Earn App Rewards for Getting in Shape…Who Knew?
Happy 2024 and welcome back. I hope the winter holidays brought you everything and anything your heart desired and your soul craved. Mine was peaceful, and at times delightfully fun. Now it’s time to rewrap my head around reality. On this gray, soggy January morning, after an extended break, I’m finding it difficult to rekindle my groove. Other family members are feeling similarly. Two explicitly expressed absolute dread about restarting the work grind. So, I feel for you if you’re operating in neutral, reverse, or cold-stop.
I applaud you if you’re raring to go…stepping, jogging, jauntily embarking into this new year and all the new adventures that lay before us. Whatever your speed, take each moment at your own pace as much as possible while being kind to yourself for whatever bandwidth is at your disposal.
While I hope that you’re content with how you look and feel, as we start a new year featuring endless new opportunities, are you thinking it’s time for some personal adjustments? Your reasons are yours. Modifications tend to be easier if the choice is yours, you’re fully or mostly on board, results are attainable, and in a way that doesn’t require too much time, energy, and distress. Improvements for more vitality, greater health and well-being, fitting into favorite clothes after over-indulging in far too many high caloric goodies the last few weeks are all great reasons to embark on a new path. Whatever the reason, I wish you success in your endeavors. If it’s time for a healthier you, you might be interested in an innovative motivation and accountability e-approach. These are not just any old fitness apps, these programs take incentives to a more impelling level.
Motivate yourself with fitness apps that pay out with cash, rewards, discounts or contribute to charity based upon achievements. Image by lukedurward from Pixabay.
Every January, I’ve observed local fitness center parking lots maxed out. That usually lasts until early spring before well-intentioned new year resolution aspirations taper off and fitness goals wither. Sound familiar? Obviously you’re not alone. In year’s past, I’ve written that I’m not a fan of new year’s resolutions or goals period. I’ve seen too many crashes and burns causing harmful self-berating and lost hope. Setting intentions feels kinder, but do whatever works for you.
As an avid walker, I appreciate the weight maintenance and muscle benefits from frequent and often intense exercise. What I didn’t know is that I could earn $ for my steps. One of my colleagues introduced me to a host of apps that pay either dollars, rewards, discounts or contribute to charity based upon fitness achievements. One app goes the extra mile by staking your money against achievement accountability. You don’t make your goals, you’re out of the game, and your money is forfeited. You win, you earn a few extra $ via splitting the ante pot which could be in the thousands. That’s gambling for a worthy cause I suppose.
For those needing any and every ounce of motivation to get up, get out, and move those legs, apps like these may be the catalyst you need. I’m not recommending any of them, as I haven’t tried them out. Nor will I likely use one. I don’t care to share my personal data and whereabouts with the datatrackers. Additionally, many days I’m stuck exercising in-home as I climb 900 stairs (30 steps x 30 repetitions) and 30 circuits on each level of my house. That would likely confuse the GPS into no-credits earned. But these apps are worth sharing as I know some of my clients and perhaps you may find the exercise gold that will deliver sustained results. The bottom-line is incentivize yourself in whatever way works handiest and encouraging for you. Feel free to share with me at sherri@thepracticalsort.com any that you believe are winners or not so great along with your reasons.
*Please note, The Practical Sort doesn’t endorse or receive any compensation for the fitness apps.
Free Government Covid Tests and More Holiday Wellness Tips
Holiday schmoozing, festivities, public events, and gift exchanges. Yay for the fun stuff. Speaking of exchanges, no surprise the risks of contracting covid are still quantifiable. My friends and family members are testament to the ongoing covid menace. Endemics are well, endemic. Not much escaping those malevolent germs. Take steps to protect yourself. Feel comfortable doing so by following whatever protocols meet your specific needs.
Order your free government sponsored covid tests while they last
Do you know that the US government is still offering free covid tests? Yes, entirely free including free shipping. Free tests became available once again on November 20, 2023. “Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests.” If your budget is feeling the wallop from all the holiday ingredients, be assured these tests won’t take a further bite.
Stock Up Your Wellness Kit
To ensure more enjoyable, healthy holiday revelry, along with ordering your covid test kit, here are more tips to reinforce your wellness kit beyond the bubbly and pastries…
Take sensible steps to reinforce your wellness kit beyond the bubbly and pastries
Pencil in time to rest up and recover afterwards regardless of whether you’ve encountered nasty bugs or not. All that socializing, food and beverage consumption, and potentially stressful prep and post responsibilities can take a physical and mental toll. No one wants to start the new year with the crud weighing them down.
Keep Your Head Above Water This Time of Year
This should be a fun, celebratory time of year. Hopefully for you it is. For some, the self-imposed or external expectations, the long list of to-dos, navigating the holiday invitations, the search for perfect gifts and holiday meals, it may all feel a bit too much for your bandwidth and budget.
In deference to keeping my own head above water, I almost didn’t write a practical tip this week. Technically a few moments ago, I considered bagging tips for the rest of the month. Knowing me, if I give myself a pass now, it’s likely the weekly tip kit & kaboodle will fall to the wayside altogether. Strengthening habits and sticking with commitments makes me feel better provided the commitment is still useful and serves the intended purpose. If one small tip can solve someone’s minor annoyance, then their day may feel better, and it’s a win all around. Then the commitment is well worth it. From the feedback I receive, I think that’s the case. I’ll continue to review this though in the new year.
Watch for signs that you’re drowning this time of year. Image by Eszter Miller from Pixabay
When the Plate’s Nearly Full
I’ve seen warning signs from mood changes and a crazy busy schedule that my plate is nearly full. Or as full as I can comfortably handle without tipping over the edge. Aside from working with clients and running my business, I’m in the midst of 3 educational career advancement and personal growth courses, writing for various publications, and considering 2 prospective organizing workshops. That’s the professional stuff. Then there’s getting holiday ready. Fortunately, holiday gifts are mostly covered. And I’m debating whether I will create my annual family newsletter. Maybe I’ll go digital again this year to assuage my eco-ethos and budget-minding, for most recipients. For those not email savvy, they might get hard copies. Still on deck…holiday celebration menu planning and grocery shopping.
And, most fervently lending a hand, only when asked of course, in the planning of my daughter’s future wedding!!! Fortunately, I believe she’s following my one (well at least one) piece of advice and is searching for a wedding planner. The unquestionable value of those services was my takeaway from my November 17, 2020 blog, “And the Oscar for Best Wedding Co-Star…”, when I interviewed Wedding Coordinator and Wedding Coach, Nicole Herinckx, founder and creator of Zillaevents.com. I’m grateful she introduced me to the world of wedding planners. I’d hire Nicole in a heartbeat if the nuptials weren’t ½ way across the US, and we need boots on the ground.* Sigh. If you or someone in your circles is planning a wedding, be sure to check out or share the blog. Nicole shared so many good tips.
Until early 2023, I’m being super mindful to say “no” to non-essential activities unless the invitation is irresistibly uplifting when I need a boost.
How Much Is On Your Plate?
