Health Highlight

The Privilege of Humility

“Being humble means recognizing that we are not on earth to see how important we can become, but to see how much difference we can make in the lives of others.”

                                                                                    -Gordon B Hinckley

            Humility, according to the dictionary, is the act of being humble, the act of not thinking yourself better than others, not proud.  I start this post off with this simple concept and definition for a reason, I recently had an opportunity to participate in an activity that gave me an incredible dose of humility.  This past weekend was the bi-annual women’s retreat by the organization Hearts of Beauty, an organization that is with the sole purpose of building women up in every possible way.  This weekend of women helping women empower themselves is full of different activities that are designed to give confidence, strengthen bonds of friendship, and heal the pains and the hurts brought about loved ones through the act of forgiveness.  It was this last aspect of the retreat I (and other men) had the privilege of participating in.

            Emotional pain is a real thing that we all, as humanity, have felt at one point or another and will more than likely feel again in the future.  Emotional pain can be a fleeting moment or it can leave a deep scar on our soul and feel like a heavy weight that is too much to throw off.  There are some types of emotional pain that we should confront but are too afraid to dig up that pain and confront it alone and there is emotional pain that fills us with so much shame we choose to just keep it hidden and hope it will just go away.  Many of you have heard the expression (from our British cousins) to just keep a stiff upper lip…to keep calm and carry on.  And for the most part, I think they have the right idea, just keep moving forward with face front.  A friend once told me when I was having a rough go at things to keep looking forward because you couldn’t see where you were going if you kept looking back at things from the past.  How true she was!  Having said all this, the reality is that emotional pain is like slow toxins that build up inside the system and starts to affect how one views the world.  If left unattended, emotional pain can suck the very joy and positive life force from our being replacing it with bitterness and anger.  The Hearts of Beauty program has an instrument that is designed to help women release their pain and face their emotional demons in a safe environment where real healing from their pain can begin.  It was within this part of the program in which I had the humbling privilege to stand before these women and ask their forgiveness on behalf of those who have wronged them and caused them pain.

            It was a humbling experience, it was a moving experience, it was a liberating experience and if asked to do it again, I would without thinking twice.  In reading a letter of apology that was prewritten as part of the program, I didn’t have to think about what I needed to say, the letter said it all and to see the participants who received release from their pain was so powerful, speech fails to capture the essence of it.  We are all called upon to encourage each other and lift each other up in all circumstances, not only is this a biblical principle but it should just be a principle of a good life lived.  I encourage you to visit their website heartsofbeauty.org or visit them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hobcincinnati/timeline and see what they are all about.  If you or a loved one feels like this might be an activity you would like to be involved with, you can contact Hearts of Beauty on their Facebook page and feel free to share this post with all your friends, you never know who you might touch.

            I thank you for taking the time to read today and as always, if you have and questions or thoughts, please feel free to email me at wmreid@bhcshealth.com   As you go forward this week, please remember to take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Big Blue Marble

Earth Day

            “We love the things we love for what they are”

                                                -Robert Frost

Happy Earth Day everyone!  Today, April 22 is a day that is set aside for humanity to take a critical look at the condition of the earth and try and understand the impact humanity has on the earth.  Some of you may be ardent supporters of Earth Day and have it marked on your calendar as you would a good friend’s birthday and some of you may have never even heard of Earth Day and might be wondering what it’s all about.

The idea for Earth Day was proposed by Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in the aftermath of the massive 1969 oil spill off of California’s Santa Barbara coast in which an oil drilling platform had a blowout spilling three million gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean that had a huge impact on the local beaches and wildlife.  Not only was the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) born in 1970, so was the very first Earth Day organized as a vehicle to help raise awareness of ecological concerns and provide basic education for the general public.  As We Celebrate this 46th edition of Earth Day, the party has become an international event with over 180 countries participating and countless number of groups and organizations (5000 plus and counting).  Through education and raising awareness, more and more people are taking a more proactive approach to acting in a more ecologically caring manner.  As a very good friend of mine is fond of saying, “…progress, not perfection…” and for the environment, the trend over the last 46 years for the good folks who oversee Earth Day have seen just that, progress.

