I am way beyond my mid-life crisis years (one caravan, 5 boyfriends and a minibar in the garden later), but stress seems to creep into my life no matter how hard I try. Is it the hormones? Am I just a natural pessimist born to attract stressful life experiences? I think both play a part, but ultimately the true challenge is how to overcome the stress. In saying this, I make it sound like stress can be defeated. Stress will always be with us, but moving through rumination and finding ways to ground ourselves is what reminds us stress is just a coping mechanism. You will be okay no matter what pressure you face.

Here are just a few consistent stressors in my life, and things I’m seeing more and more of within online conversations:

Stress moves through time

I’ve worked for the best part of the last 40 years in service of the NHS. Was there a good work-life balance? At the time it didn’t feel like it, but I somehow managed to get married, have four babies and make a thousand more memories outside of the workplace. Now I work part-time just to tick over, yet I feel the same level of stress as someone who works full time.

My current colleagues are in the place I was 40 years ago (trying to start a family), except the cost of living is at its highest, households are earning less and people don’t have the money to buy homes. Perhaps I feel a sense of guilt that I had better means to get by and start a family in my day. My partner at the time was a struggling photographer, so I was the primary earner. I still got by, I moved through the stress, and sometimes I think back to those really difficult times when I think I’ve got it bad now. Yet, minor inconveniences can get me down, and only when I take myself out of a situation and gain a clearer head do I realise how worked up I get over nothing!

Financial stress

Earning money is hard, and in today’s economy, it’s even harder to save. I am lucky enough to have built up a safe investment portfolio and retirement fund. But the cost of everything has increased exponentially. I worry not only about my own ability to stretch the funds but also about supporting my children through their financial stressors. Plus, the constant marketing campaigns pushed into our phone screens make us feel like daily spending is nominal.

Social media

The irony in social media is how unsociable it is. We all rely on these social platforms to keep up with others’ lives. What used to be a catch-up over a cup of tea is now coming across an update on Facebook. We are all so disconnected, and with this, comes the inevitable comparisons, and feeling of ‘lack’. Just because Suzanne from my yoga class has bought a new home and is travelling the world, posting about her adventures shouldn’t take away from my life and achievements. However, in times of doubt, it does. The stress of needing to feel adequate to others online is draining. Truthfully, I would quit social media now if I could, but there are people I want to keep in touch with, so the cycle continues.

Stress affected my health

It snuck up on me, as these things do. Poor sleep, stiff joints, nagging headaches, the constant tiredness that you can’t explain away with “just getting older.” My blood pressure crept up. I lost patience with silly things that wouldn’t normally bother me. When you let stress rule the body, it will take whatever space it’s given. I knew if I didn’t start acting differently, no pill or pep talk was going to fix it for me.

How I’m fighting the battle:

I walk everywhere
It’s not just about the exercise, it’s about feeling the fresh air, seeing real faces, hearing real sounds. It pulls me back to now.

Pilates to make me feel young again
I need flexibility more than ever, and there’s something satisfying about holding a plank longer than someone half my age. It reminds me that my body is still capable.

Swimming for the joints
There’s a peace that comes with floating, and knowing that while gravity does its worst, I can still move without pain.

Spending time gardening
Growing something! Even if it’s just a sad-looking tomato plant it grounds me. Literally. Soil under the nails is strangely healing.

Reducing screen time
It’s a work in progress. I’m trying to replace scrolling with something — anything — that actually fills me up rather than drains me.

Reading — use it or lose it
Novels, history books, gardening guides, it doesn’t matter. If I’m not using my brain, I feel it getting rusty. Plus, there’s a comfort in being pulled into someone else’s world for a while. I just had conservatory insulation, so I spend hours in my cosy backroom falling into stories. Any stress of the day disperses when I’m immersed into a book.

Setting boundaries
Learning to say “no” without guilt is a skill I wish I’d picked up decades ago. Now, I protect my time and energy like a dragon guard’s treasure.

Stress isn’t going away, not for me, not for anyone. But learning how to live alongside it, how to loosen its grip when it gets too tight, is the best I can do. And honestly, at 60, I’m learning that’s enough.

Photo Credit

Photo is from Pexels

Guest Author Bio
Cathy Fletcher

Cathy Fletcher is a retired physiotherapist based in Manchester, UK, with a rich 40-year career in the NHS. After navigating the challenges of divorce and retirement, Cathy discovered a new purpose: empowering individuals over 50 to live their best lives and uncover new passions. Her personal journey through these significant life changes has fuelled her commitment to sharing insights and experiences with others in similar stages.

