Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don't over do. Keep your limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need..
Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Smile and Laugh more! Choose to be Happy!
You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Healthy Tips for 2010
Drink plenty of water.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy...
Make time to pray.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2009 .
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, Smile.
Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy...
Make time to pray.
Play more games.
Read more books than you did in 2009 .
Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, Smile.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Surviving the Holidays!
There are ways to survive the holidays, both mentally and financially; please see ideas below.
Maintain your mental health. It's as important as your physical health, Fong said. Make sure you get seven hours of sleep a night, exercise, eat three square meals a day, avoid junk food and limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks a night if you're a man, one if you're a woman. Avoid pot, heroin, cocaine and mama's pills.
Combine social activities with exercise. Become part of a running club or hiking club, for instance. Many such clubs and activities don't cost much, if anything.
Hand-make gifts or give the gift of your time (inexpensive yet priceless). "Objects or gifts don't necessarily equate to happiness," Gold said. "This is a good time to talk about what people mean to you and then make a gift, make a card. … Make coupons to a parent or a sibling or a grandparent: 'I'll spend an hour of time with you playing ball or taking a walk.' "
Volunteer. "Volunteering is the longest sustained happy buzz you can give yourself," Bagley said.
Get together with a group of friends and shop for people in need rather than each other, Bagley suggested.
"It's really a good time for people to evaluate their relationship to money and, if you're in a family situation, to talk about that with your kids," Gold said.
And sometimes a little guilt isn't such a bad thing. "It's the reality," Gold said. "People have less money, and it's probably good to feel a little guilty. It prevents you from spending more."
Maintain your mental health. It's as important as your physical health, Fong said. Make sure you get seven hours of sleep a night, exercise, eat three square meals a day, avoid junk food and limit yourself to two alcoholic drinks a night if you're a man, one if you're a woman. Avoid pot, heroin, cocaine and mama's pills.
Combine social activities with exercise. Become part of a running club or hiking club, for instance. Many such clubs and activities don't cost much, if anything.
Hand-make gifts or give the gift of your time (inexpensive yet priceless). "Objects or gifts don't necessarily equate to happiness," Gold said. "This is a good time to talk about what people mean to you and then make a gift, make a card. … Make coupons to a parent or a sibling or a grandparent: 'I'll spend an hour of time with you playing ball or taking a walk.' "
Volunteer. "Volunteering is the longest sustained happy buzz you can give yourself," Bagley said.
Get together with a group of friends and shop for people in need rather than each other, Bagley suggested.
"It's really a good time for people to evaluate their relationship to money and, if you're in a family situation, to talk about that with your kids," Gold said.
And sometimes a little guilt isn't such a bad thing. "It's the reality," Gold said. "People have less money, and it's probably good to feel a little guilty. It prevents you from spending more."
Shovel Snow Safely
The AAOS offered advice on how to prevent injuries while shoveling or using a snow blower.
Get your doctor's opinion about whether you should be shoveling snow. If you have a medical condition or don't exercise regularly, consider hiring someone to remove snow.
Wear light, layered, water-repellent clothing that provides both ventilation and insulation. It's also important to wear appropriate head coverings, as well as gloves/mittens and thick, warm socks. If you start getting too hot or cold, take a break.
Be sure you can see what you're doing. Don't wear hats or scarves that block your vision. Watch for uneven surfaces and ice patches. Wear boots with slip-resistant soles.
Clear snow early and often so that it doesn't build up into packed, heavy snow.
Before shoveling, warm up your muscles with light exercise for 10 minutes. Be sure to include your leg muscles.
Take frequent breaks and drink water to prevent dehydration.
If you experience chest pains, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart attack, seek emergency medical care.
Use a shovel that's comfortable for your height and strength. Don't use a shovel that's too heavy or too long for you. Push snow instead of lifting it, as much as you can. If you must lift snow, take small amounts at a time and lift with your legs. Don't throw snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that stresses your back.
When using a snow blower, never stick your hands or feet in the machine. If snow becomes too compacted, stop the engine and wait at least five seconds. Use a solid object to clear snow or debris from the chute.
Don't leave a snow blower unattended when it's running. If you have to leave the machine, shut off the engine.
