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 Invisibly Me. Caz and I have known each other for years and I’m honored to call her a friend. She is a warrior in every sense of the word, she works tirelessly to balance her chronic illness, help her elderly parents, advocate for better access to healthcare, and also encourage others to take better care of themselves. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much she loves cats.
Caz is a 30-something chronically ill blogger from the UK with a penchant for American crime thriller books, Dr Martens, chocolate and Hello kitty. She writes about life with chronic illness and pain, product reviews, tips, and general health information to raise awareness.
She writes on many topics but stays true to health, writing reviews about health products and other items that simplify life. Simple is far from the life that Caz leads, she’s a superwoman with what she accomplishes and you would be surprised by the number of disabling health issues she deals with each day. She’s snarky, has the greatest attitude, and has limits with the NHS healthcare system in England. But who doesn’t?
She’s a proud member of the following organizations:
You must stop by her blog to say hello, read through her archives, and get to know a remarkable woman. Caz is encouraging, raw, funny and always leaves me feeling better and loved.
The Normals regularly say these things to me, whenever I take disability leave to recover (kinda) from tick-borne disease.
Bless their little Normal hearts. They’re not trying to be hurtful. They’re trying to relate to something they can’t understand: invisible chronic illness, with its unpredictable flares and unquantifiable symptoms of pain, fatigue, and “Help, doctor, my cells are all pulling on each other like magnets.”
My favorite Normal faux-pax happened when I returned to work after two years of disability leave (and one additional year of a lawsuit against my insurer). Many coworkers knew I’d been sick. Some knew I’d had tick-borne disease. One of them welcomed me back and asked, “Did you enjoy your time off?” He meant well, but here’s what I heard him saying: Did you enjoy living it up with your free paychecks?
I feared my colleagues thought I’d spent those three years lounging on a chaise in a silken robe and full makeup, listening to celebrity gossip podcasts, sipping wine, and dropping bon-bons between my freshly-glossed lips, while stroking my sleek purebred cat like a Real Housewife of Northern Virginia.
Sure, I “enjoyed my time off.” I enjoyed the handful of semi-functional hours I had each day. I enjoyed squinting, while sweating and shivering, at incorrect health insurance EOBs and shady reports from insurance physician reviewers. Because of the broken U.S. health system, when I’m on disability leave I use almost more cognitive energy than when I’m at work.
The feared “activity tax”
Here’s what I’d like to tell people about what I “do all day:” I calculate my energy expenditures, then wait with bated breath to see if my calculations are correct. Will I be fine? Or will I pay the much-feared Activity Tax? If the latter, in what currency will the Tax be? Headache? Stiff joints? Motion sickness? Vibrating feet?
Because the stakes are so high, people with chronic illness become supercomputers: Estimated useable body-hours divided by approximate time to complete chores, plus parenthetical sub-formula ranking chores by importance, times the bounded function of activity tax per X number of stairs between the hamper and washer.
The poor Normals want to “just stay at home and rest.” Well, so do I. Instead, I’m racing my body against my bank account. I’m wrangling physical therapy and fistfuls of pharmaceuticals. The goal: Get my health to kick in, before my disability is randomly taken away because some doctor paid by an insurance company lies on my case report (I wish this were a hypothetical). Disability leave is so exhausting, I pine for the workaday drudgery of the office.
My best impression
In the meantime, though, I’m doing my best Real Housewife impression, lounging on that chaise. Except it’s not a chaise, it’s a cat-hair-covered futon, and I’m not lounging, I’m curled up in ache, and it’s not wine but electrolyte water, and it’s not a silken robe but pilly yoga pants, and it’s not bon-bons but fish oil capsules almost as big as bon-bons.
Per my calculations, the fish oil capsules are better than the liquid alternative. The splotch of spilled fish oil on my pants crotch cost about $35 dollars. (This does not include the Activity Tax I paid from walking up and down stairs, trying to figure out where the rotting mackerel smell was coming from.)
Back on the chaise-futon, in true frustrated-Housewife style, I hurl my wine glass. But it’s not a wine glass, it’s a thermometer. As is common in tick-borne disease, I feel flu-ish almost all the time, but there’s little to no corresponding fever. The cruel digital displays never validate my aches and burning face. To resolve this dissonance, I smash the devices. Still, my cool cheeks stay scorching. You’d think they’d at least give me a luminous glow, but no.
Beauty tips
Which brings us to beauty tips, as recommended by our Real Housewife on the cat-hair-strewn cushions. It’s not makeup, it’s purple under-eye moons. It’s not plastic surgery, it’s skin stretched smooth by inflammatory water-fat. It’s not lip gloss, it’s snot. Too tired to get a tissue? Just blow your nose on your cardigan sleeve!
Also clinging to the crusty cardigan: my cat. He’s not a sleek purebred, but an old, thin street rescue with allergies and a seizure disorder. He’s also a poor conversationalist, but that’s ok, because I have the celebrity gossip podcasts—except they aren’t celebrity gossip podcasts, they’re Zoom coffee klatsches with my fellow sickies. And we don’t gossip, we rage.
We rage about the doctor who was late calling in a pain meds script. We rage about the insurance company who denied someone disability, because the company’s spies caught the patient sweeping her porch (gasp!). We rage about the sick young woman erroneously diagnosed with Munchausen’s Syndrome by old male doctors at a northeast emergency room. In comparison, my coworkers’ thoughtless comments are small potatoes.
They still hurt, though. I should see my psychologist. Mental health care is an important reason to dig into my skimpy disability paychecks. And yet. . . it’s easier to pivot to add-to-cart therapy: a silken robe, lip gloss, and some bon-bons.
Christina D. Campbell is an award-winning author who writes about health, marital status discrimination, and special needs cats. She is currently seeking representation for her memoir about invisible illness. She can be reached at ChristinaDC.com.
Her words resonate with me and she’s right, it’s impossible to relate to an invisible disease unless you’ve been down that road.
WordPress does not allow bloggers to block another blogger for reblogging their posts or sending spam. This site has been spamming me for over six months. Today, I want you to know who they are. Bloggers who spam you by trying to sell you something, rant, or try to get you to follow their blog are waisting their time. I keep all comments in moderation and as soon as I see them, I permanently delete them.
Blogs like this don’t stop, they are too ignorant to realize that I would never click on the link and never buy their products.
Team USA runner Noah Lyles—who won bronze in the men’s 200m and was rushed off the field after the race in a wheelchair and later admitted to NBC Nightly News that he had tested positive for COVID two days before. He was not wearing a mask and I seriously doubt he was in the two days prior since the information was not released by him or his management team.
His management team released a statement saying that he was diagnosed two days earlier and they backed his decision to race. Unacceptable. The situation needs to be investigated, his management team fired and his bronze medal taken away. The Olympic Committee needs to hold a press conference and speak out against the decision to keep the information under wraps.
This is beyond reckless behavior and the Olympics could be a superspreader. He is selfish, ego-driven and does not take anyone’s health into consideration. I would take all his medals away for this behavior. He is not worthy of being called an Olympian and is a disgrace to his teammates and this country.
What else needs to be done
Banned from the 2028 Olympics
All of his medals taken away
All journalists, Olympians, and others exposed by him who get COVID need to sue him, the management team, and the Olympic Committee.
As of yesterday, Noah had planned to isolate and finish the competition however I read today that he has dropped out of the remaining races.
The Olympics and the public can not accept this behavior, it was a total disregard for others’ health and frankly, this should end his career.
The Olympics is a team sport and he was not a team player in the least.
The constant pressure to go-go-go caused me to ignore my body’s alarms and wreaked havoc on my ulcerative colitis. Then I found a better way.
Hustle culture — or the pressure to constantly be going, doing, and producing — is a big part of today’s work and school environments. Some see it as a hallmark of success.
Once you’re caught up in it, hustle culture can feel ever-present and all-consuming and yes, necessary. But is it really? Or is this emphasis on always striving to make more money, be more productive, etc. actually harmful, especially to those of us with chronic illnesses?
Life as a hustle culture queen
Before my diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC), I was a self-proclaimed hustle-culture queen. I lived for the go-go-go lifestyle and loved the constant approval it seemed to get me, especially as it related to academic success, and later, my work.
When I began getting sick in college and was in and out of medical appointments, I still continued on the path I had begun forging for myself in high school. I would wake up at 4:45 a.m., run mile after mile, spend an hour in the gym, go to classes all day long, work my on-campus jobs, and then spend the evening doing my homework as perfectly as possible, working on my blog, and running my sorority.
Because my vision was so clouded by my constant need for “success,” I didn’t hear the cries of my body as my first major flare started creeping up on me.
And after being diagnosed with UC? Well, nothing changed. I believed I could take my medication, call it good, and continue on as I was before — going, running, hustling.
Because my vision was so clouded by my constant need for “success,” I didn’t hear the cries of my body as my first major flare started creeping up on me. Then 3 weeks after graduating college, I found myself lying in a hospital bed, hooked up to IVs, staring out into the summer sun. It was this moment that made me realize hustle culture wasn’t all that it was made out to be. Sure, I had an almost 4.0 grade-point average, honors society tassels at graduation, and a marathon medal hanging in my bedroom, but what good was any of that if I didn’t have my health?
The moment I got out of that hospital I made it my mission to turn in my hustle-culture queen crown and become a hustle-culture dropout.
The measure of success
If you resonate with any pieces of my story, know that you’re not alone. Hustle culture is sneaky — from the messages we hear from bosses and coworkers about the importance of things like staying late at the office or having a side hustle, to the questions from family members about promotions and grades, to daily TikTok vlogs showing everyone’s 5–9s before their 9–5s — and it’s everywhere.
As tempting as it can be to try and fit into the mold that hustle culture has created, I truly believe it’s not worth it, or even safe, for folks with chronic illnesses. Not only does hustle culture negatively affect our bodies, but it can impact our minds as well by encouraging comparison, making us feel like we’re never enough, and creating mental burnout.
Hustle culture tells us to place traditional measures of success, such as income, grades, and job status, above all else, but when we have a chronic illness (or multiple illnesses), listening to our bodies must come first. And by subscribing to the hustle culture ways, we are continuously pushed into a cycle of ignoring our bodies, flaring, recovering, and then doing it all over again, just as I was in college. And we — and our bodies — deserve so much more.
So, how do we, in a world that tells us our worth comes from how much we do and produce, become a hustle-culture dropout? How do we learn to see our worth as completely separate from our productivity?
Redefine success
Instead of focusing on “success” as hustle culture sees it, what if you redefined success for yourself?
This was the first step I took in becoming a hustle-culture dropout, which does not have to be an all-or-nothing concept. Instead of seeing success as something that could be measured by society, I decided that for me, success was living a life that is balanced — a life that still allowed me to feel financially comfortable so I could afford my medical needs, but that also included daily rest and self-care. I realized that I never actually felt that successful when I was doing “all the right things,” because I was so burnt out and disconnected from myself.
Try thinking about what real success might look like for you.
Foster self-love
A big reason why I fell so easily into hustle culture and based so much of my worth on how much I did and produced was because I lacked self-love. Because of this, I was constantly searching for validation outside myself.
When we center ourselves in self-love, it’s much easier to remember that we don’t have to participate in hustle culture, and to rest without guilt, because we’re able to give ourselves the validation we need from an intrinsic place. Self-love can feel hard to foster when we are being constantly pushed to be and do more, but forcing yourself to slow down and get to know yourself on a deeper level is a beautiful place to start.
Getting to know all the layers of who you are — your passions, your values, your unique characteristics, your quirks, what makes you laugh, what makes you tick, etc. — is a foundational piece of starting to love yourself better. Think of a romantic relationship, for example — it would be really difficult for you to feel loved if your partner never took the time or put in the effort to learn new things about you. It’s the same thing with yourself!