You have to take it on a moment-to-moment basis – with just enough foresight to grant you various options when that time arises. It’s a difficult balance to strike, but one that’s more than possible.

Why Seeing Friends is Important

Seeing friends is fun, and that’s often all the incentive that people need to do it. When you’re in good company, you can feel as though your worries are melting away and receding into the background, replaced instead by laughter and interesting conversation. However, this is worth examining as it paints a much broader image of how spending time with your friends can be beneficial to your mental health, and that’s something that might encourage you to do more of it.

So, when you start to feel like aligning your schedule with that of your friends is too much effort, or that you can’t be bothered to travel to see them, think instead about the benefit that seeing each other has both for you and for them.

The Elusive Goal of Relaxation

In theory, relaxing is easy. If you see someone who’s sitting at home, playing a game or watching a film, that might look to you to be the dictionary definition of the word. However, when you find yourself in this situation for yourself, you might feel as though your focus isn’t actually on the game or the film, but instead on your own cascading thoughts as you struggle to really calm yourself. This is something that a lot of people struggle with, and while professional help and mindfulness can help a lot, it’s also worth developing a healthier relationship with your pastimes themselves.

What can help is to be focused on what you’re doing, rather than going on autopilot. If you enjoy visiting online casinos, you understandably might want to join the best NZ casino. However, letting the time run away from you might take away some of the fun of this and instead bring up potentially negative byproducts of too much time spent gambling. Instead, following the responsible gambling guidelines found on JackpotCity’s secure platform can allow you to dedicate healthier amounts of time to the games like WWE Legends and Planet of the Apes, keeping it enjoyable every time.

Something New

It might also feel natural to draw a dividing line between the activities you engage with in a group and by yourself. The former are ones that might have you out and about, exploring new places and doing new things, while the latter could instead put a much greater focus on spending time at home. It’s important to understand that these are just preconceptions, not something that has to reflect the truth in any way at all.

That can help you to broaden your horizons and potentially spend more time outside. Going for walks in nature by yourself can do a lot of good for your mental health, and it can also get you out of your routine. If you live in a city and feel as though you’re constantly exposed to traffic noise and busy streets, this can be a change of pace that helps you to feel calmer and more relaxed throughout your life.

Photo Credit

Image by MAIRA ALI from Pixabay

7 Tips To Maintain Balance Between Work and Self-Care

Set Realistic Boundaries

In our busy work lives, it’s all too common to prioritize tasks and neglect our self-care. However, by establishing realistic boundaries, we can better ensure our well-being. One effective strategy is to carve out dedicated time slots for work and self-care, committing to not checking work emails or messages during our designated self-care periods. This deliberate approach allows us to fully immerse ourselves in self-care activities, refueling our minds and bodies for optimal productivity and overall happiness. Remember, investing in our well-being is an investment in our long-term success!

Prioritize What’s Important

Another essential key to finding life balance is prioritizing what truly matters. Start by listing your top priorities comprehensively, including work tasks and self-care activities. Take the time to reflect on each item and consider how it contributes to your overall well-being and goals. Once you have identified your priorities, you can focus on completing those tasks or engaging in those activities deliberately and organized, starting with the most important ones. This approach allows you to utilize your time and energy efficiently, ensuring that you are making progress in the areas that matter most to you.

Practice Mindfulness

Incorporating this practice in your daily schedule can greatly improve your overall well-being. By taking a few moments each day to engage in simple yet powerful practices such as taking deep breaths, meditating, or doing yoga, you can cultivate a sense of presence and effectively reduce stress levels. These practices allow you to create a peaceful and harmonious space within yourself, enabling you to navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and resilience. By prioritizing your mental well-being through mindfulness, you invest in a healthier and more fulfilling life experience.

Get Enough Sleep
Sleeping each night is crucial for maintaining optimal physical and mental health. Lack of sleep can have various adverse effects, including decreased cognitive function, impaired immune system, and chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

To ensure you are getting the rest you need, it is recommended to establish a consistent sleep schedule and prioritize it as much as possible. This means going to bed and waking up simultaneously every day, even on weekends. In addition, creating a relaxing bedtime routine and optimizing your sleep environment can further enhance the quality and duration of your sleep.

