Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
This is a photo taken while Washington, D.C. in 2005. I love the photo and did my creative magic on it. I like the outcome, how about you?
I hope you enjoy your Labor Day holiday with family and friends in a Covid safe manner.
Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.
1847
Outlaw Jesse James is born in Missouri
Seen by some as a vicious murderer and by others as a gallant Robin Hood, the famous outlaw Jesse Woodson James is born on September 5, 1847, in Clay County, Missouri. Jesse and his older brother Franklin lost their father in 1849, when the Reverend Robert James abandoned his …read more
1958
“Doctor Zhivago” is published in the U.S.
Boris Pasternak’s romantic novel, Doctor Zhivago is published in the United States. The book was banned in the Soviet Union, but still won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1958. Pasternak was born in Russia in 1890, and by the time of the Russian Revolution was a well-known …read more
1972
Massacre begins at Munich Olympics
During the 1972 Summer Olympics at Munich, in the early morning of September 5, a group of Palestinian terrorists storms the Olympic Village apartment of the Israeli athletes, killing two and taking nine others hostage. The terrorists were part of a group known as Black …read more
1914
French general gives order to attack at the Marne
On the evening of September 5, 1914, General Joseph Joffre, commander in chief of the French army during World War I, readies his troops for a renewed offensive against the advancing Germans at the Marne River in northeastern France, set to begin the following morning. With the …read more
1877
Sioux military leader Crazy Horse is killed
Oglala Sioux leader Crazy Horse is fatally bayoneted by a U.S. soldier after resisting confinement in a guardhouse at Fort Robinson, Nebraska. A year earlier, Crazy Horse was among the Sioux leaders who defeated George Armstrong Custer’s Seventh Cavalry at the Battle of Little …read more
Whether it be changed to your lifestyle, health or career – Now is a time perfect to change, and here are some of the ways you can make a change in your life next year for the better.
By now, most of us are sick of our own homes. Being stuck inside for almost a year has been hard for all of us and many of us have already started to look at houses and apartment rentals in our area. If you want to make a fresh start next year, moving house isn’t a bad idea. Let go of the bad memories of the past and move forward in a positive way by buying or renting a better living space for yourself. Being able to live somewhere new can do wonders for your mental health.
If you want to make a positive change to your physical and mental health in 2021, you need to get up and get moving. There are lots of ways you can stay fit without the need for a gym, and here are just a few of the things you can try:
One great way to make a change to your life without committing to anything crazy is changing your diet in small ways. From substituting white for brown bread and rice; to eating less meat and dairy; there are many brilliant things you can do to change your diet for the better. Consider finding foods that are good for the gut and for your heart such as sweet potatoes and peppers, and add these things to your diet more for a healthier body. You don’t have to overhaul your whole diet right away, just make small changes as you go.
We all need to have hobbies in our lives. When you spend all of your time working, eating, and sleeping – you will soon become bored with your life and your mental health can plummet. Change up your daily routine by spending time doing something new. It could be baking, writing, painting, a new sport, or anything you like. Bring something new into your life that you haven’t tried before and this could open you up to so much more in the future.
Making changes to your life in 2021 is a great idea and will change your life for the better.
We’ve got a podcast! We are excited to share our first episode of the Rethinking Pain Podcast: Where Science & Healing Meet!
This show is brought to you by Lin Health and is hosted by Shannon Dougherty, a former chronic pain patient. Join us while Shannon explores stories of recovery and hope and shares the latest in pain science research as she interviews experts and patients alike. Tune in to hear Shannon and Charlie Merrill (MSPT) talk about pain management and neurology (and subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss an episode!). Listen on Apple PodcastWatch on YouTube Warmly, Abigail Hirsch, Ph.D Co-founder, Lin Health Dr.Abigail@lin.health
I can’t wait to listen to what Shannon and Charlie have to say about pain management.
Accidents can hit any of us at any time. This might not sound like a very comforting fact, but it’s an important one to remember. We don’t want to assume that we’ll get into any incidents on the road and, indeed, we should take measures to prevent them and reduce the likelihood as best as possible. However, accidents and collisions do happen and sometimes there is little that can be done about them.
