KRISTI GIFFORD

Grounding techniques are coping strategies that reconnect you with the present, a self-regulation mechanism for times of stress and anxiety. Grounding techniques can help you manage your anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD flashbacks, unwanted memories, dissociation, or trauma. Grounding techniques are useful because they help you distance yourself from an emotional experience. When you experience negative emotions—for example, perhaps you accidentally remember something incredibly painful—the natural instinct of the brain is to start the involuntary physiological change known as the “fight or flight” response. My goal was to learn about grounding techniques and how to use them ( for 15 minutes). I chose this because I have childhood trauma/PTSD and anxiety

Read/Learn about ways to Reduce Water and Energy Usage in Every Load (for 15 min). I chose this because I was thinking of other ways I could possibly help the environment at home.

Read for 15 minutes about how the environment affects our health. I chose this because from the air we breathe to the water we drink and the spaces we inhabit, the environment exerts a profound influence on our physical, mental, and even social well-being. It is crucial for promoting public health and creating a sustainable future.

I will spend 8 minutes learning about what medical device reprocessing is and how it works, including whether my organization has a program, and if so, which items it collects.

I will spend 8 minutes learning about some of the ways my organization makes its operating rooms more sustainable and ways we can improve.

I will spend 7 minutes learning about greenwashing and how to avoid it.

I will learn one new fact about my community each day (history, geography, local wildlife, resources, programs, current issues, goals, etc.)

I will spend 8 minute(s) learning about constructive communication.

I will spend 10 minutes learning about the environmental footprint of the healthcare industry, how it impacts health, and ways I can help reduce it.

I will take one action to support local wildlife, such as adding a food or water source, creating shelter/habitat, preventing light pollution, eliminating bird strikes, or another action.

I will promote a positive environment and uplift others by performing 1 random act(s) of kindness.

I pledge to take one action that improves the sustainability of my organization in 2025. It can be an action from this challenge or another action that improves resource stewardship.

I will adjust my thermostat down 2 degrees from usual when I use the heat, and up 2 degrees when I use air conditioning.

No one person can do everything, but we can all do something. Making one person's worth of difference matters! Share an impact you made related to an Ecochallenge action that you are proud of in the feed.

Your voice matters! Help us improve the One Healthcare Ecochallenge by taking our survey, available starting April 23rd.

I will spend 20 minutes learning about how indoor air quality impacts health and commit to taking one action to improve indoor air quality in my living space.

I will make 1 new healthcare connections at my workplace or beyond to learn from my peers, share best practices, and see if there are opportunities for collaboration.

I will promote equity and support my community by purchasing items at 1 diverse- and/or locally-owned businesses.

I will spend at least 20 minutes learning about water and air quality issues in my area, how they are impacting human and environmental health, and how I can help.

I will plant 1 tree(s) in my community, public parks, or backyard. Check out resources for which tree species are best to plant in your area.

I will volunteer 1 hour(s) in my community during the challenge.

I will repair an item, such as clothing or an appliance, for myself, a friend, family member, or neighbor.

I will cut my car trip mileage by only taking necessary trips, or walking and biking instead.

I will spend at least 15 minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates.

I will turn my computer monitor(s) off at my work station when not in use to save energy (I will follow my organization's IT instructions for keeping on, turning off, or restarting computers).

Contamination prevents what is recyclable from being recycled. I will spend 16 minutes learning about which items are recyclable both at my workplace and at home since they may be different, and recycle only those items.

I commit to dedicating 19 minutes to exploring my organization's quality improvement resources and examining how quality improvement methodologies can support sustainability projects.

I will share one idea for making my organization more sustainable on our team's feed.

I will select a greener option when purchasing supplies, such as products that have environmental certifications, less packaging, or other environmental attributes, or come from local vendors.

I will schedule coffee breaks, lunches, and/or check-in meetings with 2 coworkers to promote connectivity in my workplace.

I will Practice the "5 Rs" — refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone.

I will spend 15 minutes learning about some of the ways my organization makes its laboratories more sustainable and ways we can improve.

I will save up to 4 gallons (15 L) of water each day by turning it off while brushing my teeth.

I will sign up for my utility company's clean/renewable energy option.

I will prevent water from being wasted by reporting one or more leaky faucets, toilets, or other water leaks to my organization's facilities team for repair.

I will keep 2 disposable cup(s) and/or bottle(s) from entering the waste stream by using a reusable water bottle, cup, or mug.

I will pick up 10 piece(s) of litter each day.

I will increase my step count by 1000 each day and will take breaks from sitting by briefly getting up and moving once per hour during the day.

I will make 1 appointments to support my health and well-being (primary care provider, dental, vision, etc.)