerkraut, miso and other foods are naturally probiotic rich. Check labels for the strain of probiotics the food carries.

Keep your immune system in top shape. Wash hands. Avoid being around sick people. Stay home and keep your child at home if you or your child are sick. In other words, use common sense.

This time of year is historically cold/flu season. Stock up on supplies you may need for all members of the family. Do you own a reliable thermometer? I am surprised how many people overlook thermometers as part of medical preparation!

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Why a conquered disease is back, and what we can do.  .  The Measles Resurgence: A Call For Health Preparedness Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease - once relegated to history books - is making a disturbing comeback in the United States....

read more
5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

With relentlessly busy lives, in a world as volatile as ours, you never quite know what may happen tomorrow. .  Being as prepared as possible is the only way to safeguard your family against preventable mishaps during an unpreventable emergency. Remember,...

read more
Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Next time we may not be so lucky.United Health group learned Wednesday of a cyber security threat  that had accessed some of their information technology systems. Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health-care technology companies and a subsidiary of...

read more
Planning a Cruise?

Planning a Cruise?

Be sure to pack these Jase add-ons An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea has been reported on the luxury cruise ship, the Queen Victoria. As of last count, at least 154 people have taken ill since the ship set sail in early January. The number of passengers on board...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Pandemic 2.0 On the Horizon?

As we settle into cooler weather, holiday festivities and travel, there is a looming cloud that may quickly dampen our holiday spirit.

An outbreak, which started August of this year in China called “White Lung Syndrome” has overwhelmed hospitals and prompted Chinese health authorities to reinstate Covid era measures- masking, stay at home orders and limited travel. The World Health Organization had demanded health records from China on the white lung syndrome outbreak. China repeatedly denies that this is a bioengineered or novel virus and deny claims that their hospitals are overrun with pediatric patients with white lung syndrome. Current CDC director Dr. Mandy Cohen echoed this sentiment “We do not believe this is a new or novel pathogen.”

ProMed tells a different story

ProMed, is a global network of medical professionals and organizations that share information about emerging health threats. It is managed by the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID) and is funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On November 21, 2023, children’s hospitals in Beijing, Liaoning and other places were overwhelmed with sick children, and schools and classes were on the verge of suspension. Parents questioned whether the authorities were covering up the epidemic.

ProMED Rapporteur Dan Silver concludes:

“This report suggests a widespread outbreak of an undiagnosed respiratory illness in several areas in China as Beijing and Liaoning are almost 800 km apart. It is not at all clear when this outbreak started as it would be unusual for so many children to be affected so quickly. The report does not say that any adults were affected suggesting some exposure at the schools. ProMED awaits more definitive information about the etiology and scope of this concerning illness in China”.

He goes on to state:

It is too early to project whether this could be another pandemic but as a wise influenza virologist once said to me, “The pandemic clock is ticking, we just do not know what time it is.”

The World On Alert

The WHO has been monitoring data from Chinese surveillance systems since August. This data had been showing an increase in respiratory illness in China. Since then, countries, including India, Thailand and Nepal, are on alert and have ramped up surveillance after Bejing and North China reported overwhelming cases of respiratory sickness among children.

In Ohio, an outbreak of 145 children have come down with White Lung Syndrome since August. Officials are denying that this outbreak has any connection to the China outbreak.

What is White Lung Syndrome?

White Lung Syndrome is not a diagnosis or disease, but rather a cluster of infections that can include (mycoplasma pneumonia, RSV, influenza, and adenovirus). The pneumonia presents as white patches on chest X-rays in affected children. Most of the cases are in younger children with the average age of 8. The term also includes respiratory illnesses such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, and silica-related conditions. Experts suspect that a new form of  Mycoplasma pneumonia,(a bacterial pneumonia),also called walking pneumonia is the cause of the outbreak.

From the CDC:

It spreads primarily through droplets from an infected person who coughs and sneezes and can linger for a while in the nose and throat without producing symptoms. Only when the bacteria spread to the lungs, that symptoms and a pneumonia diagnosis may ensue.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae are bacteria that can cause illness by damaging the lining of the respiratory system (throat, lungs, windpipe). When someone infected with M. pneumoniae coughs or sneezes, they create small respiratory droplets that contain the bacteria. Other people can get infected if they breathe in those droplets.

