Most of you know that I have a daily 3 hour round trip commute to work. So sitting in a car, gripping the steering wheel for an extended period of time over a 5 year span has really damaged my body.
That coupled with the fact that I was the caregiver to my grandmother for over a year prior to her death in 2009 is why I was desperately seeking relief from a Chiropractor.
It was during the 2016 Annual MACCDE Spring Expo that I signed up to receive a free evaluation at Middletown Chiropractic with Dr. Trevor Ennis and his wife and partner, Dr. Becky Keeley.
The office is located on Main Street in Middletown not far from home and is on a convenient route to work, plus the morning and evening hours fit perfectly into my schedule.
My first appointment was at 8:00 am and walking into the brightly lit office I was warmly greeted by the receptionists and felt completely at ease. After completing the paperwork which included extensive medical history questions which would assist “the doc” – which is what I like to call him, determine my immediate needs. Although this was a “FREE” exam, I didn’t feel slighted nor rushed and the x-rays were also included.
Using an inclinometer to measure the range of motion while bending forward, backwards and side to side neck rotations along with the results of the x-rays would determine the plan of action. Needless to say, my range of motion wasn’t as it should have been and the pain in my shoulders, upper arms and neck was quickly determined to be caused by the long car commute.
I have been feeling older than my 54 years and I would love to be able to get up in the morning without feeling the shoulder and neck pain so I signed up as a patient.
Having seen the doc for 4 visits since then, I must admit that I feel a difference and enjoy the “pops” of my neck, the loosening up in my shoulder and spine. But most of all I love the feel of the 4 warm electrodes that releases tension and relaxes my muscles, they actually feels like tiny caterpillars massaging my neck.
I have my “pillow wedge” to use at home for 5 minutes a day to help relieve the tension of having the weight of my head which is tilted too far forward.
Middletown Chiropractic care includes Spinal Decompression, Medical Acupuncture, the Graston Technique, Medical Massages and a good Keurig Cup selection!
If you are suffering from ailments such as headaches, migraines, pain, joint stiffness, weakness, or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, I suggest you seek out a Chiropractor as it should make you feel much better…don’t wait until it’s too late like I almost did!
BTW – this is a non-medical – non-sponsored post, I just wanted to share my experience with The Doc!
We are often subject to stress, the chronic and primarily psychological pressures of modern life. Yet we also suffer consequences when the body’s biological mechanisms for handling stress go awry. Fortunately, we have the ability to control our reaction to stressful situations.
Stress Facts
85 percent of adults know that they may suffer adverse health effects from stress
An estimated 75-90 percent of doctor’s visits are related to symptoms caused by stress
Stress has been linked to leading causes of death – heart disease, cancer lung ailments, accidents and suicide, as well as numerous other disorders.
Unmanaged stress can suppress the immune system
People under constant stress may accumulate fat around their abdomen due to higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
What is Stress?
Stress occurs when there is a mismatch between the demands we experience and the resources we have to deal with those demands. A stressor is a situation, event or demand that causes stress. Stress is not an event, but our reaction to that event. When left unchecked, physical, emotional, and mental resources can become depleted, leading to illness symptoms of chronic stress including:
Fatigue
Chronic muscle tension and headaches
Chest pain and a rapid heart rate
Frequent illnesses or infections such as colds
Intestinal problems or pain
High blood pressure
Changes in appetite
Insomnia and teeth grinding
Overeating
Procrastination
Irritability and lashing out
Increase in smoking, drinking or drug use
Reckless driving
Negativity
In order to overcome and change some of our negative responses to stress, we can use alternate strategies including:
Talking
Laughing
Exercising
Prayer or meditation
Practicing coping and relaxation skills
Improving organizational and time management skills
Categorize Your Stressors
A helpful exercise is to list all your stressors. Include everything – traffic, workload, disorganization, lack of communication, relationships, illness, housework, etc. You might find that simply creating the list makes you feel a little more in control. Take each item on your list and ask yourself two questions about each one:
1. How important is it?
2. Can I control or change it?
Focus most of your resources on those stressors that are important and controllable. Action is when you do something that actively changes a situation. Examples of actions include learning time management skills, using problem solving skills, practicing assertive communication or implementing money management.
