How I healed, one journal entry at a time.

 WB 11_19_14 bHi there,

This morning I shared my story of the depression I faced as a result of my grief. One of the tools I used to help cope during this time was writing in my journal.

I’ve mentioned in many of my posts that writing in a journal is a wellness practice I engage in on a regular basis. It’s helped me to reduce stress and anxiety, cope with my grief and even helps me plan for my future.

Writing in my journal provides me an avenue where I can let it all out. It’s uncensored and grammatically incorrect, but it belongs to me and only me. My journal is where I can put down all my feelings, especially those I don’t feel comfortable discussing with anyone else, including my grief counselor. My journal helps me to clarify my thinking process when I feel as though my thoughts are all jumbled. The reasons I write in my journal are numerous and it’s been an outlet for me since I attended college.

I’ve turned to writing in my journal many times throughout the years. Each time I faced a turning point in my life I wrote in my journal to reduce anxiety over the situation and to clarify my thought process.

So naturally, for me, when my husband Larry died I knew I had to get a journal. It was the most logical step for me during the most illogical time of my life.

I found myself at Target one day in search of a new journal. The mere fact that I was in a store in search of a writing tool was a HUGE step at the time. I stood in the aisle staring at the shelves for what seemed like an eternity to find just the right journal. There were so many plain ones and even though I felt so sad I knew I wanted the cover to speak to me each time I reached for it.

Then I saw it, in black and white (which pretty much matched my mood), a simple rotary telephone (how I longed for simplicity in my life), and a caption that brought tears to my eyes as I stood in the aisle: Don’t Leave Me Hanging. I found my new journal.

This journal became my outlet. A way to communicate to Larry, a way to process my feelings, and sometimes a way for feelings to come out that I didn’t realize I had.

There’s no timetable or protocol you have to follow. Some sources will recommend writing in your journal daily to make it a habit. I say if you’re grieving you write in it whenever you want: daily, weekly, monthly, only you can determine the amount of time you want to spend journaling.

I didn’t journal every day and when I did I wrote in my journal mostly at night, after my kids went to bed. Some days I could barely stay awake and the last thing I needed was pressure that I had to write something down.

You don’t even have to go out and buy a journal, simply grab a piece of paper and start writing. You can write about anything that strikes you at that moment.

This process has been so cathartic for me that there are many times I go back and read what I wrote and I’m shocked at the information that poured out of me, almost as though it were written by someone else.

The clarity writing in a journal can provide is amazing and the cheapest form of counseling to boot! Please note this isn’t meant to take the place of counseling, it’s meant to provide another tool in your wellness bag.

The health benefits of journaling are well documented. According to Psych Central: the act of writing accesses your left brain, which is analytical and rational. While your left brain is occupied, your right brain is free to create, intuit and feel.

Here are a few of the benefits derived from writing in a journal:

• Clarify your thoughts and feelings

• Know yourself better

• Reduce Stress

• Solve problems more effectively

• Resolve disagreements with others

Writing in my journal after Larry died provided an avenue to release some of the pain I felt inside that could’ve caused damage emotionally and physically if left to fester.

After months of writing and pouring out my pain, sadness, anger, uncertainty of my future, I was left with more than just some tear stained pages to reflect upon.

I was given the gift of healing, one entry at a time.

I’ll share some of these entries in later newsletters mostly because I want you to know you’re not alone.

Although each path in grief is unique, there are common tools we can all use to help us become our own guide in this journey called life.

What do I do with all my journals?

What you choose to do with a journal once you feel its complete is up to you. I’ve been known to destroy some of my journals, mostly prompted by a move.

You know that time when you swear you’ll go through all your files and get rid of unnecessary items, heaven forbid they get packed in a box and make their way to your new house and unpacked and filed in a cabinet until the next time you decide to move.

Well, I’ve moved plenty since my college days and before I had children I had the luxury of time to go through old files and pictures and reminisce, decide what stays and what gets tossed. Each time I came upon an old journal I would curl up like I was reading a new book and be amazed at what I went through.

Did that really happen to me? Is that really how I felt? It’s the uninhibited privacy that allows me to let it all out in my journal. It’s also the very reason I destroy a journal.

It may sound morbid but it’s at these times that I ask myself, if I died and someone had to go through my belongings would I want them reading this? Usually it’s a resounding NO.

You may also want to consider finding a safe place to “hide” your journal if you don’t live alone. This is a tool that should bring you peace of mind not worry that someone else may read it.

Another reason I’ve been known destroy my journals is that I’ve bared my soul in these journals and I’m ready to move on. I only look forward once a decision in my life is made. So, while it’s nice to read a journal years after the fact, some chapters in my life don’t need to be replayed over and over.

