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healing update #2

July 29, 2022

  

caravan sonnet
Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers for my mom as she heals from her recent hospital stay and infection. We are so grateful for each person who has checked in, offered prayers, offered help, and offered assistance. THANK YOU so much for each of you that have sent gift cards, money for meals, money for gas for all of our appointments, and also money for hotel stays. 

Since my last update two weeks ago (you can read it HERE) mom has been healing more and more which we are so so grateful for. We are so grateful that she is fully healed of the anaplasmosis and her energy in that area is returning each and every single day. 

As I mentioned last time, one of the main areas of prayer that we would ask for prayer for is actually for my mom's knee. As some of you are aware she will be having surgery on her knee (a knee replacement) in September. Her knee is very fragile in the way that my mom works with it (and a physical therapist) each day to help support her right now in the interm. Unfortunately as I mentioned last time her other knee (left knee) was extremely aggravated in the days prior to our hospital stay and during the hospital stay as she was not (obviously) doing some of the excercies, movement, etc. This has caused her to be in lots of pain. We have been doing things that the physical therapist has said to do, following doctors orders, etc. Last week I mentioned that we drove down to NYC so that she could have special imaging done on her knee. We have learned a LOT that we were not expecting from that appointment and we have an appointment in the city at HSS next Thursday to discuss with her doctor the next steps for mom.

The last two weeks have been busy, stressful, and honestly amazing in a lot of ways as mom and I continue to see the faithfulness of the Lord each and everyday. I have some exciting announcements coming up and I can't wait to share those with you in the next weeks but the Lord has been doing great things as mom continues to heal. 

Thank you for your prayers for complete healing, for mom's knee (both of them), for her leg (against infection specifically), for wisdom for the doctors and for us in steps moving forward, and for me. We are so grateful for this community!

Thank you for all of your support during this time. We are so grateful for you!
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Live Well & Achieve Better Health With These Tips

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Pexels

Life can be busy and hectic at times and you may not always prioritize your wellbeing. However, if you fail to take good care of yourself long-term then you may experience more health issues and challenges in the future.

It’s in your best interest to focus on daily self-care and not let your wellness slip through the cracks. You’ll feel better and be much happier and more motivated when you are living a healthy lifestyle. Live well and achieve better health with these tips so that you can start to make changes that bring about positive and noteworthy results.

Get Plenty of Sleep

Live well and achieve better health by getting plenty of sleep each night. Lack of sleep can lead to changes in mood and feeling very low energy. Instead, create a comfortable bedroom environment and have a relaxing bedtime routine that helps calm you. If for any reason you’re experiencing sleep issues currently then it makes sense you’d want to find out what’s going on and causing these disruptions. In this case, consider doing an At home sleep study to gather information about your personal sleep experience and work with a professional to figure out what’s going on and come up with a treatment plan.

Slow Down

Living life in the fast lane might eventually catch up with you and leave you feeling exhausted. Instead, live well and achieve better health by choosing to slow down. Commit to being more present and living in the moment instead of dwelling on the past or future. Focus on what you’re doing at the time instead of multitasking and be a good and attentive listener when someone is speaking to you. Slowing down and taking in life at a steadier pace can be a very rewarding experience and also be beneficial to your health.

Exercise & Eat Right

If you want to live better and stay healthy then also make it a point to get daily exercise and eat right. There are many physical activities to try and do depending on your interests and abilities. Mix it up by going to the gym some days, running outside other days, and working in a little strength training here and there. Get in the habit of cooking for yourself at home so that you have greater control over what you’re eating and portion sizes. Consider limiting how much you eat out each week and cooking with nutritious ingredients that provide you with fuel and energy to get through your days.  Eating right isn’t only good for your body but also benefits your mental health.

Find Meaningful Work & Hobbies

Another tip to apply if you want to live well and achieve better health is to find meaningful work and hobbies to enjoy. Do more of what you love and what means something to you to keep a smile on your face. It’s not worth working a job that doesn’t challenge you or make you feel alive. Figure out and follow your passion and then be willing to make a change so that you can find more satisfaction with your work. Taking up a few hobbies is also a great way to fill your schedule and free time. You’ll not only have fun doing them but likely discover other talents you have that you didn’t know about along the way.

