Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Make the Most out of your Fresh Start this Year

Sometimes, a fresh start is just what you need to bring back some joy into your life. Starting from fresh can take the form of moving to somewhere new or it can be starting a new job. Either way, if you are ready for a new beginning then this is your chance to understand more about the days ahead.

Plan some New Activities

Life can be unpredictable, but it should not stop you from being able to plan some stuff to do in your life. You need to try and live your life to the fullest and you also need to be able to take chances. If you need some inspiration then why not try and learn a new language? You might also want to learn how to cook, or even try your hand at learning an instrument. Either way, doing some new activities is certainly one of the best ways for you to try and expand your horizons as well as being able to make the most out of the time you have.

Source: Pexels (CC0 License)

Make some New Friends

New friends can easily open you up to new perspectives and it can also bring about some unexpected opportunities as well. Sometimes if you want to build new relationships, you have to let go of old ones. You also need to try and put yourself out there so that you can be found. You can do this by signing up for social gatherings or even attending a concert. You can take a class, go to a church service or simply introduce yourself. If you can do this, then you will soon find that you can make the most out of the time you have. This will work wonders for your mental health too.

Declutter

Along with your clothes, you probably have a lot of other items that you just don’t need anymore. Getting rid of things like this can be a fantastic way for you to move forward. It can also be somewhat symbolic as well. Take a look through all of the rooms in your home for anything that you may have bought this year and also make sure that you do what you can to get rid of things that you don’t need. If you have seasonal items then remember to put them into storage so you can pull them out whenever you need them. Getting rid of items that you don’t use very much will help you to make room for other things, that may bring you more joy. This is especially useful if you intend on looking at new homes, or somewhere else to live to help you with your fresh start.

Clean out Your Closet

Consumers purchase, on average, 68 new garments every year. That is quite a lot, especially if you haven’t cleaned out your closet in quite some time. If you can clean out your closet space, then you may find that you can have way more room and you can also buy yourself some new clothes. This is sometimes exactly what you need if you want to make a fresh start, so keep that in mind if you can.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Common Myths About Cannabis

It seems like there are new myths about Marijuana popping up all the time. The reality is that many of these myths have been disproven long ago. However, they persist in today’s society for one reason or another. Some people believe them because they haven’t done any research on their own. In contrast, others may do so because it benefits them to keep these misconceptions alive. We’ll be giving you the facts about some common myths associated with Marijuana and dispel them once and for all!

You Can’t Get Addicted To Marijuana

You can find this myth in many pro-marijuana campaigns across the world. The truth is that it’s entirely possible to get addicted to Marijuana, just like any other substance out there. Of course, it will not happen overnight, and you shouldn’t be able to do so by smoking one joint either! When people argue about whether or not marijuana addiction exists, they are usually talking about cannabis dependency. This type of dependency occurs when someone smokes on a daily basis for an extended period of time, usually several months. It slowly becomes harder and harder for them to function normally without getting high first.

This doesn’t mean that these individuals have no control over their actions, though; they simply use weed as a crutch because they’re too anxious or uncomfortable without it. The next time you’re around someone who is high, really think about whether or not they look like they need it to function normally.

Marijuana Is Always Safe To Use

One of the most common things heard about weed is that it’s safe and harmless to use. This couldn’t be further from the truth! We’ll touch on some key points here, but if you would like more information, then research Marijuana safety tips.

There are many negative health effects associated with smoking marijuana regularly or excessively. For one thing, long-term smokers usually end up getting respiratory problems such as bronchitis because they inhale so much tar and ash into their lungs. If this doesn’t sound healthy to you already, keep in mind that Marijuana contains 50% more carcinogenic hydrocarbons than regular cigarettes do too! There have also been studies showing an increased risk of lung cancer among people who smoke Marijuana regularly.

Getting your Marijuana from the best dispensary possible is an additional factor to consider as there are legislative quality controls they need to follow, ensuring you get a pure and clean product.

Marijuana Is A Gateway Drug

This is a controversial point, but it has been proven that Marijuana does not cause people to try out harder drugs. Sure there are cases where this happened due to the influence of others, but overall it would be an unfair label to place on Marijuana.

The problem here lies in the fact that some unscrupulous dealers will sell their customers harder drugs when they come back. It’s not because the Marijuana itself made them do it, but you can’t deny that Marijuana is an easy way to get someone hooked on something else! There are studies showing that people who already have a tendency towards addiction may try harder substances if given access to an alternative like Marijuana in most cases.

Marijuana Doesn’t Have Any Medicinal Value

The biggest argument for legalizing Marijuana is its medicinal properties. There are many positive uses for Marijuana, both as an analgesic and to help with the symptoms of certain diseases. It makes sense that people who could benefit from this would want access to it without having to wait until the laws change in their state or country!