Stress Coping Techniques
Coping skills help offset the negative effects of stress. They do not change the situation, but they give you a positive outlet and help your mind and body rest, rejuvenate and recover. They include: physical activity/exercise, a nutritious diet, adequate sleep, using positive thoughts, finding fun and laughter and effective time management.
Knowing how to help aging parents is tough for everyone. It can be an unexpectedly difficult topic to address for all parties involved because it usually entails painful emotions that are difficult to process. If this is an experience you are going through, know that you are not alone and that it’s ok to feel what you’re feeling.
Here are some simple tips that will help you get through this difficult time and find your aging parents the right care:
Recognize the signs.
The first step in helping your aging parent is recognizing the signs that they need additional or professional elderly care. One adult child reported that it took his aging father driving his car through the back wall of his garage to realize he needed assisted living. But there are many simple signs that can let you know your parent needs help before anything that drastic happens:
Does your parent tend to wander, even in the short time it may take you to go to the bathroom, or step into the other room for a moment? They might be experiencing dementia.
Do they display aggravated behavior later in the day? This is another sign that they might be experiencing dementia.
Is their current home becoming a less safe place for them? If so, they probably need the attention that you can’t give them on your own.
Senior woman on wheelchair taking her husband’s hand.
Have an open conversation.
Broaching the subject of assisted living, or any kind of elderly health care for that matter, can be incredibly difficult for both parents and adult children. It can be especially challenging when a parent is refusing help. That’s why it’s best to recognize the early signs and approach the conversation before they need urgent help. It might also be necessary to enlist the help of others, in hopes that the more loving support they have, the more likely your parent will change their mind about getting help. If all else fails, know that you can call social services if your parent is of serious danger to themselves or others.
That all being said, remember that your parent is much more likely to agree to receiving elderly care if you have an honest, upfront, and open conversation with them about it. Communicate love and concern as you address this subject and discuss options. Let them know that you are looking out for their best interest and listen to their concerns as well. You may be surprised at how open they are to getting the help they need.
Multi-Generation Family Enjoying Walk In Beautiful Countryside
Scope out your options
It’s important to take the time and effort necessary to research your care options before deciding on any particular plan. If you’re concerned about your budget, remember: you’re looking for the right help, not necessarily the most expensive. In any therapy situation, it’s important to find the place where the patient will receive the individual, personalized care that works best for their condition. It’s easy to be quickly enamored by a care center or program that appears to be the most expensive, has the most state-of-the-art equipment, the newest looking facilities, etc. But the most expensive place isn’t always the right one; especially for the elderly.
If your parent is going to receive home care, there are plenty of options beyond simple housekeeping and daily check ups. Social work, chaplain assistance, and a wide variety of therapies (including physical, occupational, speech, and music) are just a few of the home care options available today. Click here for an idea of what kind of home care treatments are available to you and your parent.
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Be your parent’s advocate
Empathy is key in establishing a healthy relationship between you and your parent at this stage of your lives. Empathize with your parents. Put yourself in their shoes and be their advocate with the rest of the world. Any nurse will tell you that it’s your responsibility to be your loved one’s advocate in any medical situation. Do your part to see that your parent’s needs are being met. No matter what the situation, continue to spend time with them. The more love and attention elderly parents have from their family members, the more likely they are to live a rewarding elderly life.
Ten years ago a co-worker gave me this list and I have kept a copy of it on my desk ever since. It is still relevant today and I hope you find it helpful on this “Feel Good Friday”
Pray
Go to bed on time
Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed
Say, “no” to projects that won’t fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health
Delegate tasks to capable others
Simplify and unclutter your life
Less is more (although one is often not enough, two are often too many
Allow extra time to do things and to get to places
Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don’t lump the hard things all together
Take one day at a time
Separate worries from concern. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can’t do anything about a situation, forget it.