Today I have a new journal. And just as I took great care in WB 11_19_14picking a journal to write in after Larry died, I did this same for this one.

This journal reflects my new journey in life and I’m hoping it will have quite a few less tear stains than my last journal. This one is my journal of hope!

I pray you find peace with each entry you write.

Pam

PS. The pictures in the post are my actual journals. One helped me through the most difficult time in my life, the other…only time will reveal. To read this morning’s blog on Depression and Grief click here.

Depression and Grief

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Cherished Friend,

Today’s topic is not an easy one for me to discuss and it’s very personal. But I feel it’s so important to raise the awareness of depression from grief that I’m more than willing to share my story.

When a loved one dies or you experience a separation beyond your control it’s universally recognized that a process of grief will ensue. But at what point does immense sadness turn into depression? Does the categorization even matter?

According to the CDC, 1 out of 10 adults in the U.S. suffer from depression. The National Institute of Mental Health website lists the following as categories of depression: major depression, persistent depressive disorder, psychotic depression, postpartum depression, seasonal affective disorder and bipolar disorder. You will not find “depression from grief” listed in this category. However, it has been a subject for much debate.

An article in 2012 from Psychology Today states: For years, the American Psychiatric Association has urged doctors not to diagnose major depression in individuals who have recently lost a loved one. In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSMMD), sometimes known as the psychiatrist’s bible for diagnosing mental illness, grief is specifically listed as an exception to the diagnosis of clinical depression. The organization is now considering dropping that exclusion, raising the question: Is grieving ever ‘pathological’?

As recently as 2013, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) did make an exception for depression related to bereavement listed under Diagnostic and Statistical Manual – fifth edition (DSM-5).

Why is recognizing depression from grief as a true disorder important?

If you’re suffering from depression it’s important you have a treatment plan in place. If it isn’t a recognized illness your insurance may not cover the treatment you seek.

Why wasn’t it listed before?

The APA believed there was a difference in depression related to bereavement from major depression, the former was believed to be short-lived and the latter stemming from a mental disorder that may need long-term treatment. They finally recognized that the symptoms are the same and the results can be just as devastating if a person does not seek the help they need.

I know because I was faced with depression in the early stages of my grief.

When my husband Larry died I did most of my heavy grieving while the kids were at school. I didn’t hide my sadness or even tears from them. But I did spare them the sight of their mother curled up like a ball and sobbing. I thought if they saw me in such despair it would’ve frightened them at their young age.

So when the holiday break from school came it meant I was with my children 24/7 for over two weeks, which didn’t allow for me to grieve in the manner I needed to. I did find some time to allow the heavy grief to come out- during my shower or early in the morning before they woke up- but it wasn’t enough of an outlet. Most of the grief I needed to release during this already difficult time stayed pent up inside of me.

To pour salt on the wound my eldest son turned ten a few days after New Year’s Day. It was a milestone birthday and I wished more than ever his dad could’ve been there to celebrate with him.

On my son’s birthday I tried my best to present a happy face, but inside all I could think about was the day he was born and how happy we all were back then. My heart ached even more as I remembered the huge grin plastered on my husband’s face. He was the epitome of a proud papa.

Instead of feeling the joy I did when he was born I started to wallow in misery and the fatigue I felt made me want to throw in the towel. I was tired of grieving, I was tired of being the only parent around to watch my children grow up, I was tired of the burden of taking care of the business…Basically I was TIRED! That began my descent into depression.

For over three weeks I cried from the minute I dropped my children off at school until right before I picked them up. I felt no joy in my life or hope for any to come. It felt as though a heavy black cloud hung over me. I couldn’t make decisions about the business. I had no idea where we would live.

We had sold our house in Illinois the same time Larry received his diagnosis and put all our belongings in storage until we could find a new home in Arizona. Unfortunately Larry died before we could make this change together. So our things remained in storage and the boys and I lived in a temporary home. It was up to me alone to decide if we stayed in Arizona or went back to Chicago.

I couldn’t eat much and my body was beyond exhausted. I felt incapable of moving forward.

Any steps I had taken the previous three months in processing my grief seemed to be wiped away and I was back to square one: the day Larry died.

I was starting to worry that I had sunk to a level I might never recover from. Finally after three weeks of not be able to stop crying ALL DAY I confessed to my grief counselor how I was feeling.

I sat across from her sharing all of this as tears streamed down my face. “What’s wrong with me?” I wailed. Honestly, I was expecting her to say anything expect what came next. She sighed and leaned toward me and spoke softly, “I think it’s time we discuss that you may be suffering from depression…”

What! I wanted to scream, but instead I suddenly stopped crying and stared back at her as though she had to be mistaken. I wasn’t depressed.

