Is there a Connection? Sleep Patterns & Nursing Home Placement

Older women with disturbed and fragmented sleep were three times more likely to be placed in a long-term care facility than elderly women with healthier sleep patterns.

Publishing results in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, investigators studied data of older women who wore devices that monitored sleeping patterns for three days. Five years later, they observed that participants who spent the smallest proportion of their time in bed actually sleeping had about three times the odds of being placed in a nursing home.

I'm getting the association here. If you get up during the night and are disoriented, you may have a higher likelihood to fall. And falling in the elderly can lead to broken hips, etc. And that can lead to nursing home stays.

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How to Ask for a Raise

Asking for a raise can be a daunting task. How do you get the boss to see it your way? Preparation is key - don't talk to your supervisor until you've planned your approach. Asking for a raise is much like a sales presentation, and sales is not a skill that many healthcare professionals have perfected.

Here are a few tips:  

Timing is everything.
Studies have shown that on Fridays, workers are in the best mood, and therefore more agreeable. Sure, it sounds obvious, but it’s best to approach your boss at the end of the week, rather than the beginning of the week, and especially not on a Monday!


Performance pays.
Definitely ask for the raise when your performance is at a peak. For example, if your patient encounters are higher than ever, or you were recently recognized for an accomplishment, award, or completing a major project – now is the time to strike while the iron is hot.

Do your homework.
Know your value in the market. There are several websites which will provide compensation information such as Absolutely Healthcare.com.

To read more of this article: Click Here.
Learn more about healthcare classes at http://wecareonlineclasses.com/

Day Care: Choosing a Good Center

What should I look for in a day care center?

Whether you are considering a commercial day care center or one in someone's home, you should check it out carefully. Ask questions of the staff. Talk to parents of other children at the day care center. Look over the center carefully. 

Ask about the child to staff ratio.

• How many children are there for each staff member? The fewer children each staff member is responsible for, the better. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a ratio of one staff person for 3 to 5 small children and one staff member for 7 to 10 older children.

Ask how the center cares for sick children.

• How is medicine given?
• How are parents told about illness among the children?
• When must children stay home because of illness?
• Does the center have a "sick room" for children with minor illnesses?

What are some signs that would tell me if there are problems?

• The staff fails to answer your questions and address your concerns.
• There is no way for parents to be involved in the day care practices.
• Your child tells you about problems or is not happy with his or her day care experience.
• Unexplained accidents happen more than once.

For more on this article Click Here. Thinking about going back to school for a career in health care? Check out We Care Online Classes.

Mental Health Issues and Seniors

The numbers are staggering: according to the Centers for Disease Control, 20 percent of those 55 years or older experience some sort of mental health issue, whether it be anxiety, severe cognitive impairment or mood disorders like depression and bipolar disorder. Older men have the highest rates of suicide of any age group at 45.23 per 100,000 compared with 11.01 per 100,000 for the overall population, and mental health issues are often implicated as a factor.

And a recent Institute of Medicine report shows similar statistics—one in five older adults in the United States have a mental health or substance use problem.

Below are 10 tips for caregivers to recognize mental health issues in elders, for elders seeking help and links to SAMHSA's (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) many resources:

1. Watch for these common signs of mental health problems: social withdrawal, inability to cope with daily problems and activities, excessive fear, worries and anxieties, dramatic changes in eating or sleeping habits, confused thinking or prolonged depression.
2. Watch for these physical signs of substance use disorders: sudden weight loss or gain, slurred speech and changes in appetite and sleeping patters; behavioral signs such as unexplained financial problems, sudden change in friends and declining performance at work; and psychological changes such as sudden mood swings, lack of motivation, and feelings of fear, anxiety and paranoia.

For the rest of the tips and to see the rest of the article at "Aging Today" Click Here.  To learn more about We Care Online's Social Service Designee Classes Click Here.

Leisure Activites, Social Networks & Survival After Age 75

A new study reported in the British Medical Journal links lifestyle, social factors and survival after age 75.

