Author: smithbet

Mental Health is such a big topic, but yet I feel it does not receive nearly as much attention as it should. Many suffer from various mental health disorders worldwide, but unfortunately the stigma surrounding mental health is sometimes one that makes people feel shame in having it. Mental health is nothing to be ashamed about and although not always talked about, is something so many have. Personally, I suffer from mental health in the form of chronic anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Having mental health means it is really good to figure out ways to combat its effects on your overall health and wellness, and there are so many great exercises and support systems willing to offer help and guidance. The more you understand about mental health means the better and easier it is to set yourself up for success and to set others up for success as well.

Yoga:

For relieving stress and calming the body, yoga is extremely beneficial in mental soothing and strengthening, along with obvious core and physical awareness. Check out my blog about yoga, here, which helps explain the fabulous results you may find within this practice. Turn on some music, relax, stretch, and try to clear your mind of negativity and stress – think positively and look to the future for peace of mind if maybe your current state is flustered. Learn how to deep breathe to calm your heart and spirit and that will ultimately work to give you peace for your present times.

Natural Medications:

It can be scary sometimes looking for what might work well for you and your body. There’s also a huge stigma around medication as so many have had bad experiences but there are also so many numbers for positive results. Taking medication can drastically reduce bipolar disorder or thyroid imbalances, it can be helpful for lowering your heart rate or calming your body making you more lethargic and ultimately stopping a panic attack. With that said, it is extremely important to know exactly what you’re being prescribed and how it may affect your body – always do your research. Some medications can be filled with natural ingredients such as MCT/Butyrate Liquid which can be found at Douglas Labs. This natural remedy contains ketone and butyrate which help fuel the brain and provide energy which is especially helpful if you have a history of depression. Turning towards products such as Nutri-Dyn offers a more subtle approach with its herbal extracts found in traditional Chinese medicine to support stress. Nhc.com says “This unique combination of extracts provides potent antioxidants and phenolic compounds known to support against the effects of stress on the body. Antioxidants also play a critical role in reducing free radical damage that is at the root of a wide range of ailments”.

Diet

This one may seem odd, but I swear by it! Having a good diet can really impact your feelings about yourself, your body, and dictate mood and healthy mental states. When eating well, you will be able to run on so much more energy. You will feel a sense of belonging and accomplishment, and your body ultimately will thank you for nourishing it properly and caring for it correctly. An article from Harvard shows that studies say eating better can improve your overall wellness by at least 25% and Health.harvard.edu says “Studies have compared “traditional” diets, like the Mediterranean diet and the traditional Japanese diet, to a typical “Western” diet and have shown that the risk of depression is 25% to 35% lower in those who eat a traditional diet.”

Being mindful of what we put into our bodies, how we spend time with our bodies, and how we feel about our bodies contributes to our mental success. Start having those difficult conversations that could try to be life-changing as we all begin to see how mental health can affect anybody anywhere. Mental health is OK to have, and there is absolutely nothing to feel shame about because having a mental disorder means you are the strongest person I know 🙂 Located below are some mental health awareness hotlines!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or Live Online Chat:

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.

If someone has attempted, or is at immediate risk of attempting to harm themselves or someone else,
call triple zero (000) immediately

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
Provides specialized help for young people aged 5 to 25 years, and is staffed by professional counselors.\

SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline, 1-877-SAMHSA7 (1-877-726-4727):

Get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
The Suicide Call Back Service provides crisis counselling to people at risk of suicide, carers for someone who
is suicidal and those bereaved by suicide. People who are not linked in with current professional support can
also access up to six sessions of ongoing counselling with the same counsellor at scheduled times.

A Happy You is a Healthy You!

Oddly enough, I run into this common phrase whenever I tell people I have bad allergies. “Do you take honey?” I have always wondered about the benefits of honey, other than it being delicious, and surprisingly there are so many wonderful properties honey contains to benefit our overall well-being. 

Beneficial Elements

Honey tends to be rich in antioxidants and aids in eye health, heart attacks, strokes, and in lowering blood pressure. Organic acids and phenolic compounds like flavonoids, are commonly found within good quality honey and aid as anticancer, antibacterial, cardioprotective, anti-inflammation, immune system promoting, and protectors of the skin from UV radiation.Nih.gov states “these phytochemical substances are presented in nutrients and herbal medicines” which is a huge truth as many natural herbal recipes contain organic honey as a sweetener since it also presents benefits to our bodies. 

