Mindfulness Exercise: Unhooking From Thoughts

Excerpt from Practicing Mindfulness by Matthew Socklov

Thoughts are a part of everyone’s human experience. However, you do not need to push them away to practice mindfulness. Rather, learning to bring your mind back from thoughts is the practice. This exercise offers a way to “unhook” yourself from those thoughts and simply be with them. Without pushing the thoughts away or denying their presence, you can be aware of the thinking mind while remaining unattached.

STEPS:

1. 1. Settle into a seated posture and close the eyes. Notice the energy in the mind and body. As you come into a period of mindfulness practice, you may notice the energy of your day resting in the mind and body. The mind may be active, the body may feel worked up, or you right notice a bit of lingering anxiety.
   2. Think of a shaken snow globe, with all that energy swirling around. As you rest, the little snowflakes fall gently to the ground. Think of yourself as a snow globe, and every snowflake as a thought. In this way, watch as each and every snowflake falls to the ground. Do not force yourself to calm down; let it happen
      

      slowly and organically.

   3. After a minute or so, bring your attention to the breath in the body. Choose one sport where the breath is felt easily. It may be the center of the chest, the abdomen, the shoulders, or the nostrils. Observe the physical sensation of the body breathing. You may use a counting practice (counting the breaths) if you find it helpful.
   4. Observing the breath for a few minutes, bring the mind back when it wanders. Stick with the snow globe visualization, and as thoughts begin to rise up, observe as they slowly settle back down.

   5. Mindfulness Exercise

   6. After a couple of minutes focusing on the breath, open your awareness to include your thoughts and your general mental state. Instead of returning to the breath when the mind wanders, notice what the mind is doing. You may notice yourself planning, fantasizing, “figuring out,” or replaying past experiences. Whatever you observe the mind doing, let it be.
   7. When you recognize a thought, what happens? Try not to encourage the thought, but don’t push it away, either. Allow it to be, and allow it to go on its own. See if you can watch the passing of the thought as it follows its natural trajectory and leaves the mind.
   8. Return to the breath and patiently wat until another thought arises. Notice it, watch the thought, and come back to the breath again, Continue with mindfulness of the breath and the thoughts.
   9. Notice when you’re lost in thought or when the mind wanders for some time. If self-judgment arises, notice that just as you would any other thought. You can always return to the breath for a few moments to ground yourself back into the practice.

Reflection:

• • Write a 5-10 sentence reflection on your experience with the Mindfulness Exercise: Finding your breath.
  • Questions to consider:
    • How did you prepare for this exercise?
    • What went well? Did any aspect(s) feel natural or feel easy to you?
    • What did you find challenging?
    • Were you able to recognize and observe your thoughts? What did you find yourself doing…planning, judging, fantasizing…? Were you able to return to the breath?

Elimination of The Mosquito Species

1- John

I agree with the proposed deliberate elimination of some mosquito’s species, especially the ones that carries deadly diseases. I think this is the best solution to the problem that we can do in order to prevent people from getting sick from mosquito bites. This could bring multiple consequences to the eco system however it offers more positives than negatives. Eradicating some mosquitoes can lower the pollination activities that they provide to our eco system and reduce the amount of food for mosquito predators to eat however those predators can simply find other insects to eat.

Elimination of Anopheles and Aedes mosquito would only reduce 1 percent of the genetic diversity in the mosquito population which is not really a big deal to me. Mosquito disease carriers have always had big impacts in poor tropical places such as Africa, Asia and South America. Malaria which is a disease spread by the anopheles mosquito is responsible for 409,000 deaths in 2019. Most of those people affected were in young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty in these areas can promote the spread of malaria due to the fact that they don’t have the resources to combat its effect.

Malaria can also cause poverty to rise up by blocking the economic growth, research shows that it can impact some affected nations GDP by as much as 5-6 percent each year. Dengue on the other hand is common to more 100 countries and has mostly affected Asia with 70 percent prevalence estimated. Each year more than 400 million people are affected with dengue and 22,000 people die from severe dengue fever. Both of these diseases also affect south America and have the same consequences. Getting rid of these killer mosquitos will greatly help lower poverty rates in Africa, Asia and south America. It will also help bring the much-needed economic growth for the affected countries. And Lastly It will save Millions of people!

