Q & A with Meghan Sarna, a Northstar Wellness Team Member

Meet Meghan! She is part of the Northstar EAP team and helps guide and advise our partners and company clients in regards to the relationships between physical and mental health, corporate wellness, nutrition and more. Meghan is the founder of Northern Roots Wellness and also works for Copper Ridge Workplace Wellness.

Meghan (shown above with her van-road-buddy, Pearl) can be found on trails both on foot, bike and ski, on lakes, both on boards and boats, helping patients, kicking a soccer ball, passing a puck and playing the roll of snack and support crew for various friends and competitions. She is a great person and a great follow! 

 

1. Who are you, where do you work?

My name is Meghan Sarna.  I am a certified Family Nurse Practitioner at a local employee health and wellness clinic in Traverse City, Michigan.  I work directly with employees of a large concrete/construction company that employs over 500 employees and their families.

 

2. What do you do for fun and what's your favorite stress relieving activity?

My favorite stress relieving activity is actually also what I do for fun, so I get dual gratification!  In the summer, this includes riding single track on my mountain bike, paddling rivers on my stand up paddle board, touring the Leelanau County or Old Mission Peninsula on my road bike, camping weekends with my van (who I named Pearl) or hiking off the side of my boyfriends NACRA 18ft Catamaran on Lake Michigan. In the winter my favorite activities are Nordic ski adventures, down hill skiing and playing pond hockey with friends.  When I'm not outside, you can find me in the kitchen with my significant other, James, cooking up a storm or journaling about all the adventures and hardships I'm enduring.

 

3. What's your favorite thing about your current job or roll/profession?

I discovered my passion for preventative health and employee wellness during the pandemic while witnessing the unveiling phenomenon of workplace burnout amongst nurses, allied health professionals, and in reality - - - every profession. Occupational health and wellness allows practitioners to bridge the gap between the clinic and workplace setting to help with the prevention of modifiable risk factors (WHO, 2020).  I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with a company that hits close to home.  I grew up with a family of excavators and contractors, so I know first hand what this population of workers deals with in terms of stress, time management and lack of access to healthcare and mental healthcare due to shift work.

 

4. If you could tell people one thing to do to improve your health -what say you?

I would say to listen to your body.  If you're not feeling well, figure out why and trust in health professionals to guide you to better health.  There are an abundance of resources in communities, it just takes time and effort to figure out which route best suits your needs and abilities.

 

5. Because we/Northstar is/are an EAP group focused on mental wellness -can you tell us how you feel about persons protecting and caring for their mental health?

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of stress management in regards to mental health.  Figuring out a plan and healthy coping mechanisms is by far the most important aspect for maintaining optimal mental and physical health.  Between counselors, support groups, supplements, nutrition and sometimes medication, it's important to have a TEAM if you feel that you are struggling.  You are never alone, you just have to ask for help.

 

6. What are your plans for the summer and anything else to add!

I am SO excited for summer!  I do enjoy all the seasons and the changes that come with it.  If I were to leave with some unsolicited health advice, it would be to be sure to grow some healthy herbs in your garden this summer.  They're pretty much impossible to kill once planted and can provide great flavors for dishes and numerous health benefits!  These are just some suggestions: basil, mint, parsley, cilantro, lavender, sage, oregano and thyme!

Have a great summer and remember to GET OUTSIDE!

Thank you Meg! We appreciate you being part of our TEAM and enjoy our partners knowing that Northstar seeks to provide comprehensive care, beyond EAP.

 

Explore opportunities to strengthen your employees' physical health and wellbeing. Northstar now offers expanded services that focus on the whole body, mind and lifestyle. Options for Workplace Wellness packages, are available to add to any EAP package.

At Northstar, we understand that it is all connected and related. Physical and mental health both need care and attention, helping with both of those means, go outside and play this summer, and practice self-care with the right resources.