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Psychology Explains How Trauma Creates Mental Illness

October 20, 2022 by Chris Butler

Do you suffer from depression, anxiety, or a personality disorder? Have you ever wondered about the origins of this mental illness and if there are links to your past? Traumatic experiences you’ve been through alter your biology, which means it modifies the way you respond to things that happen to you today.

Trauma is prevalent in society, yet it was taboo to talk about it for years. Thankfully, the stigma once attached to mental health is slowly lifting. More people recognize they need help with their crippling anxiety and other mental health conditions.

There should be no difference in getting treatment for cancer, diabetes, or mental illness. The brain can get sick just like any other part of your body.

Does Trauma or a Chemical Imbalance Cause Mental Illness

It’s common for people to talk about a chemical imbalance when they reference mental illness. While the brain’s chemicals are essential, the condition is much more complex than just a few chemicals being off kilter. Trauma is at the crux of many mental health struggles that you face.

Rather than referencing serotonin and dopamine, people need to start talking about the effects their traumatic experience has caused on their brains. Invalidating your trauma can cause substantial problems in your life, and it can thwart the healing process. While you can have a genetic imbalance that increases your chances of developing mental health issues, it’s not always the only reason.

According to Science Daily, psychologists have found that trauma can leave permanent marks on your DNA that will cause lifelong chaos to your stress hormones. So if you ever wonder why you tend to have complete meltdowns over minor issues in life, it can be directly linked to traumatic experiences from childhood. The events that happened to you caused a genetic predisposition to mental illness.

Most doctors have become accustomed to telling people to take a few pills, and they will be good as new. Sadly, studies find that these cocktail prescriptions don’t work as hoped. You can’t pop a tablet and fix problems in your brain.

It’s frustrating when the mental health community minimizes what happens due to traumatic experiences. According to John Hopkins, 33 percent of people using these substances find that they don’t work or that their symptoms come back. The real reason is that they’re treating the wrong things.

Facing Mental Illness and Trauma Head-On

While you can’t ignore the genetic and chemical imbalance, people must stop pushing trauma responses under the rug. Consider Elizabeth. She grew up in what seemed to be the perfect family.

Her mother and father were together and made a good living. From the outside world, it seemed like she had it made. However, what went on inside was a different story.

Elizabeth’s father had a rage issue that stemmed from his childhood abuse. He was often violent with the children and screamed and ranted at his wife. Elizabeth lived in fear at the loud tone of his voice, and she recalls times when her mother had to pull him off her when he was beating her so severely.

When Elizabeth became an adult, her anxiety disorder began. She had seen several specialists to no avail, but one doctor changed her life. When she walked into the office and sat down, she described how she felt and all the things she experienced with her disorder.

The psychiatrist asked her, “What type of abuse did you suffer from?” The statement put off Elizabeth as she didn’t want to see her family as anything but perfect. After all, it was the ruse engrained in her since childhood. The doctor asked her again, and Elizabeth was silent.

After a few moments, the doctor told her that they don’t see these anxiety levels in people unless they have had some trauma in the past. It’s ironic because she had never come to terms with her traumatic childhood, and now the reality was rushing at her a hundred miles per hour.

Elizabeth put her head down and answered, “I was a victim of verbal and physical abuse.” It was freeing and empowering to finally realized what was causing her troubles. The past traumatic experiences had altered her biology and changed her DNA, and she needed to find ways to cope beyond a pill.

Mental Illness and Traumatic Wounds That Never Heal

Your anxiety likely didn’t start yesterday, as it’s been building for some time. Think of a pot boiling on the stove. It begins as a simmer, but the pressure inside builds from the heat, and eventually, it erupts into a full boil. Children with anxiety have a plan of escape and stay on guard.

A 13-year-old foster child named Adreauna moved to a new home. This situation was her fourth placement, as she was a handful. The foster mother noticed something wasn’t right about the nighttime, as the child would barricade her door.

After the teenager left for school one day, the mom cleaned her room. She found a knife and a pair of scissors under her pillow. The child was terrified to fall asleep because it made her more susceptible to abuse. Is it any wonder this young woman now has a personality disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety issues?

While it’s challenging to go through all those things, Adreauna also carries intense guilt. She felt that some of the things that happened were her fault. She was sad and thought that maybe if she acted differently or altered her behavior, her father wouldn’t have become a drunk and her mom so violent.

It’s an intense amount of pressure to put on a small child. Yet, she lived her whole life affected by the things that occurred in the formable years. She felt unlovable and that there was something wrong with her, but it wasn’t this tiny child who had the issue.

An innocent kid did nothing wrong, but her behavior was caused by reacting to her environment. Sadly, she’s left with wounds inside her soul that will never heal. While she may find ways to cope and move on, the scars are always present and can cause issues without warning.

Identifying Mental Illness Triggers

The day-to-day functioning is what’s challenging for most people with mental illness. You may feel like you’re going through the motions or are numb to the world around you. Sure, there are moments when you feel happy and have peace, but those pesky triggers always cause traumatic things to rush to the surface.

Watching a television show where a child is being abused rips open those wounds that scabbed over for some folks. You could be in a store and manage a parent slapping their child to try to make up their mind, opening that wound afresh. There’s no amount of “happy” pills that are going to resolve any of these things or be a salve for a broken heart.

Healing from Traumatic Experiences Can Help Overcome Some Mental Illness

All the years of trauma cannot be covered up by numbing your emotions. It would help if you processed the things that happened to you, got intense therapy to help re-wire your brain, and never downplay childhood trauma. Sadly, the process can be long and grueling as you must face some of the demons you’ve kept hidden for many years.

Dr. Gala Gorman is the founder of the Delta Discovery Center in Hilton Head, SC. As a mental illness expert, she suggests tips for overcoming trauma.

1. Recognize That There is Nothing Wrong with You

You can’t help the things that happened to you, and it’s time to put the blame where it belongs.

2. Let Go of Traumatic Events and Reclaim Control

You must let go of the feelings of helplessness and reclaim Control of your life. Get rid of those old defenses that you’ve found comforting.

3. Don’t Isolate

You can add to any mental illness by staying behind four walls. Please get out and have an active social life, as it’s healing.

4. Learn Self-Regulation

Your emotions are likely a roller coaster if you have a mental illness. It would help if you learned ways to regulate the ups and downs with things like mindful breathing, being present in the moment, and being in nature.

5. Be Aware of Your Emotional Triggers

If watching scary movies bothers you, then don’t watch them. When you know something will cause discomfort, you avoid it. By reducing your emotional triggers, you can help to reduce your episodes.

Final Thoughts on Mental Illness That Results From Trauma

The things that happened to you in your past help to define you as a person. Even abuse and trauma can help you do great things. It’s time to start acknowledging that your experiences are not your fault, and you can process what happened and move past them.

While you can’t erase the events that caused you so much pain, you can desensitize them, so they don’t have as much effect. You can manage your mental illness and live a happy and productive life, but it all starts with a journey toward healing from your past.

Never Flush These 20 Things Down the Toilet

October 20, 2022 by Chris Butler

You should flush down your toilet only three things: pee, poo, and toilet paper. Anything other than these items can cause significant issues for you and the wastewater treatment facility. Everything that enters your plumbing system goes into a septic tank to be pumped out later or sent through city lines to the local sewer.

There are various pipes that it must travel through to get to its destination, and these pipes include rods and filters that help protect the expensive equipment that processes it. Treatments stations have filters that remove items that you should not flush, including baby wipes, tampons, and hair.

When you send non-biodegradable items down the toilet, you risk damage to the plumbing in your home. Additionally, you add to water pollution in your community. Some people honestly don’t know that there are things that can’t go through these intricate systems. Sadly, others know it will not break down and send it through the tubes anyway. The backups you might experience are more than just an inconvenience and expensive plumbing bill. Indeed, the resulting overflow may create unsanitary conditions that endanger well-being.

Expert septic tank services play a crucial role in maintaining the functionality and integrity of your wastewater management system. Companies like Alligator Septic & Drain specialize in providing comprehensive solutions to ensure that your septic tank operates efficiently and effectively. Their trained professionals offer services such as regular maintenance, inspections, and repairs to identify and address any potential issues before they escalate into costly problems.

