happiness

Please let's all share our blessings in life that we are thankful for. In
dark and trying times (like right now), I try to always remember the things I am grateful for and remind myself that without any/all of them my life could be much less manageable

I am grateful for:

-Being alive!
-Being able to walk, even if I need mobility devices
-Having a roof over my head
-Having food on the table
-Having great doctors, nurses, my therapist, my shrink, numerous specialists and my clinic - and having the insurance to pay for them - as well as insurance to pay for my many medications!
-Having a strong network of family and friends and always being able to know that I am loved and supported ...and
-Having my relative health - things could always be worse!

What are you thankful for?

Maybe thank someone who you are grateful for and let them know how helpful they are and how much it means to you to have their support. Sometimes people don’t know how much they impact other’s lives!

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Stigma #BipolarDepression
#ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deaf #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Happiness #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyTogether #DistractMe #MightyTogether #mentalhealthwarrior #RareDisease #ChronicFatigue

#Happiness comes about from smiling and happiness begets a smile. Be a bright, infectious smiler. Don’t let anything or anyone rob you of your smile!!

It’s not all about survival, there is a lot of living to do along the way. Although at times I feel like I am just treating one ailment after another, all day every day (which is true right now) I’ve decided why take all the time and energy it takes to survive everything unless I don’t enjoy how the time given to me by surviving is ripe for good times too.

Recently I have mostly been homebound except to go to health appointments… doctors, PT & OT, clinics, therapy etc. and then only with a walker and the benefit of handicapped parking spots. But I try to continue to celebrate the gifts I have in life, be thankful for the blessings I have that make life just a little more bearable and remind myself of what I’ve been through, how I’ve survived and what I’ve learned from these experiences. If I consider all this, then I must be a very wise man 😉 I may have dropped out of college but I have a Masters degree from the School of Hard Knocks … the diploma is not needed, I know I have accomplished it and need no reminder…I’m still alive after all!

Tough times have given me the chance to tap into my inner strength and I’ve also grown along the way. I don’t have to wait to celebrate the good times when I am experiencing some right now despite what I’m going through!

Thank you all for the love, support, thoughts and prayers, I certainly couldn’t have done this alone!

#Depression #Anxiety #MentalHealth #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Chronicpainwarrior #Disability #BipolarDisorder #BipolarDepression #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #Stigma #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #RareDisease #AspergersSyndrome #ADHD #Autism #Dementia #Addiction #AddictionRecovery #Cancer #TraumaticBrainInjury #BrainInjury #LossOfAParent #Grief #SuicideSurvivors #ChronicFatigue #DistractMe #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #ChronicIllness #ChronicPain #MightyQuestions #DownSyndrome #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #Deafness #neckpain #BackPain #CongestiveHeartFailure #Migraine #COVID19 #PeripheralNeuropathy #LymeDisease #Diabetes #EatingDisorders #Headache #Stroke #help #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Fibromyalgia #thankful #grateful #EatingDisorders #CocaineDependence #drugaddict #PTSD #EmotionalHealth #physicalhealth #PainAcceptance #Acceptance #relief #Happiness #Selflove #Selfcare #MightyMinute #MentalHealthHero
#TheMighty #InsideTheMighty #MightyTogether #DistractMe

In 1938, Harvard began a study which over the course of the duration of the research included over 700 participants. Through many interviews and observations over time, the results have discovered there are certain characteristics that make someone happier and healthier.

Many people believe the key ingredients for happiness are career achievement, material success, exercise, or diet. However, the most consistent characteristic over the nearly 100 years of research was “positive relationships with family, friends, and community”. The study determined positive relationships increase happiness as well as keeps us healthier and live longer.

One of the researchers found the participants who had strong support systems in place were less susceptible to mental deterioration as they aged. As we know, connecting with others boosts mood.

The researchers discovered genetics still played an important role in longevity, but it was less so as determined by satisfying relationships in midlife. Other factors contributing to happiness and better health were physical activity, staying away from alcohol abuse and smoking, having coping techniques to handle life’s ups and downs, as well as a healthy weight.

Below is a guide to cultivate proper relationships that will contribute to your overall health and happiness.

1. Learning and growing.

2. Emotional closeness and trust.

3. Romantic intimacy.

4. Fun and relaxation.

5. Smile intentionally and often.

6. Express gratitude and appreciation.

Your Action Plan

1. What can you do to increase your happiness and overall health?

2. Try to work on improving one of the six guides listed above.

3. Check out the link to the reference to find more guides to cultivate proper relationships.

Reference

www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/some-assembly-required/20230...

#Health #Happiness #MentalHealthAwareness

#I found this quote and I think about all of us, take time to make your soul happy, even for some minutes, just do, or watch or read something that make you happy inside.

It’s 3:00AM and I’ve been awake since 12:30AM after falling asleep around 8:00PM.

Normally, I am flipping like a fish in bed when this happens. This is because, I typically wake due to anxious thoughts. Then I have anxious energy because I cannot understand why I am wide awake after four hours of sleep. Then I get frustrated, and stressed out, because I SHOULD be sleeping right now! And then my mind freaks out because it is full of anxiety due to my anxious thoughts that anxiously stirred me awake. 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫!!! Ugh!

Crazy, right?

Well during today’s insomnia, I approached it differently. First, I realized my body felt well rested, despite the time. Then I watched something I wanted to see. I looked out the window and saw snow falling. I realized I do not have one thing scheduled today, well, later today. And finally, I figured I can rest in bed, in the quiet, and check-in with folks via this site and others.

So, yes, I am dealing with insomnia early this morning, but….it’s okay. I am so relaxed right now, I am starting to yawn. That’s a good thing.

Taking the stress out of the stressful.

#Anxiety #Selfcare #Happiness #mindset

*Photo credit (Internet search for insomnia image): “The Atlantic.”