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Month: September 2020

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September 19, 2020

Neighbors and Mental Health by Janet Lynas, Ph.D., N.H.D.

“What do neighbors have to do with mental health?” If you’re asking that question, then you either don’t associate with your neighbors or you have good neighbors.

During this time of quarantine, when people are at home, neighbors have taken on a new meaning. There’s already another article in this blog about neighbors, but let’s look at how neighbors affect our health.

Grouchy neighbor

Our relationships with our neighbors affect our health more than we realize. Social researchers discovered a feeling of connectedness is a good predictor of happiness.

So, your neighbor is grouchy and likes to cause problems in the neighborhood, how does that affect your mental health and physical health?

I have a neighbor who likes to get a group text going with all the neighbors trying to start a fight. Most of us have had a neighbor like that in one point of our life. You have a sense of dread when thinking about this person. Your heart pounds, breathing becomes short, hands become sweaty, and stomach hurts.

Prolonged stress in having to deal with a bad neighbor actually can cause serious health problems if not addressed. Continuous stress has negative affects such as fatigue, inability to concentrate, irritability, worsening heart conditions, and depression.

Dealing with bad neighbors

My neighbors have “blocked” this trouble making neighbor on their phones. ‘Trouble making neighbor’ does not go outside, so this makes it easy to deal with this neighbor. However, since I’m the Property Owners Association (POA) president, I’m the one elected not to block her on my phone. Someone has to keep tabs on the “crazy person” in the neighborhood. It’s easy for me to ignore this neighbor.

There are several kinds of obnoxious people living among us. Loud, messy yards, people who like to meddle, people next door with barking dogs, loud kids, the list is long!

Most of the time a simple non accusing conversation can resolve the issues. But, what can be done when the simple approach doesn’t work?

  1. If you live in a POA or HOA you can refer to that neighborhood’s rules and regulations.
  2. If you do not have a POA/HOA, there still is legal actions and resources in place. Local ordinances and laws can prevent some types of behaviors.
  3. Most neighbor disputes can be resolved with the same resolution path. Talk things out first. If that does not resolve the issues, then approaching the POA/HOA (if there is one) and asking them to step in is an ideal next step. In the absence of an POA/HOA, your local government agencies may be able to help with specific complaints. When all else fails, you may need to speak with an attorney to settle disputes to discovery what options are available to you.
Happy neighbors, happy neighborhood

We set up a barbecue grill last night in the common area of our community. Each person brought a side dish and it’s now a block party while having our POA meeting!

This block party went a long way in the community bonding. Today everyone was outside working in their yard. Two of the men were working in putting up storage units in one of their garages. Laughter was heard throughout the community.

I worked on cleaning out some weeds that have grown in the creek feeding our pond. I wasn’t able to finish the work, but another resident stated that she would also help in removing the grass.

We are working as a group to beautify our surroundings. By pulling together, we’re accomplishing common goals.

I’m truly blessed with great neighbors who really are my friends. During this time of quarantine, people are outside in the natural surroundings of nature. The intentions are to eat healthier and drink less alcohol. (No alcoholics here, just people wanting to be healthier.)

So, what is the health of your community?

September 10, 2020

The Straight & Narrow by Janet Lynas, Ph.D.,N.H.D.

“Stay on the straight and narrow path!” This is the instruction we are given from birth. However, this advice is wrong. I travel more than one path. No one path is right or wrong. Each path one takes in life is the correct road for you to be on at that time.

One path in life

I did a hypnoses session with a teenaged girl who was obsessed with ‘staying on the path’. Having said that she had to make sure she was on the ‘right path’, I realized this young woman needed to have her perspective on life opened up to the possibilities.

Many religions teach that there is only one path and it’s straight and narrow. We believe it’s easy to stray from this path. In other words, I will get off the right path at some point in time if I’m not careful.

I tell you, this is wrong! We create our own path. The path has twist and turns and road blocks at times. Therefore, stop and take a moment to think about why you were led to believe that there is only one path in life. Think about why you are taught that you may lose your way in life.

It’s about control

You are controlled by society to behave in a way that each culture deems right. I am a product of cultural beliefs just as you are. I have spent many years discovering that I was brainwashed. Having said this, I have to explain my journey and awakening.

Children are taught that their parents know what’s best for them. In addition, one is taught that we have to conform to societies way of thinking.

“God gave you a brain, use it!” I heard this often as I was growing up. However, when I used ‘my brain’, trouble seemed to follow. I belong to the group of people who think outside of the box. I am no longer willing to blindly follow the collective thinking on how one is to live their life.

Each culture trains their offspring on that culture’s norms. This is done to control what direction this culture will proceed in. Leaders in each population want to have control over their charges. In doing so, the governing body of that society can keep people in line. Keeping you in line makes it easier to promote their agenda.

