National Gratitude Month

November 10, 2021 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I think it is nice to have a month dedicated to Gratitude Awareness. With our lives being so hectic it can be easy to forget the things we are grateful for. I can recall many years when I was so sick I didn’t feel grateful at all but in reality, had so much to grateful for. Being alive is one key one!

What is National Gratitude Month all about?

National Gratitude Month was an initiative started by Stacey Grewal, who believes gratitude to be an essential ingredient of a happy and fulfilling life. When one embraces gratitude, they immediately shift their focus from the negative to the positive things in their lives.

Being always grateful does not mean that one would deny the fact that negative things happen in life (that will be delusional); it means finding and focusing more on the good. It means finding something to be grateful for amid the preponderance of bitterness and hardship.

I have so many things to be grateful for and believe with all my heart that being grateful also improves our mental health.

What are you grateful for today?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

Wordless Wednesday* Smithsonian Institution Building, Washington, D.C.

November 10, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Thanks for stopping by today, I appreciate you and look forward to your comments.

Smithsonian Institution Building, Washington, D.C.

Have a great day!

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Lin Health Is Your Pain Management Solution

November 9, 2021November 24, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

As the weather changes not only do the fluctuations in the temperature affect your chronic health conditions but the bad weather can limit your access when you need it the most.

Lin Health is your pain management solution including access to a Pain Diognositc Specialist which you can schedule right from the app, bringing flexibility to your fingers tips.

What is Lin?

A remote chronic pain care program that delivers integrative, personalized, science-based solutions by pain experts who really care.

I signed up with Lin Health and went thru the initial questionnaire, and was assigned to Coach Terri for an initial session. Below I go into more detail about the process.

One of the most important messages I can relay to you is Lin Health works to treat the whole person, not just your pain but the mental health aspects of living with pain. Pain can affect sleep and lack of sleep affects our life, we need support in that area too.

Lin Health has a process that guides you through the sign-up all the way to a care plan.

Here’s the process in a nut-shell

Sign up
Four-day onboarding with dedicated topics/day
Care plan proposal
Subscribe to Lin to get access to the plan
Work on care plan depending on the condition

A comprehensive and whole-person treatment approach

Treatment begins with an in-depth assessment conducted by a pain diagnostic specialist who is trained to identify the factors that contribute to your pain. Our unique partnership with SteadyMD represents the first telehealth providers who have been trained to diagnose Primary Chronic Pain using the newest WHO standards, ICD-11, a standard of care that will not exist in most pain care clinics until at least 2023.

Accurate diagnosis is essential to understanding where and how the brain may be contributing to persisting pain. Likewise, this allows the Lin team to adjust treatment approaches where structural or inflammatory concerns are also present.

Today I started by:

Completing my comprehensive medical history and medication information.

After completing my comprehensive questionnaire about my medical history, the medications I take, allergies, and family history, I scheduled an appointment with Pain Specialist Dr. Abigail Hirsch for a 30-minute consultation on November 4th, 2021. A form was provided to let the doctor know what issues I wanted to address.

How many doctors give you 30 minutes of face time? When was the last time you even got the full 15 minutes?

After you schedule your consultation there are four days of dedicated topics to explore.

Example:

Day One “Does mood, worrying, or sleep bother you too? There is a one-minute video discussing the topic.

Then you take a short two-minute quiz on how the above affects your sleep.

I have been having sleeping problems due to pain for months so I was curious about the quiz. It gave me good insight into how lack of sleep has been affected my mood and some suggestion to help combat the effects.

On day four my coach asked me to dream about a life without pain. This exercise is to help you visualize what life can be like with less pain.

Completing Day Four means that you’re on the cusp of opening up the full power of Lin. After you complete today’s activities, we’ll be ready to talk about what kind of Lin package looks right for you.

Once a month, Lin Health adds questions to your check-in with your coach to help deepen your understanding of the progress you’ve made. As always, these check-ins give insight into your current experience of pain and serve as a baseline as you continue to move through your health journey with Lin.

My Consultation

During the Telehealth consultation, we discussed the issues I put forward when scheduling the meeting.

Dr. Hisrsch and I had an in-depth talk about what types of pain I’m having, what long-term health issues are, and my main issues to address in the meeting. I had her full attention for the 30-minute video call, she asked great in-depth questions and had me think about some of my thoughts surrounding my pain.

From this meeting, Dr. Hirsch will meet with my coach, Terri and they will put together a wellness plan. At this point, if you haven’t sign-up up with Lin Health you will need to in order to get access to your plan and work with the team to accomplish your goals.

Lin Health is a high-touch pain management company with a team of people behind the scenes to help you reach your goals.

My experience has been great and the flow is flawless. I would recommend anyone who is dealing with chronic pain to sign up with Lin Health and go thru the process to see how they can help put our pain in its place.

Our coaches: they’ve been there and they get it

Personal coaching is core to our pain treatment model. Our coaches are all people who have their own pain history and have reclaimed their lives using the tools we provide at Lin. Our coaches know pain treatment options inside and out and are available for you every day.

