Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, The Fabulous Lyf.
Through the Windows of my blog, I will see the reflection of memories we have created in the name of Lyf, time after time. While embracing the uncertainties & cherishing the Love, I have gratitude for everything in life.
On these pages, I share my love for Traveling with the world along with everything I experience and the adventures I will be on.
If you want to stay healthy in later life, or you want to support an older friend or family member, you need to put the right foundations in place. If you know someone who is isolated and older, you might want to visit them sometimes, take them for a walk, or encourage healthy eating.
The food we eat is directly related to our health and life quality. This is true at any age, but it’s even more important in later life when the body’s systems are more sensitive. Creating healthy eating patterns can be challenging, but they can also be simple and rewarding when sustained.
When you start eating fresh, healthy foods such as fruits, nuts, and vegetables, you change the expectations of the body. Instead of craving foods high in fats and sugars, your body will start to crave healthier alternatives. Try to encourage healthy eating for you and your family members.
Active Life
The human body has evolved to be active and to move every day. While this can be more challenging when we get older, it is just s important to maintain an active life. There are huge benefits to staying active; it improves energy levels, mental well-being, and the immune system.
When you think about physical activity, you tend to think about running, going to the gym, or yoga, but these activities are not always realistic for older people. But exercise can be moderate and light such as walking, simple stretching, and light weights to improve strength and wellness.
Elder Care
Some people need some additional help when they get older. The onset of disease, mobility issues, and a deterioration in health and wellness mean people need extra support from home carers or need to move into a care home for effective Elder Care. It’s sometimes the best option.
Elder care involves visiting older people, communicating with them, helping them with everyday tasks, and supporting them in a variety of ways. Elder care can be carried out by a family member who is also a carer, a professional carer who visits, or professionals in a care home.
Vitamins
Most people have a vitamin D deficiency; that’s because vitamin D is not naturally produced in the body; it needs to be ingested. Vitamin D can be absorbed from the sun or consumed in vitamin D-rich foods such as oranges and mushrooms. It’s important for overall cognitive health.
Cognitive health becomes more important as we age due to genetic changes, environmental factors, and lifestyle factors. It’s important to pay more attention to cognitive health as we get older by challenging our brains and consuming more vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D.
Communities
Older people suffer more from isolation. They might have lost a spouse but continue to live in their familiar ways, or they might have lost their hearing and don’t like interacting due to embarrassment. However, community connection is incredibly important for mental health and well-being. It’s easier than ever to find a community online, thanks to various digital platforms.
This post is very special to me, first Margie shared her story and allowed me to post it. She is an educated woman who wants to help others who experience Postpartum Psychosis. Please share this post with anyone you know who is pregnant or in the first few months of a baby’s life. M
Postpartum depression accompanied by Psychosis
This is not a war to win. It cages a soul and will not allow reason of any kind. I prayed, I begged and I pleaded. You can have me, but you cannot have my daughter.
On this particular morning, I thought I’d heard a knock at my front door, or was that coming from the back door? I trusted nothing. I sat in the nursery until the pounding stopped, and the sound of what I thought was my name being called, ended. Rocking my angel. I sobbed so violently. I wanted the voices and the visions to go away. I wanted nothing more than to save my baby from myself.
Something made me pause. Was that the front lock-set being opened, the door flinging open, were those real voices?
They found me. Jo and Priscilla. They found me, and they did not let go of me. One took the baby, and the other took the phone directory.
And every chance I get, I tell them, “Thank you.”
I spent the following three and a half months in a locked Psych ward.
Each one of us has a story that shames us, it can trap us in a sort of hell, but sometimes to escape hell, we must find words to express our grievance. I used to think this would be one that I could not share for fear of losing someone whom I love(d). Now I fear that if I don’t share it, someone may lose their way, they may find themselves lost, alone, aberrant, and of course, crazy. I would rather lose every friend I have for the sacrifice of gaining that one that reached out to me in need. The one that discovered hope, when they felt there was none left. But, if you can find clarity if you can trust that there are people in this world that care first for others, and second for themselves, then you, and they will walk with you through hell. When we have true friends, they don’t leave us when the going gets rough. They stop at nothing to see that we realize how important we are, in their life. They don’t call you, Pyscho, MisFit, or Crazy. They call you, Friend. That having us is a joy, a blessing, a God-send. A true friend does not judge, does not keep a scorecard, and knows that we are them, should they ever need us, and not out of guilt or because a favor needs returning. No, a true friend stands by knowing that without our connection we are only half of ourselves.
When others walked out, you walked in. You asked for nothing in return. You never used my illness to shame me, to discount me, to write me off. You stood beside me and carried me through my darkest hours. Priscilla, Senn, and Jo McCormack thank you for seeing me when I could not see myself. But more than anything, thank you for saving my Megan from the psychotic lunatic that I had become. We have fought hard to win, and without each of you, I would have lost. It took three and a half months, out-of-state, in a mental institution, a number of medications, and therapy sessions, but I came home, loving and vowed that one day I would share this story.
