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

Life Is Too Short For Stress That Steals Your Joy

I’ve been out of the workforce since 2005 to help take care of my Granny who had Dementia. My previous positions were in Executive Sales, a high-stress job. Since my Granny’s death, there have been many stressful times, too many to count but we made it work, or work it out.

Now I’m 60 years old with multiple chronic illnesses including Chronic Kidney Diseases and severe balance problems. I am Agoraphobic and have cognitive impairment which means I only drive within a 3-4 mile radius of the house.

When I learned about the Kidney Diseases my attitude about life changed. I don’t let the littlest things stress me out.

I’ve become a laid-back person after receiving news about my Kidneys, hearing you have 2-5 years to live will kick you in the arse. I’m not taking medication, doing dialysis, or getting a Kidney Transplant. I’m waiting my turn to enter the Pearly Gates and working to be in the moment.

I am more apt to say what’s on my mind, eliminating stress is a daily goal, making sure I’m getting enough sleep, and letting things blow over instead of engaging in conversation. To net it out, I have little joy in my life and at times angry at all the chronic illnesses I have.

I finally accepted that my current Bucket List isn’t relevant anymore and have started a new Bucket List. It’s short now but will grow.

Life is too short for stress to steal your time and affect your mood.

Melinda

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com
Celebrate Life · Mental Health

Thoughts Of An Abused Child

I’ve kept these thoughts to myself but this post came together as thoughts of my childhood and teenage years. My life didn’t get better until I went to boarding school and went to live with my grandparents 14 years old.

“how many times can I scrap the food off my plate and spit the rest into my napkin before an explosion happens”.

“no way will I invite anyone to the house, it would probably be the last time I see them”.

“why me and not my brother, I forgot he’s the chosen child”

” house is an explosion to happen, either I get beat or she gets it, it will happen”

“you cut my hair so bad, probably on purpose”

” I can’t make any noise so most of the time I’m in the closet.”

“I won’t make friends because I don’t want anyone to find out.”

“you tried to kill me at 6 months old by leaving me in the bathtub and going downstair to talk to granny, you left me to die?”

“you always tell me how much you hate my father and I’m just like him. Does that mean you hate me? I think so.”

“my first attempt at suicide was at 9 years old.”

“you abused me starting at 6 months old, you’re a monster”

“out of sight, we called him Hitler.”

“because you were forced to marry Daddy when you got pregnant, might I add that you were engaged to someone else?”

“you let your mother and her mother say such horrible things like, I was a mistake, you’ve ruined your mother’s life time after time.”

“you didn’t tell me anything about menstruation. I went to the bathroom at school and totally freaked because something was wrong with me. A teacher had to come get me.”

This is all I can write, so many emotions to deal with. Sharing is good for others in the same place or know someone living with domestic violence.

Melinda

My smile is for my granny while taking me to get a photo taken.

Melinda

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

Easy DIY Moisturizing Detox Bath Soak

From Brindin.com

Relax in an all-natural moisturizing detox bath that soothes dry skin while you de-stress. This bath soak has the beautiful look and feel of fresh snow PLUS it leaves skin feeling silky soft and promotes better sleep.

Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com
  • Magnesium Sulfate:  Popularly known as Epsom Salt.  Magnesium is used for treating anxiety, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Lyme disease, fibromyalgia, leg cramps, migraine headaches, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), restless leg syndrome, skin infections and more.
  • Sodium Bicarbonate:  Popularly known as Baking Soda. Sodium bicarbonate makes bath water alkaline which soothes irritated skin, relieves pain or itching, and leaves the skin feeling silky.
  • Virgin Coconut Oil: Virgin coconut oil is pressed from the “meat” of the coconut. It has a high content of lanauric acid which is anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial. It aids in skin healing and moisturizing.
  • Sweet Almond Oil: Almond oil is pressed from edible almonds. It is rich in Vitamin E, monounsaturated fatty acids, and proteins plus minerals and vitamins. It is good for moisturizing and healing skin.
  • Essential Oils:
    • Lemon Essential Oil is distilled from the peel of the lemon. It is high in d-limonene, a powerful antioxidant. Lemon oil is nourishing to the skin, improves mood, and supports the immune system.
    • Peppermint Essential Oil is derived from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It helps increase blood flow to the skin, is muscle-soothing, and has a mentally relaxing effect
    • Rosemary Essential Oil is distilled from the fresh flowering tops of the fragrant evergreen plant. It is used to stimulate blood circulation, relieve headaches and muscle aches, reduce stress, and boost the immune system.

