Category: Mental Health

Easy DIY Moisturizing Detox Bath Soak
Celebrate Life · Essential Oils · Health & Beauty · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Easy DIY Moisturizing Detox Bath Soak

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From Brindin.com

Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and promotes better sleep.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com

  • Magnesium Sulfate:  Popularly known as Epsom Salt.  Magnesium is used for treating anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, skin infections and more.
  • Sodium Bicarbonate:  Popularly known as Baking Soda. Sodium bicarbonate makes bath water alkaline which soothes irritated skin, relieves pain or itching, and leaves the skin feeling silky.
  • Virgin Coconut Oil: Virgin coconut oil is pressed from the “meat” of the coconut. It has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It aids in skin healing and moisturizing.
  • Sweet Almond Oil: Almond oil is pressed from edible almonds. It is rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and proteins plus minerals and vitamins. It is good for moisturizing and healing skin.
  • Essential Oils:
    • Lemon Essential Oil is distilled from the peel of the lemon. It is high in d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon oil is nourishing to the skin, improves mood, and supports the immune system.
    • Peppermint Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It helps increase blood flow to the skin, is muscle-soothing, and has a mentally relaxing effect
    • Rosemary Essential Oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops of the fragrant evergreen plant. It is used to stimulate blood circulation, relieve headaches and muscle aches, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.

This all-natural moisturizing detox bath soothes dry skin while raising magnesium levels to aid in de-stressing. This bath soak leaves skin feeling silky soft and supple and promotes better sleep.

Makes: 5 baths

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
  • 1/4 cup Almond Oil
  • 40-80 drops Essential Oils (lemon, rosemary, peppermint)
  • 3 cups Epsom Salts
  • 2 cups Baking Soda

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Whisk together the melted coconut oil and almond oil.
  2. Stir in essential oils. (10-20 drops lemon, 10-20 drops rosemary, 20-40 drop peppermint)
  3. Add Epsom salts and baking soda, and stir to combine.
  4. The bath salts will have the texture of fresh snow.

Store in an air-tight jar. 

HOW TO TAKE A MOISTURIZING DETOX BATH

Take a magnesium bath at night just before going to bed for best results. The magnesium will help you relax while the moisturizing ingredients soothe and soften the skin.

To prepare a bath: Fill the tub with hot water.  Add the Magnesium Detox Bath salts then soak for 20-30 minutes. Add music, candles, a good book, or an interesting podcast to make bath time more enjoyable.

Make sure to have a cold glass of drinking water within reach to rehydrate during the bath. After soaking pat dry and go to bed.

DETOX BATH WARNINGS

If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medicines you should consult with your doctor before taking a moisturizing detox bath. Hot bath water can cause dehydration and dizziness. You should drink lots of water while taking a detox bath and never take a detox bath when using drugs or alcohol.

Enjoy!

It sounds very easy to make and it’s great that you can make 5 baths worth per batch. Makes a great gift too.

Melinda

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month, My Journey
Bipolar Disorder · Chronic Illness · Depression · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month, My Journey

Looking for the Light12 Comments

I don’t write about my Mental Health often but it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, and I can’t think of a better time.

 

 

I’ve been stable for about three years and it was a long journey during that depressive period. After being stable for several years I spiraled into a dark depression, getting numb and darker by the day. I tried four different drugs before finding the drug I’m on. It has worked like a miracle.

That’s how my life has gone since I was 19 years old. Stable or depressed or hypo or manic or dark depression or unable to function. It’s been a difficult journey and one that I almost didn’t make several times. The first time I tried to kill myself was at nine years old, that should have been a sign that something was wrong with me.

I have been hospitalized several times sometimes for up to a month at a time and have had 21 Electro Convulsive Treatments. The journey has been very dark at times and I’m so thankful I had family and a husband who fought hard when I wouldn’t.

The only thing I can say to anyone who is suffering from Mental Illness or a Mental Health challenge is that it can and often will pass. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, some Mental Illnesses reaching stable is as well as you will get, and that’s a huge achievement.

I have Bipolar Disorder and for the past 25 years have been on the depressive side. For the prior 20 years, I lived in a blissful Hypo Manic state. It was blissful until I fell off that cloud and crashed so hard I almost didn’t make it up.

