Vincent “Skip” Wirth

Name: Vincent “Skip” Wirth, R.N., B.S., M.A.

Title: Director of Sales and Marketing for First Choice Home Medical

Address: 969 Threewood Circle, Bowling Green, KY42103

Phone: 270-791-6392; Fax: 270-393-9383; E-mail:

Educational Background: Associate of Science in Nursing, WesternKentuckyUniversity

Bachelor of Science in Public Health (WKU)

Master of Arts in Organizational Communication (WKU)

Experience/Training—Skip has been a Registered Nurse for 35 years, and hasspecialized in patient and employee education and training. He started the first Wellness Center in Bowling Green, KY in 1984. He has conducted over 1500 workshops regionally and nationally on stress management, fitness, wellness, communication, team building, leadership, customer service, and humor in the workplace, marketing and motivation. He is an adjunct faculty member at WKU in the Speech and Communication Department.

Some of his clients include: General Motors, TVA, U.S. Army, Hospital Corporation of America, University of Kentucky, Western Kentucky University, Weyerhaeuser, Ford Motor Company, Camping World, the City of Bowling Green, Downing-McPeak, Networking Women, Goodwill Industries and Southern Foods and Turnaroundtour Showcase Guest.

Self-Observable Signs of Stress

  • General irritability, hyper-excitation or depression
  • Pounding of the heart (indicator of high blood pressure
  • Dryness of throat and mouth
  • Impulsive behavior, emotional instability
  • The overpowering urge to cry or run and hide
  • Inability to concentrate, flight of ideas, general disorientation
  • Feelings of unreality, weakness or dizziness
  • Predilection to become fatigued and loss of “joie de vivre”
  • Floating anxiety
  • Emotional tension and alertness, “keyed up” or “wired”
  • Trembling, nervous tics
  • Tendency to be easily startled by small sounds
  • High pitched, nervous laughter
  • Stuttering and other speech difficulties
  • Bruxism or grinding of the teeth
  • Insomnia, which is usually a consequence of being “keyed up”
  • Hypermotility
  • Hyperkinesia (an increased tendency to move about without any reason; an inability to just take a physically relaxed attitude
  • Sweating
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Gastrointestinal symptoms: diarrhea, indigestion, queasiness, vomiting
  • Headaches
  • Premenstrual tension or missed menstrual cycles
  • Pain in the neck or lower back
  • Loss of or excessive appetite
  • Increased smoking
  • Increased use of legally prescribed drugs
  • Alcohol and drug abuse/addiction
  • Nightmares
  • Neurotic behavior
  • Psychotic behavior
  • Accident proneness

Depending on conditioning, we all respond differently to general demands. On the whole, each of us tends to respond particularly with one set of signs caused by the malfunction of whatever happens to be the most vulnerable part in our machinery. When the signs appear, it is time to find a diversion.

Stress Busters

  • Walk off your stress.
  • Find enjoyable ways to exercise.
  • Learn several relaxation techniques (meditation, visualization, self-hypnosis or yoga).
  • Develop a sense of humor—learn to laugh!
  • Learn to say no—be realistic.
  • Relax your standards—be flexible.
  • Give compliments.
  • Share your feelings—talk it out, or at least write it out.
  • Practice deep breathing exercises.
  • Schedule more fun into your life. Make time for hobbies.
  • Count your blessings instead of counting others.
  • Eat a balanced diet—avoid fads and quick fixes.
  • Get adequate rest.
  • Enjoy nature.
  • Take one thing at a time—prioritize tasks.
  • Limit intake of alcohol and caffeine.
  • Take vacations and make the most of your time off.
  • Join the “optimist” club.
  • Go easy with criticism.
  • Shed the superman/superwoman urge—no one is perfect.
  • Cultivate and nurture your network of family and friends.
  • Avoid procrastination.
  • Play with pets.
  • Turn “needs” into preferences.
  • Listen to music, read, or write in a journal.

The Relaxation ResponseDr. Herbert Benson

  1. Sit quietly in a comfortable position. Close your eyes.
  1. Relax all your muscles, beginning at your feet and progressing up to your face.
  1. Breathe a little more deeply than usual (through your nose if possible). Become aware of your breathing. As you breathe out, say the word “one” silently to yourself. Continue for 15-20 minutes. You may open your eyes to check the time but do not use an alarm. When you have finished, sit quietly for several minutes, at first with eyes closed and later with them opened.
  1. Do not worry whether or not you are successful in achieving a deep level of relaxation. Maintain a passive mental attitude and permit relaxation to occur at its own pace. Expect distracting thoughts. When these distracting thoughts occur, ignore them and keep repeating the word “one” after each exhalation. Practice the technique once or twice daily, but not within two hours after a meal, since the digestive processes seem to interfere with the elicitation of anticipated changes.

The Seven Characteristics of Stress Resistance

Or

Life Skills to Longevity

Stress resistant persons:

  • Take personal control
  • Are task involved
  • Make wise lifestyle choices
  • Seek social support
  • Have a sense of humor
  • Espouse religious values
  • Are optimistic

Put into a ”Skipism”—the seven F’s of stress resistance are:

  • Faith
  • Family
  • Friends
  • Food
  • Fun
  • Fitness
  • Focus