This all-natural moisturizing detox bath soothes dry skin while raising magnesium levels to aid in de-stressing. This bath soak leaves skin feeling silky soft and supple and promotes better sleep.

Makes: 5 baths

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/4 cup Coconut Oil (melted)
  • 1/4 cup Almond Oil
  • 40-80 drops Essential Oils (lemon, rosemary, peppermint)
  • 3 cups Epsom Salts
  • 2 cups Baking Soda

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Whisk together the melted coconut oil and almond oil.
  • Stir in essential oils. (10-20 drops lemon, 10-20 drops rosemary, 20-40 drop peppermint)
  • Add Epsom salts and baking soda, and stir to combine.
  • The bath salts will have the texture of fresh snow.

Store in an air-tight jar. 

HOW TO TAKE A MOISTURIZING DETOX BATH

Take a  magnesium bath at night just before going to bed for best results. The magnesium will help you relax while the moisturizing ingredients soothe and soften skin.

To prepare a bath: Fill the tub with hot water.  Add the Magnesium Detox Bath salts then soak for 20-30 minutes. Add music, candles, a good book or an interesting podcast to make bath time more enjoyable.

Make sure to have a cold glass of drinking water within reach to rehydrate during the bath. After soaking pat dry and go to bed.

DETOX BATH WARNINGS

If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medicines you should consult with your doctor before taking a moisturizing detox bath. Hot bath water can cause dehydration and dizziness. You should drink lots of water while taking a detox bath and never take a detox bath when using drugs or alcohol.

Enjoy!

It sounds very easy to make and it’s great that you can make 5 baths worth per batch. Makes a great gift too.

Melinda

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

Blogger Highlight-Live & Learn

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 the blog of Live & Learning.    

       

Live & Learn

I can’t sleep

I grew up in Ootischenia, a small town in British Columbia, Canada – population of 500.   I grew up fishing, playing hockey and tormenting my younger brothers.  Under firm parental guidance, I learned the “life trades” of discipline, work ethic and execution.  Fast forward more than 20 years of working and leading in large U.S. companies.  A learner.

I have followed David for years, interviewed him twice and his photography will blow your mind! He can be funny and their dog, Wally writes the best post. 

Live & Learn is a site on many topics and tons of photos you have to see. David has inspired me for years. I bet you will want to follow him. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

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

Just Pondering

 

Everyone needs time to themselves for a while. Perhaps it’s to do deep thinking, to relax, or just enjoy some peace and quiet.

Where is your favorite place to go when you need to be alone?

 

My office with the door shut and enjoying the smell of candles.

 Melinda

Field Guide by Stampington

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

Just Pondering

What song lyrics perfectly capture who you are as a person?

 

Pharrell Williams – Happy (Video)

 Melinda

Field Guide by Stampington

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

10 Christmas Gift Ideas for Your Stressed-Out Friend

This year has been turbulent, to say the least. The risk of illness, and losing your job, it’s enough to make the calmest of people feel stressed and anxious inside. 

Everyone has undoubtedly experienced struggles this year, your friends included. And so, if you’re wondering what thoughtful gifts to buy this year to cheer up your closest, the solution lies in getting them something that will help bring on relaxation. And below, we’ve got just the ticket, in the form of 10 gift ideas to consider giving this year.

 

Photo by Kim Stiver from Pexels – CC0 Licence

Pajamas

Pajamas are the ultimate pieces of clothing associated with relaxation and sleep. Gift your friend some super-soft pajamas to snuggle into this Christmas, and you’re sure to increase their comfort and make them feel more relaxed in an instant.

Vape Pen

Vape pens such as bloom farms rose gold highlighter are a sleek and handy gift for your friends who like to vape. Don’t forget to add CBD solutions to the present, too (CBD calms nerves and anxiety).

Weighted Blanket

Find a snuggly blanket for your friend, preferably one that feels heavy. Heavy blankets help to reduce anxiety in sufferers because they emulate the feeling of a big warm hug.

Lavender Oil

Lavender oil is an essential oil that can help your best friend unwind. Lavender is a natural sleep aid, which can tempt over-thinkers and anxious friends to sleep with ease. 

Dark Chocolate

Chocolate will never go down a miss with anyone. The delicious edible is also proven to positively impact a person’s well-being, improving their mood and immunity. 

