Travelling is stressful, especially when it’s to and from medical appointments; for people with anxiety issues, the stress levels during this time can be heightened even further. Private transport providers offer patients a comfortable transport experience; the journey can be as stress-free as possible thanks to their state of the art, bespoke ambulances and friendly, qualified team! Mental health patient transport services can provide a sense of comfort and trust compared to your average ambulance service.
Not only does patient transport provide the benefit of a relaxed journey compared to your average patient transport- but for people who require additional support, these bespoke ambulances are accessible and filled with medical equipment.
Here are some of the ways private patient transport helps anxious travellers:
There’s No Waiting Time
Private patient transport providers deliver a transport service you can rely on! No more waiting around worrying you’ll be late for your appointment. Due to the NHS being under severe pressure, their transport service is not always running on time. With private patient transport, you can rest assured you will be picked up & dropped off on time.
The effects of long waiting times could be detrimental to anybody with anxious feelings, but you can avoid this stress and anxiety with private transport. With private ambulance services, there are no waiting times.
Private Transport Is Bespoke
A fantastic benefit of private ambulance services is that the focus is always on the patient. This means that when you choose a trusted, reputable provider, the provider will tailor each vehicle to meet the patient’s specific needs. This can help out anxious travellers, as they know the vehicle meets their requirements. Some vehicles even have sensory lights and TV’s, which are welcome distractions for many anxious patients. As well as these fancy extras, private patient transport always contains vital medical equipment such as oxygen and defibrillators.
The Vehicles Are Accompanied By A Friendly & Qualified Team
When travelling in a private patient transport vehicle, the staff on board are always experienced and friendly. This means they are qualified to deal with medical emergencies and have a welcoming personality to make travellers feel at ease.
Whenever you choose a trusted, reputable patient transport provider, you can rest assured that their caring team has appropriate experience and training to support patients with various needs. Private ambulance providers will meet every patient with respect, dignity, and kindness.
The Journey Will Be As Comfortable As Possible
Thanks to state of the art, bespoke vehicles and friendly teams, the journey will always be more comfortable than your standard ambulance transport service. No matter the patient’s unique needs, there will be a bespoke ambulance to suit.
Do you think you or a family member would benefit from using private patient transport? Get in touch with EMA Patient Transport to find out more.
Whether you require transport to and from a medical appointment or any other type of journey- give them a call today on 0800 634 1478 or send an e-mail over to enquiries@emapatienttransport.co.uk. Open 24 hours a day; their friendly team are always at the other end of the phone, ready to help.
This article was written and sponsored by EMA Patient transport.
Our health and wellbeing aren’t solely dependent on how our brains and bodies work; they’re also influenced by how we live. Making healthy lifestyle choices is key in supporting our mental health; influencing our self-esteem, confidence, energy, motivation, mood, and even our ability to sleep.
Want to know more about what you can do to support your health and wellbeing? Here are 5 key areas to get you started!
Get active
We know exercise is beneficial for our health and wellbeing; even being active for 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week can positively impact our mood, creativity, thinking and sleep. If going for a run or to the gym isn’t your thing there are so many other ways to get moving; including going for walks, climbing, cycling, dancing, surfing and table tennis (to name just a few).
Check out Head Hacks, a new directory website, run by a qualified Occupational Therapist, where you can search for fun things to do, locally and online, to help you get active in a way that suits you!
Sleep
If you find yourself struggling to switch off at night, or you feel you’re not getting the quality of sleep you need to feel rested there are a number of things you can do to help yourself. These include:
Avoiding screens for at least 30 minutes before going to bed
Increasing physical activity and exposure to natural light during the day
Avoiding drinking caffeine for at least 6 hours before going to bed
Avoiding smoking for at least 2 hours before going to bed
Maintaining a general bedtime routine, for 30 minutes before going to bed (by doing things in roughly the same order around the same time each evening).