As such, it’s important to have a game plan for the event of getting into such an incident on the road. A cool head and some forward-thinking can make sure that you take the right steps.
The first step to take is to make sure that you and any passengers are safe and, if it is safe to do so, check on anyone else involved in the collision, too. Turn the hazard lights on in your car and keep the vehicles where they are unless they are blocking traffic. It’s a good idea to keep some high-visibility triangles in the car as part of your emergency kit to help make the scene more visible so other drivers can slow or navigate around it.
Don’t speak for yourself
Aside from making sure that everyone involved is okay, you don’t want to speak too much for yourself when it comes to the aftermath of a collision. The simple reason is that you don’t know what can be used against you when it comes to proving liability. If you’re not at fault, it’s a good idea to get in touch with the emergency services first, your insurance provider second, then a car accident lawyer third. They can advise you on what to say and how to act to make sure that you don’t inadvertently get yourself into some expensive trouble.
What to do with the old car
Though your personal safety will likely come first in the order of priorities, and your legal liability second, you are going to have to consider what to do with your car eventually. If you can fix it, then that’s likely to be your course of action but when it comes to what to do with a write-off car, you actually have a few more options. You can accept whatever offer is made by your insurer, but you might be able to get more money for it by selling it off for salvage or even trading it to a dealer.
Keep all your financial records
You should get seen by a doctor after a collision, even if there are not quickly identifiable external injuries. Some, like whiplash, can take a while for their effects to become noticeable. Otherwise, you should make sure that you’re gathering any financial documentation, be it hospital bills for personal injuries, as well as any costs for repairs from the mechanics. If you end up having to take time off work and lose money as a result, you should take note of how much you lose, as well. Whether you go with an insurance claim or a legal claim, this documentation can be crucial for making sure you get the cover that you need.
Anticipate some emotional after-effects
Given their hazardous nature, it’s easy for us to assume that the injury incurred in a road accident is going to be predominantly physical. However, that’s not necessarily the case. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a more common impact after road accidents than you might assume. If you feel that you are experiencing panic attacks, outbursts of anger, or any other changes in behavior that are becoming more noticeable, then you may want to get in touch with a counselor. You may have trauma that you need to get some help in working through.
Getting the confidence to go back on the road again
Even if your experience emotionally is not quite as severe as developing PTSD, a lot of people are going to be shaken following an accident, meaning that they may not feel confident getting behind the wheel any time soon. That is entirely understandable and no one should rush you into doing so. However, taking a gradual start and learning to drive again can help you acclimate back in a little more gently. This can also include taking defensive driving courses so that you feel a little more confident about being able to gauge, identify, and mitigate risks on the road in the future.
With the tips above, you can be a little better prepared for any incidents on the road, not just what you can do to prevent them but what you can do to ensure the best outcomes after them, as well.
Every year, one out of four people will experience some form of mental health problem. If you feel as though your anxiety and depression are taking hold, then here are some suggestions that will help you.
Take charge of your own wellbeing and try and share any concerns you might have. Believe it or not, talking can help you to put everything into perspective and it can also help you to feel way more supported and less isolated too.
Did you know that fish can be very relaxing if you feel as though you are constantly overwhelmed by stress? Fish are easy to take care of and Tiger fish are especially beautiful. When you do invest in a tank, you can kick back, enjoy, and relax for years to come.
Regular exercise can easily help you to sleep and it can also boost your self-confidence. Your brain and all of your vital organs will benefit, and you will feel way better mentally as well. Of course, if you are having a hard time staying active because you don’t feel comfortable going to the gym, then you have nothing to worry about. There are many exercises that you can do from the comfort of your own home and you may even find that you are able to burn more calories this way as well. If you are always out of the house and if you have a hard time really finding the time to exercise, then you have nothing to worry about. You can still incorporate exercise into your routine if you simply choose to walk to work or even if you ride to work instead of taking the bus, as this can help you with your stress even more.