If you're using an electric snow blower, always keep on eye on the cord so you don't trip and fall.
Get your doctor's opinion about whether you should be shoveling snow. If you have a medical condition or don't exercise regularly, consider hiring someone to remove snow.
Wear light, layered, water-repellent clothing that provides both ventilation and insulation. It's also important to wear appropriate head coverings, as well as gloves/mittens and thick, warm socks. If you start getting too hot or cold, take a break.
Be sure you can see what you're doing. Don't wear hats or scarves that block your vision. Watch for uneven surfaces and ice patches. Wear boots with slip-resistant soles.
Clear snow early and often so that it doesn't build up into packed, heavy snow.
Before shoveling, warm up your muscles with light exercise for 10 minutes. Be sure to include your leg muscles.
Take frequent breaks and drink water to prevent dehydration.
If you experience chest pains, shortness of breath or other signs of a heart attack, seek emergency medical care.
Use a shovel that's comfortable for your height and strength. Don't use a shovel that's too heavy or too long for you. Push snow instead of lifting it, as much as you can. If you must lift snow, take small amounts at a time and lift with your legs. Don't throw snow over your shoulder or to the side. This requires a twisting motion that stresses your back.
When using a snow blower, never stick your hands or feet in the machine. If snow becomes too compacted, stop the engine and wait at least five seconds. Use a solid object to clear snow or debris from the chute.
Don't leave a snow blower unattended when it's running. If you have to leave the machine, shut off the engine.
If you're using an electric snow blower, always keep on eye on the cord so you don't trip and fall.
Blue and Broke for the Holidays
That's the holidays this year, with many people both blue and broke -- the usual melancholy compounded by the highest jobless rate in three decades and a jackknifing stock market.
"Mental health problems are common and spike more often during the winter months not only because of the holidays, but also because of seasonal affective disorder," said Dr. Timothy Fong, assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the UCLA Impulse Control Disorders Clinic. "This year, more than anything else, financial stressors are bringing that out."
Add to that a hefty dose of "spending guilt" among those who can't afford to buy the usual full stockings of holiday gifts and those who are spending but feeling bad about it.
"People talk about feeling guilty about spending," said Jerry Gold, administrative director of behavioral health services at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. "Financial stress is one of the top 10 factors for relationship problems anyway. If people tend to spend more than they bring in and have guilt about it, coupled with the fact that there's a global financial crisis and also the holiday times in which people are pressured to purchase gifts as an expression of caring or love, all that together probably exacerbates underlying stress about finances."
Over the past three to four months, Fong said, he has been seeing more patients with stress, depression and anxiety, people who normally would not have sought out treatment. Others who once paid cash for counseling just can't afford to pay anymore, especially with going rates in the Los Angeles area ranging from $125 to $400 and up.
And insurers are tightening up regulations. One patient who spent four days in the hospital recently detoxing from prescription drugs found himself with an unanticipated $8,000 bill for the stay. "His holidays are ruined," Fong said.
Companies still in business are devising their own strategies. According to Gary Bagley, executive director of New York Cares, a volunteer-oriented charitable organization in New York City, the number of corporate holiday parties is down, with companies organizing their employees to volunteer instead.
"I wouldn't say [volunteering for the holidays] is unheard of in the past, but this year, we're also having folks say they're volunteering instead of the holiday party and making it very clear it would have been a holiday party but, considering the times, it doesn't feel right to be throwing a party," Bagley said.
"Mental health problems are common and spike more often during the winter months not only because of the holidays, but also because of seasonal affective disorder," said Dr. Timothy Fong, assistant professor of psychiatry and director of the UCLA Impulse Control Disorders Clinic. "This year, more than anything else, financial stressors are bringing that out."
Add to that a hefty dose of "spending guilt" among those who can't afford to buy the usual full stockings of holiday gifts and those who are spending but feeling bad about it.
"People talk about feeling guilty about spending," said Jerry Gold, administrative director of behavioral health services at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego. "Financial stress is one of the top 10 factors for relationship problems anyway. If people tend to spend more than they bring in and have guilt about it, coupled with the fact that there's a global financial crisis and also the holiday times in which people are pressured to purchase gifts as an expression of caring or love, all that together probably exacerbates underlying stress about finances."
