Learn to be Grateful

Just today in class we were doing an exercise in Personal Development and discussing the skills we have in life now as we are finishing our first term of  our course in Health and Social care. We journeyed through numeracy, literacy, being a team worker and all the usual skills that would come to the mind of a teenager or young adult.

Just to make life interesting I threw in the word“Gratitude” and was not surprised when I got a sea of blank faces… eh what?… what is she on about now?

What´s that?

Now in all honesty I did not expect them to throw themselves fully into this discussion but what I really wanted to do was plant a seed of though that feeling “gratitude” is a skill that they should look at and one that they could grow over time.

The ability to be grateful… it´s quite simple really… We are grateful for what we have.

My purpose in throwing this skill into the discussion is to try and show teenagers that if they stop looking at the blocks and the limitations they place on themselves they can develop a more open view of people of life in general and the world we live in.

In our western society where happiness and contentment are assumed to be connected to wealth and fame it is difficult to main focus and attention on developing this skill of gratitude but it will grow if we can maintain our focus. We are bombarded daily with stories of the rich and famous in the media so its not surprising that children grow up assuming that money somehow makes us successful and happy.

As the discussion in class moved forward and we all started to add the aspects of life we are grateful for it was enlightening to say the least and fun as well !

We looked at all those aspects in life that we take for granted in our western Society.

Free Health care, a home to live in, feeling secure in our homes and getting a good education were a few that were mentioned.

So does being grateful make us happy?

I cannot give you the answer to that as it is something you have to ask yourself. … but I can tell you a story.

The happiest people I have ever met where the children from the remote African Villages where we grew up in Northern Uganda. They had no shoes on their feet and most of the time had little clothes.

So what made them happy?

The rim of a bicycle wheel and a stick to roll it along the ground…

Learn to be Grateful!

Kathy

Natural Urticaria Remedies

Urticaria is one of the most irritating skin complaints which manifests itself in the form of itchy bumps and red patches that can appear anywhere on the surface of the skin. Apart from the embarrassing appearance of urticaria it is extremely uncomfortable, particularly the excessive itchiness.

Hives or urticaria can occur in anyone of any age and is usually associated with environmental factors that can affect lifestyle and diet. Although there are many known treatments currently used for treating hives, there are now more and more natural urticaria remedies also available.

Natural Urticaria remedies consist of mainly herbal concoctions that offer a lot of relief and comfort for the sufferer. Natural treatments are considerably less expensive and often a lot more effective. Such natural products can help build up the immune system so that the body can cope and fend of urticaria more effectively and keep it at bay for a lot longer.

Such natural urticaria remedies consist of aloe vera, which is a great anti bacterial agent, vitamin E oil, nettle which is very effective for treating inflammation of the skin, cayenne pepper, green tea and turmeric. All these natural herbs help reduce the itchiness and sooth the skin. They are known to speed up the healing process and dramatically improve the appearance of the skin.

With more and more people searching for natural solutions to a range of health complaints, there is now a huge market for natural treatments. Urticaria is no longer such a dreaded skin condition that it used to be, given that there are many effective herbal remedies available to aid a speedy as well as effective treatment.

Self Discovery ….a key to a happy Life

The term “Self discovery” means identifying yourself and your needs. I often talk to students in health and social care in  college about identifying a person’s needs. .When we identify a person’s needs then we can apply a plan to help them with where they are right now.

It is however a different story when we try to identify our own needs. 

Sounds simple enough but in reality, it has a huge meaning and a huge role in people’s life. You may dream of leading a certain kind of life, but when you enter that kind of life, you do not seem to be happy.

We all have ideas in our heads of what is going to make us happy and then end up totally disappointed when we feel we have arrived there and we are still not happy

This is what makes self-discovery very important.

If you do not discover yourself, and know exactly what you want form life, you always tend to be unhappy. This is the major reasons why counselors go for self-discovery sessions. However, even without the help of counselors, you can discover yourself if are a little aware of your needs and feelings.

The first step to self-discovery is identification of your needs.

Most of the people do not know what they want. They keep on searching for one thing and when they achieve that thing, they still are unhappy. To identify your needs, you first need to sit in a quiet place and relax yourself.