There are definitely different camps of thoughts and beliefs as to the state of the earth and the idea of “Global Warming”, does it exist, is it real, what’s going on…etc. and so forth.  I’m not advocating one way or another, what I am advocating for is that by keeping a clean and healthy environment means better health for us and for our children.  There is a reason that there are supposed to be stringent guidelines for the water we drink, the air we breathe and the food we consume.  The safer and cleaner these items are, the healthier it is for the consumer…for us.  I want to be able to go outside with my kids and go play at the park without having to worry about trash blowing around the on the ground.  I want to be able to go to our local lake and go fishing with my kids without having to worry about toxic chemicals being in the water.  There are volumes of medical evidence that show time and again that a clean environment is a benefit to our bodies…and that being exposed to certain chemicals have direct links to cancer. 

By creating a clean local environment for ourselves, this leads to a clean local environment for our counties, our states and our country.  This is truly one of those moments in which if everyone takes an active role, they really can make a difference.  Start small, look to see what you might be able to do at home (even animals don’t dirty their own homes)…if you’re not sure what you can do or if you want to do more, there are literally thousands of organizations looking for volunteers to help with a mountain of projects.  As Gandhi once said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any comments or questions please feel free to email me at wmreid@bhcshealth.com or visit our website, bhcshealth.com and see what we’re all about.  I hope everyone enjoys the weekend, spring is definitely here!  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Just a Thought

The Ties that Bind

            “Family is not an important thing, it is the only thing.”

                                                            Michael J Fox

Yesterday, I was listening to a friend of mine having a discussion about the importance of family and what their function as a unit means to the individual.   This conversation set my mind a wondering as I was processing our conversation after we parted ways.  Family in the traditional sense is the assumption of our biological family and in the traditional sense I don’t think too many people would argue.  Today, I would like to write about the importance of family as a construct, an idea, not what we morally think or believe a family is.  Remember, the purpose of these blog is to spread positive and edifying ideas, not get bogged down into political ideologies.

In essence, a family is what you make it.  Yes, there is the biological family but for some people, this family can be broken and hurtful…so where does that leave someone looking to develop the idea of family?  In pondering the conversation I had with my friend, we all belong to several families and all with their own unique qualities.  We have our “work” family, our “community” family, “church” family, “club” family, “academic” family, “athletic” family and so on.  The various social groups that we interact with have a potential to develop into a family type association.  But what does being a part of family mean?  Even though every family is different, there are some common characteristics that guide our thoughts to what a healthy family is.  Strong family characteristics (whatever type your family is) involve good communications…going both ways, making a commitment to the family unit, spend quality time together (Not with tech in hand all sitting in the same room!  Refer to the first quality above!), and finally (this is the big one which helps bind everything else) respect each other.  These are all qualities that I look for in all my family groups.  By demonstrating these four basic qualities, groups can develop the emotional bonds that are strong enough to develop a sense of family. 

How does this all come back and relate to health and wellness?  People who feel as though they belong to a family unit have a greater feeling of security.   With the emotional bonds that tie each of us together we have an understanding that if something where to go wrong we know that our family will be there to help lift us up and help us to carry on.  At one point or another, we have all been on the receiving end or the giving end of trying to help someone at work or in our community...acting as though we were trying to help a family member.  In Home healthcare, family support is critical for the welfare of the patient, we all just need to expand on our idea of what it really means to be family.  Ask yourself, if you suddenly needed help, who would you like to reach out and extend that helping hand? 

I know that the concept of family is one that is under scrutiny, but if look at it from the point of values I shared above, family is what you make it and the trust and affection that you develop between family members, those of the ties that truly bind.

