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Showing posts with label cope. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cope. Show all posts
We all face challenges in life, but how do you recover when a debilitating injury has left you unable to enjoy life the way you once did? After a major injury, you may experience feelings like sadness, anger, denial, worry, and fear. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to help yourself recover and get back to the life you once enjoyed.
Acknowledge Your Emotions
Acknowledging that it is normal for you to feel sad, helpless, or anxious, can go a long way in helping you recover. Try not to hold these feelings back. Surround yourself with supportive people who will listen to you and help you work through these feelings without judgment. Allow yourself time to accept what has happened, and do not try to rush the recovery process.
Don’t Push Yourself Too Much
It’s natural to want to do the same things as before the accident as quickly as possible, but it’s important to understand that it won’t happen soon, and things may never be the same. Don’t be afraid to say “no” to things you could have easily done before. Don’t push yourself physically or emotionally to avoid more stress.
Talk to a Counselor
Counseling can be a very effective tool in helping you deal with your emotions after the injury. However, many people feel uncomfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings with a complete stranger. Remember, talking to a third party can help you get an objective look at your situation and show you what steps to take to improve your condition. Your counselor can also advise you of any beneficial support groups you can attend.
Stay Active & Healthy
Staying active has proven to help the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Talk to your doctor about what kind of physical activities would be beneficial for you to enjoy while recovering from your injury. Also, make sure you are eating a well-balanced diet and avoid the use of alcohol or drugs. It can also be beneficial to engage in some of the hobbies you enjoyed before the injury such as painting or reading.
Consider Speaking to a Lawyer
After an injury, the last thing you may want to endure is a long legal battle. However, if the injury is no fault to your own, you deserve a chance to rectify the wrongdoing. There are lawyers in your area who are committed to helping their clients cope with life after the accident and receive any compensation they may be entitled to.
Depression and anxiety after a major injury can cause normally productive, socially active, independent people to withdraw into a world of emotional pain that is often far greater than the physical pain they are experiencing. However, by following a few of the suggestions above, it is possible to find yourself enjoying life again free of your psychological handicaps.
Informational credit to Howard Yegendorf & Associate.
Even if you’ve come to terms with the fact that your loved one has a terminal illness, it is still considerably difficult to digest the fact that your time with your family member is coming to an end. Whether you cope with the reality most effectively by staying busy or need time each day to reflect on the wonderful memories you and your relative share, it’s important to deal with the situation in a healthy and loving manner.
Allow Yourself to Feel Anticipatory Grief
When you initially find out that a loved one is sick, you may experience anticipatory grief, which is when you begin to show grief well before your relative passes away. You may start to go through a period of sadness, anger and confusion. Or, you may start to do things that help you come to terms with the situation, like keeping a journal or meditating. Let yourself feel all of these emotions, and deal with them in a constructive way. Embracing your feelings can keep you from doing destructive things in an attempt to cover your grief.
Make Amends and Express Love
According to HelpGuide.org, a reputable nonprofit information source, it’s best to make amends with the relative that has the terminal illness and express the love and appreciation you feel for him/her. If your relative needs to know that you’ll be there until the end, prove this with visits, conversations and even an adventure or two that will result in a memory you’ll carry with you forever. Talk about any issues you have with your relative so that amends will be made, and take every opportunity to say “I love you” so you can deal with the circumstances with more mental clarity.
Listen to Your Loved One
If your family member needs to confess certain things, listen with a non-judgmental ear. Remember, this situation is difficult for your relative as well, and he/she may need to have a number of discussions that will help him/her come to terms with reality. Listen to the needs and wants of your family member and try your best to meet those needs in the time that you have left. Following through on any burial requests such as Sutter Cremation or a natural burial will help you respect their memory after their passing.
Seek Counsel and Support
It can be very helpful to talk to others who have been in your shoes in order to gain support, wisdom and insight. Ask friends and other family members for advice. Join a support group for family members or terminally ill relatives. Surround yourself with people you can call any time you want to talk so that you won’t have to keep your feelings bottled and you can receive sound advice, a warm hug or a smile to help get you through the day.
