How Financial Stress Affects Your Wellbeing

December 3, 2025December 3, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Are worries about tariffs, inflation, and the future of your 401(k) causing you to stress eat and lose sleep? Unfortunately, for most people, financial stress is nothing new.

“Studies have shown for decades that financial concerns are one of the leading causes of stress in our country, and until it is no longer a taboo topic, that’s not likely to change,” says Ashley Agnew, director of financial wellness and certified financial therapist at Centerpoint Advisors in Needham, Massachusetts.

Chronically high levels of anxiety about money can take a toll on your well-being, and even increase the likelihood of chronic illnesses like high blood pressure and heart disease.

All of this points to the importance of learning coping strategies that can help you manage financial stress and protect your mental and physical health.

When Financial Stress Becomes Toxic

“Normal financial stress tends to be situational; it’s often based on a specific event like moving or the holidays,” says Megan McCoy, PhD, associate professor at Kansas State and certified financial therapist in Manhattan.

If financial stress isn’t based around a specific event, and lasts more than three months, this may be a sign that your stress is turning into financial anxiety that may negatively impact your health, says Dr. McCoy.

According to McCoy, signs that could indicate severe or chronic financial stress include:

Persistent worries, panic attacks, excessive rumination about bills or debts, and fear of checking bank balances — or going in the other direction, and compulsively checking bank or retirement balances
Physical symptoms like recurrent headaches, stomachaches, or sleeping difficulties due to financial woes
Avoiding looking at or paying bills
Overusing alcohol and drugs to cope
Overspending due to anxiety or hopelessness
Relationship issues such as frequent arguments, withholding financial information from a partner, and lying about spending

How Financial Stress Impacts Your Health

Financial stress that’s gotten out of control can have health consequences.

Mental Health Issues

“People who have higher financial stress are at greater risk for anxiety disorders and clinical depression,” says McCoy.

Research suggests that financial strain — basically, the inability to cover expenses with available resources — is significantly associated with depression.

A review of 40 studies concluded that financial stress was linked with a greater likelihood of experiencing depression across all income levels, although this link was stronger for people with low incomes.

An online survey of over 1,600 adults found that 42 percent reported financially related panic or anxiety attacks. Younger generations such as Gen Zers and Millennials were particularly affected, with nearly half reporting these attacks — nearly double the rate found among Baby Boomers.

Shame and guilt can creep in due to financial stress, says McCoy. “Clients in financial therapy often describe feelings of unworthiness or guilt around unpaid debts or perceived poor financial decisions, making mental distress even worse,” she says.

A report on how financial stress impacts work found that worries about money caused a 34 percent increase in absenteeism and tardiness, and that financially stressed employees miss about twice as many work days each year compared with their non-financially-stressed counterparts.

Financial stress can also lead to negative coping behaviors, says McCoy. “Alcohol or drugs may be used to numb stress, creating dual crises — financial and addictive — that require integrated therapy approaches,” she says.

Sleep Problems

“People often report difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep when debts or bill payments weigh heavily on the mind,” says McCoy.

Experiencing financial strain is linked with insomnia, poor sleep quality, and not sleeping the recommended amount.

While a restless night here and there isn’t cause for concern, sleep issues that persist and become chronic can increase the likelihood of many chronic conditions, including dementia, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries, and prostate.

Heart Disease and Other Chronic Illness

Stress triggers a series of physical reactions — your heart rate quickens, muscles tense, and breathing quickens — thanks to increased levels of the stress hormonescortisol and adrenaline (which act like messengers, readying the body to cope with a perceived threat).

If this response is chronic, as can be the case with financial stress, it can lead to problems like hypertension, high cholesterol, and muscle pain.

Research suggests that people who are frequently stressed about having enough money to pay their rent or mortgage have double the risk of heart disease compared with people who saw themselves as financially secure.

A review of five studies that looked at heart health outcomes found that people under financial stress had a 19 percent greater risk for heart disease or a major cardiac event like a stroke or heart attack.

Financial stress has also been linked to worse biological health as measured by inflammatory biomarkers. Researchers found that financial strain was “the most detrimental to biological health,” compared with other kinds of stress, including death of a loved one or divorce, although the study authors said that more research was needed to confirm this finding. They theorized financial stress was the hardest on the body because it can affect so many areas of life, “leading to family conflict, social exclusion, and even hunger or homelessness.”

And for people who already have chronic conditions or health issues, financial stress may exacerbate the problems. “When money is scarce, people are more likely to skip doctor visits, ignore recommended treatments, or fail to fill prescriptions,” says McCoy.

How to Cope With Financial Stress

There are ways to manage financial stress that don’t involve winning the lottery. Remember, financial wellness is about feeling secure about your money matters (even if funds are low) and not feeling overwhelmed to the point where it takes a toll on your health.

“Acknowledging the problem is essential — avoidance only heightens fear,” says McCoy.

With her clients, McCoy normalizes stress around money and finances by reminding clients that many people struggle with the same issues and that help is available. “This helps them move past shame to tangible action,” she says.

From a financial therapy standpoint, improvement usually takes both practical financial steps and attention to emotional/behavioral patterns. McCoy suggests a potential plan of attacking your financial fears:

Create a realistic budget or spending plan. Track income and expenses, prioritize needs, and set attainable goals, like saving to create a small emergency savings target.

“A values-based approach can help you align spending with personal or family values, making the process more meaningful and less punitive,” McCoy says.

Engage professional support. Work with a financial counselor or planner to help with debt management, savings strategies, and long-term planning.

These financial wellness specialists include certified credit counselors, accredited financial counselors (AFC), or financial therapists who are trained to integrate financial knowledge with mental health.

Leverage workplace or community resources. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) often provide free short-term counseling and financial education. Additionally, community nonprofits like cooperative extension offices or local credit unions may host free classes on budgeting or debt management.

Incorporate stress-management techniques. Consistent exercise, mindfulness, or journaling about money anxieties can help reduce the emotional intensity of financial worries.

Build an emergency savings fund a little at a time. Even $50 a month can accumulate into a basic safety net. Small, steady progress fosters a sense of accomplishment, which is key to reducing stress.

The Takeaway

A certain amount of stress is normal, particularly when it is situational and related to a specific event.
Chronic financial stress, however, can harm both mental and physical health, increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, sleep problems, and heart disease.
While you can’t control all your financial stressors, you may be able to manage your response through realistic budgeting, professional support, and stress-reducing habits.

Resources We Trust

Cleveland Clinic: Stress Management and Emotional Health
Mayo Clinic: Chronic Stress Puts Your Health at Risk
HelpGuide.org: Coping With Financial Stress
Columbia University Irving Medical Center: The Link Between Health and FInancial Well-Being
American Psychological Association: Money

Melinda

Reference:

EveryDay Health

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Daily Writing Prompt

December 2, 2025 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Daily writing prompt

Are you more of a night or morning person?