How is your head this time of year? Are you feeling flooded? Are there more tasks than hours or bandwidth to do them? What can you give a pass to or pass along to someone else? Knowing your limits will keep you healthy and operational long enough to get you through the next few weeks without a complete meltdown. I’m speaking from past experience. Trying to do it all, purchasing perfect gifts for absolutely everyone, hosting idealized parties, and traveling to and fro is challenging under the best circumstances.
Keep it Real
The state of affairs the last few years and the current economy aren’t settings for over-the- top aspirations. Keep it real for you. For your family. Beware of false or unrealistic expectations. We believe that others are setting standards for us that may or may not be the case. Feel free to set your own boundaries. You have the agency to do so. If you don’t hit the A+ mark 100% of the time, what’s the worst that will happen? Your not-so-favorite uncle, who never truly likes your gifts anyway, will balk at this year’s offering too? There’s no satisfying some people. If their panties are in a twist, give yours the grace to fit comfortably by keeping a cool head. When your holiday soufflé plummets before it’s barely out of the oven, take a few deep breaths and giggle. Who cares especially if it’s chocolate?! Stash some extra ice cream in the freezer to substitute just in case. Back up plans never hurt as long as contingencies aren’t going to push you further over the edge.
Gift Yourself a Silver Lining
Gift yourself a silver lining. Image by Alexsander-777 from Pixabay
Even when things go awry, find the silver lining, the gift that doesn’t cost you a dime. That reminder is probably one of the most precious tidbits I’m taking away from the self-growth course. I’ve known it for ages, I’ve been fairly lousy practicing it. This year, self-awareness around taking life so seriously and self-forgiveness are my top 2 holiday aspirational gifts. I’ll let you know if Santa brings them.
*The Practical Sort doesn’t endorse any businesses or receive any compensation for features.
Before You Take That Bite…
You might be surprised at the topics that come up during a coached organizing session. Finances, physical and emotional health, professional and personal aspirations, relationship hiccups, the list is bottomless. Seems like these discussions have nothing to do with home organizing, au contraire. I view these side trips as ancillary to creating living spaces that comfort us, enable us to be as productive as possible, and support our overall well-being. Anything that gets in the way, especially feeling like crap, creates hurdles that require clearing.
For the Sake of Eating
Enticing snack food. Is that feeling hunger or cravings?
Speaking of well-being, one recent conversation was about mindful eating practices. “Susan” [not client’s actual name} suspected that she was eating for the sake of eating. Upon reflection, she realized that she acted upon cravings regardless if she was hungry or not. She supposed that was the reason for weight gain and feelings of being “off.” We explored ways that she could check in with herself before heading to the kitchen or snack machines to see what was really going on. This was in contrast to other clients, often those with hyper-focused ADHD or other hard-driven type A’s, that completely forget to eat or can’t find the time to stop for a bite.
Susan asked if I ever eat for the sake of eating. At first I thought, “no.” Why would I? But as I gave the question a chance to settle in, I realized I often do. There are times when I’m not hungry at all; however, if I notice symptoms of deescalating blood sugar, I know that I need to eat some protein, hungry or not. Otherwise, I open myself up to unwanted physical and emotional side effects. Guaranteed you won’t want to be in my presence at that point.
Not sure if your actually hungry or craving? Would you eat something nutritious instead of a sweet treat?
Fixation
And yes, there are times of craving when I start fixating on satisfying that yearning. Am I hungry? Often times, no. How do I know? I imagine eating something else, it could be something that I like or something I don’t particularly care for. If I was truly hungry or ravenous, I would probably eat almost anything. If those things are completely unappealing, then I know I’m not hungry. I’m in a craving state. Then I look for distractions until the next meal time. The benefits of an easily distractible brain. There are occasions I allow myself to be soothed, comforted, or awarded accordingly, even if hunger isn’t noticeable. Fortunately for my waistline and thighs, these moments are rare.
Eating By Choice, Not Mindlessness
The mornings I opt for a slice of toast, I cut the bread in half. I put one half on my plate, the other I leave on the baking stone. Then I have to make a conscious choice to go back and retrieve it. If it was on my plate, I would likely eat it because it’s there. About 1/3 of the time I go back and fetch the other half. Sometimes I even forget about it as I get wrapped up in emails, work, or something else. Then, as I put my dish and coffee cup in the dishwasher, I see that little slice. Give it one more consideration. Most days, at that point, I typically toss it back in the bread bag for the next breakfast. This extra step really gets me to tune into whether I’m actually still hungry or not.
The next time you’re on the way to scavenge for morsels, is it possible to take a momentary pause? Are you actually hungry? Are you placating a desire? Would you eat something less desirous? Let that answer help guide you to the next step. Does your blood sugar need adjustment? Is it the only time available to grab something in a busy day? If it helps, post questions like these on your fridge or pantry or wherever your snacky food resides. Use the questions as a reminder to honor your goal to take care of yourself if that’s what you want.
Medication Management Made Easy From Simple to Fancy
Are you frequently forgetting which medications or supplements you took? How many? When you last dosed? I know how frustrating that can be. It’s also downright dangerous. Forgetting to take your medications or taking too many can aggravate current medical conditions or possibly be life threatening. Following proper dosing as recommended by your healthcare practitioner is equally important for attaining, restoring, and maintaining optimal health.
So, how do you do that if you tend to be forgetful? Pill minders can be an excellent way of tracking what you took, when you took it, and how much. It saves time because once you’ve dispensed the meds or supplements into the compartments there’s no need to fumble with a bunch of bottles dosing them out. If you’re caring for a family member, friend, or client, it will make it easier to ensure that the right doses at the correct time each day were taken. They also make tracking meds on travel a breeze.
Pill minders come in a variety of shapes, number of days, one or multiple times of day, color-coding schemes, and labeling.
The one I use is relatively simplistic as I only take supplements each day with breakfast. And some at lunch time. I simply refill each compartment as it empties. It saves me noticeable time each day since I started compressing the process this way.
Pill minders come in a variety of shapes, number of days, one or multiple times of day, color-coding schemes, and labeling. Pair them with medi alert reminders to signal that it’s time for a dose. Some dispensers come with built in timers. Overall the prices are reasonable. The fancier the features such as digital displays, programming capabilities, audio alerts, automated dispensing systems, locking to prevent misuse, the more expensive the product.
Although I’m not crazy about housing meds in plastic, the receptacles are light-weight and there’s less risk of broken glass if the user has motor skill difficulties and the dispenser falls.
Hero pill dispenser holds a 90-day supply up to 10 medications of any shape or size with a pill time reminder App.
Caregivers may appreciate Hero. I’m not endorsing any of these products, nor have I tried Hero. The Hero subscription offers a 15” x 9” smart medicine dispenser which holds up to a 90-day supply of 10 medicines of any shape or size. Add your medication list to their HIPAA-compliant App to receive pill time reminders and track what was taken/when. A remote caregiver monitors for safety and schedule management. They offer 3 subscription plans with a 90-day money-back guarantee, and an unlimited warranty for the life of the subscription. There is also a one-time initiation fee to join. Medicare may cover the subscription for those 65+, they provide a link for qualifying details. Transfer your prescriptions over to them, and they will coordinate refills with delivery every 30 days.
