I appreciate you stopping by my blog, your presence makes my day. As a child, I set the goal of traveling the world, it has not happened yet but I get a small feeling of traveling with each country that visits my blog.
I hope to see you again soon.
Melinda
The greatest thing happened to me this morning, I woke up! Every day I wake is a blessed day.
Melinda
Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
That’s a good question because there are times when my passion changes, like learning something new. My neverending passions are photography, my houseplants, traveling, and our dogs. As I’ve aged my passions are less adventuresome but I have the greatest memories of diving, hiking, and traveling internationally.
Melinda
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. For example, you won’t have to file a car accident claim. At best, it can really boost your performance. With that in mind, here are three tips to help.
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.
If you want to achieve and maintain relaxed focus, then your body needs to 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.
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 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.
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 even just 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
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I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
He watches over the garden.
Melinda
I’m blessed to have luxuries like good candles and a Lambswool throw but one luxury I can’t live without is the fireplace in my office. I use it every day year-round because I’m cold-natured. It can be 90 degrees outside and I’m in front of the fire with a sweatshirt on.
Melinda
Cortisone shots can help relieve joint inflammation. You may experience minor side effects.
Cortisone shots are injections that help relieve pain and inflammation in your joints, muscles, or connective tissue. They’re commonly used to manage symptoms of painful inflammatory conditions, such as:
Cortisone shots are fast-acting and can provide significant short-term pain relief for weeks to months. Although cortisone shots are generally safe, they do come with some potential risks.
Keep reading for an overview of everything you should know about cortisone shots.
A cortisone shot helps relieve pain by reducing inflammation in a certain part of your body. The cortisone is delivered into the affected area with a thin needle.
Cortisone is a type of molecule known as a corticosteroid, a precursor to the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is produced by your adrenal gland and plays many roles in your body, including suppressing the activity of your immune system.
Inflammation is your immune system’s way of protecting your body from injuries, foreign substances, or anything else potentially damaging. Inflammation releases various substances, including the hormones bradykinin and histamineTrusted Source. These hormones irritate nerves and send pain signals to your brain.
A cortisone shot reduces levels of molecules that stimulate inflammation. This can improve joint function and reduce stimulation of your nerves which leads to pain.
These shots often take effect within a few days, though some can be effective within a few hours, and can provide pain relief for up to several months depending on:
Cortisone and other corticosteroid shots are used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions involving joints, muscles, or connective tissues.
Corticosteroid injections can cause short-term improvements in frozen shoulder and shoulder impingements.
A 2015 study in American Family Physician found that over a period of 8 to 16 weeks, corticosteroid injections are more effective for managing frozen shoulder than oral corticosteroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and physical therapy. But the study found that the outcome between groups isn’t significant after a year.
Cortisone shots are often used to treat knee or hip osteoarthritis.
For the knee, pain relief typically lasts for 1 to 2 weeks but may last up to 4 weeks.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is compression of your median nerve that often causes tingling or pain in your hand.
A 2017 reviewTrusted Source of studies suggests that corticosteroids can lead to short-term relief in about 45 out of 100 people.
Trigger finger is the locking of a finger caused by inflammation of the tendons.
The 2015 study mentioned earlier found 54 to 86 percent cure rates after corticosteroid injections.
Bursitis is inflammation of small fluid-filled sacs called bursae found around your joints.
Cortisone injections may help reduce this inflammation temporarily. Corticosteroid injections for the bursa around the head of your femur provide greater pain relief at 6 weeks and 3 months than physical therapy and pain relievers, but not after one year.
Cortisone can travel into your bloodstream and cause full-body side effects.
According to a 2019 review of studiesTrusted Source, the amount of cortisone that gets absorbed into your blood seems to vary significantly between people. But both joint and epidural injections can have effects that last for weeks.
There’s also some evidence from a 2020 study that a single shot can increase your risk of developing infectious diseases, such as the flu.
In rare cases, an improperly performed injection can lead to nerve damage.
The most common side effects of steroid injections include:
Rarer but potentially serious side effects include:
Cortisone shots typically cost roughly $100 to 300 but can be more than $1,000. Your insurance may cover some or all of the cost.
