My Friday Five. Five things I've been implementing and exploring this week.
Book I'm reading:
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Navigating Eldercare and Dementia 101 Stories for Family Caregivers by Amy Newmark
My Mom's sister, my Aunt, took care of my grandparents while also caring for my five-year old cousin. My grandfather suffered from the same brain disease as my mom. How she managed to care for them and her young son I cannot imagine. I recently shared this Chicken Soup for the Soul book with her. Some stories make me smile, some make me cry and some I cannot relate to, and they all make me feel like I'm not going through this alone.
My favorite story is called Reflection Ralph. I woman caring for her husband with Alzheimer's disease recalls walking into the bathroom listening to her husband talk to his reflection. He didn't recognize himself as the older gentleman in the mirror. He became friends with the man in the mirror. He would talk to Ralph, share stories and laugh together. Her husband asked his wife how they met. After hearing the story he would go into the bathroom and share the story of this wonderful woman he had met. One day she heard him giggling and peaked around the corner of the bathroom. he was scooping up handfuls of water and splashing it on the mirror at Reflection Ralph. I love that image and it continues to make me smile.
Success Story:
Stress Reduction and Improved Sleep
I had a gentleman come in who said he always had stress and trouble staying asleep. He had trouble relaxing while I was inserting the needles. The treatment I chose was to help reset his central nervous system and increase serotonin and dopamine. They have done blood tests before and after and acupuncture session and seen an increase in the parasympathetic response. I let him relax with the needles in for 25 minutes and followed with some gentle cupping to increase circulation to his hands and feet. I also suggested he take a magnesium supplement before heading to bed. He told me during a follow up phone call a few days later that he has noticed he slept throughout a few nights and feels a little more calm during the day.
Quote I'm meditating on:
"We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one." - Confucious
Product I'm using:
NormaTec Go Calf Compression Sleeve
Originally I purchased NormaTec Go for Mom since she is no longer active due to difficulty moving her legs. Getting her to use them only works if I use them first. once she puts on the gentle calf massaging cuffs she falls asleep. Realizing how nice it felt I started bringing them to the office and using them with patients. So far they have helped induce relaxation and reduce pain and stress. I travel with them everywhere now.
Music I'm listening to that makes me happy:
Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran
I always turn this song up and sing loudly in the car when this one comes one!
ps I do not have any affiliation with the products mentioned. I like them and want you to know about them.