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is not only a crucial aspect of self-care, but it also brings forth many benefits. By prioritizing physical health through exercise, we can enhance our mental health and quality of life. Dedicating a few minutes each day to moderate exercise can significantly impact our physical and mental state, allowing us to feel energized, focused, and ready to conquer the day ahead. So, let’s lace up our sneakers, embrace the power of movement, and embark on a journey toward a healthier and happier self!

Incorporate Massage

Massage can be a great addition to your self-care routine and a rejuvenating experience that can work wonders for your mind and body. After a long and tiring day of work, a soothing massage with CBD massage oil can provide much-needed relief, easing the stress and tension accumulated throughout the day. Not only does it promote relaxation, but it also enhances your overall well-being, leaving you feeling refreshed and revitalized. Incorporating regular massages into your routine can be a transformative practice, allowing you to unwind, recharge, and fully embrace the benefits of self-care.

Take Breaks

Finally, it is crucial to prioritize taking regular breaks throughout the day, especially if you have a job that demands prolonged periods of sitting. Remember to pause for a few minutes every hour to stretch your muscles, engage in light movement, and allow your mind to rest and recharge. These short breaks can significantly impact your overall well-being and productivity, helping you maintain focus and prevent mental and physical fatigue. So, make it a habit to give yourself these rejuvenating moments throughout your workday. Your body and mind will thank you!

Things To Avoid For Balancing Your Work and Self-Care

Achieving a balance between work-life and self-care is crucial for maintaining good mental and physical well-being. However, there are some common pitfalls that you need to avoid if you want to achieve this harmony successfully. One of the most significant things that you should avoid is overworking. Working beyond your limit can lead to stress, fatigue, and burnout, eventually impacting every aspect of your life. Secondly, avoid neglecting your health and well-being. You might be busy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make time for yourself. Skipping meals, working late into the night, and not prioritizing sleep can have negative consequences. Finally, avoid feeling guilty for taking time for yourself. Taking a break doesn’t make you selfish; it is a crucial self-care practice that will improve your work and personal life. Finding the right work-life balance takes time and effort, but it is worth it.

Conclusion:

Finding a balance between work and self-care is essential for your overall well-being. By setting realistic boundaries, prioritizing what’s important, practicing mindfulness, getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, incorporating CBD massage oil, and taking breaks, you can achieve that balance and lead a more fulfilling and healthy life. Remember, taking care of yourself should always be a priority, and minor changes to your routine can make a big difference.

Photo Credits

First Image by Freepik

Second Image by gpointstudio on Freepik

In this article, we’ll explore practical tips to help you navigate this challenging time. Our goal is simple: to equip you with strategies to reduce stress and enhance your exam performance.

Remember, managing stress is key to achieving your academic goals. Let’s dive in and discover how you can stay calm and focused during exams.

Understanding Exam Stress

Exam stress, often triggered by the pressure to perform well, is a common challenge faced by students. It’s a mix of anxiety and tension, typically arising from the fear of poor performance or the overwhelming workload.

This kind of stress can significantly affect both your academic results and overall well-being. It can lead to difficulties in concentrating, a decrease in academic performance, and even impact your physical and mental health.

Understanding these effects is the first step in managing exam stress effectively.

Tip 1: Effective Time Management

Effective time management is crucial during exams. Creating a study schedule helps you organize your time and tasks, making your study sessions more productive.

Remember, it’s okay to seek help, like using a custom thesis writing service, if you’re overwhelmed. This can free up time for other subjects or much-needed breaks.

Balance is key. Mix study sessions with short, regular breaks to avoid burnout. This way, you’ll stay focused and retain more information, leading to better performance in your exams.

Tip 2: Healthy Eating Habits

Maintaining good nutrition is crucial for stress management, particularly during the demanding exam period. The food choices you make can profoundly influence your energy, focus, and mood. Incorporating stress-reducing foods into your diet is key to enhancing your concentration and lowering stress levels. 

Opt for foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and walnuts, which are known for their brain-boosting properties. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for their vitamins and antioxidants. Whole grains provide sustained energy, helping you avoid crashes during long study sessions. Lean proteins, such as chicken and beans, keep you satiated and focused.

Don’t overlook the importance of staying hydrated; adequate water intake is vital for optimal brain function. By choosing these nutritious options, you can support your body and mind through the rigors of exam season.

Tip 3: Regular Exercise

As a student, you might think you don’t have time for exercise, but there are simple ways to incorporate it into your routine. A brisk walk, a quick jog, or even stretching exercises between study sessions can make a big difference. These activities don’t require much time but can significantly reduce stress and improve concentration. So, take a short exercise break and feel the difference!