Information on leisure activities and social networks was obtained from participants through face to face interviews carried out by trained nurses. Mental activities included reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles, painting, or drawing. Physical activities included swimming, walking, or gymnastics. Social activities consisted of attending the theater, concerts, or art exhibitions; traveling; playing cards or games; or participating in social groups or an organization for older people. Productive activities included gardening, housekeeping, cooking, working for pay after retirement, doing volunteer work, and sewing, knitting, crocheting, or weaving.

Of the leisure activities, physical activity was most strongly associated with survival, with those participating surviving on average 2 years longer.

The study reported that the average survival of people with a low risk profile (healthy lifestyle behaviours, participation in at least one leisure activity, and a rich or moderate social network) was 5.4 years longer than those with a high risk profile (unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, no participation in leisure activities, and a limited or poor social network). Even among those 85 years plus, the median age at death was four years higher for those with a low risk profile compared with those with a high risk profile.

To read more about this study: British Medical Journal.

Want to learn how to engage your residents in activities for a longer life? Try We Care Online's Activities Director class. Click here for more information.

How to Improve Success While Taking an Online Class

Just signed up for your first online class? Taking an online class can be a challenge especially if you are trying to balance it between work and family responsibilities. However, these three simple steps can help your success:

• Organization is key. Have a designated work area in your home where you can study, test, and prepare for your class. Once you have the course syllabus or due date sheet, write down everything that is due on a wall calendar. Seeing the visual every time you study will help with planning and reduce stress over forgetting assignments.

• Get on top of the game early. As much as possible try to get on top of your first few assignments early: class orientations, reading assignments, first quizzes. Getting a head of the game early will help set good habits and will help you from falling behind while you adjust to your new schedule.

• Establish open communication with the instructor. Establish good communication right away with your instructor. Send an introductory email before the class starts. Good communication early on can help you from feeling isolated later which can contribute to possibly dropping the class. It is especially important to ask questions when you have them and to use your instructor as a resource if you start to see slipping grades. Many online instructors are eager to help you find resources to improve study habits, find tutoring, etc. 

We Care Online offers a broad range of online medical classes and can prepare you for a career in everything from nursing to pharmacy.  Click here  for more information.

Believe in Yourself: How to Develop Your Confidence

Confidence doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Even the most successful people have struggled with it in their careers. The good news is that you develop it, just like any muscle or character trait, if you’re willing to work at it. The better news: These tips can help you strengthen your confidence. Here’s what to try:

• Don’t compare yourself against others. Focus on your own achievements and ambitions, not anyone else’s. Other people will always be more successful than you at different stages of your life and career, and obsessing about them will only send your confidence plunging. Concentrate on identifying and improving your own unique strengths and skills.

• Track your success. Keep a log of your accomplishments, large and small. Recording victories on a daily basis will make you feel more successful, and looking over your progress will boost your self-esteem. In addition, reviewing your achievements should give you some good ideas for what to work on next.

Read more at the NPTA blog. . . Click Here

All About Resident Councils in Nursing Homes Part 2

The following is an excerpt from We Care Online's  Social Service Designee course.*

Do residents have a right to meet as a council?

Yes.

Federal and state laws give residents the right to meet as a council. At the time of admission, nursing homes are required to inform new residents of their right to establish a council if one does not exist or to participate in the activities of a council which is already operating.

Councils have the right to meet privately or to invite members of the nursing home's staff, relatives, friends, or members of community organizations to participate in the meetings. The residents of a home may invite a staff person to serve as liaison to the Council, to attend council meetings if requested and to provide needed support services and assistance such as typing minutes and correspondence.

How are Resident Councils organized?

The structure of a Resident Council can be the key to its success. The size of the home and the abilities and needs of the residents are important factors to consider in selecting a structure.

In small homes, Resident Councils are frequently operated as open meetings for all interested residents. There may be a steering committee to help plan meeting agendas and to follow up on decisions made by the Council. Larger homes often have Councils made up of representatives either elected or recruited from different sections of the facility. Council representatives are responsible for seeking the concerns and suggestions of residents in their area and for bringing this information to the meetings.

According to OBRA, every long-term care facility is required to have a Resident Council. Regular monthly meetings are scheduled. Additional meetings can be scheduled per special request or need. All residents are encouraged and invited to come to the meetings. Attendance records and minutes are written. Two resident rights are reviewed and discussed each month in the meeting.