There has been a wealth of research done in the past several years that have shown Marijuana’s amazing medical value. The US government even holds a patent on Cannabis for its antioxidant and neuroprotectant abilities.

In conclusion, there are many common myths when it comes to marijuana use that simply isn’t true at all! This is especially important nowadays when more and more states are legalizing the drug either recreationally or medically.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health

Today in History

Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1995

 O.J. Simpson Acquitted

At the end of a sensational trial, former football star O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the brutal 1994 double murder of his estranged wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. In the epic 252-day trial, Simpson’s “dream team” of lawyers employed creative and controversial methods to convince jurors that Simpson’s guilt had not been proved “beyond a reasonable doubt,” thus surmounting what the prosecution called a “mountain of evidence” implicating him as the murderer.

1992

Sinéad O’Connor tears up a photo of Pope John Paul II on “Saturday Night Live”

On October 3, 1992, Irish musician Sinéad O’Connor stuns the audience at 30 Rockefeller Plaza and viewers across the United States when she tears up a photo of Pope John Paul II during a performance on Saturday Night Live. O’Connor surprised the SNL staff when she opted to sing …read more

1895

“The Red Badge of Courage” is published

On October 3, 1895, The Red Badge of Courage, by Stephen Crane, is published in book form. The story of a young man’s experience of battle was the first American novel to portray the Civil War from an ordinary Union soldier’s point of view. The tale originally appeared as a …read more

1990

East and West Germany reunite after 45 years

Less than one year after the destruction of the Berlin Wall, East and West Germany come together on what is known as “Unity Day.”  Since 1945, when Soviet forces occupied eastern Germany, and the United States and other Allied forces occupied the western half of the nation at the …read more

1863

President Lincoln proclaims official Thanksgiving holiday

On October 3, 1863, expressing gratitude for a pivotal Union Army victory at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln announces that the nation will celebrate an official Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 1863. The speech, which was actually written by Secretary of State William …read more

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

The last time I did Fun Facts people raved about how informative and funny they were so I wanted to start a new weekend tradition.

Alexander the Great was the first person to be pictured on a coin.

FDR’s portrait was on the dime because of his association with the March of Dimes charity.

The sun weighs 2,000 million million million million tons.

Shoes that were specific to left and right were not made until the Civil War.

The Turks call the turkey an “American bird.”

Lightning kills about 10,000 people a year worldwide, more people than tornadoes or flooding.

At an average of 15 breaths per minute, we take about 400 million breaths during a lifetime. This is equivalent to about 53 million gallons of air.

The shiniest living thing on earth is the Pollia Condensata, an African fruit.

The bee hummingbird drinks from up to 1,500 flowers a day

We throw away enough ribbon each year to tie a bow around the entire Earth.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Fugees perform “Killing Me Softly” Global Citizen Live

 

 

I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.



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 don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

It’s International Coffee Day!!!!!

This is one celebration I can get behind anytime of day! My first coffee experience was in my baby bottle. I’m sure it was a dab but gramps said I had to have what he was drinking. I believe it knowing how close we were.

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

Where did it all start?

International Coffee Day is an occasion that is used to promote and celebrate coffee as a beverage, with events now occurring in places across the world. The first official date was 1 October 2015, as agreed by then International Coffee Organization and was launched in Milan. This day is also used to promote fair trade coffee and to raise awareness for the plight of the coffee growers. On this day, many businesses offer free or discounted cups of coffee. Some businesses share coupons and special deals with their loyal followers via social networking. Some greeting card companies sell National Coffee Day greeting cards as well as free e-cards.

Here’s a hot or cold toast of coffee to you! Here’s to the farmers who keep us going each and every day. 

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Book Review One Step At A Time By Francesca Giacomozzi

I was kindly gifted a copy of One Step At A Time, by Francesca Giacomozzi from Soraya Nair at Cherish Editions for an honest review. Thank you, Soraya.

About Author

“Francesca Giacomozzi has lived in the UK since April 2016.

After quitting a full-time job that wasn’t fulfilling her, she studied to become a yoga teacher and reflexologist and now owns her own yoga teaching and massage therapy business.


Her drive to help others overcome mental health issues has pushed her out of her comfort zone, leading her to raise awareness about eating disorders as a daily mission.


Francesca has two degrees and can speak five languages.”

Excerpt From: Francesca Giacomozzi. “One Step at a Time.” Apple Books.

Blurb

“My long-winded journey into a fuller and healthier self. Written with the hope that if you are lost, you will soon be found. This is the honest and unfiltered truth about me and my experiences as a warrior in eating disorder recovery. All the people mentioned in this book are real, and therefore have been made anonymous unless they provided consent to be spoken about by name.”

