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, Visions in the Dark.
From the mind to the pencil, night visions, a legacy honored in the light
This blog is to help me cope with the loss and suicide of my father. My Dad had written his own book of short stories, jokes, poems, and drawings he called “Night Visions” that helped him cope and express himself in his life. I hope to share some of his work as well as my own writing
Her blog is very unique and she has such great stories to share.
Parents, it’s time to have a talk with your kids about their teeth. Many common activities that children do can ruin their teeth if they’re not careful. In this blog post, we will discuss nine things that kids do that can cause dental problems down the road. We’ll also offer some advice on how to prevent these problems from happening. So read on and learn how to keep your kids’ teeth healthy and strong!
While it might be a nice treat every now and then, drinking soda can do major damage to your teeth. The sugar in soda provides food for bacteria, which can lead to cavities and decay. Sugary drinks also erode tooth enamel over time. So if you want to keep your kids’ teeth healthy, try offering them healthier alternatives like water or milk instead of sugary drinks.
Eating Too Much Candy
We all love eating candy on occasion, but too much candy can be bad for our teeth. Candies are loaded with sugar and acids that wear away at tooth enamel over time. As an alternative, offer your kids some healthier snacks like fruits and veggies instead of sugary treats.
Grinding Teeth
Grinding teeth, also known as bruxism, is a common issue among children. This habit can cause chips and cracks in the enamel of their teeth, which increases the risk of decay. If you notice your child grinding their teeth, talk to them about it and encourage them to stop or try using a mouth guard at night. Dentists like Brandon orthodontics can also provide advice and treatments for children with teeth grinding problems.
Not Brushing Properly
If your kids aren’t brushing properly, it won’t matter how often they brush – their teeth are still at risk for decay and damage. Make sure that your kids understand proper brushing techniques such as using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. You should also help them learn how long to brush – two minutes is recommended.
Not Flossing
Flossing is just as important as brushing, yet many kids don’t do it. Show your children how to floss properly and encourage them to do it at least once a day. This will help keep plaque away from those hard-to-reach areas between their teeth where bacteria can easily build up.
Eating Too Many Acidic Foods
Certain acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and vinegar, can cause enamel erosion if eaten too often. Encourage your kids to eat some healthy snacks between meals instead of reaching for those acidic treats.
Not Visiting the Dentist Regularly
Regular dental visits are essential for keeping teeth healthy – even in children. Establishing a routine of visiting the dentist every six months is key to catching any potential problems early on so they can be treated sooner rather than later.
Impacts/Trauma To Teeth
Kids tend to get into all sorts of shenanigans that may involve falls or collisions with hard objects which can potentially cause damage to their teeth. In this case, you should bring your child in to see the dentist right away as they may require restorative treatment such as a dental crown or root canal.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a habit that many children have and it can start very early on in life. However, if this habit continues into adulthood, then it can cause misalignment of the teeth and bite issues. It’s best to try and break this habit when your child is young before any long-term damage is done.
There you have it – nine activities that kids do that can affect their teeth! Make sure to talk about these topics with your children so they understand the importance of taking care of their teeth. With proper care and good oral hygiene habits, your kids will have happy, healthy smiles for years to come!
Everyone wants to live a long and healthy life, but not everyone knows how to take care of themselves to ensure health and longevity. Yet, if you know that you want to look after yourself to ensure the best possible health for as long as possible, it’s important to take the right steps. In this blog post, we’ll go over some tips on how to care for yourself so that you can enjoy a long and healthy life.
There are plenty of good reasons to focus on living a long, healthy life. For one thing, you’ll feel better if you’re healthy. You’ll have more energy to do the things you love, and you’ll be able to enjoy your life more. Additionally, staying healthy can help you avoid costly medical bills and time spent in the hospital. Of course, there’s also the simple fact that you’ll live longer if you’re healthy. And who doesn’t want to live a long, happy life?
So why not do everything you can to live a long, healthy life? As much as you can take medication or get partial dentures or have operations, why not do things that can prevent this all together? We’re now going to take a look at the three things you can do to make sure you find longevity in life.