Therapy Putty

Therapy putty is the perfect gift for your friend who needs stress relief on the go. Squishing therapy putty between your fingers is great for reducing stress levels and can help your friend feel more at ease.

Journal

Stress and anxiety strike at any moment. Often at inconvenient times when there’s no one around to talk to, to help rationalize and organize their thoughts. As a remedy, gift a journal to your overthinking friend so that they can write down what they feel when you’re not around to listen. 

Plant

A few indoor plants are well-known for reducing stress. Greenery, in general, is excellent for your well-being. Snake and basil plants have calming properties that put their owners at ease. If your friend has office space at home, suggest they pop it on their desk to help them manage their stress throughout the day.

Bath Bomb

A scented bath bomb will encourage your friend to use your gift by taking a hot bath, which is all part of your ploy to help them relieve stress. 

Candle

A soothing aroma can make a world of difference to how we feel. And having flickering candles around the room is relaxing to see. From tea lights to a large Yankee candle, there are a lot of candles out there that would make an ideal relaxing gift for your friend.

Suppose your friend is going through a rough patch or seems particularly down or stressed as of late. You don’t need to wait until Christmas to send them one of the thoughtful gifts above. For most of the ideas above you can order online and get sent directly to your friend. It’s just a case of picking your gifts and shipping them over.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

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

Blogger Highlight-Cindy Knoke

Thank you for all the great feedback on the Blogger Highlight series. I’ve enjoyed sharing their site with you. This week we highlight the blog of Cindy Knoke.         

 

Cindy Knoke

Photography, Birds and Travel

My closest neighbors are coyotes (packs and packs of them and they are HUNGRY), rattlers (lots and lots of them and they are MEAN), and free range cows/bulls (the bulls aren’t too friendly either).


Forget cell phones. They don’t work out here. Forget GPS, it misdirects.
It’s best not to wander too much out here, the people (and their dogs) are kinda twitchy.

To reach The Holler turn right at the reeking chicken farm, proceed down a bunch of pot-holed semi-streets/dirt roads, past the abandoned refrigerators and occupied old RV’s and then things get kinda dicey.


My friends usual reaction to the trip to The Holler is, “You’ve got to be kidding!” Or, “Next time let’s meet half way.”

I have known Cindy for many years, she’s kind, smart, loves to travel, and is an excellent photographer. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

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

How Do You Heal From Trauma?

I had a conversation with my Therapist about healing from trauma recently. I asked her, if a traumatic memory is triggered and there is no emotion or pain associated with it does that mean it’s not traumatic anymore. She explained that the memory is still traumatic until I attach a memory to it.

Everyone has trauma in their life. It could be the death of a loved one, a horrific car accident, losing your job, or any other trauma you can think of including chronic illnesses. Many people push the trauma down and go about their business. When I was younger most of my worst traumas were in a box. It’s a survival method and not the recommended way to heal!

I started seeing my Therapist 30 years ago, and we’ve slowly talked through most of my trauma. Healing is a slow process but a necessary one. I’m sharing my slimmed-down description of the process. Healing also includes self-care, lots of self-care, and giving yourself grace. 

Healing Process

The first step is acknowledging the trauma. 

You need to talk to a Therapist about the trauma in great detail. This can be difficult which means you may talk about one trauma for a month or more.

Once you’ve talked through the trauma it’s easy to think you’re healed. Not so.

The final step to healing is taking each trauma and adding emotion to it. This is a tough part. You have to mentally go back to the trauma and feel the emotion felt at the time and process it.

 

 

She reminded me that I had to relive the trauma and feel the emotion. I didn’t have to think about it, I’m not going back. Why? My daily life is not affected, the memories rarely come up, if at all, and I can deal with that. In the future, if a memory hits hard and stays with me, I will take the next step.

We all deserve to live our best life and you have to make your own decisions. You’re in charge, if you are not ready to talk, don’t talk. Please know that all traumatic memories stay with you until you process them. Once you are ready to talk, go at your own speed, healing is no marathon.

At times of trauma and stress, individuals may turn to drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism in an attempt to ease pain or escape overwhelming emotions related to their experiences. While such substances may provide temporary relief, reliance on substances often complicates healing journeys further, leading to further emotional and physical problems. Recognizing such tendencies is key, as this allows individuals to explore healthier coping strategies. Getting assistance from professionals such as therapists, support groups, and facilities like Woburn Addiction Treatment may lead to more constructive routes toward healing while stressing that healthy alternatives exist despite the challenges you experience.

