December 29th, 2016
The new year is only a few days away. Are you getting excited? Have you started exercising or dieting? Have you written down your new year's resolutions? For many, 2016 was a difficult year. They are looking forward to a fresh start. How about you?
Before we rush forward, anticipating all the great things that will happen, let's review 2016. Ask yourself the following questions:
What was the highlight of 2016 for me?
What decisions did I make that improved my life?
What actions or inaction do I regret?
Who were the people who stood by me or added to the quality of my life over the past year? How can I thank them or show my appreciation?
Assess your life and see what you'd like to change then identify the pieces of your puzzle that you wish to keep "as is".
Let's start with you. How healthy are you right now? You know what to do, move more, eat less, drink water etc. Are you overweight or a healthy weight? Are you underweight. If your weight is an issue, how can you get back to a healthy body in 2017? Is the weight from stress or food or lack of exercise? See what you can do to move more in a way you will enjoy; dancing around the house, getting a gym membership, signing up for Zumba or having a walk with a friend on a regular basis. How can you balance your nutrition? Can you prepare granola or smoothies to ensure you have a quick, nutritious start to your day? Research recipes that contain your favourite ingredients and cook them in a healthy way.
How are your relationships? Do you have a few good friends you can count on? If not, where could you go to meet like-minded individuals? Do you spend too much time on your own, hiding in your house or behind your desk? If you know some great people but you don't see them very often, make an effort to include them in your life. Having a good support system is important. If you have a partner, take an honest look at your relationship. Do you make time for each other? Do you listen to each other and connect emotionally and physically? If not, see if you can swap babysitting services with another couple and get out for a date. Share your highlights of 2016 and your dreams for 2017. Do they match? How can you be supportive of each other?
Are you where you want to be in your life? There is usually one area of life that lags behind. You may be super successful but single or happily married but stuck in your career. What area of your life needs some work? Make that a priority. Write a positive goal statement. Think of three steps you can take to move towards your goal. Imagine what it will feel like to reach this goal. Identify friends and family who will be supportive. You will need to share your goal with people you trust. Start moving in that direction and watch what happens. It should excite you otherwise, pick a different goal, one that is more meaningful to you.
You are here for a reason, we all are. Do you know what your purpose is? If not, ask your close friends and relatives for feedback. Their responses may surprise you. There is so much that comes naturally to you, that you take for granted. Others will know this about you. Their feedback can guide you toward activities; personal or professional that lead to fulfillment.
Regardless of where you are now, where you want to be by the end of 2017 and how far you are from your end goal, I hope the year 2017 is filled with opportunities for joy, love, peace and purpose. Happy New Year everyone!!!!
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 December 2016
Friday, 28 October 2016
The Brain's Way of Healing
October 28th, 2016
Yesterday was a low point for me, dealing with the pain in my brain despite receiving a healing treatment less than two weeks prior. This morning, I received a gift. I saw a post on Facebook about the author of two books on brain health, The Brain that Changes Itself and The Brain's Way of Healing, Norman Doidge. Dr. Doidge and his revolutionary discoveries were the focus of this week's episode of The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.
I was able to watch the episode online and I am still floored by what I have witnessed. The basic message is that our brains are not fixed and permanent the way we've been told. People are diagnosed with illnesses like Parkinson and Autism or they acquire a Traumatic Brain Injury and they spend the rest of their lives a compilation of symptoms. Dr Doidge shows us a different perspective.
Our brains are sophisticated and they respond to stimulation. Neuroplasticity is the concept that our brains change throughout our life and that we can alter our brains via stimulation. In this episode, we explore techniques that are used to help heal the brains of people who thought there was no hope for them.
We meet a gentleman going out for a walk and learn that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson yet his movements seem fluid. He is practising Conscious Walking. His Basal Ganglia are no longer automatically making his movements flow so he has to focus on what he is doing and use his prefrontal cortex to direct every minute aspect of his movement (micro-movements). He walks for 75 minutes every other day. He also is conscious of blinking his eyes and swallowing. The exercise gives him energy and, reduces his symptoms.
Next up are two women who experienced a traumatic brain injury. They decided to explore pottery as a therapeutic activity and called themselves the "Cracked Potters". Each of them survived their accident but were living with many symptoms which greatly reduced their quality of life. We are told that following a brain trauma, some neutrons die and others provide noisy signals therefore the brain is not working properly. A clinic has individuals exercising while they hold a PONS in their mouth. The PONS speaks to the brain through electrical stimulation. The tongue is situated directly in front of the brainstem and is covered with receptors. By stimulating the tongue with the PONS during exercise, the body is able to speak to the brain through our senses. This helps re-synch the brain, awaken dormant circuits and allow the brainstem to communicate normally with the rest of the body. They call this neuro-modulating the noisy brain.
We then get to witness the transformation of children on the Autism Spectrum through sound. We have this ability called the auditory zoom. It helps us cancel out noises and focusing on what we want to hear. When this is impaired, we go into emergency mode and shut down social contact. By introducing sound through the mother's voice, then with Mozart, the children or teenagers are able to learn to focus on sounds which are a precursor to speech. They change the rhythm, frequency and which ear is receiving stimulation. What we see is a boy progressing from tantrums and sensitivity to sound to a regular boy who is socializing. One of the older boys has developed social skills and thought his speech is stunted, he can speak flawlessly when he is imitating someone else. Blew me away!!!
A lady recovering from a brain tumour underwent surgery which saved her life but damaged her brain. She was exposed to light therapy through a low intensity laser. The photons go into the brain and into the body, powering up mitochondria, unblocking inflammation. There was an indication that this might work for people with PTSD as well.
Lastly, a young girl was born with an intellectual deficiency. Using the Feldenkrais Method, she learned to differentiate between movements. She went from having no movement to crawling, walking and ultimately dancing on her wedding day. This technique develops mental awareness of movement and uses touch as well to stimulate the brain.
If this sounds awesome but you think you'll have to move to California, I have good news, many of the cases in this episode were based out of Toronto. I am going to be looking into this. I urge you to do the same.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Yesterday was a low point for me, dealing with the pain in my brain despite receiving a healing treatment less than two weeks prior. This morning, I received a gift. I saw a post on Facebook about the author of two books on brain health, The Brain that Changes Itself and The Brain's Way of Healing, Norman Doidge. Dr. Doidge and his revolutionary discoveries were the focus of this week's episode of The Nature of Things with David Suzuki.
I was able to watch the episode online and I am still floored by what I have witnessed. The basic message is that our brains are not fixed and permanent the way we've been told. People are diagnosed with illnesses like Parkinson and Autism or they acquire a Traumatic Brain Injury and they spend the rest of their lives a compilation of symptoms. Dr Doidge shows us a different perspective.
Our brains are sophisticated and they respond to stimulation. Neuroplasticity is the concept that our brains change throughout our life and that we can alter our brains via stimulation. In this episode, we explore techniques that are used to help heal the brains of people who thought there was no hope for them.
We meet a gentleman going out for a walk and learn that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson yet his movements seem fluid. He is practising Conscious Walking. His Basal Ganglia are no longer automatically making his movements flow so he has to focus on what he is doing and use his prefrontal cortex to direct every minute aspect of his movement (micro-movements). He walks for 75 minutes every other day. He also is conscious of blinking his eyes and swallowing. The exercise gives him energy and, reduces his symptoms.
Next up are two women who experienced a traumatic brain injury. They decided to explore pottery as a therapeutic activity and called themselves the "Cracked Potters". Each of them survived their accident but were living with many symptoms which greatly reduced their quality of life. We are told that following a brain trauma, some neutrons die and others provide noisy signals therefore the brain is not working properly. A clinic has individuals exercising while they hold a PONS in their mouth. The PONS speaks to the brain through electrical stimulation. The tongue is situated directly in front of the brainstem and is covered with receptors. By stimulating the tongue with the PONS during exercise, the body is able to speak to the brain through our senses. This helps re-synch the brain, awaken dormant circuits and allow the brainstem to communicate normally with the rest of the body. They call this neuro-modulating the noisy brain.