Over the past three to four months, Fong said, he has been seeing more patients with stress, depression and anxiety, people who normally would not have sought out treatment. Others who once paid cash for counseling just can't afford to pay anymore, especially with going rates in the Los Angeles area ranging from $125 to $400 and up.
And insurers are tightening up regulations. One patient who spent four days in the hospital recently detoxing from prescription drugs found himself with an unanticipated $8,000 bill for the stay. "His holidays are ruined," Fong said.
Companies still in business are devising their own strategies. According to Gary Bagley, executive director of New York Cares, a volunteer-oriented charitable organization in New York City, the number of corporate holiday parties is down, with companies organizing their employees to volunteer instead.
"I wouldn't say [volunteering for the holidays] is unheard of in the past, but this year, we're also having folks say they're volunteering instead of the holiday party and making it very clear it would have been a holiday party but, considering the times, it doesn't feel right to be throwing a party," Bagley said.
Dealing with the "Holiday Havoc"...
"Joy to the World" may be the theme, but a lot of us find this time of year brings more stress than bliss. As we try to meet age-old ideals, we feel pressure to cook the perfect meal and buy the perfect gift.
It's time for Americans—particularly the women who bear the brunt—to make more realistic holiday plans, psychologists say.
"It's always legitimate to say 'no,'" says Dorothy Cantor, Ph.D., former president of the American Psychological Association. "People forget that they have that option when the holidays come." Dr. Cantor, a co-author of Finding Your Voice: A Woman's Guide to Using Self Talk for Fulfilling Relationships, Work and Life, says today's two-income couple has little time to cook, shop or party. Modern demands mean cutting down on holiday hubbub.
"Women need to realize that it's acceptable to delegate some of their responsibilities," says California psychologist Elaine Rodino, Ph.D., who specializes in relationships and stress.
Have a potluck dinner, so you don't end up cooking the whole meal yourself. See what you can pick up at your local bakery. Ask dinner guests to help you clean up after the meal.
It's wise to plan ahead and decide how the holidays can be most enjoyable for you and your family—without holding yourself to artificial norms, Dr. Rodino says. Make plans to flee to a mountain cabin with your family. Feel you're right not to invite relatives if you have a rocky relationship and fear they may spoil the mood. Talk to the family about spending limits on gifts.
"If you're not going to do it joyfully, then don't do it," says Cecile Andrews, Ph.D., author of The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life. She urges people to make their own choices about how to observe the holidays.
"The holidays are not just about getting presents," Dr. Andrews says. "It's a time of inner growth, finding new insight and meeting your own values."
It's time for Americans—particularly the women who bear the brunt—to make more realistic holiday plans, psychologists say.
"It's always legitimate to say 'no,'" says Dorothy Cantor, Ph.D., former president of the American Psychological Association. "People forget that they have that option when the holidays come." Dr. Cantor, a co-author of Finding Your Voice: A Woman's Guide to Using Self Talk for Fulfilling Relationships, Work and Life, says today's two-income couple has little time to cook, shop or party. Modern demands mean cutting down on holiday hubbub.
"Women need to realize that it's acceptable to delegate some of their responsibilities," says California psychologist Elaine Rodino, Ph.D., who specializes in relationships and stress.
Have a potluck dinner, so you don't end up cooking the whole meal yourself. See what you can pick up at your local bakery. Ask dinner guests to help you clean up after the meal.
It's wise to plan ahead and decide how the holidays can be most enjoyable for you and your family—without holding yourself to artificial norms, Dr. Rodino says. Make plans to flee to a mountain cabin with your family. Feel you're right not to invite relatives if you have a rocky relationship and fear they may spoil the mood. Talk to the family about spending limits on gifts.
"If you're not going to do it joyfully, then don't do it," says Cecile Andrews, Ph.D., author of The Circle of Simplicity: Return to the Good Life. She urges people to make their own choices about how to observe the holidays.
"The holidays are not just about getting presents," Dr. Andrews says. "It's a time of inner growth, finding new insight and meeting your own values."
Friday, December 4, 2009
Packing for Your Trip w/ Diabetic Supplies
Be sure to pack at least twice as much medication and blood-testing supplies as you think you will need. At least half of these should be with you in your carry-on bag, which you should have with you at all times.