Mindfulness
When talking about mindfulness a lot of people may link it with meditation and yoga; however mindfulness comes in many different forms. If meditation or yoga aren’t your thing why not try ‘mindful doing’? The aim is to keep your mind present while doing an activity you enjoy or that fits into your routine, (like going for a walk, cooking, eating a meal, doing the washing up etc). Try to minimise distractions and instead focus on your current thoughts and feelings, and what you’re doing (using all your senses).
Having purpose
Having a sense of ‘purpose’ is the feeling your life has some meaning or direction; without this we can feel anxious, low, bored and unmotivated. If this is something you feel you’re lacking here are some ideas to help you find more purpose in your life:
Voluntary work
Learn a new skill
Develop a sense of community by connecting with others over a shared interest e.g. joining a local activity group
Spend time thinking about what is important to you and form one or two goals around this (remember to break these down into manageable steps!)
Read (research has linked reading with feelings of purpose)
Connecting with others
Positive and meaningful relationships are vital to our health and wellbeing; providing us with a sense of belonging, self-esteem, and emotional support. However you prefer to spend time with people, find a way to connect with others in a way that suits you; some of us prefer having one or two close friends, for others it’s family, and some prefer socialising in larger groups.
To sum up
Research shows us that how we live; our relationships, how we spend our time, our sense of purpose and belonging, all vitally contribute to our health and wellbeing. Now that Coronavirus restrictions are easing, there are increasing opportunities, both in our local areas and online, to get involved in activities that are important to us, and that will help support our health and wellbeing.
Head Hacks is a new online directory, setup by a qualified Occupational Therapist, which aims to link people up with these activities and groups, as well as sharing useful information about managing health and wellbeing. Check it out to find fun things to do near you! Anna Witcherley is the founder of Head Hacks and wrote this article.
Do you ever sit down at your desk in the morning and think to yourself,
‘What am I doing here? I don’t belong in this job. Am I a fraud?’?
Well, if you do, you’ll be glad to know that you’re not alone.
62% of UK adults experience what is more commonly known as ‘imposter syndrome’. But what is it?
A feeling that your accomplishments have occurred due to luck or good fortune, as opposed to your natural talent and ability, imposter syndrome is a theory that was first identified back in 1978.
Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Innes detailed in a psychology paper that imposter syndrome was something uniquely experienced within women. However, since then, further researched has noted that this is something felt in men too — as the previous value suggests.
Different individuals experience imposter syndrome in different ways, purely dependent on the person and the circumstance which they find themselves in.
In this article, we look at the different types of personalities which develop the aforementioned syndrome and go on to delve into five different ways it can be combatted, helping you don your black suit trousers with pride and confidence in the morning.
The ‘super’ person
These are people who continually push themselves to breaking point in an attempt to prove that they aren’t imposters. Success is the only measurement they know, and they begin to get stressed when they aren’t experiencing it.
The ‘go-it-alone’ person
These people feel as if they have to do everything on their own as asking for helping is a sign of weakness, acceptance of defeat, and ultimately, admittance that they are a fraud.
The ‘genius’
These people are accustomed to taking things in their stride. When they find something too difficult or struggle to complete a task, they automatically assume that they aren’t good enough.
The ‘expert’
They want to know everything and without it they are afraid to suggest their opinion or take otherwise calculated risks. They will refrain from putting themselves forward with task that sits beyond their level of guaranteed expertise in fear of looking stupid.
The ‘perfectionist’
With this group, it’s 100 per cent or nothing at all. There could be one suggested amendment to a 200-page document, and they would take this as a failed project, feeling unaccomplished.
But, what causes these feelings of inadequacy?
38% assign impostor syndrome to self-doubt
23% assign it to criticism
20% assign it to asking for help
16% assign it to comparing themselves to colleagues
15% assign it to a lack of understanding in regard to what is expected
How to combat these feelings of discontent?
Talk it through
The first thing you need to do is talk about how you feel. As we’ve previously noted, more than 60 per cent of the UK population experience the same feelings. A problem shared is a problem halved after all.