Be sure to read reviews of any pill minder before purchasing. The more complex the device, the more opportunity for device failure or user error. Also note whether pills vary in size and shape because that can cause influence the type of pill organizer to consider. Smaller pills may migrate into other compartments inadvertently. Large capsules or tablets may not fit into the slots.
It’s Not Over Yet…Travel Safely with Media Strategist Paula Rizzo’s Savvy Tips
Just when we thought it was safe, well shoot. Below is what recent travel was like for me. Then Paula’s first-hand travel experience navigating with covid. Let her knowledge and preparation steps be your guide.
Covid can impact your travel plans even in the nicest places. Be prepared.
Last week, my husband and I had the pleasure of attending a much anticipated 2-day celebratory event at a lavish resort. I went with a hint of trepidation. We haven’t been to many multi-people venues since covid began. Now with mask-less travel and covid transmission rates on the rise again, I found myself continually quelling discomfort as my ears detected every cough, sneeze, and audible wheeze. I awkwardly opted for repeated elbow bumps as hands reached out for a introductory shakes. (I had to draw my boundaries somewhere). Some folks donned masks, so I didn’t feel too stand-offish with this request.
We enjoyed ourselves and spent time with our son who joined us the day after we arrived. Saturday night, the second night of elegant festivities were just beginning when I saw my husband beeline away from the function. Later when I caught up with him, he let me know that he went to the covid testing center. He was alerted that someone we were with, many guests were closely with, the previous night tested positive. We were exposed, even if only for a few minutes. Indirectly, who knows how many others we chatted amongst in close proximity were also exposed. Time to whip out the masks again. Perhaps too late for us. Not too late to protect others. It’s not over yet.
Travel safely. Use these cautionary tips from author, tv producer, media strategist Paula Rizzo.
Today as I write this, I came across travel tips by media strategist, author, tv producer Paula Rizzo who contracted covid while recently traveling in France. Fortunately, she and her husband appear to be ok. Unfortunately, being quarantined abroad and vacationing in the land of luscious cuisine with no active taste buds, is truly a bummer. No surprise that Paula, famous for her best-selling “Listful Living” books, would churn out smart travel preparation strategies and healthy travel checklists so you can benefit from her experience. With permission from Paula, I’m sharing her List Producer link to keep you safe as you get ready for summer vacation or business travel.
Covid is not as severe as it has been, but it’s still transmissible, and it’s still a health risk. Be prepared. Bon voyage.
Thank you Paula.
https://listproducer.com/2022/05/your-overseas-covid-19-checklist-for-healthy-travel/
Please Notify!
I truly appreciate learning new ideas and strategies from those in my circles especially my clients. I seriously don’t have all the answers. A client and dear friend gave me permission to share this vital emergency contact system. I hope you’ll not only find the concept useful, I hope it inspires you to adopt it. I have.
My friend lives alone while also managing the care of other family members. Being the thoughtful and responsible person she is, she wanted to ensure that her social circle be kept in the loop if anything should happen to her health or safety.
In Case of Emergency (ICE) front of the laminatable card. Click on the image to access this and many other organizing templates.
Creating a System
For starters, she carries an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) identity card. The front of the laminated card identifies who she is and where she lives for situations. This is pertinent if she might be unconscious or confused. Feel free to include any medical conditions such as diabetes that may be crucial for first responders.
ICE card emergency contact side (primary contacts)
The back is a list of primary (first line) contacts’ names, phone numbers, and relationship to her. It’s helpful to list more than one person in the event that person can’t be reached. She takes the card along anytime she leaves the house. You might wish to attach this info. to your covid vaccination card.
Designate 2-3 primary emergency contacts for your ICE card who’ll connect with each other. Pass along 3-4 second line contacts for each primary contact to notify. Group by friends, relations, or other connections if possible.
She also created an emergency contact chain. Via email, she assigned her primary contacts on her ICE card 3-4 additional second line names and contact info. to notify if and when.
In the event of a serious situation, some of her contacts (with their permission) have been delegated additional duties to carry out to lessen confusion about who needs to do what. This could include tasks such as animal care, securing the home, notifying the mail carrier, alerting nearby neighbors, etc.
And she considers herself unorganized. This is one of the most thoughtful and organized processes, and I hadn’t done it.
Because I’m an avid walker who often doesn’t think to take along identification, I slipped a contact card into my cell phone case. I have no idea if anyone would think to check under the phone to see if there is any identification there, but at least it gives me a sense of security if I’m without my purse.
How do you start?
Who would you like to appoint to serve as your 2-4 primary contacts? Consider close family members, friends, or co-workers for this role.
Request their permission for inclusion on the ICE card, and to serve as a first line responder.
Give each primary contact the contact information of the other primary contacts. Request that they ensure connection is made between all primaries in the event of an emergency, and they are clear on their roles if any other duties are assigned and accepted.
Pass along 2-3 second line contacts to each primary contact to keep the chain going. Second line contacts may choose to alert other connections. It’s helpful to assign by groups to a contact they may already know. For example, you may have a primary contact lead from an exercise class. She can notify the instructor and other classmates. Another lead may be from a former workplace. He can notify close coworkers and managers. Of course, this system may not be possible in some cases.
If assigning tasks, consider the person. If it’s someone to care for your dog, do they like dogs or are they afraid? Do they already have several dogs or live in an apartment that doesn’t accept pets. Do they live nearby or out of state. Consider each circumstance accordingly.
Design your system for whatever feels right. As you go along, you may discover that you left some folks out or relationships have shifted requiring adjustments to your lists.
Remember to update the information with your primary contacts as relationships or contact information changes.
I’ve provided templates for creating an emergency contact list and an ICE card for your reference. You’ll also find many other useful templates and organizing resources at this link.
Free Tool to Reset Your Angsty Mood
I prefer to produce and share original material. It feels more authentic to create my own work and tailor the language to convey what I’m thinking. That doesn’t mean I don’t keep my eyes out for juicy nuggets. Sometimes it makes more sense to curate material straight from the experts who know way more about their fields than I ever will. You may have also noticed that I’m tickled every time I notice a coincidence. Is it random or is it the universe knocking saying “hey notice this”?
Last week’s coincidence I think was worth sharing. As I’ve confessed many times, tech woes are the thing that almost always get under my skin, real fast. Printers not communicating with the PC or continuous paper jams, email crashes, website glitches, you name it. I started down that road early last week when a credit card website continually logged me out every time I attempted to do any action. “It’s your browser” I predicted customer support would say. Yep, right on cue, “try another browser”. Arrgh. Mostly I kept my temper in check. The next morning, I listened to one of my favorite podcasts. It was the first time I’ve listened since early in the pandemic since my husband has been joining me for our early walks. A benefit of “workplace of the future.”
Click to listen to this relatively rapid way to shift your mood when everything seems to go wrong
If you end up in tech hell or feeling like the universe is conspiring against you with technology or any other pesky snafus, this podcast, originally aired October 21, 2020, can help you take your stress levels down a few notches, regulate your breathing so that you can focus more intentionally, and realign your mood to help you regain your productivity footing. The meaty content is less than 15 minutes of the 18-minute episode so you can concentrate just on the part you need if time is limited. Download and save this podcast for those times when you need a reset. Even though the morning I listened to the podcast was actually off to a great start, the rounds of tapping really tuned me in and allowed any residual tension I was holding to release before revisiting my computer.
