"Dog Days of Your Life"
Caregiver Tips©
August 2005
Contents
*Self Care Focus: Dog Days of Your Life
**Words of Encouragement
***Book Award
****Reminders
*****Messages for Caregivers
******So Good I Want To Share It
*******Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
********Thank You
********* Self Care Tip
********** Share A Tip
Self Care Focus: Dog Days of Your Life By Jo Cavanaugh
August 11, 2005 is the official Dog Day. But how did the period between July and September get the nickname of "Dog Days"? It began back in ancient Rome when the constellations of Canis Major and Canis Minor, a.k.a. Big Dog and Little Dog, were high in the sky.
The brightest star in the sky was Sirius a star in Canis Major. The star was so bright that the ancient Romans thought that it was the reason for the heat. Just another example of perspective.
The earth was viewed as the center of the universe so the heat of the sun wasn't even a consideration.
Do what do dogs do during the warmest times of day, or the year? They bask and relax. So let's take a lesson from nature and find ways to bask and relax in August. Find ways to enjoy the night sky when it is cool. Nap or relax during the warmest part of the day.
Just as the months in a year have their own periods of activity with new growth in spring and a time of harvest in the fall. Our lives also have cycles and time of activity or rest. Have you taken time to observe the cycle of your life and where you are? or are you forcing yourself into an unnatural cycle? Relax in August and see how you can benefit from the "Dog Days".
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Words of Encouragement
5 Super Effective Tips To Kill Depression
By Michael Lee
Being lonely is a normal part of our everyday lives. We get sad when we fail in our exams, when we're rejected by the person we love, or when someone very close to us passes away. Depression, however, could be more fatal than just plain loneliness. It could render life-long
consequences that could ruin your self-esteem, health, and well-being.
Here are some superb tips to conquer the melancholy mood and get the most bliss out of your daily activities.
1) Get Enough Light and Sunshine.
Lack of exposure to sunlight is responsible for the secretion of the hormone melatonin, which could trigger a dispirited mood and a lethargic condition.
Melatonin is only produced in the dark. It lowers the body temperature and makes you feel sluggish. If you are always cooped up in your room (with the curtains closed), it would be difficult to restrain yourself from staying in bed.
This is the reason why many people are suffering from depression much more often in winter than in the other seasons. It's because the nights are longer.
If you can't afford to get some sunshine, you can always lighten up your room with brighter lights. Have lunch outside the office. Take frequent walks instead of driving your car over short distances.
2) Get Busy. Get Inspired.
You'll be more likely to overcome any feeling of depression if you are too busy to notice it. Live a life full of inspired activities.
Do the things you love. If you're a little short on cash, you could engage in simple stuffs like taking a leisurely stroll in the park, playing sports, reading books, or engaging in any activity that you have passion for and would love to pursue.
Set a goal - a meaningful purpose in life. No matter how difficult or discouraging life can be, remain firm and have an unshakable belief that you are capable of doing anything you desire. With this kind of positive attitude, you will attain a cheerful disposition to beat the blues.
3) Take a Break.
I mean it.
Listen to soothing music. Soak in a nice warm bath. Ask one of your close friends to massage you. Take a break from your stressful workload and spend the day just goofing around. In other words, have fun.
4) Eat Right and Stay Fit.
Avoid foods with lots of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol. Sugar and caffeine may give you a
brief moment of energy; but they would later bring about anxiety , tension, and internal
problems. Alcohol is a depressant. Many people would drink alcohol to "forget their problems."
They're just aggravating their conditions in the process.
Exercising regularly is a vital depression buster because it allows your body to produce more
endorphins than usual. Endorphins are sometimes called "the happy chemicals" because of their
stress-reducing and happiness-inducing properties.
5) Get a Social Life.
No man is an island. Your circle of friends are there to give you moral support. Spending time and engaging in worthwhile activities with them could give you a very satisfying feeling. Nothing feels better than having group support.
Never underestimate the power of touch. Doesn't it feel so good when someone pats you on the back and gives you words of encouragements during your most challenging times? Hug or embrace some one today. You'll never know when you have saved another life.
Get intimate. Establish close ties with your family and friends. The love and care expressed
by others could tremendously boost your immune system and fend off illnesses. Best of all, you'll live a more secured and happy life.
Michael Lee is the author of "How To Be A Red Hot Persuasion Wizard," an e-book that reveals powerful secrets on how to easily make friends, fully improve your relationships, multiply your profits, win negotiations, and attain freedom and power. Visit
http://www.20daypersuasion.com to grab a sample chapter.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Book Award
Martha, a caregiver from California, will be sent Ask and You Shall Succeed, by Ken D. Foster. Enjoy the read.
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Reminders
Don't forget that August is:
Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
Prevent Blindness America
500 East Remington Road
Schaumburg, Il 60173
(800) 331-2020
info@preventblindness.org
www.preventblindness.org
National Immunization Awareness Month
National Partnership for Immunization
121 North Washington Street, Suite 300
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-6110
npi@hmhb.org
www.partnersforimmunization.org
Psoriasis Awareness Month
National Psoriasis Foundation
6600 SW 92nd Avenue, Suite 300
Portland, OR 97223-7195
(800) 723-9166
(503) 546-8405
(503) 245-0626 Fax
psasan@psoriasis.org
www.psoriasis.org
Eye Injury Prevention Month
American Academy of Ophthalmology
P.O. Box 7424
San Francisco, CA 94120-7424
(415) 447-0213
(415) 561-8533 Fax
eyemd@aao.org
www.aao.org
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month
Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
P.O. Box 196
Libertyville, IL 60048-0196
(800) 886-1762
sma@fsma.org
www.fsma.org
Don't miss the September 2005 issue of "Caregiver Tips©" with tips and information on "Harvest Time."
iBALANCE? Teleclasses
Are you longing for the time before caregiving? What to find a way to get back to your dreams and goals? Enroll in iBALANCE? a four-part teleclass designed to help you take control of your life.
Meet once a week on the telephone and give yourself an hour to clear away the guilt and stress of caregiving. Develop tools and tricks to become more comfortable with caregiving. Learn life skills that will change your life for the better.
Click this link to get more information about teleclasses:
Get More Teleclass Information Here
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Messages for Caregivers
August 2005 Caregiver Special
Don't miss the "Glad Game." Play your way into a life of peace and contentment.
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So Good I Want To Share It
Don't Miss the $4500 in Bonus Gifts
Have you ever felt as though your life was out of control?
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Remember if you love TatteredCape.com, please pass this message to everyone you know that would enjoy what Heather has put together as much as you do.
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Internet Sites 2Good2Miss
HowStuffWorks.com
Have you ever wondered where the stars got their names? How a fan cools the air? Who invented the safety pin? Now there is an internet site that can provide you with the answers to your questions. How Stuff Works is a great resouce site. Check it out!
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Thank You
I also want to thank those that have sent an email with a request for information. I enjoy hearing from you and hope that I can provide some support or help when you need it. Please
continue to send me your comments and requests.
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Self Care Tip
CPR: Why You Should Know It
By Ronnie Kimball
I never dreamed that I would be in a position to
use CPR on someone. But I was wrong.
It was a hot, summer Sunday morning. Some friends and I camped out by the lake the night before. That following Sunday morning we cooked our breakfast and
talked about what our plans would be for the day.
We strolled down by a popular swimming hole as we discussed what we would do. The water was low from the drought we were experiencing.
A group of people in their early 20's were having some early morning fun, swimming and drinking.
Then we noticed a commotion. One of them had dove headfirst into the swimming hole, and because the water was low, he had inadvertently landed on his head on a big rock, lying beneath the low water line.
We saw the partiers drag their friend out in their drunken stupors. We watch in amazement as they 'argued' about what to do.
One of the people with us was a dental assistant who had been trained and certified in CPR. She and I ran down to the swimming hole and up to the victim, who was beginning to turn blue from lack of oxygen.
His friends were too drunk to help him so I yelled: "Hey! This lady knows CPR. Get out of the way and she can help him!"
When she saw the young man suffocating, she froze with panic. I asked her if she was okay while the drunks taunted her.
My instincts kicked in. I dropped to my knees beside the victim and hollered, "Tell me what to do!" I had no idea how to even start CPR!
She guided me through the process while some of our other friends went to get help.
Long story short--we saved his life. But had my friend not been there, I don't think that
guy would have been so lucky.
Since that episode, I've taken classes in CPR. I've learned what I needed to learn in case it happens again and there's no one to guide me.
It's important to learn the basics of CPR. Your help could be needed at a playground, in a church, at a swimming hole.
What if it's a family member? If you're a parent, it's essential that you know CPR.
Contact your local Red Cross to find out how you can learn and if they have any classes
available.
You could also check out this website, which is a great online source to learn CPR. You can also take a short quiz and get certified online.
Go to: http://www.firstaidweb.com/
For CPR on infants and children, go to: http://depts.washington.edu/learncpr/infantcpr.html
Remember:
FACT: Your brain can survive 4 to 6 minutes without oxygen.
FACT: It may take 6 to 8 minutes to get an ambulance.
You could be called on to save someone's life. You never know.
by Ronnie Kimball - ©2005
Ronnie Kimball is a co-publisher of REACH HIGHER, The Good NewsLetter. To get the Good NewsLetter and hear samples of Ronnie's CD, REACH HIGHER,
go to: http://www.reachhigher.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/
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Share A Tip
Share a tip and receive a CareSsentials™ Mirror/Sewing Kit. Have a great tip that you want to share on self care, coping, or humor that has helped you through the day?
Share the tip with us and receive a self-care gift for your kindness and generosity.
Email your tips to the link below and please include your mailing address so I can mail you the mirror/sewing kit.
Share a Tip
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Take care and don't forget to give yourself a gift this month,
Jo Cavanaugh
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