Most people who spend a short amount of time with someone who is sick with M. pneumoniae do not get infected. However, the bacteria often spread between people who live together since they spend a lot of time together. other without being ill.

The most common type of infection is tracheobronchitis (chest cold). Common symptoms of a chest cold include:

  • Sore throat
  • Feeling tired
  • Fever
  • Slowly worsening cough that can last for weeks or months
  • Headache

Children younger than 5 years old who get Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection could have symptoms that are different from older children and adults. Instead, they may have the following cold-like symptoms:

  • Sneezing
  • Stuffy or runny nose
  • Sore throat
  • Watery eyes
  • Wheezing
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat mycoplasma pneumonia. Historically, Azithromycin has been the antibiotic of choice. (The Jase Case includes Azithromycin)

Something isn’t adding up.

According to Dr Sarah Park, a former CDC epidemic surveillance officer and is currently medical director of medical affairs at Karius, a California biotech company, “There is no indication of a novel virus causing these illnesses,” said Park. CDC director Dr Mandy Cohen echoes those same sentiments: “We do not believe this is a new or novel pathogen”.

However, ProMed paints a totally different picture of the outbreak.

To be honest, when I heard of the outbreak in China – “White Lung Syndrome” I really wasn’t too concerned. However, the contradictory information has me very concerned. We will be closely monitoring developments over the coming days and weeks.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Why a conquered disease is back, and what we can do.  .  The Measles Resurgence: A Call For Health Preparedness Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease - once relegated to history books - is making a disturbing comeback in the United States....

read more
5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

With relentlessly busy lives, in a world as volatile as ours, you never quite know what may happen tomorrow. .  Being as prepared as possible is the only way to safeguard your family against preventable mishaps during an unpreventable emergency. Remember,...

read more
Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Next time we may not be so lucky.United Health group learned Wednesday of a cyber security threat  that had accessed some of their information technology systems. Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health-care technology companies and a subsidiary of...

read more
Planning a Cruise?

Planning a Cruise?

Be sure to pack these Jase add-ons An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea has been reported on the luxury cruise ship, the Queen Victoria. As of last count, at least 154 people have taken ill since the ship set sail in early January. The number of passengers on board...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

These Days are The Most Deadly for Heart Attacks

(Heart healthy hacks series)

According to the American Heart Association. the 3 deadliest days in the calendar year for cardiac deaths are: in first place, December 25th, second is December 26th  and third deadliest is January 1st .

There are several possible reasons for this phenomena- from the increased stress surrounding the holiday season to poor dietary habits and alcohol use. This time of year also can bring many mixed emotions of loved ones not with us anymore, along with monetary and declining health of ourselves or loved ones. However, with a little planning and self-care you can decrease the odds of becoming a statistic and enjoy the holiday season.

Things we can control over the holidays:

  • Our diet: It is very easy, with all the hustle and business during this time of year to neglect your diet and eat whatever sugary foods find their way into the breakroom or home. Your health will suffer if you don’t take charge and plan for success. This doesn’t mean depriving yourself of a holiday goodie, but it does mean using moderation and self-control.
  • Our attitude: I often hear people say they hate this time of year. They often state it is all the little things they have to do. We will delve into ways to set boundaries and time management skills in this post.
  • Our thoughts: As Dr Caroline Leaf, neuropsychiatrist points out: thoughts occupy mental real estate in our brains. Find out how we can change our thoughts, leading to less stress and a more peaceful holiday season.
  • Our activities and stress level: Filling our lives with activities we really don’t want to do or have little meaning sets you up for depression and a downward spiral of emotions. Manage stress through eliminating meaningless chores and responsibilities taken on during past years. This will free you up to experience a fulfilling life rooted in meaning and purpose.

5 Tips for heart healthy eating over the holidays

I reached out to fellow nurse Mary Yuter, founder of  Heart to Soul Cardiac Wellness  for some heart healthy snacks and tips to successfully navigate the holidays:

For cardiac health, here are 5 snack pointers:

1) Cayenne pepper in coffee or cacao. Cayenne pepper is a vasodilator and acts as a blood thinner.

