There are some great Awareness Days during the month of January. This is a condensed version if you want a complete list search for January Awareness Days and you’ll find several lists that are much longer.
Cervical Health Awareness Month
March of Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month
National Stalking Awareness Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
National Obesity Awareness Week 10th-16th
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day 11th
European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week 27th
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, Issababy Creates.
This perhaps the least specific blog you will find. My interests include: DIY projects, Yoga, writing, photography, reading, camping, hiking, or something altogether
different depending on my current mood. I’ve never been pigeon holed into one category so neither is my blog.
Her blog is so much fun, you have to check her out.
Melinda
I want to give a special thanks to Managing Editor Soraya Nair for sending me I Can’t Have That I Have Allergies by Katie Kinsella for review.
All the animals in the woodland are headed to a party – that is, except Hedgehog, who can’t attend because of his food allergies. But one of his kind friends, Deer, decides to learn more about his condition, and she comes up with a plan so that Hedgehog can safely celebrate, too!
I Can’t Have That, I Have Allergies is a sensitively written story by a mother whose daughter has life-threatening allergies. It will enlighten those unfamiliar with the severity of such allergies, and it will help children who suffer from them to know that they aren’t alone.
Have you missed school on a special day? You were probably sad that you could not participate in the fun. The Hedgehog has a similar story, he has severe allergies which limit what he can eat. It’s not fun going to a birthday party and not being able to eat cake.
As each of the Hedgehog’s friends stop in on the way to a birthday party, he explains why he can’t go to the party. His friends go on their way but they have a big surprise for him. They cared so much for their friend, they contacted his mother to get a list of what he can’t eat and they made a cake he could. They show up at Hedgehog’s house and have a big Birthday party which allows the Hedgehog to have fun and not worry about what he can or can’t eat.
The book does an excellent job of describing Allergies children can understand. I think the bigger picture is when Hedgehog share’s with his friends why he can’t go, they didn’t abandon him, they embraced him instead. It’s important for kids to know they can talk about their problems instead of keeping everything in.
For every parent who has a child with Allergies of any kind, this is the perfect book to show if you share what is going on with your friends they will have your back.
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
I want to thank Trigger Publishing Editor Andrea Marchiano for sharing The A-Z Self-Care For Kids by Dr. Alexandra Barnett. One thing I’ve learned from reviewing children’s books is what a great resource they are for parents and children alike. It’s a great way to teach, and sharing stories will help your children relate.
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
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!
Melinda
One of the phrases I hear often is people don’t understand what is wrong with me. I’m going to share a way to have better communication with friends and family.
You’re a new student taking a class you know nothing about. The professor is talking fast and breezing thru the material, you don’t even know what the words mean. You’re in a state of frustration and you’re overwhelmed.
Now think about your friends and family, do you brain dump on someone with every Chronic Illness you have, every symptom and side effect? That is too much information. People can’t remember and they don’t care like you do.
The most productive way to educate people on what Chronic Illness you have is to think about the most debilitating illness you have. Now, ask yourself if this illness going to potentially interfere with the relationship. Those are the only illnesses you need to talk about.
Take the one illness that may interfere with your relationship to talk about. Wait for the right setting, if they are working or on the phone, you’ve lost them. Meeting face-to-face is best. When the time is right let them know you have something important to talk about.
Then give a very brief overview of your illness and how it might impact them. Like having to cancel at the last minute, not being able to go, or having to cut the trip short. Don’t go into the symptoms or side effects of medication, you’ve lost them. If they have questions that’s great if not, that’s ok too. Maybe at the end of the conversation say, I have other Chronic Illnesses and I’ll share them on another day.
Then a couple months later talk with them about the second illness that may interfere with your relationship. Keep it short. I would not share more than three of the most debilitating illnesses. If you talk about your illnesses in great detail all the time you run the risk of being thought of as a hypochondriac.
I’m not a communications expert, take what you like from the post and throw the rest away.
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, That Scared Little Girl.
This site is the heart cry of a girl who longs to be seen and heard. In the spirit of finding healing and wholeness, she aches for her stories to be heard. Oh how she wishes someone had seen her as a girl.
This is the site where her stories will be told. A safe place. A tell-all of sorts. Things you don’t read in your informational or self-help books. The stories that make you uncomfortable.
The things she wishes people had known.
