Coping with Stress: Simple Techniques for HHAs and CNAs

Fordham Institute Inc. • September 22, 2025

Caregiving is a career filled with meaning, but it can also bring stress. Long hours, physical demands, and the emotional weight of caring for others can take a toll over time. For Home Health Aides (HHAs) and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), learning healthy ways to manage stress isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary for long-term success. At Fordham Institute Inc., we believe caring for yourself is part of being a great caregiver. Here are a few simple techniques you can use to reduce stress and protect your well-being every day.


1. Breathe with Intention

When stress hits, your body often tenses up. Take 3–5 slow, deep breaths, focusing on each inhale and exhale. This signals your nervous system to calm down and helps you reset in the moment.


2. Move Your Body

Even short bursts of movement can release stress and improve your mood. Try:

  • A quick walk on break
  • Gentle stretching between tasks
  • Rolling your shoulders and neck to release tension

Small movements add up to big relief.


3. Stay Hydrated and Nourished

Skipping meals or relying on caffeine can make stress worse. Carry a reusable water bottle and keep simple snacks—like fruit, nuts, or granola bars—on hand. Balanced nutrition helps stabilize your energy and mood.


4. Write It Out

Journaling doesn’t have to be long or fancy. Just jotting down a few lines about your day or your feelings can lighten your emotional load. Writing gives you perspective and helps release what you’re holding inside.


5. Create a Mini “End of Shift” Routine

Stress often lingers after work. Build a short ritual to mark the end of your day:

  • Listen to calming music on your commute
  • Change clothes and take a shower
  • Make tea or read for 10 minutes before bed

This helps your body and mind switch from “work mode” to “rest mode.”


6. Reach Out for Support

You don’t have to carry stress alone. Talking with a coworker, family member, or friend can make challenges feel lighter. Sometimes, just being heard is enough to reduce tension.


Care for Yourself, Care Better for Others

Stress is part of caregiving, but it doesn’t have to control you. By practicing simple techniques daily, you’ll protect your health, build resilience, and continue providing excellent care to those who depend on you.

📞 Ready to begin your healthcare journey? Call 718-480-1804

Because when caregivers take care of themselves, everyone benefits.

Back-to-School Mindset: How Caregivers Can Reset and Refocus This Fall

By Fordham Institute Inc. • September 19, 2025
Fall isn’t just a season of cooler weather and colorful leaves—it’s also a season of fresh starts. For students and caregivers alike, September feels like a natural time to reset routines, refocus energy, and set new goals for the months ahead. At Fordham Institute Inc., we encourage our Home Health Aide (HHA) and Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students to treat this season as a chance to reflect and re-energize. Whether you’re in training, already working, or thinking about enrolling, here are a few ways to embrace a back-to-school mindset this fall. 1. Refresh Your Routine A new season is the perfect time to tweak your daily habits. Try adjusting your sleep schedule to feel more rested. Organize your study space or work bag for a clutter-free start. Add in small practices like stretching or journaling to begin the day with focus. A routine that supports your energy and goals makes every day run smoother. 2. Revisit Your Goals Ask yourself: What do I want to accomplish before the year ends? Completing your HHA or CNA training? Improving your time management? Building healthier habits? Setting clear goals gives you motivation and a sense of direction. Write them down where you can see them every day. 3. Keep Learning Beyond the Classroom A back-to-school mindset means staying curious. Even outside of formal training, you can: Read articles about caregiving and wellness Practice communication skills with family and friends Watch videos on techniques that support your career growth The more you learn, the more confident and capable you’ll feel. 4. Take Care of Your Well-Being Fall is also a good time to check in on your physical and emotional health. Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated Find ways to manage stress—through breathing, music, or short walks Give yourself time to rest and recharge Remember: taking care of yourself helps you take better care of others. 5. Embrace the Season of New Beginnings Just like students returning to school, caregivers can use this time to reset. Every day is a chance to grow, improve, and get closer to the future you want. Start Fresh with Fordham Institute Inc. This fall, let your back-to-school mindset inspire you to take the next step in your career. 📞 Call 718-480-1804 to learn more about our HHA and CNA training programs. Because with the right mindset, every season can be a season of growth 🍂

