Melinda
St. Patricks Day is tomorrow and I thought a little background on the holiday would help. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century.
The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon.
As Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, other cities developed their own traditions. One of these is Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green. The practice started in 1962, when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday. That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river–enough to keep it green for a week. Today, in order to minimize environmental damage, only 40 pounds of dye are used, and the river turns green for only several hours.
This is probably where green beer started for those who partake. I know over the years, when I drank and went to parties, no one thought about it being a religious holiday. Now we know.
I wish you a happy St. Patrick’s day and all the festivities.
Melinda
Hello everyone🖖 Melatonin, commonly known as the sleep hormone is responsible for our cicardian rythm. But, it has some fascinating facts to be known. 1. The pineal gland, located at the base of the brain, is known to produce 5% of the total quantity of melatonin. Surprisingly, in all of the cells throughout the entire […]
10 interesting facts about Melatonin 😴 — The 3H:health,happiness,healing
Melinda
As we have just celebrated Women’s Day, it is important to acknowledge that women’s stereotypes still exist and need to be challenged for us to promote growth. This blog post will discuss 5 of the most persistent women’s stereotypes and how they limit and reduce women’s potential.
We will also explain why it is important to break these clichés in order for us to continue to progress and promote gender equality.
This is one of the most common stereotypes about women, and it’s simply not true. Women are just as capable as men with cars, whether in terms of knowledge or skill. Many women have played a decisive role in bringing the automotive industry forward, such as Florence Lawrence, who created the brake lights, for instance.
Women are taking on DIY car repair projects and are becoming experts in their own right as much as men. Women are often seen as passive passengers, but the reality is that they can be just as involved and knowledgeable when it comes to cars.
The first step in breaking this stereotype is for women to become more directly involved and knowledgeable about cars. This can start with simply becoming more familiar with the specificities of their vehicles via the owner’s manual. You can also buy a manual online if there is none with your car, such as here for the Ford Transit Connect owner’s manual. Learning about basic car maintenance, researching car parts, and troubleshooting easy faults are steps supported by the manual that can dismantle this cliché.
The stereotype that women are weak has been perpetuated by society for centuries. This notion has been reinforced by the fact that biologically speaking, women have less muscle mass than men. However, this does not mean that women cannot be strong. In fact, with proper strength training, they can become incredibly strong. Take a look at some of the strongest women in history, starting with Abbye Pudgy Stockton, who balanced her husband above her head.
The stereotype that women are not good at math has been around for centuries. Its origin dates back to the 1600s when it was believed that women did not possess the intellectual capacity to comprehend complex mathematical concepts. This idea was perpetuated through cultural beliefs and stereotypes that favored men in intellectual pursuits.
Ultimately, the stereotype that women are not good at math or science, in general, is both outdated and incorrect. Girls and women can be just as talented in mathematics as their male counterparts, but they may need more resources and encouragement to reach their full potential.
Studies have found no difference in intelligence or math ability between men and women. The same studies have also found that girls typically perform better than boys in elementary and secondary school mathematics courses. The real issue is that girls and women are often held back from pursuing careers in the sciences due to a variety of gender-based barriers. These include a lack of access to high-quality education, a lack of support from family and peers, and even a lack of female role models in the sciences.
It’s time to break the stereotype that women aren’t good leaders. While it may be true that there are fewer women in leadership roles than men, this does not mean that women cannot lead effectively and successfully. History counts many successful female leaders, and countless modern businesses have also chosen female CEOs as their heads.
In fact, research suggests that women tend to have different qualities that make them better leaders. For example, studies show that women have greater emotional intelligence, which can be an advantage when leading a team. They are also more likely to focus on collaboration and communication, which helps to create an open and productive work environment. Additionally, research indicates that female leaders are more likely to be seen as nurturing and supportive of their employees, leading to higher morale and greater productivity.
This is an important stereotype to break. More and more women choose against having children for a variety of reasons. They are often at the receiving end of harsh criticism. Social expectations have not evolved during the past centuries and continue to perceive women’s role as being a mother. Motherhood doesn’t define an individual’s purpose in life. Women can be anything they want to be, whether this includes being a mother or not. Not having children doesn’t make you any less of a woman.
