Month: April 2022

“#SoSC” Prompt for Week is “zip, zero, zilch”
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

“#SoSC” Prompt for Week is “zip, zero, zilch”

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StreamOfConsciousnessQuaintRevival2019

 The prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “zip, zero, zilch.” Use one, use ’em all, bonus points if you use all three. Have fun!

This year has been one of growth and disappointment. I decided to expand my gardening horizons and bought bulbs and tubers to start. Well, that hasn’t worked out well. Of the 18 bulbs I planted about nine came up but only one is still alive, the others lay wilted.

Of the tubers, I planted only two have come up so far. They’re about an inch tall but it’s successful in that they are hardy. That’s very disappointing odds for the number planted. I’m not sure I will do the same next year when I got zip, zero, and zilch this year!

This is my magnificent Gardenia bush, it’s my first and it smells out of this world. It has grown and produced so many flowers.

Have a great weekend! See you next week.

Melinda

Join us for the fun and sharing good media stories. 

For more on the Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit Linda Hill’s blog. Here’s the link:https://lindaghill.com

Here are the rules for SoCS:

  1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing, (typos can be fixed) and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
  2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
  3. There will be a prompt every week. I will post the prompt here on my blog on Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The’,” or simply a single word to get your started.
  4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
  5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read everyone’s! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later, or go to the previous week, by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find right below the “Like” button on my post.
  6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
  7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
  8. Have fun!

 

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

Just Pondering

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Bella Grace Field Guide by Stampington

What is one simple ritual you can add to your day that will make a huge impact?

Melinda

Fun Facts
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Fun Facts

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I’m so glad you are enjoying fun facts, I learn something new or quirky each post and love your comments.

Each year 16 million thunderstorms happen around the world, and at any given moment, there are about 2,000 thunderstorms in progress. (nssl.noaa.gov)

Sweden has 267,570 islands, the most of any country in the world.

Australia contains a number of pink lakes, but the most stunning is the Pepto Bismol-colored Lake Hillier. The color may be the result of certain algae. (australia.com)

At over 29,000 feet tall, Mt. Everest is the highest point on Earth, but it doesn’t compare to the deepest point on Earth, the Mariana Trench, which is over 36,000 feet deep—nearly seven miles—in the Pacific Ocean.

This isn’t exactly a “fun” fact, but there are over 200 dead bodies of climbers on Mt. Everest because it’s so difficult to bring them down. (outsideonline.com)

Enjoy!

Melinda

Autistic Masking — Guest Blogger Change Therapy
Health and Wellbeing

Autistic Masking — Guest Blogger Change Therapy

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For autistic persons, masking is a complicated and costly survival strategy. It usually entails learning neurotypical behaviours and then imitating them in social circumstances. Masking can sometimes be used to hide activities that people believe will not be approved. People may hide their autism symptoms or traits for a variety of reasons, including advancing their […]

Autistic Masking — Change Therapy
#Weekend Music Share *Recovery by James Auther-I love this song
Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Recovery by James Auther-I love this song

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 https://youtu.be/m9DO3zpdWqw

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.

Melinda

Everyday Magic 4/28/2022
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 4/28/2022

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I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions. 

Bella and Grace by Stampington

Imagine that this beautiful bench nestled among the trees is at a park near your home and you could visit it whenever you wanted.

How would you spend an hour on this bench?

 

Enjoy your day! 

 Melinda

What Your Body Needs To Stay Healthy-Nutritional Health
Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

What Your Body Needs To Stay Healthy-Nutritional Health

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Staying healthy doesn’t mean you have to eat like a rabbit or cut out all of your favorite foods. It’s like everything else, moderation. Eating healthy is critical for your overall health and doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach.  

We are indulged in a lot of daily activities. To carry out these activities a large amount of energy is required. This energy comes from the food we consume. Food is vital as it provides the energy needed for growth, repair, and other life processes. All these come under the life process called nutrition.

What is Nutrition?

“Nutrition is the process of taking in food and converting it into energy and other vital nutrients required for life.”

Nutrients are the substances which provide energy and biomolecules necessary for carrying out the various body functions. All living organisms need nutrients for proper functioning and growth. But they show divergence in how they fulfill this demand. Some animals feed on simple inorganic compounds to meet their nutrient requirement, while others utilise complex compounds. The mode of nutrition varies from one species to another.

Also Read: Nutrition in Plants

Poor nutrition can lead to a lack of energy, digestive problems, food allergies, weight gain, depression and anxiety as well as many of today’s most prevalent chronic diseases like coronary heart disease, cancer and ADHA. Having nutritional knowledge and making informed choices about the foods you eat can help you achieve optimum health over your lifetime.

