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Tips for Going Vegan
Going vegan is a very extreme life choice. It’s a difficult transition for anyone. Especially if you’re going from a normal diet to vegan it will be challenging. I’ve been vegan now for several months and I transitioned from a vegetarian diet. I had a lot of thoughts and meaning behind my decision but that didn’t make the lifestyle shift any easier. Here are some of my top tips for going vegan. Discover Why You’re Doing It People are going to ask you questions. Going out to eat will take lots more thought and effort. There will be judgement and an interrogation from at least one person. I’m not trying…
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Gift Ideas for the Spoonie in Your Life
Getting the perfect gift for anyone is difficult. I’ve been told that since getting sick, I’m more difficult to buy for. I don’t believe that to be true but I suppose I’m not usually buying gifts for myself. Often, the things that us spoonies want is not something that can be bought. It’s always best to get a gift that speaks to someone’s soul. Here are some great gift options for the spoonie in your life. Oil Diffuser and Essential Oils I love my oil diffuser. I often use it at night with some relaxation oils but it’s a great option for anyone who isn’t sensitive to smells. This is…
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How To Recharge
Recharging is something that I do often. Unlike relaxing, recharging is something that is energizing to me. If I have several doctors appointments in one day, or a long to-do list, recharging is a way I stay motivated and get it done. There are tons of ways to recharge. Everyone is different but here are some of my favorite ways to recharge throughout the day. Listen to Showtunes When I need something to pick up my spirit, I turn on showtunes. Unlike my normal playlist, these are upbeat songs from shows that make me dance and sing. Although, let’s be honest, I’m usually singing in my car. My favorite songs…
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Getting My Service Dog
Getting a service dog is a big decision. There is a lot of thought and logistics that go into making such a large lifestyle change but for me this was worth it. First, I want to address why I came to the conclusion this was right for me and my lifestyle. Then, I’m going to talk about the process and getting accepted into a program. Finally, I’m going to talk about meeting my dog and starting to train. As of right now, my dog hasn’t moved in yet. It is going to happen this week and I couldn’t be more excited. I will give a more in depth review about…
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Creating a Morning Routine
Having routines is something that I’ve found to be very helpful. My body is often ready when I need it to be because I’ve allowed it time and space to rest and recharge. I’m type A and I understand that making schedules is not everyone’s strong suit. So here are some great tips for creating your own morning schedule. Write Down your Intentions for the day This is something I actually do at night. I write down the bullet points of what I’d like to get done for the next day. I try to write them in order of importance, that way when I’m going through my day, I know…
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How To Talk With Your Family
Discussing personal issues or medical information can be troubling. This is especially true with family. They may be in denial or cease to understand the reality of your circumstance and thus make inappropriate comments. When you’re dealing with chronic illness, having support is everything. It can feel like a fight to have people understand where you are coming from. Their attempts at understanding can be hurtful. So here are some tips on how to talk with your family about chronic illness. Be Patient Let me be clear, I am not a patient person. I’m quick to jump in and defend myself if a conversation feels like it’s going south. I…
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How to Relax
Relaxing is a key component of staying healthy, both mentally and physically. For anyone, finding time to relax can be a difficult task. When you have a chronic illness, finding subtle ways to relax throughout the day can be vital. Doctors will always stress the importance of mental health. Often it can feel attacking or intimidating. As you start to master biofeedback you’ll discover you have the power to change your perspective. Here are some great tips to help you relax throughout the day. Meditation I will always stress the importance of meditation. Being able to calm your mind, even if only for a few minutes is a magical experience.…
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The Best Compression Leggings
In my experience, finding compression leggings can prove to be a daunting task. For weeks, I scoured the internet trying to discover which brand I wanted to trust. Amazon had the most fruitful results. The styles they showed me were mostly for active individuals who need compression for sports. In my case, I need compression to help maintain my blood pressure. The most important areas for me to compress is my abdomen and thighs. I’ve tried leggings that were over $100 and some that are less than $30. At the end of the day there are key things to know when finding compression leggings. What are you using them for?…
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How To Stay Positive
Staying positive can be a challenge when dealing with chronic illness. It’s easy to fall into a trap of feeling like the world is working against you. When my health issues started, I felt like the universe was holding me back from achieving my greatest ambitions. One day I realized it was quite the opposite. In fact, this illness that I had come to hate started to make life more meaningful. I was becoming grateful for basic functions, seeing the sunshine, and having a roof over my head. These aren’t small things and yet when we are “perfectly normal” they seem like a given. Being grateful is one way to…
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What To Bring For Your Hospital Stay
If you find yourself being admitted to the hospital, I would imagine your mind might be spinning. At least mine was when I was first admitted. Depending on why or how you’ve been admitted you may be packing a bag or asking someone to go home and gather your things. For me it’s been latter. You would think after nine hospital stays one would start to prepare. Somehow they always seem to catch me by surprise. In my experience, there are essential items that can make or break your hospital stay. Here are some of my best suggestions on what to bring on your hospital experience. 1. Comfortable Underwear This…
