Discouraged-need a book about what goes RIGHT with the human body!

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I am a new student nurse but close enough to middle age to recognize my mortality. I have to tell you, spending hours upon hours studying everything that could be wrong with our bodies and then spending hour upon hour in a clinical where lots of elderly people's bodies have gone terrible awry...well, it's got me really bummed.

Does anyone have a good recomendation for a book about how wonderfully made and perfect our bodies are? Something to discuss how most, almost all of the time really, if cared for well, our bodies function beautifully. (and often when not cared for well, because we're simply resilient) Something to remind me that the headache I get is more likely stress than a brain tumor. The pain in my lower back is more likely poor body mechanics than arthritis setting in, and not every older person ends up incontinent, w/dementia and incapable of performing their own ADL's...you get the drift.

I really would love a good bed side book to just pick when I need some encouragement.

Thanks for any suggestions!

Peace to all.

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Specializes in ER.

I really don't have a book suggestion. But try to think of all the amazing things the body does. Child birth, healing of a bruise, regeneration of a broken bone, regrowth of hair after chemotherapy, bouncing back after a serious illness, the list goes on and on.

As a new student nurse it sounds like you are possibly in a long term care facility. I will say it: nursing homes can be depressing places. Don't let this discourage you. Try to focus on the positive sides of a nursing home. The older residents likely have lived long lives and have great stories to tell.

As a nurse you will see many amazing recoveries that will leave you in awe of the human body. Keep pushing through. Good luck!

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Specializes in LTC, home health, addiction, hospice.

http://www.amazon.ca/Rules-Aging-Roger-Rosenblatt/dp/0156013606

This book isn't really about the body but it is pretty comical and has some ideas on aging. A very light and easy read.

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I think you need to remember that our bodies are working beautifully everyday in many many ways. From us sleeping 8 hours at night.....to waking up and taking on the day....the things we think, the way our nervous system feels and how wonderful foods taste and music sounds....the fact that you are studying and comprehending information is the most beautiful thing in this world.....

From here on it is our duty as nurses to promote healthy lifestyles....and the chances of avoiding these diseases that destroy our bodies. Remember we must promote health to have longevity of life....: ) Remember....our bodies work wonders everyday!!!

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I'm still pre-nursing but just reading my a&p book leaves me in awe! I especially get a kick in the spots where the book says we are still not quite sure how this mechanism works but our best guess is... We certainly are fearfully and wonderfully made! does getting paid for nusing take away from the eternal rewards of caring for a sick or elderly patient? I sure hope not!

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

Just go visit a friend with a newborn. Given the billions of steps in the development of a human being from conception to birth, it is amazing that anyone is born healthy!

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

Practice Yoga!

An inexpensive book I recommend:

Yoga Youth and Reincarnation by Jess Stearn

An out of print book that was mass produced during the 60s/70s that has an amazing guide to yoga practice in the latter half of the book. I paid $1.75 recently.

Of course the autobiography (first portion of the book) of him attempting yoga for the first time with his instructor Marcia is comical. This book is well written and funny!

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Specializes in Cardio-Pulmonary; Med-Surg; Private Duty.

My physiology textbook is homeostasis-based, and like "keithjones" posted, it's just amazing to read through all the gazillion different cell functions and things that have to happen in order for us to even exist, let alone think and act independently.

http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Human-Physiology-Stuart-Fox/dp/0077226356/

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Thank you for all the suggestions and encouragement!

I remember reading a long long time ago, The Wisdom of the Body and might try to find that again at the library. I have just started Yoga pratice again on a regular basis and it does help greatly to get me focused back on my faith.

It's true I have only done my clinical at LTC and rehab. Please don't think I have any disdain for the residents. I realize they have lived long lives and have much to offer. I had one very memorable patient who was quite sick but kept saying "Oh honey, it don't matter. I have had a good life. I have no regrets. Beautiful kids, good husband, loving God" Unfortunately, she was the minority and more often than not, I saw denial, great sadness, bitterness, anger. I know, Kubler-Ross in action. I cared for them all, but some were more discouraging and emotionally draining than others.

I am looking forward to future semesters where I can see the heart bypass patient go home to his wife and children, the new mother marvel at her newborn infant, and even an elderly woman be succesfully treated for CHF and move on to live many more productive years.

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

The book I pick up when discouraged and struggling with our fraility as humans is the Bible. Ps. 139 is a great example of the wonder of our human bodies. Romans talks about our bodies as temples. There are many others--a good concordance, even an online search, will point you in the direction of scripture that talk of what an awesome creation we humans are. Hang in there!

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What you are going through is pretty common in nursing students and other medical profession students. I know one of my nursing school friend's thought she had a new illness with each body system and diagnoses we studied. At times I even felt anxious about what I was seeing at clinical and learning in lecture.

Even as a practicing nurse I have to put in perspective that in the hospital setting I am not seeing the thousands of 40 year olds that are out healthy and enjoying life.

It is good that you recognize this in yourself and are trying to find positive things to lift you up.

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