Resident council members review the activity program and give input to programs, special events, and requests at each meeting. The original minutes are keep on file and a copy is given to the administrator. All issues discussed by the council should have a plan of action written, signed, and dated by the responsible discipline. Past month's issues will be reviewed.

The agenda for each meeting should include the following:

• Welcome
• Attendance
• Review of past month's minutes
• Review of past month's resolutions to issues
• Review of specific departments such as nursing, dietary, social services, activities, maintenance, therapy, and administration
• New business and issues
• Request for visitors for the next month's meeting

The following is an example of meeting minutes

Resident Council Minutes

10/30/09

The following resident attended the resident council: Mary Jo Smith, Calvin Poge, Elizabeth Curry, John Peterson, Robert Bell, and Susan Wayne. The following staff were invited as guest. Jamie Tiller, SSD, and Holly Gorton, AD.

The past month’s minutes were read and approved by the resident council.

The council review John Peterson concern about broken curtains and he shared that maintenance had fixed the curtain right after the last resident council.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the nursing department. Robert Shared that the staff could smile more and say good morning.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the dietary department. All residents shared that the food was wonderful and they especially enjoyed the fried chicken last Monday.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the social services department. The residents did not share any concerns.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the activities department. The residents shared that they would like to add penny cards and go on an outing to the next circus coming to town.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the maintenance department. The residents did not have any concerns at this time.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the therapy department. The residents did not have any concerns at this time.

Residents were asked if there were any concerns about the administration department. The residents shared they would like the administration to have breakfast with them in the month of December.

New business and Issues were the residents’ choice menu for the month. The residents voted on fried chicken, peas, cinnamon bread, and ice cream with cherry pie. No other new business was discussed at this time.

The residents requested the Director of Nursing to give a report on new staff at the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned. The next meeting will be November 30, 2009.


___________________________________________
Signature of Resident Council President or Vice President

Family Council

Family Councils are also important to have in the facility as well. The family councils are able to help advocate for their loved ones and support one another in care for family member. Family councils are run by the residents’ families. The Long Term Care Ombudsman in your area can help your facility set up a family council.

Link: Family Council

*Note: The Social Service Designee course is available in a limited amount of states.  Click here to find out if the course is available in your state.

All About Resident Councils in Nursing Homes Part 1

The following is an excerpt from We Care Online's  Social Service Designee course.*

What is a nursing home Resident Council? 

Link: Care Watchers

A Resident Council is an independent, organized group of people living in a nursing home that meets on a regular basis to discuss concerns, develop suggestions on improving services and plan social activities.

The sizes and structure of Councils varies widely. Some Resident Councils function well with up to 30 residents at meetings. Others are effective with only a few active members. Leadership styles vary as does the amount of resident participation.

Why have a Resident Council? 

The lives of nursing home residents are heavily controlled by laws, rules and policies set by the government and the nursing home. Compromises in life styles become necessary due to health problems and the close quarters in which residents live. These compromises and controls can make nursing home residents feel like their opinions and preferences do not matter.

Many nursing home residents are not content to give up control over their lives. They want an active role in life and the chance to influence decisions which affect them. A Resident Council gives them that chance.

Effective Resident Councils 

Improve communication within their homes. They are known as places to get the facts and help dispel rumors.

Help identify problems early when it is easier to correct them. They are an important part of the grievance process and help avoid the necessity of discussing problems with outside sources.

Serve as a sounding board for new ideas.

Help individuals speak out about concerns and help overcome fear of retaliation. When people are dependent on others for their needs, there is fear that they may make others so angry that care will be withheld. Resident Councils lessen the fear because speaking as a group protects each individual.

Improve the atmosphere of the nursing home. The staff appreciates residents’ input in some of the responsibilities of planning activities and events.

Promote friendship. By working in small groups that meet regularly, residents have a chance to get to know each other well.


Be sure and read Part 2 of All About Resident Councils in Nursing Homes!

*Note: The Social Service Designee course is available in a limited amount of states.  Click here to find out if the course is available in your state.

Top 10 Tips: Dealing With Difficult Co-Workers

Dealing with unprofessional colleagues is frustrating and might even affect your work performance. Learn  how to cope with problematic behavior and, most importantly, remain calm. By taking action immediately, you might be able to avoid a conflict before it ever becomes a situation!