Acceptance
There is no denying that every once in a while, we get out of our depth — we’re only human at the end of the day. Realistically, you wouldn’t be able to learn if you didn’t have to, once in a while, step beyond the boundaries of your comfort zone. Accept that sometimes you will have to hold your hands up and say, ‘I’m stuck’, and things will get a whole lot easier.
Learn to appreciate success
Sometimes, for someone with imposter syndrome, the difficulty is not being able to appreciate success and recognise when they have performed well. This is particularly true for those who fall into the ‘perfectionist’ category. In order to overcome this dissatisfaction, you need to take a step back every now and again, realise your achievement, and pat yourself on the back.
Create an image in your head of success
Think of a changing room before a cup final. Beyond the 90 minutes, if we choose to focus our attention on football for example, the image in the mind of the players is one of glory. Visualise lifting the hypothetical trophy and don’t fixate on being branded as a ‘fraud’ along the way.
Ask for help
Do you think that the great leaders and winners of yesteryear, whether it be in business or politics, succeeded alone?
No, is the answer. Winston Churchill was backed by the support of a nation, while Bill Gates was aided by the creativity and innovation of a strong organisation. Asking for help is by no means an acceptance of defeat. On the contrary, asking for help is an identification within that means you understand you have more scope to learn.
Professor Sir Cary Cooper is a psychologist on organisational and workplace psychology, and he points to the fact that imposter syndrome can have a particularly adverse effect on performance.
Cooper proposes: “Imposter syndrome can inhibit productivity and seriously impact an individual’s career progression”. However, he follows up with: “By regularly reminding yourself of your achievements and recent wins, you can put your feelings of self-doubt into context.”
You will almost never find a situation where potluck is the sole reason behind your current position.
I started back in therapy consistently (weekly), 2 months ago in August after reoccurrence of panic attacks. I have been working with a really brilliant therapist for the past two years who is a specialist in trauma and EMDR therapy. EMDR stands for eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy and is a way to help you process and confront traumatic memories, with the aim of reducing their impact on your life. Its a very good therapy for people struggling from PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder). Although I do not have the full disorder, I do have some PTSD symptoms according to a therapy questionnaire, from being sectioned and in hospital in 2014 and other traumas that occurred around the same time.
My PTSD symptoms include:
– Panic attacks (palpitations, sweating, negative thoughts, fight or flight adrenaline and needing to cancel feared event) triggered by certain situations which remind me of the past traumatic events. This includes fear of medical appointments now including going to hospitals for myself or the drs surgery.
– Social anxiety- what will they think of me?
-Other fears over traumatic events – i can get triggered and feel flooded with panic.
So, as you can see, a lot to deal with and unpack in therapy. And figuring out my identity as a 33 year old woman with bipolar disorder (thankfully stable) and what the future could hold.
I have to say that finding an excellent therapist has been a lifesaver. I look back to where I was 2 months ago and generally (without jinxing it) my nervous system has calmed down a lot, I have been anxious but able to enter certain situations I couldn’t have done 8 weeks ago. My medications keep my mind stable and my husband and family are a wonderful support too. I love my work and can do it from home. I am really lucky in so many ways.
It is still a major work in progress for me, getting back to the person I once was. I prefer to work from home and I also am unable to go out as much alone as I would want. However, I am starting to go out more with others and I will keep working to find freedom from fear for myself.
If you’re feeling stuck or alone or fearful, reach for help. I have been very lucky to have help with funding my therapy sessions (shout out to my incredible parents) but they are so needed. I know not everyone has this.. the waiting lists for the NHS are so long and I was on them for years without support. My local borough also does not fund trauma therapy which was frustrating at the time.