Check her out!
Melinda
Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health At Work
365 Quotes to Accelerate Your Career and Find Balance in Life
Degloved: Every Scar Tells A Story
I hope you enjoyed each book as much as I did.
Melinda
I start out the New Year with high expectations tempered with grace. My Chronic Illnesses may slow me down some days but I won’t let them break me. This is where grace comes in, if I’m not able to work towards my goals today, I have tomorrow. It’s important to give others grace too.
Many of you know already that I don’t believe in Resolutions, they are dreams and dreams don’t come true. Instead of Resolutions make goals along with a plan on what you need to get them completed. Resolutions are like believing in the Easter Bunny.
If you want to move your life forward, you need goals and beyond goals is the meat of how are you going to get things done. I work to keep the number of goals to 10-15. This is a workable number to throw yourself into to make your life better.
I’m so glad you stopped by today and look forward to seeing you throughout 2023.
Here’s to tomorrow!
Melinda
I’m so glad Sheryl at A Chronic Voice is doing the December prompts, she has struggled with major health complications. Be sure to pop over to her site for a wealth of information. Glad you are feeling better.
The linkups are a monthly get together for anyone with a chronic illness, mental disorder or disability. An opportunity to share, to listen, and to learn from one another through shared writing prompts. I also think it’s a great way to provide insight into life with chronic pain, from many different points of view.
All you have to do is write using at least three of the writing prompts listed below, and publish it on your blog, or to a free writing platform like Medium. Then click on the blue ‘Add Link’ button to add your blog post to this page. Voilà, you’re now part of the linkup party!
The above graphic shows all the writing prompts. I am writing Reminding, Embracing, and Closing.
I keep reminding myself that Chronic Illnesses are just that, in your face every day. Right now I’m struggling with depression, medication side effects, and Fibromyalgia. Early this month I had a Tsunami Flair that is just letting up. I’ve spent so many hours in bed, working on not feeling guilty. I’ve been sick since we married but in the earlier years, I only had one chronic illness which made managing my life far easier.
2023 felt so far away until a month ago, then the Christmas sales commercials overwhelmed me. Since I stopped drinking 15 years ago we haven’t gone out on New Year’s. That’s ok, I spent too many years drunk at boring parties. The Holidays are very low-key for us, both families are far away. I start working on my goals for the year on New Year’s day and keep the list to 10-15 items. With my health, I don’t want to set myself up for failure.
I’m closing out the year 2022, looking at what I learned, what I got right, and where I go from here. I don’t believe in Wish List, a wish is a dream and a dream isn’t going to make anything happen. I keep a goal list, that way I keep focused on what is important and can change it at any time. One goal is to spend time outside learning the camera on my new phone.
Happy New Year.
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, Psychologistmimi.
I am a New Yorker, who has lived throughout the United States and abroad, but my New Yorker wit (AKA snark; bite) and sensibilities always stay with me.
I appreciate the blogging world’s community circle and strive to answer every comment and like; as well as visiting the blog of every follower.
All the world is my television and life is a highway and I like to provide commentary on it. Cheers
I love this blog, stop by and say hello.
Melinda
Are you looking for a new apartment? Searching for a new place to call home? If so, then you’ll probably know that this is hardly an easy task! Finding a new home can be challenging because there are lots of different considerations to keep in mind. The location of the home, the size, the local amenities, and even the community around it can often influence our decisions. Because of these considerations, choosing a new home is generally quite challenging and can take a surprisingly long time.
But it doesn’t have to be so difficult!
We’ve put together a short list of things that you should always consider before picking a new apartment to live in. These are short, to-the-point considerations that will have a fairly drastic effect on how much you enjoy your new place, so make sure not to overlook any of them!
There are usually two extremes; you want to be away from the city, or you want to be in the heart of the city. Being away from the city usually means that the area around your apartment is quieter, you have a bit more space, and you generally pay less. On the contrary, choosing a center city apartment usually means higher costs and less space, but you’re in the middle of the city which is fantastic for work-related purposes, nightlife, and so on. It’s important to pick carefully as the two can lead to drastically different lifestyles.