Make Time for Friends & Family

Working too many hours will also make you feel disconnected and worn down. Instead, make sure you find time for friends and family and to maintain a social life. Live well and achieve better health by practicing work-life balance and not stretching yourself too thin in any one area of your life. Keep a social calendar and reach out and connect with people who you like spending time with. You’ll feel happier and will enjoy being able to exchange conversation and laughter with people you like and who make you feel good.

Take Breaks from Technology

If you want to live well and achieve better health then take breaks from technology and avoid news overdose. Too much time on technology might have you feeling more anxious and you may start to constantly compare yourself to others. Instead, focus on yourself and your life and the ways you can better yourself. When you engage less on technology then you can make time for other activities and spend time with people instead of playing on your phone or computer. Be mindful of how much screen time you have before bedtime as well, as this might stimulate your mind instead of relaxing you.  

*contributed post*


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4 Unusual But Effective Ways To Reach More Customers

July 28, 2022

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Photo by cottonbro: 

These days, the internet is a crowded place. Your customers have options, and you need to stand out in order to win their business. That's easier said than done. While bigger businesses have the option of reaching customers with the help of a marketing agency. As a small business, you might not have that option. 

Fortunately, there are ways for you to get your message in front of more customers without needing to worry, Here are four unusual but effective ways that might help your business reach more customers and grow:

Create video content on the fly using Reels

You can use Reels to create content on the fly. You can also use Reels to share your content via social media, whether it's a quick video clip of your daily routine or a series of images showcasing your best products and services.

To get started with Reels, log in to Facebook and head over to the video section. If you're unfamiliar with how this works, don't worry—the platform will walk you through creating a new video reel from scratch or importing existing videos from YouTube or Vimeo by clicking “Add Media” at the bottom of the screen when editing your reel.

Create in-the-moment content on TikTok

TikTok is a mobile app that allows users to create short videos that can be combined with music, filters, and effects. It’s popular with teens and young adults, so it's a great way to reach this demographic.

TikTok has many different features. You can create your own original content or remix existing videos by adding stickers, special effects, and music. You can also use its “trending” feature to find out what's hot on the platform at any given time and what kind of videos people watch most often.

Build a Community using Discord

A community is a group of people gathered around a common interest. You can think of it as an online meeting place where members come together to share ideas, knowledge, and experiences.

To build a successful community, you need to make sure your members are comfortable with each other and that they have the same goals in mind. That's why Discord is such a great platform—it allows you to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and supported. 

With Discord, you have tools at hand that help you keep track of who's posting what, so there's never any confusion about who said what or when. Plus, since it's all stored on their servers instead of yours, everything is backed up automatically, so there's no risk if something goes wrong with your computer.

Do Live Streams To Interact With Customers

Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, and other social media platforms all have the option of live streaming. This is a great way to interact with your customers, answer any questions, and give sneak peeks of new products or services.

The best way to do this is by having a schedule, so people know when you will be live and what time it will be. If you have a dedicated audience who watches every stream, they will know when to tune in, which will help grow your audience even more. 

Conclusion

Connecting with your customers personally is the best way to build a relationship and get them excited about your offer. It’s important for businesses to find ways to reach out beyond just email, social media, or text messages—especially if they want long-term success. Hopefully, these tips will help inspire you to create new ways of communicating with your audience.

*contributed post*
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Getting the Support You Need for a Good Quality of Life

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We all need some sort of support in our day to day lives. Even the lone wolves amongst us will require some sort of help or social interaction to help us through our days and to lead a good, healthy, happy quality of life. Of course, it can be difficult to know where to get started with this journey. It can be daunting and you may feel reluctant to reach out for assistance. But all in all, it’s worth the effort and overcoming this initial fear. Here are some ideas that will help you to get the support you need as and when you need it!


