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Senior Women: 8 Ways to Improve Your Emotional Health
“I’m alone, but I’m not lonely. I like who I am. I like who I’m becoming.”—Deena Kastor Today, because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, the digital mental health market is exploding. Stress and anxiety have accelerated the demand for virtual behavioral health services. According to the European Connected Health Alliance, more than 380,000 health apps are available through Apple and Android operating systems, and around 20,000 of them address mental health. But what about emotional health? Emotional Health Vs. Mental Health In researching this topic, I did not find apps specifically to help with emotional health. I believe this is because mental health and emotional health are two terms often…
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Listening to the Family Caregiver: Stories from the Frontlines
“There are only four kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”—Rosalyn Carter There are numerous family caregiver stories—one for every family caregiver. And exactly how many family caregivers are there? Key Facts: In 2020, 41.8 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult over the age of 50. That’s nearly 17% of the U.S. adult population. 89% of caregivers care for a relative or other loved one, such as a spouse. 7 hours per week is the average time caregivers spend providing unpaid care for loved ones they don’t…
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Charting the Course Through Loss: Strategies for Healing and Growth
By: Hazel Bridges, Guest Blogger Navigating the aftermath of loss requires resilience and a deliberate approach to healing. Establishing goals conducive to well-being is not just beneficial; it is necessary for regaining balance. This article delves into actionable strategies to construct a foundation for recovery in the face of grief. Creating a Structured Routine Amidst the turmoil that loss can bring, establishing a daily routine is akin to introducing a compass in a storm, offering direction and a semblance of order. Consistent routines serve as anchors, providing a rhythm to our days that brings solace and a predictable structure during times of upheaval. This consistency becomes a source of comfort,…
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How to Create a Positive Self-Image
“I got my own back.”—Maya Angelou A person’s true beauty, or handsomeness, does not depend upon physical form. Though it may sound corny, the inner person makes one either attractive or disliked. Do you accept yourself the way you are? “Self-image is the personal view, or mental picture, that we have of ourselves. Self-image is an ‘internal dictionary’ that describes the characteristics of the self, including such things as intelligent, beautiful, ugly, talented, selfish, and kind.”—Cleveland Clinic.org What is your self-image? Would you like to change or improve your self-image? Creating a positive self-image is essential for your mental and emotional well-being. In this article, I will share seven (7)…
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Seven Ways to Love Your Body
“I don’t have perfect teeth. I’m not stick thin. I want to be the person who feels great in her body and can say that she loves it and doesn’t want to change anything.”—Emma Watson Are you obsessed with how you look? Take this brief quiz to find out: Which statement best describes how you feel about yourself: I’m never satisfied with the way I look. I’m sometimes happy with the way I look. I’m always pleased with the way I look. What would you like to change most about your body? Weight Muscle tone Body shape Skin changes Hair texture Complexion Posture and balance Other Complete the following sentence:…
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Relaxation Techniques to Promote Overall Well-Being
“Slow down, and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you.”—John DePaola Hey! Pick out your most comfortable chair. Sit down, loosen your waistband, slip out of your shoes, and close your eyes. Now imagine your feet dangling in calm, clear, blue mountain water. Smell the sweet aroma of nearby flowers. Hear the happy songs of carefree birds. Feel the stimulation of fresh mountain air. For a few minutes, shut out all other thoughts as much as possible and meditate with this peaceful scene in mind. Feel better? More relaxed? Who of us does not need to relax? Learning to relax is essential for both your physical and…
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Pass On Your Knowledge Leave a Positive Legacy
“What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.”—Pericles Grief. Meet Cynthia: “Mom passed away on May 12th. “My family came down for two weeks from South Carolina. They took me on a three-day vacation to Key West, Florida. I enjoyed it, but at the same time, my heart was breaking because my mom was not here with me. “I still cry every day. I try to avoid letting anyone see me cry, but the crying comes out of nowhere, and so does the sadness. “No one understands my feelings unless they have been through a similar experience…
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Review of Reiki: The Pros and Cons
“Reiki is love. Love is wholeness. Wholeness is balance. Balance is well-being. Well-being is freedom from disease.”—Dr. Mikao Usui This blog reviews other articles on the benefits and risks of Reiki Therapy. Source articles include: Better Health Channel https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/ Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/ Medical News Today https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/308772 National Library of Medicine https://www.nlm.nih.gov/ Reiki.org https://www.reiki.org/ Reiki Stories: #1. “One of my patients had kidney cancer. She experienced pain in her hip. The first time I saw her, I could see the stress on her face. Our session lasted an hour, and she slept. Afterward, she was relaxed and expressed feeling relief from her pain. “It has been a joy to see how…
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Daily Habits of Super Healthy People
“Habits are safer than rules; you don’t have to watch them. And you don’t have to keep them, either. They keep you.”—Frank Crane How healthy are you? In 2021 U.S. healthcare spending reached $4.3 trillion, which averages to about $12,900 per person. The top four areas of spending: Hospital care. Physician services. Clinical services. Other personal healthcare costs. (Source: American Medical Association) There is no doubt that the average citizen in the U.S. is becoming more health conscious. Books and videos on diets and exercise consistently occupy top spots on best-selling lists. Health foods, vitamins, gym outfits, and exercise gear have become multimillion-dollar businesses. And nowadays, the image of a…
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How to Improve Your Mental Health Quickly
“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”—Albus Dumbledore When mental illness strikes, it is a cause of great sadness to those affected. Yet there is no need for a family to feel shame when this happens. Nevertheless, you want to know how your health can best restore your health. The good news is that there are several tips you can use to improve your mental health quickly, including: Practice deep breathing Engage in physical activity Connect with others Limit exposure to stress Get enough sleep Practice self-compassion This article will discuss each of these six ideas in detail.…
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Easy Ways to Start Eating Healthier
“Healthy eating is a way of life, so it’s important to establish routines that are simple, realistically, and ultimately livable.”—Horace Starting to eat healthier can be a positive and beneficial change for your overall well-being. Does what you eat matter? Absolutely! Why? Your health depends, in part, on what you eat. But eating healthy does not have to be complicated. Healthy eating can be as simple or elaborate as you make it. In this article, I will share six ways to get you started: (1) Balance in food choices, (2) Moderation in the amount, (3) Nutrient density, (4) Minimally processed food, (5) Hydration, (6) Listen to your body. I will…
