You may or may not have noticed that our blog has been rather quite lately, well since spring if I’m honest. If you hadn’t noticed then it isn’t a problem of course, but I will explain the reason as to why our blog has been quiet.
Back in spring…
Our blog has been quiet since spring because this was the time I think I began to realise that I could no longer carry on pretending and had to stop with the constant worrying about what tomorrow would bring and just concentrate on the now. I am a known worrier – I just can’t help it and it bugs the hell out of Ian. I am always worrying about other people and hardly ever stop to think about myself. Do you find yourself doing the same?
On one of my lowest days back in spring Ian came home from work on his lunch break (he never does this) he came home to check on me and to see if I was OK. Upon his arrival home, no I wasn’t OK and he had walked-in to myself being in floods of tears and in a right state. I just felt like I had the weight of the world on my shoulders and I just couldn’t carry on anymore. On this day I had just had enough!
Things became more apparent…
I think on this day it became more apparent that I was having a breakdown. Back then I think my health problems played a massive part as it felt like they were winning, I was having to live day-by-day, not knowing how I was going to feel when I woke up which then had a knock-on affect to my job and I just felt like I was letting everyone down all the time. It just got to the point where painting a smile on my face and carrying on wasn’t working anymore. I did not feel in control anymore.
Back then I was working part-time as a carer support worker. My employer was fantastic and totally understanding but this didn’t stop me from feeling bad and like I was letting everyone down. I found that I was spending more time off sick than I was at work.
Things had to change…
It absolutely broke my heart and it was extremely hard to do but I resigned from my position as a carer/support worker. After a long chat with Ian he helped me realise that I just couldn’t carry on the way I was. Time out was desperately needed to help my health.
So, in the past 7 months I have been taking things day-by-day. I am now on medication to help with my depression. I do still have anxiety attacks but they are now few and far between, this has to be a good sign right?. I still have trouble sleeping but I am looking into ways to help with this. I now have things in place around the home to help make day-to-day life a little easier. I will be writing a post on things that I found and help me cope and carry on. Things which are still in place today.
Slowly gaining control…
My health conditions will always be there and I have now gotten use to that. I don’t like it but I have found my own way of accepting it. I am no longer going to dwell on what I can’t do because I am going to be to busy enjoying what I can do. I am not one for sitting around doing nothing so I am going to enjoy getting back to blogging again.
Ian and the boy’s have been my rock over the past few months. I really can’t thank them enough for helping me through. There is so much to share with you all but all that can be done in future posts.
Taking time out really has helped. There really is support out there for everyone. No one should have to suffer alone. Here is a link to >>> Mind <<< for anyone looking to seek help or support.
You have heard it said that stress is a killer. Stress wreaks havoc on the body. It affects blood pressure, blood sugar, the heart rate, and all the organs. It is a key factor in the risks of stroke and heart attack. It causes headaches, sleeplessness, digestion problem, and the list goes on.
When you are stressed, your body goes into slow motion. You lose your energy. You lose your drive and you invite depression to take over. The less you move the more stressed you become. But, you have the power to change this.
Making truth your reality
People who love you will give you the sound advice that you need to just calm down. Stop letting everything bother you. Do what you can do and walk away. That is very good advice if you do not have a job, a family, bills, pets, and a home. But, when you oversleep, the kids cannot find their science homework, your partner used your car and left it on empty, and the person in front of you seems to have only one objective, and that is making you late for work. Stress is part of life.
You can make some life changes that will keep these specific things from happening repeatedly, but there will always be stress in our high-tech world. Instead of focusing on the situations, let’s focus on changing the way we feel in order to process the stress.
Natures Xanax – only better
When stress and anxiety begin to affect our lives negatively, we go to the doctor. In some circumstances, people need the help of a prescription to calm down and press reset. The problem is, anxiety medication is addictive. When you finish the prescription, the anxiety comes back even worse than before. You cannot keep taking the prescription long.
The doctor may prescribe enough for a week or ten days, then take them away for a couple of weeks to protect you from addiction. So, you put your body through cycles of relaxation and then anxiety, and the cycle repeats itself as long as the doctor prescribes the medication. At the end of the “help”, you are worse off than you were before. You did not make any changes to address the issues.
When you are sedated, you usually do not move around much. Prescription drugs make you feel as if you are in a mental fog. You sleep, but it is not a relaxing sleep. You feel no better or relaxed when you wake up.
Essential oils
Nature seemed to know that we would have stress in our lives. Nature gave us a huge selection of plants that have what we need. Natural oils are harvested from live plants. These oils are easy to use and they are not addictive, have zero chemicals, and gives you the help you need to allow your body to return to normal.
Let’s look at a few oils that are proven to work. You can mix the oils for the desired effect, which only you can explore.
We will list a few examples of essential oils and the benefit it gives you. But there are hundreds of essential oils. You will need to find a combination that works for you.
Note: Essential oils are usually released into the air with the use of a diffuser. The oils enter the thin nasal membranes and are absorbed. You should be careful about placing essential oils directly on your skin. Use a carrier oil such as coconut oil, or test a very small place on your body and watch for burning or rash. You may be able to rub the oil of your choice on the skin, just be careful.
Anxiety
The following oils will calm you and allow you to de-stress and feel much more relaxed.
Lavender
Rosemary
Ylang-Ylang
Rose
Bergamot
Sleep
Lavender
Chamomile
Clary Sage
The use of these oils will calm your stress level and assist you in getting a relaxed night of restful sleep. Once your body is responding to this, you will need to boost your energy level.
Energy
Rosemary
Peppermint (Also a natural anti-inflammatory and pain killer for those sore muscles).
Grapefruit
Eucalyptus
Now you can move on to mood enhancers. These oils lift your spirits, ease any muscle pain you have and generally make you feel good.
Peppermint
Sweet Orange
Frankincense
Lemon essential
Cedarwood
Get moving!
You are feeling better and more relaxed. Now fight off depression, boost your energy, and be the best you can be by exercising. When you are active, your brain naturally produces more serotonin. This is a feel-good hormone that balances your mood. Your body is ready to take over and keep you emotionally fit. Use the essential oils whenever you like, but do not use them instead of moving. You have to invest in your body to reap the rewards.