View all responses

Good question for which I have mixed answers for. I naturally tend towards being a night person because I love to sleep in a bit however during my working years, being a morning person was not an option and in fact towards the end of my career, I enjoyed waking up early to have a cup of coffee at home instead of on the way to work, to me coffee doesn’t taste the same while driving.

Now, I’m a bit of both because many nights I can’t sleep or sleep only a couple of hours which means I tend to take a nap mid-morning.

I’ve not been one to jump out of bed at 5:00 am to greet the day, what am I going to do at that hour?

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Eating Disorders Often Undiagnosed In Boys And Men

December 1, 2025 Looking for the Light1 Comment

It may surprise you that more boys and men are diagnosed with Eating Disorders than girls and women? Part of the reason for not reaching out is the stigma around Mental Health support and the lack of education about the disorder.

Eating Disorders are complex and treatment directed toward males can be limited. Helping someone overcome an Eating Disorder requires patience, therapy, or a stay at an in-house treatment center. I’ve only read a couple of books on Eating Disorders and will say it’s a very long road of relapses to reach recovery.

Due to their own stigma parents and family often overlook the early warning signs and do not reach out for help until it’s a crisis.

EATING DISORDERS IN MEN & BOYS

In the United States alone, eating disorders will affect 10 million males at some point in their lives. But due in large part to cultural bias, they are much less likely to seek treatment for their eating disorder. The good news is that once a man finds help, they show similar responses to treatment as women. Several factors lead to men and boys being under- and undiagnosed for an eating disorder. Men can face a double stigma, for having a disorder characterized as feminine or gay and for seeking psychological help. Additionally, assessment tests with language geared to women and girls have led to misconceptions about the nature of disordered eating in men according to the National Eating Disorder Association.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF AN EATING DISORDER

Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms

In general, behaviors and attitudes that indicate that weight loss, dieting, and control of food are becoming primary concerns
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat grams, and dieting
Refusal to eat certain foods, progressing to restrictions against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates, etc.)
Appears uncomfortable eating around others
Food rituals (e.g. eats only a particular food or food group [e.g. condiments], excessive chewing, doesn’t allow foods to touch)
Skipping meals or taking small portions of food at regular meals
Any new practices with food or fad diets, including cutting out entire food groups (no sugar, no carbs, no dairy, vegetarianism/veganism)
Withdrawal from usual friends and activities
Frequent dieting
Extreme concern with body size and shape
Frequent checking in the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
Extreme mood swings

Physical Symptoms

Noticeable fluctuations in weight, both up and down
Stomach cramps, other non-specific gastrointestinal complaints (constipation, acid reflux, etc.)
Menstrual irregularities — missing periods or only having a period while on hormonal contraceptives (this is not considered a “true” period)
Difficulties concentrating
Abnormal laboratory findings (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low white and red blood cell counts)
Dizziness, especially upon standing
Fainting/syncope
Feeling cold all the time
Sleep problems
Cuts and calluses across the top of finger joints (a result of inducing vomiting)
Dental problems, such as enamel erosion, cavities, and tooth sensitivity
Dry skin and hair, and brittle nails
Swelling around area of salivary glands
Fine hair on body (lanugo)
Cavities, or discoloration of teeth, from vomiting
Muscle weakness
Yellow skin (in context of eating large amounts of carrots)
Cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling of feet
Poor wound healing
Impaired immune functioning

The list of symptoms is long because it’s all-encompassing.

I encourage you to visit National Eating Disorder Association for a breakdown of the seven types of Eating Disorders and other behavioral and food concerns. Finding the underlying causes requires a trained professional in the right setting, an individual plan, and most importantly support from family and friends.

When looking for the right professional, talk with them about their approach and experience before introducing them to the patient. Finding the right approach may require research and time. It’s important to do this on the front end if possible. An approved method and training will make all the difference on the road to recovery. Disruptions during treatment can interfere with the recovery process making the patient resistant to continued treatment.

Melinda

References

National Eating Disorder Org.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Friday Quote

November 28, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-John Mayer, Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud – 2019 – Live in Tokyo

November 28, 2025 Looking for the Light1 Comment

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

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

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.

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Vibrant Colored Floral Arrangement

November 26, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

December Awareness Month

November 25, 2025December 22, 2025 Looking for the Light15 Comments

Every month there is a long list of awareness months, weeks and days which is why I only include a partial list. I encourage you to read the full list, and you can find it by clicking here or at the bottom of the post.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

National Drunk & Drugged Driving Prevention Month

National Human Rights Month

Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month

Universal Human Rights Month

Worldwide Food Service Safety Month

Melinda

Reference:

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

Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

How Grief Shows Up In Your Body

November 25, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

It’s surprising how physical grief can be. Your heart literally aches. A memory comes up that causes your stomach to clench or a chill to run down your spine. Some nights, your mind races, and your heart races along with it, your body so electrified with energy that you can barely sleep. Other nights, you’re so tired that you fall asleep right away. You wake up the next morning still feeling exhausted and spend most of the day in bed.

Amy Davis, a 32-year-old from Bristol, TN, became sick with grief after losing Molly, a close 38-year-old family member, to cancer. “Early grief was intensely physical for me,” Davis says. “After the shock and adrenaline of the first weeks wore off, I went through a couple of months of extreme fatigue, with nausea, headaches, food aversion, mixed-up sleep cycles, dizziness, and sun sensitivity. It was extremely difficult to do anything. … If there’s one thing I want people to know about grief, it’s how awful it can make your body feel.”

What causes these physical symptoms? A range of studies reveal the powerful effects grief can have on the body. Grief increases inflammation, which can worsen health problems you already have and cause new ones. It batters the immune system, leaving you depleted and vulnerable to infection. The heartbreak of grief can increase blood pressure and the risk of blood clots. Intense grief can alter the heart muscle so much that it causes “broken heart syndrome,” a form of heart disease with the same symptoms as a heart attack.

Stress links the emotional and physical aspects of grief. The systems in the body that process physical and emotional stress overlap, and emotional stress can activate the nervous system as easily as physical threats can. When stress becomes chronic, increased adrenaline and blood pressure can contribute to chronic medical conditions.

Research shows that emotional pain activates the same regions of the brain as physical pain. This may be why painkilling drugs ranging from opioids to Tylenolhave been shown to ease emotional pain.

Normal vs. Pathological Grief

Depression is not a normal part of grief, but a complication of it. Depression raises the risk of grief-related health complications and often requires treatment to resolve, so it’s important to know how to recognize its symptoms. Sidney Zisook, MD, a grief researcher and professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego, says people can distinguish normal grief from depression by looking for specific emotional patterns.

“In normal grief, the sad thoughts and feelings typically occur in waves or bursts followed by periods of respite, as opposed to the more persistent low mood and agony of major depressive disorder,” Zisook says.

He says people usually retain “self-esteem, a sense of humor, and the capacity to be consoled or distracted from the pain” in normal grief, while people who are depressed struggle with feelings of guilt and worthlessness and a limited ability “to experience or anticipate any pleasure or joy.”

