Physical care: Physical Care – Mindful Wellness Assessment

Health, Well-being, Learning and Development Iechyd, Llesiant, Dysgu a Datblygu How to support children with their physical care routine Sut i gefnogi plant o ran eu gofal corfforol

Physical care practices are an important part of the day for babies and young children. Because of this, supporting children’s personal care in a way that shows dignity and respect is an important part of good quality care.

Some children will need support or guidance to take more responsibility for their personal care, and others will need more direct support. This will often depend on the children’s age and their individual needs.

Supporting children’s physical care practices includes the following support.

Toileting

Toileting should be treated with respect. Children should be encouraged to be independent whilst using the toilet, but it is possible that young children will need help with dressing and undressing. childcare workers need to support children as they learn the skills they will need to use the toilet independently. This could mean explaining to girls that they need to wipe from the front to the back after using the toilet. Children need to learn that toileting is a private activity due to safeguarding reasons. In order to help children to learn this, adults should stand back slightly when children are using the toilet, for example, by closing the toilet door, standing behind it and talking to the child. Children need to know that childcare workers will not be angry with them if they have an accident. If the children are worried and feel guilty when toileting perhaps they won’t relax enough to use the toilet.

It is essential that childcare workers use policies and procedures when supporting children to use the toilet, or when changing nappies, to protect themselves from being accused of inappropriate behaviour or abuse. childcare workers should not be alone in a room with a child with the door closed, especially during the personal care routine.

Washing hands

Children pick up infections very easily. As they develop, their immune system improves and they are better able to withstand infections. It is important that childcare workers ensure the environment is as clean as possible. Infections are caused by bacteria and viruses. They are able to get into the body in three ways – through inhaling (breathing in), swallowing (eating) or through implanting (a cut on the skin). Infections can be transferred from one person to the next; this process is called cross-infection and most infections are transmitted on our hands. The most effective way of preventing or reducing cross-infection is through following effective hand washing routines.

These routines should be followed:

• before snacks, meals and drinks
• after using the toilet and changing nappies
• after playing outside
• after touching animals
• after playing with water, clay, paint etc.

If a child has a medical condition such as eczema, it’s important that the childcare workers are aware of the wishes of parents/carers as some sorts of soap can be unsuitable.

Good hygiene standards are important as they give the child self-esteem and help them to be accepted socially.

Skincare

It is important to care for the skin as this helps our health in general. Sweat must be washed regularly or it will combine with dead skin cells and cause the skin to become sore. A little amount of cream may also need to be applied to dry skin.

Babies and children of all ages usually enjoy bath time. Children should not be left alone in the bath, nor in the bathroom, on any account. Adults should ensure that the bath water temperature is suitable before placing the child or the baby in it, and it shouldn’t be higher than 38°C, with the room temperature set at 20°C. Bath time should be fun and should be an activity that can help with all aspects of development.

Hair care

Head lice can be a problem in early years settings. A special comb should be used that removes the live lice from the head destroying the eggs. It is important to inform parents/carers if there is a case of head lice in a setting so that the arrangements recommended in the home as well as the setting can be followed.

Children’s hygiene routines include washing children’s hair several times during the week. This can depend on the types of activities the child has been following. Once or twice a week could be enough for older children, unless they are very active and that their hair needs to be washed more often.

Children with long or curly hair tend to get “tangles”, and in such cases, a wide toothed comb should be used. Hair is damaged if it is brushed when it is wet, therefore the hair should be dry before it is brushed. African and Caribbean children’s hair can be dry, and there may be a need to rub oil into the hair. Some children have braiding, these braids should not be brushed, they can be washed as they are.

Mouth/oral care

Children do not need to have developed teeth before starting mouth hygiene routines. Good practice for mouth hygiene, as well as a healthy diet, keep the teeth healthy. Regular visits to the dentist can also help the child to get used to having someone looking at their teeth and touching them. Children should be encouraged to brush their teeth using toothpaste containing fluoride. Teeth should be brushed in a circular motion using a soft tooth brush, with a small head, after every meal if possible. Drinks containing sugar should be avoided and snacks should not be eaten between meals.

Opportunities for rest, quiet time or sleep

Newborn babies spend most of their time sleeping, but as they grow, they don’t need as much sleep. Sleep is essential for the body to repair cells, rest muscles and grow. Lack of sleep may affect our mood, our memory and our concentration. It is important that childcare workers realise if a child is tired and in need of sleep.

Several factors affect children’s sleep requirements. Some children sleep for short periods throughout the day, whilst others will need one or two periods of uninterrupted sleep at different times during the day. childcare workers need information from parents/carers about children’s sleep patterns. A part of the information, they will need to know when would be the best time for children to sleep during the day. Some parents/carers prefer for their children to sleep early in the setting as the sleeping times during the day affect the children’s bedtime. childcare workers will also need to know for how long a child should be left to sleep during the day, whether a child has a comfort object and whether a child is used to having a light in the room or to leave the door open.

Older children may not need sleep, but it is important that they have periods of rest during the day. childcare workers will need to arrange quiet activities such as reading a story or doing a jigsaw during these rest periods. Some babies die unexpectedly in their sleep. This is known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – SIDS) or cot death. Parents/carers and childcare workers are advised to follow specific advice to try and prevent the syndrome.

Further reading: http://bit.ly/2LmW50g

Protection from the sun and cold

Being out in the sun can cause skin cancer (melanoma), so the skin needs to be protected from the sun. During the summer months with the permission of the parent/carer, children’s skin should be covered with a high factor sun screen.

Some children don’t like to have suntan lotion on their skin so childcare workers need to be sensitive to that. It is important to keep babies under 6 months old out of the sun, and to keep children out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.