When packing, be sure to include the following items:
A) All the insulin and syringes you need for the trip.
B) Blood and urine testing supplies; be sure to include extra batteries for your glucose meter.
C) All oral medications.
D) Other medications or medical supplies (see the Traveler's First Aid Kit section of this module).
E) Your ID and diabetes identification card.
F) A well-wrapped, airtight snack pack of crackers or cheese, peanut butter, fruit, a juice box, and some form of sugar (hard candy or glucose tablets) to treat low blood glucose.
Before you fly, be sure to request a special meal low in sugar, fat, and cholesterol at least 48 hours in advance.
Always carry some food with you in case your meal is delayed or there is a mistake in your order. Wait until you see your food coming down the aisle to take your insulin shot, otherwise, if your meal is delayed, you could experience low blood glucose.
Plan for Crossing Time Zone and Storage of Insulin:
If you take insulin shots and will be crossing time zones, talk to your physician or healthcare professional before your trip. Ask for help, based on your itinerary, in planning the timing of your injections while you travel. Eastbound travel means a shorter day, so if you inject insulin, you may need less. Traveling westbound means a longer day, so more insulin may be needed. To help you keep track of shots and meals through changing time zones, keep your watch on your home time zone until the morning after you arrive.
Checking blood sugar while traveling is just as important as when at home. It is important to check blood sugar soon after landing as jet lag may make it difficult to tell if your blood sugar is very low or very high.
Insulin does not need to be refrigerated, but should not be stored in very hot or very cold temperatures. It is important to store insulin properly, and you should not store insulin in the glove compartment or trunk of a car, or in backpacks and other bags that could be exposed to the elements. Many travel packs are available to keep insulin cool.
When packing, be sure to include the following items:
A) All the insulin and syringes you need for the trip.
B) Blood and urine testing supplies; be sure to include extra batteries for your glucose meter.
C) All oral medications.
D) Other medications or medical supplies (see the Traveler's First Aid Kit section of this module).
E) Your ID and diabetes identification card.
F) A well-wrapped, airtight snack pack of crackers or cheese, peanut butter, fruit, a juice box, and some form of sugar (hard candy or glucose tablets) to treat low blood glucose.
Before you fly, be sure to request a special meal low in sugar, fat, and cholesterol at least 48 hours in advance.
Always carry some food with you in case your meal is delayed or there is a mistake in your order. Wait until you see your food coming down the aisle to take your insulin shot, otherwise, if your meal is delayed, you could experience low blood glucose.
Plan for Crossing Time Zone and Storage of Insulin:
If you take insulin shots and will be crossing time zones, talk to your physician or healthcare professional before your trip. Ask for help, based on your itinerary, in planning the timing of your injections while you travel. Eastbound travel means a shorter day, so if you inject insulin, you may need less. Traveling westbound means a longer day, so more insulin may be needed. To help you keep track of shots and meals through changing time zones, keep your watch on your home time zone until the morning after you arrive.
Checking blood sugar while traveling is just as important as when at home. It is important to check blood sugar soon after landing as jet lag may make it difficult to tell if your blood sugar is very low or very high.
Insulin does not need to be refrigerated, but should not be stored in very hot or very cold temperatures. It is important to store insulin properly, and you should not store insulin in the glove compartment or trunk of a car, or in backpacks and other bags that could be exposed to the elements. Many travel packs are available to keep insulin cool.
Tips While Traveling With Diabetes
Planning ahead is the key to traveling with diabetes. Persons with diabetes can enjoy all kinds of recreational travel from a week at the beach, to camping in the Rockies, to sightseeing across Europe. The American Diabetes Association provides the helpful suggestions below for persons with diabetes planning to travel.
Taking special care when traveling with diabetes:
Be sure to have a complete medical examination well before you travel to make sure your diabetes is under control. This will allow enough time for immunizations, if you need them, and give you time to recover from any side effects. Also ask your physician to give you a letter with the following information:
a) How your diabetes is treated (diabetes pills, insulin shots, etc.).
b) All medications and equipment needed to manage your diabetes (i.e., insulin, syringes, and other medications or devices).
c) Allergies to foods or medication.