The Lin care model works. 90% of Lin members lower their pain intensity, reduce pain interference in their lives, and/or start to sleep comfortably, feel happy and calm, and cope better if pain flares.

It’s all about you

Lin Health gives you the tools and support needed to get on the road to a better you, you with less pain.

To your health,

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

National Family Caregivers Month

November 9, 2021 Looking for the Light3 Comments

I’ve been a caregiver for both of my grandparents and know firsthand how difficult it can be no matter how much you love them or how many hours you give to the task at hand.

Most caregivers don’t get the support they need from family members at the time and some are resistant to bringing in help. I will encourage you to don’t think twice about the negative emotions of the lack of family support and hire home health to support you. Even if it’s one day a week to come to check their general health, it can take a load off.

They also have Senior Day Care Centers if you have to run an errand or need a few hours to yourself. I know this is a hard one and honestly one I could not do but it’s an option and there are good centers out there.

I tip my hat to all the caregivers who put all the energy and love they have into caring for a friend or loved one. Not everyone is cut out for the task and thank God some are.

I’ve included a few posts I’ve written about my caregiver experiences in case you missed them.

Caregiver Tips 101 I missed

Caregiver to Grieving in Four Days

Lost in Caregiver Twilight Zone

A day in the Life of A Caregiver

Stay strong, take time for yourself, even if’s it’s 10 minutes a day, take advantage of the time when they are sleeping to rest and recharge.

I would not miss one day I spent with my grandparents, no matter how long, frustrating, and painful, I treasure them now. I was there when they took their last breath and made good on my promise to take care of them until the end.

Be gentle on yourself, you’re one person with only so much energy, bandwidth, and hours in the day. the emotional drain is high. you have to find ways to take care of your mental health.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

How To Cut The Stress Out Of Home Hunting

November 9, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Home hunting can be a stressful thing, right? It can take ages, and you might never find the house you really want, and you might have family on the way that makes it even harder to go from property to property, or maybe the house hunting is just getting in the way of the honeymoon period. No matter what the reason is, you’re dreading the thought of trying to find a new place to live.

And that’s where we can help. We’ve got some ideas for stress-busting the process below, so be sure to keep them in mind if you’re about to hit the market and secure a property that could become your forever home.

Whoever you’re buying with, and whatever reasons you’re buying for, you all need to be on the same page. Most new home buyers are couples, either newlywed or with a young, growing family, and while both groups have a lot in common, you and your partner need to be in the agreement above all else.

We don’t want any arguments here, or to delay the house-hunting process by any number of weeks, which will really help with keeping the stress off of your shoulders. So, you need to both be looking for the same thing – sit down together, and don’t stop workshopping until you have the same list on your minds. Only then should you get in touch with an estate agent.

You’re also going to want to work with an agent, to allow them to do all of the hard work for you, such as scouting out properties and negotiating the price with the seller. Because when you’ve got someone knowledgeable and professional on your side, such as PropertiesMiami, you have a much better chance of scoring a smooth and budget buying process.

Plus, an estate agent will help you to decide what it is you’re looking for or need if you’re struggling to come up with these features yourself. They can help you to come to an agreement, or even reach a compromise together.

Finally, there’s a good chance you’re not going to score the home of your dreams here (but it’s not impossible!), and you’ll need to have some compromises ready in advance. What are you willing to negotiate with your partner on? What features aren’t quite a must-have, and you’re willing to live without and/or renovate in at a later date?

For example, maybe you want a breakfast nook, but none of the houses you like have one? Decide if this really matters or not, and then buy the house that could become a proper family home, and still has room for that breakfast nook when you’ve got the cash later on…

Stress is at an all-time high when house hunting and moving, so try to eliminate it from the start. You’ve got some great tools on your side to do so!

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

November 8, 2021 Looking for the Light2 Comments

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It is one of the most common forms of dementia, a group of symptoms that lead to a decline in mental function severe enough to disrupt daily life. Alzheimer’s disease causes problems with a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities.

First identified in 1907 by the German physician Alois Alzheimer, the illness afflicts about 5 million Americans. An estimated one in nine adults aged 65 and older lives with the disease.

There are many resources available for caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients.

Some simple tricks I remember from earlier research is to tape the name of the rooms on the doors in the house so they won’t get confused.

Take up all rugs.

Play music they might have listened to when they were younger. This can sometimes get someone to sing that hasn’t talked in quite some time.

Have alarms installed on all doors so that if someone goes outside you are alerted?

Have your loved one wear a medical bracelet with their contact information on it.

Don’t let them drive if they’ve reached a point of forgetting the basics. This is hard but a necessary one. Take their keys away.

If they are having trouble eating at the table, they make these trays that fit in a recliner that has edges that make it easier to eat.

As a caregiver, it’s important that you take care of yourself too. If you are exhausted and stressed past your limit you can’t help your loved one. There are times when you will need help from family, friends, and eventually a home health and hospice company.

Home health care can be your best friend once you get over the initial pushback from your loved one.

