Mental Health Spring Cleaning: A-Z Mood Lifters to Beat Depression

Spring is here, so say the birds, flowers, sunshine. Yet here you sit depressed, wondering what all the fuss is about. Where's that spring freshness you're supposed to feel? If you can't see the light for the clouds, try these A-Z mood lifters to brighten you up. Mental Health Spring Cleaning: A-Z Mood Lifters to Beat Depression

Don't Be Ashamed of Pre-Menstrual Syndome, PMDD

Do you suffer with PMS (premenstrual syndrome) or the even more difficult PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder). I've struggled with PMDD for decades before I knew it had a name. Now I'm in menopause but I still get PMS-like symptoms. Do family members complain that you are grouchy? Do you berate yourself for PMS irritability? Well quit it. Embrace PMS. It's a good wake up call for everyone that mom is human. Obviously, I'm not saying wave PMS like a flag to excuse behavior. God forbid we'd use horrific cramps and back pain as excuse (insert sarcasm).  But it's us who struggle most and we deserve a little TLC. Read on. Womens' Health Help: Don't Be Ashamed of Pre-Menstrual Syndome 

Diet Dangers--Things to Avoid to Lose Weight

 Dieting is one of the most challenging behavior modification acts to perform. Unlike quitting smoking, where the smoker can give up cigarettes altogether, the dieter has to eat to live. I can't give up food but I can avoid certain pitfalls. Here's my diet danger watchlist. Diet Problems

Skip the Winter Flu Vaccine with Vitamins, Herbs, Good Nutrition and Common Sense

In fall, everyone jumps on "flu shot" bandwagon, it seems. The FDA, CDC, doctors, schools and pharmacies breathe down our necks to get vaccinated, I feel like David against Goliath. I refuse the flu shot; I'd rather stay healthy with herbs, vitamins, supplements, good nutrition and common sense. Why would I not get the flu shot and have my children vaccinated? Several reasons: first, I don't submit to any unilateral dousing of drugs and I'm certainly not going to expose myself or my kids to a live strain of flu, when they've shown no reason to need it. Second, my husband discussed the flu vaccine with his employer's company nurse. She made a cogent point. Once a person has received the flu vaccine, they are likely to need it again every year from that time going forward. I'm not ready to start down that road and I'm certainly not subjecting my children to a possible lifetime "addiction" to the flu shot. When they are of age, they can make that decision.

There's also the concern that it only vaccinates against a few strains. It's a guessing games which ones will be prevalent. Also, my oldest daughter was wrongly give the H1N1 in 2009 when she was ALREADY ILL with it! She was deatlhy ill for weeks. Her doc later admitted they shouldn't have pushed it. Rather obvious to me and I'm only a lay person. From a medico, it's reprehensible.  Instead, I use these tips. read more

How I Self-Discipline, Change Habits Using Al-Anon Slogans

Self-discipline is something I've never had trouble with. I've got a nasty case of low self-esteem. Auto-flagellation my modus operandi. But rigid self-control isn't healthy. It doesn't work either. Here's a simple self-help plan I created, based on Al Anon principles, to modify behavior and change habits. How I Self-Discipline, Change Habits Using Al-Anon Slogans 

Panic Attacks: Identification and Coping Skills

Panic attacks, a.k.a fight or flight response follow a similar pattern that all fear issues follow. Adrenaline, heightened response, let down, physical complications. The difference? With a panic attack, no real danger exists. But- panic attacks are terrifying and debilitating just the same. Physical symptoms include: shallow breathing, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, nausea, sweating, chills, headaches...all the symptoms of an adrenaline rush. Panic attacks are insidious; they creep up and ambush you unexpectedly. Panic attacks are nebulous; they are very difficult to track down. But there's hope. Once you identify yourself as a victim of panic attacks, you can learn healthy new coping skills! Here's how