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You are here: Home / Mind and Body / All Hands On Deck

April 21, 2020

All Hands On Deck

If the phrase all hands on deck means that everyone needs to help in achieving a large task, we all currently have the assignment to wash our hands regularly and properly(PDF)Links to a PDF document.. The good news is that handwashing is one of the most effective ways(PDF)Links to a PDF document. to prevent the spread of many harmful microorganisms  including COVID-19. One downside is that more frequent handwashing causes dry skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology shares tips for preventing dry skin and infection. When washing your hands, use lukewarm water and moisturize immediately afterwards. Choose moisturizing ointments and creams that contain mineral oil or petrolatum. The ones that squeeze out of a tube are often more effective than ones you pump out of a bottle. At night, dab petroleum jelly on your hands. A humidifier at night can raise the humidity level to help dry skin.

The care of our hands can be used as a mindful moment throughout the day. What might that look like for different people?

  • For all who use gloves for safe(PDF)Links to a PDF document. work environments, the careful steps of donning, removing and disposing gloves can be a reminder to pause briefly.
  • The deliberate steps of properly washing hands can become the mindful activity for all of us.
  • A mindful minute can include paying attention to the physical sensation of applying moisturizing cream.
  • Susan Pollack shares tips to parents to find magic in the mundane like the drudgery of dishes, laundry, diapers and housework. She offers a mindfulness activity called, “Appreciating our hands”. Her work inspired the following mindfulness practice.

helping hands

This mindful moment will use hands as the focus and go through the four senses of sight, sound, smell and touch. This can be done at different times throughout the day. Decide when it makes the most sense for you to use this mindfulness exercise.

Mindfulness Moment on Hands

Start with a deep breath.

Rest your hands in a comfortable position where you can observe them. You might cradle one hand underneath the other. If your mind wanders during these few moments, that’s OK. Just bring your focus back to one of the four senses

What do you see? Take a moment and discover what your hands look like.

What do you hear? This might be sounds associated with washing, drying or moisturizing your hands. These might be background sounds as you sit silently and inspect your hands.

What do you smell? There might be expected scents with wearing gloves, washing hands, moisturizing your skin or other tasks that your hands have completed. There might be other scents around you in this moment.

What do you feel? What is the temperature of your hands? Do you notice any internal sensations such as blood pumping or sensations in your joints? Move your hands and fingers slightly and then stretch wide. Bring some energy to the moment by shaking your hands as if you were trying to fling off water drops. Bring calmness to the moment by softly holding and caressing each hand.

As you finish this short mindfulness activity, send appreciation for all the things your hands do every day. Take another deep breath to finish the mindful hands activity.

As you return to your daily responsibilities, consider these questions: Did you notice anything you have not noticed before about your hands? Did you notice any emotions? Did you discover a new appreciation for anything? If you are new to mindfulness practices, this might feel unusual or maybe even awkward. Be encouraged to try a mindfulness practice a few times before deciding it’s not for you. If you would like to try some additional mindfulness activities, Ohio State Integrative Medicine offers free mindfulness recordings.

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WRITTEN BY: Patrice Powers-Barker, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Lucas County

PHOTO CREDITS:

  • Powers-Barker, March 2020

REFERENCES:

  • Chiesa, A. & Serretti, A. (2009). MBSR for stress management in healthy people: A review and meta-analysis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 15(5), 593-600.
  • COVID-19: How to care for dry hands after washing them so much. (2020, March 13). UCLA Health. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.uclahealth.org/covid-19-how-to-care-for-dry-hands-after-washing-them-so-much
  • COVID-19 Prevention measures: Clean your hands often. (nd). NC State Extension. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://producesafety.osu.edu/sites/prsafety/files/imce/OSU_Handwashing_COVID-19_Flyer_031920.pdf
  • Dermatologists encourage the public to moisturize after hand washing to prevent dry skin and infections. (2020, March 19), American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.newswise.com/coronavirus/american-academy-of-dermatology-shares-hand-washing-tips-amid-covid-19/?article_id=728439
  • Food Safety consumer research project: Meal preparation experiment related to thermometer use, Executive Summary (2018, May). The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/1fe5960e-c1d5-4bea-bccc-20b07fbfde50/Observational-Study-Addendum.pdf?MOD=AJPERES
  • Glove use information leaflet. (2009). World Health Organization. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Glove_Use_Information_Leaflet.pdf
  • Kampf, G., and Ennen, J. (2006, February 13). Regular use of a hand cream can attenuate skin dryness and roughness caused by frequent hand washing. BMC Dermatology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1397860/
  • Mindfulness practices (2020). Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University. Retrieved April 15, 2020 from https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/integrative-complementary-medicine/resources/mindfulness-practices
  • Pollak, S. (2020). Why parents need a little self-compassion. Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/why_parents_need_a_little_self_compassion

Categories: Mind and Body
Tags: appreciation, covid-19, hands, mindfulness

Avatar for Patrice Powers-Barker
Avatar for Patrice Powers-Barker

About Patrice Powers-Barker

Patrice Powers-Barker, CFLE (Certified Family Life Educator) implements Ruby Green Smiths’ description of Family and Consumer Sciences, “where science and art meet life and practices.” The Mind and Body topic lends well with empowering families to evaluate their daily habits and to make individual as well as family goals to enact mindfulness and abundance. The “science and art” of mindfulness can be practiced throughout different aspects of life - from work and play to eating or parenting and education. Patrice loves spending time with family, treasuring the four seasons of Northwest Ohio and appreciating the abundance of her local community.

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