advice
Answering all of your health, wellness, fitness, and personal questions.
But you look okay
I don't know about anyone else but as a sufferer of a long-term condition I hate it when poeple say "but you look okay" where inside your head you feel like both hands and feet have been clamped in a vice and the pain is terrible. I remember going into the shop once and picked up a can of juice, I had to call out to my son to take the can from me as it was too heavy, I suffer from weakness in my muscles. My son looked at me and laughed "It's only a can mum" My main symptoms of Fibromyalgia are severe fatique and widespread pain. Both are invisible and both can be very dibilitating for the person that lives with it. When I first got Fibro it was 2013, it started in my back and left hand. Trying to explain to the doctor that I had severe pain but hadn't injured myself was confusing for me not just the doctor, I was sent for tests and an MRI after everything was ruled out I was diagnosed with Fibro. Fibro is very debilitating at times for me, I have no energy and am in constant pain all day and night. But to look at me I look like a healthy 39 year old. I see comments of other people and they too complain that people say they look fine to look at but inside they are crippled with pain. Fibro has over 250 symptoms including secondary conditions such as IBS and bladder weakness. I feel in my 80's when I really should still be full of life. I hate when we park in the disabled spot, we get judemental stares as if to say she doesn't look disabled. I am!! but that does not affect my quality of life I still try my best to live a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes within society people assume just by looking at a person, this attitude needs to stop as it just adds pressure on the people who suffer, we constantly feel we need to justify ourselves because we had a day in bed or why the housework hasn't been done, its like people assume us to be lying because "we look okay!" Some of us are not okay we just put up with it because we have no choice, its part of our life and we adjust and put up with it best we can. I am sure I am not alone when I say living with a long term condition is hard enough never mind having to battle with negative comments from people around you. People with Fibro also go through periods were their symptoms may get worse or they may improve, this fluctuation in health confuses people and is subject to comments like "but you were fine yesterday" it changes each day for me, I can't plan anything due to this as I just don't know how I will be feeling on that day so I live day to day. The main message I want to convery in this article is that some people have debilitating conditions that are invisible to others, we are not making it up this is real and more understanding of this condition is so needed as care from GP to GP can be different. For example I have been told Fibro is not progressive to be told it is and to be told it isn't again by 3 different health care professionals so why are GP's so underknowledged about this condition. It needs addressed in my opinion and researched more as I believe Fibro is more debilitating than some other serious conditions such as MS etc... I am a nurse have nursed many thousands of people and I kid you not most of my patients were healthier than me. The stigma attached to invisible conditions needs to stop, just because a person looks okay doesn't mean a thing because no one knows what is going on inside that person. The "you look fine" comment probably won't stop but its important that we all be the change we want to see in the world. I never look at a person and think "you look okay" as I know first hand what it looks like to appear normal but to be battling something inside that no one can see or feel. As a society we need to consider other people and never assume by looking at people they are okay. A little consideration for others goes a long way and makes the world we live in a better place for everyone. To my fellow warriors keep fighting and stay strong. Peace!
