GYPSY YAYA: She's Got The Look ...: Yesterday I wrote a post about a look I'm currently obsessing over, that I'm calling "Surf Shack Chic" . Today I scoured Etsy and the net t...
A big thank you! for her posting our vintage 70's footstool in her blog! We love it and am thankful that others appreciate our love of vintage items!
Wishing You Wellness,Ask a Nurse Now
Ask a Nurse Now Blog is an extension of the www.AskaNurseNow.info website. We address the issues that other health & wellness sites do not. Our info, resources and services are easy to understand and written by experienced Health Professionals you can trust. We give resources, support, Ebooks, referrals and links to credible other programs and help here in the U.S. Post general questions on our website that are answered by RN's for free.
12/1/11
Risks to your Health during Holiday Season
It's the Most Wonderful Time of The Year.... Or Maybe not.....
The holiday season is upon us. For some individuals this time of year is not just mistletoes and warm cozy fires. This time of the year can bring around some serious problems like depression. Everyone is at risk for depression, but there are some who are at a higher risk for developing depression during the holidays than others.
One group who is higher risk for depression during the holidays, are the elderly. Especially those who have lost their spouse. We are very busy during this time, but these individuals often spend all day alone with little to do. Especially if the weather is bad outside, they tend to stay closed up inside their home with minimal interaction with others.
Holiday season triggers feelings of loss more than any other time of the year. Especially if the loss of a spouse is more recent. The more recent the loss, the higher the risk for depression. They just miss them and that is a normal feeling to have. For those of us who know an elderly individual who has lost a spouse, it is important to remember them and take some extra time to check in on them. Ask them how are they doing. Many may reply fine, but watch for the non-verbal communication to answer this question. Invite them to holiday events. Even just a 15 minute phone call can help and let them know someone cares about them.
Another group at risk for depression during the holidays are individuals who have lost a loved one recently (last 2 years). Holidays are typically spent with those you care and love. The loss of a loved one can become hard to bear during this season. Call them and let them know you are thinking about them. Again, watch the non-verbal communication to know how they are "reallly" doing.
Some signs that someone may not be doing as well as they are telling you they are:
I wrote this topic to remind all of us during this super-crazy busy time to take a quick moment and think of others in our life that may be going thru a rough patch. To take 15 minutes and make a difference. It is so easy to get so busy that you meant to call them or had wanted to... Make it priority that no matter what, you will reach them. It may make a world of difference to that individual.
Happy Holidays to all our Blog Readers
Wishing You Health and Wellness,
Ask a Nurse Now
The holiday season is upon us. For some individuals this time of year is not just mistletoes and warm cozy fires. This time of the year can bring around some serious problems like depression. Everyone is at risk for depression, but there are some who are at a higher risk for developing depression during the holidays than others.
One group who is higher risk for depression during the holidays, are the elderly. Especially those who have lost their spouse. We are very busy during this time, but these individuals often spend all day alone with little to do. Especially if the weather is bad outside, they tend to stay closed up inside their home with minimal interaction with others.
Holiday season triggers feelings of loss more than any other time of the year. Especially if the loss of a spouse is more recent. The more recent the loss, the higher the risk for depression. They just miss them and that is a normal feeling to have. For those of us who know an elderly individual who has lost a spouse, it is important to remember them and take some extra time to check in on them. Ask them how are they doing. Many may reply fine, but watch for the non-verbal communication to answer this question. Invite them to holiday events. Even just a 15 minute phone call can help and let them know someone cares about them.
Another group at risk for depression during the holidays are individuals who have lost a loved one recently (last 2 years). Holidays are typically spent with those you care and love. The loss of a loved one can become hard to bear during this season. Call them and let them know you are thinking about them. Again, watch the non-verbal communication to know how they are "reallly" doing.
Some signs that someone may not be doing as well as they are telling you they are:
- Their appearance is not how they usually look
- They avoid talking or spending time with you
- Flat affect: in the health field, we professionals refer to this when somone does not show any emotions good or bad - they appear like they just don't care about anything
- Tearful or very hyper-emotional: extemely sad or upset
I wrote this topic to remind all of us during this super-crazy busy time to take a quick moment and think of others in our life that may be going thru a rough patch. To take 15 minutes and make a difference. It is so easy to get so busy that you meant to call them or had wanted to... Make it priority that no matter what, you will reach them. It may make a world of difference to that individual.
Happy Holidays to all our Blog Readers
Wishing You Health and Wellness,
Ask a Nurse Now
11/7/11
Juggling Your "To Do" List w Upcoming Holiday Season
As Halloween passes by, we are quickly reminded of the upcominh holiday season as stores barracade us now w xmas decorations and sales...
Our blog aids health and wellness, many things can impact this like:
-stress
-finances
-lack of alone time w your mate
-lack of r&r for you
This is part 1 of an ongoing blog topic we are featuring this year focused on reminders, lil pick me ups and suggestions to keep you grounded and sane this holiday season!
sign up for our blog to receive some important tips to remind you and even show you how to have a great holiday season without killing yourself!
Part 2 planning so stay tuned and share this blog w those you care about.
Ask a Nurse Now Team
Our blog aids health and wellness, many things can impact this like:
-stress
-finances
-lack of alone time w your mate
-lack of r&r for you
This is part 1 of an ongoing blog topic we are featuring this year focused on reminders, lil pick me ups and suggestions to keep you grounded and sane this holiday season!
sign up for our blog to receive some important tips to remind you and even show you how to have a great holiday season without killing yourself!