I personally had dengue in the Philippines when I was 10 years old. It was always hard to get rid of places where mosquitos lay their eggs because of how much it rained over there. Mosquitos were just everywhere and hard to get rid of. I remember ever year in our school someone would get dengue fever and we would have taken a week off for them to clean the canals where mosquitoes lay their eggs. It was just such a big problem for my community and we still relevant to this day. I have experienced the effects that mosquitos can do people and what It can do to poor countries so I totally Agree that we should bring extinction to those disease carrying mosquitos.

2- Kenna

 

Mosquito can be considered one of the deadest insects, due to the various diseases they transmit. This includes yellow fever, West Nile, chikungunya, lymphatic filariasis, dengue, Zika and the most commonly known virus Malaria. Worldwide there are an estimate of 228 million Malaria cases, and approximately 1 million die each year. Africa has a higher mortality rate, because of the lack of resources and diagnostic testing, financial issues also mosquitos are developing resistance to certain pesticides.

This is an ongoing public health concern that is affecting many individuals. With the capability of having the technology to develop a genetic element to eliminate specific species within the 3,500 mosquitos could be beneficial. Eradicating harmful mosquitos, such as the Anopheles and Aedes will protect countries tremendously that aren’t able to receive the same care as we do In the United States.

According to Dr.Mbogo who is the founder of Pan African Mosquito Control he explained that Sub Saharan Africa are also dealing with high numbers of Sickle Cell Disease, which makes it unlikely for a patient to recover, if they are also diagnosed with Malaria. Having the chance to be able to have a self-destruct gene to eliminate the disease carrying Mosquitos will give rural areas a possibility of living a longer life. Not only is Africa affected by these numerous diseases, it is also infecting thousands of people in Asia and South America.

The Zika virus which is contracted by Aedes aegypti that are more common in tropical urban areas. Having the ability to reduce or even get rid of the specific species would decrease the mortality rate, and would lower the amount of disease outbreaks that are developed due to Mosquitos. It wouldn’t be right away, but overtime we would be able to see a change.

There also could be some cons when it comes to introducing this alteration to our ecosystem. Many fish species especially mosquitofish would have to find different food sources if this ecological change occurred. Mosquitofish thrive on mainly consuming mosquitos, which are even used for pest control in rice fields and swimming pools, and then that can end up going extinct. Many amphibians such as lizards, frogs, spiders, and salamander’s main source of food are mosquitos.

It might not be too drastic of a change, because they could find other bugs to consume, but we wouldn’t know until the after man of eliminating the species. Mosquitos also make up a large amount of biomass in aquatic ecosystems all around the world. They exist in a variety of ponds, to holes in trees and fed on decaying leaves, organic matter and microorganisms. Still we have no proof if other feeders would take place in doing this, but the water and location plays a factor into if any other organisms would be involved.

3-Jordan

Regarding “There are many more kinds of parasitic than non-parasitic organisms. Organisms that are not parasites are hosts of parasites. Most parasites are, themselves, hosts to other parasites.” At first-did not coincide with my previous perception of the various types of organisms in the world as I have only associated the word parasite with a negative connotation. However, since reading Module 4c-Defining Parasites I have learned that parasitism is in fact all around us and means more than direct death or benefiting at the expense of another. I found it interesting that parasitism is not only a type of symbiosis but that there are three different kinds. Commensalism-which an organism benefits from the host but the host is not impacted nor affected. Parasitism- the type which comes to mind when thinking of an organism that does benefit at the expense of the other. Then there is Mutualism-when both partners benefit from the relationship.

