Whether you’re single, with your partner, polyamorous, or in an open relationship, there’s a lot of stress that comes with sexual activity in the LGBTQ community. Trying to overcome issues with intimacy, difficulties with erectile dysfunction, or experiencing intercourse with the same sex for the first time, there’s just so much that can weigh on the mind that can ruin a moment.
It’s important to know you aren’t alone in these feelings. Gay couples and lesbian couples, and even singles in the LGBTQ community, have a harder time dealing with the pressure of sex than straight people and heterosexual couples.
Pursuing Therapy
Gay couples counseling by counselors who are also members of the LGBTQ community is the best way to get the affirmation we may need to discuss our issues without the need to translate because of sexual orientation.
The truth is gay couples and lesbian couples face relationship challenges but can be more apprehensive about seeking help because of the inability of others to identify with their specific relationship issues. This has made mental health such a dire focal point for LGBTQ persons.
Sexual and intimacy problems, like performance anxiety and troubles with stamina, can stem from deeper troubles within a gay relationship, like lack of trust and awkward and tense communication that comes from not giving attention to issues that have affected you both in the past.
Couples therapy can also cut through the tension of discussions about your sex life, like going from a monogamous relationship to an open one. This can sometimes be leaped into headfirst by same-sex couples without acknowledging certain issues before. This can lead to disagreement and even resentment about sexual partners.
Internalized Homophobia
LGBTQ sexual relations present unique challenges, and that includes overcoming discrimination within the community. Internalized homophobia can show up in the form of self-hatred, shame, fear, and bias. While this may seem harmless in thought sometimes, rejection on the basis of gender identity and skin color, to even weight and appearance, creates a vulnerability and uncertainty about oneself. This impacts self-esteem without a way to better understand where the big problem truly is.
That stress becomes internalized and leaves us unable to perform sexually, due to a lack of compassion. Stress has the greatest impact on a sexual encounter, making lasting longer in bed impossible, and can even lead to struggling with libido and the inability to have a satisfying orgasm.
Sexual Exploration
When exploring sexuality, there is certainly trepidation about trying new positions and expanding horizons romantically to find healthy ways to guarantee satisfaction while not sacrificing comfort for better sex life.
For gay men, the first time bottoming could be scary. Taking a deep breath is important to help you relax as you anticipate penetration. When exploring sex positions, be sure to find an angle that suits your partner’s penis. As for topping, it’s important to be understanding your partner’s sexual desire. Be sure to take into account ejaculatory control without sacrificing your partner’s comfort, monitoring thrust, and endurance.
For lesbians, gentle fingering to induce sexual pleasure is a good start, and you may want to increase tempo depending on your partner’s arousal levels. When it comes to penetration by strap-ons or the use of a vibrator, it’s important to maintain a strong pelvic floor. Kegel exercises can help to build strength while increasing sexual pleasure and raising sexual confidence.
Understanding each sex session and taking into account your own comfort and your partner’s will lead to great sex and a gratifying experience for everyone involved, taking your sex relationship to the next level.
Alzheimer’s disease is a crippling neurodegenerative disease that stems from the development of certain proteins in the brain. This protein development affects how the brain functions and progressively damages the brain’s nerve cells. As the disease advances, the symptoms also get worse.
Although the disease is terminal in its late stages, it does not directly kill the patient. Instead, the complications from the symptoms are what result in a patient’s eventual passing. Common complications include pneumonia, reduced brain function, and dementia.
An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can feel like a devastating blow, especially when you do not know what symptoms to expect. However, the more you learn about the disease and the help that is available to you and your loved one, the more adept you become at planning for the future. To help you along with this journey, we’ve put together a few tips to help you or your loved one manage the symptoms of this difficult condition.
1. Take your medication as prescribed.
While there is still no FDA approved cure for Alzheimer’s, your healthcare provider can prescribe medication that can help alleviate its symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. Most of the prescribed medication work to regulate and maintain acetylcholine levels in the brain. This is a neurotransmitter (think of it as the body’s chemical messenger) that helps with memory. Other prescribed medication like Memantine works to minimize the symptoms of excess glutamate secretion.
