Flag Day

Stars and Bars

“When we honor our flag, we honor what we stand for as a nation: freedom, equality, justice, and hope.” ~ President Ronald Reagan

            By act of the Second Continental Congress, June 14, 1777, a resolution was adopted stating that “the flag of the United States be thirteen alternate stripes red and white” and that “the Union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”  The Continental Congress, which had signed the Declaration of Independence just eleven months before, had taken one more step in helping to shape our national identity by adopting a national flag.  The first flag had the thirteen red and white stripes we know today but only had thirteen stars in the blue field arranged in a circle.  As our country would grow and new states were accepted into the union, new stars would be added.  I write about the flag today as today we celebrate Flag Day. 

            The first Flag Day celebration took place on the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the first stars and stripes flag.  In 1877, the United States would add one more star that year to bring the total to 38 stars to go along with thirteen stripes.  Originally, as new states entered the union, a star and a stripe were added but in 1818, congress restricted the number of stripes to the original thirteen.  It wasn’t until 1949 that Flag Day was officially established as a national day of observance on June 14th.  For all you history buffs out there, Flag Day also coincides with the birthday of the United States Army which was established by the same congress two years before in 1775.

            Over the years, there have varying views of the United States flag and what it comes to represent.  I believe in my heart that for the most part, people view our flag with the honor it deserves.  There is great controversy today as many professional athletes have chosen to take a knee during the playing of our national anthem in protest of certain social injustices and many might remember during the time of the Vietnam war in which the flag was burned in protest of our nation’s involvement in that conflict.  Because the flag means and represents so much to so many people, it is often targeted by those protesting actions by our government or our society as a whole in order to raise awareness and promote change.  Whether you believe in the use of our nation’s colors this way or not, the fact remains that our national flag is often used as an extension of our first amendment right of freedom of speech.

            As our national flag stands now, there are fifty stars to represent the fifty different states, the last two stars both coming in 1959 as Alaska and then Hawaii were admitted to the Union.  Since 1959, there has been discussion of adding a 51st star as the United States has several territories that could possibly become new states if they decide to go through the process of statehood.  The most likely candidate would be the territory of Puerto Rico as over 90% of those voting last year in local elections want to start the process of statehood.  Another possibility of getting new stars on the flag will be making headlines over the next several months as the state of California just accepted for the November ballot the proposal of splitting the state into three separate states.  We will have to wait and see on that one.  Even if the vote passes for the state to be split up, there still needs to be approval from congress and clear all the legal battles which will surely erupt.

            Our flag is a grand old flag that evokes emotions and feelings…either positive or negative…all over the world.  I know for myself, it certainly evokes strong feelings as I have strong feelings for our nation as a whole.  Flag Day doesn’t get the press it might deserve but as long as it exists, people should continue to try and learn a little about our national colors.  I hope everyone has a great weekend as we get closer to the official kick off of summer and the longest day of the year.  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com 

Getting There

More Than One Way

“It’s not our differences that divide us.  It is our inability recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” ~Unknown

            Not to put you to sleep with my folksy brand of wisdom, but when my kids start to complain about how the other is not doing something the right way, I tell my kids that there is more than one way to get to Florida.  What I mean when I share this golden nugget of wisdom is that just because one sister does a task differently from the other sister doesn’t mean it’s the wrong way to do it.  Usually the offending task in question has more than one way of being accomplished and I’m just trying to stress the idea of neural flexibility, the ability to think outside the box if you will…as long as the task gets accomplished in a satisfactory manner, I don’t care.  The catalyst for this conversation comes from a book I was reading and the idea of taking this notion of more than one way to do the same thing bubbled to the surface.  In a moment of introspective wandering, I realized that there are times when, I too, suffer from the notion that my way is the right way, but as we all know, this is not always the case.  I understand on a rational level that there is more than one way to get things accomplished and it is to our benefit if we can objectively observe others who accomplish the same job via a different method…learning opportunities abound when we can open our eyes and our mind to new processes and procedures.

