In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”Month: February 2023
Blogger Highlight-Windy’s Journey
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 we highlight a new blogger, Wendy’s Journey.
Windy’s Journey
A Chronic Illness Blog By: Windy Johnson-Cumberbatch, CPC
My name is Windy Johnson-Cumberbatch. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Lyme Disease and later Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the summer of 2014 after over a decade of severe illness and countless misdiagnosis. I had Fibromyalgia prior to contracting Lyme Disease and the co-infections that came along with it.
Be sure to check out her blog, it’s very helpful.
Melinda
Friday Quote 2/24/2023
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments.
Melinda
Small Lifestyle Changes To Make When Living With Chronic Pain
Living in constant pain can make you feel like you are alone and there is no one who understands what you are going through. Chronic pain conditions vary and each person living with chronic pain will have their own pain thresholds and triggers. At times, it may seem like there is nothing you can do, especially when traditional pain medication doesn’t have any effect. It is at times like this when people try other methods of medicating.
For some, different types of pains and symptoms can be managed or even eradicated with a few changes to your diet. It may seem futile however if nothing else is working you have nothing to lose by trying. Adapt what you do during your day-to-day life to see if different things affect your pain level. For example, many chronic pain patients credit the sun and warmth for lowering their pain levels. For this reason, it could be worth looking into how you can increase your vitamin D intake and get more sun into your life.
Many people find adding exercise into their lives can help with certain types of pain. Working up slowly to adding beneficial exercise to your daily routine as and when you can help you to look after your body despite your pain levels. Yoga, pilates, and simple stretching exercise will help you to remain fit and supple and in some cases decrease your pain levels.
There is no scientific evidence that links drastic diet changes with the eradication of pain from chronic pain conditions. However, it is thought that certain types of foods can inflame the body in different ways making pain worse. From cutting out dairy to reduce additional IBS symptoms or abdominal pain to avoiding nightshade foods to reduce pain and inflammation for Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and more.
There have also been suggestions that eating clean and switching to a more plant-based diet can help control pain levels. While fatty and processed foods aren’t healthy for anyone when overconsumed, there is nothing to lose by changing up your diet and eating a more natural diet, and reducing your meat, specifically red meat intake.
Many chronic pain sufferers will all tell you that sleeping is a problem. It’s a vicious circle to be told you need to get more sleep yet sleep is elusive due to your pain. But by creating as relaxing a sleep environment as can help you to relax even if you can’t sleep. Your body repairs itself during sleep and getting good quality sleep remains important despite your health condition.
Find your optimal sleeping temperature and noise level, try using a white noise app if you needed, and also use comfortable bedding. Set your limits for screen time and electronics and try to create a relaxing bedtime routine that indicates you are ready for sleep. This won’t always be possible but it is worth persevering to help you improve your sleep quality.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Wordless Wednesday *Blue
I’m so happy you dropped by today, I appreciate your comments.
Melinda
A Lesson from the Vineyard: Strength Through Struggle — Guest Blogger Olive Tree Saints
Are you struggling right now? Sometimes, the very struggle that threatens to bring us to our knees can end up making us stronger.
A Lesson from the Vineyard: Strength Through Struggle — Olive Tree Saints
The Annual Check-Ups Men Need
Men, are you avoiding the doctor? It’s time to get on board with taking care of yourself. Let’s get familiar with what men need to stay healthy.
Many people didn’t see the doctor unless critical, and most annual appointments were pushed back. I want to focus on men in this post.
The Difference Between Checkups and Screenings
Medical checkups and screenings are two different things.
- Checkups are visits to evaluate your health. Physicals and well checks are other names for checkups. During a checkup, a doctor will examine your body and talk with you about your health. You’ll go over symptoms you have, medications you take, and your lifestyle habits, such as exercise and eating.
- Screenings are medical tests that can find diseases or conditions before you have symptoms. Screenings include blood pressure measurements, blood tests, and colonoscopies. Your doctor can provide some types of screenings in the office. Others are only available at a specialty clinic or hospital.
