When it seems like the bad news keeps on coming

Yesterday I had a much dreaded follow up appointment with the specialist.

I was feeling slightly nervous, mainly because of recent experiences, and was certainly not jumping for joy, while I remembered the pain of my last visit and the Mohs surgery.

After my appointment, where I was told, further treatment could be necessary, I admit I did feel a little down and out.

I had been thinking of the past surgeries and pain instead of being thankful that my specialist was keeping ahead of the game and looking out for me.

But it was only when I got home, and received a sympathetic hug from a loved one that I started feeling slightly better and was able to see the positive in the negative experience.

Not all research is helpful research

When we receive bad health news, it is natural to feel worried and start searching the internet for information about our condition.

Often we are warned by our specialists not to go looking on the internet, as all is definitely not what it seems, and we can certainly start to worry unnecessarily and push our stress levels up more as a result of our findings.

Research tells us that there are benefits of feeling happy and joyous

Would it not be better to practice things that make us happy instead? Maybe a visit to a beach, or enjoying a lovely treed garden would be better than hunching over the internet findings, spreading alarm and stress throughout our bodies?

When we experience joy, our bodies release two types of neurotransmitters in our brains which are called Dopamine and Serotonin.

Both of these chemicals are associated with happiness. Research tells us that some people who have clinical depression could have much lower levels of serotonin- Read more here

The benefits of feeling happiness and joy

Fights off stress and pain symptoms
Boosts our immune systems
Is thought to lower our heart rates and blood pressure
Promotes a healthier lifestyle

The difference between happiness and joy

Happiness is an emotion that gives us satisfaction and pleasure, but joyfulness is a stronger, longer term state that gives us contentment and inner peace.

I have always loved the saying “Jump for joy“.

It creates a picture for me of pure joy. When I think of all the things that I am grateful for, I always picture my loved ones, especially, children and grandchildren.

I reflect on happier times and count my blessings.

By seeking out positive people to enjoy laughter with, or by reaching out to others, it is a certainly a better way to deal with our worrying, than hiding away with our sorrow and fear.

The world is a bit messed up right now, and many of us are coping with all sorts of things that are challenging.

If you can find that little thing that will give you a feeling of happiness and joy, no matter how small, then now is certainly the time to look for it!

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A drawing by Maddie ( age 11)

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Renovating a home is not for the faint hearted Take it from one who knows! Smart wiring, or smart homes are often talked about and the digital natives amongst us know all the tricks. Just listening to some of the things required in our new smart home made my head...

Messy house or hoarder?

by gentlelifehacks | 18/06/2021 | Handy hints, Lifestyle, Opinion | 0 Comments

Sometimes it is hard to differentiate between hoarding and extreme clutter. Many times in my real estate career, I have come across people who do not see the clutter when they come to sell their homes. It is rude to point it out to them, and sometimes difficult to be...

Houses built from hemp

by gentlelifehacks | 18/06/2021 | Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Real Estate | 0 Comments

Some interesting ways of building homes over the years have included products such as Hemp. It has apparently been used globally as a natural building product for thousands of years. Recently a Western Australian couple hand built their three-bedroom home on a...

10 Simple Life Hacks to Stay Healthy and Active

by gentlelifehacks | 25/09/2024 | Health and Wellness | 0 Comments

Introduction to Healthy LivingIn today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can often feel overwhelming. However, implementing a few simple life hacks can significantly improve your well-being and help you stay active. This blog post explores effective...

10 warning signs to look out for when buying a house

by gentlelifehacks | 30/11/2021 | Handy hints, Home and Garden, Lifestyle, Real Estate, uncategorised | 0 Comments

Renovating is not always easy. Even the the tasks that look like they could be simple can turn out to me a mission to finish! Have you ever found a few cracked tiles in the kitchen and thought about replacing them? It is okay if you have spare matching tiles, but what...

A wise old donkey

by gentlelifehacks | 18/06/2021 | Lifehacks, Lifestyle, uncategorised | 0 Comments

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He...

Are you a hoarder?

by gentlelifehacks | 20/01/2023 | caregiving, Coping skills, Handy hints, Home and Garden, Lifestyle | 0 Comments

Are you a hoarder? They say you should always "declutter" when selling your home? When I was selling my own home after the death of my husband, I wondered if I was a hoarder! They say that hoarding is often a coping mechanism. Apparently if we are bereaved , or...

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