Life on the Line: The Deadly Cost of Ignoring Stress
Description: Chronic stress isn’t just a personal burden—it can impact your well-being, decision-making, and the quality of care you provide to patients. In this session, Rita Garnto will explore the often-overlooked risks of prolonged stress overload for both healthcare professionals and those they serve. You’ll gain a clear understanding of how the body’s stress response works, and why it can become harmful when left unchecked. Finally, she will introduce practical, “simple” self-care strategies that can be implemented one small change at a time, helping you protect your health while enhancing your professional performance.
Objectives:
- Identify the risks of ignoring chronic stress overload to you and your patients.
- Review the mechanics of the stress response.
- Discover the world of “simple” self-care and implementing one change at a time.
Moderator: Kim Barre
Faculty Presenter: Rita Garnto
Bio: Rita K. Garnto is a self-care strategist, speaker, and author dedicated to helping busy people simplify their lives and reduce stress. With almost 40 years of healthcare experience plus her own journey through life’s challenges, she has developed practical, no-nonsense self-care solutions that fit into even the busiest schedules. Known for her relatable humor and genuine approach, Rita inspires others to embrace small, consistent changes for lasting well-being.
When not sharing her self-care wisdom, she enjoys spending time with her husband, working out, "playing in the dirt", and finding joy in life’s simple moments.