Never give up hope. When you are at your weakest, grasp for straws. Dial for help. Swallow your pride. Do not fear that you will be labeled, CRAZY, for the rest of your life, even by those you thought would stand behind you through thick and thin. One of the best pieces of advice given to me was these words:
“They already think you’re crazy. Nothing you do, or say, will change their opinion. Absolutely nothing, therefore, be yourself. Only you know the journey and the victory.”
To Megan,
I promised you I would finish a tale that I had begun earlier in one of my posts. I think I even noted Day 16 as the day that I would write it. Day 16, arrived, but the time didn’t feel ‘just right’. Today it does. I believe you will recall the post, original, and if not, I’ll help you retrieve it.
I spent three full days in bed making Pom-Poms out of tissues. And not intentionally. “No, Martha, I did not use your official cut-and-twist guide.” I fashioned mine while I tried building a dam to nowhere, for my sinus drainage. I took my temperature so many times I killed the battery in the thermometer. I’ve never slept so many hours in my life! This comes from someone who suffers extreme bits of insomnia. Food? I found two cans of soup at the back of the cupboard and considering we don’t eat processed canned items I can’t help but wonder where they came from, much less, why I consumed them.
I’d had enough of this Chit, so by 10:00 a.m., I drug my lazy self out of bed and into the steaming shower, threw on some clothes, and asked Hannah if she’d like to go for a walk.
I thought I’d heard a lot of commotion over the roar of my blow dryer, but I wasn’t in the mood to go ‘seek-and-find,’ what all the mischief was. Once dressed, and out the door, I looked up the street to see the fire truck. What the heck?!#&@
Okay, right off the bat I have to confess. I’m not into seeking out horror. I can’t handle it. Put me in a car, drive me down the freeway, and have someone shout, “Look! There’s been a car accident!” What do I do? Slither down in my seat and turn my head in the opposite direction. If I’m the one who happens to be driving, you won’t find me rubbernecking.
Where was I going with this?
The Walk…(and not on the wild side.)
Finally, on our way, we journey toward the coffee shop. I realize I can’t enter, doggie and all, but then I remember the new app I have downloaded on my phone. Hannah and I mosey up to the patio and sit down. Attempting to order, I realize this app needs a few software upgrades, but I’m not in the mood to hack up the menu in broad daylight, much less try to find a work-around on the store’s wi-fi firewall. Dang, I can’t just walk away, the pup is looking at me with those sweet, begging eyes as if to ask, “How much longer, Mummy?”
Thinking comes quick when smitten by a man’s best friend. I lasso a chair with her harness and tie the pup securely to it, placing her in full view of any area I’ll find myself at once inside the store.
…..Admit it, you’re just a wee bit bored, but you just can’t seem to pull yourself away from all the action. Consider yourself a rubbernecker and let’s get moving…..
We are at a junction in the road. If we take the route we came, we’re out 1.5 miles, but if we journey the alternate route we are out 1.5 miles. Decisions, decisions, oh, and the trick math question at the end. (Find your calculators.)
Let’s go rogue. I’m caffeinated and jet-packed by toxic chemicals from eating rancid soup. What could go wrong?
The Traffic Light!…(into the jungle)
The sucker must have been rigged for red-light runners! Hannah and I were caught in the median of a crazed intersection. Everyone dreams of a cuppa joe or a fuel tank of $2.35 gasoline. I think the only thing that saved us was the California Highway Patrol t-shirt my son (in-law) gave me. I looked, OFFICIAL!
Okay, I was only a third grey, now color me white-headed. I match the dog now. Lesson learned: Rubberneckers. “You folks are everywhere!” One of you almost put tire tracks on my bright orange and pink sneakers. Tell the truth, “We’re you wanting my eye color or that close-up of fear earmarked across my face?”
…..This painstakingly will end at some point. Why don’t you take a snooze and check back later for the mischief of the last mile and a half?….
Safely in a green space, we walk among the oak trees listening to the sound of acorns dropping in our midst. (Note to self: Bring bike helmets in the future.) Meandering along and I look up to see we are at the high school. My heart skips a beat, and then another. “Wasn’t it just yesterday?” Oh, how time does fly. But I won’t let this moment go. I grab my phone and take a couple of photos. I zip them off to my two beautiful daughters. They’ll open their messages and go back in time themselves. I wonder at what moments their day will stand still? I knew mine. I know it well. I’ll cherish it forever.
There I sat awaiting the dismissal bell. The bell echoes. Oh, I miss that bell. I miss all the ringing of that far-off bell.