We then get to witness the transformation of children on the Autism Spectrum through sound. We have this ability called the auditory zoom. It helps us cancel out noises and focusing on what we want to hear. When this is impaired, we go into emergency mode and shut down social contact. By introducing sound through the mother's voice, then with Mozart, the children or teenagers are able to learn to focus on sounds which are a precursor to speech. They change the rhythm, frequency and which ear is receiving stimulation. What we see is a boy progressing from tantrums and sensitivity to sound to a regular boy who is socializing. One of the older boys has developed social skills and thought his speech is stunted, he can speak flawlessly when he is imitating someone else. Blew me away!!!
A lady recovering from a brain tumour underwent surgery which saved her life but damaged her brain. She was exposed to light therapy through a low intensity laser. The photons go into the brain and into the body, powering up mitochondria, unblocking inflammation. There was an indication that this might work for people with PTSD as well.
Lastly, a young girl was born with an intellectual deficiency. Using the Feldenkrais Method, she learned to differentiate between movements. She went from having no movement to crawling, walking and ultimately dancing on her wedding day. This technique develops mental awareness of movement and uses touch as well to stimulate the brain.
If this sounds awesome but you think you'll have to move to California, I have good news, many of the cases in this episode were based out of Toronto. I am going to be looking into this. I urge you to do the same.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Monday, 10 October 2016
Grateful this Thanksgiving
October 10th, 2016
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I am feeling so grateful this year in particular. My mother joins us every year for our feast. It was great to have her here with us. We designed special cards for each other to express our gratitude. My daughters, mother, husband and myself hand wrote why we were grateful for each member of our family. Then we exchanged our handmade cards. We expressed our gratitude out loud during supper. It was so sweet to hear my girls talk about how lucky they felt to be in our family and to have each other.
We savoured our delicious turkey supper with carrots, potatoes, brussel sprouts and cranberry jelly which my husband had so meticulously prepared. He is such an awesome cook!
As I drove my mother home, I was thankful for the sunshine and multi-coloured trees lining the 416 and Prince of Wales drive. My mother told me she learned a great deal from watching my daughters. My husband took our youngest out to buy clothing. Her birthday is next weekend and she has outgrown her clothing. My mother was meeting them at the store. She watched my daughter decide without hesitation which items of clothing she liked. My mother said she couldn't recall ever being that certain about anything. Growing up, she wasn't asked her opinion. If she had expressed it, chances are, her observations would not have been well received.
As we designed our cards, my daughter couldn't decide what to write and how to shape her paper. I had pumpkin-shaped papers, my husband had flags, my eldest daughter and mom both had hearts, so my youngest thought she might create stars. She didn't like the way her stars turned out. I offered to help but she pretended she didn't want to write cards. We accepted her decision to not make cards. She then came up with her own invention. She sculpted hearts out of red clay, she wrote, I love you!, on each one and placed a feather at the top, a different colour for each of us. My mother was impressed with her creativity and her freedom to express her gratitude her way.
I felt grateful that my daughters were having a good time, playing together, chasing the pets around the house and participating in this art activity. I also felt lucky to live in my home, a lovely family home, warm and spacious, loved and lived-in. I am thankful that my husband is such an excellent cook, that my mother is open to learning from her grand-daughters and sharing her insight with me. I am grateful that my daughters are older now. This means they are more independent and they are able to express their thoughts and feelings with words.
We have been through so much as a family and I am thrilled that we are all here in this moment, enjoying and loving one another. I am proud of my family with our two sweet pets. Our golden lab who is affectionate and excited to see us every day. Our sleepy, mellow cat who allows the girls to dress him up, carry him like a baby and make him dance in the most embarrassing ways (see photo of George with his sombrero on my FB page).
I have one more thing to be grateful for this year. Ever since I have posted about The Mommy Monologues on this blog and on FB, I have been inundated with stories from moms who have been through challenging pregnancies, births and traumatic experiences. They have survived and are sharing their stories to help other moms who are still battling. I am so grateful for their honesty and courage.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Happy Thanksgiving to all!
I am feeling so grateful this year in particular. My mother joins us every year for our feast. It was great to have her here with us. We designed special cards for each other to express our gratitude. My daughters, mother, husband and myself hand wrote why we were grateful for each member of our family. Then we exchanged our handmade cards. We expressed our gratitude out loud during supper. It was so sweet to hear my girls talk about how lucky they felt to be in our family and to have each other.
We savoured our delicious turkey supper with carrots, potatoes, brussel sprouts and cranberry jelly which my husband had so meticulously prepared. He is such an awesome cook!
As I drove my mother home, I was thankful for the sunshine and multi-coloured trees lining the 416 and Prince of Wales drive. My mother told me she learned a great deal from watching my daughters. My husband took our youngest out to buy clothing. Her birthday is next weekend and she has outgrown her clothing. My mother was meeting them at the store. She watched my daughter decide without hesitation which items of clothing she liked. My mother said she couldn't recall ever being that certain about anything. Growing up, she wasn't asked her opinion. If she had expressed it, chances are, her observations would not have been well received.
As we designed our cards, my daughter couldn't decide what to write and how to shape her paper. I had pumpkin-shaped papers, my husband had flags, my eldest daughter and mom both had hearts, so my youngest thought she might create stars. She didn't like the way her stars turned out. I offered to help but she pretended she didn't want to write cards. We accepted her decision to not make cards. She then came up with her own invention. She sculpted hearts out of red clay, she wrote, I love you!, on each one and placed a feather at the top, a different colour for each of us. My mother was impressed with her creativity and her freedom to express her gratitude her way.
I felt grateful that my daughters were having a good time, playing together, chasing the pets around the house and participating in this art activity. I also felt lucky to live in my home, a lovely family home, warm and spacious, loved and lived-in. I am thankful that my husband is such an excellent cook, that my mother is open to learning from her grand-daughters and sharing her insight with me. I am grateful that my daughters are older now. This means they are more independent and they are able to express their thoughts and feelings with words.
We have been through so much as a family and I am thrilled that we are all here in this moment, enjoying and loving one another. I am proud of my family with our two sweet pets. Our golden lab who is affectionate and excited to see us every day. Our sleepy, mellow cat who allows the girls to dress him up, carry him like a baby and make him dance in the most embarrassing ways (see photo of George with his sombrero on my FB page).
I have one more thing to be grateful for this year. Ever since I have posted about The Mommy Monologues on this blog and on FB, I have been inundated with stories from moms who have been through challenging pregnancies, births and traumatic experiences. They have survived and are sharing their stories to help other moms who are still battling. I am so grateful for their honesty and courage.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Butt Weight-There's More
June 30th, 2016
I need to apologize right off the bat for my title. It's self-indulgent and silly but I just had to do it. You see, the topic for today is my weight. I am puzzled by my own behaviours. Right now, I am eating some BBQ chips as I type. As I reach for the bag, leftovers from the girls' sleepover party, I know it is not a healthy food choice and yet here I am. What is even more surprising is how many times throughout the day my brain reminded me that I really need to resume my exercise routine and eat healthy. I had loads of veggies and fruit earlier today, more leftovers from the party.
In 18 days, my mother-in-law will fly from England to Canada to meet the girls and I for the first time. Can there be any more motivation? I want to have a healthy weight and fit into my pretty dresses when she visits. I also want to feel fit and energized so I can keep up with my girls this summer. So, why am I eating chips? Why have I dumped the gym? Why is my workbook detailing all the exercises I can do at home still in the car? I don't know!
This is not a post with advice for you. There is no story about how I turned it all around and ended up on a beauty pageant. This is an exploration of what the heck is going on. It baffles me. I have always been skinny. For most of my life my body looked very much like a stick figure, no bumps or curves just one straight line. When I got pregnant with my first and my body got voluptuous I was ecstatic. I looked and felt like a woman. I walked every day because there were sidewalks where I lived at the time and there were places within walking distance. I could get groceries, do some banking or grab a Tim's before heading home. After my second pregnancy, we lived out here where there are no sidewalks, nothing is within walking distance and I knew no one. I mainly sat on the floor to play with my eldest or sat on the couch to breastfeed. I shed some of the weight but the stress in my life led to my midsection staying bigger than the rest of my body.