The more honest you are about having a family member with a terminal illness, the more peace of mind you’ll experience during this very difficult time. While the process of losing a loved one is always difficult, taking time to remember the enjoyable times you and your relative had and respecting his/her last wishes can help you to face the circumstances with strength and resolve.
No matter the distance, running presents both emotional and physical challenges for humans. Over time, even the healthiest of runners will find themselves struggling with some mental, physical, or emotional issues, and here are six of the most common problems and how they can be remedied.
1. Chronic Malnutrition
Once the miles begin to increase, it is time for every runner to take a second look at their diet. Long distance training puts a huge strain on the body, and everyone should increase their caloric intake with a strong focus on carbs and protein. No matter your reasons for running, you must take necessary steps to get the needed nutrition and carbs to keep you healthy.
2. Back Pain
Back pain is extremely common for runners, and it generally stems from a few primary issues. Lower back issues are often the result of inappropriate footwear or an improper gait. Talk to a professional if you are unsure of what shoes would be best for you. If the pain is higher up, you should work on their posture and ensure that their shoulders are relaxed while running.
3. Running Obsession
Repetitive actions while training can turn into a habit, and any habit can also become an obsession. Runners should set mandatory rest days and then stick to them no matter what. It is also important to remain aware of injuries that will result in the need for resting and injuries that are okay to run through. Create a running group with friends or others in your neighborhood, since only other runners can truly understand your love for the sport.
4. Foot Injuries
Foot injuries are the bane of any runner, and experts at a foot clinic in Toronto say it is important to understand exactly when they have become serious. Minor soreness or stiffness is generally not a dire issue, but any sharp pains or reoccurring soreness means that the runner should contact a clinic immediately to avoid further damage. Foot injuries are the most common injuries in runners, so they should not be taken lightly.
5. Chronic Dehydration
What many do not know is that both over-hydration and dehydration are serious issues for runners. While there is no set number for how much water runners should drink throughout the day, there is a simple test. Weighing oneself before and after a run will give the runner an idea on how much extra water they should be drinking.
6. Lopsided Training
As the runner progresses, it is all too easy for training to become very lopsided. In order to be the best possible runner, everyone should take one or two days a week to train the rest of their body. Some of the best options include light weights, swimming, and cycling to improve their overall health.
As with any sport, running comes with its own fair share of risks. When these few common issues are avoided, however, runners can continue to enjoy their training for years on end.
Informational credit to Physiomobility Health Group.
It’s not easy being sick, especially during “the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s the worst timing ever considering there’s lots of good food and you’ll be spending time with family and friends you haven’t seen in a while. But all the preparations–overtime before going on break and nonstop cooking for Christmas–can take its toll on you and before you know it, you’re down with colds or worse, the flu. The cold weather isn’t helping either. It will only take your cold or flu from bad to worse. But don’t get depressed, you can still enjoy the holidays if you make the most of it. Just take some necessary steps so that you can cope and get better sooner than later.
Get Drunk on Vitamin C
Some people dive into medicines the second they find out that they are sick. I prefer going the natural way–lots of water and loads of vitamin C. If you don’t like Vitamin C supplements, you can just drink freshly squeezed orange juice or you can eat other citrus fruits that are rich in vitamin C. Water therapy is also important so make sure you hydrate and drink a lot of water. I think the organic way is more preferable that going straight to medicines, since it can help build up your immune system and the next time you get down with a cold or flu, you might have a faster recovery time.
Stay Out of the Cold
As much as you relish making snow angels with your family or having snowball fights with siblings and cousins, if you’re sick, you have to sit this activity out. If you’re not a fan of the cold, then this shouldn’t be a problem. If you do love the cold, there’s always a next time and if you get better earlier, there might be just enough time for one last snowball fight. If the snow has already gone by the time you are well, you can always go to an ice skating rink with friends. A bright spot on your getting sick is that you can stay warm and toasty indoors and sip hot cocoa in front of the fireplace. Or you can catch up on your reading and curl up with a good book near the hearth.