Saturday my youngest daughter moves away from home. Off to her grown-up home. Not a dorm room, no, those days are gone, too. There’s part of me that wants her to go, but then there is that part of me that knows how far away she may one day travel. And yet, I must give her the pieces of the apron strings, the wings to fly, to soar, to dream and dare.
Did anyone find me a pen and some paper? Did you find your calculators? Get ready, here she blows:
If I live 1.5 miles in one direction, yet I am able to travel in an opposing direction 1.5 miles and arrive at my origination, what direction am I traveling? We set off to run errands. Hannah’s errands, actually. I should just admit that some days I simply say to hell with the housework, laundry included, and I put my best friend in the car and we set about finding mischief.
We ran thru the CVS drive-through to pick up some of my meds and beg for the usual dog biscuit. FAIL! They were out of treats.
Starbucks redeemed her spirit though when they gave her a Puppy Whip. It’s a small cup container filled with whipped cream.
Across the railroad tracks and we head into Southlake. The outdoor shopping mall is always fun. There are fountains galore and hundreds of shade trees. Unfortunately, they have no outdoor drinking fountains. Hannah drank a bit of my iced tea as I cursed myself for not having brought along her collapsible water bowl and some water. Finally, I recalled the Whole Earth Provisions Store allows dogs in their store. I took my girl in and she made a group of newly found friends, all human and eager to dote upon her. Someone snagged a dog treat for her and everyone took turns petting her.
The girl is worn out. Now resting with a full tummy of treats and back inside to the cooled air conditioning.
___________________________
Post-Partartum Psychosis has to be taken seriously. I ask you to reach out for help and keep an eye on a loved one or signs of Depression or Psychosis.
She’s a survivor and an extremely strong woman. I’ve never met someone as strong as she is, it blows my mind what she’s been thru and the pain she must feel.
I really love baths. For the past decade, or so, I’ve tried taking a bath every night. It’s my time. My gift to myself. There were times, in the past, when I took baths and answered work calls. Dumb move. Really, dumb move. Anyone will tell you that no job is worth that moment of […]
My health has held me back for a long time but the last 6-8 months have been hell. It’s also had an impact on my mental health. I’m inside every day unless going to doctors and the salon, and the natural effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) has added to my depression.
Today was the best day since I don’t know when. First I got up standard time and took all my medications, (Pat on the back). Then I got busy, and with the help of hubby, we changed the sheets and cleaned the entire bedroom. That feels so good!!!!!
I watered the inside plants and started cleaning up outside to be ready for Spring. I trimmed the rose and cleared the debris from the Lillies and several other flowers and plants.
I still have several plants, about 10 that I’m still protecting from the cold in the garage but they are all growing leaves. There is also another small rose bush and a mum to prepare. That’s for another good day.
I’ve included some photos for your entertainment. This amount of work was completed before noon before I became ill. My Fibromyalgia cooperated today.
Lillies
Small Rose
Beautiful Ivy
Monstera
Silver Satin Pothos
Huge Orchid
Small Rubber Tree
My favorite ZZ plant, it’s over 3 ft tall.
Mum
Most afternoons I rest in bed but not today. It’s 3:00 pm and I’m still going. I’m celebrating this day because they happen so rarely. Today I can feel good about all that was accomplished and I don’t feel the guilt that I often feel for spending so much time in bed.
Wishing you a great day, however, you spend it. You have good days ahead.
On a day weighed down by doom and gloom, I recall discovering these lines: “I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty that still remains.” It’s far too easy for me to focus on the darkness and challenges I face. Then I read a quote like this one and have to pause […]
In this fast-paced social media world, it can be difficult to find the time to look within or back in time. I hope you find these quotes and questions interesting. So glad you stopped by today!
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Wendy’s Journey.
A Chronic Illness Blog By: Windy Johnson-Cumberbatch, CPC
My name is Windy Johnson-Cumberbatch. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, Chronic Lyme Disease and later Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in the summer of 2014 after over a decade of severe illness and countless misdiagnosis. I had Fibromyalgia prior to contracting Lyme Disease and the co-infections that came along with it.
Living in constant pain can make you feel like you are alone and there is no one who understands what you are going through. Chronic pain conditions vary and each person living with chronic pain will have their own pain thresholds and triggers. At times, it may seem like there is nothing you can do, especially when traditional pain medication doesn’t have any effect. It is at times like this when people try other methods of medicating.
For some, different types of pains and symptoms can be managed or even eradicated with a few changes to your diet. It may seem futile however if nothing else is working you have nothing to lose by trying. Adapt what you do during your day-to-day life to see if different things affect your pain level. For example, many chronic pain patients credit the sun and warmth for lowering their pain levels. For this reason, it could be worth looking into how you can increase your vitamin D intake and get more sun into your life.
Many people find adding exercise into their lives can help with certain types of pain. Working up slowly to adding beneficial exercise to your daily routine as and when you can help you to look after your body despite your pain levels. Yoga, pilates, and simple stretching exercise will help you to remain fit and supple and in some cases decrease your pain levels.
