It's OK to ZONE OUT
(Sept./Oct. 2008)
by Caroline Reinhart, M.A., Wellness Coordinator, MFit Employee Wellness Program
Managing stress and taking time to care for ourselves are the keys to creating and sustaining healthy and productive work lives. But at the Hospitals and Health Centers where high capacity and busy work environments are the norm, finding places to de-stress during the day can be difficult. While a certain amount of stress is a normal part of life, too much can have negative effects on one’s health and quality of life.
To help our faculty, staff, patients and visitors address the need for a calming, relaxing environment, the MFit Health and Wellness Resource Center in University Hospital Room 2C223 now offers the Stress-Free Zone —a relaxation area where visitors can:
- Explore personal stress reactions
- Learn new relaxation techniques
- Spend time in quiet reflection
- Take advantage of the various relaxation tools available
Whether sitting in a massage chair, visiting a tropical island by watching a virtual vacation DVD or simply taking advantage of this quiet place to unwind, visitors find that within a few sessions their stress levels begin to decrease. First-time visitors fill out surveys rating their stress from 1 to 10, and wellness coordinators on staff create stress-reduction plans to meet individual needs—all for free. Coordinators also provide consultation and resources for units to create stress-free zones in their own areas.
What will you find in the zone?
- Reclining massage chair
- Light therapy lamp for seasonal affective disorder
- Virtual vacation DVDs
- Relaxing music/Guided-imagery CDs
- Books
- Individualized stress assessments
Hours:
- Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, noon to 8 p.m.
- Walk-in visits are available; appointments are recommended
- Call 734-936-8924 or stop by to reserve a space
"Although I presently work as a temporary RN with visiting care and understand that I don't have any benefits I would still like to say that I've had the opportunity to work at a couple of different places in the past. I don't recall any of them addressing relaxation. I have an overwhelming appreciation for the quality of care that U of M provides for the clients and staff. I'm proud to have this opportunity to work with this establishment." - Ramona J Underwood, RN
"What a wonderful idea!" - Alice Miller, MCIT