Tip 4: Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are great tools for managing stress. Practices like meditation and deep breathing help calm your mind, bringing a sense of peace amidst the chaos of exam prep.

Just a few minutes each day can help you stay more focused and less anxious during your study sessions.

Tip 5: Organized Study Environment

A clutter-free and organized study space can significantly reduce stress. Just like a tidy room provides a sense of calm, an organized study area can make your study sessions more efficient and less stressful.

Start by keeping only what you need on your desk. A clean workspace can help you focus better. Also, consider using online resources like the best assignment help website to keep your notes and references in order.

Lastly, make sure your study area is comfortable and well-lit. A pleasant environment can boost your mood and motivation, making studying less of a chore and more of a productive activity.

Tip 6: Positive Self-Talk and Mindset

Positive self-talk and maintaining a positive mindset can greatly influence your stress levels. The way you think about your exams and your abilities can either increase or decrease your stress.

Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations. Instead of thinking, “I can’t do this,” try telling yourself, “I’m prepared and capable.” This shift in mindset can reduce anxiety and boost confidence.

Also, focus on your progress and successes, no matter how small. Celebrate the topics you’ve mastered and use them to fuel your confidence in tackling more challenging areas. A positive outlook can make a significant difference in managing stress during exams.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing stress during the exam season is crucial for your well-being and academic success. Remember to practice effective time management, maintain healthy eating habits, engage in regular exercise, and utilize mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Prioritize getting adequate sleep, don’t hesitate to seek support, keep your study environment organized, and maintain a positive mindset. By incorporating these strategies into your routine, you can significantly reduce stress and enhance your performance. Here’s to a more manageable and successful exam season!

Photo Credits

Stress photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash

Organized photo by Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu on Unsplash

Guest Author Bio
Sebastian Miller

Sebastian Miller, a renowned educational writer with a psychology background, excels in guiding students on stress management and effective study strategies. His articles blend practical advice with empathy, aiding students in overcoming academic challenges and emphasizing holistic learning for both mental well-being and academic success.

We desperately need qualified and dedicated healthcare professionals to stay in the field and meet the increasing demands of the American population. Preventing and addressing burnout is extremely important for ensuring the well-being of healthcare workers.

Self-care, which requires awareness, self-control, and self-reliance, can help to combat burnout. If you’re experiencing burnout (or you’re on the edge of it), here are some self-care steps you can take to rekindle your passion and feel energized again.

Prioritizing Physical Well-Being

The first step in any self-care plan is to address your overall physical well-being. Are you getting enough sleep? Eating nutritious, full meals? Exercising regularly? Drinking enough water? As a busy healthcare professional, chances are good that at least one of these areas isn’t getting enough attention.

Your body will tell you when it isn’t getting what it needs. Neglecting any of these essentials is likely to affect your stress levels, fatigue, and general well-being. Your emotional resilience will also suffer.

Fitting in activities like meal prep, exercise, and sleep can be a challenge. Strategies like batch cooking freezer meals, fitting in short bursts of physical activity throughout the day, and setting a strict bedtime can all help.

Nurturing Emotional Resilience

Resilience is key in healthcare, as it helps to prevent burnout and allows healthcare providers to better manage their stress levels. One way to promote reliance is through mindfulness techniques.

Meditation, deep breathing, and yoga are all great ways to gradually build emotional resilience. Some of these techniques can even be used during the workday to help you feel more centered during stressful moments.

A healthy work-life balance is also key. Getting rest and time away without dwelling on work will help you build emotional resilience.

Fostering a Supportive Work Environment

Many healthcare professionals start to experience burnout due to their work environment and the demands of their job. With staffing shortages occurring all over the country, it’s common for work environments to suffer, offering little support and poor communication.

Although you can’t create a supportive work environment single-handedly, you can do your part to increase communication within your team. You can also advocate for better working conditions—even small improvements can make a difference!

Seeking New Skills and Knowledge

One way to rekindle your passion in healthcare is to skill up! Professional development sometimes gets put on the back burner due to the overwhelming day-to-day work within the healthcare environment, but it’s important for a number of reasons.

First, seeking new skills and knowledge will help you feel more excited about your job by providing fresh perspectives. Keeping up with the latest methods and best practices will help keep your skills sharp and help you advance in your career. It can also help you by giving you goals to work toward, ensuring that you don’t start feeling stuck in a rut.

Finally, if you attend workshops and conferences, you’re likely to network with others and make new friends within the field. Their passion and perspectives might just help you rediscover your love for your chosen career.