Thanks for reading the update, feel free to share your therapy experiences with me,
i feel quite emotional writing and sharing this with you! And remember- to keep reaching, growing, and above all healing. Healing is so important for our mental health if you can access it,
Eleanor x
PS- while writing this blog. I was listening to the Sugababes originals Mutya, Keisha and Siobhan (MKS) sing No regrets which has the lyrics.. ‘I choose life’ . Listen here to this live version (not an ad, genuine love): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfdYE7BkEsw
Thank you so much to all at Twinkl and I hope my tips are helpful. I used to work as a teaching assistant and was trained in safeguarding too, so hope you enjoy reading the blog!
A lot of elderly people decide to sell their homes. Usually, it is because they are either going to downsize or move into a retirement community. However, as we get older, it is not easy to do these tasks on our own, and a little bit of help is most certainly welcome, which will also help mental health. If you find one or both of your parents or a family member in this position, helping them navigate through it properly will make a huge difference, and that is what this blog post is all about. With that in mind, here are some things you can do to help them sell their home.
How to encourage a quick sale
If your loved one is moving into a nursing home for elderly, it is likely you will want to sell their existing home sooner rather than later. Heres one thing you can do…
Increase the asking price if too cheap – Your parents’ property could be failing to sell because it is too cheap. Do your research and see what comparable properties are being sold at. Never use the number 9 when pricing your home! Not only does £299,999 look unappealing but you will appear in viewer results on property portals. Why? You only fit in the category of £200,000 to £300,000. If you priced your home at £300,000 you would fit into the former category and £300,000 to £400,000.
Try to keep things as stress-free as possible
Moving home can be stressful at the best of times. However, this can be even more so the case if your parent does not want to leave their home but they have no choice but to do so because of their medical condition. This is why it is important to make sure that you make the whole process as stress-free as you are able to. When it comes to making all of the small decisions, don’t bother them with the details unless you think it is necessary. Aside from this, try to arrange viewings at convenient times to ensure your parent does not get flustered by the whole process.
Five things you can do today to get your parents’ home sold
Instead of sitting there and feeling frustrated, do the following five things today…
Buy some new bedding – Freshen up their bedrooms with some new and modern bedding. This will instantly breathe some new life into the rooms. It is important that property viewers can imagine living in the home. Little changes like this can make all of the difference and help to encourage a sale.
Update your Twitter and Facebook pages – Drum up some fresh interest by updating your Twitter and Facebook pages. Ask your friends if they would share your status for you, so that you can get the ball rolling. With social media marketing, you have to update regularly if you want success.
Take new photographs of your home – Freshen up the photographs of your parents’ property. Add some seasonal elements to make it relevant and to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Call your estate agent – Ask him if there has been any interest in the home. Enquire about the general feedback so you can see where maybe you are going wrong. Don’t excuse your agent of not doing their job – you need to keep them onside, especially now!
Buy some new cushions – The impact of a set of new cushions can have on your living room is huge. You will instantly notice a difference, and, it won’t cost you much either.
So there you have it: some tips that can help you to help your parents or family sell their home! Good luck! We hope the advice provided above helps.
thortful launches ‘Affirmations by Bryony Gordon’ to mark World Mental Health Day
100% of profits will go to the Community Programme founded by Bryony; Mental Health Mates
Greetings card marketplace thortful.com has worked with journalist and broadcaster and Mental Health Mates founder Bryony Gordon to create a series of positive affirmation cards written by Bryony and beautifully brought to life by illustrator Frankie Rose. The cards campaign is in support of Mental Health Mates and Better Health – Every Mind Matters.
World Mental Health Day took place on Sunday 10th October, and throughout the month, thortful will be supporting both Mental Health Mates and the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign. The campaign encourages people to look after their mental wellbeing by getting a free NHS-approved Mind Plan. When it comes to taking care of your mental health, having a plan is a brilliant first step. So, throughout the month of October thortful are encouraging people to take the NHS-approved Mind Plan quiz, for personalised ideas to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Mental Health Mates is a network of peer support groups run by people who experience their own mental health issues, meeting regularly to walk, connect and share without fear or judgement. With walks and online communities across the United Kingdom, Mental Health Mates is a thriving community and one that is committed to growing to reach even more people in need of mental health support.