Financial Support

While money doesn’t exactly make the world go around, it is something that we all need in order to get by in modern society. The majority of us earn this through working, but there are all sorts of situations in life that can cause us to experience problems with this and find ourselves in a situation where we need financial support. This is nothing to be ashamed of. Instead, it’s important that you know the types of support available to you and how to apply for them. This could range from unemployment support to disability support, crisis funds and so on. The good news is that there are plenty of types of assistance out there that can help you to find the right support to suit your needs and to help you apply for them. If you are disabled, for example, you can receive help in how to complete the adult function report in your disability claim. Take time to seek out official assistance and you’ll be well on your way to receiving the financial support that you need.


Therapy

If you find that you have ongoing problems with your mental or emotional wellbeing and that you are struggling to get on with day to day life, or your day to day life is impacted by these things, you should consider reaching out to a therapist who may be able to help you further. A good first port of call is your doctor, who may be able to diagnose any underlying mental health conditions and make good recommendations in regard to the type of therapy or therapist who will meet your needs. There are a number of mental health charities, helplines and support groups who can help with this too. When you find a good quality therapist, they will then be able to hold a number of sessions to talk with you. They will be able to guide conversation in a way that allows them to understand your feelings, your experiences and more to help overcome some of the difficult challenges and issues you may be facing. This is an ongoing process, but the vast majority of people who engage with it will benefit from it.


Counselling

If you find that you are having issues in a relationship and you need support to overcome them, you may want to consider counselling. This could be couples counselling, family counselling or other forms of counselling. This, again, allows a licenced professional to listen into your experiences and analyse the behaviour and responses of all involved. This can give you insight into ways to reconnect, resolve conflicts and overcome issues that are facing you. It could alternatively show you that some things simply don’t work out and it may be time to walk away and let go. Search for a recommended and qualified counseller in your area for a consultation that will help you to determine whether this is the right step for you to take.


Support from Partners, Family and Friends

Sometimes, all you need is someone to talk to and someone to provide advice. This is where partners, family and friends can come in particularly useful. These individuals can provide a shoulder to cry on, help, assistance and more when the time comes. Make sure that you let these people know what type of support you’re looking for before getting started. Sometimes, you will simply need them to listen to you vent. Sometimes you will want them to help you find a solution. Sometimes you will want to hear about their own similar experiences and how they dealt with it. Giving an indicator of how you want them to assist you will make sure that they are able to provide the most productive approach possible.


These are just a few types of support that many of us find ourselves needing at some point or another down the line. Hopefully, the above information will help you to seek out any support you need!


*contributed post*

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Toning Up Your Body Quickly for the Summer

July 27, 2022

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Woman toning in the gym - Image Courtesy of Pexels

With summer underway, toning up your body is a great way to slip into your new swimwear or holiday gear. Here are some methods of quickly increasing muscle and definition.

Use the Right Supplements

There's no shame in using supplements to help with your energy, brain function, and protein structure. However, it can be hard to get all you need, even from the best diet. So supplements offer a great way to get the required vitamins and minerals. Some of the most helpful when working out include B, C, and D. As well as magnesium and zinc. Fresh fruit and vegetables are bursting with these. But supplements are a great help, especially in the morning. Steroids in bodybuilding are also nothing new and can be a great help if you use them wisely and safely.

Vary Your Exercises

All too often, gym goers focus on one exercise they enjoy. While there's nothing wrong with that, it's not the most efficient way to tone up or lose weight. For the quickest and best way to tone and define your body, it's essential that you mix it up a little, so your entire body gets whatnot needs. And you don't need to train each day strenuously either. Perhaps cardio on Monday, body-defining workouts on Wednesday, and then finish the week with yoga on Fridays. But, of course, you should still walk, jog or cycle on the days in between for faster weight loss.

Do Everything Manually when Toning Up Your Body

It's no good trying to lose weight and shape your body if you aren't going to use your muscles in everyday life. You must commit 100% by doing everything manually. This means no more elevators. You must take the stairs. Don't drive anywhere that's considered walking distance. And get off the bus a few stops early if you use public transport. If walking is permitted, then do it. If you work within three or four miles of your home, walk or jog to work. It's not that far. You will lose around 450 calories if you walk, jog or run this distance, which is pretty straightforward.

