Just about every month we are celebrating something.  October was Disability Awareness Month.  The first week in October was Mental Illness Awareness Week. 

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) they are “the organization behind this week.  It was founded as a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, and support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and anxiety disorders”.

NAMI continues to explain that “in 1990, the U. S. Congress established the first week of October as Mental Illness Week in recognition of NAMI’s efforts to raise mental illness awareness.  In 1990, mental health advocates across the country have joined together during the first full week of October to celebrate”.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) continues to fight to reduce the disgrace of persons living with mental disorders. The attempt is to eradicate the belief that these are acquired behaviors that should be changed by the person. The challenge is accepting that severe mental illnesses are biological in nature and genetic factors have been indirectly associated with some disorders.  Other severe mental illnesses can be due to family and environmental factors.  Severe disorders of the brain should be treated like any other illness of the body; with consultation therapy and appropriate prescribed medication by a physician.

Some effective treatments for mental illnesses are medication, shock therapy, or brain surgery.  Some disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia are treated primarily with medication.  Psychotherapy is also used as a treatment.  Depression is often treated with medication, but psychotherapy can be used with some patients.

It helps to be aware of mental illnesses around this time of the year because so many students, both secondary and college level, are under a tremendous amount of stress due to their desire to perform well and cope with more demands of life.  Many mental illnesses seem to manifest during young adulthood.  In October, students are settling into a routine for school and sorting out life’s priorities.  Some students may experience more anxiety than others and it’s helpful to know what some students maybe feeling while trying to cope with life’s responsibilities.  An awareness of mental illnesses during this time of year helps to identify new and different behaviors some people maybe exhibiting.

To learn more about mental illness awareness, consult your medical doctors.   

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Nail biting is a very common disorder.  Usually people bite their nails due to stressful situations. Nail biting typically starts during childhood and it progressively becomes a tendency as a person grows up.  A person often times start nail biting and sometime toe nail biting during stress, boredom, hunger, or nervousness.  Some people have found that biting the nails helps to relieve the tension of a stressful situation.  However, it is very important to get to the root cause of the stress or nervousness in a person’s life as one means to solve the nail biting problem.

Constant nail biting can lead to:

• Split or fractured nails
• Bleeding around the cuticles
• Infections
• Pain

There are a lot of germs living underneath the nails. Just think about where your hands have been and the number of times you where unable to wash your hands. Nail biting can transfer the germs from underneath the nails to the mouth and could lead to other illnesses.  It’s also been reported that nail biting in children could damage the teeth.

There are a number of steps a person can take to stop biting their nails:

• First and foremost, confront the source of your stress and nervousness.
• Develop stress management techniques.

• Keep your hands busy and distracted by writing in a journal, sewing, and knitting, planting or playing video games. Learn any activity that will be productive and keep the hands busy.
• Have regular manicures
• Try anti-nail biting polish such as Orly Nail Polish “No Bite’ Nail Treatment, Defender 10 Bite Ender, or Barielle No Bite Pro Growth.

People who are constant nail bitters should break the habit by consulting a medical doctor for other options and underlying psychological reasons for their disorder.

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Food and Drug Administration advisors recently met to determine if Meridia, a weight loss drug, should be recalled. The average weight loss by uses of the drug was 8.8 pounds. This is not considered a great weight loss for the obese. The drug is marketed to the morbidly obese. There was however a 16% increase in the risk of heart attacks, strokes and death. As of time of reporting, the FDA has not made a final decision on Meridia. As for other weight loss drugs:  Qnexa was rejected.  Lorcaserin is being reviewed by the panel and Contrave will be reviewed in December.  The first rule of weight loss medication is Do No Harm, according to Dr. Jennifer Ashton, CBS News Correspondent (Safety of Three Diet Drugs in Question – CBS The Early Show)

Many people in our society are obsessed with weight.  Obesity is an epidemic in the Unites States.  Drugs and surgery are some methods to weight loss for the morbidly obese.  However diet and exercise are more healthy options. Before beginning any weight loss program, please consult your primary care physician.

Our goal as a society should be to be healthy. I surveyed adults between  the ages of 25 and 40 for this article. I found that men in general were more satisfied with their weight and focused on being healthy.   Per Andre’** of New York, “Guys don’t want to be trim and slim…I ideally wanted to be bigger and more defined.”  He actually went through a process of gaining weight and then shedding down to achieve the cuts and six pack he desired.