Alzheimer’s patients release a large amount of glutamate, a brain chemical that damages brain cells. Additional medication may also include antipsychotics and antidepressants. The reason why these are prescribed is that most Alzheimer’s patients suffer from depression, hallucinations, aggression, and agitation.
If you or a loved one are finding it challenging to re-fill a prescription, prescription referral services like CheapoMeds exist to help you access your prescription conveniently. They will connect you to an international network of CIPA certified pharmacies and pharmacists who will help you access affordable prescription and non-prescription medication. Working with the Campaign for Personal Prescription Importation (CPPI), they also make it possible for you to import medication from Canada.
Understanding that a majority of salaried, low-income patients and elderly Americans struggle to afford the high cost of prescription medications in the United States, they will link you to licensed Canadian pharmacies and allow you access to affordable medication for your personal use. This partnership also allows you immediate access to much-needed medication for other terminal health conditions.
2. Take up therapeutic activities.
Caregivers may sometimes find it difficult to find or even plan significant activities for their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s. To get over this hurdle, begin by selecting activities that spark or sparked your loved one’s interests, as this is a great way to get them engaged. This is an important first step as most Alzheimer’s patients go through a series of turbulent behavioral changes which sometimes manifest as frustration, agitation, anger, or depression. Knowing this, therapeutic activities that are linked to their interests can be a great way to help them take advantage of the abilities and memories that they still have.
The key to having a successful therapeutic exercise is making sure that the activity becomes a habit. A great way to do this is to establish a routine. Have the activity at the same time, or at the same location, to maintain a sense of balance. Previously enjoyed hobbies like singing, playing an instrument, bird watching, gardening can be beneficial, while also helping to relieve symptoms such as agitation.
Some of the therapeutic activities that have been researched and found to alleviate behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer’s patients include arts and crafts, pet therapy, baking, and walking.
3. Consider a holistic approach to wellness.
Taking a holistic approach to wellness involves pursuing a form of healing that accounts for the individual’s spirit, mind, body, and emotions. The health and wellness industry has been buzzing about CBD, and if you live in a state that has legalized its use, then this may come as no surprise to you. The beauty industry is constantly churning out CBD infused lotions and bath bombs, spas offer CBD oil massages and facials, and now, the health and wellness industry is also exploring ways to incorporate CBD in medical treatments.
To begin with, cannabidiol (CBD) is one of the two most common cannabinoids. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring chemicals found in marijuana plants. THC is another well-known cannabinoid and is responsible for having a psychoactive effect or a “high” feeling on the user. On the other hand, CBD is non-psychoactive and is instead lauded for its calming and relaxing effect. For this reason—and although clinical trials are still ongoing—CBD is medically sought after for its anti-inflammatory and pain management properties treatment of depression, arthritis, anxiety, epilepsy, and Alzheimer’s.
CBD oil is helpful to Alzheimer’s patients as it helps them manage some symptoms of the disease. A way in which it does this is by soothing brain inflammation that results from damage caused to the brain tissues. Some Alzheimer’s patients also suffer from anxiety and agitation and other behavioral changes. In cases such as these, CBD oil may help instill a sense of calm and help manage these symptoms.
Another big question to consider is, does Medicare cover medical marijuana or CBD oil? The easy answer to this would be yes, considering how many epilepsy patients benefit from the drug Epidiolex. Epidiolex is the only FDA-approved CBD brand name medication for the treatment of seizures in epilepsy patients. Medicare will sometimes include it in the medication list of costs that it does cover. However, has not yet been legalized on the federal level, consequently, Medicare does not cover prescriptions for medical marijuana. Medication like Nabilone is a synthetic cannabinoid that has been found to reduce aggression and agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. It is still an unapproved drug, and clinical trials are still ongoing.