Cultivate more joy
Doing things simply for joy is something that we too easily forget how to do as adults, especially in the midst of navigating chronic illness. I have found that dedicating time each week to activities that serve no “purpose” other than making me happy has helped remind me that productivity isn’t the only thing in life that matters, and that there are other things I want to prioritize above simply go-go-going.
This may look like taking a dance class (if you’re physically able), coloring, reading a fun novel, or watching a new television show. Anything works as long as joy is at the center of it!
Release destination addiction
Hustle culture wants us to always be striving, because if we’re always wanting to be more, make more money, get more praise, etc., we’re going to keep forcing ourselves to do more.
Hustle culture thrives on a concept called destination addiction. Destination addiction can sound like, “I’ll be happy when I make X amount of money” or “I’ll be satisfied when I have achieved X promotion.”
Hustle culture pulls us out of the present and puts an unhealthy emphasis on the future, despite the fact that who and what you’re doing right now is always enough. Finding ways that help you stay present with chronic illness, such as writing a daily gratitude list or meditating, can help you drop out of hustle culture once and for all, because you start to find peace in the present and no longer feel a constant need to look toward the future.
The takeaway
Although it can feel impossible to become a hustle-culture dropout, it’s possible and necessary if you have chronic illness. Dropping out of hustle culture won’t only protect your physical health, but your mental health as well. Making small changes by allowing yourself to slow down and not push harder than you need to can make a big difference.
Medically reviewed on February 21, 2023
This a great article that applies to anyone with a chronic illness, we have to listen to our bodies and not other’s expectations.
Life is a roller coaster, the higher you go the further you fall
Life is not greener on the other side, get real
Life is what we’re given and what we make of it, don’t wallow in self-pity
No one has a perfect life, get over that fantasy
No one said life was going to be easy, work for what you get
No one is owed anything and you have to pay for everything you get
Don’t expect the government to pay your school loan or anything you have made the decision to purchase, be accountable
If you don’t like the situation you’re in, change it. You’re the only one that can
Journalism with integrity doesn’t exist, it’s influenced by the political slant of the broadcaster and full of personal opinions and biases. The foundation of Journalism is to deliver the who, what, when, and where
There is so much news nationally and locally every day that I don’t understand why we get the same story repeated 4 to 5 days in a row. It’s like they want to add drama or are lazy
Covid is on the rise but I haven’t heard one story about it from the media, only from media overseas
People who feel sorry for themselves and wallow in it want to stay victims, I have no room for that in my life
Everyone can take steps to improve their lives, it will take time but you have to be committed to improvement
You will not find real news on Social Media, it’s coming from unreliable sources who are sharing their opinion or conspiracy theories, if you listen you get what you get and can be very uninformed
Social Media Influencers are fake, they are being paid to sell products and you are only lining their pockets
Magazines have gotten into the money-making game by talking about clothes and products that celebrities use, they make money every time you click a link. If you are interested in a product go to the website directly, their reviews are often based on making money
Never click on a link in an email, go to the site directly. Hackers are getting much better at making emails look like they come from the company
If you receive emails for products you didn’t ask to sign up for, don’t click on a link to unsubscribe, you never know if it’s a virus
The President of the United States does not set gas prices, OPEC does. Educate yourself
The President of the United States does not set interest rates the Federal Reserve does. Educate yourself
During any political campaign listen to what the person is saying, research what they’ve done and if all they do is bad mouth the opponent, there’s your sign
The ‘Polly Murray Papers’ reveal the horrific symptoms of ground-zero Lyme disease sufferers.
By Kris Newby
Sadness washed over me as I walked through the house in Lyme, Connecticut, where Mary Luckett “Polly” Murray used to live. Built in 1853, it was located in a rural area surrounded by forests, rolling hills, and cranberry bogs. The house needed a fresh coat of paint, and the yard had gone to seed.
The new owner had recently divorced and hadn’t replaced the furniture his ex-wife had taken. There were mattresses on the floor and unfinished projects spilling out of the garage. The owner and his dog seemed unwell. Taking in the scene, I thought, this looks like the flotsam and jetsam of another family destroyed by Lyme disease.
The previous owner, Polly Murray, was an artist, a mother of four sick children, and the disease’s first unofficial epidemiologist. She died in 2019 of Alzheimer’s disease. In the 1960s, she began documenting the bizarre constellation of symptoms that afflicted her family and neighbors living along the Connecticut River. In April, I visited the Medical Historical Library at Yale University to review her original Lyme patient case histories, turning back the pages of time in search of the origins of this mysterious outbreak.
So many questions
These first-hand accounts raised a lot of questions for me. Why did it take 11 years, from 1964 to 1975, for the medical system to take notice and take action?
In 1975, the investigation was assigned to Allen Steere, MD, a young Yale rheumatology fellow who had just returned from a CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) assignment in Liberia. Why did Steere narrow the symptomology so soon in the investigation and downplay most of the neurological symptoms? Why did it take six more years to identify the underlying tick-borne bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi? Did CDC-EIS, the U.S. organization that investigates suspicious disease outbreaks, find it strange that three tick-borne diseases suddenly appeared a few miles from the Plum Island biological weapons lab?
As I looked through the boxes of her notes, I was struck by the unusual nature of the symptoms and the point-source geographic origin. What happened there, and what can we learn from Polly’s eyewitness account?
A map from an early survey of Lyme disease in Connecticut, from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. [1]
Polly’s case histories
Polly’s family had been sick for decades, and the many doctors they visited couldn’t figure out what was wrong—they’d never seen this combination of crazy symptoms before. In a letter to a journalist, she explained why she became the medical scribe for her community:
“Early in the history of our problems, I realized that my only salvation would be in keeping accurate records of what was going on, as unbelievable as it was. I intuitively felt it very important for anyone with baffling chronic symptoms to put the information down on paper.” [2]
Polly Murray, 1954, on graduation day at Mt. Holyoke College, before her strange symptoms began. [3]
Polly filled boxes with notes on her neighbors’ unusual histories, which included relapsing pain, brain fog, mental breakdowns, kids on crutches, children with developmental problems, seizures, lost jobs, broken marriages (including her own), and children too sick to go to school. As a Lyme-area insider, neighbors told her their heartbreaking stories, from personality changes to suicides. Each family’s tragic history read like crib notes for a Stephen King horror novel.
Huge toll of neurological and psychological symptoms
In one list of 35 cases from the 1990s, I was struck by the large number of patients who reported serious neurological and psychological problems. [2] Here’s a sampling:
Patient No. 1. Diagnosed Lyme disease. Foot problem, arrhythmia, leg weakness. Neurologist. Lyme encephalitis? Psychiatric problems. Paranoia. Hospitalization. Attempted suicide. Nursing home with weekends home.
Patient No. 2. Diagnosed Lyme disease. Mental problems. Seen in Boston. Psych tests, Lupus IV treatment. Alzheimer’s? Stroke? Lyme? Nursing home. Died 7/1991. No autopsy.
Patient No. 3. Lyme disease history. Found outside in a nightgown one winter night, disoriented. Nursing home. Positive Lyme titer.
In another document, she noted that 22 of her neighbors had heart issues, 26 had neurological symptoms, seven or more suffered from psychosis or depression, and seven had suicidal ideations. [2]
Yet none of these potentially life-threatening symptoms were mentioned in Steere’s “I solved the Lyme mystery” announcements, first at a 1976 conference [4], then in the 1977 article “Lyme arthritis: an epidemic of oligoarticular arthritis in children and adults in three Connecticut communities.” [5] (To be fair, subsequent publications documented some of the neurological symptoms.)
The wrong path
In a move that would send researchers down a dead end for years to come, Steere declared that Lyme disease was primarily a problem of swollen joints, not a disease that affected the nervous system, the brain, the heart, and other organs.
Steere’s letter to Polly Murray on the nature of Lyme disease.
Other medical experts criticized his premature labeling of this disease as a “relatively minor type of arthritis,” including:
—Franz J. lngelfinger, MD, the editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, who rejected Steere’s discovery article, wrote, “Although reviewers and editors were impressed by the interest your studies have generated, you were unable to identify an etiologic agent and apparently actually saw yourself only 20 symptomatic patients.” [6]
—William E. Mast, MC and William, M. Burrows, MC, the Groton military physicians who published the first Connecticut Lyme case studies, wrote in a JAMA rebuttal letter: “On exchange of patients and information with Dr. Steere and the group at Yale investigating “Lyme arthritis,” it is the consensus that we are all dealing with the same process. It is apparent that the term “Lyme arthritis” is much too restrictive since there have been cases from the Connecticut and Rhode Island shores and the incidence is expected to be more widespread.” [7]
—Raymond Dattwyler, MD, Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Medicine, and Pediatrics at New York Medical College said, “It’s unfortunate that in the U.S., the rheumatologists studied Lyme disease first. Lyme disease is a multisystemic infectious disease that impacts many organs. But because the early work was done by rheumatologists, the prism through which we view the disease was artificially narrow, and impeded research for years.” [8]
Words from the grave
Polly wasn’t a trained epidemiologist, but she approached the problem like a true scientist—she wrote everything down so nothing would be missed. And as the people around her got sicker, she doubled down on her resolve to get help for these very sick people:
I firmly believe in the politics of numbers. One person, or even six in a family such as ours, does not have the power that was acquired by the ever-increasing number of people eventually involved. Proper diagnosis was further hampered by the fact that the patients from our area did not go to just one medical center, where, if we had, the high incidence of these strange symptoms might possibly have been picked up earlier. Instead, because of our geographic location, we, in fact, went to specialists in New Haven, Middletown, Hartford, and even New York and Boston. Perhaps it was the adversity that I encountered in the early pursuit for knowledge concerning our constant maladies that made me persist more than I would have otherwise.
Despite her efforts, it’s still difficult for patients to get diagnosed and treated, especially in the later stages of the disease. According to MyLymeData’s registry of 12,000-plus Lyme patients, about half had to see 5 or more clinicians over 3 or more years before receiving an accurate diagnosis. [9]
Little progress in 43 years
Forty-three years after its discovery, we still don’t have a reliable Lyme screening test, and about a quarter of patients treated with the standard dose of antibiotics go on to suffer from ongoing symptoms. [10] The CDC estimates that there are almost 500,000 new cases a year and growing. [11] And an analysis of NIH Lyme-related research grants from 2013-2021 revealed that less than 1% was spent on looking for better treatment protocols. [12]
Regrettably, Polly’s perspective on what went wrong in the 1970s still holds true today. The medical system still hasn’t figure out how to deal with complex chronic diseases like long COVID, Lyme disease, or ME/CFS (chronic fatigue).
It is only in looking back on the discovery of this disease that I see that it fit into the classic pattern of denial and resistance to the unknown until it reached a point where it could no longer be ignored. Most doctors are overloaded in just trying to alleviate known problems, thereby making it difficult for anyone with a new set of symptoms to compete for the clinician’s time. It is easier to decide that the patient is hypochondriacal than to deal with the unknown. Furthermore, in this age of specialization, the total picture of the patient’s health is often lost when the patient goes from specialist to specialist to be treated for individual symptoms.
This history shows that the definition of Lyme disease went off track early on and then diverged further from reality under the influence of vaccine developers and medical insurers who found it more profitable to deny the chronic, relapsing manifestations of the disease. The legacy of Lyme disease, which continues to spread unabated, will continue to haunt us unless we address this problem in a more honest and effective way.
Good Housekeeping, March 1977. [13]
Kris Newby is an award-winning medical science writer and the senior producer of the Lyme disease documentary UNDER OUR SKIN. Her book BITTEN: The Secret History of Lyme Disease and Biological Weaponswon three international book awards for journalism and narrative nonfiction. Previously, Newby worked for Stanford Medical School, Apple, and other Silicon Valley companies.
This article is republished by permission from The BITTEN FILES on Substack, July 12, 2024. Learn more here.