Be gentle with yourself.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

3 Ways To Achieve And Maintain Focus

November 8, 2021March 29, 2024 Looking for the Light3 Comments

A lot of everyday tasks benefit from a combination of relaxation and focus. Driving is possibly the most obvious example of this. At a minimum, getting this balance right can help to avoid negative consequences. At best, it can really boost your performance. With that in mind, here are three tips to help.

Clear your mind before you begin

What this means in practice will depend on the situation. Ideally, you’ll resolve any troubling issues before you begin your task. In the real world, sadly, that’s not always going to be possible. What you can do, however, is offload them and commit to dealing with them later.

What this means in practice will depend on you. For example, you might get the most release from just speaking your thoughts into a voice recorder (most cellphones have one). Alternatively, you may prefer offloading your thoughts onto paper. This doesn’t have to mean writing. It can also mean drawing or doodling.

This may be enough to clear the mental/emotional block from your system. If it doesn’t, however, remember to commit to addressing it later.

Make sure you’ve taken care of your body

If you want to achieve and maintain a relaxed focus, your body must support that. For example, you want to be comfortably full and properly hydrated. Be aware that even milder chemicals may disrupt either your relaxation or concentration. Alcohol and caffeine are obvious culprits here. Both of these can be difficult to give up, but especially alcohol. If you find it challenging to give up alcohol, then receiving treatment from a rehabilitation center can help.

Be aware that medication (or withdrawal from medication) can also cause issues. If it does, try speaking to your doctor. They may be able to switch your medication or give advice on how to minimize the effects of withdrawal from it.

Another important point to note is that temperature can play a huge role in your ability to achieve and maintain a relaxed focus. Ideally, you should control the ambient temperature to keep it pleasant. You may, however, find it useful to have a way to add extra heating/cooling where and when you need it.

Get the right stimulation

The right stimulation keeps you relaxed but helps you to maintain alertness. Most tasks require you to use your eyes and hands. That leaves your ears, nose, and mouth potentially free. Audio stimulation can be massively helpful. You do, however, need to be slightly careful with it.

Firstly, spoken-word audio, including songs, can overload your brain. When you need to focus, it’s often better to stick to music without lyrics or ambient sounds. Secondly, you need to think about your hearing. If you listen to the audio a lot, invest in a quality pair of headphones. Ideally, use ones that go over the ear.

Stimulating your sense of smell can have a very powerful effect on your mind. One useful point to note, however, is that the effect of a scent becomes less powerful over time. This isn’t just the scent fading, it’s the brain tuning it out. You can, however, use different scents to keep your brain engaged.

Last but not least, remember the power of taste. Some foods can also help to get your brain moving. Citrus fruits and mints are often particularly good for this.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Men & Womens Health

Tips For Improving Your Website Design and Usability

November 7, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

A business website is an essential marketing tool that offers an alternative platform to get the word out about your goods and services. With the growing use of the internet, many individuals now go online searching for businesses that can provide what they’re looking for before getting into contact or visiting the store. However, to achieve the maximum results from a website, it needs to be user-friendly and appealing. Unfortunately, not many people know how to build the right web design, but the following tips can help you make a great first impression.

Pixabay – CC0 License

Enhance responsiveness

Over the past decade, the number of mobile users has increased due to internet connectivity and smartphones’ affordability. In addition, studies reveal that most internet users often use their mobile devices to surf the internet. For this reason, it is vital to make your website mobile-friendly through its design to enhance responsiveness.

An example of a feature you should consider in your design is the screen size to allow tablet and smartphone users to navigate the website with ease. Failure to add responsive features significantly increases traffic loss, thereby affecting your rankings on search engines like Google.

Reduce loading time

When your website loads slowly, it puts off customers, and instead of waiting, they move on to your competitor’s pages. The average internet user expects your page to load within a short period, say like two seconds. When a page takes longer than that, it becomes frustrating, and you’re likely to lose a potential customer. Reduce your page loading time in the following ways:

Scale and reduce file sizes before uploading them.

Browser caching
Optimize images
Optimize CSS files

Perform tests often

Performing regular tests is among the essential tips to enhance user interaction and website usability. Perform tests during your website’s design phase and after its completion to keep making improvements as your business grows. Ensuring your website’s design is appealing and easy to navigate can increase your conversion rates, ultimately boosting your return on investments.

Use the best click testing tool to determine where website users are focusing for you to make informed decisions when developing new products or pages. When you include your visitors’ perspective during the design, you can make it more functional and stylish.

Enhance readability

Difficulty with readability is one of the signs that your website’s usability is problematic. If customers face readability challenges, they’re likely to become irritated and abandon the site altogether. Enhance your readability by doing the following:

Increase the amount of white space
Format paragraphs properly
Use clear headings and subheadings
Use bullet points for lists
Place design elements like banners, text boxes, and sidebars without distracting the user

Use images

While using informative content about your business products/services and their benefits, avoid overloading the website user with too much text. Instead, use images to break up texts to retain the customers’ interest. Remember, the prospective customer forms an opinion about your business within a short period; make sure they get impressed. Instead of using many words to describe points within paragraphs, use appealing images. Optimized images boost your site’s usability and attract more consumers. However, avoid overstuffing pictures as it can take away from the point of having them.