One key to my success is having a Psychopharmacologist as my main doctor and seeing a therapist regularly. I know Psychopharmacologists are more expensive and harder to find but they know the brain in detail and how medications work so they can connect the dots with what symptoms you’re having with the medication you need. I’ve seen my doctor for 30 years and it scares me he is about to retire and I don’t know who is going to take his practice.

I believe strongly that for ongoing challenges with Mental Health/Mental Illness medication is required for some time. For me, it’s a lifetime, for others, it’s until they’re stable.

I also believe strongly that seeing a Therapist regularly is as critical as medication. Sometimes we sabotage ourselves and a Therapist can help us through negative self-talk. The key to remember is what each doctor or Therapist does as a specialty. If you’re seeing a Psychiatrist/Psychopharmacologist you are only going to get medication, you are not going to get any therapy. There are also different types of Therapists, make sure you are getting a referral for the right type of support you need. 

I’m almost 58 years old and sometimes didn’t think I’d ever see 30 years old. It takes everything you have and more to deal with your Mental Illness or Mental Health and it’s worth the effort.

If you’d like to read more about my journey with Bipolar Disorder, check out Mental Illness and Me and dive into my archives for more posts. 

Melinda

Natural Seasonal Allergy Relief
Celebrate Life · DIY · Essential Oils · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Natural Seasonal Allergy Relief

Looking for the Light4 Comments

Willow & Sage by Stampington

By Kaetlyn Kennedy

These are some great tips from one of my favorite book-a-zine, Willow and Sage by Stampington, I also subscribe to Field Guide and have read several others over the years. These are not your typical magazines, they have a hard softback, over 1/2 thick and the content will blow you away.

Made from stinging nettle plants, organic nettle tea can help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms with its natural antihistamine. You reap all the benefits of antihistamine symptom relief without taking conventional medicines. You can drink the daily as a preventative or as needed.

Spirulina is a superfood full of amazing plant nutrients, like iron, calcium, vitamins A and C, and protein. While great for overall health, spiraling may be beneficial during allergy season because it is high in antioxidants and has been shown to protect the body from anything that might compromise the immune system. It is high in chlorophyll and is detoxifying. Other superfoods like Kale, turmeric, mace powder, hemp, and flax reduce inflammation and boost your immune system.

A probiotic can help boost your gut and immune system health, which plays a big part in seasonal allergies. You can digest probiotics by eating fermented items like sauerkraut, and kombucha, or by taking a supplement. Make sure it is a high-quality probiotic from an organic source.

Apple Cider Vinegar is detoxifying and practically a remedy for everything. Taking as little as 1 tablespoon a day can help you feel and be healthier, which will, in turn, reduce your allergy symptoms. Make sure you purchase unfiltered organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

Essential oils, such as melaleuca, peppermint, lavender, frankincense, lemon, and eucalyptus, help with seasonal allergy relief. I like to fill a roller bottle with carrier oil and 5-10 drops of each chosen essential oil. I apply this to my nose, temples, and behind my ears when I begin to feel swollen or puffy, as well as to the bottom of my feet. You can use these as needed as well as preventative.

Here’s to your health!

Melinda

Repost from 2020

Child-Parent Alienation Is A Form Of Abuse
Abuse · Caregiver · Children · Communication · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Travel

Child-Parent Alienation Is A Form Of Abuse

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In the modern world of divorce, we are seeing that fathers are being left behind. Child separation from their parents, no matter if it’s the father or the mother, is traumatic. They will find themselves without one half of their guiding light and they will have a lesser view of the world because of it. Parents are supposed to be teachers and when children and parents don’t have the opportunity to spend time together, valuable lessons are not learned. Fathers are the hardest hit, as mothers tend to get sole child custody, 80-90% of the time. Let’s look deeper into why this is a problem that we need to talk more about.

Separation as a weapon

Sometimes, parents who have custody of the children will use this as a way to ‘get back’ at their former spouse. This is as horrible and vindictive as it sounds. However, this kind of child alienation can have a bad effect on the parent that is being forced out, and the children. The children will sense they are being used as pawns in your personal vendetta and the parent that is being kept from seeing them will grow distant from them. If you are also making up lies about the former spouse, or think that they are, your children will likely believe them as they are their sole caregiver. This kind of turning against tactics can be devastating in the long term to the point that relationships may never heal again.