The exact cost that you pay out of pocket for a cortisone shot varies widely between clinics and depends on:
Medicare reports that patients pay an average of $84 for injections of therapeutic substances, such as cortisone, when performed at a non-hospital facility. The average price at a hospital is $146.
Here’s what you can expect when you get a cortisone injection:
Supplementary treatment options vary depending on your particular issue. Some options may include:
A doctor may be able to recommend alternative treatments for your condition. For some issues like chronic knee pain, surgery may be the best option.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection is an experimental treatment that may help you manage joint pain. More research is needed to understand their potential benefit.
Hyaluronic injections are also sometimes used to treat knee pain when cortisone shots aren’t effective.
Cortisone shots are used to treat a wide variety of inflammatory conditions affecting your joints or other parts of your musculoskeletal system. They’re generally safe, but they can cause side effects that either affect the treated area or your whole body.
Discuss the pros and cons with a doctor beforehand. Depending on your condition, there may be alternative treatment options that have fewer side effects or are cheaper.
Melinda
Reference:
The tagline on my blog was Keep Moving Forward and that describes my general thought process. If we don’t move forward we stop growing and become stagnant.
Melinda
The lack of finances is a major source of worry for many people. Therefore, when there are not enough funds available for meeting your needs or in your savings, you’re more than likely to become anxious, Unfortunately, with most Americans having less than $1,000 stashed away as their savings, this problem is a pretty pervasive one. However, just because this is the norm doesn’t mean that it should be the same for you. With the right strategies, you can actually save more, thus lessening your worries and anxieties in the process.
Take a critical look at your expenses and see where you can cut them down. The easiest way to do this is to start tracking every cent you spend. Do this for a month or two and see what expenses are important and those that aren’t.
Then, create a budget based on those important expenses and save the rest. You’ll find that when you limit yourself to a budget and stick to it, you can make it work, regardless of your previous spending habits.
It may not seem like a lot at first, but it does add up over time. We’ve seen families go from having less than $500 in their savings to $6,000 in savings in one year by just cutting their expenses. Interestingly, they were still quite comfortable and didn’t miss those things they cut out of their budget.
This is a tricky one considering that you need a place to live. But if you’re spending more than half of your paycheck on housing –whether mortgage or rent- you might want to consider downsizing to something more affordable until you can afford your ideal home and use the extra funds for something else.
For instance, some people have been known to switch to manufactured homes. If you do a quick search using the mobile homes for sale search phrase, you’ll find many affordable options that are available to you. If mobile homes aren’t an appealing option, try moving to a cheaper or smaller home. Or you can seek cheaper mortgage payments for your home.
Most people tend to immediately send money that they didn’t expect. Yet, when you think about it, the very fact that those funds were unexpected means that they can actually live without spending those funds.
Whether the money is in the form of a bonus, cash gifts, or extra commission, determine to put that money aside immediately it comes in. Do this a few times and you’ll soon see your savings grow.
Energy consumption and utility bills are often a sizable part of the average monthly expense. So, it makes sense that if you can cut down on how much you pay for your utilities –particularly during the summer and winter months- you could save some more money.
Some things that you can do to lower your energy bills include changing your bulbs to energy saver bulbs, using energy-efficient HVAC systems, not leaving the heater or AC on in rooms that are unoccupied, and much more.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
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When I was much younger, having a good life meant money and material things but those things did not make my life a good one. After turning 40 years old, I realized what is most important to me. Family tops the list followed by being kind, trustworthy, follow through on commitments, and being grateful for what I have.
I have a great life now instead of a shallow one.
Melinda
My husband retired in April and we see each other all day but if you count the hours I probably spend more time with the dogs. It’s not always intentional, they think I’m a snack machine and come into my office asking for them throughout the day.
Our dogs are like children and they can be clingy.
Melinda
Everyone wants to be as fit and healthy as possible, but this is not always as easy to achieve as you might hope. If you are keen to be fit but you often struggle to keep yourself on track with regard to that fitness, you are not alone. This is a very common experience and one which you can improve easily enough if you know how best to approach it. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the most powerful ways to keep yourself on track with your fitness, so you can enjoy the feeling of good health and physical wellbeing that this will bring.