Ensuring that you have a balanced and nutritious diet will benefit your mental health in more ways than one. It will also help you to ensure your own wellbeing as well. If you are having a hard time eating well because you are busy then this is understandable, but you do need to try and take the time to try and change your lifestyle so that you can accommodate your eating. This could include you trying to pack a healthy lunch the night before so you don’t have to eat junk food during the workday or it could even mean that you need to try and explore healthy alternatives when dining out. Sure, this may require you making conscious choices but at the end of the day it will help you out way more than you realize.
It’s so important that you stay in touch with your friends and your family. You can do this in person, or you can do it online. When you do, you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to stay grounded and supported at all times. You don’t need to cope on your own. Ask your family or even your friends to see if they can give you some local support so you don’t feel overwhelmed.
In the United States, we have an ongoing passion for the law. The law has served this country from its foundations and continues to permeate every level of our society today. It was the legal profession that ushered in the dawn of the civil rights movement and it was the courts that ultimately lead to dramatic revolutions in American society. We have a constitution that is the envy of the world, legal institutions that are studied by law students all over the globe, and a robust and open judiciary that administers the giant legal machine, daily. Now, is it perfect? No, certainly not but it is exactly in that pursuit in which the American legal profession has excelled. Let’s take a journey together through 5 of the best reasons why the pursuit of social justice, a particularly American trait, is always a good thing.
At its best, the legal profession ensures that all citizens enjoy a very minimum level of legal protection. So the use of the words “minimum level” should be quantified a little and what that means isn’t that all citizens receive minimal amounts of legal protection, but rather that there is a minimum level of protection that no one should fall beneath. These levels differ from state to state but on a Federal level, all Americans are entitled to legal protection at work, as consumers, and as minorities or marginalized persons. Children have a set of rights that protects them from harm at school, online, or in life. But unless you know how to access legal services they don’t hold much value, do they? So you can find all you need to know, here.
PROTECTING EVERYONE FROM DISCRIMINATION
Note: there is a big difference between the so-called social justice warriors and those who pursue social justice. The former is often associated with the entitled classes who pontificate from behind computer screens, while the latter are those actively engaged with our institutions to work to expand rights to ever greater amounts of people. Between these two, are you and me and it’s never easy dealing with being on the receiving end of unfair treatment based on something that you don’t necessarily have any control over. Your race, religion, gender, sexuality, social class, disability level, and mental health (to name a few) should never be used against you or as reasons to deny you employment, access to healthcare, or social services.
PROTECTING FAMILIES
The law and all of its operatives have been instrumental in shielding families and children from rapidly changing legal realities. In the quest for greater legal egalitarianism, it is very important that all sides involved in arguments, debates, legal proceedings, activism, and more are guided along that path with solid processes and as much fairness as possible and we’ve all seen recently how this can get out of hand, very quickly. In the mix of all of the dramatic social changes that are taking place in the United States, is the “traditional” American family. This is where the pursuit of social justice meets everyday living but a consequence of this pursuit, has been the awakening of the “average American family”, so as much as so much of what we thought was familiar has changed, social justice also means that we get to define our families in whatever way we wish without intervention from the authorities or society at large.
CONSUMER PROTECTIONS
Along with protections against discrimination in the workplace or just in everyday life, social justice has also worked in many protections for consumers. This means that you have the right to seek compensation if a product you bought was faulty or poorly made and this leads to injury or financial loss. Consumer protections are a very big part of our rights in this country and it’s always a good idea to know what you’re entitled to if things go a little wry at the point of delivery of your product or service or beyond – and this is going to become very important during the time of Covid.
HOLDING CONGLOMERATES TO ACCOUNT
Here’s one of our favorites. Without social justice campaigners and professionals, we would never have known about some of the biggest corporate scandals in history. We also would not have been able to seek compensation and recompense for those who have suffered or been victims of corporate misbehavior. Think tobacco companies, mining companies, companies that have damaged or hurt the environment. In recent history, we’ve seen record-breaking class actions against companies that have exposed their workers and or miners to asbestos and other life-threatening substances or chemicals. You may well need mesothelioma attorneys who genuinely care.