Then, when you are in a relaxed state of mind, meditate and focus on your thoughts. Ask yourself questions like what makes you happy, what makes you sad and so on. Along with the question of what, also ask why it makes you happy or sad.

Seek a deep and strong reason behind it, not any fragile reason. After you have the answer to all your questions, write them down in a piece of paper in a tabular form so that whenever you see it, you can understand it.

This finishes the identification session. This is the most important part of the session of self-discovery.

Next, you have to prioritize your needs that you have identified from the first step. You may have several reasons that make you happy, but it is not possible to implement them altogether. Therefore, you have to prioritize them into first, second, third and so on.

This will make everything systematic and you can get all the happy things done one by one. Since you have also noted the things that make you sad, therefore, you can stay away from those things. There will be no confusions anymore if they are well written in paper as well as well engraved in your mind. When we write these needs and what makes us happy and it become visual then it also become more real and tangible.

Next is executing these happy moments into actions.

Easier said than done. Realize that happiness is often in the journey rather than the destination.

If, you discover yourself and what is really important in your life then you will lead a happier life if you are well-disciplined.

Stick to what is right for you… not what you think should be right but what you know is right.

Be true to yourself, to your needs, to your values and also your beliefs.

take care 

Kathy

What is oral and Genital Herpes

There are two types of herpes infections, oral herpes and genital herpes; both are contagious. The most insidious fact about herpes is that it can be an “invisible virus;” it is possible for a person to have and to spread either type of herpes virus and not even know that he or she has herpes.

The virus that infects a person with oral herpes is named “herpes simplex type 1.” The virus that infects a person with genital herpes is named “herpes simplex type 2.” Both types of herpes are spread by direct contact with an infected area or by contact with a body fluid from that area.

There is no known cure for either type of herpes; it is permanent, but not always active. A person with oral herpes or genital herpes may have one or several outbreaks in his or her life.

Oral Herpes and It’s Symptoms

Oral herpes symptoms include blisters or cold sores on the lips and in the mouth that can develop into painful ulcers. If the gums are infected they will become red and puffy. Oral herpes may also cause a fever, aching muscles and swollen glands in the neck. An initial outbreak may last from two to three weeks.

Oral herpes is very common among children. Children share each other’s straws and eating utensils and generally have a lot of physical contact with one another playing sports and just generally roughhousing. Children are also subject to being kissed by visiting close friends and relatives who are completely unaware that they have oral herpes.

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Genital Herpes and It’s Symptoms

Genital herpes symptoms include blisters and pain in the genital areas. Blisters may appear on the penis, scrotum, vagina, in the cervix or on the thighs and buttocks. Initial symptoms include an itch or pain in an infected area, fever, headache, swollen glands in the groin, a painful or burning sensation during urination and possibly a thick, clear fluid discharge from the penis or vagina. The blisters may become painful sores. An initial episode of genital herpes may last from one to three weeks.

Preventing Herpes

It is possible to prevent a herpes infection by avoiding direct contact with blisters, sores or ulcers that appear on someone’s mouth or genitals. Keeping in mind that herpes can be an “invisible virus,” it is a good idea to avoid physical or intimate contact with anyone you suspect may carry either virus.

Teach your children that putting something in their mouth that has been in someone else’s mouth is never a good idea. They should also be warned that when someone has a cut or sore they should be very careful to avoid touching it because of the “germs” that they might catch.

Adults and teenagers who are sexually active should never have unprotected sex with someone who they even suspect may be infected by genital herpes. The use of a condom will provide some measure of protection but not complete protection. The only complete protection is abstinence.

A pregnant women who has ever had an outbreak of genital herpes should inform her obstetrician well before her due date, so the obstetrician can, if necessary, discuss and plan for a non-vaginal delivery.

Treating Herpes

It is worth mentioning again that all a doctor or a medication can do is treat symptoms of an outbreak of herpes with an antiviral medicine — there is no cure.

If your child has cold sores that do not disappear within ten days, or has a history of frequent cold sores, take him or her to a doctor.