Live within your budget; don’t use credit cards for ordinary purchases
Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble
Do something for the KID IN YOU everyday
Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line (there’s an app for that now)
Get enough rest
Eat right
Get organized so everything has its place
Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life
Write down thoughts and inspirations
Every day, find time to be alone
Having problems? Talk to God on the spot…Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until it’s time to go to bed to try and pray
Make friends with Godly people
Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand
Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good “Thank you Jesus!”
Laugh
Laugh some more
Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all
Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can)
Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most)
Sit on your ego
Talk less; listen more
Slow down
Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe
Every night before bed, think of one thing you’re grateful for that you’ve never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
Don’t forget to download my app on Google Play for some great money saving coupons and deals!
…not from the back pain that keeps him from grooming his feet
I fear for my husband’s health…
…not from the x-rays and stitches caused by students that he was there to educate
I fear for my husband’s health…
…not from the cancerous cells that have invaded his body and has made his lose so much weight
I fear for my husband’s health…
…because yesterday as I sat nervously in the car as he parked to pray…laying his Prayer Rug beside the car
Praying to Allah for the 3rd time of the day…praying for guidance, love, safety and good health not only for himself, but for his family, friends and all mankind.
I fear for my husband’s health…
…as I watched an elderly woman peer across the lot, grab her purse a little tighter and begin to walk a little quicker
I fear for my husband’s health because we live in a country that many have died to protect their religious freedoms, yet find it easy to bear arms and spew hatred against another’s religious beliefs.
I fear for my husband’s health and my son’s future….
Disclosure: This product was provided to me in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are 100% my own.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. If you have been following me for some time then you know how I feel about keeping my skin moisturized and well protected. Every night before bed I always slather my feet with a cream or body butter then put on a pair of cotton socks which I eventually kick off within an hour.
I use eye serums and face moisturizers after thoroughly removing all traces of makeup before going to bed then I attack any ash on my hands, knees and elbows by applying a good moisturizer as needed.
Recently, I had a opportunity to try 24KaritGoldShea Butter and I can honestly say that this is a great body moisturizer. I have been using it on my feet, hands, and even on that burn scar on my leg which I told you about a few weeks ago. Hubby loves using it daily on his knees, elbows and feet and the mini men have used it on their hair, scalp and face.
24KariteGoldShea Butter is a premium Shea Butter which has been hand processed by a women’s cooperative in West Africa, “Heal your skin and heal the world…one jar at a time.” I have used it as a massage oil as well, which feels great when slightly warmed using a double boiler method. B24KariteGold SheaButter contains unrefined, hand harvested wild crafted Shea butter. You can use this product safely on your body, face, lips, hair, scalp, nails and feet.
I will be taking some of it on vacation because it also has sun shielding properties. Shea Butter has a history of being successful when used to alleviated and improve external skin conditions such as itching, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, soreness, wounds burns, scarring, acne and stretch marks.
Check out this video review then leave me a comment as to how you have used Shea Butter as part of your beauty regiment.
DISCLOSURE: I am participating in a VIN campaign for Depend. I am receiving a fee for posting; however, the opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am in no way affiliated with Depend and do not earn a commission or percent of sales.
Live leak free like me with Depend Silhouette Active Fit
I have been married for 25 years, am a mother of two sons in college and have a full time job in Corporate America, I lead a very busy and active lifestyle. I can’t let a little bladder leakage stop me from from doing what I need to do; whether it’s traveling long distances on the weekend or just commuting back and forth to work on a daily basis, and thanks to Depend Silhouette Active FitI can live leak free!
I’ve had an overactive bladder my entire life, even as a young girl I was constantly running back and forth to the bathroom. It had gotten to the point that my grandmother needed to write notes to the teachers advising them of such. They thought that whenever I raised my hand requesting permission to go it was because I was just trying to get out of class.
As I aged, had children and then a surgical procedure in 2009, my bladder became weaker. My daily commute is 3 hours so I have to time myself before drinking that first cup of coffee…praying that there are no major traffic tie-ups. I also keep an extra Depend Silhouette Active Fitin my purse just in case “pee happens”.