The design of a car is an essential part of its functionality and aesthetic appeal. But the noise and emissions produced by a vehicle can turn off potential buyers and be detrimental to the environment. That’s why car customization is so popular. Whether you’re trying to stand out from the crowd or just looking for easy ways to reduce your fuel consumption, these steps will help you update your ride.
If you’re driving a car that runs smoothly, you probably won’t need to do more than an ordinary tune-up to keep your engine running in top form. However, you should know what the manufacturer recommends when inspecting and maintaining your vehicle’s internal components.
Replace Old Tires
Your car’s tires are an essential part of its safety, performance, and fuel efficiency. Old tires can lessen the drivability of a vehicle, especially at high speeds. When you replace your tires, consider getting something that matches your driving style.
For example, if you typically drive short distances or need to accelerate quickly, tires with a thicker tread will be good for you. If you drive long distances regularly, tires with low rolling resistance may be better for you. Test drive different makes and models to see what works best for your lifestyle.
Many people fail to realize is that you do not need to drive a car for the tires to wear out. Tires do age. They may look to be in good shape, but they may still be dangerous to use. If you ever get into an accident due to bad tires, consult trusted car accident lawyers for the best way forward.
Tinted Windows
If you live where the sun is scorching, tinted windows can make your car ride more comfortable. These can also improve safety by cutting glare and helping you see better during night drives. Window tint installation is illegal in some states, so do your research first. You may also want to look into other types of window covers that protect your vehicle from UV rays.
Speaker Covers
The best thing about speaker covers is that they don’t require you to modify your car permanently. You can use those little covers on those dull-sounding speakers and instantly make them sound better.
It is also essential to choose the right brand of speaker covers as many brands can look cheap, but they may not improve your vehicle’s sound quality.
Clean the Air Intake System
Did you know that the air intake system on your car can affect your fuel economy? This makes it essential to keep it clean and efficient. If your air filter is getting dirty, you should replace it with a new one or clean it out with some filtered air.
Before replacing the filter, open the hood and look at the direction the airflow is coming from. If it’s coming from the left side, you may want to install an air intake system that directs air towards the engine.
High-Performance Upgrades
If you love speed or take turns like a stunt pro, you might want to invest in high-performance upgrades. These kinds of improvements can help you zip through curves and shave off a few minutes from your driving time.
For example, installing a racing muffler can save 20 lbs of weight and improve fuel efficiency by as much as 15 percent. You may also want to consider a high-performance air filter or a larger-displacement engine with aftermarket parts. Your local auto parts store can help, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice on which upgrades will work best for you!
Replacing Your Exhaust System
Another way to improve your car’s performance and reduce emissions is by replacing its exhaust system. Whether it has cat-back or quad-exhaust pipes, the new exhaust will give you a better sound and help your car accelerate faster. However, make sure you install a high-quality product that doesn’t leak during driving. You can also check out a performance catalytic converter that will reduce carbon monoxide emissions by up to 99 percent.
Summing Up
Customizing your car can be a fun and rewarding project that adds individuality to your vehicle. However, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that customization is just one aspect of owning a car.
It can be devastating to have your favorite car written off due to an accident. Fortunately, it is not the end of the road. There are many more things you can do with a destroyed car apart from having it repaired. Admittedly, repairing a write-off car is incredibly expensive and explains why it’s usually not the most reliable option for most car owners. For a vehicle to be considered a write-off, it should be in the range of 70 and 75% destroyed. This translates into a total loss, but you still have viable options to avoid feeling frustrated. Here are a few ideas on what you can do if your car gets written off.
Usually, insurance companies prefer to sell car parts when the vehicle in question is beyond repairs. However, the general perception is that insurance companies offer less money for write off car parts. For this reason, car owners prefer to sell these vehicle parts themselves with the hope of getting better or higher value for each one. Fortunately, there are several companies like Tonys Auto Wreckers where you can sell your car parts.