Thank you as always for reading, I hope you all get a chance and go out and enjoy the beautiful, summer like weather today.  Don’t forget, if you have any questions or comments, please shoot me an email at wmreid@bhcshealth.com and I will get back to you pronto.  Have a great day and take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

  Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

The Taxing Effects of Stress

The 16th Amendment

“…render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's…”

                                                -Mathew 22:21

Passed by Congress July 2, 1909 and finally ratified on February 3, 1913 the 16th Amendment changed a portion of Article I, Section 9 of the constitution and thus was born the Bureau of Internal Revenue (now the Internal Revenue Service) with the ability to collect personal individual income tax.  The amendment reads, “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration,” (http://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/amendments/).  The first 1040 form was four pages long including the instructions!  The tax rate for 1913 was 1% if your personal income was over $3,000.00 or 6% if your personal income was over $500,000.00 a year.  At the time, most Americans would have been exempt from paying taxes however as the average income for the average household was less than a $1,000.00 per year.  Today, April 15, 2016, the IRS and taxes take on a whole new life as the current tax code is hundreds of pages long.  Today, as the deadline to file taxes comes and goes, millions of our fellow citizens’ stress and struggle with the goal of filing their taxes.  This post is NOT about whether you agree or disagree with the current system of which we have.  The point of this article is about the stress and anxiety many law abiding people suffer with every year when it comes to tax time. 

            Relieving stress is as important a skill when it comes to proper health and wellbeing as it is to get plenty of exercise, eating right or getting plenty of sleep.  Stress and anxiety slowly erodes various systems and functions of the body that can lead to serious illness.  Issues like high blood pressure can trigger cardiac events, stress can trigger asthma episodes, elevate glucose levels for diabetics and can trigger episodes of depression or high anxiety.  Stress has been called a silent killer (if left unattended to) and sends our emotional balance right out the window.  The old saying that nothing is for certain except for death and taxes tends to ring loudly with a resonance of truth. 

            What is the best way to abate this stress?  We all have to face April 15th each and every year but what can one do to help relieve the stress and anxiety some people feel when getting ready to file their taxes?  WebMD has a nice article on tips of avoiding tax time stress but I’m just going to touch on some highlights (http://www.webmd.com/balance/stress-management/features/cope-tax-time-stress). 

1)      Don’t wait until the last minute, even if your return is complex and you can’t use the 1040EZ form, try doing your return in little bits over time.

2)      If you struggle with or have math anxiety, there are plenty of agencies out there who can offer great help and ease the fear of errors.

3)      That tax code is so complex, if you need help and can’t (or won’t) seek help from an agency, believe it or not, you can call the IRS and they will try and answer your questions.

4)      Exercise…the ideal stress antidote…go for a walk, skip or run around the block.  Get away from the numbers and take time for you to get some fresh air, it will do wonders.

5)      Don’t stress eat.  Comfort food, while ok in moderation, can lead to us all feeling a bit sluggish.  Make an effort to eat more fresh veggies and less starches and your body will thank you for the effort…you’ll feel more energized and ready to face the 1040 form.

Whatever form of healthy stress relief you choose (there are many others) just don’t forget to take time for you to take a deep breath of fresh air.  Render unto Uncle Sam what is Uncle Sam’s but don’t lose your health in the process considering that taxes are one of the two inevitable things in life.  Thanks for reading as always, enjoy the beautiful weather we are expecting this weekend.  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Health Highlight

Staying Strong

“Strength does not come from winning.  Your Struggles develop your strength.  When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.”

                                                                         -Mahatma Gandhi

What is the commonality between a former United States Attorney General, an internationally known actor, and one of the most influential athletes in the history of boxing?  Former US Attorney General Janet Reno, actor Michael J. Fox and boxer Muhammad Ali all suffer from the devastating effects of Parkinson’s disease just like a million other Americans who are not quite as famous as the people I mentioned above.  April is Parkinson’s disease awareness month and I thought I would share about it this week in my post to help raise your awareness of this degenerative illness.