If you’re unfamiliar with the power of EFT tapping or the technique, Gene Monterastelli has endless valuable content on TappingQandA.com to get you up to speed quickly. If you don’t have time to search for the process, no need to worry. You really can’t do it wrong and there is no harm if you don’t do it perfectly. It just may take a little longer to get results but undoubtedly you’ll experience some relief regardless. I’d love to hear your thoughts about whether tapping works for you, if you experienced a shift, or if you’ve tried it and it’s not your scene. Modalities work well for some and not for others.
https://tappingqanda.com/2020/10/pod-484-tapping-for-when-everything-goes-wrong/
Habit changes via coconut oil lesson
Day 5 and Still Counting: Bleh
Is it because I haven’t had my morning coffee yet? Is it because my brain isn’t fully awake? Or has my autopilot not been fully informed of the change? Who knows? Yet, here I am on Day 5 of a pantry rearrangement and…
How long does it take to change a habit? I’m about to find out.
Call me the Tweaking Queen (not twerking queen!). I’m constantly test driving new layouts, different arrangements, alternate processes to see if they’ll sail dreamily (I also pride myself on being an efficiency maven). Then I refine and refine again if they’re not landing right.
Recently I reworked some kitchen pantry shelves to see if they offered better sightlines to aid in quicker grocery list prep. So far I really like this new layout. I’ve rearranged my kitchen pantry a few times since we moved in over a decade ago. They’ve worked well enough, but not ideally.
Here’s what I noticed on this latest go around…my mind has not fully processed the change, yet. So rather than get frustrated with my inattentiveness or forgetfulness, I decided it’s an opportunity for me to be mindful of how long it will take before I subconsciously accept the new location. I presumed it would happen immediately. WRONG. As I mentioned, I’m now on Day 5, and nope not there yet. Most mornings I use coconut oil on my toast. Before the change, the oil resided in a cabinet about an arm’s length above my head. That’s where my early morning brain is still reaching on Day 5! I wonder how many more mornings I will go to the old cabinet.
Now imagine that this was something more substantial like a major behavioral transition. This is a concrete example that change takes patience and time to adapt to and incorporate. I’m not a patient person especially when it comes to learning and assimilating. Yet I’m viewing this as a fun experiment to see how much longer it will be before I subconsciously forget that I used to reach up for the oil. By making this into a game, I’m giving myself grace rather than beating myself up. Anyone who knows me, knows that’s a huge accomplishment.
My other take away is as I walk into this new year there are bound to be many changes, challenges, and also new opportunities to explore. They won’t all feel like a cozy blanket the first time I try them on, but eventually the ones that are worth keeping will become second nature. Just not likely as fast and easy as I would prefer. Let’s see what happens on Day 6.
Stay tuned.
Update Alert:
Ok, here I am now about a week and a half since this tip originally published. It took about 7 days for my brain to stop reaching initially to the old location for the coconut oil. On day 12, a very tired morning, I did find my arm starting to reach for the upper cabinet knob, but then caught myself and corrected. So, I’m going with 7 days. I’ll let you know if I reconsider.
Another update: on day 16, while I reached down to retrieve the coconut oil correctly, I realized as I was putting it away, I was headed to the old spot. Caught myself as I grabbed the cabinet knob. I guess I’m still counting.
Image by Gino Crescoli from Pixabay
If you haven’t followed me for very long and wonder why my practical tips are not strictly about organizing, here’s the thing: health and wellness are crucial, practical components to staying organized. When we feel like crap, mentally or physically, we are less able and likely to keep up with our home and work spaces.
There have been a number of days during this pandemic when I’ve been feeling weighed down. At least a dozen folks in my circles have either been mourning loved ones, taking care of family members who have fallen devastatingly ill coupled with complicated recoveries, and/or paddling through economic turmoil. Unfortunately, that’s just the reality. Sometimes reality sucks.
When things get too heavy, I’m dawdling, procrastinating, and harboring complete disinterest in tackling my to-dos. Anyone who knows me, knows that’s not me. Watch out!!! Incoming wave of guilt.
Then there’s self-flagellation, a product of wonky hormones piled onto these extraordinarily challenging days. As I discover techniques that work for me to soothe the mind, body, and spirit, I share in hopes that you might benefit too, when and if needed.
It’s been a while since I’ve walked solo as my husband has been my walking buddy during sheltering in place. One morning, he chose to lay low, so I tuned into my favorite EFT tapping podcast. As often mysteriously happens, the next episode in the queue was exactly the remedy my achy soul craved.
Now, I probably should have recorded my own version for you, but as the Queen of Efficiency and with a number of items that I wish to tackle (no procrastinating today), I decided to share Gene Monterastelli’s wisdom. He is one of the most eloquent and thoughtful speakers I have run across, and his technique is hands-on and well structured. I’m not sure I could match it with the same flair without spending hours polishing.
This podcast cut to the core and got my brain back on track. Today, like that morning, I’m ready to roll at least until I need another hit. At that point, I give myself permission to break again, and either relisten or choose another podcast. I promise for the rest of the day to be easy and gentle with myself. Thank you Gene.
Movin’ and Groovin’
Are you feeling glued to your desk chair? Mesmerized by pixels for hours on end at your computer working and socializing virtually? Your neck, shoulders, and rear end are likely feeling it. Ouch. We need to get into a new groove for sure.
Image by Daniel Reche from Pixabay
Yeah, no secret it’s uber important to maintain our immune health and wellbeing by occasionally moving our bodies. Grabbing an occasional (hydrating) beverage at least gets us out of our seats. Note, too many cups of caffeine dehydrates at a time when keeping ourselves hydrated is mondo important and if caffeine stimulation keeps you up at night, that’s not groovy. Sleep is healing and fleeting enough if you’re hormonal or suffer from a racing mind without additional insomnia provokers.
My husband commented last week that even though he normally sits at his work desk for long periods of time or in meetings, he has opportunities in the office to take stairs to visit offices on other floors or converse with employees around the building or in nearby campus buildings throughout the day. His routine like all of ours has been severely disrupted. With back to back meetings the first few days of working at home, he was feeling it. When his calendar allows and while the weather is nice, he and I have been making a point of walking pre-dawn, then again in the afternoon and possibly another walk in the evening with our son (all the while social distancing). Doing so keeps the blood flowing, prevents our joints from stiffening, and even helps lighten our moods which could use all the help they can get. Fortunately in my neighborhood the trees and flowers beautify nearly each step, the air has been noticeably fresh, and the bird songs provide lilting melodies as we stroll. It’s like nature has been amplified. Normally we notice, this year we can’t miss it.
So many people have been walking which from a fitness standpoint has been so positive. When others approach, we leave the sidewalk or cross the street to maintain our distance. If we see friends, we stay about 10-15 feet away and frankly speak at volumes louder than the neighbors probably prefer, but safety is key. Be sure to wear a mask if your area requires or if your immune systems is weak or compromised.