According to Healthline.com even for small respiratory infections such as the ones commonly found amongst  children, honey can do wonders for acting in replacement of medications – as certain medications contain difficult side effects and honey is a naturally produced substance. Studies show that it improves sleep, and has been proven to be more effective than two different types of common cough syrups. 

Going Back In Time

Webmd.com states that back in ancient times, Egyptians would use honey as an “embalming fluid and a dressing for wounds”. So how is this honey truly made? Everydayhealth.com gives a great description of how honey is created within the bees nests. They say: 

“Honeybees make honey from sweet flower nectar that they gather in their travels and bring back to their hive. The nectar is transferred from the collector bee to the worker bees back at the hive, who process the sweet liquid into a thick syrup and store it in honeycomb.

The Honey

The honeycomb itself is made of wax produced by younger bees and molded into hexagonal-shaped cells strong enough to hold the honey. As the worker bees unload the nectar into the cells, they fan it with their wings to help evaporate moisture so it becomes even thicker, stickier, and more resistant to spoilage. The bees then seal the honeycomb cells with more wax to protect the honey during storage. 

Beekeepers use various methods to squeeze or otherwise extract honey from the honeycomb. Some methods drain the honey while preserving the wax comb so it can be used again, while others melt or otherwise manipulate the wax to remove and separate out the raw honey. Small-scale beekeepers usually stop here and sell honey in its raw state, but most mass producers of honey sold in supermarkets take the process a step further, buying up big batches of honey, and then diluting, heating, and filtering the raw product to remove pollen and other naturally occurring substances”. 

With so many healing properties this is why honey is thought to also treat allergies. It is overall based on a concept that has not been fully proven, but still, people think that since honey is collected and created from the very plants and flowers all around us, taking a spoonful of organic rich honey every day, could actually cause your body to become accustomed to the pollen – this concept is called immunotherapy. While immunotherapy does make sense, more studies and research show it may not actually be the best in aiding in seasonal allergies. Therefore, the next time someone asks if you take honey for allergy relief, you can just let them know that despite the wonderful effects honey has on your immune system, allergies is not one of them. Might as well stick to Claritin! 

A Happy You Is A Healthy You!

For centuries, many healthy diets have consisted of the consumption of fish due to their nutritional content in various types of seafood. Cod liver oil is one of the many compounds of fish oil that reaps healthy benefits for our bodies. 

What Does Cod Liver Do?

Cod liver is extracted solely from the liver of cod. Pacific and Atlantic cod are two of the more widely used forms of cod as they contain higher amounts of nutrients than most other forms. Containing omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and D, cod aids in the maintenance of our overall health and wellness. Some of these benefits include the improvement of bone health, reduction of inflammation, joint and arthritis pain, reduction of heart disease, improvements of anxiety and depression, along with aiding in stomach and gut ulcers. Healthline.com says “Cod liver oil is incredibly easy to add to your diet. It comes in many forms, but liquid and capsule forms are the most common”. Nordic Naturals supplies the use of cod through forms of gummies, soft gels, and even probiotic powder, but overall obtaining cod liver oil is extremely easy as it is found in numerous stores in various capsule forms. 

Incorporating Into Your Everyday Life

Close friends of mine have high blood pressure and mental health disorders such as depression, the consumption of cod liver oil in their lives proves to be an importance of theirs as they truly believe it has been benefiting their bodies for years. With aiding in depression, Webmd.com says studies were shown that there were  “lower levels of omega-3s in the red blood cell membranes of patients with depression”. Researchers believe that cod and fish oil help to elevate these levels and in turn smooth out mood swings in bipolar disorder, and also low levels of depression. 

Mental Health Disorders

Mental health disorders are so common, and yet the discussion around mental health is very minimal. It can be hard to know how to care for your mental health when no one wants to discuss it. Taking doses of natural properties that have proven effects to benefit your health and wellness is super important. There are so many natural ways to boost your immune system and smooth out any mood swings you may experience, rather than showering yourself in medication, though of course this can also be a beneficial way to care for any of your needs. Doing research on what might be right for you, is a great way to learn more on how to manage your mental health! 