Nutrition is also about why we choose to eat the foods we do, even when we know they may not be good for us, what is going on at a cellular level and how that affects what we crave and therefore set up food cycles that are unhealthy or damaging. Nutritionists advise people on what to eat and how to modify their diet so they can maintain or restore optimal health or help relieve ill health and combat disease.

Here’s a post I did on Superfoods which can help you jump-start your healthy eating process. Superfoods are a great way to add a big punch to your diet and many have properties to help with health conditions like immune disorders and they boost energy. 

Just making a few changes to your diet can go a long way to a healthier lifestyle. 

Like:

Greens

Lean meat

Fruit

Reduce refined sugar

Beans

Oatmeal

Green tea

This post doesn’t cover all the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy, that’s for another post. 

Melinda

Reference

https://byjus.com/biology/nutrition-modes-living-organisms/

https://www.schoolofhealth.com/nutrition-courses/what-is-nutrition/

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2022/superfoods-for-increased-energy.html?intcmp=MOA-HLTH-FUTMED-VID-R3-POS2

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

Mental Illness and Me

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I’m very open about having Bipolar Disorder and feel no shame. It’s a serious medical condition that has to be managed daily in order to stay healthy. I’ve been doing very well for several years but had a rough patch a few years ago that took 8 months to find a medication that would work.

 

 

That is one of the biggest challenges. Medication will stop working after some period of time and there is no standard handbook on what drugs to prescribe. At that time I was in bad shape, not suicidal but very dark. It took four different medications before he found one that worked.

I’m very lucky to have had the same doctor for over 30 years and it makes all the difference. He knows me, knows my limits, and knows when I can make decisions on my own with medication.

As an example, for the past two months, I’ve been having a problem with tongue thrusting, it was driving me crazy and making my teeth hurt. It didn’t occur to me that it might be medication but I contacted him anyway. He had me stop one of my stimulant medications and I’m doing better. I also take three stimulants a day so I cut it back to two a day just for now to see if that helps speed things along. I only did this after research that said that stimulant medication can cause this problem. I can’t go without that extra pill for long but for a week or so I will deal with the sluggishness to see if it helps. He trusts me to know my limits and will be ok with me skipping for a week or so. I can only do this because I’m healthy, if I were in bad shape I would not make this decision. 

I’ve had my hard years, many hard years, multiple times. I’ve had 21 Electroconvulsive Treatments and have stayed in-patient at a Psychiatric hospital several times for up to three weeks at a time. Those were hard times and I’m so thankful for my healthy years.

I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder at 19 years old but didn’t take it seriously until my father committed suicide. When I started doing research I found that 75% of children of parents with Bipolar Disorder who committed suicide would commit suicide themselves I took action.

 

 

Staying healthy with a serious mental illness is a full-time job requiring patience, determination, and self-love. I say self-love because that is what you have to have to make sure you’re doing your daily routine and you forgive yourself when you don’t. You have to give yourself a pass and get back on track with your regimen.

Mine consists of nine medications for a total of 15 pills a day, this is not counting medication for other chronic conditions. If I don’t take my medication it causes problems because several of them are addictive drugs and you feel the withdrawal effects right away. I can skip a day, maybe two then my mood begins to spiral down and the withdrawal symptoms start to make me crazy.

I have found that keeping medication in an AM/PM case and close to the bed for bedtime medication is the best way to stay in sync. I try to take all medication at the same time a day and have my medication case right by my chair where I always sit. For me, habits are the best way to manage my medication.

Having a serious medical condition requires you to be honest with the people around you, your loved ones, and close friends. With mental illness, it’s important because oftentimes we can’t see the changes in our mood, and someone else can pick up on the changes.

I know it can be hard to talk about your illness with family and friends, I’ve had the same problem. My Granny couldn’t understand why I couldn’t come over or why I had to go to the hospital. I did the best I could to help her understand that it was the illness, not me.

I told my husband when we first started dating because my ex-husband didn’t believe anything was wrong with me and it caused many problems, ending in divorce. I wanted him to know what he was getting into and if he wasn’t able to take that on we could get it out upfront not a year down the road. 

It can be very frustrating and limiting at times but try to embrace your illness like any other chronic health condition by taking your medication, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, and not over-focusing on the negative or hard aspects of the illness. 

I feel it’s critical to set up an environment conducive to being healthy. You have to be honest with yourself and cut out the aspects of your life that are holding you back. Negative talk is a big one, if you think negatively about your illness, you will think negatively about yourself. 

You are not your illness! 

Melinda

Emergency Situations You Should Always Be Prepared For
Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Emergency Situations You Should Always Be Prepared For

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There is no telling when or where an emergency will arise. That’s why it’s essential always to be prepared for the unexpected. Whether you’re at home, at work, or out and about, there are certain emergencies you should always be ready for. In this post, we will discuss some of the most common emergencies and how to best prepare for them.


Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

A Blackout:

A power outage can happen at any time and can last for a few minutes or several days. If you experience a prolonged blackout, it’s essential to have an emergency plan. Be sure to have some backup lighting sources, like candles or flashlights, non-perishable food items, and plenty of water on hand. Also, have a battery-operated radio to stay tuned to local news and weather reports.

A Fire:

If a fire breaks out, it’s important to act quickly and safely. First, try to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher if it is safe. If the fire is too large or you cannot put it out, evacuate the area immediately. Be sure to have an escape route planned so everyone,e in your home or office knows what to do and where to go.

A Natural Disaster:

Depending on where you live, you may be at risk for certain natural disasters, like hurricanes, earthquakes, or tornadoes. It’s essential to be aware of the dangers and have a plan in place if you find yourself in the middle of one. Have an emergency kit stocked with non-perishable food, water, a first-aid kit, and other essential items? And know where you can take shelter if your home is not safe.

A Car Accident:

Car accidents can happen at any time, even if you’re a safe driver. If you are involved in a collision, it’s essential to stay calm and assess the situation. If possible, move your car to the side of the road and turn on your hazard lights. Once you’re out of harm’s way, call 911 and wait for help to arrive. You might need a lawyer if the accident was severe. Search for a car accident lawyer to get started.

Car Breakdown:

If your car breaks down, it’s important to stay calm and assess the situation. If you’re on the side of the road, turn on your hazard lights and try to move your car to a safe location, if possible. Once you’re in a safe spot, call for help. Roadside assistance can be a lifesaver in this type of situation.

Financial Emergencies:

We all know that unexpected expenses can pop up at any time. Whether you have a medical emergency or your car needs repairs, it’s essential to have some savings set aside for these types of situations. Having a rainy day fund will help you cover the costs without debt.

No one ever wants to find themselves in an emergency. But by being prepared, you can help reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with them. So be sure to have a plan in place and know what to do in an emergency. And always keep a first-aid kit and emergency supplies on hand, just in case.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

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

Just Pondering

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By Live Bold and Bloom

 If you became the leader of the country, what would be the first thing that you do?

Melinda

Things I’m Loving
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Things I’m Loving

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I want to share a few products or items I’m in love with right now. Most have been purchased off of Amazon unless otherwise stated. I hope you find a new product to add to your self-care routine.

 

Pipette Balm and Eczema Cream

This product was developed for babies but if you have sensitive skin like I do you might find this helpful. It’s dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic. The baby balm is petroleum-free, free of synthetic fragrances, and cruelty-free. The Eczema Cream is Fragrance-free eczema lotion soothes flare-ups, itchiness, and rough patches and has Colloidal oatmeal and squalane restore the skin’s natural moisture barrier. The other thing I love is the line is so affordable.

Neom Bedtime Hero Magnesium Body Butter

This cream is so silky and makes my legs and hands feel so good. I haven’t had much luck with Magnesium products but this one does help me.

  • 100% NATURAL FRAGRANCES – A complex blend of up to 11 of the purest possible essential oils including chamomile, ylang-ylang, and cedarwood, expertly blended to help you feel relaxed and ready for bedtime.
  • The NEOM Scent To Sleep range has been specially formulated to relax your mind and body to enjoy the perfect night’s sleep.

Woolzies Peperment Roll On 

I’ve been fighting nausea since starting a new medication and Peppermint helps ease it. I first learned of the use of Peppermint from The Mayo Clinic while having a procedure and became very nauseous. They gave me a peppermint stick and within a minute I was feeling better. I just roll it across my upper lip and up my nose. it does the trick. And last forever.

Pop Up Flower Bouguet Cards

FreshCut Paper Pop Up Cards, 12-inch Life-Sized Forever Flower Bouquet 3D. I love fresh flowers but they can get expensive every week so I found a great solution. A large 12-inch pop-up flower bouquet in a variety of flowers. I have the Dahlias and Wildflowers. They are perfect to fill in those weeks when fresh flowers aren’t around, they are so pretty. 

Woolzies Sweet Dreams Aromatherapy Essential Oil

I use this in my ultrasonic diffuser and it smells out of this world and it is so relaxing. Just a hint of orange and heavy on the Lavender. It’s called the Sleep Inducing Blend.

Cuccio Cuticle Revitalizing Oil

Professional quality without the professional price. I like the oil, it goes on nice and helps keeps my cuticles moisturized. It’s 100% paraben-free with cruelty-free ingredients, this oil is formulated with plant-based preservatives and highly curated natural ingredients.