Women were more concerned about weight loss and being healthy.  Respondents sited the desire to look sexy, be comfortable in clothes and to be healthy as the prompts to change their current habits.  Dawn ** was prompted by chest pain to visit the doctor.  He advised her that she needed to loose weight.  It was not their first conversation about her weight, yet the chest pain was a new development.  She needed to get healthy fast.  Dawn hired a nutritionist.  She lost 18 pounds over two months and has managed to keep 10 pounds off over a six month period, with minimal exercise. 

Making small changes like taking the stairs, getting of off the subway one stop early, controlling portions, and listening to your body will help with weight maintenance and weight loss. Cole **of West Hartford noted that when he began controlling his portions, his stomach could no longer hold the larger meals.   He also makes it a point to get it in where he can…Exercise that is.  You can try knee lifts while waiting for the train, pushups while waiting for the microwave, or crunches while watching commercials.

One hundred percent of the participants agreed that the number on the scale was less important than overall health.  Eighty percent incorporated some form of exercise into their weight loss and approach to a healthier life style.  The methods of exercise included Mixed Martial Arts Classes, hiring personal trainers, walking, running, and incorporating a gym routine. Sixty percent of the women reported feeling  more healthy once they began their journey and STUCK some form of exercise routine.  Those who did not exercise did not feel as healthy.

Drugs and pills are a quick way to loose weight.  However, be cautious.  They may not be the most healthy way for you. Instead, try small changes to your diet and level of activity. Replace one soft drink with a glass of water.  Drink water in between meals. Use a smaller plate for meals. Run in place while the commercials play. Once you get going, make additional changes.

Being healthy is up to you.

** some names have been changed

~ ~ ~ 

Mia Y. Pollard is a Certified Professional Coach and owner of Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting , Inc.  Mia is committed to living her purpose of helping women in transition maintain their balance and regain their power.  She can be reached at mia@audaciouspurpose.com

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If the dog days of summer have kept you in the house or office, hiding out with the air conditioning and not moving around outside or getting the exercise you used to when it was cooler, then the following 5 days to get a better body program might appeal to you. Get ready to kick start your fitness goals again and follow along with a simple plan.

Just keep in mind that the goal of getting a better body in five days is not rapid weight loss. It’s just about building body confidence, toning up your muscles a smidge and trying something you’ve never done before, like a yoga or cycling class. See days one through five below, to get started.

Day One: Define your goals and plan ahead

Start by thinking about what you want out of a 5 day better body plan. Do you want to try to eat healthier or do you want to try to work out more? It’s up to you to decide. Maybe your goal is both and this less than a week journey will set you on a path for future body balance. Whatever your goal is, write it down in a noticeable place. Try putting a sticky note with your goal on it on your computer. Each time you feel unmotivated throughout the five days, you can just take a quick look at it and remember why you started in the first place.

Day Two: Amp up the cardio

Not only will cardio exercises tone up your abs, they will also help keep your heart healthy. For “heart-pumping” cardio workouts, check out Prevention Magazine’s Web site. You can even search for exercises and cardio programs designed to work a specific part of your body.

While running is one of the best forms of cardiovascular activity, using an elliptical machine is a trade-off if running just isn’t your cup of tea.

Day Three: Chug water

Drinking water can raise the rate at which fat is burned, according to WebMD.

A study from Berlin’s Franz-Volhard Clinical Research tracked how much weight loss would occur over a year if a person just drank more water.

“The researchers estimate that over the course of a year, a person who increases his water consumption by 1.5 liters a day would burn an extra 17,400 calories, for a weight loss of approximately five pounds,” the WebMD Health News update said.

But even over the course of five days of extra water intake, the body will benefit. Drinking more water can also help reduce bloating.

Day Four: Embrace your inner yogi

If you are not already a fan of yoga, your five day journey to a better body includes it. Although relaxation is a main benefit from this ancient art, you can also detoxify your body in the process.

Bikram Yoga of Winston-Salem states that during a typical Hot Yoga class, where the room is heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit, 550-1000 calories may be burned. Follow Day Three’s advice by drinking lots of water, and then sweat it out during a yoga class. The toasty temperatures can also help clear your pores.

Day Five: Love yourself

Start by focusing on what you love about your body and realizing that you are a unique and beautiful individual. Loving yourself and the body you have, even if you want to make changes, is one of the main steps to being able to keep up with a better body program. When you love how you look and want to feel a certain way, you’ll be much more motivated to stay on track.

But keep in mind that there’s no set of guidelines for how you need to look.

“Healthy bodies come in all shapes and sizes! Changing your body image means changing the way you think about your body. At the same time, healthy lifestyle choices are also key to improving body image,” WomensHealth.gov Body Image guidelines said.