            How do you get to Florida?  (Pick whatever destination you choose to be your end point…)  What’s the best way?  What’s the right way?  The point being is that there is no one correct way to get there… a person can drive to Florida, fly via Buenos Aries, walk, run, bike, stow away on a freighter, or sail on a tiny boat…there is more than one way to get to your final destination and each method has its own merits.  Each method has something to be celebrated and learned from and there is no one correct method.  As a society, we tend to do things in a certain manner as our culture (as we understand it) expects us to act.  In other words, we tend to emulate and do things like our neighbors or community do them.  When a strange custom enters our comfort zone, what reaction do you typically display?  Be honest with yourself…do you feel as though the foundation of your civilization is starting to crumble, maybe a spike in your anxiety levels?  Or do you feel excited and are filled with curiosity and wonder?  I can’t answer these questions for you, I can only present them and hope you can examine yourself honestly.

            The to observe the different cultural approaches to events such as celebrations (birthdays, religious observances, or special recognized days) or memorial observances, or even common events like a family meal, we can all learn something about each other.  Obviously, if your constructing a house, you need to put in the foundation first before you build the walls or put on the roof…I’m not talking about things like that…what I’m discussing is understanding that different cultures coexist in communities all over our country and the meshing of ideas and traditions.  I’m talking about the ability to see and recognize those differences, try and understand those differences and then make the jump to accepting those differences.  Accepting differences for what they are reduces the anxiety we feel and opens the door for us all to coexist in a happier state.  If we were all the same, life would be pretty darn boring and we resisted new ideas from different cultures, we would be a world in perpetual war.  Throughout history, humankind has always adapted ideas from other cultures to help create and foster peace…today is no different.  Just some ideas to think about.  I hope everyone has a fantastic week.  Please take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com      

Surviving the Summer Heat

Summer Heat

            As we stand on the precipice of summer and the zenith of daylight hours approaches its climax, we must once again prepare ourselves to deal with the heat of summer in a safe and reasonable manner.  Our desire to go play and enjoy the weather or through the necessity of our work, we will all spend time outside in the summer heat.  It is important to understand how taking certain precautions can help us deal with and endure the heat of summer no matter what the reason that brings us outside.  The main risks associated with hot, humid weather are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.  These two medical conditions are sometimes confused with each other but they both have definite and distinct differences.  The reason they are often thought of in a synonymous mindset is that a person will suffer from heat exhaustion first before they more on to a heat stroke next if early symptoms are not addressed immediately.  The definition of heat exhaustion is, “…a condition whose symptoms may include heavy sweating and a rapid pulse, a result of your body overheating”, (Mayo Clinic).  The definition of a heat stroke is, “…a condition caused by your body overheating, usually as a result of prolonged exposure to or physical exertion in high temperatures. This most serious form of heat injury, heatstroke, can occur if your body temperature rises to 104 F (40 C) or higher,” (Mayo Clinic).  If heat exhaustion is not treated, it can lead to heat stroke which can cause permanent damage to the body, even death.

Heat Exhaustion

The signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion may develop suddenly or over time, especially with prolonged periods of exertion or exercise in the summer heat.  These signs and symptoms include:

·         Cool, moist skin with goose bumps when in the heat

·         Heavy sweating

·         Faintness

·         Dizziness

·         Fatigue

·         Weak, rapid pulse

·         Low blood pressure upon standing

·         Muscle cramps

·         Nausea

·         Headache

Heat Stroke

Heatstroke signs and symptoms include:

·         High body temperature. A core body temperature of 104 F (40 C) or higher, obtained with a rectal thermometer, is the main sign of heatstroke.

·         Altered mental state or behavior. Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma can all result from heatstroke.

·         Alteration in sweating. In heatstroke brought on by hot weather, your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch. However, in heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise, your skin may feel dry or slightly moist.

·         Nausea and vomiting. You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit.

·         Flushed skin. Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases.

·         Rapid breathing. Your breathing may become rapid and shallow.

·         Racing heart rate. Your pulse may significantly increase because heat stress places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body.

·         Headache. Your head may throb.

The best way to combat both of these conditions is to stay hydrated (drink plenty of WATER or SPORTS DRINK the REPLENISHES nutrients lost by excessive sweating), wear appropriate clothing (lightweight, comfortable and loose), take it easy during the hottest parts of the day and allow your body to become acclimated to the hot weather.  The last one on the list seems to always throw people for a loop…if your job keeps you in a climate-controlled environment for 95% of your day, it is completely unrealistic to expect your body to go into a hot environment and operate at peak efficiency without consequence.  Our bodies need to learn to adapt to the environment around us…in our modern climate-controlled building, we live and work in relative comfort, so take it easy when you do go out in the summer heat.  When working or playing in the summer heat, be aware of how you’re feeling and listen to your body.  If you feel the onset of heat exhaustion, TAKE A BREAK!  Find a cool place to rest, a shady tree will do if there is no shelter nearby, and drink plenty of fluids to replenish the fluids lost due to sweat.  If you feel that you have moved beyond the symptoms of heat exhaustion and are on the verge of a heat stroke, call 911 right away and seek medical attention right away.