On downpour days, too soggy to venture outside, I’ve resorted to my personal Stairmaster. We have 30 steps inside our home. Using the lap counter on my phone, I do 20 laps. Those 15 minutes and 600 stairs are a thigh, butt, and cardio workout for sure. The nice thing about it is I can squeeze that exercise into a small schedule hole even if I have to change into and out of gym clothes.
Move around as much as you can. If you’re drinking lots, while annoying, bathroom breaks (using TP sparingly) will at least get you up. Movin’ and groovin’ will get you improvin’ mentally and physically.
Impromptu Car Disinfecting
Running to the grocery store is an emotionally charged experience now. Will I get half the things I need? Will I have to dodge the masses or individual shoppers so that I stay 6 feet away on each aisle? How much food should I stock up on? Am I putting myself and my family at risk to grab in order to grab some essentials?
Yes, there are lots of considerations to make. Whatever I can do for extra peace of mind, I am doing.
Before the Co-Vid 19 sheltering mandates, I was immersed in a hoarding clear out project. As there was evidence of mouse droppings throughout, I took several safety precautions. One of which I decided to retain during this viral outbreak.
I cut an old sock to form a glove although it could just be a small rag. Make it small enough to fit into a glass jar that can rest in a cupholder. I filled the jar with about 1/8th cup of 91% Isopropyl Alcohol and store the rag in the jar. After each use, you should think about washing the rag and replacing it with a new rag.
Whenever I run to the grocery store, although I have been wearing gloves while shopping, when I return to the car I immediately do a quick wipe down of my hands with the rag and surfaces I may have touched. Then a quick swipe of my steering wheel, gear shift, door handles, and lock. I keep a plastic zip lock bag in the car for the gloves and immediately place the gloves in the bag. I dump the gloves directly into the washing machine after each use for resanitizing.
Using an atomizer containing the same strength alcohol, I spray down my keys.
I can’t be certain any of this helps except for my peace of mind.
I’m republishing this post from last winter/spring thanks to a suggestion by Sarah Rosenberg Brown who found the benefits of olive oil to keep her skin and hair healthy and rejuvenated. Thank you Sarah! I hope that it helps prevent cracked skin and restore luster to dry hair.
Add a few drops of organic olive oil to your soap dispensers for moisturized skin.
After a visit to Tuscany, Italy, I discovered the secret to the locals’ impressive skin and hair texture and tone. The main ingredient in the sample soap and shampoo at our inn was olive oil. By the time we checked out, my skin and hair possessed a luxurious silky smoothness. My face is prone to breakouts, but the mirror reflected a radiance as I have rarely witnessed.
Add a few drops of organic olive oil to your soap dispensers for moisturized skin.
A few drops of olive oil on your face at night, beautiful skin in the morning.
Since the trip, I added several drops of olive oil to all my soap dispensers resulting in fewer cracks on my fingers during the winter. And every night, I lightly coat my face with olive oil. Even if a breakout occurs, it seems to heal much quicker with less overall swelling, redness and angry cysts.
I use organic olive oil. You might think going organic is expensive. Reconsider, this is more economical than most good quality moisturizers. I pay approximately $7.99 for a 16.9 ounce bottle. As the dispensers run low, I refill with a mild cleanser and a few drops of olive oil. The open bottle serves double duty as a recipe ingredient as well as skin saver, so I store it in the kitchen saving on storage space in each of the bathrooms.
Give it a try. See what you think. I hope your body loves this TLC.
A few drops of olive oil on your face at night, beautiful skin in the morning.
Image by engin akyurt from Pixabay
Look Up
This is so cool. Are you game for a little experiment?
I would love to know if this strategy works for you or anyone else. I have made no bones about the fact that my little monkey mind jumps from tree to tree, hopping over fences, scampering across yards, flitting from one activity to the next, launching into action often without precognition. Occasionally, despite my best efforts even in meditative environs, it’s leaping like a wild child. Sound like ADD? You’re probably right.
So here’s what happened. One day in Qi Gong I noticed that as I focused my eyes upward, as far as they will go, my thoughts slowed. The longer I held them in place, the more this placated my busy mind. As I inhaled, going deep down within my body it slowed even more. Between keeping my eyes focused upward and the breaths, my brain was fully occupied. Since then, I have been using it when racing starts.
Give it a try. Stare at the tips of a treetop, a cloud formation, an electric line, it doesn’t matter, but the trick is not to move your head, only your eyes. Allow your head to align straight forward, just tilt your eyes up as far as they will go. Now breathe. The sensation is like your brain is stretching the higher your eyes go.
Let me know if this works for you at sherri@thepracticalsort.com. I don’t yet know the science behind this, but as I delve deeper into brain research, I suspect I may find the clue. Do I care? Not really as long as it works I’m good.
Have you ever experienced a morning where you slept in and awoke feeling like you had a hangover but didn’t drink alcohol? Brain fog, heavy eyes, sluggishness, confusion, achiness, irritability are some of the symptoms of oversleep (and insufficient sleep as well).
There are a host of reasons why oversleeping occurs such as inability to fall asleep within a reasonable amount of time, illness, uncomfortable bed or room conditions, snoring partners, shift work, sleep apnea, depression or simply the desire to stay in bed for some extra zzzzs. Occasionally rewarding yourself with a lie-in is not a bad thing unless it makes you feel icky.
Following your circadian rhythms or your internal clock, typically driven by the cycles of light and darkness in the environment, helps you to feel better and optimize each day. When we feel crappy, we’re less likely to have the stamina or desire to get anything done. Too little or too much sleep, then we’re probably not operating at our best. If you wake up at 7 am each weekday, then try to wake up at 7 am on the weekends too. Slight variations in time of an hour or so might not throw you too far off your game. If you’re a night owl, and 9:30 am is your wake up call during the week, then opt for 9:30 am on the weekends to stay in sync. As we move through the seasons, our bodies may crave more or less sleep depending upon how late it stays light or how early the sun rises. Regardless, try to get the same amount of sleep each night with a consistent wake up time.
Image by Claudio_Scott from Pixabay.jpg
Before you hit the snooze button which is so easy to do when the sun doesn’t rise until much later during the autumn and winter months, convince yourself to get up anyway. Those extra minutes will mean less stress in your morning and allow you to accomplish a task or 2 on your to-do list before heading out the door. If you’re tempted by a snooze button, place your alarm clock in a location that will require you to get out of bed. Turn on the lights. Then make your bed so that you lose any temptation to crawl back inside of the covers.
A few tips to get the most restfulness out of your night:
Image by congerdesign from Pixabay.jpg
Go to bed and arise at the same time each day
Avoid going to bed hungry, overeating, or consuming any food especially sweets, caffeine or alcohol within 2-3 hours of bedtime.
Aside from the alarm clock, remove electronics, work or stress-inducing distractions out of your bedroom.
Use blackout curtains during extra hours of daylight to keep your room peacefully dark.
Make changes to your sleep habits gradually. Any big adjustments are likely to throw off your body and could lead to more irritability. Swap out 15 minute increments of going to bed earlier or waking up earlier. Eventually you may no longer need your alarm clock. Your body will naturally wake you each day.