1. Eating Well for Longevity
One of the most important things you can do for your health is to eat a nutritious diet. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. It’s also important to limit your intake of unhealthy foods like processed meats, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of saturated and trans fats. Eating a nutritious diet will help your body stay strong and fight off disease.
2. Moving Your Body More
In addition to eating a healthy diet, you should also make sure to get plenty of exercise. Exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight, improving heart health, and reducing your risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and taking group fitness classes are all great ways to get in your daily exercise.
3. Taking Care of Your Mind
Finally, it’s important to take care of your mental health. Stress can take a toll on your physical health, so it’s important to find ways to manage stress in your life. Meditation, yoga, spending time in nature, and talking to friends and family are all great ways to reduce stress levels. Taking care of your mental health will help you feel your best and enjoy a long and healthy life.
Making Your Health a Priority
Taking care of yourself is essential for enjoying a long and healthy life. Eating a nutritious diet, getting plenty of exercise, and taking care of your mental health are all key components of self-care. By following these tips, you can live a long and happy life full of good health.
The most significant aspect of your life is your health, which demands your attention. However, because of the requirements, so many individuals view this as a task that must be accomplished. But it doesn’t have to be this way; you shouldn’t feel as though taking care of your health is a burden. It’s worth looking into the many things you may do and how you can be creative with them since it can be pretty enjoyable. Once you start focusing on your health a lot of other things fall into place and you will start to enjoy every part of your life without worrying about your health.
One of the best things you can do is to look at preventative care but then also to see professionals if something does occur. This could be things like seeing the dentist, the eye doctor, and any specialist for any ailments you have. If anything happens like you lose a tooth you will need immediate care like getting dental bridges applied.
Get support to quit smoking
Your respiration, circulation, and general fitness can all be impacted by smoking. Heart disease and stroke might potentially result from it. The single biggest step you can take to enhance your health is to stop smoking. You can seek free local counseling and support to assist you with quitting. Stopping is never too late.
Stress less
We’ve all experienced it, and if you haven’t, probably, you’ve never been to a family meal. But if you consistently experience stress, it might harm your health. We are all aware of how detrimental stress is to our health. Our heart health may suffer the more worried we perceive ourselves to be. But with the job, relationships, families, and everything else life throws at us, it can be hard to resist giving in to stress. Avoid letting it affect you.
Embrace your joy
When it comes to self-care techniques, there is no right or wrong, yet it is simple to slip into the “shoulds” trap. Making self-care another item on your to-do list negates its purpose. If rising at five in the morning to meditate isn’t your cup of tea, try something else until you discover something that works for you. Following your delight will increase both your satisfaction and the efficacy of your self-care
Every day, spend 20 minutes outside
How frequently do you experience anxiety and overwhelmed when you’re outside, strolling through nature, or unwinding on your porch? The likelihood is that you experience the majority of your stress when working at your computer inside, chasing after children, or rushing to put food on the table. Getting outside for at least 20 minutes each day is one simple method to put your mental health first. This can entail taking your dog for a walk or running a few miles. Even if you don’t always manage to get in 20 minutes, just taking a brief break outside can do wonders for your stress and attitude.
Think about the last time you had a bad day. Maybe you were feeling down about yourself, or perhaps everything that could go wrong did. It’s easy to let those negative feelings take over, but it’s important to remember that they’re just temporary. No matter how bad things seem at the moment, there are always ways to improve your self-image. Here are a few little changes you can make that will help you feel better about yourself in no time!
Every day, we wake up and look in the mirror. We see ourselves, and we make judgments. We decide if we like what we see or if we don’t. We may feel good about ourselves, or we may feel inadequate. Our self-image is the way that we see ourselves, and it can have a significant impact on our lives. If we have a positive self-image, we’re more likely to be successful and happy. If we have a negative self-image, we may miss out on opportunities and be less likely to achieve our goals.