I’m the one people came to when they needed someone to talk to. I’m the one who saw the glass as always half full. I’m the one who had to be strong for her children who were depending on her. I didn’t have time to be depressed!

Why would I think it couldn’t happen to me? Of course I knew depression had nothing to do with being strong. I knew- and still know- plenty of strong people who live with depression. How did I miss this? How did I ignore the signs? Simple: it was me who was depressed and isolated in my own world.

My grief counselor and I talked about various avenues and treatments in coping with depression. Since I was still functioning and capable of taking care of my children I expressed that I wanted to take the holistic route and go back to all the wellness techniques I had relied on in the past. Since I had a weekly appointment with her and she would be monitoring me on a regular basis she agreed with my current plan of action. And for me that was key: I had to force myself to take action.

I had stopped myself from making decisions out of fear. Without Larry, I feared I’d make the wrong decisions. I also had to wrestle with fear of moving forward without him. For someone who normally doesn’t make decisions based on fear, I was letting fear rule me. The only fear that was productive in that moment was my fear that if I got worse I wouldn’t be able to take care of my children. And, once again, my children saved me.

How do you know if you’re facing depression? Here are some of the symptoms to be aware of:

• Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness

• Loss of interest in daily activities

• Appetite or weight changes

• Sleep changes

• Anger or irritability

• Loss of energy

• Self-loathing

• Reckless behavior

• Thoughts of suicide

If at any time you feel like you may harm yourself or someone else, seek medical attention immediately!

Here are some steps you can take if you’re suffering from depression related to grief (please note I’m not discussing other forms of depression):

• Seek counseling from a certified and qualified counselor

• Reach out to family and friends, don’t isolate yourself

• Practice stress-reducing techniques

• Eat a nutrient-rich diet (yes, I said it again)

• Eliminate or limit alcohol (it’s a natural depressant)

• Be active, take a walk, practice yoga

• Reach out for help in areas you may be struggling

As I mentioned above I had no hope for my future and I didn’t feel capable of making decisions on my own.

Thankfully I had some people I could count on. After talking with my grief counselor about depression I decided I had to force myself to make some decisions. I reached out to my business partners (who were not aware of my depression) and asked for their guidance in helping me make some decisions regarding my business and a new home for my children and me.

I then decided we would stay in Arizona. After what my kids had been through I didn’t want to take them out of a school they were familiar with and away from the close friends they had made.

I continued to see my grief counselor regularly. This was extremely beneficial for me. As I mentioned in last week’s post, “Living with Anxiety,” I had a standing weekly appointment.

It was during this time that we joined New Song Center for Grieving Children. I can’t recommend enough that you find a quality, professionally organized group therapy program. One of the symptoms of depression is isolation and feeling alone. Attending group therapy with other adults who suffered a major loss helped me to see I wasn’t alone. We provided the support for one another that I still hold dear to my heart today. When you are at the lowest point in your life finding others who understand what you’re going through is priceless.

The depression didn’t go away over-night, but I kept up a steady routine of visiting my grief counselor, practicing stress-reducing techniques and paying attention to what I put into my body.

One of the reasons the American Psychiatric Association doesn’t classify “depression from grief” as a disorder is they felt that as you healed in grief your depression would heal as well and you wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

As with my anxiety, I tend to walk a tightrope at times in fighting the depression from coming back, especially every fall. Come September (when Larry was in the hospital) through October 15th, the day he died, I always feel as though a thin veil of darkness hangs over my head. It’s not debilitating, it just weighs on my shoulders kind of like a reminder of the struggles I faced to get where I am today: at peace with my life and myself. Nevertheless, I’m extra cautious in what I do and what I put into my body during this time.

This is why I focus so heavily on wellness practices, specifically affirmations. I know too well how precarious the mind can be and every day I consciously strive to be as healthy as I can be in mind, body and spirit.

And if you are facing depression, I pray you will find your path in healing and find peace in your life.

Pam

PS. During this holiday season be extra kind to yourself. Take time to practice some of the wellness tools I’ve mentioned on other posts.

 

Learning how to breathe again

WB 11_12_14 Breathe

 Hi there,

I shared with you this morning that I live with mild anxiety and one of my biggest challenges is being able to capture a full, deep breath.

Besides the panic attacks and anxiety that contribute to my difficulty in catching a deep breath, all the heavy crying I did after Larry died made it worse.

When Larry died and my whole world fell apart I cried like I never knew a person could cry. Alone in the house while the kids were at school is when the grief poured out of me. With each deep sob I would unconsciously hold my breath until I was forced to take multiple shallow breaths.