Complicated grief differs from both depression and normal grief. M. Katherine Shear, MD, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University’s School of Social Work and director of its Center for Complicated Grief, defines complicated grief as “a form of persistent, pervasive grief” that does not get better naturally. It happens when “some of the natural thoughts, feelings, or behaviors that occur during acute grief gain a foothold and interfere with the ability to accept the reality of the loss.”

Symptoms of complicated grief include persistent efforts to ignore the grief and deny or “rewrite” what happened. Complicated grief increases the risk of physical and mental health problems like depression, anxiety, sleep issues, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, and physical illness.

How Does Avoidance Harm Your Health?

Margaret Stroebe, PhD, a bereavement researcher and professor of clinical psychology at Utrecht University, says that recent research has shed light on many of “the cognitive and emotional processes underlying complications in grieving, particularly rumination.”

Research shows that rumination, or repetitive, negative, self-focused thought, is actually a way to avoid problems. People who ruminate shift attention away from painful truths by focusing on negative material that is less threatening than the truths they want to avoid. This pattern of thinking is strongly associated with depression.

ways grief can affect your body infographic

Rumination and other forms of avoidance demand energy and block the natural abilities of the body and mind to integrate new realities and heal. Research by Stroebe, and others shows that avoidance behavior makes depression, complicated grief, and the physical health problems that go with them more likely. Efforts to avoid the reality of loss can cause fatigue, weaken your immune system, increase inflammation, and prolong other ailments.

How Do Role Adjustments Affect Your Health?

When someone close to you dies, your social role changes, too. This can affect your sense of meaning and sense of self.

Before losing Molly, Davis says she found a personal sense of value in “being good at helping other people and taking care of them.” But after Molly died, she felt like she “couldn’t help anyone for a while.” Losing this role “dumped the bucket” of her identity “upside down.” Davis says, “I felt like I had nothing to offer. So I had to learn my value from other angles.”

Caregivers face especially complicated role adjustments. The physical and emotional demands of caregiving can leave them feeling depleted even before a loved one dies, and losing the person they took care of can leave them with a lost sense of purpose.

“Research shows that during intense caregiving periods, caregivers not only experience high levels of stress, they also cannot find the time and energy to look after their own health,” says Kathrin Boerner, PhD, a bereavement researcher and professor of gerontology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.

“This can result in the emergence of new or the reemergence of existing ‘dormant’ health problems after the death of the care recipient. These health issues may or may not be directly related to the caregiver’s grief experience, but they are likely related to the life situation that was created through the demands of caregiving,” Boerner says.

It can be hard to make life work again after a close family member dies. Losing a partner can mean having to move out of a shared home or having to reach out to other loved ones for help, which can further increase emotional stress and worry. Strobe says the stress of adjusting to changes in life and health during and after a loss can “increase vulnerability and reduce adaptive reserves for coping with bereavement.”

What Can You Do to Cope With Grief?

Emotional and physical self-care are essential ways to ease complications of grief and boost recovery. Exercising, spending time in nature, getting enough sleep, and talking to loved ones can help with physical and mental health.

“Most often, normal grief does not require professional intervention,” says Zisook. “Grief is a natural, instinctive response to loss, adaptation occurs naturally, and healing is the natural outcome,” especially with “time and the support of loved ones and friends.”

For many people going through a hard time, reaching out is impossible. If your friend is in grief, reach out to them.Amy Davis

Grief researchers emphasize that social support, self-acceptance, and good self-care usually help people get through normal grief. (Shear encourages people to “plan small rewarding activities and try to enjoy them as much as possible.”) But the researchers say people need professional help to heal from complicated grief and depression.

Davis says therapy and physical activities like going for walks helped her cope. Social support helped most when friends tried to reach out instead of waiting or asking her to reach out to them.

“The thing about grief and depression and sorrow and being suicidal is that you can’t reach out. For many people going through a hard time, reaching out is impossible. If your friend is in grief, reach out to them. Do the legwork. They’re too exhausted!”

Davis’ advice to most people who are grieving is to “Lean into it. You only get to grieve your loved one once. Don’t spend the whole time trying to distract yourself or push it down. It does go away eventually, and you will miss feeling that connected to that person again. And if you feel like your whole life has fallen apart, that’s fine! It totally has. Now you get to decide how to put yourself back together. Be creative. There’s new life to be lived all around you.

Melinda

Reference:

“WebMD News Special Report Reviewed by Neha Pathak, MD on July 11, 2019

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

Deep Thoughts

November 22, 2025 Looking for the Light6 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!

How do you wish to be remembered?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through The Grapevine (Live)

November 21, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Great oldies that are as relevant today! Love the horns.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

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

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.

Chronic Illness · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Mental Illness

Book Review-Hope and Learning Our Journey with Schizophrenia by Linda Snow-Griffin

November 20, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

I want to say a special thanks to Linda Snow-Griffin for providing me a copy of her book Hope and Learning, Our Journey with Schizophrenia for a review.

Published 2021

Cherish Editions

About the Author

Linda Snow-Griffin, Ph.D. is a retired psychologist. She is the mother of two, stepmother of three adult children and grandmother of sixteen. She has practiced in a variety of settings – college, university and community mental health – and spent the last 30 years in private practice in Cincinnati. Her desire is to provide hope to families coping with mental illness, especially schizophrenia.

Blurb

When her son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia, Linda Snow-Griffin, a psychologist in private practice, felt devastated and overwhelmed. There were thousands of questions going through her mind: How can I help him? What does he need to get better? Will he be able to get better?

Hope and Learning narrates the 20-year journey Linda and her son embarked on, as they navigated their way towards recovery and a better understanding of what it is like to live with schizophrenia.

This book combines personal experience with schizophrenia with substantial data to create a heartwarming and informative resource.

My Thoughts

Linda shares her journey of her son’s diagnosis with Schizophrenia thru her intimate and raw writing. She discovered a journal of her son’s written in high school that set the wheels in motion that changed their life forever and in surprising ways.

I have Bipolar Disorder, which is a serious mental illness, yet I have been around only one person with Schizophrenia and it was during one of my hospital stays. Being around “John” was not scary but he was totally detached, walked the halls constantly talking to other beings who controlled his life. As you can imagine, that was my perception of Schizophrenia. A stigma/myth that Linda changes in this wonderful book.

Her son is highly functioning with medication and even attended college, it was quite difficult and presented some unique challenges when it came to writing his papers but with the understanding of his mother and love of his family, he made it thru. Linda’s book is heart-wrenching, at times it’s hard to imagine how difficult it must have been on a mother and family but what she shows us is love and understanding concurs all.

I am so glad I read her book, my stigma of what Schizophrenia looked like changed and for that I am thankful.

I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may have or suspect a family member or a loved one has Schizophrenia, you will learn so much and walk away with answers and tools to take on your journey.