These establishments source spare parts from salvaged or totalled cars, refurbish them and sell them to the consumer who may not afford brand new parts. Indeed, you have two options if this is what you intend to do. The first is to leave your write-off car in the hands of the auto-wrecking company or present the parts to them yourself. Keep in mind that it’s not always an assurance that your salvaged parts will be bought. A purchase will depend on the reusability of each salvaged piece.
Accept the money offered by your insurer
It makes economic sense that a car beyond repairs is accepted as irreparable. In the same vein, a vehicle with repair work exceeding its total value must be treated the same way. Take this scenario, for instance. Your car was involved in a vehicular accident, and the driver at fault offers to pay for the actual value of your destroyed vehicle.
Logically, if the value offered is worth your car, you should accept it. At this stage, there will be a discussion between yourself and the insurers of the faulting driver. Indeed, every state has a threshold for vehicles likely to be written off. Moreover, the age and model of your car will determine how much you will be paid finally.
Donate the car to training mechanics
This can be the most challenging thing to do, and for most car owners, the reluctance to donate comes from losing money. Therefore, this option may not be ideal for persons strictly living on a budget or are after monetary value for a condemned car. However, if you feel charitable and want to contribute to society, a write-off car donation is an excellent decision. First of all, you must know that businesses that train auto mechanics are always on the lookout for write-off cars. This enables trainees to receive practical lessons on automobiles.
Many car dealers have totalled car services – this is when you trade in your write-off car for a new one at the dealership. In most cases, however, you may not receive payment for the actual cost of the vehicle. With a situation like that, you are compelled to top up to purchase a new car from them.
A more common occurrence with these dealers involves getting overpaid for your car. On the other hand, the new car you’re interested in purchasing will deliberately be priced higher. The best strategy you can use in this scenario is to negotiate until you get a fair deal.
In a 2018 auto guru report, it was revealed that many drivers fail to keep their cars in good condition. According to the data produced from this report, 68% of vehicles have at least one problem. Unfortunately, car owners know about these problems but consider them insignificant because the car still moves. However, technical issues regarded as trivial quickly become complex ones. In worst-case scenarios, you may have to change the car or pay for expensive repairs. Find out below how these tips keep your vehicle in top condition.
Your car tires are in regular contact with different surfaces from smooth to rough, tarred, and untarred roads. And the friction causes quicker wear and tear of your vehicle’s tyres. However, by extension, good tyres ensure you have excellent fuel mileage. In other words, the low rolling resistance of your tyres enhances the economical usage of fuel.
Not many people know that car tyres are created with either soft or hard rubber. While the former improves grip, enhances the braking system, and increases traction, the latter offers fewer benefits. Hard rubber tyres are excellent for rough terrains and high speed. Therefore, depending on the car you drive and your regular landscape, an experienced tyres service company, can recommend the best choice for your vehicle. While at it, they will educate you on the best air pressure for your wheels.
Change the oil as often as required.
Ideally, after driving your car for 6000 up to 7,500 miles, experts recommend changing your oil to keep the engine healthy. Dirty oil can be detrimental to a vehicle’s engine and subsequently cause irreparable problems. More importantly, you should know what type of motor oil is best for your car. If you are unsure, it’s best to enquire from a trusted service centre.
Additionally, it is crucial to set it to an adequate level when changing your oil, as indicated by the car manufacturer. When changing your oil, three things to be mindful of are viscosity, synthetic or non-synthetic, and car mileage. Your vehicle is a significant investment, and you must follow guidelines as spelt out by the manufacturer or a trusted service centre.
Change your engine air filter at each servicing
An engine air filter that remains unchanged will trap dirt and other particles into the engine. And over time, dirt accumulation will reduce engine efficiency. Most car manufacturers recommend an air filter change after driving anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 miles. In most cases, that is once a year. However, the frequency of change will also depend on the environment you drive often. If it is a dusty and rough terrain, every six months is better.
Worn-out wipers reduce visibility during rain or snowstorm, increasing the risk of collision on the road. Ideally, wipers should clean your windscreen without leaving marks. To avoid these dangers, replace them as often as necessary to enhance your safety and others on the road.
Other maintenance issues to note are your brakes, car lights, fuel consumption, etc. it’s better to be mindful of all these than wait for a small problem to get out of hand.