The affirmation cards collection is available exclusively at thortful. The cards include a QR code on the back, to scan to find out more about the partnership and tips to improve mental wellbeing.
Bryony comments: ‘Physical cards are so important, I used to receive them from my friend Fearne (Cotton) during lockdown, when she would write to me just for the hell of it, and it meant so much when it dropped onto the mat, even though we are in constant contact on WhatsApp! It’s easy to forget the stuff that is good for us and harder to retain it. I think affirmations are brilliant and important reminders of the things that make us feel good about ourselves. Reading an affirmation can really help us put positive behaviours into action.’
Clare Perkins, Deputy Director Personalised Prevention, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID formerly Public Health England) comments: ‘We are pleased to be continuing our partnership with thortful to support people with tips and advice to improve their wellbeing this World Mental Health Day and beyond. There are little steps we can all take to look after our mental health, and getting a free, NHS-approved Mind Plan is a great way to start. It’s important to find out what works for you and that’s why the Every Mind Matters website has lots of resources to try.’
Andy Pearce CEO of thortful comments: ‘We’re delighted to be able to host this collection for Bryony and her amazing community programme. Since our inception in 2016 thortful has always supported Mental Health causes so we’re delighted to be involved. We are also incredibly proud to continue our support of the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign by encouraging our community to get a Mind Plan.’
Getting older doesn’t mean that you will have many medical conditions or poor quality of life. However, it is very important to know what is expected when you get old and what is not. Growing old entails some changes in all aspects of life, from the mental, physical to social, sexual, emotional, and more.
Some of these changes can be regarded as constructive, while others are damaging. The vital thing to do is make the most of the good part of aging while also taking preventative measures to maintain good health and lessen the negative impacts.
(image: Pexels)
Fixing Your Personal Wear and Tear in Life
Wear and tear in life can be defined as the damage that occurs naturally and unavoidably due to normal aging. In simple words, the human body wears out because of use, and once they wear, they can no longer function as they did.
Besides, many people go through their lives without sufficiently restoring themselves, which can eventually lead to weariness during an extreme period of stress or even work. So, it doesn’t matter who or how old you are; fixing your personal stresses in life is one excellent way to make yourself feel great again. The following are some of the things you can do to achieve that.
Use the right skincare products
There are some key ingredients that you must consider when shopping for skincare products. Ensure that the product you buy has vitamin C, which can help brighten your skin, retinoid that increase cell turnover and stimulate collagen production, and an exfoliating element to remove the dead skin cells.
On the other hand, you can get rid of eczema, acne, or eye bags, by using CBD oil from places such as Simply CBD. This will make you look younger as this oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to help you fix the wear and tear (lines and signs of aging) in your skin.
Get enough sleep
Getting a sufficient amount of sleep is crucial for good health. According to recent research, sleep disturbances can lead to an accumulation of a toxic protein called amyloid in the brain, especially in people at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, other studies have shown that poor or inadequate sleep can put an individual at a higher risk of developing illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, cancer, obesity, and even premature death.
Therefore, you should aim at getting about seven hours of sleep. This is because when you sleep, your body gets the chance to release hormones that promote cell renewal and turnover. Use the sleeping time to your advantage by using good skincare products that will help your renew and revitalise your skin.
On the other hand, you can practice good sleep hygiene to better your sleep. Consider upgrading your mattresses, pillowcase and ensure that the bedroom is cool and quiet. Having a good quality pillowcase will ensure that your skin is not affected or irritated by the constant turning and tossing.
Dental care and repair
When thinking about aging, many people think of wrinkles or droopy eyelids. But, some might have yellowed teeth, sunken faces, and droopy eyelids. Usually, these problems can actually make you look older than you are.