Melinda

Repost

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

Woman Found Cutting This 1 Food Stopped The Migraines She’d Had for 10 Years

November 17, 2025 Looking for the Light16 Comments

For nearly a decade, Megan Miller woke up every day bracing for pain. What began as the occasional migraine spiraled into years of confusion and fear — until one phone call, and a viral TikTok, changed everything.

“I cried like that,” Miller tells PEOPLE, recalling the emotional video that captured her raw reaction when she finally learned what could be causing her chronic migraines. “That video that was posted was literally, like, my real reaction to getting the call.”

The call that inspired her tears didn’t bring certainty at first. “The call wasn’t like, we know for sure that this is what’s doing it,” Miller says. “But the call was more of like, ‘Hey, this is kind of what we think could be causing it. Let’s try to cut out gluten. Let’s see what’s going to happen.’ ”

Miller’s pain began when she was just 17. “The very first one that I got, I woke up in the middle of the night screaming because I was in so much pain,” Miller recalls. “My parents rushed me to the ER, and the doctors actually thought I was having a stroke.”

Tests came back clear, but the cause remained a mystery. Over the next decade, Miller visited countless doctors and tried everything from prescription medications to lifestyle changes. “I had to learn really quickly, I need to file with the disability offices because, like, if I can’t make a class because I physically cannot move, you cannot hold that against me,” she explains. “So that’s been a big thing. Learned how to advocate for myself pretty young.”

Life became a balancing act between ambition and pain. “I would rather not take anything and just deal with the migraines,” Miller says, remembering how one medication dulled her mind and made her feel detached.

Each day revolved around uncertainty — would she make it through work or class without collapsing? “When they hit, they were completely debilitating,” she says. “I couldn’t see, couldn’t function, couldn’t even get out of bed.”

For years, she kept searching for a solution that never came. “I’ve been to neurologists, primary care doctors, even allergy specialists,” she says. “And no one could tell me why this was happening.”

That changed when she switched to a new primary care doctor who looked at her case differently. “It was the first time that a doctor really wanted to find an answer,” Miller recalls. “I’ve been to so many doctors that are just like, ‘We don’t know,’ and this was the first time that she really ran all the tests.”

The results revealed something no one had suspected: a severe gluten allergy, and possibly celiac disease. For the first time, Miller had an explanation that made sense.

“It was the first time that someone finally looked at all of it and said, ‘Wait a second, this could actually be connected,’ ” she recalls. “And that was such a relief, but also so frustrating because it took so long to get there.”

She had never imagined gluten could be behind her suffering. “People think gluten allergy, they think you eat a piece of bread, you’re throwing up, you’re having stomach cramps, all this stuff,” she says. “It can present really differently for a lot of people.”

For her, the allergy didn’t cause digestive issues. Instead, it looked like headaches and fatigue — symptoms she’d never linked to food. “I had no idea gluten could even do that,” she says. “If I’d known that, maybe I could’ve figured it out sooner.”

But a decade of pain management had taken its own toll. “Results that came back from my endoscopy … the stomach pain I was getting was actually from all of the aspirin-based products I’ve taken in the past 10 years [that] have just eaten away at my stomach,” she tells PEOPLE. “So now my stomach lining is basically not there.”

She had spent years trying to relieve her pain, not realizing those same medications were quietly damaging her body. The discovery was both freeing and devastating.

“That was a hard pill to swallow,” she admits. “I was just trying to make it through each day, and now I’ve got a whole new thing to heal from.”

Still, the diagnosis gave her something she hadn’t had in years — hope. When she shared her emotional reaction on TikTok, she had no idea it would strike such a chord. “Everyone was just so kind,” Miller says, smiling. “So many people commented like, ‘Oh my gosh, the same thing happened to me — when I stopped eating gluten, my migraines just went away.’ ”

Her story quickly became a space for others to share their own experiences. People offered encouragement, gluten-free recipes and even restaurant tips in the comments.

“Everyone just started giving their different suggestions, giving the recommendations, people offering their recipes for homemade bread,” she recalls. “It turned into this really positive community.”

That sense of belonging carried her through the hardest parts of learning to live gluten-free. “It is hard because there’s gluten in things I would have never thought there would be,” she says. “Having that support and just kind of having people that it’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s gonna suck … but you’re gonna feel so good not eating it that you’re not gonna want to.’ ”

When she returned to her hometown, she stumbled upon a fully gluten-free bakery that instantly made her feel welcome. “I walked in and I told her, ‘Okay, I’m like, newly gluten free,’ and she’s walking me through like, everything they have to offer,” Miller says. “It was just so sweet — she really cared.”

Now, each day without a migraine feels like a small miracle. “I’ve gone longer not eating gluten and not having a migraine than I have in 10 years,” she tells PEOPLE. “So I’m finally at the point that I’m like, I will take not eating gluten any day over having this head pain two or three times a week.”

After years of living in fear, she’s finally free from the constant dread. Her body, once a source of suffering, now feels like a source of peace. Within six weeks of completely eliminating gluten, Miller says she hadn’t had a single migraine — a stunning turnaround after years of two or three attacks a week.

“You have to fight for answers,” Miller says. “And you have to find a doctor that’s willing to actually advocate for you, willing to put in those tests.”

Through her videos, she continues to raise awareness about how gluten sensitivity can present in unexpected ways.

Now, pain-free for the first time in her adult life, Miller hopes her story will encourage others to listen to their bodies and keep searching for answers. “Your body doesn’t feel right, there’s a reason why,” she says. “And you kind of have to figure it out.”

As she continues to heal, gratitude has replaced frustration. Each migraine-free morning feels like a victory she once thought impossible.

“I feel like I finally get to live again,” Miller says. “It’s like I’m getting my life back, one day at a time.”

I am so happy for her, migrains can consume your life and it’s a blessing when I here a story of someone living a migraine free life.

Melinda

Reference:

https://people.com/after-10-years-of-chronic-migraines-woman-finds-solution-is-cutting-this-1-food-exclusive-11846211

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health · Photography

Colorful Saturday

November 15, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Self-Care

4 Signs You’re in a Toxic Relationship and What to Do

November 15, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

If your relationship is taking more away from your life and well-being than it’s providing, there’s a good chance it’s toxic. Here’s how to know — and what to do if you realize your romance is unhealthy.

You’re dating someone new and everything feels … brighter. You’re giddy, practically floating on air. As the emotions from this punch-drunk chemical cocktail settle down, so too does the relationship. But rather than feeling the warmth of deepening intimacy and a comfortable routine, you start to lose yourself. Or at least that’s how it seems. Unproductive arguments happen regularly, and one or both of you seem prone to jealousy, passive aggression, or blame.

If those scenarios sound all too familiar, you may be involved in a toxic relationship. “We can think of toxic relationships the same way we think of toxic materials,” Shadeen Francis, LMFT, certified sex therapist, tells DailyOM. “Toxic relationships are ultimately harmful to our well-being, often worsening our health and happiness over time.”