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles – Carbon Fiber Walking or Hiking Sticks with Quick Adjustable Locks (Set of 2)

I am having balance problems again and fell twice in the last month. This time decided I would use a hiking stick instead of my cane. So far it’s worked out great. I’m just using one pole but they will be great if I ever hike again.

Melinda

Blogger Highlight-Katie Anna Banana
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Blogger Highlight-Katie Anna Banana

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Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week I highlight a new blogger, Katie Anna Banana. 

https://katieannabanana.wordpress.com

I started blogging to add some creativity to my day. I have some things to share, and I hope you’ll let me share them with you!

I am a reflector. Nowadays it’s difficult enough for me to think about the week ahead, let alone the past. What’s for dinner, what bills are due? I think it’s important to reflect, I believe I’ve shared my views on that before, and there is no better time to do that than the New Year.

Wishing only the best for myself, my loved ones, and my dear WordPress followers in 2022.

Please check out her site and the great posts she’s written. 

Melinda

Practical Steps To Take After A Relationship Breakdown
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Practical Steps To Take After A Relationship Breakdown

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Whether initiated by yourself or not, the breakdown of a relationship can be hard. You might find yourself in a difficult transition period. A period of adjustment while you get used to how your life looks and feels now. To help you in this transitional phase here are some practical steps you can take after the breakdown of a relationship. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com

Consider your living arrangements 

If you have been living with your partner one of the first things you might want to think about is how you are going to manage this going forward. It can be a difficult subject that requires a lot of consideration and reason on both parts, especially if your finances/home aren’t legally protected. It is most important to put your mental health and wellbeing first, so ensure the steps you take to protect your health. It might be that the best step is to start looking for properties for rent, moving back in with parents temporarily, or if there are children involved, consider arrangements such as bird nesting to help ensure stability for all. It might be a difficult situation to be in but it will become easier as time goes by, especially if logic and sensibility can prevail. 

Avoid a rebound 

A rebound can seem like a great idea. At a time when you may be feeling emotionally low and in need of a self-esteem boost, looking for some additional attention can seem like the remedy you need. However, it is important to remember that the high you might experience from your rebound will wear off and the feelings you are left with may do more harm than good. A rebound relationship can also seem like a good idea to help numb some of the pain you might be experiencing from the loss of a relationship. Masking the pain does not however make it go away. It is important to work through the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing after losing a loved one to help you move on healthily. 

Be wary of social media 

Social media can be a painful place to spend your time in the aftermath of a relationship. This can be especially true if you share mutual friends. It can be painful to see your former partner out and about and all over social media and if you find it upsetting then take steps to protect yourself. Come off social media for a while or block or ‘hide’ your former partner so you cannot see their updates. While it can be tempting to follow their escapades and be apprised of what they are up to it can prove to have a damaging effect on your mental health and wellbeing. So, be kind to yourself and be very wary of how you use social media post-breakup. 

Do it in your own time

There is no time scale in which you should move on or get over a relationship and don’t be pressured into thinking otherwise. Allow yourself all the time you need to fully heal from your relationship breakdown. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Today in History April 24, 2022
Celebrate Life · Fun

Today in History April 24, 2022

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

1953

Winston Churchill knighted

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, the British leader who guided Great Britain and the Allies through the crisis of World War II, is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II on April 24, 1953. Born at Blenheim Palace in 1874, Churchill joined the British Fourth Hussars upon his father’s …read more

1982

Jane Fonda’s first workout video released

Hollywood royalty, Oscar-winning actress, anti-war activist. Jane Fonda fit all of these descriptions by the late 1970s and 1980s, when she emerged in her latest incarnation: exercise guru. On April 24, 1982, Fonda extended her reach into the home-video market with the release of Workout, the first of her many bestselling aerobics tapes.

1955

The Bandung Conference concludes

The Afro-Asian Conference—popularly known as the Bandung Conference because it was held in Bandung, Indonesia—comes to a close on this day. During the conference, representatives from 29 “non-aligned” nations in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East met to condemn colonialism, decry …read more

1967

Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov killed when parachute fails to deploy

On April 24, 1967, Soviet cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov is killed when his parachute fails to deploy during his spacecraft’s landing. Komarov was testing the spacecraft Soyuz I in the midst of the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Earlier in 1967, the U.S. …read more

1800

Library of Congress established

President John Adams approves legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress,” thus establishing the Library of Congress. The first books, ordered from London, arrived in 1801 and were stored in the U.S. Capitol, the …read more

Enjoy!

Melinda

What to Do In a Dental Emergency
Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

What to Do In a Dental Emergency

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Hopefully, you never have to deal with a dental emergency. But as with any other serious or urgent situation in life, it’s important that you know what to do if you ever are faced with a dental emergency. Whether you need help, a friend, a family member, a child, a stranger, or anyone else, having a good idea of a dental emergency protocol can help the person receive the help and assistance that they need as quickly as possible. Here’s some information that will help you to achieve this!