With a booming CBD manufacturing industry and a growing American consumer interest in wellness and alternative treatments, it can be difficult to tell apart authentic CBD products stockists from money-hungry ones. Additionally, pending FDA approval on medical marijuana use, makes all the more difficult to know what products you can trust. To avoid this, here are some things to look out for in your CBD products stockist:
Consider how the product is extracted. Companies like Basic CBD are very forthcoming with information on their extraction methods. Knowing how a CBD product is extracted allows you to understand the quality of the brand as well as the CBD.
Confirm that the CBD products are either full-spectrum or broad-spectrum.
Consider where and how the company sources its CBD.
Consider third-party testing reports. Third-party testing or independent lab testing is important as it provides an impartial review of the company’s CBD product. These tests also look into the potency, quality, and purity of the CBD sample.
More clinical studies are underway to help us better understand the medicinal benefits and side effects that CBD oil may have on the user. Because CBD is still not federally approved, and marijuana use is still highly regulated, research is still limited. Perhaps the legalization of recreational marijuana will make the research process more possible. Until then, make sure you consult your doctor before embarking on a new course of treatment.
If you run your own business, it’s crucial that you’re staying compliant with rules and regulations set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as the ADA. At its heart, this act clearly establishes that businesses must “provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for people with disabilities.” Regardless of whether they’re working within an office or a movie theatre if a business is not in compliance with these regulations, it can spell serious trouble for that company’s future. As such, it’s important to find ways to help your employees do their work in spite of any disability they might have. That being said, those sorts of accommodations can look radically different, depending on your industry and the size of your company, so it’s important to do some research before diving in.
Running a call center, of course, comes with its own challenges during a normal workweek. However, if you’ve employed someone who’s hard of hearing or has a hearing impairment, it’s important that you’ve thoroughly thought through the sorts of accommodations you’ll need to provide them, to help them stay productive. Here are two key strategies to think about as you work to make your call center more suitable for an employee with a hearing impairment.
Provide hearing aids to your employee if they handle voice calls.
If your employee doesn’t already have a hearing aid, it may be pertinent to provide them with a reliable one, if you have them taking phone calls as part of their work in your call center. When it comes to picking the right hearing aid, it’s important to discuss the possibilities with the employee in question, particularly if they’re self-conscious about their hearing problem. They may also have certain preferences regarding comfort and style that are important to take into consideration, before you make a purchase of a hearing aid.
When it comes to the brands to offer your staff, Phonak hearing aids are definitely worth considering. They provide clear, impressive audio quality for better hearing, and can even be paired to a smartphone device via Bluetooth connections. This makes them much more future-proof than old-school hearing aids and might ultimately mean that your call center agent can stay productive and have a better handle on their customers’ requests.
Implement an omnichannel call center solution.
While implementing hearing aids is a good way to help an individual employee, there are other, more widespread solutions that can play a bigger role in helping all of your customer support team. One way to do this is to adopt an omnichannel call center software solution in your business. A major benefit of using an omnichannel system is that different agents can field customer requests using different communication mediums, at once. This means that if there’s an employee who would rather not handle voice calls or video chats, they can instead field queries from clients via SMS message, email, or even live web chat communication channels.
Another big benefit of using an omnichannel call center platform is that many systems offered to enterprises can be used remotely via the cloud. The ability to offer your staff members the chance to work from home can be a major benefit for employees with hearing issues. This is because, rather than needing to come into the office, which could be noisy or distracting, your employees can access your remote call center software and work from the comfort (and quiet) of their own home. Being able to hire employees with customer experience, but may have since suffered hearing loss, to be remote call center agents thus ensures that you have the ability to expand your team appropriately while still catering to each member of your support team’s individual needs.
Ongoing stress and chronic pain can drastically reduce your overall quality of life and impact both your mental and physical health. Frequent stress can lead to poor sleep patterns, poor diet, and high blood pressure. These symptoms can exacerbate or lead to obesity, heart disease, increased risk of certain cancers, and diabetes — among other serious diseases. Chronic pain can negatively impact your quality of life by itself while also causing increased stress levels, furthering lowering your quality of life.