This worries me because carrying more weight in your midsection is correlated with a higher risk of many illnesses including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. I want to live. I still have so much to do. I love my daughters and want to see them grow up and be a part of their lives. I know what to do to lose weight: eat more veggies and healthy protein, drink more water and less coffee, cut out sugar, processed food, limit my grain intake and exercise three times weekly.
I buy the green tea, the lemons and the veggies. I eat really well then I panic. Why? I am so hungry! I always hit this point where I am starving and I can't find anything to eat that is ok and satisfying. I love salad! I can make really good ones but I need to buy the ingredients and because they are fresh I may not get more than two days out of them. Also, even a succulent salad can be boring after a week. So I give up, I give in and I go back to eating whatever is available. I know I am not alone.
The sad thing is I love my body. I am strong, I have fantastic genes and I have been through some pretty stressful times. My body has pulled through for me. I am so grateful to my body. I did a meditation the other day. I sent love to every cell in my body and felt love flowing through me. I pledged to take better care of my body. I meant it.
So why am I eating BBQ chips? Good question. If you struggle with your weight, have successfully lost weight or know the answer to this question, I would love to hear from you.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
I need to apologize right off the bat for my title. It's self-indulgent and silly but I just had to do it. You see, the topic for today is my weight. I am puzzled by my own behaviours. Right now, I am eating some BBQ chips as I type. As I reach for the bag, leftovers from the girls' sleepover party, I know it is not a healthy food choice and yet here I am. What is even more surprising is how many times throughout the day my brain reminded me that I really need to resume my exercise routine and eat healthy. I had loads of veggies and fruit earlier today, more leftovers from the party.
In 18 days, my mother-in-law will fly from England to Canada to meet the girls and I for the first time. Can there be any more motivation? I want to have a healthy weight and fit into my pretty dresses when she visits. I also want to feel fit and energized so I can keep up with my girls this summer. So, why am I eating chips? Why have I dumped the gym? Why is my workbook detailing all the exercises I can do at home still in the car? I don't know!
This is not a post with advice for you. There is no story about how I turned it all around and ended up on a beauty pageant. This is an exploration of what the heck is going on. It baffles me. I have always been skinny. For most of my life my body looked very much like a stick figure, no bumps or curves just one straight line. When I got pregnant with my first and my body got voluptuous I was ecstatic. I looked and felt like a woman. I walked every day because there were sidewalks where I lived at the time and there were places within walking distance. I could get groceries, do some banking or grab a Tim's before heading home. After my second pregnancy, we lived out here where there are no sidewalks, nothing is within walking distance and I knew no one. I mainly sat on the floor to play with my eldest or sat on the couch to breastfeed. I shed some of the weight but the stress in my life led to my midsection staying bigger than the rest of my body.
This worries me because carrying more weight in your midsection is correlated with a higher risk of many illnesses including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. I want to live. I still have so much to do. I love my daughters and want to see them grow up and be a part of their lives. I know what to do to lose weight: eat more veggies and healthy protein, drink more water and less coffee, cut out sugar, processed food, limit my grain intake and exercise three times weekly.
I buy the green tea, the lemons and the veggies. I eat really well then I panic. Why? I am so hungry! I always hit this point where I am starving and I can't find anything to eat that is ok and satisfying. I love salad! I can make really good ones but I need to buy the ingredients and because they are fresh I may not get more than two days out of them. Also, even a succulent salad can be boring after a week. So I give up, I give in and I go back to eating whatever is available. I know I am not alone.
The sad thing is I love my body. I am strong, I have fantastic genes and I have been through some pretty stressful times. My body has pulled through for me. I am so grateful to my body. I did a meditation the other day. I sent love to every cell in my body and felt love flowing through me. I pledged to take better care of my body. I meant it.
So why am I eating BBQ chips? Good question. If you struggle with your weight, have successfully lost weight or know the answer to this question, I would love to hear from you.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Thursday, 16 June 2016
Older and Wiser Women
June 16th, 2016
Today, I went into TLC to look into the price of renting a chair to sit in the shower, a transport wheelchair, a hand-held shower head and many other implements. We are preparing for a visit from my mother-in-law, a vibrant, fun-loving woman who has some health concerns and mobility issues. We want her to be as comfortable as possible during her stay with us.
Stepping into this shop brought me back to my days working in long term care. I was surrounded by geriatric chairs, walkers and quad canes. As I drove away, I started to reminisce about the women I encountered through my work. I spent some time managing a locked unit but before then, I was working as a mobile art therapist travelling from one unit to the next.
I learned so much from the ladies I met at that time. I noticed that their approach to life now reflected the approach they had always had to life. I also got to hear their stories and learn from their successes and mistakes. One lady told me about her husband who neglected her and stressed her out. When this lovely woman had a stroke, that same husband never came to visit her.
I saw so many women who had five children but never had any visitors. Initially, I assumed they must have been an abusive mother or, have somehow alienated their adult children. However, it is so common that I think they can't all be abusive alcoholic moms. There is something else going on here. When I ask about their children, they tell me that they live out of town or have crazy jobs and very little time to visit. It's very sad because someday she won't be there anymore and they'll want to hear her voice or see her face. It'll be too late.
I have made decisions based on what they have shared with me. Here are some things they have taught me:
1-Don't let a man treat you like dirt
2-Communication is key to a successful marriage
3-Do what you love
4-Don't care what others think or say about you
5-Friends are important, make time for them
6-Enjoy your children when they are young, it feels long but it will actually fly by and you'll miss it later
7-Say yes to life, don't sit on the sidelines because you're scared of being judged or because of your weight
8-Spend your money on experiences not on a new shirt, you'll forget about clothing but you'll remember the experience and so will everyone who was with you
9-Be yourself
10-Your health is your most important asset, don't take it for granted
So there you have it, now you know what older, wiser women wish they knew when they were younger. If you follow their advice, you too can get to a ripe old age and pass your wisdom on to the next generation.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Today, I went into TLC to look into the price of renting a chair to sit in the shower, a transport wheelchair, a hand-held shower head and many other implements. We are preparing for a visit from my mother-in-law, a vibrant, fun-loving woman who has some health concerns and mobility issues. We want her to be as comfortable as possible during her stay with us.
Stepping into this shop brought me back to my days working in long term care. I was surrounded by geriatric chairs, walkers and quad canes. As I drove away, I started to reminisce about the women I encountered through my work. I spent some time managing a locked unit but before then, I was working as a mobile art therapist travelling from one unit to the next.
I learned so much from the ladies I met at that time. I noticed that their approach to life now reflected the approach they had always had to life. I also got to hear their stories and learn from their successes and mistakes. One lady told me about her husband who neglected her and stressed her out. When this lovely woman had a stroke, that same husband never came to visit her.
I saw so many women who had five children but never had any visitors. Initially, I assumed they must have been an abusive mother or, have somehow alienated their adult children. However, it is so common that I think they can't all be abusive alcoholic moms. There is something else going on here. When I ask about their children, they tell me that they live out of town or have crazy jobs and very little time to visit. It's very sad because someday she won't be there anymore and they'll want to hear her voice or see her face. It'll be too late.
I have made decisions based on what they have shared with me. Here are some things they have taught me:
1-Don't let a man treat you like dirt
2-Communication is key to a successful marriage
3-Do what you love
4-Don't care what others think or say about you
5-Friends are important, make time for them
6-Enjoy your children when they are young, it feels long but it will actually fly by and you'll miss it later
7-Say yes to life, don't sit on the sidelines because you're scared of being judged or because of your weight
8-Spend your money on experiences not on a new shirt, you'll forget about clothing but you'll remember the experience and so will everyone who was with you
9-Be yourself
10-Your health is your most important asset, don't take it for granted
So there you have it, now you know what older, wiser women wish they knew when they were younger. If you follow their advice, you too can get to a ripe old age and pass your wisdom on to the next generation.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Friday, 27 May 2016
Hygiene
May 27th, 2016
This morning I had the same argument with my ten year old that we have been having for months now. She stood in the shower drawing on the glass door with her index finger. I asked her if she had started washing herself yet, she hadn't. Her seven year old sister waited patiently wearing her shower cap. My eldest informed me that she would not be washing herself.