Snow and cold weather can cause frostbite, so children need to wear several layers of clothes and ensure their head, neck and hands are covered. childcare workers need to be vigilant as some clothing can cause risks, for example, scarves can cause a risk to young children. Children should be watched carefully when they play out in cold weather or snow to ensure that they don’t get too cold. Children can be eager to play outside, even if they are wet or cold.

Caring for the nappy area

Caring for the nappy area is important as it can help to prevent an infection, so nappies should be changed regularly. childcare workers should change nappies when they are wet or dirty. It is important to wash a baby’s bottom, and around the genital area, daily at least, and parts of the body where there are skin folds should be dried carefully to prevent them from getting painful.

Whilst providing personal care for children, childcare workers need to be aware of the children’s individual needs and choices. This can help children to enjoy the care routines and benefit from warm, responsive and respectful care. When appropriate developmentally, permission should be asked from young children before providing personal care to them, for example, “your nappy looks wet, do you want me to give you a clean nappy?”

Feeding

Children need a balanced diet of different foods to stay healthy and get the energy required to grow.

It is important that childcare workers are aware of each child’s dietary requirements and it is important to work with parents/carers when providing food and drink. Parents/carers know if there are any foods the child shouldn’t eat. Parents/carers may have specific opinions about food, and childcare workers must respect that opinion. Some children may have a specific diet due to a medical condition such as diabetes or an allergy. Others may need a vegetarian or a strict vegetarian diet. Food should also be provided that is connected to the child’s own culture and foods from other cultures as the child will come to enjoy different tastes and respect different practices and beliefs.

Children eat well if they are in a homely environment and if they are happy. Food should be introduced to them in varied, fun and attractive ways. Food time is an ideal chance to learn and it is important to a child’s development. During food time the child will develop motor skills and hand to eye coordination skills by using a knife and fork and other eating utensils. Food time can be an opportunity for children to develop social skills and show courtesy by taking turns. There will also be several opportunities to develop language as the child uses and practices their vocabulary and food time is also an opportunity for children to learn and develop concepts by considering shape, quality, weight and size. There is also an opportunity for children to learn about healthy eating.

They must drink enough water to keep their bodies healthy. If a child doesn’t drink enough their body will dehydrate (lose liquid) and they will be unable to control their body heat. The drinks considered as good drinks for children are milk and water, as water is pure and thirst quenching and milk contains nutrients. Drinks containing sugar cause tooth decay and ruins appetites.

Further reading: http://bit.ly/2xPydtt

Mae arferion gofal corfforol yn rhan bwysig o’r dydd i fabanod a phlant ifanc. Oherwydd hyn mae cefnogi gofal personol plant mewn ffordd sy’n dangos urddas a pharch yn rhan bwysig o ofal o ansawdd da.

Bydd rhai plant angen cymorth neu arweiniad i ddysgu i gymryd mwy o gyfrifoldeb am eu gofal personol, tra bydd eraill angen cymorth mwy uniongyrchol. Bydd hyn yn aml yn dibynnu ar oed y plant a’u hanghenion unigol.

Mae cefnogi arferion gofal corfforol plant yn cynnwys y cymorth canlynol.

Mynd i’r toiled

Dylid ymdrin â mynd i’r tŷ bach gyda pharch. Dylid annog plant i fod yn annibynnol wrth ddefnyddio’r toiled, ond efallai y bydd angen help ar blant ifanc wrth wisgo a dadwisgo. Mae angen i gweithwyr gofal plant gefnogi plant wrth iddynt ddysgu’r sgiliau y bydd eu hangen arnynt i ddefnyddio’r toiled yn annibynnol. Gallai hyn olygu esbonio i ferched y mae angen iddynt sychu eu hunain o’r blaen i’r cefn ar ôl defnyddio’r toiled. Mae angen i blant ddysgu bod mynd i’r toiled yn weithgaredd preifat oherwydd rhesymau diogelu. Er mwyn helpu plant i ddysgu hyn, dylai oedolion dynnu’n ôl yn raddol pan fydd plant yn defnyddio’r toiled, er enghraifft drwy gau drws y toiled, sefyll y tu allan a siarad â’r plentyn. Mae angen i blant wybod na fydd gweithwyr gofal plant yn flin gyda nhw os ydynt yn cael damwain. Os yw’r plant yn poeni ac yn teimlo’n euog wrth fynd i’r toiled efallai na fyddant yn ymlacio digon i allu defnyddio’r toiled.

Mae’n hanfodol fod gweithwyr gofal plant yn dilyn polisïau a gweithdrefnau wrth gefnogi plant i ddefnyddio’r toiled, neu wrth newid cewynnau/clytiau, er mwyn amddiffyn eu hunain rhag cyhuddiadau o ymddygiad amhriodol neu gamdriniaeth. Ni ddylai gweithwyr gofal plant fod ar eu pen eu hunain mewn ystafell gyda’r drws ar gau gyda phlentyn, yn enwedig yn ystod y drefn gofal personol.

Golchi dwylo

Mae plant yn codi heintiau’n hawdd iawn. Wrth iddynt ddatblygu mae eu system heintryddid yn gwella ac maent yn gallu gwrthsefyll heintiau’n well. Mae’n bwysig bod gweithwyr gofal plant yn sicrhau bod yr amgylchedd mor lân ag sy’n bosib. Mae heintiau’n cael eu hachosi gan facteria a firysau. Gallant fynd i mewn i’r corff mewn tair ffordd – drwy fewnanadliad (cael eu hanadlu i mewn), drwy gael eu llyncu (eu bwyta) neu drwy blaniad (drwy doriad yn y croen). Gall haint gael ei drosglwyddo o’r naill berson i’r llall; gelwir y broses hon yn groes-heintio ac mae’r rhan fwyaf o heintiau’n cael eu trosglwyddo ar ein dwylo. Y ffordd fwyaf effeithiol o atal neu leihau’r risg o groes-heintio yw drwy ddilyn arferion golchi dwylo effeithiol.