A need for guidance

Both parents will give their children a guiding light in life. And when one of them is not there to do this, it can lead to a skewed view of the world. It’s rare for one parent to assume both roles and it can never really work even when they try. A dad’s perspective on life is different from the mother’s and vice versa. Therefore making sure that both parents can fulfill their role as a torch of knowledge in their children’s lives is vital. When one of them can’t do this because of child alienation by the other parent, this can be so harmful that the child will lack a certain type of life experience or knowledge that will end up hurting them more. 

 

Photo by Emma Bauso on Pexels.com

 

What can you do about it?

Can you sense not being able to see your children as you normally would at visiting times? Maybe you can’t even visit them anymore because of what the former spouse is doing to separate you from your children. You shouldn’t give up, even if the court has previously ruled something. You can use a good Family Law Firm to build a case that shows you are being unfairly treated and kept from your children. Fathers especially should look into this, as they will usually face a tougher stance from the family courts.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost from 2020

3 year old kills 18 month old Brother with Semi Automatic Weapon
Advocacy · Caregiver · Childhood Learning · Children · Family · Friends · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Parental Abuse

3 year old kills 18 month old Brother with Semi Automatic Weapon

Looking for the Light10 Comments

Repost from 2014

Nothing has changed since 2014, and this happens all the time 10 years later. Thankfully two parents are currently serving jail time for their child’s decision. I hope to see more parents held accountable for their actions and the actions of their children when it comes to guns and death. 

PAYSON, Ariz. – Police said an 18-month-old boy is dead after being shot in the head by his 3-year-old brother, reports CBS affiliate KPHO.

The boys were at a neighbor’s apartment in Payson, Ariz., on Tuesday when they found a semi-automatic gun that belonged to the man they were visiting, according to the station. Police said the toddler’s 3-year-old brother picked up the weapon and pulled the trigger. Payson Police Chief Don Engler said officers found the boy’s mother carrying the wounded child in the parking lot outside the apartment after they received several 911 calls about a child with a head injury. The boy was pronounced dead after being rushed to Payson Regional Medical Center, KPHO reports.

“The apartment that this occurred in was a family friend of the mother and two children,” said Engler. “The children had slipped into another room unobserved by the mother and the 78-year-old occupant of the apartment,” Engler said, noting that the family had been visiting for about 10 to 15 minutes before the shooting. “Even though many of our young officers have children of their own, certainly it’s difficult for our officers in those circumstances.”

According to KPHO, police have not released the names of anyone involved in the incident. Suzy Tubbs, the director of Payson Community Kids, a nonprofit located across the street from the apartment, said the young mother often visited with her two sons. “I was always so impressed with a mom who wants to give back and help out…. [The boys] were really cute, playing on the playground, playing hard, getting dirty… typical little boys.”

This tore my heart out and left me pissed off with irresponsible gun owners. I’ve been around guns my entire life. My gramps kept a loaded shotgun by his side of the bed. When we were very young He took my brother and me to where the gun was and explained what the gun was for, what it could do, and how it could hurt somebody. He said don’t ever touch the gun, and we never touched the gun.

It’s time for accountability from people who leave a gun where a child can get access.

A semi-automatic?????  Was this a drug house?

The person responsible for leaving the gun where the kids could reach it has blood on their hands. What happened to gun locks? Gun safes?

I’ve owned guns since I was fourteen, a shotgun, and two 38 Revolvers. When a child came to my house, I would unload guns, put on locks, and hide away. How could that adorable two-year-old even pull the trigger?

Have we become a society that no longer takes responsibility for our actions?

Parents need to parent their children and parent themselves. This doesn’t apply to all, JUST THE DUMBASSES RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEAD CHILD. Put them in jail as if they pulled the trigger. That will get attention, and people might think twice in the future.

I don’t have children, yet I’m human and compassionate. Too many children have died at the hands of a parent, family member, or while at a friend’s house. Stop this madness. It only takes a minute.

Warrior

Tips To Stay Healthy While Working From Home
Balance Issues · Business · Celebrate Life · Depression · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care · Working From Home

Tips To Stay Healthy While Working From Home

Looking for the Light2 Comments

As many of us are finding ourselves at home for work at the moment, it can feel a little disorientating having to go back and forth in the same space. With that being said, there’s a lot that you can do to make working from home a more enjoyable experience. Remote working might be something that’s even more common in the future so it’s worth exploring what you can do to make it a healthy environment for yourself. Here are some tips to stay healthy whilst working from home.