Photo by Robert Golebiewski on Pexels.com

What Is a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any dental issue that needs immediate attention. Most often, dental emergencies are situations where you need to visit an emergency dentist in order to alleviate severe dental pain, stop bleeding or save a tooth. Severe infections or abscesses that need to be treated are also dental emergencies. If you feel in pain, have experienced an injury, or have any other worrying symptoms, do not hesitate to follow the steps below.

Prevention

We should all visit the dentist once every six months for a general checkup. This will give out dentists the opportunity to take a look around our mouths and determine if our teeth, gums, and tongue are healthy or not. They can identify warning signs of issues and can book treatment to resolve issues before they worsen. If your teeth feel fine and look fine, it’s still important to visit your dentist to check in on your wellbeing. This can help to prevent small issues from worsening into dental emergencies, such as infections or major decay and tooth ache. You can also prevent dental emergencies stemming from sports or activities that you may engage in, such as rugby, hockey, and more, by having a custom mouth guard created. This will protect your teeth in situations where you could be at higher risk of experiencing an injury.

Dealing With a Dental Emergency


There are countless situations in life that can lead to a dental emergency, from injury to the rapid worsening of a dental-related condition. If you are in unbearable pain or have a severe injury, you may need to visit A&E for direction and pain relief. If your pain or situation is more manageable and you are experiencing any of these issues, and the incident or pain is occurring during your regular dentist’s opening hours, you should start out by calling your regular dentist. They may have an emergency appointment free and will get you in to see a dentist quickly. If the incident is outside of regular working hours, you should call a reliable emergency dentist who operates through the night.

Knocked-Out or Broken Tooth

If a tooth has been knocked out or has been broken, you should:

  • Put the tooth or teeth in milk
  • Pack your tooth socket—where the tooth came out of your mouth—with gauze, a cotton ball, or even a teabag
  • Rinse and save pieces of chipped or broken teeth

Your dentist may be able to repair or save the teeth.

Hopefully, some of the information above has helped you to see what you need to do in cases of dental emergencies. Keep the information in mind should you ever need it!

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Autism Awareness Month
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Autism Awareness Month

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The core symptoms of autism are:

  • social communication challenges and

  • restricted, repetitive behaviors.

Symptoms of autism may:

  • begin in early childhood (though they may go unrecognized)
  • persist and
  • interfere with daily living.

Specialized healthcare providers diagnose autism using a checklist of criteriain the two categories above. They also assess autism symptom severity. Autism’s severity scale reflects how much support a person needs for daily function.

Many people with autism have sensory issues. These typically involve over- or under-sensitivities to sounds, lights, touch, tastes, smells, pain and other stimuli.

Autism is also associated with high rates of certain physical and mental health conditions.

 

What are the signs of autism?

The autism diagnosis age and intensity of autism’s early signs vary widely. Some infants show hints in their first months. In others, behaviors become obvious as late as age 2 or 3.

Not all children with autism show all the signs. Many children who don’t have autism show a few. That’s why professional evaluation is crucial.

The following may indicate your child is at risk for an autism spectrum disorder. If your child exhibits any of the following, ask your pediatrician or family doctor for an evaluation right away:

By 6 months

  • Few or no big smiles or other warm, joyful and engaging expressions
  • Limited or no eye contact

By 9 months

  • Little or no back-and-forth sharing of sounds, smiles or other facial expressions

By 12 months

  • Little or no babbling
  • Little or no back-and-forth gestures such as pointing, showing, reaching or waving
  • Little or no response to name

By 16 months

  • Very few or no words

By 24 months

  • Very few or no meaningful, two-word phrases (not including imitating or repeating)

At any age

  • Loss of previously acquired speech, babbling or social skills
  • Avoidance of eye contact
  • Persistent preference for solitude
  • Difficulty understanding other people’s feelings
  • Delayed language development
  • Persistent repetition of words or phrases (echolalia)
  • Resistance to minor changes in routine or surroundings
  • Restricted interests
  • Repetitive behaviors (flapping, rocking, spinning, etc.)
  • Unusual and intense reactions to sounds, smells, tastes, textures, lights and/or colors

If you have concerns, get your child screened and contact your healthcare provider

Support

Support Groups

Treatments & Therapies

Melinda

References:

https://www.autismspeaks.org/what-are-symptoms-autism

Every Kid Healthy Week (25 – 29 April)
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing

Every Kid Healthy Week (25 – 29 April)

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Every Kid Healthy Week, from April 25 to April 29this year, is an observance that aims to spread awareness regarding the health of children. This is essential because, to grow up into healthy adults, it is important for kids to be healthy and active from a young age. To ensure parents and children are aware of the advantages of nutrition and wellness, Every Kid Healthy Week is celebrated every year.