When you visit Alligator Septic & Drain for your septic tank needs, you can trust that their team will employ the latest technologies and techniques to keep your system running smoothly. By adhering to best practices and industry standards, they help prevent clogs, backups, and other issues that could compromise the health and safety of your home or community. Investing in expert septic tank services not only protects your property but also contributes to the preservation of the environment by reducing the risk of water pollution and contamination.

Twenty Things You Should Never Flush Down the Toilet

Everyone makes mistakes, and reading the list below, can help you make some changes. You should not dispose of these items through the plumbing system. Besides that, you should teach your children about the acceptable things to flush, too. Here are some things you should never put into your commode.

1. Don’t Flush Wet Wipes

These wet wipes found in most supermarkets are labeled as flushable. But if you read the fine print, it says only one can be sent through the tubes. Most people don’t use just one, and some older septic systems can’t handle that amount. These wipes are a plumber’s nightmare–and their ticket to high-cost repair jobs.

Wet wipes don’t break down like they should, and they clog septic systems across the globe. The River Thames in Barnes is polluted constantly with wet wipes that come to the surface. According to a report by the National History Museum in the UK, volunteers cleared over 23,000 of these wipes from the shore of the famous river in 2019 alone. Additionally, a study found that these “flushable” wipes cause ninety percent of all plumbing blockages.

2. Tampons or Maxi Pads Should Not Go Down the Toilet

Can you believe fifty percent of women think sending tampons down the toilet is okay?

Plumbers warn that some think the commode is an acceptable way to eliminate feminine hygiene products. None of the tampons or pads on the market should go through your plumbing system, and many boxes have warnings that state this on their packaging. You do not want to flood your bathroom or clog your pipes, so do not send a maxi pad through your system.

In addition to avoiding flushing feminine hygiene products, it’s crucial to understand that other common household items can also wreak havoc on your plumbing system. Items such as wipes, paper towels, and even certain types of toilet paper can contribute to severe blockages and backups. The expertise of SavingPlumbing comes into play here, offering professional advice and services to prevent such mishaps. They emphasize the importance of being mindful about what goes down your drains and provide regular maintenance checks to ensure your plumbing system remains in optimal condition.

3. Please Do Not Flush Paper Towels

Many people turn to paper towels or coffee filters when they run out of toilet paper. The only problem is that these can’t disintegrate in your septic or wastewater systems. You can cause your system to clog quickly upon flushing, primarily if you use a large amount.

4. Condoms Don’t Go Down the Drain

The most significant issue with condoms is they’re non-biodegradable. No one wants these in their public waterways, and it’s better to toss them in the trash can.

5. Avoid Flushing Baby Wipes

Baby wipes have a warning right on them not to flush them down the commode. Yet, millions of people do it anyway, thinking they’re the same as toilet paper. They will undoubtedly cause a clog.

6. Do Not Flush Diapers

It’s shocking to put diapers on a list of things that might cause your house to flood if you send them into your plumbing system. Sadly, some folks try to drop these large items down the toilet. No part of a diaper should enter your septic system, and it’s a recipe for disaster sending it through your pipes.

7. Medications Can Poison the Water System

It seems simple enough to toss old medications into the bowl and give them the royal send-off, but you’re putting these prescriptions into your public water supply. Your local wastewater facility isn’t equipped to handle or purify water with them.

8. Don’t Flush Cigarette Butts

Cigarette butts are one of the most common litters in the United States. You find them on your street, at the city park, on the beach, and they even end up in your water system. The issue is that the butt comprises hundreds of toxins and cellulose acetate on the wrapping. Your local treatment facility isn’t equipped to handle these small items, and they contaminate your water.

9. Cotton Balls or Swabs

Cotton does break down a bit, but it’s not going to break down like regular tissue paper as it’s not biodegradable. Keep cotton swabs and balls out of your commode if you don’t want a flood in your bathroom.

10. Grease and Oil Can Cause Severe Clogging if You Flush Them

It seems sensible to send oil and grease through the septic system rather than your pipes, but these slimy substances can clog your drains quickly. Additionally, the fat solidifies and becomes hard as a rock. As a result, you risk severe damage to your plumbing pipes and water system. For expert advice or repairs, consider checking out plumbing orange quotes to find reliable professionals who can handle these issues effectively.

11. Contact Lenses

The CDC estimates that over 45 million people in this country wear contact lenses, adding to a lot of plastic. Sadly, many people would rather flush these items than toss them in the bin. The real issue is that all these lenses going into the sewer system is responsible for one of today’s most significant environmental concerns, microplastics. While sending them down the commode seems tempting, throwing them in the trash is just as easy.

12. Cat Litter

It seems only natural that you would flush cat litter right down the tube. However, all septic water is purified at a local plant. Since cat feces and urine can have parasites like toxoplasma gondii, your local treatment facility isn’t equipped to handle such diseases. Besides that, the clumping clay that eliminates the mess from the litter box can create severe clogging–or even overflow or flood your toilet.

13. Don’t Flush Hair Down the Toilet

Hair doesn’t break down like toilet tissue and can cause all sorts of issues at the water treatment facility. Plus, it’s one of the most common reasons for clogs in your plumbing, so you can imagine what it does to your septic system.

14. Dental Floss

Dental floss is just a string, so it can’t cause too much damage, right? Sadly, dental floss is not an item that will break down. It’s made of Teflon or nylon, and it tangles much like hair in the septic system, which is a complete nightmare on the expensive processing equipment.

15. Paint

Most people know enough to realize that their trash hauling company issues special disposal rules for household paints. To circumvent those rules, some people dump paint down the commode. Wrong move!

Paint contains chemicals. So you should not want it to end up in your water treatment plant or plumbing. Since it has extenders, binders, solvents, and additives, which can be harmful to the environment without proper handling. That’s why your trash company must follow special rules when handling it.

16. Goldfish

Plumbers express shock at the number of people who think that sending a fish down the commode releases it back into the wild. That fish isn’t going to make it very far, and it will soon meet its demise. Plus, some goldfish can be pretty significant, and they have the potential to cause a clog. Sure, a water burial seems logical to toss a scaly friend, but it’s not a good idea.

17. Do Not Flush Chewing Gum

Did you know chewing gum has some of the same chemical properties as glue? It sounds disgusting, but it’s a cohesive substance that can easily stick to the inside of your septic pipes. When it builds up, it can impede water flow and cause a flood in your home or yard, which can be expensive to repair.

18. Cosmetic Wipes

Unlike toilet paper, cosmetic wipes aren’t going to break down in your septic system. They have chemicals that can flood your plumbing if you send too many down the hatch.

19. Tissues

Unbeknownst to most, tissues and toilet paper are not the same thing. Tissues have different materials that don’t allow them to break down easily. Avoid flushing these, even if you run out of toilet paper.

20. Bandages

Bandages are made from plastic and latex and can’t break down in your plumbing system. While it’s not likely to cause a flood in your bathroom, it can certainly be a headache as it travels down the line to the treatment plant.

Final Thoughts on Knowing Why You Should Not Flush These Twenty Items Down the Toilet

Are you guilty of flushing any of these items on the list? Perhaps you didn’t know some of these things do not belong down your drain. It can be a costly repair if you flush items that your system can’t handle. Plus, it’s unsanitary and inconvenient when one of the most vital rooms in the home is out of order.

If you don’t want to flood your bathroom or yard, you should be very careful about what goes down your commode. If it’s not toilet paper, it’s best to throw it in the trash can. Think twice before you put anything through your plumbing, as it can be a very costly mistake.

How to Train Your Brain To Show Kindness

October 20, 2022 by Lakeisha Ethans

Kindness is one thing prized by every society. But that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to be kind. Even the most moral person alive can snap and act disrespectfully from time to time. Staying positive and kind is hard, mainly because of how society shapes our responses. Sometimes it feels like the entire world can push you to be disrespectful. If you don’t do anything in your power to fight for yourself, others will step on you. But there’s a difference between standing your ground and being vicious. And there’s no shame in showing kindness.