Too often, people treat stress like a normal part of life while ignoring the health implications that it poses. However, you do not need to live with constant stress or chronic pain. Natural remedies can help alleviate ailments while boosting your overall health and encouraging better daily habits. While non of these suggestions will work immediately, when taken or practiced consistently, you will notice a marked improvement in both stress and pain over time.
1. Yoga
Yoga has been practiced throughout many cultures for generations. It is a combination of movement, stretching, balance, and mindfulness. There are many yoga forms so that can benefit you regardless of your age or physical condition.
You can partake in fast yoga, slow yoga, chair yoga, and hot yoga — to name a few. Yoga works by strengthening your core, which can help with balance, posture, and alignment. Strengthening your core can work to alleviate pain in different parts of the body. Yoga also involves a lot of stretching, which can help with overall muscle pain and stiffness. The practice of yoga involves a level of mindfulness that helps alleviate stress, increase gratitude, and lessen feelings of anxiety.
Check out the yoga classes in your area to reap the benefits of this amazing practice while tailoring to your specific needs. There are many yoga studios in Scottsdale, for example, with the senior population of this area experiencing yoga’s benefits for staying active and managing pain.
2. Hemp and CBD Products
Hemp and CBD products have been shown to help alleviate stress, occasional anxiety, and discomfort without the mental effects of THC. Plain Jane Hemp has created a high-quality, reputable CBD and hemp products line, including CBD cigarettes, hemp flower, CBD oil, and tinctures. These great products can help in many ways, and Plain Jane has made educating the public part of their mission with ample information on CBD, hemp, and its benefits on their website.
3. Meditation
The practice of meditation can increase mindfulness, gratitude, and serenity. Meditation is often part of yoga but can also be practiced in many other ways. There are many different forms of meditation that are utilized in both spiritual ways and non-spiritual. Meditation is practiced in every major religion throughout history and has been shown to help alleviate discomfort and speed up healing.
Meditation also can be as simple as sitting quietly in your car before working or a stressful meeting. Meditation can be done in a group setting with someone leading the practice, or you can listen to a guided meditation in the comfort of your home. There is no wrong way to meditate, as long as it brings you the inner peace intended.
4. Massage
Massage therapy is utilized in many different healthcare settings, including physical or occupational therapy. A licensed massage therapist can work with you to target pain areas and work the muscles to alleviate muscle pain. Different forms of massage utilize different tools and techniques, including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and hot stone massage. Getting a massage can also alleviate stress since it’s highly relaxing and forces you to stop moving and lay still for a period of time.
Fall is in full swing, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to update your wardrobe for the season. As a petite woman, it can be hard to find clothes that fit well and flatter your figure, so we’ve put together a list of fashion tips to bring your fall wardrobe from drab to fab!
1. Rock that lipstick moment.
Sometimes all it takes to elevate a look is the right lipstick. While glossy lips are fine on occasion, no fall look is complete without that perfect matte lipstick as the cherry on top. But how do you know which is the best matte lipstick for you? Well, that depends on what kind of statement you’re going for. Rocking a bold red lip shows that you are confident and ready to own the day, while a toned-down matte lip that compliments your skin tone shows that you are put-together and take the time to pay attention to the finer details in life. And you get bonus points if you don’t have to reapply after your morning latte.
2. The petite section is your friend.
While you might feel yourself gravitating toward the typical women’s section when you shop, there’s a chance that if you find something you love it won’t fit just right. If you are under 5’4″, the petite section is far more likely to have clothes that fit you well and compliment your frame. Petite-specific fashion like Chico’s petites has plenty of sale items and other merchandise that will save you the trouble of hemming and taking in every garment you buy and allow you to wear clothes that are on-trend without them not quite fitting the way they should. This doesn’t mean that you can’t shop in other sections of the store. If you find a standard-sized top that you love, pair it with jeggings or a skirt meant to fit your body shape and flaunt it!
