10 Reasons You're Irritable, Plus Healing Mood Lifters

 I admit it--I struggle with chronic grouchiness. That might surprise you as generally, I'm cheerful. That's because I've learned to dig beneath the irritability to the root causes. Here are ten reasons you're a grouch and 10 things you can do about it. 10 Reasons You're Irritable, Plus Healing Mood Lifters

Acknowledge Burnout Before It Consumes You

I don't do balance well. My MO is to ignore exhaustion or displace with more work. It scares me not to be busy. So I don't let myself experience burnout, rest and move on. Our oldest daughter flew up from Louisiana for a our youngest daughter's 16th birthday. Our oldest son came in from Detroit with his girlfriend. It was his b-day too, but he came to see his sister.   I Think I Need to Acknowledge Burnout

Melatonin Helps Sleep Problems, But It Is Not for Children

 I have sleep apnea, arthritis, carpal tunnel, scoliosis and tendinitis. I'm in menopause. So sleep is often difficult. My CPAP (breathing mask) helps, but presents problems of its own. I won't take sleep medication, but I've been exploring herbal supplements.  Melatonin Helps Sleep Problems, But Is Not for Children 

Six Bad Mood Lifters (With Six You Get Cat)

Raise your hand if winter is getting to you. Maybe you have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or winter blues? Here are some things I found help. With six, you get cat! Like the Doris Day movie? (let's see how many oldies out there remember that reference?)  Six Ways to Shake a Bad Mood

How I am Sleeping Better through Sleep Apnea and Menopause

I've never slept well. I get to sleep great, in fact I used to fall asleep everywhere and anywhere. Then I finally had a sleep study which determined I have severe sleep apnea. I've had it all my life. I stop breathing countless times a night and so don't cycle into deep sleep. I started using a breathing mask and that helped, but it also caused problems. Then menopause kicked in. And I will always deal with PTSD from some childhood issues.  But thanks to the Good Lord and some herbal supplements, I am sleeping better. Read on.

Time for Hazelnut and Nag Champa

I've had it up to my plucked eyebrows with being asked "are you following your New Year's resolutions?" NO I am not. Because I didn't make any. Because I'm just going to break them and... hey, why do YOU care? Who are you, the self-improvement police? You selling pardons or something? MYOB!! Go clean out your own backyard and leave poor dysfunctional me to my many dysfunctions. Read on, this really does have a cogent point.Time for Hazelnut and Nag Champa

Winter Blues Busters and Spirit Lifters

The calendar says "spring." Everything is sunshine and flowers. Why then, when the world is coming alive, do I feel blue? Here are reasons, plus spirit-lifters to beat depression or at least balance winter blahs with springtime bliss!   Banish Winter Blahs or (at Least) Balance Blues and Bliss

Strategies for Coping with Holiday Stress-Induced Relationship Problems

Strategies for Coping with Holiday Stress-Induced Relationship Problems It's one of life's enigmas; the winter holiday season, which is supposed to bring the greatest joy, sometimes causes more feelings of depression and anxiety. Relationships and marriages , says family therapist Rachel Sussman, often suffer holiday-related setbacks. Here's a look at holiday relationship issues, with some first-hand advice about ways to cope. Read on...