If the inability to sleep has you craving more time to snooze, you may wish to seek medical advice to see if there are any underlying physical or mental health conditions impeding drifting off or staying asleep.
Magic Makeup Eraser
Did you read my tip in April about the wonders of olive oil for shiny hair and lustrous skin? If you didn’t you might wish to scroll down a few tips. It is by far the best and most economical organic facial and hair moisturizer I have ever used.
Recently I discovered another benefit of olive oil aside from my nightly salad dressing. I use waterproof mascara. And, one morning, as I was about to head to my first appointment I noticed an under eye smudge. I ran to the powder room, dabbed on some water and began gently rubbing to no avail. Not wanting to mess up the rest of my makeup or irritate my skin, I decided to reach for the olive oil. I placed a drop on my fingertip and ran it under my eye. It was as if I was using an eraser. Poof gone without any irritation. I quickly applied some under my other eye just in case it was a bit shiny, I wanted it to appear as though it was done purposefully.
Remove waterproof mascara with a dab of olive oil
Next time you have unwanted makeup smudges or wish to easily remove your eye makeup at the end of the day try some olive oil.
Image by Honey Kochphon Onshawee from Pixabay
Two weeks ago, I decided to try my best to implement a midday pause. A chance to restore, slow down for 5-10 minutes, take a breath, gather my thoughts, reflect upon what I have accomplished so far and reprioritize my afternoon, if necessary. I have found taking those few moments rejumpstart and reinvigorate me during what is often a languid time of day for me. This lethargy is not surprising. Rather than bulldoze through, some cultures acknowledge the need for rest by taking siesta midday or leisurely savoring an extended meal with friends or family. Americans, no way, no how. We charge full steam ahead, then peter out as we near the end of the day.
So here is where the coincidence pops in. On Wednesday of that same week, the podcast program I listen to daily released a midday pause podcast. Wow, it was as if the universe was sending in the reinforcements to let me know that I really need to be mindful about this practice and to give me some guidance to help wrap my brain around letting go in order to rev back up freer and fresher.
Tap your way into your emotional center
Take a listen to the podcast here. See what you think. I have set my calendar alert to remind me each day to pause. I truly appreciate Gene’s frequent reminders in many of his podcasts to be gentle with ourselves. Are you? This will certainly give you an awareness opportunity that sometimes your body needs to hit the pause button in order to perform as optimally as you wish.
Tapping has been shown by some scientific research to calm and soothe the amygdala which is the emotional center of the brain. If you are uncertain how to do the tapping, don’t get too caught up in that. Just take the time to consciously breathe, reset, and tap where ever you feel comfortable. The combination will do you a world of good.
You can also send me an email at sherri@thepracticalsort.com if you would like more guidance or refer to the diagram for specific tapping locations.
During the last week, my kids, my husband, my daughter’s boyfriend, and her kitty were visiting us for Thanksgiving break. I don’t know about them, but I truly enjoyed our family turkey celebration. Once again my husband nailed the succulent fowl and overall culinary feast, and this year I had scores of blessings for which to be grateful.
We also passed the time by showing her BF, who had never been to Oregon, the magnificent coastline and Columbia gorge waterfalls. Well, technically hubby took the kids on the Gorge trek while I worked. On our last night together, we had a hoot playing board games. Watching the smiles and hearing the laughter was just so dang cool. Sunday morning was the trip back to the airport to drop them all off for their return flights.
Goodbyes have never been easy for me, and I know that many others struggle with an emptiness as we let go. For some reason, I do find it much easier for me to give hugs and wave adios at our airport than it is for me to me to fly away from them. After contemplating why that is, I realized that as I sit in the airport, as the plane begins its ascent heading away from their cities, and as we level off, I have loads of time to sink deep into my head. There are too many hours for me to feel sad recalling the fun we had, the times when they were little and we did lots of silly things together, and how long it will be until we see each other again. But when I drop them off, afterwards I can head over to the grocery store to reload the cupboards and fridge and then proceed home to get the house back into pre-guest shape. No time to wallow just focus on the traffic and then chores.
That is what I did after the airport run. As soon as I arrived back home, the linen laundry was started, while my husband dealt with the litterbox and remaking the beds, and I began scrubbing the kids’ bathrooms and bedrooms. I realized I did the same thing when they first went away to college but on a much grander scale of wading through the morass in their rooms. Yes, they did receive fair warning along side requests for them to begin the process before freshman year otherwise, they ran the risk of mom’s discretionary clear out/clean up. They both acknowledged the consequences and decided that they would grant permission rather than face the work.
I discovered that for me, cleaning is a form of catharsis. Or more accurately, my brain type craves order and cleanliness and the only way to achieve that state is to buckle down and get to work asap. The sooner restoration occurs, the quicker I feel a sense of calm and relief. I can lose myself for at least an hour or more in the work, while rocking out to some tunes or sing to myself to pass the time instead of breaking down into a puddle of tears amidst a sense of loss.
Do you have a difficult time with goodbyes? Maybe your kiddos are still young but your send-offs are for your parents, dear friends, siblings, a long-distance relationship partner. How do you cope with post-farewell emotions? Perhaps a quick cheerio and you are good to go which is fabulous. If you dread departures, figure out what brings you serenity or an activity where you can lose reality for a few hours. Engage in your hobby, sport, exercise or catch up with an old friend, grocery shop, or do as I do and begin putting your house back together. Find your own catharsis to get you through the withdrawal.
SOS Alert Can Save Your Life
A few days ago, I received a text from my daughter and under the circumstances fortunately I did not have my phone with me. Her phone sent out a SOS alert signaling that she was in need of immediate assistance with a map of her current location. She was not aware that it occurred until a friend contacted her letting her know that she would be on the way to her home if she did not hear back at once. Luckily she received her friend’s call and indicated that all was fine. Then she proceeded to contact all the folks on her alert list including me. Thank goodness by the time she reached me, I had not had the opportunity to check my text messages. My daughter lives far away and that would have sent my heart into cardiac arrest. Thank goodness it was a false alarm.
A false alarm could have raised panic, but instead it provided a useful lesson on how to create an emergency SOS alert. Learn how to set up a system that could possibly save a life easily and covertly.
She is not certain why the message was sent except that her phone was processing an update causing something to go awry. Typically her phone model requires that the power button be pressed 3 times consecutively. This is a feature that is useful and in the right situation could be life saving so actually I am grateful this occurred otherwise I would not have known this option exists.
As all phones are different, it is best to check with your user instructions to see how to add emergency alert contacts to your model and to activate an emergency call to your local authorities or rescue crew especially in situations calling for covert action.
*From Apple.com here are their reprinted instructions:
To make an emergency services call on iPhone 8 or later:
Press and hold the side button and one of the volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears.
Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services. If you continue to hold down the side button and volume button, instead of dragging the slider, a countdown begins and an alert sounds. If you hold down the buttons until the countdown ends, your iPhone automatically calls emergency services.
For iPhone 7 or earlier (although I have an iPhone 5 with ios 10.3.3 ios, and it did not work although ios 11 promises a fix):
Rapidly press the side (or top) button five times. The Emergency SOS slider will appear.
Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.
After the call ends, your iPhone sends your Emergency contacts a text message with your current location, unless you choose to cancel. If Location Services is off, it will temporarily turn on. If your location changes, your contacts will get an update, and you'll get a notification about 10 minutes later.
If you use the Emergency SOS shortcut, you need to enter your passcode to re-enable Touch ID, even if you don't complete a call to emergency services.
Stop sharing your location
When your location is being shared, you'll get a reminder to stop every 4 hours for 24 hours. To stop the updates, tap the status bar and select "Stop Sharing Emergency Location."
End a call
If you start the countdown by accident, you can cancel. On iPhone 8 or later, release the side button and Volume button. On iPhone 7 or earlier, press the Stop button, then tap Stop Calling.
If you accidentally call emergency services, you can end the call. Tap, then confirm that you want to stop calling.
Adding Emergency Alert Contacts
To add emergency contacts from the Health app on your iPhone:
Open the Health app and tap the Medical ID tab.
Tap Edit, then scroll to Emergency Contacts.
Tap to add an emergency contact.
Tap a contact, then add their relationship.
Tap Done to save your changes.
To remove emergency contacts:
Open the Health app and tap the Medical ID tab.
Tap Edit, then scroll to Emergency Contacts.
Tap next to a contact, then tap Delete.
Tap Done to save your changes.
You can't set emergency services as an SOS contact.
**For Android Users, here are instructions reprinted from the Samsung.com website. They also recommend referring to your user’s manual for additional assistance.
Here are the steps to setup your SOS message.
1 Go to setting menu.
2 Go to the [Advanced Features], and select [Send SOS messages].
3 Agree the Terms and Conditions to setup the contact person.
4 You can select recipient from your contacts or create new. Please add cellphone number to the recipient so they can receive your SOS message.
From what I can gather, unlike the Iphone, Androids do not appear to send out alerts to 911 without specifically dialing 911.
As a caution, if you set up emergency alerts, you need to be mindful that sometimes calls are sent out inadvertently resulting in false alarms to 911 and your contacts. While countdown sounds are useful for letting you know that an alert has been activated, it may not be advisable in life threatening situations so you need to carefully consider your options.
*Reprinted without permission from Apple.com. **Reprinted without permission from Samsung.com.
Body-Friendly Deodorant
Are you looking for a non-aluminum, natural deodorant? For eons, I have. Products produced without the ingredients I tried to avoid might smell nice but they lacked in effectiveness as the hours wore on. What's the point if they don't work or if you need to reapply continuously throughout the day?
Recently a friend advised me about a product line that she adores, and I am embarrassed to admit it is manufactured by a company right here in Portland, and I was clueless. Schmidt's offers an array of naturally scented deodorants that are free of aluminum, propylene glycol, and artificial fragrances. They are vegan, gluten free, and cruelty free. Most importantly, it works. You only need to apply a small amount, no drying time, and it does not appear to stain shirts.
Vegan, gluten free, and cruelty free sensitive skin formula free of aluminum, propylene glycol, and artificial fragrances.
To be honest, I made a big mistake after using the deodorant neglecting to read the warning on the label. Who reads deodorant application instructions? "Do not apply directly after shaving." Oops, that was a big oversight. Within a day or so, I had huge, ugly welts under my arms. I thought at first I had a reaction to something I ate, but then quickly deduced that it had something to do with this new product and then recalled shaving.
I reached out to Schmidt's to verify the correlation. The representative asked if I had shaved in the last few days, and noted that this reaction is not uncommon. I was highly impressed that rather than chastising me for not reading the instructions, she inquired which of the products I purchased. After an aha moment, she requested my address and which fragrance I preferred. Why? Because she was replacing the Ylang-Ylang & Calendula with an alternative from their sensitive skin formula line. The fragrant Jasmine Tea stick arrived few days later. I love it. The fragrance is light, refreshing, and substitutes as a cologne particularly when I am sleeveless.
Now I am careful not to apply it directly after shaving despite using the more gentle formula. I try to remember to shave at night . I am taking no chances. Those welts were painful and unsightly.
Bottom line, I am impressed with the deodorant, the formulation, the effectiveness, and the company ethic. So much so that I purchased travel sizes too. They also offer toothpaste, soap and glass jar packaging for the deodorant if you wish to avoid the plastic which I need to source out.
See what you think.
#SchmidtsNaturals
Coconut Oil: Removes the Goo
A while back I posted a tip about the wonders of coconut oil. Rarely a day goes by that I do not use coconut oil for cooking, body lotion, or household use. This morning I had caulk on my fingers from caulking along my bathroom sink. With this little trick I easily removed the sticky, gooey caulk from my fingers in just a few seconds.
1. Rub coconut oil on your hands
2. Rinse your hands under warm water
3. Use a rag to gently rub and dry your hands and fingers
The caulk should come off rapidly without abrasive scrubbing, and this technique avoids any harsh chemicals.
Another coconut oil success story, and my hands are super soft as a bonus.
Ok, this tip may sound like a bit of a reach for some of you, but I promise you it works if you are feeling overwhelmed by too much on your plate and scarce time to get it all done. Believe me I know as a recovering perfectionist what you see will call your attention.
If you wear glasses remove them as you walk through your house if you can do so safely. While wearing your glasses you are much more likely to see dust and accumulated grime on surfaces, smudges on mirrors and windows, fingerprints on glass, buildup on your refrigerator's water dispenser, dirt spots on your floors. You will know what I mean if you are a visual type person. If you have time to address these chores, then go for it. In fact, shine up your eyeglass lenses to enable you to see even more items calling your name. But if dirt and messes bug you like they bug me, and one more thing on your to do list will hurl you over the emotional cliff, then put your glasses away until you are ready to get to deal with the tasks you might find. The cleaning will still be there when you finish whatever is currently demanding your attention.
Prepare for the unexpected
Dying is only for old people right? Wrong! No one likes to think about end of life planning. Yes, it is morbid and unsettling. Yet, unanticipated health events or tragedies can happen at any age and at any time. Having your affairs in order simplifies the process for your loved ones in the midst of their shock and grief. Considering the current devastation of fires and floods, knowing that someone has our back and access to our backup information is reassuring even if it is the Cloud.
But where do you start?
1. Having a will or trust and healthcare directive in place is crucial. Talk to your attorney to flush out your particular estate needs. There are also websites that offer templates for creating your own if an estate attorney is not within your budget. Regardless of which route you take, be sure to have documents notarized.
2. Storing your documents in a fire-proof safe and passing along all your key information including where to locate vital documents to someone you trust will reduce the stress associated with managing your healthcare, wishes, assets and liabilities.
3. To determine what information to gather, write/gamer Erik Dewey who has written a series of estate and end of life planning articles for The New York Times and other publications, offers a free online Big Book of Everything pdf or Excel spreadsheet to start the process. This virtual binder provides forms to enable step by step amassing of all the information your designated estate administrator needs to know. Worksheets are also included for keeping track of important documents such as resumes, work history, school, and health history during your lifetime. Note, this binder is a big undertaking and some of you might find it too overwhelming. Please take it step by step, maybe a page per day. Start with the most critical information first such as your bank and investment accounts. Then move along to medical directives or final arrangements. Click here to download the Big Book of Everything.