Summer is a time for recreation in the great outdoors.  I encourage you to be smart and to be safe whether you are weeding your garden or if you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail…be safe in the summer heat.  I have personally experienced heat exhaustion when I was a young man, take my word on it, it isn’t a pleasant experience…so drink plenty of water and have fun out there.  Take care of yourself and each other this summer, remember, we’re all in this together!

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com       

Mental Health and Food

Mental Health and Food

The following article comes from the Prevention Action Alliance and provides an excellent source of brief information on the relationship between food intake and mental health.  I encourage you to take a moment and give it a read, it may spark a conversation or a thought that could lead to better health and wellness…enjoy, Wm Reid

May is Mental Health Month, an annual campaign to educate people on how a healthy lifestyle can help prevent the onset or worsening of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and other chronic health problems.  Diet and nutrition is not just about our waistlines, it also has a huge impact on our mental wellness. The same holds true for our children. What goes into their growing and developing bodies affects both their physical and mental health.  According to Mental Health America, studies show young people with the healthiest diets are about half as likely to have depression compared to those with diets highest in junk and processed foods

So, what can we as parents do to improve the diets and fitness of our kids? Mental Health America recommends the following:

Food Can Change Your Brain

•           Diet is linked to the hippocampus, a key area of the brain involved in learning, memory, and mental health. People with healthy diets have more hippocampal volume than those with unhealthy diets.

•           Eating more fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, olive oil, and other healthy foods while eating less unhealthy junk and processed foods can be an effective treatment strategy for depression.

•           One study found that a third of participants with depression experienced full relief of their symptoms after improving their diet. The more people improved their diets, the more their depression improved.

Contrary to Popular Belief - A Healthy Diet Doesn’t Have to be Expensive

•           A healthy diet can actually be cheaper than junk and processed food.

•           Save money by choosing canned or frozen vegetables and fish, and dried fruits and beans. These are nutritionally similar to fresh foods, stay good longer, and are usually less expensive!

Nutrients to Keep in Mind

OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS

•           Essential to brain health; reduces inflammation and risk of heart disease.

•           Found in oily fish like salmon, trout, mackerel, anchovies and sardines, as well as albacore tuna, walnuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, and dark green leafy vegetables like brussels sprouts, kale, and spinach.

•           Fish oil supplements that are high in the EPA type of Omega 3 fatty acids can help mental health. Studies show they can benefit some people with depression as much as anti-depressants.

B GROUP VITAMINS

•           Help to regulate neurotransmitters, immune function, and amino acids – the building blocks of proteins in the body.

•           Found in green leafy vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, as well as fish (salmon, trout, tuna), beef, lamb, clams, poultry (chicken and turkey), eggs, and milk. Breakfast cereals with added vitamin B12 are a good option for vegetarians.

•           People with a lack of vitamin B12 may be at increased risk for depression, especially if they are older.

VITAMIN D

•           Important for optimal brain functioning, including mood and critical thinking.

•           Fatty fish like salmon and tuna have the most naturally occurring vitamin D. Some vitamin D can also be found in eggs, other dairy foods, and fortified beverages and breakfast cereals. Cod liver oil supplements are high in vitamins A and D and have some omega 3 fatty acids as well.

•           Sunlight is a major source of vitamin D. Between 5 and 30 minutes of sun exposure twice a week generally produces enough vitamin D in the body. Lighter-skinned people require less time in the sun than those with darker skin.

•           Low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression, particularly seasonal depression, which happens with reduced sunlight during winter.

The quality of the food you and your family eat can impact everyone’s overall physical and mental health. Eating nutritious foods can go a long way toward achieving a healthy lifestyle, so it is vital to make every bite count.

 You are encouraged to lead and take the challenge with your children to make small changes – both physically and mentally – to create huge gains for everyone’s overall health and wellbeing.