Are you someone that buys a lot of stuff from Amazon? Do you enjoy having lots of grocery shopping choices? Or are you a fan of ordering food and would love to be in the middle of the city with lots of unique food choices? Whatever your lifestyle preferences are, you need to consider what’s around you when changing homes. In general, being away from the city center means you probably have fewer choices for shops, groceries, and food. Getting closer to the city opens up more choices, but you might not be interested in having smaller stores near you. Instead, you might actually prefer driving to large malls and supermarkets on the outskirts of the city as opposed to being surrounded by various smaller stores.
Space is always a huge concern when moving to a new apartment and it should be one of the biggest priorities. This is because an apartment can’t really be expanded like a house. You can’t build onto the house and you don’t have a garden for extra space. As a result, you should consider what you need your apartments for, such as hobbies or family members that might require extra rooms. This will obviously increase the rent but ensures that you get plenty of space for all of your current and future needs, thus avoiding the need to move again in the future.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
When I heard the sad news that Stephen Laurel Boss “tWitch” died by suicide it didn’t seem real. The guy with the biggest smile, always helping others, a loving father of two children, and a large network of friends. Stephen had several projects lined up for 2023. He is not the picture of what you think a suicidal person looks like.
That’s the point.
If you want to see what suicide looks like, look at the person next to you. There is no way to know what a person is going thru. We all have mental health needs throughout our life, if we don’t have crises large and small we aren’t living.
There is a line between needing temporary mental help support ( Situational Depression) and having a Mental Illness. An example of Situational Depression could be losing you’re job, a bad break-up and let’s not forget those who’ve lost a love one.
A Mental Illness is an imbalance of the brain, and we still have so much to learn about the brain. I have found Mental Illness make sure you have a good support system with friends, family, Psychiatrist, and Therapist. I believe the right Psychiatrist and Therapist can change your life, I’ve been with my Psychiatrist and Therapist for 30 years, and they are lifesavers. Good medication management is essential, being non-compliant with your medication, can throw you unbalanced.
If you run into me, You would see I am happy to see you, I would chat it up at dinner, life is only going up. Finances are good, and thinking about my husband’s retirement. All good.
When our paths cross again, you will see the same happy person. Only this time I’m having a crisis but you can’t see it.
If I were dealing with a severe dark depression, my mind would be ruminating on all the issues repeatedly amplifying the anxiety. The more you think about something you convince yourself that the problems can’t be solved, and there’s no light in the tunnel, the worse your crisis will become. This is when I tell my husband it’s time to call my doctor or meet him at Psychiatric Hospital.
I could see you a third time, be that face you saw at lunch, everything looks fine, not giving you any indication of a problem, and then kill myself an hour later. You never know and you’re not guilty.
Show kindness to others, and remember no matter what the package looks like doesn’t mean that is what’s inside. If someone looks off their game, have a chat about what’s going on and what you’ve noticed. Try to keep it casual, maybe open up with something generic. Then gently say what you’ve noticed changes in their personality and how can you help. Say how can I help, not what can I do to help. If they put you off, keep an eye on them and keep trying to help. If think they are a danger to themselves, harm to others, or suicidal. Be more aggressive and get them to the hospital if nothing else.
I will be brutally honest, if someone is determined to commit suicide, they will. Hopefully, with encouragement, from friends or family members you can get help before they hit “there’s nowhere to go”.
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, Invisible Pain.
In 1997 I survived an horrific car accident. In “The beginning” you can read more details about that. Ever since that day I’ve been in chronic pain. The most debilitating pain I have is a 24/7 headache. I haven’t experienced a minute awake without pain in my head since 1997. I have several other body parts that ache constantly as well, and the most frustrating part, is the fact that I can’t find relief. The doctors and specialists are at loss. I’m just dealing with it all without medication, or any other forms of pain relief.
I’m still trying to find a doctor who’s willing to figure out this mystery that I am.
In this blog I write random thoughts, experiences, and complaints. Feel free to comment and share your story with me if you please. You can also e-mail me directly at invisiblepainblog@gmail.com
Thank you for reading!
Sincerely,
Vanessa
Her site is the best of both worlds, great writing and photography.
Melinda
Happy Hanukkah, have a blessed week. I hope you’re surrounded by friends and family enjoying a good meal and making memories.
Melinda
I was contacted by Jesse Jan Driessen at Bearable App to see if I would share their information with you. The App is highly recommended and has great tools, I wanted to make sure an introduction was made.
