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Showing posts from January, 2017

The Sounds of Advice #29: Signs of Depression and How to Help

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How can we spot signs of depression in someone and how to help if you spot them? Aisling:  1. If someone you know suddenly becomes withdrawn and sometimes irritable over things that don't usually bother them.  2. They may seem tired all the time & prefer to be left alone most of the time.  3. If their appetite changes drastically. They could either barely be eating or eating way more than usual by seeking food as comfort. Sandy:  Depression in others can be hard to see if you aren't sure what to look for. For my depression I don't want to do anything, won't want to hang out with anyone or talk really. Everyone is different though. However the biggest sign is people just pulling away from others. Not talking or really wanting to hang out. Some people even find that the things they love are just Ehhh to them when they are depressed. However, if you aren't sure if someone is. Ask them questions about what they like (if you may not know them well)

Invisible Illness: Fibromyalgia

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Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Researchers believe that fibromyalgia amplifies painful sensations by affecting the way your brain processes pain signals. Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event. Women are much more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression. While there is no cure for fibromyalgia, a variety of medications can help control symptoms. Exercise, relaxation and stress-reduction measures also may help. Symptoms: Widespread pain. The pain associated with fibromyalgia often is described as a constant dull ache that has lasted for at least three

Question of the Day #39: Meeting Musicians

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Gina:  Many, Chiodos, Megosh, Marianas Trench, We as Human, A Change of Pace, Upon This Dawning, Dorothy and the Wicked Ones, The Classic Crime, So They Say, Sworn In, Fred from The Color Fred, The Silent Years Kate:   Yes, several. The most famous probably being Avenged Sevenfold and Hoobastank Sandy:  Yes, I have met My Darkest Days and Three Days Grace Melissa:  No. Maybe one day. Renee:  Phil Collin, Lit, Everclear, Snoop Aisling:  No Twinkle:  Yes Sid:   I once met Scottie Long in a coffee shop when I was a child. Arminta:   Yes, quite a few at Vans Warped Tour the 2 years I had went Heather:   I wish. Lori:  Nope I haven't Radeyah:  Yes I have.

The Sounds of Advice #28: Long Distance Relationships

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This week we have a guest blogger! The lovely Aimee McKenzie has written an article to share with you all.  Long-distance relationships(LRDs) are very hard to maintain, especially in a world where ‘side chicks’ are encouraged. It’s very hard to understand the needs and wants of someone who lives hundreds, even thousands of miles away, without having a very strong, very specific connection and a lot of trust between you both. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am in no way suggesting this is a bad thing or a negative thing in any way. I’ve had a few LDRs and currently live with my boyfriend, who started off over 160 miles way. We have our ups and downs but that’s just how relationships are. I’ve been personally involved in four or five LDRs in my lifetime, and they were all very different. All but one unfortunately failed, though I still consider two of those exes fond friends. Failure is okay, it makes you human and nobody can take that from you. The one thing you really have to

Invisible Illness: Epilepsy

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What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a chronic disorder, the hallmark of which is recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Many people with epilepsy have more than one type of seizure and may have other symptoms of neurological problems as well.  Sometimes EEG testing, clinical history, family history and outlook are similar among a group of people with epilepsy. In these situations, their condition can be defined as a specific epilepsy syndrome. The human brain is the source of human epilepsy. Although the symptoms of a seizure may affect any part of the body, the electrical events that produce the symptoms occur in the brain. The location of that event, how it spreads and how much of the brain is affected, and how long it lasts all have profound effects. These factors determine the character of a seizure and its impact on the individual. Essentially, anything the brain can do, it can do in the form of a seizure.  Having seizures and epilepsy can affect one's safety, relat

Question of the Day #38: Music Charts

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Gina: No Kate: I do not Sandy:  Not really, I just listen to what I like. Melissa:  I look at the Billboard Hot 100 chart regularly for new music to download. I love Kiss FM, too. But I still love the oldies and classic rock. Renee: No Aisling:  Sometimes Twinkle:  Every week. Mostly Billboard Sid:  Not actively, but I do enjoy looking back on one's from previous years. Arminta:  I don't follow it so I don't know exactly what's popular but I'm sure I listen to a bit of it Heather:  I used to. Lori:  Nope I don't Radeyah:  I don't. I usually measure songs based on what I personally think about them rather than what the charts say. Jen: No Colleen: No