Know! is a program of:

Prevention Action Alliance

6171 Huntley Road, Suite G

Columbus, Ohio 43229

PH: (614) 540-9985

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Learn more at preventionactionalliance.org

Yellowstone Caldera

Magma Matters

“Fear is a distortion of the truth.” ~Unknown

            Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872 and covering over 3,400 square miles, is home to one of the most beautiful and geologically diverse landscapes in North America.  When people think of Yellowstone National Park, they tend to think of “Old Faithful,” the famous geyser that erupts every few hours, spewing forth a huge fountain of steam and water.  There are hundreds of geysers throughout Yellowstone and with good reasons, Yellowstone sits atop one of the world’s few “Super Volcanos”.  There are 20 identified super volcanos throughout the world, two being in the United States (Yellowstone National Park and Long Valley, California).  The geological term used is caldera versus super volcano and the last time the Yellowstone Caldera erupted was over 600,000 years ago.  Over the past several weeks, there has been a higher level of geyser activity around the Yellowstone Caldera than typical.  Couple that with the new volcanic activity on the big island in the state of Hawaii there has been a large amount of information flowing out of the media causing an upswing of concern of the possibility of the Yellowstone Caldera letting go in a cataclysmic episode that will wipe out the Western United States and causing massive global cooling…a violent eruption of any of the massive calderas around the globe would be bad for humanity…period. 

            The last big super volcanic activity was in April of 1815 when Tambora, located on the Island of Sumbawa near Java in the South Pacific blew 12 cubic miles of magma and ash 28 miles up…that’s roughly 210 trillion pounds of rock launched 28 miles into the atmosphere.  Needless to say, hundreds of thousands of people died due to the immediate effect of the blast and then the following after effects like failed crops and starvation.  1815 was known as the year without a summer as ash and snow fell on Europe in June of that year with frost persisting all summer long.  The global impact was incredible both close to the volcano as well as half way around the world.  An eruption of one of the many super volcanos would bring about rapid climate change, countless people would die, and millions of others would be faced with a serious threat of survival.  I’m just trying to paint a picture here of the devastating reality of a massive super volcano letting loose with all it’s fury.  The good news is that none of this is expected to happen in our lifetime.

            Geologist believe that the Yellowstone Caldera, which has been getting a lot of press as of late, is not expected to blow a gasket for at least a thousand years or more.  There is a lot of science that has gone into the estimation of this and the quick and easy explanation is that the magma chamber for the Yellowstone Caldera, is at least six miles beneath the earth’s surface.  One day, it will erupt, but you and I will long be gone by then.  Scientist will still need to deal with this natural phenomenon as the magma chamber continues to “bubble up” to the surface of the earth’s crust.  Humanity will hopefully be in a better position to deal with the aftermath of such an event. 

            Today, as I type this, there is little reason to take council of fears of the Yellowstone Caldera blowing up the Western half of the United States into the atmosphere.  I always encourage people to be prepared for any and all emergencies (natural or man-made) and in any sudden and large-scale event like a volcanic eruption, we only have so much we can control.  To fear something that we have no control over is a waste of energy in terms of stress and anxiety.  Yes, humanity will indeed need to face these concerns at some point in the future but face them with due diligence, not fear.  This sentiment rings true in every aspect of life.  As President Roosevelt said, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.”  This from the man who was guiding our country through perhaps one of the lowest points in our nation’s history.  The man was right, we have nothing to fear but fear itself. 

            The Yellowstone Caldera, 44 square miles of super volcano, is a frightening thought as to the global destruction it could bring.  Despite all the recent activity and the cascades of news scaring people about a possible world ending event, there is really nothing of note to worry about at this time.  In the immortal words of Chip Diller, “All is well,” and we need to go about our day like it is at any other given point.  Love one another, care for each other and always be ready to reach out and lend a hand to a human in need…those things we can control.  The Yellowstone Caldera is something to prepare for (for our great-grand-kid’s grand-kids…something like that) but in the meantime, take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

besthomecareservices@comcast.net

The Living Phoenix

The Living Phoenix

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”

~Nelson Mandela

            We all fall, we all fail.  At least once in our lives, things fail to go our way and we fall flat on our proverbial face in the splendor of utter humiliation.  The easy thing to do would be to lie there motionless feeling sorry for ourselves and feeling angry towards the perceived cause of our failure…to wallow in self-pity as a victim of circumstance.  That would be the easy thing, but it wouldn’t be the best thing, nor would it be the right thing for a fulfilling and healthy life.  The best thing we could ever do for ourselves after a failure is to get right back up on our feet again, dust ourselves off and keep moving forward with the lessons learned from the last fall.  I want to stress this point one more time…keep moving forward with the lessons learned from the last fall.  The ability to live a life of resiliency is the ability to rise time and again from failure or setbacks armed with the lessons learned to rise above, to bring new life out of the ashes of defeat like the mythological bird, the Phoenix.