References
1. Petersen LR, et al. “Epidemiological and clinical features of 1,149 persons with Lyme disease identified by laboratory-based surveillance in Connecticut.” Yale J Biol Med. 1989 May-Jun;62(3):253-62.
2. Polly Luckett Murray Papers, Medical Historical Library, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library, Yale University.
5. Steere AC, et al. Lyme arthritis: an epidemic of oligoarticular arthritis in children and adults in three Connecticut communities. Arthritis Rheum. 1977 Jan-Feb;20(1):7-17.
Hypogammaglobulinemia is an Immune Disorder where my body doesn’t make enough antibodies which can be dangerous. Luckily, I don’t leave the house often and wear a mask when I do. I was diagnosed two years ago but insurance didn’t approve until I reached a record low. I’ve been approved for 12 treatments but I’m not confident that 12 treatments is all I need. Currently, my Imoglobins are at 600 and my doctor would like to see them at 800-900. Hopefully, this week’s treatment will increase my number and I’ll know more once the lab work is back.
The treatments take 4-5 hours and during that time you get to relax in an oversized recliner. For this treatment I packed much lighter, instead of a duffle bag and my handbag, I bought a North Face backpack, and everything fit inside. I took my new book Native American Myths by Matt Clayton, my ancestors were Cherokee and I wanted to learn more about their beliefs. When I wasn’t reading, I indulged in my favorite pastime by listening to music.
Here is what I listen to
Adele 21
Adele 25
John Mayer Born and Raised
One Republic Dreaming Out Loud
REO Speedwagon You Can’t Tune A Fish
Pharrell Williams Happy
Paul Carrack Tempted
Fleetwood Mac Crystal
It was so nice to relax with my feet up with my eyes closed and listen to some great tunes.
The treatments had a few hiccups. The first needle didn’t go in right so she had to use the vein next to it which was successful. It was a very slow morning but my nurse let my first bottle of medication run dry so they had to prime the line and she let it dry again with my saline. A small price to pay to get better.
The first two days after treatment you feel sluggish and can have a headache.
This time my treatment took five hours and by the time I got home I was starving and had not taken my morning medication.
My Bipolar Disorder was difficult to manage with medication alone. My Psychiatrist told me about a device that was waiting for FDA approval.
In 2005 the Vagus Nerve Stimulator was approved by the FDA and my doctor had all the information ready to send to my insurance company.
The first time insurance denied the device. Here’s how I got insurance to approve. I wrote a letter explaining what my life was like and how it controls my life and in time the possibility of suicide.
A VNS device looks much like a pacemaker with two leads that attach to your vagus nerves, sending signals to the brain to relieve your depression.
The surgery doesn’t take long, but getting used to the device turned on takes a while.
When you are talking the device makes your voice sound weird but only when the device is sending signals to the brain.
When I had my surgery, no one had seen one implanted which meant the Gallery was full of other doctors. My doctor got to see my boobs, that had to settle in.
After you have healed the device is turned on at a low level so you get used to the feeling of the device working. Then we turned up the level until we found what we thought was the right setting.
I kept it on for years but finally admitted it wasn’t working and had it turned off.
The only pain involved is initial surgery.
I thought this device would change my life but it didn’t work out that way.
These are the notes I made on 12/30/05
Received a letter today from the insurance company, they approved.
I can’t wait to call my Psychiatrist to tell him the news and to get my surgery date rolling.
2005 has been a rough year but this news is my beacon of hope.
The greatest news all year.
Unfortunately, I was in the percentage of people that the device didn’t work.
I am waiting to hear about new treatments but nothing new for my mental illness.
The FDA approved the Vagus Nerve Stimulator in 2005 and I was fortunate enough to get approval for it. It’s implanted in my upper left chest, looks like a pacemaker, and the lead wires attach to my Vagus Nerve. I prayed the device would deliver a miracle for my Bipolar Disorder but that was not the case. After several years of adjusting the stimulation, my doctor and I made the decision to turn it off. Almost 20 years later it has become painful and I plan to have it removed this Fall.
The technology has advanced with implants showing better results. I don’t plan to have another implanted but I did find the research on non-invasive VNS devices very interesting. I am researching several brands and will purchase one that vets out. What I find most interesting is the non-invasive devices can help with many other conditions like anxiety, pain, stress, and even migraines. I could use help in many of the areas they tout.
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Last updated on July 24th, 2024 at 11:22 am
The human body is a complex and intricate system, with various nerves and pathways working in tandem to maintain optimal health. Among these nerves, the vagus nerve stands out as a key player in regulating numerous bodily functions. Thanks to recent advancements in medical technology, a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation device has emerged as a breakthrough in the field of medicine. This device has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of various health conditions and enhance overall well-being.
Understanding the Vagus Nerve and Its Functions
The vagus nerve, also known as the tenth cranial nerve, is the longest and most vital nerve in the human body. It extends from the brainstem to various organs, including the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. The vagus nerve plays a crucial role in regulating essential bodily functions such as heart rate, digestion, and respiratory function.
But what exactly is the vagus nerve, and how does it carry out its functions? Let’s dive deeper into the fascinating world of this remarkable nerve.
The Role of the Vagus Nerve in the Human Body
With its extensive reach and influence, the vagus nerve acts as a communication channel between the brain and various organs. It carries signals that control the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for rest and digestion functions. This means that the vagus nerve helps to slow down heart rate, stimulate digestion, and promote relaxation.
But that’s not all. The vagus nerve also plays a role in modulating inflammation and immune responses. It has been found to have anti-inflammatory effects, helping to regulate the body’s immune system and reduce excessive inflammation. This connection between the vagus nerve and the immune system opens up new possibilities for treating inflammatory diseases.
The Connection Between the Vagus Nerve and Various Health Conditions
Research has shown that abnormalities in vagal nerve activity can contribute to the development and progression of various health conditions. For example, chronic pain has been linked to dysfunctional vagus nerve signaling. By understanding and targeting the vagus nerve, researchers hope to develop new treatments for chronic pain that go beyond traditional pain medications.
Depression and anxiety disorders are also closely tied to vagal nerve activity. Studies have found that stimulating the vagus nerve through techniques like vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) can have a positive impact on mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. This has led to the development of VNS as a potential treatment option for individuals who do not respond to traditional antidepressant medications.
Migraines, too, have been linked to vagal nerve dysfunction. The vagus nerve is involved in pain modulation, and abnormalities in its function can contribute to the development of migraines. By understanding the role of the vagus nerve in migraines, researchers are exploring new ways to prevent and treat these debilitating headaches.
Furthermore, the vagus nerve’s influence extends to inflammatory diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other conditions characterized by excessive inflammation have been associated with vagal nerve dysfunction. This connection has sparked interest in developing therapies that target the vagus nerve to regulate inflammation and potentially provide relief for individuals with these conditions.
As we continue to unravel the mysteries of the vagus nerve, its importance in maintaining overall health and well-being becomes increasingly evident. By understanding its functions and connections to various health conditions, researchers are paving the way for innovative treatment approaches that could improve the lives of millions.
The Evolution of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy has been used for decades as a treatment option for certain conditions. Traditional VNS involves the implantation of a device that delivers electrical impulses directly to the vagus nerve. While effective in some cases, this invasive approach has limitations and potential complications, leading researchers to explore alternative methods.
The Traditional Approach to VNS
In the past, VNS therapy involved the surgical implantation of a device that connects to the vagus nerve. This device typically delivers mild electrical impulses to modulate the nerve’s activity. However, the invasiveness of this method poses risks such as infection, nerve damage, and complications related to device placement.
Despite these risks, the traditional approach to VNS has shown promising results in the treatment of epilepsy and depression. Studies have demonstrated a reduction in seizure frequency and improved mood in patients who underwent VNS therapy. However, the limitations and challenges associated with invasive VNS have prompted researchers to explore less invasive alternatives.
The Limitations and Challenges of Invasive VNS
Despite its positive outcomes in certain cases, invasive VNS therapy presents several challenges. The necessity for surgical implantation limits its accessibility and increases the potential for complications. Additionally, adjusting the stimulation parameters requires medical intervention, making it less flexible for patients who may benefit from personalized treatment regimens.
Furthermore, the invasiveness of the traditional VNS approach may deter some patients from seeking treatment. The fear of surgery and the associated risks can be a significant barrier, especially for individuals with comorbidities or those who are more risk-averse. As a result, researchers have been actively exploring non-invasive or minimally invasive alternatives to VNS therapy.
One such alternative is transcutaneous VNS, which involves the application of electrical stimulation to the skin overlying the vagus nerve. This non-invasive approach eliminates the need for surgical implantation, reducing the associated risks and complications. Transcutaneous VNS has shown promising results in the treatment of various conditions, including migraine, depression, and chronic pain.
Another emerging technique is minimally invasive VNS, which utilizes a smaller, less invasive device for nerve stimulation. This approach involves the placement of a tiny electrode near the vagus nerve, allowing for targeted stimulation without the need for extensive surgery. Minimally invasive VNS offers a middle ground between traditional invasive VNS and non-invasive alternatives, providing a balance between effectiveness and safety.
As researchers continue to explore and refine VNS therapy, advancements in technology and medical understanding are driving the evolution of this treatment modality. The development of novel devices, improved stimulation parameters, and a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms are all contributing to the expansion of VNS therapy options.
In conclusion, while traditional VNS therapy has been a valuable treatment option for certain conditions, the limitations and potential complications associated with invasive approaches have prompted researchers to explore alternative methods. Non-invasive and minimally invasive techniques are emerging as promising alternatives, offering improved accessibility, reduced risks, and increased flexibility for personalized treatment. As the field of VNS therapy continues to evolve, patients can look forward to more effective and safer options for managing their conditions.
The Advent of Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation (nVNS)
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) has emerged as an exciting alternative to traditional VNS therapy. This innovation allows for the stimulation of the vagus nerve without the need for surgical procedures or implantation.
The vagus nerve, also known as the “wandering nerve,” is the longest cranial nerve in the body. It plays a crucial role in regulating various bodily functions, including heart rate, digestion, and inflammation. Traditionally, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been used as a treatment option for conditions such as epilepsy and depression. However, the invasive nature of VNS therapy has limited its accessibility and acceptance.
nVNS offers a non-invasive solution to harness the therapeutic potential of the vagus nerve. By utilizing mild electrical stimulation, nVNS can activate the vagus nerve and modulate its activity, providing a promising avenue for the treatment of various health conditions.
The Science Behind nVNS
nVNS operates on the principle that mild electrical stimulation can activate the vagus nerve and modulate its activity. By placing electrodes on the skin over specific nerve pathways, nVNS devices deliver targeted electrical impulses, stimulating the vagus nerve indirectly. This non-invasive approach has shown promising results in clinical trials
Research has demonstrated that vagus nerve stimulation can have a profound impact on the body’s autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions. By modulating the vagus nerve’s activity, nVNS can influence heart rate, blood pressure, and even the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Furthermore, studies have suggested that nVNS may have anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation is a key component of many chronic diseases, and by reducing inflammation through vagus nerve stimulation, nVNS could potentially offer a novel therapeutic approach.
The precise mechanisms through which nVNS exerts its therapeutic effects are still being explored. However, the growing body of research indicates that this non-invasive technique holds great promise for the future of medical treatment.
The Design and Function of nVNS Devices
nVNS devices consist of a handheld stimulator with attached electrodes. When applied to specific areas, such as the neck or tragus, these devices deliver precisely calibrated electrical impulses. The stimulation triggers a response in the vagus nerve, which can have therapeutic effects on various health conditions.
One of the advantages of nVNS devices is their portability and ease of use. Patients can conveniently carry the handheld stimulator with them and apply the electrodes whenever needed. This flexibility allows for on-demand stimulation, enabling individuals to tailor their treatment according to their specific needs and symptoms.
Additionally, nVNS devices are designed to be user-friendly, with intuitive controls and adjustable settings. This ensures that patients can easily customize their stimulation parameters, optimizing the therapy’s effectiveness and comfort.