I was gifted a tube of Aromalief’s Spearmint scent Soothing Hemp Pain Relief Cream for an honest review. As many of you know I am in love with Aromaliefs’ Lavender scent, it’s part of my nightly bedtime routine.
This post contains affiliate links that may make me a commission if you use them but they don’t cost you extra and it helps fund my Starbucks habit.
The package from Aromalief couldn’t have come at a better time. I used the cream right away on my hands which were in so much pain after two days of writing and surfing.
The first thing I notice is the scent is very light, you can barely smell the Spearmint and it has no menthol smell at all. The cream soaks in quickly, after a few shorts minutes I opened a door without any oily residue.
A short time later I felt relief in my right hand which is my main trackpad hand. The pad on my palm was hurting and the pain did dissipate. I made sure to rub it down on my wrist since it was hurting from too much late-night surfing. My soreness did lighten up, I didn’t feel as strained.
It’s 97% natural with ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil, Salvia Seed Oil, Cannabis, Spearmint Leaf Oil, and no THC.
Best of all it’s Bunny Certified!
I give Aromalief Spearmint Soothing Hemp Pain Relief cream a big thumbs up! And they are having an awesome Labor Day Special.
Aromalief was created specially for women that deserve more than traditional pain creams. Its unique formula helps relieve pain fast, moisturizes dry skin, and has wonderful aromatherapy essential oils.
97% Naturally-Derived
FDA Registered and Made in the USA
I would highly recommend this Aromalief cream and will keep a tube close by for daytime relief.
I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.
These are some of my favorite Beatles songs, but it’s so hard to narrow down when they have so many. I have some oldies in here too. Enjoy.
Welcome back to Weekend Music Share; the place where everyone can share their favorite music.
Feel free to use the ‘Weekend Music Share‘ banner in your post, and don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Stress can be a huge factor in our lives that drags us down and makes everything ten times more difficult. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about stress outside of just running away from it unless you deal with the root cause.
When it comes to working at home, there are countless things that can cause stress which affects our productivity and makes it hard for us to focus on our tasks. This can result in extremely unproductive days that we look back on and feel extremely bad about. So in this post, we’re going to talk about how you can keep your stress levels low when you work from home.
One of the first things to deal with is distractions. Make absolutely sure that you keep distractions at bay by understanding where they come from and why they happen. For instance, if you find that your dog is restless whenever you start working, consider taking them out for a walk and feeding them before you get started so they spend their energy and laze around. Similarly, if you find that you keep getting distracted by the TV, turn it off! If you can’t focus on something in the background, get rid of it (if possible!) and work in silence if you have to.
A lot of people forget that taking breaks is important when it comes to working from home. They don’t realize that taking a break helps to reset your mind and gives you an opportunity to catch up with other tasks. This could include returning phone calls, it could involve feeding your cat, or it could just be to stretch and walk around to give your legs a break. If you’re not already taking breaks, make sure you start doing it regularly!
It’s also a good idea to start working in a comfortable environment. Make sure that your chair is comfortable and that your posture is supported. You should consider looking at companies such as obVus Solutions to find ergonomic devices and accessories that will help you work from home without causing pain and stress on your body. A lot of us find it hard to adapt to a work-at-home environment because it’s different from our offices that are designed around healthy ergonomics, hence why many of us feel stressed when we’re stuck at home.
It’s also a good idea to separate leisure and work if you have to work from home. Sure, a lot of people answer phone calls, chat with friends, and even listen to music when they work from home. However, these things can lead to distractions and they might bleed into your regular work schedule, making you less productive. As such, you should try to separate your work and leisure as much as possible before your work tasks end up merging with your free time at home.
We, humans, are complicated creatures capable of expressing thousands of emotions. This site shows you that anxiety and stress are common across the natural world, and animals have many ways of showing it. Unfortunately for us, humans can also be very good at hiding those emotions too, so it isn’t always possible to tell how a loved one or friend is feeling. Here are a few common signs that may suggest your friend is feeling more anxious or stressed than normal.
