RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY

Wylie my love goes with you always….

Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day on August 28th sets aside a day to remember the pet companions we’ve lost.

The death of a pet, whether furry, feathered, or an uncommon variety, is felt deeply. They become family and a familiar part of our lives. Mourning their death is different for everyone, and the observance provides a way to help heal the ache of loss.

The pain of loss is real. As each person travels through their grief, we remember the companionship and comfort they provided to us. Don’t forget that part of the relationship included care provided by you. The empty space left by the loss of a beloved pet is sometimes a difficult void to overcome.

Celebrate the home you provided and the joy your beloved pet brought you in return. When you are ready, you will know the time has arrived to find a new ‘critter’ to replace the emptiness felt. There are many animals yet to find a home. In time, you can be their new home.

In our case we turn our sights to helping other animals.  Wylie was one of our first rescues. We have branched out to help fulfill a need.  While we do bring those in need of the most care inside, we either find them loving forever homes or we are their fur-ever home. 

We have also created and care for community cats on our property.  On average we see between 10 and 30 feral daily.  We supply food, water, warm shelters in winter and try to make our porch a safe haven for these forgotten babies that never asked to be born.  We work with our county shelter for TNR services.  We educate our neighbors and encourage them to get involved as well.  As we live just beyond urban areas we get a lot of dumped pets.  Several of our regulars were someone’s pet.  We have an Amazon list that helps provide food to these in need cats.  So we pay it forward to each new cat we help. AMAZON LIST

RAINBOW BRIDGE REMEMBRANCE DAY HISTORY

Deborah Barnes founded Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day in honor of her cat, Mr. Jazz. Cats are fascinating and lovable, little friends to have around the home. We miss them when they leave us. Truthfully, it’s the same with any pet.

HOW TO OBSERVE #RainbowBridgeRemembranceDay

Take time to enjoy memories of your pet. Look through pictures. Consider a visit to an animal shelter if you feel ready. Volunteering time may help the adjustment.  Use #RainbowBridgeRemembranceDay to share on social media.

NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVERS MONTH

National Family Caregivers Month in November recognizes the dedication of family members who provide round the clock care to loved ones. When medical conditions demand attention, family step into roles, they are often unprepared to accept. They become caregivers instead of partners or friends. Sometimes this change occurs in an instant.

The month sheds light into their demanding days, but it also identifies their needs. From morning to night, a caregiver balances the needs of the patient and their family. They also see to financial matters and the household necessities.

Caregivers rarely have time for themselves. There’s always another thing to be done. However, a caregiver requires rest, too.

After an aneurysm with complications has left me unable to walk, my family has stepped up.  My husband Scott and my mother help me with daily tasks that allow me to live in our home.  Everything from meals, cleaning, baths and personal care allow me to continue living in a safe environment without the drawbacks of facilities.  I can never express enough gratitude for the care and help I get everyday.  

I get so much better care from one or two people than shifts of 12 to 20 in a facility including hospitals.  Today there are programs that support family Caregivers with resources, supplies and even compensation for the hour devoted to it. 

HISTORY

In 1997, President Clinton proclaimed November to be National Family Caregivers Month for the first time.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

During November, consider providing a respite for someone you know who provides care for a loved one. Offer to spend time with them or to learn to help out. Ask what you can do to make a difference. Visit npaonline.org for more information. Use #FamilyCaregiversMonth to post on social media.

NATIONAL GRATITUDE MONTH

National Gratitude Month in November encourages us to embrace the power of gratitude.

Gratitude is more than simply saying “thank you.” Gratitude’s amazing powers have the ability to shift us from focusing on the negative to appreciating what is positive in our lives. Practicing daily gratitude gives us a deeper connection to ourselves, the world around us, and to our Creator.

Everything in our lives has the ability to improve when we are grateful. Research has shown that gratitude can enhance our moods, decrease stress, and drastically improve our overall level of health and wellbeing. On average, grateful people tend to have fewer stress-related illnesses and experience less depression and lowered blood pressure, they are more physically fit, they are happier, have a higher income, more satisfying personal and professional relationships, and will be better liked. Grateful kids are even more likely to get A’s in school.