It might sound a little corny, but keeping a diary really is one of the best ways to keep yourself on track with pretty much anything, and that certainly applies to when you are trying to be more fit. If you are keen to do this, you might want to consider doing it as a blog, as feeling that other people might be reading it can add even more to the experience and encourage you to keep on track all the more. Take a look here for a web host, and then set up your site and blog, and start typing.
We all know that having goals is a good way to ensure you are moving in the right direction and achieving what you need to achieve. But you need to make sure that they are accurate and clear goals, and that you actually know what you hope to get out of them, otherwise you might struggle to actually use those goals as inspiration and you might end up simply falling off the wagon again. So be really clear about what you want to achieve, in what timescale, and you are going to find this really helps.
You’ll also want to think about tracking the actual hard data relating to your fitness – such as how your body weight is changing, how much you are able to deadlift each time, and so on. The more effectively you track this, the better, as you are going to find that it allows you to see how far you have already come, and therefore encourages you to continue. Without this kind of data by your side, you might find yourself feeling that you are getting nowhere, so this can really make a huge difference.
All in all, it’s all about enjoying it – and if you are not enjoying it, then what’s the point? That doesn’t mean that every moment is fun, but it does mean that you should feel that, on the whole, you are doing what you need to be doing in order to have fun with it. If you neer feel that you are having fun, you are probably not approaching it in the right way, so this is something to focus on from the start of your process.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
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Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.
Melinda
It’s the weekend!!!!!!
I’m glad you joined me for another edition of Weekend Music Share this week.
Have a great weekend!
Melinda
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 use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.
Chocolate is a food group in our house, and I eat two squares daily. The ultimate chocolate bar would be dark, not too thick, all-natural, earth-friendly packaging and made in Switzerland or Belgium. I also like chocolate with hazelnuts, vanilla, and cashews.
Melinda
Mental health includes your psychological and social well-being. It also encompasses your emotional health, which refers to your ability to name, address, and regulate your emotions.
You might notice discussions about mental health online, in conversation with family or friends, on your favorite show, or in any number of other places.
But what exactly is mental health?
“Mental health is about the functionality of your brain and all that impacts it,” said Oludara Adeeyo, a psychiatric social worker and author of “Self-Care for Black Women.”
Many factors play a part in mental health, some of which you can’t control, such as genetics, life experiences, and family history.
But you do have influence over other important aspects of your mental health, noted KC Davis, a licensed professional counselor and author of “How To Keep House While Drowning.”
Your ability to influence your mental health is key because the state of your mental health matters.
Mental health helps determine how you handle stress, relate to others, and make choices, explained Alison Seponara, a licensed professional counselor and author of the book “The Anxiety Healer’s Guide.”
Seponara goes on to say that caring for your mental health can lead to:
Nurturing your mental health can also help you manage health conditions that are worsened by stress, like heart disease, said Seponara.
Your mental health can impact everything about your life, Adeeyo said, including the ways you view and move through the world and your ability to handle the things life throws at you.
That’s why building habits for better mental health can make a big difference in your day-to-day life.
PRO TIP
As you explore new behaviors and begin incorporating them into your routine, aim to frame these changes as self-kindness, not self-punishment. Maintaining a gentle, kind attitude toward yourself can do a lot more to improve your mental health and overall outlook than criticism and negative self-talk.
“Work on your mental health from a place of care,” Davis recommended.
Not sure where to start? You’ll find 8 strategies to promote improved mental health below, along with some guidance on seeking professional support.
Sleep isn’t just a nonnegotiable for physical health. It also plays an essential role in mental health.
The American Psychological Association reported in 2023 that sleep deprivation makes people less happy and more anxious.
The quality of your sleep matters, too. Disrupted sleep can contribute to mental health symptoms.
To get enough high quality sleep, try starting with these habits:
Healthy sleep habits can be harder to build on your own if you have a sleep disorder.
If you think your sleeping issues may relate to a sleep condition, a sleep specialist can offer more information about helpful evidence-based treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.
Mental health concerns can also lead to poor sleep, which means changes to your sleep environment and nighttime routine might not make a lasting difference. If you don’t notice much improvement after trying these strategies, connecting with a therapist may be a helpful next step.