By Michelle King5 years ago in Longevity
Ego and Missed Opportunities
What drives you? What drives your soul? In this world, everyone has different things that drive them and their happiness. Some people want money, some people want ego and status, some people want love, some people want family, some want it all, and some don't know what they want. It is a question worth thinking about so your life plan comes to fruition. It is important to teach others what you have learned in this world without them necessarily having to go through the fire themselves to learn. I have seen so so many missed opportunities due to one not being able to put their pride and/or ego to the side. The Bible says that pride goeth before a fall. And it does. So many people do not know what they want. What they do know is they care about appearances and how something "looks" to others. For example, some people want to be a big fish in a small pond where everyone knows their name, and some want to be a small fish in a big pond. Me? I've never cared too much about everyone knowing my name as that alone unless you become famous doesn't pay any dividends! I am just being honest. I think a great deal of people just look around and blindly follow like sheep and end up at a destination. Nah- life only happens once and for me that is simply not enough. I tell my son all the time (as men are visual creatures and they can't help it by nature), to be smart. THINK. His forty year old self will thank me later. Maybe the skinny girl with the long hair really doesn't have anything to offer but shallow, superficial looks and material things. Looks fade and money definitely comes and goes. He acts like he is listening intently so we will see as the proof is always in the pudding! I know I get on his nerves as he is only 22 right now LOL. In this world, we all need somebody to help us at various points in our lives. My pride has been put to the test so so many times over the years while raising my son. If you cannot ask for help, making it in this world is going to be a lot harder than it has to be. And always be thankful for those with the good hearts that are left in the world. Some may look different than you but they know what darkness feels like. If the people you think that should be helping can't or just won't, you MUST find your tribe of people. I have moved several times over the years and with each move I would always think 'yeah, but I don't know anyone'. Let me tell you something- the Lord has sent me some really good people to help me along the way. Once you make it out of the storm, try not to let bitterness take over your heart (and you are going to want to treat people how they treated you which always wasn't so good). I pray every single day about that. And turn around and helps someone else out of the darkness- we are all just trying to make it through this world the best way we know how. I used to ask the question of the Lord- 'Why'? 'Why Me?' and he answered me saying that I will know soon enough. You are not always going to like your assignment and the human side wants what it wants but the Lord does know best on all things.
By Vikki Conley Ikard5 years ago in Longevity
Virgo, the Princess Warrior of Recycling and Worm Safety
Have you ever been in a relationship, long term or otherwise, with a Virgo? If so, you already know what I am going to be writing about. The benefits (or, for some of you, fallout) do not create memories that are easily filed away or forgotten. Intense is a word that comes to mind, as recalling your experiences with her either reduces you to the dribble of a few tears or to great shouts of laughter.
By Kennedy Farr5 years ago in Longevity
Innovation & Progress
There are many things that have been racing in my mind and I just, honestly, wanted to talk about this. Ever since I learned about the meat packing industry due to John Oliver my mind started to swirl with thoughts about power and what it means in the context of Individualism and Community. It also made me think about how innovation and progress are two distinctly very different things that tend to intersect in this tiny little point where they almost seem to meet to "revolutionize" our way of thinking, as a species in general.
By Roberto Garcia5 years ago in Longevity
Four Reasons Why Proper Form is So Important
You've probably been here before. You are deep into a workout. Maybe it is your near to last, or last, set. You are thinking about how close you are to being done with a hard workout. You're happy with the work you've put in so far and just need to get those last few reps in. You aren't focused on maintaining proper form because it's all about those last reps and being able to count them and cross them off the list as completed. You use your last bit of energy to get those reps in and then you're done. You pat yourself on the back for banging it out and getting it done. You go on with your day. The next morning you wake up and your lower back is sore. It isn't the normal muscle soreness you feel after a good workout. No, this is different. You tweaked something. Bending over is painful. Twisting is painful. The next day, it isn't any better. You didn't sleep well because you were uncomfortable. Your recovery is effected and the work you did yesterday is wasted. Now you have to skip today's workout. Double loss.
By Daniel Wilkins5 years ago in Longevity
Conquer the Morning, Slay the Day
There are a few specific things we can do to help set ourselves up for success each day. These aren't "cure all" hacks that are guaranteed to dramatically change your day, every day. They will, however, help you get going in the right direction and to give you some small wins to start the day with.
By Daniel Wilkins5 years ago in Longevity
What Are the Key Benefits of Drinking Lemon Water in the Morning?
When the starting of the day is fresh then it is clear that the all-working day is going to be better. In such a situation, there is hardly anything better than starting the day with warm lemonade. When we get up early morning and sip a few drops of lemon water in warmish water is very worthy. Start a day with this healthy drink that pulls out the toxins of the human body. Afar from this, if you are concerned about weight loss, then this health too. Nevertheless, this healthy drink is an effective solution for you.
By charlessmithtaylor5 years ago in Longevity
