Page 4 - Ochsner Magazine - Fall-Winter 2014

Sensory Stress Busters
Stress may be unavoidable in today’s busy world, but learning how to cope with it effectively can help stave off a host of health problems. When left unchecked, stress has been linked to everything from insomnia and head- aches to high blood pressure and heart disease.
There are many ways people can keep daily stress under control, including meditating, practicing yoga, exercising and spending time with loved ones. Some of the simplest stress-busting techniques involve nothing more than actively engaging our five senses in our surroundings. Many of Ochsner’s facilities are designed with this in mind and feature meditation rooms, serene gardens, natural light and soothing artwork. Here are a few suggestions for sensory stress relief:
➜ Smell: Breathe in the scent of lavender, known for its calming properties.
➜ Taste: Drink a soothing cup of chamomile tea at bedtime.
➜ Sight: Gaze at a fire, the ocean or a sunset, or stroll through a
beautiful art museum.
➜ Sound: Focus on the relaxing sounds of nature, or listen to
calming classical or instrumental music.
➜ Touch: Cuddle a beloved pet, hold hands with a loved one or treat
yourself to a massage.
#1➜ CareChex®, a division of Comparion, ranked Ochsner Medical
By the Numbers:
Ochsner Medical Center and Ochsner Medical Center - West Bank were two of only 36 hospitals ranked in 2014 by US News & World Report as among the best hospitals in the country in 9 or more specialties.
/ Ochsner has 12 affiliated hospitals and 40+ clinics. 378,260 patients were served last year.
4 www.ochsner.org
Center No. 1 in the nation for liver transplants. Ochsner is also ranked the No. 1 hospital in Louisiana and the No. 8 hospital in the nation for Overall Hospital Care.
The sculpture garden at the New Orleans Museum of Modern Art.
TOP LEFT: ROBERT SHELTON.