Positive Start to September

I know it's late and we're now in the first week of September however this entry is essentially for August and September. I'd like to start with just an update on my own health and then the topics of the month. 

Today is stayed home, why you ask? Because of my anxiety and this horrible heat. It's not so bad inside but going out in it and the thought of walking in it or being out in it like I had been here and there yesterday is not appealing. Not only do I get all sweaty by the time I get to work, even sitting in a cab, but also I get a headache. Not to mention that I've also already got stomach cramps, sniffles, cough and a sore throat. The beginnings of a fall cold it seems. My anxiety is due to work admittedly and I'm just simply burnt out. I need the rest. 

Updates for May-July and Controversial Topics

Update for May- July

I'm sorry to my readers for not updating for the past three months. I've been very busy and there has been a lot going on. I've been in decent health over the past few months though I have hurt my foot sometime between March and May and have had to have pain killers, an x-ray and walk on it carefully. It's apparently inflamed tendons in my right heel. I'll just have to be careful and continue using inserts. I've also been having a bit more of a social life which is good but at the same time it's caused a different anxiety, social anxiety and making me feel actually more self conscious. That and though apparently meant as a compliment, being told that you're manipulative and know how to “play” the system is not something I really want to hear. Nor is being told that my fantasies vs reality are not valid or important.

April Update

Here it is end of April already. Time just flew by so fast I didn't even realize it at first. This month I have been sick, stressed out and exhausted. I came down with bronchitis and had to be out of work for three days early on in the month. I have come to the conclusion that I really do need a new job. I need something creative and inspiring but also physical. I need something that isn't going to bring me down. 

You see when we're speaking health and the workplace, the environment you're in affects your well being. The environment I'm in is not helpful with red and grey walls, dust bunnies accumulating and meanwhile everyone around you coming in with pneumonia, bronchitis and your basic cold and flu. It's depressing and stressful, you get paid minimum wage to do twice the amount of work with 6-9 hour shifts, five days a week sitting on our butts all day. Then they wonder why so many of us call in ill and so many of us have further health problems with our weight, our heart, other infections. Some of us eat unhealthy because that's all we have around us is a pizza place, subs, a quick run to the Tim Horton's or another fast food outlet and some of us don't eat at all because we're making ends meet, smoke and don't have time to even pack a lunch. 

I try to pack a healthy lunch and this week I have made effort to purchase some fruits and veggies and some other healthy snacks like nuts and seeds and whole meats and cheese. I can't not eat but I can't eat junk food as much as I have either. I have seen results not just with eating healthier but also cutting out large amounts of sugar. I now cold steep tea and bring that to work rather than the aspartame filled crystal drinks and drops. I add my own sugar and control it. I now can finally bend over and put my shoes on without being out of breath and I can do up my jacket without it being a super tight fit. I can only hope that my efforts continue to see results. I have also successfully, minus one week of being sick, completed 5 weeks of 1 day a week of a 20-30 minute workout. I also walk every day I go to work, minus a few times of being offered a ride here and there but that's when I've done more stretches and tried to put stretching in as a daily routine in the morning. 

I am also going to begin putting in a morning exercise routine with the help of my sister and pinterest of course. I have found Pinterest to be quite the tool with a lot of things including healthy ideas, and not so healthy ones but everyone has to go off the road a little bit or else what is life!? We can't cut everything out just because it's supposedly bad for us. One minute they tell you salt is bad the next it isn't. Too much water is bad for you even apparently. So remember too much of a good thing is also not good for you. 

I am also working on trying to do some bath and body items and using all more natural items like coconut oil and the like and I made samples for my step mom. All of which seemed successful and so I may build on this. Even healthier items in the home such as using soy candles is better than regular wax, and using recycled clothes etc. and re-purposing items is a good choice because it helps the environment avoid some waste. So old clothes and such can be used as rags or as pillows or other items for the home or new clothes out of the old. I am thinking I could build a business out of this. 

My self esteem, also a health issue, has become an issue. There are days that I look back into the past and I hear the good things from my professors and now in the present from some of my managers and colleagues however I also hear the bad from those that have put me down and told me I'm no good and couldn't ever succeed. Some parts of this makes me more determined to make it no matter how long it takes and no matter how hard it is. Other days though I have my moments of crying and feeling like I'm broken and like I just can't do it. Those are the dark days. There is however a light at the end of the tunnel even when the lights go out temporarily or flicker. 

Anyway that is all the update I have for now. Things are going on track thus far and I just have to continue going forward. I will try to keep further updates each month as promised. To everyone who reads, I hope you have had a good April and if you have any suggestions feel free to comment. I am always looking for more info and suggestions on topics. :) Have a Happy May!

Piriformis Syndrome - Learned Something New

After doing a bit of research for some stretches for my back etc. I discovered something called Piriformis Syndrome. I have never heard of this before but apparently it has similar or can cause some symptoms of Sciatica. I know that I have issues with my back and as of late, especially the past week, I have been in a lot of pain.