Making Time for Personal Interests

You are more than your job. Working in the healthcare industry can sometimes become all-consuming, and you need to make an effort to prevent that from happening. Carving out time for yourself is one way to ensure that your job does not become your entire identity.

It’s critical to make time for personal interests and relationships that are important to you. This will help ensure that you have a chance to recharge when you’re not at work. Pursuing personal passions and relaxing hobbies will give your brain a break. So will spending time with friends and family, enjoying each other’s company.

Recognizing When Professional Help is Needed

Recovering from burnout can be a difficult process. Depending on the severity of your burnout, you might be on the edge of leaving the industry. In some cases, you might need help from a mental health professional, especially if your burnout has led to issues like substance abuse and thoughts of self-harm.

For your own safety and self-care, it’s important to know when it’s time to seek professional help. Don’t buy into stigma surrounding mental healthcare—counseling services and support groups can be a huge help in overcoming burnout.

Creating Healthy Boundaries

In addition to all of the self-care tips discussed above, healthy boundaries are absolutely essential for healthcare workers. If you want to recover from burnout and prevent it in the future, you need to create boundaries between your professional and personal life.

If you want to be able to help people, you need to start by helping yourself. Burnout can be extremely frustrating and disheartening, and it affects the quality of your work. To reignite your passion and provide the best possible care, it’s time to think about how you should take care of yourself first.

Photo Credits

Image by Silvia from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Sarah Daren

With a Bachelor’s in Health Science along with an MBA, Sarah Daren has a wealth of knowledge within both the health and business sectors. Her expertise in scaling and identifying ways tech can improve the lives of others has led Sarah to be a consultant for a number of startup businesses, most prominently in the wellness industry, wearable technology and health education. She implements her health knowledge into every aspect of her life with a focus on making America a healthier and safer place for future generations to come.

What is Trauma?

Trauma is defined as an event or series of events that are emotionally or physically overwhelming and that can have a profound impact on a person’s sense of safety, security, and well-being. Traumatic events can range from experiencing or witnessing violence to being involved in a serious accident to being diagnosed with a serious illness or injury. Trauma can also be the result of chronic stress or neglect, such as living in poverty or experiencing ongoing abuse.

Trauma impacts children differently than it does adults. Children are still developing their sense of self, and their brains are not yet fully formed. Traumatic events can impact the way their brains develop, leading to changes in the way they think, feel, and behave. This can have lasting effects on their mental health, physical health, and social relationships.

How Trauma Impacts Children

Trauma impacts children in a variety of ways, depending on their age, personality, and the nature of the traumatic event. Some common ways that trauma can impact children include:

1. Emotional and Behavioral Issues

Children who have experienced trauma may struggle with emotional regulation and may exhibit behavioral issues. They may become easily overwhelmed, have difficulty concentrating or following directions, and may have trouble sleeping or eating. They may also exhibit aggressive or disruptive behavior or withdraw from social interactions.

2. Physical Health Problems

Trauma can impact a child’s physical health, leading to a range of issues such as headaches, stomachaches, and other physical symptoms. Children who have experienced trauma may also be more likely to develop chronic health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.

3. Cognitive Impairment

Trauma can impact a child’s cognitive development, leading to difficulties with attention, memory, and learning. Children who have experienced trauma may struggle with school and may require additional support and accommodations to succeed academically.

4. Relationship Issues

Trauma can impact a child’s ability to form healthy relationships with others. Children who have experienced trauma may struggle with trust, may be hesitant to form close relationships, and may have difficulty expressing their emotions.

How to Help Children Heal from Trauma

While trauma can have a profound impact on a child’s life, there are steps that parents and caregivers can take to help children heal. These include:

1. Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment

Children who have experienced trauma need to feel safe and supported in order to heal. Parents and caregivers can help create a safe and supportive environment by providing consistent routines, setting clear boundaries, and showing affection and love.

2. Seeking Professional Help

Children who have experienced trauma may benefit from professional help, such as counseling or therapy. A mental health professional can help children learn coping skills and provide support as they work through their trauma.

3. Encouraging Physical Activity

Physical activity can help children cope with the emotional and physical effects of trauma. Encourage children to engage in activities that they enjoy, such as sports, dance, or yoga.

4. Practicing Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques

Teaching children mindfulness and relaxation techniques can help them manage their emotions and reduce stress. Techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization can help children feel more calm and centered.