Luckily, there are things that we can do to improve our self-image. One of the best things that you can do is to smile at yourself in the mirror every day. It sounds simple, but it’s actually quite powerful. When you smile, you send a message to your brain that says, “I’m happy with who I am.” Another great way to improve your self-image is to give yourself compliments. Acknowledge your achievements, no matter how small they may seem. Give yourself credit for everything you do well, and soon you’ll believe it too! Improving your self-image is a process, but it’s worth undertaking. By making small changes in your daily routine, you can make a big difference in how you see yourself – and in how others see you too!
Dress Nicely
If you’re unhappy with your self-image, don’t worry – you can make plenty of small changes to feel better about yourself. For instance, start paying attention to the way you dress. Even if you’re just lounging around the house, put on something that makes you feel good about yourself. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy – just something that makes you feel comfortable and confident. Additionally, make an effort to take care of your appearance. At the very least, keep your hair clean and styled and your nails trimmed and polished. But, again, you don’t need to go overboard – just put in a little effort to look your best.
Take Care Of Your Body
You don’t have to make considerable changes to see a big improvement in how you feel about yourself. Taking small steps to improve your appearance and eating habits can go a long way in boosting your confidence and self-esteem. For example, something as simple as getting an orthodontics evaluation can make a big difference in how your smile looks. And adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet can improve your skin tone and overall health, giving you a radiant glow. By making some small changes, you can significantly improve how you feel about yourself. So don’t wait any longer; start making those changes today!
In Conclusion
Improving your self-image can be as simple as making minor changes to how you speak and treat yourself with kindness. By improving your relationship with yourself, you’ll see a big difference in how you feel daily. Plus, a positive self-image will help you attract more positivity into your life overall. Who knew that such little changes could have such a big impact?
It’s no secret that a home gym can provide many benefits. In fact, research has shown that people who have a home gym are more likely to stick with their fitness routine. There are many reasons for this, but the most common one is convenience.
When you have a home gym, you can work out any time you want without having to worry about scheduling appointments or fighting traffic to get to the gym.
You also don’t have to worry about paying high membership fees. Plus, you can hire your own gym equipment through companies like Hirefitness if you don’t want to fully commit to one type for too long.
Another big benefit of having a home gym is that you can customize it to fit your needs. You can choose the equipment that works best for you and the exercises that you enjoy doing. This means that you can create a workout routine that is perfect for you and your fitness goals.
If you’re thinking about setting up a home gym, there are a few things you will need to think about.
Space
First, you need to make sure that you have enough space. A home gym doesn’t have to be huge, but you do need to have enough space to move around and store all of your equipment.
Equipment
Second, you need to make sure that you have the right equipment. You don’t need to spend a lot of money, but you do need to get quality equipment that will last.
Rules
Third, you need to set some ground rules. For example, you need to decide what time of day you will work out and how often you will work out. Once you have these things in place, you’re ready to start working out!
Exercises
If you are ready to get going, here are 10 exercises to help you on your fitness journey.
Push-ups:
Push-ups are a great way to work your arms, chest, and shoulders. To do a push-up, start in a plank position with your hands on the ground and your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body down until your chest is just above the ground. Push back up to the starting position.
Squats:
Squats are good for working your legs and glutes. To do a squat, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands at your sides. Lower your body down as if you were going to sit in a chair. Keep your knees behind your toes and make sure that your back is straight. Push back up to the starting position.
Sit-ups:
Sit-ups are for your core. To do a sit-up, lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the ground. Place your hands behind your head and curl your upper body up towards your knees. Lower back down to the starting position.
Lunges:
Your legs and glutes will love you after doing this. To do a lunge, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands at your sides. Step forward with one leg and lower your body down until both knees are bent at 90-degree angles. Make sure that your front knee is behind your toes and that your back is straight. Push back up to the starting position.
Burpees:
Burpees will get your heart rate up and work your whole body. To do a burpee, start in a standing position with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands at your sides. Lower your body down into a squatting position and place your hands on the ground in front of you. Kick your feet back so that you are in a push-up position. Lower your body down and then press back up to the starting position.