Keep track of your Mood, Symptoms, Daily Activities, and other health factors such as Sleep, Medication, Exercise, and Food Diary.
You can even automatically sync your steps, heart rate, blood pressure, weight, and more.
Record your mood, symptoms, and your health factors in seconds, without even typing a word.
High levels of customizability to make the app truly unique to you.
Reviewed by clinicians at Cedar Sinai as one of the best mobile health applications to track patient outcomes.
We always involve our active community in deciding which features get implemented next.
It’s an impressive list of companies that have recommended the Bearable App. Please check out the site for more detailed information on how much you can manage with one App.
Melinda
I was reminded today that I had Lyme and thought I would share with you the first post I wrote in 2014.
It’s been a long time since this first Lyme blog, I found it interesting and naive. I hope you enjoy reading. If you’re at the beginning of your Lyme journey. I’m always here for you. M
Scheduling probiotics, medicine, and supplements is a challenge. With probiotics, you have to wait before eating or taking meds, then juggle what goes on an empty stomach with food. Can’t forget the shot to the stomach three days a week. Adjusting the new meds has not been fun, I’ve been stoned out of my mind the bulk of the day, then a massive headache moves in, and then time to get stoned again before bed with the headache.
My gripe is it’s not being stoned, it’s brain fog with the floor moving under your feet. David has to take me to appointments since I can’t drive. I’m a sight to see, a woman, stoned out of her mind trying to maneuver a cane while walking.
I had my first appointment with a new Cardiologist yesterday, he has Lyme Disease experience with a specialty in blood flow. He is one of three doctors who will manage my Lyme journey. The RN performed an EKG, and then his Assistant reviewed my medical history, asking what seemed like 1000 questions.
The doctor is next, we talk about how Lyme can affect blood flow in the heart and the entire body. The general exam with discussion on the test he has ordered. I left wearing a Holter Monitor which comes off at 2:45 PM today. I push a button on a small device and put it up to my chest anytime I feel dizzy, have cardiac pain, trouble breathing, etc, etc.
I leave with the schedule of tests for next week which takes 3 1/2 hours when to pick up medicine for tests and the great news is to show up fasting. A couple of tests I’ve done it multiple times due to my heart condition. The Tilt Test is what it sounds like, the table moves to a head-down position for 30 minutes. The test is more frightening than giving me a shot. They may see a panic attack instead, that’s a lot of time without control and no way to escape.
Echo Cardiogram
Q Sweat Test-Study of Sudomotor response assisting in the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy
Tilt Table with Trans Cranial Doppler monitors mean blood flow velocity
Tilt Table with ANSAR-Determines how well the Autonomic Nervous System is functioning
Tilt Table with BIOZ-Determines the heart’s ability to deliver blood to the body
Tilt Table with QST-Assesses sensory neuropathy
Metabolic Stress Test
Lipid Profile
I have blood work from last week to complete, 20 plus vials get me as excited until she says the stool sample requires freezing! I’m now 1 hour 45 minutes before the monitor comes off. The time for a shot and a handful of pills. Are we having fun yet?
My heart and soul go out to those struggling with Lyme, it’s a long complicated journey. I know you’re strong enough to fight the virus in your body, though it may not feel like it today.
Melinda
Most people find that driving can at least be quite stressful from time to time. But if you generally have anxiety, then it’s highly likely that driving is one situation where your anxiety is quite profound. This is true of a lot of people, and you shouldn’t feel bad about it if it is true for you too. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to approach driving better and handle the anxiety better, so that’s something that you should think about here. Here are some of the things you can do about it if driving tends to make you anxious.
You will probably generally feel a lot less anxious if you make a point of keeping on top of the repairs that your car needs. There are a lot of these kinds of repairs that might crop up every now and then, and it’s vital that you are going to be aware of these. You might need a windshield repair in order to avoid it cracking further, or your brakes might need replacing, or anything in between. As long as you get these done as soon as possible, you won’t have to worry about them as you drive.
For those with quite severe anxiety, panic attacks can often be something they need to think about and be aware of. After all, having a panic attack while driving could be quite dangerous. It will be important to make sure that you pull over as soon as you safely can if you are having a panic attack, and that will be easier to do if you know when one is coming. So make sure you know the signs of a panic attack and that you can identify it as early as possible.