To achieve healing of any type, you have to feel positive toward your Therapist in order to build trust in them. It may take seeing several before meeting a person you click with. Once you trust them, stay with them.

My version of healing from trauma may sound easy but I assure you it’s not. My mother left me in the bathtub at six months old and went downstairs to talk with my Granny before being asked where I was. The trauma builds from there and I survived with the help of my Grandparents and my Therapist.

The process of dealing with trauma can bring up other unpleasant emotions relating to these memories, such as anxiety. Going back and reliving events from the past prevents you from repressing them as you normally would. It feels like blood-letting while you’re doing it, but it is also one of those things that’s essential. If you don’t go through it (preferably with the help of a therapist), it’ll all stay inside you and you won’t get better. 

Even if you’re not ready to deal with the tough stuff, there are many benefits to having a Therapist to talk to. My Therapist has helped me deal with so much more than trauma. 

Melinda

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

The Steps to Take to Improve Your Self-Worth

Many people struggle with confidence and self-worth, and if you’re one of those people, there are lots of things you can do to start reversing the situation. Taking positive steps in the right direction will enable you to start feeling better about yourself and more confident on a day-to-day basis. We’re going to talk now about some of the steps you should try to take.

black withered tree surounded by body of water
Photo by Kyle Roxas on Pexels.com

Practice Forgiveness

First of all, you need to get into the habit and mindset of forgiving. It’s impossible to feel positive about yourself if you’re forever hanging onto old resentments and things like that. They’re not going to help you to move forward and focus on your own well-being and self-worth. There really is no benefit to be found from carrying around grudges and resentments with you.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

One thing that many of us are guilty of us is comparing ourselves to others. But it’s something that’s not healthy and not positive in any way at all. When you compare yourself to someone else, whether you’re focusing on the good or the bad, it sets up the wrong paradigm. You don’t need to measure your own success and worth by that of someone else. It’s a negative way of looking at the situation.

Get Into the Habit of Exercising

Exercising is good for the body and the mind. You tend to feel invigorated and positive after you’ve been exercising, whether that means going for a short job around the park or a long session in the gym. It’s entirely up to you what kind of exercise you do and how you balance it, but you should certainly try to exercise a little more if you can. You’ll notice the difference it makes.

Do Your Bit to Help Those Less Fortunate Than You

There are so many people who are worse off than yourself, even when you feel like your life is pretty tough. If you want to feel better about yourself and the impact you’re having on the world, you should think about how you can do things such as help the homeless or volunteer your time and effort in other ways. That way, you’ll be having a positive impact on the world.

Carry Yourself with Confidence Each Day

The way in which you carry yourself and conduct yourself in your day-to-day life can help to move your feelings of self-worth in the right direction. Try to be as confident as you can each day. Acting confidently will breed inner confidence and that’s what you’re looking for right now. It’s within your power to change these things.

We all deserve to feel a higher sense of self-worth, so if this is something that you’ve been struggling with recently, you should do what you can to change that. And the tips we’ve discussed here will certainly make that possible for you, so try to implement them in your day-to-day life.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

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

Blogger Highlight-Anything Is Possible

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 the blog of  Anything Is Possible.

           

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

When I was 12 years old, my father told me:

“Nothing is Impossible,”

 I like to state things positively, so Anything Is Possible is the name of this blog.

When we think and speak positively about our hopes and dreams and express gratitude for the good things we already have, we receive our hearts’ desires…..or something even better! That became clear when my high school sweetheart found me 39 years later when the timing was perfect. 

I have followed Joanna for years, she has a positive energy which we all need. Be sure to check out her two books. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

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

Just Pondering

What would you pack in your bike basket to ensure you have everything you need to create the most magical day?

 Melinda

Field Guide by Stampington

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

How Dogs Can Enrich Your Life

Have you ever wondered why people say dogs are a man’s (and woman’s) best friend? Well, if you’ve ever been around one, you probably get the gist. But if not, let’s jump into the glorious, tail-wagging world of how dogs can seriously upgrade your life game!

Cardio Buddy

Who needs an expensive gym membership or a fancy treadmill collecting dust in the basement? Dogs are the ultimate workout buddies. They’re always ready for a walk or run, rain or shine. And let’s face it, when those big ol’ eyes are pleading for a jaunt around the block, who can resist?