2) Dark chocolate 70% and greater for the magnesium and antioxidant benefits. We are all deficient in magnesium, and the heart loves magnesium!

3) Eat a sliced clove (not bulb) of raw garlic to act as a blood thinner. Cut it into slices first and wait at least 15 seconds for a compound to turn from Allin to Allicin, the magic blood thinning property. Then enjoy! I do tell my clients to have garlic before flying-hey-it may get them an empty seat next to them on the plane!

4) A banana a day also keeps the heart doctor away due to the potassium that the heart also loves.

5) Fruits with pectin such as apples and pears are great for taking down cholesterol. Add cinnamon and you have blood glucose control!

Snack idea: Nature’s Carmel: a square of dark chocolate with a date (antimicrobial, antiparasitic) and a brazil nut (selenium and healthy fat)

  • A great trick to combat the holiday parties is to eat before you go to the party.
  • Bring a dish you will eat, and stick with that.
  • Allow yourself a treat, that’s it-not a diving board into the pool of the dessert table!
  • Remember-you are the boss of your taste buds and if your hips could weigh in, they would be yelling at your taste buds!

Mary goes on to state, “Be the positive example for others by your actions.”

In addition, limit or avoid alcohol altogether. Alcohol can cause depression, leading to overeating and poor food choices. Also check out the American Heart Association’s Heart-Happy Holiday Guide for more heart healthy tips and recipes.

With a little planning, you will be able to enter 2024 without having to shed those extra pounds and more importantly, decrease your chances of a cardiac event.

Note: Self-care also means staying on top of your prescription medications. Check out Jase Daily for your year’s supply of chronic medications.

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Why a conquered disease is back, and what we can do.  .  The Measles Resurgence: A Call For Health Preparedness Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease - once relegated to history books - is making a disturbing comeback in the United States....

read more
5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

With relentlessly busy lives, in a world as volatile as ours, you never quite know what may happen tomorrow. .  Being as prepared as possible is the only way to safeguard your family against preventable mishaps during an unpreventable emergency. Remember,...

read more
Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Next time we may not be so lucky.United Health group learned Wednesday of a cyber security threat  that had accessed some of their information technology systems. Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health-care technology companies and a subsidiary of...

read more
Planning a Cruise?

Planning a Cruise?

Be sure to pack these Jase add-ons An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea has been reported on the luxury cruise ship, the Queen Victoria. As of last count, at least 154 people have taken ill since the ship set sail in early January. The number of passengers on board...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!

Practice an Attitude of Gratitude for Even More Resiliency

Resiliency: an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.

Change or misfortune can be physical, mental, or emotional. Our ability to recover and thrive from change or misfortune reflects on how resilient we are.

The past several years- pandemic, economic crisis, wars, and more- has truly tested our resilience. But if we truly look deep into ourselves, we can find we are tougher than we realize. At the very center of resilience is the unlikely action and attitude of gratitude.

Gratitude helps us take stressful and unexpected events and rewires our brain to find the positive. Even in the most devastating of life’s events, there is always something to be grateful for.

I recently heard a talk on gratitude and resiliency given by Utah State University extension during the height of the pandemic.

Here are a few points worth mentioning:

  • Practicing gratitude throughout the year improves overall health and well-being.
  • Builds connectivity in relationships. The practice of gratitude of people around them improves relationships around them as those receiving gratitude experience appreciation and love.
  • Increases positive emotions and decreases negative emotion.
  • Improves self-esteem. People who practice gratefulness tend to take better care of themselves, which results in healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors.