I didn’t know it at the time, but what I was experiencing is called double breathing.

Double breathing after crying is a symptom of acute hyperventilation.

Basically you breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide. Excessive breathing (in my case the multiple shallow breaths) creates low levels of carbon dioxide in your blood. This causes many of the symptoms of hyperventilation.

Hyperventilation is a common side effect of crying, panic attacks or episodes of emotional stress. While double breathing after crying is normally safe if it occurs infrequently, it can be an alarming side effect for those who suffer from anxiety.

I had just suffered a great loss and my crying was daily. Over time the constant, deep cries, taxed my body in more ways than one.

It was during a session with my grief counselor that I explained to her that there were moments I felt I couldn’t catch my breath. She agreed it was common for someone to have difficulty breathing after experiencing grief. She recommended I practice deep breathing. Together we practiced a few deep breathing techniques in her office and I went home and found more on-line.

There are many videos on the internet on how to breathe properly but after all the ones I reviewed the one I favor the most is the method practiced by Dr. Andrew Weil, world-renowned leader of integrative medicine. It’s easy and can be done anywhere and at any time you feel the need to take a deep breath. No matter if I’m at home or out I can practice this deep breathing exercise the moment I feel as though I can’t catch my breath.

Dr. Weil refers to this as the 4-7-8 or relaxing breath exercise.

Here’s how you do it:

• Sit with your back straight (but not tense) and your feet on the ground. If you’re short like me you may have to scoot to the edge of your seat to plant your feet flat.

• Rest your arms at your side or gently on your lap.

• Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose feeling your chest rise and mentally count to four. Sometimes I close my eyes to really concentrate.

• Hold your breath to a count of seven.

• Open your mouth and exhale completely through your mouth to a count of eight.

This is one full breath, repeat this three more times.

How does your body feel? Are you calmer? Are your breaths deeper?

Like my anxiety, I’m sure I’ll live with this for the rest of my life. Again, that’s ok. I’ve gained some wonderful resources along the way so it’s not something I fear will take over my life.

Besides the deep breathing exercises that I follow regularly I also practice hot yoga which provides me another avenue to regulate my breathing.

Again, if you have difficulty breathing that won’t subside or sharp pains in your chest, please seek medical attention immediately. As I mentioned in the post, Living with anxiety, your health is not something to be gambled with.

I pray every breath you take is a breath of fresh air.

Pam

PS. To read this mornings post Living with anxiety, click here.

Living with Anxiety

 Good Morning,

The holidays are upon us and I know this time of year can heighten feelings of grief, anger or sadness. So I want to discuss a topic that is very real for many people: anxiety and panic attacks.

 

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According to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (that’s about 18% of the population of the United States) in any given year. Sadly, anxiety disorders now affect one in eight children.

Chances are you, or someone you know, has this disorder.

I’ve known plenty of friends and family members over the years who suffer from anxiety. I’ve listened on numerous occasions and sympathized many times as they described having a panic attack. While I empathized with the pain and fear that accompany anxiety and panic attacks, I never quite understood what it felt like to live with it…Until it happened to me.

In August of 2010 my husband Larry entered the hospital to undergo intense chemotherapy as treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. He couldn’t get a bone marrow transplant until the leukemia was deemed manageable.

One day while he was in the hospital waiting for treatment to begin we received some pretty dire news. When you face a life threatening illness it’s imperative to try and maintain a positive frame of mind in order to keep going each day. But that particular day there was no getting around the issue: if this treatment didn’t work Larry wouldn’t be around to see our kids grow up. I was devastated. But, for Larry’s sake, I became the cheerleader. Outwardly I told him not to listen to what the doctors said because he was going to make it, yet inside I was wrought with fear.

That evening I went home and fell asleep right away completely exhausted from the emotional turmoil of the day. During the middle of the night I was jolted awake by the uncontrollable shaking of my body. Furthermore, I realized my pajamas were soaking wet, my chest felt tight and I couldn’t catch my breath. Trembling, I climbed out of bed. Somehow I knew I had to get out of the wet pajamas. Still shaking, I managed to put on dry pajamas, grab a blanket and wrap it around me. I sunk to the bathroom floor and the tears came pouring out.

Perhaps it was the emotional release of the tears, but pretty quickly my shaking started to subside. Thankfully the tightness in my chest lessened and my breathing started to return to normal. I sat there in shock wondering what the heck just happened to me. Having listened to others as they described their panic attacks I knew I had just experienced my own.

I was stunned. How can this be happening?