Francesca Giacomozzi found herself on the verge of a crisis, exhausted from waking up day after day without a sense of purpose. Determined to get her life back on track, she decided to take on a challenge to engage both her mind and body: a two-week walk along the South West Coastal Path.

She invested in kit and prepared – or so she thought – for the solo trek. Little did she know, her journey would leave her with a completely different outcome to the one she expected. Her diary pages are filled with two tales: what happened on the trail, and how it made her feel on the inside.

My Thoughts

When you’re faced with demons, you have two paths you can take. You can tackle them head-on or you can turn and run. Francesca found herself at a crossroads and decided to face her demons in the most interesting way. She set out to trek 360 miles across England to find herself and found so much more. 


Armed with her diary, she sets out and discovers the generosity of others feeds her need for food. When you struggle with an eating disorder, you over focus on food and look for an emotional fulfillment which doesn’t come. Fran struggles with her thoughts and self loathing along the way but as she reaches her destination there is a new sense of self. A sense she can overcome and ask for help. 


Ask for help she does, she sees a therapist for the first time and starts a new, more informed and self assured chapter. I beleive she is living her best life and inspires others with deep rooted struggles that there is light at the end of the tunnel. 


Fran sprinkles in poetry throughout the chapters. She is a great writer and the book is a fast read, you can’t wait to see what adventure she will encounter next. You can also fully relate to the insecurities she feels about herself and in social situations. 


I struggled with an eating disorder for years and can say this book hit home. It’s real and gives a look at the true mental and physical toll an eating disorder can take in the body. 


This book is a great read for most types of mental health struggles, not just eating disorders. The guilt, anger, insecurities and shame are universal. 


I highly recommend One Step At A time to everyone and give it 5 stars! 

Cherish Editions

Cherish Editions is the self-publishing division of Trigger Publishing, the UK’s leading independent mental health and wellbeing publisher.

We are experienced in creating and selling positive, responsible, important and inspirational books, which work to de-stigmatise the issues around mental health, as well as helping people who read them to maintain and improve their mental health and wellbeing. By choosing to publish through Cherish Editions, you will get the expertise of the dedicated Trigger Team at every step of the process.

We are proud of what we do, and passionate about the books that we publish. We want to do the very best for you and your book, holding your hand every step of the way.

Happy Reading!

I know you will enjoy the book as much as I did and encourage you to pick up a copy today.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Men & Womens Health

The Benefits of Renting an Apartment

Depending on what your goal is and what you are looking for in life, renting an apartment might be the best option for you. There are many benefits that come with renting an apartment, here are just a few to help you make your decision. 

Photo by Tim Gouw on Pexels.com

Amenities

One of the key benefits of renting an apartment is that you get to live in a complex that offers a wide range of amenities, such as a swimming pool, fitness center, tennis courts, dog parks, etc. These kinds of perks would be too costly to have on your own property or apartment, but complexes include these offers in the lease agreements, which means you can enjoy them at a much more affordable price.

Flexibility 

Rental contracts offer a lot more flexibility, as you can stay in an apartment for as long, or as short as you like. Although a length of time has to be agreed upon, signing the lease, can range from 6 months to 5 years. This means you can get up and move apartments fairly often, trying out new locations, price points, decor, layouts, etc. It also means more flexibility with money. You of course need enough to pay the deposit and rent, but that is a much smaller amount tied up in the lease, as opposed to the sizable deposit you have to make that is left tied up in a purchase. 

Location 

Renting an apartment not only means you can move around more often if you wish, to try new locations, but you can also easily access more sought-after areas, for example, in the center of the City. This is because prices are much more accessible for renters, as opposed to those looking to purchase, who will see prices skyrocket for popular locations. This means you can reap the benefits, without the cost.

Quality 

In most cases, the apartments are of top quality, as it is the goal of the landlords to fulfill the spaces. Most rental apartments need to be in good enough condition and meet certain standards, to be put on the market and habitable. In apartment complexes, you usually have dedicated staff on hand to keep up with the cleaning and maintenance of the complex and amenities. Renting also means access to high-quality apartments, as high-quality properties for sale tend to be priced significantly higher. 

Repairs

In a typical lease, there will be certain things you are responsible for, but there are also many things the landlord is responsible for too, such as repairs. This means if something breaks, that is not your fault, you can call the landlord to get it fixed. This takes a huge burden off your shoulders, as well as saves you a lot of money in the long run. 

There are many benefits to renting an apartment. For more information, take a look at https://www.liveiconlouisville.com/

Find exactly what you need when you need it. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health

Today in History

Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1960

Kennedy and Nixon square off in first televised presidential debate

For the first time in U.S. history, a debate between major party presidential candidates is shown on television. The presidential hopefuls, John F. Kennedy, a Democratic senator of Massachusetts, and Richard M. Nixon, the vice president of the United States, met in a Chicago studio to discuss U.S. domestic matters.