Wow, what a month I have had. I am seeing February in 1 stone and 0.5 lb lighter thanks to my new health kick! I am totally amazed and I am also still in shock.
I have learnt so much this time round from being a Slimming World member. I can’t quite put my finger on what is differenht this time – Perhaps it is where I am taking a different approach to it this time. And also remembering past mistakes.
A Few Of The Things I have Learnt And Will Remember Are:
To take my time. A steady loss is better than no weight loss.
I found that amoungst the clutter in the kitchen there is a spice rack that I actually LOVE!
Meal planning is actually fun, saves money and really does help me to stay on plan and in control.
To not be scared to introduce a new meal to our family menu. It is trial and error for a while but amazing new healthier foods will come from the trying them out.
I found muscles that I didn’t even know existed…..Ouch! yes I need to learn how to warm up properly before exercising – Lesson learnt the hard way!
Exercising can be fun. But even more comfortable and enjoyable when wearing the correct clothing. A clothes shop is needed I think.
To take and check body measurements regularly and take note. I was amazed at how much I had actually lost off my bingo wings, chest, waist and top of my legs. What don’t show on the scales can show in measurements.
That I don’t need a fancy gym membership to exercise. A home gym and the great outdoors can be just as good, if not better. All you need is an imagination and determination.
Not to add too many changes in one go. Make healthy swaps gradually. Adjust to a new lifestyle slowly then it isn’t such a shock and is much more enjoyable.
I have learnt to relax and enjoy my new lifestyle. I have learnt to not stress to much if I have a bad day as they do happen to everyone. I just tell myself now that tomorrow is a new day.
Opening up and chatting about my journey has also really helped me. I did feel embarrassed to start off with as I was previously a Slimming World member that lost just over 3 stone in weight. That loss soon went back on as my old habits came back. A lovely chat with family and friends really helped me and I am now ready and focused to turn that embarrasement into determination.
I have sat and wrote a list of where I went wrong last time. I have taken it all in and I shall remember them and learn from them.
We are now on a health kick and I don’t want to just lose weight – no way do I want to find it again or let it find me!
I want rid forever so it has to be a lifestyle change forever.
Due to the numerous competitors in the labor market, employers are forced to “sharpen” their methods of employee selection. This way, they can reach the best solution for an open job position. It is noticeable that an increasing number of companies are introducing additional testing to check which candidate fits best in the potential job profile.
Also, it became a standard practice to check employees from time to time, to see if they bring results and how they fit into new business trends. In addition to a well-known intelligence or personality test, and various case studies, employers have introduced another way of examining their workforce, which threatens to become mandatory – drug testing.
The topic of drug use and abuse is something we hear of every day, but drug testing became a current theme lately. It’s a public secret that the number of light drug users is on the rise. While many think that only immature kids do drugs, they would be surprised to find out how many mature people and professionals use some of the opiates.
Pre-Employment Drug Tests
The right of every employer is to know what kind of worker they are hiring. Besides great job-related recommendations, they may also be interested in your private life and have you ever had problems with the law. All this is in the domain of the law, and employers maximally use this right. Especially for highly responsible job positions that carry a certain risk for the worker, the company, and other participants (for example, pilots, bus and truck drivers have drug controls several times a year).
Today’s methods of testing are quite advanced; anyone who consumed any kind of narcotic, at least once in a lifetime, will be frightened of the drug control. And you’ll never know when your employer can announce the testing. You can expect a pre-employment drug examination in every serious business offer.
“Surprises” for Employees
The use of narcotics in private life is a matter of free choice. The right of every employer is to provide safety and security in the workplace, and consuming opiates is something that can jeopardize it. Employers do not want to take risks, and they will try to ensure their business through regular drug testing.
Every company has a legal right to engage a health service to conduct employee drug checks at any time. Often, tests are announced several days in advance, except in the event of an accident at work. The results and information about employees are confidential, and the further procedure depends exclusively on the results of the test.
Drug Testing after Accident on Workplace
In the case of regular testing, the most commonly performed drug tests are urine or saliva method; when some work accident happens, every company will require more reliable sample and testing. These two tests are not considered completely reliable (according to TestClear, you can easily “fool” them).
In specific situations, where the interests of the company are endangered, employers usually insist on a blood test. This is the most expensive, but also the most reliable variant for checking the presence of opiates, therefore this method is only used in serious and risky situations.
Some employees want to “profit” after getting an injury in the workplace. Usually, employers have to pay costs of treatment and compensation for any damages suffered. Denying can seriously affect their business reputation. So they want to protect themselves in such situations, especially if there are reasonable doubts about the abuse.
Can Employee Refuse Drug Test
The right of every man is to reject the test, but the employer usually knows what to do in that situation. In that case, every corporation can prescribe certain sanctions, to protect their interests. If you are applying for the first job in some reputable company, it may be wise to accept testing. There are various methods that can help you pass it if you have any doubts. If you refuse it from the first, you probably closed the door of this company.
Depending on the business area, job positions or situation at work employers opt for routine or targeted testing. Each drug test brings costs for the company, so they don’t want to waste their money. If you deny it at the very beginning, they probably won’t force you. But expect the unexpected then.
Employers sometimes can use methods of announcing “false” drug testing; based on the reaction of employees, company’s psychologists can judge whether or not someone use opiates. You’ll never know what the truth is, so our advice is to always accept the testing, and to use those few days before examination to stay clean and eliminate opiate trails.
When you’re thinking of ways to keep your family healthy, there are a few different things you can do. Doing these things together as a family gives you more opportunity to build up momentum, and therefore, more chance of success. Take a look below for 8 health habits that the entire family should be using and you’ll see what you can change:
Keeping A Regular Bedtime/Get Up Time
The whole family should have a regular bedtime/get up time. This doesn’t mean that the parents have to go to bed at the same time as the kids; it just means that every night, you should make sure you’re all getting a good night’s sleep by going to bed at the same time, for example, 8pm for the kids and 10pm for the adults. Then, ensure that you get up at the same time each morning. Do this even on weekends, and you’ll ensure your circadian rhythms are healthy and that you don’t feel the need to sleep in! If you do feel like sleeping in on weekends, chances are, you’re not getting enough sleep in the week. Try to get around 8 hours a night. Just bear in mind that you might need a little more or a little less depending on your age and activity levels. Kids tend to need more than adults!