Commit at Least 20 Minutes Per Day

When exercising with a goal, you need to commit. Fortunately, just 20 minutes per day is enough to tone up and lose weight quickly and efficiently. Even if you have a bus lifestyle, 20 minutes isn't too much to spare. Additionally, it's time away from the stresses of home and your job, which is excellent for your mental health. Finally, the effects of exercise have been shown to get a boost from doing it somewhere you like too. For example, your favorite jogging trail, park, or even a dedicated exercise room in your home with all the comforts you need.

Do Classic Toning Training

Any exercise will contribute to toning your body. But there are some that can help you sculpt specific parts of your body that you might want to tone the most. These include the abs, thighs, and butt. Running is an excellent all-rounder that works the legs, butt, and arms. Yet, for toning your abs, there's only one option, and that's stomach crunches. Yes, they're hard, but they will get easier, and you will want to do them more when you see results. Finally, lunges are fantastic for toning the muscles in your legs and butt. Aim for three sets of 12 for each method.

Summary

It can be tricky to know what to do when toning up your body. Some of the fastest ways include working with supplements, walking everywhere, and doing classic toning exercises like squats.

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4 Home Checks To Carry Out Before Long-Term Travel

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Pic - CCO License

There are so many exciting reasons to go on a long-term trip. For one thing, it’s a great opportunity to see plenty of the world in one go, and of course the more you do that, the more experience you are going to get in general. It can also be a great way to expand the mind and generally find some inner peace. But there are worries associated with long trips abroad too, and one of them in particular is that the home is being left alone all that time. To help assuage your fears, carry out the following checks before you go on any long-term trip.


Electrics Turned Off

In all likelihood, you are going to find it easier to relax if you turn all the electrics off at the mains before you go. Although the chances of anything untoward happening are minimal, this is nonetheless not a risk you will generally want to take. With the electrics turned off at the main switchboard, however, you will have much better peace of mind while traveling for a long time. It is a very simple thing to do that could really help you enjoy your trip so much more, so it’s worth doing.


Lights On A Timer

That being said, if you leave one or two lights plugged in, you can help to make the home look a little more lived-in. This is especially true if you put a couple of lights on a timer, so that they go on and off at different points in the day. This makes it look as if people are at home, and it means that potential burglars are much less likely to realize that you are not there, and therefore won’t be tempted to break in. So while this is not absolutely essential, it is something you may want to consider.


Plumbing Problems Fixed

Leaving any problems unattended while you go away for a long time can prove to be quite foolish and dangerous. After all, they could worsen, causing serious damage and could mean that you come home to a home in disarray, or worse. A good example is the plumbing. If there are any leaky pipes, for instance, you should definitely have those fixed up before you go away, especially when you are going for a longer trip. Otherwise you might find you come back to a flooded home and water damaged belongings.


Locking Up

Finally, of course you should make sure that you are locking the home up as best as you can. This might mean that you want to lock it a little more than usual, or that you want to install deadbolts and the like to help with this. If you can be sure that it is fully locked, you are going to find yourself worrying about it much less, so this is of course a really important thing to consider. Next time you go on a long trip, consider adding extra layers of security in this manner while locking up.


*contributed post*

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Getting Back On Top of Your Health

July 20, 2022

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We should all be looking out for the best for ourselves. There are so many ways that you can do this, but one of the most important is to keep an eye on your overall health and wellbeing. It’s important that you take the steps you need to get back on top of your health if anything has slipped off track. This will ensure that your body is in good shape and that your mind is in a good place. Here are a few areas of focus to help you along the way with this journey!


Health Checks

We all need to attend routine health checks, but all too many of us neglect them and put them off. Instead, make sure that you start to create a calendar or schedule, helping you to remmeber to book appointments as and when you need them. This could be a dentist appointmnet once every six months. It could be an optometrist appointment once every two years, where you can get help with looking for progressive bifocal reading glasses. It could be cervical screening, prostate exams or any other check up you may need depending on your individual requirements.


