Category: Mental Health

Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulator Device: A Breakthrough In Medical Technology
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness · Self-Care

Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulator Device: A Breakthrough In Medical Technology

Looking for the Light9 Comments

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.

The Potential Health Benefits of nVNS

nVNS has the potential to offer significant health benefits across a range of conditions, opening up new possibilities for treatment and management.

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.

This is a huge breakthrough for so many people.

Melinda

Reference:

https://vagus.net/non-invasive-vagus-nerve-stimulation-device-a-breakthrough-in-medical-technology/#
Blogger Highlight-Teleportingweena
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Teleportingweena

Looking for the Light9 Comments

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

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.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

National Wellness Month
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

National Wellness Month

Looking for the Light12 Comments

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.

Melinda

Things I’m Loving-Health, Food And Drink Items
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Things I’m Loving-Health, Food And Drink Items

Looking for the Light12 Comments

Here are a few products I’m loving with right now. I hope you find a product to add to your household or self-care routine. The list 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

Evolution Fresh

WTRMLN WTR

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

WTRMLN WTR

Mooala Organic Vanilla Bean Almond Milk

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.

Visit the Easy Morning Store


Lavender & Eucalyptus Dried flower mix for shower

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！

Visit the beerfingo Store

Korres Pure Greek Olive Hand Cream Sea Salt

They are 88.1% Carbon Neutral

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.

Visit the KORRES Store

Clovertree Apothecary

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

Melinda

August Awareness Days
Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

August Awareness Days

Looking for the Light7 Comments

The main days and months you should know about for August are:

National Black Business Month August 1
World Lung Cancer Day August 1
Esther Day August 3
World Elephant Day August 12
National Nonprofit Day August 17
Remember Slavery Day August 23
Women’s Equality Day August 26
Anniversary of the March on Washington August 28
National Grief Awareness Day August 30

National Breastfeeding Month

National Civility Month

National Dog Month

National Hair Loss Awareness Month

National Immunization Awareness Month

National Make-a-Will Month

National Road Victim Month

National Traffic Awareness Month

National Wellness Month

Psoriasis Awareness Month / Psoriasis Action Month

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) Awareness Month

Transgender History Month

World Cancer Support Month

‍Melinda

Reference:

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

Wordless Wednesday-Red Roses In Antique Ball Canning Jar
Celebrate Life · Cooking · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Red Roses In Antique Ball Canning Jar

Looking for the Light7 Comments

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.

Melinda

 

 

Blogger Highlight-Nutsrok
Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Nutsrok

Looking for the Light9 Comments

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.    

Nutsrok

The humor and humanity of storytelling

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.

Everything Smells Just Like Poke Salad

by Linda Swain Bethea (Author), Kathleen Holdaway Swain (Illustrator)

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

by Linda Swain Bethea (Author)
 
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.

Awful Christmas

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

What Causes Procrastination? It’s More Complicated Than You Think
Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward

What Causes Procrastination? It’s More Complicated Than You Think

Looking for the Light16 Comments

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.

Posted October 15, 2019 |  Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

Psychology Today

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.

4. Depression-related procrastination

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.

5. Anxiety-related procrastination.

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.

6. Creativity-related 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.

Melinda

NAMI Texas Advocacy Newsletter July 25, 2024  
Celebrate Life · Communicating · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness · Self-Care

NAMI Texas Advocacy Newsletter July 25, 2024  

Looking for the Light8 Comments
 
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 Report Senate 2024 Interim Legislative Charges: Notice of Public Hearing Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 9:00am Senate 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, 2024 Senate 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 Hearing Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 10:00am Youth 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 visiting this 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 Media A 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/

Melinda
Daily Writing Prompt
Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

Looking for the Light11 Comments

What’s the story behind your nickname?

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?

Melinda

My No Diet Weight Loss Journey Started 25 Months Ago-What A Ride It’s Been
Celebrate Life · Cooking · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

My No Diet Weight Loss Journey Started 25 Months Ago-What A Ride It’s Been

Looking for the Light12 Comments

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.

