Accidents are rough. Other than the physical pain they inflict, it also leaves scarring damage to our mental and emotional well-being. Doctors usually offer pain medications for recovery but did you know there are other alternatives we can take and not just solely depending on those prescribed on pills? Are you curious what it is? I’m talking about natural methods! Let’s narrow down these remedies to find out what works for you!

Restoring Strength with Physical Therapy

Think of physical therapy as the star player on your comeback team after an injury. It’s not just about moving around—it’s a strategic move to make the most of your recovery. Using a wide variety of techniques, physical therapy works to reduce pain and improve strength and flexibility so your body can get back to normal. Here are a few key treatments:

• Manual therapy is a hands-on technique to loosen stiff joints and ease pain, including stretching and massage.
• Customizing exercise is a therapy that targets muscles to improve strength and flexibility.
• Hot and cold treatment uses temperature (hot or cold) to reduce soreness and pain. 
• Electrotherapy uses electrical signals to assist in managing pain and stimulating muscles.
• Water therapy, wherein the patient uses the water’s gentle resistance and support during the rehabilitation process.

Role of Acupuncture in Unlocking Natural Pain Relief

When you want to express yourself, get a tattoo they said. If you want to heal yourself, get acupuncture. Trigger warning for those who are afraid of needles as we are going to talk about acupuncture, an ancient practice with a touch of modern science that is proven and tested by those who undergo that procedure. Here are a few of the ways, simply explained, that acupuncture can help:

• Reduces Chronic and Acute Pain
• Enhances Circulation and Boosts Blood Flow
• Stress Reduction
• Boost Immune System
• Improves Sleep Quality

Chiropractic Care as Another Route for Recovery

You never know what bones have realigned after your accident. It may feel and look normal, but there are already underlying conditions. That’s why having chiropractic care after an accident is helpful during your recovery. This hands-on approach adjusts your spine and restores your body’s balance and other systems to work together. Here’s how chiropractic care can facilitate your recovery in several key ways:

• Reduce your pain as your chiropractor will help to eliminate the source of your injury-related pain by realigning your body to its natural form.
• Improved mobility by restoring flexibility and movement to areas of the body that have stiffened up or become immobile as a result of your accident.
• Enhanced healing, as the aim of this practice, is to make your body naturally heal itself. The realignment process is your body’s cue to begin its innate healing process once more. 
• It decreases inflammation and allows you a speedier recovery
• Give you a better posture and ensure that your body’s reconfiguration is done properly, which will help to avoid such difficulties. 

Herbal Remedies

If you have a garden and you have herbs like ginger, turmeric, and others, no need to take a walk towards the pharmacy as these herbs are in the remedy business. Those mentioned herbs are still providing relief and fighting inflammation today. Some may call it grandmother’s medicine, but hey, they are backed by science. Here are some soothing herbal remedies commonly used for their pain-relieving properties:

• Ginger: It is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and makes it an effective natural alternative for muscle and joint pain.
• Turmeric: A powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that has shown to be as effective as over-the-counter pain relievers with no unpleasant side effects.
• Willow Bark: Called “nature’s aspirin” for a good reason.
• Lavender: Helps with headaches and soreness when it’s brewed and drank as a tea.
• Peppermint: It can relieve certain types of headaches and muscle pain on contact.

Don’t let the pain take a toll on your everyday activities. Let these methods be your co-pilot in the healing process.

This is a collaborative post

Melinda

Here are a few products I’m loving with right now. I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends, and family. All products were found on Amazon.

Keurig K-Classic Coffee Maker K-Cup Pod, Single Serve, Programmable, 6 to 10 oz. Brew Sizes, Black

I’ve had mine for years, at least 10 years, without a single problem. No coffee pot to clean, and makes coffee in minutes. I can’t live without it. 

MIRA 32 oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle – Hydro Vacuum Insulated Metal Thermos Flask Keeps Cold for 24 Hours, Hot for 12 Hours – BPA-Free One Touch Spout Lid Cap – Hawaiian Blue

We both love these insulated bottles. When I added more water to my day, I bought us two each. That was years ago. I drink at least 2 refills a day, and I make fewer trips to the fridge. 

Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser 12-Ounces

My Granny used this to keep her stainless sink clean. It probably has more uses and they have several types of cleaners. Nothing gets my stainless sinks cleaner. This is a powder, you will need to work around the sink until the small bits resolve and then take another pass. 

Simplehuman 50 Liter / 13.0 Gallon Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel

We splurged on the trashcan, and it was the best decision. Ours is close to 20 years old, not one problem. 

