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Women Leaders Conference Keynote Explains Ancient Memory Strategy
Tracey Brown Makes a Lasting Impression at Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference – Join us in Florida on Dec 6th to get inspired by Ms. Brown in person.
Tracey Brown, keynote speaker and CEO of the American Diabetes Association, inspired, informed and wowed us with her presentation. She coached attendees to use storytelling infused with authenticity to help create and build memorable connections. These connections can be the spark for creating meaningful relationships and moving change forward. When we use storytelling that is authentic, even when our message is persuasive, our chance of success increases.
“People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
As diabetes educators, a central tenant of our profession is teaching colleagues and people living with diabetes about self-management strategies and health improvement. We meet with providers and community leaders to encourage them to refer participants to our education programs. We share healthy lifestyle strategies with family and friends.
During these various teaching opportunities, do we try to get our message across by reciting a myriad of facts and figures to try and convince others to change, refer to our program, or get active? I know that I have used this strategy, with limited success. Might we have better outcomes by using an ancient strategy, that not only appeals to the brain but also the emotions?
“Stories are 22 times more memorable than facts and figures alone.” – Tracey Brown, ADA
The first step is learning how to tell a good story. A story that resonates with the listener.
Strategies to tell a good story:
- Have a goal. Be clear on why you want/need to tell this story.
- Grab attention. Why would the audience listen? Stand up for your viewpoint to stand out.
- Keep engaging. Ask yourself, why will the audience care?
- Enable action. Why would they share your story?
During your storytelling, keep your “why” authentic and frame your “ask” as something bigger than what you can offer. Make sure to tune into and acknowledge your audiences’ beliefs and disbelief.
Focus on meeting people where they are. We don’t have to use fancy language and tons of facts and figures to make an impression. We need to keep it real while engaging the listener.
Thank you Ms. Brown for sharing your story and inspiring us to use storytelling to help inspire providers, colleagues, people living with diabetes and leaders that influence access and funding for diabetes care.
Women Leaders Coming to Florida
If you couldn’t make the Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference this May (which was completely magical), we have great news. We will be holding a Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference on December 6, 2019 in Tampa, Florida.
Join us at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa!
Enjoy a day of networking with other amazing women and end your weekend in Safety Harbor’s spa. Enjoy complimentary steam rooms, sauna, whirlpools, and tennis courts. Fun for the whole family!
Our Diabetes Detective Team scans the diabetes news to discover the most relevant info that Diabetes Educators need in their daily practice. We post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE! Sign up below!
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Eating more fiber-rich foods decreases depression| Happy Mindful Monday
A new meta-analysis of clinical trials has concluded that healthy eating can “significantly” reduce symptoms of depression. Many scientists have noted a strong correlation between poor diet and mental health. The origins of mental health issues are quite complex, however some scientists have suggested that “diet is as important to psychiatry as it is to cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology.”
In order to study the link between improving health and easing mental health symptoms, scientists examined data from over 46,000 people. The conclusions were substantial, “the analysis revealed that every kind of dietary improvement “significantly reduced depressive symptoms.” However, the dietary changes did not affect anxiety.”
Another interesting take-away was that highly-specific or specialized diets may be unnecessary for the average individual, that just making simple changes can have a big impact. “In particular, eating more nutrient-dense meals which are high in fiber and vegetables, while cutting back on fast foods and refined sugars appears to be sufficient for avoiding the potentially negative psychological effects of a ‘junk food’ diet,” said Dr. Joseph Firth.
Another study found another strong factor to reducing symptoms of depression is to incorporate exercise. Research revealed that this impacted women more than men.
Eating healthy can help reduce the risk of obesity, inflammation and fatigue all of which are closely linked to poor mental health.
To learn more: A diet rich in fiber and vegetables can relieve depression – Medical News Today
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Mindful Monday | Can an afternoon nap lower blood pressure?
A study from Greece suggests that a midday nap may help not only increase energy levels but can lower blood pressure as well.
Napping can help boost energy levels during a slump but may have other positive health outcomes. A study conducted at the Asklepieion General Hospital in Voula, Greece, reported that midday naps help lower blood pressure.
“Midday sleep appears to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as other lifestyle changes. For example, salt and alcohol reduction can bring blood pressure levels down by 3 to 5 [millimeters of mercury (mmHg)],” reports Dr. Kallistratos.
The study analyzed data from 212 participants with an average blood pressure 129.9 mm Hg. The group was split into half, one group who took mid-day naps and the other who did not. The researchers measured their blood pressure with monitoring devices.
The researchers also took into account other factors that may affect blood pressure such as stress, alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle choices.
“The researchers found that people who took a daytime nap saw a 5.3 mm Hg drop in systolic blood pressure, which, the researchers explain, is about as much as someone could expect when taking blood pressure medication or making certain lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure.”
This study is particularly important in helping reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event. If those with high blood pressure have the luxury of taking a nap, this can help with maintaining lower blood pressure and has no cost.
This is the first time the benefits of midday napping has been researched. The scientists believe this information can be valuable and worth continued study.
“Even though both groups [of participants] were receiving the same number of medications and blood pressure was well controlled, there was still a significant decrease in blood pressure among those who slept during midday.”
To learn more: Napping may be as good as drugs on lowering blood pressure – Medical News Today
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference Big Success
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” – Jane Goodall
The energy and synergy were palpable. Over 160 attendees sharing a moment and a growing movement.
We learned, we shared and we re-fueled. The women leaders pushed us to create, to believe, to plan, to do and to work it.