You can do it.

Melinda

International Self-Care July 24th
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Music · Self-Care

International Self-Care July 24th

Looking for the Light9 Comments

This is definitely one of the most important awareness days in July and year-round for the matter. Our mental health plays a key role in how we function daily and in our relationships. If we are happy, life is better and those around us enjoy the benefits too.

International Self-Care Day is celebrated on July 24. It stresses the importance of self-care as the cornerstone of wellness. On this day, individuals throughout the world are encouraged to make self-care a part of their everyday routines and turn it into a priority. It is a milestone, and an opportunity to raise further awareness of the benefits of effective self-management of health.

Self-care has become incredibly important as people realize the need to take care of themselves and put themselves first. This has made people talk about it and increased the interest of others to take control of their health and wellness by prioritizing themselves. Today, we urge you to practice self-care, even if all you do is take a walk.

There are so many ways to give yourself a self-care break every day, it doesn’t just mean a long bath. Self-care comes in many forms and meets everyone’s needs for a mental health break and a treat for yourself. The breaks can be small short time outs you fit in when you can, it’s not always some big deal to fuss about. Yes, I like to fuss about occasionally but what’s important to me is the breaks I can fit in throughout the days that make me happy.

Some Ideas

Cup of your favorite coffee or tea to enjoy without multitasking, just taking in the flavors and smells.

Driving a clean car, one that is not full of fast food bags and dusty with mirrors you can barely see out of.

Cooking yourself and maybe someone special a great meal to enjoy without the TV on. Have some real conversation.

Burning your favorite candle.

Hanging Fresh Eucalyptus and Lavender in your shower.

There are millions of things you can do, the key is to take a break, for 10-15 minutes and focus on enjoying yourself. Clear your mind and be in the moment for that short period of time. I also suggest taking self-care one step further by taking longer breaks to relax and enjoy yourself. A long hot bath is great but for some, it’s a long run or working in the yard. Do what makes you feel good and allows you to free your mind.

Melinda

Look Who’s Eating My Birdfood
Celebrate Life · Fun · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Look Who’s Eating My Birdfood

Looking for the Light11 Comments

We put up a Squirrel feeder a month ago and they loved it. I would see them on there eating the food and the corn cobs every day. This morning after a good rain shower, I see this one having his feel of the bird food with no mind to me taking the photos.

Melinda

Deep Thoughts
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Deep Thoughts

Looking for the Light15 Comments

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!

“To be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter…to be thrilled by the stars at night…to be elated over a birds nest or a wildflower in Spring…there are some of the rewards of the simple life”

John Burroughs

 

Melinda

Join Me For The Party of 2024, It’s Everything You Can Dream Of
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Music · Self-Care · Travel

Join Me For The Party of 2024, It’s Everything You Can Dream Of

Looking for the Light7 Comments

I want you to think of a party for everyone including the kids. It’s a huge party outside of town with the perfect weather and tents that are all different depending on your desires. Each is catered with the finest foods and is made to order, Anything you want it’s on the menu. Drinks flow freely and are handled by the finest wait staff who can handle your every request. Outside there are so many activities, a race track for car lovers, axe throwing, chess, and card games. Fun circus games with nice prizes, of course all free. There are all types of activities for kids like scrapbooking, jewelry making, legos, you name it, it’s available for the kids to have a great day. There will be live entertainment from a variety of bands and everyone will hear the music they like.

The party is September 4th, 2024, and starts at dawn and goes to who knows when. After the sun goes down it’s more adult-focused and no doubt the kids will be worn out by then.

Some of the tent ideas are:

Spa tent

Cat tent

Massage tent
Tantric Tent
Infinity Tent
Floating Tent
Time Tent

What I need from you is more ideas for tents, what is it that you would like to indulge in?

As I gather more information about the tents I’ll be explaining what is inside of them. I’ll do this in another post. This is a huge party for the Blogosphere so I need help quickly to continue planning. It’s a worldwide party and everyone is invited. The party is inviting to everyone, we’re all there to enjoy ourselves and not judge others. It’s about peace and harmony, enjoying each other’s company as human beings, and being civilized. No weapons are allowed as this is a harmonious event.