Social Butterfly Boost

Have you ever been on a walk with a dog? You’re basically a local celebrity. People stop to chat, other dog owners give you the nod, and before you know it, you’re in a full-blown conversation about breeds, dog parks, and that cute thing your dog did last Tuesday.

Ultimate Stress Reliever

Had a rough day? Dogs have this magical ability to sense it. A snuggle on the couch, a wagging tail, and the sheer joy they show when you walk through the door can melt away the stresses of the day faster than ice cream on a hot summer’s afternoon.

While not all dogs are guard dogs, most have an innate sense of protection when it comes to their human family. Even the smallest Chihuahua can raise the alarm with their mighty bark!

 Boost That Immunity

Dogs are messy, and they’re explorers. While that means occasionally you’ll be questioning what they’re eating off the ground, it also means they’re exposing you to a world of new germs – in a good way! Regular exposure can actually boost your immunity. Who knew Fido was also your personal health guard?

Unconditional Love

Ever tried explaining to a dog that you made a mistake at work or that you forgot to pay a bill? They don’t care. They love you with a kind of purity and loyalty that’s rare in the world. It’s unconditional and unwavering. Talk about a confidence boost!

Laughter Overload

Dogs are downright goofy. From chasing their tails, getting spooked by their reflection, or just the goofy ways they play with toys, they’re a constant source of entertainment and chuckles.

A Purpose and Routine

Dogs thrive on routine, and having one can encourage you to build and maintain a daily rhythm. Morning walks, feeding times, play sessions, and bruising your labradoodle’s hair (did you know labradoodles come in many colors?) – these activities create a structure that can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you’re someone who tends to feel a bit lost without a plan.

Safety First

While not all dogs are guard dogs, most have an innate sense of protection when it comes to their human family. Even the smallest Chihuahua can raise the alarm with their mighty bark!

Learning Patience

While dogs bring joy, they can also test your patience (looking at you, chewed up shoes). But, in these moments, they teach us patience, understanding, and problem-solving. It’s all part of the package and, in the end, makes us better humans.

They Keep You Present

Dogs live in the moment. Whether they’re chasing a ball or just lounging in the sun, they’re all in. And that’s a beautiful lesson for all of us. In a world constantly pulling our attention in a million directions, dogs remind us of the beauty of the here and now.

In short, dogs aren’t just pets; they’re an upgrade to your life. They’re a constant source of fun, joy, and purpose, which is why, if you think you could give one a loving home, you should definitely consider the benefits of having a pampered pooch of your own. 

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

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

Blogger Highlight-Vova Zinger’s Photoblog

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 the blog of  Vova Zinger’s Photoblog.

I’ve decided to highlight the blogs I follow, some I’ve followed for over 10 years. 

       

Vova Zinger’s Photoblog

The world around through my camera’s lens

My name is Vova Zinger, and I’m an amateur photographer. I am an urban guy and I love all the cities where I have lived – the nice very old Ukrainian city of Lviv(where I was born and lived for almost 40 years), reborn after the Recession of 1970s Pittsburgh (where I started my life in the United States), and beautiful charming Boston (where I’m living now). I love these cities and I like to share my love to them with you by making and displaying their pictures of them. This is why you’ll see a lot of city’s images on my blog.
But I also like to travel, to see new places. By traveling I mean not only visiting new cities (because I like them), but going outside to see the wonders of nature. And when I see something beautiful, I can not resist taking pictures.

I look forward to seeing what photo he will show next. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

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

Do You Know What A VNS Device Is?

My Bipolar Disorder was difficult to manage with medication alone. My Psychiatrist told me about a device that was waiting for FDA approval.

In 2005 the VNS device was approved by the FDA and my doctor had all the information ready to send to my insurance company.

The first time insurance denied the device. Here’s how I got insurance to approve. I wrote a letter explaining what my life was like and how it controls my life and in time the possibility of suicide.

A VNS device looks much like a pacemaker with two leads that attach to your vagus nerves, sending signals to the brain to relieve your depression.

The surgery doesn’t take long, but getting used to the device turned on takes a while.

When you are talking the device makes your voice sound weird but only when the device is sending signals to the brain.

When I had my surgery, no one had seen one implanted which meant the Gallery was full of other doctors. My doctor got to see my boobs, that had to settle in.

After you have healed the device is turned on at a low level so you get used to the feeling of the device working. Then we turned up the level until we found what we thought was the right setting.