Insomnia and Nutrition

The food we eat has a very important impact on all the body structures, influencing nervous and physical activities alike; therefore, don’t be surprised to discover that insomnia and nutrition are interrelated. Food digestion requires a certain amount of effort from the muscles around the stomach, and this very area is rich in nervous ramifications; hence, heavy meals in the evening are not recommended since they can easily trigger sleep disorders. The last meal of the day should be taken at least two hours before going to bed, to allow enough time to the stomach to process food. Insomnia and nutrition affect people of all ages alike, not to mention that there is also a psychological dimension of the problem as well.

Food difficult to process lies behind insomnia and nutrition problems; this is why nutritionists recommend only light meals after six o’clock in the evening. Fruit and salads, dairy products, cereals, soup or broth are easier to digest in the evening, whereas meat, sweets and fat dishes are the require the most intense of efforts on the part of the digestive system. Therapists advise people who suffer from both insomnia and nutrition problems to try to drink a glass of warm milk sweetened with honey before going to bed; it is said to have a soothing effect and to induce natural sleep without the slightest of efforts on your part.

Insomnia and nutrition problems are common among overweight people who experience the syndrome of “emotional hunger”. Due to depression, or emotional instability, one could get up in the middle of the night with food cravings, and she or he may not be able to sleep until the craving is satisfied. Such disorders involve both sleep and eating habits, being deeply rooted in psychological issues that demand a quick solution. The measure to be taken seems simple: therapy and professional help should be undergone by anyone with insomnia and nutrition problems.

Some food items are more likely to cause insomnia and nutrition problems than others. A good example here is chocolate; due to the large amount of cocoa it contains – particularly in dark varieties – chocolate can cause agitation and sleeplessness in children and sensitive adults alike. The explanation behind such insomnia and nutrition imbalances triggered by chocolate consists in the amount of lecithin that it contains. Lecithin is a brain stimulator, activating the nervous impulses at the level of the central nervous system; this is why it is advisable not to allow children to eat chocolate in excess.

How to recognize Chronic Insomnia

Many factors contribute to the installation of a serious sleep disorder such as chronic insomnia, there are physical as well as psychological issues that need to be taken into consideration for the proper treatment of this health problem. Chronic insomnia affects people of all ages, and research indicated alarmingly high numbers of people who suffer from it because of daily stress and depression. Among the physical triggers behind the affection we could count asthma, heart failure, Parkinson’s disease or the restless legs syndrome, to mention just a few. Moreover, most people who suffer from painful health problems like arthritis are more prone to developing chronic insomnia.

Despite the physical element behind the affection, stress, improper sleep-wake cycles, caffeine abuse and depression are among the most common elements that need to be tackled with in order to treat chronic insomnia. Once the underlying factor has been identified, a proper treatment or therapeutic scheme can be created to help people resume a good night’s rest. Though the first and probably most easy to use type of treatment involves the administration of sleeping pills. What most people fail to take into consideration here is the fact that such chemical substances that induce sleep cannot be taken indefinitely, and without a real solution to the problem, chronic insomnia will keep bothering them after treatment cessation.

If stress is the main element that prevents you from having some quality sleep over night, you need to find ways of limiting the anxiety caused by daily work duties. Presently there are actually hundreds of available solutions to help one eliminate chronic insomnia by means of relaxation techniques. It is ideal to actually achieve a good state of mind during the day, which means the elimination of stress as it tries to take control over you. Though it may seem difficult at the beginning, stress management can be achieved by an increased self-awareness; the moment you feel very tense, try to empty your mind of all thoughts and breathe deeply several times.

Relaxation is the great enemy of chronic insomnia; the moment you come in control of your thoughts, and you make silence inside of your mind, you’ll be able to sleep like a baby. Once you get home from work, stop thinking about all the problems you had during the day; focus on family, friends and personal well being. Sport can be a great help in the attempt to stop chronic insomnia, physical exercises actually free both the mind and the body from the toxins resulting from stress or negative thinking. Relaxation music, breathing techniques, sport, aromatherapy are all great ways of fighting chronic insomnia regardless of its generating factors.