friendships

Heat of exams

~ credo2014 ~ Leave a comment

As an invigilator I am looking forward to my half term break but oh so aware that many students still have exams next week and it is very hot out there!

The usual advice relax at the weekend and keep hydrated your next exam may be your last but keep that focus and motivation going as best you can.

For those students with exams after half term make the most of the week off and keep that exercise up and mix up the cramming with intake of fresh air…and a few treats.

For those that follow my tips remember about keeping those feet firmly on the floor whilst sitting the exams..legs tied in knots are not good for blood circulation and fidgity feet are a distraction. Try this tip and see…it does work..feed back is always welcome.

If you have an opportunity to meditate or join a Yoga class these really do both help mentally and physically.

Continued good luck to you all as always.

Kindness of strangers

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Been away from my blog the past two days and even as a writer words fail me for the events this week.

However, all any of us can do is try to focus on the positive energy and feel blessed by the kindness of strangers. In the face of adversity communities pull together and as always we must be grateful to the emergency services who are first to attend when tragic events happen.

Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and those that will nurse and help recover those that are injured. In addition to the visual and physical scars we of course must consider the emotional trauma that those who witnessed the situation unfold will suffer.

Many people will suffer albeit misplaced survival guilt and these emotions will not disappear overnight. We must also remember those we know who have been involved in similar tragic circumstances before as their wounds will re-open.

We can only offer help where and when we can and encourage our own loved ones to try where possible to go about their lives positively but with caution. It is of course hard for adults to make sense of it all and even more of a challenge for children who must be dealt with sensitively with age appropriate explanations.

Remember: Our security forces are doing their utmost to keep us safe and instead of criticism we must offer praise for all they do all year round.

 

Helping students

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Communication has always been the key to success whether in business, teaching or parenting. Innovate My School’s website has an amazing wealth of advice provided by experts within the education sector. I am always happy to be associated with this great procurement tool as one of their contributing writers.

Please read my latest article on combating student stress.

http://www.innovatemyschool.com/ideas/combating-student-stress-through-communication

Start the week with kindness

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Regular followers will know I often write about kindness and how it is a strength and not a weakness.  As children we were taught to be considerate of others and their feelings and how simple acts of kindness can go along way.

Somewhere in the midst of modern media the kindness factor seems to have disappeared and replaced with bullying as though it is ok to be unkind, rude and insensitive. I encourage mothers of teens to get them off of social media and out in the community.  Working with families I see on a regular basis just how damaging the ‘modern techno fun’ really is. Cyber bullying is causing all sorts of health and emotional issues for students and at a time when they are really vulnerable.

‘It’s a generation thing’ I am constantly told..sorry that doesn’t ring true it’s either right or wrong and hiding behind technology is no excuse.

I consider myself so lucky to have had a great mentor and friend in my own mother who quoted positively on a daily basis.  ‘A Mother’s Love’ Gospels according to Dorothy is available to download from Amazon Kindle which includes her story and mine and simple parenting advice.

Mother-s love (1)

Being kind can be cool you know kids!! 

Stroke Awareness

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Following on from yesterday’s blog dear followers and fellow bloggers keep healthy aside of feeling good, having more energy and looking better you will cut down the risk of heart attack and strokes.

Preventative rather than cure always works for me. If your blood pressure is high, get it checked, if you are having headaches or breathlessness see the GP ; doesn’t mean you have anything sinister going on but they can be signs of a slight adjustment in diet or health style may be called for.

I know my consultant said if he had his way he would have everyone on Asprin a day in their 40’s and, as medical opinion continue to report, it can be a real health benefit.

The most important thing is if you suspect somebody is having a stroke ring 999 the quicker they get help the more of the person you can save and that’s a fact. On a more positive note people do recover from strokes, some fully.

I remember one of our guinea pigs had a stroke and the vet we saw wanted to put him to sleep…I said no! Having had a stroke myself I wasn’t written off so why should he be! With a great deal of tlc, massage and love he recovered. Though his head was on a slight slant but we agreed it just made him look cuter..he lived a long time after.