My job consists of sitting at a computer pretty much all day for about 8-10 hours a day plus when I get home I sit as well. So it's not surprising that I should have back issues among other things. Yesterday did not help at all with the slipping and sliding on ice and having to waddle like a penguin to and from work only to fall not only once, but twice on the walk home as well as slipped in my tub upon going to shower. I pulled a lot of muscles and hurt all over. So today when I stayed home I simply heated the muscles and stretched with what I knew. It has helped but doing these exercises and learning more about the syndrome helped this evening as well.

I highly recommend anyone who has these symptoms or want to learn more about it to watch the video and take a look at this site. It's filled with information. I think I may speak to a doctor about it and see what they say.

I also have been trying things for anxiety and have discovered that there have been studies done about two things I like doing, crochet/knitting and colouring. Apparently both are able to alleviate anxiety and stress and they are even making colouring books for adults now. If only my workplace would allow paper and colouring tools! But they at least allow for yarn and hooks so that's good.

This is all for this month thus far. If there is anything else that comes about I'll be sure to post! Otherwise enjoy the rest of the month and get out there and move people! MOVE! Don't stay stationary! :)

Back and Neck Pain = Migraines = Epidemic of not keeping mobile

Hello again everyone!

This entry isn't going to be long, I'll admit right now I have a huge tension migraine but wanted to get this written out. I'm using a heated up bean bag for my neck and shoulders and have taken some naproxen as well as I just discovered some stretches that I've just tested that actually feel like they could and do work. The stretches are here  and if you follow to the next page of that article there are some other exercises that I will be testing as well for strengthening etc.

Why am I talking about this? Because neck and back pain seem to be a major issue in my field of work along with obesity. With these things and a stationary lifestyle at the computer most of the time it is inevitable that these health problems will arise. Thing is that it's become an epidemic! We were not meant to have this kind of lifestyle. We were built to move! I can see it now, really I can, becoming nothing but rolling balls of flub held up by technology just as in Wall-E. Or even better yet another example would be the Baron from Dune (the miniseries version not the Lynch one). It's true! We're on our way to becoming that. Not being able to hold ourselves up, not having sufficient nutrients other than to just keep us alive.

We must keep mobile! So I'm trying to do exercises and keep walking instead of taking a cab etc. Even at work I'm standing sometimes while taking calls or while talking to a customer simply because I can't stand sitting anymore! It just hurts or I feel like I have to expend extra energy! I will also add that I love the video in the above link because he talks about what our necks are doing, which is exactly what my massage therapist said while I was still going. I should go back really and after tax time I think I will. Your head is being supported by your neck and your head is the heaviest part of your body, weighing about the size of a bowling ball which I've never picked up but have heard that they are heavy!! That being said, if your head is that heavy and you don't have good posture, no wonder it feels like the neck can't support it. I know I have terrible posture, I have better posture at home though compared to at work despite the ergo set up at my desk. Here at home I probably could get something to lift the screen up a bit to more eye level but my back and typing are better when sitting. At work I tend to want to lean my entire body forward especially my head and am constantly using the mouse.

Well that's it for now, I may write more later this month. This migraine is of course getting worse looking at the screen now. Conclusion for this entry: Keep mobile and don't let the pain take hold!

Ongoing Anxiety

Today, I stayed home. I battled with myself over the decision and part of it was because I've missed so much already in one month due to a chest infection that I really didn't want to however I have to take care of myself. My stomach and body just hurt and hurt so much I didn't sleep well last night. Here's hoping for a better sleep tonight. 

Part of the reason why I have had little sleep is that my brain would not shut off, the pain and then my restless leg syndrome. I couldn't get comfortable or fully sleep until I took an ibuprofen and turned some music on and focused in on that for a while with a heating pad on my belly. Now why can't my brain shut off you ask? Because of anxiety. It's constant worry about a multitude of things such as family, money, job, projects, errands, bills. It can become very overwhelming and then there is my self confidence and esteem issues. It seems like a wave where it comes over you and you feel like you're drowning and can't get on top of it. It just pulls you under. Sometimes it lasts for a few moments and other times it can put you into a depression even lasting a day or more. 

One of my goals this year is to try not to have the anxiety overwhelm me. I was doing well when I had my massage therapy and I may go back very soon in February actually. But in the meantime I have to find another way to combat it, aside from trying positive thinking. I've done a little bit of digging on the internet and found a few things. One site suggests the following tips :

"When you're feeling anxious or stressed, these strategies will help you cope:

• Take a time-out. Practice yoga, listen to music, meditate, get a massage, or learn relaxation techniques. Stepping back from the problem helps clear your head.
• Eat well-balanced meals. Do not skip any meals. Do keep healthful, energy-boosting snacks on hand.
• Limit alcohol and caffeine, which can aggravate anxiety and trigger panic attacks.
• Get enough sleep. When stressed, your body needs additional sleep and rest.
• Exercise daily to help you feel good and maintain your health. Check out the fitness tips below.
• Take deep breaths. Inhale and exhale slowly.
• Count to 10 slowly. Repeat, and count to 20 if necessary.
• Do your best. Instead of aiming for perfection, which isn't possible, be proud of however close you get.
• Accept that you cannot control everything. Put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think?
• Welcome humor. A good laugh goes a long way.
• Maintain a positive attitude. Make an effort to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
• Get involved. Volunteer or find another way to be active in your community, which creates a support network and gives you a break from everyday stress.
• Learn what triggers your anxiety. Is it work, family, school, or something else you can identify? Write in a journal when you’re feeling stressed or anxious, and look for a pattern.
• Talk to someone. Tell friends and family you’re feeling overwhelmed, and let them know how they can help you. Talk to a physician or therapist for professional help.

