New Canadian Study Correlates Job Related Stress to Healthcare Utilization

While studies associating stress with physical and mental symptoms and disorders are quite common, a study recently released in Canada is quite interesting because is takes an economic twist.  Researchers in the study correlated high stress work environments, defined as those in which workers perceived a  high level of  responsibility and a low level of authority or control with level of healthcare utilization (meaning frequency of physician visits). The research suggested a significantly higher level of healthcare services being used by those workers who perceived the most stressful work environments.  I found this study interesting for a number of reasons:

1. Canada is a country with a universal healthcare system, thus taking out the confounder of lack of healthcare services  due to cost or access issues, as would be the case in the United States.

2. The study links high levels of heathcare services utilization with high levels of stress as an economic issue versus a health issue.

3. Healthcare costs are an increasing burden on companies and individuals in the United States.

The good news is that integrating stress management programming into a company's health and wellness benefits may substantially decrease high levels of healthcare utilization by employees.   Saving $$$ and having healthy, less-stressed employees is a great outcome for any company!

To read an abstract of the study found in the current edition of BMC Public Health Journal, click here.

The Fall Group Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) classes are rapidly filling, don't lose your chance to make a positive change in your life this fall. 

MBSR is the most studied and one of the most successful stress management programs currently taught in the country.  Several recent medical studies have suggested both positive cognitive and structural changes in the brain through introduction of mindfulness meditation as taught in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. 

Make sure you don't miss out by registering soon for either the Thursday evening program, beginning on September 29, or the Friday morning program, beginning on  September 30. Classes are limited to 15 students and are approved for continuing education for nurses and other health care providers. 

To find out more about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction or to register either by mail or online, click here.  

Can't Commit to a Weekly MBSR Class?  Did You Know that Stress Resources Offers Individual Mindfulness (MBSR) Training to Meet YOUR Schedule and Needs

Flow-tography Workshop with Suzanne Merritt on August 16

Flow-tography, may be a wonderful antidote for the end of summer slump. What a great way to find beauty and mindfulness in the everyday; to acknowledge the

Photo credit: Suzanne Merritt

extraordinary in the ordinary. Learn how to create beautiful reprsentations of nature with a digital camera.  I have been a part of several of Suzanne Merritt's workshops on art and creativity in the past

and can highly recommend her ability to draw forth your innate creativity in beautiful, mindful ways.

The Flow-tography workshop takes place on Tuesday, August 16 in Boston's eclectic South End at Suzanne's studio.  For a description of the workshop and more info, click here. 

 SORRY...No MBSR Camp this Summer

Creating a Mindful Society

Stress Resources is on YouTube

Check out the new Stress Resources Channel on YouTube.com  You will find a collection of clips, dialogs, and lectures from some of the world's foremost teachers of mindfulness, compassionate communication, stress reduction and relaxation methods...and some videos that I just plain like!  This will be an evolving and expanding collection, so be sure to check in often by clicking this link and subscribing to the Stress Resources Channel (it's free!)