Category: Health and Wellbeing

#Weekend Music Share-U.S.A. For Africa -We Are the World
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-U.S.A. For Africa -We Are the World

Looking for the Light5 Comments

We are the World, we have to work together, our governments have work together to make the world a better place for all. The video has many meanings to me and I hope you see the commitment of everyone singing.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

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

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

Welcome back to Weekend Music Share, the place where everyone can share their favorite music.

Feel free to use the Weekend Music Share banner in your post, and use the hashtag #WeekendMusicShare on social media so other participants can find your post.

What I’ve Learned In 62 Years
Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

What I’ve Learned In 62 Years

Looking for the Light11 Comments

Being on time for work is not being on time if you eat your breakfast at the office.

I was raised the you show up to your job 10 minutes early, guess Gramps advise isn’t relevant anymore.

When I’m waiting at a doctors office, I don’t want to hear people at the front desk gossiping and talking about their personal business. What happened to professionalism?

How many people have to die before real gun control laws change. Example in Tulsa, an angered patient bought a AK Riffle that morning and by afternoon had killed everyone in the doctors office. How can guns be so easy to obtain?

Most people are good.

The American Constitution says we have Freedom of Speech, I plan to contiue to use mine.

If you set boundaries with children at a young age and continue until they are adults, it can prevent many struggles along the line. The same goes for parents and in-laws, clear boundries have to be set or you will have them show up unannounced, pressure you to do things their way and many more that can disrupt a marriage.

When in a relationship or marriage both have to have their own life, friends and hobbies. It needs to be tuned down so that both feel comfortable. Being in a relationship or married doesn’t mean you’re attached at the hip 24/7.

Melinda

Managing Fibromyalgia In Children
Children · Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Managing Fibromyalgia In Children

Looking for the Light2 Comments

Welcome to Remedy, a blog by U.S. Pain Foundation. Remedy aims to provide people with the support they need to thrive despite chronic pain. It features the information about promising treatments, tips and strategies for self-management, resources for coping with the emotional and social effects of pain, unique perspectives from patients, clinicians, and caregivers–and much more. To submit an article idea, email contact@uspainfoundation.org.

By Brent Wells, DC, a chiropractor and founder of Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab

If your child feels tired and achy, you may not worry initially. After all, there’s nothing urgent about what seems to be mild, general discomfort. However, if your child is constantly in pain, exhausted, having trouble sleeping, and experiencing intense moods, he/she may have fibromyalgia.

This condition is fairly common in adults, but parents and clinicians may overlook the possibility of juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome — that is, fibromyalgia in children.

JUVENILE FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by pain and fatigue. According to experts, children will often describe this pain as “stiffness, tightness, tenderness, burning or aching.” This pain can last for months and is often accompanied by other symptoms that affect a child’s overall well-being, energy level, and emotional health, including:

  • Tender spots on muscles
  • Difficulty sleeping and fatigue
  • Aches, including stomachaches and headaches
  • Lack of focus or memory
  • Anxiety and depression

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, you should see a doctor. There’s not one test to confirm it, so he/she will go through a range of tests to rule out other conditions.

Unfortunately, there is no one “cure” for fibromyalgia, which can be frustrating for patients, especially children. If left untreated, symptoms can lead to issues at school or making friends. Many parents describe this as a “vicious cycle” where symptoms continue to feed the condition.

Experts still aren’t sure what causes fibromyalgia or how it develops in the body. Some believe that mixed-up pain signals in the brain cause greater pain chemicals and/or overactive pain receptors. Others think it might be triggered, in part, by an emotional event like an illness, injury or psychological stress. But even if the cause involves emotions, the pain is still real.

HOW CHILDREN CAN COPE WITH FIBROMYALGIA

It’s important to create a support team and get your child’s primary care doctor, pain specialist, psychologist, physical therapist, and teachers on board. The more people are aware of your child’s condition, the more they can help him/her cope with symptoms at home and school. You may also want to look for pain support groups near you, for both your child and you as a parent.

Your doctor can help you decide whether medication, such as anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, or nerve pain medications, may be right for your child. He or she also may recommend therapies like injections or topical creams. In conjunction with these interventions, your doctor will probably prescribe treatments like physical therapy and behavioral changes, which are crucial to long-term management of fibromyalgia.

Let’s go over some nonpharmacological strategies for coping with fibromyalgia.

FIVE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVED SYMPTOMS

Although fibromyalgia may disrupt your child’s life, affecting school and friendships, you may be able to improve your child’s quality of life with these natural therapies and changes. Of course, there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but by managing symptoms, you can help your child get back to some sense of normalcy.

  1. Get moving!

Exercise can be incredibly valuable for managing your child’s fibromyalgia symptoms. Exercise can relieve muscle stiffness and tire out the body physically so that your child can fall asleep more easily. In particular, pool exercises have been shown to help patients because the warm water can have a soothing effect on pain and also promote blood circulation.

Consider signing up your child for swim class to get regular exercise that is both fun and good for symptoms. Start with limited intervals of exercise at first, and slowly increase them as symptoms allow. Aquatic physical therapy can be extremely beneficial for patients whose fibromyalgia is too severe for regular pool activities.

  1. Incorporate meditation methods

While your child may not be interested in meditation, try to incorporate some of the practices in your child’s daily life. After playtime, encourage your child to take a moment to relax and reset. In addition, teach your child how to use relaxing breathing exercises when he/she feels overwhelmed during school or before bed.

Studies show that meditation can help reduce fibromyalgia patients’ stiffness, anxiety and depression. In the least, promoting a stress-free environment and creating a sense of relaxation will help your child feel less anxious.

  1. Say goodnight to fibromyalgia

Your child’s sleep routine is essential for improving fibromyalgia symptoms. Chart out the best routine for your child together. Make sure he/she goes to bed at the same time every day and start “sleep-ready” habits an hour before bed. This routine could include a break from screen time, reading a story together, listening to a relaxing song and/or taking a hot bath. Promoting a relaxing environment will help your child get to sleep.

Make sure you’re not giving your child food late at night, especially items with any caffeine or sugar. Also, be sure take away tablets and cell phones. The blue light can wake up your child instead of helping him/her get sleepy. Sufficient sleep is essential to managing pain.

  1. Change your child’s diet for success

Some experts recommend following an anti-inflammatory diet to prevent aches and pains. In general, an anti-inflammatory diet is based on the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fish, fish, vegetables, whole grains, and olive oil.

Update your child’s lunch to include a handful of nuts, or add an apple for a snack. Anytime you can add fruits and vegetables to his/her diet, do it! This boost of nutrients will fuel your child for success. Try to limit junk food as well, which has no value and could actually inflame your child’s pains.

  1. Schedule your child for a physical therapy session

Your child could benefit from seeing a physical therapist or chiropractor near you. Recent studies show how physical therapy or chiropractic can have a positive impact on fibromyalgia patients. Finding the right physical therapist is important. Call in advance to ensure they have experience with fibromyalgia and/or with children. Specific exercises in physical therapy can help to improve your child’s core strength and incorporate techniques to soothe muscle aches and pain. Similarly, regular massage therapy sessions with an experienced masseuse can improve your child’s exercise, sleep and mood.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

A fibromyalgia diagnosis can be challenging, but doesn’t have to take over your child’s life. It’s a good idea to talk to an expert to come up with the most effective care plan for your child, one that ideally includes a diverse range of strategies, like those listed above. Together, you can talk about your child’s specific issues and needs, and figure out the best way to improve symptoms.

About Dr. Brent Wells

Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic and Physical Rehab in Anchorage in 1998. He became passionate about being in the chiropractic field after his own experiences with hurried, unprofessional healthcare providers. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat his patients with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life through his professional treatment.

Melinda

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Over 10 Cinnamon Brands Recalled Ahead of Holiday Season Due to Potential Unsafe Lead Levels
Cooking · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Over 10 Cinnamon Brands Recalled Ahead of Holiday Season Due to Potential Unsafe Lead Levels

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The FDA says even small amounts of lead consumed over time can elevate blood lead levels

With the holiday baking season quickly approaching, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to check their spice cabinets.

Over 10 ground cinnamon products sold under different brand names have been recalled nationwide after testing showed they may contain higher-than-safe levels of lead.

The latest announcement, issued Friday, Sept. 12, expands on earlier alerts from March 2024 and July 2025. The FDA says the newly recalled products were distributed by several retailers across the U.S. and could be sitting in home kitchens, which may affect seasonal holiday gatherings.

Brands newly flagged include Jiva Organic, Super Brand and Asli, among others. The products tested at retail locations in multiple states, including California, Arkansas, Virginia and Connecticut, showed lead concentrations ranging between roughly 2.03 to 7.68 parts per million (ppm).

According to the agency, lead is not naturally found in cinnamon, but can enter food through contaminated soil, water or during processing. Health experts stress that even small amounts of lead exposure can be dangerous over time, particularly for children and pregnant people, where it may impact neurologic development.

“Long-term exposure (months to years) to elevated levels of lead in the diet could contribute to adverse health effects,” the FDA noted in its updated guidance. “Consumers should avoid using the affected products and discard them immediately.”

The alert lists more than a dozen brands and packaging sizes, many of which were sold in discount stores, local groceries and through online retailers. In addition to urging people to throw away recalled items, the FDA is advising anyone who suspects they may have been exposed to speak with a healthcare provider about testing for lead.

The affected products are listed below:

  • Jiva Organics Organic Cinnamon Powder is sold at Taj Supermarket. Lot code: AF-CINP/822 with a best-before date of July 2025
  • Super Brand Cinnamon Powder is sold at the Asian Supermarket in Little Rock, Ark.
  • Asli Fine Foods Cinnamon Powder sold at A & Y Global Market in Columbia, Missouri, with lot code DDDLUS
  • El Chilar Ground Cinnamon is sold at El Torito Market in Maryland with the lot codes D181EX0624 and E054EX0225
  • Marcum & Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon sold at Save-A-Lot Food Stores in Missouri and Virginia with best-by dates of Dec. 5, 2025
  • SWAD Cinnamon Powder sold at Patel Brothers in Connecticut, containing the batch number KX28223 and a best-before date of October 2026
  • Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon sold at Dollar Tree in California with the lot code 10A11 and best by date of Oct. 6, 2025
  • Compania Indillor Orientale Ground Cinnamon sold at Eurogrocery in Connecticut with the lot code L1803231
  • ALB Flavor Ground Cinnamon sold at Eurogrocery in Connecticut with the lot code LA02 and best-before date of March 8, 2025
  • Shahzada Cinnamon Powder is sold at Premium Supermarket in New York
  • Spice Class Ground Cinnamon is sold at Fish World in New York with a best-by date of December 2026
  • La Frontera Ground Cinnamon is sold at Frutas Y Abarrotes Mexico in New York

The FDA notes that the agency will continue its “activities at import to prevent unsafe cinnamon from reaching consumers in the U.S.,” which will include adding firms and products to import alerts when appropriate.

This is not the first time spices have been flagged for contamination. Earlier this year, cinnamon was also at the center of recalls after lead was linked to contaminated applesauce pouches. Regulators are now taking additional steps to monitor imported spices more closely.

A full list of recalled cinnamon products, along with photos of packaging and additional health information, is available on the FDA’s website.

Melinda

Health Update- Another Diagnosis
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Health Update- Another Diagnosis

Looking for the Light15 Comments

By fluke a CT Scan of my shoulder also showed damage to my lungs, a complete shock to me. The first scan showed I had Chronic Bronchitis and Moderate Asthma. He ordered a High Resolution CT Scan to better identify the damage to my lungs. The outcome was I had Sjogrens Related Lung Diesase that had caused Bronchiestasis, which has damaged my lungs.

The damage to my lungs are in the airways, they have developed pouches which makes it hard to clear your lungs and can cause frequent infections. Each infection causes more damage. The answer is using a nebilizer twice a day to clear my lungs.

When I was diagnosis with Sjogrens Disease years ago, all I knew was it affects the salivary glands which caused dry mouth, eyes and nose, when the salivary glands became enlarged they were hard, and slightly painful. The doctor never mentioned that Sjogrens is known to cause damage to you lungs.

