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 Mrs. Claire Gutknecht.
Through my blog posts, I’ll take you behind the scenes of my daily life, offering glimpses into the challenges and triumphs of juggling multiple roles. From practical tips on organization and time management to heartwarming stories of family adventures, you’ll find a little bit of everything here.
So, whether you’re a fellow multitasker looking for solidarity or simply curious about the inner workings of a Wife-of-all-Trades, I invite you to join me on this journey. Together, we’ll celebrate the beauty of versatility and the joy of embracing life’s many twists and turns. Welcome to my world—it’s sure to be an adventure!
Her topics range from culinary to everyday tasks, each posts is a surprise in itself.
This topic came to mind several weeks ago but I was unsure what to write and where I could find supporting evidence that this is true. Logically it makes sense but my logic doesn’t always apply due to my cognitive impairment. Many of you know snippets of my struggles with my Mental Health and I’m always looking for ways to add joy to my life.
Here is what I found
Each of us has our own “comfort zone” which, more than an actual place, is a psychological/emotional/ behavioral construct that defines the routine of our daily life. Being in one’s comfort zone implies familiarity, safety, and security. It describes the patterned world of our existence, keeps us relatively comfortable and calm, and helps us stay emotionally even, free from anxietyand worry to a great degree. Creating a comfort zone is a healthy adaptation for much of our lives. But so is stepping out of our comfort zone when it’s time to transition, grow, and transform.
In my book Transitions, I describe a major life change and how I was affected and changed by it. Many years ago my husband had a wonderful job opportunity that promised to be very fulfilling but it meant that we had to move across the country. The physical move would be hard for both of us but my husband would be going to the safety of a job and the familiarity of a work environment according to Psychology Today.
I was surprised by the number of articles that came up in my first search. My second search is focused on the facts, reading doctor’s papers written on the. topic. That is where you find out if the theory is accepted as a fact or is still unproven. Unproven papers are good to read is very clear on their theory and if they support the theory of the research.
My second search supported the theory
Like a warm, familiar embrace, a comfort zone can be both encouraging and confining. A popular area of study for mental health practitioners, behavior therapists, and others with careers in psychology, its pros and cons have been widely contemplated. While comfort zones encourage composure and calm, they can also inhibit growth. To make the most of your life, you must learn to balance these forces. When they’re handled well, you can push past personal boundaries to achieve and develop while still keeping a relaxing space in your mind to retreat to when you need to recharge or contemplate.
Acknowledging and wisely deciding when to embrace and break through boundaries is critical to career and life success.
To make the most of the comfort zones in your life, you must learn to balance time in and outside of them. For personal growth, it’s necessary to take risks and endure some ego discomfort;3 however, it’s also important to spend time healing and contemplating in the nurturing environs of your comfort zone. Being aware of your comfort zone boundaries is a great first step—and as time passes, you can expand that space to embrace more activities and experiences.
The Benefits of Leaving Your Comfort Zone By Harvard
As you train for your 5k, you can see how speeding up your walking pace and pushing yourself to jog — getting outside your comfort zone — can help you develop the fitness, stamina, and mental fortitude to run your race.
But there are a number of benefits to moving outside of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to grow beyond just crossing the finish line.
Achieving your goals. Not everything you want to achieve in life will be easy. By moving beyond your comfort zone into the growth zone, you’ll be able to do just that: grow. You’ll find yourself becoming more productive, achieving more, and reaching the goals you set for yourself — if you’re willing to put in the work.
Boosting your self-confidence. Accomplishment brings self-confidence, especially if you worked hard, challenged yourself, and saw it through. And the boost in self-confidence you get after achieving one goal can push you to achieve more.
Expanding your world. Stepping out of your comfort zone means learning new things, meeting new people, seeing new places, and trying new experiences. All of these can serve to help expand your awareness of the world and how you fit into it and may introduce you to new interests or areas of study you want to explore.