Unfortunately Larry passed away less than two months after I experienced my first panic attack. My worst fears were realized. I went through all the motions in a fog after he died. The wake, the funeral, the return home and the return to daily life. Slowly the shock of his death began to subside and the grief came at me full force.

About a month after Larry died I found myself awake in the middle of the night once again. Just like the last time, my body was shaking uncontrollably and my pajamas were drenched with sweat. I had the same tightness in my chest and the same difficulty catching my breath. For the second time I got out of bed to change my pajamas, wrap a blanket around myself and sink to the floor. The only difference was I didn’t have to wonder what happened. I already knew: I had suffered another panic attack.

This time I cried for Larry not being with me. This time I cried because I felt such despair. Is this what my life would be like going forward? Would I just suffer one panic attack after another? Didn’t I have enough to deal with besides adding this to my plate of worries? It didn’t seem fair to me at the time. But then again, NONE of it was fair.

The American Psychological Association believes stressful life events, specifically pertaining to loss and separation, can trigger panic attacks. Please know that I’m not sharing this with you to add fear to an already difficult time in your life. I’m sharing my story with you to help, especially if you’ve already experienced a panic attack.

Not all panic attacks are as severe as the ones I experienced. To date, I’ve never had another severe panic attack like the one I described above. I still suffer from mild anxiety, but I’ve learned to live with it. And so can you.

How can you tell if you’re having a panic attack? Symptoms of a panic attack may include any or all of the following:

• Palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate

• Sweating

• Trembling or shaking

• Sensations of shortness of breath or smothering

• Feelings of choking

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Nausea or abdominal distress

• Feeling dizzy, unsteady, light-headed, or faint

• Chills or heat sensations

Here are some tips on how you can cope with an anxiety attack:

• Seek counseling from a licensed and qualified therapist

• Practice breathing exercises, (be sure to read the upcoming Wellness post where I explain breathing techniques)

• Eat a well-balanced nutrient rich diet (in case you’ve noticed, this is a pattern that appears in almost every post!)

• Limit your consumption of alcohol

• Limit your sugar intake, as it will bring down your immune system

• Exercise, do yoga, go for a walk

• Meditate

• Consider past stressful situations and see what tools you’ve used that have worked for you before

• Journal (I will cover this in length at a future date)

• Create and use affirmations

When I woke up the morning after my second panic attack I made a conscious decision: I didn’t want to live in fear of having another panic attack. Fortunately, I had enough tools in my “wellness bag” to give me hope.

Basically, I practiced every single one of the tips mentioned above- just not all at once and not all the same time.

I was already in the care of a licensed and experienced therapist. I was seeing her once every two weeks after I realized how serious Larry’s illness was. After he died I had a standing weekly appointment. It’s been almost a year since I stopped counseling, but I still have her number if I feel the need.

I also attended group therapy at New Song Center for Grieving Children. The children broke into groups based on their age and the adults went into a separate room. Being in a group with others who have experienced a tremendous loss (spouse, child or parent) erased feelings of isolation that can come with grief and contribute to anxiety.

I began to journal again. In fact, I had turned to journaling since college to help me get through rough patches in my life. (By the way, in my case this also took care of “Consider past stressful situations and tools you’ve used that have worked for you.”)

Then I practiced affirmations. Obviously I had no control over the death of my husband and the subsequent anxiety that came with it, but I could influence my thoughts and choose positive steps to heal.

One of the leftovers of that early anxiety that I still have to cope with on a regular basis is difficulty in catching my breath. Getting valley fever certainly didn’t help, so I practice breathing exercises on a regular basis.

Really paying attention to what I put into my body took me a little longer to do. The holidays certainly don’t make this easy. But I can’t emphasize enough the importance of eating nutrient rich foods and limiting alcohol and sugar.

Limiting sugar intake is very important. If you have a child that suffers from anxiety please help your child to read labels and understand the harm it could be causing in the long run.

More and more research is being published that establishes a correlation between sugar intake and anxiety.

According to Psychology Today the Standard American Diet, which is full of sugar and fat, does not necessarily cause anxiety but it does appear to worsen anxiety symptoms and impair the body’s ability to cope with stress.

I am grateful I had wellness tools to practice daily to help me cope with anxiety.

As previously mentioned, I still suffer from mild anxiety. I’m not sure why. Maybe the rubber band of anxiety in my life has been stretched too far, the elasticity has been lost and maybe it won’t ever return to the state it was in before Larry died. But that’s ok. I’ve learned to cope with the mild anxiety attacks that I get from time to time.