If everyone practiced daily gratitude, we could change ourselves and the planet for the better.  Everyone would be much happier. Love would grow and hate would decrease. And the world would know true peace.

What are you waiting for? Give gratitude a try!  You’ll be happier you did.

To participate in the FREE 30 Day Global Gratitude Experiment, go to www.agratefulplanet.com

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalGratitudeMonth

Celebrating the month can be done in several ways.

  • Start a gratitude journal. Write about someone or something you’re thankful for every day. You’ll find your appreciation for those around you grows deeper and fonder the longer you keep it. When you read back on what you’ve written, you’ll be able to reflect on the relationships and their accomplishments.
  • Try this Gratitude playlist too.
  • Try a 30 Day Gratitude Challenge here.
  • Share your gratitude with others. Letting someone know you’re grateful for their care, service, or friendship often lifts their spirits or lifts a burden.
  • Show your appreciation by giving back to your community, neighborhood, or favorite organization.

Use #NationalGratitudeMonth to post on social media.

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Annually, World Mental Health Day on October 10th raises awareness and mobilizes efforts to support mental health.

Mental health is a hot topic. This is good news. It means the stigma for mental health issues is slowly going away. Mental health issues are finally getting the attention they deserve. Healthcare workers and individuals feel they can discuss mental health more openly. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t still work to do, however.

As a whole, we often misunderstand mental health because it is hard to define. Additionally, mental health includes several areas. These areas involve one’s social, emotional, and psychological well-being. Mental health affects thoughts, feelings, and actions. When we have positive mental health, we handle stress better, our productivity remains stable, and we realize our full potential.

When one has poor mental health, they are more likely to suffer from a mental health disorder. These disorders include the following diagnoses:

  • Depression
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
  • Panic disorder
  • Phobias
  • Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Of these mental health disorders, most people experience anxiety disorders. Statistics show that about 4% of the world’s population has a form of anxiety disorder. In the United States, the percentage increases to just over 18% of the population.

Some people are at a higher risk of getting a mental health disorder. These include those with high-stress levels, those who have experienced trauma, and those who have few healthy relationships. However, family history plays a role in higher risk factors, too.

Thanks to increased awareness and increased funding for research, there are effective treatment options for most mental health disorders. Conventional treatment methods include medication, psychotherapy, and hospital and residential programs.

HOW TO OBSERVE #MentalHealthDay

While not everyone faces a life with mental health issues, mental health impacts all of us. That’s why discussing mental health with your loved ones is a vital part of this observance.

The World Federation for Mental Health organizes World Mental Health Day. Each year, organizations host a variety of events all around the world to increase awareness about mental health issues. Events include educational seminars, free mental health screenings, walk-a-thons, marathons, conferences, mass media promotions, and public service announcements.

If you know someone who struggles with a mental health disorder, World Mental Health Day is a great way to reach out to them. While many people don’t feel comfortable talking to others about their diagnosis, knowing they have someone to reach out to makes a real difference. You can also donate to an organization that advocates for mental health. A few include the National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) and the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation. If you think you might have a mental health disorder or are at a high risk of getting one, schedule an appointment with your doctor.

You can also discover more about the advancement of mental healthcare.

Share this day on social media with #WorldMentalHealthDay.

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY HISTORY

The World Federation for Mental Health first observed World Mental Health Day in 1992 with members and contacts in many countries.  While the federations first used a theme in 1994, previous years did not. The first theme was “Improving the Quality of Mental Health Services throughout the World.” Twenty-seven countries participated in that campaign.In 1995, the World Federation for Mental Health translated planning kits for World Mental Health Day into various languages. These languages included Spanish and French. Today, planning kits are translated into Hindi, Chinese, Arabic, and other languages, too.Recent themes for World Mental Health Day have included:

  • 2019: Working Together to Prevent Suicide
  • 2018: Young People and Mental Health
  • 2017: Mental Health in the Workplace
  • 2016: Psychological and Mental Health First Aid