Doses for cod liver oil usually range between 20 ML a day to 40, with your doctors consult. Many of my friends take around 20 ML which is the most common amount given within different capsules and powders. Taking omega-3’s or any kind of fish oil capsule has shown improvements in numerous people’s daily routines and lives. With something so easy to be incorporated into your diet, with outstanding effects on your health, it’s hard to say no to such a wonderful nutrient! We all have the potential to be the best versions of ourselves and not be slowed down by the stresses life has upon our bodies and minds.  

A Happy You Is A Healthy You.

In the early 1800s, Sarsaparilla began to make its way into various bars and restaurants. Often used as a home remedy,  it grew popular amongst teenagers and young adults. Although not as popular in the US, Sarsaparilla has always been thought to contain chemicals that benefit the human body through relief of joint pain, itchy skin, reducing inflammation, liver protection, and Healthline.com claims it may aid in the “killing of bad bacteria inside the body”.

More background

The root of Sarsaparilla is what can be used as a medicine for treating various diseases. Although not proven, some even think the properties of the root are able to be turned into anabolic steroids such as testosterone and provide performance enhancements in a more natural way to bodybuilders or athletes. Webmd.com also mentions the way Sarsaparilla is used as a flavoring in numerous soft drinks, the most recognizable being root beer! 

Root beer is known for its delicious taste around the world. Towards the 20th century, it was more uncommon to see its original form used which contained fermented Sarsaparilla root, sassafras bark, and other herbal remedies. Now it contains artificial flavoring and sugars. One of the best recipes in making a delicious root beer from scratch is one filled with beneficial yeast and bacteria all good for the body. 

Benefits

Nourishedkitchen.com lists the benefits of each ingredient in the delicious homemade drink

“Sassafras gives root beer its distinctive, slightly mint-like flavor. And it’s traditionally used to purify the blood in folk medicine.

Sarsaparilla is traditionally used as a renal tonic and for the complexion. Ginger gives this root beer recipe a rich, fiery note. Herbalists use ginger to support cardiovascular and metabolic health, as well as for nausea and stomach upset.

Licorice gives the recipe a subtle, anise-like sweetness that pairs well with sassafras. Licorice also supports adrenal health, and may be helpful in addressing hormonal imbalance in women. 

Dandelion Root adds the subtlest bitter note to the brew. Dandelion root also supports liver health.”

Makin’ The Creation!

Ingredients to make this creation include the following: 

• 10 cups water
• 3 tablespoons sarsaparilla root 
• 1 tablespoon ginger Root
• 1 tablespoon licorice root 
• 2 teaspoons dandelion root
• 2 teaspoons birch bark 
• 1 star anise pods
• 1/4 cup sassafras root bark 
• 3/4 cup unrefined cane sugar
• 1/2 cup kombucha (strained if needed)

By filling a pot with 10 cups of water you will then carefully stir in the sarsaparilla, ginger, licorice, dandelion, birch and star anise. Bring it all to a boil and leave on medium to high heat. Once that boils, turn it down to medium-low heat and let simmer for about 30mins. Stir in your sassafras bark and simmer again for another 15 minutes. Once this is done, go ahead and turn the stove off, stir in your sugar until it dissolves and have the decoction cool to room temperature which may take around 2 hours. Next, strain it, discard the herbs, and empty in your kombucha. You will want to put into containers to ferment at room temperature for around 2 days, then add to your fridge for 3 days allowing any bubbles to set, then serve cold over ice! 

This delicious recipe will have you reeling with how yummy it is! Not to mention beneficial. Share with friends as a wonderful house-warming or get-together evening. A Healthy You, Is A Happy You!

Now that we have covered the funnier stories students have done during quarantine (see here), I want to talk about the activities you can participate in during this pandemic to help effectively pass the time. While so many Americans have been laid off due to no available hours at their place of work, we are all riding the same struggle of figuring out what to do with so much time. It’s almost funny when we are busier during the days we hope for more time, and now when it is finally here, we have no idea how to deal with it! As some work on those summer projects they’ve continued to put off for years, the rest of us are left stamping our foot and looking around our houses for what we can do next.