Eating One Meal Together Daily
Eating just one meal together daily can help your family to feel closer together, and science says your kids will benefit greatly too. Studies have shown that kids who eat at least one meal a day with their families do better in school, avoid peer pressure, and have higher self-esteem, amongst other things.
Keeping Up Regular Health Appointments
Make sure your family doesn’t skip health appointments. You can save time by getting your NHS repeat prescription online, but that doesn’t mean you should miss doctor’s check ups. If you have symptoms or you sense something is wrong, getting it seen to early could help you to avoid big issues later on down the line.
Daily Activity/Movement
Getting active as a family should be fun, so find something that you all like to do together and stick to it! You could go swimming, walk, clean the house or even just play in the garden together for 20 minutes. A little exercise is better than no exercise at all, so get into the habit of doing this and then build yourself up little by little if you want to. You could even go on hikes together, take picnics, and explore new places. Things like this are great bonding activities and you’ll stay healthy.
Limit Screen Time
Don’t be the family that sits together but doesn’t pay attention to one another because you all have your face in a screen. Do your best to limit screen time. Whether it’s your mobile phones, a computer game, or something else, aim to spend real, quality time together.
Fill Up On Real Food
Plan your meals for the week ahead and make a shopping list so you can ensure your family is always full of real food! Buy plenty of fruit and vegetables, and get to know how much you use each week so that you don’t buy food that goes to waste. Avoid having junk food in the house, as if it’s there you’ll likely just reach for it and eat it. Have healthy food to snack on, and get used to reading nutritional labels so you know exactly what you’re putting into your body.
As well as buying the right kind of food, make sure you all drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and avoid carbonated drinks and too much juice!
Find Hobbies And Passions
Set an example to your family by finding hobbies and passions – things that you love to do that light you up! Everybody should have things that they love to do, and if you make an effort to find things you love, you’ll be setting an example to your kids. This could even help to introduce them to something they want to do in college, or even as a career.
Develop A Healthy Body Image
You will usually pass your body image on to your kids. If you talk negatively about your body, your kids will learn to do the same with theirs. Developing your own healthy body image is so important, as so much pressure is put on young people to look ‘perfect’! Make sure you don’t talk about your weight in front of your child, or even mention their weight to them. Put a focus on being healthy, over everything else, but don’t give them a complex.
There are a lot of health issues that will, believe it or not, resolve themselves. An example of this would be a cyst. Cysts are common and can occur anywhere in the body. These small lumps can even appear on the nether regions which lead to cancer scares for numerous people. In reality, cysts are harmless and will disappear by themselves within two weeks. However, this isn’t the case for all health symptoms. Some are signs of a far more serious problem. So, let’s look at a few of the health issues that you should never ignore.
Hallucinations
This is far rarer than most people realise, but it can happen. A hallucination will typically be caused by a lack of sleep. If you are suffering from insomnia, this could be the cause of you seeing things that aren’t actually there. Even going two days with low levels of sleep can cause your brain to start to hallucinate. However, if you’re sleeping regularly and you are still seeing or hearing things that aren’t there, you should consult a doctor.
This could be a sign of a psychological issue such as schizophrenia. Or, it could be the sign of a physical issue in the brain such as a tumour. Tumours can cause a range of sensory issues and severe migraines can also be a sign of this rare occurrence.
Painful Teeth
There are a number of causes for painful teeth. It’s possible that they are moving and this will be the case if you have or used to use braces. You might also find that your wisdom teeth are coming through, pushing on different teeth in the mouth. This can feel like the adult equivalent of teething can it can get very painful for the individual. Alternatively, it’s possible that you notice a sharp pain in the upper section of your teeth after you have eaten. Be careful of this one because it can be a sign of tooth decay. It’s worth getting a dentist to check your teeth out anytime you notice pain in your teeth that lasts longer than a day or is recurring. Often there will be a simple explanation.
You also need to watch out for ulcers in the mouth that won’t go away or white marks on your inner cheek. Both can be a sign of a serious health condition that should be looked at.
Weight Loss
We often think of losing weight as a positive occurrence. It’s always good to drop those pounds, right? Don’t be so sure because losing weight can be the sign of something serious going wrong in the body. Particularly if the weight loss occurs suddenly and it’s accompanied by a loss of appetite. While a range of different conditions and factors can cause this issue, it’s worth being aware of the problem and addressing it by speaking to a doctor. They will be able to check if the issue is serious of if it’s just a case of taking the right medicine.
Take this advice, and you won’t ignore some of the most serious health warning signs.
Iron is a vital element in your body and without it, normal body functions would fail.
One of the primary roles of iron is to carry oxygen in the body. It is an important component of haemoglobin which transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. If your body does not have enough iron, it cannot produce enough red blood cells which contain haemoglobin. You will have too little haemoglobin in the blood i.e. anaemia.
Women are prone to anaemia because they lose blood every month through menstruation. In fact, women are advised to eat foods that contains a lot of iron to avoid deficiency. Pregnant women are recommended to consume 27 mg of iron per day while men require only 8 mg of iron in a day!
The Stages of Low Iron
Deficiency of iron has different stages and it can be diagnosed by the following blood tests:
Testing the level of serum ferritin – a protein that stores iron in the body
Stage 1 of iron depletion is evident when serum ferritin falls below 30 micrograms per litre.
Stage 2 (also referred to as latent iron deficiency) is when ferritin levels fall below 20 micrograms per litre. This means that the cells and tissues in the body are not receiving iron needed to function properly.
The final stage is known as anaemia and it is characterized by weakness and fatigue because the red blood cells cannot distribute oxygen around the body.