Very often, being practiced and prepared is something that can help with anxiety in any given situation. You’ll find that this is certainly true of driving anxiety too. If you want to keep your anxiety to a minimum while driving, then you are definitely going to want to get all the training your can. Beyond the normal driving lessons, there are also always further lessons that you are able to get, which can help you to feel so much more confident on the roads. That is something that you can always pursue, no matter how long you have been driving.
It’s all related: if you can improve your anxiety generally, then you are going to find that it helps with your driving anxiety too. So make sure that you are thinking about how you might improve your anxiety in other situations because that is something that you’ll certainly want to think about doing. That could make a world of difference to how your driving experience goes, and you’ll probably feel better on the roads in no time if you can do this. That could be the most important thing here.
One of the best things you can do to make sure that you will be less anxious when driving is to invest in proper car coverage. It might be a good idea to get some liability auto insurance as well as breakdown cover and more, depending on your circumstances. If you are unsure about what car coverage would be best for you, contact Cars Protection Plus. They can help you find the best coverage for you. Being prepared for anything can be a great way to ease the stress of driving.
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, The Rebel Chic.
Hi! My name is Cristina. I’m in my 30’s and currently working part time in the health sector in Bergen Norway. I grew up in the Philippines and moved to Norway when I was 19 years old. During my free time, I would go out and explore nature in the nearby areas alone or with friends and spend time with family. I’ve always dreamed of conquering each and every mountains of Norway and take photos of the fjords and fill my memory jar with life experiences and teachings. At the same time share my struggles in life and how I cope with them so that I could also in a small way help those who are on the same boat as me.
Check out her fun-filled adventures.
Melinda
If you are keen for life to be as stress-free as possible, there are so many ways in which you might be able to do that. One way is to take a look at some of the kinds of areas of life that do tend to be most stressful, and then think about what you can do to make them less so. Driving is one such area that you might want to consider, and it’s something that is definitely going to be important to focus on trying to improve.
Let’s look now at some of the steps you can take to ensure that you are keeping the stress out of driving. As long as you have thought about the following, you should find that this is much easier and more straightforward, so let’s look right now.
One thing that can certainly help here is to simply make sure you have a good degree of mindfulness in the first place. The more mindfulness you have, the easier it will be to keep your head on when stressful things happen on the road, so it’s really vital that you are thinking about this. If nothing else, it will empower you with the ability to make better choices, which is obviously always going to be worth your while.
So spend a few minutes a day in mindfulness practice, and you’ll soon find that this translates over to your driving too. It’s amazing how much this can help, and it is worth thinking about.
There are many things you can and should learn about your own vehicle, and doing so will help you to keep the stress out of the driving experience, simply for the fact that you will know all there is to know about it. So how can you learn some of the things you should ideally know about your own car? One way is to seek out the repair and owner’s manual, where you will find lots of useful information that can be a huge help here. Sometimes just having the Avalanche parts catalog can help you when something goes wrong, for instance.
You also learn about your vehicle by driving it, and by working on it, especially when things go wrong, so that is something that you might want to think about too. The more you learn about your vehicle, the less stressful you are generally going to find it, so this is a really important thing to bear in mind.
Very often, taking deep breaths makes a huge difference to how you feel while driving, so it’s a really good idea to make sure that you are remembering this. Sometimes it’s the simplest things that help the most in life, and this is a perfect example of that. You can just take some deep breaths, and allow the stress to leave your body, and in that instance, you are going to find that you feel so much better right away.
Again, this is going to be easier if you have practiced it outside of driving, so a few minutes a day of deep breathing can really help. You might be surprised that practicing something like that can make a difference, but it really does, and it’s going to help you out a great deal while driving, especially when something stressful crops up.
There are many costs associated with driving too, which is one of the main stressors that the experience provides. So it’s a really good idea to make sure that you are keeping these costs as low as you can. That can be approached in quite a few ways, but the important thing is that you are doing something about them as much as possible. You might want to look at how you drive to ensure that you are not using more fuel than necessary, for instance, along with keeping repairs to a minimum by keeping on top of the car’s maintenance.
These can make a huge difference to how much your car costs, and over time you’ll find you spend a lot less this way. The amount of stress reduction you’ll experience because of that can be quite profound.
As you can see, there are a few main ways to keep the stress out of driving, so it’s definitely important to make sure you are doing so as best as you can. It will help make the experience so much better.
