Code Lavender in Hospitals - Four Directions Wellness

Code Lavender in Hospitals

On any given episode of Gray’s Anatomy (or your favorite hospital television drama), you are familiar with hearing a “Code Blue” loudspeaker announcement. From there, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), doctors and nurses rush in to save the life of the person injured or sick. Did you know there are more codes? Code Blue is typically used for cardiac or respiratory …

Reiki in Hospice Care

Reiki in Hospice Care, Working Together

The end of our physical life is always a difficult subject, because it means loss on a fundamental level. For the individual, for friends, for their lovers and families, there is finality to this stage of life. Thankfully, there is hospice care. And, increasingly, reiki in hospice care is becoming more common. According to the nonprofit headquartered right here in …

Reiki in Home Health Care - Four Directions Wellness blog post cover image

Reiki in Home Health Care

Approximately five million Americans receive home health care services annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s National Health Statistics Reports’s “Characteristics and Use of Home Health Care by Men and Women Aged 65 and Over,” 13% have osteoarthritis or allied disorders. That’s just one group of disorders where chronic pain is a symptom. Thankfully, we are seeing an increase …

Gratitude and Miracles for Thanksgiving

Gratitude and Miracles for Thanksgiving

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~Albert Einstein   As we approach Thanksgiving this week, it’s a good time to consider the the value of gratitude in your life and the miracle that is your life. As Fred Rogers of Mister …

Healthcare Paradigm Shift: Use of Ancient Healing Techniques

A few years ago when I asked an audience how many people did a meditation practice on a daily basis or knew what Reiki was – very few would raise their hands. I am pleasantly surprised to now observe more hands rising when I ask about meditation, or other ancient healing techniques (like Reiki).  More people are seeking alternative healing …

The Practice of Silence

In every religion and in all ancient healing practices, one of the common themes is the practice of entering into silence…. How does that feel to you?  Does the thought of entering into complete silence scare you?  Do you think – “how do I even begin to become silent?”  Or “no thanks – that’s not how I care to spend my time.”  In …

Supporting Our Kids: Seeking New Approaches

My heart broke with the recent traumatic news from Parkland, Florida.  The statistics alone are shocking.  Over 170 schools in the United States have experienced similar situations since the Columbine High School shootings with 18 schools just this year.  Now our children – the students – are seeking to elevate the discussion to seek some resolutions. They have planned several national walk out …

Enjoy Your Smoothie Fix Today

Let’s face it.  Our lives can be crazy with jammed packed schedules and difficulties finding time to make healthy and nutritional meals.  If simply for the sake of convenience and pure enjoyment, I thought it might be fun to explore the latest as it relates to healthy (and even not-so-healthy) smoothies. I began my journey by learning of 20 healthy …