Symptoms of iron deficiency
Although you only know for sure you have low iron by being diagnosed by a doctor, there are symptoms associated with iron deficiency. Some of these symptoms are:
Hair loss
Headache
Fatigue/ lethargy
Shortness of breath
Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
Pale skin or face
Feeling cold or low skin temperatures
What are you supposed to do?
First make sure you get the right diagnose, by asking for the right blood test. Some of these have been mentioned above, but there are more options. These are tests to measure the level of iron in the blood, the capacity of the body to absorb iron and the amount stored in the body.
Ferritin – is used to measure the amount of iron stored in the body because it is the major iron storage protein in the body
Transferrin – To determine the level of iron in the body, the iron bound to protein transferrin is measured. Transferrin is formed in the liver and it is the major carrier of iron in the blood.
Total iron binding capacity measures all the proteins in the body that are responsible for transporting iron.
Transferrin saturation is the percentage of transferrin that is saturated with iron. If the percentage is less than 20, delivery of iron is impaired. On the other hand, if the percentage is higher than 60, iron might be deposited in organs other than the bone marrow and this can lead to organ damage.
Purpose of iron tests
To detect iron overload and also monitor the removal of iron in people who have hemochromatosis
To detect/evaluate abnormalities in iron metabolism
To determine what causes anaemia and monitor patients who have chronic anaemia
After getting your test results, you will receive professional advice from medical practitioners advising you on the way forward. In fact, you may get some prescriptions or need to change your diet depending on your specific results.
Sources of iron to prevent deficiency
Normally, your body absorbs iron two to three times more from animal sources when compared to plant sources. Some sources of iron from animals include:
Chicken
Turkey
Lean beef
Oysters
However, even if your body absorbs iron from plant sources at a slower rate, there are numerous sources of iron from plants. In addition, you will benefit from vitamin C which is vital in preventing scurvy. Some plant sources include:
Tofu
Cashews
Baked potatoes
Beans and lentils
Fortified breakfast cereals
Whole grain and enriched bread
Dark green leafy vegetables e.g. spinach
Avoid the following:
Added sugars or sweeteners
Processed grains
Dark chocolate – because it contains tannins which inhibit absorption of iron. You should moderate your intake
Bran – it is an insoluble fibre that traps and removes iron during absorption
Soda – besides having high sugars or sweeteners, soda blocks absorption of iron
Coffee and black tea – if you take excess coffee it might block absorption of iron
Conventional dairy – calcium usually binds with iron in foods thus inhibiting absorption
Other ways to boost iron in your body
Use probiotics for a healthy gut
A healthy gut facilitates absorption of iron in the body. So you should be concerned with the health of your gut. It is recommended to add probiotic-rich foods to your diet to improve your gut health. You can try homemade yoghurt, sauerkraut and goat milk kefir.
Reduce stress
If you are stressed out, your spleen and liver fail to function normally and this can result in iron deficiencies. Avoid stressing yourself by taking exercises, using essential oils, having enough sleep, seeking professional help, talking with people, doing what makes you happy among other positive things. You will improve your health and reduce stress thus avoiding anaemia.
Take supplements
You can consider taking a B vitamin complex that has folate and iron supplements. These supplements will also help in reducing stress and spleen health which is vital in body health. But before you stock up on these, you should seek help from a practitioner instead of doing it yourself.
Pilates (pronouncedpuh-lah-teez) is a system of exercises developed by the German, Joseph Pilates during World War 1. The system was named after him but he referred to it as “Contrology.” He firmly believed that there was a definite connection between physical and mental health. The intent of these exercises was to strengthen both mind and body. If practiced consistently, Pilates will build strength, improves flexibility, and develop control and stamina. Pilates is practiced globally especially in countries in the Western Hemisphere. You can learn about the Pilates procedures and equipment used in the exercise programs at Pilatespal.com, Inc..
Principles of Pilates
Joseph Pilates never created a system of beliefs for his method, but the principles included here are evident from the pages he wrote and other documented materials. There is no set order in which the principles are presented, the list here is as follows: breath, control, concentration, center, flow and precision. These principles are the basis of many techniques of Pilates and they are normally accepted as the base of the system.
Breath
There is equal importance shared among the basic principles, but breath involves much more than respiration. In Pilates, breath is the energy of the driving force and the engine that propels the art. It can be viewed (as regarded by Joseph Pilates) as of life, of the mind, spirit and body. Breath then is observed here as the mutual thread that goes through every foundation principle; joining them together.
Breath is an important key to life. The only skeletal muscles necessary for life are the respiratory muscles, but too often breath is taken for granted. Understanding the anatomy essential to breath can assist in the optimum use of breath.
Concentration
The focus of this principle is the procedure involved in doing the exercise rather than on exercise itself. In this principle, it is important to concentrate on the body’s alignment, and keeping the correct alignment and equilibrium during the entire exercise session. It is vital that the practitioner maintains mental concentration throughout the session.
Center
In Pilates, a practitioner’s control of the body must begin somewhere: the center. Of the Pilates method, the center is the primary point. The body’s “powerhouse” are the set of muscles in the middle of the body, those surrounding the abdomen, hips, upper and lower back, inner thighs and buttocks. In addition, center is the point where if the body was suspended it would be balanced fully in all directions. Learn more about Pilates exercises here: https://www.wikihow.com/Do-Pilates
Control
“Contrology” was the preferred name given by Joseph Pilates for this principle. It focuses on muscle control. Every exercise is executed with control. Control becomes refined with practice. Refined control is related to fewer errors, greater coordination, exact alignment, greater balance and improved ability to duplicate the exercise effectively over many attempts, by the use of minimal effort and evading unnecessary muscle tensions.
Precision
Precision is the precise manner by which an action is performed. The difference between precision and other exercise routines is the way it is done. Knowing about anatomy will assist the practitioner in realizing precision.
Flow
Flow is effortless, continuous movement; a physical energy applied from the center that will direct movements of the extremities. Achieving precision will ultimately lead to flow to and from and within each exercise to build strength and grit.