Therefore, dental care and repair can help you improve your smile and radiance. Cosmetic procedures from a dentist are some of the proven and most worthwhile treatments you can get to repair your teeth. Remember that it takes into account your particular dental needs and repair goals for you to come out with a sense of beauty and pride in your expressiveness. So, regardless of how well you take care of your teeth, you might need some maintenance from time to time.
Massage and deep spa treatment
People are constantly talking about the health benefits of spa treatment and massage therapy in relation to various illnesses. But did you know that massage can significantly reduce the effect of aging? Massage therapy is one of the ways to increase your general wellness, making you feel much younger.
Besides, going to a spa at the end of your workday can be an excellent way to unburden your stress and release all the tension you have on your shoulders. Other than that, massage therapy can increase your quality of sleep and improve blood circulation.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking enough water is excellent for your skin health. Besides, water is considered an excellent moisturiser that can reduce the appearance of wrinkles, helping you look younger and slimmer.
Failure to drink enough water can make your skin swollen and can lead to ballooning. Also, you can develop skin problems like dry skin, eczema, spots, wrinkles, and psoriasis. In addition, the first sign of dehydration is usually visible on the skin. Water is also known to eliminate toxins and waste products from the body leading to healthy life quality. It also helps get rid of headaches and leads to a happy life.
All of these things can help boost your wellbeing and mental health, and as you age, this is more important than ever,
Eat a well-balanced diet
As the saying goes, beauty comes from the inside, and just depending on skin creams and pricy potions for glowing skin is not enough. You can eat yourself to youthful and healthy skin. And since aging increases your risk of developing chronic conditions and heart illnesses, it is essential to consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Nutritional experts have recommended focusing on vegetables, fruits, and foods low in salt and sugar. Besides, there are certain types of food that you can eat to reduce the effects of aging. For instance, you can consume green tea rich in antioxidants that can protect your skin from harmful free radicals. Also, you can consume tomatoes, watermelon, bone broth, fatty fish, and dark chocolate. Also, ensure that you consume meals low in saturated fats, red meat, and sugar.
Stay socially and physically active
Staying connected to your friends and family can help delay the cognitive decline that comes with old age. Also, according to various reports, having pets can have many benefits as it helps seniors maintain social connections and improve their mental health.
On the other hand, it is crucial to stay physically active. Staying active can help you maintain a healthy weight and make you look younger. And according to many pieces of research, working out, especially high-intensity interval training, can slow down cellular aging by almost ten years.
The benefits don’t stop there; exercise can also increase blood flow to your brain and move critical nutrients throughout your body, resulting in a more youthful look. Besides, a regular workout is beneficial for maintaining strength and muscle mass which can add many years to your lifespan.
Reduce caffeine intake
Everyone loves coffee; in fact, older adults are shown to drink more coffee than any other age group. And while drinking coffee can positively affect your health, energy, and moods, consuming too much of it can have some adverse effects. Too much coffee can lead to poor sleep quality and dehydration.
According to Mayo Clinic, people who consume too much coffee experience restlessness, headaches, heart palpitations, and anxiety. Also, too much caffeine overstimulates the nervous system and leads to jitters, upset tummy, and sleep issues in older adults.
Also, too much caffeine can wreak havoc on your skin health, dehydrating your body and rob it of its vital nutrients. And unfortunately, some of these effects of caffeine are irreversible.
The Bottom Line
There are not enough substitutes when it comes to fixing your personal wear and tear, as your body will eventually show how you treat it. So try as much as possible to stay active, maintain a healthy work-life balance, drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, limit the amount of caffeine you take, and, more importantly, eat a well-balanced diet.
The novelty cave design is a unique idea that will make your home more exciting and memorable. It’s not easy to find something like this because you have to create it, but the results are excellent. Decluttering to create the space can also increase feelings of wellbeing.
The novelty cave design creates an underground space that you can use as a bedroom, bathroom, or just any function you want. Naturally, therefore, it’d be necessary to declutter areas you wish to redesign ahead of time. Consider moving boxes or anything you deem clutter to a storage – learn more about reliable movers near you.