Dylid dilyn yr arferion hyn:

• cyn byrbrydau, prydau bwyd a diod
• ar ôl defnyddio’r toiled neu newid clwt/cewyn
• ar ôl chwarae tu allan
• ar ôl cyffwrdd anifeiliaid
• ar ôl unrhyw fath o chwarae gyda dŵr, toes, paent ac ati.

Os oes gan blentyn anhwylderau meddygol megis ecsema yna mae’n bwysig bod yr gweithwyr gofal plant yn gwybod beth yw dymuniadau’r rhieni/gofalwyr gan efallai bod rhai mathau o sebon yn anaddas.

Mae safonau hylendid da’n bwysig gan eu bod yn rhoi hunan-barch i’r plentyn ac yn ei helpu i gael ei dderbyn yn gymdeithasol.

Gofalu am y croen

Mae’n bwysig gofalu am y croen gan fod cadw’r croen yn lân o gymorth i’n hiechyd yn gyffredinol. Rhaid golchi chwys yn rheolaidd neu bydd yn cyfuno gyda chelloedd y croen sydd wedi marw ac yn achosi’r croen i fod yn ddolurus. Efallai hefyd y bydd angen rhoi ychydig o hufen lleithio ar groen sych.

Mae babanod a phlant o bob oed yn mwynhau amser baddon fel arfer. Ni ddylid gadael plentyn ar ei ben ei hun yn y baddon, nac yn yr ystafell ymolchi, ar unrhyw gyfrif. Dylai oedolyn wneud yn siŵr bod tymheredd y dŵr y baddon yn iawn cyn rhoi’r plentyn neu’r babi ynddo ac ni ddylai fod yn uwch na 38°C, gyda thymheredd yr ystafell yn 20°C. Dylai amser baddon fod yn hwyl ac yn weithgaredd a all helpu gyda phob agwedd ar ddatblygiad.

Gofalu am wallt

Gall llau pen fod yn broblem mewn lleoliadau blynyddoedd cynnar. Dylid defnyddio crib arbennig sy’n tynnu’r llau byw oddi ar y pen ac yn dinistrio’r wyau. Mae’n bwysig rhoi gwybod i rieni/gofalwyr os oes achos o lau pen mewn lleoliad fel bod modd dilyn y trefniadau sy’n cael eu hargymell yn y cartref yn ogystal ag yn y lleoliad.

Bydd arferion hylendid plentyn yn cynnwys golchi gwallt y plentyn nifer o weithiau yn ystod yr wythnos. Gall hyn ddibynnu ar y math o weithgareddau mae’r plentyn wedi bod yn eu dilyn. Efallai y bydd unwaith neu ddwywaith yr wythnos yn ddigon i blant hŷn, oni bai eu bod yn fywiog iawn a bod angen golchi eu gwallt yn amlach.

Mae plant sydd â gwallt hir neu gyrliog yn tueddu i gael “clymau”, ac mewn achosion o’r fath dylid defnyddio crib â dannedd llydan. Mae gwallt yn cael ei ddifrodi os yw’n cael ei frwsio pan fo’n wlyb, felly dylid aros i’r gwallt sychu cyn ei frwsio. Mae gwallt plant Affricanaidd a Charibïaidd yn tueddu i fod yn sych, ac efallai y bydd angen rhwbio olew i’r gwallt. Mae gan rai plant blethi neu wallt Rasta. Ni ddylid brwsio’r plethi hyn, gellir eu golchi fel y maent.

Gofal y geg

Nid oes angen aros i blentyn gael dannedd cyn dechrau arferion hylendid y geg. Bydd arferion da ar gyfer hylendid y geg, ynghyd â diet iach, yn cadw’r dannedd yn iach. Gall ymweliadau rheolaidd â’r deintydd hefyd helpu’r plentyn i ddod i arfer â chael rhywun yn edrych ar ei ddannedd ac yn eu cyffwrdd. Dylid annog plant i frwsio’u dannedd gan ddefnyddio past dannedd sy’n cynnwys fflworid. Dylid brwsio’r dannedd mewn symudiad cylchol gan ddefnyddio brws dannedd meddal, â phen bach, a hynny ar ôl pob pryd bwyd os yn bosib. Dylid osgoi diodydd sy’n cynnwys siwgr ac ni ddylid bwyta byrbrydau rhwng prydau.

Cyfleoedd i orffwys, cael amser tawel neu gysgu

Mae babanod newydd-anedig yn treulio’r rhan fwyaf o’u hamser yn cysgu, ond wrth i’r plentyn dyfu nid oes angen cymaint o gwsg. Mae cwsg yn hanfodol er mwyn i’r corff allu atgyweirio celloedd, gorffwys cyhyrau a thyfu. Gall diffyg cwsg effeithio ar ein hwyliau, ein cof a’n gallu i ganolbwyntio. Mae’n bwysig bod gweithwyr gofal plant yn sylweddoli os yw plentyn wedi blino ac angen cwsg.