I can’t have a cup of coffee first thing in the morning, instead I must wait until there is less than 30 minutes of travel time remaining. I wish I could take just a sip, but I can’t…to simply cross my legs and pray that my bladder cooperates is not an option.
In the afternoons, the cut off time for drinking any beverage is 3:00 p.m., hours before I begin my evening commute home. In addition to my full time job I also teach Blogging and Social Media classes as well as present at various workshops and seminars throughout the state of Delaware. In these instances I definitely have to limit my liquid intake or not drink at all to ensure my bladder is empty before the sessions begin. I would hate to have to run out in the middle of one to use the restroom.
At work, when I have to go…I have to go…there is no swirling in my chair. Oftentimes, I’ve had to put callers on hold or simply hung up on them and rushed to the ladies room which fortunately isn’t far from my office. When attending local events I make sure that I know where all the restrooms are located; I’ve even used a men’s bathroom (empty of course) because the lines for the ladies’ were too long.
Being over the age of 50 isn’t a mandate for having a leaking bladder, as a matter of fact a few of my younger blog followers have also experienced bladder leakage, either from coughing, laughing or sneezing too hard. They initially found it to be embarrassing but have since come to realize that ‘pee happens’ and that they are not alone because bladder leakage affects over 51 million people both men and women.
Throughout the years I have tried various types of pads but the Depend Silhouette Active Fitare by far much more comfortable than any of them.
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When I purchased my first box of Depend Silhouette Active Fit from Walmart, I was a bit apprehensive about wearing them. I thought that they would be big and bulky and very noticeable under my clothing, even my husband gave me a look like “REALLY!”
But once I put them on, I found them to be very comfortable, they didn’t ride up my leg and there were no panty lines which is a definite plus. I wear dresses and skirts to work everyday and jeggings on the weekends and you can’t see a thing, I am still styling and profiling in my OOTD blog posts.
The Depend Silhouette Active Fitnot only gave me confidence and comfort during my long flights from Philly to California, but I even felt sexy strolling through the airports. I can honestly say, that I love the Depend Silhouette Active Fitbecause they contour to my body, shapes my curves and come in my favorite lingerie color, black!
Now I don’t mind shopping at Walmart for the Depend Silhouette Active Fitbecause I knowtheylook and feel good on me – just check out this video and you’ll see what I mean.
25 Easy Ways to Boost Your Immune System [Guest Post}
Author: Alyssa Craig
April showers brings May flowers…and sniffles, sneezes and allergies! Spring is blooming and so are illnesses! If you have small children, or are more easily susceptible to getting sick, you may be looking for simple changes you can make to boost your immune system. Luckily, there are many ways you can take charge, so take a look at the list below and start integrating these habits into your daily life.
Move More: Shoot for at least 30 minutes of exercise, five times per week. If it is easier, break it up into 10 minute increments and use it as a great way to break up your work day.
Ditch Tobacco: Do not smoke and avoid secondhand tobacco smoke. Period.
Maintain a Healthy Weight: Whether this means losing a little weight or simply maintaining your current healthy weight, being at a healthy weight is good for your health.
Drink Only in Moderation, If at All: Alcohol abuse can lead to immunodeficiency, making you more susceptible to communicable diseases. The less you drink, the better your body will be at fighting invaders.
Get Adequate Sleep: The average adult needs 7-9 hours of sleep per night. So don’t forget to catch your zzz’s to help make your body stronger.
Wash Hands Frequently: We touch a lot of things throughout the day, including things many other people have touched. We then touch our own faces and handle food that goes into our bodies. Wash your hands often to prevent germ transfer.
Eat Plenty of Fruits and Vegetables: Focus on those rich in vitamins C and E, plus beta-carotene and zinc for great immune system power. By making sure your diet consists of natural, brightly colored foods, you will easily eat nutrients your body needs.
Practice Meditation: Stress is an enemy to a healthy immune system so find some time in your day to practice some breathing exercises. Clear your mind and find some zen.
Laugh: Believe it or not, laughing curbs stress hormone levels and boosts white blood cells that fight infection. So pop in your favorite comedy tonight to prevent that cold!
Spend a Little Time in the Sun: Just 10-15 minutes of sunshine in the summer produces enough vitamin D to boost your immune system. Use supplements during the winter if you have a vitamin D deficiency.
Reduce Your Intake of Simple Sugars: Did you know 75-100 g of sugar solution (about two 12 oz. sodas) will reduce your body’s ability to fight infection? Cut back on sodas and sweets so you don’t hinder your body’s capability to take down illness.
Smiling: Not only does smiling boost your immune system, but humans have about 19 types of smiles, giving you many options to improve your health quickly! Check out these other cool facts about smiling.
Add Some Zinc: Zinc is a powerful tool when it comes to boosting your immune system. You can find it naturally in red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, legumes, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
Spend Time with your Friends: It’s been proven that a rich social life enriches your life, as well as your health! So go ahead, throw that party this weekend. Doctor’s orders.
Drink Water: Water helps cleanse the body and remove toxins, helping to remove things that could damage your ability to fight off disease.
Eat Brazil Nuts: These nuts are rich in selenium, a powerful antioxidant that can greatly improve immune response. Keep a bag in your desk for a great afternoon snack.
Schedule a Massage: You now have permission to pamper yourself, all in the name of health. Massages are a great way to relieve stress and crank up your immune system.
Incorporate Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is a superfood that works for many things beyond food. So go ahead and use it for cooking or as a lotion. It contains lauric acid which likes to dissolve the lipid barrier of harmful viruses and bacteria.
Add Garlic to Your Meals: Your sweetie might not like it, but garlic can help improve your body’s infection fighting capabilities.
Think Positively: While this sounds too good to be true, being optimistic and positive can actually prompt your body to produce more immunity boosting abilities.
Eat More Protein: Make sure you are eating plenty of lean, healthy proteins to protect your body.
Listen to Music: Listening to music that makes you feel good and soothes you can help improve your immune system as the body takes cues from your mood and emotions.
Participate in a Group Drumming Session: If you have ever wanted to be a drummer, this is your chance. Group drumming has been shown to enhance natural killer-cell activity.
Engage in Mentally Stimulating Activities: A study showed a connection between the immune system and the part of the brain that handles planning, memory, initiative, judgement, and abstract thinking. So do some puzzles or play a challenging card game!
Let Your Emotions Out in a Constructive Argument: Keeping your emotions cooped up will only cause harm and can make you more susceptible to illness. Still be kind, but don’t be afraid to have a discussion when something upsets you.
You may already be participating in many of these suggestions, but if not, they are easy enough to work into just about any schedule. Let’s face it, if it’s going to keep you and your family from getting sick as frequently, it’s well worth the investment.
Hello friends and Happy Tax Day…hmmm… should I be using the word HAPPY in the same sentence with April 15th, TAX DAY? Well if this is a stressful day for you, perhaps this guest post will help alleviate some of it.
None of us are strangers to stress. We feel it at work, we experience it in traffic when we are late for an appointment, and it makes its way into the home with finances and forgotten school projects. Stress triggers the release of multiple hormones in our bodies. While in the moment these hormones are helpful, they can also be detrimental to our health over a long period of time.
Long term stress can increase your risk for diabetes, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, respiratory infections, elevated cholesterol levels, and weaken your immune system. Before you can reduce the stress in your life, you need to differentiate myth from fact to know how best to overcome stress.
Myth #1: Stress is the same for everyone.
It is a common misconception that stress is caused by events or by your environment, so everyone in those same situations experiences stress the same way. This is incorrect, as stress is actually an emotional reaction to events, both good and bad. So the same event could cause stress to be experienced differently by different people.
Myth #2: Stress is always bad for you.
There is actually a little bit of debate on this subject. While it is not unusual to hear that little amounts of stress motivate us to be productive, some say all stress is unhealthy and what we confused as motivating stress is actually stimulation. All agree though that mismanaged stress is detrimental to your body and your overall health.
Myth #3: Stress causes permanent hair loss.
As described in this article, it is true that stressors to the body such as surgery or pregnancy and an emotional trauma, such as the death of someone close to you, can indeed causes hair loss. However, this hair loss is temporary and should last no longer than six months.
Myth #4: Minor stressors can be ignored.
Stress is a sign from our bodies that something in our lives is getting out of hand. It is important to address the cause of the stress as soon as possible. This gives you an opportunity to make adjustments in your life to fix the stressor before it turns into a more serious health issue.
Myth #5: Stress gives you ulcers.
This is a misconception because stress can increase the levels of stomach acid, which can make ulcer symptoms worse if they are present. However, the most common cause of stomach ulcers is by a bacteria in the stomach, not stress.
Myth #6: Stress is a status symbol of success.
The most successful people are those who are always stressed, right? Wrong. Being busy to the point of stress is very dangerous to your health and can actually prevent you from being healthy enough to perform the functions in your personal and professional life that can lead you to the success you seek.
Myth #7: You can’t do anything about stress.
Some believe that stress is inevitable and there is nothing you can do to prevent it. However, this is far from true. While not all tactics work for everyone, there are a variety of things you can try that may help prevent or minimize the stress in your life.
Prioritizing: Don’t leave the most important things to be done at the last minute. Take the time necessary to get the things done that can lead to the most stress.
Time Management: This goes along with prioritizing. Make wise decisions on how you should use your time and you will find stress decreases quite a bit.
Sleep: Getting plenty of sleep (7-8 hours per night) can help you to better handle the small stressors in life and prevent them from becoming bigger stressors.
Relaxation Techniques: Whether you use exercising, breathing exercises, getting lost in a good book, or taking some time to serve someone else, find something that helps you to blow off some steam and relieve some stress.
There are many more myths out there about stress but the truth is, stress is a common problem that can lead to many health problems now and in the future. Find great ways that fit your style to relieve stress and take the time to create a balanced life that allows for as little stress as possible. While you are not always able to control the events in your life, you can certainly take preemptive measures to prevent unnecessary, additional stress.
Disclaimer: This Guest Post was written by someone other than the author of DeDivahDeals. The author of this post, has submitted their article to DeDivahDeals for the purpose of being published on this blog as a Guest Writer.
Hello friends, I hope all is well in your world. If you are a busy wife, mom, girlfriend or grandmother you know how important it is to take care of yourself and try to stay healthy. However, oftentimes we are running from pillar to post and before we know it both our minds and bodies are exhausted. At the end of each post, I close with “New Year ~ New You” which is a reminder to you and me to slow down and take better care of ourselves.
Essential Oil therapy has been a common form of alternative medicine used for thousands of years to effectively affect a person’s mood or health. Essential Oils are rubbed into the skin to penetrate and diffuse throughout the blood and tissues. The bottom line is they smell great, feel good and depending on the ingredients can be very soothing and calming and beneficial to our health.
I recently had an opportunity to try ‘Relax’, a Mia Mariu Organic Therapeutic Essential Oilthat contained Lavender, Sandlewood, Cedar, Clary Sage, Coconut and Almond oil. My nighttime ritual has included adding a few drops after my shower as the last thing that I do before getting into bed. This relaxing essential oil relieves the stress of the day, promotes inner peace and supports a restful night’s sleep, and as a blogger I need something that helps to calm my mind.
A few drops of the Mia Mariu Therapeutic Oils can be placed on your pulse points or used as a massage oil to rub directly onto your body where needed. There’s another fragrance “I Feel Good’ which contains Eucalyptus, Lemon, Bay Laurel, Peppermint, Apricot and macadamia Oil which together promotes good digestion and supports overall respiratory health.
My friends over at Mia Mariu’s are offering to give away one FREE bottle of Relax Essential Oil to one of my readers, so enter today for a chance to win. to which fragrance you would prefer then check out Mia Mariu’s website for wellness tips and other great products.
Contest is open to US Residents only and will end at midnight on 4/11/15.