Jumping jacks:
Jumping jacks will work all over your body. To do a jumping jack, start in a standing position with your feet together and your hands at your sides. Jump up and spread your legs out to the side. As you land, bring your legs back together and jump up again.
Mountain climbers:
Another exercise that will work your core as well as the arms and legs. To do a mountain climber, start in a push-up position with your hands on the ground and your feet shoulder-width apart. Bring one knee up towards your chest and then quickly switch legs. Continue alternating legs as fast as you can.
Planks:
If you have never done a plank before, you’ll certainly feel it when you do it. To do a plank, start in a push-up position with your hands on the ground and your feet shoulder-width apart. Lower your body down so that your elbows are bent at 90-degree angles and make sure that your back is straight. Hold this position for as long as you can.
Side plank:
Side planks will work your obliques. To do a side plank, start in a plank position with your feet together and your right hand on the ground. Rotate your body so that your left foot is on top of your right foot and your left hand is in the air. Make sure that your body is in a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold this position for as long as you can and then repeat on the other side.
Squat jumps:
It may sound hard to do, but once you get the hang of it you’ll be a pro. To do a squat jump, start in a squatting position with your hands at your sides. Jump up as high as you can and land in the same squatting position. Make sure that your knees are behind your toes and that your back is straight.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you will find them to be incredibly beneficial to your fitness regime!
It’s time to break the stigma around depression. Depression is a serious condition that can affect your mood, thinking, and behaviour. For me, it came out of nowhere. It took a lot of time for me to recognise what it was and eventually reach out for help. I feared what it meant. I feared what […]
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!
I am so glad this is now an Awareness topic. Caregiving is the hardest job you’ll ever have. It’s frustrating, heartbreaking, nerve-racking, and exhausting. The reward comes in very small bites until they pass on. Looking back at taking care of both of my grandparents before they died, I’m so glad I was there till the end. Those memories are the last ones I have and now I can look back at laugh at the small things.
Statistics
A recent study says that 26.5% of all American adults today are family caregivers.[2]
It is projected that nearly one in five United States citizens will be 65 years of age or older by the year 2030. By 2050 this older population is expected to double in size.[5]
A survey by AARP in 2010 states that “29% of the U.S. adult population, or 65.7 million people, are caregivers, including 31% of all households. These caregivers provide an average of 20 hours of care per week.”[7]
Avoiding Caregiver Burnout
Caregiver stress explodes when the caregiver can’t get much of a break – whether it is emotional or physical, a needed break is what makes it possible for the caregiver to function. The Be Well Bistro Caregiver’s Corner offers strategies to support the caregiver such as:
Tips for avoiding burnout are to know the signs and have a plan in place to combat the burnout. Some signs:
Create a care group so friends, family, or neighbors can coordinate to give the caregiver some respite
Think Outsourcing: Make a list of all the chores you don’t want to do. Find a way to bring in help. If your family or friends can’t or won’t help, maybe a local church group, community respite organization. Ask on Facebook if anyone in your community knows someone—or ask a local email group. Think outside the box.
Find a local support group where you can meet people in person.
Being a caregiver changes the dynamic of the relationship and you can expect pushback. My gramps did not accept he was dying until two days before he died. He was a strong proud man and in the beginning, I had to tread lightly while taking over some of his daily tasks.
I have found caregiving the most frustrating and rewarding. I think of all the extra time we spent, time that would not have been spent if he were not dying. Our relationship changed, I became more of the parent and nag.
I left my General Practitioner today feeling defeated, angry, and very tired. My labs are off, I have an infection and she can’t give me anything for my Sojerns. I was already in a bad head space when I arrived because I knew she couldn’t help me with my chronic issues.
The Rheumatologist that diagnosed me with Sojern’s dissed any treatment. Now I’m scheduled to see my Immunologist to see what he can do. There are two drugs that help produce more saliva, I’m going to ask for an Rx unless he has another plan.
