Life can be a roller coaster full of twists and turns. We’re constantly riding the highs and lows of work, family, home projects, and everything happening in the world. While we manage to balance it all most of the time, we can always strive to do better and make the adventure go more smoothly.
Being open about feelings and facing our fears can go a long way to help balance our lives. So does getting organized and managing our health and home. If you’re a bit out of sorts, read on for some helpful strategies to help you and your family feel better today.
1. Seek Proper Gynecological Health
A gynecology appointment is not one that most women race to the phone to make, but it’s one of the most important. A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating issues related to the female body. It’s recommended that all females have a yearly visit to this specialist, beginning between the ages of 13-15. It’s imperative if your daughter is experiencing problems with their menstrual cycle or pain.
The initial visit will include a general exam and discussion on development. Unless there’s an underlying issue, a pelvic exam won’t occur until they’re older. It’s good to get younger girls into the practice of regular gynecological care so as they get older, they’ll be comfortable with more detailed exams.
The importance of a gynecologist cannot be stressed enough. They perform preventative care like STI screenings, pelvic exams, pap smears, and breast exams. Your gynecologist will also discuss options related to birth control and handling the prescription. They can deal with issues related to menopause, urination, pain, and other symptoms as well.
When thinking of starting a family, a gynecologist will be there every step of the way as they will guide you through a healthy pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care. You must be comfortable with and have trust in your doctor. An excellent place to start your search for a qualified gynecologist is with female family members and friends. So feel better today and make an appointment!
2. Discuss if Your Loved One Needs Therapy
Life is far from perfect. Unexpected issues pop up all the time that can affect our mental health. At some point in our lives, most of us could benefit from some therapy, whether from a counselor, support group, or psychologist. Sometimes, it takes a loved one to point it out.
It can be an uncomfortable conversation, but it needs to be had if you see a loved one struggling. First, be aware of signs like constant crying, sleep changes, lack of hygiene, use of substances, extreme anger, or depression. See if you can pinpoint why the changes have occurred, like a death, traumatic event, or job loss. Then, approach your loved one with empathy and understanding.
Pick the right time and place for the discussion. Use yourself as an example and use any personal experiences you’ve had with their situation or with therapy. Stress the fact that therapy can be a fantastic tool for becoming healthier. Offer to help by finding a therapist or support group. Assure them that you’ll go with them and take them to lunch afterward.
Sometimes, a therapist may refer a patient to a doctor who treats the issue with some mild medication. It may also be a matter of balancing out hormones by administering estrogen or testosterone therapy. Let them know that they may not feel better today, but with some therapy, they will feel better soon.
3. Know Where the Closest Emergency Room Is Located
Helping your family feel better today often means that you planned adequately yesterday. When a loved one suddenly falls ill or has suffered an accident, it’s easy for panic to set in. We get upset, and our ability to make decisions goes right out the window.
Rather than wasting time fumbling around for the nearest ER during a medical emergency, know where it is ahead of time. Research at least two of the closest emergency rooms to your house. Store the information on your phone and the phones of everyone in the family.
Keep a hard copy on the fridge or message board along with other important information like doctors and non-emergency police numbers. Next, if you have a GPS, program in the emergency room location. Suppose you’re on vacation. Google or ask one of those helpful virtual assistants that dwell on your phone. Hopefully, you never need the information, but it should be at your fingertips if you do.
4. Determine if You Need Support With Mobility
None of us like admitting that we, or a family member, need help with mobility. Whether it’s due to age, illness, or injury, we often need to reconcile the fact that we need help getting around. The best way to get help with any mobility issues is to visit your doctor. They will assess your movement, recommend a mobility device, and adjust it for your height and weight.
Reasons you may need the help of mobility aids include chronic pain, balance issues, vertigo, weakness, and trouble standing or walking for extended periods. Another sure sign you may need assistance is if you find yourself holding onto walls, furniture, and counters when walking or standing. When deciding between mobility devices, you’ll need to discuss a few factors with your doctor, including the layout of your home and your lifestyle.
For example, if you enjoy being out and about but can’t walk without resting often, a rollator may be a good choice. These devices are like walkers but have wheels and a seat. It allows you to keep up with everyone while taking a break whenever you need.
If you have pain when walking or issues with balance, a cane may be helpful. Canes reduce pressure on the back and joints while giving stable support. If you can’t walk, then it may be time to consider a wheelchair or scooter.
5. Find Therapy Options For Your Pet
If you’re a pet owner, you know that the need for pet therapy is a genuine thing. Surprisingly, many of the treatment methods are similar to those of human therapy. A vet or animal behaviorist may recommend medication, natural remedies, and a change in diet and exercise. An animal behaviorist is a specially trained clinician who can help your pet unlearn problematic behaviors and overcome fears.