Diet

A healthy diet will provide your body with the fuel it needs to function. Make sure to start out by eating within your recommended calorie count. This will differ according to personal characteristics, such as age, sex and activity levels, so do some research or speak to your doctor to find what best suits you. You then need to ensure you’re eating balanced meals, which are packed with nutrients and contain minimal levels of saturated fats, salts and sugars. If you find yourself struggling to maintain a healthy diet, speak to a nutritionist who will be able to come up with a simple meal plan for you to follow. You may also want to try meal prepping to reduce preparation time in the evenings, when you may be busy or tired.


Exercise

Exercise is important for our strength, stamina, flexibility, balance and general wellbeing. So get your recommended 150 minutes of exercise a week. Whether that’s the gym, personal training, cycling, swimming, jogging and running or anything else.


Mental Wellbeing

Mental health has had somewhat of a stigma attached to it over the years. But in more recent years, scientific and medical progression, as well as more societal openness and acceptance, has meant that we know more about mental health concerns and are more familiar with their prevalence. It’s important to regularly consider your own mental health. Have you been struggling with anything? If you have any concerns, consult your doctor. Your doctor will be able to diagnose any underlying conditions and can recommend the right course of care and treatment to get you back on track. You can also contact support groups, helplines and mental health charities for more information and assistance.


These areas of focus really will help you when it comes to getting back on top of your health and wellbeing - so give them a try!


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How to Eat for Healthy Hair

 Are you looking for ways to improve your hair health? Eating the right foods is a great place to start! So many nutrients are essential for healthy hair; luckily, they can all be found in everyday foods. In this article, we will discuss the best foods to eat for healthy hair and how nutrition affects hair health overall. We'll also provide tips for getting the most out of your diet. So whether you're dealing with hair loss or want to ensure your locks are looking their best, read on for some helpful advice!

Why is nutrition vital for healthy hair?

Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom

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Poor diet is one of the leading causes of unhealthy hair. The condition of your hair depends on the state of your overall health, which includes what you eat. A well-nourished body usually produces lustrous and robust locks, while a nutrient deficiency can lead to thinning, breakage, and slow growth. Therefore, eating a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients is crucial for healthy hair.

How does a poor diet affect hair health?

Hair loss is not the only problem caused by a poor diet. Other hair problems such as dryness and brittleness can also be due to nutrient deficiencies. A lack of protein, for example, can lead to dry and brittle hair. In severe cases, malnutrition can even cause complete hair loss. Furthermore, crash diets and yo-yo dieting can also lead to thinning and breakage, as they put undue stress on the body. Finally, a poor diet can cause problems like dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, leading to excessive shedding. If you are suffering from dandruff, this severe dandruff treatment will help. Eating a nutritious diet is therefore essential for maintaining healthy hair.

Vitamins for Healthy Hair

There are a few key vitamins that are essential for healthy hair growth. For example, vitamin A promotes a healthy scalp, while vitamin E encourages circulation and can help prevent dry, brittle hair. B-vitamins are also essential as they provide the body with energy and promote cell growth. In particular, biotin (or vitamin B-12) is often touted as a "miracle" supplement for hair health. While no scientific evidence supports this claim, biotin deficiencies have been linked with hair loss.

Which nutrients are essential for hair growth?

Several nutrients are essential for promoting healthy hair growth. These include proteins, omega fatty acids, vitamins A and C, zinc, and iron. Hair is mainly made up of protein, so it is essential to consume enough of this nutrient to maintain healthy strands. Omega-fatty acids are also crucial for keeping hair moisturized and preventing breakage. Vitamins A and C promote collagen production, which helps keep hair strong and resilient. Finally, zinc and iron help to ensure that the scalp has enough oxygen and blood flow, both of which are necessary for healthy hair growth.

What foods contain these nutrients?

Many different foods contain the nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. Proteins can be found in meats, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts, and seeds. Omega-fatty acids are found in olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, and flaxseed oil. Vitamins A and C are found in fruits and vegetables, while zinc and iron are found in meats, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, and leafy greens.

How do different types of food affect hair health?