As the field of nVNS continues to advance, researchers and engineers are exploring innovative ways to enhance device design and functionality. Efforts are being made to develop smaller, more discreet devices that can be worn comfortably throughout the day, allowing for continuous vagus nerve stimulation without disrupting daily activities.
Moreover, advancements in technology are enabling the integration of nVNS devices with smartphone applications and wearable devices. This integration offers the potential for real-time monitoring and personalized treatment plans, further optimizing the therapeutic benefits of nVNS.
In conclusion, non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) represents a groundbreaking development in the field of medical treatment. By providing a non-surgical and easily accessible alternative to traditional VNS therapy, nVNS holds immense potential for improving the lives of individuals with various health conditions. With ongoing research and technological advancements, the future of nVNS looks promising, paving the way for a new era of personalized and effective medical interventions.
With its ability to modulate the vagus nerve’s activity, nVNS holds promise in revolutionizing various areas of healthcare. From chronic pain management to mental health treatment, this innovative approach has garnered attention and sparked excitement among researchers and medical professionals alike.
The Impact of nVNS on Chronic Pain Management
Chronic pain is a widespread and challenging condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Traditional pain management approaches often involve pharmacological interventions, which may come with unwanted side effects and limited efficacy. However, studies have shown that nVNS can provide effective pain relief by modulating the vagus nerve’s activity.
The vagus nerve, a major component of the parasympathetic nervous system, plays a crucial role in pain perception and inflammation. By targeting this nerve through non-invasive nVNS, it is possible to reduce inflammation and alter pain perception, offering a non-pharmacological approach to pain management. This opens up new avenues for individuals suffering from chronic pain, providing them with a potential alternative or complementary treatment option.
nVNS and Mental Health: A New Frontier
Mental health disorders, including depression and anxiety, affect millions of people worldwide. While various treatment modalities exist, there is a constant need for innovative approaches that can enhance therapeutic outcomes and minimize side effects. nVNS has emerged as a potential game-changer in the field of mental health treatment.
Research has shown that nVNS can modulate the vagus nerve’s activity, influencing neurotransmitter release and mood-regulating pathways. By doing so, it offers a novel and non-invasive approach to mental health treatment. This exciting development has the potential to transform the lives of individuals struggling with mental health disorders, providing them with a new frontier of hope and possibilities.
Furthermore, the non-pharmacological nature of nVNS makes it an attractive option for individuals who may be hesitant or unable to tolerate traditional medication-based treatments. By harnessing the power of the vagus nerve, nVNS opens up a world of potential for personalized and targeted mental health interventions.
As research continues to unfold, the potential health benefits of nVNS become increasingly evident. From chronic pain management to mental health treatment, this innovative approach holds promise in revolutionizing the way we understand and address various health conditions. With its non-invasive nature and ability to modulate the vagus nerve’s activity, nVNS offers a glimpse into a future where personalized and effective treatments are within reach for individuals worldwide.
The Future of nVNS in Medical Technology
As the field of medical technology continues to advance, researchers are exploring additional applications and potential benefits of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS). This innovative therapy has shown promise in various areas of healthcare, and ongoing research is shedding light on its potential to revolutionize personalized medicine.
Ongoing Research and Potential New Applications
Researchers are actively investigating the effects of nVNS on various health conditions and exploring its potential to improve outcomes. One area of focus is epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. Preliminary studies have shown that nVNS may help reduce the frequency and severity of seizures in some patients, offering a new avenue for managing this challenging condition.
Another area of interest is migraines, debilitating headaches that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Early research suggests that nVNS may provide relief for migraine sufferers by modulating the activity of the trigeminal nerve, which is involved in the development of migraines. This non-invasive approach could offer a promising alternative or complement to existing treatments.
Inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, are also being explored as potential targets for nVNS therapy. These conditions involve an overactive immune response, leading to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. By stimulating the vagus nerve, nVNS may help regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, offering a novel approach to managing these complex diseases.
Furthermore, researchers are even investigating the potential cognitive enhancement effects of nVNS. By stimulating the vagus nerve, nVNS may modulate brain activity and improve cognitive function. This could have implications for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline, where maintaining cognitive abilities is crucial for maintaining independence and quality of life.
The Role of nVNS in Personalized Medicine
One of the most exciting aspects of nVNS is its potential to be tailored to individual patients. With adjustable settings and personalized parameters, nVNS therapy can be optimized to meet each person’s unique needs. This personalized approach has the potential to enhance treatment effectiveness and improve patient outcomes.
For example, the intensity and frequency of nVNS stimulation can be adjusted based on the severity of symptoms and individual response. This flexibility allows healthcare providers to fine-tune the therapy to achieve the best possible results for each patient. Additionally, the ability to remotely monitor and adjust nVNS devices further enhances the personalized nature of this therapy, allowing for real-time optimization and improved patient convenience.
Moreover, the integration of nVNS with other medical technologies holds promise for personalized medicine. By combining nVNS with wearable devices, such as smartwatches or biosensors, healthcare providers can gather real-time data on a patient’s physiological responses and customize nVNS therapy accordingly. This integration could lead to more precise and effective treatment strategies, tailored to the specific needs of each individual.
In conclusion, the emergence of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation devices represents a breakthrough in medical technology. By harnessing the power of the vagus nerve, these devices offer new possibilities for the treatment and management of various health conditions. The potential benefits of nVNS in chronic pain management, mental health treatment, and other areas are particularly promising. As further research unfolds and technology continues to advance, the future of nVNS holds great potential for revolutionizing personalized medicine and improving the lives of countless individuals.
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 Teleportingweena.
wandering through life in my time machine…you never know where it will stop next~
Hi! Thanks for checking out my ‘about me” page and my blog! My name is Barbara aka ghostmmnc. I’m a writer. I write all kinds of things which you will see on here. I like to try all forms of the written word, including fan fiction, original short fiction, poetry, and of course blogging about whatever I’m thinking about.
I have a wonderful family… husband, two daughtes, two sons-in-law, two grandchildren, and four cats. (update = we only have one cat now, as the other three have now crossed over the Rainbow Bridge). Sadly our last kitty is gone now, too.
I live in Texas, but have lived many other places in the world, as we are a retired Army family. I will be writing about these experiences on here, too.
Some of my interests to write about are about my true ghost stories, every day happenings, pets, books, music, arts & crafts. Some are quirky, like me, and hopefully you will enjoy reading my musings, as much as I enjoy writing about whatever comes along.
I have had poems published in magazines, and I have a diploma from the Institute of Children’s Literature.
This photo is from a recent post and I love the colors.
Barbara participates in many weekly prompts and poetry challenges. Be sure to stop by and check out the wide range of topics she writes about.
National Wellness Month speaks to me as I try to live a healthier life, work daily on my mental health, rest my mind, and eat healthier. I believe strongly in self-care daily for my overall health and well-being. Maybe you too will make August a wellness month for you.
Every August, celebrate National Wellness Month! Prioritize your self-care, reduce stress, and create healthier habits to feel like your best self!
We can often put our health and wellness on the back burner due to work deadlines, traffic, family obligations and other stressors. Research has shown self-care can help increase happiness by up to 71%. National Wellness Month was born out of the idea that if we are going to do big things in the world— build our careers, raise a family, further our education, create new ideas, and nurture our bodies — we need to take care of ourselves.
This August, take the “I choose wellness” pledge, a promise to yourself that you’re prioritizing your self-care. Choose one small daily habit (like drinking 64oz of water daily or walking 10,000 steps), take the 31 day Wellness Month challenge to discover a new way you can take care of yourself each day, or explore different offers at your local spa and wellness business to try something new! Learn more at wellnessmonth.com
HISTORY OF NATIONAL WELLNESS MONTH
The concept of self-care has a long and varied place in human history amongst different cultures and time periods. Ancient philosophers like Socrates and Plato emphasized the importance of self-care and self-reflection as part of a virtuous life. Taoist principles also promoted self-care through practices such as meditation, breathing exercises, and herbal medicine. The 19th and 20th centuries also saw the emergence of movements focused on mental health and self-care. Many of these practices have been successful in creating a healthy mind and body for many generations and have carried over into modern day ideas of self-care.
Today, the concept of self-care encompasses various practices aimed at holistic well-being, including physical exercise, healthy eating, mindfulness, stress reduction techniques, and more. Self-care and wellness is a personal and subjective concept but the underlying idea of taking deliberate actions to care for oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally remains central.
I’m all for any awareness of taking care of your health, self-reflection, self-care, and healthy eating.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Granny’s & Gramps used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Many with veggies and tomatoes from their garden. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
I don’t know who Jeff David was but know that he was related to Granny’s mother, Carrie Bell whose maiden name was Davis. The pie sounds yummy with its 3 cups of sugar!
What you need
3 cups Imperial sugar
1 cup butter
2 TBS flour
1/4 TSP salt
1 TSP vanilla
4 eggs beaten lightly
1 cup milk
How to make
Cream sugar and butter
Blend flour, salt, and vanilla into the mixture and beat well
Add eggs then stir in milk into the mixture
Line 2 9-inch pie pans with pie crust
Pour the filling and bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes
Then reduce heat to 350 degrees for another 30 minutes or until pie filling is firm
I bet it tastes even better with some homemade vanilla ice cream on top.
This week, we proudly launched “The Lighthouse,” a new, comprehensive guide for survivors-victims of domestic and sexual violence and their loved ones. It includes in-depth information to recognize all forms of domestic and sexual violence; find counseling services, legal aid, and other resources; and get inspiration to light the way toward a brighter future.
“The Lighthouse” was inspired by Karoline Starostik. She has shown tremendous courage in speaking out and tremendous generosity in wanting to create the guide to help other survivors who may be in need of support.
Several victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence helped to name the guide, and their voices are included throughout it. We are beyond grateful to Karoline and everyone who shared their experience and are helping to empower countless others.
The guide also highlights and includes links to resources from several of our partners and allies. We thank these and all the amazing organizations who work tirelessly to support victim-survivors of domestic and sexual violence in communities across the U.S.
This guide is for you, for your friend, your neighbor, your colleague. It’s for everyone who needs to know if they are, or someone they know is, being abused. And if they are, where and how to get help as safely as possible. It’s intended to light the way towards empowerment, resilience, and healing for those who have endured the unimaginable.
Together, let’s continue to strive to create a world with no abuse. Until then, we will work to enable the voices of survivors to be heard, their experiences acknowledged, and their journey toward recovery illuminated for others to follow.
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 can give you ideas for friends, and family. Most products are found on Amazon. I am not an Amazon Affiliate; any links provided don’t cost you more and take you right to the product brand. I am proud of my Affiliate relationships and will always let you know if I make a small commission on a product.
For the past two months, I’ve been nursing myself back to better health. I have low potassium, anemia and have updated my self-care routines. These are the new products I’ve added to help me.
Evolution Fresh
Evolution Fresh® Mighty Watermelon Cold-Pressed Vegetable & Fruit Juice Blend 32 oz.
Natural source of hydration
Carefully sourced ingredients from farm to press
Cold-pressed using high pressure processing to preserve taste and nutrients and ensure safety
Cold Pressed Watermelon Juice [Original HYDRATION]| Natural Electrolytes + Antioxidants | No Added Sugar | 1 liter bottles
DELICIOUSLY HYDRATING each bottle is bursting with fresh pressed watermelon packed with natural electrolytes and antioxidants like Lycopene and L-citrulline to quench your thirst
NO ADDED SUGAR, preservatives, or artificial ingredients in any of our functional flavor boosts, only the delicious taste and hydration from real fruit
REAL, SIMPLE, CLEAN INGREDIENTS that are Vegan, Gluten Free, OU Kosher, Non-GMO Project Certified and naturally power-packed for hydration, immunity, muscle recovery and detoxing
Mooala’s Vanilla Bean Almondmilk isn’t your regular, plain ol’ vanilla almondmilk. Our recipe blends blanched almonds, real vanilla beans, and a touch of sugar cane juice with the best organic vanilla flavors we could find. The result is a creamy, delicious taste that would rival your grandma’s homemade ice cream. But with way less calories. Gluten free.