What is Parkinson’s disease?   Parkinson's disease is a movement disorder that is chronic and progressive, meaning that symptoms continue and worsen over time.  I’m sure at one point or another you might have seen an individual who has an uncontrollable tremor or body movement at school, work or the store.  These individuals, by no fault of their own, are suffering from a disease that there is very little known about.  According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s website (www.pdf.org) “…major symptoms vary from person to person, but can include tremor, slowness of movements, limb stiffness, and difficulties with gait and balance. The cause of the disease is unknown, and although there is presently no cure, there are treatment options such as medication and surgery to manage the symptoms.” 

In my previous work life I’ve seen what this illness can do to the human body over a period of time.  My friend when I first met him walked with a cane and had a body twitch that would cause him to swing his arms slightly and would interrupt his speech like a needle skipping on a record.  By the time I left my previous employer (after 8 years), my friend was no longer ambulatory without help from his devoted wife.  His bodily gyrations were so great, he had difficulty standing.  In my eyes there are two hero’s to this tragedy of illness, one of them is my friend fighting his illness as hard as he can and the second hero is his wife who is his greatest advocate and fights for him (and sometimes with him) in order to help him and keep him safe.  Parkinson’s usually strikes older populations past the age of fifty and there is no solid evidence as to the cause of the illness.  Experts believe that there is a combination of factors like genetics and environmental issues that could be determining cause of the illness but there is no empirical evidence to stand on at this time. 

As Mahatma Gandhi said that strength doesn’t come from winning…true strength comes from deciding not to surrender under the strain of hardships and challenges.  It takes great strength, courage and character to face any degenerative illness and not surrender.  I think of my friend and his wife and others who struggle with degenerative illness that I know and they are indeed some of the strongest people I know. 

I hope as you go about your day, think about the humanity around you.  Think and wonder what struggles the people around you might be navigating at the moment and maybe you might be able to draw upon their strength and develop empathy and understanding.  This journey we call life is full of surprises and opportunity if we just take the time to look and listen.  As always, thanks for reading, if you have any questions or comments I can always be reached via email at wmreid@bhcshealth.com.   Have a great week everyone, I’ll be back on Friday with more news.  Please take time to visit the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation’s website, it’s full of information that I think you might find interesting.  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Provider Spotlight

Helping Hand

“Although birth is only a day in the life of a woman, it has an imprint on her for the rest of her life.”

                                                Justine Caines, OAM

Happy Friday everyone.  I had a great treat this past week by visiting one of the area physicians that has been giving a kind and gentle helping hand in our communities for the past twenty-five years.  Dr. John Harlan, MD is Board Certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a Member of the Butler County Medical Society, and the Ohio State Medical Association.  Dr. Harlan is on the staff of McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital in Oxford, Ohio and serves on the Board of Trustees and is a Board of Directors member at McCullough-Hyde as well.  His office, Oxford Gynecology and Obstetrics (http://www.oxfordobgyninc.com/home), serves patients out of their Oxford, Brookville, and Ross offices Monday through Friday but there is more to the man than just a very impressive resume.

Dr. Harlan is a tall, soft spoken man with an easy smile.  His gentle nature is ideal for helping his patients with the delivery of either their first child of their fifth.  He sees patients from all over our geographical area, Butler and Preble counties in Ohio as well as Union and Franklin counties in Indiana.  Even though McCullough-Hyde is his home hospital, about 40% of his patients come from Indiana.  As I was sitting with him in his Brookville office talking with him, the topic of what he like the most about his job came up.  When I asked him this question there was no hesitation at all as he said simply, “Talking to people.”  The phrase ‘still waters runs deep’ came to mind for such a simple answer taken at face value is just that…but Dr. Harlan expounded that by talking to people you get to know them.  He get to know their hopes and their fears, their joys and their sorrows…he gets to know his patients in a very in depth way.  Dealing with patients one on one as he does, he has a great opportunity to help patients with not only their physical health but can lend an ear and discuss options about other areas of life.  Help takes on many different forms and sometimes just having an ear to hear is more than what some patients get elsewhere.  Compassion towards humanity can have a far reaching and healing effect on people.  Dr. Harlan has an opportunity to see patients of all ages and all walks of life.  No matter how old you might be or where you come from, the privilege of carrying another human life within can be an exhilarating and daunting all at the same time.  As a father, I know the range of emotions that I have experienced through all phases of my wife’s pregnancies…I can only imagine what it might be like for the mother.  For the sake of all women out there, I am glad for the likes of Dr. Harlan whose serene and calming presence can be a positive presence for the patients he so diligently serves.  I would like to thank Dr. Harlan for taking time out of his busy schedule to sit down with me and chat, I look forward to doing it again sometime soon.