“Constantly consuming information about other people’s lives may cause someone to compare themselves and promote feelings of low self-worth, which increases feelings of anxiety and depression,” said Adeeyo.
To spend less time on social media, try to:
Humans are social creatures, and strong relationships can have a positive influence on your mental health in various ways.
Friendships, for example, can:
You have plenty of options for cultivating positive connections and nurturing your friendships:
Exercise offers a range of mental health benefits, including:
Movement can involve something different for every person, and it doesn’t have to mean going to the gym if that’s not your thing. Instead, make movement enjoyable for you by opting for physical activities that work best for your body, health, and preferences.
To get started, experiment with a range of physical activities, and keep doing the ones that resonate with you.
Enjoyable movement could include:
In other words, you don’t have to do a vigorous workout to support mental wellness.
“Taking a few minutes to stretch can make a huge difference for your overall mental health. Stretching will help with blood flow and get more oxygen through your body, which can help you feel more relaxed and happy,” said Christopher S. Taylor, PhD, LPC-S, founder of Taylor Counseling Group, author of “My Digital Practice,” and host of the “For Self-Examination” podcast.
Certain foods can also affect your mental health. To support improved mental health, try expanding your current diet to include foods packed with mood-boosting nutrients like:
It can also help to simply make sure you fuel your body every day — eating something is better than eating nothing.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is also beneficial.
“When you’re dehydrated, you’re denying your brain and body the nutrients needed to survive and operate at a more optimal level,” Adeeyo noted.
Certain foods, namely alcohol, caffeine, refined carbs, and added sugars, may worsen anxiety symptoms. Limiting these foods could help ease some of your symptoms.
On difficult days, you might find it tough to do any of the above, which might make you feel even worse.
At times like these, Davis encouraged turning to compassionate, more accessible strategies, like:
A similar approach you can try? Commit to taking one small step every day.
“Whether it’s making your bed, drinking one glass of water in the morning, or writing in a journal, making this daily promise to yourself will help to eventually become a habit, and you will begin to feel empowered,” Seponara explained.
While what constitutes “rest” may vary from person to person, it generally means giving your mind and body the opportunity to unwind and restore.
Rosie Acosta, meditation and yoga teacher and author of the book “You Are Radically Loved,” suggested trying yoga Nidra, a sleep-based meditation.
She recommended the following steps:
If you only have a few minutes to relax, Acosta suggested these quick restorative practices:
“The sun is a great source of vitamin D, and studiesTrusted Source show it can improve attitude and mood,” said Taylor.
Your outdoor time doesn’t have to be long, either. As Taylor noted, “Five minutes of blue skies can do your mind and your heart some real good.”
If you have several minutes, Taylor recommended:
The strategies above can help improve mental well-being, but they can’t “cure” any mental health conditions.
To put it another way, making changes in your habits may not always relieve persistent mental distress. Working with a therapist, however, can be a particularly powerful way to improve mental health.
You can consider professional support at any time. You don’t need to have depression, anxiety, or any specific mental health symptoms to benefit from therapy.
That said, reaching out becomes particularly important if you:
Your mental health plays a key role in your quality of life. Many of the factors that can affect mental health remain beyond your control, but adding beneficial habits to your days can promote greater wellness.
Just know that when it comes to adopting new habits, it’s generally more helpful to start with only one or two at a time, instead of a complete overhaul. Then, check in with yourself to take stock of how those changes helped.
Melinda
Reference:
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
Melinda
Enjoy the humor and try not to laugh too hard like I do each week.
Melinda
HARTFORD, Conn. — An invasive tick species in Connecticut has been found to carry the bacteria that can cause ehrlichiosis in humans, a discovery that has alarmed state biologists as the tick continues to increase its spread throughout the state.
Longhorned ticks, an emerging invasive species in the state, have now been found to carry the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. The bacteria, while rare in Connecticut, has been found in the state for a while, according to Dr. Goudarz Molaei, a state entomologist with the Connecticut Agriculture Experiment Station.
Between 2001 and 2019, the number of cases of the bacteria increased from 142 to 2,093, a roughly 15-fold rise. Only two erlichiosis cases were recorded in Connecticut between 2008 and 2018, however, 28 cases were reported in the state between 2019 and 2023, according to CAES data.