I personally loved the example of how Capuchin Monkeys pollinate flowers with residual nectar that they eat from the flowers as they swing from branch to branch. Mutualist symbiosis makes the most sense to me evolutionarily specifically trophic mutualism because that is when one resource is exchanged for another. According to Influence of evolution on the stability of ecological communities- graphs showed that communities that contain trophic mutualism interactions tend to be more stable compared to other interaction types which shows that relationships that benefit from one another create a stable ecosystem which then provides an environment that is more likely to evolve over time.

The statement “There are more kinds of parasitic than non-parasitic organisms.” also makes sense to me evolutionarily because understanding the relationship between the three types of symbiosis and the way they interact with various ecosystems can help ensure that life continues to evolve. For example, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi have symbiotic relationships with a vast majority of plants and provide nutrients, water and resistance to pathogens and the plant provides carbon. After learning more about the types of symbiosis I have expanded my perception and have realized how commensalism, mutualistic and parasitism foster growth within every ecosystem and play a vital role in evol

HI300: Information Technology and Systems for Health Care

Discussion Topic: The System Development Life Cycle

INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to all posts; response to classmates should be thoughtful and advance the discussion, response should make and/or frequent informed references to unit material or scientific literature, follow APA style if resources are used, 75 word minimum in response per post.

 

CLASSMATE POST #1

I am the chief information officer for a network of nursing homes in Vermont. We are looking to implement new information systems throughout each facility in order to boost employee productivity.

Before starting anything, we must come up with a “game plan”. Without creating a plan, we do not know where the problem is and what we will have to fix. Without this information, implementing a new system will be a waste. The planning phase includes everything from identifying the problem to what it will cost. All necessary information should be identified here.

The next step is where the “How?” takes place. This is where solutions are brainstormed and decided upon. This is where the requirements for the new system will be decided upon and the best solution/system will be picked based on this.

Next, the design phase comes into play. This is when the team gets down to the nitty gritty to design the new system. All technical specifics and features will be decided here.

The development phase is when the system is actually “put together” The programmer or network engineer will follow the design and create the program.

A quality assurance professional will then use this program, run tests to identify bugs or issues, and then approve it to be implemented.

The implementation phase is when installation occurs. Ridding the facility of the old system and installing the new one is an important step that could be complicated. For a facility that runs 24/7, the installation will need to occur preferably during night hours.

The last phase includes ongoing maintenance and updates.

 

Some questions I’d ask myself include: Do we have the necessary resources to complete the change? Do we have the money to finance this change? What is wrong with the old system? What key components does the new system need to have? How will we train current employees?

~Deana Mattison~

CLASSMATE POST #2

My name is Kassandra I am the chief information officer for Rivers Medical Center. Our facility is in need of a new EMR system, starting these kinds of changes can be very complex. Starting a plan phase which starts with getting feedback from the staff and other companies, the way their projects are being carried out with success. The second phase would be to communicate with the IT department to see what the options are to develop the best system possible, especially to be cost effective and easier access for all the employees. A productive option would be to try different types of systems, figure out which one works the best for everyone. Having staff try the options and outweigh the best, most cost effective ways to upgrade such systems.

 

Another phase is the coding software, just getting the program started can be the most difficult process in the seven phases. Having even the slightest problem or glitch in this system can destroy everything, making the process start all over again. If having to start the programming over it could result in loss of time, money and investors.

Having someone or another company invest, like stock holders a set back could put the company back millions. I believe making sure the IT programmers are very highly informed of what we want specifically and make sure they are dedicated to the project. This brings us to our sixth phase, deployment, this is where we show the investors and staff what we have developed hoping for no mistakes or errors. The final stage is the maintenance cycle, this is to maintain the features installed and make sure there is no margin of error.

~Kassandra Thurlow~

HI305: Management of Health Information

Discussion Topic: Professionalism in the Workplace — Externship, Volunteer, Part-Time Job

INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to all posts; response to classmates should be thoughtful and advance the discussion, response should make and/or frequent informed references to unit material or scientific literature, follow APA style if resources are used, 75 word minimum in response per post

CLASSMATE POST #3

For this week’s discussion, we are talking about professionalism. When I was in the military, professionalism was something that leadership always stressed. When leadership talked about showing professionalism, they referred to taking pride in how our uniform looked, whether we shaved for work, whether your hair is within regulations. Also, they talked about showing respect to people who held a higher rank. Professionalism is not just crucial in the military. Some of those same qualities transfer to the civilian world.