3. When in doubt, layer it.
Because petite sections can be limited, there’s a chance that you will have to rely on standard-sized clothing some of the time. If you notice that a top doesn’t quite hug your body the way it should just pair it with a cute cardigan and an infinity scarf! And if you just can’t stop lusting over that cold-shoulder maxi dress every time you walk past it, pair it with high heeled boots and use a waist belt to gather the shape and accentuate your curves. Drape some long necklaces over the look if it’s a solid print to give it a little more life, and you’ve got the perfect look.
4. Highlight your best features.
If you’ve got a killer waist or a chest that you’re proud of, don’t be afraid to dress around that! There is no reason for you to hide your best assets behind a look that suits someone else’s body shape. When you have a smaller frame sometimes styles like baggy boho jeans or a maxi dress that drags on the floor can make you look like a kid trying on their mother’s clothes rather than a woman who is put-together and cares about how she looks. Think about what you love most about your body and make sure you’ve got at least a few fall pieces that accentuate that!
Although the fashion industry mostly caters to a specific body type (tall and thin), the industry is changing with every season, bringing new ways to dress bodies of all types. Even if you have to shop at one store for your tops and another for your pants, don’t be afraid to try a few looks to see what works best for you. And remember, it doesn’t matter what you’re wearing as long as you’ve got the confidence to wear it well.
Medical malpractice claims the lives of over 250,000 Americans each year. Hundreds of thousands of other patients may be adversely affected by inadequate medical care. In some cases, individuals must have additional medical procedures to compensate for a doctor’s error. Others may suffer from short-term disabilities or become permanently disabled. The total payout to plaintiffs in medical malpractice lawsuits in the United States was over $4 billion in payments in 2018.
If you believe you’ve experienced medical malpractice, you should meet with a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your claim. Use these tips to locate a lawyer and prepare for your consultation.
Research Attorneys
When you need to hire an attorney, you must find a lawyer specializing in the appropriate field of law. Lawyers review case law that pertains to their area of expertise to ensure they’re aware of the latest rulings and legal precedents that may affect their clients. Perform a Google search for “medical malpractice attorneys” in your area and review their profile. Law firms list the names of the lawyers who work for them. Google search the lawyers’ names to locate their LinkedIn profile and articles about cases they’ve argued. Review any client testimonials on their site and check for reviews of the firm.
Reading this information can help you feel confident about the quality of representation you will receive and give you a sense of which lawyer you would be most comfortable with. Lawyers typically offer a free consultation to potential clients, which means you can meet without assuming any financial risks and get a professional evaluation of your case.
How to Dress
As a client, you are not required to adhere to a dress code, but it’s human nature to form impressions based on how a person presents themselves. You want to convey that you take this legal matter seriously and have made an effort to prepare thoroughly which you can do that by pairing a nice pair of black pants, which are appropriate business formal attire. Complete the look with a dress shirt or a blouse and blazer.
How to Prepare
A medical malpractice case requires the wrongdoing of the medical professional or team that resulted in an injury. You will need to establish the malpractice that occurred and how you were harmed.
Take time to document the series of events that led to your injury. Detailed information, including dates, staff names, locations, and potential witnesses, can be used to verify your account and determine who may be at fault.
If you’re unable to write, make an audio or video recording with the relevant information. Over time, details may become fuzzy, and creating an account with all the details will ensure your information is as accurate and thorough as possible.
You may also want to talk to witnesses who can support your account. If family or friends were present, they might be able to provide additional details about the incident that led to your injury.
What to Bring
Bring copies of all relevant medical records. Insurance claims, prescriptions, and deductible payments can all be used to substantiate when you were treated and what treatment you received.
Have your documentation available by printing them out or email a written account. Video and audio files can also be played via email.
Create a list of relevant witnesses and their contact information. Your attorney can use this information to question witnesses and verify your account. Witnesses may be crucial to your case if you go to court.
Your lawyer will need to know the medical staff’s names involved in your treatment and which staff were parties to the malpractice. You may opt to do some research on any doctors involved to determine if they have a history of malpractice or have settled other cases, or you can let your legal team conduct that researches themselves.
You will also need to establish how the injury you sustained has impacted your life. Your lawyer should know if you have been unable to work, perform routine tasks, or engage in recreational activities.