Bydd nifer o ffactorau’n effeithio ar ofynion cwsg plentyn. Bydd rhai plant yn cysgu am gyfnodau byr drwy gydol y diwrnod, tra bydd eraill angen un neu ddau gyfnod o gwsg di-dor ar adegau penodol yn ystod y diwrnod. Mae angen i gweithwyr gofal plant gael gwybodaeth gan rieni/gofalwyr am batrwm cysgu plant. Fel rhan o’r wybodaeth bydd angen gwybod pa bryd fyddai’r adeg orau i blant gysgu yn ystod y dydd. Bydd yn well gan rai rhieni/gofalwyr i blant gysgu’n gynnar yn y lleoliad gan y bydd amseroedd cysgu yn ystod y dydd yn effeithio ar amser gwely’r plentyn. Bydd angen i gweithwyr gofal plant hefyd wybod am faint o amser y dylid gadael i’r plentyn gysgu yn ystod y dydd, a oes gan blant wrthrych cysur ac os yw plentyn wedi arfer cael golau yn yr ystafell neu ddrws ar agor.

Efallai na fydd plant hŷn angen cwsg, ond mae’n bwysig eu bod yn cael cyfnodau o orffwys yn ystod y dydd. Bydd angen i gweithwyr gofal plant drefnu gweithgareddau tawel fel darllen stori neu wneud jig-so yn ystod y cyfnodau gorffwys hyn. Mae rhai babanod yn marw’n annisgwyl yn eu cwsg. Gelwir hyn yn Syndrom Marwolaeth Sydyn Babanod (Sudden infant death syndrome – SIDS) neu farwolaeth yn y crud. Cynghorir rhieni/gofalwyr ac gweithwyr gofal plant i ddilyn cyngor arbennig er mwyn ceisio osgoi’rsyndrom.

Darllen pellach: http://bit.ly/2LmW50g

Diogelwch rhag yr haul ac oerfel

Mae bod allan yn yr haul yn gallu achosi cancr y croen (melanoma), felly mae angen diogelu’r croen rhag yr haul. Yn ystod misoedd yr haf gyda chaniatâd y rhiant/gofalwr mae angen gorchuddio croen y plant gydag eli haul ffactor uchel. Nid yw rhai plant yn hoffi cael eli haul ar eu croen ac felly mae angen i gweithwyr gofal plant fod yn sensitif i hynny. Mae’n bwysig i gadw babanod o dan 6 mis oed allan o’r haul, a chadw plant allan o’r haul rhwng 11 y.b a 3 y.p.

Gall eira a thywydd oer achosi ewinrhew (frostbite), felly mae angen i blant wisgo sawl haen o ddillad a sicrhau bod eu pen, gwddf a’u dwylo wedi’u gorchuddio. Mae angen i gweithwyr gofal plant fod yn wyliadwrus gan fod peryglon gyda rhai dillad, er enghraifft gall sgarffiau fod yn beryg i blant ifanc. Dylid gwylio plant yn ofalus wrth iddynt chwarae allan mewn tywydd oer neu yn yr eira er mwyn sicrhau nad ydynt yn oeri’n ormodol. Gall blant fod yn awyddus i barhau i chwarae tu allan, hyd yn oed os ydynt yn wlyb neu’n oer.

Gofalu am ardal y cewyn

Mae gofalu am ardal y cewyn yn bwysig gan ei fod yn helpu i atal dolur a haint, felly dylai cewynnau gael eu newid yn gyson. Dylai gweithwyr gofal plant eu newid pan mae’r cewyn yn wlyb neu’n fudr. Mae’n bwysig golchi pen ôl y plentyn, ac o gwmpas yr organau cenhedlu, yn ddyddiol o leiaf, a dylid sychu rhannau o’r corff lle mae plygiadau croen yn drylwyr rhag iddynt fynd yn boenus.

Wrth ddarparu gofal personol i blant, mae angen i gweithwyr gofal plant fod yn ymwybodol o anghenion a dewisiadau unigol y plant. Gall hyn helpu plant i fwynhau’r arferion gofal ac elwa o ofal cynnes, ymatebol a pharchus. Pan fo’n briodol yn ddatblygiadol, dylid gofyn am ganiatâd gan blant ifanc cyn rhoi gofal personol agos iddynt, fel enghraifft “mae dy gewyn yn edrych yn wlyb, wyt ti eisiau i fi roi cewyn glân i ti?”

Bwydo

Mae plant angen diet cytbwys o wahanol fwydydd er mwyn cadw’n iach a derbyn yr egni sydd ei angen i dyfu.

Mae’n bwysig bod gweithwyr gofal plant yn ymwybodol o anghenion diet pob plentyn ac yn bwysig gweithio gyda rhieni/gofalwyr wrth ddarparu bwyd a diod. Bydd rhieni/gofalwyr yn gwybod os oes unrhyw fwydydd na ddylai’r plentyn eu bwyta. Efallai y bydd gan y rhieni/gofalwyr farn benodol ynglŷn â bwyd, a rhaid i gweithwyr gofal plant barchu’r farn honno. Efallai y bydd gan rai plant ddiet arbennig oherwydd anhwylder meddygol fel diabetes neu alergedd. Efallai y bydd eraill angen diet ar gyfer llysfwytawyr, neu lysfwytawyr caeth. Mae angen hefyd darparu bwyd sy’n perthyn i ddiwylliant y plentyn ei hun a bwydydd o ddiwylliannau eraill gan y bydd y plentyn yn dod i fwynhau gwahanol flasau ac yn parchu gwahanol arferion a chredoau.