Professionalism is essential in the workplace because it shows the kind of attitude you have towards your employer and how seriously you take your job (Brooks, 2019). Professionalism is paramount in the HIM field because HIM personnel contribute to patients’ quality of care (Career Trend, n.d.). There is specific behavior you should exhibit and not in the workplace. According to the module, consistently be willing to help, asking questions, and treating each opportunity as your full-time job are some actions you should be taking in the workplace. Some activities to avoid include non-adherence to the company’s ethics codes, HR policies and going against the mission statement, not admitting your mistakes, become complacent because others are.

Systems for Healthcare System Development Life Cycle

~Chad Welsh~

CLASSMATE POST #4

To become successful in the Health Information Management field, it is essential to hold myself at a high standard of professionalism no matter what challenges are put in my path. Even though, there are always going to be external and internal factors that might make the job more difficult, I need to remain professional while completing a task because it will benefit me in my future profession. It is important for employers to feel confident in my ability to find solutions, finish assignments when asked, and to be a team player. Essentially, any job I am hired to do, I am expected to do it the best I can and to go above and beyond for the company. Therefore, showing professionalism in the workplace is the main priority to keep a good reputation for the future.

Systems for Healthcare System Development Life Cycle

While working in my occupation, there can be instances in the work environment that make it difficult to stay professional. A big obstacle for me is dealing with impolite patients and to think through problems instead of letting negative emotions take over. I think it is vital to listen to patients respectfully and compassionately when they are upset. It will not help anyone if I become hostile and shut down in that situation. Another example is when management ask me to do a task that I do it right away and try to do it right the first time instead of making excuses and putting it off.

Also, a lot of jobs look for employees that can work well with others and be a team player. I feel that it is imperative to be able to treat others with respect at work so there is no tension and to be willing to help each other get tasks done on time. Unfortunately, there can be coworkers who do not get a long and cause negativity by not wanting to cooperate or always being late. Sometimes being able to ask for help and learn to communicate effectively can improve the work environment.

Drug Resources Assignment –

This assignment is intended to acquaint you with drug information resources that you may refer to in the future. Using DailyMed website: http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/about.cfm?CFID=199472492&CFTOKEN=913858b572967ed8-CA33F970-E4A8-F440-05268A0ADBB1303B&jsessionid=8430dba8a25c1e62b2477a4b454820227870

Official, package insert/FDA-approved product label info is listed on daily med. Find a drug your interested in or one that is being used by yourself or a family member. Once on the site click on “Full Table of Contents” to see the complete list of information available on the medication. You will need to look at several sections of the info to complete the assignment.

Drug Resources

DailyMed

1. Brand name

2. Generic name(s) of the active ingredient(s):

3. Manufacturer:

4.. Clinical Pharmacology – What kind of drug is it? What is said about how it produces its effects?

5. What is it used for (“indications & usage”)

6. Who shouldn’t use it or who needs to be particularly cautious about use?

This info may be under headings like CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS, or PRECAUTIONS.

Statements, if any, concerning use of this med by:

A. Pregnant women?

B. Nursing women?

C. Children?

D. Elderly?

E. Those prone to substance abuse?

F. Those driving/operating machinery?

G. Those on other medication that would preclude the use of this drug?

H. Health conditions of particular concern that might make use dangerous?

8.a) What side effects are LIKELY to occur (common side effects)?

b) What more serious adverse effects are possible in some people?

9. Interactions with other drugs

10. What happens if your take too much (Overdosage)*

*some drugs won’t say much about this because it is so uncommon

1)Please find that drug where u get all the answer for question.

3) some are one word answer and some are in brief.

It will be $5 per page, so please bid depending on how much work is sufficient to answer and you will have to provide that much work to me (excluding the pages)