I would like to thank you all for reading and as always if you have any further questions for me or you would like you make a comment on this or any of my other post, please feel free to email me at wmreid@bhcshealth.com or visit our website at bhcshealth.com to see what we’re all about.  I hope everyone stays warm this weekend, spring will be here to stay soon!  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Health Highlight

Weary, Red Eyed Traveler

As March rolls over into April on the calendar and as schools all across the country are coming home from or getting ready to go on spring break.  The annual break for all schools is a welcomed change from the daily grind and routine of classes and homework.  For some, this respite from schoolwork involves some sort of travel and usually to the southern half of the United States.  Many folks, including myself, have just come back from a lovely stay in the sunshine state of Florida.  My kids and I always enjoy the different variety of flowering plants and trees whenever we travel and this trip was no different.   The one thing that really stood out to me was the amount of pollen that was floating around in the air and that was really creating havoc with my kid’s allergies. 

            Those folks who suffer from severe allergies are more acutely aware (I’m sure of it) that whenever they travel, every stop becomes a possible site for an allergic reaction.  Our bodies are sensitive to certain pollens and other particulates in the air which is what causes some people to have reactions…some mild like irritated & red eyes or more severe like difficulty breathing.  Allergens are out there everywhere lurking in new environments and in new and different foods that we may try.  Pollen.com recommends that before you travel, check with the local weather service or their website to track pollen levels before you go so that you can be as prepared as possible.  The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America has a great website that is full of information on the different types of allergies and stats that give an idea of how widespread a problem allergies can be (http://www.aafa.org/page/welcome.aspx). According to the AAFA, one in five Americans have allergies and that Allergies are the fifth most chronic condition in the United States.  If you don’t think it’s a big deal, let’s get out our wallets and take another look.  According to the various allergy foundation websites, between 250,000 to 300,000 people a year visit the emergency department of hospitals every year and the number is expected to grow.  Between medication, doctor visits and lost time at work, allergies cost Americans approximately 25 billion dollars are year…that’s no small chunk of change!  Even though allergic reactions very in their intensity some folks suffer from anaphylaxis-shock which is where a person is hypersensitive to agent and could lead to death.

            People who suffer from allergies know all too well the different seasons that are problematic for them and they should take precautions to protect themselves.  When people who suffer from allergies are traveling it is even more critical to know what season it is where you’re traveling for your own protection.  No one wants to spend their vacation in discomfort of any kind so be smart traveler and be aware of what needs are before you go. 

            Enjoy your travels wherever the wind blows you and create fabulous memories to carry you through the years.  As always I hope this post finds everyone doing well and if you have any questions or thoughts, pass them along to me via my email (wmreid@bhcshealth.com).  If you have any topics would like me to write about I’m always open to positive healthcare related ideas.  Have a great week everyone and if you’re a baseball fan, I hope your team fairs well this opening week of the 2016 season.  Take care of yourself out there and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Just a Thought

Dots and Dashes

            ”The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

                                                                            George Bernard Shaw

            Morse code was at one time the fastest way to communicate across vast distances long before cell phones and the internet.  Through a series of dots and dashes, operators could send news faster than any known means of travel and snail mail and thus started us all on the path of creating a smaller world.  As one human swimming in a sea of humanity, we are all bound to one another through some form of communication.  Earlier this week I wrote about taking time to get away from all the bells and whistles of life to find a happy quiet spot to recharge your health.  Today, I’m talking about the ability to communicate effectively between two people or between a person and a group of people.  From a health care perspective, communication is one of the greatest asset a patient can possess in articulating the needs and concerns they have to their provider.  As a provider, communication skills are the greatest tool available in the medical kit because it allows them to hear and to understand what the needs and concerns are for the patient.  Effective communication is a skill and it needs to be practiced in order to gain a better understanding of what communication really is.

