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Mental health is simultaneously one of the most important and one of the most difficult things to take care of in our lives. While doctors and researchers have long said that you should take your mental health as seriously as your physical health, many people find themselves neglecting the former. While it’s slowly becoming less stigmatized to talk about mental illness, there’s still a lot of work to do and it can feel incredibly overwhelming to open up to anyone about it when you’re struggling. While there are many self-care strategies, finding what works for you can take time and experimentation. If you’re not sure where to start, let’s go over some simple ways you can look after your mental health.

Why is mental health important?

There are a million reasons why taking care of your mental health is important but ultimately, it comes down to the fact that everyone deserves to have peace and wellness in their lives and access to treat medical issues that disrupt that wellness. Insurance companies and doctors are starting to catch up, but there’s still a lot of improvements to be made structurally to improve our ability to identify and treat mental illness before it becomes destructive. Your mental health may seem divorced from your physical health, but many mental illnesses manifest with physical symptoms or involve things like suicidal ideation or self-harm that can quickly spiral when untreated.

How can I take care of my mental health?

There’s a lot you can do to improve your mental health, but therapy is one of the most beneficial investments you can make. Whether you’re dealing with an existential crisis, an ongoing mental illness, or a traumatic event, having someone who can listen and offer you objective advice is incredibly valuable. Not only that, but the simple act of talking about what’s bothering you and letting it out can be beneficial in and of itself. There aren’t really downsides to reaching out and consulting with a therapist if you’re concerned about your mental health, and it’s a worthy investment even if you’re on a budget.

Consider trying to come up with a routine, especially if you’re spending a lot of time at home or working from home, that makes you feel productive without being exhausted or overextended. Try to find a hobby or two that relaxes you or a project you can invest in that is completely separate from what you do for work. It’s about keeping your mind stimulated and focused on things that are fun or beneficial, instead of letting it wander and start to go to dark or unhealthy places.

Does my environment affect my mood?

It may seem trivial, but your environment has a huge effect on your mental health. Think about the spaces where you spend the most time, especially your home. If it’s dirty, unkempt, or bleak to spend time in, it’s probably not serving you well. You can spruce up your decór, rearrange your furniture, or just deep clean everything from the floors to the windows (if you’re looking for window cleaning Durham, Labor Panes has you covered). Don’t stop at window-washing, if you’re going to bring in an outside company, you can even have them handle chores like cleaning the gutter in order to take that task off your plate. Letting difficult chores pile up is just another way that you can add unnecessary stress to your life.

Mental health can seem like an overwhelming topic and if you find yourself with symptoms of a mental illness or just want someone to talk about a situation that’s bothering you, it’s easier than ever to find a therapist without even leaving your home. The advent of teletherapy and online medicine, in addition to several chat-based apps and programs, make talk therapy accessible for everyone at a more reasonable price point than many traditional therapeutic options.

Even if you’re not interested in medical treatment, there are plenty of small things you can change about your environment or routine that can have beneficial effects. Try to shake the stigma and think of treating mental illness like putting a cast on a broken bone. The most important thing is that you don’t ignore yourself or your mental health and take concrete steps to get help if you need it.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Health category

Being told you have cancer can be one of the scariest and worst days of your lives. But there is always hope. Just because you currently have cancer, or are in remission, does not mean that you can’t visit your loved ones or travel around the world. Regardless of whether you are currently undergoing treatment for the big C, or have completed it and put it behind you, then you can still get out there. Learning how to make yourself safe whilst traveling is the key to success.

1. Get your medical records.

Before going anywhere, you should get in touch with your doctor to obtain a physical copy of your medical record, that you can have with you, wherever you go. If you are on your trip and an emergency arises, the medical center you visit may not be able to use its computers to access your personal medical records. Therefore, it is a good idea, particularly for cancer patients, to have a physical copy at hand, to give to the doctors, nurses and clinicians in attendence. As most patients know, your medical information is protected by HIPPA and can only be released from your doctor’s office with handwritten consent. If you are not sure what specific records to bring with you, at the very least, you should bring a list of your current and past cancer treatments. It is also important to remember any EKG’s and notes your doctors may have given you at each treatment session or appointment. When heading out on a trip it is also important to give a copy of your records to a family member. This can be your ICE (in case of an emergency) contact. Most smartphones allow your ICE to be contacted even if your phone is locked. You may also be able to use telemedicine which, when used in oncology, helps patients to avoid a hospital trip or making unnecessary in-person visits to the doctors for treatments or checkups. Cancer care telemedicine is a great option, especially if you are planning a vacation. Contact your caregiver for more details.