Part 2 planning so stay tuned and share this blog w those you care about.
Ask a Nurse Now Team
8/10/11
Preparing Your Children for School: Encouraging Discussion about Feelings
If you are like most parents, right now you are asking yourself, "Where did the summer go?" Summer has zipped by us, as parents scramble to buy the school supply list and prepare their children for a new school season...
It is very important to take some alone one on one time with each child and discuss with them any feelings they may be having about the new school year. Even if your child is attending the same school, they may be experiencing some anxiety about returning to school and this can help teach your child about how to express their feelings.
Children of any age, can experience difficulty expressing how they feel. One exercise that is good for elementary aged children is to have them do the following (it's a great art activity also!):
Build a Feeling Box:
- Take a shoe box and let them decorate it with construction paper, cut outs from magazine pictures they enjoy
- Explain to them this is their private box, that no one else will have access and the goal is to write down short sentences of how they feel
- They can cut up pieces of paper and put in the box with a pencil/pen
- Encourage them daily or anytime they experience any type of feeling to write it on a piece of paper, fold it up and put it in their feeling box
- There is no right or wrong with this activity, this only helps a child learn how to express their feelings
An example entry note: I feel mad, my brother took a game from my room
I feel sad, my Grandmother is sick in the hospital
There is no set method that works for every child, but it is important to make sure you open the channels for your child to vent if they are feeling anxiety or nervous about the new school year. As parents, teaching them effective methods of communicating their emotions, will aid them in years to come.
We encourage others to share their methods of how they teach communication to their children. Please share with others!
The Ask a Nurse Now Nurses
8/2/11
Summer Health Tip: Sunscreen Basic Facts
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| Sunscreen is important! |
I have to admit, I am a RN and have not been the best about being serious on protecting my skin in the summertime.... After all, we live in a culture where sunkissed skin is attractive and a sign of health.
It took me facing a serious health condition to take this to heart. Now, after being diagnosed with a severe type of Lupus, I have experienced firsthand how the sun can greatly hurt my body physically. Even if you do not have Lupus or a health problem that can get worse with sun exposure; it's important to protect yourself. You can send me a thank you card when your older and your skin has retained it's youthful appearance versus wrinkles and sun-spots of those who do not.
After viewing the store's shelf that contained a hundred different types of sunscreens; I had to arm myself with some basic info about what products are the best. The following quick tips will save you time, $$ and skin damage:
- Look for products that contains a SPF factor or 15 or higher AND block both UVA and UVB rays
- Sunscreen usage can begin in children aged 6 months and higher. Good products for younger children/infants are: Aveeno Baby, Neutrogena SPF 30 for sensitive skin, Solbar Zinc, Waterbabies for infants
- The safest ingredients are: Zinc Oxide and/or Titanium Dioxide
- Other effective UVA and UVB sunscreen ingredients include: Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) and Mexoryl
- Make sure it's waterproof or sweat proof. Sunscreens resist perspiration and swimming: however, re-apply after skin gets wet or every 1.5 hours
- The best sunscreen is the one that you use regularly!
- You may have to try several different brands to find the one that works best for your body and it's chemistry make-up
Share this blog entry with others you care about. Remember you will always be your biggest advocate and arming yourself with health info that is credible is power! No one will watch out for you more then yourself!
www.AskaNurseNow.info website and blog is owned and written by experienced Registered Nurses who care
6/27/11
Art - Show Your Artistic Side
Ask a Nurse Now is accepting donations for art supplies to donate to art classes throughout the United States. If you have any old or extra art supplies lying around that you do not need or need to de-clutter your home with. Contact us today, we will provide any charges related to shipping the items.
We want any type of supplies: paint, brushes, paper, crayons, glue, jewelry making, tools, yarn, crochet, fabric, thread, sewing items, wood, etc. Any items is acceptable and will be used for classes we are forming in different locations for children, young adults, eldery and those who suffer from health problems, mental problems and trauma. Our programs are geared for those who have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder of some form, but we also want to help others in learning coping methods thru artistic avenues.
Please share this with others and help us on this drive. If you want to participate in our Program "Healing Hearts thru the Arts" contact us for more information!
Relax & Enjoy Life.....
With work, errands, the house, the bills, dinner, the kids, etc. etc. It is hard to set aside time to truly doing something you enjoy.... Your health & wellness is directly tied to taking a time out and relaxing. To relax, dedicate and make it a priority to spend at least 1-2 times a week doing something you enjoy.
Ask yourself, what is something you have always wanted to try, but keep putting if off until.... I can promise you that the until time will never come! I am speaking this firsthand, having lived most of my adult life under these terms. There is never enough time to do take up that painting class, skydiving lesson or attempt to try rock-climbing. Whatever it is that you have always wanted to do, you owe it to yourself to do it and do it now!
As a RN, I can't stress enough how many times I have seen individuals living their life with regret, wishing they had done this or that before they got sick or got diagnosed with a severe debilitating health issue. I have uploaded a picture that I took today. I have loved photography for ever and actually if I could choose another type of vocation to pursue - it has always be photography. Today, I had a million things to do... I pushed them all aside, spent the day riding with my husband on his motorcycle tagging along my Nikon taking pictures all day long.
Today was an enjoyable day, those million things I've got to do are still here... But I had a wonderful enjoyable day and that is what counts!
Share this post with someone you care about - tell them to start pursuing the moments in life that they enjoy!
Here's wishing you health and happiness - Angi from Ask a Nurse Now
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