Thus, the belief that the path is straight and narrow. As a result, there is the stress and worry of staying on the right path. Are you willing to take control of your own thinking? Like most people I don’t like being told what to do, when to do it, and how to do it.

I know what’s best for me!

My journey is often a difficult one in the sense of not easily accepting what I’m told by others. I’m hardheaded and strong willed. In addition, you will often have to prove to me what you’re saying is accurate.

I have learned to listen to my intuition. The ‘gut feeling’ as many people call it does not let you down. For example, how many times have you had the feeling that you needed to take a different route to work? You decided to take the route always traveled. As a result, you’re stuck in a traffic jam. You know what I’m talking about.

Let go of the fear that is controlling you. Fear is used by the ‘powers that be’ to keep you in a passive state. People are easily controlled when they go about their daily activities out of habit. There is no thinking about the possibilities life offers us. We are herded like sheep to the slater.

I was diagnosed with a life threatening illness eight years ago. I woke up from the slumber from life long conditioning. That diagnosis is the best thing that happened to me. No longer was I just existing. After that, life began for me. Eyes opened, a new chapter in my life was started. The old way of life is ended. That path ended and a new one began.

I travel on my own path now. With each twist and turn new opportunities have presented themselves. Sometimes there is a block in the path. In addition to the block, a new lesson is learned. When a block appears, one may need to go around it, or move to a new roadway.

I have taken many paths!

I know that each path traveled is the right one for me. How do I know? For instance, I was hit by a semi truck three years ago. This incident brought my life to a complete stop. The accident (I don’t believe in accidents) closed a chapter and a new one started. I knew I needed to be on a different path than the one I was on. Lessons along that road had been learned, but I didn’t  move off that pathway. I decided to explore other paths and trails, however, I played it safe by staying on the same one. One has to pay the bills, therefore, I took my time and played it safe by staying put.

Often times, I over think things. It’s hard to get out of my head. The mind knows nothing! Thought comes from the heart. Yes, they really do. I know that the current trail being traveled is an interesting one. Many lessons about universal connection have presented new opportunities for me. Learn to think from your heart. Listen to what your heart is telling you. Having said that, realize, it takes practice to trust yourself.

I know from experience it’s scary to step out of the box we are in. In other words, it’s tough to trust yourself. In addition to trusting yourself, doubts will creep in to herd you back into the pack. To clarify how disquieting it can be to look to yourself for guidance, know that anxiety, panic, self doubt, and insecurity will take over. The mind wants to stay in what’s familiar. Certainly, the familiar feels safe. However, playing it safe keeps us stuck and growth is stifled.

How do you trust?

I bought into the cultural teachings as a child. But, as an adult, I put away childish thoughts.

Steps to take in self trust:

  • Be yourself. Realize that other people are too concerned about themselves to give much thought to what you’re doing.
  • Set goals that are attainable. Be realistic about what you want in life. If you don’t know what you want, get quiet and listen to your higher self. Trust what you’re told.
  • Learn to meditate. As above, get still and be quiet. Turn off all distractions such as the TV, radio, background sounds. In the stillness, you receive the information you seek.
  • Trust yourself. No one else knows what’s best for you. Only you know that. Know that your higher self will guide you in the direction that’s in your highest good.
  • This leads us to acknowledge your personal power. It was given over to others when you were young. They have no idea what’s best for you. It’s your power, take it back.
  • Know that when you feel something is right for you, it is. Once you feel the heart’s desire, then it will materialize. Stay in the emotion of knowing this is right for you. It feels good.
  • In addition, know that you’re not alone. You have the support of Universal Love, God, Creator, whatever name you want to use for this creative source of love.
  • You have all the resources available to you. Don’t let fear creep in. You are enough. You have a higher power to help you.
In summary

Above all, don’t let anyone take your personal power away from you. Understand, you are enough and you have all the support you need. In addition, call upon Creator Source for the support you need. All you need is in the asking. You are not alone.

September 5, 2020

Let’s Talk Vaccines by Janet Lynas, Ph.D., N.H.D.

There’s a big divide on the topic whether or not to vaccinate. This topic has ended friendships and divided families.

So, I’m going to step in with the facts. But, first a short history into the past. I grew up in a time before vaccines were readily available. There were very few vaccines when I was a child. Polio was the most devastating disease and caused a lot of fear. Childhood diseases such as, rubella, rubeola, chickenpox, mumps, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, meningitis, killed thousands of children each year.

Mothers rushed their children to get the vaccines once they were developed. As a result, these diseases are almost unheard of in recent times. I ran across a photo of myself at the age of six recently. There was something on my left upper arm. I looked closely and realized it was the plastic shield over the chickenpox vaccine I had just gotten. A plastic shield was put over the inoculation to keep the child from scratching it.

I have two friends who barely survived polio. In addition to surviving polio, their lives have been very difficult. One is in a wheelchair and the other has to walk with the assistance of a cane. Soon, he too will be in a wheelchair.