Resilience in Caregiving: How to Keep Going When Days Get Tough

By Fordham Institute Inc. • September 18, 2025
Caregiving is a career filled with purpose, but it also comes with challenges. As a Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), there will be days that test your patience, your strength, and even your heart. The key to thriving in this field isn’t avoiding those tough days—it’s building resilience to keep moving forward. At Fordham Institute Inc., we remind our students that resilience isn’t about being unshakable. It’s about learning how to bend without breaking, adapt without giving up, and keep showing up with compassion. 1. Accept That Tough Days Are Part of the Journey Every caregiver faces moments of stress, frustration, or exhaustion. Instead of seeing these days as failures, view them as part of the process. Acknowledging challenges is the first step toward overcoming them. 2. Lean on Support Systems No one is meant to carry everything alone. Talk with coworkers, family, or friends about what you’re experiencing. Sharing your struggles can lighten your emotional load and remind you that you’re not alone. 3. Take Breaks When You Can Even short pauses can help you reset. Step outside for fresh air, stretch your body, or take a few deep breaths. Small breaks recharge your energy and keep stress from piling up. 4. Focus on the “Why” When the day feels overwhelming, remind yourself of why you chose this path. Whether it’s to help others, build a meaningful career, or create a better future, reconnecting with your purpose strengthens your resilience. 5. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection Caregiving is not about being perfect—it’s about making a difference. Celebrate the fact that you showed up, did your best, and brought comfort to someone in need. Those small victories build long-term strength. Resilience is Your Superpower The ability to rise after difficult days, to keep caring even when it’s hard—that’s what makes caregivers heroes. Resilience is built day by day, moment by moment, in the way you continue to show up with heart and determination.  📞 Ready to start building your future in caregiving? Call 718-480-1804 Because in caregiving, resilience isn’t just a skill—it’s the strength that keeps you going.

How Training Builds Confidence for HHAs and CNAs

By Fordham Institute Inc. • September 17, 2025
Starting something new can feel overwhelming. Many students walk into Home Health Aide (HHA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training feeling nervous—wondering if they’ll learn the skills, if they’ll pass the tests, or if they’ll be good enough for the job. What’s incredible is how quickly that changes once training begins. At Fordham Institute Inc., we’ve seen how training transforms not only careers, but confidence. Here’s how the learning process empowers students to believe in themselves—inside the classroom, on the job, and in everyday life. 1. Mastering New Skills Step by Step Each skill you learn—whether it’s taking vital signs, assisting with daily care, or communicating effectively—shows you that you can do it. Confidence grows as knowledge turns into ability, one step at a time. 2. Hands-On Practice Builds Comfort It’s normal to feel unsure at first. But practicing skills in a supportive training environment takes away the fear. By the time you finish, what once felt intimidating becomes second nature. 3. Overcoming Challenges Boosts Self-Belief From exams to clinical practice, training is filled with moments that stretch you. Each challenge you face—and overcome—becomes proof of your strength. Confidence comes not from avoiding challenges, but from working through them. 4. Professional Guidance Makes a Difference Instructors guide, encourage, and correct with patience. Having mentors who believe in you helps you believe in yourself. That support creates a safe space for growth. 5. Confidence Carries Into Everyday Life The skills you learn don’t stay in the classroom. Speaking up clearly, staying organized, handling stress—these abilities follow you into interviews, family life, and future opportunities. Training Creates Transformation Becoming an HHA or CNA isn’t just about getting a certificate—it’s about becoming a more capable, confident version of yourself. Training gives you the tools to care for others, and the self-belief to care for your future.  📞 Ready to start building your confidence through training? Call 718-480-1804 Because confidence isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you build, one skill at a time.