Set Up A Separate Workspace

A separate workspace is something that you want to try and incorporate as best as you can. Even if you’re setting up a temporary wall in your living or dining room area so that it can feel like you’re stepping into an office. If you have a study room, then you certainly want to take advantage of this as this can provide the workspace you need to thrive. When you’re working from home, the last thing you want to do is to be sharing the communal spaces or using space like the living room or your bedroom and blurring those lines. If you’ve had a hard day at work and you’ve been doing it in the living room, you’ll probably want to avoid that space from then on. It can end up hindering your home space, so it’s worth finding a setup that can work in the home but is not going to encroach on the space where you relax at the end of the day.

Take Advantage Of Lighting Features On Your Devices

When it comes to your electronic devices, whether that be your laptop or your phone, it’s worth tweaking the lighting. This is when you need to adjust it during early morning starts or late nights. The light from our phones and computers can be quite harsh on our eyes so knowing how to go into dark mode here can be beneficial. It’s always good to know what the dangers are when it comes to spending too much time in front of a computer screen. It’s important to find options that can help reduce the impact of screen time, and it may be worth you getting some glasses that can block blue light. This can be helpful in your eyes and give them a rest from the harsh lights that come from our screens.

It’s important to focus on your break times when it comes to working from home. You want to ensure you’re still getting those breaks to help you reset your batteries and give yourself a break from the workload that you have. When it comes to regular breaks, make sure you’re stepping away from your desk and stretching your body. You mustn’t be sat down in a seat for hours on end. You should be getting up and going for regular walks around the home to help keep your body moving. Be sure to take a proper lunch break as well and practice eating away from your desk if you tend to eat at the desk. 

Schedule Your Day

Scheduling your day is important because it’s going to help keep you motivated to do the work you’ve set out to do. Try to incorporate the breaks into your schedule so you know when you have some free time coming up and that it won’t interrupt anything you’re doing that might break your productivity. Some people like to schedule their day hour by hour, whereas others like to do it morning and afternoon. Others might find that they just have a to-do list that’s in order of when they do it. It’s good to find and practice what works for you so that you’re getting the most out of your day.

You might want to buy yourself a physical planner or perhaps look at online platforms that you can use to set out your tasks. Explore what’s possible and what works well for your productivity levels. We’re all different so we’ll all need to work a little differently!

 

 

 

Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com

 

Stick To Your Working Hours

Your working hours should be the same as they were if you were in the office. So if you’re starting at 9am, start at 9am. Be strict with yourself and your employer because, for some, they may try and take advantage of the fact you no longer have the commuting time to factor in. It’s still important that you’re doing the hours that you’re paid to do and that you’re not overworking yourself. That’s not something that’s going to be helpful for you, and we’re all only capable of doing so many hours of creative work before we burn out. Your working hours might not be exactly the times you usually do but try and get as close to them as possible.

Continue To Eat Healthily

To stay healthy, it’s important to continue to eat healthy when working from home. When working at home, there can be a lot of temptation within your kitchen cupboards, and if you’re doing more hours from home, then you may do your weekly shopping accordingly. This might be that you have more food than you would while in your workplace. Try to be strict with your food intake and be sure to not eat too much throughout the day as it’s going to leave you feeling lethargic, especially if you’re not doing much exercise. Try to keep yourself fit and healthy both in body and mind, which a lot of it can be influenced by the food we eat. 

Staying healthy while working from home can prove to be a challenge, but it’s important to do. Use these tips to help stay healthy during these remote working occasions. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Repost

I’ve Settled On A New Theme But Still Have A Few Tweeks
Blogging · Celebrate Life · Communication · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

I’ve Settled On A New Theme But Still Have A Few Tweeks

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I liked the other Theme better but I could not get the widgets to work, so I went back to a Theme I used a long time ago. The only thing I still have to work on is the date is not standing out. Of course, I will play with the fonts more, it takes me some time to pick, and I love looking at all the options.

I hope the headline doesn’t look as big once published.

Have a great day.

Melinda

Blogger Highlight-Nine Cent Girl
Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Nine Cent Girl

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Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Nine Cent Girl.     

Nine Cent Girl

Welcome to my blog, Nine Cent Girl, which is my musings on family, food, and fashion, basically all life brings. This is not a philosophical or an epicurean or haute couture site, but instead a place to affirm all your own notions. I hope my nine cents will encourage you to live life fully!
 