There is no scientific evidence that links drastic diet changes with the eradication of pain from chronic pain conditions. However, it is thought that certain types of foods can inflame the body in different ways making pain worse. From cutting out dairy to reduce additional IBS symptoms or abdominal pain to avoiding nightshade foods to reduce pain and inflammation for Fibromyalgia, arthritis, and more.
There have also been suggestions that eating clean and switching to a more plant-based diet can help control pain levels. While fatty and processed foods aren’t healthy for anyone when overconsumed, there is nothing to lose by changing up your diet and eating a more natural diet, and reducing your meat, specifically red meat intake.
Many chronic pain sufferers will all tell you that sleeping is a problem. It’s a vicious circle to be told you need to get more sleep yet sleep is elusive due to your pain. But by creating as relaxing a sleep environment as can help you to relax even if you can’t sleep. Your body repairs itself during sleep and getting good quality sleep remains important despite your health condition.
Find your optimal sleeping temperature and noise level, try using a white noise app if you needed, and also use comfortable bedding. Set your limits for screen time and electronics and try to create a relaxing bedtime routine that indicates you are ready for sleep. This won’t always be possible but it is worth persevering to help you improve your sleep quality.
Many people didn’t see the doctor unless critical, and most annual appointments were pushed back. I want to focus on men in this post.
The Difference Between Checkups and Screenings
Medical checkups and screenings are two different things.
Checkups are visits to evaluate your health. Physicals and well checks are other names for checkups. During a checkup, a doctor will examine your body and talk with you about your health. You’ll go over symptoms you have, medications you take, and your lifestyle habits, such as exercise and eating.
Screenings are medical tests that can find diseases or conditions before you have symptoms. Screenings include blood pressure measurements, blood tests, and colonoscopies. Your doctor can provide some types of screenings in the office. Others are only available at a specialty clinic or hospital.
Common Screenings and Checkups
The checkups and screening tests men need, and when they need them, depending on their age, health, and personal risk factors for certain conditions.
Physical Exam / Well Check
Prostate Cancer Screening
STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) Screening
Cholesterol and Blood Pressure
Diabetes Test
Colonoscopy
Bone Density Test
Hearing and Vision Screening
Oral Health Checkup
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Key Takeaways
Stay healthy with regular health checkups and screening tests.
Discover diseases and conditions early so you have the best chance of treating them successfully.
Visit a primary care doctor regularly for your entire life even if you’re feeling well. Let Healthgrades help you find a doctor in your area.
Ask your doctor about other additional screenings and follow-up appointments based on your screening results and medical history.
Take care of yourself, a healthier life is a happy life.
Teen dating violence is common these days. We have to talk with our children, girls, and boys, about the situations they may encounter. You can start young by teaching your children what is not appropriate touching. If we start very young, they are better prepared if violence comes their way.
What Is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month?
February is National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month (TDVAM). This is an issue that impacts everyone – not just teens – but their parents, teachers, friends and communities as well. Together, we can raise the nation’s awareness about teen dating violence and promote safe, healthy relationships.
What Is the Impact of Teen Dating Violence?
Nationwide, youth age 12 to 19 experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault. Studies show that approximately 10% of adolescents report being the victim of physical violence at the hands of an intimate partner during the previous year. Girls are particularly vulnerable to experiencing violence in their relationships and are more likely to suffer long-term behavioral and health consequences, including suicide attempts, eating disorders, and drug use.
Adolescents in abusive relationships often carry these unhealthy patterns of violence into future relationships. Indeed, children who are victimized or witness violence frequently bring this experience with them to the playground, the classroom, later into teen relationships and, ultimately, they can end up the victims and perpetrators of adult intimate partner violence.
Sex education, dating violence, and sexual assault were not spoken about in our household. My mother was so bad about communicating when I started my period I had no idea what was happening. I was scared and would not come out of the bathroom. There are many conversations that are difficult to talk with your children about but WE have to educate our children on what is appropriate and what’s not.
I was sexually assaulted as a pre-teen and because my mother didn’t talk to me about these types of things, I didn’t even tell her.
The more we communicate with our children, the more they are prepared for what comes their way.
America is divided as I’ve ever seen in my 60 years on earth. Our government has turned against each other and you have 20 Republican militia members who will no doubt cause chaos. It took 15 tries to get Mcarthy voted in, that’s history-making. One of the biggest reasons for the delay is 20 militia Republican members are just enough to hold up a vote, they strong-armed Mcarthy until he made the concessions they wanted. Think about it, 20 far-right Republicans, known as the militia in government jobs. What does that say about us? What does it say about either party when we let militia idealists hold office.
This has turned into a speakeasy but we need to know who is working for us and those who take office for themselves, like Majorie Taylor Green and George Santos. Are they representing our government with their crazy conspiracy stories and harassment of other members?