Mae plant yn bwyta’n dda os ydynt mewn awyrgylch cartrefol ac os ydynt yn hapus. Dylid cyflwyno bwyd iddynt mewn dulliau amrywiol, hwyliog a deniadol. Mae amser bwyd yn gyfle delfrydol i ddysgu ac mae’n bwysig i ddatblygiad y plentyn. Yn ystod amser bwyd bydd plentyn yn datblygu sgiliau echddygol a sgiliau cydsymud llaw a llygad drwy ddefnyddio cyllell a fforc ac offer bwyta eraill. Gall amser bwyd fod yn gyfle i blentyn ddatblygu sgiliau cymdeithasol a dangos cwrteisi drwy gymryd tro. Daw llawer o gyfleoedd hefyd i ddatblygu iaith wrth i’r plentyn ddefnyddio ac ymarfer ei eirfa ac mae amser bwyd hefyd yn gyfle da i blentyn ddysgu a datblygu cysyniadau drwy ystyried siâp, ansawdd, pwysau a maint. Mae cyfle hefyd i blant ddysgu ynglŷn â bwyta’n iach.

Rhaid yfed digon o ddiod er mwyn cadw’r corff yn iach. Os nad yw plentyn yn yfed digon bydd ei gorff yn dadhydradu (colli hylif) ac ni fydd y plentyn yn gallu rheoli gwres ei gorff. Y diodydd sy’n cael eu hystyried fel rhai da i blant yw llaeth a dŵr, gan fod dŵr yn bur ac yn torri syched tra bo llaeth yn cynnwys maeth. Bydd diodydd sydd â siwgr ynddynt yn achosi pydredd dannedd ac yn difetha chwant bwyd.

Darllen pellach: http://bit.ly/2TWcLjS

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Providing Physical Care to Persons With Serious Mental Illness: Attitudes, Confidence, Barriers and Psychological Empowerment

. 2017 Oct;31(5):447-453.

doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2017.07.001.

Epub 2017 Jul 8.

Margaret Knight 
¹
, Paula Bolton 
²
, Lynne Kopeski 
³

Affiliations

Affiliations

• ¹ School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
• ² Psychiatric Neurotherapeutics Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.
• ³ Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.

• PMID:

  28927507

• DOI:

  10.1016/j.apnu.2017.07.001

Margaret Knight et al.

Arch Psychiatr Nurs.

2017 Oct.

. 2017 Oct;31(5):447-453.

doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2017.07.001.

Epub 2017 Jul 8.

Authors

Margaret Knight 
¹
, Paula Bolton 
²
, Lynne Kopeski 
³

Affiliations

• ¹ School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].
• ² Psychiatric Neurotherapeutics Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.
• ³ Behavioral Health Partial Hospital Program, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, United States.

• PMID:

  28927507

• DOI:

  10.1016/j.apnu.2017.07.001

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in people with serious mental illness (SMI) has been well documented in the mental health literature. Despite the adoption of various guidelines for monitoring risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular risk in this population, limited translation has occurred in actual practice (Hermes, Sernyak, & Rosenheck, 2013). The Institute of Medicine (IoM) (2009) has noted a lag time in the application of knowledge within clinical settings. Evidence-based practice was deemed as a means of improving healthcare outcomes through the use of science supported standards of care. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a process to guide clinical decision making that involves the clinician’s experience, well documented research findings, and the patient’s values and choices (Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray, Haynes, & Richardson, 1996). The IoM has established that by the year 2020, 90% of clinical decisions should be based upon current and scientifically based information (IoM, 2009). Psychiatric-mental health nurses are challenged to utilize EBP for clients with MetS in assessing their health status and discussing the findings, educating them about their current risk and life style modifications to mitigate risk, and finally, partnering with them to maximize health and quality of life.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers: a comprehensive assessment and monitoring package for mental health and primary care clinicians

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Editorial

. 2011 Oct;45(10):824-9.

doi: 10.3109/00048674.2011.614591.

Susanne H Stanley, Jonathan D E Laugharne

• PMID:

  21980931

• DOI:

  10.3109/00048674.2011.614591

Editorial

Susanne H Stanley et al.

Aust N Z J Psychiatry.

2011 Oct.

. 2011 Oct;45(10):824-9.

doi: 10.3109/00048674.2011.614591.

Authors

Susanne H Stanley, Jonathan D E Laugharne

• PMID:

  21980931

• DOI:

  10. 3109/00048674.2011.614591

Abstract

Objectives:

People with a mental illness are more likely to experience poor physical health as compared to the general population. Currently, Australian mental health patients experience a relatively low level of physical health appraisal, prompting the development of the Clinical guidelines for the physical care of mental health consumers assessment and monitoring package.

Method:

The Clinical guidelines package takes an holistic approach, with a focus on the key dimensions of medication effects, lifestyle, existing or developing physical disorders, alcohol and illicit drug use, and psychosocial factors.

Results:

The package consists of a metabolic syndrome algorithm wall chart, a Clinician handbook, a Psychosocial assessment booklet, and a set of three screening forms.

Conclusions:

By taking a user-friendly, flexible, evidence-based approach, the resource can be used by all clinicians involved in the healthcare of people with a mental illness.

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6 Ways to Take Care of Yourself You Should Know – Organized Life

Spring is just around the corner, and when, if not at the end of winter, do we most want to take care of ourselves?

There is no universal formula for taking care of yourself. Each of us needs something different. And today I will tell you about 6 types of self-care so that you determine what you most need and what will make your life better.

Self-care is the actions you take to satisfy your physical, emotional, mental, and other needs.

When you love something (or someone), you find ways to show your love. You water your garden, feed your cats, and make sweet surprises for your loved ones. It is your concern for them.

It is about showing the same love, attention and care towards yourself . You need love too. Any relationship becomes easier if you don’t live each day without the things that make you feel good. Life becomes easier when you do not experience a constant lack of love and do not demand “love me”, “make me happy”, “make me feel important”, trying to fill the voids inside with other people. All this you can give yourself.