Sisters, mothers, and besties, it’s time to unite our voices and break these stereotypes, one after the other.
This is a collaborative post.
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 a new blogger, Explorations in Psychotherapy.
Allan is a new blogger and doesn’t have an About Me page yet. I love reading his post and talking to him.
Please stop by and say hello.
Melinda
I want to give a special thanks to Andrea Marchiano, Editor from Trigger Publishing for sending Befriending Your Brian to read and review.
March 2, 2023
Like many of us, James Lindsay is no stranger to stress and anxiety. But in his case, leaving those struggles untreated led to a full psychotic episode that hospitalised him for the better part of a month. With the help of medication and therapy, he has now overcome this dark period and is currently living a much happier life.
But his story doesn’t end there. Now, he wants to help others avoid the same fate by sharing his experience, including the red flags he recognises in hindsight and the path he charted to recovery. No matter where you are on your own journey, James’ story will resonate and remind you, as he puts it, that “recovery is always possible, and hope is never far away.”
James was plagued with anxiety from a young age but had little knowledge of Mental Illness, let alone Psychosis. He was bullied throughout his school years, and as James got older, his anxiety grew. There were many days he didn’t want to attend class because they called him names, and it was troubling for him. He couldn’t just shake it off.
Shortly before the breakup with his girlfriend of two years, James started to unravel. He starts talking to friends but is not making sense and they became worried. His behavior became more erratic, began hearing voices telling him what to do and Psychosis started. Which lead to more erratic behavior and he was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed as having Acute Psychosis. James stayed in the Psychiatric Hospital for four weeks.
To this point, you can see how his anxiety grew, and having treatment earlier would have helped.
After several medication changes, James is on his way forward. He found a part-time job, and ran a 10K run which was something he did in the past. Doing more helped his confidence grow and help him look forward to life. James not only jumped back into the hobbies he loved but went way out of his comfort zone with other activities. He made friends and started to have a full life helped by CBT.
I love that James includes a list of Apps that provide Mental Health support, a list of what not to say to someone experiencing Mental Illness, a list of Mental Health podcast,s and books to read about Mental Illness. I can certainly relate to the list as I was diagnosed with Bipolar, Anxiety, and PTSD at age 19.
I’ve shared more about the book than usual because it’s important to see that seeking help is the answer to moving forward.
I’m so happy to say James found love again and is married and loving life. Jame’s book is really for anyone with Anxiety, depression, psychosis, and schizophrenia. It’s packed with great examples of the struggles he’s been thru and sticking with treatment, being honest with doctor and taking your medication is the way forward.
Befriending My Brain is a must-buy.
Looking back now, it is clear that my breakdown built up over a long time as my anxiety increased, but psychosis still gut-punched me hard to finish me off.
We have built a first-class resource of curated books produced and published in-house to create a unique collection of mental health recovery titles unrivaled in quality and selection. We work with experts, psychologists, doctors, and coaches to produce our books, but we also work with real people looking to share their stories to reach out to others and provide hope, understanding, and compassion. These brave authors also aim to raise awareness of mental health’s “human” face and its impact on everyday lives.
Melinda
On March 12, 1933, eight days after his inauguration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives his first national radio address—or “fireside chat”—broadcast directly from the White House.
Roosevelt began that first address simply: “I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking.” He went on to explain his recent decision to close the nation’s banks in order to stop a surge in mass withdrawals by panicked investors worried about possible bank failures. The banks would be reopening the next day, Roosevelt said, and he thanked the public for their “fortitude and good temper” during the “banking holiday.”
Though today there is almost nothing as ubiquitous as a bottle of Coca-Cola, this was not always the case. For the first several years of its existence, Coke was only available as a fountain drink, and its producer saw no reason for that to change. It was not until March 12, 1894 …read more
The London drug squad appears at house of George Harrison and Pattie Boyd with a warrant and drug-sniffing canines. Boyd immediately used the direct hotline to Beatles headquarters and George returned to find his home turned upside down. He is reported to have told the officers …read more
On March 12, 1776, in Baltimore, Maryland, a public notice appears in local papers recognizing the sacrifice of women to the cause of the revolution. The notice urged others to recognize women’s contributions and announced, “The necessity of taking all imaginable care of those who may happen to be wounded in the country’s cause, urges us to address our humane ladies, to lend us their kind assistance in furnishing us with linen rags and old sheeting, for bandages.”