A toxic romance is one that lacks the attributes of a healthy relationship. “At the heart of any great relationship is partnership,” says Wendy Newman, a relationship expert and author of 121 First Dates, whom DailyOM spoke with for this story.

And that healthy partnership involves mutual love and high integrity, she adds, having each other’s backs and empowering each other to be the best version of yourselves. Both parties have good intent and stay responsible for their own feelings. “If any of these elements are missing, you’ve got the makings of a toxic relationship,” Newman says. “If you’re dealing with an opponent instead of a partner, that’s toxic.”

Meanwhile, if you’re continually offering your best self and stay willing to work through challenges, yet your partner isn’t receptive — or worse, they’re downright harmful — that’s toxicity worth paying attention to.

4 Signs Your Relationship Is Toxic

You Don’t Operate as a Team

Conflicts and disagreements are a part of all relationships, says Francis, but if those conflicts undermine your trust and safety, that’s a concerning sign of toxicity.

A study published in the journal Family Process in 2019 showed that happy couples tend to take a solution-oriented approach to conflict. When they argue about things like how to spend free time or divvying up household chores, they aim to find mutually helpful outcomes versus ending up in an exhausting spiral with no fixes.

“You and your partner are different people and are going to have feelings, thoughts, needs, and desires that are at odds sometimes,” says Francis, adding that feeling disappointed, angry, or sad is okay. “But notice whether or not you still generally feel like a team. Even as there are problems, do you believe that you both are working toward resolving them? Can you still be kind to one another? Or is there blame, criticism, gaslighting, avoidance, or stonewalling?” If it’s the latter, and if kindness and resolution remain out of reach, that’s a toxic pattern.

You’re Codependent

Codependency is another toxic trait that can put your relationship and well-being off course. In this dysfunctional dynamic, one person takes on the role of the “giver” and the other is the “taker.” The giver sacrifices their own needs to tend to the other — potentially making excuses for their unruly behaviors — while the taker relies too heavily on those care attempts.

“Codependent relationships, even if they are warm and loving, are also often toxic relationship environments,” says Francis. “They are often organized not by love, but by insecurity, trauma bonding, and fear.”

Though it’s important to note that many people have overcome challenging childhood experiences without repeating those patterns as adults, if you or your partner grew up in an abusive household or around alcohol dependence, you may be more prone to this scenario.

Your Life Is Falling Apart

A common thread among many toxic relationships is the isolating places they lead. You may become so involved in the toxic parts that you have little room in your life for friendships or hobbies. Your work life suffers as you struggle to concentrate on anything besides your relationship, while your moods and ability to sleep well dwindle.

While some of these issues might crop up in a pronounced way, gradual, subtle unfolding is common. Because “our relationship dynamics are a series of interactive habits, patterns of response, emotional exchanges, and routines that we form together over time,” says Frances, “it is not unusual for subtle changes or seemingly unimportant frictions to become entrenched problems in our relationships down the road.”

And because these frictions and their effects develop slowly, it’s easy not to realize the path you’re on until the pain or frustration accumulates. If you feel like something isn’t right, Frances adds, it’s important to “trust your embodied wisdom, even if you can’t quite put your finger on where or when things shifted.” And if your partner uses manipulation to avoid accountability, she says, they may capitalize on doubt and try to distract or gaslightyou into ignoring warning signs of toxicity.

While positive, healthy relationships allow you to strengthen other life areas and bolster self-esteem, a toxic relationship does the opposite. “A toxic relationship isn’t just one with challenges or hardships,” explains Francis. “They take a long-term toll on your health, whether that is emotional health, mental health, spiritual health, financial health, or physical health.”

You Notice Signs of Narcissism

While not all toxic relationships include narcissism, a narcissist’s extreme self-involvement can easily invite toxicity. “Narcissism involves a number of traits that are likely to create a toxic relationship: self-absorbedness, lack of remorse, low emotion regulation skills, a dependence on others’ admiration in order to feel self-worth, and a resistance to taking accountability for their impact on others,” Francis says.

You might also fall prey to gaslighting, manipulation, and severe emotional abuse when a partner’s narcissism is at play, which may show up as your being constantly controlled or ridiculed.

When on the receiving end of narcissistic behavior, your own needs fall to the wayside because of your partner’s self-focus. (At first, your partner may have showered you with over-the-top gestures and gifts, also known as “love bombing,” purely to “win” or “keep” you.).

Even though narcissism often stems from emotional neglect early in life, know that it’s not your responsibility to “fix” a partner who’s hurting you. You can have compassion and move on. And of course, narcissism doesn’t affect everyone who had a difficult childhood. Only about 5 percent of people have narcissistic personality disorder, the most severe form. If you recognize that you are prone to narcissist tendencies yourself, with time and effort, you can work through those wounds and find new strategies for soothing and relating to others.

Can You Fix a Toxic Relationship?

An unhealthy, toxic relationship can be turned around, says Newman, if both people are willing to change their behaviors for good. “Not try to change, not hope to change someday. I mean literally change instantly, as in I see it, and I’ll stop it right this second.” While this shift is rare, she says — and requires committed efforts moving forward — it’s awesome.

Chanel Dokun, a relationship expert trained in marriage and family therapy, author of Life Starts Now: How to Create the Life You’ve Been Waiting For, and the co-founder of Healthy Minds NYC, agrees that a toxic relationship can be healed, “but only if each individual does the hard work to address their own unhealthy relational patterns,” she tells DailyOM. “The couple might need to take a substantial break to allow for healing and a reset to their dynamic.”

How to Get Out of a Toxic Relationship

What you don’t have to do is stick around suffering, hoping the other person will change. Some relationships can’t be saved, and you may decide it’s time to go your separate ways, even if you still have feelings for your partner or they have certain traits that you admire.

When meaningful change isn’t feasible or you want out regardless — for whatever reason — both Francis and Newman suggest seeking help. That’s because breakups, while never easy, can be especially complicated and painful when you’re dealing with a toxic dynamic. If your self-esteem has lowered because of the relationship, leaving you in a more vulnerable state, even a relatively mild breakup might feel impossible. Regardless, you can get through it with proper care.

To get out of a toxic relationship, Newman says the support of friends, family, and possibly a trained professional such as a therapist is key. “Set yourself up to have someone in your corner who can have your back and reassure you that you’re making the right call. This is not the time to turn inward; look out to your community for love and help,” the expert says.

Ask your therapist or another trusted ally to help you role-play what you want to say to end the relationship and brainstorm next steps and logistics — say, if you and your partner are currently living together or will need to be in contact in the future, due to children you share together or for another reason. If you are able to make a more complete break and cut off all communication, that may be helpful, and even necessary, particularly if you feel your partner will try to gaslight, guilt, or otherwise manipulate you to stay with them, or you’ve developed a trauma bond, in which you feel you need the harmful partner.

How to Heal from a Toxic Relationship

There’s no quick fix or universal timeline when you’re healing from a toxic relationship that you’ve left behind, so keep being gentle with yourself. “Change is hard and takes time,” notes Frances. “You’ll need some grace to get to the other side.”

