by | Sep 26, 2022 | From the Heart |
There has never been such an emphasis as now on our mental health. With many celebrities speaking about it and things like social media giving everyone a voice, it is no longer the taboo it was once perceived as. Because of this, more of us than ever are seeking help when it’s needed and working to better the way we feel about things in our life. There isn’t a real reason we might feel anxious or worried, but it can have a tangible impact on our lives, so it’s vital to get it nipped in the bud before it gets any worse. If you are suffering with your mental health, it’s essential to realize that you are not on your own and many people also feel the same way. If you are currently feeling down or worried, we have put together some top tips that should help you with your mental health and have you feeling back to normal, hopefully soon.
Monitor how you use social media and how it makes you feel
We live in a time when social media is used by almost everyone. Whether you are someone who loves to post on things such as Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok, or if you just like to scroll through and see what everyone else is up to, the choice is yours. Yet it is crucial to see how social media makes you feel. Do you come off of it feeling happier? Or do you find that you constantly compare yourself to everyone, making you feel sad or worried that you’re not good enough? Consider how it makes you feel and ensure you stay safe on social media. You don’t know what harmful content can be, so social media safety is paramount.
Have a healthy diet
Your diet can play a big part in how you feel, which is why it’s vital you treat your body well. Try to eat plenty of nutritious fruit and veg and drink enough water. This depressant can stimulate anxiety if you go out and drink a lot. Instead, why not switch to alcohol-free drinks at a party? This way, you still feel like you’re drinking something nice, but it doesn’t give you the same comedown as a hangover the next day. With this diet change, you should also ensure you get plenty of exercise; whether down the gym or a local class, find something you enjoy. This will release endorphins and help you to feel happier.
Speak to someone
Keeping it all bottled up is one of the worst things you can do, no matter how small and trivial your problem might seem. To combat this, speak to someone such as a friend or family member. If you find they aren’t able to help, it could be worth talking to a therapist or specialist who will be able to share special techniques to help you cope with your anxiety. Remember that keeping it bottled up will only make your thoughts escalate, so let it out. You could also try journaling as an outlet for yourself.
Take time to look after yourself.
When you are feeling anxious, you need to take care of yourself. Think of things you can do that you love and that make you feel happy and relaxed. This might be going for a spa day, reading a book with a cup of tea, or going for a long walk. It doesn’t need to be anything overly exciting or expensive. The important part is that you are taking time out to help yourself. Why not set aside one day a week that is just for you? This could be an hour or a whole day. Just make sure to take care of yourself.
These are a few things you can do to help your mental health. While your physical health is essential, it’s vital that the way you feel psychologically is, too, so don’t just brush it under the carpet. If you do this, it could escalate, and you may feel worse. You can do myriad things to aid your mental health, and whether you try one of the above tips, all of them, or something completely different, it’s just important you find something that works for you. Do you suffer with your mental health? If so, what do you do to help? Let us know in the comments below!
by JTwisdom | Sep 11, 2022 | From the Heart |
Hello Beautiful People,
Today my wife and I are celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary.
It seems like only yesterday when many twists of fate brought us to work at the same organization in 1996. We met when her division moved into the same building I worked in. Our paths soon crossed. We learned that even though we came from different backgrounds, it was God’s plan to bring us together. I grew up in a small rural town in central Missouri, while she is a big-city girl. We would talk into the early morning hours and realize that we shared many similar interests and beliefs. Our friendship grew strong, and love blossomed.
We married on September 11, 1999.
J and T in Assisi
We are often asked what the keys to a successful marriage are. You do not need formal training to be a marriage counselor or expert. You just need to be willing to seek God’s wisdom as the guide for your marriage.
I wanted to share 23 things we have learned through the years that have made our marriage strong and a pleasure to be a part of. I will share them in a four-part series, starting with this post.
1) Pray First
Not a day goes by when we do not pray for each other and our marriage. This is by far the most important factor that I would tell anyone. We would not be where we are without thanking God for our spouse and His blessings, asking Him to strengthen our marriage, and seeking His wisdom in making decisions. We pray whether we are at home preparing for a day at work or if we are on vacation. It doesn’t matter. We always pray, every day.
2) Communicate Often
A successful marriage cannot happen if we are not talking. Talking is the only way that we will get to know each other. The more that we alk, the closer I get to her soul. I find out what her needs are and what her dreams are. I learn about things in her past that have shaped her current behaviors and beliefs. The longer we are married, the more important it is to continue the conversations. Life happens, dreams change, and a whole new set of circumstances must be discussed. Talking never stops.
3) Best Friends
We found out early in our relationship, before we were married, that we listened to many of the same types of music, watched the same television show genres, and shared many political and moral beliefs. Spending time together was not a chore but a treat because we enjoyed the same leisure activities, like hiking, shopping, and road tripping. We are best friends in every sense of the word and focus on keeping that in focus.
4) Never Go To Bed Angry
In the almost 25 years we have known each other, there have been times when we have not agreed or may have been angry with each other about a specific situation. We have made a point that we work out the situation before going to bed. I want to know what is causing that disagreement and what can be done to fix the situation. A healthy marriage cannot allow strife to linger around.