Sunny Days – Activities Outdoors!

As someone who went from full-time hours to nothing, it took everything in me to not lose it. I am easily impatient when I cannot find something to do, and on the flip side, I am extremely prone to migraines, making excessive screen time a huge problem for me, and have struggled with anxiety and depression for years. Being alone and not able to go out to just be amongst people, is draining on my soul. Therefore, this called for a solution to find activities I can participate in alone, that will keep my spirits up, and my days rolling by. I started out with the basics of what I’ve always wanted to accomplish but had “no time” for. This is actually a great method and if you grab a pen and some paper, you will probably surprise yourself and be able to write a hefty list. Most of the things I wrote down required little to no money, which is important if you are no longer involved with work. If you are able to obtain a temporary job, then you may be able to spend a little extra here and there. Things such as picking up around the backyard, trimming trees, scooping up debris, mowing the lawn, planting flowers, creating a garden, and pulling weeds are all low cost/free and require a good amount of energy to get your blood pumping but also get you in the great outdoors. Npr.org is a great site that explains the understanding of COVID-19 and tips on how to effectively get started on your own garden patch right outside your door!

Other days when your knees hurt and you’re wanting to get out and about, some states are still allowing you to go for walks or hikes. If this is something applicable to you, there are so many places you can find, even in the city, that aren’t too far away and can suffice for a beautiful way to get out and about. Taking a mask with you and maybe some disposable gloves, you are able to get out in the fresh air and make sure you’re still keeping your body healthy and active. For those who may not be as fortunate to still be allowed quite as much freedom, can look into options such as driving coastlines or closer to home through scenic routes around their neighborhoods.

Indoor Opportunities

I’m somebody who doesn’t always get along with nature. With bees, rain, and now people, it makes it difficult at times to be in my favorite scenic spots if too many are nearby or if the weather isn’t so permitting. In that case, I have found a few ways to stay occupied inside! I rearranged my boyfriend’s room the other day, hung some things on the walls, and deep cleaned the house from the kitchen to the living room. This took quite a few days to accomplish and once I was finished I decided to make a normal routine of sprucing up the frequented areas each morning after I wake up. This creates a nicely cleaned atmosphere, and Cdc.gov shows you have to create bleach solutions for homemade antibacterial wipes or store-bought – if I’m lucky! Wiping your entire house down especially during this pandemic is crucial, and making it a routine to add to part of your day is still a few minutes of you killing some time, but also being productive with it. Once the house cleaning has finished, I love to look into ways to keep my body active and in shape, this can be referring to the above through walks or jogs, or also staying indoors and doing a home work out, or steady yoga. This is not only so good for your overall health but aids in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Take time to yourself to reflect, build a vision board, drink lots of water, and better yourself during this time. Whether it’s sitting in the sun or building that shed outback. Recently states are starting to open up and laws are being lifted – this will not last forever, but keep being smart, and being safe!

A Healthy You Is A Happy You!

While the news was still developing about the dreaded coronavirus, Edsource.org documents that most college students under-went testing in higher populated cities and towns across America. This, paired with a 14 to 90-day self-quarantine begun to circulate to numerous states as a way to cut down on contact with other human beings, as to hopefully slow the spread of the deadly disease. As laws began to change, colleges across the globe decided to close their doors, leading to numerous students being sent home, or finding places to stay while their in-person courses turned to zoom meetings and online productions.

On A Serious Note…

A lot of students who traveled abroad also had their programs canceled and were forced to return home. They were not even allowed back on their campuses before a self-quarantine at their own personal homes for 14 days. This brought many uncertainties and frustrations from students, especially while information about COVID-19 continued to spread and many professors and directors of these colleges did not fully know what needed to be done. Sideeffectspublicmedia.org interviewed a student, Xiao, from Italy, who explained that while a junior at the University of Illinois, she headed back to her hometown, only to be sent back to the United States to stay alone in her parents home in California for the 14 recommended days. She told them, “The email they sent was kind of vague,” she says. “And nothing else was really provided, nothing about what would happen to our academics, what parts of our program would be refunded to us. The main point of that email was: we want all students out of Italy right now.” Aside from the title of this post, it is extremely disappointing and scary how this has affected so many students, seniors, athletes, and families lives – All of which will be in my thoughts and prayers tremendously. What I truly want this blog post to be, is a way to find some light and laughs during this unknown and difficult time, but to in no way diminish the realness of this deadly disease and pain so many have suffered.