Fitness Tips: Stay Healthy, Manage Stress

For the biggest benefits of exercise, try to include at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g. brisk walking) each week, 1¼ hours of a vigorous-intensity activity (such as jogging or swimming laps), or a combination of the two.

• 5 X 30: Jog, walk, bike, or dance three to five times a week for 30 minutes.
• Set small daily goals and aim for daily consistency rather than perfect workouts. It's better to walk every day for 15-20 minutes than to wait until the weekend for a three-hour fitness marathon. Lots of scientific data suggests that frequency is most important.  
• Find forms of exercise that are fun or enjoyable. Extroverted people often like classes and group activities. People who are more introverted often prefer solo pursuits.
• Distract yourself with an iPod or other portable media player to download audiobooks, podcasts, or music. Many people find it’s more fun to exercise while listening to something they enjoy.
• Recruit an “exercise buddy.” It's often easier to stick to your exercise routine when you have to stay committed to a friend, partner, or colleague. 
• Be patient when you start a new exercise program. Most sedentary people require about four to eight weeks to feel coordinated and sufficiently in shape so that exercise feels easier."

I will quite likely try to take a lot of this into consideration because I haven't done my exercises lately over a few months and have found that walking helps with tunes but also the lack of doing anything else seems to be getting to me in my back and shoulders again. 

Also drinking pop or anything with larger caffeine and sugar amounts seem to affect me and I have more issues sleeping or with my heart racing than when I drink just juice or water. 

My father sent me a link on facebook also to a report that you may have seen about the internet; it's about aspartame poisoning, and how many people who drink diet anything seem to have more issues with ms, lupus , fibromyalgia etc. making this and obesity an epidemic. The reason why I bring this up is that some of my symptoms seem to be similar with anxiety and could be associated with aspartame. I'm pretty sure the crystal light or those type of things have that in it. So I'm going to have to find an alternative especially at work where the air is so super dry and I'm talking all day. 

Anyway there you have it for the end of the month entry. This is going to be a long journey I'm sure. Now I bid everyone good night as I must go to work tomorrow and I need more rest.  :)

2015 - New Goals

Well it's been quite a while since I have posted. Sorry for that, I was out of commission for a while from about September through to December, the computer died. Now that I'm back up and running I can begin to write again though perhaps not as frequently. I'll try. I've also been very busy with crocheting items.

This article here about health benefits of knitting/crocheting is a very good article that I think people should read. I've certainly found that it makes me happier and less stressed to do crochet and I have less anxiety. Even when I've done so on the phones I just seem to be better. However this does not help my body fight off colds and flus it seems.

I've been fighting this one off for just over a month on and off, finally took medicine thinking it would be ok and then boom! I now have a full blown sinus/chest infection that I'm fighting and can't sleep and let me tell you it's kicking my butt. It's the first of the year and I already took a day off of being at work and I really didn't want to. I might have to do so tomorrow too but we shall see.

They really have to put in a law that says that if you're sick then you should stay home and the company should pay for every doctor's note that has to be written for missing work for these things. There are people with pneumonia coming to work for goodness sakes and they shouldn't have to. We should be staying home with bedrest. I realize that we're missing work and we're being penalized by losing money but don't penalize us further by threatening our jobs and saying "you'll be fired if you don't come in" even when sick and throwing up! Even a doctor's note is worthless in some cases because you're not seen as being ill by the time you deliver it.

Anyway this year I'm hoping things will be better. I've noticed a difference while drinking teas, eating healthier and doing crochet. I have lost a bit of weight, I've been less stressed or having less anxiety attacks and seem happier. My goal is to continue and perhaps make a business out of my crochet items. Some of it sold and I already have orders placed, I just need the yarn for it. I have a lot of yarn already though to get me started! I'm hoping that I can do this on the side.

Other resolutions are : to write more frequently, to work out a bit more , to eat healthier and stay as fit as my body will allow, not miss work so much, to travel and to cook more. I also want to create more works of art, be it made of yarn or otherwise. Spending time with family and friends is hard but staying in touch is important so that's yet one other resolution at the top of my list.

I've come to the realization that I need to keep in touch with people because there are those that just drift off, some for reason, some for not. There have been a few that I know have mental troubles or home troubles that I would like not to lose and recent events of losing an old friend, she sadly took her own life, have made me think about things and life a little more closely. We take so much for granted.

Well everyone that's all for now. Here's to a happy 2015 and that we all can do our resolutions and most importantly make a better place to live and be healthy! :)