Mistakes are Proof You Tried

Mistakes are Proof You Tried

Today I was listening to a podcast (of course) - “Good Kids: How Not to Raise an A**hole.”  I wanted to share this podcast with my friends/family that are parents, as well as anyone else, such as myself, who is around kids (my nieces,nephews and friends’ kids) and wants to better interact with, handle kids, etc.  I think there are interesting/good topics and for me anyway, little things that I learn/can do. For example, inone episode a mother was saying how she always makes a point to acknowledge her kids when they are in the room, it was something her mother did that made her feel very seen.  I’m going to now try to do this too. A small, but simple thing I learned I can do.

In the episode I listened to today “How to Raise An Emotionally Intelligent Child,” the host said that her young daughter had said to her “Mistakes are proof you tried,” (which she guessed she must have heard on a show,) and I loved his.  I had never heard this or thought of that before. Thinking about it even more I was also thinking hat “Failure is proof you tried,” is also a good way to look at it/think of it. I will be remembering and telling myself this when I make a mistake or fail, but I think that is great to share with/teach the kids in our life.

For those interested, please check out the podcast and hey, lets teach the kids in our life that it is okay to make mistakes/fail.  Yes, mistakes/failures show we tried, but also mistakes/failures are some of the best ways that we can learn things (unfortunately.)

Can’t We Just All Be Friends?

Can’t We Just All Be Friends?

I’ve been hearing more and more about Ellen DeGeneres and George W. Bush at the Cowboys game together.  When I first heard/saw that Ellen and Bush watched a Cowboys game together and seemed to not just be getting along, but seemed to (gasp!) be enjoying one another my first thought was “it is sad that this is news” and then “good for them.”

I understand that people seem more and more divided these days and people seem to be less tolerant of one another, but really, this shouldn’t be such big news.  It is sad that this happens so rarely that it is news.

Ellen defended their friendship - “We’re all different. . .that’s ok.”  I wish more people handled themselves like Ellen and George W.  My mom and I agree on a lot of things, but also disagree on a lot.  I love, respect and appreciate my mom so much for allowing me to have my own views, thoughts, opinions and being open/understanding enough for me to talk to her openly and honestly with no judgement from her.

I have heard people making the case, essentially stressing the importance of standing by what you believe, not just changing/or “hiding” your views for someone else.  I understand that, but I think that it is okay to sometimes focus on what brings us together rather than what divides us and that doesn’t mean that you aren’t true to your views/beliefs.

Let’s Get Physical, Physical. . .

Let’s Get Physical, Physical

I just recently listened to two podcasts, both of which focused on physical activity/exercise.

Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert - Tal Ben-Shahar

Tal Ben-Shahar is a professor and author in the areas of positive psychology, organizational psychology and leadership.  I found him interesting and one thing he talked about was the importance of physical activity, particularly for mental health.  He said that he doesn’t even ask his kids how school was - how was the test, or a class et. He rather focuses on and choses to ask his kids about their physical activities - sports, dance, etc.  That seems kind of silly at first, but he essentially said he knows that teachers will reach out to him if there are issues with classes, tests, grades etc. He knows the importance of physical activity for everyone, including children, so that is where he focuses.

I don’t think that everyone should stop asking their kids about school, but perhaps this is a good reminder to also place importance on physical activity.

Science Vs - Exercise: Fat Buster or Belly Flop?

I’ve listened to a few Science Vs podcasts and always enjoy them - they look at and use science to explain something.  In talking about exercise, they talked about how exercise isn’t great for weight loss. While you can technically lose weight through exercise, very few people exercise long enough/hard enough to actually result in weight loss.  Ultimately, eating healthy is more impactful. This didn’t surprise me, but I liked hearing more about the other benefits of exercise. It addresses how exercise can help (some) in dealing with depression, it essentially stimulates the production of brain cells and while more research is needed, it seems to help fight illnesses such as cancer.

I am so incredibly grateful that I actually enjoy physical activity. . .running etc.  I definitely feel the physical and mental benefits of exercise. People often stop me when I’m running, to ask me if I’m okay (because I am usually kind of wobbly, have a strange gait etc.)  I always say “yes” and keep running. Some people continue though asking if I need water, if I’m injured etc. At that point I explain that I’m fine, I just have MS and am wobbly etc. People often say “wow” and can’t believe I continue running.  I always tell them (and believe that) “it is my sanity.” I’m also grateful that both my parents are active/exercise.

I know exercise/physical activity is not enjoyed by many people, but I hope this encourages/reminds every to get/stay active.

Psychiatric Medication - Not a very fun game. . .

Psychiatric Medication - Not a very fun game. . .

I just came across this article:What’s it like to start on psychiatric medication? For me, it was akin to playing this board game, and wanted to share.  As someone who takes psychiatric medication and is on this journey, I thought this could be helpful for those who have not taken psychiatric medication to better understand.  Also, it is always nice to be reminded that you are not alone and I thought it was nice to be able to kind of laugh at the journey/“game,” especially since it usually just isn’t funny.