Use a recognizable and straightforward web layout

Your website layout plays a great role in determining how well your users can navigate it and for how long. The longer a user sticks to your website, the higher the chances of converting into a customer. Many websites use a recognizable layout design that is familiar to users, making it simple to navigate. While being different can make your website unique, it can also create confusion among users who may, in turn, choose to abandon it. Stick to a familiar web layout with concise terms, a simple top navigation bar, and page links.

Maintain consistency

After going through your home page, users should predict the locations of other web elements. If a user clicks on an internal link and wonders if they’ve left your site, they’re likely to get confused due to the different website design. Ensure you maintain consistency throughout your website to enhance usability. Use the same colors, fonts, and locations for easy navigation.

Bottom line

For you to make a good first impression, you need a great website for your business. Keep the users in mind to make their navigation easy with a consistent design for enhanced usability. Your website’s functionality is just as essential as its design. Reduce the loading period, enhance readability, use images and maintain a recognizable layout to combine style with function and continue attracting customers.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic

November 7, 2021November 10, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Bella and Grace by Stampington

Soon the weather will shift and we’ll be indoors.

What’s your favorite way to spend a stormy day?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

Today in History November 7, 2021

November 7, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1944

On November 7, 1944, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is elected to an unprecedented fourth term in office. FDR remains the only president to have served more than two terms.

Roosevelt rose above personal and political challenges to emerge as one of the nation’s most revered and influential presidents. In 1921, at the age of 39, he contracted polio and thereafter was burdened with leg braces; eventually, he was confined to a wheelchair. From the time he was first elected to the presidency in 1932 to mid-1945, when he died while in office, Roosevelt presided over two of the biggest crises in U.S. history: the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II.

1980

“King of Cool” Steve McQueen dies

On November 7, 1980, the actor Steve McQueen, one of Hollywood’s leading men of the 1960s and 1970s and the star of such action thrillers as Bullitt and The Towering Inferno, dies at the age of 50 in Mexico, where he was undergoing an experimental treatment for cancer. In 1979, …read more

1943

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell is born

“The moment I began to write, my music was not folk music.” Performing solo with her acoustic guitar and long, straight, blond hair, the woman born Roberta Joan Anderson in Fort MacLeod, Alberta, Canada, on November 7, 1943, may have looked the part, but in truth the only …read more

1991

Magic Johnson announces he is HIV-positive

On November 7, 1991, basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson stuns the world by announcing his sudden retirement from the Los Angeles Lakers, after testing positive for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. At the time, many Americans viewed AIDS as soley a gay white man’s disease. …read more

1885

Canada’s transcontinental railway completed

At a remote spot called Craigellachie in the mountains of British Columbia, the last spike is driven into Canada’s first transcontinental railway. In 1880, the Canadian government contracted the Canadian Pacific Railroad to construct the first all-Canadian line to the West Coast. …read more

Enjoy your day!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Just Pondering

November 6, 2021December 14, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

If we learn from our mistakes, why are we so afraid to make them?

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

What To Do If Your Elderly Parent Is Injured

November 6, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Have your parents recently been injured? If your parents are in their later years, this can be one of the first signs that they are starting to lose their independence. With that in mind, here are some of the key steps that you should take.

The first step is always to think about the cause of the injury and why it happened. Usually, an injury is going to be an accident but this is not always the case. You have to consider the reality that someone could be responsible for the injury and it might not have been your parent’s fault. If that’s the case then you should consider pursuing action to ensure that they can get the right compensation. Particularly if the injury is going to cause changes to their life.

Usually, this will be the case. Most of the time elderly individuals are going to sustain an injury in their own home. The reason for this is that this is where they are usually alone and have the most independence. If they are injured at home, then you need to consider whether you can make changes to the property to make it safer. For instance, a key problem area could be the stairs. You might want to think about setting up a stairlift to avoid the risk of any trips or falls. You can also think about adding grab rails to the bathroom.

Next, you should consider whether your elderly parent can live comfortably in their own home. This might not be possible anymore, particularly if this isn’t the first time that they have been injured. It could even be better for them to move into a care home. An elderly parent can be reluctant to do this but it can be the right decision, particularly if they are living by themselves. Alternatively, you might want to think about exploring 24/7 care.

Finally, even if they are not moving into long-term care, you still need to make some changes to ensure that an injury is less likely. Do be aware that an injury can occur due to cognitive decline which becomes far more likely as your parents get older. One of the ways that you can reduce issues here is by ensuring that you do see your parents as often as possible and that you are encouraging them to socialize with you as well as with other people.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should take if your elderly parent is injured. It’s always difficult to take this role in your parent’s life, but it is going to be the right decision. You need to make sure that you are protecting their quality of life. Once your parents start to sustain random injuries, things can decline quite quickly so it’s important that you do take the right action.