2. You can bring your home with you.

If you are worried about heading out to hotels and restaurants while you’re traveling, (and especially during these uncertain times of COVID-19,) then why not try renting a motorhome? Choosing to travel the open road in a motorhome is a great way to keep yourself safe since it already has most of your requirements on board. Most trailers and RVs come with a kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, so you shouldn’t have to interact with that many other people, if you prefer not to. Good Sam Extended Service Plan reviews well as an insurance policy, which is something that must also be considered when renting an RV. Their extended service plans will give you roadside assistance if at any time you find yourself needing it. This company is the oldest and largest insurance policy provider nationwide, so you can feel at ease knowing you will be safe and healthy. Not to mention the cost of renting an RV is usually way lower than what you would pay for your hotel stay. Traveling in a mobile home is particularly economical especially if you have bills piling up from your cancer treatments. If you are on a strict diet or do not have a huge appetite after the chemo, having a place to cook on board will help you feel more at ease, allowing you peace of mind to enjoy your time off. You and your family can also stop the camper wherever and whenever you want, to make sure to take in the surroundings and there is a substantial RV community that is out there to assist with all things camper-related.

3. Make sure to listen to your body.

Each patient knows what their own body can take, and you should always listen to the warning signs it tries to give you. If you start to feel worn down, then rest. If you are hungry, then eat. It is perfectly okay if you feel like canceling part of a trip, if the side effects of a treatment plan get on top of you. Sometimes, it would make more sense to skip an excursion if you are tired, and go when you are feeling more up to it. The most important thing for cancer patients is peace of mind. Canceling doesn’t have to be a permanent thing, you may even get a good deal on a future trip! The world isn’t going anywhere, just go at your own pace. However, if your body is not sounding any alarms before you set off, don’t forget to keep an ear out for any during the traveling too. Try your best to be mindful of the sun as some treatments can leave you prone to sunburn. If you stick to your well-balanced meals and keep hydrated there should be no stopping you on your adventures.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Health category

Every day we wake to a world that is undergoing more dramatic change than most of us have ever seen, due to the effects of the coronavirus. Yes, this is a particularly harrowing time. Folks left and right are dealing with high-stress situations on a daily basis.

When considering all these different stressors, one can find themselves suddenly out of breath. It’s a whole lot! Now more than ever, we can all benefit from the tips on what to do when feeling overwhelmed.

1.) Stop and “smell” the CBD flowers

CBD quickly rose to well-deserved fame, as a result of its reputation for being a wonderful, profound, nearly THC-free way to connect with one’s inner peace. And before that mind starts racing, don’t fret about the legality of CBD flowers. If you’re someone who is worried about being able to prove that those CBD flowers are not “weed”, we recommend keeping the CBD flowers at home, just because the only way to prove they’re not “weed” is with laboratory testing.

Nobody wants to go through all that hassle. We’re not even talking about a substance here that has any kind of psychoactive component! If you’re looking for a promising lead on superior CBD/hemp products we’d definitely point to Try Plain Jane. They offer a wide variety of hemp and CBD prerolls, CBD oils, joints, vapes, and awesome accessories like grinders, stash bags, and exclusive tees.

2.) Get a plant

Plants have this strange ability to make us all feel bubbly inside. Taking care of one, however, can be difficult. Too much light is bad. Too much water is bad. Not enough moisture is bad. We’d definitely recommend looking into the ZZ plant. Legend has it that the ZZ plant is the perfect plant for any beginners and that it’s literally hard to kill. It enjoys indirect light and is the ideal houseplant.

3.) Meditate

If you have a hard time relaxing, it could be an indicator that you should try meditation. We have countless remarkable meditation apps available at our fingertips. While meditation might sound like a daunting, boring kind of task at first, it can work wonders for slowing your mind down. It’s a great option for everyone.

4.) Take a walk

As long as you’re comfortable with taking some time outside of the apartment, and your mask is ready for the adventure, a walk can work wonders for easing your stress. Often, it’s the easiest way to do just that. Getting some direct sun and enjoying the aroma of flowers is always a winner.

Yes, a walk around the neighborhood, maybe with a favorite playlist or that new podcast episode you’ve been meaning to listen to, can do a whole lot for a worried mind. If you really want to get wild with it, leaving the phone at home can be an even more powerful way to relax.

5.) Reach out to a friend

There is absolutely nothing wrong with leaning on the ones we love when the weight of the world is just digging into our shoulders, and we need the extra morale boost. Sometimes, the mere sound of a familiar voice is enough to interrupt our stressful train of unwanted thoughts.

6.) Find a book, and give it a read

We’re so deeply immersed in this technologically-infused society that we can all easily forget about the fact that we’re spending way too much time on our screens. Our eyes are probably tired of it, and our minds can certainly use a break from the overwhelming rush of media that we’re otherwise numbed to. Taking a screen break, and diving into a book that you’re genuinely excited to read is a wonderful way to slow everything down.

To read more on topics like this, check out the Health category