This is the first image I created to give you a look at the layout and the massive nature of the party. The only difference is the tents will be closed not open air as in the image.

 

A huge outdoor party with several large tents and activities happening outside including a race track and a stage for live music performances and food trucks around the tents and a photo booth for fun memories. Image 1 of 4
So start firing ideas off to me so I can plan for everyone.
Melinda
Things I’ve Learned In 61 Years Part One
Celebrate Life · Family · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Things I’ve Learned In 61 Years Part One

Looking for the Light11 Comments

Your family is yours for life, you don’t have to like them.

The previous generation’s mistakes don’t have to continue, you have a choice.

Times have changed, women don’t have to be housewives and serve their husbands hand and foot.

Having a life away from your family is the healthiest thing you can do for yourself.

There is no perfect and why knock yourself out trying. Do the best you can.

Toxic is toxic, cut all toxic relationships and habits from your life.

Don’t overfocus on your health issues, accept them and stay on top of but don’t wallow.

If you are to move forward in life you have to quit looking back. Deal with your issues and move on. Don’t wallow.

There is no bad or good day of the week, each day is a fresh start. If you expect a bad day that’s what you’re going to get.

When life seems to be going wrong, redirect your thoughts to what is going right.

Life is short, we were never promised it would be easy and quit feeling entitled, you’re not.

Find something no matter how small that makes you happy, it’s often the small free things that bring joy.

To be accomplished in life you have to focus on others, not your own needs. That makes you self-centered.

Learning about others is a joy in itself. You never know what you have in common.

Always thank someone for a kind gesture, it also makes you feel better.

The less you judge others, the less you judge yourself.

Melinda

Rare Symptoms You Might Have with Fibromyalgia
Celebrate Life · Chronic Illness · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Rare Symptoms You Might Have with Fibromyalgia

Looking for the Light7 Comments

I’ve charted my struggles with Fibromyalgia for years and it can be debilitating for months, then give you a reprieve just long enough to enjoy and it’s back again. I have been fortunate to not have any major issues in 2024 and it’s a good thing, I have had enough to deal with. I have Restless Leg Syndrome and it can make it so hard to fall asleep, it’s nerve-wracking. I also have Neuropathy in my feet which burn quite bad. I do caution against some of the medications listed below, they are used off-market meaning they’re being used for something they are not approved for, and this is the case with Cymbalta which is a mental illness medication, the side effects are high, and some are dangerous. Anytime you take medication read the Full Prescribing Instructions, not the cliff notes. I’ve taken Cymbalta for my Bipolar Disorder and it’s a rough drug. I was not able to take due to side effects. After spending thousands on medications, and not being able to take them, I now ask the doctor what medication they plan to prescribe and why. Then I ask them to hold off sending the script into the pharmacy while I read the Full Prescribing Information which is available on the manufacturer’s website. After I feel comfortable trying the medication, I have them call the pharmacy. It may sound like a lot of work but you get out what you put in on the front end. Gone are the days of blindly taking a medication a doctor prescribes. 

—————–

Fibromyalgia can lead to unusual symptoms in some people. Knowing the range of symptoms this condition can produce may help with diagnosis and treatment.

Experts estimate that around 4 millionTrusted Source adults in the United States have fibromyalgia. This condition causes widespread pain, brain fog, and mood changes. However, there are many more, less common signs a person may experience.

Keep reading to learn what additional symptoms may be a sign of fibromyalgia, what causes them, and how they can be treated.

Can numbness and tingling be a sign of fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia may cause numbness and tingling, also called paresthesia, in the extremities (arms, legs, hands, and feet) due to the nerves being overly sensitive or compressed. It may feel like a burning or prickling sensation.

Treatment for paresthesia is aimed at addressing the root cause. In this case, fibromyalgia can be treated with various medications that address nerve pain and inflammation

You may manage paresthesia at home with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications and topical pain relievers.