Your vet may refer you to this professional before prescribing medication. If a pet has mild anxiety, like fear of noises or separation, you can try home methods like chew toys or thunder vests. You can also try leaving the television on when you leave, crating your pet, or leaving a window clear for them to look out. If you notice behaviors like going to the bathroom in the house, chewing furniture or themselves, hiding, pacing, or digging, you may want to consider an appointment with your vet.
6. Consider Taking Your Dog to a Spa
Believe it or not, dog spas are a $5 billion-a-year business. It shouldn’t be that surprising, as humans have increasingly been treating their dogs like their children for years. You may ask how taking your dog for a spa day will help your human family feel better today. Let’s break it down.
Unlike people, your dog won’t be sitting there with cucumbers on its eyes. A doggy spa menu includes shampoo, skin conditioning, haircut, facial trimming, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. Other typical services include tooth brushing, breath treatments, brushing, and combing out tangles. Some places even offer nail painting and hair color.
You can see where sending your pup for a spa day can keep them tidy and trimmed. This will reduce hair and dander around the house, make them less able to scratch you or furniture,e and make their breath less offensive. It’s a win for everyone; your dog is refreshed and feeling good, and your family is feeling good today because they aren’t living with a stinky dog.
7. Rent a Dumpster to Remove Clutter and Support Your Mental Health
It’s been proven that clutter and hoarding junk negatively affect our mental health. Having our space disorganized and full of unneeded stuff increases anxiety and stress and decreases our mental clarity. On the other hand, getting organized and clearing space can help give you a positive outlook and inspire you to do more.
For example, if you de-clutter and organize your kitchen area, you’re much more likely to cook and bake. Let’s face it: freshly baked cookies are sure to help your family feel better. If you think you’ve got too much to throw out and that’s holding you back from cleaning the house, consider renting a dumpster.
Residential dumpster rental is not expensive and can be worth the price if it helps with mental health. If you’re unsure what to throw out, think of clutter as anything that doesn’t improve your life. Think how much better it will feel to find things you need without rummaging through piles or to walk in your basement without wondering what might be lurking behind those boxes.
8. Repair Your HVAC System
A big part of making your family feel better today and every day is to have heat and air conditioning when they need it. Proper ventilation is something we often take for granted, but when we don’t have it, we quickly become miserable. It can even become dangerous if someone in your family has specific health issues.
If your HVAC system breaks down; you must get it fixed immediately. AC repairs are essential for homes with people who suffer from respiratory illnesses such as asthma and emphysema. By the same token, if the heating breaks down in the middle of a sub-zero cold snap, it can be dangerous for vulnerable populations like the very young and elderly. The best way to prevent having to repair your HVAC system is to perform regular maintenance.
9. Remove Harmful Mold From Your Home
Mold can be a severe issue that affects your family’s health. It can happen inside any home at any time. All it takes is moisture to get in and lay stagnant or absorbed into walls, floors, and carpeting.
Signs that your house may have a mold problem include musty orders, peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint, black spots, and leaks. If you and your family are physically affected by mold, some symptoms may include sneezing, headaches, eye irritation, coughing, and skin rash. It’s vital to call a professional mold remediation service at the first sign of this dastardly intruder.
The specialists will identify the source and stop it from spreading. They will then use special equipment and chemicals to kill the present mold. If the problem is severe, it may require cutting out pieces of carpeting and drywall. If you suspect mold, make yourself feel better today and nip it in the bud.
10. Ask a Professional to Clean Your Home
Nothing can make you and your family feel better today and every day like a clean home. There’s something about the shiny surfaces and freshly scrubbed floors that automatically lift everyone’s mood and put a smile on their faces. The only problem is usually time. We’re all so busy with work and other obligations that those well-maintained areas of the house are usually the first to go. It’s wise to find someone who can do the cleaning for you.
This is when you should treat yourself and your loved ones to a professional house cleaning. It’s not as expensive as you think, and many services offer special deals if you sign up for a regular schedule. You can get yourself a one-time cleaning to give yourself a clean slate, so to speak. You can also plan weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly cleaning if your budget allows.
Professional cleaners can get everything from bathrooms and bedrooms to those often overlooked nooks and crannies done much more efficiently than you can after a long day at work. After all, this is their business, and they can have the entire house sparkling in a few hours. Don’t feel guilty about giving yourself a break; you deserve to feel better!
Helping our families feel better today and every day should be our main priority. Following these strategies can help you put everyone on the road to feeling mentally and physically sound.