Continue to lean on your support systems and give yourself time to work through the aftermath with love and kindness toward yourself.

Meanwhile, delve into activities you’re curious or passionate about, with the knowledge that you are a “whole person with or without a partner,” says Dokun. “It’s possible to build a thriving life full of meaning and purpose without staying in a toxic dynamic, so prioritize the pursuit of your own life purpose over the relationship before you miss out on the life you deserve to live.”

To explore what that might look like for you, consider journaling, practicing guided meditation, or bringing these topics up with a friend or your therapist.

The rewards of the healing work you do can pay off more than you can imagine. Trust that process, knowing that you will absolutely be better off in the long run.

If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233.

Melinda

Reference:

https://www.dailyom.com/journal/4-signs-you-are-in-a-toxic-relationship-and-what-to-do/?utm_source=bphope&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ehnetwork-bphope&utm_content=bphope-newsletter-hhh-2025-10-23

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Eric Clapton – I Shot The Sheriff [Crossroads 2010] (Official Live Video)

November 14, 2025 Looking for the Light6 Comments

EC is the greatest guitarist in the world! His ability to deliver notes from his guitars blow me away.

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

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

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.

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Friday Quote

November 14, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Just Pondering

November 13, 2025 Looking for the Light7 Comments

What event in your past, if it had gone differently, would have changed your life for the better?

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Sweet Home Alabama

November 12, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

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

Coffee May Help With Seasonal Affective Disorder

November 10, 2025November 10, 2025 Looking for the Light11 Comments

But it’s coffee to the rescue. When examining prior studies on the effects of diet and exercise on mood, researchers noted a correlation between coffee consumption and increased mood. Specifically, they found that consuming 75mg of caffeine—roughly one cup of coffee—once every four hours “could result in a pattern of sustained mood improvement over the course of the day.” Mood, energy, alertness, and concentration were all improved by participants in the study, per the Independent.

But it’s more than caffeine. Giuseppe Grosso, an assistant professor at the University of Catania in Italy and lead author, states that some of coffee’s macronutrients may also be having a positive effect on the brain. Per Gross, polyphenols may be able to pass from the blood into the brain, where they can have anti-neuroinflammatory effects as well as aid in the formation of new neurons. These could additionally help in easing the risk of affective disorders like SAD.

With the weather changing, chances are you may be drinking more coffee already. And as luck would have it, drinking coffee may be doing you more good than you knew.

Zac Cadwalader is the managing editor at Sprudge Media Network and a staff writer based in Dallas. Read more Zac Cadwalader on Sprudge.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Family · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Caregiver To Grieving In Four Days

November 8, 2025 Looking for the Light4 Comments

I’ve reposted this post several times over the years and 2010 was the original post. It’s critical to acknowledge how difficult life is for a caregiver and to think of ways to support them.

——

Each day was a roller coaster of how he felt and how exhausted I was. I learned so much being a caregiver to my grandmother and grandfather. As the population ages, many of you will take on the responsibility. One of the most difficult changes was going from granddaughter to caregiver. Even at 92 my grandfather had a strong mind and felt he didn’t need help. I pray for strength every day.

My grandfather died in 2010 at the young age of 92 years old. I spent more time with him in 2010 year than I spent at home. I cherish the time we had together, no matter how painful. They are my memories and my life changed forever with his death. His health declined so fast that for two days I did not realize that he was dying now, not in a couple of weeks. He was at home under hospice care and would not get in the hospital bed until two days before he passed. He fell out of bed that morning, he was so weak it was difficult for me to get him back in bed. I don’t think we would have been able to talk him into moving to the hospital bed if he had not fallen. For him the bed meant death and he was still fighting. My grandfather had End Stage Kidney Disease. An emergency trip to the hospital for his AFIB is how we learned he had about two months to live. We knew his kidneys were losing function but I was not ready for a timeline. His doctor had not given me that impression on a recent visit so I asked her to review the hospital records. I was not surprised but very saddened that she agreed with the prognosis. It took a couple weeks for my grandfather to believe the doctors were right. Kidney failure is a silent killer and luckily not a painful one. You start sleeping more until you sleep yourself into a coma.

I arrived on Sunday afternoon after two days of relief and he didn’t look any different. Monday morning I knew he was out of it by the things he was saying but thought it was a bad day. Tuesday I knew he was weak when he fell out of bed and felt like dead weight. It took everything in me to get him back in bed. My grandfather died on Thursday. What the doctors did not tell me is people his age die faster, the end came weeks sooner than we thought. I’m so thankful that my grandfather and I had time together to say what we wanted to say, cry about the loss and enjoy the memories. I have no regrets.

Cleaning out the house was so hard, 46 years of memories were everywhere. My grandmother left notes on everything, it was like mourning her death as I found each note. Notes on the back of photos, on little pieces of paper, and even on masking tape. I knew all the notes were there, we had looked at them many times but it was different this time. Everything was packed up this time and the house cleared out. My grandparents raised me so I’ve lost parents, they were the best you could ever pray for. The house is empty but I see my life in every room, the great memories with my grandparents are everywhere you look. I am starting a new chapter in my life. It’s a long journey ahead.

Melinda

Repost from 2010

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Friday Quote

November 7, 2025 Looking for the Light1 Comment

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health · Moving Forward · Trauma

Agoraphobia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Options

November 4, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Agoraphobia is a common but often misunderstood anxiety disorder that can make everyday situations feel overwhelming or even impossible; understanding the signs and seeking the right support can help you reclaim your freedom,

Many mental health conditions are simply extreme degrees of minor challenges that most people face regularly. It’s perfectly natural to feel some nervousness when you’re going somewhere you’ve never been before or going to a crowded place where there are a lot of people you don’t know; But, agoraphobia is different.

If that slight tinge of nervousness becomes intense anxiety that prevents you from doing things you normally would, it might be a condition called agoraphobia.

What Is Agoraphobia?

Agoraphobia is an intense fear of situations where there may not be an easy way to escape or where you may feel trapped or helpless.

At its core, it’s a phobia of being in a situation where you’re panicking and there’s not an easy way out. This typically translates into a fear of familiar places, crowds, public transportation and very open areas like large parking lots and open water.

In any given year, about 2% of people experience agoraphobia. That is about 6.8 million people in the US. It’s more commonly diagnosed in women than in men.

Agoraphobia can have a profound impact on your daily life. It can range in severity from avoiding certain activities you might otherwise enjoy, like parties, concerts or other large social events, to being unable to leave your home.

Some people become homebound for years or are unable to maintain a career and care for themselves because of it.

The Relationship Between Agoraphobia and Anxiety and Panic Disorders

Agoraphobia, like any other phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder. But it also has a unique relationship to panic disorders.

Agoraphobia often develops after a panic attack in a public place where escape feels impossible. Even if you were able to get out of the situation the first time, you have a fear that next time you won’t be able to.

