HealthEd 4 Everyone

Guided imagery is when you close your eyes and picture a place that feels calm and safe. You might picture your living room, a favorite trail, a beach, or sitting next to someone you love.

You don't need an app or a guide to try it. Just close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and spend a moment in that place. Notice what you see, hear, and feel there. Even 30 seconds can help. Start short and build up as it gets easier.

A lot of people someone talking them through it helpful, especially in the beginning. Search "guided imagery" or "guided visualization" online to find examples to try.

A huge thanks to our volunteer Nate Murray for making this post!!

Getting an accurate blood pressure reading is mostly simple: stay calm and comfortable. The other thing that matters is your arm. Keep it supported and level with your heart.

That covers a lot of it, but not all. Swipe through for all 7 things that can throw a reading off.

Learn how to take yours at home: https://buff.ly/2TseLKM

A big thanks to our volunteer LaTanya Wraggs for making this post!

Breathing slower when you're anxious tells your body it's okay to calm down. But it can be hard to do, especially for kids. That's why combining breathing with movement can help.

Butterfly breathing is a great way to do this. But your child can be a dragon, a bird, or any other animal with wings. Have them raise their arms or hands when they breathe in, and lower them when they breathe out.

Try this when they're calm, so they have the tool when they need it.

More quick calming tools: https://buff.ly/C0J17WA

A huge thank you to our volunteer Nate Murray for making this post!

Did you know that noticing the world around you can help you feel calm? It brings you back to the present moment and into your body. That's called grounding, and it works for kids too.

One fun way to do it is rainbow grounding: look around and name something for each color. It doesn't matter which color you start with, and it's okay to do just a few. (The game I Spy works the same way.)

More quick calming tools: https://buff.ly/TIbk0Cn

A huge thanks to our volunteer Nate Murray for making this post!

Slowing down your breathing tells your body it's safe to relax even if you feel anxious. But this can be hard for kids (and adults) to learn.

Try this calming tool: Imagine blowing bubbles. Put each worry into a bubble and watch them float away.

This can help your child connect to their breathing and return to the present moment. Practice before they need it, so they can get the hang of it.

More tools for kids like this: https://buff.ly/m5m5CHn

🙏🏽 Big thanks to LaTanya Wraggs for making this post!

This grounding exercise brings you back to the present moment. It can help you feel calmer when you're anxious or overwhelmed. It's hard to learn something new when you're upset, so practice it when you're calm. That way it's ready when you need it.

Save this for when you need it. Get more anxiety tools: https://buff.ly/sYsMp0Q

🙏🏽 A big thank you to our volunteer Nate Murray for making this post!

Was something called abnormal on your medical chart?

Abnormal just means different from most people. Sometimes that difference matters. Sometimes it doesn't.

Any illness is abnormal, since most people are healthy. But not everything abnormal is an illness.

To find out what it means for you, ask your medical team:
- What does this mean for my health?
- What are the next steps?
- Should I be worried?

🔗 Learn more: https://buff.ly/vGHfwsH

🙏🏽 A big thanks to our volunteer Raul for making this post!

Ever go blank when the nurse asks what medications you take?

It happens to almost everyone. And your medical team needs an accurate list so they can check for side effects, watch for interactions, and sometimes suggest a better treatment.

Try one of these easy ways to remember:
- Bring your pill bottles
- Take photos of the labels
- Write it down

Don't forget vitamins & supplements!

More tips in our Before Your Visit guide: https://buff.ly/51BZhxw

🙏🏽 A big thank you to our volunteer LaTanya for making this post!

The wait in the ER can be long. It can feel even longer when you don't know what's happening. Sometimes updates fall through the cracks when the ER is busy.

It's okay to ask for an update. You could say something like, "Can you help me understand what's happening in my care?" This way you can find out what's happening and ask any other questions you might have.

More in our free ER guide: https://buff.ly/rZB1pIy

🙏🏽 A big thank you to our volunteer Nicholas for making this post!