Also have your physician give you a prescription for insulin or diabetes pills. You should have more than enough of your medication and syringes to last through the trip with you, but, in case of emergency, the prescription may help.
Taking special care when traveling with diabetes:
Be sure to have a complete medical examination well before you travel to make sure your diabetes is under control. This will allow enough time for immunizations, if you need them, and give you time to recover from any side effects. Also ask your physician to give you a letter with the following information:
a) How your diabetes is treated (diabetes pills, insulin shots, etc.).
b) All medications and equipment needed to manage your diabetes (i.e., insulin, syringes, and other medications or devices).
c) Allergies to foods or medication.
Also have your physician give you a prescription for insulin or diabetes pills. You should have more than enough of your medication and syringes to last through the trip with you, but, in case of emergency, the prescription may help.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
More Helpful Eating Tips for the Holiday Season!
If you feel you have overindulged, add some physical activity. It may be tempting to sit on the couch watching football all afternoon, but everyone would be better off going for a walk. Taking a group walk provides another opportunity to visit and catch up.
If your work place is filled with goodies during the holidays, set some ground rules with your co-workers. Which items will be kept around the office, and which items will be divvied up to take home? Can you establish one central location for the treats, which you can easily avoid? Can you bring in healthier choices to contribute to the mounds of food? Keeping healthier options at work makes it easier for everyone.
Pack a calorie conscious lunch for work that you love. That way you will be filled up and less likely to snack on treats around the office.
Keep lists of tasks that must be accomplished over the holidays, and don’t hesitate to cross off the items that really aren’t that important. Many times the stress of over-committing or leaving items for the last minute leads to poor food choices.
To avoid indulging in high fat fast food when your days are especially hectic, pre plan several quick, healthy meals, and have them available for reheating.
Try eating a healthy snack at the end of your work day or on your way home, especially if you plan to run errands on your way home.
Don’t disregard the calories from those Starbucks drinks you grab on the run while shopping. Some grande (medium) drinks contain as many as 500 calories!
If family gatherings themselves are stressful for you, practice relaxation techniques that you can call upon when everyone gets together. Remind yourself that you may only have to deal with some of these people a couple of times a year rather than every day!
Maintain perspective: Overeating one day won’t make or break your eating plan. By the same token, don’t give yourself time off from your health goals for Halloween all the way through New Year’s!
Plan on NOT dieting for your New Year’s resolution. Anticipation of food restriction may set you up for binge-type eating over the holidays.
Try to get plenty of sleep throughout the holidays. Often we reach for food for energy when we are actually just sleep deprived rather than hungry. Plus, you can’t eat while you are asleep!
If your work place is filled with goodies during the holidays, set some ground rules with your co-workers. Which items will be kept around the office, and which items will be divvied up to take home? Can you establish one central location for the treats, which you can easily avoid? Can you bring in healthier choices to contribute to the mounds of food? Keeping healthier options at work makes it easier for everyone.
Pack a calorie conscious lunch for work that you love. That way you will be filled up and less likely to snack on treats around the office.
Keep lists of tasks that must be accomplished over the holidays, and don’t hesitate to cross off the items that really aren’t that important. Many times the stress of over-committing or leaving items for the last minute leads to poor food choices.
To avoid indulging in high fat fast food when your days are especially hectic, pre plan several quick, healthy meals, and have them available for reheating.
Try eating a healthy snack at the end of your work day or on your way home, especially if you plan to run errands on your way home.
Don’t disregard the calories from those Starbucks drinks you grab on the run while shopping. Some grande (medium) drinks contain as many as 500 calories!
If family gatherings themselves are stressful for you, practice relaxation techniques that you can call upon when everyone gets together. Remind yourself that you may only have to deal with some of these people a couple of times a year rather than every day!
Maintain perspective: Overeating one day won’t make or break your eating plan. By the same token, don’t give yourself time off from your health goals for Halloween all the way through New Year’s!
Plan on NOT dieting for your New Year’s resolution. Anticipation of food restriction may set you up for binge-type eating over the holidays.
Try to get plenty of sleep throughout the holidays. Often we reach for food for energy when we are actually just sleep deprived rather than hungry. Plus, you can’t eat while you are asleep!
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