Finding healthy ways to stay positive after receiving a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly difficult. Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family is a crucial first step to effective healing and coping. Reducing stress is vital at this turbulent time, and your friends and family can help you achieve that by helping you schedule appointments, tidying up around the house, or even simply sitting down for a cup of coffee together.

While your loved ones can lend a hand or offer a shoulder to lean on, it is also essential for you to maintain your own peace of mind. Of course, it is easy to get swept up in your new routine, so we’ve come up with a few things you can do for yourself to unwind after a chemotherapy session or a miserable night’s sleep. Here are three ways to stay positive during your cancer treatment. 

Don’t let your diagnosis define you

Remember that you are not your diagnosis. A positive cancer diagnosis does not mean you are now doomed to spend your days in stiff hospital beds, watching soap operas off a tiny television hung from the ceiling, or isolate yourself from being around the people and things you love. Sure, you’ll likely grow tired faster than you usually would, and you will probably encounter some people who dance around the topic, but that doesn’t mean you have to put your life on hold. Keep doing the things you usually would, with the people you would normally do them with. Don’t let your diagnosis stop you in your tracks. 

Stay in the present

There will be times that all of this will become overwhelming, and when this happens, one of the best things you can do is to breathe and meditate. Staying present and keeping yourself in the “here-and-now” will help you cope when it all gets to be a bit too much. When you receive bad news, or you’re growing tired of juggling your treatments and medication, put it all in perspective. Yes, you do have cancer. Yes, you are tired and ill. Yes, you are fighting your hardest. But you are also surrounded by people who love you and doctors who have studied for years to treat you and help you heal.  

Find a support group

Having a support system at home and seeking comfort and understanding from the people who know and love you is invaluable, but they can’t always provide the kind of understanding you will sometimes need. 

If your thoughts and feelings are interfering with your life, work, or relationships, it may be time for you to seek help from a professional. A licensed and qualified therapist or counselor will provide you with the advice, coping mechanisms, and support you can’t get from the people around you or provide for yourself. Websites like WithTherapy will even help you find the therapist right for you.

If therapy or counseling doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, consider the possibility of group therapy or a support group for people undergoing cancer treatment or cancer survivors. Reaching out to others that are sharing a common experience can open you up to an entirely new way of thinking. 

Hopefully, some of the methods discussed above will help you to maintain a positive outlook while you navigate your way through battling cancer. There are others that may seem less obvious, like making sure that you and your loved ones undergo a full-body MRI. Something as simple as an MRI can help to detect cancer early on and help you keep peace of mind. 

Have you ever thought about your quality of life? If you’re a fully-abled person, the answer to that question is likely “No.” People who are impaired, however, are forced to deal with this question every day. Thankfully, technology has made it easier to live with a disability, such as hearing loss. 

Hearing aids, for example, offer consumers an improved quality of life—but like with anything else we buy, purchasing an aid of some sort opens the possibility for exploitation. In many cases, people who need hearing aids are willing to spend a lot of money on them. While laws do exist to help prevent people from such exploitation from occurring, there’s always a chance someone will be taken advantage of. Here are some legal and ethical guidelines to keep in mind while searching for affordable hearing aids.

There are a few guidelines in place to help protect your health. For example, the United States Food and Drug Administration has a number of criteria that are used to determine if a patient should be referred to a physician before they are fitted with a hearing aid. Indicators like recent dizziness, hearing loss, or pain in your ear may be reason enough to refer you to a licensed physician before you are fitted with a hearing aid. Though the audiologist may refer you to a physician, you’re not required to see one. People aged 18 or older “may waive the requirement for a medical evaluation by signing a waiver statement,” so you’re not required to spend the extra money on a doctor’s visit if you don’t need to. Laws, while occasionally cumbersome and oblique, are more likely to work in your favor if you pay attention to them.