The main thing here is to create the illusion of being in a natural cave, and it’s not that hard at all. It can help to have a space where you feel cosy.
Sauna Style Design
When moving houses, you may experience overwhelming feelings but moving in a house with a sauna style design will instantly improve your mood with its timeless and functional beauty. It’s not only about being cosy but also getting many health benefits while enjoying some time with your family and friends.
You can also include some cosy elements in the bathroom – your home will become more beautiful than ever if you take care of the minor details. You want your home to feel calm.
Pod Styles for Specific Rooms
With their drawers, shelves, and cabinets for storage or display, pod-style furniture pieces are a great addition to any room. They take up less space than traditional shelving units but still provide many options for displaying favourite items.
Pod styles work well in bathrooms, where they serve as both countertops and extra storage areas. If you’re looking to transform your master suite, consider a pod-style countertop to replace the standard vanity. It will add storage and create an elegant focal point. It can also help to promote feelings of calm in the space.
Twilight Lighting Design
It’s no secret that a well-lit room is essential for any interior design. However, what if you’re trying to create more of an atmospheric experience? If so, then twilight lighting might be the perfect fit. Twilight lighting works by adjusting your lights in such a way as to cast shadows across the floor and walls – resulting in an ethereal feeling room. This can boost wellbeing if it helps you to relax and switch off too.
Minimalistic Designs
If you like more natural-looking designs, then this might be the style for you. This design is great because no matter what kind of decor your living space features, it will look good with a minimalistic design. The most common thing that people do when they use a minimalist approach to interior design is use light colours such as grey and white throughout the space. This can feel more relaxing.
This is a great design idea for people trying to sell their homes because the neutral colour palette makes your house more attractive and appealing. The best way to make sure this style works well in your living room would be using a fireplace as an accent piece or adding one large focal point in the room.
Conclusion
Interior design possibilities are endless, and it is up to you how far you want to go with the designs to make them interactive, attractive, and timeless. Make sure you create a home with lots of space and light, so it feels calm and promotes feelings of wellness and cosiness.
If you are a carer for a loved one, or perhaps have a carer as someone with a long-term illness or chronic health condition, you will know that while it can be enjoyable and rewarding, it can be tough. Being able to take care of the needs of someone else, as well as yourself, can be a juggle, and often feel overwhelming. If you need some help and advice when it comes to caring for a loved one, then read on. As the old saying goes, you can’t fill from an empty cup, so looking after yourself is important as well.
Make each day different
It can be tough, but if you are caring for a loved one who isn’t very mobile and getting out of the house can be hard, then getting out and about can be the last thing on your mind for the day. However, having a change of scenery and keeping as active as possible is important for the mind in terms of dementia, as well as for their mental health. It can be a good thing for you as a carer too, as fresh air can make such a difference to how you feel too.
Think about routines
It can be easy to let the person you care for slip into your routine. This can be especially true if you don’t live in and just pop in each day at certain times. However, it is a good idea to think about the routine that is going to work best for those that you are caring for. It should help them to feel comfortable and at ease. This could look like not interrupting them when you know their favourite show is on TV or waiting to serve their meal at a better time, not just one that is more convenient for you. There needs to be a degree of flexibility with this, of course, but having a rethink of what you currently do is important.
Get the support that you need
Talking of routine and seeing what fits in with you as well as what fits in with others is important. However, there will be times when some things just won’t work; you can’t put everything that you need to do on hold. This is where getting help comes in. It may be that you just need another family member to step in for one day or perhaps you need to seek out the support of a carer support services team. It might be that you need physical help one day if you have an injury and lifting someone could make it worse. Look to create a circle of people around you that you can call on when needed and who you can trust and confide in.
Although the person you are caring for will come first most of the time, much like a relationship with a parent and child, you do still need to care for yourself. Putting plans in place that will make things easier for you, and give you any downtime that you need, is important.