“This is concerning because before we only saw this bacteria present in the lone star tick, this is the first case detected in the longhorned tick,” Molaei said. “What is concerning about this is that the longhorned tick doesn’t need a mate to reproduce. So it has the potential to spread quickly and we already are seeing that as its population increases.”
Longhorned ticks primarily reproduce through a process called parthenogenesis, where females can lay viable eggs without mating to reproduce. This means a single female tick can create an entire population without a male partner, increasing the risks of rapid spread, Molaei said.
“This is very unusual and something we don’t see too often,” Molaei said. “So far this is the only tick in the United States that has this ability to reproduce without a mate. In other animals like arthropods and certain vertebrae, parthenogenesis has been reported, but it’s still very rare.”
Molaei said that a rise in ehrlichiosis cases is expected in the future. The bacterial infection can be a serious illness, though most cases are not fatal with prompt treatment. Untreated, it can lead to severe complications like organ damage, brain problems and even death. There is no vaccine available, but antibiotics are the traditional course of treatment, he said.
The invasive ticks are not native to the United States and are considered an exotic species. They originally were found in tropical environments in Asia before being detected in the U.S. in 2017. Since its initial discovery, the longhorned tick has expanded into at least 21 states, primarily in the East and Northeast, as well as the District of Columbia, according to CAES. The species was first detected in Connecticut in 2018.
In both its native and invasive range, the longhorned tick is known to transmit a wide variety of pathogens, Molaei said. Researchers have found evidence of infection in field-collected specimens in the U.S. with pathogens that cause Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Bourbon virus disease and theileriosis. However, it is still unknown if the tick can spread many of these disease agents.
“What is also unusual about this species is that we have shown this tick is capable of attaching and detaching with partial blood feeding,” Molaei said. “Most ticks will stay on a host until they are fully engorged, so this increases the risks of disease transmission. Unfortunately these ticks co-exist with lone star ticks, and to make the matter worse, both of these ticks feed on white tail deer. Deer can act as a reservoir for the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. Longhorned ticks can pick up the bacteria after feeding on an infected deer.”
The tick species is now found scattered throughout Fairfield and New Haven counties, according Molaei. However, their range is expected to increase its range further northward. Last year, the ticks were identified in Fairfield, New London, Middlesex and New Haven counties, according to data from CAES.
“As the climate changes, we expect to see this species further north into New England and Canada,” Molaei said. “We are fortunate that. at least for the time being, the population is rather patchy in Fairfield and New Haven counties. It is not widespread yet, but eventually it will become more widespread, and that is where the concern increases.”
Melinda
Reference:
Man Search For Meaning
My psychology teacher gave me the book when I was 13 years old and I knew nothing about the holocaust or Hitler. The book was heartbreaking but the strength of Victor Frankel to survive through the worst conditions was a true inspiration.
The Bible
The answer is too long to share here. I loved reading about the birth of Christ, the journey Mary and Joshef took to find cover to have their baby, and the Shepard boy. The Bible shows how Jesus spread the word of Christianity and influenced life with his giving nature. He inspired the to go far and wide to spread the word, men were tortured, and imprisoned but they never gave up hope in Jesus. The Bible has been the most important book in my life.
I can’t recall the name but it was about Mary Magelane
The book was a different slant on Mary Madeline, it portrayed her as a poor woman with a mental illness and how she was treated by the public. Mary Madeline played a huge part in Jesus’s life and boy it made you think how some people have thought of her. I can not find the book today, I read it about 20 years ago.
Thank you for an depth question.
Melinda
Meghan Bradshaw was just 25 when severe joint pain appeared seemingly overnight.
Once active and independent, she found herself unable to walk, dress, or function on her own. She returned to her mother’s care while doctors struggled to explain her condition.
After two years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments for rheumatoid arthritis, Bradshaw finally received clarity. She tested positive for Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
That diagnosis came after she turned to OrthoCarolina, where her orthopedic team helped connect her with a specialist who identified the root cause of her symptoms. Though the diagnosis came with its own challenges, it offered the one thing she had been missing: hope.