Here For A Few Laughs

With our normal daily routines flipped upside down, the way everyone is choosing to spend their time has shown many creative outlets. One thing I have found to pass the time easily is the very popular TikTok app. My good friends all made accounts and will post short clips of their parents, pets, classrooms – in the form of school jokes, or of themselves doing all kinds of hilarious activities or participating in remakes of old vines. This has continued to be a very interesting and exciting way to go about my day in the moments I have no further activities of my own. One viral video I saw had me hollering as a zoom meeting for some college students was taking place. One student was the recorder and the others were in on the joke! Asking for a pencil they took turns passing the fake pencil through each zoom screen as the teacher sat in disbelief in the middle trying to figure it out! It had other classmates bursting with laughter at the popular trend clearly the professor had not seen on social media.

Stories like that are what really keep us all laughing during difficult times such as these. Trends and viral videos on TikTok or other media platforms have people trying new and calm activities like painting their walls or things a little more crazy such as playing pranks on one another during online school or in person. It has people figuring out new ways to make money through pyramid schemes or Etsy by the creation of their own talents in painting or drawing – even woodwork! With everything going on remember to stay positive that things will turn around soon. Be careful and safe and respect one another. Keep in mind we’re all in this together. A Healthy You Is A Happy You!

As we all feel the effects of quarantine, it may have you beginning to go stir crazy like it has me. The use of alcohol has skyrocketed and many of us are spending a lot more time inside, drinking, and doing any other activities we can think of while cooped up. One of my good friends recently let me know that she drank a little too much and ended up with dreaded alcohol poisoning. Those who are unfortunate enough to have felt these effects know how painful it truly can be. The dangers of alcohol poisoning are high as the symptoms can quickly lead to death. Vomiting, dizziness, passing out, low blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and low body temperature are only a few of the symptoms you may risk developing during excessive consumption of alcohol. When you begin to vomit, your skin may turn blue or green due to the lack of hydration, which then increases your heart rate and in turn lowers your blood pressure. When even just a few of those complications begin to appear, Mayoclinic.org states it is important to call 911 immediately, as medical attention is very commonly needed.

Fill Your Body…With Benefits

If you are able to recover on your own, some good things to note are staying away from overly greasy foods – start out with a piece of plain bread and drink high amounts of liquids such as water or Gatorade. Rest a lot during the day and a huge tip is to not overdo your pain reliever intake. This can cause you to become nauseous again since your liver will be busy fighting the remaining acids already present from the previous night’s high alcohol content. Most importantly, stay away from drinking any alcoholic beverages for at least a day or two to give your body the longest break possible for recovering. Filling your body with things that benefit it is extremely important, this doesn’t necessarily mean to not drink but to definitely be careful, as it can have negative impacts on your overall health. To invest in a healthy body, soul, and mind, is key to living a long and beautiful life. Something that research has continued to prove beneficial for your liver is milk thistle. Apart of the flower community, it contains silymarin which is an active ingredient in the plant aiding in carrying off bile, a product of our gallbladders full of toxins and waste from our liver.

Supplements: What Each One Brings To The Table

This beneficial milk can also be paired with ashwagandha for an extra boost. Ashwagandha is native to India and is a well-known prized herb for providing stress relief from numerous health challenges such as hormone production, promoting relaxation sleep, muscle recovery, anxiety, and depression. Not only would you be caring for your body during its vital hours after excessive alcohol in your system, but promoting overall wellness through the use of ashwagandha. Both milk thistle and ashwagandha are able to be taken via capsule, tablet, liquid extract, or even tea, these processes make consuming both supplements easy!

My best friend’s mom is very adamant about making sure all her kids take vitamins each morning before starting their days. She is positive it has helped reduce their stress from school and boosted their immune systems, keeping them fairly healthy over cold winter nights. At first, I laughed thinking this was overkill, and couldn’t possibly make that much of a difference in your daily routines, or to your body’s various functions. Now a few years later, I agree that this is a very clever regimen to incorporate into your morning routines. Cell repair, hair growth, immune boost, heart rates, and even the reduction of cancerous cells, are some of the few reasons probiotics, herbs, and natural remedies truly benefit you. Another herb that contains those exact health perks is Ayush herbs, which is apart of Ayurvedic herbal products. Healthline.com helps break this down for us by explaining that these remedies “protect your body from disease and offer a variety of health benefits, including improved digestion and mental health”.