The diagnosis of Asthma didn’t make sense to me, I hadn’t had an Asthma attack before but three weeks after the diagnosis I had a really bad one and thought I was going to die, it was like my airways closed off. It was so scary. The three other attacks where not near as bad, It was like I couldn’t catch my breath but it was more like breating hard, those lasted much longer. I use an all day inhaler and a rescue one.

My life live has changed so much knowing my lungs are damaged, there’s no cure and it’s progressive.

I’ve had time to wrap my mind around it, not overfocusing on the what if’s and now determined to live my best life.

Melinda

Reference:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21144-bronchiectasis

FDA Investigates Serious Side Effects Of Codeine In Children’s Cough And Cold Medicine
Children · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical

FDA Investigates Serious Side Effects Of Codeine In Children’s Cough And Cold Medicine

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The post is from 2015 and is still relevant today. All chilldren’s health is critical and the FDA is the only place to find factual and the most recent medical information. The FDA’s Medwatch site is where all the warnings are listed and includes more than medications.

FDA MedWatch – Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects
07/01/2015

Codeine Cough-and-Cold Medicines in Children: Drug Safety Communication – FDA Evaluating Potential Risk of Serious Side Effects
AUDIENCE: Family Practice, Pediatrics, Surgery, Patient

ISSUE: FDA is investigating the safety of using codeine-containing medicines to treat coughs and colds in children under 18 years because of the potential for serious side effects, including slowed or difficult breathing.

Children, especially those who already have breathing problems, may be more susceptible to these serious side effects. In 2013, FDA warned against using codeine in children who recently had surgery to remove their tonsils and/or adenoids.

In April 2015, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) announced that codeine must not be used to treat cough and cold in children under 12 years, and that codeine is not recommended in children and adolescents between 12 and 18 years who have breathing problems, including those with asthma and other chronic breathing problems.

FDA will continue to evaluate this safety issue and will consider the EMA recommendations. Final conclusions and recommendations will be communicated when the FDA review is complete.

BACKGROUND: Codeine is a specific type of narcotic medicine called an opioid that is used to treat mild to moderate pain and also to reduce coughing. It is usually combined with other medications in prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) cough-and-cold medicines.

RECOMMENDATION: Parents and caregivers who notice any signs of slow or shallow breathing, difficult or noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness in their child should stop giving their child codeine and seek medical attention immediately by taking their child to the emergency room or calling 911. Parents and caregivers should always read the product label to find out if a medicine contains codeine and talk with their child’s health care professional or a pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns. Health care professionals should continue to follow the recommendations in the drug labels and use caution when prescribing or recommending codeine-containing cough-and-cold medicines to children.

Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

Complete and submit the report Online: http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report
Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
Read the MedWatch safety alert, including links to the Drug Safety Communication and previous MedWatch alerts, at:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/SafetyAlertsforHumanMedicalProducts

Melinda

Just Pondering
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Just Pondering

Looking for the Light9 Comments
Photo by Bruno Scramgnon on Pexels.com

When was the last time you had a good laugh? What was so funny?

Have a great day and remember to take care of yourself. You matter.

Melinda

Interview With Christine Clayfield Author Of “No Forth River”
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Survivor

Interview With Christine Clayfield Author Of “No Forth River”

Looking for the Light5 Comments

No Fourth River is a must-read for anyone who has experienced a dysfunctional household with domestic violence, child abuse, humiliation, electroshock therapy, boarding school, and most importantly survived to see much better days.

Review from Amazon.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring memoir

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2018

Verified Purchase

I’m thrilled to take part in the Blog Tour for Christine Clayfield’s first novel “No Fourth River”. Christine, it’s great to talk with you this morning. Let’s jump in.

Your novel “No Fourth River” is incredibly personal. Starting with the brutal abuse from your father to all the siblings. What convinced you now was the right time to write your story?

There are four influencing factors that made me decide to write my story.

1) My husband and daughters kept telling me, over the years, that I should write a book about my life.

2) I don’t usually share my story with others. However, sometimes when I unintentionally mention things from my past, people are intrigued. They want to know more about my life. I’ve often been told that I should write a book because my struggles would resonate with others and my life story could be an inspiration.

3) I had been jotting down ideas for a while but never started to write. When I collected enough courage to speak on stage, people often burst into tears during my speech. They came up to me after my speech to thank me for sharing my story and to tell me how inspired they were. That moment was when I decided to write my life story. I didn’t realize until then that my life story was an inspiration to others.  Very shortly after that, I started writing No Fourth River.

I transformed my life and I wanted to spell out valuable messages in my book too. If I can change one person’s life who will read my book, I will have achieved my goal. I have shared my life experiences, deeply personal ones too, and hope to make a difference in someone else’s life. I want people to know that you can change your life, no matter what you have been through. I am a living example.

4) I am not getting any younger so I needed to do it sooner rather than too late when I perhaps won’t remember all the details of my life.

Your fans responded to “No Fourth River” by rating the book with five stars on Amazon.com. What was your first reaction?

I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first review as I was curious to read people’s thoughts about my story. When I saw my first review, I was pleased as punch and totally overwhelmed with happiness. The review confirmed what I wanted my book to be: an inspiration to others.

How long did the writing process take?

From the moment I started jotting down dates of events in my life until the manuscript was totally finished, 2 years went by. However, I wasn’t writing full-time at the beginning, just a few hours per week. Once I’d written a few chapters, I started thinking: “I can actually do this; write a novel”. I had written five business books prior but this was my first novel. From that moment, I started writing most days of the week and I finished the book one year later but had a long break in between as my mum moved in with me and I looked after her in her last stages of dementia.

“No Fourth River” is your first novel, what’s your next book?

I am planning to write a book about “How to market a novel” , based on my experiences. I believe there is a big gap in the market for an informative book on this subject.

I am also scribbling down ideas for my second novel: a fiction novel.

Writers are often avid readers. What type of book do you read for pleasure?

Aside from reading books about all aspects of doing business, I love true stories and inspirational stories.

What are some of your other personal leisure activities?

A leisure activity is doing what you like and as I like working, I consider that as one of my leisure activities. When you enjoy what you are doing, it doesn’t feel like working. I also enjoy watching my husband play drums in his touring theatre show. Apart from that, I love traveling, watching a good movie, and dining with friends and family.

How do you want fans to contact you? 

I prefer to be contacted by email: info@christineclayfield.com

Christine’s novel “No Fourth River” available now.

Amazon.co.uk 

Amazon.com 

Amazon.ca 

Indigo.ca

It’s such a pleasure to talk with you today. I wish you continued success on “No Fourth River”.

Melinda

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TED’s reading list: 78 feel-good books to help you rejoice, reflect or recharge
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

TED’s reading list: 78 feel-good books to help you rejoice, reflect or recharge

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IDEAS.TED.COM

Enthusiastic recommendations for uplifting reads, as suggested by TED speakers and TED-Ed educators.

If you’re searching for some calm 

The Peace of Wild Things: And Other Poems by Wendell Berry
This little book of poetry is my current morning dose of calm, and I use it like a meditation if I’m feeling stressed about the day ahead. The most famous verse in it is the title poem, which never fails to bring me back from our tech-driven, fast-paced world into memories of beautiful forest walks. Through this volume, I’m enjoying discovering other work by this wonderful poet, who writes: “For a time, I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.”
— Suzie Sheehy (TED talk: The case for curiosity-driven research)

The Rain in Portugal by Billy Collins (TED talk: Two poems about what dogs think — probably)
Collins is by far my favorite poet. His words fill me with such ease and warmth, and they never fail to put me in a better, heightened mood. I always feel like his poems help me to see the world, rather than just pass through it blindly. I could have picked any volume of his work, but this — his latest — is a great place for people to start.
— Luke Sital-Singh (TED performance: “Afterneath” / “Killing Me”)

Bells in Winter by Czeslaw Milosz
This slim book of poetry brings moments of intense wonder about the unknowableness of the human condition. Some of these poems calm me like a drink of cold, clear water. That there is someone like Milosz, who can understand and distill the human experience in this way, helps make our modern social chaos recede.
— Linda Elkins-Tanton (TED-Ed lesson: Why is NASA sending a spacecraft to a metal world?)

Zen Shorts by Jon J. Muth
My husband and I read this illustrated children’s book to my daughter many times, but I think he and I learned more from it than she did! It imparts important life lessons like: “good” and “bad” life events don’t exist — what seems like a good life circumstance can have bad consequences, and what seems like a bad situation can lead to something positive. I practice what I learned from these inspiring stories daily.
— Mara Mintzer (TED talk: How kids can help design cities)

If you’d like to be closer to the people in your life 

Your Body Is Your Brain: Leverage Your Somatic Intelligence To Find Purpose, Build Resilience, Deepen Relationships and Lead More Powerfully by Amanda Blake
I love a read that leaves me believing I can change by practicing simple steps, and this book is all that. Blake teaches us how to tap into our most powerful intelligence — namely, posture, gestures and sensations — and truly live from our authentic power.
— Tammy Lally (TED talk: Let’s get honest about our money problems)

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life by Dr. Laura Markham
Markham has been such a companion to me and my wife in our parenting journey. While raising children is perhaps the biggest gift, it is not without its challenges. This book provides actionable tools and advice, all steeped in robust research, that I find myself excited to put into practice. That’s rare with self-help books!
— Vinay Shandal (TED talk: How conscious investors can turn up the heat and make companies change)

Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions, and Hurtful Acts by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson
This book forces me to be self-reflective and recognize when cognitive dissonance enters my decision-making process. Citing numerous historical examples in which this psychological phenomenon has negatively impacted outcomes, Tavris and Aronson brilliantly show the reader how we can identify dissonance in our choices, ultimately helping you make better decisions and foster better relationships.
— Kelly Richmond-Pope (TED talk: How whistle-blowers shape history)

Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert’s Guide to Making Connections That Count by Karen Wickre
Who knew connecting with others for one’s career could be so authentic, observational and reciprocal? In this practical, delightful read, Wickre reveals a whole new kind of networking for our increasingly transactional digital world. Full of insights and helpful tips, especially regarding social media, this is the perfect book for anyone in the midst of a career transition or considering one. (Read an excerpt from the book here.)
— Chip Conley (TED talk: What baby boomers can learn from millennials at work — and vice versa)

If you want a book that makes you feel all your feelings 

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (TED talk: The danger of a single story)
This was the first book I read as an adult that made me feel understood. Navigating the multiple cultures that you’re a part of — as an immigrant or first-generation person in the West — is quite an endeavor. Doing this while carrying your Blackness and Africanness, in addition to maintaining your humanity, is a journey. Adichie does this with sagacious humor in her novel.
— Michael Rain (TED talk: What it’s like to be the child of immigrants)

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
I loved The Boys in the Boat. It’s the inspiring true story of the University of Washington crew team which ended up, against all odds, competing in the 1936 Olympic Games. In this book, the facts are as fun as fiction.
— Finn Lützow-Holm Myrstad (TED talk: How tech companies deceive you into giving up your data and privacy)

The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza by Shaun David Hutchinson
In this novel, Elena is born from a mother who is a virgin, but Elena’s life is anything but religious. When a Starbucks logo commands her to heal a gunshot victim — who also happens to be her crush — she does it and then sets off a chain reaction. I love how this book highlights the way we must choose to do good again and again. It isn’t necessarily inherent within us, but we can choose goodness anyway.
— Dawn Wacek (TED talk: A librarian’s case against overdue fines)

We, The Drowned by Carsten Jensen
This novel is so immersive you don’t want it ever to end. A vivid historical epic spanning four generations, it’s told from the point of view of a whole town — a small Danish sailing community tackling the challenges of emergent globalization and war. It’s as exciting as any thriller, as involving as any psychological drama, and as moving as the deepest romance.
— Özlem Sara Cekic (TED talk: Why I have coffee with people who send me hate mail)

Air Traffic: A Memoir of Ambition and Manhood in America by Gregory Pardlo
Air Traffic was written by one of my mentors, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Pardlo. It helped me deal with the complicated range of emotions that I struggled with after I lost my father last year. This memoir is about a difficult relationship between a father and son, and it shows us love in a form that we rarely see displayed openly. It’s work to try to understand and accept a complex person while still seeing them in all their humanity — including their anguish and their ugliness.
— Michael Rain (TED talk: What it’s like to be the child of immigrants)