I kept it on for years but finally admitted it wasn’t working and had it turned off.

The only pain involved is initial surgery.

I thought this device would change my life but it didn’t work out that way.

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Navigator on Pexels.com

This is the notes I made on 12/30/05.

Received a letter today from the insurance company, they approved.

I can’t wait to call my Psychiatrist to tell him the news and to get my surgery date rolling.

2005 has been a rough year but this news is my beacon of hope.

The greatest news all year.

Unfortunately, I was in the percentage of people that the device didn’t work.

I am waiting to hear about new treatments but nothing new for my mental illness.

Melinda

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

I’m Agoraphobic

My agoraphobia started a year or two before the pandemic. It was frustrating but my therapist helped on the journey. It started with intrusive thoughts that people were chasing me in their car and planning to hurt me by driving me off the road. These thoughts lasted for a long time. These are not dreams, they came during the day.

It’s possible the trigger was set off by me driving to a doctor I had seen for 15 years and got lost with no cell phone, I had left it at home. It was very stressful because I didn’t know the area well and had problems getting back to the freeway. Is this connected, I don’t know. 

Then ongoing dreams that centered around my car started. I couldn’t find the right key, I rented a car and when I looked for it I didn’t know how to find the car. I was carrying a huge keychain full of keys and I couldn’t find the right key and different dreams continued. The dreams came often in the beginning. The latest thought is someone is following me after going to the bank. 

I thought it might be Agoraphobia but thought it was someone who could not leave the house. When I started reading about Agoraphobia, I was shocked by the different types. I found my symptoms listed and now have an answer.

One treatment option is EMDR Sessions. It works for many people but some doctors do not recommend it for people with Bipolar Disorder. It doesn’t matter, I’m not having 20 treatments to see if it works. Life is too short.

For now, I only drive within a 3-4-mile radius of the house which makes me less independent. I don’t focus on Agoraphobia, it’s when I make plans to leave the house that the feelings kick in and dictate what I do next.

Melinda

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

Blogger Highlight-MS Hazy Brain

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 the blog of MS Hazy Brain.

MSHAZYBRAIN 

Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia

All about me, my name is Lynn Rose. I am a mother of two, being a mother is my greatest role. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2020, after over 9 years of the doctors saying it’s all in my head. I should have been diagnosed in 2012 when I was extremely sick and admitted in the hospital. I had all the tests in 2012 MRIs, spinal tap, and blood and still made me feel I was crazy. I got really sick again at the end of 2018 and started going to the doctors again.

 She’s a great resource, be sure and stop by her blog.

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

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

What’s Your Mood Today?

Today is a great day! I’ve accomplished more in the past week than most of the year.

Photo by Sebastian Voortman on Pexels.com

Melinda

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

World Mental Health Awareness Day 10th

Every day is an Awareness Day for me because I have to focus on my Mental Health before I feel overloaded and stressed out.

When discussing Mental Health and self-care it could be as simple as reducing stress, getting regular sleep, and putting the electronics away an hour before bedtime. It works for me, or take a nice bath with essential oils to create a nice aroma. There are so many ways we can keep our Mental Health in check. One of the most important tasks every day is to take your medication as prescribed.

 

Self Care Tips

When life gets busy it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. But practicing self-care can have great benefits for your mental health.

Don’t feel guilty about taking time to care for yourself. It’s not selfish to make your health a priority. You will be better able to help others when you are your healthiest.

How to practice self-care is different for each person and can be different from day to day.  An act of self-care for one person could actually be triggering for someone else, such as visiting with family. The important part is to find a balance of activities that work for you.

Here are some ideas on ways to get started, and don’t forget that you can also combine these activities. For example, eating your favorite dessert at the park or going to the beach and reading with a friend.

Build a Healthy Foundation

Get enough sleep and do your best to keep a consistent sleep schedule

Eat a balanced diet and include fruits and vegetables

Remember to drink enough water

Avoid triggers

Take breaks from your computer, phone, or social media

Learn to say no: it’s okay to say no if you don’t want or aren’t able to do something at the moment. Taking on too many commitments can put extra pressure on yourself and cause more stress.

Many people think they don’t have time for self-care, especially men. Your body gives you what you put into taking care of. Men tend to be the worst at self-care or even the idea. Taking a break to get fresh air for 10 minutes is self-care. Your body will give you back what you put into taking care of yourself.

