When Anxiety Causes a Chronic Illness Flare
When anxiety causes a chronic illness flare, it can be easy for us to feel like it was our fault and to start our thoughts spiralling. This happened to me yesterday and while I rested in bed I started to get really down, today I thought we would chat about it. Yesterday was a difficult day So, as with many people in the UK, there had been no NHS dentists available in our town so since our dentist retired, we had not been for about five years. Recently the local dentist in town opened their NHS list for two weeks and we signed up, yesterday was our first appointment. I…
Living my best life with chronic depression
There are a lot of difficult moments in my life, but learning all about living my best life with chronic depression has been the most inspiring. It has taken a lot of time and experimentation to figure it out and I thought it was time to share what works for me. My Backstory As I look back over my life, I realise my mental health has always been an issue, I was a very anxious child. I would be sick before school, I would worry constantly and rarely slept because I was so afraid of life. Being neurodivergent in the 1980s was not easy, and I was constantly bullied and…
Tinnitus Awareness Week 2025
Tinnitus Awareness Week 2025 is something that I keep my eyes on every year as I have struggled with this condition for many years now. I am excited about this year’s campaign as there is a new report out so let’s chat about it. What is Tinnitus? Tinnitus is a condition where you can hear sound when there is no external reason for it, and I often say it is like when you leave a loud concert. Often you cannot hear what people are saying and there is a ringing or buzzing in your ears for a short time. I cannot remember when I started to have tinnitus, but I…
Tips for Blogging with Chronic Illnesses
Today I thought I would share some tips for blogging with chronic illnesses because it has been so important in my life. People who have read my blog for a while will know how sharing about my life has helped my mental health so much. So, if you are considering it, these tips may help you. Why I chose to blog I first became sick in my early twenties; I was newly qualified as a nurse, and I had a life that I loved in Birmingham England. I was starting to gain confidence and find my footing; I certainly did not want to give up work and move back in…
Protecting your Mental Health in Winter
We all know that protecting your Mental Health in Winter is vital, not that it isn’t important the rest of the year. But many people struggle in the darker half of the year, and I am one of those people, so I thought it would be useful to chat about it this week. Why the Winter can Affect Mental Health Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter, we are halfway through January and this year feels damper and colder than usual. Most nights I am having to use fingerless gloves indoors and a hot water bottle in bed which already makes me feel down. On top of this, there…
New Year, New Flare!
Yes, new year, new flare! We have all been there, you make plans and then your body decides to start giving you magnified versions of symptoms you already have or completely new ones! It’s a very frustrating start to the year for me so let’s talk about it and how to cope with it. New Flare I was so excited for the start of this year, the end of 2024 was not easy, my Grandad died, and it shook the family. It reminded us all how we need to appreciate and love those around us and sometimes, unfortunately, we need to be reminded of that. Christmas is always a difficult…
My plans and hopes for 2025
It’s that time of year again, where we all get pressured to try and set lofty resolutions that we will not stick to. My plans and hopes for 2025 though are different and something that I am hoping I will stick to and will help me over the coming year. Maybe thinking of it differently we can make plans that will stick and help us long term let’s get into it. Why new year new me? I have often wondered why we care that it is a new year to set goals and plans for the year ahead. The truth is we can make healthy life changes at any time,…
Home Design Ideas To Boost Your Health And Well-Being
Our homes should be places where we feel happy, comfortable and safe. We all want to live in spaces that look nice, but it’s also important that our home environments nourish our health. In this guide, we’ll share some innovative ideas to help you design a nest that boosts your health and well-being. Improving accessibility It’s important to be able to use your home effectively and make the most of the indoor and outdoor space available. If you’re restricted to certain parts of the house due to mobility issues, or you find yourself spending all your time in one room as a result of issues with the layout or accessibility,…
Bounce Back Stronger: Expert Advice for Coping with Injuries
REBUILDING After an injury, the first step to recovery is usually about getting better physically. Take your provider’s advice, and be sure to follow through with the treatment plan you were prescribed which may include rest or physical therapy. Understand your body — do not overdo it, this may cause some issues and also halt the progress. It can help with flexibility and circulation, but if your doctor says no to doing more than stretching or yoga, that is all you do. Consistency and consistency in treatment build long-term strength and flexibility. 1) Deal with the Emotional Stuff; For the injured, recovery is both a physical and emotional process. Frustration,…
Debunking Myths About Raising a Child with Down Syndrome
Parenting can be an exhilarating journey full of joys, challenges, and unexpected turns. Raising a child with Down syndrome requires special considerations that call for understanding and support. Unfortunately there are various misconceptions and myths associated with raising this type of child that perpetuate stereotypes and misinformation. We want to disprove them so you can gain a clear picture of parenting one. Life Will Be Unfulfilling One of the biggest misunderstandings about raising a child with Down syndrome is the misconception that life will be unfulfilling and devoid of happiness. But this couldn’t be further from reality. Yes there will be unique challenges, but these come alongside immeasurable joy, love…