When did Presidents day start?
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2023 will occur on February 20. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.
In its modern form, Presidents’ Day is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments, and other events. A number of states also require that their public schools spend days leading up to Presidents’ Day teaching students about the accomplishments of the presidents.
I pray that governments around the world take a hard look at how they’re treating people. In America their many challenges to face, including all the misinformation and most of the time little action. I have great concerns about the next election and the troublemakers that start making noise as soon as the race for President starts. I voted for Biden because there is no way in hell I wanted Trump to ever step foot in The White House again. I will say Joe Biden will not be the great game changer as other Presidents. I have my eyes opened for who will run next in both parties.
I would love to see the divide in our country start to close but politicians on both sides are pushing their bills and very few getting passed because of a lack of Bipartisan participation.
I do know America is still a great country and our commitment to our allies is strong, let’s fight hard for our rights and fight without violence. We are better than that.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Your Plate or Mine.
I write poems and short prose about love and inspiration. I use different types of poems to highlight and I enjoy the writing prompts from other poetry and blog sites.
Often, it can be hard to understand the cause of these mental health problems. They may be triggered by something that has gone on in your life such as the loss of a loved one, or a big change such as moving to a new city, or a career change. Whatever the cause, you must practice self-care.
But what can you do to treat your mental health problems?
Here are some steps you should take if you are experiencing any mental health difficulties in your life.
Speak To Your Doctor
If you are struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression in your life, then you should speak with your doctor at the earliest possible opportunity. Your doctor should talk you through what is happening in your life in order to understand whether you should be treated with self-care,
antidepressant medication, or whether you would be a suitable candidate for talking therapy such as cognitive behavior therapy.
Speak To A Counselor
If you can speak with a counselor, do so. You may be able to get referred to one by your doctor. If not, there are plenty of specialist counselors that will be able to take you on.
Different counselors and therapists will have their own approaches to dealing with mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Make sure that you are happy with the counselor’s approach before you commit to a course of sessions with them.
Use CBD And Other Alternative Treatments
One of the areas that there is growing research into is the use of alternative treatments such as CBD. CBD comes from the same plant as cannabis except it doesn’t have any of the psychoactive ingredients cannabis does. It just relaxes you and relieves symptoms of stress and anxiety.
Another alternative treatment option may be psychedelics. You can read more about this at psychedelicspotlight.com.
Eat Well
There is a lot that can be said about the way that you eat. By making sure that you are eating a balanced diet, you will be able to help to give yourself the energy that you need to keep going.
To fight off stress and depression with your diet you should look at getting your starch fixed with whole grains and beans. You should be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Instead of eating red meats, you should eat fatty fish like salmon or tuna. Finally, add in healthy fats, such as raw nuts and olive oil.
Exercise
Exercising is a great way of clearing your head. It gives you endorphins, a feel-good hormone that will balance out the stress hormones your body will naturally produce.
Start small. Even going for a short walk will be very helpful.
I love Coursera! This is my go-to place for online learning! Many major universities teach courses through Coursera with top-tier professors.
This is a small sampling of the free online course providers, you can search and find many more options to suit your needs. Not all the courses listed are free but each has a nice selection of free courses.
Coursera is a free learning site that offers MOOC courses from well-known universities. All Coursera courses contain pre-recorded video lectures that you can watch when it is convenient for you.
Coursera has programs with universities that allow you to get a Master’s Degree or specializations. You can explore various college courses without any hassle.
This site offers free programs from accredited institutions. These free certification courses online available on this platform are designed by a leading university.
Coursera Top Online Course Categories
Arts and Humanities: History, Music and Art, Philosophy, etc.
Business: Leadership and Management, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and more.
Computer Science: Java, C++, Javascript, Blockchain, Linux, Data Science, IOT, etc.
Information Technology: CyberSecurity, AWS, Google Cloud, SAP, and more.
Health: Animal Health, Health Informatics, Healthcare Management, Nutrition, Patient Care, Psychology, etc.
Science and Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy, and more.
Social Sciences: Economics, Education, Governance and Society, Law, etc.
Language Learning: Learning English, Chinese, Korean, etc.
Harvard CS50 is an entry-level free online computer science course that helps you to learn how you can think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently.
It includes a problem set that is inspired by real-world domains of cryptography, biology, finance, forensics, and gaming. By registering for this online course, you will also participate in research about learning. Read our research statement to learn more.
This is a general course that helps you to increase your own inner happiness and how to build more productive and healthy habits. The course talks about the misconceptions regarding happiness, annoying features of the mind, that may lead us to think the way we should, and the research which helps us change. You are finally ready to incorporate a particular wellness activity to enhance the well-being of your life.
Key topics:
Misconceptions about happiness
Why do we mispredict what is the thing that makes us happy?