 

Life in the 1950s as a child

Between 1915 and 1945, infections were the leading cause of death for young and middle-aged children. For those ages one to four, infections remained the leading cause of death until 2005.

A dramatic decline in the number of people dying from infectious diseases in the 20th century was seen as immunizations were introduced. Poliomyelitis (polio), diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, mumps and rubella were all virtually wiped out during the second half of the 20th century, after childhood immunization was introduced.

During the 1950s an annual average of greater than 500,000 cases of measles and nearly 500 deaths due to measles were reported in the United States. Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. Note that 90% of the people exposed to measles will catch it. One in four people who contract measles will need hospitalization.

Between 1950 to 1959 there was an average of 114 chickenpox related deaths per year. The most well-known side effect of chickenpox is shingles which shows up later in life. Very rarely, chickenpox can lead to more serious complications involving the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) in children.

I’m not going to go through each disease, but let’s just say that the childhood diseases were not as harmless as people tend to think. I had rubeola as a young child and as a result there was hearing damage and visual side effects.

Vaccine development

During the first stage of developing a vaccine laboratory research usually takes 2 to 5 years to identify the antigens to include in the vaccine.

The second stage consist of researchers conducting test to assess vaccine candidates’ immunogenicity and their ability to obtain the desired immune response. Next is focus on  short-term toxicology, formulation, and development of a scalable, efficient, and reproducible manufacturing process. This data collection and analysis can take around 2 years.

Third step is clinical trials. Clinical trials consist of three phases. Phase one is a two year process. Volunteers are recruited, usually around 100. This phase is to determine if the vaccine is safe to give and if there is a sufficient immune response to the vaccine. Phase 2 last 2-3 years while the vaccine is given to a larger group of people. Then phase 3 is a 5-10 year process. During this phase there are double blind studies conducted. This group is monitored for possible side effects and if antibodies will be produced by the individual for effectiveness in preventing the disease.

Step four can take 2 years or more to get FDA approval.

In step five, production of the vaccine is ramped up for general distribution.

Step six is continued tracking of the efficiency of the vaccine. Marketing and performance review is done in this step.

To make a vaccine, as you can see takes about 10 to 12 years. But, to be clear it can take 20 years.

My question to you, are you going to take a vaccine that has been developed in less than a year?

Can effective vaccines be made for viruses?

One definition on effectiveness of vaccines is:

Vaccine effectiveness was initially termed “field efficacy”. Essentially, vaccine effectiveness is a “real world” view of how a vaccine reduces disease in a population. This vaccine may already have been proved to be efficacious in clinical trials. This measure can assess the net balance of benefits and adverse effects of a vaccination program rather than the vaccine alone in field conditions.

Vaccine effectiveness is proportional to vaccine potency or vaccine efficacy but is primarily affected by how well target groups in the population are immunized, difficulties in storing, administering, cost, accessibility, availability, stability and manufacturing of the vaccine.

Resource: https://www.news-medical.net/health/Vaccine-Effectiveness.aspx

Sounds like a lawyer wrote these definitions.

Considerations on effectiveness
  • effect of the disease on the local prevalence and incidence of the disease it is targeted against. This needs to be considered over medium and long term as well
  • continued surveillance for the relevant disease following introduction of a new vaccine
  • maintenance of high immunization rates, even when a disease has become rare
  • maintenance of availability, adequate stability, low cost and wide coverage of the vaccine

Resource: https://www.news-medical.net/health/Vaccine-Effectiveness.aspx

Summary

I’m not going to give you my thoughts on vaccinations. My option is mixed, that’s all I will say about it. I have given you some basic information to help you do your own research.

There are a few points I want to make:

  1. Look at evidence base performance. Look who’s behind the money for the study. If the money is coming from the industry trying to prove a point, throw it out. Look for a study where the money for the research is coming from a group who has no vested interest in the results.
  2. Viruses mutate. How effective can a vaccine be when a virus mutates rapidly? Vaccines for the flu is one example. Thousands of people get the flu vaccine each year. However,  thousands still get the flu and thousands die from the flu. Not all viruses mutate easily, but the ones developing from the common cold or rhinovirus, coronavirus, RSV and parafluenza do.
  3. In light of the political chaos, do you really want to put your health in the hands of politicians? Their agenda is not your health! Do you want to take a chance on a vaccine that has not gone through the process of safe development?

September 2, 2020

Just Make a Decision! by Janet Lynas, Ph.dD., N.H.D.

Make a decision and do it! Stop trying to figure out every little detail! You’re driving yourself and everyone around you crazy!

It’s hard to make a decision at times. We oscillate back and forth on what needs to be done. In doing this, we make life harder. However, making a decision doesn’t have to be so hard.

What is a decision?