Over the next six years, Bradshaw underwent 18 joint replacements and reconstructions at OrthoCarolina, including procedures on her shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, hands, and meniscus. Her care was guided by a team of four orthopedic specialists who worked together to create a patient-centered, personalized treatment plan tailored to her needs.
“When I was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases, it felt like I had a chance to fight again,” said Bradshaw. “The doctors at OrthoCarolina didn’t just treat my joints – they helped restore pieces of my life I thought were lost forever. Every surgery brought me closer to feeling like myself again.”
OrthoCarolina’s collaborative care model played a critical role in her recovery. Surgeons, physical therapists, and staff maintained open communication with Bradshaw throughout each stage of treatment. Shared decision-making, comprehensive education, and clear expectations helped her feel confident and supported at every step.
“Meghan’s case of Lyme arthropathy was one of the most advanced that I’ve encountered,” said Dr. Glenn Gaston, a hand specialist at OrthoCarolina. “She showed extraordinary resilience throughout her entire journey. Our goal wasn’t just to restore joint function, but it was also to help give her life back.”
Today, Bradshaw calls herself the “Bionic Woman,” a title she embraces with pride. But her story doesn’t end with recovery. It has evolved into advocacy.
After earning her master’s in public health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she became a national voice for Lyme disease awareness. As Government Relations Manager for the Center for Lyme Action, she has met with more than 100 members of Congress to push for improved education, diagnosis, and care for tick-borne illnesses.
“I’ve turned my pain into purpose,” Bradshaw said. “Every time I share my story, it’s for the people still searching for answers, just like I was.”
Marking a decade since her first symptoms, Bradshaw’s journey continues. This May, during Lyme Disease Awareness Month, her voice stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, the value of accurate diagnosis, and the life-changing impact of compassionate, expert care.
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.lymedisease.org/18-joint-replacements-in-6-years/
June is jam-packed and if you want to see the complete list click HERE.
Pride Month
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Cancer Survivors Month
Gun Violence Awareness Month
Men’s Health Month
Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
National Pollinators Month
National Safety Month
National Zoo and Aquarium Month
PTSD Awareness Month
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/june-awareness-days-months
Memory loss is very common in elderly people and even if they do not develop a serious condition like Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is likely that they will forget things from time to time. In some cases, this doesn’t really affect their life too much but it can make it difficult for them to live independently if they forget important things, like taking medication or eating.
As we get older, it falls to us to care for elderly loved ones, and managing memory issues is often a big part of this. If you want them to be able to live independently, you need to find ways to help them manage their memory problems so they can be safe and comfortable. Here’s how you can support an elderly family member with memory problems.
Often, it can be hard to admit that your loved ones are losing their memory and so people are in denial about it. They just put it down to age and say that it’s not that serious, they’re just forgetting a few details here and there. However, if somebody in your life is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, they need a lot of care and assistance if they are able to live safely. So, be realistic about the situation and if you are concerned, take them to the doctor to get checked. You may need to consider long-term care options like a senior community with a dedicated memory care service. If you are not honest with yourself and your family about the scale of the problem, you could be putting your loved ones in danger.
Memory loss is very frustrating and when they forget things, they may get angry about it. If they forget something very important, it could be frustrating for you too. But if you are not understanding the situation, it only makes things worse. It’s important that you are patient with them and you reassure them that you forget things too and it’s ok. The more understanding you are, the less stressful this situation will be for them.
Lists are the easiest way to remember things, so when you visit loved ones, talk to them about their schedule for the next few days and then write some simple lists to help them remember things. Sticky notes around the house can be very helpful too. For example, if they need to take medication, put a small note somewhere they will see when they get up, so they always remember. If they have a smartphone and they are comfortable using it, you can add reminders to it as well.
Keeping your brain active is so important as you get older and it helps to slow and prevent memory loss. If you are concerned about a loved one’s memory, you should find ways to keep their brain active as much as possible. Helping them to be more socially active is very beneficial, and you could encourage them to do puzzles and play games too.
Dealing with memory loss is tough but it’s something that many of us will experience. If you follow these steps, you can support a loved one with memory loss.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
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The truth is that you most likely don’t want to think about the idea that a natural disaster could leave your home completely destroyed. But, the fact is that a natural disaster – fire, flood, or storm – could leave your home in a mess, which is why it’s so important to prepare yourself and your family for a situation where a natural disaster strikes.