Self-care – talk to your soul and get its answer to the question: “Hey, what do you need right now?”

And do it.

Self-care is different for everyone and can change depending on mood or situation. Understanding what you need will help you plan for when you are sick, tired, sad, stressed, anxious or otherwise negative.

Self-care helps stop the spiral of destructive emotions. It makes it possible to return to balance when everything around seems to be falling apart. It is your best ally when it comes to a healthy, happy and fulfilling life.

So let’s now look at the 6 types of self-care in turn.

Physical care

This is probably the type you are most familiar with. This means getting enough sleep, healthy food and physical activity. It means resting yourself when you’re sick or tired, rather than pushing yourself — but it also means a lot more.

How does your body feel now? Your only body working for you and for you – how is it?

Physical self-care means meeting your physical needs . And we are not talking about green hair, SPA days or manicures (more on that below). Physical care means you don’t abuse anything that harms your body or makes you feel bad. It means not to overeat. It means not staying up late, not sacrificing sleep for the sake of surfing the Internet. It means not to force yourself to bear the disease on your feet. Visit doctors when needed.

There is also another level of physical grooming that is not required. This level includes things that make you feel good. This is just a manicure, pedicure, SPA, makeup and more.

If you don’t care about these things, that’s fine too. There are a million ways to please your body. Find the ones that are right for you. Buy things that will please you in the long run. Walk, read, listen to music or audio books. Practice yoga, belly dancing, or crafts. Play volleyball with kids.

Anything that gives you physical pleasure is good.

Emotional care

How you deal with your feelings says a lot about how much you love yourself. Learning to manage emotions in an eco-friendly, healthy way is critical to your happiness and quality of life.

If you feel that you cannot deal effectively with emotions, if they flood you and rule your life, it is focusing on emotional self-care that can help you.

When you feel unpleasant emotions such as anger, shame, jealousy, envy, resentment, what do you do about it? Do you blame yourself for this? Do you blame yourself for being weak? You must learn to hear your emotions, acknowledge them, respect them, and process them in a healthy way.

On the opposite end of the scale, you can be the type of person who doesn’t let anything or anyone bother you. You avoid things that could potentially hurt by pretending to be too busy or reasonable. However, repressed feelings still find a way to express themselves – through chaos or disease.

Develop attention to your feelings and try to understand why you feel them. You have emotions and for you, as a human being, this is completely normal. Emotions don’t make you a bad person.

There have always been and will always be periods of emotional turmoil in your life, bad days when nothing makes you happy, no matter what you do. Be patient and caring with yourself, as you would with those you truly love.

Read: When something goes wrong… >>

You can begin emotional self-care right now by simply changing the tone of your inner voice. Let that voice be one that wisely and kindly supports you, not blames and insults. Over time, this inner voice can become your biggest source of comfort.

Never again call yourself ugly, fat, dumb, or lazy—any word you wouldn’t use to describe your loved ones. Say “no” when you need it. You don’t have to emotionally drain yourself or allow other people to harm you. Stop blaming yourself for every little slip up and remove the endless “shoulds” from your vocabulary. Build good emotional boundaries. Find people you can get support from – people you can talk to about your feelings. Make a plan to deal with emotional stress. Look into your wise inner self and give yourself good advice.

Ask yourself what you need right now and ask again and again, several times a day.

Self care

One of the side effects of not loving yourself is not knowing who you are . You can be so attached to what people think of you and how you are perceived that you break yourself to live up to their expectations. You become what your partner wants to see or do what your friends want you to do. And your real essence is lost among other people’s desires and expectations.

I call this chameleon syndrome . You change yourself to fit the environment. Sometimes it is justified, we all do it to one degree or another. It becomes a problem when we forget who we really are.

Taking care of one’s personality is revealing one’s true essence . It’s about forgetting everything you were taught as a child and finding your own path. It’s about finding out what you really like and who you become when no one is around.

Fall in love with yourself. In all your qualities and quirks. Life is not about being for other people. Life is about being for yourself .

Think about what you really want out of life and then decide what steps you can take to get there.

Read: How do you know what you want from life? >>

Try different things to find out what you really like and what makes you happy. Maybe somewhere deep inside you, an artist, a yoga teacher, or a dog breeder languishes in prison. You’ll never know if you don’t try!

Form your own thoughts and opinions instead of allowing yourself to be swayed by other people’s opinions and thoughts. You are an independent, whole person and you do not need someone for your “completion”. If you were building yourself from scratch, what values ​​would you reward yourself with? What kind of person would you build? Let these ideas be the starting point for finding out who you are.

Spend time alone. Learn to enjoy time alone. Make time in your schedule for your hobbies and activities that bring you joy. Plan your future and set goals. Go after what you really want out of life.

Read: How to use “me time” without feeling guilty? >>

Social care

Whether you’re an introvert, extrovert or something in between, you need to know what satisfies you socially . Who you surround yourself with has a huge impact on how you feel.

What is your social life like? It is very important to respect your social needs. Do you need to devote more time to connecting with friends or like-minded people? Or, on the contrary, do you need to be alone more often? Or maybe you have social obligations that drain and annoy you?

Introverts recharge when they are alone. I myself am a violent introvert and quickly exhausted from long emotional contact. I need to “zero out” to restore energy – and I can only do this in solitude.

Extroverts, on the contrary, energize themselves in the company of other people. They prefer to be in social situations more often and get energy from mass communication. Many people are intermediate types.

Social self-care means knowing how much and when you need to socialize.