I’ve even learned how to recognize the source of my anxiety. Usually it’s brought on when I’m faced with stressful situations that involve my children regarding school or their health. It can also be brought on by life events, such as the death of someone close. And I experience symptoms of anxiety if I don’t eat or sleep well or even drink a little too much in a social setting.

I do my best each day to keep my body and mind healthy. Even so, circumstances outside my control can – and do – trigger my anxiety at times. But each time it happens, I’m confident I can cope with it.

That’s my biggest takeaway: I don’t live in fear of anxiety. If and when it happens, I trust I’ll be ok.

A word of caution: if you experience any of the symptoms listed above and they don’t subside, please seek medical attention immediately. Specifically if you have continued chest pains and difficulty breathing. I’ve been known to head to the ER more than once, just to make sure! Your health is not something to be gambled with.

If you currently suffer from anxiety or panic attacks I pray you find a way to add one or more of the coping techniques mentioned above into your day.

I wish you peace.

Pam

PS. If you live with anxiety and have some positive wellness tools that helps you please leave a comment below for others to see.

 

The power of Magnesium to relieve stress.

Hey there,

This morning I discussed getting through the holiday season. You’ll undoubtedly have a mix of emotions over the next couple months.

You may find you’re more anxious when faced with having to make decisions about this holiday season. I would like to offer you a relaxation technique that I’ve followed since the time I was a young adult- soaking in a hot bath, preferably with Epsom salts.

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Yes, you read that correctly, I want you to take a bath. But not any old bath, I want you to add Epsom salts to your bath. You can get them at any pharmacy, grocery store, or big box store. Just be sure to check the label that the salts are made from a pure mineral compound of magnesium sulfate.

Can a bath really make a difference?

Do you remember the Calgon commercials from the 1970’s? I’m referring to the one where a very frustrated woman screams, “Calgon, take me away!”

Even though I was young I believed all the troubles this woman had simply melted away with the running water. (That’s the power of advertising for you!)

Regardless of the reason I relish the times I can soak in a tub. I’m a bit of a bookworm and for me there is no better way to relax than grabbing a book or magazine and laying in the tub until either the water turns cool or my fingers and toes are more wrinkled than a raisin.

As an adult and having to cope with stress from school, work, relationships, and being a parent- soaking in a tub before bed is a surefire way for me to relax and enjoy a sound and restful sleep.

Why magnesium?

Magnesium is a major mineral found in our bodies. Magnesium is found in our bones, muscle tissues, other tissues and fluids.


According to Massachusetts Institute of Technology – magnesium is essential for energy production, protein formation and cellular replication (e.g., DNA, RNA). It is as important as, if not more important than calcium and phosphorus. Magnesium works with calcium in muscle contraction and relaxation (calcium-contraction, magnesium-relaxation). It also works with vitamin D, potassium and other minerals. It is employed in at least 300 enzymatic reactions within the body, many relating to energy. It helps reduce blood pressure, reduce vascular spasm and improve heart function and also helps regulate calcium metabolism.

Magnesium is a powerful mineral that we need to SURVIVE. I will be addressing magnesium in greater depth in the future, but for today I simply want to make you aware of the benefits of magnesium as a wellness tool you can use throughout the holiday season.

Why add Epsom salts?

Epsom salt is a pure mineral compound of magnesium sulfate.


Taking a bath with Epsom salts added to it can help to:

• Relieve stress

• Aid in sleep

• Fight cold symptoms

• Relieve aches and pains


Any time my children complain of soreness from growing pains or sports I tell them to soak in the tub with Epsom salts.

If you have diabetes, please check with your doctor before you use Epsom salts. Magnesium absorbed through the skin can alter blood sugar levels.

As with any health and wellness tools I give related to diet and/or absorption of vitamins and minerals please check with your doctor if you are currently taking any prescription medications.

Don’t worry, you can still soak in a hot bath to relieve stress and you certainly get magnesium by eating any of the following foods:

• Nuts – Almonds, cashews, peanuts

• Spinach

• Black Beans

• Avocado (we’ve seen this power food mentioned before)

• Baked potato with skin on

• Brown rice

Your health and well-being are very important to me.

I know first-hand the struggles you may face over the next few months. As I’ve recommended before, be kind to yourself, especially during the holiday season.

Peace be with you.

Pam

PS. To read this mornings blog Getting through the holidays with grief, click here.

Getting through the holidays with grief.

Hi Dear Friend,

The holidays will be here before you know it and I want you to be as prepared as one can be during this difficult time.

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My favorite time of year always started with Halloween and ended on New Year’s Day. I have fond memories from my childhood of decorating the house, watching all the holiday specials on television and celebrating with family. I grew up in a south suburb of Chicago and remember going into the city to Marshall Fields (now Macy’s) and eating lunch by the tall Christmas tree.