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There is nothing more embarrassing than to be engaged in a conversation with someone with bad breath, especially when you don’t have a mint or gum to offer them. Bad breath, or halitosis, is not only uncomfortable for you, but for everyone around you. Bad breath often occurs when a person does not properly take care of their oral hygiene.

According to the article “Discover the causes of Bad Breath and the Solution”, by Dr. Jon L. Richter (founder of the ProHealth Breath Care System), “a particular bacterium that resides on the soft tissues in the back of the mouth, mainly on the back of the tongue, causes bad breath, or halitosis. These bad breath bacteria thrive under a blanket of mucous where they produce putrid sulfur gases which cause bad breath.”

Dr. Richter further explains that, “some foods can cause bad breath odor. Garlic, onions, alcohol, hot peppers or aromatic spices may cause bad breath up to 72 hours after digestion.”

Listed below are some steps you may want to take to maintain a healthy, clean mouth:

• Brush after each meal as often as possible, or brush at least twice daily, after breakfast and before bedtime. Rinse your mouth in between meals when you can’t brush.
• Brush all your teeth, gums, and especially your tongue.
• Brush for at least three minutes each time using a soft bristle brush.
• Change your tooth brush every three months.
• After brushing, floss. Floss between your teeth each time you brush. If you want some indication of how your breath smells, when flossing, smell what comes out on the dental floss. When left between the teeth that food ferments and causes cavities, which lead to bad breath.
• If you wear oral devices or mouth guards, clean those as well, according to doctor’s orders.
• Chew sugarless gum in between meals. Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva. Salvia helps to clean the mouth and prevents the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It’s when the mouth is dry that bacteria grows rapidly and causes bad breath. That’s why you have bad breath when you awaken.
• Drink plenty of water. Keep the mouth hydrated. The water also helps to wash away unwanted food particles and minimizes the growth of bacteria.
• Visit your dentist at least twice per year for a professional cleaning and check up.

A clean, healthy mouth is something you control. Carefully examine your mouth, teeth, and gums before and after brushing for imperfections in your mouth. Check your smile as well. If your teeth glisten, your breath smells fresh and your gums look healthy, then you can be confident that your mouth is healthy.

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Are you guilty of separating your friends into neat little boxes? You have your girlfriends who you shop with. The one you go to church with. The ones you party with. The one you share your family with. You know who to call to support your perspective in various situations. You know when to call your girlfriend who will be your hype woman and egg you on, not the one who will challenge you, if they think you may be on the wrong track.

What boxes do they put you in? Are you that girl who gets called on to party or the one who gets called when a sound opinion is needed? Are you the one who tells your girl her outfit looks great when in reality she needs to change? Are you the one who can gently tell her friend that the man she has been seeing is really not holding her in high regard, or do you listen as she goes on and on about how he’s the one? Are you there to review her résumé, practice interview questions, and help her pick the perfect interview outfit or are you keeping her up the night before her big interview?

While we are not here to make decisions for our friends, a real friend is there to support her friends, be honest with her friends, and cheer her friends along. Real friends pray each other through a crisis, praise with each other in times of happiness, cry and laugh with each other, and lift each other up. When the time is right, we are silent.

There are two characteristics, which every real friend has. One is that you do not have to speak to your real friends every day. Whether the last conversation you had was yesterday or two months ago, real friends are able to talk as if the last conversation never ended. The other is that your real friends accept you as you are without judgment, and you accept them the same way.

Real friends trust each other with their secrets, dreams, and fears. They know beyond a doubt that they will support each other through the good and the bad. According to an anonymous quote, “A real friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you anyway.” Are you that friend?

10 Traits of a Real Friend:

1. Loyal

2. Trustworthy

3. Honest

4. Shows respect

5. Giving (without expecting anything in return)

6. Nonjudgmental

7. Dependable

8. Supportive

9. Encouraging

10. Good listener

Are you playing the role you want to play in your friends’ lives? Are you being true to yourself while being a real friend? What are the traits you admire in your friends? Do you possess and display those traits?

When examining your friendships, embrace the time you have, and recognize that not all friendships are meant to last forever, but while you are in each other’s lives

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Getting your child into a good school to receive a great education is very important for most parents. Some parents will do whatever they can to get their child into a certain school with a good reputation. That is why some parents will push their child to the limit to be a high achiever. Not only do some parents push their children in education, they also push them to be competitive winners in beauty pageants, acting careers, and sporting events.

Pushing children to be the very best they can be is nothing new. In the biblical stories of Sampson and Delilah, Paul’s letters to Timothy, Jacob and his amazingly colorful coat, all these children were shown favor by their parents and encouraged to do better than the average person.

