Hi welcome to “Talking with Donna”…I know, I missed you guys and dolls. Life has a way of moving with or with out you. I chose to move with it…so pardon my inability to speak with you guys…
Lets get started…..Since my last post soooo sooooo long ago….I have been very busy sometimes doing nothing….literally nothing 😅, other times involved in several different things.
I will share some things, updates on retirement, moving, and most definitely information on emotional well being I call low energy and low levels of happiness during self isolation #not alone (?), social distancing.
I will offer ways to keep your brain chemicals balanced, the ones that make you feel happy. How to balance or raise them…. 👍
Ok, so since my last post I have been attempting to down load trip pictures I took while in mexico….to no avail I have yet to conquer that feat. It has not defeated me it just has me baffled, yet I will get it…when, I don’t know.
I have been on a inconsistent continual packing mode. How can it be both? Well I will tell you. I start packing and get off track. I Get busy doing other things, time gets away from me. I go to sleep, it’s the next day…I get busy doing something else…two days have past, I go back to packing. It doesn’t help that I really don’t want to do it.
I know they have people to do this. I’m funny about that. So that’s how that’s been going.
Since retirement… I have been traveling to and from Las-Vegas. We have been looking at property and I love it. It suits what my husband and I need. In making this choice (we are older ) we took several things into consideration;
The weather, we are currently in the midwest. We both have skeletal system issues, cold weather is not our friend. We both love cold weather activities and holidays but have little tolerance for the colder part of the year.
It is important to us, how well can we live on our retirement. There are several states that are retiree friendly this is one that we felt was benificial to our financial interests and ability.
Comfortably is important like, can we walk to the store, how close are we to necessities are. Safety is also part of this. At this time every place you go you need to be careful. Las Vegas to me is no safer or worst than any where else.
We have found areas that are comfortable for us, the area is diverse, we are close to major hospitals, universities and the airport, we can walk, ride our bikes and take public transportation if necessary. These things were important for my husband and I.
If you are considering relocating think about what is important to you, what do you need to live a comfortable life within your means which will produce less anxiety and stress in your overall health.
Well that is a good lead into our next conversation. What’s going on now and how to maintain as much as possible your mental and emotional health…🤔.
Since this pandemic has been in process I have been trying to think of how to better provide appropriate information that was in line with what is currently happening.
I feel that due to what is required of us there is an increase of low energy and low levels of happiness.
Let’s look at some of the chemicals in our brain that effect happiness: dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.
By designing experiences that activate these chemicals, you can increase your level happiness. Well you ask “how can I do this; I’m in the house ug”…. Exercise.
The best and most effective way to boost serotonin is with daily exercise, who wants to excercise….here are some simple things you probably do and don’t think about it….while you clean you stretch. Stretch a little further make a game with the kids…while wiping the counter have them stretch their arm or legs futher than normal…no competition…put some spins in it be creative excercise does not have to be the normal activity add your own spin to it…be silly it will bring a smile, smile brings laughter, laughter increase chemicals…
Spend time in the sunshine, “how can I do that?” “We are home bound”… if it is cloudy you can still get fresh air…open a window…if you can go stand outside. When the sun is out, stand at the door or window.
Remember always work within the guideline of your city. If you are only allowed to stand on your porch or in your yard do it , move around out there within the guidelines of your city.
Eat some chocolate if you where able to have this eat a piece…eating chocolate increases levels of endorphins released call serotonin A chemical found in chocolate causes the release of serotonin.
Pet a dog or cat if you have one or an animal you can pet…according to Alan Beck, ScD, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University.Oct 24, 2013. Petting your cat or dog feels good. It can lower your blood pressure, helps your body release a relaxation hormone, and cuts down on levels of a stress hormone. It also soothes your pet.
Meditate. …Serotonin, a powerful neurotransmitter, plays a major role in mood regulation. Meditation has been hypothesized to decrease anxiety levels. You can go to” Talking with Donna” on anchor where you will find many meditations to assit you.
Last but not least find one or more things to laugh at during the day including yourself. Get off the computer, turn off the tv or all electronics during some time of the day pick up a book, clean the house, move around do something and most of all laugh..laugh..laugh.
“Remember if you or someone you know are dealing with mental health issues please get help and know you are not alone.”
You can continue or start to support me by sharing, liking, rating and following me here at “Talking with Donna”. Currently, you can listen to older mental health information and meditation on my podcast also named….you guessed it ” Talking with Donna” on anchor…thank you again. I will let you know when I have a new meditation on my podcast in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned 😊
Talking with Donna 