Being kind isn’t just something you should do because someone expects it of you. Instead, it would help if you learned how to internalize that kindness. You need to incorporate acts of kindness into your daily routine. And it would help if you made it natural. Sure, it’s better to force yourself to be kind than mean. But you can’t keep up that kind of charade for your life.

If you fake being kind, you might create more trouble for yourself. That’s why, if you struggle with kindness, you must learn how to make it part of you. And sure, it’s never fun to think that you must train your brain to be compassionate. But that’s a reality you have to face. Plus, it’s important to remember that not being kind doesn’t make you an awful person. It just makes you a product of the environment you live in.

Four Easy Ways to Display More Kindness

It is always good to learn new things–above all, kindness. So, if you want to train your brain to show compassion, here are some ways to do it.

1 – Show Kindness to Yourself First

This concept might sound counterintuitive, but the first step you need to take is to learn self-compassion. You might think that the first step should be helping others. But that won’t make a lasting change. If you keep being harsh on yourself, that attitude will reflect how you treat others. If you constantly beat yourself down and are in a sour mood, that attitude will show in your actions. To make a lasting change, you must learn to be kind to yourself.

Most people deal with a lot of guilt and even self-hatred. And even if that’s not the case, people are never taught how important it is to love themselves. Not only that, but you have probably lived your life under a lot of pressure. For starters, your parents have probably stressed you out a lot, trying to make you become your best version of yourself.

And all this stress is likely to carry into your adult life. But this time, other people expect the world from you. Your boss, friends, and family have things to ask of you. You might wonder why this is relevant. And the answer is simple. When you put a lot of pressure on yourself, you’ll never be happy with what you’ve achieved. Because of that, you’ll have a lot of pent-up anger and frustration.

No matter how much you try to hold it in, it will inevitably affect how you interact with others. So, it would help if you practiced self-compassion. First of all, you need to take some time to accept yourself. Meditation and introspection can do you a lot of good. You can understand your needs and desires if you meditate for a few minutes daily. And, you can actively work to be more accepting and have a growth mindset.

It would be best if you made an effort to forgive yourself for all your imperfections. But, most importantly, you need to practice self-care. Take some time at least once a week to do something you like. Read, take a bubble bath, or do whatever else you might enjoy. This way, you can be more relaxed and improve your overall mood. The more at peace you feel with yourself, the better you’ll treat others. How you feel inside will reflect on the outside, and you’ll find that you’ll be kinder.

2 – Make an Effort to Listen

Kindness tightly links to your ability to empathize. For some people, empathizing is something that comes naturally. But not everyone has an innate inclination toward it. The good news is that learning how to empathize isn’t as hard as you might think. You need to make an effort to listen to people.

If you want to be kinder, you need to start to understand people. Most of the time, people don’t bother helping others because they assume it’s not worth it. If a random person on the street asks for some cash, you automatically believe they are trying to rip you off. But what if you’re wrong? You’ll never know unless you listen.

Sure, if someone asks for money, they might manipulate you. But, even still, you should try to listen to the request. That way, you’ll at least have a chance to determine if they need help. But this is an example of an isolated case. In most cases, you need to listen to understand someone’s story. Maybe they don’t even need help. Perhaps they need someone to talk to. Plus, it’s always good to know why people are acting the way they are.

For example, you might snap at them if a colleague doesn’t pitch in for a group project. You might think they are mean and selfish. But if you ask them why they are doing that, you might find they have their reasons. In that case, you’ll be more inclined to be kind to them. So, from now on, make an effort to listen actively. Always make an effort to ask questions before acting. This way, kindness will seem much easier to achieve.

3 – Display Kindness By Practicing Positive Thinking

A positive mindset is one of the most important things you can do when learning to be kinder. If your life is full of negativity, you will never be able to spread positive emotions into the world. Again, the way you act often reflects what you feel inside. And part of being negative means you always expect the worst out of life. It means you always expect bad luck and things to go badly.

Because of that, you will project all your fears into the world. And the people around you will have to suffer the repercussions of your negativity. Sure, not all people are always negative. But life is hard, so many people see no other way than to expect the worst. So even if you aren’t negative all the time, you have your moments of negativity. Or at least you’ll not be entirely positive.

If you want to learn kindness, practice positive thinking. And one of the best ways to do it is to practice gratitude. No matter how bleak the world might seem, always try to see the good in things. Make an effort to take some time and enjoy the small things. For example, lunch with a friend can be the highlight of your day if you learn to treasure it.

In the same way, helping someone in need can be the best thing you do on an average Monday. Learn to focus on the good stuff instead of dwelling on the bad. You can use affirmations or write the good things down to remember them. It’s also helpful to surround yourself with positive people, as they’ll support you. When surrounded by positivity, you’ll be much less likely to fall back into negative thinking patterns.

4 – Be Proactive

No matter how cheesy it sounds, practice does make perfect. This adage is true when you want to acquire any new skill. And kindness is a skill you need to learn, much like riding a bike is. Some people are athletically inclined, so they quickly learn to ride a bike. In the same way, some people are inherently kinder. But that doesn’t mean people can’t learn to be kind. All it takes is just a little bit of practice.

Maybe being kind doesn’t come naturally to you. And that doesn’t mean you are a terrible person. It just means you don’t have an inherent desire to help everyone. No one can judge you for that, as it’s hard enough for people to take care of themselves sometimes. But, if you desire to be kinder, you must be proactive.

At first, you’ll do acts of kindness rationally and intentionally. But, in time, these actions will become second nature. And you don’t need to do anything over the top. Just make an effort to do some small acts of kindness every day. Then, when you wake up, list some things you can do to help or be nice. For example, maybe you know that the cleaning lady likes a particular type of chocolate.

You can bring her some on the next day of work. Or you can take some time to buy your partner the flowers they like. Once acts like these become part of your daily routine, you’ll internalize them. Then, you’ll find that you’ll start being kind without being proactive about it.

Final Thoughts on How to Train Your Brain To Show Kindness

Kindness is something we all value as a society. But, for one reason, we struggle to learn how to practice it. Your parents have probably focused on teaching you to be ambitious and independent. But they probably didn’t focus too much on kindness. Or, at least, they didn’t try to teach you how to show it. Not showing kindness doesn’t automatically make you mean or immoral. You could be very moral and still not know how to show kindness.

If you want to show kindness, you need to be proactive. But first, you must learn to be kind to yourself. You’ll never learn to appreciate others if you don’t value yourself. It would be best if you also started practicing positive thinking. That positivity will reflect in the way you treat others. Learning to listen is essential, as that will help you empathize more. Lastly, it would be best if you made an effort to start doing acts of kindness. At first, you’ll have to be conscious about doing those acts. But, in time, your brain will be wired to default to kindness.

Kind Dad Builds $35M Theme Park for Special Needs Children

October 20, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

After building an amusement park for special needs children, one kind dad became a hero in his community. Gordon Hartman felt inspired to create the park after taking his family on vacation. His daughter Morgan is on the autism spectrum and requires special cognitive and physical care.

On the trip, Hartman tried to find opportunities for her to play safely and thought the hotel pool seemed like the perfect idea. While the family swam, Hartman noticed that his then 12-year-old daughter struggled to make friends. As she got closer to the other children, they grew apprehensive and bolted out of the pool.

Hartman will never forget the disappointed and hurt expression on Morgan’s face. He felt heartbroken and vowed to find a park where Morgan could play comfortably and feel included. However, after researching, Hartman realized that no theme parks existed for autistic or special needs children.

So, he decided to build the park himself for Morgan and other differently abled children. On April 10, 2010, he unveiled Morgan’s Wonderland, the world’s first theme park designed for special needs children. In 2017, the Ultra-Accessible™ theme park opened its addition, Morgan’s Inspiration Island, a splash park complete with a riverboat adventure ride and a giant treehouse. The park made TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places” list in 2018.

The park is located in San Antonio, Texas, and caters to people with and without special needs. Hartman said he wanted to create a place where everyone could interact and understand one another better. Both theme park areas promote inclusion to benefit all children, regardless of their needs or abilities.