I couldn’t wait to carry on some of the same traditions I experienced growing up with my own children. The holiday lights, Santa, and the first snowfall of the year were all more enchanting seeing them through the eyes of my children. Yes, the holiday season was magical to me and my inner child rejoiced each year.

I loved to decorate and, despite what Larry used to tell people, I really didn’t have that many decorations! For me all those details livened up the house and brought the Christmas spirit into our home.

Another favorite of mine was celebrating with family and friends. We usually spent Thanksgiving in Arizona and hosted dinner with friends. Afterward neighbors would come to our house for a potluck dessert. Back in Chicago for Christmas we’d host a buffet dinner at our home for both sides of our family. Then on New Year’s Eve we’d have one big sleep-over so no one had to worry about drinking and driving. Family and friends would come with their kids, sleeping bags and food. We’d spend the evening playing games and enjoying being together. I LOVED this time of year.

That is, until 2010 and I spent my first holiday season without Larry.

Larry died on October 15, 2010. As I mentioned in a previous blog we went to Chicago for the funeral. We came back home to Arizona on October 25, six days before Halloween. At the time my oldest was nine and the twins were seven. Children grieve differently than adults and have the wonderful ability to live in the moment. They caught the buzz from other kids at school and wanted to get costumes. With a heavy heart I took them one day after school to get their Halloween costumes. But I didn’t get one for myself. This would be the first Halloween in years I didn’t dress up.

When one of the twins asked me if I was going to put up the orange and black lights and all the other Halloween decorations my heart sank…, I just didn’t have it in me. All I could say to him was, “Honey, mommy is so tired and we just got back from Chicago, can we skip it this year?” Being the sweetheart that he is, he nodded and started to walk away only to turn around and ask, “But you’ll put up the Christmas lights, right?”

Ugh, Christmas! I couldn’t even face Halloween, how in the world would I make it through the rest of the holiday season?

If you’ve recently experienced a loss or had a major change in your household (perhaps due to separation or divorce) you may already be feeling this way.

I’ll be honest: that first holiday season without Larry was one of the most difficult times I’ve had to face since he passed away. But it was the difficulties from that first year and attending New Song Center for Grieving Children that helped me shape how I wanted to spend future holiday seasons.

And that is my gift to you: to let you know you have a choice in how you spend your Holiday season.

It’s likely there are people around you who care about you and want to help you get through the holidays. As well-meaning as they may be, it’s up to you to decide what you want to do. There’s a lot of stress and uncertainty that accompanies the holiday season when you’re hurting. There even may be guilt associated in feeling you have to carry on traditions. You may wonder if there’s a certain way you’re supposed to behave. You may even be tempted to turn your head and not give the holidays a second thought.

But the truth is, you will need to make some choices and that’s where I’d like to help you.

For those of you who are divorced or separated with children, you will need to reach an agreement in matters where the children are concerned. Most divorce or separation documents already include some sort of “division of holidays” clause; however, verify ahead of time to ensure the other parent understands the arrangements.

I’m sending this out three weeks before Thanksgiving so you’ll have some time to think about what you want to do. Here are some things to ponder:

• Do you want to cook on the holiday or prefer to visit someone else?

• Do you want to decorate your house for the holiday season?

• Do you even want to celebrate or would you rather choose to do something out of the ordinary that day?

• What traditions do you want to keep?

• What NEW traditions would you like to put in place?

Keep in mind that each year your answer to these questions may change as you heal.

If one of your friends or family members is the one that’s hurting, here’s how you can help:

• Be understanding and respectful of the decisions your friend makes in how she wants to celebrate the holiday season.

• Don’t place extra pressure or guilt on your friend at this sensitive time.

•Be specific in how you would like to help. Decorating, shopping, wrapping presents – these simple tasks can feel like a burden when you’re grieving.

And if it’s you who is grieving…How do you honor your dearly departed?

It always gave me a sense of peace to honor Larry throughout the holiday season. These are some of the things we’ve done on every holiday, birthday and any other special occasion:

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• The boys and I make our own personal cards for Larry. We draw pictures and write a note to him. Then we share with each other the card we made and what it means to us. (I’ve saved all these cards for my children to give to them when they are older.)

• We light a candle at every holiday meal in honor of Larry.

• We’ve blown up balloons, attached a long string and attached written notes to the string and then let the balloons fly away with our message.

• In lieu of being able to buy Larry a gift I’ve made donations in his honor.