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
This is a beautiful novel about grief and love, and finding meaning after loss. A.J. owns a bookstore — another thing to love — and he has recently lost his pregnant wife to a terrible accident. He withdraws into his work, but even that doesn’t bring him joy anymore. When a mysterious package is left on his doorstep, A.J. is pushed to begin seeing the world, and his place in it, in a new light.
— Dawn Wacek (TED talk: A librarian’s case against overdue fines)

If you just want a reason to smile

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
This book makes me giggle out loud every time. Overshadowed by Adams’ more famous work, the Dirk Gently novels are a delightful read. They’re chock full of his trademark humorous writing and lovable character creations, like the Electric Monk (a labor-saving device that believes things for you so that you don’t have to) and a bored horse. The horse is my favorite.
— Kate Darling (TED talk: Why we have an emotional connection to robots)

Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly by Anthony Bourdain
The patron saint of chefs and travel tragically died by suicide in 2018. Listen to the audio version of the memoir that made him famous; it’s read aloud by the man himself. It will make you miss him all over again, but you’ll also laugh and smile for what he once gave us.
— Prosanta Chakrabarty (TED talk: Four billion years of evolution in six minutes)

A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill Bryson
This comical true tale of Bryson’s misadventures as he hikes the Appalachian Trail left me with a stomach ache from laughing out loud. It inspired me to take on new adventures — no matter how ill prepared I might be!
— Lucy Marcil (TED talk: Why doctors are offering free tax prep in their waiting rooms)

The Essential Haiku: Versions of Bashō, Buson & Issa edited by Robert Hass
Whenever I want a good laugh, I browse this compilation of haikus by several of the Japanese masters. Descriptive phrases like “Morning breeze riffling the caterpillar’s hair” and “Year after year, a monkey’s face, on the monkey’s face” capture nature like I’ve never seen elsewhere. Their appreciation for the mundane and the way in which they find hilarity in the natural world makes for a book to be read out loud — whether you’re around the campfire or when you’re enjoying time with friends and family.
— Rebecca Tarvin (TED-Ed lesson: Why don’t poisonous animals poison themselves?)

How To Be Idle: A Loafer’s Manifesto by Tom Hodgkinson
This is a funny, eye-opening guide to why and how we are living is making us so miserable, but we can’t even say that, let alone object. This book explains how we were not always so work obsessed; instead, work was integrated into our lives, which were more than what we did to earn money. Plus, there’s a great chapter on why we do hangovers all wrong.
— Simone George (TED talk with Mark Pollock: A love letter to realism in a time of grief)

How to Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran
This nonfiction book made me laugh hard, as it hand-held me through some of the thinking around feminism and gendered roles. It’s a classic, really, and a great gateway drug for anyone who thinks that diving into the incredible canon of feminist writing might not be for them. It is. Let Moran walk you in.
— Simone George (TED talk with Mark Pollock: A love letter to realism in a time of grief)

The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
Not really a memoir but more a collection of essays, this book made me laugh out loud on one page and then question some of my assumptions and beliefs on another. I particularly connected with it, because Rae is around my age and some of the coming-of-age stories that she tells revolve around the new technologies (AOL chat rooms!) that we were all exploring — resulting in both our edification and corruption — in the mid-to-late ‘90s.
— Elizabeth Cawein (TED talk: How to build a thriving music scene in your city)

The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse
Joseph Connolly, in summarizing his 2004 biography of Wodehouse, wrote the following: “Wodehouse was not deep. He had no message. He was merely one of the greatest writers in the history of literature. Behind the happy face there lived a happy man.” While you’re reading this novel about Bertie Wooster’s attempt to track down a Dutch cow-creamer you, too, will be happy.
— Stephen Webb (TED talk: Where are all the aliens?)

If you want to learn more about humans and our collective ingenuity 

Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari (TED talk: Why fascism is so tempting — and how your data could power it)
This book is full of useful information about the past and present of humanity. I loved how open-minded it was, and I was very excited to learn the little details that drive the way we behave.
— Lina Marieth Hoyos (TED-Ed lesson: What is the coldest thing in the world?)

The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution by Walter Isaacson
If you want to learn about the history of the digital revolution, this book is for you. It takes readers on a tour through the stories of several innovators and creators of devices and developments that are very useful in our present-day lives. Traveling from the ideas of Ada Lovelace to Steve Jobs, this book shows us how they took a step beyond conventional thinking with their revolutionary ideas.
— Lina Marieth Hoyos (TED-Ed lesson: What is the coldest thing in the world?)

One Good Turn by Witold Rybczynski
This nonfiction book is aimed at the technologically minded but also at anyone who has an interest in the historical development of civilization. Around the turn of the millennium, the author was asked to find and write about the most useful tool of the previous 1,000 years. I won’t spoil what it was — you need to read it to find out, but it’s certainly something that none of us can do without.
— Ian Firth (TED talk: Bridges should be beautiful)

If you’re fascinated about the inner lives of well-known people

Minority Leader: How to Lead from the Outside and Make Change by Stacey Abrams (TED talk: 3 questions to ask yourself about everything you do)
I work in government affairs, and the last thing I enjoy reading for pleasure are books by politicians. However, this book is different on so many levels and is a must-read — whether you’re a political junkie or just someone seeking inspiration to chart your own course. I instantly related to and was inspired by Abrams’s candid struggles to overcome self-doubt and embrace the full range of her abilities as a talented woman of color. Her writing is candid, eloquent, familiar, funny and highly digestible. I found myself nodding, smiling, dog-earing pages, and taking deep inhalations to digest her inspiring wisdom.
— Nikki Clifton (TED talk: 3 ways business can fight sex trafficking)

Grant by Ron Chernow
Chernow — who also gave us the famed biography of Alexander Hamilton — was the featured speaker at the White House Correspondents Dinner in April 2019, in a break from the tradition of having a comedian. But after reading Grant, I can understand why. This biography tells us how an alcoholic, gullible sad-sack became one of the the most famous soldiers in US history as well as the civil-rights championing 18th President — it has all the elements of the next great Lin-Manuel Miranda musical.
— Prosanta Chakrabarty (TED talk: Four billion years of evolution in six minutes)

Alibaba: The House That Jack Ma Built by Duncan Clark
I enjoyed this very inspiring book about the personal and professional life of Alibaba founder Jack Ma. Ma’s likable and easy-going personality makes the book very inspiring and fun to read, while also providing interesting insights as to how he managed to establish one of the highest-valued companies in China and the world.
— Pierre Barreau (TED talk: How AI could compose a personalized soundtrack to your life)

Becoming by Michelle Obama
In this memoir, First Lady Michelle Obama is elegant and unapologetic about living your truth, being of great public service, dreaming big, and never giving up. She is eloquent, raw and real in describing her personal experiences and how she found her voice. Her account of public service — both in the White House and in her private life — is truly remarkable, and I’m excited to see this book encourage others to “become” the next, greater version of themselves.
— Darieth Chisholm (TED talk: How revenge porn turns lives upside down)

Entertaining with Vegetables: A Recipe Collection for Modern Home Cooks to Make Lovely and Delicious Food with Produce by Chadwick Boyd
Every kitchen needs this inspiring cookbook. I am “almost” a vegetarian because of it. Each recipe is so creative, packed full of Imagination and flavor, flavor and more flavor. You can feel Chadwick’s love for food and connection on every page.
— Tammy Lally (TED talk: Let’s get honest about our money problems)

Strudel, Noodles & Dumplings: The New Taste of German Cooking by Anja Dunk
I love an avocado as much as the next guy, but nothing makes me happier than a proper, hearty, home-cooked meal — that’s what Dunk’s cooking is all about. She’s written my favorite kind of cookbook with the perfect blend of originality and familiarity. Every recipe looks as achievable as it looks delicious, and it’s all written up with a warmth and honesty that can come only from a real person doing real life.
— Luke Sital-Singh (TED performance: “Afterneath” / “Killing Me”)

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
At first glance, one would think this book is only about organizing your closet (and closet organization is discussed), but what I learned is that the same principles applied to organizing your home can apply to your calendar, your finances and your business relationships. After applying the Kondo principles to my entire life, I regained valuable time which led to greater mental clarity. This book taught me a mindset that’s led to extreme happiness and productivity.
— Kelly Richmond-Pope (TED talk: How whistle-blowers shape history)

This book helps you practice living with freedom from material possessions. It’s a very practical, actionable guide to decluttering your life and helping you trade chaos for clarity.
— Alex Edmans (TED talk: What to trust in a “post-truth” world)

Joyful: The Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness by Ingrid Fetell Lee (TED talk: Where joy hides and how to find it)
I really enjoyed this really well-written and easy-to-read book. It talks about how we can make the world a much better place if we’d only build environments which make us smile and bring joy to our lives, instead of the usual, mundane gray spaces that so many of us are forced to live and work in. Every designer, architect, politician, civil servant and, in fact, everyone should read this book and start to make a difference in the patch where they live. (Read an excerpt here.)
— Ian Firth (TED talk: Bridges should be beautiful)

If you want to enjoy a book with your favorite little person

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

This is a favorite read of mine — and of my two-year-old and and my four-year-old. It offers uplifting lessons in creative problem solving, perseverance with trial and error, and innovation, and I love how it ties into history — young Rosie’s namesake Aunt helped build airplanes during WWII and serves as inspiration and cheerleader for the next generation. It also has great whimsical illustrations.
— Daniel Kraft (TED talk: The pharmacy of the future? Personalized pills, 3D printed at home)

Does It Fart? The Definitive Field Guide to Animal Flatulence by Nick Caruso and Dani Rabiotti
When I showed this book’s cover page to my seven-year-old daughter, she covered her mouth and giggled — and then she called her sister over to flip through the book. The text is fun and full of facts for anyone of all ages. It covers animal farters (actual and alleged) from herrings to humans, even unicorns. (The authors say that these creatures would fart if they were real, basing their contention on an Arabian oryx or the extinct Elasmotherium, the so-called “Siberian unicorn”). If you’re looking for a new way to get natural history knowledge that you didn’t know you needed, this book is for you.
— Prosanta Chakrabarty (TED talk: Four billion years of evolution in six minutes)

The Monster Book of Switzerland by Jeanne Darling
This is a fantastic and beautifully illustrated children’s book with lots of enjoyable monsters and trivia about Switzerland, where I spent most of my life. And the author just happens to be my mother, who started writing popular Swiss children’s books as a 70-year-old retired teacher! It makes me feel both at home and truly inspired to follow my dreams.
— Kate Darling (TED talk: Why we have an emotional connection to robots)

It’s Okay to Be Different by Todd Parr
Parr delivers an impactful message in an impactful way. This children’s book empowers kids to be who they are, accept who others are, and do so without judgment. I read this with my toddler son at least once a week.
— Vinay Shandal (TED talk: How conscious investors can turn up the heat and make companies change)

If you thrill to people’s survival stories, both real and fictional 

Eva Luna by Isabel Allende (TED talk: Tales of passion)
When I was 17, I read this novel, which was the first book I ever read by Allende. Eva Luna is orphaned at an early age in a unidentified country in Latin America, and her story highlights some of the political issues post-World War II. It opened my eyes to magical realism and to the region as a whole.
— Finn Lützow-Holm Myrstad (TED talk: How tech companies deceive you into giving up your data and privacy)

The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves by Stephen Grosz
This book s a collection of deeply moving stories of self-discovery by psychoanalyst Grosz. His writing about therapy has been described as “like a combination of Chekhov and Oliver Sacks.” Whether it’s finding and keeping love, facing trauma in a family history, or confronting the most sensitive personal or professional vulnerabilities, this book brings hope by showing that humans have the capacity to heal — even bloom — when living with life’s most painful emotional scars.
— Alexandra Sacks (TED talk: A new way to think about the transition to motherhood)

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
I hesitated reading this nonfiction book after it was given to me by a friend, because it seemed like more of a feel-good story than what usually attracts me. Wow, was I mistaken! I found this book about the life of Louis Zamperini to be incredibly uplifting and almost impossible to put down. Hillenbrand does an elegant job of capturing details that make his story come alive without weighing down the amazing narrative of this real-life hero, who was an Olympic distance runner, an Air Force pilot in WWII, and a Japanese POW, among many other things. This beautifully told story of the life of Zamperini inspired me to be more than who I am.
— Ben Cort (TED talk: What commercialization is doing to cannabis)

News of the World by Paulette Jiles
I’m a sucker for books today that help us rethink — and rewrite — our founding myths of the American West. Jiles’ novel takes a harrowing tale of a German girl captured by the Kiowa Indians and spins it into a feel-good yarn about humanity’s capacity for empathy.
— Chip Colwell (TED talk: Why museums are returning cultural treasures)

Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
Laymon’s memoir hit home for me as he lives in Oxford, Mississippi, which is within 100 miles of my own creative work base. The author grapples with childhood traumas and coming-of-age revelations and emotions, all of which served to define the man he has become. This book, which is in the second person, is written as an engaging confession to his brilliantly damaged mother. It’s transformative, empowering and soulful.
— tobacco brown (TED talk: What gardening taught me about life)

If you want to regain a sense of wonder about the world 

Black Hole: How an Idea Abandoned by Newtonians, Hated by Einstein, and Gambled On by Hawking Became Loved by Marcia Bartusiak
Not many people know that the story which led to the discovery of black holes is as odd as the astronomical objects. From the late 17th-century publication of the gravitational theory by Isaac Newton, it took almost three centuries to accept that, when it comes to black holes, the apparently impossible is real. Black holes are collapsed objects that possess infinite density. In this exciting scientific adventure, Bartusiak describes the emergence of the crazy ideas behind these objects. This book will teach you that sometimes the impossible can become true.
— Fabio Pacucci (TED-Ed lesson: Could the earth by swallowed by a black hole?)