This is how bad it is, my glands are swollen hard as a rock it restricts my throat so eating and taking my meds is a big task. I can take a drink and before my bottle hits the coaster my mouth is completely dry. If not taken care of it will take its toll on your teeth.
Fibromyalgia
I’ve survived a tsunami flare that lasted three weeks, it set off bursitis in my hips and there were days I had severe pain walking and I still have a limp. I spent most of the three weeks in bed, staying up only a few hours a day.
Tardive Dyskinesia
After taking medication for four months I decided the side effects were too much. I was falling, having dizzy spells and my balance was off. It didn’t help the problem so I am now going to the dentist for a mouth guard. For now, I deal with my tongue being in overdrive moving around my mouth.
I was your little girl from the beginning and your love shined thru until your last breath. We had so much fun watching beauty contests when I was little, you would watch me practice my walk thru the living room. It’s so funny that you gave me a football helmet for my 2nd birthday, I love looking at the photo of me riding my tricycle in the backyard with it on.
The examples you set are with me today, you didn’t tell me what to do, you quitely showed me. The garden was a big part of who we were, always working the dirt, planting, and then canning. The garden was the perfect way to teach a teenager with no patience, to sow and wait. I think life is like that, we have to put in the time to get the reward.
I’m so excited to see that Sherly at A Chronic Voice is feeling better and hosting the November Writing Prompts this month.
What the 2022 November Writing Prompts are About & How to Participate
The linkups are a monthly get together for anyone with a chronic illness, mental disorder or disability. An opportunity to share, to listen, and to learn from one another through shared writing prompts. I also think it’s a great way to provide insight into life with chronic pain, from many different points of view.
All you have to do is write using at least three of the writing prompts listed below, and publish it on your blog, or to a free writing platform like Medium. Then click on the blue ‘Add Link’ button to add your blog post to this page. Voilà, you’re now part of the linkup party!
Here are the November Prompts
Finishing
Fatiguing
Easing
Comforting
Wishing
I’m choosing three this month, Easing, Fatiguing, and Comforting.
Easing
I bought a bicycle to cruise around the neighborhood and the park nearby. Bike riding was one of my favorite hobbies growing up and in my early 30s. My balance is wacky so I don’t know how this will work. My goal is to ride to the park with my camera to enjoy the ducks and squirrels. This is my motivation to get some exercise on the days I’m able.
Fatiguing
I have been experiencing Fibromyalgia flares back to back for close to two months and fatigue has ruled my world. I have spent anywhere between a half to a full day in bed almost every day. When I’m not in bed, it’s such a treat. The pain in my hips has left me unable to put pressure on my hip which means I limp a lot. This has been a Tsunami flare, in all the years I’ve had Fibromyalgia, I have never encountered one like this.
Comforting
I only go out of the house for doctor’s appointments, which leaves me bored on days I feel good. I’ve started adding to my collection of houseplants. I went from seven plants to over 30! This has been a lifesaver, I get to watch the growth and enjoy it when a baby shows up. I’ve tried my hand at succulents for the first time to mixed results and bought a Rubber Tree. They only need attention once a week and so far that has not been an issue for me. Now I have my own garden in the house during winter instead of dead plants.
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, Bridgette Tales.
I started this blog in 2013 with the words: “Once upon a time there was a mother who wanted to do something other than dishes and laundry.”
This version of myself feels sort of familiar.
It ended with the words: “She took a deep breath and just went for it.”
This I recognize.
I’ve spent the last nearly decade breathing in and plunging forward.
I’ve been as transparent as I can, exploring motherhood, depression, and body image. There are things I withhold to protect my friends and family, and I’m attempting to explore new territory with my fiction writing. The blog, like me, is a work in progress.
Self-care is something we can do every day for our mental and physical health. It doesn’t have to be big steps because small steps are sometimes all we can give. Here are some of the daily self-care habits I’ve built.
All of the items were purchased on Amazon.