Building your resilience. Challenging yourself to move outside your comfort zone can increase your resilience as well. You’ll gain more confidence in how you handle failure or setbacks and become more comfortable with increased levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty.
Giving you self-agency: Finally, by stepping outside your comfort zone often, you’ll learn more about yourself and gain more control over how you want your life to look and what you want to do with it.
I didn’t find evidence that is an accepted theory but I found articles written over many years that suggest it’s true and for me, that works. There are many reasons why time can be an issue for you not jumping in and made more difficult for the chronically ill and disabled. Keep looking for the little joys in life.
Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and promotes better sleep.
Magnesium Sulfate: Popularly known as Epsom Salt. Magnesium is used for treating anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, skin infections and more.
Sodium Bicarbonate: Popularly known as Baking Soda. Sodium bicarbonate makes bath water alkaline which soothes irritated skin, relieves pain or itching, and leaves the skin feeling silky.
Virgin Coconut Oil: Virgin coconut oil is pressed from the “meat” of the coconut. It has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It aids in skin healing and moisturizing.
Sweet Almond Oil: Almond oil is pressed from edible almonds. It is rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and proteins plus minerals and vitamins. It is good for moisturizing and healing skin.
Essential Oils:
Lemon Essential Oil is distilled from the peel of the lemon. It is high in d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon oil is nourishing to the skin, improves mood, and supports the immune system.
Peppermint Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It helps increase blood flow to the skin, is muscle-soothing, and has a mentally relaxing effect
Rosemary Essential Oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops of the fragrant evergreen plant. It is used to stimulate blood circulation, relieve headaches and muscle aches, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.
This all-natural moisturizing detox bath soothes dry skin while raising magnesium levels to aid in de-stressing. This bath soak leaves skin feeling silky soft and supple and promotes better sleep.
Whisk together the melted coconut oil and almond oil.
Stir in essential oils. (10-20 drops lemon, 10-20 drops rosemary, 20-40 drop peppermint)
Add Epsom salts and baking soda, and stir to combine.
The bath salts will have the texture of fresh snow.
Store in an air-tight jar.
HOW TO TAKE A MOISTURIZING DETOX BATH
Take a magnesium bath at night just before going to bed for best results. The magnesium will help you relax while the moisturizing ingredients soothe and soften the skin.
To prepare a bath: Fill the tub with hot water. Add the Magnesium Detox Bath salts then soak for 20-30 minutes. Add music, candles, a good book, or an interesting podcast to make bath time more enjoyable.
Make sure to have a cold glass of drinking water within reach to rehydrate during the bath. After soaking pat dry and go to bed.
DETOX BATH WARNINGS
If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medicines you should consult with your doctor before taking a moisturizing detox bath. Hot bath water can cause dehydration and dizziness. You should drink lots of water while taking a detox bath and never take a detox bath when using drugs or alcohol.
Enjoy!
It sounds very easy to make and it’s great that you can make 5 baths worth per batch. Makes a great gift too.
Dancing isn’t part of my lifestyle anymore but that doesn’t stop me from grooving at home. This is a much-loved classic that always cheers me up with its energy.
Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “loan/lone.” Use them any way you’d like. Bonus points if you use both. Have fun!
This morning, JoAnna shared her take on the process of buying a house and the mounds of paperwork, and it sparked memories of buying my last house. After my divorce in 1999, I bought my first new house, oh how good it felt picking all my options and upgrades and I loved the house. Yes, there was a lot of paperwork but not as much since I bought from a builder. The house was more like a garden home with a little yard in front and less in the back which was perfect for me, Sasha, and Truffles. The HOA took care of the entire yard, flowers, and trees.
My ex-husband was a Contractor and he gave me solid advice on how to do the final punch list. The builder didn’t like it but I was buying the house, right? On the last punch list, I told the builder that I would do the punch list by myself at a slow pace and then we could compare notes and move to closing. His advice paid off, my punch list was long and we would not close after all.
I jumped for joy on the day of the final walk-through, signing of the contract, and the loan like it was yesterday. Not only did I have a new house, my payment was less than the house we shared.