The Sounds of Advice #27: Exercise Motivation

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Tips for staying motivated to exercise:  Aisling:  1. Create a vision board with your goals on it. Put it somewhere you can look at it everyday to help keep yourself motivated.  2. Drink more water. Try the app Plant Nanny. It's a cute way to remind yourself throughout the day to drink enough water.  3. Don't diet. Instead create a lifestyle. Instead of depriving yourself, occasionally treat yourself for your hard work by eating your food 80/20. Eating well 80% of the time and treating yourself 20% of the time. Sandy:  Make small goals for yourself as well as your main goal. When you reach a goal reward yourself. It doesn't have to be food as your reward. It could be anything that you feel is deserved. :) if you feel like you are struggling. Reach out to people who have done it or are doing it as well. Just keep going and you will get there. Kate:   For me the key was finding something that worked for me with my schedule and my body. Once I found som

Invisible Illness: Anxiety

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Definition: Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You might feel anxious when faced with a problem at work, before taking a test, or making an important decision. But anxiety disorders involve more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The feelings can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships. There are several different types of anxiety disorders. Examples include generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and social anxiety disorder. Signs and Symptoms: Generalized Anxiety Disorder - People with generalized anxiety disorder display excessive anxiety or worry for months and face several anxiety-related symptoms. -Restlessness or feeling wound-up or on edge -Being easily fatigued -Difficulty concentrating or having their minds go blank -Irritability -Muscle tension -Difficulty controlling the worry -Sleep pr

Question of the Day #37: Music Television

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Gina: No Kate: No Sandy:  I used to. I don't have TV now to be able to watch. Melissa:  When I was a teenager, I loved Much Music from Canada, but now it's all not really about the actual music and nothing I'm particularly interested in. The last time I saw an actual music video that wasn't on the internet, it was at some dark hour of the morning. Renee: No Aisling:  Not much anymore Twinkle:  Yup. My mornings starts with it. Sid:  I do not. Arminta: No Heather: No Lori: Nope Radeyah: Yes I do. Colleen: No Jen: No 

The Sounds of Advice #26: Anxiety Attacks

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Tips for helping with anxiety attacks: Aisling:  1. Practice deep breathing  2. Get up and move around or go for a walk 3. Talk to your significant other or a close friend or family member 4. Distract yourself with different things to do 5. Try to exercise daily Sandy:  I found breathing in deep and slowly letting it out helps me the best. If you can close your eyes and do it as well. It helps your body to relax. They are not something easy to handle, but once you figure out what works for you you will be in much better shape. Kate: I've found that finding something to distract me tends to work the best. I'll message/text someone and ask them to ask me a question about anything at all. Focusing on that question distracts me from my anxiety and calms me down. If no one is around, I sit somewhere quiet and focus on my breathing and try to clear my mind.  I've also included a list from a website that has a lot of other tips:  Take a time-out. Practi

Question of the Day #36: Radio?

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Gina:  Sometimes Kate:  Pandora Radio Sandy:  Not very often. Melissa:   When we're in the car. We all have our stations and we cycle through them all regularly. Renee:  Yes, as well as satellite radio Aisling:  Always in the car. Twinkle:  Yup. All the time. Sid:   I listen to the radio fairly often. Arminta:   I listen to the radio fairly often. Heather:  Not really. Lori:  I listen to I heart radio Radeyah:  Of course. Colleen: Not often Jen: At work 

The Sounds of Advice #25: Charities

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Charities You Can Help Support: McKay Dee Foundation: Their Mission: “For over 46 years, our generous supporters have helped us fund needed medical equipment, hospital and community programs, clinical training for caregivers at McKay-Dee Hospital, and the Annie Taylor Dee Guest Home”. Recent Projects: Angel Watch Program, Cancer Exercise Rehabilitation, Cancer Support group, Cancer Survivor’s Day, Dental Days, NuHope Suicide Prevention Program, Hispanic Labor Friends Program and many more hospital and community projects. How You Can Help:   Donations:  Cash donations can be gifted to the area of greatest need or a specific area of support of your choosing.  For example, you may choose to donate for medical equipment, hospital and community programs, clinical education, or the Annie Taylor Dee Guest Home.  Gifts may also be made in memory or honor of someone.    Donations of Inkind items to support church, school or other service projects can also be made. Volunte

January Band of the Month: Enigma

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Enigma is one of the most successful musical projects in the past 25 years, with more than 70 million records sold worldwide, 60 #1 chart positions and 100 platinum awards. It has sheltered, to this day, the most differing cultures from the various areas and times of all the earthly continents in rhythm, sound and voices. With the intention of creating an omnicultural world of sound, his creator Michael Cretu describes Enigma as a "self inventing continuity". Discography: MCMXC a.D. (1990) The Cross of Changes (1993) Le Roi est mort, vive le Roi! (1996) The Screen Behind the Mirror (2000) Voyageur (2003) A Posteriori (2006) Seven Lives Many Faces (2008) The Fall of a Rebel Angel (2016) Social Media:  Website Facebook YouTube Where to Buy Music: Amazon iTunes Google Play