Different types of food can have other effects on hair health. For example, sugary foods can cause inflammation and damage the collagen that helps keep hair strong. Processed foods can also damage hair, which is often high in unhealthy fats and chemicals. On the other hand, healthy fats such as omega fatty acids help to keep hair moisturized and prevent breakage. So it is crucial to eat various healthy foods to maintain healthy hair.

Can specific diets help with hair loss?

There are a few specific diets that are helpful for hair loss. For example, the ketogenic diet can help to increase blood flow to the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. The Mediterranean diet is also beneficial for hair health as it is rich in omega fatty acids and other essential nutrients for healthy strands. Finally, the DASH diet has been shown to reduce inflammation, which can help prevent hair loss. Eating a nutritious diet is therefore essential for maintaining healthy hair.

In conclusion, it is essential to eat a balanced diet to maintain healthy hair. Many different nutrients are necessary for healthy hair growth, which can be found in various foods. In addition, other types of food can have different effects on hair health, so eating various healthy foods is essential to maintain healthy strands. A few specific diets have also been shown to be helpful for hair loss. Eating a nutritious diet is therefore crucial for maintaining healthy hair.

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Nutrition Tips to Support Your Mental Health

July 19, 2022

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Nutrition is usually talked about in relation to your physical fitness and appearance. People tend to only think about food and change their eating habits when they are interested in some sort of weight loss or weight gain. However, food is much more than that. Food can impact your sleep, the way you feel, and your energy levels. These are much more important reasons why you should be focusing on your food. 

The majority of diets nowadays are heavily made up of processed foods and are therefore, inadequate. This is because they are filled with chemicals and sugars that are highly addictive. Eating a diet that is reliant on processed food can severely impact your physical and mental health. Processed food can cause inflammation in your body which can lead to, or exacerbate a range of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. This is because highly processed food can stimulate the centers of dopamine in your brain, which is known for pleasure and reward. Consuming these foods can also change the physiology of your brain, which can then start a vicious loop. When you are in a low mood or struggling with energy, you are more likely to pick up a snack, such as a coffee rather than a complete, nutritious meal which makes it a hard habit to break.

It is therefore important that you focus on the right nutrition to help you boost your energy levels and support your mental health. Here are some top tips to help you get started. 

#1 Include a variety of fruits and vegetables 

You may have always been told to eat your greens, but there is a good reason for it. Consuming fruits and vegetables are excellent brain foods. They contain a variety of important minerals, vitamins, carotenoids, and flavonoids that can reduce stress and inflammation in the body. You should ensure that your diet consists of a variety of different fruits and vegetables. Each one is filled with important nutrients that your body needs for energy and to function properly, for example, iron, magnesium, and a range of vitamins such as D, B12, and B6. If you cannot eat a variety of vegetables, for example, because you have any dietary requirements, you should seek supplements such as ionic zinc to ensure the body is not deficient. Any deficiencies can hinder your mental health. 

#2 Eat mindfully 

Life can be extremely busy, which in turn, can lead to many unconscious decisions being made around eating. Mindful eating is a great way to turn this around and make sure you are fueling your body with the right food and snacks. To do this, you should slow down when you eat your meals, make sure you are not distracted, and pay attention to how the food you are eating makes you feel. Avoid using your phone or sitting in front of the television and instead, eat upright at a table where you can be more relaxed. It can also be beneficial to create a food journal, so you can track what you are eating when you are eating it, and what emotions you are experiencing. This can provide you with a great insight into your eating habits and behaviors, which is the first big step to making changes. For example, you might find that you are reaching for junk food when you are stressed. If you are hungry, you may switch this out for a proper meal, or if you find you are just eating for the sake of it, you might choose to find a new coping mechanism to help you deal with stress more healthily. 

#3 Make your meals

When you make your meals at home, you have more control over what you are eating. When you purchase something from the shop, you have no idea what is in it or what conditions it has been made in. You can check the ingredients, but when it comes to processed foods, you are more than likely going to see a long list of ingredients that you have never heard of. 

To help you make your meals, you should make a plan each week. Fill it with your favorite foods, and lots of fruit and vegetables. You can then separate this into a food shopping list. This will help you shop for the items that you need to make the meals, and ensure you have enough food for the week. It can also help you avoid buying processed food to snack on. 

