HealthandHappiness

Would you like to do something for another person that would really make a difference? Do you want to spread some happiness around? If so, read on!

One great way to spread some happiness around and really make a difference is to visit nursing home patients. Nursing home patients love company. They especially like children and pets.

Talk with a local nursing home in your area and see if they allow non-relative visitors. Find out the times and rules, then go visit. Take books, cards, or board games with you. Patients in nursing homes get bored. They will be excited if you play some type game with them!

Talk to your children about the patients. Explain why they are in there and how to act around them. Show your children they don’t need to be afraid, that the patients just want a hug most likely. Teach your children about helping others by visiting nursing home patients. It will be a valuable lesson.

Some nursing homes have pet days. See if you can bring a puppy or kitten to the next one.

This is just one small way you can spread some happiness around. You are sure to receive some hugs, thank yous, and smiles for your efforts.

Every day you should set aside time to do something that makes you happy. It doesn’t have to be anything but, just something totally for you.

I’m lucky that I get to do something almost every day that I really enjoy…my writing. I have fun making up stories, inventing new characters, and sharing my work with others. Writing is not a chore in this sense, but a passion. It makes me happy.

You all should pick something that you love and do it. Everyone can set aside at least ten minutes in the day to do something good for them. Thirty minutes would be better, but you have to start somewhere.

What are things that really make you happy? Reading, taking a bubble bath, doing crafts. It doesn’t matter what it is, just do it!

My mom called today and told me that her eye doctor said she may have a brain tumor. It’s either that, an aneurysm, a thyroid problem, or something with her sinuses. She went to see him because her eyeball is rolling back up under the eyelid.

She has been having terrible problems with her sinuses this year. The eye doctor said it could be from that. An infection could be messing with her eye, or the sinuses could be inflamed so much they are swollen and pressing on something. This is what we are hoping for!

I know that sounds bad, but sinus surgery is a lot better than a brain tumor. I lost my dad this past March to glioblastoma brain cancer. I don’t want to lose my mom to a brain tumor also!

If it’s a thyroid problem medication should fix it. That would be even better than the sinus stuff, but she’s on thyroid medication already and has regular checkups, so we don’t think it’s that.

Evidently he doesn’t really suspect an aneurysm or he would have sent her right away for tests. As it is, she’ll be seeing her regular doctor Thursday and then set up an MRI. The eye doctor said that should tell what is wrong.

I’m trying to think positive. She HAS been having sinus problems so that seems the most likely answer. Also, it doesn’t seem that the odds would be good of having two parents get brain cancer!

I would appreciate any prayers and good thoughts you have to offer.

Doesn’t seem possible does it? I know you’re thinking I’ve really lost my mind this time, but hear me out.

Watching television allows people to relax. Some shows offer up laughs which is always good medicine. Television takes your mind off of your problems and onto make-believe.

All of these reasons are why I believe television can be a healthy habit. Anything that allows you to unwind from a stressful day, makes you laugh, and frees your mind can’t be bad.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think sitting children in front of the television for hours at a time is good. Nobody should watch that much television. The saying “too much of a good thing” applies here too. But if you take it in moderation, television can be used to your advantage for a healthy life.

So the next time you’ve had a bad day pick a comedy, sit back and relax. You’ll find that it really will do you some good. Happiness can be found in the most unlikely places!

A young lady who goes to school with my son came by trying to sell doughnuts today. I turned her down because I’m diabetic and don’t need doughnuts in the house. She said a lot of people in our neighborhood were diabetic. This got me to thinking.

I wonder how many things are influenced by the great number of diabetics in the United States. Evidently candy and bake good sales for schools are down. My son said they’ve changed the foods his lunchroom serves. This was a good thing though, because they were serving way too much junk and carby foods.

Most restaurants, even fast food, have healthier choices these days. Hospitals have diabetic meal plans. Employers have to let diabetic employees take time for insulin shots if they are required. Truck drivers have to get regular tests to make sure their blood sugar isn’t out of control.

What else is diabetes having an influence on? I hope all the diabetics out there are staying in control and taking care of their health. Even when doing this, certain things have to happen during a diabetic’s day. It stands to reason that changes are being made…both in the work place, and with places trying to keep more people from becoming diabetic.

Where have you seen changes?

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Are you already done? Do you plan to spend less this year?

I’ve bought one present so far. I’m never ahead of the game though. I don’t have very many people to buy gifts for anyway so it doesn’t take long. We don’t overspend for Christmas on anyone except our son. Sometimes we do go overboard for him. This year we aren’t though because he got way too much stuff last year between us and his grandmother. Thankfully he is not one of those kids that expect lots.

The news this morning said consumers were predicted to spend 1.9 times more than last year. They said that’s the lower increase since 2002. I guess people are watching their pocket books more these days.