Be Vigilant
If in the worst case scenario, your little cold turns out to be pneumonia, it’s safer to go to the hospital so that your condition will be monitored better. Try not to feel too depressed because your emotions can often affect the state of your health. If you are frequently depressed, your immune system will also suffer and you will be prone to sickness. Try to always look at the positive side of things. When in the hospital, be vigilant so that you won’t get hospital acquired infections (HAI). One way of preventing HAI is through the use of a needleless connector. In hospital, you will have no choice but to take the medication that your doctor prescribes for you. However, you can still reinforce this treatment with water therapy and vitamin C. Enough sleep is also a must so that your body can rest and recover sooner rather than later.
About the Author
Based in San Diego California, Tiffany Matthews is a professional writer with over 5 years of writing experience. She also blogs about travel, fashion, and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com, a group blog that she shares with her good friends. In her free time, she likes to travel, read books, and watch movies. You can find her on Twitter as @TiffyCat87.
Losing a child can cause deep grief and sorrow. It gets very difficult for most of the parents to get back to their normal life, post a shocking death, especially of an infant. It is indeed the most devastating experience of your life and can cause a lot of mental stress. But things cannot be reversed. Life must go on and you have to make peace with yourself. No one can take your baby’s place but you need to ask yourself if this hampering your personal life and relationships. Look around yourself, is your spouse doing well? Have you spoken to them about what you are going through mentally? Are you having too many questions in your mind?
Why is no one talking about my baby’s death? What do I do?
It is necessary that you speak up about the tragedy. Nothing can be changed but you got to take care of your health. Speak to your close ones about all that you had planned for you little angel. Cry it out. Find support outside your house. Meet parents who have faced a similar situation and share your thoughts with them. Try to understand how they are coping up with the loss. You can meet them directly or you can also look out for websites on the same topic. Meeting a professional councellor will also help you recover.
How do I make others understand what I am going through, emotionally?
Have a conversation with your near and dear ones who understand you. Let them know about your feelings and thoughts. Your family and friends will lend you the support you need the most right now. Avoid getting into an argument with anyone. If you feel a specific family member does not understand what you are experiencing then avoid having a fight. You can explain them that whatever you are going through, is very difficult for you to make them understand.
If in your case, you continued the pregnancy term knowing that the baby might not survive, or discontinued a life support system for you ill child, don’t be judgmental about it. Don’t be harsh on yourself for taking the heart wrenching decision; it’s not your fault. If anyone else in the family does not understand the intensity of the situation, let them know what you have faced so far. A councellor’s advice would be a great help in situations like these.
I’m emotionally on a roller coaster ride. Am I normal?
A have faced a huge loss in your life. You might be experiencing multiple feelings from anger to guilt. There are hundred questions unanswered. Many parents have memorial service for their late child. You can hold a funeral; assemble all the things that are connected to your baby – favourite toy, a blanket, photographs etc. Remember that you have to leave the trauma behind and look forward to new things in life. All that you are going through is normal but temporary. These emotions cant stay with you forever. Pay attention to your health. Follow a healthy diet and an exercise routine daily. Engage your mind in things that will take of the load, maybe for a little while. Stay around family and friends.
How do I go on with my life? The future is not what I thought.
Certainly you are unable to indulge yourself in any other things besides thinking about why this happened to you. As time will pass by, you need to find solace in different things. Don’t ignore the world. You have to learn to live your life again. When you feel you are ready, participate in family activities and get socially involved in something that will give you peace.
Stress is a part of every job, indeed it’s hard to imagine a job where there is no stress. This is true because there are so many stressors in our working environment. It can be anything from attempting to meet deadlines, chasing a promotion, ensuring the business is as successful as it can be or dealing with colleagues or clients that make your life difficult. But whilst we should expect at least some stress in our daily working lives, we should never find ourselves consumed by it. Unfortunately in our modern lives we often find that stress mounts up and becomes too much for us.
Your ability to cope with this kind of stress will be the making or breaking of you in your job, and indeed might even me the making or breaking of the company your work for. When you realise this, the stress is even worse. And then when you also have layoffs and redundancies to worry about in our uncertain economy we realise that stress can come from anywhere. It’s no surprise then that we need to learn techniques to help us manage that stress and overcome it for good. We’ve come up with some great ideas for reducing your work-related stress.