Difficult people exist at work as in all facets of life, and they come in every variety. Dealing with these types is easier when the person is just generally obnoxious or when their behavior affects more than one person. But it is much tougher when they personally attack you or undermine your professional standing. While you probably can’t change such a person, the good news is that by following these 10 tips for dealing with problem people in the workplace, you can avoid being their victim:

Identify problem people. Learn to recognize when a co-worker is “toxic.” Difficult people come in all shapes and sizes: Some talk constantly and never listen. Others must always have the last word. Some co-workers fail to keep commitments. Others criticize anything that they did not create themselves. A toxic co-worker can take the form of a cut-you-downer, a two faced backstabber, a gossip, a meddler, an instigator or a nasty competitor.

Read the rest of this article in this handy pdf printout - click here to download

Top 10 Tips: How To Be A Good Nursing Assistant

Taking care of 8 - 10 residents in a long term care facility is no joke. That is why a person who takes care of residents needs to be certified by your State. If you passed the training or course, able to passed the mandatory tests (hand washing transferring and blood pressure taking), written tests and Random skills test, then you are fit for the job. Given that you are work as a CNA, how will you handle multiple residents where each individual has unique personality and disability. Here are few tips on how to handle them based on my experience.

Instructions 

1. Orientation. Before you start taking care of the residents, who will undergo some orientations by the managers in different areas and experienced CNAs assigned to work with you and inform you as to how to handle and take care of the residents. You should take down notes if necessary and be familiar with the care plan, family preferences and much more.

Read the other nine tips here: How to be a good Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5327482_good-_certified-nursing-assistant-_cna_.html#ixzz23Yotg2FG

Sign up for We Care Online's Nursing Assistant course!  Click here to see if it's available in your state!

Introducing: We Care Online Staff - Lori Wagoner

We thought it about time that you get to know us a little better. So we've decided to highlight one of our staff members every month.


This month you get to meet Lori Wagoner.  Lori has always had a passion for healthcare.  She began working in the healthcare field as part of the housekeeping staff at a local Long Term Care facility.  Lori enjoyed the atmosphere of the nursing home, and after her daughters became nurses, Lori decided to pursue her CNA and CMA licenses. She has been a part of the LTC facility for a little over 5 years now. Lori enthusiastically states that she started off in LTC and “loved it”!

On a personal note, Lori has been married to her husband for 35 years, and lives on the farm where her husband grew up.  Lori and her husband have 2 grown daughters who are married and 4 wonderful granddaughters. Lori enjoys being able to help her husband around the farm and work at home at the same time.

In Lori’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her daughters and spoiling her grandchildren! She also enjoys helping her husband around the farm, gardening, baking, and taking walks with her dog, Charlie.

Everyone at We Care Online plays an important role in helping students have the best online learning experience possible.  Lori currently assists the instructor for the Activity Director, Social Service Designee, RestorativeAide, and all the open enrollment courses. At the end of courses, she sends all students their course completion certificates.  Lori receives and processes student enrollments for these classes. When it's time for a class to begin, Lori helps the instructor get everyone enrolled and started in their courses. 

Since We Care Online is an online company, Lori knows that people don’t get to see her face to face or to see her work space.  Lori adorns her workspace walls with several colorful pictures that her granddaughters have colored.  Lori also has 2 goldfish that keep her company throughout her day!

Back to School Basics!

It's time for school again?!!   

It’s hard to believe it’s that time of year again!  Back to school ads on television and in the newspaper are now common place and we will soon see school buses shuttling children back and forth to school once again. Getting prepared for the start of the school year often involves a to-do list that includes visits to the doctor, registering for school,and back to school shopping!  Making the adjustment to the school routine is a family affair, requiring cooperation from everyone.

Making a Smooth Transition to the School Routine

Bethany Hardy discusses the back to school transition in her article Back-to-School Time: Transition Your Family from Summer to School  offering some helpful hints about making a smooth transition from the summer to school routine that can lessen some of the stress that inevitably accompanies this time of year.  It is common that children may have feeling of nervousness mixed with excitement for the start of a new school year.  Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD discusses some of the common concerns children face at different ages and stages regarding the beginning of school and offers suggestions on how parents can help in her article discussing  Back-to-School Worries. Getting off to the right start is the key, and with some simple planning and preparation can make the transition to school easier for everyone involved!