5. Providing Opportunities for Play and Creative Expression

Play and creative expression can help children process their emotions and express themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Encourage children to engage in activities such as drawing, painting, or playing with dolls or action figures.

Conclusion

Trauma is a complex and challenging experience that can have a profound impact on a child’s development. Children who have experienced trauma may struggle with emotional and behavioral issues, physical health problems, cognitive impairment, and relationship issues. However, with the right support and resources, children can heal from trauma and go on to live happy and healthy lives. Parents and caregivers can help children heal by creating a safe and supportive environment, seeking professional help, encouraging physical activity, practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and providing opportunities for play and creative expression. By taking these steps, parents and caregivers can help children heal from trauma and build a brighter future.

Photo Credit

Image by Vitor Vitinho from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Geralyn Ritter

Geralyn Ritter is an accomplished corporate senior executive, miracle survivor of the 2015 Amtrak train derailment, and author of Bone by Bone: A Memoir of Trauma and Healing. Geralyn is the executive vice president at Organon & Co., a new Fortune 500 healthcare company dedicated to the health of women.

We could all use a little comfort right now. And to find it, you need to look no further than your local nursery or even your own back door. Now, more than ever, people of all ages, from Millennials to seniors, are discovering the psychological and social benefits of plants.

Nurturing to Be Nurtured

One of the greatest perks of caring for plants is how soothing a hobby it can be. Whether you’re tending a little garden or nurturing your indoor houseplants, there is a Zen-like quality to working the soil and watching the little green forces of nature grow.

In fact, gardening in its myriad forms has become so popular as an antidote to the stress, loneliness, and worry of the pandemic that even young people have become aficionados. For Millennials, in particular, raising little “plant babies” has become more than just a coping mechanism, it’s become a rewarding way of life.

And it’s not difficult to understand why. There’s already vast and growing scientific evidence to show that tending plants is good for you both physically and mentally. Studies show, for example, that indoor plants can reduce stress, increase focus, and even help you recover from illness more quickly.

Mindfulness and Mental Sharpness

Working with plants is an ideal way to practice mindfulness. It’s virtually impossible to ruminate for too long on past pain or future worries when you have these little green lives depending on you. To ensure they survive and thrive, your plants will need your attention right there and then, centering you in the moment as you plant, prune, and nourish your tender buds and green shoots

It’s perhaps not surprising, then, that gardening has been shown to be protective not only from a psychological perspective but also from a cognitive one. In fact, studies show that gardening can help protect you against dementia.

Both the physical activity associated with the act of planting and tending a garden and the mental acuity required to keep that garden alive and growing are precisely the behaviors that can help keep the brain healthy and plastic. You’ll be engaging all the senses, which is a true workout for the brain, and you will be learning as you go (and grow).

Creating an Oasis, Both Inside and Out

The benefits of plants extend beyond the mental and physical rewards, however. There are also important social benefits as well. For instance, tending a garden also means creating a warm and inviting backyard space that can be ideal for social gatherings.

There are few things more soothing than being surrounded by bright and fragrant blooms or more welcoming than a verdant patch of well-loved greenery. And that means that your backyard garden can quickly become the ideal gathering place for the people you love the most.

Best of all, you might choose to transform gardening into an activity that you can share with your dear ones. For instance, you might decide to turn your green space into a communal garden, inviting family, friends, and even the neighbors to participate.

And because you and your fellow horticulturists get to eat what you grow, you’ll have the benefits of physical activity and fresh, healthy, affordable food.

Even if you don’t have a perfect outdoor space for gardening, you and your guests can still benefit from the beauty and serenity of nature inside your home. Populating your interiors with indoor plants can be a terrific way to lend warmth and welcome to your house.

For instance, placing an easy-to-care-for plant in the entryway will make a great first impression for any guest. After all, nothing says “home” quite like a live and obviously well-loved houseplant or potted tree.

Similarly, hanging plants or a tiered plant stand in the bedroom will not only help to freshen the air, but it can infuse the space with the sense of serenity that only nature can provide. And that’s going to turn an ordinary bedroom into a restful haven.

The Takeaway

Plants aren’t just good for welcoming new neighbors or offering support in times of sickness or loss. Plants are also enormously powerful agents for physical and mental health. Tending a garden not only provides beneficial physical activity, but it can also help safeguard against dementia. At the same time, tending plants, whether indoors or outside, can also help reduce stress, elevate mood, and increase mindfulness. Plants can help support social wellbeing. Outdoor gardens can serve as perfect gathering spaces, while well-placed plants in entryways and interior living spaces will create a warm and inviting environment for entertaining. Best of all, gardening with friends and family isn’t just an ideal pastime, it’s also a way to share the many rewards of plants with the ones you love.

