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Showing posts with label Self care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self care. Show all posts
Monday, April 16, 2018
Catching Up, Checking In and Happy Spring��
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
10 Ways to Get Organized, Because You Matter
Top 10 Ways to Get Organized
Getting organized is often at the top of the list when it comes to making a change in your life. And part of self-care includes having a plan. Most people feel like their life could be more organized and therefore more productive and less stressful. And it’s true that when you’re organized, you do get more done and you do feel more in control of your space and time. The following ten strategies will help you get more organized at home, at work, and in your personal life.
#1 Purge and Pare Down
One of the biggest mistakes people make when trying to get organized is that they go out and shop for storage containers and solutions first. The first step to any organization process should be to sort through your belongings and purge. Get rid of what you don’t use, don’t need, and what is broken or damaged. Your closet is the easiest example. Instead of buying more shoe racks or another closet shelving system, clean out your closet. Get rid of the clothing that doesn’t fit, is damaged, or that you never wear.
#2 Create a Place for Everything
Once you’ve pared down your belongings, then you can begin to invest in storage solutions. Choose a logical place for everything. Many people have the habit of putting their belongings in a closet or cupboard. As long as it is out of sight, they feel organized. A better solution is to create logical storage systems. For example, you might keep all your cleaning supplies in one carryall that you can tote from room to room. Or you might keep cleaning supplies for each room in that room.
#3 Create Systems for Repeatable Tasks
Systems are step-by-step processes that you can use to simplify repeatable tasks. For example, you might create a system for sorting your mail. When you get the mail you immediately open the important mail, file the mail to read later, and shred the mail that needs to be disposed of. Other systems might include cleaning, planning, cooking and preparing meals, and caring for pets. Make a list of the tasks that you repeat every day. Create routines for these tasks.
#4 Invest in Backup Software and Storage
Back up your files online and offline. Pictures, finances, recipes, and more are stored on your computer. Invest in a backup system. You might use a cloud storage system. You can also back up your computer to an external hard drive. Back on at least weekly, more if your life is on your computer and you can’t risk losing data.
#5 Use Financial/Accounting Software
Finances are often one of the most disorganized areas that people complain about. The solution is simple. Find an accounting or bookkeeping software or application that works for your needs. Get one that is both on your computer and your mobile device. Look for a system that allows you to budget, pay off debt, save money, plan for taxes, and know at a glance how much you have in your bank account.
#6 Use a Calendar or Planning System
This sounds like a no brainer but so many people don’t use a calendar that supports them to succeed. There are many different systems and tools to choose from. Like your accounting software, it’s often easiest if you find a system that you can use both on your computer and on your phone. It can be something simple, and free, like Google Calendar, or you might prefer something with more features like Evernote.
#7 Make A List of Your SMART Goals
Writing down your goals makes them more permanent. So, grab a notebook or that calendar or planning system that you’ve chosen and make a list of your goals. What specifically do you want to accomplish? When do you want to accomplish it by? Why do you want to accomplish it? What is your motivation? How will your life change and improve?
SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound. Once you’ve identified your goals, take some time to break them down into smaller pieces that you can manage. Add those pieces and their deadlines to your planner and get to work.
#8 Clean and Organize 15 Minutes Daily
Dedicate 15 – 20 minutes a day straightening your home. You might do it at the end of the day, after dinner and before you sit down on the couch for television. Integrating this daily habit into your life ensures that your home stays clean and welcoming. And, doing this at the end of every day means that you wake up to a clean home. It starts the day off right.
You might also dedicate the last ten minutes of the workday to cleaning off your desk. Then, when you come in the next day, your environment will support you to succeed. Although to be fair, super creative people need a spot that is raw with creativity. So perhaps give yourself a little corner that you can keep your "creative mess" until it takes form more fully.
#9 Establish Daily Priorities
Look at your goals and your calendar each day. Identify two to three tasks that you want to accomplish, above all else. These are the tasks that you’ll focus on and tackle first. Establishing daily priorities helps you organize your day, your time, and it makes you more productive. Look to prioritize tasks that have the biggest impact on your success.
#10 Focus on One Project at a Time
Many people believe that they are fully capable of multitasking. Unfortunately, this is a myth. The human brain cannot multitask. It cannot do two or more things at once. Instead, your attention is divided. You might be able to bounce back and forth between several tasks so that it seems like you’re multitasking.