Melinda
Here are the rules:
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. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular 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 will simply be a single word to get you 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 to their post. Even better, read all of them! 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 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!
For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at Linda G Hill
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.
These are some great tips from one of my favorite book-a-zine, Willow and Sage by Stampington, I also subscribe to Field Guide and have read several others over the years. These are not your typical magazines, they have a hard softback, over 1/2 thick and the content will blow you away.
Made from stinging nettle plants, organic nettle tea can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms with its natural antihistamine. You reap all the benefits of antihistamine symptom relief without taking conventional medicines. You can drink the daily as a preventative or as needed.
Spirulina is a superfood full of amazing plant nutrients, like iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, and protein. While great for overall health, spiraling may be beneficial during allergy season because it is high in antioxidants and has been shown to protect the body from anything that might compromise the immune system. It is high in chlorophyll and is detoxifying. Other superfoods like Kale, turmeric, mace powder, hemp, and flax reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.
A probiotic can help boost your gut and immune system health, which plays a big part in seasonal allergies. You can digest probiotics by eating fermented items like sauerkraut, and kombucha, or by taking a supplement. Make sure it is a high-quality probiotic from an organic source.
Apple Cider Vinegar is detoxifying and practically a remedy for everything. Taking as little as 1 tablespoon a day can help you feel and be healthier, which will, in turn, reduce your allergy symptoms. Make sure you purchase unfiltered organic Apple Cider Vinegar.
Essential oils, such as melaleuca, peppermint, lavender, frankincense, lemon, and eucalyptus, help with seasonal allergy relief. I like to fill a roller bottle with carrier oil and 5-10 drops of each chosen essential oil. I apply this to my nose, temples, and behind my ears when I begin to feel swollen or puffy, as well as to the bottom of my feet. You can use these as needed as well as preventative.
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and hope to see you again soon.
Statue of Peter The Great in the square in St. Petersburg, Russia 2001
I had the great privilege of staying at the Astoria Hotel, one of two five-star hotels in St. Petersburg and this was the view from my window. I keep the memories of my trip to Russia close to my heart. My trip was scheduled for 9/11/2001, and all flights were canceled for two weeks, but when I arrived it was a special moment. People knew I was American and they would come up to me and say how sorry they were about what happened in America. A special time indeed.
As many of us are finding ourselves at home for work at the moment, it can feel a little disorientating having to go back and forth in the same space. With that being said, there’s a lot that you can do to make working from home a more enjoyable experience. Remote working might be something that’s even more common in the future so it’s worth exploring what you can do to make it a healthy environment for yourself. Here are some tips to stay healthy whilst working from home.
Set Up A Separate Workspace
A separate workspace is something that you want to try and incorporate as best as you can. Even if you’re setting up a temporary wall in your living or dining room area so that it can feel like you’re stepping into an office. If you have a study room, then you certainly want to take advantage of this as this can provide the workspace you need to thrive. When you’re working from home, the last thing you want to do is to be sharing the communal spaces or using space like the living room or your bedroom and blurring those lines. If you’ve had a hard day at work and you’ve been doing it in the living room, you’ll probably want to avoid that space from then on. It can end up hindering your home space, so it’s worth finding a setup that can work in the home but is not going to encroach on the space where you relax at the end of the day.
Take Advantage Of Lighting Features On Your Devices
When it comes to your electronic devices, whether that be your laptop or your phone, it’s worth tweaking the lighting. This is when you need to adjust it during early morning starts or late nights. The light from our phones and computers can be quite harsh on our eyes so knowing how to go into dark mode here can be beneficial. It’s always good to know what the dangers are when it comes to spending too much time in front of a computer screen. It’s important to find options that can help reduce the impact of screen time, and it may be worth you getting some glasses that can block blue light. This can be helpful in your eyes and give them a rest from the harsh lights that come from our screens.