Keep a file with all receipts for expenses related to your injury. You may have been required to take medications, see a physical therapist, pay for people to clean your home, or have home health aides provide in-home care. These expenses are factors that will be relevant when determining an appropriate settlement.
Religion is a catch-all panacea. We turn to our faith during all sorts of traumatic experiences, from car accidents to setbacks in the office, to the death of a loved one. No matter the pain, religion can be a powerful balm used to heal the wound left in its wake. It’s a great way to gain some perspective as well, and we are often driven back to religion only to realize that we were missing something in the months or years before, the time elapsed since our previous devotion to our religious upbringing. Religion can bring about significant healing that simply can’t be found elsewhere, in conjunction with legal and medical attention, religious devotion after a tragedy can be a real lifesaver for many.
Start with your holistic health.
Starting with concerns over your health is a great place to begin after a traumatic event like a car accident. Often, accident-related injuries are internal, with the damage not showing on the surface. These come in all shapes and sizes, from difficulty in getting yourself back on the road to a crick in the neck that just won’t resolve itself. Even if you don’t have a serious injury, you may have to worry about medical care and medical treatment and even seeking punitive damages from the responsible party or negligent driver.
Mental difficulties and physical pain can often be targeted with a dedication to mindfulness, something that comes easily with religious devotion. It can be hard to approach after a car accident with your mind cluttered full of medical bills, a replay of the car crash on endless repeat, and the non-economic damages that stay with you, making daily tasks more difficult or painful. But part of the teachings of Christianity – any religion for that matter – is the idea of letting go of your Earthly worries; we must consider the troubles facing others and try to gain some perspective of our own while contemplating how God would handle the same difficulties we face in our lives, and how He has set these difficulties for us as a way to grow.
Statistically, you are bound to encounter three of four road collisions during your lifetime, everyone will. This means that your troubles after the accident are not unique to your own personal situation. Everyone has to deal with setbacks, injuries, and pain.
That’s just a part of being human, but understanding this humanity comes through an intimate relationship with your own morality and spirituality. Seeking out the wisdom of God from an NRSV bible online is a great way to introduce some self-reflection into your life that can really set the stage for personal growth and even a reduction in your pain and difficulties. Taking a step back to realize that this is something that is both not unique to your situation and something that will ultimately pass is the first step in moving ahead with your life.
Take legal action to set your finances back on track.
Your mental, emotional, and physical health represents just one side of the coin. The other is the financial damage that you certainly have incurred as a result of the accident. Finding a car accident lawyer Miami is the best way to fight for your legal and financial compensation while allowing you to focus on your recovery with total resolve. A crash can cost you significantly in an injury claim as well, so hiring a lawyer with years of experience to fight with the insurance company for your interests is the best way to ensure that you are compensated for your suffering and your loss of property and time.
A car crash is a traumatic event, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating, even if bodily injury is involved. Get yourself back on track in a hurry by hiring a professional Miami car accident lawyer who will fight for you so that you can focus on your recovery.
Selfcare during the end of a loved one’s life involves making sure that their spiritual and mental needs are met while ensuring that they are physically well cared for. If you’re a caregiver to a friend or family member nearing their life’s end, here are some things you can do to make sure that they feel supported, right through to the end.
1. Help them make a financial plan.
Viatical settlements make it possible for the policy owner to transfer their life insurance policy to a third party in exchange for a cash payout. Viatical settlements are most useful to the elderly, cancer patients, patients with other terminal illnesses, and those unable to service their insurance premiums. A lump sum life settlement can significantly improve one’s quality of life by providing them with the financial freedom they need to seek alternative medical treatments that might have been too expensive.
A big part of self-care involves relaxation and being diagnosed with a terminal illness can significantly affect one’s peace of mind. Not only is your physical health a cause for concern, but there are also financial aspects to consider. A terminal illness diagnosis can also result in unprecedented financial difficulties such as experimental medical treatments not covered by your insurance policy, debt, and a loss in wages due to an inability to work.