Equipment used in Pilates
The exercises are done on mats placed on the floor or on exercise apparatus developed by Joseph Pilates. These workout machines use pulleys and resistance from the body weight of the participant on the equipment and progressed spring levels. The reformer is most likely the most famous resistance equipment to be found in a Pilates workroom. Read here for more on Pilates.
Pilates is appropriate for both males and females whether you are a professional athlete or you are just an ordinary person or retiree trying to get back in shape. Pilates low effect and usefulness have made it the preferred foundation exercise techniques for many individuals around the world including celebrities.
When done correctly and regularly, and with the correct instructions that will assist you in embracing the main principles, Pilates will bring a change in your life. It will also enhance your lifestyle giving you healthy appearance.
Living with a chronic illness can make life very difficult indeed, as those living with one will understand. Yes I have a chronic illness but I am also a mum and wife still wishing to live my life and not let my health get the better of me.
I suffer with Endometriosis and have been living with the condition now for 16 years, resulting in surgeries. I also suffer with Fibromyalgia and depression – both of which recently diagnosed. A cocktail of medication is taken daily for various of reasons. I don’t like taking them but know they are for my own good.
Due to my health deteriorating I am having to sadly reduce my working hours and step down in my position at work. This is reluctantly being done as I love my job and I wish to continue working for as long as I can. I work as a support worker out in the community – currently on light duties and only working three day’s a week.
Daily chores are apart of everyday life and if not managed they soon begin to pile up…..If only the cleaning fairy was real.
The chronic pain really does make my life difficult, but things are still needing to be done at some point. At the moment I am currently under the care of consultants and attending pain management in London. I am trying to live life as comfortable and to the full the best I can, following specialist advice.
Hopefully soon I am due to start a specialist treatment plan but this sadly doesn’t start until October as these plans only run a few times a year and I have been booked on the next plan. In the meantime I am going to do all I can to manage my chronic pain better and make life easier for myself and my family.
Below is a list of my way’s of coping to still feel like a mum and wife whilst suffering a chronic condition. I may suffer a chronic condition but I am still a mum and wife with bills to pay and a house that needs cleaning.
Here are a few of my self-help tips
Make a list of jobs – Making a list of jobs that I know I can do and making up a weekly jobs planner to help me keep on top of things so they don’t pile up.
Post-it-notes – It is probably medication related (well I hope it is) but my memory is awful at the moment and I am easily forgetting things. Leaving myself little notes/reminders are currently helping massively.
A little bit each day – I have made a point to try and do a small amount each day. Long gone are the days of rushing around and trying to blitz the house in a day or two. I now have to go day-by-day doing what I can depending on how I am feeling.
Make chores more manageable – By using light-weight cleaning tools/aids it helps a great deal. No more big heavy hoovers, mops and buckets. My stomach muscles are not what they used to be due to my Endometriosis and surgeries.
Medication reminders – I am always asking myself “have I had my medication” – I purchased a dosset box. This gets filled up on a weekly basis and all I have to do is check the box. If my medication is still there for that day and times of day then it helps to remind myself.
Online shop – Online shopping is a godsend. No more having to struggle with heavy bags/trolleys. Ordering online makes my life so much more easier. I order our weekly shop online and pretty much everything else needed to be honest. I am even going to try online healthcare at some point.
Ask for help – I have always been a very independent person and to be honest asking for help is something I struggle with and absolutely HATE doing – but is something I have to start learning to now do. Ian is always telling me off where I overdo things and end up in pain.
Working from home will make life so much easier for me
Work from home – It goes without saying, reducing my working hours with my employer is having a knock-on-effect with our monthly income. I am currently trying to work more from home so I can be resting but also be working and helping pay the bills.
Plan ahead – On what I call “a good day” I like to plan ahead, by organising myself more. This can be anything from preparing for any upcoming family events, paying bills, meal prep/batch cook and reply to missed emails from a “bad day” as when I am in pain I tend to let things slip. Things are then easily missed or forgotten so I try my best to catch up with things and try and plan ahead the best I can.
Talk – I can sit and talk for hours about a load of gibberish but I must also learn to talk about my feelings more. Recently at one of my hospital appointments I was asked “how I was feeling” – this was done over a few questions in different ways. I ended up breaking down because to be honest I just feel useless now. A few years back I used to be able to do so much, be so organised and I look at myself now and how little I manage to do, I just feel like a complete failure. I have recently joined support groups to try and help me open up about how I am feeling and not hold it all in.
Rest/relaxation – Learn to rest would be a huge help to myself. I am always looking round and seeing things that are needing to be done, I just need to learn that it will still be there later/tomorrow and not everything can be done in a day. Or learn to ask for help and see if someone wouldn’t mind helping me. We are currently trying to form a family daily cleaning jobs list. If it works the way we hope then we will all have 1-2 jobs a day each and things shouldn’t get that bad.
Not stay indoors – Getting out for some fresh air is important. Staying shut away indoors isn’t good and it is good to get out even if just for a little while. I do enjoy walks with Coco, someone always comes with me just in case It gets a bit much. I do have to rest along the way but I do enjoy the fresh air and the walk. It helps to clear my head.
Weight loss – Trying to shift some weight is something I would love to do. I managed 3 stone loss a few years back and I would love to do it again plus more. Weight loss will also help my health. I am currently trying to do light exercise at home alongside trying to eat more healthy.
Sleep – I seem to have forgotten what sleep is lately. It has been ages since I have had a good full nights sleep. Some day’s I wake feeling more tired than when I had gotten into bed. I am constantly exhausted from the pain but just can’t sleep. I must look into way’s of helping to get a good nights sleep. A good nights sleep makes a huge difference when suffering chronic pain.
5 Ways to Help Out Your Grandparents In Their Old Age
I’m sure I speak for most of us when I say that our grandparents are some of the most treasured people in our lives. It’s always difficult seeing them get older because it’s a constant reminder that they’re not going to be around forever, but they are indeed getting older and as a result of that we should really do our best to help them out when they need it!
If you’re interested in ways you can help your grandparents then read on – after all, they’d do it for you!