“It’s a park for 100 percent of the people, not one for 90 or 80 percent of them; it’s for everybody, no matter how acute their special need may be,” Hartman told PEOPLE in an interview. “That’s what my dream was.”

Dad Builds Fully Accessible Park for Special Needs Children

Hartman had ample experience as a construction worker and landscaper, an ideal background for theme park development. He began landscaping at fifteen and launched his homebuilding enterprise at nineteen.

When he turned twenty-three, he owned a successful land development and construction company. At the time, it was the largest locally owned home construction business in San Antonio.

The generous father used all this knowledge and expertise to start a new journey in helping special needs children. After selling his homebuilding business in 2005, he founded The Gordon Hartman Family Foundation to support individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities.

He also hoped raising awareness about special needs children would make it easier for Morgan to make friends. Hartman thought educating people about children with disabilities would help break down their barriers. The fully accessible theme park provided the ideal environment for people with and without special needs to connect.

“It’s about not letting anyone feel different. That’s what we tried to do with this park.”

Hartman organized countless fundraisers and collaborated with architects, engineers, doctors, and therapists to construct the $35 million park. They began construction in 2007 and completed the massive project in 2010. In 2018, the nonprofit opened a $17 million water park called Morgan’s Inspiration Island, an expansion of the original park.

The successful realization of major projects like Hartman’s $35 million park and the $17 million Morgan’s Inspiration Island underscores the vital role of accurate land surveying in construction. Precision in land surveying is crucial for maintaining high standards throughout a project, from initial layout to final structural integrity.

Among the many available tools, Carlson equipment and software are recognized as the industry leaders due to their superior accuracy, user-friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. Suitable for both small land surveying firms and large engineering companies, Carlson’s solutions address diverse needs. Their surveying tools streamline processes and deliver dependable results, greatly improving the efficiency of construction projects. By choosing Carlson’s technology, you ensure your land surveying work benefits from top-quality tools, leading to more precise and successful project outcomes.

The Ultra-Accessible™, fully-inclusive park offers something for the whole family to enjoy. Morgan’s Wonderland and Morgan’s Inspiration Island feature over 25 attractions, colorful playscapes, and interactive displays scattered across 25 acres. Some attractions at Morgan’s Wonderland include a wheelchair-accessible train, swings, a carousel, and a Ferris wheel.

Morgan’s Inspiration Island offers a fully accessible river ride, colorful splash pads, and even waterproof wheelchairs–all free of charge. It also features warm water attractions to accommodate guests who cannot tolerate cold temperatures. The park provides special wristbands to keep track of visitors, a feature handy for children with ASD.

Over one million people have visited Morgan’s Wonderland since it opened in 2010. All special needs children receive free admission to both parks, no questions asked. Hartman also promotes workplace inclusion at his theme parks, as about one-third of staff members include people with special needs.

Many Parents Have Expressed Gratitude for the Theme Parks

Hartman said that his daughter, now 28 years old, continues to inspire people worldwide. Her story raises awareness for special needs children and shows the importance of making the world more inclusive. After the incident in the pool years ago, Hartman and his wife resolved to create a supportive environment for all children.

Their website reads:

“It is Morgan’s sincere hope that everyone with a special need — young and older, healthy or ailing, introspective, or outgoing — will be touched extraordinarily by Morgan’s Wonderland: a shrine of inclusion, an oasis of friendship, an unforgettable wonderland… Morgan’s Wonderland!”

Many parents who visit the park have come to Hartman in tears of joy. They feel grateful for his dedicated efforts to create a safe, fun place for special needs children to play.

One day at the water park, an emotional father approached Hartman and began to cry. The man pointed to the heartwarming sight of his adult son splashing and playing in the water. He admitted to Hartman that he had never witnessed his child playing like that before.

Another couple visiting from Michigan thanked Hartman for providing their daughter with an accessible, inclusive place to play. Before, she watched other children play and couldn’t experience it for herself.

“So many people told us that this would be an opportunity for our daughter to finally have a place where she wouldn’t have to sit on the sidelines; she could actually do everything,” they told him.

Hartman felt moved and touched by their story.

“That’s exactly right,” he replied. “That’s exactly what this whole place is about.

Final Thoughts on Kind Dad Building Theme Park For Special Needs Children

One selfless dad created a theme park to honor his special-needs daughter. After watching Morgan struggle to make friends, he discovered his true purpose: helping people with special needs feel loved and included. So, Hartman created a foundation to support individuals with physical and mental disabilities. He also built a massive theme park so everyone could play, laugh, and connect regardless of their abilities. What an amazing, devoted father!

First Recyclable Blade Wind Turbines Installed in Germany’s North Sea

October 19, 2022 by Kristen Lawrence

Siemens Gamesa, a renewable energy company in Spain, recently installed the world’s first wind turbine with fully recyclable blades. The first commercial installation using the new technology took place at RWE’s Kaskasi offshore wind farm in Germany. Located 21 miles north of Heligoland in the North Sea, the project marks a turning point toward a sustainable future.

Marc Becker, CEO of the Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit, said in a press release:

“We are proving that as the leaders of the offshore revolution, we are committed to making disruptive technology innovation commercially viable with the pace that the climate emergency demands. We’ve brought the Siemens Gamesa RecyclableBlade technology to market in only 10 months: from launch in September 2021 to installation at RWE’s Kaskasi project in July 2022.

“This is impressive and underlines the pace at which we all need to move to provide enough generating capacity to combat the global climate emergency. This milestone marks a significant contribution to Siemens Gamesa’s target of having fully recyclable turbines by 2040. With RecyclableBlade available for our customers, we can create a virtuous circular economy.”

The Demand for Wind Turbine Technology Requires Making Them Recyclable

As the demand for wind power keeps rising, waste from decommissioned turbines poses a problem for clean energy companies. Wind turbine blades can weigh over 12 tons and measure more than 150 feet, taking up vast areas of landfills. They’re made of a combination of fiberglass and epoxy resin to create a durable, lightweight structure. While these materials increase the turbine’s resiliency, they don’t break down in the environment.

So, Siemens Gamesa wanted to create a recyclable, eco-friendly blade to eliminate planetary harm. The company’s Recyclable Blade technology allows complete recovery of the blade’s materials at the end of its life cycle. They separate the resin, wood, fiberglass, and other raw materials using a mild acid solution. Next, the turbine components enter the circular economy, creating either new wind turbine blades or other products like flat-screen casings.

First Recyclable Blade Wind Turbines Installed in Germany’s North Sea

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of Wind Offshore, RWE Renewables, said: “That we are testing in our offshore wind farm Kaskasi the world’s first recyclable wind turbine blades under operational conditions is a significant step in advancing the sustainability of wind turbines to the next level. The first turbine equipped with Siemens Gamesa’s RecyclableBlades is generating electricity.

“The expansion of renewable energies must be driven forward decisively. Faster offshore expansion is particularly important to simultaneously achieve climate targets and to create more energy sovereignty. We at RWE want to help make this happen and the commissioning of the first turbine of our Kaskasi offshore wind farm is a clear sign of this intent.”

Many turbines will come equipped with Siemens Gamesa’s handcrafted B81 recyclable blades measuring 265 feet long. The wind power project will consist of 38 SG 8.0-167 DD wind turbines, producing 342 MW of clean energy. The output from the wind farm could power 400,000 German households, similar to a city such as Frankfurt.

Becker added that the company’s recyclable blades have helped create jobs and economic value in several European countries. The company developed the RecyclableBlade technology in Aalborg, Denmark, while blade manufacturing took place in Hull, UK. In addition, Siemens Gamesa produced and installed nacelles for the turbines in Cuxhaven, Germany.

The company’s CEO said recycling the blade’s materials will increase the potential for secondary markets for the repurposed components. Also, local markets will benefit from the job creation provided by the additional raw materials and products.

The company also offers recyclable 354-foot long B108 blades used on the SG 14-222 DD offshore wind turbine. In addition, they produce the massive 377-foot long B115 blades for SG 14-236 DD turbines.