The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard Feynman, Robert B. Leighton and Matthew Sands
It may seem strange to pick a three-volume collection of physics lectures and try and sell it as feel-good reading, but as I can confirm, you can return to these famous “red books” time and again and, each time, find insight, ingenuity and inspiration.
— Stephen Webb (TED talk: Where are all the aliens?)

Seeing Science: An Illustrated Guide to the Wonders of the Universe by Iris Gottlieb
While I use music and sound, Gottlieb uses the universal language of visual art to understand and share the elegant beauty of the world around us. Equal parts fascinating and whimsical, this book tells the stories of scientific wonders big and small, with many frame-worthy pages along the way. It shows the potential rewards of fearlessly following your curiosity and imagination, wherever it leads.
— Matt Russo (TED talk: What does the universe sound like? A musical tour)

The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk Wallace Johnson
This nonfiction book is part mystery, part natural history, and part jaw-dropping mirror of our modern society. Johnson does an amazing job of seeking to understand the role of natural history collections and explaining how misinterpreting their role can lead people astray. He follows one man’s obsession with the obscure and ancient art of fly-tying and how that led him to break into a museum to steal priceless specimens. If you love nature or museums, this crime will chill you to the bone.
— Prosanta Chakrabarty (TED talk: Four billion years of evolution in six minutes)

The Best American Science and Nature Writing 2018, edited by Sam Kean
The science of the soul. Tiny jumping spiders who can see the moon. Firestorms. Fantastic beasts. You can’t go wrong with the latest installment of this annual series — it will leave you filled with questions, knowledge, motivation and wonder!
— Chip Colwell (TED talk: Why museums are returning cultural treasures)

H is for Hawk by Helen MacDonald
I really enjoyed this beautifully written memoir, a mixture of philosophy with the author coming to terms with the death of her father and her insightful story about training a pet goshawk. It’s a great holiday present for someone, particularly if they love birds of prey.
— Ian Firth (TED talk: Bridges should be beautiful)

The Skeptic’s Guide to the Universe: How to Tell What’s Really Real In a World Increasingly Full of Fake by Steven Novella
Novella is right up there with Carl Sagan as people who taught me the joy and humility that comes with understanding how our brains actually work (or don’t!) in our quest to understand the cosmos and ourselves. This is the ultimate guide to critical thinking, with all the charm and irreverence that Steve and the other “Rogues” bring to their weekly podcast of the same name. As the subtitle suggests, this book comes at a time when we need it most.
— Matt Russo (TED talk: What does the universe sound like? A musical tour)

Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan
This book highlights our place in the universe in a very uplifting way. The earth, this place we call our home, is just a tiny spot in the vastness of space, and the book shows us that the small “pale blue dot” where we live is a small dot full of life and love.
— Lina Marieth Hoyos (TED-Ed lesson: What is the coldest thing in the world?)

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World by Andrea Wulf
This is a deeply human story of our drive to explore, as told through the biography of polymath, naturalist and geographer Alexander von Humboldt. This nonfiction book inspired me to build a cyanometer to measure the blueness of the sky, to channel the courage that he used to climb unclimbable mountains, and to imagine how scientists and humanists can invent a better world.
— Linda Elkins-Tanton (TED-Ed lesson: Why is NASA sending a spacecraft to a metal world?)

If creativity and art are what get you out of bed in the morning 

Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
This is a short read, but this classic novel touches on creativity, learning, freedom from conformity, and flying, one of my favorite elements. I first read it when I was in my early 20s and then re-read it years later. It’s served as a touchtone to finding and flying through one’s own passions and paths.
— Daniel Kraft (TED talk: The pharmacy of the future? Personalized pills, 3D printed at home)

Engineering and the Mind’s Eye by Eugene S. Ferguson
Although this isn’t a new book — it was published in 1994 — it reminds us that the innate creativity in the mind of an engineer is what matters, not his or her ability to do math. Creativity lies at the heart of all good engineering, and this excellent book shows why so much of the content in our university education programs is wrongly focused, particularly so in this day and age.
— Ian Firth (TED talk: Bridges should be beautiful)

The Ensemble by Aja Gabel
I liked this novel about a string quartet because it offers such a great portrait of ambition and friendship that’s created by the love of music. It illustrates how a common love for art can shape a beautiful bond that goes through failures and successes, yet never breaks.
— Pierre Barreau (TED talk: How AI could compose a personalized soundtrack to your life)

Dreaming the Beatles: The Love Story of One Band and the Whole World by Rob Sheffield
I am a self-described Rob Sheffield superfan, and while I would love most anything he wrote, this is particularly special. Even the Beatles aficionado will find new insight in this nonfiction book, which explores not just the Beatles but also the world that revolves around them, unpacking the way each generation has discovered and claimed the band as its own. Dreaming is as much about the Beatles as it is about pop culture, pop music, fandom, obsession and the power of our emotional connection to art.
— Elizabeth Cawein (TED talk: How to build a thriving music scene in your city)

Feel Free: Essays by Zadie Smith
Feel Free is a collection of intriguing essays that speak about modern-day, socio-political, newsworthy topics, including the movie Get Out and pop icon Justin Bieber. Smith is an inventive free thinker — she’s viscerally, audibly and visually refreshing. Through her writing, she offers readers the opportunity to learn to trust their own voices.
— tobacco brown (TED talk: What gardening taught me about life)

If you want to feel fired up to change the world

Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women’s Anger by Soraya Chemaly
NPR has named this book as one of the best in 2018. It challenges the conventional wisdom that anger, especially coming from women, is not a valid expression of emotion. Rage explores the importance of anger for women in these troubling political times as we take to the streets and occupy more political offices, and it reveals how stiffing our anger is part of a systematic pattern of power and oppression to silence women and prevent gender equality. (Read an excerpt from the book here.)
— Laura L. Dunn (TED talk: It’s time for the law to protect victims of gender violence)

Poems, Protest and a Dream by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
This anthology of writings by the 17th-century Mexican nun — among the best poets in the Spanish language — shows the degree to which the #MeToo movement has deep historical roots. Sor Juana, whose fight with the male ecclesiastical establishment ultimately forced her to take a vow of silence, writes in such pungent explosions of clarity, it’s as if her thoughts were ready-made for the age of Twitter. Almost 350 years after her death, she is at once a calming force and an inspiration to fight against censorship and for true gender equality.
— Ilan Stavans (TED-Ed lesson: Why you should read Don Quixote?)

Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes
This book weaves together lessons about our psyche and feminine energy from the author’s psychoanalytic background, as told through stories like the girl with the matchbox. It’s packed with beautifully told lessons about how we can grow our awareness of ourselves — both our light and shadow, both our conscious and subconscious — so that we can contact our inner feminine power and unleash it.
— Rola Hallam (TED talk: The doctors, nurses and aid workers rebuilding Syria)

A Grace Paley Reader: Stories, Essays, Poetry by Grace Paley
Paley’s soothing voice — at times, it feels as if her rhythmic English is an effortless translation of the Yiddish once used by many Jewish immigrants — has the capacity to make the reader enter an alternative universe, one in which empathy is the law of the land. Yet she was also a tireless activist who saw writing as a way to denounce those who abuse power. Her legacy makes one grateful that literature, even though it may appear insignificant to some, is what actually remains.
— Ilan Stavans (TED-Ed lesson: Why you should read Don Quixote?)

If you yearn to visit other worlds 

Lilith by George MacDonald
Anyone who inspired such household names as J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to write — as MacDonald indeed did — should be carefully considered. MacDonald wrote several remarkable novels and stories, but at the top of my list is this masterpiece. His ability to convey deep truth through allegory has been often mimicked but seldom duplicated. This book changed my entire worldview and brought me great hope. My guess is that Lilith will make a MacDonald fan out of many of the people who pick it up.
— Ben Cort (TED talk: What commercialization is doing to cannabis)

From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne
In this classic 1865 novel, there’s everything you’d ever need to be inspired: curiosity towards the unknown, challenge, impossible travels, faith in scientific knowledge, and unshakable courage. It also anticipated the lunar landing by more than a century. I read this book when I was 12 years old, and it has greatly inspired my efforts to reach for the stars.
— Fabio Pacucci (TED-Ed lesson: Could the earth by swallowed by a black hole?)

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Science fiction isn’t a genre usually associated with comfort reads, but Willis is an expert at exploring speculative concepts through lovable, quirky characters. Here, her time-travelling Oxford University professors become embroiled in a Victorian-era farce of mistaken identity, temporal paradox and love.
— Stephen Webb (TED talk: Where are all the aliens?)

If you’d like to engage in some spiritual exploration

The Spiral Staircase: My Climb Out of Darkness by Karen Armstrong (TED talk: Let’s revive the Golden Rule)
This memoir is about Armstrong’s journey to find God after she joins a convent at 17 and the unexpected path that she finds herself on. I found this book an inspiring and intriguing look at one woman’s path, the human condition and spirituality.
— Lucy Marcil (TED talk: Why doctors are offering free tax prep in their waiting rooms)

The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living by the Dalai Lama
We all want to be happy, but so few of us know how or even what the word really means. In this profound book, the Tibetan leader shares practical suggestions on how to do the inner self-work necessary for cultivating it and also the exceptional wisdom that we can only find true happiness when that work is dedicated to the benefit of other beings. In other words, our happiness is intrinsically linked to the happiness of others — true happiness is when we work hard, internally and externally, to make it a reality for all of us.
— Rola Hallam (TED talk: The doctors, nurses and aid workers rebuilding Syria)

Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow
I am a mother and, therefore, I’m prone to limitless worry. As a divorced, single mom, I went through periods where my worry turned to unproductive anxiousness. A good friend recommended this book as a way to reconnect to my spiritual upbringing, and it set me on a path to thrive — rather than simply survive — through life challenges. This guide has inspired me to seek contentment, instead of certainty, and to have a deeper connection to my faith.
— Nikki Clifton (TED talk: 3 ways business can fight sex trafficking)

The Rhythm of Life: Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose by Matthew Kelly
Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute, inspires you to lead a life filled with passion and purpose. He offers strategies for discovering your desires, identifying your unique talents and becoming the best version of yourself.
— Christine Porath (TED talk: Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business)

Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment by Robert Wright (TED talk: The evolution of compassion)
Wright writes with a combination of humility and wisdom, summarizing the best research on the science behind Buddhist practices in an approachable manner. This book makes me feel hopeful that there is a life beyond our human neuroses, no matter what form they take, and it’s a great read for both skeptics of meditation and experienced meditators.
— Mara Mintzer (TED talk: How kids can help design cities)

If you’re a visual reader 

Art Forms in Nature by Ernst Haeckel
Haeckel is one of my favorite biologists from the 19th century. He is famous in part for the incorrect idea that animals go through several stages of evolution during development (“ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny”) and for coining several words we still use today, such as “ecology.” However, I personally enjoy him most for his extraordinary artistic skills. This book is a compilation of his illustrated prints of many different animals and enshrines his attention to detail and his odd sense of aesthetic perfection in nature.
— Rebecca Tarvin (TED-Ed lesson: Why don’t poisonous animals poison themselves?)