Apparently, I am the only parent who requires that her children shower every day. My eldest assures me that her friends wash once a week. I said that was disgusting. My daughter responded that it was normal and I was unreasonable. Later, I spoke to some friends with children in grade 4. They are having similar battles with their sons and daughters. Grade 4 and 5 teachers are very familiar with the stink of a classroom filled with pre-pubescent children.
It's almost as if they are not aware of their smell yet. Their hormones are kicking in, armpits are sweaty, sneakers are smelly but the pre-teen remains unconcerned. Ironically, once my daughter starts liking boys, I won't be able to get her out of the shower but, for now, it is a battle.
We compared our approaches: "You stink, go wash yourself"! Or "As your mother, it's part of my responsibilities to ensure you wash yourself" or "Don't do it because you want to, do it for your friends who will be spending time with you" or "This is your body, you need to feed it, wash it, exercise it, it's part of self-care". None of us have been successful.
I spoke to my husband about it. His suggestion was: "Let her stink, her friends will tell her she smells and she'll start washing". I can remember my mother asking to speak to me before I went out to play with my friends. I was probably ten years old. She washed my pits and rubbed deodorant on them. I clearly recall how shocked I was. I didn't notice a smell, I thought I was fine. This seemed completely unnecessary. Now I am the Mom and I can't imagine my daughter can't smell her pits or feet.
This is just one more phase of her development to navigate. Speaking to other parents is helpful, it normalizes this experience. Remembering my own pre-teen years is reassuring. I have excellent hygiene now so I know she will be fine in a few years.
Hang in there parents of pre-teens, this too shall pass.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
This morning I had the same argument with my ten year old that we have been having for months now. She stood in the shower drawing on the glass door with her index finger. I asked her if she had started washing herself yet, she hadn't. Her seven year old sister waited patiently wearing her shower cap. My eldest informed me that she would not be washing herself.
Apparently, I am the only parent who requires that her children shower every day. My eldest assures me that her friends wash once a week. I said that was disgusting. My daughter responded that it was normal and I was unreasonable. Later, I spoke to some friends with children in grade 4. They are having similar battles with their sons and daughters. Grade 4 and 5 teachers are very familiar with the stink of a classroom filled with pre-pubescent children.
It's almost as if they are not aware of their smell yet. Their hormones are kicking in, armpits are sweaty, sneakers are smelly but the pre-teen remains unconcerned. Ironically, once my daughter starts liking boys, I won't be able to get her out of the shower but, for now, it is a battle.
We compared our approaches: "You stink, go wash yourself"! Or "As your mother, it's part of my responsibilities to ensure you wash yourself" or "Don't do it because you want to, do it for your friends who will be spending time with you" or "This is your body, you need to feed it, wash it, exercise it, it's part of self-care". None of us have been successful.
I spoke to my husband about it. His suggestion was: "Let her stink, her friends will tell her she smells and she'll start washing". I can remember my mother asking to speak to me before I went out to play with my friends. I was probably ten years old. She washed my pits and rubbed deodorant on them. I clearly recall how shocked I was. I didn't notice a smell, I thought I was fine. This seemed completely unnecessary. Now I am the Mom and I can't imagine my daughter can't smell her pits or feet.
This is just one more phase of her development to navigate. Speaking to other parents is helpful, it normalizes this experience. Remembering my own pre-teen years is reassuring. I have excellent hygiene now so I know she will be fine in a few years.
Hang in there parents of pre-teens, this too shall pass.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Friday, 11 March 2016
Fitness Epiphany
March 10h, 2016
Yesterday, I went to the gym and worked out. It felt great! I used to head out to the gym three times per week. I was starting to feel comfortable in that environment. I knew which machines to use and had my routine set out for me. Then we had three weeks in a row of 2 snow days.
I should point out that I love snow days. I enjoy the chill pace of my daughters playing in their undies. I hate packing their school lunches and arguing about whether or not they need to wear snowpants or their thick jacket. I love eating when we're hungry and balancing work and play. Hearing them run around and giggle as they dress up the animals or pretend their Monster High dolls are landing on Astro Nova's planet fills me with glee. When the weather cleared up and the girls were, grumpily, back at school, I was hit with a double-deadline, two projects due on the same day. I was too busy to work out. Ironically, I was very stressed so I needed to work out more than ever.
I bought a gym membership last fall because I felt out of shape. I'm not going to lie and say I don't care what size I am as long as I'm healthy. That's not exactly true. My body doesn't look too bad but my extra pounds are not evenly distributed. The fat is all on my bottom and my belly so it's like walking around with a floatie around my waist. I have had a few acquaintances ask me if Vin and I were expecting. That is a kick in the gut for sure. So, I was serious about working out and feeling fit when I purchased my membership. I have always been skinny. I was one of those people who could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. So, being overweight doesn't feel right, it feels like I've borrowed someone's body.
I am pretty determined so, when I pick a goal, I go for it full force. I was progressing well for a few months then I weighed myself. My weight had not budged at all. I know most trainers tell you not to weigh yourself because muscle weighs more than fat so the numbers on the scale are not encouraging at first but, I was feeling good and I thought for sure I would see a difference. I felt really discouraged.
Lately, I have noticed a pattern. I saw it in other women first but I know it to be true for me as well. I have goals, activities I wish to pursue but, they have to fit around the activities of the people around me. I plan to head off to the gym once the girls are on the bus but my husband needs me to run an errand for him and then we have lunch and then I need to get groceries and then there are e-mails that require my attention and then, it's almost time for the girls to get home. I tell myself I will work out first thing the next day but, the same pattern repeats itself. My stuff gets moved to the bottom of the pile. It's no one else's fault, I am driving my bus. Why do I put myself last?
Not working out as I had planned brought this realization to my awareness. I see it in the lives of women around me and in my own life, not just around fitness but career, socializing, personal development and spiritual pursuits. This is part of self-care, engaging in meaningful activities and expecting loved ones to support you. The fact is, I want to feel and look fit, working out helps my body deal with stress and increases the likelihood that I will be around long enough to raise my daughters and retire with my husband. Fitness is a valid pursuit and I need to protect it.
I am grateful for the opportunity to observe this pattern in my life. My fitness goals are now part of a much larger self-care plan, one that includes the gym, a budget for healthy groceries, space to create and time for supportive friendships. To all my wonderful, strong, beautiful women friends, I encourage you to assess your own patterns. How much time is left in your day for the activities and people who matter to you?
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Yesterday, I went to the gym and worked out. It felt great! I used to head out to the gym three times per week. I was starting to feel comfortable in that environment. I knew which machines to use and had my routine set out for me. Then we had three weeks in a row of 2 snow days.
I should point out that I love snow days. I enjoy the chill pace of my daughters playing in their undies. I hate packing their school lunches and arguing about whether or not they need to wear snowpants or their thick jacket. I love eating when we're hungry and balancing work and play. Hearing them run around and giggle as they dress up the animals or pretend their Monster High dolls are landing on Astro Nova's planet fills me with glee. When the weather cleared up and the girls were, grumpily, back at school, I was hit with a double-deadline, two projects due on the same day. I was too busy to work out. Ironically, I was very stressed so I needed to work out more than ever.
I bought a gym membership last fall because I felt out of shape. I'm not going to lie and say I don't care what size I am as long as I'm healthy. That's not exactly true. My body doesn't look too bad but my extra pounds are not evenly distributed. The fat is all on my bottom and my belly so it's like walking around with a floatie around my waist. I have had a few acquaintances ask me if Vin and I were expecting. That is a kick in the gut for sure. So, I was serious about working out and feeling fit when I purchased my membership. I have always been skinny. I was one of those people who could eat whatever I wanted and not gain a pound. So, being overweight doesn't feel right, it feels like I've borrowed someone's body.
