Category: Mental Health and Wellness

Health and wellness for the mind

Menopause and Brain health

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I recently listened to a very interesting TED talk regarding Menopause and the effects on womens’ brains.

When I think of Menopause, I immediately think of emotional imbalances, hot flashes, and night sweats (these are NOT fun by the way!!) Turns out there is a lot more to it. Brain health is so important, especially when it comes to aging and the prevention of Alzheimers and Dimentia.

If you are a woman approaching mid life with 15 minutes to spare, listen here to educate yourself!

Ps. If you are reading this and you are a friend of mine, you probably fall into this category. Just face it. 🙂

40 things to know from a soon to be 40 year old

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I am turning 40 this week. Yikes. 40. That sounds old. Time has flown by.

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot” – Michael Altshuler

I am sharing with you 40 tips, discoveries, ideas, quotes, and other random things I have learned in my 40 years. These have shaped who I am today (still a work in progress of course)

  1. Just because I am having a bad day does not give me the right to treat others poorly.
  2. Cut the fluff. Aside from a little bit of “zone out” time, if it’s not making me grow, it has to go! (This one is HARD)
  3. Being stuck in fast forward is no way to live. Slow down and enjoy the moment.
  4. I have yet to meet a person that could not benefit from yoga.
  5. Dogs are an absolute gift from God. They are smart, loyal, and loving until their last breath.
  6. Sentemental jewelry is the prettiest.
  7. A gratitude journal is the single most important habit I have formed in my lifetime.
  8. I love the way Sundays “feel”
  9. Call me a dork, but I still get excited when I buy new pens, notebooks, and books.
  10. Read!! Read!! Read!!
  11. Drink a lot of water. Your whole entire body will thank you.
  12. The golden rule is the only rule you really need.
  13. Growing old is a privilege. I am learning to like the fine lines. It is ok to help yourself age gracefully, but looking fake is way worse than looking old.
  14. Be you – everyone else is taken.
  15. Eat a well balanced diet and you won’t need to be on a diet.
  16. Some of your proudest moments happen outside your comfort zone.
  17. If it feels wrong, don’t do it.
  18. Even if your impact is small, it is still an impact. “As one person I cannot change the world, but I can change the world of one person.” Paul Shane Spear
  19. It is truly more fun to give than receive.
  20. Prayer is ALWAYS the answer.
  21. Read and study the Bible.
  22. Make quality time for the relationships in your life.
  23. Don’t waste your God given talents. We are all good at something. Find your thing(s).
  24. Birds are beautiful to look at and sound so pretty when you take time to watch and listen.
  25. Lazy mornings are rare but precious. Bonus if it is a rainy, lazy morning.
  26. The older I get, the less I care what others think about me.
  27. Take a girls trip at least once a year, even if it is just for a day.
  28. Money doesn’t buy happiness.
  29. Being outside in nature is healing.
  30. Never underestimate the power of good music.
  31. Routines make me happy but so does mixing in some spontaneity once in a while.
  32. Stretch every day. I wish I would have stretched more when I was younger.
  33. Mentors-find one for yourself and be one for someone else.
  34. Don’t just treat your medical issues with medicine. Get to the root of the problem. Ask questions.
  35. Unsolicited hugs are the best.
  36. Deep breathing is cleansing.
  37. Netflix, Amazon, and Podcasts. Enough said.
  38. Wear sunscreen.
  39. Being a wife and mom are 2 of my favorite titles.
  40. Take lots of pictures and videos.

7 Life Lessons From a Bicycle

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With extra time at home, the kids and I have enjoyed a few bikes rides. I use the term “enjoyed” here very loosely as one ride was in 40 degree temps with 20+ MPH winds. Thanks a lot Michigan. On our most recent ride, with slightly warmer temps and some sunshine, thoughts flooded my mind.

Riding a bike is a lot like life…

Perspective changes everything

I have walked my country dirt road thousands of times. Never once have I really noticed the hills. Not until I got on a bike. Whoa. My legs were burning! Have these hills always been here? Were they always this steep? Isn’t it funny how a different perspective changes your view.

Some times you pedal, sometimes you can coast

No doubt there are times when life feels like an uphill battle. Sometimes you just can’t see the top. But there is no better feeling than reaching the top and coasting for a while. The coasting is always sweeter after an uphill ride. Everyone has times of pedaling and times on coasting on the ride of life.

Climbing hills makes you stronger

Bike rides are enjoyable but would you build much strength if you were continually on flat land? It is those uphill rides that build strength. No pain, no gain right?!

Stop to enjoy the sights and sounds

I am grateful for country living. Sitting on our back porch, it often sounds like a nature tape is playing in the background. But these things are easy to miss if you don’t stop and listen. On our bike rides, the birds and frogs can be deafening in the best way possible. Fall views are my absolute favorite. Our country road looks like a picture you would find on a calendar. Don’t move through life so busy you miss the beauty of it all.

Be prepared

As I mentioned above, the windy, 40 degree ride basically sucked. But we were not prepared. We did not dress warm enough, no hats, no gloves. Life is a lot more challenging when we are not prepared. We couldn’t control the weather but we could have controlled how we prepped for it.

Stay in your lane

I typically ride with my daughter Emily, AKA swervy spice. The kid cannot walk in a straight line. Come to find out she rides a bike the same way! We spend a lot of our lives in other people’s lane, don’t we? Comparing…which leads to jealousy and feelings of inadequacy. Stay in your lane! God made you YOU for a reason. You can’t accomplish your life purposes by trying to be someone else.

If you fall, get back up

I can’t count the bumps and bruises I got while learning to ride a bike. One time I went one a ride with my brother and dad which ended badly. I flipped and scraped the entire side of my face and chipped off the majority of my front tooth. The worst part was this was long before cell phones, so I had to finish riding home. We took a lot of bike rides, and while this particular one sucked, I don’t remember it stopping me from riding again. I still love bike rides, especially with my kids. Moral of the story, don’t let a fall keep you down.