Ask your parents how you can help
If your grandparents aren’t as spry as they used to be, there’s a good chance your parents will already be caring for them in some way – so they’ll have a better handle on the situation than you. It’s best you ask them how you can help before you just blinding go do chores around their house – otherwise the same job will be getting done twice!
Pitch in with the cleaning
As people get older their joints start to ache and they become a lot less mobile than before – so therefore their house may fall into disrepair. It’s always a good idea to offer to do their cleaning once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything drastic, give the place a quick dust, hoover up any debris and maybe even mow their grass – nobody wants to live in a dump!
Help them get around
As I mentioned previously, their mobility can become a real issue when they reach a certain age. Offering to give them lifts in your car (or even just accompanying them on the bus) can be a huge support to them when they need to get out the house.
If they value their independence (and don’t we all) it might be a good idea to get them a mobility aid. A mobility scooter is the perfect gift for anyone who suffers with getting from A to B but absolutely refuses to let anything stop them from doing just that!
Cook up a storm
It’s probably a safe bet that they’ve cooked you plenty of lovely meals of the years. So don’t you think that it’s about time you repaid the favour? Don’t go serving them up any old rubbish though, give them some proper nourishment. Oily fish and green vegetables are a tasty and healthy way to keep your body in tip-top shape – they also do a great job in improving your mental functions!
Engage in a good old chin wag
They say the youth have lost the art of conversation, well, prove ‘them’ wrong! The elderly absolutely love it when you dedicate time to listen to their stories, after all, it can get really lonely sometimes when nobody wants to devote attention to you. Who knows, you might even learn a thing or two from all that sagely wisdom!
So there we have it, 5 things you can do to brighten up your grandparents day just that little bit more. Feel free to comment below if you come with any more!
Our kid’s are no longer babies and are in fact growing into handsome young men. We are often being told how polite and helpful they are. They are growing up too quickly for our liking. Two out of our three boy’s now have girlfriends and are in full-time jobs making plans for their futures. Lee has only just left college and within days has got himself a job where his brother is currently working. Bradley our youngest is just about to sit his GCSE exams and is due to leave school in the next few weeks…..Yikes, how do we stop time?
Recently we dusted off our old photo albums from the loft and we all sat and had a lovely evening reminiscing, it was lovely. We was laughing at funny moments we had captured of our boys with dinner on their head from when they was learning to feed themselves, also funny potty training moments. The boys were laughing at each others outfits before they then started laughing at photos of us. Yes the comments was coming at us of “crikey dad you had hair”, and “mum look this was before you started going grey”. It was funny and sadly yes the comments were true. Age really is starting to catch up with us.
Ian in 2001 (as the boy’s say “with hair”)
As working parents we spend our time worrying about our kids that we hardly take time-out for ourselves do we?
Well after seeing those photographs I fastly contacted my hairdresser and booked her to come and hide my grey, but poor Ian he really is going thin on top. Everyone tends to laugh at him for it and I do feel sorry for him, but he takes it in his stride and laughs it off but I know it does bother him. We have in the past bought him shampoos that have been recommended but sadly they didn’t work. I have taken to looking online and reading up on men who have suffered the same problem, most are saying that the they opted for hair treatments. I had been browsing the internet looking up on the treatments as I was curious and asked myself “how does a hair transplant work”? I came across Wayne Rooney’shair transplant results, wow what a difference.
Ian now 2018
When chatting with Ian about going thin on top he seems to think it is a receding hair-line problem. He is fully aware that there is help out there for him should he wish to get help, but for now he said he enjoys winding the boys up and blaming them for him going bald, as he say’s he had hair before they was born and they made him pull it out. Cheeky bugger, he is a wind-up merchant.
Quitting smoking is something we always nag Ian about. He say’s he will give up smoking when we give up chocolate – yeah that’s no time soon then!
I will give it to Ian he has tried on many of occasions to give up but then he slowly starts up again. He says “there are too many things that make him start again”, like:
His social circle
Habit
Routine
Lack of will power
Work stress
It’s his way of chilling out and relaxing
I must admit that smoking has never really bothered me. I never have smoked and probably never will. I’d sooner a nice glass of wine.
Here are a few tips that may help with giving up smoking
Think positive – Having the right frame of mind will go a long way when wanting to quit. You have got to want to give up yourself to have the best chances of quitting. If you’re wanting to quit then tell yourself “you can do this” and get the right support in place.
Make a plan of action – Get a date set that you’re wanting to start a new non-smoking you. Get that date set and make yourself a promise and give it all you’ve got and go kick that butt!
Make a list of your reasons to quit – Make yourself a list of reasons that you want to quit smoking. Keep it close by and keep reminding yourself of your reason to quit. You made find it a huge support if/when you’re struggling.
Identify when you smoke – Take note before you gave up on when your cravings are. This will help to put things in place to help work around them, such as avoiding going outside with the smokers in the smokers area, not allowing smoking in your house, pre-warn friends and ask for support so they are aware not to offer you a fag etc.
Get support in place – Make friends and family aware of your decision to quit. Chat with your GP to see what support is out there in your local area. See if anyone would like to join you by quitting too and support each other.
Take up a hobby – Finding something else to occupy your mind may help you to stop thinking about having a cigarette.
A lot of people say the thing they found the hardest about giving up smoking was not having a cigarette to hold. Some people like a cigarette with their coffee, watching TV, or even whilst having a soak in the bath. For that reason a lot of people make a switch from cigarettes to Vape kits just for that cigarette feel of keeping their hands busy still. Whilst some are happy to switch to nicotine patches or gum.
I first noticed my Endometriosis symptoms after I had Bradley my youngest son. I suffered real bad pains and periods to the point one day I took myself off to hospital in bad pain, I was seen by a Dr and sent for numerous tests, fastly beginning to feel like a pin cushion to then be told they wanted to admit me to hospital. Being on my own at the hospital and having my baby with me I was scared and felt alone as Ian was at work at the time, I didn’t feel the need to worry him as at the time he didn’t work local to home.