If you have noticed that small things seem to be bothering your friend more than usual, this could be a symptom of stress or anxiety. The Calm Clinic suggests that irritability is a common sign of anxiety and can cause people to unexpectedly get upset or even lash out. If your friend has displayed these symptoms, do not be afraid to quietly and sympathetically tell them you have noticed a difference in their behavior and ask if there is anything you can do to help. They may not have noticed the change yet themselves, so give them time and space if they need it to think about their behavior and any reasons that might be causing them to feel more irritable.
Not Sleeping
If your colleague at work is constantly reaching for the coffee, making silly mistakes, and looking exhausted, they may not be getting enough sleep. Anxiety and stress can throw off sleep patterns very quickly. According to Medical News Today, the link between stress and sleep deprivation is very common, with only 35% of Americans getting the correct amount of sleep. A lack of sleep can cause mental health problems to worsen and deepen, so sleep deprivation must be tackled. Again, this is a case of having a quiet word and asking if there is anything that keeps them up at night. If there is a worry often sharing it confidentially can help a friend to put things into perspective. Assure your friend that any discussions can be confidential, and you would only ever break confidentiality if you were worried they may harm themselves or others.
Diet Changes
Our diet can fluctuate wildly due to stress and anxiety. Some people may overeat or reach for junk food over healthier options. Others swing the other way and may cut out food altogether. Of course, dietary changes are not always linked to mental health. Only raise the question with a friend if you feel the pattern has been sustained over a substantial period, and if you suspect stress or anxiety may be the trigger for the dietary shift. You can help someone by offering to cook meals or to share lunches with them. Even a few meals in a freezer that they can reach for when they don’t have the energy to cook can make a huge difference to someone’s overall well-being.
If your friend does let you know that they are feeling more anxious or stressed than usual, then reassure your friend that there are easy steps you can both take together which will help. Look online for expert advice and positive stories from those who have been in similar situations.
Yesterday I went to the pharmacy and received my third COVID-19 vaccine and also got a flu shot! I’m hopefully covered. With my immune disorder, it’s hard to know if I have made antibodies for COVID or not but I want to do all I can to be safe.
For now, I’ll continue to stay indoors and away from people unless necessary. Since the pandemic started I’ve had multiple doctor and lab appointments, and we go thru Starbucks drive thru several times a week for a coffee. That’s the extent of my outings. I even cancelled my dentist appointment. It’s just too risky right now.
Stay safe, if you have to go out, make sure you are vaccinated and wear a mask. For your saftey and others.
If you have an elderly loved one in your life, it’s extremely important to keep an eye out for them and to help them wherever possible. Sure, it may feel odd looking after these people. After all, they are often individuals who looked out for us and helped us while we were growing up. But now, the tables have switched and it’s your turn! Now, in particular, they are likely to need more help than ever, as we’re living through a pandemic. Here are a few steps you can take to make their life as easy as possible!
Coronavirus has wreaked havoc for almost everybody this year. But the virus and disease are most dangerous to elderly individuals – the over 70s – in general. So, your elderly loved ones may need a little more support during this time. Here are some steps you should be taking to help them out!
Provide Them With Up to Date Information – right now, many of us are getting our news from our smartphones. We get notifications and can read the news on a second-by-second basis to see new guidelines and regulations. Elderly people, on the other hand, tend to get their news from newspapers, the radio, or the television. This makes updates slower. So, keep them in the know by updating them yourself.
Do Their Shopping for Them – supermarkets are packed with people. Sure, many may be implementing social distancing. But it’s generally best to pick up your elderly loved ones’ shopping for them. This can include food shopping, toiletries, picking up prescriptions, and other essentials.
Keep In Touch – it’s easy for the elderly to feel pretty lonely right now. Keep in touch to make sure they’re feeling loved and so they can have a chat. Give them a call regularly.
There are steps you can take to make the elderly’s day-to-day lives – whether we are in a pandemic or not – a little simpler. Here are a few to consider!
