Hope's Nest

01/15/2022

Anger. This is the second stage of grief. It is normal to rage against the loss of the something or someone dear in our lives. It is okay to feel that it was too soon to lose that person you cared for so much or to feel that life just isn’t far over the departure or loss of something valued. While it is okay and normal to feel these things it is also important to not allow these feeling of anger and rage to consume and to drive a wedge between ourselves and those people who surround and care for us and that are trying to give their support in a time of mourning and need. So, remember it perfectly all right to be angry, just don’t let that anger come between yourself and those that love you.

01/13/2022

It has been said that denial is not just another river in Egypt. And that statement is very true. It is also the first stage of grief that we will be discussing in this series of posts. When a loss of any significance has happened, it is normal for someone to deny the news or to think on how it is unfair that this has happened to them. This isn’t a sign that they are delusional or feeling sorry for themselves. It is a normal response to something that is tragic to them. Whether this is the death of a loved one, a diagnosis of some illness, or the loss of a beloved pet they are all form s of loss to someone. Remember being in denial about a loss doesn’t make you weak or delusional. It is a normal response to a loss. So cut yourself some slack and let yourself go through this stage. You will make it through it.

01/12/2022

Hello everyone! Today we will begin looking at something that everyone is familiar with to some degree. Grief is something that everyone experiences at some point in their life and usually several times during their lifetime. Grief is the feeling of loss that is experienced when someone or something leaves our lives. Grief can be experienced over almost anything. The loss of a promotion, the death of a pet, or a parent losing a fight with cancer. While the loss of each of these is not equal and the grief that we feel is far more intense with some things than it is with others, we do feel a sense of loss with each of these examples and a host of other things that are far too numerous to list. The things that we feel loss about are as individual as each person.
Grief is something that is also experienced in an incredible number of individual ways. Grief looks different on each individual person. No one can tell you the right or wrong way in which you should grieve. It is what helps you to cope with the loss you have experienced. Grief can also look different depending on what it is you have lost. Grief over being laid off from a job looks very different to grief over the loss of a loved one. In whatever way you choose to grieve, if it doesn’t harm you or someone else it is okay.
Although grief is a very individual process, there are typically five stages that all people go through when dealing with a significant loss. There is no fixed timeline in which to complete these stages or a fixed order in which a person will experience them. Over the next several days we will look at these stages of grief and how most people experience them. Remember though, that if you read this and are grieving a loss, but you don’t seem to be following in the pattern that is being described, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong. It just means that you are grieving in your own way and that is perfectly fine. The way that you grieve is what is best for you.

01/11/2022

I am so sorry for not having posted in the last several days. My husband has been in the hospital for some time now and I have been spending time with him. But tomorrow is a new day as the saying goes and I will start to post again. I hope that everyone will enjoy the new series that I begin then.

01/04/2022

I normally write about subjects that are directly related to mental health in this space. However, today I would like to talk about something that while it affects the mental health of those involved, it is a bit of a tangent for this my site. This subject is one that the Lord has put on my heart for some time now. Human trafficking is something that is coming more and more to the attention of the public and January is Human trafficking Awareness month. Even though this terrible problem is rising the public consciousness, there are people who may not know what is meant by term human trafficking. It is the “act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person”. There are several types of examples the most common that most people are aware of is s*x trafficking. But it goes further than that, it is slave labor, domestic servitude, debt or bonded servitude, and baby harvesting. This happens here in the United States, in the neighborhoods in which we live.
Here are some numbers to give you an idea that human trafficking can happen to someone about whom you care:
4.9 million people are victims of forced labor : Forced labor in the private economy generates an estimated $150 billion in illegal profits per year.
4.8 million people are trafficked for forced s*xual exploitation: 3.8 million adults are trafficked for forced s*xual exploitation and 1.0 million children are trafficked for commercial s*xual exploitation.
Human trafficking has red flags, especially for those who are first responders, for which to be aware (see image below). Parents be aware that many social media sites have predators lurking on them and they are searching for their next victim. Know the signs (See image) that your child may be in trouble and let them know that it is safe for them to come to you for help. Don’t take for granted that they know they can do this. The fear of maybe getting in trouble or disappointing a parent is a much stronger deterrent than adult often realize.
Thank you for taking the time to read this and please remember that his can and does go on in our community. It takes all of us working together to fight this problem and to hopefully one day end it.