Another option is the Life Documents Organizer Kit by Smead which retails for $39.95 as a poly file or $29.95 as a drawer kit system to keep all of your documents in one place. Click here to view the Life Documents Organizer Kit.
Smead Organizing Life Kit
Smead also offers an All-in-One Emergency Planning Organizer and a Healthcare & Wellness Organizer.
Remember it is never too soon to organize the most essential information in your life.
CAUTION! Organizing Safety 101
How often have you been engaged in a household project and had a "near miss" and thought "wow, that was lucky"? Or maybe you injured yourself swearing that next time you will be more careful?
About a week ago, I was so honored that one of my dear friends told me that I inspired her to organize her garage. I know that this was on her to do list for many months. She was awaiting nice weather since she planned to unload most of the contents onto her driveway and front yard to fully assess what she has and what she still needs.
Fast forward to a few days into her project, a hanging bike fell on her head. Now she is nursing a concussion and a week long headache.
If heavy objects are hung, please ensure that they are secure and use caution when taking them down.
Store hazardous materials in their original packaging or if repackaged be certain that the packaging is well-marked (draw skulls and crossbones if necessary) and its composition is appropriate for the contents. Follow manufacturer's use and disposal directions.
Place sharp objects inside heavy-duty sleeves or wrap. Be vigilant regarding the things you grab especially if you are removing items from dark cupboards recesses.
Finally, ask for assistance from a friend, neighbor, or handy person if you need an extra hand.
It is unlikely that my friend would have considered wearing a helmet while working, although she is now wishing she had. She also regrets not asking someone to assist her with retrieving the bike. She is very lucky that she was able to phone for help as she was alone and that her injuries were not more severe.
Like any household project, there are inherent risks in just about anything we do. In situations with heavy, sharp, or hazardous materials wear solid shoes, protective clothing, eye and head gear, gloves, and/or a respiratory mask if necessary.
Bottom line, be mindful and please proceed with caution with any project no matter how small even cooking and cleaning. You will thank yourself in the end.
Take a Walk
This might sound like a strange practical tip of the week, but there are several logical reasons behind it.
While the weather is glorious, particularly in the early mornings here in Portland, it is the perfect time to exercise, meditate, and enjoy the remarkable Pacific Northwest scenery.
A lengthy walk with a brisk stride will help you to:
Strengthen and tone your body
Maintain your weight
Potentially prevent a variety of cardio-vascular medical conditions, dementia, diabetes and even erectile dysfunction according to Harvard Medical School*
Improve balance and coordination
Allow you time to reflect
Regulate your mood and release mental baggage
Boost Vitamin D
Increase circulation and oxygen intake to boost energy levels
How does any of this apply to organizing your space? Your physical and mental fitness play a role in how you maintain your personal surroundings. Face it, if you are feeling unwell, unmotivated, angry, listless, etc., you are unlikely to have the physical or emotional capacity to care about or care for your home.
Walking requires no special sports equipment except a good pair of walking shoes and perhaps a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a phone in case of emergency so it is an economic way to exercise. Warm up before you pick up the pace and cool down at the end. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings. Take along a friend if you feel uncomfortable heading out alone. In fact, a buddy system is a great way to sustain accountability.
So set aside at least 30 minutes in your day as a gift to yourself. Enjoy the magnificent beauty of this city, inhale deep cleansing breaths, and walk your way to optimal physical and mental health. Then return ready to tackle the rest of your daily regimen including maintaining your home.
*health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Walking-Your-steps-to-health
Gratitude Time Out
A Time Out for Gratitude
Take some time every day to be thankful rather than saving it up for one day a year. Find a few minutes to be alone. Inhale deeply from your toes to the top of your head and slowly breathe out as you contemplate all of the blessings in your life. Feel the tingling begin and enjoy this brief relaxation. Great for your mind and your body.
Moisturizing
Dry, chapped hands during the winter? Add a few drops of a light oil such as Apricot Kernel, Jojoba, Almond, etc. to your hand and body soaps for additional moisture without having to remember to reapply lotion each time your wash.
The Wonders of Coconut Oil
After a power outage this morning, my garage door refused to work once the power was restored. Fortunately I stumbled upon a solution by engaging a small piece of metal back into its proper location in the manual pull. Yay, I saved myself a few hundred dollars for a service call and appointment downtime.
What does this have to do with coconut oil? After I patted myself on the back (fortunately figuratively), I noticed my hands were coated in grease. Soap and water were fairly useless in getting them clean.
Enter the coconut oil which I rubbed onto my hands then wiped them with an old rag. Voila, this eliminated the grease except under my nails. I inserted some underneath, and a good bit of the grease is now gone. When I have time, I will take another stab at thoroughly cleaning my nails. At least my hands are clean and moisturized.
The many wonders of coconut oil
I use coconut oil regularly, and I find it difficult to get the last bits out of the jars. Since the oil is pricey, I like to use every drop. So, I keep the nearly empty bottle near my kitchen sink for easy access when my hands need moisturizing. I wiggle my hand inside the jar coating it to get just enough to rub on both hands. Once the jar is fully clean, it gets recycled.
There are lots of websites that tout the many wonders of coconut oil such as The Ultimate Guide to Scientifically-Backed Coconut Oil Uses and 50 Ways to Use Coconut Oil. Please consult your health practitioner before engaging in any new health regimens.
Baby steps to managably reach your goals
Put One Foot in Front of the Other
A few months back, I wrote a blog about Baby Steps. In fact it may have been The Practical Sort's first blog. Every once in a while, we need to be reminded that baby steps can often lead to great strides. When we were toddlers taking our first steps without any inhibitions or fears, we slowly learned to put one foot in front of the other. Without realizing the enormity of our accomplishment, we ambled along discovering our world and overcoming challenges that a few weeks or even days before were unthinkable hurdles. As adults, we still have mountains to climb, obstacles to clear and so much yet to learn. I am frequently guilty of wanting to learn everything at once and finish tasks immediately setting myself up for frustration. I see it in my clients all the time. So, baby steps got us to where we are today and they will get us where we need to go tomorrow. BABY STEPS!
The most critical action you can take before your child heads off to college?
Some of you may recall this tip from last year. I think it is worth repeating for the parents who are sending their children to college for the first time or who may have missed this post previously.
Be sure to have your son or daughter sign a HIPAA release form. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This gives you rights over your health information, including the right to get a copy of your information, make sure it is correct, and know who has seen it. You may have signed HIPAA documents at your own practitioners' offices.
If your child is 18 or older and becomes sick or injured while away, you will want to be able to obtain information about their condition, assist with insurance claims, etc.
HIPAA release form for your own peace of mind
When they arrive on campus, it is advisable that they give a copy to the school's health clinic to keep on file. Keep a copy for your own records so that you can scan or fax if necessary.
Click here for a link to a sample form. Your child's campus might have their own release of authorization form to be completed, so check with campus health services. They will likely need a copy of your child's ID to prove their identity.
Do this for your own peace of mind.