            Failure happens, it is a fact of life that we all fail at something.  The question is, how do you face that failure and move on from there?  Resiliency, the ability to rise above adversity, is a key factor in how humanity deals with and moves forward from failure. In an excellent article in Psychology Today, Hara Estroff Marano writes, “Resilience may be an art, the ultimate art of living… At the heart of resilience is a belief in oneself—yet also a belief in something larger than oneself.  Resilient people do not let adversity define them. They find resilience by moving towards a goal beyond themselves, transcending pain and grief by perceiving bad times as a temporary state of affairs,” (Marano, 2003).  The idea of the saying, “This too shall pass,” is truly the belief that bad times are not a permanent fixture but just a moment of time that a person is moving through and they need to tough it out because they believe that better times are ahead.

            While it is also true that everyone handles stresses differently, the ability to develop resilience is something that can be learned and honed to strengthen inner belief systems to better handle adversity.  “Sometimes it is easier to be a victim; talking about how other people make you do what you do removes the obligation to change. And sympathy can feel sweet; talk of resilience can make some feel that no one is really appreciating exactly how much they have suffered…Resilient people don't walk between the raindrops; they have scars to show for their experience. They struggle—but keep functioning anyway. Resilience is not the ability to escape unharmed. It is not about magic,” (Marano, 2003).  Survivors cultivate insight, the mental habit of asking themselves penetrating questions and then giving honest answers. They also take the initiative. They take charge of problems, stretching and testing themselves in order to reframe themselves.  Reframing one’s mindset in challenging situations is at the heart of resilience. It is a way of shifting focus from a victim viewpoint (the world is aligned against me), a pessimistic view to one of optimism…what can I learn from this…I see the silver lining to the cloud viewpoint.  Attitude is critical in resilience behavior in how you see the world. 

            “Psychologist Edith Grotberg, Ph.D., believes that everyone needs reminders of the strengths they have (in order to build up their resilience). She urges people to cultivate resilience by thinking along three lines:

I Have: strong relationships, structure, rules at home, role models; these are external supports that are provided;

I Am: a person who has hope and faith, cares about others, is proud of myself; these are inner strengths that can be developed;

I Can: communicate, solve problems, gauge the temperament of others, seek good relationships—all interpersonal and problem-solving skills that are acquired,” (Marano, 2003).

            The ability to get back up off the mat when life knocks you down is truly one of the greatest life skills anyone can possess.  It is not always that the race goes to the victor but to the one who persists.  As the old cliché saying goes, “Quitters never win, and winners never quit.”  Rise above your challenges and be the resilient person you know you can be, take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

besthomecareservices@comcast.net

Looking Beyond

Looking Into Deep Space

“Who indeed will set bounds to human ingenuity?  Who will assert that everything in the universe capable of being perceived is already discovered and known?” ~ Galileo

            On April 24, 1990, the space shuttle Discovery lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida with a payload that had been decades in the making.  The Hubble Space Telescope, the first telescope to observe the far reaches of the cosmos outside the earth’s atmosphere, finally made it into space after years of delays.  The telescope was named after Edwin P. Hubble, a notable astronomer who conducted extensive research into stars and galaxies and was also the first person to prove that the universe continues to expand.  The desire to provide a platform for a space telescope had been around for years as the light coming in from the distant cosmos was distorted and diminished by earth’s atmosphere.  After the successful run of Apollo moon missions by the National Aeronautical Space Agency (NASA), the powers that be decided that the time was right to move forward with the development and execution of an orbital space telescope.

            NASA had a tall order on it’s hand as they approached congress to ask for funds for the project in 1975.  The 400 to 500 million dollar price tag was too much for congress to allocate as economic turmoil was alive and disruptive in the United States at the time.  NASA reached out the European Space Research Organization, (later to become the European Space Agency), in order to collaborate with their European colleagues and to help spread the coast of the telescope over other agencies to make the project more affordable.  A redesign of the main mirror reduced the cost by almost half and the congress approved the funds for the telescope for the 1977 budget.  The original launch window was for 1983 but delays pushed the completion of the telescope back until 1985.  The Hubble Space Telescope was then scheduled for launch in October of 1986 but then tragedy struck, and the entire project was put on indefinite hold.  On January 28th of 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded during take off and all missions involving the shuttle program were grounded.  As the telescope was designed to be delivered into space in one of the shuttles operated by NASA, it was unclear when the shuttles would operational, if ever, again. 