Wind Energy in High Demand Worldwide

According to the Global Wind Energy Council’s 2022 report, the wind industry continues to grow exceptionally.

The global wind industry enjoyed its second-best year in 2021, with almost 94 GW of capacity added worldwide. 2020’s record growth surpassed it by only 1.8%.
Europe, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East experienced record onshore wind installations.
The wind industry commissioned 21.1 GW of offshore wind capacity in 2021, three times more than in 2020. This achievement made 2021 the most successful year in history for offshore wind growth.
China accounted for 80% of new offshore wind capacity worldwide in 2021, bringing its total offshore wind installations to 27.7 GW. This feat represents astronomical growth, as it took 30 years for Europe to install a similar level of offshore wind energy.
Total global wind power capacity increased to 837 GW in 2021, eliminating over 1.2 billion tonnes of global CO2 annually. This equates to the yearly carbon emissions of the entire continent of South America.
Since climate crisis worries reached an all-time high during the pandemic, many nations doubled down on their net zero commitments. The wind industry’s future looks promising as the world works urgently to transition to renewable energy. Experts estimate that 557 GW of new energy capacity will become available in the next five years. That equals over 110 GW of new installations every year until 2026.
But, the report stated that installations must quadruple by 2030 to keep the world on track for a 1.5C future and net zero emissions by 2050.

Final Thoughts on New Recyclable Turbine Blades in Germany

Renewable energy company Siemens Gamesa recently completed the world’s first commercial installation of fully recyclable offshore wind turbine blades. Located at RWE’s Kaskasi offshore wind power project in Germany, it marks a monumental step toward a greener planet. Most decommissioned wind turbines end up in landfills and don’t break down in the environment.

So, the company wanted to create more eco-friendly wind turbine blades using recyclable materials. They figured out how to separate the blade’s raw materials using a mild acid solution. After the company recovers the components, they place them back into the economy as either new blades or other products. Currently, the company offers three different blade sizes for various wind turbines.

18 Symptoms of Autoimmune Arthritis That Most People Ignore

October 19, 2022 by Power of Positivity

Perhaps you heard someone mention autoimmune arthritis–like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis. But do you know how to identify the debilitating symptoms?

Typically, your immune system produces antibodies to protect your body from bacteria and viruses. But sometimes, your immune system creates antibodies that go after your body’s healthy tissue and cells, which leads to an autoimmune condition in which these super antibodies continue to attack your body’s healthy cells. The only treatment is to suppress your immune system to suppress its inaccurate immune response.

The most common autoimmune diseases today are as follows:

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Lupus
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s Disease

This article deals specifically with autoimmune arthritis, but those common ailments are worth noting.

Who does autoimmune disease impact?

Autoimmune diseases affect more than 23.5 million people in the United States. Today, it’s the leading cause of disability and death. Anyone can get an autoimmune disease, but certain groups are at greater risk.

Individuals with a family history: Autoimmune diseases run in families. Different autoimmune diseases can affect various members of one family. If you inherit a particular gene, you are more at risk of an autoimmune disease.
Childbearing age women: Women are more likely to have an autoimmune disease that often shows up during their childbearing years.
Individuals in specific environments: Exposure to certain things can cause autoimmune diseases such as bacterial or viral infections, chemicals, and sunlight.
Specific ethnic backgrounds: Autoimmune diseases are more common for certain people groups.

What are arthritis autoimmune diseases?

Many types of autoimmune diseases attack your joints. Some of the most common autoimmune arthritis include:

Palindromic rheumatism: This is a rare type of arthritis. It affects the joints in your wrists, knees, and fingers. It causes painful swelling, fever, and stiffness.
Spondyloarthritis: This arthritic condition attacks your spine and joints.
Juvenile arthritis: Approximately 300,000 kids in the United States suffer from this autoimmune condition. It causes eye inflammation, fever, rashes, and joint pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): RA is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. It causes painful swelling in the small joints of your hands and feet. It can also attack your knees and shoulders.
Psoriatic Arthritis: It affects people thirty to fifty years of age. The arthritic autoimmune part of this condition starts approximately ten years after they develop psoriasis.

What is rheumatism?

If your grandma talked about her rheumatism, she might have been talking about her painful joints. People often use the words rheumatism and rheumatoid arthritis interchangeably. Rheumatism is a medical condition with painful swelling and inflammation of your joints, connective tissues, and muscles. Rheumatism comes from the old Greek word “rheum,” which means flow. The idea was that you had flowing humors that caused pain and stiffness in your body. So in ancient times, if someone had “troubled with rheum,” they probably had rheumatism.

18 Symptoms of Autoimmune Arthritis That Most People Ignore

Here are eighteen common symptoms of this autoimmune disease.

1. Pain or achiness in more than one joint may indicate autoimmune arthritis

It’s normal to feel stiff occasionally, especially if you’ve been doing lots of physical exercises. But if you feel achy and constant pain in all your joints, it could be a symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Stiffness in more than one joint may point to rheumatoid arthritis

We often chalk stiffness up to getting older and constant use. If you played sports in school, you might feel the effects of it later in life. But if you have noticeable stiffness in every joint, don’t ignore it. These symptoms result from sports back then but could be an autoimmune problem like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or other arthritic conditions.

3. Tenderness and swelling

Some of the first noticeable signs of RA are swelling and tenderness in your joints. It hurts to touch them. They may get red and feel inflamed. The swelling occurs because fluid builds up around and in your joints. The swelling can also cause long-term joint damage.

4. Unintended weight loss

If you haven’t changed your diet or started exercising but notice you’re dropping pounds, you should monitor your health. Unexplained weight loss may seem like a blessing, but it’s a red flag for several health conditions, including autoimmune arthritis. Weight loss is an easy symptom to ignore. It usually accompanies painful joints and fatigue. In addition, autoimmune diseases affect your digestive tract and cause loss of appetite resulting in weight loss. These symptoms can alert your doctor to test you for an autoimmune condition.

5. Fever with no other cause

Random fevers with no other symptoms or causes are hallmark signs of an autoimmune disease. Fever is a crucial characteristic of these conditions. These fevers may come and go, lasting a day and then vanishing for weeks. These fever symptoms are common with juvenile arthritis, an autoimmune disease that affects kids from six months to sixteen years old.

6. Fatigue or tiredness could signify autoimmune arthritis

Your life is busy with school, work, kids, and home. Feeling tired at the end of the day is normal. But if you always feel tired, it could be more than ordinary tiredness. Tiredness and fatigue are common symptoms of this disease. Autoimmune diseases stress your body, releasing inflammatory proteins into your blood. These proteins make you feel worn out and exhausted. Don’t overlook fatigue, especially if you have other symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

7. Swelling of the connective tissue

Painful connective tissue swelling is a common sign of an autoimmune disease. Brushing off these symptoms at first is easy because everyone experiences aches and pains. However, the constant swelling kicks it up a notch and usually prompts a visit to a rheumatologist for a diagnosis.

8. Swollen fingers and toes

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis have swollen hands, fingers, and toes. Some report their digits swell until they look like sausages. These symptoms make it hard to do your normal activities. However, there are natural remedies that help provide relief from swelling and pain.

Exercise: It seems counter-intuitive, but exercise can help reduce pain and swelling from RA. Check with your doctor before you start.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of Chinese medicine for pain relief.
Heat and cold: Cold reduces swelling while heat warms up the joints.
Massage: Another natural pain reliever is massage. There are different types of massage, so you might want to talk to the massage therapist about which type is best for relieving pain and swelling. One small study found massage therapy to be low to moderate regarding pain relief. Other studies are inconclusive; however, it is an option worth asking your doctor about.

9. Reduced range of motion is common with autoimmune arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation which can damage your joints, making it hard for you to move freely. This limited range of motion develops slowly. As a result, individuals with RA often develop deformed hands and feet.

10. Morning stiffness

Morning stiffness is due to inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Your immune system is on high alert and attacks your tissues. It mistakes for bacteria or viruses, causing the painful inflammation and stiffness you feel. To help ease your stiffness and pain, practice these tips.