How can we overcome our biases?
How to improve our happiness?
Putting Strategies into Practice
How can you rely on others to change your behaviors?
Udemy is an online platform that helps you to create courses for categories like business, design, marketing, etc.
You can develop new skills and achieve their goals by learning from the extensive library of various courses. Subjects that are available in Udemy are taught by expert instructions.
The outline of free certificate courses can be viewed on all devices connected to the internet. You do not require any prequalification to take any course.
Udemy
Udemy Top Online Course Categories
Business: Finance, presentation skills, public speaking, financial analysis, entrepreneurship, writing, deep learning, SQL, machine learning, etc.
Development: Game development, web development, programming languages like Python, JavaScript, Ruby, C#, Swift, etc.
IT & Software: IT certification, cyber security, network and security, CCNA, etc.
Teacher Training: Online course creation, presentation skills, instructional design, etc.
Office Productivity: Google, Apple, Microsoft, SAP, etc.
Personal Development: Career development, personal finance, study skills, productivity, leadership, and more.
Design: UI design, web design, graphic design, drawing, design tools like Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.
Lifestyle: Arts & crafts, training, gaming, travel, etc.
Marketing: Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), mobile marketing, product marketing, social media marketing, content marketing, marketing fundamentals, etc.
Languages: English, Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, etc.
Photography: Digital photography, commercial photography, photography tools, video design, etc.
Health & Fitness: Yoga, meditation, self-defense, nutrition, etc.
Music: Music techniques, instruments like piano, guitar, music software, music fundamentals, and more.
Edx is one of the best free online course providers. It offers university-level courses in a variety of disciplines. You can browse various subjects like Computer science, language, data science, engineering, and more.
This site contains a weekly subject sequence. It includes a short video with learning exercises. The platform provides video tutorials, which are similar to the on-campus discussion group and a textbook. It has an online discussion forum where students can post the questions to teaching assistants. It offers free online courses with a certificate of completion.
Wharton’s Applied Knowledge Capstone Project enables you to apply your analytic skills to real business challenges – including your own. You’ll use your newly earned business skills to thoughtfully evaluate a real situation or opportunity from Wharton-governed companies like Shazam and SnapDeal.
This Course includes full Specialization, Shareable Certificates, Self-Paced Learning Option Course Videos & Readings, Practice Quizzes, Graded Assignments with Peer Feedback, Graded Quizzes with Feedback, and Graded Programming Assignments.
Our free online courses provide you with an affordable and flexible way to learn new skills and study new and emerging topics. Learn from Stanford instructors and industry experts at no cost to you.
This section provides links to publicly accessible free e-learning courses as well as links to courses accessible through Regional Training Academies. Some courses are more simplistic in nature and will not require specialized software or equipment. Video and audio clips may be included in other courses and may require additional software or equipment.
The following courses were developed specifically to educate and train social workers in these content areas:
Child welfare
Mental and Behavioral Health
They are offering free to the public in hopes that the content will prove useful for other members of the CalSWEC community—foster parents, resource families, public health nurses, Tribal members, juvenile probation officers, and others.
Many people can fall into a slump during the colder winter months when there is less sunlight and motivation is low, but there are some easy ways to lift your spirits.
Create a vision board
A good way to raise yourself from a slump is to create a vision board. A vision board is a collection of images and keywords that you design and assemble on a large piece of paper, for example, which visualizes your hopes and dreams for the future. Vision boards are motivational, particularly when you lose sight of what you are working for. They are equally beneficial when life becomes a little monotonous.
Some ideas to include in a vision board are career aspirations, travel plans, and personal growth targets.
Making a vision board can calm your mind, as it taps into your creativity and helps you focus on your current action. Plus, seeing your finished work day after day is sure to encourage inspiration.
It’s important to reach out to friends, relatives, or companions when you are feeling low. Even if you are feeling cheerful, getting in contact with someone you have not spoken to in a while might raise their spirits without you even realizing it.
As we get older, we tend to get stuck in our daily routines and forget that life is about connections and relationships. Older adults can especially yearn for a chat, or for a helping hand, which is why Seniors Helping Seniors is an invaluable service.
‘Going for a run’ is easier said than done for a lot of us. Especially in the cold, wet weather, running can be a real drag. However, there are plenty of alternative sports and fitness activities that will make you forget you’re even exercising – you’ll be having that much fun.
For one, dancing is a great way to release energy and work up a sweat with a smile on your face. You don’t need a studio to let your hair down, dancing in your room is encouraged. Whack on your favorite tunes and spend 20 minutes to an hour moving about to the music.
If mobility is an issue for you, swimming is an excellent way to stay fit and prevent any muscle or joint discomfort.
Walking and power-walking are also other ways to get your daily exercise without it seeming too strenuous. For those busy days, this activity can tie in with work or socializing, as you could schedule a walking meeting or catch-up. Or, if you need a break from everything, going for a solo walk is a sure way to clear your head. You could even find a scenic route and make a trip out of it, rather than just walking around the block.