Mustela
Stelatopia Creme Emolliente
This cream is beyond hand cream, it’s so light and starts absorbing when you put it on and stays with you for hours. Mustela is known worldwide for its quality and purity. You can get back on the computer or do other tasks quickly. This product truly helps dry Winter hands.
Henne
Luxury Lip Balm
I’m always searching for a great lip balm and have found myself disappointed most of the time. At last, Henne has shown me what lip balm can be. It last and doesn’t crust around the mouth and a little goes a long way. Don’t let the price fool you, you get what you pay for.
Dr. Ohhira’s
Probiotics
I have waffled on the importance of Probiotics in my diet because I never felt any different or saw any changes. This product contains post-biotics which help to complete the cycle of digestion. I’ve been taking them now for about three months and believe they are making a difference.
Aquaphor
Healing Ointment Advance Therapy
I love this ointment, a little goes a long way and sinks in nicely. At night I use this for my hands and knees. If you put on too much you will have greasy hands so take it slow. A small amount in your palm will cover both hands.
This winter I also treated myself to a fuax fur throw for my chair, it’s heaven.
Self-care is essential for our mental health and it’s more important if you have a chronic illness. Here’s a previous Things I’m Loving.
I can’t thank military members and their families enough for the daily sacrifices they make large and small. The military has not only kept America safe and strong, but they’ve also taken those skills to the workplace and beyond.
My gramps joined the Army in 1939 and was a proud military man but most would not know because he didn’t talk about it. He was stationed at the Panama Canal right after the war broke out to ensure our shipping channels were protected and shipped out to Germany when fighting escalated. I have every metal, his funeral flag, and all types of photos, even a few holiday menus. I’m so proud of my gramps for his commitment and bravery. Those trenches must have been hell.
Served in WWII
He would talk to me at length about the actual work that he did but not the battlefield and I’m fine with that, it must be traumatic for any soldier.
Toby Kieth sings one of my favorite patriotic songs of our time, American Soldier. This video may give you tears, if you’re a Veteran of any age you will want to see what a great job he does of sending our message.
Giving attention to what you eat/ drink helps you to avoid indulging in food that is poor in nutrition or is high in unhealthy elements. Some of the practices involved in mindful eating are, eating only until you are full, knowing your non-hunger triggers and eating only when hungry, appreciating your food, eating for your […]
This is an example of how trauma represents itself long after you’ve worked out the worst in your head and heart.
People who have read my About Me page know I’ve had my share of trauma and that I’ve worked hard to overcome my demons. The truth is they never go away, some piece in your heart or brain still remembers. It’s not something you feel, it becomes a trigger.
Photo by u0422u0430u0442u044cu044fu043du0430 u0427u0435u0440u043du044bu0448u043eu0432u0430ud83cudf52 on Pexels.com
Here’s some backstory
My husband works for an International company and they’ve gone thru a major reorganization recently. It is a bit chaotic right now, he is working many late-night meetings so his counterparts in the other country can participate. Because of this, my husband doesn’t get a chance to unwind from the stress. Fact of life right?
We all have to find a way to deplete stress from our day in order to feel restored and for our long-term health. Last night he didn’t finish his day, minus looking at emails all night, until after 7PM and he was trying to destress for the day.
I saw him from the corner of my eye, he was maxed out. I said to him not in these exact words, that I was concerned that he was not getting a chance to destress every day and that maybe there were other options the doctor could offer him. Like anxiety meds.
During our conversation, he said, “I’ll think about it”. Sounds harmless right? It triggered me. At that moment, “I’ll think about it” meant, either I’m not going to do it or shut up about it. I got upset and we had a breakdown in communication.
He has no way to know that comment would trigger me, I had no idea.
The post isn’t about how our communication went sideways, it’s an example of what’s under our skin that remains after trauma. It’s impossible to see triggers when you’re still working thru trauma, the nerves and heart are like a live wire. When you’re in the middle of the storm it’s pure survival, whatever it takes.
Those who make it thru the storm come out with deep scars, you have no idea how those scars will represent themselves as you move forward in life.
As we learn what is a trigger, we can better learn how to deal with the emotion it brings up.