What is your strategy this year?

I have three stories in for contest consideration, and two in for publication consideration. I’m a nervous wreck waiting to hear the results!

I love entering contests, and I want to keep submitting things for publication until I at least get one story published, but it is nerve wracking! I wish everything went quicker. It’s hard to put something in and then have to wait a month or more to hear the results.

I try to keep myself busy doing other things. I succeed for the most part, but the closer to the deadline it gets, the jumpier I get. It’s not like I even expect to win any of the contests! I’m still fairly new to writing and I know a lot of really good authors enter these contests. It’s just the waiting that gets me. Don’t get me wrong. I would be nice to place in a contest. Third place would be great even!

It’s not easy to stay positive when the competition is so fierce. It helps that my expectations are low. Also, I really enjoy writing, no matter if I win anything for it or not.

How do y’all deal with anxiety of this type?

It makes me sick to hear people call some of the actresses out today fat, or say they could stand to lose a few pounds. You know the one’s I’m talking about. The ones that might weigh 110 pounds or wear a size four. How anyone could think that is big is beyond me.

I read an article recently about two of the girls on the new 90210 show. It gave me a little hope. The other actors were actually encouraging the girls to GAIN a few pounds. You know it has to be bad if other actors and actresses are saying you are too skinny. Those poor girls looked awful! All skin and bones. You know their health is suffering.

Young girls listen to stars. Some actresses actually talk about being fat when they are a size six! What does this make a girl in the tenth grade that is a size eight feel like? She can be perfectly healthy, active, and attractive, but still feel awful after hearing something like this. Actresses’ words have weight also!

Do you guys really like women that small? I’m talking size zero to two here? I know some women are this size naturally, and they are beautiful. But starving yourself to be this small is not healthy! Don’t you guys think a woman who’s a size six to ten looks good also?

If men would stand up and say they don’t want women to be this skinny I believe it would help. I’m not saying it’s good to be overweight. That’s unhealthy also. But being a normal weight is good. A woman that is a size six or eight is NOT FAT! Come on guys, tell the world the truth! Don’t you want a woman with just a little meat on her bones?

Let me know what you think.

I have arthritis in my knees. This can make hiking a bit of a challenge at times. The arthritis isn’t terrible yet, so normal hikes are fine. If we happen to end up on a trail that has lots of downhill stretches I pay the price.

You’d think going uphill would hurt a person more, but with arthritis downhill is much worse. Or that’s been my experience anyway. It’s something about the pressure when stepping down. Plus, you have to maintain your balance which isn’t easy when trying not to trip over anything at the same time.

Hiking poles really help when you have arthritis. Before getting my hiking poles, I couldn’t even do small hikes without pain. Now I can do small ones with no problem. The hiking poles take some of the shock out of your steps. They give you a way of holding yourself better, and help with balance. I recommend hiking poles to every hiker, but especially if you have any knee problems.

Another good idea for hikers with arthritis is to take Advil or Tylenol along. You never know when you might need it. Sometimes the pain can get quite intense.

Take frequent breaks, but don’t make them too long. You need to rest your knees, but if you sit for too long they will try to lock up on you. It’s a balancing act that takes time to learn.

It is possible to enjoy hiking when you have arthritis. Just plan ahead, do easy trails with breaks often, and watch your step!

Medical conditions often run in families. Some of them you can keep from getting by taking care of yourself, while others are just left up to the luck of the draw. If you have a lot of serious health conditions in your family it is very important to take care of yourself. Anything you can do to keep from getting a serious health condition is important.

I have quite a few things that run in my family. Here’s the list:

My Dad:

Brain cancer-he died from this in March

High blood pressure

Diabetes

My Mom:

Diabetes

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

My Grandmother:

Breast cancer

My Aunt:

Breast cancer

My Great Aunt:

Heart attack

Cousins:

Diabetes

High cholesterol

High blood pressure

As you can see, there is a lot going on with my family. We aren’t the healthiest people in the world! Along with the things I have a family history of; I have other conditions all on my own.

Me:

Diabetes

Fibromyalgia

Fluctuating blood pressure

Arthritis

Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (an auto immune disease)

Sometimes I wonder if I’ll make it to 50! My Dad was 60 when he died, my grandmother was 62, an uncle on their side was 58, and an aunt on my Mom’s side was 62. It doesn’t seem like I’ll have a long life span.

I try to take care of myself, although I don’t always succeed. I have days I just don’t care. I know this isn’t good! I am trying to do better. I can help some of these conditions by improving my overall health.

If you have a family history that contains serious medical conditions, please take care of yourself. Don’t take chances with your health. It is scary to think we may not have long lives, but we need to focus on and enjoy the time we do have.

Make a new family history!