1580

Francis Drake circumnavigates the globe

English seaman Francis Drake returns to Plymouth, England, in the Golden Hind, becoming the first British navigator to sail the earth. On December 13, 1577, Drake set out from England with five ships on a mission to raid Spanish holdings on the Pacific coast of the New World. …read more

1820

The famous frontiersman Daniel Boone dies in Missouri

On September 26, 1820 the pioneering frontiersman Daniel Boone dies quietly in his sleep at his son’s home near present-day Defiance, Missouri. The indefatigable voyager was 86. Boone was born in 1734 to Quaker parents living in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Following a squabble …read more

1928

Work begins at company that designs first mass-produced car radios

On September 26, 1928, work begins at Chicago’s new Galvin Manufacturing Corporation. (The company had officially incorporated the day before.) In 1930, Galvin would introduce the Motorola radio, the first mass-produced commercial car radio. (The name had two parts: “motor” …read more

1888

T.S. Eliot is born

Poet T.S. Eliot is born in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 26, 1888.  Eliot’s distinguished family tree included an ancestor who arrived in Boston in 1670 and another who founded Washington University in St. Louis. Eliot’s father was a businessman, and his mother was involved …read more

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Fun Facts That Will Amaze You

You may learn interesting information and chances are you will laugh at least once.

American flags left on the moon will eventually get bleached white by the sun.

While they are hibernating, bears do not urinate. Their bodies convert waste into protein.

White-faced capuchin monkeys greet each other by sticking their fingers up each others’ noses.

Gummy bears were originally called “dancing bears.”

New Zealand has more cats per person than any other country in the world.

The hagfish is the only animal that has a skull but no spine.

People weigh less if they stand at the equator than if they stand at the North or South poles.

At their closest points, the U.S and the Soviet Union are over 2 miles (3km) apart.

The yo-yo was originally a weapon used in the Philippine jungle.

Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserable contains a sentence that is 823 words long.

Enjoy!

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Twisted by Ray Charles and Blues Brothers

 

 

I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.



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 don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

The Amazing Benefits of Trying New Things

Most of us spend most of our time doing the same things that we always do whether that be watching TV, working, cleaning our homes, or practicing our favorite hobby. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this, and if the things you always do make you happy, by all means, keep doing them, but maybe think about trying a few new things too. Why? Because trying new things is really good for you as you will see below…

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Face your fears

One of the best things about trying new things is that it helps you to face your fears and overcome your anxieties. So many of us are worried that we aren’t good enough;l afraid of failing; too scared to pursue our dreams. When we try something new, even if it is something quite simple like learning how to fold origami animals or taking an art class, it helps us to confront our fears and shows us that we are capable of doing things if we put our minds to it. It’s not always easy to take that first steps, but once you do, your anxieties will start to lessen and things will get better for you.

Find out who you really are

Trying new things also helps you to ding out a bit more about who you are, what you like and dislike, and what you’re truly capable of. Whether you buy a used car from Edmunds and learn to drive for the first time, do a charity skydive, or volunteer for an animal charity, one way or another, you will learn something about yourself and the kind of person you want to be and this will help you live a happier life with better mental health overall, and really what do you have to lose?

Follow your dreams

Many of us have big dreams of how we would like our lives to be, but most of us are too afraid to follow them whether because we think they are unrealistic or because we think we don’t have the time/skills/whatever. Sure, we may not all realize our dreams, but you know what? We’ll probably have more fulfilling lives trying to do so, and at the end of the day, that’s what really matters, isn’t it?

Boost creativity

When you try something new, you have to process different ideas, learn new skills and expose yourself to things you have not seen or done before. All of these things will boost your creativity because the more novelty your brain experiences the better it will work in this context.

Beat boredom

Constant boredom can lead to depression and apathy so it is a state that you will want to avoid as much as possible. If you are constantly trying new things, no matter what they may be, you will rarely have time to get bored, and who knows, you may find your passion – the one thing that will never make you bored – while you do.

What will you try today?

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How The Pandemic Has Strengthened My Marriage

My husband had been working from home since March 2020 and it was the easiest transition I could have imagined. Luckily he already had a home office so he isn’t having to work somewhere else in the house like the living room or kitchen.

Photo by Ken Tomita on Pexels.com

We’ve known each other for 20 years and have been married for close to 19 years so I had a good understanding of what he did for a living or I thought I did. What I have learned about his people skills is quite amazing. I now understand the level of stress he used to bring home. He is exposed to the highest levels within a multi-billion dollar international company and has to deal with the changing nature of their industry on a daily basis. 

By learning about his work environment, I can better understand his daily frustrations and communicate more effectively with him when he is trying to unwind at the end of the day. I am also more understanding when he has late-night calls with people in Tokyo or is answering texts late into the night.

