Its getting close to the end of the year.  There are things that we accomplished and things that we didn't. Despite either, we have all moved forward.  We are not standing in the same place that we were standing last year at this same time.  Remember, we learn from both our successes and failures.  I hear many people saying what they are going to do in the new year....for me....when I want to make a change, I don't need a specific date to do so.  The time for change is always NOW.

High case loads, meeting productivity, new healthcare bills…..aaaaaaaargggghhhhh!! Things can get crazily stressful in the OT world and our personal lives. But its not what happens to you but how you deal with it. Today we discuss self-care, its importance, and guidelines for making life’s stressors more manageable. Also, download the Self Care Master file from this video in the PDF section Included in the Self Care Master file:

1. Graphical reviews of self-care

2. Self-Care Starter Kit (by Homewood Health)

3. Self-care and Well-being in Mental Health Professionals: The Mediating Effects of Self-awareness and Mindfulness from the Journal of Mental Health Counseling

4. The Importance of Self-Care from the Institute for Disaster Mental Health

High case loads, meeting productivity, new healthcare bills…..aaaaaaaargggghhhhh!! Things can get crazily stressful in the OT world and our personal lives. But its not what happens to you but how you deal with it. Today we discuss self-care, its importance, and guidelines for making life’s stressors more manageable. Included here:

1. Graphical reviews of self-care

2. Self-Care Starter Kit (by Homewood Health)

3. Self-care and Well-being in Mental Health Professionals: The Mediating Effects of Self-awareness and Mindfulness from the Journal of Mental Health Counseling

4. The Importance of Self-Care from the Institute for Disaster Mental Health

---Select the PDF button to access---

A big part of motivation, in my OT mind, is being a student.  We are students throughout life, whether 5 years old or 50 years old, we are always learning.  Even as a university professor, I tend to learn almost as much from my students.  I find that both the teacher and the student benefits from the relationship. 

Throughout my career I have grown to know that clients can get bored quickly of the same mundane task while trying to reach their goals.  I take it upon myself to be the most creative I can be.  Here is a look at how I use my CUTTY PUTTY idea to work on various skills. 

I have utilized music in therapy for years now. With current research I eventually began using brain entrainment with the music with phenomenal results. There are many research articles that speaks to the benefits of music. In this guide you have the opportunity to review some of these articles and possibly consider implementing music during sessions. Also, in the audio section today, there are new music/soundscape entrainment sessions. Included in this PDF session:

1. Graphics: OT and Music

2. Use of Electronic Music as an Occupational Therapy Modality in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: An Occupational Performance Model

3. Should Music Be Used Therapeutically in Occupational Therapy?

4. Music has potential as an adjunctive occupational therapy intervention for adults in hospitals to relieve pain, anxiety, and potentially reduce the use of analgesics

5. Occupational therapy and the use of music tempo in the treatment of the mental health care user with psychosis

---Select the PDF button to review this document---

Stuck on an issue you just can wrap your mind around with no solution in sight?  Well this brain entrainment session is for you.  This session is filled with "neurowaves" that are noted to be beneficial in the process of problem solving. 

This session focuses on sensory integration deficits. This session was designed to create a better arousal level for those who are hyposensitive.  It has been used in various pediatric and clinical settings with great success. 

This is a session was designed to deal with sensory integration issues.  Specifically taking on the task of dealing with the hypersensitive child. Instead of music we have utilized a gentle storm ambiance that is soothing to the ear. 

In this brain entrainment session we concentrate on sleep and relaxation.  Instead of music this session uses nighttime ambiance to sooth and relax.  

Night, night....zzzzzzzzz