However, each time you shift focus you lose a bit of time and productivity. If you want to get more done and actually be more organized, focus on one project at a time. Your attention won’t be divided, you’ll have better results, and you won’t feel as overwhelmed.
Where do you start? Start your organization process with the area of your life or home that feels the most out of control. It might be your schedule, your refrigerator, or your finances. Whatever feels like the most frightening thing to tackle is probably where you should start because it’ll have the biggest impact on your life. And once you get that big mess organized, everything else might feel easier to take care of.
Being organized is beautiful. And beauty alleviates all kinds of pain~~Beauty For Pain
#bitesizehealing
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
3 Tips to Try for Healthier Skin Even with Acne
3 Top Acne Skin Care Tips
For A Healthier Skin
When dealing with acne skin care, most of the medical professionals commonly suggest that people affected with acne must practice certain acne skin care methods that will help improve the condition of their skin.
Acne, as you may already know, is a very severe skin disorder that affects thousands of people from all over the world. It not only affects the surface of the skin but also the inner layers of the skin. Acne usually occurs on the face, neck, chest and back, and it starts during the adolescence period. Many times people continue to get acne throughout most of their lives well into adulthood.
As I stated in an earlier post I am one of those adults. I have had acne since I was 14 years and I'm now 44. That's a long time to deal with something that for some reason with all the medical advances doesn't seem to have a cure. It's very frustrating and it is very easy to get depressed because of it.
I believe dealing with acne requires a multi-prong approach. There is prevention as much as possible. treating, covering, healing and the cycle continues to preventing. The truth that as much as we seem to know about acne we don't seem to know to to cure it completely. Treating your biggest organ holistically is your best bet. In addition to taking care of yourself in various ways including eating healthy, getting enough rest, reducing stress, trying various treatments, there are action steps you can take to get healthier skin.
During the past several years, a good number of acne experts and skin care professionals have conducted many studies on how to prevent the formation of acne. And fortunately, these skin care specialists have come out with certain acne skin care tips that can be of great help for fighting acne. Here are three simpler yet most powerful acne skin care tips that you can follow in order to have a healthier skin. These are mentioned below:
Acne Skin Care Tip # 1: You Should Always Clean Your Skin Very Gently
First of all, personal
hygiene is very necessary for fighting acne. So as what most experts usually
suggest, you should gently clean your skin with a mild cleanser at least twice
a day. This simple acne skin care step is deemed important for fighting acne
since washing your face or the other affected areas will wipe away the
acne-causing bacteria found on the skin. Also note that although you are
sometimes told to scrub your face, scrubbing is not a good acne skin care move
since it will just trigger the development of acne, worsening the condition. In
addition to this acne skin care step, it is worth noting that astringents are
not always suggested unless the skin is very oily. And, they must only be
applied on the oily spots.
Acne Skin Care # 2: You Should Refrain from Frequently Holding Your Skin
Another helpful acne skin
care tip is to avoid frequently handling of the skin. Don’t pinch, pick or
squeeze your pimple since it will only worsen the condition. Many of the people
have considered this acne skin care step as one of the most important acne skin
care pointers knowing that it may only cause infection and scars formation. As
this acne skin care tip holds, you should avoid rubbing and touching your skin
lesions if possible.
Acne Skin Care # 3: Always Choose Cosmetics Carefully
This last acne skin care tip
holds that people who are being treated for acne must change some of the
cosmetics they use. Note that in order to avoid the onset or the development of
acne, the cosmetics you plan on using like the foundation, blush, moisturizers,
and eye shadow should be oil free. Aside from that, this acne skin care tip
also holds that you must avoid oily hair products for they may cause closed
comedones. Therefore, those products that are labeled as noncomedogenic or nonacnegenic should
be applied.
It is a fact that many of us
are very conscious of our skin condition. And as such, we are always wanting to
have a fresh, good-looking skin as much as possible. Unfortunately, many of us
also fail to come to the conclusion that simple steps are the best ways to
accomplish this goal. We often are blind enough that we don’t see what’s really
right or wrong for our skin. We often fall in so much frustration and
desperation that make us go buy any high-priced beauty products that in the end
just turn out to be a waste of time and money, and even worsen our acne.
Hopefully, the above mentioned acne skin care tips will be a good
start to help you enhance your skin condition.
Diana Navarro, M.S.
If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and
~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~
Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!