The greatest changes to come out of him working at home is we get to eat lunch together every day, chat in between meetings, and occasionally get out for a coffee run with the dogs. He can also play with the dogs for a stress relief break. He now has a better understanding of my daily schedule and struggles. 

We communicate more no than ever before on a daily basis. That has strengthened our marriage. 

I’m not a Polly Anne type of person, quite the opposite but I see a silver lining and this is mine. I hope you can find yours.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

Recovery Awareness Month

September is Recovery Awareness Month and it’s a very important month. Millions of Americans and people around the world are in recovery from alcohol, drug, or other addictions. We all need help, I’ve been there myself. I had a drinking problem for over 20 years, it took a long hard look at myself and the help of my medical team for me to quit.

Here’s what the month is all about

President Biden has proclaimed September 2021 as National Recovery Month. Read the proclamation here.

National Recovery Month (Recovery Month) is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with a mental and/or substance use disorder to live a healthy and rewarding life.

Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those in recovery, just as we celebrate health improvements made by those who are managing other health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. This observance reinforces the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.

HerePhoto by Negative Space on Pexels.com

Addiction Resources

DetoxRehabs.net,

StartYourRecovery.org

Addiction Group.org

Local Non Profit Addiction Treatment Directory

AddictionResouce.net

Addiction Center.com Find Rehab Clinics In Your Area

Recovery.Org Find Addiction Treatment Near You

Rehab Centers Nation Wide (Insurance Specific)

Help Guide.org – Addiction Information

Drug Abuse Resources for Parents

SMART Recovery.Org – Self Management and Recovery Training

Mental Health Resources

Addiction Group.org

D’Amore Mental Health

Addiction Rehab Treatment.com/mental-health/depression/ 

Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

International Bipolar Foundation

Mental Health America

MentalHealth.gov

National Institute of Mental Health

National Institute on Aging

National SuicidePreventionLifeline.org
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Press 1, Veterans Crisis Line USA
Press 2, Se Habla Español
LifeLine Chat

CrisisTextLine.org
Text 741-741
Facebook.com/CrisisTextLine

IMAlive.org Crisis Chat

TheTrevorProject.org (LGBTQ Youth)
1-866-488-7386 (24/7/365)
TrevorChat (7 days/week from 3PM–10PM ET / noon–3PM PT)
TrevorText — text START to 678-678 (Mon–Fri, 3PM–10PM ET / noon–3PM PT)

VeteransCrisisLine.net

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRFoundation.org): Awards grants for scientific research. Keep up to date on latest research

International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF.org): Bipolar research. Care and support resources for individuals and caregivers. Erase stigma through education.

MentalHealth.gov: US government mental health resources and information.

MentalHealthAmerica.net (MHA): Address needs of those living with mental illness. Promote mental health.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI.org): Build better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH.nih.gov): Federal agency for research on mental disorders.

NeedyMeds.org1-800-503-6897. Educates and empowers those seeking affordable healthcare.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA.gov): Reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities.

Don’t hesitate to get help, you’re strong enough, and once on the other side support is there for you along your entire journey.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Book Review Navigating Loneliness By Cheryl Rickman

I was kindly gifted an advanced copy of Navigating Loneliness by Cheryl Rickman from Maddie Kirby-Dunne at Wellbeck Publishing Group for an honest review. Thank you, Maddie.

About the Author

Cheryl Rickman is a qualified Positive Psychology Practitioner and Sunday Times bestselling author and ghostwriter of twenty self-help, wellbeing and business books.

After her parents’ lives were cut short, Cheryl decided to devote her life to helping others make the most of their own precious lives through the books she writes.

She specializes in writing practical books to help people fret less and flourish more, and is a Wellbeing Ambassador for the Network of Wellbeing.

Having qualified with a Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology in 2016, Cheryl also runs wellbeing retreats and delivers workshops on acceptance, balance and compassion, The ABC of FlourishingTM.

Cheryl lives with her husband, daughter and two dogs in a country cottage in Hampshire, UK. She is an unashamed tree- hugger and nature-lover, has an overflowing bookshelf and her favourite colour is rainbow. She loves pizza and the seaside, but is not a fan of mushrooms or spiders.

You can find out more at http://www.CherylRickman.co.uk

OTHER WELLBEING BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR

Be More Wonder Woman: Fearless Thinking from a Warrior Princess

(DK, 2020)

The Flourish Colouring Book: Art Therapy Mindfulness

(CreateSpace, 2015)

The Flourish Handbook: How to Achieve Happiness with Staying Power, Boost Your Well-Being, Enjoy Life More and Reach Your Potential (CreateSpace, 2013)

The Happiness Bible: An Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Wellbeing

(Godsfield Press, 2019)

The Little Book of Resilience (Gaia, 2019)

The Little Book of Serenity (Gaia, 2020)

May You Be Well: Everyday Good Vibes for the Spiritual (Pyramid, 2021)

You Are Enough: Embrace Your Flaws and Be Happy Being You

(Summersdale, 2021)

Blurb

Navigating Loneliness is part of a Trigger Publishing series of books about managing mental health issues. Throughout this book you’ll learn what actions you can take to tackle the main causes of loneliness and reduce it.

