self care
For a healthy mind, body, and soul.
Just Keep Swimming
For years I have struggled with an unnamed illness that just didn't seem to have a cause. My test results would come back clear. There was no diabetes, Lupus, STDs or arthritis. I'd been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, IBS, gastro-reflux, severe sleep apnea, depression, and anxiety. Even with treatment for all these other conditions, I still felt constantly sick, achy and fatigued to the extreme. Finally, after a barrage of not so great doctors (who treated me like I was stupid, lying or didn't know my own body), I found an amazing clinic with doctor's who would actually listen to me. I've been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
By Sarah Sparks9 years ago in Longevity
Open Letter to My Generation
I'm writing this letter with hopes that those who suffer alone or are deemed lesser can get a bit of piece of mind! My point is that many of us are lost, within many degrees of lost, many of us suffer from demons that get ignored and go unchecked, sometimes because we can't handle them alone, most times because we don't reach out.
By Tomás Brandão9 years ago in Longevity
How I Loved My Depression
It was a comfortable retreat: the familiar sadness, the open arms of melancholia that was constantly there for me. I knew I could always turn to It. I knew that no matter what, I always had It. It. The dark entity that embraced me whenever I needed It.
By Stephanie Davidian9 years ago in Longevity
Why We Need To Stop Looking At Medication Negatively
I have suffered from mental health issues my entire life. In fact, I am certain I suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) even in public school. Unfortunately, in Canada, one cannot receive a mental health diagnosis until after the age of 18 so I was not diagnosed until after reaching adulthood.
By Beth Gibbons9 years ago in Longevity
Expectations
Expectations... We all have them. They're those ideas that float around our mind before being sewn into the soil of our conscious selves. They grow as weeds from this mental earth, strangling our garden of values and beliefs. Even worse, like weeds, they spread rapidly until our emotions and identities have been altered to suit their needs. Expectations... We all have them, but what can we do about it?
By Justin Gignac9 years ago in Longevity
Body Image
I understand that I, as a female, am complicated. I’m going to tell you a little story about my struggle. Now at the age I am I’m more secure in myself about the way I look. I always thought that I truly was ok. I have forgiven myself. My struggle first started in my teenage years. I know a lot of people might say, but you were young. Yes, I was, but I already had started to figure things out. I had curves, had a body was still just me. I won’t go into detail about the next part just know it was bad. I changed after this incident. I wasn’t beautiful to me. I wasn’t perfect. My innocence was gone. I covered my body so no one would look at it. I was ashamed of it. I was ugly, fat, all around not good enough.
By Danyelle Lewinson9 years ago in Longevity
A Letter to My Period
Dear Periodianna, I could have started this letter with "long time no see," but that would be an outright lie wouldn't it? You just manage to show your face every month and the truth is one month is too short for me. I'm writing this letter to you to tell you how I feel. The relationship we're in is not healthy; I mean, you put so much effort into making this relationship work and the only reason I'm in this relationship is because of my gender status. Don't you get tired? Like seriously? In a normal relationship both parties have to put in effort for it to work. So, since we last saw each other I've been doing some thinking and I've come to the conclusion that you're a freak, a psychopath and a stalker; I mean who visits their "friend" with blood and pain? You have it in your head that being female is enough effort. But there are different kinds of relationship aren't they? And after putting into account both mine and fellow XX chromosomes' experiences I can say this with confidence that you are an UNFRIENDLY FRIEND in other words my ENEMY.
By Ronnie Lowe9 years ago in Longevity
Making Fun of My Own Trauma
Six days after my 11th birthday, the morning after the Year 6 exams, when my whole class had gone out to an indoor activity thing, (God knows if I can remember the name, not that it matters anymore!) I had the joy of opening the door to two police officers.
By Casey Rose9 years ago in Longevity