This is the best Almond Milk I’ve ever tasted and we drive across town to buy it since Central Market is the only place we can find it. My husband doesn’t drink it but knows how much I love it. The touch of pure cane sugar juice makes all the difference. It’s so creamy, you can taste the vanilla beans and the top of of pure cane sugar makes it addictive.
Easy Morning Overnight Oats
Organic Mix of Rolled Oats, Flax, Chia, Steel Cut Oats ⎸ Make in Overnight Oats Containers with Lids, Then Wake Up to Your Perfect Breakfast (10 Serving Bag, 15oz)
I make mine with Almond Milk, add a few chopped pecans, and add fruit on top. In the morning I have to add a little extra milk since I don’t like mine dry. I have used strawberry and mango both of which taste great. I did buy some Overnight Oat jars with lids since I didn’t have anything that would work and they are dishwasher safe. Also bought it on Amazon.
26 PCS Mix Dried Eucalyptus & Lavender Flowers Bundles for Shower, 17” Natural Real Hanging Silver Dollar Eucalyptus Leaves Stem, Fresh Shower Plants, Fragrance, Wedding Decor (26 pcs)
Eucalyptus & silver dollar leaves have a menthol-like distinct scent that is used in aromatherapy to encourage relaxation and anxiety relief. Dried lavender has a calming scent, soothing effect. Enjoy a moment of peace in your busy day with this Shower Plants Set and enjoy the simple pleasure of aromatherapy in every shower！
A moisturizing non-oily hand cream enriched with extra-virgin olive oil and olive leaf extract with aromatic notes of the sea. The list of good-for-you ingredients is long, and it soaks in fast leaving your hands completely moisturized and soft. I have no problems working on the computer right after applying.
I also use their body lotion and shower gel in my bath, it smells good and leaves your skin soft.
Clovertree Apothecary was founded in 2009 by Amy Bohn – massage therapist, herbalist, breast cancer survivor, and co-founder of one of the top organic spa companies in the world. Amy and her team of herbalists and chemists have spent more than a decade developing authentic, pure, plant-powered products, specifically formulated to remedy the various skin and body concerns that are common to today’s spa-goers and consumers. These products have now been tested and perfected by hundreds of estheticians and massage therapists on hundreds of thousands of satisfied spa customers, and are proven to provide real results and a beautiful, luxurious experience.
Clovertree products are Plant Powered® – packed full of pure plant ingredients and formulated to remedy specific skin and body concerns common to spa customers. It is a true “clean beauty” line, containing no artificial colors or fragrances, and no harmful chemicals or preservatives. All products are gluten-free and “beegan” (vegan + bee products) and never tested on animals.
I recently discovered Clovertree and was so impressed with their background, that I stocked up on several items and see myself buying many more good-for-you products from them. They are not far from where I live but I buy online since I’m immune compromised.
Skin Rescue Balm × 1 Muscle Relief Bath & Body Oil × 1 Limoncello Signature Candle × 1 Triple C Repair Serum × 1 Hibiscus Rose Lip Balm × 2 Balance Me Centering Oil × 1
Living alone with a chronic illness can make it hard to get support. Some may worry about burdening others or explaining their condition, but there are people who want to help.
Not all chronic conditions are apparent, and their “invisibility” can make asking for help a challenge.
People living alone may feel this most, without a partner, family, or roommates who understand their daily routines and consistent needs.
If this describes you, you may find yourself with another task on your to-do list: finding the support you need.
Read on for tips on how to get your needs met, even when living alone with chronic illness.
1. First, know it’s OK to need help (and you’re not a burden)
People with chronic illness may be reluctant to seek help for several reasons.
“People don’t want to be a burden on others,” says Marzena Gieniusz, MD, an internist. “I hear this a lot in my practice, even when there are people willing, able, and happy to help available.”
Part of this involves cultural expectations and norms.
“Our culture places high emphasis on independence and autonomy,” says Rehan Aziz, MD, a psychiatrist.
Sometimes the issue is communicating what you need.
“Many people with chronic illnesses also face the challenge of their conditions being ‘invisible,’ which can lead to misunderstandings about the severity of their needs,” says Clorinda Walley, president of Good Days.
Still others may simply prefer being alone.
“Living alone can provide a moment of solitude — a reprieve from the intensity of medical spaces and constant interactions with others,” says Gabriel Cartagena, PhD, a clinical psychologist. “Living alone can also provide individuals with space to pause, reflect, and process their thoughts and experiences.”
2. Reflect on your relationship to asking for help
Cartagena recommends starting with self-reflection as you embark on your journey to find the support you need.
You can ask yourself questions like:
Has it been uncomfortable for me to ask for help? If so, why?
What does it mean for me if I do ask for help?
What do I worry about losing if I ask for help?
What difficulties might I have if I don’t get the help I need right now?
This reflection can be a key first step to understand what it means to you to ask for help, and why you may feel reluctant to do so.
Cartagena says the next question to ask yourself is: “Who do I feel I can trust?”
The answer may be a family member or friend. It may be challenging to ask, but you can try reframing your thoughts.
“People like to feel useful and will often be happy to be able to help in a practical way,” says Hannah Carmichael, the director of the Living Well Alone Project.
3. Be specific about your needs
While people may be eager to help, they’ll likely look to you to hammer out the what, when, and how. The good news? You’ll be able to advocate for your actual needs.
“The more specific you can be, the easier you make it for others to help you,” Carmichael says. “This gives the person you’re asking much more certainty about exactly what you need and clarifies their role.”
For example, “Rather than ‘I’d really appreciate some help with a bit of shopping at some point,’ try, ‘Next Thursday, would you be able to drive me to the shopping center at 3 p.m., and stay with me while I pick up a couple of birthday presents?’” says Carmichael.
Carmichael suggests asking different people to help with different tasks. Think of assembling a village like a coach putting together a team — everyone has a unique skill set and availability. This step can also prevent overloading one person.
For instance, a person who loves cooking may be able to assist with meal prep. A friend who enjoys driving might be willing to give you a lift to the doctor. An assertive but tactful friend could be a good advocate for you in the emergency room.
Think of assembling a village like a coach putting together a team — everyone has a unique skill set and availability.
5. Build a village near your hometown
You may not have family and friends around who can help, or perhaps you’re looking for new connections.
“When you live alone, you don’t have anyone ‘on hand’ to keep you company,” Carmichael says. “That means that the responsibility is on you to find people to be friends with, and it’s also on you to grow and maintain those relationships.”
Here are some tips to get you started.
Look online
Online resources can help set you up for in-person social support.
“Look on Meetup [and] on local Facebook groups for activities taking place that don’t need you to travel too far from home,” Carmichael says. “You might be surprised at how much is going on.”
Local notice boards at a library or community center may also spark ideas.
Keep an open mind
It can be beneficial to try something different.
“You never know, that local talk on the history of bridges in your area might turn out to be a lot more interesting than you think, or at least, a chance to meet new people,” Carmichael says.
Get into a routine
One of the easiest ways to build new connections is to encounter the same people daily. It’s not always luck.
“Try to walk the dog or go for a stroll at the same time each day, and see how quickly you start to spot familiar faces,” Carmichael says.
6. Look into community-based programs
You may have organizations within your community with people who have already volunteered to help.
“Some communities have volunteer programs that offer free assistance with tasks like grocery shopping, transportation, and home maintenance for individuals with chronic illnesses,” says Aziz.
Aziz recommends services like Meals on Wheels. However, the nonprofit generally serves people 60 and older.
Local churches, mosques, synagogues, and other volunteer-based organizations may also have services accessible to people regardless of age. A healthcare professional can point you to organizations within your community.
7. Find support online
One of the benefits of living in the Digital Age is that it can connect you with people you might not normally meet.
“Face-to-face interactions are great, but they’re not always possible when you’re living with a chronic illness,” says Carmichael. “There are some brilliantly friendly, supportive groups on Facebook, for example, if you take the time to look for them.”
Carmichael suggests searching for groups geared toward people with your condition or even hobbies and interests.
Aziz agrees that online groups can be a useful tool.
“Virtual support groups and forums can be valuable resources for connecting with others who share similar challenges and experiences,” Aziz says.
Gieniusz says it can be a challenge to stay up to date with medications, which can be critical to managing a condition. Compounding matters, you may be using different pharmacies for different medicines.
“Using a delivery pharmacy to ensure medications are at your door and on time can help make managing chronic illness easier,” Gieniusz says.
Major pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS also offer delivery services.
9. Let them know you value their help
Simple acknowledgments of someone’s efforts to help you can go a long way in community-building.
“It’s important because it not only shows recognition but also encourages a continued support network,” Walley says.
Carmichael agrees.
“Think about what you can offer in return so that the relationship feels more reciprocal,” Carmichael says. “Even if your condition means you won’t be able to help them with practical tasks, you could perhaps offer a cup of tea and a chat about something on their mind.”
Walley says thank you notes or simply saying or texting “Thank you” are often enough.
Simple acknowledgments of someone’s efforts to help you can go a long way in community-building.
10. Enlist help through national nonprofits
National nonprofits can connect you with organizations in your area.
Living alone with a chronic condition can be both practically and emotionally challenging.
Even if you can’t afford in-home aid, resources are available.
From the wider community to national organizations, there are people out there who want to provide support. Sometimes, but not always, all it takes is asking.
Medically reviewed on March 20, 2024
5 Sources
These are some great ideas and many will take time but the payoff can make all the difference in your life.
Tortured by Lyme disease, a young man killed his friend and himself. He is not alone.
by Mary Beth Pfeiffer, Trial Site News
For decades, Lyme disease physicians have seen a small share of late-stage patients with symptoms far beyond the physical ravages of a tick bite.
These patients, estimated to be 1 percent of chronic Lyme psychiatric cases, manifest brain disorders so intractable that they become violent, even homicidal.
Now, a new article in the science journal Heliyon validates these observations and reveals possible mechanisms driving them. It tells the horrific story of a 32-year-old man whose tickborne infection at age 14—one of several—went unrecognized until it was unresponsive to treatment.
Failed by short-course antibiotics that mainstream medical guidance swears by, he descended into substance abuse, as many chronic Lyme patients do, to ease his anxiety, depression, and physical pain. READ MORE
A patient with psychiatric manifestations of Lyme depicted his pain in this painting. He would later commit suicide. (Photo by permission of Dr. Robert Bransfield.)
(Note: The important work discussed in this article came about because the family trusted the Lyme Disease Biobank with this young man’s body. Furthermore, Bay Area Lyme Foundation funded this research. Click here to learn more about the biobank.)
I have never heard of the psychiatric manifestations of Lyme but can certainly understand it. When your body is invaded and attacked every minute causing severe pain in many areas of the body, understand the feeling of losing your mind. The Lyme Spirokeetes set up house in my brain, eating away at my memory, and balance and causing havoc on my entire body. No amount of pain medication can give relief, it’s non-stop. Thank goodness it’s a very small percentage of Lyme patients that are affected by Psychiatric Manifestations.
While it’s not yet fully understood, research shows a strong connection between fibromyalgia and migraine symptoms.
In 2021, chronic pain affected over 51 adults in the United States alone. Over 17 million of those adults experienced debilitating chronic pain that restricted their daily activities.
Both fibromyalgia and migraine episodes can cause chronic pain that makes it difficult to function from day to day. And for people who have both conditions, research suggests that fibromyalgia may even make migraine symptoms worse and more frequent.
Below, we’ll explore what science says about the relationship between fibromyalgia and migraine, including what treatment options are available for both.