These laws have ethical implications, however, and ethics are indeed often considered to ”drive legislation.” If someone unequally applies hearing tests, for example, they could be considered to have acted unethically even if that person meant well. If someone is a Medicare provider, they are required to charge money for their services so it is common practice to avoid free hearing tests. Even though someone might want to provide their services free of charge, it would be considered unethical as it would be unfair to the people who would pay for that person’s services. As a general rule, if you know your physician took advantage of poorly-made laws to their advantage or deliberately misrepresented some course of action that you now feel impacted your life in a major way, you would be able to say that they did not act ethically.

In any event, if you feel you have been treated unlawfully or unethically you may still be able to seek justice. Before filing a complaint with the appropriate state medical licensing board, you should make sure you have all of the information and paperwork required to make your case against the physician in question. Keeping all of your information straight becomes more important the more serious the violation is, and at some point, it may be advisable to consult a healthcare lawyer to help you decide what course of action you should take next. 

When discussing the matter of healthcare law and ethics, it can be difficult for the common citizen to keep up with all of the relevant details unless they are attentive. Many laws surrounding healthcare exist to help protect you against malpractice or unethical behavior. While ethical behavior is not strictly illegal, it can still carry consequences. Even legal retaliation would not be out of the question, should you have been a victim of a significant enough wrongdoing. Even so, staying educated in all matters of healthcare could help you avoid such situations entirely; you should never be afraid to read the fine print and do your own research.

Choosing Christmas gifts isn’t exactly an easy job. To get your gift right, you must know at least a little bit about the person you’re going to surprise. But what if that person is no longer who they used to be? 

Sadly, Alzheimer’s disease results in a change of course in sufferers’ lives. This common form of dementia gradually destroys brain cells, causing irreversible memory loss that might require the assistance of a caregiver. Although the symptoms of Alzheimer’s aren’t curable, certain medications can help control patients’ behaviors in mild to moderate stages. 

If you’re unsure about what to give a beloved family member with Alzheimer’s this holiday season, read on to find the best gift ideas, regardless of the stage he or she finds themselves in. 

Early-stage Alzheimer’s gifts

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, patients have milder symptoms. These include agitation, losing track of time, misplacement of belongings, and having difficulty in completing familiar tasks. In this case, gifts that can stimulate your loved one’s memory while also being a source of enjoyment are great options. Here are a few alternatives to get you started.

Jigsaw puzzles

Puzzles aren’t only challenging and fun, but they help boost short-term memory, as well. Studies have suggested that puzzles and memory games decrease the damage that naturally happens in the brain of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. 

A memory box

It’s hard to accept that your loved one’s memory will eventually fade. Since it might take a long time before that happens, create a special memory box filled with items of sentimental value. This way, the person you’ll give it to can remember special moments without much effort. 

Adult coloring books

A set of crayons and a coloring book can be the ideal gift. Why? Because coloring is a great activity to improve manual dexterity in seniors. It’s also an easy game they can play with their grandkids anytime. 

An iPod

Some songs can be nostalgic. Giving them an iPod with their favorite songs downloaded will probably be the best gift they’ve ever received. It doesn’t have to be pricey, either: websites like TheStore sell tech (new and restored) for up to 70 percent off. Enjoy!

Late-stage Alzheimer’s gifts

In later stages, there’s not a lot that family members can do but offer their support and get used to advanced symptoms that require 24/7 care. The elderly need companionship and affection more than ever, and the following gift ideas will help you show some love. 

A self-care day
A spa day is always a good idea. The ladies will love a professional manicure or pedicure, whereas the men could enjoy a foot massage with lotions. Base yourself off their preferences and get creative with this one. 

Lap robes in their favorite color

Late patients tend to become wheelchair-bound. Make their day by giving them a lap robe in their favorite color, or even better, crochet or customize it yourself for a unique present. 

Comfortable wear

A warm sweater, fluffy slippers, and winter hats; when it comes to being comfy, there are so many options to choose from. We’re sure any of the above would make anyone’s cold day better. 

Baby dolls or stuffed animals

No one can resist a cute furry animal or a cozy baby doll. After all, they’re comforting and can be an adorable company, especially during the night. A quick tip: make it a surprise. They’ll love it even more!