Begin your day moving slowly. Do gentle stretches and movements to warm up your joints.
Heated blankets help ease the stiffness of morning
Take your medication while in bed to give it time to begin working.
Use natural joint creams.
Eat a healthy breakfast to boost strength and gut health.

11. Nail changes may reveal autoimmune arthritis

Not everyone with rheumatoid arthritis experiences finger or toenail changes. Those who do complain of:

Ridges on their nails
Yellow nails
Nails lifting off the nail bed
Red streaks under nails
Club form, so nails grow downward

12. Redness and pain of the eye

People with RA may experience dry eyes, irritations in the eye, redness, or pain. Not everyone with this autoimmune disease experiences these eye problems, but they can be beginning symptoms that get misdiagnosed as some other condition.

13. Problems with the lungs and heart

RA causes chronic inflammation, which leads to scarring. The scar tissue makes your lung tissue stiff and makes breathing difficult. This autoimmune disease also increases your risk of hardened and blocked arteries and inflammation of areas around your heart.

14. Joints may be warm to the touch

Rheumatoid arthritis makes your joints feel as if they’re on fire. Inflammation is to blame for this sensation of hotness your feel in your joints. Some people also get nodules or bumps on their joints.

15. Weak muscles could reveal a lesser-known autoimmune arthritis

A rare autoimmune disease called Myositis causes chronic inflammation and weakening of your muscles, particularly in your shoulders, neck, back, and hips. Like most autoimmune diseases, it’s unknown what causes this rare disease.

16. Light pink or red rash

A reddish, butterfly-shaped rash across your cheeks and nose is a common sign of lupus. This red rash often appears after you’ve been outside in the sun. Some autoimmune arthritis causes rashes on your legs or arms.

17. Growth problems

A form of juvenile arthritis may interfere with a child’s bone and growth development. Often, juvenile arthritis makes your joints grow too quickly or unevenly.

18. Overall sense of not feeling well

When life is going at full speed, it’s challenging if you’re not feeling well. If you have an overall sense of discomfort along with some of the symptoms listed, it might be worth checking out to see if you have autoimmune arthritis.

Final thoughts on recognizing the signs of autoimmune arthritis

Autoimmune arthritis is hard to diagnose because many of its symptoms are similar to other health problems. Because it’s so easy to ignore the common symptoms of RA, you might be putting off finding out why you don’t feel well. Don’t hesitate. Take the first step to find out what’s going on with your body and get the help you need.

Editorial note 8/21/2023: Added links to studies on the use of massage therapy, acupuncture, and exercise for reducing the pain of autoimmune arthritis.

12 Ways Introverts Can Increase Their Extrovert Power

October 19, 2022 by Kristen Butler

The battery life of introverts tends to be shorter than that of their extrovert counterpart. So how can introverted people find their inner extrovert power and recharge that battery? The key is finding what works best to boost yourself back to a healthy place, and you will find that quiet time often does the trick.

Some individuals find that social events drain their resources quicker than anything. There may be phases in your life where you have recharging issues, which can run you down to the point of getting physically ill. Once you master how to recharge your batteries, you will find that you live for these moments when you can gain strength and shut off the chaos and noise around you.

Twelve Ways an Introvert Can Increase Their Extrovert Power

Almost every household has a toolbox. In this box are things like a screwdriver, hammer, drill, and wrench. Each box is different based on the needs of the home. Introverts need a similar “box” of tools that helps them recharge their batteries.

Your needs are different than the person next to you, so your box of tools to boost yourself is diverse. Here are some everyday things that introverts need to utilize to recharge themselves.

1 – The Introvert Must Occasionally Spend a Day on Self-Care

Quiet time for you might mean spending the day at the spa. Many introverts need time for self-care, as it helps them to regroup. Self-care means different things to different people, so you must decide what works best for you.

Some folks like to spend their “me day” doing yoga, sitting by a lake with a book in hand, or taking a walk in the park. Whatever activities help you feel pampered–you should engage in them. Sure, it’s a little indulgent, but you deserve it. Plus, it’s going to pay you back tenfold as it’s going to help you recharge.

2 – Binge Watch TV

While watching a television show isn’t always the best activity, it can help you to calm down and recharge. If your introvert batteries are near depletion, you may not want to do any activities that require thinking.

Watching TV is great for those who don’t have the brainpower to work through a Sudoku or another puzzle. Enjoying a great show doesn’t require much thought, and laughter is always good healing medicine.

3 – The Introvert Must Take a Social Media Break

Many introverts find that social media drains the energy right out of them. Sure, you’re connecting with family and friends, but you’re also ingesting a lot of negativities. Rather than scrolling through these pages, why not get outside? Looking at memes is amusing if you don’t have to scroll through all the other garbage to see them.

4 – Spend Time in Nature

The benefits of nature are vast. Introverts need quiet time, and nature provides ample opportunities for such relaxation. When you’re among the birds, bees, flowers, and trees, you can detach from the stressors of the world around you and recharge your batteries.

For extra benefits, take your shoes off and walk barefoot, allowing you to feel Mother Earth’s cold against your feet. You can find a nice spot to escape the extrovert-centric society you live in and recharge your batteries while resting your mind.

5 – An Introvert Needs Rest

If it’s nighttime, you can rest, but there’s nothing wrong with a good power nap during the day, either. Sleep can do wonders for someone who needs to recharge, as you awaken feeling refreshed.

You can adjust your sleep schedule to accommodate your introvert hangover, which may include going to bed earlier, taking a nap, or sleeping in longer than usual. Ensure you don’t sleep in too late, as it can make you feel worse when you get your circadian rhythm off kilter. It’s a commonplace for you to feel tired after you’ve lost your energy, so what better way to power up than some rest?

6 – Hang Out with Friends or Family Members

Chilling with some of your best friends or family members may be a good recharge their extrovert powers. Although, this is inadvisable for someone extremely depleted. Everybody needs someone to whom they can vent, share philosophies about life, and exchange good conversations.

While it doesn’t take much energy, it will require a bit from you. However, being around someone positive can be more healing than quiet time for some folks.

7 – Journaling and the Introvert

Whitney Barkman is a blogger and introvert. She struggled for many years to make it through the day until she discovered how she wasn’t doing what she needed to thrive. Now, she educates other introverts on the importance of quiet time and other solitary activities.

One thing Barkman highly recommended that helped her was journaling. First, she loved journaling because she could complete the entries alone. Second, it provided an escape. It became the place to release her thoughts and anything weighing her down and draining her resources.

The best part about journal writing is that you can write whatever you want, and no one will judge you. It’s very commonplace for introverts to hold back their true feelings, so this provides a much-needed outlet.

8 – Shut Yourself Behind Closed Doors

Introverts can often find their extrovert power at home. Getting out and about is too much for some introverted folks when their batteries run low. A simple activity like closing your bedroom door and enjoying the silence may be all you need.

Some introverted folks describe it as a full-blown introvert hangover when feeling depleted. Your home base is healing for you, and it’s the spot where you feel safe and secure from what’s happening around you. So go ahead and shut the world out for just a tiny bit, as it will give you the necessary downtime.

9 – Avoid Sensory Stimulation

Sensory stimulation is a significant energy drain for introverts. There’s no such thing as some quiet time after loud sounds, bright lights, and nauseating aromas. A study published on Research Gate found that introverts and extroverts both process sensory stimulation diversely.

Going to a supermarket with the bright lights, crowds, and registers chiming might not bother some people, but you may find it exhausting. It would help if you had an introvert sanctuary to help you recharge, and it’s not going to be a shopping mall or grocery store, which the extrovert may prefer.

10 – Read a Good Book

Curling up with a good book is a great way to divert your mind from the world around you and recharge. It’s common for people with this personality to enjoy spending time in their heads.

Your inner world can be quite a fascinating place to explore, and it’s very healing and energy-boosting to visit. Books help you to dive deep into your brain, and since this is a solo activity, it’s one way to enhance your battery life.