You can help your loved one develop a semblance of peace by helping them get in contact with a viatical settlement broker. The payout could give them the much needed financial assistance that could help them pay off some of the debt or medical bills they may have accrued while seeking treatment.
Viatical settlement companies like American Life Fund can help you and your loved one through the viatical settlement process by educating you on the worth of your insurance policy while making sure you get the best possible offer on your policy. Understanding how daunting the viatical settlement industry can be, they are a licensed provider of viatical settlements, so in this way, you can trust them to follow the stipulated life settlement regulations.
Beauty spa treatments like massage, acupuncture, and facials have been found to be significantly beneficial to cancer patients. Besides relieving physical pain, pampering your loved one as they recover from or undergo painful cancer treatments can raise their spirits in a way that traditional medicine can’t.
Besides regular beauty spa treatments like getting a body scrub, a haircut, or new hair color, the medical spa treatments offered by Los Angeles based Le Rêve Salon de Paris can also be a great option to explore. Some of the medical spa treatments they offer include medical hair restoration, scar reduction, and IV nutrition — to mention a few. These treatments can significantly help a patient with a terminal illness to improve their overall confidence, reduce stress, and also build stronger immunity.
3. Provide emotional support.
Nearing the end of life can result in a myriad of mixed emotions, some of these being depression or stress. To support your loved one emotionally, listen to their fears with compassion. You needn’t even have to offer great words of encouragement, your presence can also help ease the distress that they may be feeling.
Scrapbooking can also be a great way to share pleasant memories and to remind them of what a great life they’ve had. Further to this, you can create a relaxing environment for them by playing music they like, or decorating their room in their favorite color. This can be helpful in helping them experience a sense of calm and relaxation.
A cancer diagnosis certainly sends a scare through our system that leaves us feeling helpless and unsure. If you find yourself in this precarious and frightening situation, it’s important to find a few things to use as anchors. One thing to make sure of immediately is that you have a team of medical professionals that you trust, doctors who have developed an understanding of following a patient through treatment, assuring them they are never left asking questions. Whether it’s an ultrasound, an MRI, chemotherapy, or radiation, find radiology services in New Jersey that keep patients focused on the road ahead and well-informed about their treatment and options.
While doctors and radiologists focus in on curing our ailments, there are also major changes to our everyday life to consider. Of course, the biggest change for most of us is hair loss, and for women, it’s sometimes more difficult to accept. One of the common symptoms associated with chemotherapy is hair loss in the scalp. However, eyebrow and eyelash hair are also susceptible to falling out, as part of alopecia associated with side effects of chemo. Some women opt to use fake eyelashes during this time. If that’s something you’d consider, here are a few things to know.
Faux Lashes
Faux mink lashes have emerged as a new way for patients to replace eyelashes temporarily, while providing the comfort of knowing that these synthetic lashes look like the real thing. Silk lashes, mink lashes, and other false eyelash sets are available at most drugstores and cosmetic counters, as well as online. Prices may vary, but you can be assured of the latest technology and patient safety in higher-quality, sometimes higher priced, sets.
If you have not used false lashes before, they can be a little tricky. In this case, you may want to speak with someone at the cosmetic counter who can give you tips or even apply them for you, or check for tips online to prepare you for using of faux mink lashes. Once you’ve mastered a few simple steps you can have luxurious lashes with a realistic curl, perfectly lightweight and designed to fit your eye shape.
Applying Synthetic Eyelashes
False eye lashes can have a natural look and a longer wear with the use of magnetic eyeliner, carefully applied to the roots of the lashes. It’s important to create a line thick enough to maintain the size of the magnetic on faux mink or synthetic lashes. Be sure to also make the line from the inner corner to the outer corner so that the magnets at the end of the lash band hold properly.
The liner should be fairly dry before magnetizing lashes and applying them. For a more natural look, you can soften the lash band to make it softer and better contoured to your eye shape.
If you have long lashes, make sure to get behind your natural lashes so that the synthetic fibers do not interfere with the eyeliner to magnet contact. Once lashes make contact with the magnetic liner, jut grab the lashes near the root and press into place to make sure that the mink hair sets.