To cut a long story shorter I was told it was just a bad period and period pain and all should start to calm down given time. Did it? like heck did it!
I then went on to suffer every month from there. I went to see my GP several times who just repeated what I was told at the hospital….Just a bad period and it should calm back down….Grrrr
I then started to question myself and think is it normal, Is it just me being silly?
But NO, I knew my body wasn’t right and I knew my periods wasn’t normal but the Dr wasn’t really listening to me. I then began to start getting myself in a state and just didn’t know what way to turn.
One day I felt so down, I was in pain, I was tearful, I had three boys to look after so I contacted my GP surgery who gave me an appointment for later that day. I went along to my appointment explained my situation about whats been happening to just be sent away with anti-depressants. I really did feel like I was going mad at this point where I felt like no one was listening to me!
At this point I just felt like I had no option but to just get on with things the best I could. I knew things wasn’t right inside my body, but what could I do. Time passed and I did continue to suffer heavy painful periods to the point I was slowly becoming bed-bound for. I continued to see my GP, I was eventually offered an ultrasound scan at the hospital to see if it would show anything up, but nothing come of it to explain the pain or heavy bleeding.
I was watching morning TV one day and there was a lady on there talking about her suffering and long battle to be diagnosed with what was called “Endometriosis”. She was talking about her symptoms to help raise awareness to others who may be suffering the same or similar symptoms. My chin must have hit the floor as I had every symptom she had.
Some symptoms being:
Heavy periods
Painful periods
Chronic pelvic pain
Fatigue
Low mood
Bloating
Pain during sex
Some bleeding between periods
Painful bowel movements
I could not believe what I was watching and listening to. For the first time in ages I did not feel like I was going crazy. I went and spoke with my GP about what I had seen on the TV and explained my symptoms was the same as the lady had explained in her awareness to Endometriosis. I did not want to be ignored this time and pushed for further tests to be done. I had been bed-bound on too many occasions and my life was really being effected to the point I felt like my kid’s was missing out on a proper mum, a mum who wasn’t in pain so much.
I chatted with my GP about Endometriosis, we discussed my symptoms and then my GP went on to explain what Endometriosis is in more detail.
Endometriosis is:
Endometriosis is a very painful disorder in which tissue that would normally line the inside of the uterus – the endometrium – grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can be known to affect the ovaries, bowel, Fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Endometriosis can even spread beyond the pelvic organs and stick to each other. Endometriosis is even know to sometimes cause fertility problems.
What happens is, each month cells like the ones in the lining of the womb can be found elsewhere in the body. Each month these cells act in the same way as those in the womb, building up and then breaking down, then bleeding, BUT….unlike those within the womb that have a way to leave the body as a period, THIS blood has nowhere to go.
A shocking 1.5 million women in the UK are suffering with Endometriosis. Endometriosis can affect women and even girls of childbearing age regardless of race or ethnicity.
This short video may help you understand in a better way.
Finally…
I was then referred to a gynecologist at the hospital as an out-patient. I had an appointment through within a few weeks and things finally started moving…..5 years after my first symptoms!
After a five-year battle and being misdiagnosed on many occasions I was finally under the hospital with a possible self diagnosis. An ultrasound scan was ordered but again didn’t show anything but with self research I had read that Endometriosis rarely shows up on an ultrasound scan and is mainly diagnosed via a laparoscopy procedure so this is what I pushed for.
Another referral was pushed for, I did not give up….I knew something was wrong with my body. A few months later and I got my appointment through. It was then confirmed I HAVE ENDOMETRIOSIS.
The tears started to pour down my face and I was a bag of mixed emotions. I was scared, relieved and angry all at the same time. I also wanted answers.
Questions I wanted answering…
How could this diagnosis take so long?
why was I just left to suffer?
Why did I have to self-diagnose myself?
Why the big fight all the time to get anywhere/get things moving?
Sadly it just boiled down to lack of awareness. Endometriosis needs so much more awareness.
Once I had my diagnosis I was then given the right treatment to help me cope better. This only lasted for a while sadly and before I knew it was going back downhill again. The heavy painful periods started again and I felt like I was back to square one again. My GP referred me back to the hospital again for further discussions and to get an action plan put in place. After long discussions and many appointments and counselling the next step was arranged.
A hysterectomy was booked.
I was booked in to have a hysterectomy at the age of 27. My periods got so bad and I could no longer live with the pain as it was affecting my ability to be a proper mum to my boys. I was forever having to phone in sick at work, debts started to pile up and loans was having to be taken out just to help keep the bills paid. We did look at Lendgreen on a few occasions. Enough was enough at this point. The day fastly arrived and before I knew it I was heading to the operation, nervous but I knew it had to be done.
A hysterectomy IS NOT a cure.
A hysterectomy is not a cure for Endometriosis as I am still suffering today, 8 years after my operation, 16 years after my first symptoms. I am still finding myself phoning in work unable to go in as I am in so much pain. OK the heavy periods are no longer an issue but the pain is still there. I am currently under the UCLH in London receiving treatment. I am currently receiving injections, a three-month trial of Zoladex. I am on this treatment which is an injection in my stomach once a month for three months to freeze my ovaries as my consultant has advised me that my Endometriosis is hormone fed. I had a hysterectomy but my ovaries was not taken out due to my age at the time. If this three-month trial proves to be effective and help me then it strengthens my case to have my ovaries removed.
I am currently on this Zoladex treatment and just had my second injection. Hopefully this has positive effects for me and helps to ease things for me.
I hope me sharing my Endometriosis story raises some awareness to help someone get the diagnosis they need or even helps to give some form of help or support needed. Just remember you know your body better than anyone else, if you feel something isn’t right then it probably isn’t….Don’t give up seeking for help.
Do you hibernate like me when the weather is bad. I hate the cold and I’m always looking for ways to keep warm. Being cold can really takes its toll eventually so its best to protect ourselves the best we can from the dip in temperatures. Being a support worker and looking after the elderly in the community I am always looking for the best ways to help keep them warm. Here are a few tips on how to stay warm during the cold spell.
Ten top tips on keeping warm if going out.