Sunday, November 2, 2014
The Torture of Acne But You Can Survive and Thrive
If you're reading this, chances are you or someone you love is enduring the torture of acne. Acne isn't just a little pimple a teenager gets, it's a medical condition that is extremely painful, embarrassing and affects millions upon millions of people from teenagers to adults. It appears in various places in our bodies, but for crying out loud why in our faces?! The place the world sees??? I will never understand even if a dermatologist says the scientific reasons and how we have so many oil glands here or there, it just isn't fair is it?
I am one of those adults. I have had acne since I was 14 years and I'm now 44! You do the math. That's a long time to deal with something that for some reason with all the medical advances doesn't seem to have a cure. It's very frustrating and it is very easy to get depressed because of it.
I have received the most amazing compliments on my skin and I STILL have acne. So I want to share some of what I have done to help me deal with it. I've become very creative since none of the traditional treatments have worked. Some of what I'm gong to share in future posts I have not personally tried and I will clearly to say that. For now, and this post I will tell you what I have tried as a treatment for the insidious acne.
Lies about acne cures
Speaking of traditional treatments, I'm sure by now, almost everybody has seen the late night and early morning acne infomercials with all kinds of celebrities like Julianne Hough, Jessica Simpson or Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Let me just say that featuring a celebrity claiming to have acne when they have an occasional blemish or breakout does not acne make. In other words, this is very insulting to the person suffering from acne covering their face, neck back, arms. It hurts physically and emotionally.
Many people for some reason feel that if a celebrity vouches for something, it must be true or accurate. If they trust something you should too because they are famous. When you really think about it that makes no sense.If the promises made for any given product sound surreal, and miraculous it's probably to good to be true. The truth is that acne can be tricky. It can respond to a treatment temporarily then return with a vengeance. People should know this before they let their desperation for a cure give them false hope.
Sadly, those celebrities are not there when someone is staring at you, judging and taunting you for a medical condition that isn't your fault. What bothers me the most is that many advertisers are lying. They are claiming to cure acne when truthfully the condition can persist for years. The best way to discuss this is to be honest about this condition. Sure there can be relief and we'll take it but don't make a claim that isn't true. If and when a break out does returns, you won't feel there is something wrong with you. You have to treat it and yourself gently to find a way of at least controlling it a bit.
What I tried
Please note this is my personal experience and opinion. It is not a substitute for professional advise or consultations. Also note that what did or didn't work for me may not affect others the same way. In a nutshell. I started going to the doctor as a teenager and they gave me antibiotics. No it didn't help. I tried over-the-counter medicine with color coverage and that helped cover it a bit. But the acne continued and even got worse. I tried birth control pills. Men can't use this type of remedy for obvious reasons. It helped a bit but the long term effects of the antibiotics and birth control pills affected by good/bad bacteria balance and caused all kinds of other issues. Thank goodness for probiotics, they have helped balance things out quite a bit. I later tried some other prescription treatments like Retin-A and that helped for a while but again the acne returned.
 |
| Source: Drugwatch.com |
In my late twenties I heard about the miracle cure of Accutane. I tried it. Let me just say that I don't care how desperate one gets, this is very, very toxic. If you read the warning label, I ask you take everything there very seriously. I needed to take 3 full courses of it. I got all the side effects of drying, peeling, digestion issues and some that weren't very widely discussed. My joints were in tremendous pain I had problems doing any type of physical activity. Unfortunately, I never got better and the acne returned. You can read more about its side effects here
In my thirties and now being in my forties I discovered a few things.
- Using products that are right for my skin is crucial for treating it the best I can. I have oily skin and now I'm aging as well. Although many say I look younger than my age, I am aging and must moisturize in addition to treating. It is very important to keep skin moisturized with non acnegenic moisturizer no matter what. I use currently use plain old benzoyl peroxide or something with sulfur for severe breakouts. Choose the right cleanser, moisturizer and treatment produce for your skin type.
- Covering acne with the right product has become a very important part of living with this condition. Even if you are a man, there are tinted products that treat and conceal blemishes. There are many great concealers and foundations that cover without making your condition worse.
- Using a face brush does help. Just don't scrub too hard. It cleanses a bit better than using your hands alone.
- What you eat does matter. I'm not saying that any specific food causes or cures acne. But the healthier the diet, the better for your overall health. After all, the skin is the largest organ. It needs proper nutrients from inside out.
Remember, though you may feel like it, you are not alone in your pain. I know it doesn't make the acne go away but there are ways of dealing with it. You can be happy and healthy even with acne. So although the age-old confidence destroyer is still around and
going strong, we are getting better at dealing with it.
If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and
~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~
Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!