It’s important to focus on your break times when it comes to working from home. You want to ensure you’re still getting those breaks to help you reset your batteries and give yourself a break from the workload that you have. When it comes to regular breaks, make sure you’re stepping away from your desk and stretching your body. You mustn’t be sat down in a seat for hours on end. You should be getting up and going for regular walks around the home to help keep your body moving. Be sure to take a proper lunch break as well and practice eating away from your desk if you tend to eat at the desk.
Schedule Your Day
Scheduling your day is important because it’s going to help keep you motivated to do the work you’ve set out to do. Try to incorporate the breaks into your schedule so you know when you have some free time coming up and that it won’t interrupt anything you’re doing that might break your productivity. Some people like to schedule their day hour by hour, whereas others like to do it morning and afternoon. Others might find that they just have a to-do list that’s in order of when they do it. It’s good to find and practice what works for you so that you’re getting the most out of your day.
You might want to buy yourself a physical planner or perhaps look at online platforms that you can use to set out your tasks. Explore what’s possible and what works well for your productivity levels. We’re all different so we’ll all need to work a little differently!
Your working hours should be the same as they were if you were in the office. So if you’re starting at 9am, start at 9am. Be strict with yourself and your employer because, for some, they may try and take advantage of the fact you no longer have the commuting time to factor in. It’s still important that you’re doing the hours that you’re paid to do and that you’re not overworking yourself. That’s not something that’s going to be helpful for you, and we’re all only capable of doing so many hours of creative work before we burn out. Your working hours might not be exactly the times you usually do but try and get as close to them as possible.
Continue To Eat Healthily
To stay healthy, it’s important to continue to eat healthy when working from home. When working at home, there can be a lot of temptation within your kitchen cupboards, and if you’re doing more hours from home, then you may do your weekly shopping accordingly. This might be that you have more food than you would while in your workplace. Try to be strict with your food intake and be sure to not eat too much throughout the day as it’s going to leave you feeling lethargic, especially if you’re not doing much exercise. Try to keep yourself fit and healthy both in body and mind, which a lot of it can be influenced by the food we eat.
Staying healthy while working from home can prove to be a challenge, but it’s important to do. Use these tips to help stay healthy during these remote working occasions.
I liked the other Theme better but I could not get the widgets to work, so I went back to a Theme I used a long time ago. The only thing I still have to work on is the date is not standing out. Of course, I will play with the fonts more, it takes me some time to pick, and I love looking at all the options.
I hope the headline doesn’t look as big once published.
So just why do you need to keep your immune system healthy? When there are so many things to do that range from work to personal hobbies, isn’t taking care of the immune system just one more job that really should be left to its own devices? Isn’t that something the body can do by itself?
Yes and no. The immune system can do a lot, and your body will try to protect it as much as possible, but the reality is that if you don’t play an active part, it’s not going to be as healthy as you might hope and want it to be. The immune system is often taken for granted until it starts to fail, but it’s actually one of the most vital aspects of our health, and maintaining a healthy immune system is about protecting our health in all ways. With that in mind, read on to find out when you need to keep your immune system healthy, as well as what you can do to make it happen.
What Is The Immune System?
At its heart, your immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that all work together to defend the body against harmful bacteria, germs, and other problems like viruses. The immune system is set up to be able to identify and then effectively neutralize these things, which means we don’t get sick (or at least not as sick as we would otherwise do).
When it’s working as it should, the immune system uses a lot of different ways to keep us protected, including putting up physical barriers like the skin, using white blood cells and antibodies, and more. These all work together to keep us healthy, so it’s clear that taking care of the immune system is crucial.
A strong immune system isn’t just important for fighting off infections but for overall health. For one thing, it can help with disease prevention because a good immune system is really your body’s first line of defense against infectious diseases, reducing the chances of you getting sick and minimizing symptoms if you do get unwell. Plus, with a good immune system, you’ll usually have a faster recovery time because it responds quickly to any problems and that means you’ll be ill for a shorter period of time.