These mink lashes will last throughout the day and, when you’re done, simply pull them off gently and clean your eyelids with any oil based cleanser. It is important to gently remove the glue or magnetic liner used.
Mascara
While we commonly associate mascara with making our eyes pop and lashes looking thick and full, it’s actually not in the best interest of patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation.
It’s recommended to avoid heavy mascaras, especially waterproof ones, as those can be too harsh on delicate lashes. Light touches of mascara are acceptable, but removal must be a careful process. Users should refrain from rubbing their eyes to minimize hair loss, or patting lashes to see if they are still there. It’s best to use a cotton ball and a natural eye makeup remover and gently wipe away any makeup from the eyes.
The days after you leave rehab are incredibly intimidating. When you are staying at a center, there are restrictions in place that prevent temptation as well as resources to help you cope. You are surrounded by people who are in the same position as you and professionals who are eager to help. Outside of those walls, it can be a daunting experience trying to stay sober without having the support that you got from residential treatment centers. You aren’t alone though, and there are a few things that you can do to set yourself up for success.
1. Look for a local center that offers therapy.
Just because you were discharged from a rehab center doesn’t mean your work is done. You will more than likely need to continue therapy in an outpatient program and work with accountability partners who can help you stay clean. As you settle into your new life, it’s important to find support systems in your area similar to the drug rehab centers in Los Angeles, such as CAST Centers. These facilities offer AA meetings and other therapy sessions for you to attend that will keep you accountable for your sobriety and support your mental health.
2. Find new hobbies that you love.
Now that you are sober, you will need something to fill up your time. The hours you spent using may now seem slow and boring if you don’t have anything to do. However, this is a great opportunity to test out a few different hobbies to see what you like and what isn’t for you. If you’re someone who enjoys water sports and being out on the water with a paddleboard or a kayak, take this as an opportunity to get some exercise while also keeping yourself distracted. A fun and active way to keep yourself busy is to enroll yourself in stand-up paddle boarding lessons, or you may just prefer getting into the habit of swimming laps at your local community pool.
Finding a consistent hobby that you enjoy can help you meet new people and form bonds around common interests instead of drugs or alcohol.
3. Identify your personal triggers.
Since your sobriety, your mind may have developed a series of triggers that tempt you to crave drugs or alcohol. These can be caused by stress at work, anxiety about social situations, or environmental cues like parties or concerts. Each person has their own triggers with different levels of power. As an addict, you need to learn yours. Spend some time identifying your own triggers and taking steps to prevent them. This could mean taking yourself out of a situation such as avoiding bars or seeking help for coping with stress.
4. Avoid old routines and toxic relationships.
While in rehab, many beneficial resources are available to you such as meeting with a counselor and identifying certain patterns in behavior. However, when you leave, you may need to evaluate your current lifestyle in terms of your relationships and routines. This will help you to see what you can and can’t return to. Ask yourself if there’s a particular person that causes a trigger in you to want to drink? Do you hang out in places where alcohol and drugs are common? It’s important to identify whether being with certain people or hanging out in certain places tempt you.
Take a close look at each aspect of your life and see what changes you need to make in order to help you stay sober. This doesn’t mean you need to avoid these people or places forever, but you might feel too raw right at first to be around them.
5. Maintain a structured schedule.
One of the main benefits of taking on a hobby such as paddle boarding, surfing, or even gardening is that it gives you a schedule. During the first few weeks or months following rehab, time is your enemy. When you are bored, you are more likely to think about using which can lead you to develop higher stress levels.
Instead, develop a schedule that you can follow every day. Between work, recovery meetings, and your hobbies, most of the day should be accounted for. This routine will also lower your stress levels because you know what to expect each day.
Most importantly, know that you are not alone in your recovery. There are people who want to support you, whether it’s your family, friends, colleagues, counselor, or even other addicts who have been in your shoes. Turn to these resources in order to stay sober and rebuild your life.