FIVE FACTS ABOUT CHILDREN’S HEALTH

  1. The yearly check-up

    Children from ages five to 10 must have a full check-up by a doctor once a year.

  2. Obesity issues

    In the U.S., one in three kids are obese or need to lose weight.

  3. The fatal illness

    Pneumonia is the most fatal illness for children and kills 800,000 children a year.

  4. An active lifestyle

    A child of six needs an hour of vigorous activity, daily.

  5. Many absences

    3.2% of children in the U.S. miss more than 11 days of school annually due to illness or injury.

    WHY A KID’S HEALTH IS IMPORTANT

    1. Children are more sensitive to illnesses/diseases

      The fact is, children are more vulnerable to illnesses and are more likely to lose their lives if not provided with the correct treatment.

    2. Healthy children grow up into healthy adults

      The adolescence stage is the most important time for a young person to consume the correct nutrients as this can help the body to develop to its full potential. An unhealthy child may face numerous health issues in the future.

    3. The social and emotional health of a child is the base of their personality

      Personality development starts at a young age, hence, a disturbed child is likely to grow up into an unhappy adult. To ensure the future generation is happy and healthy, mentally as well as physically, parents and schools need to emphasize a child’s mental health.

      Melinda

      References:

      https://nationaltoday.com/every-kid-healthy-week/
Fun Facts That Will Amaze You
Celebrate Life · Fun

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

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I’m so glad you are enjoying Fun Facts. I learn something new each week, even if it’s weird.

 

More people visit France than any other country (Spain is second; the US third). (e-unwto.org)

You can still stay at the world’s oldest hotel, Nisiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, which was founded in 705 AD. (guinnessworldrecord.com)

The longest place name in the word, at 85 letters, is “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu,” New Zealand. Locals just call it Taumata Hill. (newzealand.com)

The coldest temperature ever recorded occurred in Antarctica, -144 Fahrenheit, as reported by researchers in a scientific journal in 2018.

The hottest temperature ever recorded occurred in Furnace Creek, Death Valley, California, at 134 degrees Fahrenheit on July 10, 1913. (public.wmo.int)

 Enjoy! 

Melinda

 

#Weekend Music Share *Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird – 7/2/1977 – Oakland Coliseum Stadium (Official)
Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Lynyrd Skynyrd – Freebird – 7/2/1977 – Oakland Coliseum Stadium (Official)

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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.

Melinda

Happy Earth Day! Tread Lightly
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Moving Forward

Happy Earth Day! Tread Lightly

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What can we say about Mother Earth? She’s the best and we have to tread lightly to keep the planet healthy for future generations.

April 22

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 193 countries.

Earth Day was the brainchild of Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, a staunch environmentalist who hoped to provide unity to the grassroots environmental movement and increase ecological awareness.

Nelson—whose efforts in Congress included legislation protecting the Appalachian Trail and banning DDT—hired Denis Hayes, a Harvard grad student. Together they organized the first Earth Day.

Today, Earth Day is widely recognized as the largest secular observance in the world, marked by more than a billion people every year as a day of action.

Many important environmental events have happened on Earth Day since 1970, including the signing of the Paris Agreement.

Thanks largely to the momentum created by Earth Day, the early 1970s saw the passage of the most important environmental legislation in US history, including both the Clean Air and Clean Water acts.

What can You Do?

Beach Cleanups

Recycle

Reduce Waste

Reuse

Carpool

Reduce plastic usage

Plant trees

Reusable straws

Use your own coffee mug when going to a coffee shop

Use reusable water bottles instead of plastic water bottles

These are just a few off the top of my head. There are so many ways we can reduce our footprint so that we can continue to celebrate Earth Day.

Melinda

References:

en.wikipedia.org

Everyday Magic 4/21/2022
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Everyday Magic 4/21/2022

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I’m so glad you are enjoying Everyday Magic. I find it a good place to wind down and ask some important questions. 

Bella and Grace by Stampington

“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails.”

-Elizabeth Edwards

 

Enjoy your day! 

 Melinda

National Infertility Awareness Week (24 – 30 April)
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing

National Infertility Awareness Week (24 – 30 April)

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Let’s use NIAW to raise our voices, talk about the issues facing this community and make sure we continue to support those most in need. Anyone can be challenged to have a family. No matter what race, religion, sexuality or economic status. Change begins with being part of a national movement, National Infertility Awareness Week®. This week unites millions of Americans who want to remove the stigmas and barriers that stand in the way of building families.

