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Three Secrets to Relieve Caregiver Stress
“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 Meet Rita: “I am so f*****g stressed out and sick of my pathetic life. Sam is having a bad day, and I have been trying to get ahold of my son and daughter, but of course, no one answers my plea for help. I got his oxygen back up to ninety-seven. It was eighty this morning, and he was coherent. I really need a break—a few hours for just me, but that will never happen. This is…
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A Story of Hope and Optimism: What It Means for You
“A rainbow is a prism that sends shards of multicolored light in various directions. It lifts our spirit and makes us think of what is possible. Hope is the same—a personal rainbow of the mind.”—Charles Richard Snyder What Is Hope? Hope is not merely an emotion. Hope does not mean having a pollyannish approach to situations in life. Oxford English Dictionary defines hope: as “a feeling of expectation and desire for something to happen.” But hope is also more than mere desire and better than mere expectation. Hope is directly related to our sense of possibilities. Hope is indispensable if you want to endure difficult circumstances without giving up or…
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The Happiness Code: 6 Ways to Find Happiness Today, Tomorrow, and Into Your Future
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”—Mahatma Gandhi Are you happy? Oxford English Dictionary defines happiness as: “feeling or showing pleasure; fortunate and convenient.” In line with this definition, other sources say happiness is an “emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment.” If you accept the above descriptions, what principles or qualities of life would you say characterize the way to find such happiness? What rules do happy people live by? How do happy people behave? Unlocking the Code Many people experience a measure of happiness when they reach a specific goal or obtain a new item,…
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Senior Women: The Seven Keys to Optimal Health
“Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind, and spirit. When one is free from physical disability and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open.”—B.K.S. Lyenger I’ve based this article on my book: A Family Caregiver’s Guide: 7 Secrets to Convert Negative Triggers to Positive Emotions (2019) Meet Martha: “I have been taking care of Mom and Dad for nearly twelve years now. Six of the years have been 24/7 living with Mom and with Dad until he died two years ago. We all know how stressful life is when caregiving. And it only builds up. “Also, I have had anxiety/panic disorder for the last thirty…
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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…