This is a collaborative post.
Melinda
I’m dealing with with my heart issue which is aggravated by a new medication I take for my salivary glands.
Too tired, so dizzy and have no blance.
See you tomorrow.
Melinda
Hanukkah (1st day)
Melinda
You know you have a problem, and your addictive behaviour is beginning to impact other parts of your life. Quitting any kind of addictive behaviour can be very difficult to do, even if you know that what you’re doing is bad for you.
You can quit, although quitting can be a complicated process. There are many physical, mental, and emotional factors that can make giving up hard. This is why many people seek treatment for addiction, like hypnosis, counselling, or even pet friendly rehabs, although some people are successful in quitting on their own.
Understanding why quitting is so hard can help you to learn how to overcome your addiction. You can recognise that you are not weak-willed or are failing if you find it difficult.
Tolerance and withdrawal both contribute to addiction. Both are a large part of what get you hooked in the first place, whether your addiction is food, nicotine, or something harder. Without tolerance and withdrawal, you would find quitting much easier.
When you experience an addictive substance or behaviour for the first time, it can be overwhelming, or even unpleasant. If you feel the effects strongly, then you might feel as though there is a low risk of you being tempted to overdo it.
If the effects are mild, then you might think your behaviour is harmless. The more you repeat the behaviour, the less sensitive you become to it and the more you need to feel the same effects. Drugs, including alcohol, work on the brain to create physical tolerance.
Some behaviours, like gambling, produce a feeling of excitement. This excitement may become less intense over time. As your tolerance level develops, you might want to repeat the behaviour more to get the same feelings or effects.
As you start to become addicted, you can begin to experience withdrawal when you aren’t able to partake in the behaviour. You might experience physical symptoms, like shaking, feeling unwell or an upset stomach, or you might experience emotional symptoms, like anxiety or depression. These symptoms go away when you act on the addictive behaviour.
Physical withdrawal can vary, and usually takes a few days. Withdrawal from drugs or alcohol can be very unpleasant, and even dangerous, so is best undergone under medical supervision.
Addiction can reach a level where it creates a lot of internal conflicts. You might feel conflicted within yourself, as you want to quit, but also still have urges to engage in whatever you are addicted to. You may also have a conflict with others, both with those who want you to quit, but also with those who want you to keep engaging in the thing you’re trying to give up.
Even after getting through the withdrawal phase, conflict can still exist. Quitting is stressful, and now you’re managing without something you used to use to cope, so this will be tough.
It is important to learn other ways of coping with stress and to have those firmly established, ideally before you quit. This gives you other options to cope. A therapist can help you with this. Without these strategies already in place, you’re likely to experience stronger urges to relapse.
Feeling guilty and uncomfortable about your current behaviour can be a great motivator to help you make a change, whether you want to drink less, or give up gambling. Sometimes, guilt can also work against you, as you find ways to justify the behaviour that you aren’t happy with to yourself and to others. Justification can a big obstacle to quitting.
Therapy can be a great starting point to help you to cope with any uncomfortable feelings and to help you pinpoint the thoughts and feelings that keep you addicted or led you to the behaviour in the first place. Quitting is rarely easy or straightforward, but with a good treatment program, you have a better chance of achieving your goals when you’re ready.
However, once you look at these justifications from a different perspective, you start to see that they are not as important or even concrete as your addiction had you believe. This is the first crucial step towards Addiction Recovery. While some people can overcome their addictions by themselves, others will require a solid and robust support network. Such a network could include family and friends, and with more severe cases, carers and healthcare professionals can also provide treatment and guidance to help you finally overcome your addictions.
This is a collaborative post.
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”When things get too much, and it feels like there’s little you can do to get yourself into a good frame of mind, that can create a lot of stress. If you suffer from anxiety and/or depression, then you know what it’s like to spiral out of control. It gets to the point where nothing can be said or done at that moment to pick you back up again.
You can get back to your old self, though. You know you can. You’ve done this kind of thing before, and you’ll do it again. If you’re in a dark place right now, then you already know that getting right out of it will not be an easy task that happens overnight. You can do small things, however, that will slowly build you up and get your mind back into the right place. You can build a foundation for yourself – almost like a safety net – that you can fall back onto when things go a little wrong again. Here are a few things you can do:
These two things are much easier said than done, but once you start them, you will see improvement. Exercising not only releases endorphins, but it also helps you to improve at a certain skill. You’ll feel much better about yourself due to your confidence in your ability to do something challenging. Eating right also gives your mind and body more energy, meaning you process situations better.