Adapting Their Home – there are many changes you can make to your elderly loved one’s home to make it more comfortable and easier to get about. Whether that’s a stairlift, a walk-in bath, or anything else.
Helping Their Mobility – sometimes elderly people find it a little difficult getting from A to B. Maybe they’re no longer comfortable driving. Maybe they don’t have the energy to walk long distances. This is when you can contact Scooters ‘N Chairs. They have all sorts of mobility equipment available.
Consider Care Services – some elderly individuals need a little help around the house day to day. If you are unable to provide this yourself due to other commitments, you may need to look into care services. This could include at-home care or moving your loved one into a care home. A proper assessment will determine their needs.
These changes aren’t all too big. So, make the effort to ensure your elderly loved one is getting everything they could possibly need on a day-to-day basis to make their lives as easy as possible!
September is Suicide Prevention Month and I’ve written several posts about my experiences with suicide including my own attempt at 12 years old.
I had been contemplating suicide since I was nine years old but today was different. It was the summer I moved to live with my father, I was 12 years old and home alone.
I raided my dad’s medicine cabinet and took all the pills I could find then grabbed a bottle of Southern Comfort and started drinking.
As I got drunk and the pills started to work so I decided to go next door and talk with my neighbor. Not to share my plan but I was higher than a kite.
We continued talking and she noticed I appeared more than drunk and noticed a red line going up my arm. She asked if I had taken anything and I said yes, I planned to die.
She called my father who was 30 minutes away, by the time he got there I was in pretty bad shape. I was rushed to the hospital and my stomach was pumped.
A failed attempt.
It is important to understand that anyone can reach a point so low they consider suicide at any age. The best thing you can do is look for signs someone may be depressed and getting too low or suicidal.
Here are a few of my own thoughts:
Withdrawn
Lashing Out
Failing Grades when a good student
Talks about dying
Starts giving away their personal belongings
Cashes out their back accounts
Jumps right on a task that has been overdue with enthusiasm
These are from my personal experience with suicide including my father’s.
If you are having suicidal thoughts please contact one of the resources below, a local resource, or go to your local hospital.
If you find yourself lacking productivity in the workplace or simply want a few tips to boost your efficiency, then you have come to the right place. Using this guide, you will be able to take on the best tips to maximize your productivity in the workplace.
A comfortable and convenient office is one that has few distractions and allows you to focus. A comfortable chair will improve your posture as well as help you sit in comfort for long periods while you maintain focus.
Furthermore, other additions that can improve the comfort of your office is air conditioning and bright light. A good air conditioning unit will ensure that you can enjoy good air quality, which will help you maintain focus and energy throughout the workday. An air conditioning repair service will improve the efficiency of your unit so that you can enjoy cooler and fresher air all day long while you work.
Make lists
To be your most productive self at work, creating lists will help you stay on top of things and get as much done as possible (without forgetting things).
Lists help you stay organised and helps you keep track of what you need to do. You can make a list and start it with priority tasks so that you start the day with the most important challenges first. Getting the hardest (or most important) tasks out of the way means that you can tackle them before getting on with the smaller tasks. If you leave the harder tasks until last, then you might find yourself working overtime or not completing them to your full potential.
Starting the day off with a list will help you be productive and stay on top of your to-do list.
Enhance your skills
Enhancing your skills will mean that you can offer more expertise to your work. Plus, you can use new skills to complete your work to new levels.
For instance, if you take free online courses on writing, then you will be able to improve your email communication as well as provide your business with higher levels of grammar, which will be great for your customers. New skills will reinspire you and ignite your passion for your work.
Avoid distractions
It is easy to get distracted while working, especially if you lose motivation. Simply having your phone next to you or sitting next to a good friend could mean that you are not as productive as you could be in the office.
Avoid distractions can be challenging, but doing so will help you maximize your productivity in the workplace.
Here are some tips to avoid distractions:
Face away from distractions: facing away from the office or your distractions will ensure that you can concentrate on your work.
Have a clear desk: do not have anything on your desk that could cause a distraction. Put it away on leave it in your bag. A clear desk will help you focus.
Listen to music: music can help you set a good pace and stay focused.
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