I am pretty determined so, when I pick a goal, I go for it full force. I was progressing well for a few months then I weighed myself. My weight had not budged at all. I know most trainers tell you not to weigh yourself because muscle weighs more than fat so the numbers on the scale are not encouraging at first but, I was feeling good and I thought for sure I would see a difference. I felt really discouraged.
Lately, I have noticed a pattern. I saw it in other women first but I know it to be true for me as well. I have goals, activities I wish to pursue but, they have to fit around the activities of the people around me. I plan to head off to the gym once the girls are on the bus but my husband needs me to run an errand for him and then we have lunch and then I need to get groceries and then there are e-mails that require my attention and then, it's almost time for the girls to get home. I tell myself I will work out first thing the next day but, the same pattern repeats itself. My stuff gets moved to the bottom of the pile. It's no one else's fault, I am driving my bus. Why do I put myself last?
Not working out as I had planned brought this realization to my awareness. I see it in the lives of women around me and in my own life, not just around fitness but career, socializing, personal development and spiritual pursuits. This is part of self-care, engaging in meaningful activities and expecting loved ones to support you. The fact is, I want to feel and look fit, working out helps my body deal with stress and increases the likelihood that I will be around long enough to raise my daughters and retire with my husband. Fitness is a valid pursuit and I need to protect it.
I am grateful for the opportunity to observe this pattern in my life. My fitness goals are now part of a much larger self-care plan, one that includes the gym, a budget for healthy groceries, space to create and time for supportive friendships. To all my wonderful, strong, beautiful women friends, I encourage you to assess your own patterns. How much time is left in your day for the activities and people who matter to you?
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Saturday, 27 February 2016
Adrenal Fatigue
February 26th, 2016
Stop for a moment and think about the people in your life: your partner, siblings, friends and colleagues. How many of them have endless energy and a zest for life? Our lives are fast-paced, hectic and packed with responsibilities. The advent of technology was meant to simplify things for us yet we try to perform as if we, ourselves, were machines.
As a mother, spouse, art therapist, and middle-aged woman, I find that I often run out of steam. As I talk to other parents, I see that I am not alone. Parenthood seems to be synonymous with exhaustion. When my daughters were younger, I would meet my "mommy friends" for coffee. We drank excessive amounts of caffeine to keep us going. We talked about our sleep deprivation, the endless, thankless chores of laundry and cooking, the pros and cons of breastfeeding, the challenge of balancing our career and parental duties, our lack of support and energy.
It never occurred to me that motherhood and exhaustion did not go hand in hand. It was so common that it didn't seem abnormal. Women are not the best at self-care. We make nutritious meals for our family and eat the leftovers while standing at the kitchen counter. We stay up late folding laundry while our loved ones sleep only to be woken up way too early by the pitter patter of little feet.
"Of course I'm drained, aren't you?" we ask.
It's the same for men working 8-10 hours each day, coming home to play with the children while their wife prepares supper, running errands and performing maintenance duties on the weekends. Caregivers looking after a loved one with special needs or a chronic illness can also relate. Ditto for the "Sandwich Generation", supporting adult children while caring for aging parents. There are so many examples of people getting worn out by spreading themselves too thin.
Obviously, getting rest and achieving better balance between work and play are ideal solutions to this issue but there are times when you need more support. I recently learned about a condition that I believe goes undetected way too often. Adrenal Fatigue is what happens when you are under stress for prolonged periods of time. Our body is equipped with an emergency system. When we are stressed, we release cortisol and choose between "fight or flight". This process is instrumental to our survival during emergency situations. However, when we constantly trigger this system in response to everyday stress, our adrenal glands become depleted. Adrenal Fatigue is characterized by fatigue that doesn't get better with sleep, becoming overly dependent on caffeine or energy drinks to keep going, retaining body fat (especially on the tummy), craving sweets or carbohydrates and, feeling overwhelmed. Sound like anyone you know?
I am not a physician or even a nurse but I am writing about this because I had never heard of adrenal fatigue. As I read the symptoms I recognized so many people. I know individuals who eat well, try to get their sleep, are working on creating more balance in their life yet they still can't stop feeling tired and overwhelmed. What if supporting their adrenal glands could help them restore their energy and feel like themselves again?
Testing for adrenal fatigue is simple enough. You can test your levels through blood or saliva tests. Treatment involves an adrenal support supplement or acupuncture. The goal of treatment is to restore the healthy function of your adrenal glands. If you think you might be experiencing adrenal fatigue, speak to your family physician or naturopathic doctor. With so much to gain, what have you got to lose?
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Stop for a moment and think about the people in your life: your partner, siblings, friends and colleagues. How many of them have endless energy and a zest for life? Our lives are fast-paced, hectic and packed with responsibilities. The advent of technology was meant to simplify things for us yet we try to perform as if we, ourselves, were machines.
As a mother, spouse, art therapist, and middle-aged woman, I find that I often run out of steam. As I talk to other parents, I see that I am not alone. Parenthood seems to be synonymous with exhaustion. When my daughters were younger, I would meet my "mommy friends" for coffee. We drank excessive amounts of caffeine to keep us going. We talked about our sleep deprivation, the endless, thankless chores of laundry and cooking, the pros and cons of breastfeeding, the challenge of balancing our career and parental duties, our lack of support and energy.
It never occurred to me that motherhood and exhaustion did not go hand in hand. It was so common that it didn't seem abnormal. Women are not the best at self-care. We make nutritious meals for our family and eat the leftovers while standing at the kitchen counter. We stay up late folding laundry while our loved ones sleep only to be woken up way too early by the pitter patter of little feet.
"Of course I'm drained, aren't you?" we ask.
It's the same for men working 8-10 hours each day, coming home to play with the children while their wife prepares supper, running errands and performing maintenance duties on the weekends. Caregivers looking after a loved one with special needs or a chronic illness can also relate. Ditto for the "Sandwich Generation", supporting adult children while caring for aging parents. There are so many examples of people getting worn out by spreading themselves too thin.
Obviously, getting rest and achieving better balance between work and play are ideal solutions to this issue but there are times when you need more support. I recently learned about a condition that I believe goes undetected way too often. Adrenal Fatigue is what happens when you are under stress for prolonged periods of time. Our body is equipped with an emergency system. When we are stressed, we release cortisol and choose between "fight or flight". This process is instrumental to our survival during emergency situations. However, when we constantly trigger this system in response to everyday stress, our adrenal glands become depleted. Adrenal Fatigue is characterized by fatigue that doesn't get better with sleep, becoming overly dependent on caffeine or energy drinks to keep going, retaining body fat (especially on the tummy), craving sweets or carbohydrates and, feeling overwhelmed. Sound like anyone you know?
I am not a physician or even a nurse but I am writing about this because I had never heard of adrenal fatigue. As I read the symptoms I recognized so many people. I know individuals who eat well, try to get their sleep, are working on creating more balance in their life yet they still can't stop feeling tired and overwhelmed. What if supporting their adrenal glands could help them restore their energy and feel like themselves again?
Testing for adrenal fatigue is simple enough. You can test your levels through blood or saliva tests. Treatment involves an adrenal support supplement or acupuncture. The goal of treatment is to restore the healthy function of your adrenal glands. If you think you might be experiencing adrenal fatigue, speak to your family physician or naturopathic doctor. With so much to gain, what have you got to lose?
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Friday, 12 February 2016
Interview with a 40+ Woman-MT
February 12th, 2016
So far, most of the women I have interviewed are nearing the end of their 40s.I decided to seek out a women who is right at the beginning of this process. MT is forty years old. As I interviewed her I noticed a different feel to our discussion. Initially, she talked about turning 40. The number didn't really phase her. I asked if she felt that anything had changed since she turned 40. She said: "Not really, my life is just as crazy as it has always been". What was interesting to me was the level of awareness that grew as I asked each question. She re-considered her answer later on in the interview. "Actually, I have changed. I take better care of my health, I work out and I eat healthier foods".