            If you look online or in the business section of your local library, you will be overloaded with the amount of information on how to be a better communicator…I’m just going to touch on the basics.

1)      Be still and listen: communication is a two way street and if the other party can’t share their thoughts the action is not called communication in the whole sense.

2)      Be aware of body language and inflection of tone:  you might be saying one thing and the message your body is giving off could be a completely different one.  This can send a confusing message to the one you’re speaking to.

3)      Be specific:  if you’re trying to get a point across to someone, stay on topic and try not to beat around the bush.  Being long-winded will cause the listener to lose focus and they might miss the point.

4)      Communicate with empathy, not ego:  most people want to know that you are listening to their needs and not hearing about how important you are…remember, people don’t care how much you know until the know how much you care.

5)      Have an open mind:  you never know when and where a great idea or new perspective might come from.  Remember, a mind is like a parachute, it only works when it’s open.

6)      Speak calmly and clearly:  I don’t know about you but I have found that conversations held in a state of great excitement or anger tend to be void of very important points. 

7)      Think before you speak:  remember that once something is said, it cannot be unsaid.  Let me repeat that, once you say something that is without thought or hurtful, it can never be unheard or unsaid.  You can say you’re sorry, but that may not fix the damage that might have been done.

I could go on and on but I feel like I have hit the highlights and that is the point of today’s post.  Whether you’re trying to communicate with your co-workers or your neighbor, these tips on communication will help you become better at listening as well as sharing your needs and wants.  When we as a part of humanity can eliminate confusion and misunderstanding, then the opportunity for real understanding has a chance to develop between people. 

            I hope you have found this post enlightening and I encourage you to share with those around you.  Have a great weekend everyone, be safe and take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Health Highlight

In the Quiet of the Moment

            Twenty years ago, cell phones were an emerging business device that allowed people to stay connected on the go.  Phones were big, they were heavy (compared to today’s featherweights) and they were just that, phones.  Today, it seems like just about everyone has a piece of technology tucked away somewhere on their person waiting for the next phone call, text, tweet, Instagram, Facebook or whatever new methods of communication that has been launched while I write this today.  Humanity is just bombarded with a cacophony of noise and stimulation from so my different sources it is enough to set one’s brain into non-stop overdrive.  Our daily lives are full of commitments and activities that seem to drain away time at an alarming rate…we are constantly being bombarded by bad news online, on TV or if you still read it, the newspaper…we are subjugated to the loud thumping base from the car three blocks away that rattle every window in your home…awoken at 6am by the barking dogs left outside 24 hours a day by the neighbors…we hear jets flying overhead…and even when everything is off we hear the loud compressor on the refrigerator humming away….we are surrounded by noise…all the time.  That, my friend, is unhealthy.  As we go through our day, we need to give our brains and our body a respite, even if only for five little minutes, each and every day. 

            There has been research and studies done that show that a little bit of quiet time does the body good.  What good might that be you ask?  Here are some examples of the benefits of being still and taking in the quiet.

1)      Being still helps to lower your blood pressure

2)      Being still helps to improve your immune system

3)      Quiet time allows your brain to process events of the day prompting lower stress

4)      Quiet time helps improve memory

5)      Having quiet time helps improve mood

6)      People who have quiet time in their days tend to have better personal relationships with others

All it takes is 5 little minutes a day.  It might be challenging at first to set aside five minutes a day without touching your cell phone, tablet or laptop…we (as humans) have become quite addicted to our gadgets, we feel lost without them but they and the toxicity they sometimes carry are slowly poisoning us.  If your child was eating a lead Popsicle covered in mercury, you would certainly slap it out of their hands for their own safety, right?  Putting technology down or turning off the TV or Radio for 5 minutes a day, (30 minutes would be better) in order to quiet the mind and be still for the benefit of your own health certainly wouldn’t hurt either.  Studies have shown that noisy environments effect short term memory negatively…that is why most people turn the car radio down when they need to really concentrate…the silence helps!