Then there’s your long term health to consider Chronic stress, poor nutrition, lack of sleep, and plenty of other lifestyle factors can all lead to a compromised immune system, and that means you’re more susceptible to illness over time. If you can make sure your immune system’s health is a priority, you’ll build more resistance and stay healthy for longer.
Developing Primary Immunodeficiency
While it’s essential to keep your immune system as healthy as possible, some people might come across other challenges when it comes to doing that, and one of those challenges is primary immunodeficiency.
This is a rare, genetic disorder that has a variety of symptoms and variations, which is why it’s best to get a doctor’s advice and listen to their ideas about treatment if this is something you suffer from. You’ll have to undergo regular monitoring, receive immunoglobulin replacement therapy, and you’ll also need to make sure you’re very careful when it comes to infections, so there’s a lot to think about. The good news is, this condition can be managed, and that’s the important thing to remember.
How To Boost Your Immune System
If you’re able to make your immune system stronger, that’s definitely something you’ll want to do, and there are a few ways to go about it. Your diet is going to play a big part in keeping your immune system strong, so make sure you eat a healthy, well-balanced one that includes a lot of fruit and vegetables.
You should also make sure you get enough sleep because when you sleep, your immune system can repair itself and become stronger, helping you fight off more infections and diseases. Try to get around seven to nine hours a night if you can, and that will make all the difference.
Stress can also take its toll on your immune system, and you’ll often find that the more stressed you are, the more unwell you get. If you can, reduce stress when possible, and if that means getting help from a doctor or therapist, then that’s the way to go. Stress can play havoc with your physical and mental health, so you need to handle it well if you want to be healthy.
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 Nine Cent Girl.
Welcome to my blog, Nine Cent Girl, which is my musings on family, food, and fashion, basically all life brings. This is not a philosophical or an epicurean or haute couture site, but instead a place to affirm all your own notions. I hope my nine cents will encourage you to live life fully!
Moira writes on many topics which is rewarding and her energy pulls you in. Check out her blog.
Clean Air Month is observed each year across the United States during May. The month focuses on ways we can contribute to making our air cleaner. There has also been a renewed focus on improving the quality of indoor air. In addition, the day brings to light the many ways in which we can reduce our carbon footprints and keep in check our use of fuels and other non-renewable energies.
Clean Air Month is an important observance as it encourages people to make our planet greener, healthier, and more liveable for future generations. By putting in the time and effort, we can significantly contribute to making the air cleaner.
HISTORY OF CLEAN AIR MONTH
Clean Air Month is observed in May each year in association with the American Lung Association. It started as a week-long event in 1972 and turned into a month-long one in 1994. Clean Air Month awareness campaigns aim to educate everyone about the impact of air pollutants and the importance of clean air for a healthy life. The celebrations also encourage people to adopt steps to improve air quality, both locally and globally.
Clean Air Month also celebrates the improvements that have been made to make the air cleaner in the last 40 years since the campaign kicked off. The Clean Air Act, initiated by Clean Air Month, was included in legislation in 1970. Poor air quality can have serious repercussions on one’s health and can pave the way for cancer, bronchitis, allergies, and asthma. Poor air quality has also been linked to the deterioration of our emotional and mental well-being.
Every time we reduce our carbon footprint, we reduce pollutants that can lead to more serious health problems.
I had the itch to change Themes and now I have to rebuild my widgets, they didn’t transfer for some reason. Over the next week, I hope to have it completed.
If you would like to provide feedback now about the new Theme, please do.
This post is for everyone who’s been through a traumatic experience. We have followed each other for years and I’ve learned at least one thing new in every post.
Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “note.” Use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!
Thinking back to my middle school days, I remember boys and girls would send each other notes in class and try not to get caught. The gossipy girls would also send notes among themselves too.
If you were caught it meant a place at the front of class and reading the note out loud. It made classes fun.
Melinda
Here are the rules:
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. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a particular 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 will simply be a single word to get you 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 to their post. Even better, read all of them! 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 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!