A locket necklace

Even though your loved one may forget your name or your face, they can keep your picture close to their heart with a locket necklace. This ornament is a beautiful, sentimental gift that can last for generations to come. Be certain that the memories you put in it will never fade away. 

Passion is a powerful thing. It can become a lucrative career or a wonderful hobby that improves your mental health. But not everyone has a passion—or, perhaps more accurately, not everyone knows what their passion is. If you’re in search of something that moves you, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are a few ways to embrace your inner creative. 

It might be right in front of you! 

A funny thing happens to people sometimes: They worry that they have no direction in life, and then they take solace in their passions without even realizing that they have them. Maybe it’s an office worker coming home from a long day and breaking out paints and an easel to relax. Maybe it’s a full-time janitor and part-time musician who doesn’t realize how talented they really are. Before you assume that you need to “find” your passion, you should check to see if it’s right in front of you!

Think about how you spend your time, and think about what brings you joy. Think about the things that you wish you had more time for. One of them might be the thing that you were put on this Earth to do.

Start thinking and reading up on your interests. 

If an obvious passion doesn’t come to you right away, don’t fret. Instead, just start thinking. What do you like to read about? Maybe that’s your passion. If you don’t know what you like to read about, maybe you should head to the library and find out! Consider movies and podcasts, too. What interests you? Keep brainstorming, take notes, and indulge yourself: Just think, without putting pressure on yourself, and come up with a big list of ideas. They don’t have to all make sense! As you read, research, and think, you’ll likely start seeing connections.

Know when it’s a job—and when it’s not.

To paraphrase the old saying, a person who knows what they love to do never has to work a day in their life. All they have to do is turn their passion into a lucrative career. Right?

Well, sort of. But it’s important to remember a few things. For one, your job doesn’t have to be your passion; it may only make use of it. For instance, someone who loves tinkering with cars and gadgets may become an expert in forklift engine maintenance, filling a much-needed role that maybe people don’t even think about. And, of course, a passion for debate can turn a person on to politics or law, and a love of science can lead to careers in medicine, research, and so much more. Don’t assume that everyone who gets their “dream job” is doing nothing but wonderful stuff. Doctors deal with logs and paperwork, for instance—a job is still a job, even if there are parts of it that you love!

Some passions can be “side-hustles” instead of full-time jobs. If you’re a talented painter, for instance, you might want to start selling your work on Etsy—but that doesn’t mean that you have to quit your day job. Sometimes, it’s nice to have the freedom to choose when and when not to indulge in your passion. If you make your passion your main source of income, then you might be surprised to find it transformed into a dreary obligation.

It’s also important to remember that some passions are better suited to being hobbies. Just ask acclaimed lawyer and mineral enthusiast Howard Fensterman. Fensterman is incredibly passionate about minerals and gemstones, and he knows an impressive amount about them. He maintains a blog on the subject and is active within the collecting community. But Howard Fensterman does not consider his mineral obsession a job—he already has one of those, thanks to his successful career as an attorney. For Howard Fensterman, this all works out splendidly. In this case, we’re looking at a passion that is best expressed as a hobby.

It’s vital to remember that passion is just that—passion. It’s something that you care about and something that brings you joy. If you find that your passion is building things out of tongue depressors, then you shouldn’t feel pressure to somehow turn that into a career. You shouldn’t even feel pressure to put your work on Etsy. Just have fun, and nurture your passion. You’ll be happier and healthier if you do.

The fictional character Dr. Derek Shepherd (more commonly known as “McDreamy”) is, of course, best known for his love affair with the star of the show, Meredith Grey. (Where are the “Grey’s Anatomy” buffs at?) After this, he is best known for his signature pre-surgery line: “It’s a beautiful day to save lives.”

For many, this line embodies the reason why they decide to go into a medical field. Not only is this career route full of prestige, but it allows for a great sense of accomplishment as it allows us to help save people’s lives, every day. A worthwhile and respectable goal to say the least.