As the family or friend to someone who’s hurting, ask her how she may want to honor her loved one who’s no longer here. Don’t make any assumptions. Your friend may NOT want to do any of these things. Again, be respectful of her feelings. And above all else, do NOT bring a gift for the person who is no longer alive UNLESS you have cleared it with your friend. Your intentions are kind and caring, but during the holiday season feelings are heightened and more intense.

While there is no right or wrong way to celebrate there is one word of caution. DO NOT isolate yourself. If you’ve lost someone or this is a year your children are with the ex, find someone to spend the day with. It’s a fact that depression and anxiety are heightened during this time of the year. You want to take positive steps to heal – isolating yourself is not a positive step.

One last word: make sure to build into your day a little time for yourself no matter how you spend it. If at any moment you find you’re overwhelmed, excuse yourself, grab your coat and take a walk around the block, weather permitting. The fresh air will be soothing.

Remember, voice your needs, and your loved ones will listen.

I pray you’ll find some peace in your heart this Holiday season.


Pam

PS. The Halloween photo is from 2008. Last year I drew the Christmas card shown (Picasso I’m not!) I did dress up this year, check out my Instagram page to see our photos from Halloween this year.

Blueberry Almond Coconut Smoothie

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 Feeling a little stuffed from your holiday meal? Here’s a smoothie that’s packed with some powerful, nutrient-dense food and will get your digestive tract working again.

It’s super tasty! My son and I drink this almost every morning for breakfast, but you can enjoy it any time of the day.

Best of all it gets a thumbs up from Chef Walter!

A few tips: make sure your coconut water is refrigerated & your bananas and blueberries are frozen.

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

16 oz. Coconut Water
2 heaping tablespoons almond butter
2 frozen bananas
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 teaspoons Spirulina powder
1/2 Scoop Vanilla Protein powder

Optional: see notes below

1 tablespoon Acai berry powder
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Method:

Combine all ingredients in a high speed blender until all ingredients are fully blended.

Be sure to read the labels of all your ingredients and avoid and products with added sugars!

ENJOY!

Nutritional Benefits:

Coconut Water:

Provides a good source of Potassium which is a major mineral and essential electrolyte that your body needs. It plays an important role in electrolyte regulation, nerve function, muscle control, and blood pressure.

Almond Butter:

Excellent source of protein and major minerals: potassium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Contains the essential fatty acid, omega-6. Essential fatty acids are necessary for brain function, as well as growth and development. Our body can’t make essential fatty acids so it’s imperative we get these good fats by making healthy food choices!

Blueberries:

Blueberries are awesome! Although they are a good source of vitamin C and fiber, the real claim to fame for blueberries are the flavonoids they contain. One particular flavonoid, anthocyanidins, is an exceptional antioxidant that researchers claim can protect the brain from oxidative stress and may help protect against Alzheimer’s.

Bananas:

Bananas have always been a favorite of mine and they are a great base for many smoothies. They are an excellent source of potassium and Vitamin B6. Bananas also contain Vitamin C, fiber, and magnesium. Bananas are also very soothing to the gastrointestinal tract and can promote regularity (woo hoo!).

Spirulina:

I love, love, love spirulina! Spirulina is a blue-green algae that provides a complete protein source, which means it contains all the essential amino acids typically found in animal protein. It is also a good source of Vitamin K, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium and Potassium, and a very good source of, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Copper and Manganese.

Protein Powder:

I know a lot of folks like to use protein powders and my only word of caution is to make sure yours contains whole ingredients and not derivatives such as soy protein isolate. The body can have a difficult time breaking down man-made ingredients. I choose a protein powder that is raw, gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free and made from pea and hemp protein.

I’ve listed the next two ingredients as optional:

Acai berry:

This is an awesome superfood but I’m listing it as optional because it is fairly expensive and not including it won’t have an effect on the taste. Acai berries contain a high level of anti-oxidants, they have been recognized as having a high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity), basically how well the antioxidants neutralize free radicals and they contain fiber to aid in digestion. They are high in essential fatty acids, omega-9 and omega-6, which help to maintain optimum levels of cholesterol. They contain B-Complex vitamins and vitamin K, and minerals such as: potassium, manganese, copper, iron, and magnesium

Coconut Oil:

I love the sweetness coconut oils adds to my smoothie, my son does not. So I pour his smoothie first then add ½ tablespoon of coconut oil into the blender, pulse it a couple times and then pour my smoothie.
Contrary to what some people might think, we need fat in our diet, especially to aide in the digestive process. But it really needs to be a healthy fat such as coconut oil. What differentiates coconut oil from many other oils is that it contains medium chain fatty acids which the body can absorb better. It also is known to have some antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties.

I hope you enjoy this smoothie!

Pam