Of course, knowing how to go about doing that isn’t always easy, is it? After all, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to protecting your home and it’s easy to see why you might feel overwhelmed. However, the process of protecting your home and knowing how to respond in this kind of situation is vital.
Bearing that in mind, below are a few useful tips and suggestions for how you can prepare your home and family for a natural disaster – read on for everything that you should know.
When it comes to preparing your home and your family for a natural disaster, it’s important to make sure that you have adequate insurance protection in place for your home. The last thing that you want is for a natural disaster to destroy your home and be unable to afford to repair and rebuild it because you don’t have solid insurance in place.
It’s also worth thinking about looking into having insurance claim attorneys on hand should disaster strike, to make sure that your insurance provider gives you everything that you are entitled to. Far too often, insurance providers try to avoid paying out a fair amount, and working with an attorney can help to prevent this.
To ensure that should your home be damaged by a serious disaster you don’t lose all of your important paperwork and documents – think birth certificates, marriage licenses, vehicle paperwork, etc. – it’s a good idea to make copies of these documents and store them securely on a cloud storage platform.
You might also want to consider making copies of all of your favorite photographs so that you have copies of these, should you lose the originals in a disaster. Making copies of things is just good sense, as it can ensure that no matter what happens, you have access to everything that you need.
It’s also important to make sure that you and your family have a plan mapped out in terms of an escape route. If you’re at home when disaster hits, it’s vital that you have an adequate escape route in mind, so that you’re able to get to safety with your family.
Think logically about your options for an escape route, map one out, and then explain the plan to your family, so that everyone knows what the escape route should be in an emergency.
There you have it, a simple guide to preparing your home – and your family – for natural disasters and how you can navigate them.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
I won’t say I have a green thumb but I do have close to 30 indoor plants that need care on a daily or weekly basis. I’ve also killed half as many while learning how to grow succulents. There are many flowers outside and two tomato beds which bring so much joy watching them grow. I also love watching the little grey lizards
Melinda
Statistics indicate that juvenile crimes increase by 35% in the summer months. As if that’s not bad enough, the ever-present allure of screens means that the average teen now spends over seven hours a day behind electronic devices during summer. These alarming statistics make parents wonder how to engage their kids during those long, hot months. If you’re a worried parent, here are four ways to keep your teenager busy during summer.
A study revealed that summer jobs can reduce teen crime by 43%. Therefore, a part-time job is an excellent way to keep your teenager busy. It equips them with many useful skills while keeping them away from trouble. Moreover, a paid part-time job will teach them about financial management at a very early age. They can learn how to save money, buy basic things, and be independent. The right job will teach your child how to work with people and manage their time. Plus, the skills they acquire will stick with them for life.
Summer break provides an ideal opportunity for teenagers to explore their creative sides and develop new skills. You can encourage your teenager to pursue artistic activities after getting a job. Depending on their time, your teen can combine their job with a creative activity. Consider enrolling your child in a summer art class, a creative writing workshop, or a music class. These activities keep them occupied and foster self-expression, boost confidence, and provide a platform for personal growth. And believe it or not, allowing your teen to explore their artistic side can create a healthy outlet for stress and improve their emotional well-being.
Giving back to communities through volunteering is one of the most emotionally-rewarding ways for a teenager to spend summer. Some studies have shown that volunteering instills a sense of responsibility and empathy while enhancing self-esteem and personal growth. It also gives them a sense of purpose, even at a very young age. So, encourage your teenager to identify causes they are passionate about and connect with local organizations that offer volunteer opportunities. From environmental cleanup projects and community service to volunteering at a local shelter, these activities will keep your teenager busy and contribute to their development.
Depending on where you live, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a positive local club or youth group for your teenager. You can find a scouting club, an academic, agricultural, or faith-based group for your teenager to join. Regarding a faith-based group, for example, your teenager can join a local church group for teens or youth, created to nurture spiritual growth, faith, morality, and good behavior. Of course, some religious institutions have a bad rap for sexual misconduct and abuse, so conduct a background check before signing up your child. And should the worse happen, don’t hesitate to let a religious institution sexual abuse lawyer help you.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
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