For more streams, rules, and tips for Stream of Consciousness Saturday, visit our host, Linda at Linda G Hill
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Granny & Gramps used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
Another excellent recipe my Granny liked but there are no instructions because they always used cast iron pans for cornbread. If cooking that way, just flip when the other side is golden brown.
You Will Need
1 1/2 cups cornmeal
1 can cream corn
1 1/2 onion chopped fine
3 eggs
1 hot chopped pepper
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup milk
1 TSP baking powder
Garlic
Salt and garlic powder to taste
How To Make
Mix in a bowl and combine until completely mixed
In our house, we always used a small cast-iron skillet to cook our cornbread but you can bake in over however I don’t have an oven temperature.
Cast iron skillets make food taste better and they last a lifetime with little maintenance.
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.
Living with a chronic condition can be difficult – it can even be overwhelming – and it’s definitely going to be a challenge, no matter how the condition might actually affect you and manifest itself. It could be anything from arthritis to diabetes to asthma to eczema or perhaps chronic pain, but if it’s affecting your life, then you need to do something about it.
You might think that’s not possible, especially if you understand your condition well, but the fact is that although it might not be possible to actually cure the condition and you might always have it, you can do things to reduce the impact of the symptoms and make life at least a little easier for you. If you can stop a chronic condition from ruining your life, then it’s got to be with trying. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about what you might be able to do.
Understand Your Condition
The first thing you’ll need to do if you want to stop a chronic condition from ruining your life is to understand it – thoroughly. We don’t mean just a vague idea of what you’re suffering from – we mean that you need to really know it, inside and out. You need to educate yourself about everything you can that links to your illness, including its symptoms, triggers, and treatments.
Of course, to do this, you’ll need to only look at the most reliable sources when it comes to eczema treatments or anything else you need to know about, but that’s a good thing. True, it’s going to mean it takes longer to get the information you need, but it also means that you’ll be being as thorough as possible so you weed out any sources and information that aren’t reliable. In the end, you’ll have a good idea of what’s true and what isn’t, and that’s going to serve you well when it comes to stopping the condition from ruining your life.
It’s also a good idea to find support groups so you can talk to others about the condition you all share because even if you don’t get any more information, the support can make a lot of difference, and knowing there are people you can talk to if you’re having a bad day or who you can help if you’re able to is a wonderfully positive and empowering things. Plus, don’t forget doctors and other medical experts. You might think you want to do it all by yourself, but the fact is that doctors are going to have a lot of good information for you, and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to learning more. Plus, seeing a doctor means you won’t ever have to (or be tempted to) self-medicate, and staying away from that dangerous path is a good thing.
Accept It
If this sounds like a terrible idea, don’t worry – it’s not as bad as you might think, and it’s well worth thinking about once you know more about what we’re saying. The crucial thing to remember is that acceptance doesn’t mean resigning yourself to the fact that you’re going to be unwell and potentially limited forever. It doesn’t mean giving up on trying to reduce the symptoms or finding a cure. What it means is that rather than fighting against it, you accept that this condition, whatever it is, is part of your life – but it’s not the thing that makes you you, and it’s not the thing that defines you.
So what we’re saying is that you need to accept that you’re unwell, but you mustn’t become a victim – you need to essentially shift your thinking from negative to as positive as you can (which might not be easy, but when you start, it becomes easier). Begin by not dwelling on the things you can’t do and instead focus on what you can do and what you can control in your life, make sure you do more of the things that bring you joy, and it’s definitely going to help because even if you’re still suffering, you’re not letting the problem ruin your life.
Prioritize Self-Care
Maybe you don’t put your own self-care first because you don’t want to look weak and admit you need some time to read or recharge. Maybe you don’t do it because you’ve got a lot of other people to look after. Maybe you’re too busy at work. Maybe you really just don’t know what you can do that means you’re enjoying some self-care. Whichever of these issues it is, or even if it’s some other reason entirely, it’s time to change your thinking – self-care has to come first.
