As the number of cases we handled and services we offered increased, so, too, did our stress levels. Feeling our staff was reaching a breaking point, I turned to yoga for help. I've found that a group yoga class is a great way to wash away the stress at the end of a busy surgical day and help us tune in, chill out and shape up - all at the same time - before we head home to our personal lives. Here's what's worked for us. We found a yoga instructor who'd come to our facility once a week from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a reasonable price: $48 for each of 10 one-hour sessions. Her only request was that at least 10 of us participate. We use our conference room to practice the postures, breathing exercises and meditation. So far, it's been a great success. An added benefit of yoga is that it's brought us closer together, forging a new level of collegiality and support.

Flavel Rogers, RN, MSHA
Nurse Administrator
Glasgow Medical Center ASC
Newark, Del.
=writeMail("frogers@glasgowmedicalcenter.com")