11 – Clean and Organize Your Space to Satisfy Your Introverted Tendencies

Cleaning your space doesn’t sound like much fun, but it’s often just what the introvert needs to recharge. An unorganized area is often a depiction of your inner mind. It’s best to declutter your mind and space if you need to recharge.

12 – Mind Off, Hands On

Maybe your batteries aren’t too low, but you still need activities to help you turn off your brain for a few minutes and allow quiet time. Mindless activities like gardening, knitting, drawing, painting, pottery, or making candles can be beneficial. It will enable you to focus on something other than life and your troubles and give your brain a rest. You can spend this as quiet time or play soothing music to hum along.

Final Thoughts on How Introverts Can Improve Their Extrovert Power

When collecting tools for your introverted toolbox, you will find that the tiniest things make the most significant impact. Introverts are notorious for having a shorter battery life than others, and there’s nothing wrong with your differences. It would be best if you learned how to channel your energies properly and when it’s time to take a break.

Nature is the best place to start if you’re struggling to take a break and shut off the chaos around you. There’s something healing about being surrounded by wildlife, having the sun kiss your cheek, and the crisp breeze blowing across your skin. If you’re not a nature person, don’t worry, this list provides several other options to regroup and recharge.

Did you find any tools you can use? You may have to try a few of these tips before you find the ones that work best for you. However, once you fill your toolbox, you’ll have many options when you feel depleted and regroup.

10 Yoga Poses To Relieve Bloating

October 19, 2022 by Chris Butler

Bloating or distention of the abdomen is a horrible feeling that many things can cause. Some folks experience this discomfort when their digestive system is inflamed, yet others have it during their menstrual cycle. Thankfully, yoga poses can help you get rid of your bloated stomach and feel relief.

Ten Yoga Poses to Alleviate Abdominal Bloating

Many yoga poses are geared toward strengthening your core section, which can help reduce the uncomfortable swelling you experience. Don’t worry–science backs the efficacy of yoga to relieve bloating. A study posted on Hindawi Medical Journals showed that people who regularly engage in specific yogic moves could alleviate irritable bowel syndrome and reduce the swelling and discomfort that comes with it.

The key is to do these exercises regularly to prevent swelling. Getting sufficient exercise is the key to helping with any inflammation. Regularly practicing yoga will help alleviate water retention and allow you to have more effortless bowel movements. Are you ready for some anti-bloating yoga? Here are ten of the best poses for this common ailment.

1. Bow Pose

When you strengthen your core muscles, it will reduce the swelling in your abdomen. Some believe the bow pose will energize your organs and stimulate the digestive system. This will help you combat bloating and ease your digestive issues.

1. Lie flat on your belly on your mat. You want to keep your toes engaged in this pose, so press them into the floor. It helps to bend your knees slightly.

2. Use your hands and grab your ankles on the outside, and while you’re holding, flex your feet.

3. Inhale and lift your chest and shoulders until they reach the middle of your head.

4. Exhale and move your legs back using your hands to hold your body firm to the ground.

5. Now, lift your head and look ahead. To enhance this stretch, press the muscles in your thighs as you raise your core.

6. Hold for five breaths.

2. Legs-Up-the-Wall Pose (Yogis call this one the “King of Restorative Yoga Poses”)

Many folks find this pose very relaxing. Many say this is one of the poses that help with menstrual symptoms, lower back pain, as well as stress.

1. Sit on the floor near a wall with plenty of space.

2. Stretch your legs out straight in front of you.

3. Lie on your back, slowly lift your legs upwards, and place them flush against the wall.

4. Keep your feet pointing towards the ceiling.

5. Place your hand on your stomach or at your sides, whichever feels most comfortable to you.

6. Practice breathing in and out deeply. It’s best to stay in this position for fifteen to twenty minutes or as long as you can hold it comfortably.

3. Camel Pose

It’s called a camel pose because when you bend backward, your back resembles the hump of a camel. This deep backbend feels fantastic, and it’s a great way to promote openness in the body.

1. Stand on your knees in the middle of your yoga mat. Keep your knees about two fist lengths apart.

2. Keep your ankles aligned with your knees, which means your toes will be pointing backward.

3. Move your hands to your lower back for support.

4. Do some shoulder rolls by going up, backward, and down.

5. Push your chest towards the ceiling as you move your hips slightly forward.

6. Look at the back wall or the ceiling, but don’t drop your head all the way.

7. If possible, try to reach back and grab your heels. Hold for three to five breaths.

4. Knee to Chest Pose

One of the significant issues with belly pain is a buildup of air. Yoga poses like this one will help to eliminate the excess air.

1. Lie flat on your back on your mat.

2. Bring your knees to your chest area and hold them tight.

3. Hold the pose for ten to twelve seconds and breathe in and out as you’re holding.

4. Release your legs and repeat.

5. Half Lord of the Fishes

Yoga is about twisting; this pose will help enhance digestion by moving your upper body. When your yoga poses restrict your stomach and intestines, it helps to relieve stomach pain.

1. Begin by getting into the Bound Angle pose, where you sit on the floor with your knees bent towards your chest.

2. Extend your left leg straight out in front of you.

3. Now, cross your right leg over the left one, and place your right foot on the floor. It should be lying flat and close to the left knee.

4. Take your left arm and wrap it tight around your right knee and pull your knee towards your chest area. Lengthen your spine by pressing through your hips.

5. Inhale, take your right hand, and reach for the sky as you breathe fresh air.

6. Exhale and clasp your arm. Place the palm of your right hand on the floor and around the other leg. The left elbow should be on the inside of the right knee.

7. Strive to hold this pose for three to six breaths. Switch and do the other side.

6. Cat/Cow Pose (One of the first yoga poses many people master)

When you relax your spine muscles, it helps to improve flow to the digestive tract. Yoga poses like this one can help to aid in getting your food to pass quickly.

1. Get into the baby crawls position where you’re on your hands and knees.

2. Lift your head and tailbone on the inhale but keep your stomach downwards.

3. Exhale and arch your back. Strive to do this pose three to five times.

7. Marichyasana III Pose

The Marichyasana III will help with movement in your digestive system. If you have significant issues with abdominal swelling, add this to the list of yoga poses to help you digest your food easily.

1. Start in the seating pose with your hands resting on either side.

2. Bend your left leg and move your left foot close to your bottom.

3. Make sure your back is straight, reach forward, and lock your right elbow on the inner side of your left knee.

4. Keep your other hand behind you to add support to your pose.

5. Now, twist your core and chest to the left, and support yourself on your knee if you need leverage.

6. When deep into the twist, hold the pose for three to six breaths.

7. Return to the seated pose and try on the right side.

8. Downward Facing Dog (This is one of the best yoga poses for beginners!)

One of the great things about this pose is that it’s so easy even a kid can do it. It’s one of the yoga poses that’s perfect for a distended abdomen.

1. Stand on the floor with your hands and feet touching the ground, and keep your stomach pointed downward.

2. Lift your back towards the ceiling. If done correctly, your body should make a 90-degree angle.

3. Make sure you don’t let your knees touch the ground and hold for three to five breaths.

9. Upward Facing Dog

The upward-facing dog is the reverse of the downward yoga poses. It pushes excess air out and helps your spine to function better.

1. Lay flat on the ground with your belly on the floor.

2. Push your toes into the ground as you raise your head slightly. Use your hands to support you as you do in many yoga poses.

3. Try to lift your belly from the floor, though keep it close. Strive to hold for three to five seconds.

10. Bharadvaja’s Twist

When you’re in pain from bloating, rubbing the area feels great. This is one of the yoga poses that’s like giving your organs a gentle massage. This is perfect for that bloated feeling after a big meal.

Did you know that many foods you eat cause excessive gas and inflammation? According to The Cleveland Clinic, eating things like beans, cauliflower, peppers, and fried and fatty foods can cause excessive bloating. After consuming such gassy foods, you’ll appreciate this twisting motion.

1. Sit comfortably on the ground and bend your knees to the left. Your feet should be on the right, and your ankles will rest on the left foot.