Writing a Winning Resume and Cover Letter That Get’s You Noticed

Projected Growth in the Healthcare Industry

The healthcare is an industry that is continuing to expand.  According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, “Industries and occupations related to health care, personal care and social assistance, and construction are projected to have the fastest job growth between 2010 and 2020”. Looking for a job in the healthcare field often involves searching online for job openings, filling out online applications and submitting a cover letter electronically.  It is more important than ever to design a resume that stands out and gets noticed, along with a cover letter that introduces you along with the skills and experience you can bring to your prospective employer. 

Resources for Resumes and Cover Letters

There are numerous resources available to assist and guide in the development of an effective resume.  http://www.dailywritingtips.com/resume-writing-tips/   has a comprehensive list of resume writing tips that would be useful to review before beginning to draft a resume.  Online sample resumes and cover letters offer ideas and provides examples.  Another great resource highlighting information specific to individuals pursuing careers in the healthcare field is http://healthcare.careercast.com

Experience and Education:  Two Key Ingredients for Success

Experience combined with education is crucial to preparing for success in the healthcare industry.  WeCareOnline provides online classes equipping individuals with the skills and experience, along with assistance in job placement for a variety of career goals in the heath care field, including Certified Nurse Aide,   Home Health Aide,  Mental Health Aide  and   Restorative Aide .  Visit WeCareOnline  for our full listing of courses.

The Importance of a Good Night's Rest

Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds. ~JoJo Jensen, Dirt Farmer Wisdom, 2002

Practically no one would dispute the need for seven to eight hours of sleep a night; the reality however, is that the majority of us getting far less sleep than our bodies require.  What is happening is our biological needs are at odds with our schedules and all the added diversions such as watching television into the late hours of the night, surfing the internet and maintaining our social media contacts.   

The restorative and regenerative processes that occur during the time we sleep are numerous and range from the relaxation of muscles, increased blood flow to muscles and tissues, the release of growth hormones and  increased efficiency of the immune system.  Sleep in America polls conducted over the last several years by the National Sleep Foundation  reveal that 20% of Americans report that they get less than 6 hours of sleep on average, and the number of Americans that report that they get 8 hours of more has decreased.  The Center for Disease control has taken notice of this national trend and has declared that 30% of U.S. workers are not getting nearly enough sleep and in fact sleep 6 or fewer hours a day.  In addition, lack of sleep impacts the ability to learn and retain information. The Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School has a website with information specific to sleep, learning and memory  http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/healthy/matters/benefits-of-sleep/learning-memory  The problem is clearly not of one of not understanding the need for adequate rest, but to prioritize it in our lives.

For more ideas on how to get to sleep, and to sleep well visit: http://tjhealth.com/how-to-sleep-well//

For more information on topics related to sleep, including its relation to aging, Alzheimer’s and Dementia visit the National Sleep Foundation http://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/sleep-topics 

How to Help Your Employees Take Online Classes

Are you an administrator or supervisor in a long term care setting? Do you want to help your employees grow and succeed in their careers? Online classes from We Care Online are a fantastic, low cost, and fast way for anyone to boost their skills in the healthcare field. But what can you do to help your employees succeed with online learning?

Make a Study Space


Employees might have a computer at home, but with kids, pets, and other family members around, a home computer isn't always the best way to take an online class! Facilities, on the other hand, often have office space or other low-traffic areas that are better suited to learning. You can provide your employee with a desktop or laptop computer with internet an internet connection, and they'll be all set to learn.

Study Buddies

Online classes can be a little lonely sometimes, especially for really social people. The best way to address this is to arrange for your employees to take classes together. They can do the reading and online portions on their own, but have each other for study support and more in-depth learning beyond the computer lessons. Another perk of this is that the employees can work together to apply their newly learned skills. It's not only fun, but a great boost to employee morale.

All of We Care Online's classes have a discussion board in which students can discuss lessons and share their on-the-job experiences, but being able to apply their learning with co-workers is very rewarding, too.