01/01/2022

Welcome to day five of our discussion about the elements of self-care. Our focus today is on the spiritual element of self-care. Although this element is being discussed last, it is by no means the least important. While two of the most common examples of spiritual self-care are prayer and meditation, these are by no means the only ways to go about this element of self-care. Spiritual self-care consists of any activity that makes you feel connected to a power greater than yourself depending on your spiritual beliefs and traditions. This connection to something beyond ourselves helps keep us grounded during our life’s journey.

12/30/2021

Welcome to day four of our discussion of self-care and today we talk about its mental aspect. Earlier we talked about how exercise could be a way to practice physical self-care. Just as our bodies need exercise to strong and healthy, our minds need to stay active in order to maintain good mental health. Ways that we can do this are by learning something new, working a logic puzzle, or by doing a crossword. People need to find a way to keep their minds active and it helps if the activity that they choose is one in which they can take enjoyment. So, remember, whatever you choose to keep your mind active, have fun!

12/30/2021

Today is our third day of looking at the aspects of self-care. What we will talk about now are the social aspects of associated with self-care. Today’s modern life is one of always being on the go. This often causes the neglect of our friends. Being socially well-rounded is vital to mental health. In the age of the Covid pandemic we often forget this fact, but the isolation caused social distancing and quarantining makes this aspect even more important than ever. So, how can we maintain these relationships during this unusual period of time? Meeting at a park, Facetiming someone, or simply picking up the phone to chat with a friend are all great ways of doing this while maintaining social distancing or quarantine. While we are drawn to the ease of texting, that connection that is achieved when hearing the voice of a friend is of a great deal of importance. So, remember a big part of maintaining your mental health is to maintain the health of your relationships with your friends.

12/28/2021

Day two of learning about self-care and becoming better equipped to deal with stress. The next area of self-care we will talk about is emotional. This involves having healthy coping skill to deal with and process your emotions. Ways to help cope with our emotions can include journaling, therapy, and talking with a trusted friend. Other ways of coping include setting time aside to process your emotions alone by going for a walk, having a cup of coffee or tea, or an activity that you enjoy, even sitting quietly and processing your feelings. Whatever it is that you choose, it needs to be something that helps you process and deal with the emotions that come from the stress produced by our daily lives. ing about self-care and becoming better equipped to deal with stress. The next area of self-care we will talk about is emotional. This involves having healthy coping skill to deal with and process your emotions. Ways to help cope with our emotions can include journaling, therapy, and talking with a trusted friend. Other ways of coping include setting time aside to process your emotions alone by going for a walk, having a cup of coffee or tea, or an activity that you enjoy, even sitting quietly and processing your feelings. Whatever it is that you choose, it needs to be something that helps you process and deal with the emotions that come from the stress produced by our daily lives.

12/27/2021

What is self-care? Is it selfish? These are two questions that come to mind when people inquire about self-care.
Webster’s Dictionary describes self-care as “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” Just in this definition we can see that the practice of self-care is not selfish. In the Bible, Mathew 11:28 states, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” And also, in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” We are to take care of our bodies and maintain our health.
There are five areas of self-care: physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and mental. In the next five days, we will explore each and find ways that you can promote self-care at home. Hopefully, during this look at self-care you can find something in each category to use to benefit yourself. I have heard it said that if your cup is empty, you cannot help to fill the cup of others. By providing self-care to yourself, you are able to refill your own cup, provide joy to yourself and therefore turn and provide joy to others.
Physical self-care is keeping your body in tip top shape. This type of self-care can be accomplished in a number of ways. Maintaining regular doctor visits, proper dieting, and following medication recommendations are all ways of taking care of yourself and that is what self-care really is all about. Taking care of yourself so that you can take care of others. This can also mean taking walks in nature to be one with nature and reflect on your day and find peace and relaxation with nature. For those that find joy in more rigorous exercise, it is finding new trails to ride or hike. All of these are effective ways of practicing physical self-care. We all have to find what works for each of ourselves.

12/25/2021

With all the love and hope this season embodies we at Hope’s Nest wish you and your family and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

12/24/2021