A simple way to distract yourself from the winter blues is to have a giggle. So, get comfy and pick a comedy film or stand-up show you know you will like, and even if you can’t muster a belly laugh, just feeling yourself smile can brighten your mood.
There are also plenty of apps and old-school games that will have you rolling on the floor laughing with friends or family. For smartphone users, try Heads Up!, it’s like a digital version of charades that can be played anywhere. Or if you’re at home, a card game like Snap or Uno is sure to cheer you up.
Maximize your sunlight hours
Going to bed early is never more important than in the winter. Our well-being depends on us getting a decent amount of sleep. For some people that means 8 hours of shuteye, for others, it’s more.
Find out what works for you, and go to bed at a time that allows for a full 8+ hours of sleep until daybreak, so the sunrise works as a natural alarm clock. Seeing a full day’s worth of sunlight can improve your mood dramatically. This is because catching the sun’s rays each day is associated with an increased level of serotonin in the body, a hormone that stabilizes our feelings of well-being.
If you have considerable worries, or stress is getting on top of you. It’s a good idea to let out your thoughts and emotions either via pen or verbally with a counselor or therapist. Writing or talking about it can help you release negative feelings and therefore improve your well-being.
If you have a stressful job, you might find that your mental health is taking quite a beating every now and then. The good news is that there are things that you can do to maintain your mental health even when you have a stressful job so that you don’t find yourself so close to burnout all of the time. Now, you might think this isn’t possible, but we can assure you it is. In this article, we’ll be talking about some of the ways you can succeed in doing this, so keep reading if you would like to find out more.
First, it helps if you ensure that you have a job that you like. If you’re constantly trying to manage your mental health but you’re stuck in a job that you hate, then this is going to make things harder. Stress can be handled, but the fact that you hate your job on top of this is going to make everything worse, and it’s going to make it more difficult to come out of the other side.
So, the first thing that you should be doing then is moving into a job that you like. Even if you’re out there locking down mortgage protection leads, as long as you like it, you’re going to have a much better chance of maintaining your mental health in the long term. This will reduce the amount of stress that you feel already as you will be happier in what you are doing!
Learn Some Calming Techniques
Another thing that we recommend is that you learn some calming techniques. You want to look into things like breathing exercises so that you can step away from the situation when things start to become overwhelming. When this happens, it helps if you remind yourself of the things that make you happy, think about them, and bring some calm into your life. Stress can only be combated by calm, anything else is going to make it worse.
It might even be worth speaking to someone about how you are feeling as they may have some more suggestions on what you can do.
Don’t Stress Yourself Out Too Much
Last but not least, we know that it’s hard, but try not to stress yourself out too much. There’s a difference between working hard and spreading yourself too thin. Our recommendation is to find someone that you can look up to in your industry like Paul Ognibene in real estate development and look into their path to success. If you can plan out a course of action on how to get to where you want to be, you may find yourself becoming less stressed and more focused.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the things that you can do to maintain your mental health when you have a stressful job. You can keep a hold on your mental health without having to give up your job, helping you to live the best life possible! We wish you the very best of luck with this and hope that you see success in trying out these things.
Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight a new blogger, Crippled Cowgirl.
I’m child number three of eight, Catholic in case you’re wondering, the lost child if you follow family dynamics. It fits.
We were raised on a stunningly beautiful cattle and hay ranch in the Flint Creek Valley of southwestern Montana. Whomever came up with the term “Free Range Children” unknowingly described us to the tee.
Be sure to check out her interesting blog and outlook on life.
Dogs are a part of the family for many people, and it’s important to make sure they stay healthy. There are many simple ways to boost your dog’s health without spending a lot of money. That said, this blog post will discuss four easy ways to keep your furry friend happy and healthy!
Feeding a balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to keep your dog healthy. This means providing them with the essential nutrients they need while avoiding excessive amounts of certain foods. High-quality dry and wet food, as well as treats, should be included in your pup’s diet. You may be wondering is seaweed good for dogs, but even this food can provide a range of health benefits for your pup!
When it comes to feeding your pup, it’s important to consider their size, activity level, age and any other health concerns when selecting the right food. Make sure that these are formulated for dogs specifically and do not contain any ingredients that could harm them. Additionally, ensuring that your pup receives adequate amounts of protein, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins for their stage in life is important for their growth and development.
As always, provide fresh water daily, monitor their weight and consult with a veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about what to feed them. With a balanced diet tailored to your pup’s needs, they will be able to live a long and healthy life!
2) Exercise Regularly
Just like humans, dogs need regular exercise to stay healthy. Depending on the breed and size of your dog, this can range from short walks around the block a few times a week to longer trips to the park or beach. Exercise is important for not only physical health, but also mental stimulation, preventing boredom and helping them release any built-up energy.