After decades as a dream and years as a project in the works and waiting for delivery, the Hubble Space Telescope finally lifted into space 28 years ago today.  The original program was only designed to last for 15 years…we are well beyond that target now and the information that has been gained from this scientific wonder has allowed humanity’s understanding of space to increase by leaps and bounds.  Ironically, the optics of the telescope did not live up to expectations when data first started coming back to scientist and it was discovered that the main mirror was ever so slightly out of focus.  It wasn’t until the first scheduled servicing of the telescope in 1993 that researchers could introduce new optics and thus fix the telescope to do what scientist had originally hoped it could do.  The new, clearer images surpassed the expectations of everyone involved and has allowed researchers to study the far reaches of space.

Why?  Why is it so important to seek out the far reaches of space and study the origins of our universe?  Why do we keep pouring money into a space program that seems to develop research that only a handful of people on the planet can truly understand?  Before you answer, let me ask you a follow up question…what if the early explorers like Leif Erikson, Christopher Columbus, or Francisco Vasquez de Coronado never sailed a ship out of their known waters?  What if early medicine or even modern medicine ceased to explore new and more effective treatments for illnesses and disease?  The ability to explore, to expand our knowledge of the universe may lead us to things yet in undiscovered as humanity pushes the boundaries of our knowledge and technology.  The science we pour into our research gives back to humanity a bountiful return on investment to the things we use everyday and the medicine that helps to improve our quality of life.  Projects like the Hubble Space Telescope and the upcoming James Webb Space Telescope (the platform to replace the Hubble Space Telescope slated to launch May of 2020) will give astronomers all over the world access to images that are just impossible to obtain from earth.  Humanity has learned so much from this platform, how much more can we learn with the next generation telescope?

The exploration of space helps to feed the appetite of those who seek knowledge for the advancement of humanity.  It is not just for one country or group of people who will benefit from this growth, but all of humanity as we gain a deeper understanding of the universe around us.  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com  

Don't Worry Be Happy

Don’t Worry, Be Happy

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” ~ Lou Holtz

            April is National Stress Awareness Month.  I wonder why the founders of this awareness drive picked April to be its designated month, but I’m sure that it coincides with the end of tax season is no accident.  Stress is all around us every day, either great or small, and whatever the cause, we all have stress in our life.  What Lou Holtz is talking about is that there is a wrong way and a right way for us to carry stress…it’s how we deal with it that matters.  Everyone is wired differently and for that I am grateful because life we be pretty dull if we were all the same.  That being said, everyone also deals with stress differently.  There are those individuals who see stress as an opportunity and approach stressful situations as a challenge to be overcome.  Then there are those who become almost paralyzed by stress and find it almost debilitating as both physical and mental health are negatively impacted.  We all fall on the spectrum somewhere at some point with every situation.

            Stress is a growing issue for us as a society.  Both public and private organizations are more cognizant of the negative effects of stress and how high levels of negative stress are hurting their personnel as well as their bottom line.  To help combat this, more organizations are embracing the logic behind corporate social responsibility and are promoting the wellbeing of their workforce through the awareness of whole wellness.   A happy and healthy workforce is a more productive workforce.  This notion of wellness goes beyond the walls of the workplace.  There are more and more stories of how stress is impacting our homes, schools and playgrounds as people take out the stress of life on others with tragic consequences.  The goal of recognizing negative stress and finding ways to deal with that stress in a positive manner in order to help restore a healthy balance of life is something that everyone in society can benefit from.

            The list of physical and emotional ailments associated with high levels of negative stress are well documented and the list I will share is by no means an exhaustive list but just to give a basic overview of the wreckage negative stress can have on people.  High blood pressure is a by-product of stress and leads to headaches, rapid heart rate, and even heart attacks resulting in death.  Stress also causes muscle fatigue, weakens the immune system, increases the likelihood of depression, insomnia, heartburn, stomach issues, decreased sex dive, and increased blood sugar levels.  People who live under chronic stress can lead people to have mental breakdowns and lash out in horrific manners.  Workplace and school violence are clear reminders that we, as a society, need to develop ways to deal with stress.  All in all, high levels of negative stress will find a plethora of ways of trying to make your life miserable and eventually kill you.  How do you fight back?