Common Screenings and Checkups
The checkups and screening tests men need, and when they need them, depending on their age, health, and personal risk factors for certain conditions.
Physical Exam / Well Check
Prostate Cancer Screening
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) Screening
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Diabetes Test
Colonoscopy
Bone Density Test
Hearing and Vision Screening
Oral Health Checkup
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Key Takeaways
- Stay healthy with regular health checkups and screening tests.
- Discover diseases and conditions early so you have the best chance of treating them successfully.
- Visit a primary care doctor regularly for your entire life even if you’re feeling well. Let Healthgrades help you find a doctor in your area.
- Ask your doctor about other additional screenings and follow-up appointments based on your screening results and medical history.
Take care of yourself, a healthier life is a happy life.
Melinda
References:
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/mens-health/top-10-checkups-and-screenings-for-men
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
Teen dating violence is common these days. We have to talk with our children, girls, and boys, about the situations they may encounter. You can start young by teaching your children what is not appropriate touching. If we start very young, they are better prepared if violence comes their way.
What Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month?
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM). This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships.
What Is the Impact of Teen Dating Violence?
Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault. Studies show that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year. Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use.
Adolescents in abusive relationships often carry these unhealthy patterns of violence into future relationships. Indeed, children who are victimized or witness violence frequently bring this experience with them to the playground, the classroom, later into teen relationships and, ultimately, they can end up the victims and perpetrators of adult intimate partner violence.
Sex education, dating violence, and sexual assault were not spoken about in our household. My mother was so bad about communicating when I started my period I had no idea what was happening. I was scared and would not come out of the bathroom. There are many conversations that are difficult to talk with your children about but WE have to educate our children on what is appropriate and what’s not.
I was sexually assaulted as a pre-teen and because my mother didn’t talk to me about these types of things, I didn’t even tell her.
The more we communicate with our children, the more they are prepared for what comes their way.
Melinda
References:
https://youth.gov/feature-article/teen-dating-violence-awareness-and-prevention-month
President’s Day
America is divided as I’ve ever seen in my 60 years on earth. Our government has turned against each other and you have 20 Republican militia members who will no doubt cause chaos. It took 15 tries to get Mcarthy voted in, that’s history-making. One of the biggest reasons for the delay is 20 militia Republican members are just enough to hold up a vote, they strong-armed Mcarthy until he made the concessions they wanted. Think about it, 20 far-right Republicans, known as the militia in government jobs. What does that say about us? What does it say about either party when we let militia idealists hold office.
This has turned into a speakeasy but we need to know who is working for us and those who take office for themselves, like Majorie Taylor Green and George Santos. Are they representing our government with their crazy conspiracy stories and harassment of other members?
When did Presidents day start?
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2023 will occur on February 20. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.
In its modern form, Presidents’ Day is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments, and other events. A number of states also require that their public schools spend days leading up to Presidents’ Day teaching students about the accomplishments of the presidents.
I pray that governments around the world take a hard look at how they’re treating people. In America their many challenges to face, including all the misinformation and most of the time little action. I have great concerns about the next election and the troublemakers that start making noise as soon as the race for President starts. I voted for Biden because there is no way in hell I wanted Trump to ever step foot in The White House again. I will say Joe Biden will not be the great game changer as other Presidents. I have my eyes opened for who will run next in both parties.
I would love to see the divide in our country start to close but politicians on both sides are pushing their bills and very few getting passed because of a lack of Bipartisan participation.
I do know America is still a great country and our commitment to our allies is strong, let’s fight hard for our rights and fight without violence. We are better than that.
Melinda
References:
Blogger Highlight- Your Plate or Mine
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 we highlight a new blogger, Your Plate or Mine.
Your Plate or Mine
I write poems and short prose about love and inspiration. I use different types of poems to highlight and I enjoy the writing prompts from other poetry and blog sites.
Check her out!
Melinda
lookingforthelight.blog 