On March 12, 1930, Indian independence leader Mohandas Gandhi begins a defiant march to the sea in protest of the British monopoly on salt, his boldest act of civil disobedience yet against British rule in India. Britain’s Salt Acts prohibited Indians from collecting or selling …read more
Melinda
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments.
Melinda
Did you know the age recommended for Colonoscopy has changed from 65 to 45? This change came after seeing younger people getting Colon Cancer more often. According to Cancer.gov, Since the 1990s, the rate of colorectal cancer (which includes cancers of the colon and rectum) has been rising steadily among adults younger than 50. Not only that, but more younger people are dying from the disease.
Some groups have been hit by the rising trend more than others. For instance, although people of all races can develop colorectal cancer at a young age, the spike has mostly been seen among Alaska Native, American Indian, and White peopleExit Disclaimer. However, Black people are still more likely to get colorectal cancer at a young age than White people, even though the gap is shrinking, said Nathan Ellis, Ph.D., of the University of Arizona Cancer Center.
Likewise, several studies have found that being overweight or obese may raise someone’s chance of getting early-onset colorectal cancer. Using data from electronic health records, Nathan Berger, M.D., of Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, found that half of younger adults with colorectal cancer were overweight and 17% were obese.
Unhealthy diets have become more common in past decades, the researchers pointed out. And the number of children and adults who are overweight or obese continues to climb. Unhealthy diets and gut bacteria are connected in another way, too. Both can lead to inflammation—the body’s reaction to injury, disease, or irritation. In one study of mice, a high-fat diet triggered gut inflammation and accelerated the growth of tumors in the intestines.
In addition, certain chronic diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, and diabetes, can cause inflammation in the gut. Half of younger adults with colorectal cancer also have a chronic condition that can cause inflammation in the gut.
Both young people and doctors need to shed the notion that colorectal cancer is an “old person’s disease,” several meeting participants stressed. People should get used to looking at their stool and noticing changes, they noted.
Due to poor health and frankly laziness, I didn’t get a colonoscopy for 12 years. I was very nervous last year when I had one but not one polyp was found, so I can go ten years before my next one. He did not do an Upper GI at the time. So Monday I had an Upper GI and I’m waiting for the results. I know there might be some bad news in there because of my pain. Probably an ulcer. We’ll see.
Don’t follow my example, get your Colosocopy every year. If your results are good you may not have to have another one for 10 years.
Melinda
Self-Blame, Self-Criticism, and Shame “Self-blame is a cognitive process in which an individual attributes the occurrence of a stressful event to oneself. The direction of blame often has implications for individuals’ emotions and behaviors during and following stressful situations.” “Self-blame is common among adult sexual trauma survivors and it is very common among children who […]
Self-Blame, Self-Criticism, and Shame — DocTalk, Explorations in Psychotherapy
Hello, all of you beautiful women! Today is the day we all celebrate women, each celebration will look different but a simple hug or compliment is always welcome.
Have a great day, all women need a special day of appreciation.
Melinda
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 a new blogger, The Fabulous Lyf.
Through the Windows of my blog, I will see the reflection of memories we have created in the name of Lyf, time after time.
While embracing the uncertainties & cherishing the Love, I have gratitude for everything in life.
On these pages, I share my love for Traveling with the world along with everything I experience and the adventures I will be on.
Stop by and see all of her photos.
Melinda
It’s that time again, new monthly Awareness Days.
I will write about some of the days throughout the month.
Melinda
References:
If you want to stay healthy in later life, or you want to support an older friend or family member, you need to put the right foundations in place. If you know someone who is isolated and older, you might want to visit them sometimes, take them for a walk, or encourage healthy eating.
The food we eat is directly related to our health and life quality. This is true at any age, but it’s even more important in later life when the body’s systems are more sensitive. Creating healthy eating patterns can be challenging, but they can also be simple and rewarding when sustained.
When you start eating fresh, healthy foods such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables, you change the expectations of the body. Instead of craving foods high in fats and sugars, your body will start to crave healthier alternatives. Try to encourage healthy eating for you and your family members.