MT feels like she is the same person she was before, however, she does feel more confident because she has had more life experience. Asked if she would change anything about her life she said she wishes she could have had her children earlier, she feels that she had them too late in life.
MT is most proud of the woman she has become with all of her life experiences. She is proud of the mother she has become as well. She now understands what it means to be married, to be a parent and have bills to pay. MT doesn't know why women undergo major changes in their forties. She thinks maybe it represents a halfway point and we feel ready for a change, just like men going through their midlife crisis.
Right now, the most important thing for MT is happiness, her own and her family's. She wants her husband and her children to live a happy life. Health is always at the forefront as well. It is more challenging for her to find the time to do things for self-care because her children are still young. However, when she has time, she enjoys meditating, reading Tarot cards, getting out to see a movie or going out for a walk. She enjoys walking in nature especially in the Fall, she hates the cold so she doesn't get out as much in the winter. When she needs comfort, she turns to her husband, her father and a few good friends.
There were questions that MT needed more time to answer. If I get more information, I will add them to this text at a later date. By the end of the interview she confided that she feels like she is in the midst of a transition. She has been in survival mode ever since she had her children. She anticipates many big decisions coming up in the next two to three years. I forwarded the link to this blog to MT. I hope she can gather some comfort from the words of the other 40+ ladies I have interviewed. They have been through this transition and are feeling much happier and leading more balanced lives. That is what I wish for you MT. Best of luck with these very important decisions.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
So far, most of the women I have interviewed are nearing the end of their 40s.I decided to seek out a women who is right at the beginning of this process. MT is forty years old. As I interviewed her I noticed a different feel to our discussion. Initially, she talked about turning 40. The number didn't really phase her. I asked if she felt that anything had changed since she turned 40. She said: "Not really, my life is just as crazy as it has always been". What was interesting to me was the level of awareness that grew as I asked each question. She re-considered her answer later on in the interview. "Actually, I have changed. I take better care of my health, I work out and I eat healthier foods".
MT feels like she is the same person she was before, however, she does feel more confident because she has had more life experience. Asked if she would change anything about her life she said she wishes she could have had her children earlier, she feels that she had them too late in life.
MT is most proud of the woman she has become with all of her life experiences. She is proud of the mother she has become as well. She now understands what it means to be married, to be a parent and have bills to pay. MT doesn't know why women undergo major changes in their forties. She thinks maybe it represents a halfway point and we feel ready for a change, just like men going through their midlife crisis.
Right now, the most important thing for MT is happiness, her own and her family's. She wants her husband and her children to live a happy life. Health is always at the forefront as well. It is more challenging for her to find the time to do things for self-care because her children are still young. However, when she has time, she enjoys meditating, reading Tarot cards, getting out to see a movie or going out for a walk. She enjoys walking in nature especially in the Fall, she hates the cold so she doesn't get out as much in the winter. When she needs comfort, she turns to her husband, her father and a few good friends.
There were questions that MT needed more time to answer. If I get more information, I will add them to this text at a later date. By the end of the interview she confided that she feels like she is in the midst of a transition. She has been in survival mode ever since she had her children. She anticipates many big decisions coming up in the next two to three years. I forwarded the link to this blog to MT. I hope she can gather some comfort from the words of the other 40+ ladies I have interviewed. They have been through this transition and are feeling much happier and leading more balanced lives. That is what I wish for you MT. Best of luck with these very important decisions.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Monday, 8 February 2016
Med Mix Up
February 8th, 2016
My husband is British. I have never met any of his relatives because they all live in London. For years he was estranged from his relatives until his brother was very ill and my husband was forced to interact with his mother. They had a chance to say the words they each held in their heart but had never spoken. Since then, my husband has taken his mother on a trip to Paris and, they spoke on the phone, weekly, for over a year.
For the past six months or so, we have started communicating via Skype. It is cheaper than long distance calling and we can get to know each other. The children can see what their Gran looks like and show off their gymnastics tricks. I can talk to my mother-in-law, face to face and get to know her mannerisms. Since these weekly Skype sessions began, we have heard her sing, discovered her sense of humour and heard many personal stories. I am so thrilled we got a chance to connect before it was too late.
She plans to come over for a visit this summer and we couldn't be more excited. We have been discussing these plans with her for months now. However, lately, she hasn't been feeling too well. She said she was feeling tired, run down then sick. Her energy fluctuated as well. Last week, my husband asked her which meds she was on. As she listed her prescriptions, I jotted down the information. My husband and I looked at each other, worried that she was being over-medicated. Later that day, I searched the names of her medications and came to the conclusion that she is taking four doses of medications for hypertension, five doses of medications to treat her diabetes, something for stomach acid that she may have needed at one time but likely hasn't needed for quite some time and, another medication to lower the fat content in her blood. This medicine is NOT safe for people with diabetes and can lead to kidney failure.
I went to our local pharmacist to discuss our concerns but he suggested we have her meet with her doctor as she lives in the UK and this pharmacist is in Ontario. I suspected this process would not be a smooth one. You see, I've been here before, with my grandparents and, with the many residents I worked with in long term care. They visit many specialists, each one prescribing a new medication to address the issue the older adult is presenting at the time. Older adults are from a generation that worships doctors and never questions their judgement. If you look at their medication and you ask them, "What's this one for?", they don't know because they don't understand why they are taking their pills. The doctor prescribed them so it must be ok. It doesn't help that the same medication can have multiple names. My grandfather was on the same medication from three different sources because it had a different name. He was behaving very sluggish like he was having a stroke. It was a result of the multiple doses.
I have seen it so many times in long term care where residents are admitted and the nurse and doctor assess their medication. Often, they improve as soon as the amount of pills they take is reduced. Most medications have side effects so the more pills they take the harder it gets to determine whether they have a symptom that requires a new prescription (like heart palpitations or anxiety) or whether they just need a lower dosage of the medication they are already taking. When it's a loved one who is being over-medicated, things can get complicated. They may not go to the doctor's office or, they go and don't ask questions or, they do ask questions but feel intimidated or pressured for time and leave the office more confused than ever. If you phone the doctor on their behalf, they may not be able to answer your questions due to the parent's right to privacy and confidentiality. It gets so complicated.
If you are responsible for your aging parents, keep an eye on their medication. Look up each medication so you know what they are taking and why. Ask your parents if you can come to their medical appointments with them to take notes and ask questions. Use the same pharmacist for each prescription and ask about contraindications with other medication or food. I know, for example, that taking iron pills with orange juice helps my body absorb it but milk cancels it out. This is important information.
It's also a good idea to jot down any changes in them over time. These could be an indication that their medication needs to be changed, increased or decreased. When I worked on the dementia unit, I documented every time one of the residents was particularly aggressive. When I read over the nurse's and physician's notes, I realized there was often a correlation between the resident having a urinary tracy infection and the likelihood that s/he would be more aggressive. Information is key.
Be your own advocate, ask questions and remember that pharmacists are a great resource. Bring all your medication to your pharmacist and ask for help understanding how they all work to keep you healthy.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
My husband is British. I have never met any of his relatives because they all live in London. For years he was estranged from his relatives until his brother was very ill and my husband was forced to interact with his mother. They had a chance to say the words they each held in their heart but had never spoken. Since then, my husband has taken his mother on a trip to Paris and, they spoke on the phone, weekly, for over a year.
For the past six months or so, we have started communicating via Skype. It is cheaper than long distance calling and we can get to know each other. The children can see what their Gran looks like and show off their gymnastics tricks. I can talk to my mother-in-law, face to face and get to know her mannerisms. Since these weekly Skype sessions began, we have heard her sing, discovered her sense of humour and heard many personal stories. I am so thrilled we got a chance to connect before it was too late.