 

 

Stroke Awareness

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Whilst supportign the various awareness days and weeks I am neglecting one of my mine awareness campaigns which is of course Strokes.

Over the years I have written many articles on this subject as many people believe that strokes are just happening to the elderly. A stroke can happen at any age and we should all endeavour to keep fit and healthy to cut down the risk factors.

However, many people never find the cause of their stroke and I include myself in that category at the tender age of 43 I could not tick any of the boxes normally associated with strokes.

Equally as important is everyone being aware of the signs to look for to help a loved one to be treated quickly; we have all seen the FAST campaign by The Stroke Association, Face, Arms and Speech..time to call 999.

For anyone recovering from a stroke there is amazing information and support avialable from The Stroke Association’s website but try to keep positive recovery is always enhanced by a positive mind.

Kindness and patience is required remember for Stroke Survivors losing the use of speech or limbs even temporarily is like a mini-bereavement and a very frightening time.

Dementia Awareness

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Aside of helping people with Dementia which I can personally vouch is extremely rewarding spare a thought for those partners and families that care for their loved one it is not an easy time.

There are a lot of people who are very isolated and may not have people locally to help so if you can give somebody a break from their situation please offer.

Help is not always to hand 24/7 and can vary from area to area. It is available in the form of Dementia Cafes and meetings although often people are too proud to ask for help or may consider drop in centres is not for them.

We all need to help with awareness whenever we can and encourage more funding to go into this particular health issue.

 

Dementia Awareness Week

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Anyone who has either worked with or known somebody with dementia will know it can be a very sad time for all concerned.

However, personally I cannot recommend The Alzhiemer’s Society enough and I help with awareness all year but great to see a dedicated awareness week. They have such amazing literature available giving invaluable advice to help carers and family members try to understand and work with their family member/friend that has been diagnosed with this condition.

It is a shame that more support isn’t readily available at local GP surgeries as not everyone in close proximity of dementia has the time or energy to search out help and advice. For carers it can be nearon impossible to get out to local events as having to get cover can be extremely difficult.

Like with most serious illnesses those around need support and comfort too, so if you know a family having to cope offer a helping hand if you can. You can become a Dementia friend too all the information is available from The Alzhiemer’s Society’s website.

Remember: Kindness, patience and understanding go along way in oh so many circumstances…and the biggest gift any of us can give is our time.

 

International Nurses Day

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I love it when these special days are announced giving a focus on a charity, cause or profession. I have many friends and family who work or have worked in the nursing profession and we all know nurses are on the front end and often get taken for granted.

I remember going to a medical meeting when patients due to have operations were reminded that recovery is 20% surgeon and 80% patient in terms of doing their physio etc.

Having had my share of hospital treatment over the years I think the above ratio should have included nursing. I know after having two major operations the nursing care and support I received was amazing and equally as vital as the surgeon’s skills. In my experience day care nurses are always on the ball and thorough in their attendance of patients too.

Middle management often make financial decisions which affect the wellbeing of patients often ignore the pleas of our nurses who are far better informed on what works best and more important what is better for patient care.

Yes celebrate our nurses not just today but every day it is a caring calling with many going more than just an extra mile. Thank you for what they do never seems quite enough.

We are all human after all…

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All credit this week to various public figures and celebrities for speaking out about their anxiety and depression issues in support of Mental Health Awareness Week.

When we are suffering in silence we have the misconception that we are alone in these emotional battles when in fact people in our inner circle or even family may be suffering too.

It is easy to see confident people or famous figures as ‘having it all’ when this is not the case. We all have a public face we like to show and unless we take the positive step to drop our guard, open up and talk our family or friends won’t know we need their support and therefore cannot help.

Talking, is, and, always has been, the best cure and as many who have shared this week talking to others with similar hurdles to overcome can be cathartic.

We know from statistics that men are far more likely to have suicidal thoughts and many act on those feelings. Please, please share your fears with somebody you trust before your thoughts spiral beyond your own control…it will help I promise.

Listening to others, a few words of kindness and understanding go a long way.