The way to keep the stainless clean is to buy Stainless wipes. My other recommendation is to use Simplehuman trashbags. The big difference is theirs fits the trashcan completely. The cheaper trashbags that my husband is using drive me cringe. The problem is they don’t fit right and don’t cover the removable inner can and food and anything else you put in the trash gets on the top and the back of the trashcan. More cleaning!

Ficus Lyrata Fake Plant – Artificial Plants for Home Decor Indoor, Faux Plants Indoor – Artificial Potted Plants, Faux Plant for Bedroom – Plants for Bedroom Decor, Fake Plant Decor – 30 Inches

I bought this plant last year, it still looks new, and the leaves are still shiny. The planter is bad-looking and cheap. I bought a ceramic planter to put it in. It is perfect for my office and it doesn’t take up much space. I’ve also bought many other artificial plants and the quality top notch. The more expensive offer lasts much better. 

Amazon Fire TV Cube, Hands-free streaming device with Alexa, Wi-Fi 6E, 4K Ultra HD

I would have a hard time living without the system and have already forgotten how to turn off the television. Alexa takes a short time to adjust to and lately, I am frustrated when I have to ask more than one time. In the big picture of life that’s a crub. 

Just a note:

• An Amazon Prime membership unlocks thousands of movies and TV episodes including “Thursday Night Football” and Amazon Originals like “The Big Sick” and “Sneaky Pete” 
• There are so many choices of older shows and the originals are top-notch. 

Melinda

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 the blog of heard + felt.    

heard + felt

navigating life after trauma

I’m Anna (she/her), a survivor-writer-fighter-dreamer-healer. Writing is in my blood- literally. I grew up surrounded by novels and poems and libraries thanks to the influence of my grandfather, best-selling author, journalist, and pal of Robert Frost. From a young age, I learned that writing and words hold power– the power to transform, influence, comfort, harm, heal, process, teach, and so much more.

I love this blog because she writes about many topics including trauma.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

In this fast-paced social media world, finding the time to look within or back in time can be difficult. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!

Continue reading “Deep Thoughts” →

I wanted to set this post up as a survey but couldn’t find how it would have made your feedback much easier. I apologize but really need your feedback. I’ll keep it short.

Does my About Me page give enough information on what my blog is about and myself?

Am I writing on topics you care about?

What topics would you like to see?

If you could take one minute to share your feedback in the comments section.

I truly appreciate my followers and want to make sure I’m meeting your needs.

Melinda

I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and its coinfections in 2014. It controlled my life while the virus spread across my body setting up a house in my brain and causing cognitive impairment. The best way to describe how my brain was affected is to say, a machine gun was used on my brain and those memories are gone. In addition, I forget what I was saying and what I was going to do. 

According to The Mayo Clinic Lyme disease is an illness caused by borrelia bacteria. Humans usually get Lyme disease from the bite of a tick carrying the bacteria.

Ticks that can carry borrelia bacteria live throughout most of the United States. But Lyme disease is most common in the upper Midwest and the northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. It’s also common in Europe and in south-central and southeastern Canada.

While most tick bites are harmless, several species can cause life-threatening diseases. Tick-borne diseases include:

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Lyme disease

• Anaplasmosis

• Babesiosis

• Colorado tick fever

• Powassan encephalitis

• Tularemia

• Ehrlichiosis

• Relapsing fever

Areas of the body Lyme targets

Skin

Neurological

Cardiac

Joints/Arthritis

Neuropsychiatric/Neurocognitive

If Lyme is detected in the first couple of weeks, an antibody is used for a couple of weeks and you dodged a bullet. A large number of people do not get the Lyme Rash, and by the time symptoms start,  a small amount of antibiotics does not work. The next step is Antibody Therapy. I had a port in my chest and had Antibody Treatments every day at home. It was miserable. 

Know where the ticks are more prominent in your area, avoid the area, or dress appropriately to cut down on having ticks get on you. The last thing to do after every outing is check your ENTIRE body for ticks. Even in the tricky places. Be sure to look in your hair! 

Don’t forget dogs can get extremely ill if bitten by certain ticks. My sweet Sasha contracted Ehrlichiosis twice, each time it almost killed her. 

Be aware and be vigilant.

Melinda

References:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/lyme-disease/ticks-and-lyme-disease

https://www.columbia-lyme.org/signs-and-symptoms

Caring for your mental health is just as important, if not more so, than caring for your physical well-being. However, it’s often forgotten or overlooked in our busy lives.