Research shows that fibromyalgia and migraine often occur together and that fibromyalgia can affect the frequency and severity of migraine episodes in people who have both conditions.
The following studies demonstrated a connection:
In one study from 2019, researchers found that migraine symptoms were twice as prevalent in people with fibromyalgia versus those without. And in study participants who experienced migraine episodes, the risk of fibromyalgia was up to 1.5 times higher.
A similar study found that over 30% of participants with migraine symptoms also had fibromyalgia, with the condition being more prevalent in those with chronic migraine and migraine episodes with auras.
Several studies also found that fibromyalgia may affect migraine frequency and severity. In one study from 2018, fibromyalgia was associated with higher headache severity and higher migraine-related disability.
Another study from that same year found that participants with both migraine and fibromyalgia experienced more frequent and painful migraine episodes, as well as lower quality of life.
Most of the studies on fibromyalgia and migraine don’t distinguish between different migraine types, such as complex or ocular migraine. However, some of the research does suggest that people with chronic migraine and migraine with aura may be more affected.
What’s happening in the brain when you have fibromyalgia?
Fibromyalgia is a chronic health condition that’s characterized by body-wide pain and tenderness, chronic fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.
Researchers aren’t entirely sure of what causes fibromyalgia, but evidence suggests that it affects the way the nerves of the brain receive and transmit information related to pain. Because of this, people with fibromyalgia appear to be more sensitive to pain than those without the condition.
Research has shown that roughly a quarter of people living with fibromyalgia can find pain relief with these medications.
Migraine treatment also involves a combination of pain medications and other medications that may be helpful for reducing migraine frequency. Medications for migraine include both preventive and acute episode medications.
If you have both fibromyalgia and migraine, a combination of medications may help reduce your symptoms. However, you and your doctor will work closely together to decide which treatment options work best for you.
Complementary and integrative treatments may also be helpful in reducing pain and improving the quality of life in people living with fibromyalgia and migraine episodes.
One review from 2020 ound that acupuncture was beneficial for reducing pain in people living with chronic pain conditions, including chronic migraine. And additional research suggests that acupuncture may also be helpful for reducing pain due to fibromyalgia.
In another review from 2019 researchers found that activities like yoga and tai chi appear to help reduce migraine frequency and severity. Research also suggests that activities like yoga may be helpful in reducing fibromyalgia pain and improving functioning and mood.
Other complementary treatments that may be helpful for chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia and migraine include therapeutic massage, mindfulness, and certain supplements. However, researchers are still exploring just how effective these approaches can be for these conditions.
Living with fibromyalgia
Over 4 million adults in the United States — or roughly 2% of the population ― live with fibromyalgia. If you or someone you love has been recently diagnosed with the condition, you can check out these resources that offer education and support:
Research shows that fibromyalgia and migraine commonly occur together and that having one of these conditions may increase the risk of having the other.
Studies also show that for people who experience migraine episodes, fibromyalgia may affect the frequency and severity of those episodes.
Medication is the most common treatment approach for helping manage pain in both fibromyalgia and migraine. However, several other complementary approaches could be beneficial for reducing chronic pain levels and improving the quality of life in people with both conditions.
I know the pain of both Fibromyalgia and Migraines and they are both difficult to manage. I found that a multi-prong approach works best for me along with good sleep habits and daily self-care practices.
I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.
This was one of my Grandparent’s canning jars and it’s the perfect size for flowers. I have all of their canning jars even though we have done very little canning. There’s something special about them, they hold memories of my canning green beans with my Gramps and of course, eating out of the jars year round. They also canned lots of tomatoes, okra with tomatoes and jelly. There is no comparison to the taste of food out of a canning jar, a can food will never measure up.
Anyone can have a short bout of Anemia during their life, young girls and women can also get Anemia from their menstrual cycle, vegans have to ensure they eat plenty of alternatives to red meat and there are health conditions that can be serious to your health. I’ve had Anemia on and off most of my life but in recent years it’s an ongoing problem. I don’t eat enough red meat although I’m not vegan and I don’t eat many leafy greens.
Many people may not even know they are Anemic because they have a mild case and they bounce back. I on the other hand can’t seem to shack it even while taking an iron supplement, a good one at that. I have taken prescription iron but it doesn’t help any better than over-the-counter. Three key symptoms are hard to deal with, severe leg cramps, fatigue and I’m always freezing. When I sleep at night, I pull the covers over my head and this week started wearing wool gloves to bed. It’s way into the early morning before my hands thaw and no longer feel like ice.
During the day I wear a tee and sweatshirt and when I’m in my office I have a wool blanket over me and wool gloves on and still shiver. I have a sheepskin run over the back of my chair to add warmth and have my vent half closed. Nothing seems to matter and it’s in the dead of summer here in Texas.
I eat red meat a couple of times a month but I like a variety of meat and eat fish every week as well. It’s not like I don’t eat greens but because I’m so cold salads haven’t been on my menu and I prefer hot foods. I’m eating soup for lunch most days to keep me warm.
I also have the Immune Disorder Hypogammaglobenlemia which is the lack of red blood cells and hemoglobin to carry oxygen to my body. I’ve been taking monthly Antibody Infusion treatments since the Spring. My red blood count is still very low and I may have to continue to take Infusion Treatments for years maybe all my life.
An Overview of Anemia
Anemia is a problem of not having enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to all other organs in the body. Having anemia can cause tiredness, weakness, and shortness of breath.
There are many forms of anemia. Each has its own cause. Anemia can be short-term or long-term. It can range from mild to severe. Anemia can be a warning sign of serious illness.
Treatments for anemia might involve taking supplements or having medical procedures. Eating a healthy diet might prevent some forms of anemia.
Anemia symptoms depend on the cause and how bad the anemia is. Anemia can be so mild that it causes no symptoms at first. But symptoms usually then occur and get worse as the anemia gets worse.
If another disease causes the anemia, the disease can mask the anemia symptoms. Then a test for another condition might find the anemia. Certain types of anemia have symptoms that point to the cause.
Possible symptoms of anemia include:
Tiredness.
Weakness.
Shortness of breath.
Pale or yellowish skin, which might be more obvious on white skin than on Black or brown skin.
Irregular heartbeat.
Dizziness or lightheadedness.
Chest pain.
Cold hands and feet.
Headaches.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, check with your doctor right away.
The family cookbook contains recipes, my Granny’s & Gramps used often and is the type of food I grew up on. Many with veggies and tomatoes from the garden. Good ole Southern food like my Gramps dumplings, to Grannies pecan pie.
This recipe was a staple on the days Granny worked. She cleaned new houses with her Sister-in-law for construction companies. Granny did it to buy me clothes that were more in line with what my classmates were wearing until I could work myself to pay for my clothes. She would leave early in the morning and arrive back home in time to make the dish for supper.
What you need
Reynold’s Wrap Oven Bag Large size 14X20
2 TBS flour
1 can 14 1/2 oz stewed tomatoes
1 envelop of onion soup
1/2 cup water
1/4 TSP pepper
1 pound beef sirloin steak, cut into thin strips
2 cups hot cooked rice
Set oven to 350 degrees
How to make
Shake flour in a bag and place it in a 13x9x2 inch baking pan
Add undrained tomatoes, soup mix, water, and pepper.
Squiggle bag to stir all ingredients
Add beef strips to bags
Arrange the beef strips and ingredients evenly on the pan
Close the bag with a nylon tie
Cut 6 slits in the top of the bag
Bake for 40-45 minutes until tender and serve over rice
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their blog with you. This week we highlight Nutsrok.
Now that I’m done with the bothersome business of the workday world, I am free to pursue my passion, capturing the stories I’ve loved all my life. The ones you’ll read on my blog are good old Southern stories, a real pleasure to relay. Here in the South, we are proud of our wacky folks. I’ve preyed shamelessly on my family, living and dead, friends, neighbors, and acquaintances, often changing names to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent. My mother illustrates my blog. I come from a rollicking family of nuts, hence the name of the blog Nutsrok Enjoy.
We’ve been following each other for a short time but we became fast friends. We have so many things in common and our families were poor and raised in tough conditions. Linda is hilarious, she makes me laugh daily and she is attentive by replying to her comments. She is part of the community, and her writing and professional life are impressive. She wrote her first book in 2016 and her mother illustrated it, she was 96 years old. What a treasured memory. Be sure to check out both of her books.
Born to a struggling farm family in the deepest of The Great Depression, Kathleen enjoys a colorful childhood, enhanced by her imagination, love of life, and the encouragement of her family.
She’s determined to build a better life for herself, getting herself into hilarious situations all along the way. Distinguishing herself in school and the community, she never takes her eyes off her goal.
Just as she’s about to get started, she meets Bill, the man who is going to help her on her way. Everything changes. And then changes again. The true story of a remarkable woman who will inspire you, make you laugh, and see life from a new perspective.
Just Women Getting By Leaving a Legacy of Strength
WOMEN OF STRENGTH, FORTITUDE, AND BRAVERY In this collection of six serials, Linda Swain Bethea weaves narratives of women through several centuries. The stories span from 1643 to 1957. Beginning in England in 1643, a young couple travels to Jamestown, Virginia, to begin a new life on the American frontier. The rest of the stories travel from West Texas to North Louisiana to the Texas Panhandle to East Texas. Disease, death, starvation, and prison are faced with stoicism and common sense, and always, with a sense of humor. The women in each tale stand tall and possess the wisdom and tenacity to hold families together under the worst conditions. Through it all, they persevere, and Linda Swain Bethea’s storytelling is a testament to the legacy they left. Conversational and homey, you’ll fall in love with the women of Just Women Getting By – Leaving a Legacy of Strength, which celebrates the courage of those women who had no choice but to survive. BUY THIS BOOK TO BE CAPITIVATED BACK TO A TIME WHEN GIVING UP WAS NOT AN OPTION.
About the Author
Linda Swain Bethea grew up in a family with a strong story-telling tradition, and she always knew she had stories that needed to be told. Writing called to her, even while working for thirty years as a Registered Nurse.
I ask Linda to share her favorite post and you will like this one.
I wanted to let you all know I’ve recently launched a video podcast called Champions of Resilience. It’s a transformative channel where we delve into the inspiring stories of individuals who have triumphed over adversity. On my web page you’ll find the links to my most recent episodes, a little bit about the show and why … Continue
Congrats to Amy, no doubt she will continue to advocate and inspire others as she has me for many years.
I have thought about this topic for a long time, I have someone in my life who has procrastinated since I met them. I thought it was time to find the scientific reason to better understand their behavior.
6 Common Causes of Procrastination
The roots of procrastination are more complex than you might guess.
A growing understanding has emerged that procrastination is underpinned by emotional issues. The gist of this argument is generally that people who procrastinate have poor distress tolerance. When faced with a task that stirs their negative emotions, they freeze and retreat rather than work through their feelings to pave a way forward. While this is part of what causes procrastination, the causes are more multifaceted. Let’s look at six diverse roots of procrastination.
1. Decision fatigue.
If you need to make decisions constantly, you might find that you put off very small ones. For instance, I’ve been wanting to buy a heart rate monitor for the gym. I picked the one I want to get, but as I was about to add it to my cart, I realized I needed to choose between the two sizes offered. At that point, I hit a brick wall of decision fatigue and haven’t gone back to the purchase in over a week.
2. Difficulty with planning and sequencing.
On a neuro-cognitive level, some folks aren’t good at planning out multi-step processes. This difficulty is especially prominent in people who have ADHD, but there are plenty of folks who don’t have ADHD, and who are otherwise very smart, for whom breaking up a complex task into a series of steps isn’t a strength. For some people taking a birdseye perspective on a task, seeing the steps, and seeing a place to start is obvious. For others, it’s not.
3. Relationship-related procrastination
Procrastination tends to cause relationship stress, especially when couples are more established, are making life decisions together, and are reliant on each other for important tasks like filing taxes.