Thia ís a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

November 6, 2021March 7, 2026 Looking for the Light5 Comments

I’m so glad you enjoy the weekend tradition of Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird. I love hearing your comments!

Beaver eyelids are transparent so that they can see through them as they swim underwater.

The opposite of paranoia is pronoia. A person suffering from pronia feels that people or entities around them are plotting to do them good.

The fastest insect on earth is the Australian tiger beetle, Cicindela hudsoni. Clocking in at 5.6 mph, this incredible insect runs so fast, it has to slow down to see anything.

The black dot on the inside surface of a monarch’s wing distinguishes the male monarch butterfly from the female, which has no spot.

The German word “Kummerspeck” literally translates to “grief bacon” or “sorrow fat.” It refers to weight gain due to emotional eating.

“Wrap rage” is the anger and frustration felt when you are unable to open packages.

Boanthropy is a psychological disorder where people think they’re cows.

In the original Italian version of Cinderella, the benevolent fairy godmother figure was a cat.

Knitting was initially a male-only occupation. In fact, when the very first knitting union was established in Paris in 1527, no women were allowed.

The oleander is the official flower of the city of Hiroshima. It was the first to bloom again after the explosion of the atomic bomb in 1945.

Have Fun,

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic

November 5, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

What is going just right in your life?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

On What Occasions Do You Need A Photographer?

November 5, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

When it comes to capturing events, a photographer is your best shot. They can capture all the moments that you are too busy to notice, and ensure that you get to see everything that happened on the special occasion. But, what events are you going to want a photographer for? That’s what we’re going to be looking at in this article, so if you would like to find out more about this, keep reading down below.

The first occasion that you should think about is your wedding day. Of course, you are going to want to remember your wedding day for the rest of your life, but there is going to be so much that you miss out on. You’re not going to get to see all of your friends socializing as you will be taking photos. You’re not going to be able to see some of the wonderful looks of love that your partner is giving you because you will be too lost in all the commotion of the day. Hiring a photographer helps ensure that you don’t only remember the things that you do see, but also those that you don’t.

If you are pregnant or have recently had a baby, first we would like to say congratulations. This is another momentous occasion that we are sure you would like documented. You can hire Michael Kormos photography or someone similar to help get the perfect shot of your pregnancy journey or your newborn baby. It’s a joyous occasion, but one that is always filled with a lot of panic or fright, but when you look at these photos, all you are going to feel is the love that is shared.

This is also a pleasant way to remember the years when your children are young. When you are old and grey, you can look back on these photos of your now grown-up children and remember the lovely life that you have had together.

The final occasion that we are going to recommend is graduation. As a parent, seeing your kid graduate from high school or college is a momentous occasion. While you might want to take your own photos of the ceremony seeing as there is limited space, you can host an afterparty with a photographer. You can hire someone specifically for the ceremony, but they are going to have to make sure that they aren’t in the way. You can hang this proudly on your wall in your home, or you can give your child a copy for them to take with them wherever they go next. Don’t forget to get plenty of your child and their friends so that they have happy memories in print forever.

Pexels CCO License

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the occasions that you would need a photographer for. It’s important to capture all of these special days, and even though you can’t be there to witness everything that’s happening at any given time, you don’t have to miss a single second.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share Jackson Brown The Load Out and Stay Live

November 5, 2021 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

Friday Quote

November 5, 2021 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Have a great weekend!

So glad you stopped by today and look forward to hearing your comments.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Happy Diwali

November 4, 2021 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I hope your year is filled with love and light.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Caring For Your New Veneers

November 4, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Veneers have become much more common in recent years as they have become more affordable. Good veneers can repair your smile, and make you look younger and more confident. But they also need proper care if they’re going to last you and keep looking good.

Be prepared for some temporary sensitivity

When you first have veneers fitted, some patients will experience some tooth sensitivity directly after the dental veneers procedure. This temporary sensitivity is completely normal and nothing to worry about, even if you order veneers online, although it can be uncomfortable.

During the veneer procedure, some tooth enamel is reduced to create enough space for the veneers. Thinner teeth are more susceptible to sensitivity, so this causes this temporary discomfort. This sensitivity is completely normal and should go away on its own after a few days.

Treat dental veneers like natural teeth

You don’t need to go overboard with dental care to keep your veneers white and in good condition.

Treat your dental veneers in the same way as your treat your own teeth, by maintaining routine dental hygiene and oral care. The best way to take proper care of your veneers is to brush twice a day, floss on a regular basis, and use a mouthwash to keep your teeth and veneers healthy.

Buy a better toothbrush

Using the right toothbrush makes a lot of difference in taking proper care of dental veneers. Bristles that are too hard will dull the shine and the polish of the veneers. If you brush too hard with firm bristles, you can scratch the veneers.

Dental veneers are strong, but any damage to them can’t be put right without replacing the entire veneer. The best way to avoid scratching the veneers is to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush in the proper way.

Stop grinding your teeth

It’s common to grind your teeth while sleeping. This grinding is damaging to the teeth and is especially dangerous for dental veneers.