If you are an extrovert but are too busy with work and household chores to feel lonely and isolated, look for ways to connect more with your friends. (However, don’t let your extraversion be a pillar of your well-being. Knowing how not to get bored when you’re alone is also important.)

If you’re an introvert , chances are there is someone in your life who doesn’t understand why it’s Friday night you want to stay at home with a book or sketchbook. And also a warning – make sure you still get some social stimulation and don’t turn into a recluse.

Don’t say yes to every social situation just because it happened. You are free to adjust the level of your contacts as you need it.

Make sure the people in your life respect and appreciate you as much as you appreciate them.

There is nothing terrible about giving up a friendship if it no longer nourishes you. It’s better than holding on to history. This also applies to the family. If someone in your family has a toxic effect on your life, you don’t have to put up with it. It’s time to set healthy boundaries.

One of the most valuable things you can do for yourself is to set boundaries.

Spiritual care

Caring for the soul is another aspect of self-love. All aspects work hand in hand to create a happy, fulfilling life and understanding who you are in every aspect is very important.

What things make your soul grow ? Answer this question and then do it.

Go to church, walk in nature, meditate, watch inspiring films, read good books—choose what makes you feel better. Listen to the call of the soul, it will never deceive. Find out what you believe in and get rid of what has been imposed on you.

Don’t be afraid to try new things. Learn about other people’s spiritual ideals and try to understand them. Talk to your soul and/or higher mind, whatever you mean by that. Create a personal altar in the house – it can be an iconostasis for believers, for the rest – a separate place where you meditate, do art or just indulge in reflection.

Practical Care

Self-care applies to all areas of life. Professional Care means continuing education, developing skills and professional growth. Make sure your job doesn’t make you unhappy or hinder your growth. Set clear boundaries between work and home.

Financial care means creating and maintaining a budget that is right for you, paying bills on time, saving money wisely to achieve your goals.

Self-care is not a caprice or frivolity. This is a bold and strong act that speaks for you: “I will take care of myself in this way “.

Create your personalized self-care program that covers all your needs >>

How to make a self-care plan

September 28 Motivation

It will help you overcome a difficult period and not fall apart.

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What is a self-care plan and what is it for

This is a kind of road map that will help you cope with stress, not fall into despair and not lose control if problems pile up. Such a plan should be created by you and especially for you, taking into account your characteristics.

What is it for?

• To better understand yourself and your needs. The process of putting together a strategy and then putting it into practice will help you get to know yourself and analyze what you want and what makes you feel better.
• In order not to get lost in a difficult situation. Everyone has difficult periods: fatigue, breakup of relationships, blockage at work, emotional burnout. At such moments, you don’t understand how to cope with this chaos and not lose your presence of mind. But if you already have a step-by-step plan ready, then it will become easier to take control of the situation.
• To take care of yourself regularly. And learn to support yourself. After all, if you do this every day and understand your needs well, then in times of crisis it will be easier for you to calm down and gather yourself. As they say, “I have me, and we can handle it.”

How to make a self-care plan

Step 1. Recall what worked for you in the past

Review your past experiences. Think about the things you did that made you feel a little better. It can be breathing practices, playing sports, sleeping, watching your favorite movie, talking with loved ones.

Make your list. Just try not to include in it something that can harm your body and mind: smoking, drinking alcohol, overeating, and so on.

Step 2. Think about something else that could help you

You may have come across some interesting advice, such as box breathing, which helps in a stressful situation. Or about how to arrange a three-day sleep marathon and bring yourself back to life after a hard week. Or maybe someone close to him said that he was literally saved by yoga or massage. Think of all the ideas that could add peace and joy to your life. Make a separate list of them.

Step 3. Divide your life into areas

Select the areas that are important to you so that you can write a separate strategy for each of them. For example:

• Work.
• Relations with people.
• Body and physical activity.
• Emotional stability.

Step 4: Have a strategy

For each area, make a to-do list that will help you feel more stable. To do this, use the ideas written out in the first two steps. Be realistic: all actions should be easy to do. Here are some ideas for each of the areas.

Work

• During the lunch break, spend time alone: ​​go for a walk, if possible, retire to read a book or just sit in silence.
• Take tasty and satisfying food to the office, buy aromatic tea or coffee.
• Decorate the workplace a little: bring a plant, photos of loved ones, a beautiful notepad.
• Buy a comfortable back pillow and an anti-stress toy.
• Work in 25-30 minute bursts and take many small breaks instead of one big break.
• Listen to beautiful instrumental music with headphones (if it doesn’t distract you).
• Discuss with your manager the possibility of working from home at least occasionally.
• Delegate some non-urgent tasks or postpone them until better times (if possible).

Relationships with people

• Talk to someone you trust by phone, video or in person.
• Get out with a friend to a new interesting place.
• Go to visit or invite guests to your place.
• Chat with friends in the chat.
• Consult a psychologist.
• Write about your experiences in a group or forum aimed at help and support. Before doing this, pay attention to how other participants respond and consider whether it suits you.

Body and physical activity

• Go for a run.
• Stretching or yoga.
• Take a bath with oils, salt and foam.
• Go to the sauna.
• Dance.
• Have a sleep marathon.
• Get a massage.
• Go to a good restaurant or cook a delicious dish according to a new recipe.

Emotional stability

• Keep a diary.
• Engage in creativity, needlework.
• Watch movies and series.
• Light scented candles and read an interesting book.
• Listen to music.
• Meditate.
• Do breathing exercises.
• Walk.
• Lie down on the sofa.
• Give up the Internet and gadgets for a couple of days.
• Every evening write down in a notebook five reasons why you are doing well today.