Thank you to everyone who made this possible, including our attendees, our speakers, our volunteers and our amazing staff!
Each day this week we will post a summary of the keynote speakers presentation. You are in for a real treat!
Mindful Monday | National Nurses Week – May 6th – 12th!
We want to celebrate, recognize and appreciate the incredible nurses who do so much for our community.
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually, starting with National Nurses Day on May 6th, through Florence Nightingale’s birthday, on May 12th!
Florence Nightingale is the founder of modern nursing and a champion of left a revolutionary mark on sanitation, healthcare, and even statistics.
“It would not be possible to praises nurses too highly.”
– Stephen Ambrose
“Nurses dispense comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription.”
– Val Saintsbury
“Nurses—one of the few blessings of being ill.”
– Sara Moss-Wolfe
The American Nurses Association has put together materials to help you promote and celebrate National Nurses Week 2019!
“From large banners that let you scream your nurse pride to individual resources like thank-you cards and certificates, use this free toolkit to celebrate National Nurses Week in your hospital, practice, or organization. Give your nurses the recognition they deserve.”
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Mindful Monday | Happy Earth Day
Happy Earth Day from Diabetes Education Services. To celebrate, we are addressing the issue of food packaging and it’s impact on the environment. We plan to address this urgent issue more over the coming year.
“Meal Kits Have Smaller Carbon Footprint Than Grocery Shopping, Study Says”
Meal kits like Blue Apron and Hello Fresh provide the convenience of fresh, delivered ingredients straight to your doorstep! However, many are concerned with the environmental impact they may have since the contents of the box are often wrapped in plastic.
A study was released that says despite the packaging, the meal kits have a lower carbon footprint than buying the items at a grocery store and preparing them at home.
“The study, published Monday in the scientific journal Resources, Conservation and Recycling, examines the whole life-cycle — from farm to garbage can — of meal kits and their grocery store equivalents, and finds that, on average, grocery store meals produce 33% more greenhouse gas emissions than their equivalents from Blue Apron.”
The decrease in emissions comes from less food waste and a streamlined supply chain. Although there may be unnecessary packaging, the overall footprint is affected by the amount of food waste at the end of the meal.
Since the food kits offer a recipe and all the necessary ingredients, people tend to utilize everything in the box, rather than throwing away old produce.
“According to a U.N. report, if food waste were a country, its production, processing and distribution would be the third largest emitter of greenhouse gases, just behind the U.S. and China.”
A study performed by the USDA In 2010, found that 31% of food produced in the United States is wasted.
Despite the plastic packaging of the meal kits, they may be an excellent option to help aid in portion control and environmental impact.
Happy Earth Day!
To learn more: Meal Kits Have Smaller Carbon Footprint Than Grocery Shopping, Study Says – NPR
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Mindful Monday | Want success? Start with exercise first
The idea of a “lifestyle” overhaul can be intimidating. Getting healthier includes so many variables such as healthy
eating, exercise, better sleep and reduced stress. A recent study suggests that developing an exercise routine first results in a preference for healthier foods.
A study published by the International Journal of Obesity, concluded that starting an exercise routine often leads to healthier food choices. Instead of taking something away, you can add a physical activity. The researchers recruited 2500 college students who said they did not diet or exercise for more than 30 minutes a week. They were asked not to change their eating habits.
However, many of the exercise participants changed their eating habits without being told to. The 2000 who stuck with the exercise plan, were more likely to eat more nutritious foods and less “junk” food. The more a participant exercised, the more their diet improved.
“Longer exercise duration was associated with a decrease in preference for foods characteristic of the standard western diet, such as red meat, fried foods and snack foods. Meanwhile, high-intensity exercise was associated with an increase in preference for healthy foods. Overall, Bray says, this means “compliance with the exercise program was associated with a move toward eating healthier overall.”
The diet didn’t delve deeper into why exercise fuels healthy eating, but likely biology and psychology are responsible.
However, scientists believe there is something more “I really do think exercise is altering neural processing in your brain. The stimulation of your brain that occurs with high-intensity exercise is what changes lots of things about your body,” Bray says.
To learn more: Exercising Might Help You Make Healthier Food Choices, Study Says – Time
To get started, see our Exercise Resource Page
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Edi Matsumoto – Art as a Healing Tool
We are honored to have the talented and insightful Edi Matsumoto present at our First Annual Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference. Edi will be discussing “Art as a Healing Tool” along with sharing her artwork.
After traveling in Southeast Asia, exploring cultures and volunteering at the Mother Theresa’s Home for the Dying Destitute in Calcutta, India, Edi came to the U.S.
Her experience with Mother Theresa motivated her to go into nursing, she says. She earned her Nurse Practitioner certificate and master’s degree in Nursing from San Jose State University. She also received her master’s degree in Fine Arts from the Academy of Art in San Francisco.
Her body of work titled “Lives in Our Hands” depicts narrative portraits of healthcare professionals (HCPs), including day to day struggles they face and joy that they work for. Her work has been shown at the Palace of Fine Arts in SF, the Triton Museum of Arts in Santa Clara, and Pacific Grove Art Center among others.
She is involved in the action collaborative lead by the National Academy of Medicine to raise awareness on the HCP burnout issue to promote their well-being by using art, mindful awareness and wellness coaching.
To meet Ms. Matsumoto and view her artwork, please join our
Women Leaders in Diabetes Conference. To learn more about Edi and view her beautiful art – www.edimatsumoto.com
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