Can restless leg syndrome be a sign of fibromyalgia?

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) may cause uncomfortable feelings (itching, throbbing, etc.) in the legs and an urge to move the legs. RLS is associated with sleep disturbances, which can affect up to 99% of people with fibromyalgia.

RLS cannotTrusted Source be cured but is managed with things like iron supplements, antiseizure drugs, benzodiazepines, and — in severeTrusted Source cases — opioids. Drugs to increase dopamine (dopaminergic agents) may also help but cause side effects if they’re used long-term.

Managing RLS at home involves:

  • avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming caffeine
  • following good sleep hygiene habits
  • getting regular exercise, including stretching
  • taking warm baths
  • using heating pads or ice packs

Can sensitivity to touch be a sign of fibromyalgia?

Hypersensitivity to touch, also called allodynia, may be caused by mixed messages from the neurons in the brain sending pain signals when there is no real pain. ResearchersTrusted Source explain that the true cause is mostly unknown.

Allodynia is treated individually. You may work with a pain clinic to get physical therapy, psychological support, and oral medications (like calcium channel antagonists, NSAIDs, etc.) for the pain. 

Without treatment, allodynia may get worseTrusted Source over time. You can manage it by working on stress relief and accepting that the pain may not go away completely.

Other uncommon signs and symptoms

Fibromyalgia affects each person in a different way. Beyond the usual symptoms, there are various other less common signs of fibromyalgia.

They may include:

Treatment may be targeted at the specific symptom(s), or your doctor may suggest treatments for the fibromyalgia itself.

Medications include:

When to talk to your doctor

Make an appointment with your doctor if you experience symptoms that concern you or interfere with your everyday life. Even if your symptoms are not related to fibromyalgia, they may be a sign of some other medical issue that needs attention.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/fibromyalgia/rare-fibromyalgia-symptoms?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=fibro&utm_content=2024-07-16&utm_term=s:hl_n:fibro&apid=36735751&rvid=7f053d6ecf820dccd09e4914833cbd49bdfe95bb517404ee9b41601767d1bace#other-symptoms
Why Houseplants Are Good For Your Mental Health
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Why Houseplants Are Good For Your Mental Health

Looking for the Light30 Comments

I know firsthand how houseplants can be good for my mental health from the joy and rewards I get from my houseplants but I have not researched the topic.

Here are a few photos of my plants and you can see I work hard to keep them healthy and alive. I had a difficult time learning how to not over-water succulents but I have come a long way, only killing two recently.

Copilot had some interesting ideas about mental health and houseplants.

Houseplants offer several mental health benefits, making them more than just stylish decor. Here’s how they can positively impact your well-being:

  1. Improved Mood and Well-Being: The visual presence of houseplants, whether it’s the calming green foliage or the beauty of ornamental flowers, can make you feel more relaxed, secure, and happy1.
  2. Increased Compassion and Patience: Caring for plants encourages empathy and patience, as you learn to nurture and tend to their needs.
  3. Enhanced Self-Esteem: Successfully caring for houseplants can boost your confidence and sense of accomplishment.
  4. Reduced Stress: Being around indoor plants has been linked to reduced stress levels and improved mental health. Even just being in the presence of indoor plants can lead to better cognitive performance, lower physiological stress, and greater pain tolerance2.

So, consider adding some greenery to your living space—it’s good for your mind and body! 🌿🌱34

I agree, just a plant or two can liven up your space and motivate you to care for the plant and watch it grow. It will love you back. 

Melinda

Blogger Highlight-Divine Spirit
Blogging · Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Blogger Highlight-Divine Spirit

Looking for the Light1 Comment

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 Devine Spirit.

                                                                       

Divine Spirit

I am a wanderer, wandering aimlessly through oceans of thoughts, valleys of emotions and deserts of imagination. Writing is a newly unearthed passion of mine which I do on those moments when the duties of life and burdens of tasks had left me for a brief rest of their own. I live in a very rural village in a very tranquil territory with few people who I adore and enjoy being with.