Moira writes on many topics which is rewarding and her energy pulls you in. Check out her blog. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

5 Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products For Smoking Cessation By Invisibly Me
Advocacy · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

5 Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products For Smoking Cessation By Invisibly Me

Looking for the LightLeave a comment
Caz from Invisibly Me has been a great support to me for years and I love to see what topic she will write about next. 
 
https://invisiblyme.com/5-nicotine-replacement-therapy
Be sure to look at her extensive archive. I have a feeling you will want to follow Caz. 
 
Melinda
 
Things you should know as you begin your healing journey by Don’t Lose Hope
Celebrate Life · Communication · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Trauma

Things you should know as you begin your healing journey by Don’t Lose Hope

Looking for the LightLeave a comment
This post is for everyone who’s been through a traumatic experience. We have followed each other for years and I’ve learned at least one thing new in every post. 
 
https://sexaddictionpartners.wordpress.com/2024/05/05/things-you-should-know-as-you-begin-your-healing-journey/?page_id=5164
 
Melinda
National Nurses Week (May 6–12)
Caregiver · Communication · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

National Nurses Week (May 6–12)

Looking for the Light7 Comments

I can’t count the number of Nurses I’ve met in my life but it’s a high number. The majority of my experiences have been pleasant and when I had Brain Surgery, I couldn’t move without them. I have great respect for Nurses and their struggles.

What Is Nurses Week About?

National Nurses Week, celebrated annually May 6 through 12, was designated to recognize the contributions nurses make to communities. May 6 is National Nurses Day, and May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

The historical effort to establish national recognition for nurses was a collective one that extended over the course of 40 years.

Each year, National Nurses Week is celebrated to honor nurses present and past. This time is also used to highlight nurses’ personal and professional lives.

Don’t take your frustrations out on the Nurse, we are not always the priority and have to wait, hospital staff are trained to determine which patients are at greater risk. Your leg may hurt like hell but that’s not life-threatening. Be nice!

Melinda

References:

https://nursejournal.org/articles/what-is-nurses-week/#

How To Stop A Chronic Condition From Ruining Your Life
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Communication · Depression · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How To Stop A Chronic Condition From Ruining Your Life

Looking for the Light8 Comments

Living with a chronic condition can be difficult – it can even be overwhelming – and it’s definitely going to be a challenge, no matter how the condition might actually affect you and manifest itself. It could be anything from arthritis to diabetes to asthma to eczema or perhaps chronic pain, but if it’s affecting your life, then you need to do something about it. 

You might think that’s not possible, especially if you understand your condition well, but the fact is that although it might not be possible to actually cure the condition and you might always have it, you can do things to reduce the impact of the symptoms and make life at least a little easier for you. If you can stop a chronic condition from ruining your life, then it’s got to be with trying. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about what you might be able to do. 

 

 

Understand Your Condition 

The first thing you’ll need to do if you want to stop a chronic condition from ruining your life is to understand it – thoroughly. We don’t mean just a vague idea of what you’re suffering from – we mean that you need to really know it, inside and out. You need to educate yourself about everything you can that links to your illness, including its symptoms, triggers, and treatments. 

Of course, to do this, you’ll need to only look at the most reliable sources when it comes to eczema treatments or anything else you need to know about, but that’s a good thing. True, it’s going to mean it takes longer to get the information you need, but it also means that you’ll be being as thorough as possible so you weed out any sources and information that aren’t reliable. In the end, you’ll have a good idea of what’s true and what isn’t, and that’s going to serve you well when it comes to stopping the condition from ruining your life. 

It’s also a good idea to find support groups so you can talk to others about the condition you all share because even if you don’t get any more information, the support can make a lot of difference, and knowing there are people you can talk to if you’re having a bad day or who you can help if you’re able to is a wonderfully positive and empowering things. Plus, don’t forget doctors and other medical experts. You might think you want to do it all by yourself, but the fact is that doctors are going to have a lot of good information for you, and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to learning more. Plus, seeing a doctor means you won’t ever have to (or be tempted to) self-medicate, and staying away from that dangerous path is a good thing.