Using holistic approaches the focus is more on natural solutions and ways to still be one with nature while having a healthy mind, body, and soul. These Ayurvedic herbal companies want to give your body the best possible benefits which they have found to be approaching wellness from a natural angle, while also finding a balance with our earth, and keeping it a healthy and happy place. Oregon’s wild harvest agrees with this, and claims “our bodies are a lot like soil, and our health is directly linked to the health of the soil. Both depend on clean air, pure water, and healthy organic nutrients. Without these things, we simply can’t flourish”. Offering a variety of supplementation, Oregon wild harvest creates “pure and potent, certified organic and biodynamic herbal products” which aid in insomnia, liver and immunity support, and the balance of your mood.

Recap

Overall, staying active and healthy during this quarantine will prove to be a huge positive in many of our lives. We must focus on keeping our minds strong so we don’t fall into depression and or anxiety during times of isolation or seclusion. Natural supplements can aid in the prevention of this, and boost the promotion of overall wellness. Stay safe, stay inside, and stay healthy! A Happy You Is A Healthy You!

The pandemic for COVID-19 has everyone nervous. Jobs are being lost and so many of us are spiraling into unemployment. While staying home all day, we are all experiencing what it is like to be stuck at home, with so many hours of the day unoccupied by work, friends, or our normal responsibilities and routines. This is proving to be a difficult time for those who experience mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Staying indoors with very little options as to what to accomplish each day, can cause us to stay up late at night, and then sleep into the early afternoon. How do we fight this cabin fever?

Yoga. As simple as it sounds, the benefits of yoga are insane. Not only does it stretch out your muscles, create flexibility, promote balance, and give you a kickstart to the day, but it can also highly reduce the influence of stress on the body. You can read more about its benefits, here! Set an alarm for a certain hour of the morning that you can bear to get up, and begin a few sequences of yoga, there are so many different teachings that can be found online such as Youtube.com. Next, this is something that I personally think is wise during a situation such as this. Take vitamins! I like to make sure I am taking a women’s multivitamin, allergy medication, emergen-c, and apple cider vinegar every day, to every other few days. Taking the correct vitamins for your body (consult a doctor first!) can help reduce inflammation, boost energy levels, promote healthier skin, and ensure you get the right amount of vitamin C, D, or E to aid in a healthier immune system.

After taking your daily doses, establish what you would like to accomplish for the day. This could appear as cleaning your room, mowing your backyard, organizing, or helping a neighbor. Set small goals up for each week that are easily attainable but will keep you occupied so you aren’t tempted to lie back into bed. Small activities that bring you joy are also a vital piece for those with mental health disorders as well such as painting, face-timing a good friend, or playing an instrument. Although we are stuck indoors away from social organizations, this does not mean you cannot go for solitary hikes, runs, or drives. Getting outside and boosting your heart rate can cause a surge of endorphins to floor your system which then promotes happier mindsets, can clear headaches, and bring ease to spending so much of our time inside.

Just a gentle reminder…

Remember that this is a difficult time for everyone and we are all struggling to keep paying our needed bills and making ends meet. Have a hope that things will get better and don’t abandon your grace or compassion towards others. Lend a helping hand when you can whether that may be leaving a small meal on a neighbors doorstep or mowing somebody’s lawn for them. Keep in mind those who cannot get out as easily, or those sleeping on the streets, are our neighbors too, and forgetting can leave others stranded or in worse conditions than yourself. Wash your hands, cough in your elbow, use sanitizer, and stay home as much as you are able. We will all survive this together.

A Happy Us, Is A Healthy Us!

What does family mean to you? This question has been swirling through my mind as I seem to find difficulty in answering it. I was adopted at a young age and grew up with the knowledge that my biological parents, for whatever reasons existing, did not want me. This can be difficult for many children as they grow up and may commonly cause separation anxiety along with abandonment and identity issues. Luckily, I was adopted by parents who have given me such a wonderful life filled with love, support, and happiness. But with this in mind, what truly is the meaning of family? Love, support and happiness? I wanted to dig further into what others have to say about this.