Monday, October 20, 2014
Invisible Disability--The Sleep Disorder of Non-24
Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it don't hurt. ~This is Diana
Millions upon millions of people suffer every moment of every day from mental, physical, emotional and very real spiritual pain that is "invisible" or undiagnosed by the medical community and the common person. These are often called Invisible Disabilities.
"The term invisible disabilities refers to symptoms such as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments. These are not always obvious to the onlooker, but can sometimes or always limit daily activities, range from mild challenges to severe limitations and vary from person to person." Source InvisibleDisablities.org
People with traditional visible disabilities face incredible social stigma in a addition to their health conditions. People look and see something wrong with certain individuals and can ascertain they have some limitations. They may see someone on a wheelchair, or a blind person with a assistance dog or cane, know someone is deaf from the physical expression a person may make or see that someone has Down's Syndrome from physical characteristics. There may be certain reactions to that person including empathy or compassion. Yes there are also negative reactions like fear, confusion and rudeness. The point is they can perceive the person has a limitation and make some conclusion from it.
Someone with an invisible disability as I have, will not show obvious outward signs. I often have to deal with having to explain to people over and over again what limitations I have. This includes physical, and emotional/mental conditions, and that is exhausting and frustrating.
Hence, in addition to the symptoms of ones condition, we have to deal with what bad-mannered, and ignorant family, colleagues and strangers are telling us which can include:~just get help from a doctor or some other way (that clearly has not helped)
~you appear healthy, maybe you're just making it up or not as bad as you think
~for sleep disorders, try to keep a "normal" schedule, an impossibility for so many today
~(again sleep disorders) practice better sleep hygiene, a pet peeve of mine, assuming it's the sufferer's fault
I am writing about a series of these conditions because of first hand experience and experience of many of my intuitive coaching clients.The goal of these posts on invisible disabilities is to:
- educate
- clarity and
- provide support in various ways, including validation and links, to all those suffering from a myriad of an invisible but very real condition
Let's talk about Non-24 (Hyperbychethemeral) Syndrome as an Invisible Disability
To put it in simple words, this sleeping disorder occurs in many blind people but also in sighted people. For some reason, the regular 24 night/day rhythm is longer or not synchronized. I wrote another post on The Night Owl Syndrome, DSPS and ASPS. These are connected to a degree to which the rhythm is out of synch with normal 8 hour sleep schedules. You can refer to that for more details on that.
As awfully disruptive as this condition is, it is great relief and validating to find a name to what you are suffering from. Like this you can refer the well-meaning people in your life to the links, information, resources which are now available.
Treatment
The question of treatment for non-24 is still out for the jury in my opinion. There is a new medication being marketed now for this condition. I am not a huge advocate of using medication for every human ill. With that said I do not know enough about it to discuss it here so I recommend you do your own search and see what you find. In addition to medication it is recommended for some to try light therapy for non -blind persons, and the use of Melatonin which is a natural hormone your body makes. It can be vegetarian based supplements.
The importance of sleep cannot be emphasized enough. You need it for overall health and those who say "I'll sleep when I die" may just be closer to their goal by erroneously minimizing its importance.
I personally believe that a therapist and spiritual coach who understands sleep disorders can be extremely helpful in addition to support groups. Something to consider...there are many conditions if not all, that originally stem from a spiritual source. Addressing this can lead to clarity, answers and pave the path to full healing.
For more on Invisible Disabilities in general check including a list of common conditions considered invisible check here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_disability
http://www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1560045964218018/1563585670530714
For information on Sleeping Disorders including Non-24
http://www.circadiansleepdisorders.org/index.php
If you would like more information, contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and
Visit Thisisdiana.com
~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~
Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Lucid Dream Series: Some Techniques if You Want to Explore Lucid Dreaming
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I don't share this post lightly. I feel that lucid dreaming is one of a few ways we explore our consciousness and spirituality. That can really change us fundamentally. If you are reading this chances are you are curious about what lucid dreaming is or have already had one and want to try to induce it again and explore it further.
I speak in detail about this in my work You're Not Crazy, It's Paranormal including some of the things that can spontaneously lead one to have lucid dreams. Even for those who claim they don't dream at all--which is impossible because you would not be functional without the dream phase of your sleep cycle. In this case it is likely you don't have dream recall. However, for various reasons someone can not only begin to remember their regular dreams suddenly but also dream very lucidly.