4 Practices towards resiliency through gratitude

The Greater Good Science Center, out of UC Berkley, recommend 4 practices:

  1. Count your blessings- Find 3 good things that are happening in your life or 3 good things you are grateful for. These can be large or small things- a great job or a good cup of tea are two very different examples. Doing this through journaling or compiling a list of what you are grateful for daily improves mood and self-worth.
  2. Mental subtraction- “You don’t know what you have until its gone”. This mental exercise, where you ask yourself if you didn’t have a certain something (home, job, pet) or someone in your life, what would your life be like? Imagine life without that person or thing. This is a very eye-opening exercise.
  3. Savor- being mindfully engaged and aware of your feelings during positive events that can increase your feelings of happiness in the short and long run. Benefits include stronger relationships, improved mental and physical health, and finding more creative solutions to problems. Recognize how much pleasure you get from simple things in life. Be present in the moment and be thankful for a good conversation, petting your dog, enjoying a cup of cocoa, smelling the crisp air of autumn are all examples of savoring the moment. Think about what really makes you happy and dwell on that.
  4. Saying thank you- expressing gratitude- can be especially important over the holiday season. Family dynamics may have changed, illness, loss of job or loved ones, and financial stresses can really take a toll on even the most resilient person. Focus on the abundance right in front of you. Acknowledge how you feel, don’t stuff your feelings. Whatever they are, they are valid. However, once you have acknowledged and reviewed your feelings, especially those that bring anxiety and stress, evaluate how you can accept, change, or acknowledge these feelings. Talking or writing down your feelings can bring solutions and/or acceptance and open opportunities you may not have thought of.

At Jase Medical, we asked our staff what they were grateful for this year. Here are a few responses:

  • Family and Friends, Health, Opportunities – Marlon T.
  • My health, family and friends – Anne C.
  • I am so thankful for my family and good health! – Marquelle C.
  • I’m grateful for all the men and women around the world who have given everything for freedom. – Jonny B.

This expression of gratitude says it all:

  • How cool is it that we get to experience feeling! Think about that for a moment. That you can hold a hand, wipe a tear, squeeze a cut, snuggle up in a soft sweatshirt, feel the sand between your toes or that you can touch your own skin and feel it! Being alive and here on earth is such an amazing gift. We are even able to feel emotions, ALL of them! We learn to grow from them or soar with the joy they can bring. It is so beautiful in every way. I am so grateful to be here on this earth at this time with my perfectly imperfect children that show me everyday how to be a better and stronger human. – Haley R.
  • I’m grateful for faith, family, and friends” – Shawn R.
  • I’m grateful to work for a company who’s #1 mission is to impact the world in a positive way by saving lives through medical preparation. – John T.
  • I’m grateful for good health, my family & my kitty cats! – Jane H.

And Erik sums up what it is like working with and for Jase:

Team: I’m thankful for the incredible team of employees I have the privilege of working with. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to our shared goals inspire me daily.

Talent: The abundance of talent within our organization is awesome! I appreciate the opportunity to work with such skilled and creative individuals, and it continually motivates me.

Collaboration: Working together with all of you has been an amazing experience. The collaborative and supportive work environment we’ve created is something I’m thankful for every day.

– Erik

From the staff at Jase Medical,

Have a safe- and filled with gratitude- Thanksgiving and holiday season!

- Brooke Lounsbury, RN

Medical Content Writer

Lifesaving Medications

Everyone should be empowered to care for themselves and their loved ones during the unexpected.

Recent Posts

Keeping you informed and safe.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Measles Cases On The Rise In The U.S.

Why a conquered disease is back, and what we can do.  .  The Measles Resurgence: A Call For Health Preparedness Measles, a highly contagious and potentially deadly disease - once relegated to history books - is making a disturbing comeback in the United States....

read more
5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

5 Ways to Prepare For Medical Emergencies

With relentlessly busy lives, in a world as volatile as ours, you never quite know what may happen tomorrow. .  Being as prepared as possible is the only way to safeguard your family against preventable mishaps during an unpreventable emergency. Remember,...

read more
Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Massive Cyberattack Takes Down Pharmacies Worldwide

Next time we may not be so lucky.United Health group learned Wednesday of a cyber security threat  that had accessed some of their information technology systems. Change Healthcare, one of the nation’s largest health-care technology companies and a subsidiary of...

read more
Planning a Cruise?

Planning a Cruise?

Be sure to pack these Jase add-ons An outbreak of vomiting and diarrhea has been reported on the luxury cruise ship, the Queen Victoria. As of last count, at least 154 people have taken ill since the ship set sail in early January. The number of passengers on board...

read more

Join Our Newsletter

Our mission is to help you be more medically prepared. Join our newsletter and follow us on social media for health and safety tips each week!