2. Engage your sitting bones and push them deep into the mat.

3. Inhale and allow your spine to lengthen.

4. Exhale and twist your body to the left. It’s okay if you feel your right hip lift from the floor.

5. Lastly, turn your head. As you make this turn, press the fingers of your left hand into the ground.

6. Stay in this twisted pose as you inhale and exhale for a few breaths.

7. Release your hands and move your core to the front to come out of the pose.

8. Repeat on the right side.

Final Thoughts on Yoga Poses to Relieve Bloating

Many yoga poses can help with painful bloating, but you must choose the ones that can accommodate your stretching abilities. With yoga, there are many ways to modify the poses for those with back, neck, or other issues. However, when you implement these movements into your day, you will notice a remarkable reduction in your stomach issues.

10 Ways to Release Parental Trauma

October 18, 2022 by Chris Butler

Parental trauma is a painful echo from your past that can affect your mental health for a lifetime. It affects every personal and professional relationship you have in many diverse ways. How can you overcome the trauma and begin the healing process?

Meet Elaine, a woman in her early forties, happily married, and a mother of three. She and her husband run a successful home business. They also care for the kids and all the chores for daily living. Most days, Elaine stays focused on her work and responsibilities as a wife and mother. However, she was diagnosed with anxiety and depression that often overwhelms her. She attributes much of her mental health issues to parental trauma from childhood.

While Elaine has many wonderful childhood memories, they are overshadowed by her father’s verbal and physical abuse. He went through cycles of being the good, fun-loving dad to a raging monster. She remembers hiding in a closet while her father screamed and threatened her helpless mother.

It took years of therapy for Elaine to realize that the terrible abuse she kept hidden manifested as headaches, panic, and mental health issues. Even when she hears screaming and abuse on television dramas, it triggers her anxiety.

Although it happened over thirty years ago, the parental trauma is fresh in her mind. Her father is now in his seventies, and she sometimes tries to discuss the abuse. But he denies any wrongdoing. She tries to have a relationship with him, but the issues remain without a healing conversation.

Three Primary Types of Parental Abuse

It’s a common misconception that child abuse is only beating or sexually assaulting a child. Other forms of abuse can be just as painful and long-lasting.

1. Verbal abuse

Verbal abuse includes screaming, threatening, cursing, and calling the child cruel and terrible names.

2. Emotional abuse

When a parent or other adult demeans a child and tries to compare them to others, it’s emotional abuse.

3. Neglect

Child abuse includes not only crimes of commission but also includes those of omission. Neglecting the needs of a child for food, shelter, clothing, schooling, medical care, love, and acceptance is abuse.

Ten Ways to Release Parental Trauma and Start Healing Your Soul

If you’re a survivor of childhood abuse, you’re not alone. According to statistics from The National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse, this form of maltreatment isn’t exclusive. It occurs across all cultural and ethnic lines, within all religions, and at every socioeconomic and educational level.

If past childhood trauma continues to affect your adult life, there’s hope. You don’t have to be the scared little one hiding in a closet anymore. Here are ten ways to learn how to deal with the past and live a brighter future.

1. Acknowledge the Parental Trauma

The first step toward healing from parental trauma is to acknowledge it and the pain it’s caused. Frequently, people try to cope by pretending it didn’t happen. Maybe your memories are too hurtful or make you feel embarrassed, so you bury them in your mind.

It’s difficult to admit that the adults who were supposed to be your loving parents hurt you. You probably still love them and may feel guilty or disloyal by acknowledging their faults. However, your mental health depends on confronting the painful truth.

2. Realize the Parental Trauma Wasn’t Your Fault

An article published by the School of Osteopathic Medicine discusses the feelings of shame from childhood maltreatment, like parental trauma. Many times, the perpetrator shifts the blame to the child. The abuse makes you want to hide and feel guilty and ashamed.

First, realize that you were a child, and the trauma wasn’t your fault. If one or both of your parents tried to blame you, that was part of the abuse. Visualize your hurting inner child, hug them, and tell them they were never to blame.

3. Focus on the Positive So You Can Start Healing

Focusing on positivity can be helpful when you’re learning to put parental trauma behind you. Being an optimist doesn’t mean you deny the past. It means that you’ve acknowledged the trauma and are using positive energy to go forward.

When you send positive affirmations into the Universe, it attracts the same. Instead of being the victim, you proclaim that you are a survivor. You are strong, and you’ll accomplish the goals you’ve set for your life.

4. Practice Meditation

The benefits of meditation are many, including boosting your mental health. It’s been practiced for thousands of years to help people learn how to live in the present. Unlike rumination, meditation casts no judgment and doesn’t cling to negative assumptions.

If you’ve experienced parental trauma, consider practicing this ancient art. You can gain greater awareness and clarity as you focus on your breath. You can confront your negative experiences and emotions with compassion and release them.

5. Learn to Recognize Emotional Triggers

The pain from parental trauma leaves a marked trail of emotional triggers. Although the events may have occurred decades ago, certain stimuli can make them seem like they are happening now. Your emotional health becomes fragile because you are hypersensitive to anything that triggers negative memories.

For example, maybe one or both of your parents were verbally abusive. They raged and belittled you if you left a minor thing undone while cleaning. As an adult, seeing anything untidy sends your anxiety into high gear.

Once you recognize your emotional triggers, you can try to minimize them. Plus, you may understand their root causes and gradually lessen your reaction. Emotional triggers are a common symptom of post-traumatic stress syndrome or PTSD.

6. Seek Refuge in Nature

The great outdoors can be a healing salve when you’re tempted to worry about past hurts. Try to spend some time each day outside to breathe fresh air and take in the beauty of nature. If you don’t have any forests close, visit a city park or any green space of grass, trees, flowers, and wildlife.

Regardless of what happens, the sun still rises, and the moon and stars shine at night. The birds still sing, and the bees and butterflies kiss each flower they touch. The storms of your past don’t have to shadow the sunshine of your present.

7. Start a Healing Journal

Have you ever noticed that it’s easier to put something down on paper than to say it? No wonder people have been writing in journals for centuries. It gives a voice to what your heart and soul are feeling.

Dealing with past parental trauma can leave countless things unsaid. You can record anything you like in your journal; thankfully, these writings are for your eyes only. Some write letters to their parents in journals about how the abuse has affected them.

8. Get Help with Substance Abuse (It Often Comes From Past Parental Trauma)

Mental health issues and substance abuse often go together. Anxiety and depression can build up until your mind desperately seeks release. Substance abuse like drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and overeating are temporary fixes, but they create their problems.

Consider talking to a mental health professional if your addiction is linked to past childhood abuse. Many programs are geared toward recovery and learning to cope with the core issues. Even if your addiction is shopping, gambling, or gaming, you can get the help you need.

9. Follow a Healthy Diet

Let’s face it, when you’re ruminating about the past and feel stressed, you probably don’t reach for kale. Instead, you reach for classic comfort foods laden with sugar, salt, and fat. Childhood trauma can affect your eating habits throughout your life.

According to an article published by The University of Southern California, children subjected to abuse are more at risk of developing adult obesity. Food becomes their coping mechanism and makes them feel safe and happy. Unfortunately, overeating can continue into adulthood and lead to severe health conditions.

Instead, adopt a healthy diet with lean proteins, low-fat dairy, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and heart-healthy fats. Try to avoid overly processed junk food. Discuss an eating plan that’s right for you with a registered dietician.

10. Create an Exercise Regimen

Do you often want to hit something when you feel angry and stressed? Positively redirect this energy by exercising. Switching a punching bag or running laps can lower your stress, get your body in better shape, and promote emotional healing.

Even taking a walk around the block each day can strengthen your muscles, joints, and bones. Mindful exercises like yoga and tai chi include gentle poses and stretches that are beneficial. Plus, exercising can increase endorphins in your brain and give you a feeling of well-being.

Final Thoughts on Learning How to Release Parental Trauma

Unfortunately, childhood isn’t always the beautiful fairytales it should be in your life. If you’re an adult survivor of child abuse, you’ve already proven that you’re a strong person.

You have the power to overcome the victim mindset and stop the cycle of abuse for you, your children, and your grandchildren. Your mental health needs you to release these issues and move on to focusing on the present.

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Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!