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Blog

Three Things to do when you can't sleep

8/11/2016

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I'm tired, so tired my eyes feel like sandpaper. Still, I can't sleep.  It's as if a remote control has switched my mind to fast forward, causing my eyes to stare endlessly at the clock. 

Are You Sleepless, Too?

I hope not, my friend.  But if you are and you're sitting here reading this early in the morning, here are three things I've found that are supposed to help us sleep:

1. Find a Way to Turn Off Our Anxious Thoughts

According to insomnia experts, it's important to turn off any anxious thoughts before going to bed. They suggest taking time early in the day to list all of our worries, along with the ways we will try dealing with them. Having this list is supposed to ease our minds, so we can concentrate on sleeping.


2. Do Something to Help Our Bodies Relax

Winding down before bed is one of the best ways to get our sleep back on track, according to Harvard Medical School. Creating a pre-sleep routine will send a  signal to our bodies that it's time to prepare for sleep. I like to take hot baths. They're my favorite way to relax...a little lavender scent... a lit candle...ahhh.... 

If this sounds too girly for you, there are other things you can try.  My friend eats graham crackers and warm milk. Warm milk contains calcium, which helps soothes the nervous system. My daughter's boyfriend listens to classical music.  Apparently it's very efficient at lulling him to sleep.


3. Visualize Something Peaceful

According to experts, visualizing is a great way to distract our brains so we can drift off and eventually fall asleep. All we have to do is imagine we're in our favorite place.

I'll picture myself sitting on a sunny beach.  You can picture yourself in your favorite place...a peaceful forest, perhaps? Now we just relax and enjoy it, look at our surroundings, listen to the sounds, and feel the warm sun on our skin. Before long, we should be drifting off to sleep.



    What other Ways have you tried beating insomnia?

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do what you need to do to ease anxiety

8/11/2016

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Guess What?  I was invited to a friend's party and almost didn't go because of the parking.  Sounds silly, right?  Not if you suffer anxiety. People have different things that make them anxious, and for me it's parking. Many years ago I was attacked in a parking lot, and since then I've had issues with parking.

I Was So Anxious

I was so anxious, I woke up early.  I went on my cell phone and looked at a map.  The tangle of one-way streets convinced me to leave an hour early. 


When I was able to park next to my friend's house, I felt calmer.  I immediately checked the time and realized I was 45 minutes early. Did it really take a mere fifteen minutes to get there?  The blood in my face did a U-turn and came out of my palms as sweat.  What would my friend think?

It's Okay to Do Things to Ease Your Anxiety

She greeted me at the door and listened to my bumbling apology. Thankfully, she was understanding, and it made me realize something important: "It's okay to do things to ease your anxiety."

If I hadn't left early, I might have struggled to find a close parking spot. And to be perfectly honest, I would have turned around the minute I learned I had to walk farther than a few driveways. 



Focus on Things You Can Control

The important thing was I didn't let the hassle of anxiety keep me from participating.  Instead, I focused on the thing I could control and came up with a plan.  


You're Normal

You can do the same, my friend.  What is causing you anxiety today?  Is there something you can do to ease this worry?  Can you drop a class?  Make a list of reminders?  Take a different route?

It's okay if you have to do something a little bit differently than everyone else.  The important thing is to not let anxiety keep you in bondage. Come up with a plan for yourself and then follow the plan.

And, hey,  if you need to leave early for an engagement and I happen to be going?  

Relax.  I'll be there early.  Waiting for you.


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How I Remember to Take My meds

8/11/2016

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I used to hate getting asked if I took my medicine.  It made my eyes roll, which has negative consequences, by-the-way.  Most of the time I hadn't remembered, which is why it irritated me so much. My life was busy and full of things that were much more fun than taking  pills.

However, I learned the importance of remembering my medication once I started getting migraines.  If I forgot to take the medicine that prevented them, I suffered the consequences.  Somehow pain helps a girl get her priorities straight, know what I mean?  Here is what pain taught me about taking medication:


1.  It's important to put Your Medication in a Place You Can See It

It took me a long time to find the perfect spot for my medicine, but I finally figured it out.  I'm sure visitors find it quite strange to reach for coffee in my house and grab a bottle of medicine instead, but hey, whatever works, right? Since my muscles can't seem to get moving in the morning without a pep-talk from caffeine, I seldom get a migraine now.

The important thing when choosing a place for your medication is making sure it's a spot that fits your lifestyle and your schedule. My husband keeps his medicine by the sink, so he can take his pills before he brushes his teeth.  My daughter keeps hers in her purse, so if she has to hurry out of the house in the morning (which is often the case,)  she will have them with her.  Find a spot that works best for you.

2.  It's crucial to Remember the Purpose of  Medication:  It's there to Keep You Healthy

Once I realized how helpful my medicine was, it was easier to take it.  I could actually take it without gagging, which is a feat worthy of a gold medal if you ask me.  Now I'm proud to say I'm pain-free...healthy, happy, and ready to take on the world.  

What about you, my friend? Wasn't there a reason you were given that medicine?  Remembering the healing it brings may help you be able to swallow it easier.  No, it's not fun, but it will ensure you get the best results from your treatment plan, which is what we both want. It's important you get healthy. 

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Yes, even if it means having less room in your cupboards for coffee.  The world needs you more than it needs caffeine. And that means something coming from a girl who's married to her coffee cup in the morning.)
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Dealing with Bullies

8/6/2016

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There are some people in my life that love to point out my faults.  They make rude remarks, roll their eyes when I talk, and treat me like I'm not worth knowing.  Down inside I know I shouldn't care what they think, but I'd be dishonest if I told you it didn't hurt me deeply each time.
 Do you have people like these in your life, people who bring you down just because you're different?  It may seem like you’re alone, but you’re not.  About 25% of kids your age are bullied on a daily basis.

As a teen, you already have a hard time believing the best about yourself; but having a bully point out every flaw? It makes being a teen even harder. It causes you to feel unworthy and makes you wish you never had to show your face again. 

What Can You Do?

​Despite how you feel or what the bully may be saying about you, there is no excuse for their harassment. You have many great qualities and you shouldn’t be ashamed for being who you are. Although there is no best way for handling bullies, here are some strategies you can try the next time you're being bullied:

  • Walk Away  Bullies love to see reactions in their victims.  If you walk away, you take away all of their fun and show them they are not in control of your emotions. They’ll stop picking on you if there can’t get anything out of it.
  • React with Humor This reaction is a great way to gain control of the situation, because it’s not the reaction the bully is expecting and it may throw them off-course. They may start laughing and forget about their harassment.
  • Act Confident  Standing tall and making eye contact sends a strong message to the bully that you are not weak or vulnerable...the exact opposite of what they want in a victim.
  • Stick Together Whenever possible, stick with a group of friends, so the bully can’t get you alone. The old saying, “strength in numbers” holds true.
  • Tell Someone The only way your bully will be caught and stopped is if people in authority know what’s happening. Tell them.

You Deserve to Live a Life Free From Bullying

Whatever you do, don’t stay silent and let the hate continue. You deserve to live a life free from bullying.  Step up and begin to confront the issue, even if it makes you nervous.  Bullying can be stopped.  

And remember: 
 it's NEVER worth taking your life!

If you or someone you know is on the verge of suicide PLEASE call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or go to the nearest hospital emergency room IMMEDIATELY so you can get help!

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