If you live in an area with cold winters it’s important to be mindful of when you take your pup out so they don’t get too cold. Additionally, using a harness instead of a collar while walking can help protect their neck from strain if they pull on the leash or try to run away. With regular exercise your pup will have the energy they need to stay healthy and active!
3) Provide Mental Stimulation
Mental stimulation is just as important for your dog’s health as regular exercise. Whether it’s playing fetch or providing interactive toys, dogs need to use their minds in order to stay alert and mentally engaged. Providing mental stimulation can also help reduce destructive behavior and keep them from getting bored.
One way to give your pup mental stimulation is by playing games with them, such as hide-and-seek or tug-of-war. These activities can not only be fun for both you and your pup but also encourage problem solving and reward-based learning. Additionally, food puzzles are a great way to provide mental stimulation while also giving them some treats! Through the use of these types of puzzles, your pup will have to think about how to access the treats hidden inside, helping stimulate their brains and developing problem solving skills.
Another way to provide mental stimulation for your pup is through obedience training and agility courses. Training sessions can help build confidence while providing structure, while agility courses can help promote focus and physical coordination. Both activities are a great way to give your pup the mental exercise they need while also strengthening the bond between owner and pet.
4) Maintain Proper Grooming Practices
Grooming is an important part of keeping your dog healthy in both mind and body. Depending on the breed, length and type of fur, grooming may need to be done more frequently than others. Make sure to brush your puppy’s coat regularly to remove dirt, debris and any mats or tangles. Additionally, keeping their nails trimmed short as well as their teeth clean can help protect them from potential health issues.
In conclusion, there are many simple ways to boost your dog’s health that don’t require a lot of money. From providing them with a balanced diet and regular exercise to mental stimulation and proper grooming, these four tips can help ensure that your pup stays happy and healthy for years to come!
Whether it be a change to your lifestyle, health or career – 2023 is a time perfect to change, and here are some of the ways you can make a change in your life next year for the better.
By now, most of us are sick of our own homes. Being stuck inside for 9 months has been hard for all of us and many of us have already started to look at houses and apartment rentals in our area. If you want to make a fresh start next year, moving house isn’t a bad idea. Let go of the bad memories of the past and move forward in a positive way by buying or renting a better living space for yourself. Being able to live somewhere new can do wonders for your mental health.
If you want to make a positive change to your physical and mental health in 2021, you need to get up and get moving. There are lots of ways you can stay fit without the need for a gym, and here are just a few of the things you can try:
Change up your routine by adding a 30-minute workout to the start of your day, and soon see the benefits it brings in terms of energy and well-being.
Change up your diet
One great way to make a change to your life without committing to anything crazy is changing your diet in small ways. From substituting white for brown bread and rice; to eating less meat and dairy; there are many brilliant things you can do to change your diet for the better. Consider finding foods that are good for the gut and for your heart such as sweet potatoes and peppers, and add these things to your diet for a healthier body. You don’t have to overhaul your whole diet right away, just make small changes as you go.
Find a new hobby
We all need to have hobbies in our lives. When you spend all of your time working, eating, and sleeping – you will soon become bored with your life and your mental health can plummet. Change up your daily routine by spending time doing something new. It could be baking, writing, painting, a new sport, or anything you like. Bring something new into your life that you haven’t tried before and this could open you up to so much more in the future.
Make Some Changes For Your Happiness
In order to improve your mental health, you need to start making changes that are going to make you happy, as well as the ones that are just good for your health. This can be anything that you want, as long as it brings you some level of newfound happiness into your life. For example, if you decide that you are interested in living a more eco-friendly life, then looking at the advice of someone like Stephen Troese Jr is a great place to start. Or, you might simply want to start being more social with your friends again. There are plenty of options!
It can be difficult when you have a chronic illness or mobility challenges to remember this is your life now. It’s not yesterday, your mindset has to change and it’s not easy to accept. I’ve been struggling for a long time and today I forced myself to look at what I accomplished in a micro view.
The smallest victory is a victory. I had to force my eyes to look closely at the tiny victories and give myself a pat on the back. We can get caught up in our illness, and what we can’t do, and that can weigh on our shoulders. If you can see one victory in a day, it’s a good day.
Tuesday
Took medication
Put laundry away except for what’s in the machine
Talked with pharmacy
Talked via email with my Psychiatrist
I woke up at 10:00 am instead of noon
Brushed teeth
Wrote half a post.
Yesterday was a good day, I accomplished more than the day before. Another way to stay positive is to look at what you’ve done, not the long to-do list. Look for the tiny chores every day to keep the positive mindset alive.
To some, this looks like a long list and others think it is no big deal. The truth is, It Doesn’t Matter What Others Think! You have to chart your own course.
Looking for the Light 