My Thoughts

The book is a very fast read at only 155 pages long and includes helpful resources at the back of the book. It’s a great read with a long list of resources.

Wellbeck Publishing Group

Wellbeck Publishing Group is an exciting, fast-growing independent publisher based in London, dedicated to publishing only the very best and most commercial books spanning a number of genres and categories, from leading authors and well-known brands to debut talent. We live for books that entertain, excite and enhance the lives of readers around the world.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health

Today in History

Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1969

Nixon cancels draft calls for November and December

President Nixon announces the cancellation of the draft calls for November and December. He reduced the draft call by 50,000 (32,000 in November and 18,000 in December). This move accompanied his twin program of turning the war over to the South Vietnamese concurrent with U.S. …read more

1973

Country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons dies

On September 19, 1973, 26-year-old musician Gram Parsons dies of “multiple drug use” (morphine and tequila) in a California motel room. His death inspired one of the more bizarre automobile-related crimes on record: Two of his friends stashed his body in a borrowed hearse and …read more

1985

Earthquake shakes Mexico City

On September 19, 1985, a powerful earthquake strikes Mexico City and leaves 10,000 people dead, 30,000 injured and thousands more homeless. At 7:18 in the morning, the residents of Mexico City were jolted awake by an 8.1-magnitude earthquake, one of the strongest to ever hit the …read more

1777

Arnold and Gates argue at First Battle of Saratoga

In the early morning hours of September 19, 1777, British General John Burgoyne launches a three-column attack against General Horatio Gates and his American forces in the First Battle of Saratoga, also known as the Battle of Freeman’s Farm. Coming under heavy cannon fire from …read more

1827

Jim Bowie stabs a Louisiana banker with his famous knife

After a duel turns into an all-out brawl on September 19, 1827, Jim Bowie disembowels a banker in Alexandria, Louisiana, with an early version of his famous Bowie knife. The actual inventor of the Bowie knife, however, was probably not Jim Bowie, but rather his equally …read more

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How Does Feeling Pretty Make You Feel?

Feeling pretty is a subjective topic, but that doesn’t make it immaterial. What good does it do to me to like what I see in the mirror? 

The answer is Everything. It is tremendously important to enjoy your own image. Feeling pretty or attractive, whether you are a man or a woman, is a major stepping stone in your mental health journey. It’s about acknowledging yourself as an individual and recognizing your strengths and qualities. It is an act of self-love, and it often marks the beginning of a self-care journey. Therefore, we can’t afford to ignore those feelings. On the contrary, they are crucial to building your self-esteem up, protecting yourself, and embracing self-worth. It’s all about looking at the person in the mirror and believing that someone else could like them too. So, of course, you want to cultivate the art of being pretty/attractive/handsome, regardless of your gender. 

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

We tend to get so used to our image that we stop seeing it. Feeling pretty could be as simple as trying out something new. If you wear your hair in a certain way, for instance, you could experiment

with new hairstyles. Women with mid-length to long hair have a lot of options to be playful with their style. A scarf updo can be a nice change and highlight your face in a different light. A high ponytail can also add realistic bangs to shape your face. In short, there are many ways to transform your appearance and receive unexpected compliments. 

If you need eyewear, you can also change your face by switching to contact lenses. If you’re not sure where to start, the cheapest place to buy contacts is typically online. It’s an easy way to create a new style and show off your eyes. The bottom line: Going for something a little different can be enough to fall back in love with yourself. 

Feeling pretty is something that comes from within. Think of it as the first spark that can light up the fire of your self-esteem. It comes from a place of comfort and confidence, which is precisely why self-care plays a huge role in how you feel about yourself. A spa ritual at home during which you can make your own facial mask, for instance, can help you feel nourished both physically and emotionally. The time you invest in yourself is essential to make peace with the person in the mirror. 

There is no such thing as not being photogenic. Unfortunately, social media platforms make it hard to feel good in your skin when so many influencers are posting flattering selfies. Taking a good selfie requires skills. You need to understand how to pose, how to make the most of the light, etc. While influencers have honed their selfie skills, the mere mortals we still have a lot to learn! Yet, it’s worth experimenting and trying out the best poses so you know what works for you. More importantly, you can use a good selfie as a morale boost. It’s a picture of yourself that you like and that others also compliment. 