National Infertility Awareness Week®, (NIAW) is a movement, founded in 1989 by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. Its mission is to empower you and change the conversation around infertility.

Infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples in the U.S. today and 1 in 4 women physicians. Especially in medical communities, it’s time to share how #WeCanAll help others recognize the far-reaching effects of inadequate resources and support for family planning.

Here is how you  can get involved:

  1. Join the AMWA webinar Series – Turning Fertility Challenges Into Change: Creating a Reproductive Life Plan (April 25, 8pm ET)  
  1. Join the #WeCanAll social campaign with #NationalInfertilityAwarenessWeek or #NIAW2022 and tag @AMWADoctors in your posts. Here are NIAW Social Media Images and NIAW facts you can use. Share your infertility story or participate in the 5-Day Photo Challenge (including #WearOrange day on Wednesday, April 27, 2022).
  1. If your employer doesn’t cover fertility benefits, send a friendly email to ask about coverage. Consider citing recent Fortune and CNBC articles about how employers are using fertility benefits as perks.
    • “This week is National Infertility Awareness Week and one of the discussion points is the fact that lack of insurance inhibits many people from being able to move forward to treatment. I’m wondering if ______ will be considering fertility coverage benefits?”
  1. Write a post for AMWA’s blog about physician infertility or your own personal experience.
  1. Write an Op-Ed about the importance of fertility benefits coverage using AMWA’s guideline and template.
  1. Talk to your employer about fertility benefits using the AMWA-RESOLVE Coverage-at-Work Toolkit.

Melinda

References:

https://infertilityawareness.org

How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

How to Accept and Move Forward After Losing a Loved One

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Experiencing grief is difficult for everyone. From losing pets to seeing parents or friends pass away, no one ever feels truly ready for it. Grief can manifest in a variety of ways. Some of these can be positive, but there are also negative reactions that can make things worse for you and those around you. While you shouldn’t forget about your loved one, it is still important to accept what has happened and find ways to move forward and continue your life, because that’s what they would have wanted. 

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

Accept Your Pain 

One of the most important steps to acceptance and moving forward is to understand your emotions, which can be difficult if you have never encountered grief before. You will have a myriad of conflicting feelings; you might wonder if there is anything you could have done to change things, or regret not making the most of your time together. This is all part of the grieving process, and the sooner you accept your pain, the sooner you can start to feel better. This is not always an easy fix, and you may need to speak with other people to come to terms with it, but finding acceptance and coping with it positively will make things easier. 

Celebrate Their Life 

You may feel like you didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye to your loved one, and this can raise several issues as you feel you’ve sorely missed out on something you’ll never get to do. If you are looking for ways to overcome these feelings, you can find ways to celebrate their life. Consider what they loved to do and do it yourself. You can throw a huge party or sit with your family and reminisce. Whatever you do, you will celebrate and honor their memory. 

Support Yourself 

It’s easy to get so wrapped up in grief that you completely ignore yourself. Some people can feel guilty that they are still alive when their loved one is not. But, it isn’t beneficial to ignore your well-being. Make sure you maintain a consistent sleep schedule, a good diet, and exercise, as these contribute to a better quality of life. They can also help release positive chemicals in your brain that allow you to cope with your grief. 

Consider The Next Steps 

As much as you don’t want to finalize your loss, you will need to think about the next steps. This could include the will or even selling their property and possessions. An estate sale can be difficult and even confusing, so working with companies like Clearly Quick Estate Liquidators can take the stress out of the entire process. You will get the chance to keep what matters to you, and the liquidators can do the rest of the work, so you don’t have to. 

Acceptance and Progress

The idea of moving forward can feel insensitive. But, these techniques do not mean you will ignore how your loved ones have influenced your life. You will still keep them in your thoughts whatever you do, but you will no longer allow the grief to impact your life. Instead, you can live the life the thief would have wanted you to, and you get the chance to make them proud. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Gardening Tips To Help You Grow The Perfect Yard

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Everyone should make it a goal to include nature in their lives, and anybody can grow a garden of their own. For example, your windowsill may be a great place to grow herbs and other oxygen-giving plants to keep your apartment vibrant and smelling good. If you have a lot of room, or perhaps a backyard, you can be more creative. You don’t need to employ a landscaper to create a tranquil haven in your yard. Here are a few pointers to help you get started on the path to a successful garden.

Photo by Lisa Fotios on Pexels.com

What Kind Of Garden? 

Before you can begin transforming your blank yard into a paradise, you must first have a general idea of how you want your garden to be when you’re done. Make a rough drawing of how you want your yard to look using ideas and inspiration you find online, on TV, or as you go around your neighborhood. The idea is to focus on the fundamentals so that you can improve your garden. 