The definition of decision is:

a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.

act or process of deciding; determination, as of a question or doubt, by making a judgment

To make a decision can be easy, but at times certain decisions take us down the road of torment. Why is that? In addition to having a difficult time making some judgments in a matter, our brain seems to get caught in a loop. Trapped in this never-ending loop causes despair.

“I want out of this turmoil! I want out now!”

The Command Center

Neurologist have pinpointed the center of the brain where decisions are made as being in the frontal lobe. This is located at the front of the brain directly behind the forehead. This is primarily the area responsible for reasoning, decision making, and long-term memory. It is also crucial for moderating and controlling motor function by processing information coming in from other parts of the brain.

I’m not going into great detail on the brain’s mapping and the neurological processes involved. However, I do have to get a little detailed with information.

The human brain is composed of six basic parts: the medulla oblongata, the pons, the midbrain, the cerebellum, the diencephalon and the cerebrum.

In addition, different brain parts work together to control the body’s actions. Large areas are devoted to complex functions, such as the ability to have thoughts and feelings. These areas are able to express communication by using language and to store thoughts in the memory. Therefore, neuroscientists continue to work on deciphering which parts of the brain work together to accomplish these functions. Similarly, the steps in decision making can be as simple or as hard as one makes it.

Steps in making a decision

How do I make better decisions?

1. Be Aware Of What You Want

2. Ask For Advice If You’re Not Experienced In A Given Area. But Make Your Own Choice

3. Listen To Your Intuition

4. Make Sure You Are In The Right Frame Of Mind. Don’t Make Rash Judgments

5. Learn To Trust Yourself

6. Practice, Execute, Repeat

Learn to trust yourself
  • Avoid people who undermine your self-trust in making decisions
  • Make a commitment to yourself and keep it
  • Self-talk is important. Be kind to yourself when reasoning out a problem. Don’t put yourself down!
Conclusion
  • See yourself as being competent. If you don’t envision yourself as a competent person, you will always be insecure about your choices, and you may never learn to trust yourself.
  •  Make a list of the steps needed to make this decision
  •  Become confident in making choices.
  •  Learn from your mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes.
  •  Give yourself a break.

In other words, trust yourself and just make the decision. You don’t have to make the process hard. Above all, you can do this!

 

September 1, 2020

Are You Engaged in Life? by Janet Lynas, Ph.D.,N.H.D.

I like to watch people as they go about their daily activities. In other words, there’s a lot to learn by observation. I learn a lot by watching people, most are not engaged in life. They simply  go through the motions of living. We are mindless creatures in our actions.

Wake Up!

Driving down the highway, you suddenly realize your destination is just ahead, but getting there is a mystery. Therefore, you’re baffled by your arrival. What happened to the landmarks you should have passed?

This is a form of hypnosis. Often called, road hypnosis. You zoned out as you went by the markers along the way. You are conscious, yet in a trance. For instance, one is traveling along a well known route, however, you are not paying attention to what’s going on around you. You arrive at your destination and never noticed the things around you.

Be aware! Awareness is the knowledge and ability to focus attention on your inner thoughts. Focus on the experiences of the present moment.

Accept the moment at hand! Don’t judge or avoid the sensations felt as you stand in that moment. In addition, to being in the moment, focus on what is going on. Live in the moment!

Is there a purpose to all of this?

Cultivate your perception, be consciously aware of the current moment. Similarly, note what you feel, be aware of one’s surroundings. Feel the emotions in that moment.

Mindfulness helps us tune out distractions. It improves our memory and strengthens our attention skills. Remembering information is greatly improved. In addition, it helps regulate emotions. Those who practice mindfulness experience, a decrease in emotional reactivity. And therefore, an increase in mental focus is developed.

Instead of your thoughts being scattered all over the place, one is able to realize and accept each moment for what it is. Appreciate the little things taken for granted on a moment-by-moment basis.

Be present! In other words, pay attention to what you are doing! You will remember where you put your car keys. Above all, you remember that the door is locked, the stove is turned off, and all is well. Don’t zone out!

Why be mindful?

Be mindful. Take time for what matters to you. Be conscious and aware of the current place in time you occupy.  Accept and be non-judgmental of the events occurring in the present moment. Awareness in your own and other people’s emotions, thoughts and sensations is imperative to stay in the moment.

Some benefits are reduction in:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Pain
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
In summary

Engage in your life! Life is short. Don’t come to the end of life and wonder, what was the purpose? Engagement is to pay attention to your life and the moments making up your life. Live in the moment, intentionally bring in an open, accepting and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures. Treat yourself with kindness and forgiveness. Don’t take live so seriously. Express appreciation, gratitude and gratefulness.

Above all, actually live your life! In other words, the little moments are what makes life worth living. Therefore, I leave you with the saying,

“Stop and smell the roses”

In conclusion, stay in the moment, be engaged!

 

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