The fact is that when you’re managing a chronic condition, self-care is non-negotiable, so you need to add more to your life whenever you can. The great thing about self-care is that there are so many different ways it can be done, so you might start by ensuring you get enough sleep, that you exercise regularly (even a little is good), or that you eat a balanced diet. Perhaps self-care for you means getting a chance to read or listen to music. Maybe it’s about going for a walk or enjoying your favorite hobby or having a spa day. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you include it in your life because when you do, you’ll be happier and less stressed, and that’s going to help you realize that your life is good and that your chronic condition, even at it’s most difficult, isn’t going to ruin it.
Set Realistic Goals
Something else that can help you if you’re suffering from a chronic condition and you don’t want it to ruin your life is to set yourself some realistic goals to work towards. They can be as big or as small as you want (although if they are big, it’s best to split them into smaller goals so you don’t get overwhelmed by everything you have to do).
Once you reach a goal, celebrate, and keep moving forward – always move forward. You’ll need to be flexible and sometimes those goals will have to change and be adjusted, but as long as you’re always working towards something, you’ll have hope, and that means your life is definitely not ruined.
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. Most products are found on Amazon.
THIS WORKS
Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: Fast-Acting Natural Rest Aid with Lavender for Relaxation, 35 ml 1.2 Fl Oz
Not only do I use this at night but also at nap time! It’s worth the investment and by only using a few spays at a time, it lasts a long time. Don’t forget to share with your bedmate.
The Body Shop Shea Body Butter
Hydrating & Moisturizing Skincare for Very Dry Skin – Vegan – 12.9 oz
This is my favorite body cream, it’s from a company built on ethics, and it’s a great price point. There are many fragrances to choose from and everything else you need to pamper.
NEOM
Happiness Reed Diffuser Refill, 3.38 fl oz |Uplifting Scent Neroli, Mimosa & Lemon Essential Oil Blends| 100% Natural Fragrance | Scent to Make You Happy……
This fragrance is out of this world and a bit on the pricey side. Treat yourself to a new fragrance. On the less expensive side, I buy the below.
Cocorrína
Cashmere Vanilla Scented Reed Diffuser Oil with 8 Cotton Reed Sticks Fragrance for Bedroom, Bathroom, Home Décor, 6.7 oz. (200 ml)
They have many fragrances to choose from but this is my favorite from this company.
Gaiam Relax Massage Ball Roller
Handheld Wooden Total Body Massager for Back, Neck, Foot, Calf, Leg, Arm | Deep Tissue Massager Relief for Sore Muscles
Who doesn’t love a smooth massage without leaving home? High-quality brand and with little maintenance it will last a long time.
KIPRITII
Ergonomically Back Scrubber for Shower – Double-Sided Back Brush Long Handle for Shower, Wet & Dry Brush for Cellulite and Lymphatic (Blue)
I love this brush because it has a stiff and soft side. The ergo styling does make a difference in my wrist pain. It fit my needs and it was less than $10.
Organic Lavender Essential Oil Roll-On
Lavandula Angustifolia, 100% Pure USDA Certified Aromatherapy for Calming, Relaxation & Skin – 10 ml Roller by Silk Road Organic – Always Pure, Always Organic
It is great to keep these around the house and office for when you need to reduce stress. They help me fall asleep by rolling a line down both sides of my neck and a dab under my nose. Essential oils also help if you roll on the lower parts of your body, the smell will go right up to you.
Diffuserlove Ceramic Diffuser
160ML Essential Oil Diffusers Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser for Room Air Diffuser for Home Bedroom Stone Diffuser White (Size:6.8″ H x 3.6″ W)
You don’t have to spend a fortune on a nice Essential Oil Diffuser, of course, there are more elaborate ones on the market. My life is about simplicity and this one has served me well for over 5 years.
I have not found a better essential oil mix to add to my Diffuser. It’s a great fragrance anywhere you have a Diffuser but this blend sets me up for a good night.
Looking for the Light 