That’s What She Said: Wise Words from Influential Women by Kimothy Joy
There’s a new generation of female illustrators whose work combines art and insight in the same tradition as Kalman’s. My favorite is Kimothy Joy; her illustrated book That’s What She Said is a collection of colorful drawings and
razor-sharp quotes from some of history’s most inspiring female leaders, including Maya Angelou and Malala Yousafzai. I reach for this whenever I’m looking to feel re-energized in the fight for women’s issues.
— Alexandra Sacks (TED talk: A new way to think about the transition to motherhood)

My Favorite Things; Beloved Dog; and The Principles of Uncertainty — all by Maira Kalman (TED talk: The illustrated woman)
Illustrator Kalman tells stories through drawings and prose that are like the dreamscapes of the most delicious and magical children’s books — except they’re meant for adults. Keep My Favorite Things, Beloved Dog and Principles of Uncertainty on your nightstand or office shelf for whenever you’re craving a joyful escape to ponder everything from how memory works to how cake tastes.
— Alexandra Sacks (TED talk: A new way to think about the transition to motherhood)

If you’re craving a jolt of pure inspiration

Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown (TED talk: The power of vulnerability)
This book is all about having courage. Based on 12 years of research, it explains how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief and disappointment and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation and creativity. If we want to lead full lives, Brown encourages us to step into the arena in all aspects of our lives and dare greatly. She writes, “When we shut ourselves off from vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.”
— Christine Porath (TED talk: Why being respectful to your coworkers is good for business)

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
This is my favorite book. I reread it every year as a reminder that working through uncertainty, doubts and fears is perhaps the most important process on the path of following one’s dreams. Coelho’s beautiful fable is timeless, and the older I get, the more richly I relate to the various characters that influence Santiago, the curious main character who is pursuing his life’s purpose. I have recommended and gifted this book more times that I can recall. In fact, many years ago I was in a book club and my recommendation was met with spirited objection because as a fable, it was seen as not quite serious enough for our scholarly ladies. However, everyone quickly came to understand why I selected this gem.
— Nikki Clifton (TED talk: 3 ways business can fight sex trafficking)

This fictional story about the journey of a shepherd from Andalusia to Egypt has sold more than 30 million copies since it first appeared in 1988. It’s about taking risks to follow your dream — even when you’re tempted by safer or seemingly saner alternatives. It argues that fortune favours the brave – if you live boldly, things fall into place to ease your path.
— Alex Edmans (TED talk: What to trust in a “post-truth” world)

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
While ostensibly a children’s book, this gem has important lessons for adults. It’s about the importance of savoring the breadth, length, height and depth of life, rather than focusing on narrow goals. It encourages us to look at the world with childlike wonder rather than through the “rational” lens of a battle-weary grownup.
— Alex Edmans (TED talk: What to trust in a “post-truth” world)

Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting by Wayne Dyer
This book changed my life. Dyer encourages readers to live at a higher level of awareness and consciousness, and he is unwavering in his instructions on how to master the art of manifesting. I have used positive affirmations, meditation and mindfulness to better understand myself and the law of attraction, and Wishes Fulfilled — along with his other popular books — have been instrumental in helping me grow and expand even further.
— Darieth Chisholm (TED talk: How revenge porn turns lives upside down

If you’d like reasons to feel hopeful about the future

How to Live Forever: The Enduring Power of Connecting the Generations by Marc Freedman
I think that Freedman is one of the wisest thought leaders in the aging and longevity world. With this book, he’s crafted a masterpiece — it’s written with such deep humanity and insight — in which he delivers a soulful rallying cry for intergenerational collaboration like we’ve never seen before. I finished it brimming with optimism about our future.
— Chip Conley (TED talk: What baby boomers can learn from millennials at work — and vice versa)

Adventures in the Anthropocene: A Journey to the Heart of the Planet We Madeby Gaia Vince
It might seem strange to include a nonfiction book about climate change in a list of feel-good books, but in it, Vince tells how she quit her job as a journalist to travel the world and find people who are having to adapt to our changing world. What she uncovers is an uplifting story of the ingenuity of humans. It’s beautifully written, and you will come away inspired.
— Suzie Sheehy (TED talk: The case for curiosity-driven research)

The Rapture by Liz Jensen
Everyone is now aware of the warming planet, but when I read Jensen´s compelling thriller after it was published in 2009, it was the first time I had seen the warming planet portrayed almost as a character in itself. The heroine, Gabrielle, is a wheelchair-user — which adds to the odds stacked against her — in this story brimming with action and emotional conflict. In spite of the dark subject matter, I came away from it with renewed hope for humankind.
— Özlem Sara Cekic (TED talk: Why I have coffee with people who send me hate mail)

Enjoy!

Melinda

 

Why Children Stay Silent Following Sexual Violence
Children · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Sexual Assault · Trauma

Why Children Stay Silent Following Sexual Violence

Looking for the Light11 Comments

Kristin’s video is invaluable because children are scared, confused and if it’s a parent or someone in the family the Childs emotions are even heighten. I know from experience.

Melinda

Daily Writing Prompt
Blogging · Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Music

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light3 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What would your life be like without music?
View all responses

I could have a good life with or without music but I would choose music. I have memories as far back as four years old listen and dancing with my dad to Elvis and Hank Williams Sr., music has been the backdrop of my life including love songs that were shared with my boyfriends. Now there are so many genres to explore that most people can identify with one or many. My favorite music is the 70’s & 80’s however I like songs for generations that were before I was born.

Fleetwood Mac – Dreams (Official Music Video) 

Melinda

Looking for the Life

Questions to Ask Your Doctor After an Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Questions to Ask Your Doctor After an Early Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Looking for the Light2 Comments

Here are some ideas on how to prepare for conversations with your doctor about a new early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Asking key questions can help you feel less overwhelmed, better understand your stage, symptoms, and treatment options, and also navigate any feelings of uncertainty and potential challenges. 

We compiled a list of important questions and talking points to discuss with your doctor to determine the best path forward.

Understanding your diagnosis

What stage is the Alzheimer’s disease currently in?

One of the first questions for your healthcare professional should be about which of the seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease you’re experiencing.

An early diagnosis, commonly referred to as early-onset Alzheimer’s, is when the condition is detected before the age of 65. Generally, early-onset diagnoses are seen in people in their 50s. 

Though no one wants to hear that they’re navigating this overwhelming condition at any stage, the earlier it’s detected, the better for planning for the future, including certain medications and other therapies for improving symptoms. 

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that early diagnosis also helps caregivers in a handful of ways.

For example, it gives them time to adjust to any mood or personality changes in the person they’re caring for, explain the changes to other family members, and allows them more time to create the most comprehensive care plan.

Emotionally processing the diagnosis early and having time to plan accordingly also has a significant impact on mental health. Early diagnosis has been shownTrusted Source to decrease depression and anxiety in caregivers. 

What are the key symptoms I should expect to see in the near future?

Understanding more about your stage can help you prepare for symptoms commonly seen in that stage. 

For example, the hallmark of early Alzheimer’s is lapses in memory, like forgetting recent experiences or conversations. 

Other early symptoms include: 

  • losing track of objects
  • difficulty finding the right words
  • asking repetitive questions 
  • becoming resistant to trying new things 
  • mood changes like anxiety or depression 

Asking your doctor about your stage’s symptoms allows everyone involved to understand what to expect, which can also help you give yourself some grace. 

How is this diagnosis confirmed and are there any other tests needed?

Unlike some other health conditions, Alzheimer’s is not confirmed with a stand-alone test. 

Instead, healthcare providers rely on a slew of diagnostic tools to detect it, which can includeTrusted Source:

  • neurological exams (like testing reflexes, balance and coordination, and more)
  • cognitive and functional assessments 
  • brain scans (MRI, CT, PET) 
  • biomarker tests like cerebrospinal fluid testing 

Your doctor will also take a close look at your medical history, taking certain factorsTrusted Source into account, including:

Ask your doctor which tests and tools helped detect your diagnosis and if additional tests, like those listed above, may be helpful. 

Treatment options

What treatment options are available at this stage?

Talking with your doctor about treatment options is crucial for managing the condition. Though no treatment can stop the condition, certain medications can lower symptoms or delay progression, making coping and daily life activities easier. 

Here are some Alzheimer’s medication options to discuss with your doctor:

Are there any lifestyle changes or interventions that could help manage symptoms?

Certain lifestyle adjustments may also improve symptoms. Talk with your doctor about other therapies you can consider alongside medications, including: 

How will we monitor the progression of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment?

Discussing how well your treatment plan is working should be an ongoing conversation with your doctor during follow-up appointments. You can discuss any side effects and symptom improvement and decide if a different treatment plan may be necessary. 

When someone living with Alzheimer’s has progressed from one stage to another, it may be time to discuss different options, as certain medications are approved only for specific stages.

Have a plan with your doctor for checking in regularly, which is usually done by scheduling routine appointments weeks in advance.

Impact on daily life

What strategies can help maintain my quality of life as the disease progresses?

Quality of life should also be discussed during follow-up appointments. Your doctor can discuss coping strategies and help ensure that you and your caregivers maximize joy whenever possible.

For example, adding fun, social, and creative activities into your schedule can be cognitively stimulating and also create opportunities to relax and deepen relationships. Some examples include painting, card or board games, puzzles, coloring, and more. 

It’s also important to keep meaningful activities present, including any spiritual practices you may have. 

Remember that rest is just as important as socializing and other activities, especially for those with Alzheimer’s, so plan breaks into your schedule, too.

How can I prepare for potential changes in my ability to function?

There’s no perfect way to prepare for changes, but it is important to stay flexible, take breaks when needed, and be open with your doctor about recent function changes. Check in with your doctor about which tasks are becoming more difficult and which are still very manageable.

Keeping lists and Post-it reminders handy, including daily tasks and schedules, can help you stay on track. Your doctor can discuss when it may be time to turn certain tasks over to your caregivers, like driving.

Support from others

How can my family and caregivers best support me through this journey?

During each stage, your caregivers will have a lot to think about and manage. Counseling or other therapies may be helpful for their well-being. 

But overall, when they’re not checking in with your doctor, planning for the future, and helping with certain daily tasks, remind them to stay present and not force activities you have no interest in. 

For example, if you’re feeling tired one evening but a caregiver has a movie night planned, remind them it’s OK for you to take a rain check.

Spending time together is important, whether it’s sharing meals or memories. 

If you’re up for it, looking over photographs or home movies may be helpful for stirring up shared past experiences. This is referred to as reminiscence therapyTrusted Source, and it’s been shown to improve quality of life for older adults. 

If this type of activity is too heavy for either of you to process, you can skip it. The idea isn’t to connect dots to recall specific memories but to spend time enjoying each other’s company while thinking about shared positive experiences. 

You and your caregivers can also call The Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. 

This free resource offers support through information, local resources, crisis assistance, and emotional support.

What should my caregivers know about managing my condition?

Though caregivers may feel overwhelmed or stressed, a few things are never OK, including:

  • constant correcting or controlling
  • rushing
  • forcing
  • laughing at mistakes 
  • condescending remarks or suggestions 

Your caregivers will need some advice and maybe training for activities they might have to perform during later stages, such as feeding, bathing, and changing. 

It’s also crucial to ensure that the home is a safe, comfortable, and easy-to-navigate environment.

You can ask your doctor for other important things for your caregivers to keep in mind. They can offer tip sheets and additional resources. 

You can also consider trained attendants for care at home if they’re available to you.