Accept It

If this sounds like a terrible idea, don’t worry – it’s not as bad as you might think, and it’s well worth thinking about once you know more about what we’re saying. The crucial thing to remember is that acceptance doesn’t mean resigning yourself to the fact that you’re going to be unwell and potentially limited forever. It doesn’t mean giving up on trying to reduce the symptoms or finding a cure. What it means is that rather than fighting against it, you accept that this condition, whatever it is, is part of your life – but it’s not the thing that makes you you, and it’s not the thing that defines you.  

So what we’re saying is that you need to accept that you’re unwell, but you mustn’t become a victim – you need to essentially shift your thinking from negative to as positive as you can (which might not be easy, but when you start, it becomes easier). Begin by not dwelling on the things you can’t do and instead focus on what you can do and what you can control in your life, make sure you do more of the things that bring you joy, and it’s definitely going to help because even if you’re still suffering, you’re not letting the problem ruin your life. 

Prioritize Self-Care

Maybe you don’t put your own self-care first because you don’t want to look weak and admit you need some time to read or recharge. Maybe you don’t do it because you’ve got a lot of other people to look after. Maybe you’re too busy at work. Maybe you really just don’t know what you can do that means you’re enjoying some self-care. Whichever of these issues it is, or even if it’s some other reason entirely, it’s time to change your thinking – self-care has to come first.

The fact is that when you’re managing a chronic condition, self-care is non-negotiable, so you need to add more to your life whenever you can. The great thing about self-care is that there are so many different ways it can be done, so you might start by ensuring you get enough sleep, that you exercise regularly (even a little is good), or that you eat a balanced diet. Perhaps self-care for you means getting a chance to read or listen to music. Maybe it’s about going for a walk or enjoying your favorite hobby or having a spa day. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you include it in your life because when you do, you’ll be happier and less stressed, and that’s going to help you realize that your life is good and that your chronic condition, even at it’s most difficult, isn’t going to ruin it.

Set Realistic Goals

Something else that can help you if you’re suffering from a chronic condition and you don’t want it to ruin your life is to set yourself some realistic goals to work towards. They can be as big or as small as you want (although if they are big, it’s best to split them into smaller goals so you don’t get overwhelmed by everything you have to do).

Once you reach a goal, celebrate, and keep moving forward – always move forward. You’ll need to be flexible and sometimes those goals will have to change and be adjusted, but as long as you’re always working towards something, you’ll have hope, and that means your life is definitely not ruined.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Nightmare By Guest Blogger For the Love of Sam
Advocacy · Caregiver · Celebrate Life · Children · Communication · Depression · Family · Grieving · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Suicide

Nightmare By Guest Blogger For the Love of Sam

Looking for the LightLeave a comment
https://love-and-loss.ca/2024/05/01/nightmare/?page_id=722
 
A must-read for those grieving or who may support her so she can grow in her journey. 
 
Look for a Blogger Highlight on For the Love of Sam soon. 
 
Melinda
May Awareness Weeks
Advocacy · Celebrate Life · Education · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

May Awareness Weeks

Looking for the LightLeave a comment
  • American Craft Beer Week (May 13–19)
  • Be Kind to Animals Week (May 5–11)
  • Bike to Work Week (May 13–19)
  • Children’s Book Week (May 6–12)
  • Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5–11)
  • National EMS Week (May 19–25)
  • National Nurses Week (May 6–12)
  • National Pet Week (May 5–11)
  • National Public Works Week (May 19–25)
  • National Small Business Week (April 28–May 4)
  • National Stuttering Awareness Week (May 13–19)
  • National Travel and Tourism Week (May 19–25)
  • National Vegetarian Week (May 15–21)
  • National Wildflower Week (May 5–11)
  • Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6–10)
  • Women in Construction Week (May 5–11)

Melinda

https://www.rd.com/article/may-holidays

War Is…..
America · Crazy? · Family · Freedom of Speech · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Military · Politics · WAR

War Is…..

Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Growing up in a family of military veterans gave me a snippet of what war is and what it isn’t. War is simple to explain.

War begins when one country attacks another country.

The country that was attacked has the right to retaliate in whatever way they choose and for how long.

It’s simple.

Melinda

Things I’m Loving-Bedtime Is Self Care Time
CBD · Celebrate Life · Essential Oils · Health & Beauty · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Things I’m Loving-Bedtime Is Self Care Time

Looking for the Light3 Comments

Here are a few products I’m loving with right now. I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list may also give you ideas for a surprise for friends, and family. Most products are found on Amazon.