Here are eight practical and accessible ways to maintain healthy mental habits without leaving the comfort of home. Prioritize yourself by investing some time into these simple yet powerful activities!

Establish a Routine

Having an established routine is one of the most effective tools for improving mental health. Not only does it provide structure, but the familiarity of the routine can also reduce anxiety and lift your mood.

Set yourself a morning or evening routine, or come up with a combination of both! A few ideas include having a regular wake-up time, starting off each day with some physical exercise, journaling, mindful meditation, and/or setting goals for the day.

Connect with your Loved Ones

Spending time with family and friends is one of the best ways to boost your mental health. You don’t even have to leave home – technology has made connecting easier than ever! Take advantage of video-calling or texting to catch up, share stories, and plan activities.

You can also connect with people online through social media, forums, blogs, and more. For example, why not join an online chat room dedicated to a hobby or interest? Or even start your own blog and become part of the blogging community.

 Learn Something New

What better way to stay engaged than learning something new? Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, reading a book, listening to podcasts, or teaching yourself a language. Use this opportunity at home to explore some of these. 

If you need some motivation and guidance, there are plenty of online courses available from universities around the world. From photography to web development, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Body

At-home workouts don’t have to be boring. Use this time to switch up your routine, try something new, and challenge yourself! Yoga, HIIT, and Weightlifting are a few examples of exercises you can use to switch up your routine. 

If working out isn’t your thing, that’s okay too – any type of physical activity will do the trick. Go for a walk around the neighborhood, dance in the kitchen, or ride a bike in an open space. All of these activities release endorphins which help us feel happier and reduce stress levels.

Cook Comfort Food

Cooking is an excellent way to relax and destress – try making a delicious meal or dish that reminds you of something special. You can either try making chicken and waffles from scratch or try a recipe you’ve never made before.

Remember that comfort food can also be healthy – make sure to include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Not only do these foods provide essential vitamins and minerals for your body, but they can also boost your mood too!

Get Creative

Creativity is a great way to express yourself and channel emotions. Why not try some DIY projects around the home or draw/paint something that makes you feel good? You don’t need to be an artist or a craftsman – simply put aside some time in the day to unleash your creativity without judging yourself too much.

Mental health and creativity go hand-in-hand, so let yourself get lost in the process!

Unplug

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when constantly plugged into technology. Being bombarded with news, social media posts, and emails can cause stress and anxiety. So why not give yourself a break?

Set aside some time each day when you completely unplug from all devices – switch off your phone, log out of social media, power down the laptop, and just be present. Take some deep breaths, enjoy a cup of tea, or read a book without any distractions – these small moments will work wonders for your mental well-being. 

Appreciate Nature

Taking time to appreciate nature is one of the most calming activities one can do. Even if you’re at home, you can still find moments to connect with nature. You could open your windows or sit in the garden and listen to birds singing.

You can also grow some plants or herbs and watch them flourish over time. Gardening is a great stress reliever and can help boost your mood too!

A home is a safe place where we can be ourselves and express our emotions without judgment. Use this time at home to practice self-care and focus on your mental health. These eight activities will help keep you engaged, encourage creativity, and provide moments of peace – allowing you to take care of yourself in the best way possible.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrating Presidents Day is for thinking about all of our Presidents, to me anyway. I would not celebrate several Presidents, especially these days. I take great pride in being American but would love to return to the time when the people mattered.

On this day, my mind goes to our Founding Fathers who laid the groundwork for a civil society. I can imagine how hard that must have been, some love and others hate and the story continues.

I believe in the Constitution, it’s America’s framework, and wish people in office would read and follow the laws. I read a copy of the original Constitution and it’s straightforward. It’s clear who can run for office and who can’t. Those rules are being overlooked today or we would have one less on the campaign trail. The same rules apply to anyone in Congress but they left the book at home.

Sorry, this post isn’t upbeat. We vote for President next year and we have no viable candidates. I see a future with more division, hatred, racism, lying, mass shootings, and losing more personal rights.

That doesn’t make me feel hopeful.

Melinda

Photo taken in D.C.

Thank you for all the feedback on the Blogger Highlight series. I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Paradiso.    

Paradiso

Stalked by Demons… Guarded by Angels

I created it to express… as all writers tend to do. It was a big step for me so any support, likes, views, and comments would be much appreciated!

Paradiso is created to share my thoughts, poetry, stories, articles on current events that interest me, and just my writing in general.

We have followed each other for a long time, she writes interesting posts.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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 and I’m so glad you stopped by today!

Continue reading “Deep Thoughts” →