Regardless of whether you’re already on track to studying in a medical field or are just interested in knowing more, it never hurts to investigate our options. Check out these five programs for students considering entering a career in health and medicine.

 Dentistry

A career in dentistry not only allows for a more reliable and flexible schedule (as opposed to an “on-call” doctor), but it also allows for a sense of accomplishment by changing people’s lives. Not only can dental problems cause a considerable amount of pain, but according to the Mayo Clinic, studies suggest that we may be more prone to certain diseases when certain bacteria associated with severe forms of gum disease are present.

Plus, for children going through the awkward years of trying to “fit in” a crooked smile can lead to years of unneeded self-consciousness. This is a good reason why you should consider studying Ortho at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

Nursing

Not only does a career in nursing bring a ton of job satisfaction and flexibility, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statists, employment for registered nurses is projected to grow by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. This growth is expected due to the rising age of the population, the rise of chronic conditions, and the fact that there is expected to be a nursing shortage by 2020. All the more reason to consider pursuing an online nursing degree.

Tip: If you’ve already finished your nursing degree, check out ACLS certification online to make getting certified easy.

Physical Therapist

This option is quite grueling but very rewarding. As a physical therapist, you’ll be helping people regain mobility and manage pain, but will also have to study just as long as a regular doctor (about 7 years). However, once you complete the prerequisites at a four-year university, then you can complete the actual Doctor of Physical Therapy degree online. Plus, there seems to be quite a bit of job security in this field as well. According to U.S. News, the field of physical therapy will grow by 28 percent between 2016 and 2026. They also say that in 2017, the median annual salary for a physical therapist was $86,850.00.

Medical Laboratory Technician

To become a laboratory technician, you must complete two years in an approved associate’s degree program and then get certified. This career path is probably one of the easiest ways to become part of a very important diagnostic process. By helping doctors diagnose serious conditions, you could be helping save lives.

Health Care Administration

For those who may be a little squeamish when it comes to the human body, but are still interested in health care and helping people; a degree in health care administration may be the way to do it. This way, we can help people without ever seeing any blood or being around sick people. Plus, according to Glassdoor.com, the average annual base pay for a healthcare administrator is $78,378.00 (not too shabby for not even needing to get our hands bloody).  

The holiday season is going to be here before we know it, and with that tends to come an increase in travel.

Traveling has many benefits, such as gaining a fresh perspective and taking in a new culture, but you might be surprised to know that travel also has many health benefits.

‘Tis the season of travel, and we welcome all the health benefits that accompany it.

Travel can reduce stress

Believe it or not, you have many different reasons that travel can reduce stress, from fighting off work burnout during time off to spending quality time with friends and family members to having fun while on vacation.

So if you have a site for shore eyes and want to escape by venturing to the beach, we highly recommend it. Vacations might not be able to eliminate all of life’s problems, but they can help you reduce stress by getting away from work and enjoying the little things in life, such as taking in the sun at the beach.

Travel can decrease the risk of heart disease

As a result of travel being a stress reducer, a trip can also decrease the risk of heart disease.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Women whose work is highly stressful have a 40% increased risk of heart disease (including heart attacks and the need for coronary artery surgery) compared with their less-stressed colleagues.”

Stress can increase the risk of heart disease, and a vacation or time away from work can actually help to reduce stress.

Whether you live in Michigan, nearby, or have always wanted to see the Great Lake State, we encourage you to do something: Take the LAN150 Challenge and dive into a world of marking destinations off your bucket list.

Travel can enhance your creativity

When people need a break or want to refresh their mind, they go on a walk, sleep, or take a break in any of its forms. Consider traveling the ultimate way to restart your brain, which can help to enhance your creativity.

As Vogue states, “Travel allows you to physically get away from an issue and see it from another perspective; hop a plane away from the trees and you’re suddenly able to see the forest.”

Our minds and bodies need time away from challenging situations that we encounter at work and in life. A vacation is the perfect antidote.