Melinda

References:

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2023/04/28/a-proclamation-on-national-mental-health-awareness-month-2023/

https://ibpf.org/articles/50-ways-to-start-practicing-self-care/

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

Blogger Highlight-Mental Health Struggles

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 the blog of Mental Health Struggles.

Mental Health Struggles

Hello! I am a 33-year-old woman speaking out about mental health & daily struggles to help me process things a little better.

I love how frank she is, so refreshing. Be sure to stop by. 

Melinda

Looking for the Light

 

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

The Astonishing Mental Health Benefits Of Gardening

Have you ever noticed that some of the happiest people you know are massively into gardening? The reasons for this are simple: gardening is one of the best things you can do to boost your mental health. 

But why is this? Why do people who spend time in their gardens seem to have healthier inner lives than everyone else? It is a little mysterious. 

The reason, it seems, comes down to the ways that our bodies react when we’re working outdoors. Naturally, we’re inclined to spend time in the sunlight, observing the world around us, and trying to get to grips with it. It’s not just about the physical activity of gardening and so-called feel-good hormones. There’s also a sense that you’re really profoundly connecting with nature. It feels very different from spending an evening in front of Netflix. 

So what benefits do people who garden regularly report? Check them out below. 

Photo by Rebecca Swafford on Pexels.com

A Sense Of Accomplishment

Having a sense of accomplishment and control over your environment is an addictive feeling. The more you experience it, the more you want it.

Gardens are chaotic systems. Over time, they devolve into an all-against-all survival of the fittest. And it can be a challenge to bring them under control. That, however, is part of the joy of the process. It’s nice to feel like you can tame nature – at least on a small patch of land – and get some genuine satisfaction from the process. 

An Increase In Creativity

Pexels – CC0 License

We don’t tend to think of being creative as a health benefit, but it is a vital sign that we are in a good place. Creativity is a mental state that recruits practically every area of the brain. But it can only happen if we are in a positive frame of mind. If you’re using mental resources worrying about something, it’s hard to develop new ideas. Gardening helps to direct your focus on the outside world instead of your internal thoughts, allowing you room for creativity where you would have struggled before. 

Improved Mood

Would you like to improve your mood? Well, according to data collected by Plant Life Balance, gardening can help. According to their research, around 58 percent of people experience improvements in how they feel when they spend time in the garden. 

Feeling More Connected To Others

We typically see gardening as an individual pursuit. Interestingly, a large segment of people who do it feel more connected to the broader community. Part of this has to do with the fact that some gardening tasks are communal. For example, Lineage Tree Care points out that gardening involves tree trimming and storm clean-up that affect the whole community. If you visit their website, you can see examples of what they mean. Things like overhanging trees can affect both the property owner and their neighbors. 

Feeling More Connected To Nature

Finally, a large number of people say that gardening makes them feel more connected to nature – something that tends to enhance overall well-being considerably.

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

Health and Wellbeing · Men & Womens Health · Mental Health

Caregiver Conversations With My Gramps

There are more caregivers than any of us know, and as the population grows older more caregivers are needed. This post is a compilation of conversations with my gramps before he died. I think it will give you a better idea of the day-to-day needs.

He was told by his Nephrologist to not drive and to get his keys if he could. Not going to happen.

He thought he could replace the glass on the door to the backyard. He thought he had a great job. I stop by late at night and glass was everywhere in the garage.

He had me cancel a doctor’s appointment so he could go to Center Center.

He wanted to talk with hospice himself, no way. There’s no idea what he would say and it would not be reality.

I arrived to find dirty underpants, several with poo, and there were more in the bathtub.

I heard him on the phone asking someone if he thought we were telling the truth.

We were told he had 2-3 weeks to live, they forgot to say old people die faster. We. had a week.

He would not acknowledge he had Chronic Kidney Diseases until the end and refused to get in

One morning he yelled out what did I go to his Cheerios, what are you talking about? I didn’t buy the right flavor.

As the days went by I asked him if he wanted to call his family and friends. He looked so sad. I sit by him while he calls the phone book. Then the house was full of family and friends. I had to set hours for visitation and no smoking. Many of our hillbilly family members showed up and said they would come back and bring a card table to play dominos. I got flaked but I set the rules.

My grandparents were from poverty and WWI, and Gramps continued to live like he had no money. One day I woke up and there are tiny pieces of toilet paper with poop on them.

He never told me he was constipated, he pushed too hard and got a hernia.

Melinda