If these ideas don’t work for you, you can pick up your own. The main thing is that your list should include activities that energize and support you.

Step 5. Recall the negative experience

We often try to alleviate our anxiety with less than healthy activities that don’t bring relief in the long run and only make us feel worse. Someone smokes or drinks alcohol, and then wakes up broken and with a headache. Someone gets stuck on the phone, endlessly flipping through the tape in social networks, and as a result, guilt for wasted time is added to the stress.

Write down all the destructive ways of coping with stress that you turn to and think about how to replace them. For example: “I will not hang out on social networks all day, because this activity makes me tired and even more nervous. Instead, if I feel like distracting myself, I’ll read a light book or watch a TV show. Here is a list of what I want to read and watch.

Step 6. Make a list of reliable people

These can be friends, relatives, good acquaintances, whom you can turn to if you really want to talk. It is important that you trust these people and be sure that they will not criticize and devalue you.

Step 7. Use the plan

Now you have a large list of activities that will help you get together, recover, rejuvenate. It is divided into several categories, depending on your personal characteristics. You need to print it out or save it electronically so that you have it at your fingertips. If something bad happens or you just feel tired, you can turn to your plan and figure out quickly what to do.

By the way, such a plan can work not only in crisis situations. Agree with yourself that every day you will devote at least 30 minutes to taking care of yourself, and make a note of this in your diary. Psychologists believe ^{Self-Care Isn’t Selfish or Superficial that this habit helps to feel more stable, more harmonious and more resistant to stress.}

Personal experience

I haven’t tried making a full-blown self-care plan, but I have a truncated version: a small to-do list that makes me feel better and empowered to solve problems. It includes, for example, keeping a diary. Writing practices help at least a little to cope with longing, fatigue, burnout, crises and many other problems.

Also on my list are reading, knitting, mint tea, meditation, scratching the cat’s belly, and, if possible, avoiding the Internet and gadgets. If I’m not feeling very well and I need to get myself together, I just look in my notebook and choose things that can help me with this right now. And it works.

How do you take care of yourself? Share in the comments.

Read also 😌

• How to take care of yourself to protect yourself from burnout and overwork
• How to really take care of yourself
• Why you should take care of yourself first and not others

psychology — Here and Now

The author of the article: Gilmanova Aigul

Everyone understands and expresses care in their own way. Perhaps someone sees in caring a desire to shelter themselves or loved ones from adversity and difficulties, but for someone it is just a kind, sweet gesture towards themselves or others. For some, this is taking a bubble bath after a hard day’s work, buying something pleasant or tasty, someone is happy to take care of someone by sharing, and for someone, care is the rejection of something harmful to oneself and your health. But you can certainly find common associations to this concept. For example, about the fact that care is associated with action, as well as with the concept of love, the desire for well-being for those who are cared for. What is concern for you?

External and internal

Externally, even on a physical level, taking care of yourself is sometimes very simple, for example, wrap yourself in a blanket or drink a hot drink when it’s cold or close the window when it’s windy, undress when it’s hot, eat ice cream, put on cream to stay out of the sun, avoid unhealthy foods, allow yourself to rest when needed, or even just walk away from a bad movie to a movie. We can say that the outer side of self-care is the satisfaction of our physical needs. But there is also an equally important, inner side – psychological . Satisfying our psychological needs is very often not so easy for us, primarily because we do not always know about them, we cannot understand, or we consciously or unconsciously ignore them.

Contact with yourself

The key to self-care lies in contact with yourself, with your thoughts, feelings and needs. It is precisely because of the lack of this contact, ignorance and misunderstanding of ourselves, of what happens to us at any level (emotional, psychological and sometimes even physical), that it is sometimes so difficult to satisfy our deepest needs and take care of ourselves, protecting ourselves from depreciation. , humiliation, non-constructive criticism, declaring their personal boundaries and defending them. Stop ignoring and suppressing your own inner impulses, desires, opportunities and meet the real you, with each of your sides, the most frightening and most beautiful, and make yourself known is not easy, but this is precisely what is genuine self-care in the full sense of the word. This is the realization that everything that is in you is important and necessary.

Own permission to take care of ourselves care. The reasons for this are individual and often related to the parenting model in childhood. All this can be learned and worked through in therapy.

There is also the belief that taking care of yourself is selfish, and this thought can also inhibit self-expression and prevent you from talking about your feelings and needs or thinking about yourself in general. This judgment occurs due to a misinterpretation of this concept, its perception in a purely narrow or distorted sense. Accepting this statement, people begin to feel guilty, deciding to put their feelings first. But, in fact, it works just the opposite. Without knowing how to take care of ourselves in the first place, without understanding ourselves, we will not be able to fully help another. Without knowing yourself, it is impossible to understand another. No one knows and will not be able to recognize us like we ourselves and, accordingly, will not be able to take care, based on our needs, exactly as we would do it for ourselves. Allowing yourself to be taken care of is a conscious choice and personal responsibility.

One of my friends often complained about dissatisfaction with life, countless problems in the family, having disagreements and misunderstandings in her relationship with her daughter. She was a fairly wealthy woman and was convinced that she took good care of herself, regularly spending huge amounts of money to maintain her external gloss and beauty. When we talked about the possibility of resolving her personal problems and changing the quality of life in therapy, she said with a smile that she spends enough time maintaining her image in the eyes of others.

Taking care of yourself is often not about pleasant things and goodies. In most cases, it is about finding the courage to face your fears, doubts, anxieties and worries and realize their causes, as well as why it is so difficult to allow ourselves what is given to us by birth right – to be ourselves and with ourselves, to be on your side, choosing yourself, your comfort and safety, without infringing on the rights of others.