Flexible Schedules

While most of our classes take less than a month to complete, they do require several hours of reading and study work. If you can give your employee some extra schedule flexibility for the length of the class, it can really help their learning experience. Being able to come in to work a little early to use a spare computer, or having an extra 15 minutes of lunch hour to study can make a huge difference. The short-term time lost in employee productivity will be more than made up for once your employee comes to work with a whole new set of skills and knowledge. Investing in continued education is great for your facility and for employee retention and morale.

See the full list of classes at We Care Online and help your employees accelerate their careers today!

What is Your Work or Living Space Saying?

We've all heard the saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words," but sometimes the places we work and live and say just as much. In long term care settings, you're trained to be courteous and attentive to your residents' needs, but how much thought do you give to what the building itself might be communicating? We all know how important body language can be to communication, but it's not often that we think about what the living and work areas of a building might say. Long Term Living magazine addressed this issue in a recent article, and it gives you a lot to think about.

Wall colors, the arrangement of furniture, an things like whether or not people are behind a counter really do matter. You can't influence the layout of a building once it's built, but there any many things you can do to the inside spaces to make them as welcoming and home-like as possible.

For example, "In traditional nursing homes, the design of the nurses’ station, break room, dining room, lobby, conference room and residents’ rooms all have influence on communication and language because their designs signal who will speak there, what types of language to use in each, when it is appropriate to talk in each space and who is invited to do so. Therefore, one significant way to change language in nursing homes is to redesign spaces so that elders have more opportunities to converse in private in more places with people of their choosing—friends, family and staff, or to be alone if they wish."

Read more here: http://www.ltlmagazine.com/article/spaces-and-interpersonal-communication

Safety in a Home Health Care Setting

A few years ago, an extensive study was done to evaluate safety risks to home health care workers. Over two years, workers were surveyed to determine the safety issues they faced on the job. According to the report, the most common risks were, "cockroaches, cigarette smoke, vermin, irritating chemicals, and peeling paint. The following conditions were also described: clutter, temperature extremes, unsanitary and unsafe conditions in the home, neighborhood violence/crime, and aggressive pets. Two percent of respondents reported the presence of guns in the home. Additionally, 12 percent of HHCWs reported signs of abuse of their clients."  You can read the full report here: http://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/advances2/vol1/Advances-Gershon_88.pdf


What can you do?  



Be smart. Evaluate the home or your worksite for risks and see if there are any simple steps you can take to reduce risks. For example, if you see newspapers or magazines stacked close to a heat source like a hot water heater, there's a fire risk. You can work with your client to relocate or throw out the clutter.

When it comes to sanitation, remember your training and do whatever you can, within the scope of your job, to maintain a clean work environment and to follow hygenic practices. As a home care worker, you are usually working with individuals with restricted mobility. Assisting with a load of laundry, or cleaning out a sink of dishes not only helps your client, but it makes the work environment that much more sanitary. When it comes to needles and waste materials, remember what you were taught about sanitary practices and avoid things like accidental needlesticks.

There are always things you can't control, like the neighborhood your client lives in, but if aggressive pets or confrontational family members are involved, you can try to make adjustments. Maybe you can change your hours to a time when the problematic family members aren't around, or you can request that the client put the aggressive pet outside or in another room when you're working. These are things you can discuss and coordinate between your supervisor and the client, too. You are an employee, but you don't have to put up with unsafe working conditions if there are things that can be changed.

Coffee Cuts Depression Risk?

Photo by @Doug88888

According to the Huffington Post, a Harvard Nurse's Health Study that looked at caffeine's effect on depression in over 50,000 women who worked in healthcare showed that women who consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day were 15 percent less likely to develop depression compared to those who drank one cup. Women who drank at least four cups per day had a 20 percent lower risk of depression.


See the full article here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/coffee-cuts-depression-women_n_982122.html


If coffee's not your cup of tea, you can always get a caffeine fix from, well, tea! Some black teas have almost as much caffeine as coffee, and green teas, while lower in caffeine, are known to have antioxidants and other health benefits. As with all things, moderation is key. Reducing stress, eating healthy, and getting in some regular upbeat exercise are your best bets for keeping yourself mentally and physically healthy!