How to quiet the noise?  Put your tech away during meals, turn off the TV and mute the radio…don’t take tech with you to the bathroom, really, it’s ok to not be plugged into Facebook for a few minutes, you don’t have to tweet it out every time you go BM.  Find a quiet spot, a happy spot or a place where you can just sit and take in the world around you with the minimal amount of interruption or disturbances.  Prayer or meditation is often a great ways to calm the mind and allow your body to heal.  Go to a quiet part of your local park and just sit and watch the birds dance on the wind or watch the squirrels chase each other in the greening grass.  I hope this message finds a place in you daily life and that you can incorporate a little peace into your world.  As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions, please email me @ wmreid@bhcshealth.comHave a great week, take care of yourself and each other out there and remember, we’re all in this together!

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com

Global Issues

Water, the Elixir of Life

 “Water is the driving force of all nature.”

 Leonardo da Vinci.

This past Tuesday was World Water Day, a day that has been set aside to help us all realize the importance of this life giving force and how scarce it is becoming to our growing population around the world.   First proposed by the UN in 1992 and first observrd a year later in 1993, World Water Day is observed on March 22nd.  The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting activities regarding the world's water resources and sustainability. As our world population continues to grow and clean drinking water continues to be a growing concern, a number of nongovernmental organizations who promote clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats are using World Water Day as a time to focus global attention on this critical issue of our era.

How convenient is it for those of us who live in this region of the world to just get up and get a drink when we are thirsty.  We may have to walk ALL the way to the kitchen or to the bathroom in order to slacken our thirst.  But there are those who are not so fortunate.  According to the UN, “… some kids must walk an average distance of 6 km per day to get drinking water.”  Could you imagine if you had to go that far just to get a drink of water?  Closer to home I think of the poor people who live in the Flint, Michigan area.  Due to no fault of their own, the populous of this once industrious community has been drinking poisoned water for the better part of two years.  To the credit of humanity, government organizations, private organizations as well as non-profits have all mobilized in order to provide millions of bottles of drinking water so that the people will not perish.  But how often has this scenario played out all over the world falling on deaf ears?  How many children and elderly have perished for want of fresh drinking water?  The UN is trying to raise the awareness of the shortage of this critical element of life.

Just how important is water?  Even though our planet is made up of just over 70% of water, only about 2.5 % is fresh water and only 1% of all fresh water is easily accessible.  Considering that our bodies are about 60% water, we need plenty of it each and every day to help us sustain good health.  Things that we, as American, take so much for granted, others around the world struggle for.  As our global population continues to rise, so shall the requirement of our most basic needs.  As technologies help humanity overcome their dependency on the limited resources of fossil fuels, there is no substitute for the natural resources like clean water.  At some point, water will be worth more to all of mankind than oil.

There are a whole host of organizations out there that can give information about the looming water crisis and what steps you can do to help bring about positive change.  I encourage you take time to investigate these different organizations and learn more about the power of water and what effect it can have onsomeone’s life.  Go to http://www.waterday.org/ and check it out.

I hope that everyone has a terrific Easter weekend as families gather together in one form or another.  Take time to think how often and how much water you use in a single day and remember those who struggle to find safe water let alone use it.  As always, thanks for taking time to read and I hope you are motivated to share these articles with your friends, you never know who you might touch and who might make a difference in someone’s life.  Take care of yourself and each other, remember, we’re all in this together.

Wm Reid

Best Home Care Services

325 N Eastern Ave

Connersville, IN 47331

765-827-9833

wmreid@bhcshealth.com