Opening up about anything regarding mental health will help out – this is another objective fact; it’s not up for debate. Letting people help out will mean your problem will be halved. Others will be able to help you conquer your issues. You’ll feel a weight lifted.
Sometimes, medical help is necessary. Perhaps even something like CBD oil from https://www.remedyreview.com/ would do the trick. If you feel like more treatment would help, then heading to a doctor or therapist is a good idea. They’ll be able to analyze the situation and prescribe you the correct medication if needed. Relaxing your mind and stopping yourself from thinking tragic things is a great first step in recovery.
This is, again, another part of life that’s easier said than done, but it’s something that everyone should be urged to do. Sitting around is a terrible thing – it’s great when you’re tired after a long, busy day, but it’s a terrible habit to get into. When you sit down and do nothing for a long time, your mind starts to wander. When your mind wanders, it can go to strange places. Simply making your bed in the morning is a good task to start with. Once you’ve done that, just find something to do around the house – it doesn’t matter what it is. Keep busy. Keep that mind occupied!
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, Sare Flower Kjelden.
My name is Sara and I’m a multi-genre Canadian author who has written 16 stories. Aside from that, I love to blog about lifestyle, indie publishing, and also share photos from my nature walks. I hope you enjoy my blog! My aim is to inspire and entertain.
Sara is a prolific writer and has written 16 books. She has so much to offer on her blog, you must check it out.
Melinda
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/2/
Are you unhappy with your life? Do you feel stuck in a rut and don’t know how to get out? If so, read on for tips on detecting early warning signs that you are unhappy in life. By recognizing these warning signs early on, you can take steps to address the problem and get your life back on track. So what are these warning signs? Read on to find out!
Being unhappy with life can creep up on anyone. It can be hard to deal with the early warning signs that you are unhappy in life, but it is essential to recognize them so you can take steps to improve your situation. Some early warning signs that you may be unhappy include feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, isolating yourself from friends and family, experiencing drastic changes in weight or Sleep patterns, or engaging in risky behaviors. If you are experiencing any of these warning signs, you must reach out for help. Many resources are available to help you get back on track, including psychological counseling, therapy, support groups, and hotlines. Addressing the early warning signs of unhappiness can help you get back on track and improve your quality of life.
Unhappiness is a normal emotion that everyone feels at times. However, it may be time to take action when unhappiness persists and begins to interfere with your life. Several early warning signs indicate you are unhappy in life, including withdrawing from friends and activities, feeling hopeless or helpless, sleeping too much or too little, experiencing changes in appetite, and having difficulty concentrating. If you are experiencing any of these signs, it is essential to take steps to address the root cause of your unhappiness. Otherwise, your unhappiness will only continue to grow. You can regain control of your life and happiness by taking action to improve your circumstances.
If you are unhappy with your job, you might start searching for a new position. If your relationship is the source of dissatisfaction, you might consider seeking counseling or spending more time with friends and family. Whatever the cause of your unhappiness, there are reasonable steps you can take to improve your situation. Take action before things reach a breaking point. By paying attention to the early warning signs, you can make changes that will enhance your overall happiness and sense of well-being.
It is crucial to remember to stay positive and don’t give up on yourself. It’s easy to get caught up in negative thinking, but it’s important to remember that you have the power to change your life for the better. So if you’re feeling down, take some time for yourself and do something that makes you happy. Once you start taking steps to improve your life, you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel.
If you’re unhappy with your current situation, pay attention to the early warning signs. Address them head-on and make a change. It may be scary, but living a happy and fulfilling life is worth it. And if you need help making those changes, resources are available to assist you. Don’t wait until it’s too late – move today towards a better tomorrow.
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, A Visual Journey.
Relax! Let your eyes wander and quiet your mind with some visual therapy. A picture is always more than you can see. You will also find my own illustrations, animations and sometimes short stories. You never know what you will find so make sure to come back.
I love getting her posts, she is so creative.
Melinda
Enjoy!
Melinda
Reference:
https://www.thefactsite.com/top-100-random-funny-facts/2/
lookingforthelight.blog 