Grinding can wear down the veneers and damage their structure and placement. Wear a mouthguard at night to stop this from happening, if you’re a tooth grinder. Custom mouthguards can be made by your dentist to get the most comfortable fit.

Revisit the dentist

Always talk to an expert. Book any follow-up appointments and checkups your dentist recommends to make sure your veneers will be taken care of by someone who is familiar with exactly how they should look.

Your dentist will be able to give you advice on how to avoid any damage and suggest treatments or lifestyle changes to make sure that your veneers last as long as possible.

Avoid damaging substances

Remember that if something can damage your own teeth, it can also damage your veneers. Veneers are subject to normal decay, and there are a few things that you should avoid to maintain the appearance of dental veneers. This includes hard or sticky foods or foods that stain teeth such as coffee, wine, and dark juices.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Homemade Dry Shampoo For Dark Hair

November 4, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Materials

1/4 cup raw cacao powder (add more or less to match the exact coloring for your hair)
1/2 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
2 tbsp bentonite or kaolin clay
1 tbsp baking soda
30 drops lavender or lemongrass essential oil
measuring cup
small metal funnel
shaker container, glass or metal lid, or repurposed salt or spice shaker

Instructions

Combine all ingredients together in a measuring cup and mix using a whisk or fork.
Use a funnel to transfer the mixture into your repurposed shaker or spoon it into a shaker container. Tighten your lid.
Sprinkle generously onto your roots as needed.
You can rub the mixture in with your fingers or a brush.

Making your own will save you money in the short and long run and get the one for your specific hair color.

Melinda

Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Homemade Dry Shampoo for Lighter Hair

November 4, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Materials

1/2 cup arrowroot powder or cornstarch
2 tbsp bentonite or kaolin clay
1 tbsp baking soda
30 drops lavender or lemongrass essential oil
measuring cup
small metal funnel
shaker container, glass or metal lid, or repurposed salt or spice shaker

Instructions

Combine all ingredients together in a measuring cup and mix using a whisk or fork.
Use a funnel to transfer the mixture into your repurposed shaker or spoon it into a shaker container. Tighten your lid.
Sprinkle generously onto your roots as needed.
You can rub the mixture in with your fingers or a brush.

Enjoy saving yourself and saving money.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Change of Scenery: How to Plan the Perfect Weekend Getaway

November 3, 2021 Looking for the Light2 Comments

There’s no denying that having a change of scenery can help you to de-stress, relax, and give you some respite from any issues you’re currently tackling in your life. Everyone should always have a change of scenery every so often to ensure their mental health wellbeing.

Photo by Aleksey Sokolenko on Pexels.com

If you can’t afford to get away for a few weeks, or perhaps you can’t get lots of time off work, even a weekend getaway can be just what you need. With that in mind, here’s how you can plan the perfect weekend away:

Find Somewhere Idyllic

The first thing you must do is look for a destination that will fill you with a sense of calm and happiness. Avoid the usual tourist traps in your area or region, and instead, look for places that are off the beaten track.

You won’t find it hard to come across some possible destinations. For example, you may find a quaint seaside village that tourists seldom frequent. Somewhere remote enough that tourists will avoid, yet is reasonably close to a major town or city for amenities.

Book Your Accommodation

Next, it makes sense to search for and book your accommodation in advance. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for campsites or luxury apartments for you and anyone else going with you. What matters is that you guarantee your stay somewhere.

The last thing you want to do is have a stressful time away from home because you haven’t got somewhere to stay for the duration of your vacation or weekend getaway. Websites like Expedia and TripAdvisor can help you locate suitable places to stay.

Remember to Bring Everything You Need

One of the hallmarks of a fun and successful trip away from home is ensuring you take everything you need for your time. Clothes are undoubtedly essential items that you’ll need, but there will undeniably be many other things you will need.

For example, if you have to take medication prescribed by your doctor, you must remember to bring it with you. Plus, you should check you’ve got enough medication to last for the duration of your trip away from home.

Consider Planning an Itinerary

If you plan on doing absolutely nothing during your trip away from home, you can probably ignore this part of the article. However, if you want to fill your time with some fun activities such as visiting nearby landmarks and points of interest, it’s worth planning an itinerary.

An itinerary will help you plan enough time for all your activities, so you won’t feel like you have to rush and potentially stress yourself out during your time away. Keep in mind that if there are many things you want to do, you may need longer than a couple of days.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are planning a weekend getaway or would prefer to escape somewhere for a few weeks, the above tips will help ensure you have a smooth and successful time away from home.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing

What Qualities Do You Try to Teach Your Children? — Guest Blogger Damon Ashworth Psychology

November 3, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Deep in the World Values Survey results, there are some really interesting findings to me based on how people from each country answered questions. Some of the most fascinating ones were around values that parents consider important in trying to pass on to their children. There were 11 values that parents were asked about, and […]
What Qualities Do You Try to Teach Your Children? — Damon Ashworth Psychology

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

#NERVEmber Awareness

November 3, 2021 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

#NERVEmber is International Nerve Pain Awareness Month. Over 150 conditions have nerve pain as a symptom.