The first thing you need to do is examine whether you might be feeling stress at work – and whether than stress is likely to be too much for you. If you experience any of the following symptoms at work or in your day-to-day routine, you may be under too much stress. These include feeling anxious, losing interest in work, having trouble sleeping, fatigue, having difficulty concentration, muscle tension, stomach problems, withdrawal from social situations, loss of sex drive and using alcohol or drugs to cope with your problems. If you find yourself having these problems, it might be worth considering using the following techniques to manage your stress levels.
There is no cure-all for stress, and getting rid of your levels of stress will depend on your as a person and what it is that is the underlying cause of the stress. However, it’s worth noting that there are plenty of tried and tested ideas that can be a real help when trying to get over your problems with stress. They can help you to feel better in your daily life and make the tasks of work seem not as challenging or worrying.
The first great idea when trying to cope with the added pressures of stress is that you must ensure that you are staying physically active during this time. It is well known that getting regular exercise is a very good idea if you’re feeling stress as exercise releases endorphins that are a fantastic way of countering stress. It is also a good idea to start thinking about the kinds of foods that you eat. Staying on a healthy diet is a brilliant way to help you manage stress, as the increase levels of minerals and vitamins in your body really enable you to cope more easily with problems.
An important way of ridding yourself from stress is by organising your day more effectively. Make sure that you create a balanced and workable schedule, and that you do not over-commit yourself to too much work. It’s also a great idea to plan regular breaks and allow yourself more time to get to work in the morning – arriving late and feeling stressed as you get to work can be a real problem as it mounts up and you don’t ever start the day in a relaxed and confident way.
Day-to-day stress is kind of inescapable. Whether you have deadlines to meet, traffic to crawl home through or unruly kids when you get there, it’s normal, you’re used to it and – hopefully – it doesn’t affect your wellbeing too badly. But what about extreme stress, like losing a loved one, major financial difficulties or getting bad news at the doctors’? How do you cope when the bottom falls out of your world?
According to David Spiegel, associate chair of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine and director of its Centre on Stress and Health, there are a few major techniques that you should always employ to guard your mental health against extreme stress. This involves making a list of everything you need to do to solve the problem and tackling them in order of importance. He adds that you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help, and you need to remember to take care of your wellbeing with rest, exercise and a healthy diet. Aside from this, there are excellent strategies that can help you to cope with extreme stress:
1. Acknowledge your feelings: Spiegel urges, ‘Don’t fight your emotions. Think of them as your friend, not your enemy.’ You don’t need to be “strong” for the people around you; releasing your emotions will bring you closer together as a family, which is exactly what you need right now.
2. Don’t isolate yourself from others: Whether you turn to a friend or support group, it’s important to feel like someone understands, and you’re not alone in this. Steven Southwick, co-author of Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges and professor of psychiatry, post-traumatic stress disorder and resilience at the Yale Medical School, explains, ‘Strength comes from social networks. We’re all social beings.’
3. Try relaxation techniques: Psychologist Carol Goldberg, of TV show Dr. Carol Goldberg and Company, suggests visualising a calming scene, repeating a soothing mantra or focusing on deep breathing. She notes that these techniques are ‘something that you always have within you. You don’t have to get any equipment … You can just close your eyes, and take some deep breaths.’ You might also like to try a relaxing exercise like yoga, or even taking a long, hot bath when stress is getting on top of you.
4. Face your fears: Southwick asserts, ‘Most of us have a very difficult time doing that because it’s unpleasant, but if you want to be resilient, sooner or later, you’re going to have to face those things, or some of those things.’ He adds, ‘avoidance is at the heart of all anxiety disorders.’ Start by learning about the thing you fear, and really try to understand it. Southwick advises, ‘when you do approach the fear, try to do it with someone who you really trust.’
5. Find a role model. As Southwick explains, ‘We tend to learn through imitation,’ so look for someone you know who has gone through this situation, or something like it. How did they negotiate the challenges and manage to cope with the emotional impact of the situation? Ask them about it and then try out their coping skills for yourself. Maybe they always called a friend during times of stress, or they cleared their head by going for a run. If you can’t find one, look to one of Southwick’s! He speaks of a gold-medal-winning Paralympian with spina bifida who swims 26 miles (or a marathon) a week, but still graduated college with honours. When Southwick is tempted to stop after a few laps, he often thinks of her and says to himself ‘Twenty-six miles a week … I keep going.’
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