Symptoms of Agoraphobia

The symptoms of agoraphobia include an extreme fear of:

Unfamiliar places
Public spaces, especially crowded places
Waiting in line
Leaving home by yourself
Using public transportation
Enclosed spaces outside your home, like elevators or movie theaters
Large open spaces like parking lots or open water

Agoraphobia is specific to these types of circumstances, where you might not have a clear path to safety. Extreme anxiety in situations other than these might indicate other anxiety disorders.

Where’s the Line Between Worry and Agoraphobia?

One of the tricky aspects of phobias is understanding the difference between a “normal” amount of anxiety about a particular situation and a phobia. While only a mental health professional can diagnose agoraphobia, you could have this condition if:

Your level of anxiety in the situation is out of proportion with the actual danger
Your fear prevents you from doing things you would otherwise enjoy, like certain social outings
You stop doing certain things or going places unless you have a trusted companion with you
You’re experiencing these symptoms for six months or longer

When you’re in a situation that triggers your agoraphobia, the symptoms can manifest in physical, emotional or psychological and behavioral ways.

In these situations, physical symptoms can include:

Tightness in your chest
Rapid heartbeat
Shortness of breath or hyperventilating (breathing too fast)
Dizziness or disorientation
Shaking or trembling
Sweating even though you’re not warm
Upset stomach

Meanwhile, the emotional or psychological symptoms can include:

Dread
Fixating on what could go wrong
Feeling a loss of control
Fear that you’re dying

During agoraphobia triggering situations, you may also have these behavioral symptoms:

Avoiding certain situations, like crowded places
Only going to certain places if you have someone with you
Only going to certain places or events after planning out escape routes or what to do if you need to get out

Causes and Risk Factors of Agoraphobia

How do you know if you’re at risk for developing agoraphobia? It usually develops in the teenage or early adult years and does seem to have a genetic link. People who have a close relative with agoraphobia are more likely to develop it. Some studies indicate that the heritability is as high as 48-61%.

Genetics isn’t the only factor, though. There are often traumas and life experiences that contribute to agoraphobia, especially trauma that occurs in childhood. This can include abuse, being attacked or the loss of someone with whom you felt safe, such as a parent.

It’s also important to note that many people with agoraphobia have other mental health conditions too, like panic disorder, depression or PTSD. In particular, a large number of people with agoraphobia already had a panic disorder.Their agoraphobia may have been triggered after having a panic attack in a place where they felt unsafe or helpless.

While a panic attack in a public place might trigger agoraphobia, often these people already had some level of anxiety in these situations. So it may be a combination of panic disorder and existing agoraphobic tendencies.

How Agoraphobia Affects Daily Life

One of the hallmarks of a phobia or other anxiety disorders is its impact on your daily life and the limitations that it creates for you. It can affect your work, romantic relationships, family relationships and social life in numerous ways.

You may decline social events and invitations due to anxiety about the situation, or struggle to complete work assignments if they involve situations that make you anxious. You could be limited in the types of jobs you can accept.

Maybe you can only able to perform jobs where you can work from home or jobs that don’t involve situations in public or crowded places. Finally, your relationships may suffer because you aren’t able to join loved ones for the things they enjoy doing.

Agoraphobia can even prevent you from taking care of yourself and living independently, especially when it is severe. It could prevent you from doing essential tasks like going to the grocery store or running other errands, such as going to the doctor.

Finally, agoraphobia can have a substantial impact on your mental health, especially if you have co occurring conditions already. It can worsen conditions like depression, because you feel trapped at home or aren’t able to do activities that could boost your serotonin. In some cases, it can make substance use disorder worse, too.

Agoraphobia changed my life over five years ago. I don’t drive, walk outside of house, only leave the house for doctors appointments or to see my hairdresser. It’ also affected the activities I did in the past with my husband. I’ve read some great information on how to slowly gain confidence on being by myself. I have a plan to start as soon as my shoulder heals from surgery.

If Agoraphobia is impacting you quality of life, I hear you, and wish you all the best at venturing out when the time is right for you.

I am in no way supporting the site or it’s service offers, it is just the great information.

Melinda

To read the entire article click HERE.

Reference:

https://therapy.com/conditions/agoraphobia/

Celebrate Life · Communicating · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Friday Quote

October 31, 2025 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

Thank you for joining me for this week’s Friday Quote.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Fun · Mental Health · Music

#Weekend Music Share-Train – Meet Virginia (Official HD Video)

October 31, 2025 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

It’s the weekend!!!!!!

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

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.

Celebrate Life · Daily Writing Prompt · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Daily Writing Prompt

October 30, 2025 Looking for the Light13 Comments

Daily writing prompt

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

View all responses

I think everyone needs to know they matter, their life matters, health matters, with that foundation we can move forward on solid ground.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

Celebrate Life · Cooking · Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Make Some Healthy Changes And See A Difference In Your Health

October 30, 2025 Looking for the Light3 Comments

A few changes can lead to significant benefits. This also applies to our health. Making some changes in our daily life we can put the first elements in motion for a complete rebirth. If you suffer with a chronic illness, it is even more important to start looking after your health and boosting your immune system. If you have a disability, even if you use a mobility scooter, you still try to move, only gently, if possible. Mobile scooters give disabled people the independence that they deserve and coupled with excellent diet and lifestyle, you can start to regain some confidence and happiness.

Eat your veggies

Vegetables are divided into two categories: starchy and non-starchy. Starchy vegetables are potatoes, corn and beans, non-starchy are spinach and other leafy vegetables, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. Starchy vegetables have more calories than non-starchy ones. So by filling half the plate with non-starchy vegetables you ensure that you will receive all the necessary nutrients, water and fiber, but without many extra calories. It’s an easy strategy not to bother with calorie and portion counting. Processed carbohydrates, have almost no nutrients and no fiber. The only thing they have is calories that can make you gain weight.

In fact, a diet rich in processed carbohydrates – white bread, buns, white pastries, sweets, etc. – can increase the risk of developing type II diabetes and heart disease. Get rid of the bad habits! Unprocessed carbohydrates such as brown rice and whole grains enhance your diet with “good” calories, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Fatty fish such as salmon are an excellent source of omega – 3 fats, which are essential for good heart health and reducing inflammation in the body. They also enhance mental health. Drink green tea because this is going to be important to those with disabilities as it helps work as a toxin remover.

Disconnect from everything one hour before bedtime

Quality sleep is the alpha and omega for health. And one of the things that destroys it is technology. Devices that emit “blue light”, a type of wave that is common during the day, “confuse” the brain, making it think it is morning. So by avoiding screen time before bed, you can improve the quality of sleep.

Sleep at the same (approximately) time every day

In addition to poor sleep quality, many people have trouble sleeping. This is largely due to poor rest planning. Having a specific time when you fall asleep, you train your body clock so that you can fall asleep more easily. At the same time, scheduled bedtime has a positive effect on concentration and memory.