She plans to come over for a visit this summer and we couldn't be more excited. We have been discussing these plans with her for months now. However, lately, she hasn't been feeling too well. She said she was feeling tired, run down then sick. Her energy fluctuated as well. Last week, my husband asked her which meds she was on. As she listed her prescriptions, I jotted down the information. My husband and I looked at each other, worried that she was being over-medicated. Later that day, I searched the names of her medications and came to the conclusion that she is taking four doses of medications for hypertension, five doses of medications to treat her diabetes, something for stomach acid that she may have needed at one time but likely hasn't needed for quite some time and, another medication to lower the fat content in her blood. This medicine is NOT safe for people with diabetes and can lead to kidney failure.
I went to our local pharmacist to discuss our concerns but he suggested we have her meet with her doctor as she lives in the UK and this pharmacist is in Ontario. I suspected this process would not be a smooth one. You see, I've been here before, with my grandparents and, with the many residents I worked with in long term care. They visit many specialists, each one prescribing a new medication to address the issue the older adult is presenting at the time. Older adults are from a generation that worships doctors and never questions their judgement. If you look at their medication and you ask them, "What's this one for?", they don't know because they don't understand why they are taking their pills. The doctor prescribed them so it must be ok. It doesn't help that the same medication can have multiple names. My grandfather was on the same medication from three different sources because it had a different name. He was behaving very sluggish like he was having a stroke. It was a result of the multiple doses.
I have seen it so many times in long term care where residents are admitted and the nurse and doctor assess their medication. Often, they improve as soon as the amount of pills they take is reduced. Most medications have side effects so the more pills they take the harder it gets to determine whether they have a symptom that requires a new prescription (like heart palpitations or anxiety) or whether they just need a lower dosage of the medication they are already taking. When it's a loved one who is being over-medicated, things can get complicated. They may not go to the doctor's office or, they go and don't ask questions or, they do ask questions but feel intimidated or pressured for time and leave the office more confused than ever. If you phone the doctor on their behalf, they may not be able to answer your questions due to the parent's right to privacy and confidentiality. It gets so complicated.
If you are responsible for your aging parents, keep an eye on their medication. Look up each medication so you know what they are taking and why. Ask your parents if you can come to their medical appointments with them to take notes and ask questions. Use the same pharmacist for each prescription and ask about contraindications with other medication or food. I know, for example, that taking iron pills with orange juice helps my body absorb it but milk cancels it out. This is important information.
It's also a good idea to jot down any changes in them over time. These could be an indication that their medication needs to be changed, increased or decreased. When I worked on the dementia unit, I documented every time one of the residents was particularly aggressive. When I read over the nurse's and physician's notes, I realized there was often a correlation between the resident having a urinary tracy infection and the likelihood that s/he would be more aggressive. Information is key.
Be your own advocate, ask questions and remember that pharmacists are a great resource. Bring all your medication to your pharmacist and ask for help understanding how they all work to keep you healthy.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Monday, 25 January 2016
Neurofeedback
January 25th, 2016
Today was an exciting day. I visited Carol Williams in North Augusta to try Neurofeedback. I have read quite a bit about it but I still wasn't sure what to expect. I would like to share this experience with you.
In July 2014, after the car accident, my brain had a concussion and needed a lot of rest. I went for a year of physiotherapy and slept a lot. Then I started drinking more coffee to give me the energy to get through the day. I recently started working out at the gym to help heal my body. Most of the symptoms have gone away but I do get dizzy quite often and I reach a point, every day, where I hit a wall of fatigue and can't go any further. Unfortunately, my daughters don't understand this and, as they insist that they are not tired and beg me to stay up later, I get grumpy. I don't have the energy to negotiate with them or play with them. I say: "I'm done. I love you. Go to bed. I'll see you in the morning".
I was hoping neurofeedback would help my brain so I could experience less dizziness and fatigue. Carol uses the NeurOptimal System. She showed me someone's brain map and explained that each side represents one of the brain's hemispheres. The graph helped to visualize the level of activity in different parts of the brain and, whether there was more activity on one side of the brain or not. I sat in a cozy chair and she draped a thick, warm blanket over my lap. She then placed some sensors on either side of my head and onto my ears. She took a baseline reading which took 15 seconds with my eyes open and 15 seconds with my eyes closed. I saw a squiggly line across the screen. I was given ear buds and she checked the volume of the music. It was perfect. She presented two options: 1-watch the graph lines move on the screen of her computer or, 2-watch a moving kaleidoscope of colour, also on her computer screen. I chose the kaleidoscope. There were circles growing and shrinking, one expanding, the other swallowing itself, dots crossing the screen, vibrating squares, all in a variety of colours, very psychedelic.
The music was meditative, instrumental and, put me in a bit of a trance. Carol left the room but informed me that I could knock on the wall or call out for her if I wished to stop the session prematurely for any reason. I was quite comfortable, watching the computer screen and listening to music. The session lasted just under 35 minutes. Carol returned and took another reading with eyes open and eyes closed. Some of the spikes had softened and the second line was much lower, indicating that I was very relaxed.
Throughout the session, periodically, I would hear a bit of static. This is when my brain was getting distracted. The static is a cue to the brain to bring it back to the task at hand. This is like a workout for your central nervous system, increasing your brain's plasticity and improving its functioning. Most people notice an improvement within six weeks. You generally go to one session per week and the amount of sessions you'll need depends on the individual. On one website, www.zengar.com, they suggest 20 sessions to deal with current issues and 30+ sessions for early life problems.
Neurofeedback is helpful for a variety of challenges from ADD/ADHD and Autism to Insomnia and depression. It has been used for Ptsd, anxiety and brain injuries and, is recommended to treat chronic pain as well. Some people stop the treatments once they obtain the results they want, others space out their sessions to monthly appointments.
Carol says some people feel energized after a session and others feel relaxed. I was definitely in the latter category. I felt like I might fall asleep during treatment. Carol suggested we prop my head with a pillow next time so I can sit back and sleep. I was yawning as we chatted after my appointment. The appointment was just over two hours ago and I am feeling calm and energized. I am going back next week for more healing. I should mention that Carol herself is very calm and gentle, friendly and non-judgemental. She answered all of my questions patiently and did not pressure me to book any additional sessions.
If you would like to learn more about Neurofeedback or try it for yourself, go to www.cwilliams.ca.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Today was an exciting day. I visited Carol Williams in North Augusta to try Neurofeedback. I have read quite a bit about it but I still wasn't sure what to expect. I would like to share this experience with you.
In July 2014, after the car accident, my brain had a concussion and needed a lot of rest. I went for a year of physiotherapy and slept a lot. Then I started drinking more coffee to give me the energy to get through the day. I recently started working out at the gym to help heal my body. Most of the symptoms have gone away but I do get dizzy quite often and I reach a point, every day, where I hit a wall of fatigue and can't go any further. Unfortunately, my daughters don't understand this and, as they insist that they are not tired and beg me to stay up later, I get grumpy. I don't have the energy to negotiate with them or play with them. I say: "I'm done. I love you. Go to bed. I'll see you in the morning".
I was hoping neurofeedback would help my brain so I could experience less dizziness and fatigue. Carol uses the NeurOptimal System. She showed me someone's brain map and explained that each side represents one of the brain's hemispheres. The graph helped to visualize the level of activity in different parts of the brain and, whether there was more activity on one side of the brain or not. I sat in a cozy chair and she draped a thick, warm blanket over my lap. She then placed some sensors on either side of my head and onto my ears. She took a baseline reading which took 15 seconds with my eyes open and 15 seconds with my eyes closed. I saw a squiggly line across the screen. I was given ear buds and she checked the volume of the music. It was perfect. She presented two options: 1-watch the graph lines move on the screen of her computer or, 2-watch a moving kaleidoscope of colour, also on her computer screen. I chose the kaleidoscope. There were circles growing and shrinking, one expanding, the other swallowing itself, dots crossing the screen, vibrating squares, all in a variety of colours, very psychedelic.
The music was meditative, instrumental and, put me in a bit of a trance. Carol left the room but informed me that I could knock on the wall or call out for her if I wished to stop the session prematurely for any reason. I was quite comfortable, watching the computer screen and listening to music. The session lasted just under 35 minutes. Carol returned and took another reading with eyes open and eyes closed. Some of the spikes had softened and the second line was much lower, indicating that I was very relaxed.
Throughout the session, periodically, I would hear a bit of static. This is when my brain was getting distracted. The static is a cue to the brain to bring it back to the task at hand. This is like a workout for your central nervous system, increasing your brain's plasticity and improving its functioning. Most people notice an improvement within six weeks. You generally go to one session per week and the amount of sessions you'll need depends on the individual. On one website, www.zengar.com, they suggest 20 sessions to deal with current issues and 30+ sessions for early life problems.
Neurofeedback is helpful for a variety of challenges from ADD/ADHD and Autism to Insomnia and depression. It has been used for Ptsd, anxiety and brain injuries and, is recommended to treat chronic pain as well. Some people stop the treatments once they obtain the results they want, others space out their sessions to monthly appointments.
Carol says some people feel energized after a session and others feel relaxed. I was definitely in the latter category. I felt like I might fall asleep during treatment. Carol suggested we prop my head with a pillow next time so I can sit back and sleep. I was yawning as we chatted after my appointment. The appointment was just over two hours ago and I am feeling calm and energized. I am going back next week for more healing. I should mention that Carol herself is very calm and gentle, friendly and non-judgemental. She answered all of my questions patiently and did not pressure me to book any additional sessions.
If you would like to learn more about Neurofeedback or try it for yourself, go to www.cwilliams.ca.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Wednesday, 13 January 2016
Fitness-Bikram to Yin
January 13th, 2016
When I first met my husband, he exposed me to Bikram Yoga. It is a yoga class composed of 26 postures, each done twice, in a VERY hot room. The postures basically stretch and twist your body, massaging your internal organs and removing toxins from your body. You will sweat no matter what. You must bring a mat, a towel and a tall bottle of water. Some people come prepared with a face cloth to wipe the sweat dripping off their nose or chin. I always felt energized after a class but my husband felt drained and had a headache. He went because it helped clear his mind and, later in the day, he would get a boost of energy. We eventually got into a routine of going to yoga three times per week. It was challenging as the Bikram poses test your flexibility, your balance and, your endurance.
Rama Lotus has been the most consistent provider of Bikram classes. Over the years, a few Bikram Ottawa studios opened up. They only offered Bikram. One was on Bank street, the second was on Sparks Street. They never last which is sad. The franchise and training costs of Bikram are staggering and I am sure the hydro bills must be high given the heat of the room which must be maintained. Some yoga studios offer hot yoga but there is no progression through the 26 postures. There is something about the order in which those specific postures are done that is quite addictive.
When Vincent and I moved to Stittsville, getting to a Bikram class got way more complicated: the distance, the schedule, parking, traffic etc so we settled for a weekly class on Sundays. Once I got pregnant, I stopped going to the classes. After we moved to Kemptville, it was mostly Vincent going to an early Sunday class after he'd dropped off my mom at her apartment in downtown Ottawa.
I was eager to get back to Bikram and, when I returned to my job at the college, I tried to squeeze in a class after work. I sat in the hot room, on my towel and mat, excited to be back. I was completely unprepared for what happened next. As we were lead through the postures, dripping with sweat, straining, holding, balancing, pushing, I realized this style of yoga no longer suited me. How could this be?
One day, I was taking Fallowfield instead of Hunt Club to get onto the 416 on my way home. I noticed a yoga studio, Mountaingoat Yoga. It was close to work which was convenient. I checked out their website and decided to try a Yin Yoga class. It is the opposite of Bikram which is a Yang yoga. I loved the gentle approach. It focused on paying attention to your body and letting go into the postures. You are not pushing your body, you are settling into it, inhabiting it, communicating with it. Again, I felt energized as I left, oddly optimistic. The instructor, Julie, was amazing. She reminded me of my favorite Bikram yoga teacher, Luc.
Both Luc and Julie were happy to be there, they were down-to-earth, authentic and had a great sense of humor. They communicated with the group throughout the class and made it fun and intimate. I wondered why I was responding so differently to Bikram, craving a gentler approach. I have always enjoyed pushing my limits. The answer came to me over time.
When I was a young woman, it was fun to test my body. After two childbirths, years of sleep deprivation and breastfeeding, I knew what my body was capable of, I had a great deal of respect and admiration for my body. I felt grateful to my elders for their great genes. I guess, what I wanted was some self-care. I felt like thanking my body and being gentle with it. Yoga became an act of self-care and Yin was the best approach for me in the headspace that I was in at that time.
There are so many approaches to yoga, each has its own merits and suits different people or, as in my case, the same person at different times in her life. I encourage everyone to try yoga. There is a class out there that is perfect for you.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
When I first met my husband, he exposed me to Bikram Yoga. It is a yoga class composed of 26 postures, each done twice, in a VERY hot room. The postures basically stretch and twist your body, massaging your internal organs and removing toxins from your body. You will sweat no matter what. You must bring a mat, a towel and a tall bottle of water. Some people come prepared with a face cloth to wipe the sweat dripping off their nose or chin. I always felt energized after a class but my husband felt drained and had a headache. He went because it helped clear his mind and, later in the day, he would get a boost of energy. We eventually got into a routine of going to yoga three times per week. It was challenging as the Bikram poses test your flexibility, your balance and, your endurance.
Rama Lotus has been the most consistent provider of Bikram classes. Over the years, a few Bikram Ottawa studios opened up. They only offered Bikram. One was on Bank street, the second was on Sparks Street. They never last which is sad. The franchise and training costs of Bikram are staggering and I am sure the hydro bills must be high given the heat of the room which must be maintained. Some yoga studios offer hot yoga but there is no progression through the 26 postures. There is something about the order in which those specific postures are done that is quite addictive.
When Vincent and I moved to Stittsville, getting to a Bikram class got way more complicated: the distance, the schedule, parking, traffic etc so we settled for a weekly class on Sundays. Once I got pregnant, I stopped going to the classes. After we moved to Kemptville, it was mostly Vincent going to an early Sunday class after he'd dropped off my mom at her apartment in downtown Ottawa.
I was eager to get back to Bikram and, when I returned to my job at the college, I tried to squeeze in a class after work. I sat in the hot room, on my towel and mat, excited to be back. I was completely unprepared for what happened next. As we were lead through the postures, dripping with sweat, straining, holding, balancing, pushing, I realized this style of yoga no longer suited me. How could this be?
One day, I was taking Fallowfield instead of Hunt Club to get onto the 416 on my way home. I noticed a yoga studio, Mountaingoat Yoga. It was close to work which was convenient. I checked out their website and decided to try a Yin Yoga class. It is the opposite of Bikram which is a Yang yoga. I loved the gentle approach. It focused on paying attention to your body and letting go into the postures. You are not pushing your body, you are settling into it, inhabiting it, communicating with it. Again, I felt energized as I left, oddly optimistic. The instructor, Julie, was amazing. She reminded me of my favorite Bikram yoga teacher, Luc.
Both Luc and Julie were happy to be there, they were down-to-earth, authentic and had a great sense of humor. They communicated with the group throughout the class and made it fun and intimate. I wondered why I was responding so differently to Bikram, craving a gentler approach. I have always enjoyed pushing my limits. The answer came to me over time.
When I was a young woman, it was fun to test my body. After two childbirths, years of sleep deprivation and breastfeeding, I knew what my body was capable of, I had a great deal of respect and admiration for my body. I felt grateful to my elders for their great genes. I guess, what I wanted was some self-care. I felt like thanking my body and being gentle with it. Yoga became an act of self-care and Yin was the best approach for me in the headspace that I was in at that time.
There are so many approaches to yoga, each has its own merits and suits different people or, as in my case, the same person at different times in her life. I encourage everyone to try yoga. There is a class out there that is perfect for you.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
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