Family & Devestation?

As we all know, the famous and legendary Kobe Bryant passed away with his daughter Gigi. This devastated the entire world and his wife, Vanessa, posted various statements about her personal loss. At the memorial for Kobe, Vanessa made extremely touching assertions, one of which left me chuckling, and in tears, as Usatoday.com documented her statement “He never left the toilet seat up. He always told the girls how beautiful and smart they are. He taught them how to be brave and how to keep pushing forward when things get tough”. This had me thinking about how Vanessa views her life, and I can’t help but wonder if she feels as though her definition of family is now skewed. For some of my friends, they feel the meaning of family is something made up, that they do not actually get to grasp. They come from broken homes, abusive situations, or from parents who have separated and remarried. A close friend of mine says that family is “something close to you, that warms your heart and makes you feel wanted, accepted, and in many ways needed. It is a home, the place you can turn to when things start to crumble. I wish I had that”.

Dad jokes, laughs, & love.

One thing I was able to find we had common ground over is the experience of family gatherings. You have the crazy relative, a lot of arguments or disagreements, but also the laughs, light-hearted fun, and family jokes. My dad loves to be able to spark up a conversation with making someone chuckle, he gives your classic dad jokes and will proceed to laugh at it himself, even if no one else finds it as hysterical. I think despite what any family may face, coming up with a way to diffuse a situation with smiles or laughs, creates a new dynamic that releases unwanted tensions. So, what does family mean to me? Well, I guess it means that even if you are not blood-related, even if you have brokenness and discouragements, abuse, or isolation, that family is the ones around you who are there for you through all of it. The ones who give you that extra giggle, who share the tears, and who have your back, despite any given situations.

Stay Safe, and Stay Healthy.

A Happy You, Is A Healthy You.

If you’re like me, this may be the season you have been dreading for quite some time. With the spread of coronavirus, it is also allergy season, which makes for a very difficult situation when monitoring symptoms. But no, I am not here to talk more about the coronavirus outbreak, lets chat allergies!

What’s all the hype?

For me, I love when the sun comes out and the temperature warms up, but I notice that every time this happens, its during allergy season. I take all kinds of pills to hopefully protect me against a headache, scratchy throat, and stuffy nose. As a hack, another thing I recently incorporated into my life is honey! Eating a spoonful of honey every morning is a great and natural way to help slowly rid yourself of allergies. Honey contains nutrients and is rich in antioxidants. The sticky, -plant-based, resin holding beehives together is called propolis. Propolis is an architectural tool for bees that also aids as a defense mechanism against various pathogens for both the bees and us as humans! Propolis specifically aids as an antifungal as it contains healing properties known as pinocembrin. Healthline.com also suggests propolis has the ability to keep cancer cells from multiplying, reduce cancerous cells, and block pathways keeping cells from signalling each other.

How is it done, who is behind it?

Propolis can be taken as a supplement or as drops by mouth. Webmd.com even suggests a rinse or mouthwash method three times daily for getting rid of any inflammation or sores. Gaia Herbs’ Propolis Extract or more various options from Gaia Herbs are a great way to see the many ways it may benefit the body. From a liver cleanse to uplifting your mood, Gaia herbs “celebrates and supports the symbiotic relationship between people and plants. Different plants draw specific nutrients from the Earth. Those nutrients have a corresponding biological response in your body”. Natural healthy manufacturers such as Premier Research Labs take the time to research those specific nutrients or the infamous Propolis Pastilles and then blend them into safe and beneficial formulas for our uses.

Let’s stay quarantined AND healthy!

Ok, I lied, I have to say, with this crazy pandemic on the rise, the best things we can do for ourselves is keeping our bodies full of natural and healthy sources while getting rid of as many toxins as possible. Staying healthy and happy is key if you are going through any sort of quarantine where our normal routines of the days have been disrupted as we all figure out temporary new ways of life. Exercise, drink water, take care of your body, and stay as positive as you can. We will all get through this together.

A Happy You, Is A Healthy You!