Nutrition plays a huge role in your mental health and wellbeing. Follow these top tips to help you support how you feel. 

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Five Top Tips for a Good Night's Sleep

July 16, 2022

Are you struggling to get a good night of sleep? It’s actually one of the hardest things to come by when you are busy and stressed out with work, home life, and even children. Dealing with a busy home life can also make it very difficult for you to relax in the evening, and it can make you feel pretty anxious if you don’t get enough sleep, too. With the right help, you can ensure that you are able to rest and relax as much as possible and finally get the night of sleep that you have been looking to get. 


The amount of sleep that you need changes as you age, and whether you’re looking at websites like 805BeachBreaks.com for a natural relaxant, or you are looking into the conventional methods, you deserve to be able to sleep soundly. Your sleep can be a dealbreaker between good health and poor health, so take a look at these five top tips to help you to get a good night's sleep.

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  • Give yourself a bedtime. Even as an adult, having a bad time that you stick to religiously is going to help you to ensure that you can relax every night. The more you get yourself into the same routine of sleeping and waking times, the better your body will respond. When you are busy and working, it can be hard to get to sleep at a regular hour. You need to decide on which hour you would like to go to sleep and start working your way towards that.

  • Get outside. Increasing your exposure to daylight and sunlight can help you to regulate your sleep patterns. You should try to go outside during the day for at least half an hour, and expose yourself to new lighting when you are there. Some light plays a key role in regulating your sleep patterns, and we have evolved to be awake when it’s light and  asleep when it’s dark. Getting outside is also great for your health, as fresh air is a great healing tool.

  • Charge your phone across the room. If you struggle to fall asleep at night time, the lights of your screen on your phone could be preventing you from getting there. By charging your phone on the opposite side of the room, you are choosing to get rid of that blue light  that’s keeping your brain awake, and instead stop disrupting your own sleep. Blue light regulates our circadian rhythms so when you are looking at the phone for too long, it’s an LED based light that interrupts your sleep pattern. Stop using your phone late into the night and you should solve the problem.

  • Exercise. A good way to ensure that you can relax in the evening is to exercise and move your body. A workout can help you to burn off a lot of the adrenaline in your body through the day, and that could tire you out enough to be able to fall asleep.

  • Learn to meditate. Being able to pause and feel good is important and meditation can help you with that. It can help you to learn to switch off and it could help you to understand that it’s okay to relax.

*contributed post*

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healing update #1

July 15, 2022

 caravan sonnet
Thank you so much for all of your continued prayers for my mom as she heals from her recent hospital stay and infection. We are so grateful for each person who has checked in, offered prayers, offered help, and offered assistance. Right now we are taking things very slowly and mom is making improvements which we are so incredibly grateful for. We do have some pieces of the puzzle that we are continuing to work and figure out with some follow up appointments and we remain grateful for your prayers. One of the main areas of prayer that we would ask for prayer for is actually for my mom's knee. As some of you are aware she will be having surgery on her knee (a knee replacement) in September. Her knee is very fragile in the way that my mom works with it (and a physical therapist) each day to help support her right now in the interm. Unfortunately this was extremely aggravated in the days prior to our hospital stay and during the hospital stay as she was not (obviously) doing some of the excercies, movement, etc. This has caused her to be in lots of pain. We have been doing things that the physical therapist has said to do, following doctors orders, etc. but please pray that this is healed so that she can continue to heal in other areas. This has been discouraging for her and so we would appreciate prayers for that also. 

I have taken a brief leave of absence from my job as the library director for this week and also next week. I am grateful that I can be helping right now in this way as mom heals. Honestly, I am just overwhelmed with gratitude as I mentioned in my last post for ALL that God has done. Thank you again for those that have checked in on me and my health. I remain grateful for all of your prayers for me too. Thank you so much!

Thank you for all of your support during this time. We are so grateful for you!

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Meet Rebecca
author for the hopeful and adventurous heart // cozy-luxury haven living peacefully beckoning, prompted by love and full of beauty in the everyday

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