 

 

THIS WORKS

Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: Fast-Acting Natural Rest Aid with Lavender for Relaxation, 35 ml 1.2 Fl Oz

Not only do I use this at night but also at nap time! It’s worth the investment and by only using a few spays at a time, it lasts a long time. Don’t forget to share with your bedmate.  

The Body Shop Shea Body Butter 

Hydrating & Moisturizing Skincare for Very Dry Skin – Vegan – 12.9 oz

This is my favorite body cream, it’s from a company built on ethics, and it’s a great price point. There are many fragrances to choose from and everything else you need to pamper. 

NEOM 

Happiness Reed Diffuser Refill, 3.38 fl oz |Uplifting Scent Neroli, Mimosa & Lemon Essential Oil Blends| 100% Natural Fragrance | Scent to Make You Happy……

This fragrance is out of this world and a bit on the pricey side. Treat yourself to a new fragrance. On the less expensive side, I buy the below. 

Cocorrína

Cashmere Vanilla Scented Reed Diffuser Oil with 8 Cotton Reed Sticks Fragrance for Bedroom, Bathroom, Home Décor, 6.7 oz. (200 ml)

They have many fragrances to choose from but this is my favorite from this company. 

Gaiam Relax Massage Ball Roller 

Handheld Wooden Total Body Massager for Back, Neck, Foot, Calf, Leg, Arm | Deep Tissue Massager Relief for Sore Muscles

Who doesn’t love a smooth massage without leaving home? High-quality brand and with little maintenance it will last a long time.

KIPRITII

Ergonomically Back Scrubber for Shower – Double-Sided Back Brush Long Handle for Shower, Wet & Dry Brush for Cellulite and Lymphatic (Blue)

I love this brush because it has a stiff and soft side. The ergo styling does make a difference in my wrist pain. It fit my needs and it was less than $10.

Organic Lavender Essential Oil Roll-On

Lavandula Angustifolia, 100% Pure USDA Certified Aromatherapy for Calming, Relaxation & Skin – 10 ml Roller by Silk Road Organic – Always Pure, Always Organic

It is great to keep these around the house and office for when you need to reduce stress. They help me fall asleep by rolling a line down both sides of my neck and a dab under my nose. Essential oils also help if you roll on the lower parts of your body, the smell will go right up to you. 

Diffuserlove Ceramic Diffuser

160ML Essential Oil Diffusers Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser for Room Air Diffuser for Home Bedroom Stone Diffuser White (Size:6.8″ H x 3.6″ W)

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a nice Essential Oil Diffuser, of course, there are more elaborate ones on the market. My life is about simplicity and this one has served me well for over 5 years. 

Woolzies Sweet Dreams Essential Oil Blend

Helps Sleep Better Faster Restful | Undiluted Therapeutic Grade (Sweet Dreams, 4 Oz)

I have not found a better essential oil mix to add to my Diffuser. It’s a great fragrance anywhere you have a Diffuser but this blend sets me up for a good night. 

Melinda

Blogger Highlight-Kelly’s Quest
Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Kelly’s Quest

Looking for the Light2 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Kelly’s Quest.    

Kelly’s Quest

This is the story of my quest for spirituality.

I read some of her posts last week and her site is a slice of heaven! Please stop by and say hello.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

Anxiety · Celebrate Life · Communication · Depression · Education · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Suicide · Survivor

Silencing the Noise: A Guide to Conquering Overthinking By Guest Blogger My Mind Strenght

Looking for the Light6 Comments
Silencing the Noise: A Guide to Conquering Overthinking.     
This post is on point! It’s natural to overthink occasionally due to a situation but if overthinking is constant it’s time to take control of its debilitating nature. You have to do the hard work and one that takes time and commitment but you can do it. 
 
Be sure to read the posts, everyone can benefit, and if you’re a parent, take an honest look at your children as they may need help. 
 
Melinda
How to Deal With Grief in a Healthy Way
Caregiver · Communication · Grieving · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How to Deal With Grief in a Healthy Way

Looking for the Light20 Comments

Grief is one of the most powerful emotions a person can experience. It’s also something that everyone has to deal with at some point in their lives. We love, we live, and we die. Then we’re left to pick up the pieces. 

The fact is, grief hurts. It’s natural for it to hurt, and it’s natural for different people to have different experiences of this pain. But that doesn’t mean that every experience of grief is healthy. It’s easy to get sucked into a hole of grief that doesn’t stop hurting and that stains the rest of your life.