Feeling pretty is a skill that you need to develop and nourish in your day-to-day life. Of course, it doesn’t solve all self-esteem problems. But it gives you the new mental and emotional strength to tackle life’s challenges. As coping mechanisms go, feeling pretty is safe, pleasant, and enjoyable. So what are you waiting for? 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun

#Weekend Music Share *Let’s Celebrate International Country Music Day

In celebration of International Country Music Day I’ve included a couple of my favorites. Enjoy. 

 

 

I’m so glad you’ve joined me this week for another edition of Weekend Music Share.

 



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 don’t forget to use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health

It’s International Country Music Day

What is International Country Music Day?

Celebrate all things country on September 17 or International Country Music Day. The unofficial holiday was created in 2003 as a way to bring together musicians and fans of the popular music genre, and to increase the number of country music aficionados around the world.

Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com

I’ve included one of my favorite old country music songs for your listening pleasure.

Enjoy the day.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

A month (September 15–October 15) in which the people of the United States honour the achievements of Hispanics.

National Archives Hispanic Heritage Month Site

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. Discover documents, exhibits, films, blog posts and more from the National Archives and Presidential Libraries that highlight Hispanic culture. 

Explore the site »

Photo by Min An on Pexels.com

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Spiritual Ways To Boost Your Energy

When we struggle to calm down, it may not necessarily be about the stress in our lives, but the lack of energy. When we break down what energy is, it is, in a spiritual and scientific sense, vibration. In a spiritual sense, vibration is the atmosphere and the energetic quality of a person. You always get a certain energy from somebody when they walk into a room, and on a scientific level, energy is vibration. And so, if you are looking for more spiritual ways to improve your energy or your vibration, how can you do this? 

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs on Pexels.com

The great thing about meditation and breathwork is that it constantly brings you into the present. But not everybody has the concentration to feel the benefits right away. This is why a practice like Tai Chi can be invaluable. It is one of those martial arts that requires focus but is a very cleansing practice. It has an abundance of health benefits, which you can find out more about on the taichiforhealthinstitute.org website. The importance of finding some kind of meditative practice in life will give you more energy. But people who have no interest in martial arts or breathwork can find meditation in the simplest of things. Some people find themselves absorbed in a video game or a sport. Once we get into this frame of mind, we will have greater feelings of peace. Conduct meditation in your own special way. 

We don’t necessarily consider gratitude as an energy booster. But when you start to think about what you are grateful for, it can reduce sensations of anger, which will greatly help you with energy. When you are practicing gratitude, it is impossible to feel anger or fear. Fear and anger are low-energy emotions, so if you start to change your attention to making gratitude a habit, it will change your life. If you need more information on this, you can see the actual scientific benefits of gratitude on happierhuman.com

Blame is something that comes easy to us humans. When we start to forgive others, we will start to feel better, and more energetic. When we learn how to forgive, it stops us from clinging to negative and unimportant emotions. By forgiving, you are starting to stray away from possession and self-absorption. On a very simple human-level, when you start to forgive people, it stops you from hanging on to the negativity in your life. It’s so easy to blame others, and this blame is so exhausting. Start to forgive, and you are freeing yourself, as well as the person you are forgiving.

Toxins like alcohol will contribute to depression and reduce energy levels. When you start to listen to your body and give it what it needs, you will start to feel the energy in more abundance.

To feel better, you can start by feeling happier thoughts. Each negative thought will have an impact on your energy levels. It takes 17 seconds for one positive thought to attract another one similar to it. Bear that in mind the next time you think negative thoughts.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Work on Your Mental Health Today With These Key Hacks

Mental health and well-being is as important as physical health and well-being, if not more so. It is so important to take steps that are going to allow you to improve this process and make sure you come up with some of the best ways of looking after your mental health. There are a lot of factors that can influence this, and it is vital to make sure you come up with some of the best ways of achieving this. 

Photo by Taryn Elliott on Pexels.com

You have to work on making the right decisions that will help to shape your future, and this is certainly something that plays a big role in this process. Try to take steps that will allow you to make the right improvements here, and this is a great place to start. Check out these key health hacks to boost mental wellness in 2021 and beyond.

De-stress

De-stressing and unwinding  in your life is one of the most important things that you should be looking to get right as much as possible. There are so many ideas that will help you to make the most of this, and it is definitely something that you need to focus on. There are so many ideas that you can use that will help you to de-stress and relax your mind, and this is definitely something that you have to make the most of right now. Try to focus on the right ways of boosting your mental well-being here, and this is something that can help you achieve this.

Change Your Career

Your career is so often linked to your mental health and well-being, and this is why it is essential to make sure to come up with ideas that will help you to achieve this. Try to make sure you focus on making the right career decisions, and this means switching your career path if necessary. Stressful and high-pressure careers are typically not conducive to positive mental health, so it could be time to make a change.