If one person in a relationship tends to procrastinate, there will often be a tug-of-war involving nagging, resentment, stress, and both individuals feeling unsupported in completing tasks involving shared responsibility. The more pressured the procrastinator feels, the more they may dig their heels in and refuse to do anything that’s asked of them.
While it’s obvious how a procrastination tug-of-war can lead to arguments, a less obvious, but at least as important, consequence is that this tug-of-war can lead to an erosion of relationship closeness. For instance, if whenever the couple spends time alone together the resented to-do’s get raised, it’s a disincentive for spending time together.
All this can create a vicious circle of higher negative feelings and lower positive feelings (such as lower emotional trust) in the relationship.
I wrote a previous post about how depression and procrastination are linked. In short, when people are depressed they’ll tend to procrastinate over all types of tasks, whether they’re simple or complex, fun or tedious. People with depression often experience a lot of rumination (negatively-toned overthinking), and they often lose confidence in their capacity to be reliable friends, partners, coworkers, etc.
When people are putting off tasks due to the negative emotions raised by the task, anxiety is often part of the picture. Even when, on the surface, a person doesn’t want to do a task because it’s boring, boring is often code for hard (e.g., kids who find math ‘boring’ often really mean it’s hard).
Another link is that performance-anxiety often leads to a person taking a perfectionistic approach to a task, which then makes the task unnecessarily daunting. This article outlines other links between anxiety and procrastination.
Many types of creative work (very broadly defined) benefit from people taking some time away from the project and looking at it with fresh eyes. Sometimes you can achieve a state of having fresh eyes with simply a night of sleep. Other times it can be useful to have a couple of months pass before you revisit a project. Taking significant time away from a project can be both procrastination and creatively useful. Often there isn’t a clear distinction. You might both feel the nagging feeling that’s the hallmark of procrastination and creatively benefit from the break.
When people do creative work, they don’t do it in a mental vacuum. Part of the creator’s lens is determined by what’s going on in the world and what’s going on in their life at the time. Life experiences, including mundane ones, can lead to drawing on different analogies, etc. This contributes to why seeing a project with fresh eyes can be useful.
7. Bonus: A combination.
Often more than one factor contributes to procrastination. There can be elements of habit to it as well, such as always waiting until three days before the due date to write a report for work. This isn’t necessarily a bad pattern if it’s a system that works well for you.
Solutions:
When it comes to procrastination, look for any type of it that has significant costs to you, whether it’s in terms of relationship stress, personal stress, or reduced quality of work.
Find go-to strategies that get to the root of the issue. For instance, shrink and simplify the scope of the task if perfectionism is an issue. If planning and figuring out where to start is hard for you, talk this through with someone who is good at it, and develop a checklist for the next time you need to do a similar task. If depression is an issue, seek treatment, and so on.
Develop a variety of strategies for overcoming procrastination so that, in any situation, you have one that feels doable and relevant in that situation. For instance, in The Healthy Mind Toolkit, I outline 21 strategies for getting past procrastination and seven of those are excerpted here.
About the Author
Alice Boyes, Ph.D., translates principles from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and social psychology into tips people can use in their everyday lives.
I knew it had to be more complicated than being lazy and have read recently that the person feels shame and I had to better understand it.
Now that I have more information I can empathize and try to help the person in my life seek help, if they will listen. It’s not easy to hear these things about yourself and it’s easy to push them down.
A summertime indulgence, filled with fresh fruit and flavors of fragrant vanilla and calming chamomile, this clafoutis dessert is a French country classic! Bake this up tonight for a simple and sweet ending to a summer meal. Click thru to try this inspired dessert tonight….
Hello Advocates, Happy Minority Mental Health Awareness Month! In 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives officially declared July as Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month. Bebe Moore Campbell was a mental health champion who used her experience to highlight the profound impact that culture, community and connections have on mental health. Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is crucial for many reasons:Health Disparities: Minority communities often face significant disparities in mental health care, including limited access to services, lower quality of care, and higher levels of stigma associated with mental health conditions. Raising awareness helps address and reduce these disparities. Stigma Reduction: Many minority communities experience higher levels of stigma surrounding mental health conditions. Awareness initiatives can help break down these barriers, encouraging individuals to seek help and support without fear of judgment or discrimination. Cultural Awareness: Mental health awareness in minority communities promotes the need for culturally sensitive care. It emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural differences and tailoring mental health services to meet the unique needs of diverse populations. Advocacy and Policy Change: Highlighting the specific mental health needs of minority communities can drive advocacy efforts and inform policy changes aimed at improving mental health care equity. For example, this may include funding, more inclusive programs, and systemic changes that strengthen support for BIPOC individuals. Fast Facts:Asian American and Pacific Islanders: Non-Hispanic Asian American adults are the least likely population to receive mental health treatment for their mental illnessIn 2022, only 36.1% of Asian adults with mental illness received treatment9% of Asian Americans are not fluent in English and limited availability of culturally appropriate mental health care creates a significant barrier when trying to access careBlack/African Ancestry Communities:In 2022, only 37.9% of non-Hispanic Black or African American adults with mental illness received treatmentProvider bias, whether implicit or explicit, and lack of cultural sensitivity often results in misdiagnosis and inadequate treatmentWhen expressing symptoms related to mood disorders, Black people are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis of schizophreniaHispanic/Latin Americans: Nearly half of Hispanic and Latino young adults ages 18-25 with a serious mental illness do not receive treatmentAccording to the Kiser Family Foundation, in 2022, 18% of nonelderly Hispanic people had no form of health insuranceCompared to the U.S. average of 50.6%, approximately 39.6% of Hispanic or Latino adults with a mental illness receive treatment each yearBebe Moore Campbell used her voice to pave the way; what an honor it is that advocates like you and I have the opportunity to keep her legacy alive by continuing to advocate for a more inclusive, equitable, and effective mental health care system that serves all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. With gratitude,The NAMI Texas Public Policy Team Source material and further information can be found on NAMI National’s 2024 Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.————————————————————————————————————————————–P.S. As I transition out of my fellowship with NAMI Texas, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to each and every one of you. It has been the honor of a lifetime being a part of the NAMI Texas Team and the community of incredible advocates that it encompasses. Having the opportunity to be in conversation and spaces with such passionate, driven and welcoming advocates like you is truly an indescribable feeling. While I will no longer be on staff, I have every intention of staying engaged with NAMI Texas and all of you. Thank you for your kindness, support and willingness to share your stories with me over the last two years. You have made an everlasting impact on me, and I am so thankful for that. With love and gratitude,Hannah
Staff Spotlight: Meet NAMI Texas’ New Peer Policy Fellow!Join us in welcoming our newest team member, Christine Busse! Christine joined NAMI Texas as a Peer Policy Fellow in July 2024. She holds a master’s in social work from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience from St. Edward’s University. Her professional journey includes nearly four years as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapeutic services to youth with special needs. During her graduate studies, she honed her research and data analysis skills as a Graduate Research Assistant on the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success project, evaluating programs supporting foster care alumni. She gained valuable policy experience through internships at the National Association of Social Workers – Texas and the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, actively participating in the 88th Texas legislative session. Most recently, Christine served as the Planning and Policy Coordinator at the Texas Homeless Network. These diverse roles provided Christine with strong experience in mental health and substance use policy, education, and behavioral health workforce challenges. She developed expertise in policy research, strategic advocacy, and legislative processes. As a lifelong Texan and Lebanese American with lived experience of mental illness, Christine is passionate about bridging the gap between research, policy, and lived experience to enhance effective mental health policies and support systems. She is committed to fostering community resilience and well-being to build a stronger, healthier Texas for all. NAMI National’s #Vote4MentalHealth Pledge Mental health impacts nearly all aspects of our lives. And at NAMI, we advocate on a wide range of policy priorities, from health care to criminal justice to housing and beyond. No matter the topic, we know that mental health matters. Your vote in the upcoming elections matters, too. Every elected official – from the president and Congress to county commissioners and city councilmembers – has influence on issues impacting people affected by mental health conditions. That’s why it’s so important to understand how voting impacts mental health. Take the first step: click the following link to pledge to #Vote4MentalHealth this November.NAMI won’t tell you who to vote for. We encourage you to research candidates on your ballot, decide what issues are most important to you, and cast your vote this election season. July 2024 Health and Human Services Report:Behavioral Health Advisory Committee FY 2023 Annual ReportSenate 2024 Interim Legislative Charges: Notice of Public HearingThursday, September 5, 2024, at 9:00amSenate Finance Committee (E1.036)Mental Health Services and Inpatient Facilities: Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 30, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, with regard to appropriations made for expanding mental health services and inpatient facilities across the state. Report on the progress of inpatient facility construction projects. Assess and report on the effectiveness of spending on mental health services. You can view the full hearing agenda, here. Wednesday, September 18, 2024Senate Health & Human Services Committee (E1.012)Children’s Mental Health: Review care and services currently available to the growing population of Texas children with high acuity mental and behavioral health needs. Make recommendations to improve access to care and services for these children that will support family preservation and prevent them from entering the child welfare system. Access to Health Care: Evaluate current access to primary and mental health care. Examine whether regulatory and licensing flexibilities could improve access to care, particularly in medically underserved areas of Texas. Make recommendations, if any, to improve access to care while maintaining patient safety. You can view the full hearing agenda, here.You can review the list of Interim Charges in its entirety, here. House 2024 Interim Legislative Charges: Notice of Public HearingWednesday, July 31, 2024, at 10:00amYouth Health & Safety, Select (E2.014)Update: the originally scheduled July 7th, 2024, hearing was cancelled due to Hurricane Beryl. The committee will meet to hear invited testimony only on the following interim charge: Behavioral Health Services for At-Risk Youth: Evaluate programs and services currently available to children and families that are either involved with, or at high risk for becoming involved with, the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Study the current barriers for accessing community-based behavioral health services for children with intense behavioral health needs, with an emphasis on ensuring that parents do not have to give up custody of children to gain access to services. If you would like to submit written comments related to the above charge you may do so until the hearing is adjourned by visitingthis link. You can view the full agenda for the July 31st hearing here. You can review the list of Interim Charges in its entirety, here. Public Policy Platform Development Input Our 2025-2026 Public Policy Platform surveys have concluded. Thank you much for your time and input on these important matters! We could not do this work without all of you. Stay tuned for our Public Policy Platform which will be published in the fall. NAMI Texas Conference: Celebrating 40 Years of Hope and HealingEvery year, NAMI Texas hosts an Annual Conference and Awards Celebration. These events bring together individuals living with mental illness, family members, professionals, and the general public to highlight the latest updates in the mental health field, exchange information, and celebrate the year’s successes. With exciting keynotes, informative workshops, a lively exhibit hall, Continuing Education Credit, networking opportunities, and special surprises, the Conference has something for everyone. This year, we are celebrating 40 Years of Hope and Healing. We could not be more excited to be bringing the Conference to West Texas. All Conference events will be held in the heart of bustling downtown El Paso, primarily in the beautiful El Paso Convention Center. There are many nonstop flights to El Paso from major Texas airports. The local Affiliate in the area, NAMI El Paso, is eager to welcome Texans from across the state. We hope you will join us in November for this extra special celebration! Early Bird Ticket Sale Alert! Purchase your ticket today in order to take advantage of the early bird ticket special! These discounted tickets will be available through September 1st, 2024. Click this link to purchase. 2024 NAMI Texas Annual Conference Call-for-Presentations! All topics related to mental health are welcome, but the Conference Planning Committee has identified the following 4 thematic categories of particular interest: 1.) Children, Youth, & Families, 2.) Underserved Populations, 3.) Criminal Legal System, and 4.) Innovation and Creativity. For further details and to access the form, check out the call-for-presentations webpage. The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is August 2nd, 2024. NAMI SMARTS Classes Grassroots advocacy is about using your voice to influence policymakers and make a difference. Turn your passion and your lived experience into advocacy for mental health with the NAMI Smarts for Advocacy training. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy will enhance your advocacy skills and help you shape a powerful and personal story that will move policymakers. NAMI Smarts for Advocacy gives you step-by-step tools and the hands-on practice you need to feel confident and ready to make a difference. The NAMI Texas Public Policy Team does not currently have any classes scheduled. Be sure to keep an eye on our calendar for forthcoming classes.