            There are several ways of dealing with negative stress and not all of them are healthy.  We’ve all seen or heard stories of the person who finally cracked under the stress of XYZ and went on a self-destructive bender that wrecked their career or family or all the above.   As much as this approach may sound like a good idea in a moment of, “I don’t care anymore.”  This approach will generally end up creating more stress than it cures…trust me on this one.  There are several healthy ways to deal with stress that require simple acts and at times the ability to look in the proverbial mirror of life and have a little self-reflection on our behaviors and actions.  One way to fight back against negative stress is to have self-positive talk.  Language is a powerful thing, if you tell yourself that you can accomplish a task, then you are more likely to achieve that goal.  Having a positive outlook is a great tool against stress but it takes daily practice…you can do it.  Identify behaviors and habits that add to your stress levels.  Looking in the mirror and identifying things that add stress to your life can be a challenge but by being honest with one’s self and holding yourself accountable to your actions can also lead to reduced stress levels.  I love this skill, take a nap.  A nap is a great way to help reduce stress as it helps to mitigate fatigue and allows people to face challenges with a better attitude.  Exercise or a new hobby can be a great outlet to deal with stress as it creates a new routine which can increase the level of your mood…it will make you a happier person.  The last of these recommended ways of dealing with stress are to mind your four A’s.  Avoid, Adapt, Adopt or Accept. 

“Avoid: Some stressors can be avoided because they are not necessary. Avoid people who stress you out and take control of your environment. Learn to distinguish between what you should do and what you must do. That being said, it is catastrophic to avoid stressful situations that need to be addressed.

Alter: If a stressful situation cannot be avoided, learn to alter it. As already mentioned in the first tip, the way you communicate to yourself will determine whether something becomes stressful or not. Instead of bottling up feelings, try to express them. It is also important to be assertive in some situations.

Adopt: Try to look at your problems from a more positive angle. Learn to make lemonade out of lemons. Sometimes bad situations can actually turn out to be blessings in disguise. Are you looking at the big picture instead of wallowing in self-pity? Try to see if perfection is the main cause of your stress.

Accept: Accept the things you cannot change. If you lose a loved one, what can you do? As difficult as it is, you will eventually have to learn to accept it. It is part of life. Do not waste time trying to control the uncontrollable. Be grateful for what you are and have.” (https://truestressmanagement.com/positive-ways-to-deal-with-stress/)

           Be aware of what is going on around you in your life and those of the ones you love.  If you feel stress is beginning to take a negative impact on your life, take a moment and reflect over some of these tips.  For more help, there are dozens of websites that can help guide you on how to deal with stress.  If you feel completely overwhelmed, I would encourage you to seek out a mental health professional to help guide you through the process of destressing your world and living a fuller and happier life.  I hope everyone has a stress-free Tax Day, take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com  

The Importance of Moods

Moody Grooves or Moody Blues

“The most important decision you will ever make is to be in a good mood.” ~Voltaire

            Ok, I get it, sometimes we’re all just in a bad mood and we want to glower at the happy person in the room and think ill thoughts of them.  What Voltaire is saying, however, is true.  The most important choice we have every moment of every day is to level of our mood…how we feel, and how we react while in that frame of mind.  There is science to back the statement up.  As part of life skills teaching to our children, my wife and I will sometimes read snippets from the book, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all small stuff, by Richard Carlson.  They are well beyond fairy tales and they face challenges at school like we all have at one point or another.  I have found that sharing tools to deal with life has had a positive impact on their school life as well as their other social interactions, they don’t get quite as geeked out about stuff like I did when I was their age, or so it seems anyway.  Over the weekend I read to them a bit about moods and how awareness of our moods can help us in ways we never really thought of before.  When we are in a good mood, life seems to be easier and we tend to feel happy.  As the day wears on, we are more likely to have less buoyancy in our mood and things tend to loom larger than they really are.  When our mood levels fall, so does our ability to get things done, simple tasks seem to become more challenging, our ability to be patient with co-workers or family ebbs away and we tend to become more irritable. 

