The Zen of Tidying Up
It’s possible that if your living space is a mess, it’s a reflection of how stressed your mind is. Decluttering guru Marie Kondo offers simple
rules based on her New York Times bestseller, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
Rule 1: Before you tidy, ask why do you want to tidy? What is your ideal life? Imagining your ideal lifestyle is so important. Never skip this process.
Rule 2: Tidy in one go. If you want to be organized, shock your mindset and change it completely. First step, set a cleanup deadline. See tidying as a special event.
Rule 3: Tidy by category, not by location. When you sort your clothes, gather them all into a pile. With your books, do the same thing. By making a pile you can see everything you have.
Actors Over 60?
A USC study analyzed 1,256 speaking parts in 25 movies that received Best Picture Oscar nominations from 2014 to 2016. It found that only 12 per cent of the characters were 60 years of age or older, 78 per cent were men and 22 per cent were women. 90 per cent of the seniors on screen were white; none were Latino, and none were LGBTQ.
Source: wired.com
Drug Expiration Dates
Do they mean anything? The expiration date is the date at which the manufacturer can guarantee the full potency and safety of the drug. A study by the US Food and Drug Administration found that 90 per cent of more than 100 drugs tested, both prescription and over the counter, were perfectly good to use even 15 years after the expiration date. However, effectiveness may decrease over time. Placing a medication in a cool place will help a drug remain potent. If it’s important that your drug is absolutely 100 per cent effective, consider buying a new bottle.
Fast Fact
People with vision loss experience:
• Double the incidence of difficulties in daily living and social dependence
• Double the incidence of falls
• Double the mortality rate
• Triple the incidence of depression
• Quadruple the incidence of hip fractures
Source: The National Coalition for Vision Health (Vision Loss in Canada 2011)
Anger and Type 2 Diabetes
Can anger can have a direct impact upon cardiovascular diseases? Scientists also associated it with the type 2 diabetes and many other diseases. One thing not to forget though is, unhealthy habits like smoking, taking drugs or simply eating too much, resulting in obesity might also occur when someone is upset.
Source: Journal of Medicine and Life
Got a “Grumpy Old Man”?
Sometimes you may find yourself caring for a client or relative that is more of the surly variety. Here is wise advice for dealing gracefully with the “grumpy” care recipient:
1. Use redirection and deflection techniques. If the client is angry, don’t ignore his/her feelings, but gently move the conversation or activity to something more positive.
2. Get to know the activities that the client enjoys. Maybe there is a TV show or movie that makes the client laugh, or he calms down when listening to his favourite music. Exercise produces healthy endorphins, which are known to help with mood so a regular walk or other exercise can be an important tool for mood and well-being.
3. Monitor and modify your own reactions. Take a moment to catch your breath before greeting the person. Leave other stresses behind. Your attitude will affect the care you give. Humour is also a good stress reliever.
4. Is there something more going on? Depression in the elderly often presents with agitation, restlessness and cognitive issues. Talk about issues with a geriatric psychiatrist or neurologist and explore possible physiological sources: Irritable behaviour may be a sign of a urinary tract infection or some form of bodily discomfort.
5. Safety always comes first. A caregiver should not be put in harm’s way while providing care. It is important to address real dangers, such as clients who lash out physically.
Source: easylivingfl.com
6 Things Not To Do In Bed
Trouble falling asleep at night? To get the most and best slumber, avoid the following:
1. Watching TV. Even if you fall asleep to the TV, your sleep will be more shallow.
2. Browsing your smartphone. Devices send a “daytime” signal to your brain which may make it harder to sleep. Plug in your phone away from the bed, so you are not tempted.
3. Smoking. Nicotine is a stimulant and can induce insomnia. Research shows that people who smoke take longer to fall asleep. It also makes snoring and sleep apnea worse.
4. Worrying or arguing. You want your bed to be a place of calm and rest, not stress and anger. Maybe take some time on the couch to cool down first.
5. Obsessing over the clock. If you absolutely need to know what time it is, have the clock under your bed where it is accessible but not easy to see.
6. Taking melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that your body produces at night. But if you take it in bed, that’s probably too late. You’re already producing it at that point. Get help from a sleep professional instead. Notice sex wasn’t on the list? That’s fine to do in bed.
Source: journal.thriveglobal.com