Give yourself and other’s some grace in those moments.
I want to send a special thank you to the Managing Editor of Trigger Publishing, Soraya Nair for sending Me, Myself and Ana by Abi Appleby to review. This is a story that will pull at your heart and will help people see there is light at the end of the tunnel for those who need help.
Blurb
Who’s your best friend? What happens when they’re not a real person, but a voice in your head?
Abi Appleby’s eating disorder manifested as Ana, a voice that told her to eat less and exercise more until she disappeared. Abi trusted and listened to her for long enough that her loved ones noticed her changing body and behaviours. They helped her into treatment, but even there, she could still hear Ana’s voice.
Me, Myself & Ana tells the story of Abi’s descent into anorexia nervosa, but it also shows how she finally quieted Ana – and realized that she wasn’t her best friend, but an enemy that she could defeat.
My Thoughts
Eating Disorders are complex to treat, and require a very specialized treatment plan and oversight. “Statistically anorexia has the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders (Arcelus, 2011). Help from professionals reduces the likelihood of dying from anorexia significantly.” (Except from book)
Abi’s eating disorder is so severe it manifested into a voice/friend in her head named Ana who doesn’t want Abi to get better. Ana was taking over her life by giving her restrictions on what to eat, and how much, and forcing her to exercise way beyond her capability. She is starving and praising Abi for how good she looks.
Abi is doing her part by going into treatment after she reached a dangerous state of health and her family noticed how sick she was. She works very hard in treatment but she is still controlled by Ana and getting ridiculed daily for seeking treatment.
Now her struggle is shutting out these voices during treatment that are sabotaging her and learning how to live without an eating disorder. At one point Abi was skin and bones and her goal was to disappear. As you can imagine, Ana spoke even louder and more destructively and Abi follow her right into the middle of the eye of the storm.
“Ana” wasn’t so much a friend as a deadly mental illness disguised as a friendly voice inside my head: anorexia nervosa.” Several of her journal entries are quite scary. I am so proud of her for getting help and now she helps others.
Excerpt From Me, Myself and Ana
We all have an inner voice but it’s very different for people with a mental illness who are very sick to see clearly.
This would also be great to have around the house for tweens/teens, boys, and girls, so they can get exposure to eating disorders, you have to start young with what is normal and what is not. There is so much peer pressure on teens these days with Social Media showing so many images that are photoshopped or they hear about a starving model hear makes over a million a year.
This is a big thumbs up in my book!
Trigger Publishing
TriggerHub.org is the first mental health organization of its kind. We are bringing mental health recovery and balance to millions of people worldwide through the power of our books.
We have built a first-class resource of curated books produced and published in-house to create a unique collection of mental health recovery titles unrivaled in quality and selection. We work with experts, psychologists, doctors, and coaches to produce our books, but we also work with real people looking to share their stories to reach out to others and provide hope, understanding, and compassion. These brave authors also aim to raise awareness of mental health’s “human” face and its impact on everyday lives.
November has arrived and that means it is time to think about holiday gifts. Books are a special gift and you can personalize it by writing an inscription on the first blank page of the book. I have kept books that are not necessarily ones I’ll read again but kept them because they have inscriptions that bring back memories.
I’ve combined several lists to give you more choices.
Where my head has been the last few days as we wind down to Election Day in America. There has to be a middle ground, life is not black and white it’s grey. It’s time to give people their voices back. No more, my way or the highway!
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 I highlight a new blogger, Shangri-La.
I love to write about the simple things in every day life with humor and positivity. My late Irish born mother Mary, is my favorite subject. I have written several stories about her on my blog and hope to comprise them all into a book in her memory. I also work in a Psychiatric hospital and cherish all the wonderful patients that enrich my life with their beauty, intelligence wit and courage, each and every day.
Please check out her site, she writes from the heart.
Here is a list of the many days observed during the month of November. You’ll find other awareness day sites whose lists are way too long. Here’s a condensed version.
lookingforthelight.blog 