If you have anything you would like to share with NAMI Texas advocates in these emails, please send the information to policy.fellow@namitexas.org
– Hannah Gill and the NAMI Texas Public Policy Team
Mental Health in the MediaA look at the Texas mental health workforce shortage“Today, 246 of Texas’ 254 counties are wholly or partly designated by the federal government as “mental health professional shortage areas,” and that’s in a state where roughly 5 million people do not have health insurance. This has had a particularly dire effect in rural, border, and frontier counties in Texas, as some regions might have only one mental health professional or none. If you look at the raw numbers, we don’t have enough providers, even if they were evenly distributed,” said Alison Mohr Boleware, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health policy director.” Sherman PD teams up with Texoma Community Center on mental health co-response team“The Sherman Police Department and Texas Community Center have teamed up to make a mental health co-response program. TCC Assistant Director of Care Coordination, Tori Dyess, said the program was made possible through a grant. “We reached out to Sherman Police Department, and decided to collaborate to create a team that was embedded with them,” Dyess said. The TCC has qualified mental health professionals stationed at the police department seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The program’s goal is to get effective mental health care to those in crisis faster.” Employment may be key to veterans’ mental health, UTEP study finds“EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — A new study authored by two University of Texas El Paso researchers is showing employment may be key to emotional wellbeing for veterans. The study was published in the June issue of scientific journal ‘Stress and Health’. The researchers looked at 517 veterans experiencing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the study, employment correlated with positive emotional wellbeing in veterans struggling with their mental health. The study also said unemployed veterans were twice as likely to experience depression.” Gov. Abbott Announces 7 New State Hospital Projects, Including $1B+ for Two in North Texas“Seven new state hospital projects—including new ones in Wichita Falls and Terrell—have been announced to better serve people in need of inpatient psychiatric services.Gov. Greg Abbott said the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) projects are funded by $1.5 billion approved by the Texas Legislature in 2023 to expand, renovate, and build new facilities across the state.” How many people are receiving mental health treatment in Texas “More than 5 million American adults were receiving mental health treatment at a state-monitored mental health facility in 2022, according to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services released in April, an increase from last year. However, access to treatment can largely depend on where someone lives or what kind of insurance they have. More than half of adults receiving treatment lived in just 10 states, as many Americans lack access to mental health care.”
NAMI Texas is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life of all individuals living with mental illness and their families. Please visit our website at NAMITexas.org for more information. Help support our advocacy efforts by donating to NAMI Texas at https://namitexas.networkforgood.com/
This is a fun prompt. I have only had a few nicknames, but I enjoyed them; one is precious to me. My Gramps called me Pud all my life, it was an endearing one, not sure if it came from pudding or was an old-time term but I miss his voice calling my nickname. No one else called me that, it was special between us.
My younger step-brother had a horrific life, their mother was a drug addict and would leave them at home alone for weeks at a time. No food, no water, and P lived in the same diaper. It’s disgusting to think any mother could treat her children that way. Both of my step-brothers had regressed in age and P had gone back to being a baby from the trauma. My step-father gained custody of them and they came to live with us, the discovery of two children was a shock to my mother’s system. P had to learn to talk again, which was very difficult for him. My mother always called be my my middle name, Melody and P had problems saying so he called me Mody. He was a precious soul and his life ended tragically just as it had started.
I may have had other short-term nicknames but I don’t recall them. Of course, I’ve been called many things, and not all of them nice but when you speak your mind that is going to happen.
Any nicknames from the past you a particularly fond of?
I’m 5 ft 7 inches and was a normal weight until I turned 28 years old. At 28 I was diagnosed with Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Disorder and Anxiety. The diagnosis wasn’t a huge surprise since my father had committed suicide months earlier and we both had struggled with depression. One of the downsides of having a mental illness is that many medications make you gain weight, with each medication I tried, it was 20-25 pounds. That can weigh you down but I learned quickly that my vanity was not as important as my mental health.
I tend to be more depressive than manic so my protocol includes many stimulant medications. There were many times I would lose large amounts of weight and was skinny again. Although short-lived, once your body adjusts to the stimulants the weight loss stops. The last medication that brought me out of a deep depression caused me to gain 40 pounds and it took effort to lose that amount of weight. I lollygagged for a couple of years until I went to see one of my doctors and had to weigh. I was shocked at what the scale said.
You also need to know I have some baggage here because my mother is obese and my abuser. I wanted to be nothing like her, I must have seen her that day on the scale.
I was determined to lose weight the right way this time, with no diet, no program food just eating what I liked but in smaller portions. I set a goal of losing 40 pounds with 50 pounds in the background. First, I cut all meals in half and cut out snacking unless I was truly hungry. When I needed a snack it was nuts because they are good for you.
The first 20 pounds were hard but not nearly as hard as the next 20 pounds. After reaching 20 pounds, I cut my meals in 1/3 and continued to eat a piece of chocolate at lunch and dinner. I also allowed myself dessert on the weekends. There was no depriving myself of the foods I loved, my diet didn’t change just the amount of food I was eating.
Last August, I had reached my goal of 40 pounds and was working on 10 more pounds. Then life got in the way. I was hospitalized in December of 2023 and had a traumatizing experience by being told that my kidneys were shutting down and that I would not live until my check-out date. Logically I knew better but we were in complete shock. I called my brother to say goodbye which was very difficult and my husband and I just cradled each other. A short time later, I came to my senses and said there was no way my GFR was 20! Of course not, a lazy lab tech didn’t run the test a second time and the doctor didn’t even question it. I never received an apology.
After leaving the hospital I continued to lose weight and after 25 months I am 70 pounds down. Being this skinny is not a choice, you would be surprised at what I eat although I can’t eat as much as I did in the beginning but that’s expected. I’ve been having major issues with my Esophagus for a couple of months and a month after going to the ER, I’m worse. I’m taking two additional medications but still have problems eating or keeping food down. It doesn’t seem to be as urgent to my doctor. I’m still working on it.
Yes, you can lose weight the right way without restricting yourself and in turn, sabotaging your efforts. There are no shortcuts, no quick fixes, and only one permanent solution. Set your goal for the long term, change your eating habits, and pay attention to why you eat and enjoy yourself at the same time. I can’t imagine lunch or dinner without chocolate, I just eat one piece.
When my daughter Rachel was 13, she suffered a seemingly simple injury that led to an outbreak of inexplicable, debilitating, body-wide pain. This left her bedridden and needing a wheelchair.
Refusing to believe doctors who claimed either that she was “faking it” or that nothing could be done, our family searched for answers until we at last found the underlying cause—unrecognized chronic Lyme disease and co-infections.
We were lucky enough to find a knowledgeable Lyme doctor within two hours of our home and we started on the long hard slog to getting her better. But we soon found that medical treatment was only part of what our family needed.
There were so many other needs: how to keep Rachel from spiraling into depression, how to continue her education when she was too sick to attend school, finding out what foods supported the healing process best—and which of those she was willing to eat.
As it turns out, one of the most helpful therapies Rachel undertook was something she figured out on her own. Throughout those dark days, she recorded her daily experiences in a journal. It chronicled the bad—her anger at the doctors who didn’t believe her, her despair at ever getting past the pain. It also recorded good times with friends—lip-synching to Hannah Montana songs, visiting the beach to try out a beach wheelchair (yes, those are a thing.) That journal became a lifeline for her, and in my view, was as important as the many different treatments she went through.
In time, Rachel’s health improved—she left the wheelchair behind, graduated from high school and college, and embarked on a career and marriage. For many years, she avoided even looking at the journal, not wanting to revisit those traumatic times.
But then, she decided to share the story with others, and the two of us collaborated on Finding Resilience: A Teen’s Journey Through Lyme Disease. The main narration is based on the journal, interspersed with additional passages by me, giving the mother’s perspective of what was going on.
Capturing the right voice
In the months since publication, we’ve garnered a lot of positive feedback. Here’s one of my favorite reviews, by a judge from the Benjamin Franklin Award competition:
Finding Resilience is a wonderfully written book (by both mother and daughter) that chronicles a teenager’s struggle with both Lyme disease and the medical establishment too unwilling to consider the—at the time—difficult diagnosis. What makes this book so strong is the voice. It’s often difficult for an adult to capture the right voice when writing about earlier experiences, but Rachel Leland does it expertly. At no time did I waver in believing that a teenager was talking to me in real time, as a teenager. This is hard—exceptionally hard—to do well…The mother’s voice, too, is appropriate throughout. All of this worked so effectively that I found myself as a reader on the same emotional rollercoaster they were on.
That’s exactly what we were going for—the shared perspective of a teenager and her mom on this hideous disease and what it takes to get through it. We hope you’ll find it informative and inspiring. Click here for more info about the book.
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Staff Spotlight: Meet NAMI Texas’ New Peer Policy Fellow! Join us in welcoming our newest team member, Christine Busse! Christine joined NAMI Texas as a Peer Policy Fellow in July 2024. She holds a master’s in social work from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Neuroscience from St. Edward’s University. Her professional journey includes nearly four years as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapeutic services to youth with special needs. During her graduate studies, she honed her research and data analysis skills as a Graduate Research Assistant on the Bexar County Fostering Educational Success project, evaluating programs supporting foster care alumni. She gained valuable policy experience through internships at the National Association of Social Workers – Texas and the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, actively participating in the 88th Texas legislative session. Most recently, Christine served as the Planning and Policy Coordinator at the Texas Homeless Network. These diverse roles provided Christine with strong experience in mental health and substance use policy, education, and behavioral health workforce challenges. She developed expertise in policy research, strategic advocacy, and legislative processes. As a lifelong Texan and Lebanese American with lived experience of mental illness, Christine is passionate about bridging the gap between research, policy, and lived experience to enhance effective mental health policies and support systems. She is committed to fostering community resilience and well-being to build a stronger, healthier Texas for all. 
NAMI National’s #Vote4MentalHealth Pledge Mental health impacts nearly all aspects of our lives. And at NAMI, we advocate on a wide range of policy priorities, from health care to criminal justice to housing and beyond. No matter the topic, we know that mental health matters. Your vote in the upcoming elections matters, too. Every elected official – from the president and Congress to county commissioners and city councilmembers – has influence on issues impacting people affected by mental health conditions. That’s why it’s so important to understand how voting impacts mental health. Take the first step: click the following link to 
Public Policy Platform Development Input Our 2025-2026 Public Policy Platform surveys have concluded. Thank you much for your time and input on these important matters! We could not do this work without all of you. Stay tuned for our Public Policy Platform which will be published in the fall. 
NAMI Texas Conference: Celebrating 40 Years of Hope and HealingEvery year, NAMI Texas hosts an Annual Conference and Awards Celebration. These events bring together individuals living with mental illness, family members, professionals, and the general public to highlight the latest updates in the mental health field, exchange information, and celebrate the year’s successes. With exciting keynotes, informative workshops, a lively exhibit hall, Continuing Education Credit, networking opportunities, and special surprises, the Conference has something for everyone. This year, we are celebrating 40 Years of Hope and Healing. We could not be more excited to be bringing the Conference to West Texas. All Conference events will be held in the heart of bustling downtown El Paso, primarily in the beautiful El Paso Convention Center. There are many nonstop flights to El Paso from major Texas airports. The local Affiliate in the area, NAMI El Paso, is eager to welcome Texans from across the state. We hope you will join us in November for this extra special celebration! Early Bird Ticket Sale Alert! Purchase your ticket today in order to take advantage of the early bird ticket special! These discounted tickets will be available through September 1st, 2024. Click 
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