On those moments when I get a little free time, my fellow beings can find me reading inspiring writings that helps to keep my head above the water in turbulent times. I am also an avid observer of human emotions and chooses observation over talking.

God is the most important part of life and I describe myself as a person bearing the sacred blessings of God.

~Devi Bhagavati

A brief about me and my blog:
 
I am Nita, a happy-go-lucky lady living in India, the land of Spirituality. I am a person, who is always silently looking out to the Universe looking for answers. Life in this world amazes me with its treasure of happiness, pain, and equal surprises finding its way to me. When everyday life and duties hold onto me, I sometimes have this unwavering desire to note down my thoughts that appear out of the blue and haunt the corners of my mind forever. In the blog, I am trying to find the answers to my innermost thoughts, bringing joy, bliss, and peace to my heart. I am grateful to all of you for being part of my soul’s journey to ultimate divinity.
 
Here is a link to a post she finds meaningful. 
 
 

Her words are like a flowing river, calming and yet invigorating. Please stop by her blog and say hello.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

I Bought Myself A Birthday Present
Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

I Bought Myself A Birthday Present

Looking for the Light39 Comments

I turned 61 this month and splurged on a new piece of furniture for my office. The old piece was tiny and had no storage space. The new cabinet is colorful and has plenty of room to store all the goodies I don’t want to lie about. I haven’t used the television in years so I don’t mind covering it with photos and flowers. Treating oneself is important, and I consider it a boost to my mental health.

I hope you take care of yourself too, it’s not the cost, it’s the joy you get from it.

Melinda

Blogger Highlight-Shedding Light On Mental Illness
Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness

Blogger Highlight-Shedding Light On Mental Illness

Looking for the Light3 Comments

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series, I’ve enjoyed meeting each blogger and sharing their site with you. This week we highlight Shedding Light On Mental Illness.

Amy and I have followed and supported each other for many years, she has helped me through some dark times and Amy understands firsthand how Bipolar Disorder can affect your life. Her life is one of great accomplishments such as being an Olympian and a successful speaker and yet she has faced the demons of Mental Illness. If you’re looking for motivation and inspiration her blog is the place to go. 

Shedding Light On Mental Illness

“Shedding Light on Mental Health” is a compassionate and informative blog dedicated to breaking stigma and providing support for those navigating the complexities of mental health. Through years of mental health coaching, advocacy and speaking, I lean into my experiences and knowledge to help inform and educate my readers. Thanks for reading!

Amy is an Author & Olympian.

In January 2023, I began an 11 month journey to write a book about my experiences with mental health challenges. Almost everyday I wrote to finish a manuscript and ultimately had a book available on Amazon called Unsilenced: A Memoir of Healing from Trauma. I found the entire writing process to be unexpectantly be very empowering.

Here’s an excerpt from my book: “I had to come to terms with each piece of my past. From the sexual assaults, which wreaked havoc with my life, to the interactions with the criminal justice system and a near death experience. One event was quite a bit to cope with, but layered together, it was a lot to process. I tended to focus on one small piece at a time. Healing and grieving weren’t a linear process. The memories ebbed and flowed. I researched and found many stories of people who had struggled. Their stories shined a light for me that gave me hope I could fully recover too.”

Unsilenced

Unsilenced: A Memoir of Healing from Trauma is a deeply moving story of one woman’s journey through trauma’s unexpected, devastating effects and her ultimate recovery. Amy Gamble’s Story will leave the reader optimistic that even the darkest days can lead to bright outcomes.

Here is one of my favorite posts.

Tackling the taboo…42 Million Survivors!

Be sure to check out Amy’s book Unsilenced: A Memoir of Healing from Trauma, her story is one of survival and coming out the other side. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

#Weekend Music Share-When In Rome – The Promise (Official Music Video)
Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-When In Rome – The Promise (Official Music Video)

Looking for the Light9 Comments

This request came from Willie Torres Jr. from the blog Being Crazy For Christ.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

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

Have a great weekend!

Melinda

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

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