            I know there are those of you out there who might be thinking, “Thank you, Captain Obvious,” but before you climb too high on the sarcasm bandwagon, there is science to back this up and the data make total sense.  Psychology Today expresses how the findings of how mood can impact our cognitive functioning (i.e., how we think, reason, problem solve) are well established.  Scientist still aren’t 100% sure why this is those the research continues.  A recent study showed that people who demonstrated positive moods had a higher performance and better decision-making skills most of the time.  The ability to have the cognitive awareness of our mood is a critical first step in helping us to understand our own behavior and our ability to develop a positive self-efficacy (the level in which we believe in our own ability to accomplish a task or goal).  When faced with choices, decisions or challenges throughout the day, take a moment to assess the current status of your emotional well-being before moving forward with a final action.  I’m not saying you need to be happy all the time before you can make an informed decision, what I am saying is that don’t make rash choices without a quick self-assessment if you can help it.  Just as good things happen to people who are in a positive mood, people who are in a negative mood see the world through a much darker lens and cynicism sneaks into the thought process that could impact the overall outcome of an action or thought.

            How does this all relate back to the notion of don’t sweat the small stuff of life?  Moods are a fleeting thing.  They ebb and flow like the ocean tides and can be affected by our daily interactions much like the phases of the moon impact the rise and fall of the seas.  We all have good days and bad.  We all have highpoints to the day and low.  The trick is to recognize these changes in our mood towards the positive or the negative and adjust our own actions accordingly.  You may be surprised how different your outlook on the world might change if you can gain a better understanding of our moods and what outside forces impact those moods.  As Charles Swindoll once said, “Life is 10% of what happens to us and 90% of how we react.”  If we can react with a positive mood at life’s curveballs and with less pessimism, what a difference that could make in our world.  Think about it.  Take care of yourselves and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Gift of Life

The Gift of Life

“Don’t think of organ donations as giving up a part of yourself to keep a total stranger alive.  It’s really a total stranger giving up almost all of themselves to keep a part of you alive.”  ~Unknown

April is National Donate Life Month.  Think about that for a moment, let it sink in…DONATE LIFE.  If you don’t fully understand what I’m talking about, don’t feel too bad, most people don’t fully understand or appreciate the possibility of being a live donor to those in need, those who are in desperate need of the gift of life.  This article is prompted as a friend of mine is scheduled to receive a new kidney on Monday after a multi-year and exhaustive search for a possible donor who would be a good match for his needs.  Because he has a living donor, his new kidney should last as long as 15 to 20 years.  That is an extra 15 to 20 years he gets to be engaged with his children and grand children and pass along his wealth of knowledge and life experiences.

According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (ONUS), as of noon today, there are 114,955 people who are in need of life saving organ or tissue transplants.  The need for people to consider being a donor is a very real and critical need for a great many people.  The wait time for person in need of an organ transplant can last for years.  For many, the process takes too long, and they pass without ever getting the gift of life needed.  In 2017, over 7,000 people died while waiting for the gift of life that never materialized…that’s 20 people per day who die for a lack of a donor. 

The history of successful organ transplants goes back to 1954 when the first successful kidney transplant was performed in Boston as a brother gave his twin the gift of life.  As medical technology, transplant procedures and anti-rejection drugs became better, the success rates of transplants sored.  In 1984, the National Organ Transplant Act (NOTA) establishes a nationwide computer registry operated by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS); authorizes financial support for Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs); prohibits buying or selling of organs in the United States.  According to ONUS, since 1988 there have been 726,950 successful transplants of a large variety of organ and tissue procedures.  The largest percentage of these procedures have been the gift of life through kidney transplants at nearly 60%.  While many procedures require organs or tissue from the recently deceased, many donors can be living donors without impacting the quality of their life.  A living kidney donor can live a long and normal life with only one kidney so the possibility being a living donor without complications is incredibly high.  Again, most people aren’t aware of the urgent need for living donors to step forward and give this amazing gift of life to those who face certain death.  If you have questions about the possibility of becoming a living donor or questions in general about the need for organ donors I encourage you to visit the ONUS website at  https://unos.org/

The idea of being an organ donor is one that is close to my heart as not only my friend will receive his gift of new life from his daughter on Monday but my mother-in-law who lives in Washington state received the gift of life almost a year ago from a young woman from Indiana.  This gift of life has allowed us, as a family, to enjoy more time with each other as my kids were ecstatic that grandma was going to get better.  You just never know how far a reaching an impact a gift of life can achieve.  I encourage you to become more informed as we traverse this month of donor awareness by reaching out to become a registered donor or consider becoming a live donor to someone you know or maybe a complete stranger.  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com