Financial and legal considerations

What should I know about planning for future financial and legal matters?

Locking financial and legal matters into place as soon as possible can make you feel more confident about the future. Ask your doctor to guide you to any resources that may help you map these matters out. 

For example, the first step is to document your choice of who has power of attorney. Similarly, making a plan for bills to be paid at the same time every month through automatic withdrawal can help relieve some stress and cross one thing off your to-do list. 

Additionally, some living facilities offer plans that include rent and all other expenses, like utilities, cable, etc., into one monthly bill, so there’s no need to keep track of a long list of monthly due dates. 

How can I ensure that my wishes regarding care and treatment are respected?

This is another area where documentation comes in handy. You can document your preferences across a wide range of areas of your life, including your preferred activities, people to socialize with, favorite and least favorite foods, etc. 

It’s important to check in with your caregivers and healthcare providers about whether your care feels right for you. Maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers and being honest if you feel unsafe at home is also important.

The takeaway

It’s important to be proactive and informed in managing early-onset Alzheimer’s. 

A strong first step is maintaining open communication with your healthcare providers and asking key questions. Gathering the right information can help you cope and plan for a smoother, more comfortable future.

From there, finding the right support team, whether friends, family, or caregivers, is the next best step to feeling more confident as you moving forward.

Remember that you’re not alone — help and companionship are often just a phone call away. 

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers/questions-to-ask?utm_term=feedcontent&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=alzheimers_carejourney&utm_content=2025-08-26&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#takeaway
Book Review Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Christopher Martin
Book Review · Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Book Review Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness by Christopher Martin

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I was kindly gifted an advanced copy of Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness, Proven Strategies for Discovering Happiness, Meaning, and Fulfillment by Christopher Martin from NetGallery for a review. 

Published 2021

I am a school psychologist, husband, father, and – pertinent to this website – an author who has multiple invisible chronic illnesses. 

 And an invisible chronic illness is a beast.  On top of draining you physically, a chronic illness can impact all aspects of your life ranging from causing financial hardship to harming your relationships to dampening your spirits.  Try to be cheerful when you have this unremitting “monkey on your back” known as an invisible chronic illness that constantly demands your attention 24-7.  Needless to say, it’s easy to let yourself and others down. 

      Plus, your family or friends can’t see your illness, as it’s invisible, and they may not understand.  Most with an invisible illness are familiar with “advice” ranging from “stay positive” to “you look good” to “Have you tried ___ for your condition?”  Yup, you probably have, and it didn’t work. 

      On top of that, best wishes in accessing (and maintaining) high quality medical care when you are too tired to even take care of yourself.    

      Welcome to the world of an invisible chronic illness.  I should know.  I suffer from multiple invisible chronic illnesses, including a primary immune deficiency disorder and bronchiectasis. 

 But it doesn’t have to be this way – for you or for me.    While I am not cured of my illness, I enjoy a fulfilling life and experience ongoing joy, peace, and happiness.  Because of outstanding medical care, extensive self-educating and self-care, a supportive family, and a strong faith, I effectively manage my chronic illnesses.  But I didn’t want to be the only one to benefit.  It was my goal, in turn, to give back to others by doing what I love to do:  authoring books on these conditions. 

Blurb

“Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness.”—James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

“Finding Joy provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for not only coping with chronic illness, but personally optimizing self-growth and resiliency from the experience.” —Joanne Joseph, PhD, professor of psychology and interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World

* How can you experience those good thoughts and feelings, enjoy life to its fullest, and de-stress when faced with relentless physical suffering?

* How can you enhance your relationships, find support, respond to the naysayers, and possibly even help them understand you and your illness?

* When seeking medical care, how can you get the answers you deserve, and access and maintain quality healthcare?

Early Reviews

“”Finding Joy is absolutely phenomenal. Chris Martin’s heartfelt approach offers numerous meaningful strategies to thrive when faced with the many unseen and unrecognized issues of living with an invisible chronic illness.””—Heather Lewis-Hoover, MS, CAS, school counselor

““Finding Joy is a vital guide on how to best manage and navigate life with a chronic illness.””—James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

“Finding Joy provides a comprehensive, evidence-based roadmap for not only coping with chronic illness, but personally optimizing self-growth and resiliency from the experience.” —Joanne Joseph, PhD, professor of psychology and interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, SUNY Polytechnic Institute, and author of The Resilient Child: Preparing Today’s Youth for Tomorrow’s World

My Thoughts

I think Chris says it best, the diagnosis is a step forward, it’s not the last. 

Finding Joy with an Invisible Chronic Illness is a great find, one for all to read, patients, loved ones, and, family members. It is a simple and practical approach to taking control by understanding how we think and what we have control over when it comes to our chronic condition and healthcare treatment. 

Enjoy Reading,

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Repost

Wordless Wednesday-Monster Tomato Plants
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Monster Tomato Plants

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Our tomato plants have never grown this big, they are even growing around the hot tube. We picked four delicious tomatos before a critter moved in and ate every last one. I’m planning differently for next year to keep the critter out. David started to pull the plants out this week and will require several more days before it’s complete.

Melinda

How to Handle Disrespect Without Taking It Personally
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward

How to Handle Disrespect Without Taking It Personally

Looking for the Light7 Comments

Bipolar can make disrespect feel overwhelming. Reframing others’ behavior keeps the focus on their actions — not your worth.

Did you know that no one can disrespect you?

That’s right! No one can disrespect us. When we feel disrespected, we’re taking someone’s words or actions personally, and we choose to feel disrespected. We assign to our response feelings like invalidation or disrespect. In actuality, they are not disrespecting us. Here’s why.

You’ve probably heard it before, but it’s absolutely true: People’s actions are a reflection of the person they are. They are projecting their behavior onto us.

Don’t Take Disrespect Personally

Learning not to take things personally is so important to our mental well-being and happiness. When we think people are being disrespectful, invalidating, or rejecting, that’s when we’re taking their behaviors personally and making their behaviors about us. 

Another person’s behavior is not about us. It may feel like people are acting a certain way because of us, but the way people act is always about them.

When we feel disrespected, this is our cue to start reframing the situation for clarity and perspective. Instead of taking things personally and feeling bad about ourselves, we need to change our thinking to find perspective, objectivity, and clarity.

Reframe Negative Thoughts for a Healthier Perspective

I used to feel disrespected all the time, like I didn’t matter, and people put me last or trampled my boundaries. We can feel very low and cultivate a lot of negative thinking about ourselves when we have this perspective. This is not good for promoting a solid sense of self, healthy self-esteem, or positive self-image.

We need to protect ourselves from emotional hurt and invalidation. I’ve found that when I can reframe hurtful actions as experiences rather than taking them personally, it helps me cope with people who may be unaware or hurtful.

Not having the situation be about me makes it easier to maintain perspective, distance, and detachment. 

How do you do this? Instead of claiming disrespect, detach from that idea and reframe the situation in terms of how the disrespectful person was behaving. Your thought process is no longer, They were disrespectful to me, which hurt my feelings! Instead, it becomes:

  • They were being rude
  • They were acting like a jerk
  • They were being insensitive
  • They were being disrespectful

And here’s the important part,  … but that is a poor reflection of them and not hurtful to me.Again, the key here is, that’s not hurtful to me.

Why Strong Boundaries Protect Your Mental Health

The most important dynamic in human behavior and healthy relationships is creating and maintaining boundaries, in my opinion. Boundaries allow clarity, perspective, and detachment because they keep us in a safe space and separated from what crosses our boundaries and creates anger or hurt.arated from what crosses our boundaries and creates hurt or anger.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.bphope.com/blog/taking-yourself-on-effective-strategies-to-deal-with-disrespect/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bphope&utm_content=Best+-+Sep9+-+Anger

Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

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Daily writing prompt
Share a lesson you wish you had learned earlier in life.
View all responses

Sharing just one lesson is difficult because I have many lessons that would have helped a great deal while growing up. I was abused by mother since birth and it contiued until moving away at 12 years old. Confidence was not apart of my vocabulary, nor did I know how to build my confidence. It wasn’t until I was 14 years old that my confidence started to build slowly.

I was spending a year in reform school that was run by nuns in a large convent. I may have been a wild child but I understood how to respect authority. Spending a year confined in a quite place filled with love, accountability and encouragement was what I needed. As I was given more responsibility and freedom my confidence contiued to grow, I was allowed to start a newspaper, the Tumble Weed Connection which showed me the trust my Journalism teacher had in me and it was a dream come true.

Learning to build our confidence is a life long journey because there is always more we can learn outside of our comfort zone.

Melinda

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Top Bipolar Disorder Support Organizations and Resources
Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Illness · Moving Forward

Top Bipolar Disorder Support Organizations and Resources

Looking for the Light1 Comment

Professional support groups and networks play a vital role in addressing challenges faced by those living with bipolar disorder and their families.

Finding the right support can make a world of difference when living with bipolar disorder. National and international organizations offer resources, education, and community — helping individuals and families feel informed, empowered, and less alone.

These care networks — such as peer and professional support groups — create a sense of connection and belonging and provide practical insights for navigating the often complex mental health care system. They also offer valuable tools, such as self-help strategies and lifestyle recommendations, which empower individuals to manage their symptoms more effectively.

In addition to providing support and resources, some national networks are actively involved in research, clinical trials, and the development of innovative therapies.

Here’s a roundup of the best bipolar support organizations contributing to a brighter future for those who live with bipolar disorder or love someone who does:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a range of programs designed to educate you and your family about bipolar disorder, including a peer-to-peer program specifically for adults living with mental health conditions.

They also feature a helpline on their website that offers free, confidential support, as well as referrals to local services, and guidance from trained volunteers. With local chapters all over the United States, the national organization can provide you with direct assistance, including access to support groups, educational initiatives, and community outreach programs.

As advocates for improved mental health policies, the National Alliance on Mental Illness actively works to enhance access to care, safeguard your rights, and increase research funding. Plus, they share the latest research findings in bipolar disorder management, helping you stay informed and empowered.

The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA)

As a leading national organization specializing in depression and bipolar disorder, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance reaches millions of people each year with its extensive selection of resources. A key feature of their support system is the array of both in-person and online support groups, which are led by individuals who’ve had personal experiences with mood disorders. These groups provide a safe and comforting space where you can share your experiences, gain support, and learn coping strategies. And if you’re interested, they also provide training so you, too, can lead support groups and share your experiences with others.

The organization also offers dedicated resources for support partners, families, and friends. They provide an online community where your support network can connect with others in similar situations to exchange advice and gain support.

In addition to these support groups, the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance has plenty of educational materials to help you better understand your diagnosis, learn about treatment options, and find strategies for maintaining your bipolar stability.

Mental Health America (MHA)

A reliable resource to guide you on your journey with bipolar, Mental Health America offers a wealth of helpful information. This includes detailed insights into symptoms, understanding the diagnosis process, exploring various treatment options, and practical strategies for day-to-day coping.

Through their website, they offer various tools, including online screening options, to help you identify potential bipolar symptoms, insightful articles about the mood disorder, and hosting educational webinars and podcasts.

Understanding the value of shared experiences and community in managing bipolar disorder, Mental Health America promotes its peer-support platform, Inspire. They also conduct public awareness campaigns to help reduce stigma and advocate for research to enhance our understanding and management of this diagnosis.

International Bipolar Foundation (IBPF)

A valuable support, the International Bipolar Foundation provides a range of educational tools, including informative webinars and detailed blogs to help you — and your loved ones — understand and manage your condition more effectively. If you’re newly diagnosed, they offer a free book to guide you through this journey.

Recognizing the importance of having people around who understand what you’re going through, the foundation maintains a list of support groups worldwide. One of their main goals is to help you connect with these groups and mental health professionals, ensuring you can always find the help you need.

In collaboration with global organizations and experts, the International Bipolar Foundation is dedicated to advancing research to improve our knowledge and treatment of bipolar disorder. They’re also active in raising awareness and reducing stigma through various campaigns, promoting greater societal understanding and acceptance. For anyone in a crisis, they list international suicide hotlines.