While it might not be as simple as “moving on”, it is possible to manage your grief. Here are some tips to help.

Grieving Before Death

In some cases, you might find the grieving process begins before your loved one has passed away. Usually, this is due to a long illness that can only ever result in death. If you act as a caregiver, it can be hard to balance this grief with the practical parts of caring for your loved one.

Sometimes you have to compartmentalize. This means that, when you’re actively caring for them, you focus on the practical side of things. But you still need to allow yourself to process your grief.

But you should also try to find the joy in being a caregiver. It’s hard work, physically, mentally, and emotionally. But it allows you to spend time with someone you love and it allows you to demonstrate how much you love them, even if they can’t always recognize it. 

Give Yourself Time

Unfortunately, life goes on for all of us, even when we lose someone we love. Everything else doesn’t grind to a halt, even if we feel like it should. We have work, family responsibilities, chores, and bills.

Some people prefer to throw themselves into literally anything else so that they don’t have to think about their grief. Still others find it impossible to concentrate on anything else.

Even if you’re in the former camp, you still need to give yourself time to grieve. It hurts, but it needs to hurt. Don’t feel ashamed because you aren’t able to stop hurting after a few months, but also don’t feel guilty when you manage to have a moment without thinking about the person you lost.

Let yourself hurt and cry and grieve, but let yourself live as well.

Talk to Someone

Part of processing grief healthily includes talking to people you trust. If you’ve lost a family member or friend, you and your loved ones can help each other by talking about your shared grief. You aren’t being a burden, you’re just being human.

In some cases, you may feel as though you need to talk to someone else. That’s what grief counseling consultation is for. You can talk to someone who is experienced and trained to help you, but who also won’t be hurt by your feelings.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Do You Think Money Solves All? NOT!
Business · Celebrate Life · Education · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Healthy Living · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Money

Do You Think Money Solves All? NOT!

Looking for the Light17 Comments

I was not born into money and any money had to be made by me. Sometimes, I would think “If I had money, this would all go away.” The great thing is this encouraged me to jump out there and set the world on fire.

My first job was a paper route at 10 years old, just several blocks around my house, producing money that made me feel more in control and it felt great.

I worked my way into sales which is a natural fit for me, and I worked hard but always had my eye on the goal, more money. I joined a 2B company as a National Trainer with 15-20 offices. I had arrived at the top! Not really. I traveled 5-6 days a week, ran errands the entire weekend, and spent no time with my ex-husband. This job was the beginning of the breakdown in our marriage.

During those few years, my salary was between $250K-$350K, plus adding bonuses like money and exotic trips, I was riding high. I spent money like crazy, and never thought about my long-term future.

A few years later, I won a lawsuit and became a multi-millionaire. It was short-lived after paying the taxes and the lawyer and the settlement isn’t so large. Shortly after the settlement, I had Brain Surgery and took some time off to recover by remodeling and upgrading our house. While our marriage fell apart and we divorced.

I never asked myself if I was happy, fulfilled, and living a good life. I wasn’t and set out to make major changes. First I started focusing on the future while maintaining a fun life. After the divorce, I no longer had big money. It was a time for discovery.

I matured from the divorce and started writing down what made me happy or what I thought would. I started by giving a bit to charity and other ways to find joy and spent some time thinking about the type of man that I wanted in my life if the chance came again. I was open but already 38 years old.

Learning how to get in touch with myself happened after I married my husband. I have learned what “in sickness and in health means.”  He’s had my back, loved me when I was in very dark places and mean, and has shown that love for over 23 years.

Our focus changed to what we want in our future and retirement, what number would give us a comfortable retirement. To do that you have to make sacrifices which in the beginning was hard for me but now, I would not go back to my high-rolling days.

Money didn’t give me joy, it flamed my ego which affected my marriage.

Money didn’t keep my Bipolar Disorder under control, I did.

Money didn’t keep my Grandparents from dying.

Money will not protect you from harm, death, illness, or stress.

I love our comfortable life watching TV together every night, and catching up on the day while sharing a meal. My husband washes his own clothes which makes it easier on me, takes care of the dogs, and cooks most of the time and in Summer he’s great about watering my plants.

What my journey taught me is money is great but it’s icing not the foundation of a great life.

Melinda