5) Say I LOVE YOU Often
I LOVE YOU is a simple phrase we often say to each other. Whether we are talking on the phone, leaving off to work, or going to bed at night, I LOVE YOU is always a part of the conversation. I don’t want her to assume anything. I want her to know. It has become a regular part of our conversation. It seems a bit odd if I don’t do it. If I forget, I make sure I do the next opportunity I get.
6) Quiet Hugs
There is something special about a hug that can bring us closer together when life’s situations get in the way. A hug can relieve a stressful situation or lessen the burdens of a bad situation. Many times no words are spoken, just a quiet hug, holding each other close and squeezing each other tight. And it is not just a short hug, but one that can last for several minutes. The closeness is broken only by an encouraging word with a kiss and then another hug, followed by an I LOVE YOU.
More keys will follow in more posts that will be written this week. We are celebrating our anniversary all month long.
by | Sep 7, 2022 | From the Heart |
Where has your confidence gone? If you wonder about this multiple times daily, you need to start doing something about this. There are a lot of different ways that you can get your confidence back, and we’re going to be discussing some of them in this article. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
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What Are You Wearing?
First, you might want to look at what you’re wearing. When you get yourself dressed in the morning, do you think about what you’re wearing, or do you just throw on some of the clothes that you have? What you wear could be a great start if you want to boost your confidence. You can even look into shapewear pieces if you are worried about how you look under your clothes.
If you find fashion difficult, then you can speak to a professional. They will be able to help you choose the right clothes for your body shape and help you look and feel fantastic. But, we will say that if you don’t like any of the pieces, you don’t have to wear them. It’s important that, above all else, you feel comfortable with how you look in these clothes because if you don’t, then it’s going to be impossible to be confident.
Where’s Your Head At?
Something else to think about is where your head is at with everything. If you find things in your daily life affecting your moods, then you must work to fix this. You don’t want to be faced with extreme stress or anxiety as you won’t be able to function correctly. Speak to a professional who will be able to help you get your head straight about what is going on in your life.
Smile!
One thing that can give you an incredible confidence boost is smiling. When you smile, your body releases happy hormones to encourage you to do it more. However, if you don’t feel like smiling, then you will have to get to the bottom of why. Lack of smiling can leave you feeling down in the dumps and miserable every day. Nobody wants that for you. People around you love to see you smile.
It may be a case of not liking your smile; this is why you don’t do it. If you have issues with your teeth, either due to the shape or the color, there is help. You can take a trip to the local dentist who will have a look at your teeth and suggest recommended treatment for you.
We hope you have found this article helpful and now see some of the things you can do to find your confidence. While it might seem like an impossible task, that doesn’t mean that it is one. We promise that if you put in the effort, you will be able to gain your confidence back once more. We wish you the very best of luck with this and hope that you manage to feel good in your skin again.
by | Jul 15, 2022 | From the Heart |
If you often struggle to sleep well at night and feel tired the next day, your problems might be rooted in a lack of a healthy evening routine. Getting to bed late and doing things that cause you to stay awake for longer can damage your health and wellbeing. With that in mind, we’ll talk today about some things you can do to create a better evening routine in your home.
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Journal to Relieve Stress
Journaling is something that lots of people find highly beneficial when it comes to improving their evening routines. It can be used to reduce stress as it helps you get your thoughts out of your head and onto paper, which often makes a real difference. So think about trying it and see if it makes a difference.
Avoid Eating or Drinking Coffee in the Few Hours Before Bed
If you can avoid eating too late in the evening and drinking caffeine, you’ll find it much easier to get to sleep at night. You can make it a policy in your home to eat your evening meal a little earlier and perhaps set off a cut-off time for when you stop drinking coffee and other caffeinated drinks. It’ll make a much bigger difference than you might think.
Find a Calming Hobby
Finding a hobby that helps you stay calm is a good idea. When you can stay calm in the evening and ease into the night, you’ll find it much easier to get to sleep. It also really helps with feelings of stress if you can do something in the evening that helps to calm you.
Set the Table and Eat Dinner as a Family Each Night
Setting the table for dinner is something of a lost art. Many families simply eat dinner when they feel like it and sit in front of the TV as they do so. There might not be anything wrong with that for some families, but it’s much healthier to sit down and eat dinner as a family, especially for families with kids. Places like Richard Haworth can help you find the tablecloths and napkins that’ll bring it all together.
Dim the Lights and Set the Atmosphere
Finally, you should consider the atmosphere you create in your home in the evenings. Simple things like dimming the lights and setting an atmosphere focused on relaxation can make a real difference. That’s something that you can work on right away, so why not give it a try?
Good evening routines are beneficial in a wide range of ways. You just need to make sure that you orient your routines around your needs and schedule. It’s all about ensuring your evenings are as relacing as they can be and that they help you to get a good night’s sleep. You’ll then feel the benefits the following day too.
by | Jun 6, 2022 | From the Heart |
When it comes to purchasing a new car, you need to sit down and ask yourself a few things. You can’t just jump into this decision and expect it to go well, as often we make bad decisions when we try to rush. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the things that you should be asking yourself when it comes to purchasing a new car. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.