American Psychiatric Association (APA)

Dedicated to promoting mental health through research, education, and advocacy, the American Psychiatric Association offers valuable resources for individuals with bipolar disorder and healthcare professionals. They create guidelines that doctors use to diagnose and treat bipolar, ensuring that you’re getting care based on the most current knowledge and research.

They also educate psychiatrists and health providers about the latest findings and treatment methods for bipolar disorder, which helps keep your health team updated and well-equipped to support you.

The association also conducts research and advocates for policies and funding that improve mental health care. This work can lead to a better understanding and treatments for bipolar disorder in the future. You can find informative articles, webinars, podcasts, and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment, all aimed at increasing understanding, reducing stigma, and improving overall care. If you need to find a psychiatrist in your area, consider trying their Find a Psychiatrist tool.

Mayo Clinic

This top U.S. hospital provides personalized care and support for people living with bipolar disorder, which includes everything from diagnosis to treatment. Mayo Clinic’s team of specialists, including those from their Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, work together to create a treatment plan designed specifically for you. This could include medications, therapy, lifestyle changes, or a mix of these.

Mayo Clinic provides educational resources to help you better understand your condition, manage your symptoms, and make informed decisions about your treatment. Plus, they offer support services like stress management assistance and help with any related school or work challenges.

They also have a comprehensive outpatient evaluation and treatment program at the Mayo Clinic Depression Center, along with the Mood Disorders Unit and the Mayo Mood Clinic.

And as part of their ongoing efforts to improve bipolar management, Mayo Clinic conducts research, which means you’d have access to the latest treatment options and may even be able to participate in clinical trials.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The National Institute of Mental Health — part of the world’s largest medical research organization, the National Institutes of Health — plays a significant role in supporting you or your loved ones.

A rich source of information about bipolar disorder, they maintain an extensive collection of educational materials on their website, providing in-depth insights into the symptoms, causes, diagnostic process, and treatment methods related to the disorder.

The institute invests in research and clinical trials to improve how we diagnose and treat bipolar disorder, and evaluate new treatment possibilities. They also collaborate with other organizations to raise public awareness about bipolar disorder and reduce its stigma. This helps everyone, from the general public to healthcare professionals, to better understand and respond to the complexities of this mood disorder.

Additional Mental Health Associations and Organizations

The following additional organizations spread awareness and understanding about bipolar disorder, the treatment of clinical depression, and mental health, in general. If you seek additional information about bipolar disease and depression treatment for yourself, a child, or loved one, we encourage you to explore these websites:

United States

Canada

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.bphope.com/the-best-bipolar-support-organizations/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=bphope&utm_content=HHH+-+Aug28+-+Support

Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Cooking · Daily Writing Prompt · Fun · Health and Wellbeing

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light2 Comments
Daily writing prompt
What are your favorite types of foods?
View all responses

I was a picky eater until turning 30 when I started traveling and experiencing food from other countries, then I became excited to try different food. I remember a meal in Cozumel where we ate pasta with Octopus ink on top, can’t say I liked it but I was up for the adventure. Some the best meals where in St. Petersburg, Russia, each came with caviar on top, yummy. Salmon was particularly good in a sauce and caviar on top. This is not part of the question but I had the best milk ever while their, pure whole fat milk, what an indulgence.

I’ve always had a good when traveling but I love the food I grew up on which is fried chicken, fried sweet potatoes, ribs, canned fresh green beans, and fresh canned plum jelly.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light34 Comments
Daily writing prompt
How often do you walk or run?
View all responses

Before my illnesses took over my life my enjoyed walking in the woods or scenic trails and hiking, I even conquired Verna Fallas at Yosemite National Park yet I was not one to walk around, I wanted to have an environment to enjoy while walking. The last time I ran was in Jr. High where I ran track. Walking and running is not my thing, I know it’s great for your health but neither interested me. I have ridden a bike for years because I can ride to the park where there is plenty to look at. I did walk at a larger park with the dogs but would not consider that short of a walk helped me and we only went on the weekends.

Verna Falls Yosemite National Park

My husband walks the dogs every morning and again before lunch, I have wanted to join them but when you have  Agoraphobia it’s hard to jump that hurdle. I’m still hopeful that I will join him and the dogs one day.

Here’s to your health.

Melinda

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October Awareness Months
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

October Awareness Months

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To read the entire list including Awareness Days click here

ADHD Awareness Month

LGBTQ+ History Month

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Depression Awareness Month

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Dyslexia Awareness Month

Learning Disability Awareness Month

National Bullying Prevention Month

Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month

Sober October

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/october-awareness-days-months

Friday Quote
Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing

Friday Quote

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

 

This quote came to me years ago when an employee told me that the client’s perception was wrong. Perception is never wrong but it can be changed. 

Melinda

Things I’m Loving- Household Investments
Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health

Things I’m Loving- Household Investments

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I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends, and family. Most products are found on Amazon. It’s important say, I am not an Amazon Affliate, I do not earn compensation, each link takes you to the product or corporate cite.

Dyson Standing Floor with HEPA Air Purifier

Automatically senses, captures, and traps pollutants for cleaner air. Intelligently purifies and cools you.² Fully sealed to HEPA H13 standard. It’s not just the filter that’s fully sealed, it’s the whole machine.⁴ So what goes inside stays inside. Air Multiplier technology generates the circulation power to draw distant pollutants into the machine, projecting purified air throughout the whole room.¹ Automatically senses and reacts to changes in air quality, then reports pollution in real time on LCD screen and on the My Dyson app.³ Fan mode directly cools with up to 350° oscillation and Backward airflow mode purifies without cooling you.

www.dyson.com

Miele Classic C1 Turbo Team Bagged Canister Vacuum, Tech Blue

  • GERMAN ENGINEERED: Bagged canister vacuum cleaner ideal for homes with hard floors and low-medium pile carpeting 
  • STRONG SUCTION POWER: Switch between 6 suction power settings specific to the surface being cleaned 
  • MAXIMUM MANEUVERABILITY: Vacuum easily around and underneath furniture, or use the clipped on accessories to clean upholstery or hard to reach places 
  • AIRCLEAN SYSTEM: Miele’s unique 3-tiered filtration system consists of a genuine Miele FilterBag, Motor Protection Filter and AirClean Exhaust Filter. The room air is cleaner after vacuuming than before 
  • INCLUDED ACCESSORIES: STB 305-3 TurboTeQ Floorhead, SBB Parquet-3 Floorhead, Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool and Upholstery Tool

I love this vacuum so much, with the canister your not pushing a heavy vacuum around. The canister is lightweight, maneuvers very well and the tools are a life saver for many other jobs around the house. The curtin cleaning works great. We’ve had ours for at least 10 years, it works like new and we’ve not had a single issue.

Visit the Miele Store

LEVOIT Air Purifier Core300-P, White

For Home Allergies, Pet Hair, Covers Up to 1073 ft² by 56W High Torque Motor, AHAM VERIFIDE, 3-in-1 Filter with HEPA Sleep Mode, Remove Dust Smoke Odor.

We have one the air purifiers in each room in the house. They are compact and will surprise you by how much is pulled from the air. When you change the filter it’s clear it’s doing its job.

Visit the LEVOIT Store

ARLIME Electric Fireplace

33 Inch, 750/1500W Wall Firebox Heater with Remote Control, 3 Color Flames, 5 Brightness Settings 8H Timer, Electric Fireplace.  Our fireplace is designed for easy installation. It can be wall-mounted or embedded in a cabinet, giving you the convenience of a crackling fireplace without taking up too much space. It perfectly fits into various settings such as tv stands, fireplace walls, bookshelves, and entertainment centers. Its sleek and elite design adds a touch of sophistication to your living room, bedroom, or office.

This not the exact fireplace I have because Amazon doesn’t carry it any longer. This one is close to what I have hanging on the wall in my office. I am very cold natured and use it most of the year. We’ve had it for 5 years without a single problem. Be sure to read all instruction before you install.

Visit the ARLIME Store

 Dyson V8 Origin+ Cordless Vacuum | Purple

The Dyson V8 cordless vacuum is engineered with the power, versatility, tools, and run time to clean homes with pets. Dyson’s de-tangling Motorbar cleaner head deep cleans carpets and hard floors. With hair removal vanes that clear long hair and pet hair from the brush bar as you clean. The innovative Hair screw tool with a conical brush bar is perfect for cleaning upholstery and pet beds. The Dyson V8 Animal Extra has advanced, whole-machine filtration that captures fine dust and expels cleaner air. Thanks to the cordless format, it also transforms into a handheld vacuum with one click so you can clean up high, down low, and everywhere in between.

We have two, one for upstairs and one for downstairs. This not the exact model because they no longer make it, ours are at least 15 years old, the prices are higher due to improvements and tarrifs. There are still a great investment. I like the plug in charger type vs. having a battery.

Visit the Dyson Store

Melinda

Do You Take Suppliments? Here’s What You Need To Know Before Taking
Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Do You Take Suppliments? Here’s What You Need To Know Before Taking

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I’ve heard for a long time that Tumeric can help with Arthrits pain and inflamation, yet more information was needed before I started taking it. What I read was disturbing. Yes, Tumeric is know to help in those areas but there a numbers of side effects that applied to me. The list included that certain health issues were affected and advised not to take if you had one. There were no interations with medication listed but that didn’t matter because I was not taking because of the health issues I have.

The key to remember is manufactures can say what they will about their products but they are not approved by the FDA to ensure what is said is factual and the filler inside is not listed. I’m in no way against supplements but I don’t take what the manufacture states as fact, further reasearch on your part is needed. The last thing you want is other health issues to worsen or discover the supplement interacts with the medication you take.

I saw this video and it cemented why factual information is needed. Talk to your doctor before taking and only take the recommended amount.

She Took a Turmeric Supplement for Inflammation. It Nearly Destroyed Her Liver

https://people.com/tumeric-liver-hospitalization

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.verywellhealth.com/10-serious-side-effects-of-turmeric-8703958

Helpful Information On Ridding Your Home Of The Kissing Bug
Health and Wellbeing · Infectious Diease · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Helpful Information On Ridding Your Home Of The Kissing Bug

Looking for the Light2 Comments

The Western Conenose bug carries the Trypanosoma cruzi parasite, which bug infestations pass to humans through their kissing bug bite.

According to top medical providers like the Mayo Clinic and Hartford Healthcare behavioral health library, Chagas disease, an inflammatory, infectious disease, is caused by triatomine bugs or the kissing bug. The condition basics include acute illness, fever, fatigue, and inflammation of insect bites.

Due to the dangers associated with this pest, understanding how to get rid of kissing bugs from cracks and crevices in your home or your box spring is essential. Like spider bites, the assassin bug has a painful and itchy bite.

These wingless insects are pests and cause a nuisance, though they have no bearing on sexual health despite their name. Learning how to kill kissing bugs is critical for disease control and preventing insect bites from leading to an allergic reaction or worse.

Kissing bugs might sound harmless, but these blood-sucking insects can carry a dangerous parasite that causes Chagas disease. These pests are becoming more common in homes across the southern United States, making it important to know how to get rid of kissing bugs before they become a serious problem.

Getting rid of kissing bugs requires a smart approach that combines prevention, treatment, and ongoing maintenance. These nocturnal insects hide during the day and come out at night to feed on humans and pets. While they got their name from biting people around the mouth and eyes, they can actually bite anywhere on the body.

The good news is that there are many effective ways to eliminate these dangerous pests. From simple home repairs to natural treatments and professional solutions, this guide goes over methods that will help protect your family and home from kissing bugs.

How to get rid of Kissing Bug

Seal All Entry Points and Cracks

Install and Repair Window and Door Screens

Change Your Outdoor Lighting

Remove Outdoor Hiding Spots

Apply Bug Spray Around Your Home

Use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Make Natural Essential Oil Sprays

Set Up Simple Light Traps

Vacuum Regularly in Key Areas

Hire Professional Pest Control

These are few recommendations. I found conflicting answers on if insect repellant on the face is effective. More research will answer the question.

Please use the second link to read the entire article.