Keep up with regular checkups

t may seem very low on the list of things you have to do, but it is important to keep up with those regular health checks. Whether that is booking a hearing check at your local hearing center, or heading to the optician to get your eyes checked, these things are important to keep up the quality of life that you have.

Limit socializing with negative people.

Even a little negativity is enough to get you down. Try to spend more time with happy and optimistic people. If you have negative people in your inner circle, try to convey some of your positive thinking to them and change the direction. The rest is up to you and how you treat yourself. Don’t be hard on yourself and appreciate all the little things. Remember self-care is not selfish.

Collaborative Post

Melinda

Repost

Celebrate Life · Fun · Health and Wellbeing · Mental Health

Wordless Wednesday-Morning Fog

October 29, 2025 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

Melinda

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

Why You Need to Redefine Self-Care Beyond What the Media Shows

October 27, 2025 Looking for the LightLeave a comment

It’s really sad to say, but to a degree self-care has become a buzzword frequently portrayed in media and online as indulgent bubble baths, retail therapy, and the occasional junk food binge. Not just in shows, or in advertisements triyng to sell you stuff, but even on social media by the people you know, and of course by content creators too.

While yes, buying indulges and buying things that you love can actually be a really nice way to show yourself some life, you have to keep in mind that these also only offer temporary relief, and so true self-care is far more profound and personal. It’s about nurturing your mental, emotional, and physical well-being in ways that genuinely enrich Dr your life. So, with that said, it’s best to explore what self-care really means and how you can embrace it in a more meaningful way.

Understanding True Self-Care

Self-care is often misunderstood as a quick fix or an escape from reality. However, true self-care involves intentional actions that support your overall health and happiness. It’s about listening to your body and mind, understanding your needs, and taking steps to meet those needs in healthy and sustainable ways. This might mean setting boundaries, saying no to commitments that drain you, or seeking help when you need it.

Mindful Self-Practices

Basically, the less love and care you show yourself, the higher the chances of stress and even the potential of forming anxiety. Actually, true self-care is often found in the small, mindful practices that help you stay grounded and connected to yourself. This might include a daily walk in nature, practicing yoga, or spending time on a hobby that you love. It’s about finding joy and peace in the everyday moments.

But this isn’t always the case; mindful practices will vary from person to person. While one person might feel relaxed walking out on a trail in nature, there might be someone else who feels more at ease and relaxed if you’re at home and using delta-8 THC gummies since these offer a more calming and gentle effect. But overall, mindful practices help prevent chronic anxiety from forming, and again, the best way to go about it really varies from person to person.

The Illusion of Instant Gratification

The media often promotes self-care as something that provides instant gratification—like a shopping spree or indulging in comfort food. By all means, yes, while these activities can offer momentary pleasure, they don’t address the deeper issues that may be affecting your well-being.

In fact, relying on these quick fixes can sometimes lead to feelings of guilt or regret afterward. So, you have to understand that true self-care involves making choices that contribute to your long-term well-being, even if they don’t provide immediate pleasure.

You Have to Think About Emotional Health

Just think of it this way: You’re spending money on things that give you small bits of gratification immediately, like junk food, but at the end of the day, you’re going to feel bad for the money you spent, and you might feel physically bad too because, well, it’s junk food. The same goes for shopping sprees too. Now, emotional health usually gets overlooked in mainstream portrayals. You need to understand your thoughts and gain clarity on what you need to feel balanced and fulfilled.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Celebrate Life · Health and Wellbeing · Medical · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Feeling Sad for No Reason? Potential Causes and Coping Tips

October 27, 2025 Looking for the Light2 Comments

Feeling sad all the time for no specific reason doesn’t always mean you have depression, but it does suggest you could be experiencing something more complex than sadness alone.

Sadness is a temporary state that often has a clear cause, like a big disappointment, the loss of someone close to you, or bad news from someone you love.

This type of sadness can fluctuate throughout the day. In certain moments, the emotional burden might feel particularly heavy. You might cry often, feel numb or drained, and struggle to concentrate.

At other times — when you get lost in something you enjoy or when a loved one distracts you — your sorrow may seem light enough that you can barely feel its weight. While it might linger in some form for days or weeks, it generally begins to ease naturally.

Persistent sadness is something else entirely. It can wrap around you like a heavy blanket, muffling the sensations and joy of everyday life. This sadness can leave you feeling low, empty, and defeated. You don’t know what caused your unhappiness, so you have no idea how to start feeling better.

Feeling sad isn’t at all unusual. After all, sorrow is a normal human response to disappointment and loss. Sadness that doesn’t have a clear reason behind it and doesn’t seem to improve, however, may suggest something else is going on.

Could it be depression?

While not everyone with depression will feel sad, unexplainable sadness you can’t seem to shake is one of the primary signs of depression.

If your sadness does relate to depression, you’ll likely feel sad nearly all of the time — almost every day, for most of each day, for a period of 2 weeks or longer. Sadness, in other words, seems to become a constant companion.

With depression, you’ll experience other symptoms, too. If several of the signs below accompany your sad or tearful mood, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with depression:

feelings of anxiety or emptiness
a sense of pessimism and hopelessness about the future
increased irritability
feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
little interest in the things you usually enjoy
fatigue, lack of energy
unexplained physical tension, pain, or digestive issues
changes in sleep patterns
slowed movements or speech
restlessness or agitation
trouble with concentration, memory, and decision making
appetite changes

Chronic sadness, especially when related to depression, might also prompt regular thoughts of death or suicide. Even if you don’t have a plan to act on these thoughts, it’s always best to talk to someone you trust and get support right away (more on how to do this later).

Other factors to consider

You might begin to notice your feelings of sadness, along with any other symptoms you experience, follow a specific pattern. Depression can take different forms, and various underlying factors can have an impact on the way your symptoms show up.

A few things to look for:

Rapid shifts in mood

People living with bipolar disorder often experience episodes of depression as part of a cycle that also includes episodes of mania or hypomania.

You might notice you suddenly feel intensely happy, even euphoric. This abrupt change in mood might also involve:

impulsive behavior
restlessness and irritability
a renewed sense of energy that leaves you fixating on certain projects or activities
an increase in confidence and self-esteem
less of a need for sleep

This episode might last a week, or longer.

Somewhere around 40 percentTrusted Source of people with bipolar disorder have what’s known as mixed features. You could experience sadness and other symptoms of depression at the same time as mania.

This combination of symptoms can make it harder to understand what you’re experiencing, which could add to your distress.

Seasonal sadness

Maybe your sadness seems to arrive or intensify around the same time of year the days begin to shorten. Once the longer, sunnier days of spring and summer arrive, you feel better, year after year.

It’s pretty common to feel a little low in autumn and winter. The nights get long and cold, and there are plenty of days when you may not even see the sun.

If this seasonal sadness persists and becomes serious enough to affect daily life, you could have seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs along with seasonal changes.

Along with other common depression symptoms, you might also notice: