Sleep

Have you ever been so exhausted you thought you would lose your mind? Sleep deprivation is real and it impacts every area of your mental health. Being a little tired is different from being overwhelmed by lack of sleep. For many people, sleep is an area that they can control. It’s important to take the necessary steps to get enough sleep every night. A good sleep schedule goes a long way. Start by turning off technology devices an hour before bed. Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening. Make your room cooler and darker. Think about a cave. If needed, sleep with an eye mask to block out more of the light. Teens have the hardest time overcoming sleep deprivation with all of the distractions in the modern world, if you or someone you know is struggling with this problem consider seeing a teen mental health therapist.

Make Lists

If your mind is always on overdrive trying to remember all the things that need to get done at home or at work, start by making lists. Lists help relieve the stress and pressure of trying to remember everything. A good notes app can come with you anywhere so no matter what you need to think about later, you won’t forget. Putting it down means that your mind will be freed to think about other things and you won’t need to fret about it anymore.

Make Time For a Hobby

I know this sounds crazy, but if men can take time to go golfing on the weekends, us ladies can have a hobby too. Whether you enjoy crafting, hiking, drinking craft beer, or finding interesting things to photograph, a hobby will give you something fun to do. We are wired for fun. Our brain needs the dopamine it gets from you doing something enjoyable.

Get Physically Active

Want to relieve stress and improve your mental health? It’s important to get outside and get physically active. You can do this by walking every day on your breaks at work, going outside with friends after work, or going to the gym. No one exercise is better than another. It’s just important to get moving daily. The happy hormones help your brain and your mental health, so put on your Skort with Pockets and trainers and get moving!

Eat Nutritious Foods

I’m going to say it. If you want better mental health, you need to eat better. It’s because healthy foods nourish your body and your brain and have a direct impact on how you feel every day. Eat from all the food groups, eat colorful fruits and vegetables, and reduce your sugar and processed food intake and you’ll be amazed at how much better you feel. Not only can a poor diet impact your mental health, it affects your physical health as well. Poor diet is also linked to hair loss and other hormonal issues.

Let It Go

So, she had a snarky tone with you. What if it wasn’t about you? It’s important not to take everything so personally. If you have a problem with people, learn to work it out and then let it go. Holding on to issues only weighs you down. Clinics like Serenity Mental Health Centers understand this. They offer a range of treatments, from medication management to therapies like TMS and ketamine, to help individuals manage their mental health and find balance. By letting go, you create space for healing and growth.

Foster Positive Relationships

Sometimes it’s important to let go of relationships with people who bring you down. Find relationships and people who build you up and don’t tear you down. Positive relationships have a great effect on how you feel and how you perceive the world.

Practice Gratitude

If you only ever think about the things that are bad, you’ll only ever notice the bad. But by practicing gratitude either by writing it down or saying it out loud daily, you shift your mindset and your perspective. You start to see the world through a different lens and your mind is better able to handle the challenges that come its way. Gratitude has a powerful effect on mental health and practicing it daily can make a big difference. It changes your mind in good ways.

The post Simple Habits For Better Mental Health appeared first on InstantELLA.

Hans Christian Anderson said, “Where words fail, music speaks.” This has been seen in the lives of elderly patients as they come alive by the memories conjured by old melodies. As people age, their minds and souls continue to grow and become trapped in failing bodies.

Keeping It Old School – Retro Things Tech Won’t Replace

Music can help improve the quality of life of elderly people limited in their daily activities. Between their home health care and struggles to do daily tasks older people who are stuck in their homes have lost much of their joy to live. Music can help them regain that passion for life. Here are a few ideas for incorporating more music into your loved one’s life. You can even incorporate these ideas into a plan with top home care agency in Philadelphia.

MP3 Player

What Do You Do With Your Old Phone?

It won’t take you long to load 100 of your loved one’s favorite songs on to an MP3 player or another music device, but it will afford them hours upon hours of enjoyment. Whether it is big band music from the early 1900s or 80’s hair bands, it shouldn’t take too long to find the music that speaks to their soul. If you have a little bit of time to devote to the project you could even make a list of their favorite songs to put on their music device.

Play an Instrument

If your loved one used to play an instrument, even if it was back in their 20’s, don’t be afraid to pull out the case, dust it off and play a few notes. It may surprise you how quickly they remember how to play. If they’re willing you could sign them up for lessons so they can continue increasing their talent.

By encouraging them to play you are helping them to have another hobby that they can invest themselves in and feel like they are progressing instead of just sitting around the house. If they are confident enough you could even do a mini-recital with them so they can show their friends and family the progress they are making.

Concert

Michel Legrand, Oscar-winning composer, dies aged 86

If you hear that a concert is coming to town that they might enjoy then get tickets and take your loved one. A sit-down concert is a great way for them to get out of the house and enjoy something they love.

Music While Exercising

Movement to Music’ helps elders exercise gently

If your loved one has an exercise routine that they do each day, even if it is just walking around the house, try playing some of their favorite upbeat songs from when they were younger. The music may help them to keep better balance as they focus on something else while walking. It could also help them to remember days gone by so be prepared to listen to some riveting stories from before you were born. Some senior living community facilities implement this practice into their daily routines to help facilitate memory support.

Drumming workshops music to residents’ ears

You will be surprised at how alive the music makes your elderly loved one feel and act. They will have stories to tell and melodies to hum along with as they enjoy a blast from their past.

The post Music and the Elderly appeared first on InstantELLA.

But sometimes, we take advantage of our body and don’t treat it with the right care, whether that’s rest, a session with a Massage Therapist Near Me, or a combination of a few different things. We keep pushing it to carry out tasks for us without checking in to see how it’s doing. There are a few specific body parts that we use daily and need to pay a little more attention to the signs that they give.

Feet

5 Important Things Your Feet Are Trying to Tell You about Your Body

How often do you use your feet? Even if you aren’t a marathon runner, your feet still do a lot of work for you. Carrying you to and from work, around your house, to walk the dog, to chauffeur kids around, you get the picture. So, how much do you really pay them any attention?

Foot care is so incredibly important if you want to keep doing these daily tasks. So, here are some things that you can do to care for you feet:

• Wash and dry them. (Drying them is especially important for preventing fungal growth.)
• Massage them.
• Pay attention to aches and pains, and take a break.
• Wear comfortable, non-restrictive footwear.
• Trim your toenails.
• Let your feet breathe. Take your shoes and socks off for a little time every day.
• If there are any abnormalities like lasting blemishes, aching joints, or other problems with your feet, go see a podiatrist.

Hands

4 Health Tips for the 9-5 Employee

We probably do as much or more with our hands than we do with our feet. Whether you do manual labor, type on a computer all day, take care of children, etc., your hands are the ones doing a lot of the work. So, what do you do to care for your hands?

Here are some things you can do to make sure your hands get the attention they need:

• Wash your hands. This is for your hands, but also for the benefit of your entire body and keeping germs away.
• Protect your hands. Use the right kind of gloves when doing yard work or exercising.
• Massage them and moisturize them.
• Pay attention to aches and pains, and again, take a break.
• Trim your fingernails regularly.

Back

7 Ways to Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season

Your back is part of your core, without that, you aren’t going to be able to do much. So, here’s that question again – what are you doing to care for your back?

Back pain and problems with the back can be debilitating and can keep you from doing the things that you enjoy or even the basic tasks you need to accomplish each day.

Here are some ways you can give your back a little extra care:

• Get a massage. (Seeing common theme here?)
• Take a bath.
• Avoid lifting heavy things (or know your limits at least).
• Use correct posture when exercising.
• Pay attention to aches and pains, and take a break.
• Get a good bed and pillow.
• Stretch daily.
• Maintain a healthy weight.

Do what you can to give your body the extra care that it needs. After all, it does so much for you, so make sure you take a little time to give back.

The post 3 Parts of Your Body That Need More Care appeared first on InstantELLA.

The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most hectic and stressful time of year for many.

It can require many trips to the mall, lots of driving, working overtime before the holidays, and also dealing with a lot of family members and friends.

It can leave you a bit frazzled and tired, and make you wonder if you are going to make it through it ok and have the energy to start of the New Year on a good foot.

Something that you can do to make sure you don’t turn into the Grinch this holiday season is to give a little time back to yourself and find some time to relax and rejuvenate.

Here are seven ways to pamper yourself this holiday season so that you are feeling your best and everyone is getting a well-rested and well-cared version of you.

Take a nice long bubble bath

If it seems like your schedule is jam-packed but you know that you need just some time to yourself a bubble bath is a great way to do that while still being able to fit everything else in.

The nice thing about a bubble bath is you can do it at home anytime you have time, especially in the evening when all the kids have finally gone to sleep.

Throw in a couple of bath bombs, light a few candles, and allow yourself to relax into the warm bubbles.

Get a manicure and pedicure

5 Important Things Your Feet Are Trying to Tell You about Your Body

Just like getting your hair done, getting a mani and pedi feels luxurious while not necessarily being so.

Take a couple gal pals with you as well who may need a break from their hectic lives as well.

Just make sure if you are diabetic to ask your foot doctor if it’s ok to have a pedicure done to make sure you don’t get any kind of harmful infection.

Get a massage

Why Does My Body Feel Worse After a Massage?

This is one you can do alone or with your significant other, in fact, it could be a special Christmas gift for you and them as well. Booking yourselves in for a swedish massage in St Louis Park, MN or another more relevant area can be a great way to loosen up any tension and unwind together.

It’s something you both will love and help you to both relax and feel pampered as well.

Rent a hotel room

Ideas for Successful Restaurant Marketing

If you really need to get away from it all drop off the kids at their grandparents and take a staycation at a local hotel.

That way you don’t have to worry about cooking and cleaning, and you can just lounge around all night and sleep in in the morning.

Eat some yummy treats

5 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids to Survive Winter

This is one that is great when you really can’t take any time away from everything that is going on but can instantly perk up your mood and let you indulge.

Get your hair done

KNOT GOOD No one should wash their locks every day, says expert… find out how often you should shampoo depending on your hair type

No one will question you if you say you have to get your hair touched up and it will also help you to look fresh and fabulous for your all your holiday parties.

Get your hair washed, cut, and styled and maybe even add a blowout.

You will be able to relax while everything is getting done and take some time away from the everyday tasks on your list.

Take some alone time

Where Do You See Yourself In 10 Years Time?

Even if it just means going to the grocery store alone or taking a walk alone, take some time to be with yourself and you will find it will help to center you and find a little bit of peace and quiet.

The post 7 Ways to Pamper Yourself This Holiday Season appeared first on InstantELLA.

Life is crazy and hectic most of the time, and it can feel like you are doing things for everyone and taking care of everyone else except maybe the most important person: yourself.

Taking care of yourself is something a lot of people put on the bottom of their list, putting everything else ahead of them. The problem with that is that by the time you actually get to the things that you need for yourself you will most likely be overly exhausted mentally, physically, and emotionally.

And when this happens this exhaustion from not taking care of yourself and your needs can exhibit itself in negative ways such as being irritable, sick, or even through anxiety and depression.

Here are four ways to practice self-care today to make sure you are well-balanced in all that you do.

Take a break

Are you finding yourself overworked and constantly having way too much on your to-do list?

Part of self-care is understanding when you need to take a break and slow things down for a little bit. Take a break from social media and your phone for a while. Take a day or two off work, or get a babysitter and spend some time alone.

Doing these things will help to replenish and refresh you so you can go back to doing all the things you need to with more energy and gusto.

Make sleep a priority

Sleep And Your Health

Getting enough sleep is essential for your overall health and can be an important part of self-care.

If you constantly deprive yourself of enough sleep it can cause some severe health issues, and somewhere down the line, you may find yourself visiting websites like tetoncancer.com because according to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting enough sleep can increase your chances of getting cancer.

Some things you can do are set a bedtime and make sure not to make any commitments that would interfere with it. Also, ask your spouse or family member to help out with kids when they can’t sleep at night so you can get sleep when you need to.