Gently pushing or encouraging children to be their best should be a part of the discipline process. As parents, it is important to guide children towards activities that build self-esteem, self-reliance, self-expression, and self-belief. Parents should encourage children once they enter a task to complete the task to its finish. Education and activities should be fun, and the child should have a passion for learning and the outcomes should be positive for both child and parent.

Parents must feel good about who they are before entering a child into pageants, acting classes, advanced educational classes, or extracurricular sports teams. Children must feel good about who they are as well. They must feel happy and confident before entering a new adventure.

If the child complains constantly about the activity, perhaps the child should not participate in the activity. A frustrated child will create a frustrated parent. Therefore, reconsideration should be given to the activity.

There have been instances when a parent requested that their child be tested by the school psychologist for entry into the gifted program. Once the results of the test returned unfavorable for the child (above average but not gifted), the parent hired an outside psychologist to re-test the child until the results became favorable for the gifted program.

Parents should never place their child in harm’s way if the activity could potentially cause physical or emotional stress for the child. This could also include parents who may be extremely jealous of another child’s competence and may want to cause hurt or pain to another child to keep them out of the competition. There have been cases when one parent made death threats to another child trying out for the same cheering squad. Also, there have been cases when over-zealous fathers used profane language towards other children for tackling his son on the peewee football team during a game. As a parent, you would want to avoid conflict such as this. Your child’s participation in this type of environment is not worth the pain it may cause. The environment should be nurturing, positive, and fun.

If the child happens to be good at a particular activity, make sure the child is not only defined by the activity, such as only as a beauty queen, child actor, or an athlete. There must be a balance of activities in the child’s life to help the child mature into a well-rounded individual.

Positive pushing is a good thing. The lines of communication between parent and child should be open and unambiguous. So, before you enter your child into that contest, event, or class, make sure you have a clear understanding of the expectations for you and the child. That it is something to fulfill your child’s dreams and not yours, that the experience will be positive for both you and your child, and more importantly, that it will be fun for everyone.

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It’s obvious by the flood of Cialis and Viagra ads in magazines, radio, and on television that people over fifty years of age are very physically active and are engaged in sexual activity. People are living longer and, for the most part, have pretty good health care insurance. Therefore, the quality of life for most senior adults has improved significantly over the past few years. To some extent, middle-aged to senior adults are more sexually active than their adult children.

The need for intimacy has no age limit. A person’s sexuality does not cease at a certain age. As one gentleman said, “As long as the body is able and the mind is willing, I’ll have sex.” A healthy adult sex life is important whatever the age.

Most adult children may find it repulsive to know that their parents are engaged in lively sexual activity. However, as we grow older, our body’s processes begin to slow down, and getting into some of those positions from when we were in our 20s may be quite difficult in the 50-plus years. As we age, it is important to adapt and adjust to what’s comfortable for both parties. We must develop more stamina and sustainability as we age. So, consider the following tips when making sex better after 50:

Communication is extremely important in a relationship. Talking helps to inform your partner of sexual likes and dislikes. Tell your partner where your erotic zones are, what pleases you. Be open to receiving new information concerning how to sexually please your mate.

Yoga helps you to focus and concentrate on body placement. It also increases flexibility and sustainability of a single movement.

Kegels strengthen the vaginal walls and tightens the pelvic floor.

Aerobic exercises increase oxygen intake and output, which in turn increases staying power.

Weight lifting strengthens muscles and promotes endurance.

Lubrication is available without prescription in a variety of flavors, colors, and heat-activated temperatures. As women age, the vaginal walls lose the natural arousal secretions, making sexual intercourse painful. Lubricants help to moisten the vagina allowing for easier penetration and increased sexual arousal.

When used properly, these tips will enhance and improve your quality of life and overall sexual activity for you and your partner no matter what your age. Just be realistic about what you are able to do regarding your physical condition.

For more information about sex over fifty, consult your doctor.

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As we mature, we begin to reflect on why we are here. When the questions begin may vary from person to person, but at some point, many people want to discover “Why am I here?” and “Am I fulfilling my purpose?”

This turning point can happen as the result of a life-changing event, such as the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a career challenge, graduation from school, a milestone birthday, or an aha-moment which culminates in the single question, “What am I doing with my life?”

God gave each of us the ability to do certain things well. We tend to shy away from those talents because sometimes they just come too easily. The thinking is that, if this is so easy and enjoyable, it can’t really be your purpose in life, right? Wrong! There is no reason to struggle to fulfill your life’s purpose.

Step 1: Be still. Oftentimes, we do not know what we should be doing because we are too busy. Taking the time to be still and quiet will allow you to get to know what resonates with you. Begin with five minutes of quiet time, where you can block out everything and everyone. Turn off the phone, TV, and radio. Tun into you. Gradually increase your quiet time.