For those who have not had to play this game themselves, I just ask that you try to be supportive of those in your life that are playing.  I consider myself incredibly fortunate to:

• Have friends and family that have always been supportive of me choosing to take psychiatric medication.
• Have friends and family that have stuck with me through the ups and downs of this game.
• To have a psychiatrist that I absolutely love and trust.

Even with the amazing support that I have, this game can be challenging. . for those of you who are playing, hang in there.

A Couple Women’s Health Learnings

A  Couple Women’s Health Learnings

I recently learned two things about women’s health, which I should have known, but didn’t.  I had never heard either of these, so I just wanted to share.

Heart Attacks

I was recently listening to a podcast and they were discussing how women are often not taken seriously or believed when raising health issues, or at least are believed less than men.  It was then brought up that women have different heart attack signs/symptoms than men. What? I never knew that. If you had asked me I would have said the common chest pain, heartburn, pain in the left arm etc.  Well it turns out that the symptoms I am familiar with are more specific to men. Women have different heart attack symptoms which include those listed below. And while these aren’t all that different from men’s symptoms, there are some differences and women should be aware of the symptoms that women experience,especially because it seems that young women often don’t even realize when they are having a heart attack.

Younger Women Hesitate To Say They're Having A Heart Attack

A heart attack doesn't necessarily feel like a sudden painful episode that ends in collapse, she notes. And women are more likely than men to experience vague symptoms like nausea or pain down their arms.

"Women may experience a combination of things they don't always associate with a heart attack," Lichtman says. "Maybe we need to do a better job of explaining and describing to the public what a heart attack looks and feels like."

Women’s Heart Attack Symptoms

• Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or abdominal discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Pain in one or both arms
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sweating
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue

Perimenopause

I had never heard of perimenopause until the women doing my tattoo mentioned it while she was working on my arm.  We didn’t actually talk about it, so I looked it up when I got home.

Many women in my life are experiencing perimenopause or will be in the next few years, so I just wanted to share in case there are others that are not familiar with it.  

Perimenopause

Perimenopause means "around menopause" and refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.

Symptoms

• Irregular periods. As ovulation becomes more unpredictable, the length of time between periods may be longer or shorter, your flow may be light to heavy, and you may skip some periods. If you have a persistent change of seven days or more in the length of your menstrual cycle, you may be in early perimenopause. If you have a space of 60 days or more between periods, you're likely in late perimenopause.
• Hot flashes and sleep problems. Hot flashes are common during perimenopause. The intensity, length and frequency vary. Sleep problems are often due to hot flashes or night sweats, but sometimes sleep becomes unpredictable even without them.
• Mood changes. Mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression may happen during perimenopause. The cause of these symptoms may be sleep disruption associated with hot flashes. Mood changes may also be caused by factors not related to the hormonal changes of perimenopause.
• Vaginal and bladder problems. When estrogen levels diminish, your vaginal tissues may lose lubrication and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Low estrogen may also leave you more vulnerable to urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue tone may contribute to urinary incontinence.
• Decreasing fertility. As ovulation becomes irregular, your ability to conceive decreases. However, as long as you're having periods, pregnancy is still possible. If you wish to avoid pregnancy, use birth control until you've had no periods for 12 months.
• Changes in sexual function. During perimenopause, sexual arousal and desire may change. But if you had satisfactory sexual intimacy before menopause, this will likely continue through perimenopause and beyond.
• Loss of bone. With declining estrogen levels, you start to lose bone more quickly than you replace it, increasing your risk of osteoporosis — a disease that causes fragile bones.

Changing cholesterol levels. Declining estrogen levels may lead to unfavorable changes in your blood cholesterol levels, including an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol — the "bad" cholesterol — which contributes to an increased risk of heart disease. At the same time, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol — the "good" cholesterol — decreases in many women as they age, which also increases the risk of heart disease.

Happiness Is About Peace

Happiness Is About Peace

When I brush my teeth and wash my face in the morning I always listen to YouTube videos.  I had listed to a video from Stephan Colbert and the next video that played was his interview with Jada Pinkett Smith on The Colbert Report.  I don’t like/dislike her, but continued listening.  They discussed happiness and that Jada can say now that she is happy.  Stephen joked about her finally finding happiness at age 46. Jada said  "I really thought happiness had a lot to do with pleasure and I realize that happiness is about peace. I'm the most peaceful I've ever been in my life."  I liked this.  As most of you know, I deal with depression, pretty much all the time, and while I don’t think my definition of happiness is the issue (it is my MS brain not sending/using chemicals as it should,) but that being said, I think it will be helpful for me to rethink what happiness is.  I don’t have to be completely carefree, laughing, having the greatest time to be happy.

Pay Tickets and Do Good

Pay Tickets and Do Good

I just wanted to share this article - Indiana police department lets people pay for parking tickets with donations to local animal shelter.  I love this.  If you’re reading this you know that I love dogs and support dog/animal shelters.  How much better would it be paying a ticket if you were saving animals. . .or doing anything good?  

A lot of companies do good - whether it be donating money, volunteering etc. and it ultimately benefits them, with the press/publicity etc.  I’m okay with that. . .I say do good, help others and if it benefits you/the company, that is fine with me. The good is still being done.