Try not to over-plan the appearance of your garden – half the joy is developing how it looks as things start to grow; it really is an organic process a lot of the time, but a general idea to get you started is always useful. 

Do Your Research 

Every plant, whether it’s a flower, a shrub, a tree, or fruits and veggies, needs to be properly cared for. Before you add new vegetation to your garden, do some research since certain plants might take over and damage what you currently have. 

Most importantly, know how to care for your plants: you don’t want to kill them, thinking you’re doing the right thing. Vegetables, for example, necessitate special care and constant attention – as well as a lot of practice – in order to yield a good harvest. Some plants don’t need anything at all, so you might do more harm than good when you water them. Know what you’re planting and how to take the best care of it. 

Keep On Top Of Maintenance 

After doing your research, it’s time to put what you’ve learned to good use. A thriving garden requires regular maintenance. The seasons throw varying demands on you for plant management, ranging from trimming and tree removal to growing your seedlings inside during the winter to help optimize the summer months and feeding and watering during dry periods. Maintaining your plants will pay off in the future, giving you the most beautiful backyard that is a joy to behold and something you can be proud of. 

Add Decorations And Furniture 

Once you’ve established the foundation of your garden, you can next begin to add to it. Inspiration and spontaneity come into play here. This is true for both new plants and new décor and furnishings. Having a place to sit and relax in your garden is an essential part of the experience. If you have enough room, you can even turn that seating arrangement into a location to dine or hold gatherings.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

How to Get Better Sleep for a Healthier Life
Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Get Better Sleep for a Healthier Life

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Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night’s sleep — from work stress and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as illnesses. It’s no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive.

While you might not be able to control the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep.

It’s well-established that sleep is essential to our physical and mental health. But despite its importance, a troubling percentage of people find themselves regularly deprived of quality sleep and are notably sleepy during the day.

Creating Good Sleep Hygiene

  • Creating a Sleep-Inducing Bedroom
  • Optimizing Your Sleep Schedule
  • Crafting a Pre-Bed time Routine
  • Fostering Pro-Sleep Habits During the Day

Know How Much Sleep Your Body Needs

Age group Recommended amount of sleep
Infants 4 months to 12 months 12 to 16 hours per 24 hours, including naps
1 to 2 years 11 to 14 hours per 24 hours, including naps
3 to 5 years 10 to 13 hours per 24 hours, including naps
6 to 12 years 9 to 12 hours per 24 hours
13 to 18 years 8 to 10 hours per 24 hours
Adults 7 or more hours a night

In addition to age, other factors can affect how many hours of sleep you need. For example:

  • Sleep quality. If your sleep is frequently interrupted, you’re not getting quality sleep. The quality of your sleep is just as important as the quantity.
  • Previous sleep deprivation. If you’re sleep deprived, the amount of sleep you need increases.
  • Pregnancy. Changes in hormone levels and physical discomfort can result in poor sleep quality.
  • Aging. Older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults. As you get older, however, your sleeping patterns might change. Older adults tend to sleep more lightly, take longer to start sleeping and sleep for shorter time spans than do younger adults. Older adults also tend to wake up multiple times during the night.

This is a Pre-Bedtime routine, NOT bedtime! It’s an important time to unwind and prepare your mind and body for sleep, starting at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

I have found that 45 minutes to an hour is best for me and have been using the pre-bedtime routine for several years now. I get better sleep overall and wake more rested. It’s not a solve all your sleep problems answer but it sets you up for the best chances of a quality night’s sleep.

Here are a few ideas

Meditate

Pray

Roll essential oils on your pulse points

Use an ultrasonic diffuser for essential oils *Lavender is calming

Play white noise

NO electronics or reading

Lights out

Blackout Curtain

Sleep Mask

Slather on luxurious body cream or beard oil

Hand, foot, face, or undereye mask

CBD Oil/Delta 8 Gummies

 

Create a Sleep Environment

All of these items are important for quality sleep

Room Temp

Pillow

Mattress

Sleep and wake up at the same time every day

No exercise 3-4 hours before bedtime

No caffeine later in the day

Not much water after 7pm

Ambient noise like a fan or air purifier

Limit alcohol intake

Limit daytime naps or nap early

Nice aroma like lavender

“I love sleep. My life has the tendency to fall apart when I’m awake, you know?”

– Ernest Hemingway

Try to resolve your worries or concerns before bedtime. Jot down what’s on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

Stress management might help. Start with the basics, such as getting organized, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Meditation also can ease anxiety.

Know when to contact your doctor

Nearly everyone has an occasional sleepless night — but if you often have trouble sleeping, contact your doctor. Identifying and treating any underlying causes can help you get the better sleep you deserve.

Melinda

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/sleep/art-20048379

https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleep-hygiene/healthy-sleep-tips