Photo Credits

Seedling from pixabay
Living Room Plant from pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton

Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.

In the face of those options, CBD stands out as a simple, natural, and convenient solution to the problem of stress. But how effective is it, really?

If you hope that CBD will “cure” your stress, then you should probably lower your expectations. However, CBD can be an effective stress management tool.

What is stress?

While the term “stress” is tossed around, the definition of the word often eludes the average person. Stress is a state of heightened awareness and responsiveness induced as part of the body’s fight or flight responses. It’s a defense mechanism, meant to make you ready to fight, escape, or hide when you run into a life or death situation. It was useful for humans foraging for food with other members of your tribe.

One of the tragedies of human existence is that while our societies advance in decades, our biology evolves over millennia. On top of that, evolution seeks to build on top of what already exists, instead of creating something new. That’s why bats, humans, and birds all have the exact type of bone in their forearm, for example.

All of this means that stress is a relic of the past, poorly adapted for the present world. Of course speaking in public makes you sweat and shake and stutter. Public speaking activates the same systems used to protect you from predators in the wild, except now the entire crowd is the lion.

The above example runs into another definition problem: there isn’t just one kind of stress. Although we often use the same word for all sorts of stress, psychologists often break stress down into three types: acute, episodic, and chronic stress.

The different types of stress

Speaking in public is a situation that often induces an acute stress response. Acute stress is the normal, healthy type of stress most people experience. It arises in response to a concrete outside force, usually due to a major life change or a special occasion.

Speaking in public, going in for a job interview, or having a serious fight with your spouse can all induce acute stress. In general, this type of stress response does not require treatment unless stressful situations regularly leave you unable to function.

The second type of stress is called episodic acute stress. The reaction is the same, but people suffering from this type of stress have stressful episodes with alarming frequency. This can be caused by living a stressful lifestyle or an ongoing life crisis, such as a health crisis in the family.

Chronic stress is the next natural step, where instead of having episodes of stress, you spend a large majority of your time in a state of intense stress. This is often caused by chemical imbalances, or as a side effect of enduring intense personal trauma or physical abuse, especially as a child.

What CBD can do to help

CBD is a naturally soothing substance. After some experimentation, you’ll be able to find the right dose and concentration to help you calm down from different levels of stress. That allows you to deal with each type of stress with the right type of CBD product.

For example, placing a few drops of Cibdol’s CBD under your tongue can help you relax before a presentation. For episodic and chronic stress, it is better to just make CBD a part of your routine. You can consume CBD every eight, six, or three hours to help manage your stress levels. Edibles are often the alternative preferred by people who want the effects of CBD all day.

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Image by Jan Vašek from Pixabay

Guest Author Bio
Trenton J. Smith

Trenton is an aspiring writer who loves to research and write about a wide variety of topics. When he is not writing, he enjoys gardening and long walks with his dog Boomer.

It turns out that drumming can have some very real benefits to your well-being. From depression and anxiety to chronic pain and beyond, this seemingly simple instrument is often the key to reducing nasty symptoms.

Have a look at some of the ways the best drum sets help others and find out whether this instrument could be therapeutic for you too.

Depression & Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are increasingly common conditions in today’s society, and people are always looking for new ways to reduce their symptoms. These conditions can become all-consuming and have a hugely negative impact on people’s lives, and every person has their own ways of coping.

It turns out that drumming can be added to the list of ways to reduce symptoms. The act of drumming causes your brain to release endorphins, alpha waves, and enkephalins, which all promote feelings of happiness and even euphoria. One study saw participants have up to 38% reduction of depression and a 20% reduction of anxiety just by drumming.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can have various root causes, but what remains the same in all cases is the sufferer’s need for relief. Wherever the pain is coming from, sometimes the same old stretches and painkillers aren’t enough, leaving people searching for more options.

Drumming can prove very helpful to those suffering from chronic pain. It offers a distraction from the pain, giving people something else to focus on. Let’s face it: when someone is playing drums, it’s hard to focus on anything else as it is.

When drums stimulate the release of endogenous opiates and endorphins, the body eases up tension and stiffness. Playing the drums is a natural pain killer.

Boosts Immune System

The immune system is an incredibly important part of having a healthy life. It is responsible for fighting toxins and infections in the body. If your immune system is down, chances are you’re going to get sick.