Keep Fit

Improving your health and fitness is one of the best ways of being able to look after mental health in the process as well. There are so many ideas that play a part in allowing you to achieve this process, and it is important to make the most of this. Joining a gym or health club like Fitness 19 is one of the best ways of being able to work on keeping fit and healthy and making sure you stay in shape. A fit body and a fit mind are intrinsically linked, and this is certainly something you need to get right.

There are [plenty of things that you need to consider when it comes to improving your mental health, and these are some of the key hacks to keep in mind. Make sure you work on doing as much as possible to help you make the most of this moving forward, and there are a lot of ways of achieving this moving forward. You need to make sure you come up with some of the best ways of being able to focus on this in order to achieve success. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health

Today in History

Welcome to the weekend edition of Today in History. I’m so glad you’re enjoying the post. Have an awesome weekend.

1951

Sugar Ray Robinson wins back belt

On September 12, 1951, former middleweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Randy Turpin to win back the belt in front of 61,370 spectators at the Polo Grounds in New York City. Robinson, a New York City native, had lost the belt to Turpin two months prior in Turpin’s native …read more

1993

New floating bridge opens in Seattle; I-90 stretches from coast to coast

On September 12, 1993, the rebuilt Lacey V. Murrow Bridge over Lake Washington opens in Seattle. The new bridge, which was actually the eastbound lanes of Interstate 90 (the westbound lanes cross the lake on a separate bridge), connects the city and its eastern suburbs. It …read more

1995

Harlem Globetrotters’ 8,829-game winning streak snapped

On September 12, 1995, in Vienna, Austria, the Harlem Globetrotters tip off the third game of an 11-game exhibition series in Europe against a team of retired basketball stars led by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, aptly named “Kareem’s All-Stars.” Unlike the previous 8,829 games, the …read more

1942

The Laconia is sunk

A German U-boat sinks a British troop ship, the Laconia, killing more than 1,400 men on September 12, 1942. The commander of the German sub, Capt. Werner Hartenstein, realizing that Italians POWs were among the passengers, strove to aid in …read more

1953

John F. Kennedy marries Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island

Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, the future 35th president of the United States, marries Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island on September 12, 1953. Seven years later, the couple would become the youngest president and first lady in American history. Jacqueline …read more

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

September Chronic Illness Writing Prompts

The September Chronic Illness Writing Prompts is the brain child of A Chronic Voice and anyone can join in and we all try to learn from each other’s life experiences. We all have a story to tell and they are all worth telling. 

This month’s writing prompts are Gazing, Shaming, Defeating, Concentrating, and Empowering. I chose three this month. 

 

 

Concentrating is a great word for this month because I’m doing a lot of it. Several months ago my Pain Doctor insulted me by saying I should talk with my Psychiatrist about my pain since nothing was showing up on the CT Scan. I fired him and did a self withdrawal from pain pills. I’m working hard to manage the pain with just Tylenol. I’m trying to sense it coming on, what the triggers are and when I need to stop and rest. Some nights, it’s getting out of bed and waiting until I can fall asleep again. Some days it’s just pain. 

My focus each day is on what I can do not what I can’t. The world around us can be so negative and full of noise, I work hard to shut it out. As many of you know I’m rarely on Social Media and that is by design. If I spend too much time surfing and chatting I can’t get my writing done without putting in extra hours to do it. The extra time can trigger my pain or cut into my resting time and I have to concentrate on my mental and physical health. 

I think this approach leaves me centered and aware of my body and what it needs. 

 

I bought an Amazon Halo device that can track many things but I use it for sleep and activity tracking. It’s been an eye-opener to see my sleep patterns and habits. I know how much time it takes to fall asleep, how much light, REM, and deep sleep I get each night. It shows me how many times I wake up and how long I’m awake. It even shows my body temperature. 

The activity tracker is the most motivating, it gives you a number to reach for the week and each day shows you where you are. It tracks light, moderate, and intense activity and subtracts points for being sedentary. This is where I get dinged. I make a goal to do a little better than the day before on my activity level. Today I mopped the floor, boy that’s been a while. That’s moderate exercise and I scored points for the work. 

I don’t need a tracker to make me feel good about what I accomplish each day but it’s a nice passive friend to nudge me to do more if I can. It doesn’t talk back and can’t unfollow me. 

I’m looking outward, onward, down the line, after the pandemic and life returns to a normal I can function in. My car is three years old and doesn’t even have 400 miles on it, it has a lot of living to do. I was dealing with my Immune Disorder and a great deal of pain when we purchased it and then COVID hit.  

There are plans to visit the park and take photos with my new camera, hell just learn how to operate my new camera. I can’t wait to taste my favorite Plum smoothie again, eat in a restaurant, even stop for ice cream or gelato. A stop to visit the nature center is also on my list. I’ve lived here for over 30 years and have not visited, it’s about time. 

Melinda