Did you know the color orange is the international color for chronic pain awareness?

International Pain Foundation

#NERVEmber kicks off on November 1st with our an annual event by International Pain Foundation to spread awareness and education about chronic pain conditions such as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, Lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetic Neuropathy, Post Cancer Neuropathy among many, many others. Daily educational messages about nerve pain conditions will go out, the #iPainSummit takes place Nov 11-13 and we will have a chance for your participation in awareness to win prizes and surprises. As a board member for iPain and Director of the NERVEmber Project, I will be participating daily in our NERVEmber posts and activities. YOUR TASK…should you choose to accept it… is share all month long on social media. If you want a chance to win prizes and surprises then participate in our month-long game by following @jadannybb on twitter and participating in the NERVEmber game!

NERVEmber.com

Be sure to check out the participants in the iPain Summit at International Pain Foundation.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

Wordless Wednesday*Rosemary

November 3, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Thanks for stopping by today, I appreciate you and look forward to your comments.

Have a great day!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic

November 2, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Brought to you by Bella Grace a Stampington publication

What was your best day ever?

What made it so special and memorable?

How can you make it happen again?

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Can You Benefit From A Weighted Blanket?

November 2, 2021November 11, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

It’s that time of year when many of us are pulling out heavier blankets for the colder months of winter. If you have a chronic illness maybe you’ve already heard about weighted blankets, maybe even sleep with one year-round. If not familiar with weighted blankets, I’ll share some of the basics of buying one.

Weighted blankets come in all sizes, including children’s and throws. The blankets work by distributing weight evenly across the body to imitate a hug to induce better sleep by increasing Serotonin levels inducing a deeper sleep.

Weighted blankets have been known to help with many types of chronic illnesses and sleeping problems.

The key difference from your average blanket is they are made with glass beads as a filler. You purchase the weight of the blanket based you your own weight. It is also suggested that if you are a first-time user to buy a lighter one to start off.

The blankets come in a variety of fabrics and many have slipcovers you can purchase as well. I’m a very hot sleeper and they even make weighted blankets for people like me. Look for Cooling in the description.

I started my search last night for a new one since the first one I purchased was too heavy. I learned a lot about how they are made and why some are more expensive than others.

When you’re looking for a blanket you want small sewn 5″-3″ squares, that way the beads are more evenly distributed. The larger the square the more the beads can roll around.

Another important feature to look for is if it is machine washable, I found several that were hand wash only and I can’t go for that. I would recommend a duvet cover for your blanket which will allow you to keep it clean and only have to wash the blanket occasionally.

There are many lists of the top brands to buy, after looking at a few lists, I went to Amazon. I could not justify the $300 price of the top-rated blankets, it just doesn’t make sense. I found several including one on the list that cost $100 for a small size. I’m only buying a blanket for my side of the bed, not the entire King Size bed. He sleeps with the heavier blanket I bought years ago.

I found something interesting as I did more research. One brand I discovered said on more than one occasion, they are not for people with sensitive joints and back pain! Wait, hold the phone! What! I have sensitive hip joints and bad back pain. Do I need one of these blankets?

I put the question out to one of the chronic illness groups I’m in asking for their feedback. I was surprised by the number of people who could not use one, overwhelmingly they said they were too heavy or bothered them.

If you do decide to buy one, which I’ve decided to pass on, make sure you buy the right weight for your body, and that you can return it.

I’ve heard the praises of weighted blankets for years but for me, it was not the right choice.

Ask lots of questions and shop around before buying there are so many nuances to each blanket.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Taking Care Of Your Mental Health In A Digital World

November 2, 2021 Looking for the Light3 Comments

In an age where everyone is constantly connected, and false pretenses are the norm, it can be hard to stay positive about life and yourself. Many teens have attested how social media has made them feel more insecure about how they look. This may be because filters and editing tools can make a person look entirely different from actual reality, creating false and unrealistic standards today’s generation of girls feel they need to live up to.

Limit Screen Time

It may sound like a childish approach at first, but limiting the amount of time you spend on your phone, and especially online, can do wonders for your mental well-being. The more time to spend online, the less time you spend in the real world, being productive and practicing other healthy habits. Social media is helpful in a long list of ways. Whether it is to gain exposure for your business, staying in touch with friends and family, or learning more about what’s going on in the world around you, anything you do excessively will ultimately lead to an imbalance of some sort in your life. Moderation is key, which is why setting boundaries to the amount of time you spend on social media can open up loads of time for other important things like work, family time, getting in some exercise, or even just relaxing. You’ve probably found yourself hopping on Instagram for a quick catch-up, only to find yourself an hour later, still scrolling, each post just as interesting as the one before it. This is why it’s essential to set a limit because, whether you notice it or not, it happens more than you think.