Drumming can boost your immune system by increasing natural T-cells, according to Dr. Barry Bittman of Yamaha Music & Wellness Institute. His research shows that group drumming, in particular, is helpful in this respect. T-cells are responsible for helping the body fight cancer, AIDS, and various other illnesses. As a result, spending time perfecting your own rhythm can prevent you from feeling worse.

Release of Negativity

It’s easy to build up negative feelings and energy throughout the day. It could be from stress at work, a situation at home, a disagreement with a friend, among countless other root causes. Built-up negativity can cause fatigue, stress, and impact the rest of your life.

Drumming can help release negative feelings as it is a form of self-expression. Take your negativity out on a drum set, and you’re sure to feel a little lighter than you did before. Drumming has even been used as a therapeutic tool for some addicts to help express their feelings and emotions.

Conclusion

Whatever you’ve got going on in your life, research proves that drumming can help. Whether you need to distract yourself from physical/mental pain, release some emotions, or just need a little boost, playing drums has a good chance of offering you some relief. If you are sick of stress, pain, and fatigue, why not give drumming a try?

Photo Credits

Photo is from imgur

Guest Author Bio
Trenton J. Smith

Trenton is an aspiring writer who loves to research and write about a wide variety of topics. When he is not writing, he enjoys gardening and long walks with his dog Boomer.

Face the Feelings

It’s tempting to shove our emotions to the back of our minds and to try to carry on. But ignoring our emotions will not make them go away. Allow yourself plenty of time to enter into the feelings that you have, and try to find opportunity to express them. Select the particular friends that you will talk to—they shouldn’t be people who will get embarrassed or bored, or who will try to offer advice that you don’t ask for.

Avoid thinking that you are not responding ‘normally’ enough. There is no right way to respond to a traumatic event, and each of us handles it differently. You can look up the ‘stages of grief,’ for instance, but these are just experiences that are common, though in no special order or time-frame.

Keep Healthy

Your physical and mental health is your major concern at the moment—don’t be ashamed of putting your needs first.

Try to get plenty of fresh air and exercise. Walk as much as you can—it is a shock to discover that the rest of the world is carrying on as if nothing has happened, but observing the normality of other people’s behavior, and the routines of nature going their predictable way, can help you to feel part of something bigger than your own pain.

Avoid the risk of falling ill. Infections or toothache can happen easily when you are down, and get in the way of your healing process. Make sure you have the systems in place to respond quickly to something like a dental emergency with decent cover—learn how at Carefree Dental.

Watch out for a natural tendency for thoughts to go round and round without resolution. Unlike feelings, thoughts are partly within your control, so you can consciously put them aside when they become too repetitive.

Combat Stress

There is nothing as stressful as trauma. Exercise and healthy eating will play a part in dealing with stress, and might also help you to sleep better. You could also learn techniques for reducing stress. For instance, sit quietly and concentrate your mind on your steady breathing. Or sit with your eyes closed and carefully take note of every sound you can hear, every scent you can smell, every touch you can feel. Or visualize a scene which makes you feel peaceful.

Stick to a routine which delivers the things that give you joy. The pleasure may well go out of them temporarily, but on a deeper level they should help you to keep in touch with the real you. Routine itself is helpful to get you through each day, so stick to regular mealtimes, and if you have a family make it your responsibility to keep them to their routine.

Enlist Help

It is so easy to shut ourselves away when dealing with painful events, but other people are an essential part of the healing process. You need to be alone for parts of each day, and it would be a mistake to fill every waking moment with social interaction, but regular human contact, built into the routine of the day, will help you through.

This is a time when your true friends will show their colors, but try not to judge others who are awkward and embarrassed. The time will come when relationships will get back to a more predictable pattern.

Don’t be ashamed to seek professional help if you feel you are not coping. If you have a religious faith, you can ask for support from your minister. Experienced counselors are always available, some of whom specialize in particular areas of trauma.

The Power of Life

Living through the aftermath of a dreadful event can make us feel very alone, but although your situation is unique and nobody ‘knows what you feel like,’ coping with trauma is part of life for nearly everyone. The fact that so many normal people are walking around bearing the memory of bad experiences is testimony to the power of the human spirit to heal.

Photo Credit

Sad Girl – pixabay Public Domain

Guest Author Bio
Matthew Thompson

Matthew Thompson has worked as a life coach for several years, ever since his own wake-up call to life to the fullest doing what he loves. He enjoys sharing his passion online, and writes motivational articles which appear on a variety of blogs.