Have something hot to eat and drink before setting out on your journey and also drink plenty whilst out to keep your insides warm.
Layer up. There is nothing worse than not dressing appropriately for the weather.
Wear wool as wool retains the heat.
Carry a hot water bottle with you if you can. Pocket hand warmers are also good.
Wear a hat, gloves and a scarf to help protect you from the cold.
Avoid getting wet the best you can. Wear waterproof clothing. There is nothing worse than having to wear wet clothes all day.
Keep moving and avoid standing around too long. Try and use good grip shoes/boots for safety!
If you can, always try and carry a change of footwear and socks to change in to.
Check travel arrangements before leaving. Check transport times etc so you’re not left hanging around in the cold. Always keep in touch with a friend or relative in extreme conditions and/or travelling a distance. It then saves them from unnecessary worry.
In extreme weather conditions carry any urgent/needed medication with you in case of emergency/road closures etc. it’s always best to be prepared. Always carry any needed chargers to keep gadgets charged so you can keep in contact with friends and family. If travelling via car, blankets and a flask of soup always come in handy in an emergency. Also write down any important numbers and keep them safe, just in case your mobile goes flat and you are unable to charge it.
Ten tips on keeping warm when indoors
Put the heating on. Homes should be at the temperature of at least 18°C. Check if you are eligible for help with heating costs (link below), no one should be scared to have their heating on, especially on cold winter days.
Have extra blankets to hand and hot water bottles.
Block any drafts around doors and windows.
Keep windows and vents closed.
Check radiators are working properly. You may have one or two that may need bleeding. Move away any furniture obstructing the heat from the radiator.
Layer up, several thin layers work better. Wool and/or fleece preferably.
Hot regular drinks to keep your insides warm.
Keep active and this will help you to keep warm. Batch cook some meals, bake a cake or even some biscuits, that way your near the oven for extra warmth too.
Have a hot soak in the bath.
Eat well, this will help keep your body warm. Also helps to fight off any winter germs – homemade soups are a good choice.
Be prepared:
Have a good stock of flu medications at home.
Check your home is insulated properly before the winter months. This will also help keep the fuel bills down.
Speak with your GP about a flu jab.
Check windows and doors for drafts before winter.
Check if your entitled to a cold weather payment, it doesn’t hurt to check and every penny helps.
Keep an eye on the weather and stock up on your shopping, saves going out if no need in the bad weather.
Check on your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector.
Prepare/protect your pipes for the winter months.
Be prepared for power cuts caused by storms. Candles, batteries etc. Have them in a place ready to grab that all household members know.
Give your car if you have one a winter check.
What are your favorite items to help keep you warm on a cold winters day? >>here are ours<<
Always check on elderly neighbours and relatives. Make sure they are warm and have all they need, especially during cold spells.
Most of us are guilty of ignoring health problems because it’s difficult to try to fit a doctor’s appointment into an already busy lifestyle. Getting little aches and pains is a normal part of getting older so we often tend to just ignore them and hope they’ll go away. Most of the time they do so you don’t need to rush off to the doctor every time you get a slight twinge. But occasionally, those aches and pains turn into something more serious. Lots of illnesses start off with tiny symptoms that gradually get worse so ignoring the everyday pains you get can be dangerous. These are the top health problems that most of us are ignoring.
Back Pain
Most ageing people complain about back pain, it’s almost a rite of passage for the older generation these days. It’s just a natural part of getting older, isn’t it? That’s partly true and you aren’t going to avoid it completely but if it starts happening earlier, or gets very severe, you might need to do something about it. Most of the time, back pain is caused or at least made far worse by environmental factors. The most likely is a bad mattress. If you aren’t getting enough support from your mattress then you’ll wake up with a stiff back every day and the pain will only get worse. Luckily, there are plenty of mattresses designed specifically for a bad back. Visit Choose Mattress for some great information on the best ones. They offer much more spinal support which is the key to fighting back pain. You might also be getting worse back pains if you’re working in a job that involves a lot of heavy lifting. Health and safety isn’t exciting but you should listen to advice on proper lifting techniques if you don’t want to have a bad back for the rest of your life.
Grinding Teeth
Grinding your teeth isn’t something that people really consider a problem. It’s just something that some people do. What they don’t realize is that it can do you a lot of damage. Waking up with a stiff jaw and sore teeth is the last of your worries, the long-term damage that you’re doing to your teeth is a more pressing concern. You risk chipping and cracking them as well as wearing them down in general. You’ll start to find that your teeth are more sensitive to hot and cold and you’ll get more problems with decay if you’ve got small holes in your teeth.
Insomnia
A recent study found that 27% of people in Britain are experiencing bad sleeping patterns on a regular basis so it’s no wonder that we are starting to accept it as a normal part of modern life. But that’s risky because it’s already doing us a lot of damage and it’s more difficult to notice if you’re slipping slowly towards full-blown insomnia. Not sleeping enough contributes to all sorts of health problems including heart disease, diabetes and obesity. On top of that, it increases stress levels and makes your general brain function a lot slower. Missing out on even a few hours of sleep a night is something that you should be concerned about. See a doctor and ask if there is any medical reason you’re not sleeping, but it’s more likely to be environmental factors that are causing it. Drinking too much caffeine late in the day might be making it harder to sleep at night, and so could using your phone or laptop in bed. The light from the screen tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime and stops it from releasing hormones that encourage you to go to sleep. Why not consider reading a book instead? It’ll make it far easier to nod off later on.
Headaches
Chances are, when you get a headache you reach straight for the paracetamol and get on with your day. They’re so common and most of the time they’re probably just caused by stress, but if you keep getting them regularly, it could be more serious. It could be caused by any other medication that you’re taking if it doesn’t agree with you, or it could be a symptom of a larger health problem. Lots of small things like your posture or the amount of red meat that you eat can even bring on headaches. Even if they are stress headaches, you shouldn’t be getting them all of the time so instead of just putting it off with painkillers, do something about it.
It’s always a pain to take time out of your already busy day to get to the doctors but it could be dangerous not to.
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Anita & Ian
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