Protect Yourself

One of the less glamorous things about social media is the fact that we can’t always control what pops up. Suggested posts are brought to your feed, and before you know it, you stumble upon something that may offend or really bother you. This isn’t necessarily social media’s fault; even though they try to keep a tight rein on what’s posted on their platform, there are billions of people posting each and every minute, making it almost impossible for them to regulate content thoroughly. They have, however, given you a small amount of authority and have taken your power of free will online by giving you an unfollow, block, and report button. These buttons aren’t just there to look pretty; they cause real action once implemented and can lead to the platform taking a closer look at the relevant content and disposing of the post (or the entire account if necessary) in order to make your experience better. Have a look at https://backlightblog.com/how-to-block-unblock-on-instagram to learn more about how to use some of these helpful tools.

Tech Cleanse

Many celebrities have taken some time off from their social media accounts with millions of followers for a bit of a break-away. These public figures have realized how stressful and pressurizing the online world can be and have learned that taking some personal time can only benefit one’s mental health. Allowing yourself a tech cleanse from time to time will lift your spirits and make you feel like an entirely new person – this means taking a period of time and detaching yourself from the online world. No, you don’t have to lock away your phone in a drawer and throw away the key, just take a breather from the hustle and bustle of social media and do some self-reflecting, pamper yourself a bit, maybe even take up a new hobby or learn a new skill. The online world isn’t going anywhere soon and will definitely still be there by the time you get back!

Your number one priority should always be you at the end of the day, whether it be physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Take some time, give yourself some space, and do whatever you need to do to ensure you stay happy and healthy, inside and out.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

November Awareness Days

November 1, 2021November 1, 2021 Looking for the Light1 Comment

The list is quite long and I have no doubt a few are missing. Get on board and give a shout-out for the issues closest to your heart.

Children’s Grief Awareness Month

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Awareness MonthDiabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Eye Donation MonthGluten-Free Diet Awareness MonthHome Care & Hospice Month

Long-Term Care Awareness Month

Lung Cancer Awareness Month

MADD’s Tie One On For Safety (through December 31st)Military Family Month

National Adopt A Senior Pet Month

National Adoption Month

National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

National Diabetes Month

National Epilepsy Awareness Month

National Family Caregivers Month

National Family Literacy Month

National Gratitude Month

National Healthy Skin Month

National Impotency Awareness Month

National Marrow Awareness Month

National Native American Heritage Month

National Pet Cancer Awareness Mon

National PPSI AIDS Awareness Month

Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month

Prematurity Awareness Month

Stomach Cancer Awareness Month

Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month

With this many awareness days, there is bound to be something you can share your knowledge or help support.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

4 Things that Contribute to a Healthy Body

November 1, 2021 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Your body is an amazing machine that can take care of itself if you give it the right fuel. However, many people are not aware of what they should be feeding their bodies in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In this blog post, we will discuss four things that contribute to a healthy body and how you can incorporate them into your diet!

#1 You need water for hydration

The first thing that contributes to a healthy body is water. Water makes up around 60% of your total weight, and you must be replenishing it constantly in order for your kidneys, liver, muscles, and skin to function properly. In fact, dehydration can lead to many illnesses such as headaches or even worse conditions like kidney stones!

In addition to the apparent hydration benefits that come from drinking enough water each day (around half a gallon), studies have shown that increasing fluid intake does not necessarily increase urine output but instead helps prevent disease by flushing out unwanted toxins from the urinary tract.

#2 Eating enough protein promotes muscle growth

Another thing that contributes to a healthy body is protein. Protein plays many essential roles in the human body, including building and repairing muscles, transporting oxygen throughout your blood system (which helps fight off infections), producing hormones like insulin, keeping hair shiny, and controlling neurotransmitters which are chemicals released by nerve cells.

Unfortunately, most people do not get enough of it because they don’t eat meat or dairy products. Thankfully there are other ways for you to get this necessary nutrient into your diet without having too much animal fat! There are even vegan sources of protein such as tofu, lentils and legumes, nuts & seeds, and peanut butter on whole-wheat toast with bananas.

#3 Regular exercise boosts metabolism

The final thing that contributes to a healthy body is regular exercise. Exercise boosts metabolism, so you burn more calories throughout the day and helps build muscle mass, increasing your energy levels! However, many people are unaware of how much they should be exercising each week or don’t know what types of exercises will help them achieve their goals.

A lot of people also struggle to exercise due to chronic pain – if this is the case, you could have a look at Neuropathy Treatment options so you could get back on your feet as soon as possible! This doesn’t mean it has to involve going near a gym either because everyone can incorporate activity into their daily lives, whether by taking walks around the neighborhood, joining sports teams with friends, or just running up and down stairs instead of using an elevator.

#4 Eating fresh fruits and vegetables provides essential nutrients

The third thing that contributes to a healthy body is fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies provide many essential nutrients, including vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and potassium which helps maintain your blood pressure! Although it may seem hard at first to start eating more fresh produce because of the time commitment or money investment purchasing them might involve.

It’s 100% worth it in the end when you can see yourself living a longer, healthier life with fewer trips to visit the doctor’s office each year.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda