Life with Chronic Conditions: What if I get Covid?

Before launching into what to do if you have a chronic condition and become infected with Covid-19, please consider the following:

Mask Up: The newest data supports that using a cloth mask not only prevents your germs from spreading to others, but it also provides some protection to you. In the hot weather, it’s hard to wear a cloth mask for long periods of time. However, many places, including Walmart, have surgical type masks for sale, that makes it easier to breath but still provides protection. These can be reused. If you go to the doctor’s office or hospital, they are now providing masks so save them for re use. The Today show has an article that simplifies how to care for your mask so you can re-use it.

Distance: Physically distance by at least 6 feet.

Outdoor Visits: Yes we all want to see our family, friends etc. Plan to do so outside and six feet apart. Fresh air makes a difference.

Wash Hands & Don’t Touch Your Face: Do so frequently, For at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.

Cough into your elbow

Exercise: Staying physically fit helps you if you have to fight off an illness. Walking just 30 minutes a day will make a difference.

Stop smoking: Smoking can create significant problems if you should contract Covid. Check out specific smoking cessation programs from your state. These are free and can make a big difference in your ability to stop smoking.

Do not skip or change medications without talking to your provider

Reduce your risk of exposure:

• Use telehealth to reduce visits to doctor’s office when possible

• Make sure you have sufficient medications on hand. Look into home delivery or mail options.

• Shop when fewer people are in stores

• Avoid large crowds and keep interactions as brief as possible.

Know the symptoms: Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

• Fever or chills

• Cough

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

• Fatigue

• Muscle or body aches

• Headache

• New loss of taste or smell

• Sore throat

• Congestion or runny nose

• Nausea or vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Younger people with less severe COVID-19 might develop painful, itchy lesions on their hands and feet that resemble chilblains, an inflammatory skin condition. Sometimes called COVID toes, this symptom typically lasts about 12 days. COVID-19 also has been reported to cause small, itchy blisters, more commonly appearing before other symptoms and lasting about 10 days. Others might develop hives or a rash with flat and raised lesions. These skin changes might last a week, appear at the same time as other symptoms and are associated with more severe infections.

• Eye problems. COVID-19 might cause eye problems such as enlarged, red blood vessels, swollen eyelids, excessive watering and increased discharge. The infection also might cause light sensitivity and irritation. These symptoms are more common in people with severe infections.

Contact your medical provider if you are having any of these symptoms.

If you experience any of the following seek emergency help immediately. If you are going to your local emergency room, call ahead:

• Trouble breathing

• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest

• New confusion

• Inability to wake or stay awake

• Bluish lips or face

Get a test: Each state does it differently, so check regularly to see how your state is handling testing.

In spite of your best efforts IF YOU GET INFECTED, be your own advocate:

• Contact your medical provider: Let them know you tested positive, if they are unaware you’ve been tested. Ask about how to monitor your situation or if there is something you need to do.

• Participate in home monitoring programs being offered by some medical centers and health departments. Some health departments are using Apps, such as Sara Alert. This is a good tool and can rapidly identify if you need immediate assistance. If this is not available in your area, consider making yourself a “home kit” similar to what Geisinger Medical Center distributes to patients who they think are most at risk.

-       Pulse oximeter (will most likely need to order this on-line)

-       Digital thermometer

-       Acetaminophen-pain reliever

• Using a pulse oximeter: One of the problems associated with Covid is that some patients start rapidly losing oxygen and are unaware of it until they are very sick. A pulse oximeter is a small clip like device that attaches to a finger, toe or earlobe. It’s painless and is noninvasive. It measures the oxygen levels in your blood and can rapidly detect even small changes.

It’s important to know what your normal levels are. Discuss with your medical provider at what point you should contact them if your levels start dropping. The general recommendation is if you drop below 90% contact your medical provider immediately for further directions. In some places, oxygen can be supplied to the home and in others, they may recommend that you proceed to an ER. 

Talking to your provider throughout is key.

• Monitor yourself: If a home monitoring program is not available in your area, work out with your medical provider how often you should be taking your temperature and using a pulse oximeter. You can also download and follow the daily monitoring log being used by Virginia.

• If symptoms are mild and can be managed at home, continue to self-isolate  and continue to take medications for your chronic condition, unless your provider advises otherwise.

• If symptoms increase contact your medical provider

• If severe symptoms occur, such as difficulty breathing, difficulty talking etc., call 911 and go directly to your nearest ER.

Take a Break: Make a Wildflower Crown

June 24^th is National Fairy Day as well as falling during midsummer week.  The perfect excuse to make a wildflower Crown.

Collect a variety of wildflowers and have at it. Found this to be a very helpful video, which requires no tools other than your hands. 

Not interested in today’s activities, try the Take a Break Pinterest Board.

Journal Watch June 2020

There is now a heavy emphasis on journal articles pertaining to Covid-19. As a result, a Covid section has been added. Due to how rapidly information is changing, studies provided reflect the most current thinking.

COVID

How Exactly do you catch Covid-19? There is a growing consensus that surface contamination and fleeting encounters (less than 15 minutes) are less of a worry than close-up, person to person interactions for extended periods of time. Crowded events, poorly ventilated areas, places where people are talking loudly or singing are risky. Activities like speaking and breathing produce respiratory bits of varying sizes that can disperse along air currents and potentially infect people nearby Wall St. Journal

COVID-19 may trigger new diabetes, experts warn: Emerging evidence suggests that COVID-19 may actually trigger the onset of diabetes in healthy people and also cause severe complications of pre-existing diabetes. Letter to NEJM and signed by 17 leading diabetes experts 

FDA Pulls Emergency Approval of Hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19: The FDA has withdrawn its emergency authorization for the use of chloroquine phosphate and hydroxychloroquine sulfate in the fight against COVID-19. The agency said that the drugs are "unlikely to be effective" as treatments for COVID-19. The drugs should not be used outside of clinical trials. On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) halted hydroxychloroquine trials on COVID-19 patients, finding it did not reduce the mortality rate.

Blood Donors Will Get Results of Coronavirus Antibody Test, Red Cross Says: The American Red Cross will test all blood, platelet, and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies so donors can learn whether they have been exposed to the new coronavirus. A positive test result does not confirm immunity to the virus, and the test is not meant to diagnose illness

Coronavirus death rate is higher for those with chronic ills: Death rates are 12 times higher for coronavirus patients with chronic illnesses than for others who become infected, a new U.S. government report says.

 

Dexamethasone proves first life-saving drug: The low-dose steroid treatment dexamethasone is a major breakthrough in the fight against the deadly virus, UK experts say. The drug is part of the world's biggest trial testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus. It cut the risk of death by a third for patients on ventilators. For those on oxygen, it cut deaths by a fifth.

Face-Mask Use by Public Can Mitigate Spread of COVID-19: Face-mask use by the public, in combination with physical distancing and periods of lockdown, can mitigate the spread of the new coronavirus. When lockdown periods are implemented in combination with 100 percent face-mask use, there is less disease spread, secondary and tertiary waves can be flattened, and the epidemic can be brought under control. Proceedings of the Royal Society A. 

No Covid-19 cases reported from two infected hair stylists with 140 contacts: The Springfield-Greene County Health Department in Missouri recently reported that the incubation period has passed from those potentially exposed from Great Clips, a salon where 140 people were put at risk when two hairstylists tested positive for Covid. No clients of either stylist nor additional coworkers contracted COVID-19 as a result. “This is exciting news about the value of masking to prevent COVID-19,” said Director of Health Clay Goddard. “We are studying more closely the details of these exposures, including what types of face coverings were worn and what other precautions were taken to lead to this encouraging result. We never want an exposure like this to happen, but this situation will greatly expand our understanding of how this novel coronavirus spreads.” Springfield-Green County Health Department News Release

Asthma isn’t a risk factor for worsening Covid 19: People with asthma can breathe a little easier: New research suggests the condition does not increase your risk of hospitalization due to COVID-19. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The right way to breathe during the coronavirus pandemic: Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. It's not just something you do in yoga class—breathing this way actually provides a powerful medical benefit that can help the body fight viral infections. 

Early Data Show No Protest-Related Increases in COVID-19 Infections: Antiracism protests in the United States have not led to increases in new cases of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, early data show. The findings from a handful of cities are encouraging, and the use of masks and the fact that protests are outdoors may have helped, public health experts say, The Wall Street Journal reported. However, the data are preliminary and protest-related infections could still rise, health officials caution. 

Home Monitoring Can Improve Health, Ease Anxiety for COVID-19 Patient: Geisinger Health System launched a program whereby patients diagnosed with COVID-19 are given a package that includes a mask, pulse oximeter (which measures blood oxygen levels), a digital thermometer, and acetaminophen for pain. Patients report their symptoms, temperature, and oxygen levels twice a day via Geisinger’s mobile app. If patient’s condition worsens they are immediately brought to the hospital. As a result, healthcare workers have been able to intervene early if and when problematic oxygen levels or severe symptoms occur. Healthline

PAIN

Dextrose Injections Aid Knee Osteoarthritis Pain: Intra-articular dextrose prolotherapy (DPT) injections are a safe and effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.

 

Osteoarthritis: New trial drug has powerful anti-inflammatory effect: A new drug that researchers are currently trialing to treat osteoarthritis can dampen the harmful effects of an overactive immune system while protecting its beneficial functions. The drug could, therefore, potentially treat rheumatoid arthritis, as well as other conditions resulting from inflammation. Inflammopharmacology

Minimally-invasive treatment for 'frozen shoulder' improves patients' pain and function: A new nonsurgical treatment decreases errant blood flow in the shoulder to quickly reduce pain and improve function in patients with adhesive capsulitis, also known as "frozen shoulder.” Interventional radiologists inserted a catheter through a pinhole-sized incision in patients' wrists that was used to feed microsphere particles into as many as six arteries in the shoulder to reduce inflammation. The treatment was conducted on an outpatient basis and took approximately one hour.

Society of Interventional Radiology's 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting on June 13

 

Which surgery works best for lower back pain? Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City compared 117 patients who had minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery and 51 who had minimally invasive lumbar spine fusion surgery. All the procedures were performed by the same orthopedic surgeon. There was no statistical difference between the two in returning to work. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons 

Switching to regional anesthesia provides more effective pain relief and may cut greenhouse emissions: The evidence suggests that regional anesthesia provides more effective pain relief, has fewer unpleasant side effects than general anesthesia, shortens hospital stay, and may be preferred by patients. Switching from general to regional anesthesia may help cut greenhouse emissions and ultimately help reduce global warming, indicates a real life example at one US hospital over the course of a year, and reported in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.

New therapy reduces chronic low back pain in large international study: A new study has found that tanezumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits nerve activity, provides relief in patients with chronic low back pain. This is the first study that shows long-term relief for chronic low back pain with a single dose of tanezumab delivered under the skin once every two months. The study was conducted in 191 sites across eight countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. Pain

COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Mindfulness combined with hypnotherapy aids highly stressed people: "Combining mindfulness and hypnotherapy in a single session is a novel intervention that may be equal to or better than existing treatments, with the advantage of being more time-effective, less daunting and easier to use. This could be a valuable option for treating anxiety and stress reduction." International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis

FDA ACTION

• Approved Recarbrio (combination of imipenem-cilastatin and relebactam) for treating hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP)

• Approved Tivicay for HIV Pediatric Patients

• Approved Oriahnn capsules for management of heavy menstrual bleeding associated with uterine leiomyomas in premenopausal women

• Approved Tauvid (flortaucipir F18), a radioactive diagnostic agent, to image tau pathology in patients with cognitive impairment being evaluated for Alzheimer disease

• Approved IV artesunate to treat adults and children with severe malaria

• Approved Uplizna (inebilizumab-cdon) injection to treat neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) in patients who are anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody positive

• Approved EndeavorRx, a video game for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children

PREVENTION: Diet/Nutrition

Eating an Early Dinner Can Help You Burn Fat, Lower Your Blood Sugar: According to a study published in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, eating a late dinner is associated with weight gain and high blood sugar levels, regardless if the meal is the same that you would have eaten earlier.

Daily coffee may lower risk for developing arrhythmia: Regular coffee consumption is associated with a significantly lower risk for arrhythmias, according to a study presented recently as part of the Heart Rhythm Society online meeting: HRS 2020 Science.

PREVENTION: Supplements

There’s Little Evidence That Probiotics Help Most GI Symptoms: A new guideline by the American Gastroenterological Association cautions that there’s not enough scientific evidence to recommend using these so-called good bacteria and yeasts to treat most digestive diseases. The guideline recommends using probiotics for only a limited number of gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Specific probiotics may also reduce the risk of Clostridium difficile infection in adults and children taking antibiotics and for the management of pouchitis, a complication of ulcerative colitis that has been treated surgically. “Patients taking probiotics for Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis or [irritable bowel syndrome] should consider stopping. The supplements can be costly and there isn’t enough evidence to prove a benefit or confirm lack of harm.”

A good vitamin D status can protect against cancer: A good vitamin D status is beneficial both in cancer prevention and in the prognosis of several cancers, according to a new research review. The anti-cancer effects of vitamin D are especially pronounced in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer and blood cancers. In addition, high vitamin D responsiveness can be linked to a smaller cancer risk. Vitamin D responsiveness varies between individuals, affecting their need for vitamin D supplementation. Seminars in Cancer Biology 

Vitamin B3 revitalizes energy metabolism in muscle disease: An international team of scientists reported that vitamin B3, niacin, has therapeutic effect in progressive muscle disease. Niacin delayed disease progression in patients with mitochondrial myopathy, a progressive disease with no previous curative treatments. Cell Metabolism 

Multi-ethnic study suggests vitamin K may offer protective health benefits in older age: A new, multi-ethnic study found adults aged 54-76 with low circulating vitamin K levels were more likely to die within 13 years compared to those with adequate levels, suggesting vitamin K may offer protective health benefits as we age. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

PREVENTION: Other

Negative Thinking Can Harm Your Brain and Increase Your Dementia Risk: In a new study, researchers at University College London have found repetitive negative thinking is linked to cognitive decline, a higher number of harmful tau protein and amyloid deposits in the brain, and increasing a greater risk of dementia.

 

Exercise, Diet, Alcohol: New Guidelines Detail Best Ways to Reduce Cancer Risk: The American Cancer Society released new guidelines  for reducing the risk of cancer. Among the recommendations include: exercise more per week; reduce red and eat more colorful fruits and vegetables; strictly limit alcohol

 

What People with Type 2 Diabetes Can Do to Lower Their Risk for Cancer, Dementia: Now recent research from Australia has concluded that people with type 2 diabetes are up to three times more likely to develop several types of cancer and 60 percent more likely to develop dementia compared to the general population. Experts advise people to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep to lower their risk for disease.

Sedentary? Feel happier with sleep or light activity instead: Lockdowns have made it more difficult for many to stay active. A new study suggests better and perhaps surprising ways to spend our spare time — that might benefit our health, as well. The research appears now in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Combination of healthy lifestyle traits may substantially reduce Alzheimer's disease risk: Combining more healthy lifestyle behaviors was associated with substantially lower risk for Alzheimer's disease in a study that included data from nearly 3,000 research participants. Those who adhered to four or all of the five specified healthy behaviors were found to have a 60% lower risk of Alzheimer's. The behaviors were physical activity, not smoking, light-to-moderate alcohol consumption, a high-quality diet, and cognitive activities. Funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, this research was published in the June 17, 2020, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. 

Even without concussion, athletes in contact sports may have brain changes: Female college rugby players may have subtle brain changes even if they haven't had a recent concussion, according to a new study published in the June 17, 2020, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study compared rugby players to other female college athletes competing in the non-contact sports of swimming and rowing. "There's no longer a debate that when an athlete is diagnosed with a concussion caused by a sharp blow or a fall, there is a chance it may contribute to brain changes that could either be temporary or permanent," said study author Ravi S. Menon, Ph.D., FRSC, of Western University in London, Canada. "But what are the effects of the smaller jolts and impacts that come with playing a contact sport? Our study found they may lead to subtle changes in the brains of otherwise healthy, symptom-free athletes."

Study shows sedentary behavior independently predicts cancer mortality: In the first study to look at objective measures of sedentary behavior and cancer mortality, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that greater inactivity was independently associated with a higher risk of dying from cancer. The most sedentary individuals had an 82% higher risk of cancer mortality compared to the least sedentary individuals. An accelerometer was used to measure physical activity, rather than relying on participants to self-report their activity levels. Researchers also found that replacing 30 minutes of sedentary time with physical activity was associated with a 31% lower risk of cancer death for moderate-intensity activity, such as cycling, and an 8% lower risk of cancer death for light-intensity activity, such as walking.

Centenarian study suggests living environment may be key to longevity: Where you live has a significant impact on the likelihood that you will reach centenarian age, suggests a new study. People who live in highly walkable, mixed-age communities may be more likely to live to their 100th birthday. The probability of reaching centenarian age is high are located in urban areas and smaller towns with higher socioeconomic status

 Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Volunteerism:Doing good does you good: A new study takes a closer look at the benefits of volunteering to the health and well-being of volunteers, both validating and refuting findings from previous research. The results verify that adults over 50 who volunteer for at least 100 hours a year (about two hours per week) have a substantially reduced risk of mortality and developing physical limitations, higher levels of subsequent physical activity, and improved sense of well-being later on. American Journal of Preventive Medicine

 

TREATMENT

Advanced MRI scans may improve treatment of tremor, Parkinson's disease: Recently developed MRI techniques used to more precisely target a small area in the brain linked to Parkinson's disease and essential tremor may lead to better outcomes without surgery and with less risk of negative effects, a new study led by UT Southwestern researchers suggests. Brain

Cancer patients less likely to be prescribed cardioprotective medications: As cancer survivor rates increase with modern treatments, cardiovascular disease (CVD) rates are rising in cancer patients and survivors and CVD has emerged as a leading cause of long-term preventable death in this population. Even though cardioprotective medications—including statins, ACE inhibitors and antiplatelet therapies—are frontline primary and secondary CVD prevention, patients with a prior or current history of cancer had lower rates of utilization compared to those without cancer, according to a research letter published in JACC: Cardio Oncology.

Continuous glucose monitoring reduces hypoglycemia in older adults with type 1 diabetes: Results from a six-month, multi-site clinical trial called the Wireless Innovation for Seniors with Diabetes Mellitus (WISDM) Study Group. Older adults who use continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices can significantly reduce the occurrence of hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemic events while also reducing hemoglobin A1c. JAMA

Novel antisense drug shows promise in slowing fatty liver disease: Using a first-of-its-class drug in a clinical trial, an international research effort reports that inhibition of a key enzyme safely and effectively improved the health of persons with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a chronic metabolic disorder that affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The Lancet Gastroenterology and Hepatology

OTHER

Past stressful experiences do not create resilience to future trauma: The adage “What doesn't kill you makes you stronger,” is not true and in fact, new research finds just the opposite. Past stressors sensitize people to future traumas, thereby increasing their chances of developing a mental health disorder. British Journal of Psychiatry

'Trigger warnings' may do more harm than good, study finds: Trigger warnings are meant to alert trauma survivors about unsettling text or content that they might find potentially distressing. But these words of caution at the start of films or books may provide no help at all—and might even hamper a traumatized person's ability to grapple with deep psychological scars, a new study reports. Clinical Psychological Science

Take a Break: Learn About Talisman or Amulet

Humans have  incorporate talismans and amulets into their daily lives for thousands of years, and it is not uncommon to find such objects in archeological digs of ancient people. 

When people are worried and facing uncertainty they often look for some type of good luck charm. Having a rabbit’s foot was considered lucky during the depression. Finding a four leaf clover is a sign of good luck. The Irish make a St. Brigid’s cross and place it in their kitchen to protect home and hearth.  

Amulets are believed to have the power to ward off negative energy, evil spirits or even illness. Crucifixes, garlic, coal, runes, lucky coins, and horseshoes are some of the amulets that have been used for centuries as forms of protection and defense against the evil around them. One of the oldest is the “evil eye,” those blue and white circles found in Mediterranean and Arabian regions.

The purpose of the talisman is to enhance personal power and to give positive energy to the person who uses one. Talismans are man-made objects and generally made by the person wearing it.

Check out

• From EvilEyes to sacred hearts, a look at lucky charms around the world 

                      What is the Difference Between an Amulet, Talisman and Charm

                                                        Evil Eye Meaning 

• Eight Unusual Good Luck Charms

Not interested in today’s activities, try the Take a Break Pinterest Board.

Yup Things are a Mess: But there are things you can do

There’s a lot of anger and frustration swirling around and it’s not making anyone healthy. Unfortunately, “we’re eating our own,” as the expression goes. Even with all the positive aspects of my own life, the negatives are overpowering it and I’ve needed a new strategy to remain healthy.

 Below are ways to help ease up on yourself, and  improve how you feel. That in turn will impact how you relate to others, which has an amazing ripple effect into the general community.

Make art: Really that’s what you start with? Well yes, because art heals as it changes your body/mind from stress to relaxation. It’s your brains best friend. Art and music affect every cell in the body instantly to create a healing physiology that changes the immune system and blood flow to all the organs. Art and Music also immediately change a person’s perceptions of their world. They change attitude, emotional state, and pain perception. They create hope and positivity and they help people cope with difficulties. They transform a person’s outlook and way of being in the world. How Art Heals: Mind- Body Physiology 

Art in many different forms, trying a new recipe, journaling, drawing, sewing, making things out of paper, dancing, listening to music are just some of the ways I calm myself and after a half hour, I start seeing things in a very different way. There are as many ways to make art as there are people on the planet. Take an art break today by checking out Take a Break Pinterest 

Be clear about what you can control and focus on that. Can’t prevent the storm, but you can prepare for it. Name your fears and concerns. What do you really have control over?

Endlessly complaining about the current administration, Covid or something else  by posting cartoons and articles on Facebook does very little. Instead use your time wisely. For example, work for the candidate of your choice. Be involved in voter drives and of course vote.  Put your energy into the things you can actually do something about.

Imagine the worse-case scenario. In my case my son is on a long distance bicycle trip and I fear for his safety. However, research shows that the majority of the time worse fears don’t happen, and if it does, the vast majority of people find that it either isn’t as bad as they thought and/or they realize actual good came from it. So we spend 90% of the time worrying about something that has a likelihood of 2%? Well the numbers may not be exact but the idea is clear-worrying is not a good use of one’s time.

Bottom line-focus on what you can control and accept the rest as it happens, knowing that you will be able to manage things. After all the number one reaction to loss (a major fear of humans) is resiliency.

Align your actions with your beliefs: Right now many, including lots of editorials and news articles, are weighing in with what’s okay to say or believe and what’s not. Lots of confusing and hurt feelings are being generated from this. Years ago, when I was working in AIDS, one man noted “our PC (political correctness) culture is killing us.” Do what you believe is the right thing to do versus doing what you think others believe in or expect of you.

Recognize that you assign whether something is good or bad: Situations aren’t good or bad until you assign them as such. How are you viewing a particular situation? Is it based on fact or an inaccurate perception of what’s going on?

Whether you owe or are owed, work out payment plans to ease the worry of financial issues for yourself and/or someone else.

Lighten the load for others, by helping neighbors, friends and families with tasks they may have trouble doing. This doesn’t mean just going to the grocery store or other forms of physical labor. Identify your skill sets, e.g. can file taxes; sew; make wonderful soup  and let people know you are happy to do that. Make phones calls to those who may be lonely. There are lots of ways to help others. When you help others you help yourself.

Be the positive person. Actions, positive or negative, are infectious. Be mindful of how you behave. 

Let go of judgments, disdain and hatred. Work at developing compassion for those you encounter. Monitor your thinking. What thoughts are you having that make you unhappy? Recognize that it’s a judgement and let it go. Focus on connecting with the person and not their beliefs. Find a common thread. Consider how your judgements can hurt both you and the other person. Identify people, (can be living or dead, someone you know etc.) who demonstrate love and compassion. Try to follow their example.

Treat yourself with compassion Now more than ever we can find ourselves saying or doing something that we regret. Stress gets to all of us for sure, and it’s causing us to act out. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would a good friend.

Take a Break: Strandbeest Evolution

 My brother recently send me a video link with the comment, I am still fascinated by the wind-propelled plastic creatures of Theo Jansen on the beaches of Holland. Totally mesmerizing, it's incredible eye candy. 

 

 Theo Janesn is a Dutch artist who started in 1990 building large mechanisms out of PVC that are able to move on their own and, collectively, are entitled, Strandbeest. They resemble walking animals, or artificial life as Jansen calls them.Check out his website for lots more about this unique art project and watch more videos. 

Not interested in today’s activities, try the Take a Break Pinterest Board.

Take a Break: Try Sound Bathing

Singing bows, chants, flutes, didgeridoo and other sounds have been used in some form to help people in the healing process for probably more than 40,000 years.

There is research that shows that sounds have a healing property to them, though alone they are not a magical cure and should not replace standard care. However, they can be a wonderful adjunct, particularly to help you relax, meditate and even gain restful sleep.

While pre Covid Spas, yoga studios and many other places offered “sound baths,” today your best option may be to try it on line. Sound baths are the practice of intentionally creating waves of harmonic sound which envelop and surround your body. Instruments such as chimes, gongs, drums, singing bowls as well as the human voice are used. Check out The Complete Guide To Sound Baths and Sound Bathing Therapy for more information.

These are stressful times, so I tried an on-line video and was amazed at how much better it made me feel.

Not interested in today’s activities, try the Take a Break Pinterest Board.