The human body has evolved to be active and to move every day. While this can be more challenging when we get older, it is just s important to maintain an active life. There are huge benefits to staying active; it improves energy levels, mental well-being, and the immune system.
When you think about physical activity, you tend to think about running, going to the gym, or yoga, but these activities are not always realistic for older people. But exercise can be moderate and light such as walking, simple stretching, and light weights to improve strength and wellness.
Some people need some additional help when they get older. The onset of disease, mobility issues, and a deterioration in health and wellness mean people need extra support from home carers or need to move into a care home for effective Elder Care. It’s sometimes the best option.
Elder care involves visiting older people, communicating with them, helping them with everyday tasks, and supporting them in a variety of ways. Elder care can be carried out by a family member who is also a carer, a professional carer who visits, or professionals in a care home.
Most people have a vitamin D deficiency; that’s because vitamin D is not naturally produced in the body; it needs to be ingested. Vitamin D can be absorbed from the sun or consumed in vitamin D-rich foods such as oranges and mushrooms. It’s important for overall cognitive health.
Cognitive health becomes more important as we age due to genetic changes, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors. It’s important to pay more attention to cognitive health as we get older by challenging our brains and consuming more vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D.
Older people suffer more from isolation. They might have lost a spouse but continue to live in their familiar ways, or they might have lost their hearing and don’t like interacting due to embarrassment. However, community connection is incredibly important for mental health and well-being. It’s easier than ever to find a community online, thanks to various digital platforms.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments.
Melinda
I really love baths. For the past decade, or so, I’ve tried taking a bath every night. It’s my time. My gift to myself. There were times, in the past, when I took baths and answered work calls. Dumb move. Really, dumb move. Anyone will tell you that no job is worth that moment of […]
Taking a bath at 3am — psychologistmimi
My health has held me back for a long time but the last 6-8 months have been hell. It’s also had an impact on my mental health. I’m inside every day unless going to doctors and the salon, and the natural effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has added to my depression.
Today was the best day since I don’t know when. First I got up standard time and took all my medications, (Pat on the back). Then I got busy, and with the help of hubby, we changed the sheets and cleaned the entire bedroom. That feels so good!!!!!
I watered the inside plants and started cleaning up outside to be ready for Spring. I trimmed the rose and cleared the debris from the Lillies and several other flowers and plants.
I still have several plants, about 10 that I’m still protecting from the cold in the garage but they are all growing leaves. There is also another small rose bush and a mum to prepare. That’s for another good day.
I’ve included some photos for your entertainment. This amount of work was completed before noon before I became ill. My Fibromyalgia cooperated today.
Lillies
Small Rose
Beautiful Ivy
Monstera
Silver Satin Pothos
Huge Orchid
Small Rubber Tree
My favorite ZZ plant, it’s over 3 ft tall.
Mum
Most afternoons I rest in bed but not today. It’s 3:00 pm and I’m still going. I’m celebrating this day because they happen so rarely. Today I can feel good about all that was accomplished and I don’t feel the guilt that I often feel for spending so much time in bed.
Wishing you a great day, however, you spend it. You have good days ahead.
Melinda
It’s not the best photo but it gives you the awe factor of the roof design.
Melinda
On a day weighed down by doom and gloom, I recall discovering these lines: “I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” It’s far too easy for me to focus on the darkness and challenges I face. Then I read a quote like this one and have to pause […]
Emotion – the heart of persuasion —
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Continue reading “Deep Thoughts”Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Wendy’s Journey.
A Chronic Illness Blog By: Windy Johnson-Cumberbatch, CPC
My name is Windy Johnson-Cumberbatch. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Lyme Disease and later Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the summer of 2014 after over a decade of severe illness and countless misdiagnosis. I had Fibromyalgia prior to contracting Lyme Disease and the co-infections that came along with it.
Be sure to check out her blog, it’s very helpful.
Melinda
Hey! So glad you stopped by today, I look forward to your comments.
Melinda
Melinda
Are you struggling right now? Sometimes, the very struggle that threatens to bring us to our knees can end up making us stronger.
A Lesson from the Vineyard: Strength Through Struggle — Olive Tree Saints
lookingforthelight.blog 