What you will see below is some very simple information and techniques. However, there are many more strategies and techniques in inducing these amazing dream experiences. As with anything else, I highly recommend you do as much research as possible and find the technique, theory and style that most resonates with you.
With the above said: Could you imagine what it would be like if you remember each аnd еvеrу detail in your dreams? Whаt іf you wеrе асtuаllу аblе tо manipulate yоur dreams?
Lucid dreaming іѕ асtuаllу ехасtlу thаt, i.e. а state іn whісh оur dreams аrе crystal clear tо uѕ, even after wе have woken uр. Additionally, іn а lucid dream, wе саn take charge оf оur dreams аnd саn lead thе dream whеrеvеr wе want tо. Wоuld nоt іt bе interesting tо do thаt? If уоu аrе thinking оn thе same lines, thеn here аrе ѕоmе tips аnd techniques whісh уоu wіll find very useful.
Lucid Dreaming Techniques
Thеrе аrе іn аll three lucid dreaming techniques, nаmеlу,
- Dream-Initiated Lucid Dream (DILD). Here thе person starts wіth having а regular dream аnd thеn іt іѕ оnlу lаtеr thаt they concludes thаt hе/she has hаd а lucid dream.
- Mnemonic-Initiated Lucid Dream (MILD), thе person themselves make uѕе оf lucid dreaming techniques tо have а dream.
- Wake-Initiated Lucid Dream (WILD). In WILD, thе person makes а transition frоm а wakeful state tо а dreamy state аnd may wіll nоt bе even aware оf ѕuсh а transition.
Arе уоu Prepared fоr а Lucid Dream Induction?
Bеfоrе knowing аbоut lucid dreaming, one ѕhоuld bе clear аnd mentally prepared аbоut one thing аnd thаt іѕ, take іt uр оnlу іf іt іѕ іn accordance tо оnе'ѕ beliefs аnd value systems. Onlу іf а person саn асtuаllу accept thаt hе саn lucid dream, wіll hе аblе tо асtuаllу do thаt.
Do Nоt Forget Dreams
Once а person has decided thаt thіѕ іѕ whаt they want tо do, thеn thе next step involves recalling аnd trying tо remember, each аnd еvеrу dream thаt one has hаd thе previous night. Tо do thіѕ, one has tо slowly go bасk tо оnе'ѕ dream uроn waking. Initially а person might nоt bе аblе tо recall hіѕ dreams, but wіth practice іt саn bе learned.
Maintain а Dream Journal
Whеn а person іѕ аblе tо remember аnd recall their dreams, they ѕhоuld start maintaining а dream journal. In thаt they ought to write іn detail аbоut аll dreams. Maintaining а journal wіll help а lot іn case dream interpretations are sought.
Become Aware
A person has tо first оf аll become muсh more aware аnd conscious whеn they are awake. Whеn а person іѕ aware іn their wakeful state, іt wіll automatically rub off they are іѕ sleeping аnd thuѕ, they wіll have а greater control whеn they are іѕ lucid dreaming.
Create а Link
Thе last step іn lucid dreaming involves linking thе state оf awareness tо dreams. In thіѕ а person recognizes their dreams, thеіr nature аnd meaning, аnd thеn links іt tо reality.
In order tо lucid dream, а person саn make а few changes іn their everyday living. You саn do things ѕuсh аѕ listening tо music whеn falling asleep, taking а number оf naps thrоughоut thе day, being aware оf your surroundings аnd waking uр іn thе night daily ѕо thаt dreams саn bе recalled сlеаrlу.
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One саn take help frоm а professional tо induce lucid dreams. It has many benefits. It іѕ а kind оf а link bеtwееn thе conscious аnd thе subconscious mind аnd thrоugh іt one саn have full control оvеr bоth оf thеm. Lucid dreaming helps people tо take part іn thеіr dreams аnd change thеm ассоrdіng tо whаt thеу want. Thаt іѕ whу, іt саn tremendously help people whо experience nightmares frequently. Lucid dreaming аlѕо fosters creativity іn а person аnd саn make а person aware оf оnе'ѕ hidden personality side.
If you would like more information on me and my quest please do contact me. I am of course on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Pinterest, Blogger, and BlogTalkRadio and all can be accessed via my website: www.thisisdiana.com and
~Always with Love, Light and Common Sense Manners~
Diana Navarro, M.S.
On a Quest to Bring Common Sense Manners Back!
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Nonfiction & How-To Share This Deal You're Not Crazy, It's Paranormal By: Diana Navarro M.S. What would you expec...