Fuel your body

What A Healthy Office Should Look Like in 2018

Eating healthy food is a great way to practice self-care, but it’s also good to allow yourself to indulge in the foods you love as part of self-care as well.

7+ Health & Fitness Tips for Geeks

Try your best to eat foods high in nutritional value like veggies, fruits, and lean proteins. But if you are craving something like chocolate or a cinnamon roll, allow yourself to enjoy those as well and treat yourself.

Avoid things and people that trouble you

5 Resolutions You Can Actually Keep In The New Year

We live our lives surrounded by people, and sometimes those people can cause us stress, anxiety, and other issues.

When possible, try to remove the people and things that cause these emotions. Now if it is a case where you can’t necessarily do so because you work with them or maybe if they are a family member, make sure to only have interactions when necessary, and then to take a step back and have time and space away from them.

4 Health Tips for the 9-5 Employee

Practicing self-care is an important part of your overall well-being and health, and it is not a selfish endeavor. Do what you need for you so you can continue doing what you need to for others.

The post 4 Ways To Practice Self-Care Today appeared first on InstantELLA.

The earlier you learn to care for your joints, the more likely you’ll be able to keep up with your favorite activities in later years

Age

Helpful Tech Devices for Aging Seniors

As you age, you’re likely to lose some bone density (especially for women after menopause). This means that your bones become more fragile and there’s a better chance of breaking something. The cartilage in your joints also becomes thinner and damage becomes more likely. If not dealt with, these things can easily lead to osteoarthritis and further pain and injuries.

To slow these down, keep exercising and building up muscle. Strong muscles will help to keep ligaments strong and prevent unnecessary damage to your joints. You should also be aware of your limits–you don’t want to push yourself too far and end up with an injury anyway.

Weight

Get a Medical Alert System For Your Loved Ones

Excessive weight can affect how your joints function and age. Because of the extra pounds, there’s more weight bearing down on your joints than they’re supposed to handle and the added stress will begin to wear them down.

But it doesn’t end there; your cartilage will then begin to wear down, too, and it can’t be regrown. If this keeps up, you’ll likely be headed for hip surgery to get a joint replacement. You can avoid these drastic measures by eating a healthy, controlled diet starting now and continuing to get the right amount of exercise that your body needs to stay fit.

Repetitive Stress or Injuries

Thinking About Safety In The Sport Sector

You might already eat well and love to workout, but you might have suffered a few injuries that affect your joints. If you continue to put stress on these areas, your joints can also wear down, and more acute injuries may follow. Things like tendinitis, sprains, strains, and dislocations should not be ignored.

Everything You Need To Know Before You Return To Work After An Injury

Prevent any further injuries by taking the proper precautions for whatever activities you participate in. Wear appropriate shoes and padding to protect yourself, and if you do have an injury, give it time to heal by easing back into physical activity.

Certain Foods

Healthy Kid-Friendly Meals to Get You Through the Holidays

Did you know that certain foods can affect your joint health for better or for worse? Things we love to eat every day are some of the worst culprits. How often do you drink sugary soda or eat fried and processed foods? Be more aware of foods containing saturated fats like your favorite pizza as well as dairy, preservatives, and Omega-6 fatty acids found in corn and other oils.

Luckily, there are some foods you can start adding to your diet to promote joint health. Up the number of fruits and vegetables you’re eating. Opt for low-fat dairy products if you can’t go without. You can also add fish, garlic, and green tea to your current diet plan.

Your Medications

How You Can (and Can’t) Help a Loved One Struggling with Addiction

There are several medications out there that people use for their joint pain, especially those with arthritis, but you may be taking other medications that are causing inflammation rather than reducing it, causing you more pain.

Talk with your doctor about your medications. If you don’t think your current prescriptions are doing their job, he may change up what you’re taking. Because he’s familiar with your medication list already, he will be able to balance everything so it’s all working together. If you’re interested in natural joint supplements instead, talk them over with your doctor, too.

The post Did You Know These 5 Things Can Affect Your Joint Health? appeared first on InstantELLA.