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Do You Want New Or Used?
The first thing that you need to ask yourself is whether you want a new or used car. This will start by telling you where you should be looking which is key information that you need. If you want a new car, then you need to look at all of the options around where you live, and look online to see what is available to you. You can go and speak to the dealers and look at new cars, deciding which one you love.
Or, if you want to get a used car then you need to head to look into used car dealerships. There should be at least one by you, so it’s just a case of finding it. Or, you might want to go a little further afield if the one close to you does not have what you are looking for.
What Suits Your Needs?
Another thing that you need to ask yourself is what your needs are. There is no point purchasing a car if it does not suit the needs that you have. For example, how much space is there? If you have a family, then you need a car with enough space to fit them all in and still have space for other things in the vehicle. For this reason, a small car is not going to be an option, or one that only has two seats.
If you think that you’re going to forget what needs you have, we recommend that you write it all down. You can even show this to the dealer that you choose and see what recommendations they have.
What Can You Afford?
The final thing that you need to consider is how much you can afford. You need to set yourself a budget and then stick to it by not looking at cars that venture outside this number. Think about the money that you have available right now, and remember that there are finance options if this is something that you want to look into.
We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see three of the things that you need to ask yourself when purchasing a new car. It’s important that you take your time choosing a new car as this is one of the purchases that is going to be with you for many years to come. Ideally, you need to get it right, so slow down a little and make the right choice.
by | May 18, 2022 | From the Heart |
There’s no doubt that your mom is one of the most influential people in your life. So when it comes to finding the perfect gift for her birthday, you want to make sure it’s something she’ll truly appreciate.
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While every mom is different, some gifts will please any mother.
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
A Spa Day
Most moms could use a little relaxation, and what better way to show her how much you care than by treating her to a day at the spa? She can enjoy a massage, facial, and other pampering treatments while enjoying some much-needed time to herself.
A Homemade Cake Or Dessert
Nothing says “I love you” like taking the time to make your mom a special treat. If you’re not much of a baker, don’t worry – there are plenty of easy recipes that anyone can make.
A Day of Adventure
If your mom is always up for a new adventure, plan a day full of activities that she’ll love. Take her hiking, kayaking, or even spend the day exploring a new city. Whatever you do, she’s sure to appreciate the time you spent together.
A Donation in Her Name
If your mom is passionate about a particular cause, donate in her name to a charity that supports it. Not only will she be thrilled that you made a difference in the world, but she’ll also appreciate the gesture’s thoughtfulness.
A Shopping Spree
If your mom loves to shop, why not give her a gift card to her favorite store? Then, she’ll be able to splurge on whatever she wants, and you’ll know that she’s getting something she wants.
A Day at the Beach
Does your mom love the sun and sand? Then a day at the beach is the perfect birthday present for her. Spend the day swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying each other’s company.
A Heartfelt Card
Your mom will appreciate a heartfelt and handwritten card on her birthday. It doesn’t have to be too long or fancy – just a few sentences expressing your love and appreciation for her will do.
Flowers
A beautiful bouquet is always a welcome gift, and it’s a great way to show your mom how much you care. If you’re not sure what type of flowers she likes, ask one of the staff at the flower shop for help picking out the perfect arrangement.
A Homemade Gift
There’s nothing quite like receiving a homemade gift from someone you love. If you’re creative, put your talents to use and make your mom a one-of-a-kind present. Even if you’re not the most crafty person, you can still cook her favorite meal or bake her a birthday cake.
A Weekend Getaway
Treat your mom to a weekend getaway at a nearby bed and breakfast or resort if your budget allows. She’ll appreciate the chance to relax and rejuvenate; especially if it’s somewhere she’s always wanted to visit.
A Basket Of Her Favorite Things
Is your mom’s favorite thing chocolate, wine, or bath products? Why not put together a basket filled with all of her favorite things? Things such as her favorite chocolate, chips, nuts, sweets, a nice shower steamer, remember to research how to use shower steamers first, a bottle of her favorite wine, and other drinks. This is a gift that’s sure to please any mom – no matter her interests.
A Homemade Dinner
There’s nothing quite like a homemade meal – especially when it’s made by someone you love. If you’re not the best cook, don’t worry – there are plenty of easy recipes that even the most culinary-challenged can make. And if cooking isn’t your thing, you can always order from your mom’s favorite restaurant.
A Gift Certificate To Her Favorite Store
If your mom loves to shop, a gift certificate is a perfect present. Whether it’s for her favorite clothing store or a local spa, she’ll be able to treat herself to something she wants.
A Piece Of Jewelry
Jewelry is always a welcome gift, especially if it’s something that your mom can wear every day. Look for something that has meaning, like a birthstone necklace or a bracelet with her children’s names.
In Conclusion
No matter what gift you choose, your mom will appreciate the effort you put into finding something special for her birthday. So take your time, browse our selection of gifts for moms, and pick out something that shows how much you care.
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