Step 2: Pray for clarity, and be open to God’s guidance. Many people have the first part of this step down pat. We pray, “Father, guide me…” Then, when that guidance does not fall in line with what we think it should be, we ignore our instinct and intuition. Be open to guidance. It takes practice, but trust in the Lord.

Step 3: Take stock of what you enjoy doing. Do you like working with your hands? Do you like children? Do you like to travel? Do you like sitting at a desk all day? Take note of the times and instances you feel pleasure while performing a task, no matter how small. Stop and write it down, if you need to.

Step 4: Take stock of what you are good at. Review the list of things you enjoy and determine what you are skilled at. Take an honest look at what you do well and what you can share with the world. Take note of the compliments you receive. Do people compliment you about your style of dress, the way you get your point across, the way you organize your life or the items in your life? Expanding on these talents are all viable and lucrative ways to fulfill your purpose.

Ask your friends and family what they think your most notable skills are. You can create a free survey at www.surveymonkey.com to keep an accurate record of their feedback. Take note of the compliments you receive, and thank those who help you for their time!

Step 5: Recognize that sometimes your purpose is fulfilled through hobbies and volunteer activities, not your career!

Step 6: Create a plan to put your purpose to work. How will you do it? Who can help you? What additional certifications do you need? Write these down!

Step 7: Take action and use your talents. Be willing to do the work. It is good to know what you are good at. It is even better to put your talents to use in the world.

Step 8: Be accountable. Write out a plan. Let supportive people know what your purpose is and how you plan to fulfill it. Work with a coach or accountability partner to review your plan, and make sure you are staying on track.

Step 9: Be open to change. Your life’s purpose may change over the course of time. Be still, pray, review your talents, and be open to new opportunities!

Mia Y. Pollard is a Certified Professional Coach and owner of Audacious Purpose Coaching and Consulting, Inc. Mia is committed to living her purpose of helping women in transition maintain their balance and regain their power. She can be reached at mia@audaciouspurpose.com.

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It never fails. After going about your business on the toilet, you always stand up, turn around, and look to see what is there. If you have noticed the color of your urine and wondered if that color was normal or healthy, then consider this.

In most cases, the color of your urine should be light yellow to straw yellow. If your urine is a light yellow, that could mean you are well hydrated with a high concentration of water in your system. In addition, the light yellow urine must possess few bubbles and evenness on the surface. If your urine matches this description, you are likely a healthy person with normal urine color and odor.

When your urine is not light yellow to straw yellow in color, that could mean your urine is abnormal as a result of something you have ingested, be it food or medicine, which may have caused your urine to change color and odor. Abnormal urine could mean there is something unhealthy occurring in your body. This could be an indication that you need to seek medical attention.

Your health and well-being should be of the utmost importance to you. Your health determines your quality of life. The color and consistency of your urine helps to alert you to possible health issues occurring within your body. There are three main causes for abnormal urine color:

1. Health issues

2. Certain foods

3. Certain drugs

If your urine has changed color and you have some concerns, ask yourself a few questions:

1. Are you experiencing pain during urination?

2. Are you urinating more frequently than before?

3. Is it difficult for you to urinate?

4. Is there blood in your urine?

5. Has there been a change in your eating habits?

6. Have you taken certain vitamins or medicines lately?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you should probably see a doctor. You should also know that certain foods such as carrots will turn your urine orange when eaten in excess. Consuming Vitamin C will do the same. Eating beets could turn your urine a deep red or purple, while eating large portions of asparagus could alter the odor of your urine.

Urine can take on a number of different colors. According to most urologists, brown urine can indicate a serious health condition that may be caused by liver disease, hepatitis, melanoma cancer, or copper poisoning. It is also reported that eating fava beans or some laxatives could turn urine brown as well.

If urine is green in color, it could mean that there is a urinary tract infection or bile problems. It is reported that excessive amounts of Vitamin B may change the color of urine from an ordinary yellow to a bright greenish color. As unusual as this may seem, too much calcium can also turn urine blue. Blue urine is caused by a bacterial infection.

If your urine has changed a different color other than what is usually normal for you, you may have eaten something different or changed your vitamins and medications. If the change in color persists, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Everyone is different. It is important to know what normal urine color is for you. The color of your urine could be a good indicator of what else is going on in your body. Pay attention to the effects new medications and vitamins have on your body and the color of your urine. And remember, certain foods can alter the color of your urine. If you have questions about the color of your urine, see a doctor as soon as possible.

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