Travel can make you happier 

The ultimate reason to travel: Travel can make you happier. After all, and like mentioned above, it can reduce stress. And, travel allows you time to enjoy the moment with friends, family members, or even yourself and your surroundings.

People tend to do fun and entertaining things while on vacation which can boost your mood and lead to happiness. 

The best part is travel doesn’t have to consist of exotic islands or luxurious lifestyles.

If you’re looking for things to do and places to visit, then you can indulge in Corinth, Mississippi, because it’s a must-see destination for American Civil War enthusiasts and travelers alike. There’s so much you can take in and learn on vacation, especially if your destination is a place like Corinth.

Clearly, you can find many health benefits of traveling, and if you have the time and opportunity to do so this holiday season (or any time of the year, for that matter), we highly recommend time away from work in the form of a vacation. Your journey could feature a weekend getaway or a weeklong trip to a different state or country. No matter where you travel to, your mind, body, and soul will thank you.

Recovering from an injury takes time and patience. There are several food and supplements that can help speed up the body’s healing process in addition to doctor-prescribed medications. Take a look at nutrition for recovery and supplements for pain relief that can be added to the diet to aid the recovery process.

Foods for recovery

Protein helps build tissues and muscles. Injured body parts tend to lose strength and muscle mass due to immobilization. Increasing the amount of protein consumed will help rebuild lost muscle. Eating protein-rich foods like meat, fish, poultry, beans, nuts, and seeds in each meal can stimulate muscle growth.

Fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C can help the body produce collagen needed to rebuild tissue. Vitamin C has antioxidant and inflammation properties that can speed up recovery by reducing inflammation. Citrus fruits, dark leafy greens, broccoli, berries, tomatoes, and mango are some foods with the highest amounts of vitamin C. Omega-3 fatty acids also limit prolonged inflammation. Foods like fish, algae, flax seeds, walnuts, and chia seeds are all high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Zinc is necessary for wound healing, tissue repair, and growth. Consuming zinc-rich foods such as meat, fish, shellfish, seeds, nuts, and whole grains can speed up wound healing and tissue repair. Calcium is important for bone growth, muscle contractions, and nerve signaling. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium from foods. Eating calcium-rich foods like leafy greens, broccoli, okra, almonds, and plant-based milks along with vitamin D helps bone fractures heal.

Creatine is naturally found in meat, poultry, and fish. It helps the body produce the energy needed for heavy lifting and high-intensity exercise. Consuming creatine can reduce the amount of muscle lost after injury and help regain that muscle after recovery. The body naturally produces glucosamine which creates tendons, ligaments, and cartilage. Increasing glucosamine may reduce pain and speed up recovery from bone fractures.

Major injuries can take weeks or months of recovery, leading to lost wages, extra medical bills, and insurance hassles. An Orange County accident lawyer at Daniel Kim Law can help a victim injured by a negligent driver win compensation for personal injury damages. While filing a personal injury claim cannot undo the pain and suffering caused from an accident, the compensation won can ease the financial burden.

Supplements for pain relief

Over the counter pain medications are effective but come with side-effects from prolonged use. Prescription pain medications can have even worse side-effects and risk addiction. There are many essential oils, herbs, and supplements believed to work as natural pain relievers.

Lavender essential oil is used for pain relief as well as reducing anxiety and promoting sleep. Rosemary treats headache, muscle pain, and bone pain. It also reduces inflammation and relaxes smooth muscles. Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and pain-relieving effects. It can be applied topically to areas of pain. Both ginger and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties. Capsaicin, found in chili peppers, is good for joint pain and headaches. When used topically, capsaicin blocks the pain messages sent by nerves.

Magnesium supplements are best for migraines, muscle spasms, poor digestion, and anxiety. Valerian root is primarily used for muscle and joint pain, and an alternative to sleep aids. This root acts as a sedative and pain reliever that acts on the brain and nervous system.

Supplement manufacturers have the means to produce custom formulas for supplements. Such companies use the highest quality raw materials to formulate unique products that are beneficial to consumers. From capsules and softgels to powders and gummies, they can customize any supplement format.