Melinda

References:

https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-get-rid-of-kissing-bugs/

https://www.bcpestcontrol.com/how-to-get-rid-of-kissing-bugs/

Why Kids And Teens May Face More Anxiety Far More These Days
Children · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Internet Good/Bad · Mental Health

Why Kids And Teens May Face More Anxiety Far More These Days

Looking for the Light19 Comments

When it comes to treating anxiety in children and teens, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook are the bane of therapists’ work.“With (social media), it’s all about the self-image — who’s ‘liking’ them, who’s watching them, who clicked on their picture,” said Marco Grados, associate professor of psychiatry and clinical director of child and adolescent psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital. “Everything can turn into something negative … [K]ids are exposed to that day after day, and it’s not good for them.”

Anxiety, not depression, is the leading mental health issue among American youths, and clinicians and research both suggest it is rising. The latest study was published in April in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. Based on data collected from the National Survey of Children’s Health for ages 6 to 17, researchers found a 20 percent increase in diagnoses of anxiety between 2007 and 2012. (The rate of depression over that same time period ticked up 0.2 percent.)

Philip Kendall, director of the Child and Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Temple University and a practicing psychologist, was not surprised by the results and applauded the study for its “big picture” approach.

The data on anxiety among 18- and 19-year-olds is even starker. Since 1985, the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA has been asking incoming college freshmen if they “felt overwhelmed” by all they had to do. The first year, 18 percent replied yes. By 2000, that climbed to 28 percent. By 2016, to nearly 41 percent.

The same pattern is clear when comparing modern-day teens to those of their grandparents’ or great-grandparents’ era. One of the oldest surveys in assessing personality traits and psychopathology is the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, which dates to the Great Depression and remains in use today. When Jean Twenge, a professor of psychology at San Diego State University, looked at the MMPI responses from more than 77,500 high school and college students over the decades, she found that five times as many students in 2007 “surpassed thresholds” in more than one mental health category than they did in 1938. Anxiety and depression were six times more common.

Those responding yes were asked to describe the level of both anxiety and depression in their children: 10.7 percent said their child’s depression was severe, and 15.2 percent who listed their child’s anxiety at that level.

Among the study’s other findings: Anxiety and depression were more commonly found among white and non-Hispanic children, and children with anxiety or depression were more likely than their peers to be obese. The researchers acknowledge that the survey method — parents reporting what they were told by their child’s doctor — likely skewed the results.

 Grados often identifies anxiety in the children and adolescents he sees as part of his clinical practice in Baltimore. “I have a wide range [of patients], take all insurances, do inpatients, day hospital, outpatients, and see anxiety across all strata,” he said.

The causes of that anxiety also include classroom pressures, according to Grados. “Now we’re measuring everything,” he said. “School is putting so much pressure on them with the competitiveness … I’ve seen eighth graders admitted as inpatients, saying they have to choose a career!”

Yet even one of the latest study’s authors acknowledges that it can be difficult to tease out the truth about the rise in anxiety.

“If you look at past studies,” said John T. Walkup, chairman of the Department of Psychiatry at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, “you don’t know if the conditions themselves are increasing or clinicians are making the diagnosis more frequently due to advocacy or public health efforts.”

Nearly a third of all adolescents ages 13 to 18 will experience an anxiety disorder during their lifetime, according to the National Institutes of Health, with the incidence among girls (38.0 percent) far outpacing that among boys (26.1 percent).

Identifying anxiety in kids and getting them help is paramount, according to clinicians. “Anxiety can be an early stage of other conditions,” Grados said. “Bipolar, schizophrenia later in life can initially manifest as anxiety.”

For all these reasons, Kendall said, increased awareness is welcome.

“If you look at the history of child mental health problems,” he said, “we knew about delinquency at the beginning of the 20th century, autism was diagnosed in the 1940s, teenage depression in the mid-’80s. Anxiety is really coming late to the game.”

Melinda

Reference:

Amy Ellis Nutt covers neuroscience and mental health for The Washington Post. She won the Pulitzer Prize in feature writing in 2011 and previously worked at the Star-Ledger in Newark, NJ and Sports Illustrated.

Follow @amyellisnutt

Deadly ‘Kissing Bug’ Disease Chagas Has Spread in the U.S. — Here’s Which States Are Affected
Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health

Deadly ‘Kissing Bug’ Disease Chagas Has Spread in the U.S. — Here’s Which States Are Affected

Looking for the Light18 Comments

Chagas disease, which is spread through an insect known as the “kissing bug,” has spread to 32 states in the U.S.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that the triatomine insect  — called the “kissing bug” because it bites people on the face — has been found in several southern U.S. states, and that hundreds of thousands of people could already be infected without knowing.

Human infections have been identified in eight states — Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and California — according to a map on the CDC’s website. Cases of Chagas disease in animals have also been found in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland.

Deadly ‘kissing bug’ disease Chagas has spread in the U.S. — Here’s the Multiple States Affected

The CDC said, per UCLA Health, that more than 300,000 people in the U.S. — including 45,000 people in Los Angeles County — could be affected with Chagas disease. However, fewer than 2% of those people know they carry the parasite transmitted by the “kissing bug.”

Deadly ‘kissing bug’ disease Chagas has spread in the U.S. — Here’s the Multiple States Affected

A map of where Chagas disease infections have been reported, via the CDC.

cdc.gov

Judith Currier, MD, chief of infectious diseases at UCLA Health, explained, “Most people living with Chagas disease are unaware of their diagnosis, often until it’s too late to have effective treatment.”

The disease spreads through triatomine insect bites, per UCLA Health. Once the insect bites people on their face, they defecate and deposit a parasite called T. cruzi onto the skin. When the bite begins to itch and people scratch it, the parasite then gets into the person’s bloodstream. 

Infected people can experience common symptoms including fever, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting. However, one of the key signs of the disease is particularly severe swelling of the eyelid, per UCLA Health.

“[Severe eyelid swelling is] almost a hallmark of acute Chagas infection,” said Shaun Yang, PhD, a professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Those who are infected could also risk getting more chronic symptoms, which often affect a person’s cardiovascular system. Between 20% and 30% of people who contract Chagas disease could develop serious heart or digestive problems, risk getting an enlarged heart, colon or esophagus, or risk heart failure or cardiac arrest, per the CDC. 

The CDC recommended in its report that Chagas disease be classified as “endemic” in the U.S. The agency defines “endemic” as having a “constant presence and/or usual prevalence in a population within a specific geographic area.”

Melinda

13 Ways To Ensure Your Children Are Happy & Healthy
Celebrate Life · Children · Family · Health and Wellbeing

13 Ways To Ensure Your Children Are Happy & Healthy

Looking for the Light2 Comments

When you find out you are going to become a parent it can be very daunting. You never know what to expect or what type of child you are going to have. Every child will have a unique personality and it is up to you as the parent to nurture this. There is a whole ongoing debate still to this day about whether it is down to nature vs nurture. You may be wondering how you can encourage your children to be happy and healthy. There are so many stories in the media regarding this but it can send a lot of mixed messages. The best thing you can do is follow your gut instinct as a parent, this will never steer you in the wrong direction. Take a look below to find out some helpful tips and tricks on how to ensure your children are happy and healthy. 

Focus On Diet

One of the most important things you will hear professionals talking about is children’s diets. A healthy balanced diet is paramount for your child’s development. Letting them constantly eat junk food and fizzy drinks is not only bad for their physical health but their mental health as well. If you have a busy lifestyle and it is easier to grab and go then how about pre-making some healthy homemade meals that you can simply take out of the freezer in the evenings? Children should also be enjoying five pieces of fruit or veg a day. This will give them the added vitamins and minerals their body needs to function and thrive. 

Get Them Outside

Physical activity is also important for your children. Without running around they will turn into couch potatoes. These days with so much tech floating around it can almost seem impossible to get the children to leave the house. If you find something they are interested in doing, such as going to the park then they will be more than happy to go for a run-around. Better yet, you could get some of their school or nursery friends together and they can all have fun at the park while you chat with the other moms. 

Supplements

If you feel your children don’t have a healthy diet and they are in need of some extra help then you can get them a child supplement or multivitamin to take daily. These will contain the necessary amounts of vitamins and nutrients that your children are potentially missing out on. A lot of children aren’t keen on eating vegetables or fruits so a multivitamin will provide them with the goodness they are missing. The good thing about children’s multivitamins is that they come in gummy bear form with a variety of flavors. Can’t get them to eat veg but you can get them to eat a gummy bear!

Hydration 

It can be incredibly difficult to get your child to drink water. They get to a certain age and decide they no longer like it. However, seeing as more than 60% of their little bodies are made up of water, it is essential they are replacing what is lost through the day. You don’t want your child experiencing signs and symptoms of dehydration. They will present with lethargy, moodiness, and a headache. Encourage your children to drink water by investing in some cool water bottles, they will want to show these off at school. Quite a lot of schools have a water-only policy in place meaning you can’t supply them with juice for school. Children should be aiming to drink around six glasses of water a day to stay hydrated and healthy. 

Protect From Bad Habits

When you have children you want to protect them their whole life. However, quite a lot of parents forget that smoking and drinking around their children is a terrible habit. It is one that they will pick up on rather quickly and you don’t want them to copy you. If you do want to smoke then this should be done outside of the house, in the garden perhaps. That way you are not exposing your children to secondhand smoke which can lead to childhood illnesses and complications with their immune systems. 

Talk To Your Children

Something else to think about is how important it is to talk to your children. When they are babies they learn how to communicate by copying the adults around them. Don’t stop talking to your children just because they can hold their own conversations with others. If your children come to you with any sort of problem or they simply just want to tell you about their day then ensure you are listening. Children can tell when they have your full attention by your body language and what you are saying to them. Talking and listening to your children ensures they know they are able to approach you at all times in case of a problem they cannot solve. 

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Seek Professional Help

As children get older they are far more susceptible to feeling the effects of their hormones. They are also more at risk of mental health conditions than younger children. If you notice your children feeling down or being sad a lot of the time then speak to them and see if they will tell you what the problem is. If they don’t and you want to get your children the help they deserve then you could seek out a counselor or look up Second Nature Utah reviews for more therapeutic programs. If your child has additional needs then this puts them at a greater risk of developing mental health conditions. Bipolar disorder in children is becoming increasingly common. 

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is so important for children, depending on the age they need around eight to thirteen hours of sleep each night. If they are not getting this then they can be grouchy and irritable for the rest of the day. If your child is still young enough for naps then make sure you are encouraging this. It will give them a little recharge so they can get through the rest of the day without any hiccups. If your children are struggling to get to sleep then think of ways you can help with this. You may decide to do some light meditation with them to help them drift off to sleep naturally. 

Check-Ups

Children will rarely be called for check-ups as doctors just assume that you will take them in if there are any problems. Babies and young children will be called for developmental checks, you should go to these as they will highlight any potential developmental delays your child might have. You should also register your child at a dentist and the opticians, you never know when you may need to attend an appointment there. You can check out the best ones in your area by doing a quick internet search or asking other moms for recommendations. 

Read With Your Child

Reading is something that a lot of adults enjoy doing but you can guarantee they didn’t all enjoy it as a child. Learning to read can be tricky but in the end, it will be so rewarding. Watching your child grow and develop is one of the best things about being a parent. You can encourage their love of books by reading with them from a young age. It can be common to read a book with your child at bedtime as part of their nightly routines. Reading will give your child a steady foundation for continuing this learning when they start school. 

Take Away The Tech

Children need a break from technology every so often, it is bad for their brain and their vision to be staring at a pad or tablet all day. If your child is tech dependent then it may be necessary to put a temporary ban on technology to prove to them they can live without it. It will be a struggle the first couple of days but it will be worth it and a great lesson to teach. You can put strict timings in place for screen time. If your children struggle with time then you can even set an egg timer as a visual so they know how long they have left. 

Support With School

There is nothing better that you can do as a parent than support your children with their school work. If they come home and need a helping hand with some homework or a school project then it should be all hands on deck. Your children have come to you for help as they deem you capable and knowledgeable. Don’t let them down by being too busy to help when they need it most. If you don’t understand what to do then you can always do a quick internet search to see if someone else explains it better than the sheet of paper. 

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We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that it gave you some helpful advice on ensuring your children are happy and healthy. Remember, children are just small humans. They all have feelings and it is okay to not be okay sometimes. You need to teach your children the importance of this, if they are having an off day then this is alright. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda