Category Archives: Going Strong

5 Important Documents to Have in Place Before Surgery

One of the scariest things about surgery is the unknown. What will happen during and after surgery? What if something goes wrong? While you can’t completely eliminate the risk of something going wrong, you can take steps to prepare yourself and your family. One crucial step is to make sure you have all of your documents in order. Here is a list of 5 important documents: 

books and papers, living will, documents, typewriter

Via Pexels

A life care plan. 

This document outlines your current and future medical needs. It can be used to communicate your wishes to your family, friends, and medical team. A life care plan can help ensure you receive the best care after surgery. It can also help reduce the financial burden on your loved ones by outlining how you would like to be cared for if you are unable to care for yourself. If you don’t already have life care planning strategies in place, now is the time to start. 

A health care proxy. 

This document appoints someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you cannot do so. This person will be your advocate and will work with your medical team to ensure that your wishes are carried out. It is important to choose someone you trust and who understands your values and beliefs. You should also make sure that this person is comfortable communicating with your medical team. 

An advance directive.

This document outlines your wishes for medical care if you cannot decide for yourself. It can include things like whether or not you want life-sustaining treatment, what kind of pain management you desire, and who you would like to make decisions on your behalf. Advance directives can be very specific or general. The important thing is that you communicate your wishes to your loved ones and medical team. 

A power of attorney. 

This document gives someone else the legal authority to make decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so. This could be a family member, friend, or even your lawyer. Having a power of attorney in place before surgery can help ensure that your wishes are carried out and can help avoid any confusion or disputes among family members or loved ones.

Finally, it is essential to have a will in place.

This document outlines your wishes for your property and possessions in case you don’t survive the surgery. It can be used to communicate your wishes to your family, friends, and legal team. A will can help ensure that your wishes are carried out and that your loved ones are taken care of after you die. 

Preparing for surgery can be a daunting task. But by taking some time to prepare yourself and your family, you can reduce the stress and anxiety associated with this experience. One important way to prepare is to ensure you have all your documents in order. Doing this can ensure that you receive the best possible care and that your loved ones are taken care of if something happens to you.

Tips to Teach Your Children About Addiction

As a society, we don’t talk about addiction enough. It’s an uncomfortable topic and one that we tend to shy away from. But the reality is that addiction is a genuine and severe problem with a number of people needing addiction treatment services to help them live a safer life. Every day, millions of people struggle with addiction, and many more are affected by it indirectly. 

Cartoon mom arguing with upset daughter, drugs, alcohol, addiction, say no to drugs, tough love

Via Pixabay

It would help if you talked to your children about addiction early and often. The conversation might be difficult, but it’s essential to equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to prevent addiction in their own lives. Here are some tips on how to have that conversation with your children.

Show Trust and Vulnerability

The first step is to show trust and vulnerability. Opening up about your own experiences or struggles with addiction helps create a space where your children feel comfortable talking about their own feelings and experiences. It also helps to build trust between you and your children, which is essential for any parent-child relationship.

How to Ask for Help

No parent wants to imagine that their children are at risk of becoming addicted to illicit substances, but if your child does find themselves going down that path at some time, they have to know that there are roads to recovery, such as Aetna approved drug rehab, therapy, and other options,  and that you will be there to help them find them. A lot of people get so far down in the hole that they have trouble seeing the way out, so letting them know there is, indeed, a way out, can be what they need in the future.

Be Honest And Open 

It’s essential to be honest with your children about addiction. Don’t try to sugarcoat the issue or downplay its seriousness. Instead, explain addiction in simple terms, and let them know that it’s a genuine problem that can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status. 

Share Your Own Experiences (if applicable) 

If you have personal experience with addiction, share your story with your children. This can be a difficult thing to do, but it can be incredibly powerful. Your children will appreciate your honesty, and hearing about your experiences will help them better understand the issue. Just be sure to emphasize that your story is not meant to scare them; rather, it’s intended to educate them on the realities of addiction. 

Talk About The Dangers Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 

One of the most important things you can do is educate your children on the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse. Help them understand that even though drugs and alcohol are legal for adults, they can still be very dangerous – especially when misused or abused. Also, emphasize that even though drugs and alcohol may be easy to obtain, they should only be used in moderation (if at all). As mentioned before, you need to let them know what to do if they do start abusing drugs and alcohol. When rehab centers are mentioned, they can seem like terrifying places, but if you let them know that luxury rehabs california (and others), are not there to frighten them but to help them transition into a better way of living with great facilities, they can understand why they are so important. These facilities go into depth on what the dangers are and what can happen down the road if they keep going back to them. You have some answers which may help, but if they do get into this problem, facilities like these can be one of the best fountains of information. 

Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms 

It’s also important to teach your children healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with stress in their life. Addictions often result from people self-medicating to cope with negative emotions like sadness, anxiety, or depression. Help your child identify healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, journaling, or talking to a trusted adult. And if you notice that your child is struggling, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. 

Explain The Signs Of Addiction

Educate your children on the signs of addiction. This way, they’ll be able to identify addiction in themselves or others and get help as soon as possible. Some common symptoms of addiction include: 

> Neglecting responsibilities at home, school, or work

> withdrawing from friends and activities

> Changes in mood or behavior

> secretive or suspicious behavior

> financial problems

>sudden appetite changes

Make Your Home A Safe Haven

In addition to talking to your children about addiction, you can also take steps to make your home a haven from addiction. Here are some things you can do: 

> Keep all drugs and alcohol out of the house

> Foster an open and honest environment where complex topics can be discussed freely

> Promote healthy coping mechanisms

> Pay attention to your child’s behavior and mood

> Seek professional help if you notice any red flags

Help Build Their Self Esteem

One of the best things you can do to prevent addiction is to help your child build their self-esteem. Addiction often takes root in people who feel like they’re not good enough or don’t deserve better. Please help your child understand their worth and encourage them to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

Be A Role Model

Of course, one of the best things you can do is be a role model for your children. If you abuse drugs or alcohol, your children are likely to do the same. So set a good example for them by living a healthy and drug-free life. 

Teach Them To Say No

Last but not least, teach your children how to say no. They must understand that they don’t have to give in to peer pressure. Instead, help them devise excuses or diversion tactics they can use when they feel pressured to try drugs or alcohol. And remind them they can always come to you for help – no matter what.

Talking about addiction can be challenging, but it’s essential, especially if you have kids. By being honest and open about the issue, sharing your own experiences (if applicable), discussing the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse, and encouraging healthy coping mechanisms, you can help prevent addiction in your child’s life.

How to Stay on Top of Your Health as a Busy Dad

It can be tough to stay on top of your health as a busy dad. Between work, family time, and all of the other obligations you have, it seems like there’s never enough time to take care of yourself. But it’s vital that you make time for your health, even if it means scheduling some time for yourself each day. This blog post will discuss some tips for staying on top of your health as a busy dad!

man running on boardwalk at the beach, busy dad, fitness, health, exercise, jogging, cardio

via Pexels

Don’t take your work home with you

One of the most important things you can do for your health is to make sure that you’re not taking your work home with you. It’s easy to get wrapped up in work and bring home all of the stress with you, but this can have a negative impact on your health. Instead, make sure that you’re taking some time each day to relax and unwind, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help you de-stress and stay healthy both physically and mentally.

If you find that you are bringing work home with you, try to set some boundaries for yourself. For example, designate a specific area in your house where you’ll work, and when you’re done working for the day, close the door or put away your work materials. This will help you to separate your work life from your home life and avoid bringing unnecessary stress into your home.

Set boundaries with your family

It’s also important to set boundaries with your family when it comes to your health. Just because you’re a busy dad doesn’t mean that you have to put your family first all the time. It’s okay to say no to obligations that will take away from your time, and it’s perfectly fine to put yourself first sometimes. In fact, it’s important!

If you find that you’re always saying yes to everything, try setting some limits for yourself. For example, you might want to only commit to one activity per week outside of work or spend two nights a week at home instead of three. This will help you have more time for yourself so that you can focus on taking care of your health.

Go for regular health screenings

One of the best things you can do for your health is to go for regular health screenings. This way, you can catch any potential problems early on and get treatment if necessary. You can also ask questions during this time, such as mesothelioma survival rates and anything else you may be wondering about. Make sure to schedule appointments for a physical exam, blood work, and any other screenings that are recommended for your age group.

It’s also important to stay up-to-date on your vaccinations. This will help you avoid getting sick and will also protect those around you from getting sick. Be sure to talk to your doctor about which vaccinations are right for you, and make sure to get them on time.

Eat healthy and exercise

Of course, eating healthy and exercising are also important for staying on top of your health. Eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise will help you stay healthy both physically and mentally. If you’re not sure how to eat healthy or where to start with exercise, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you create a plan that’s right for you.

It can be tough to make time for healthy eating and exercise when you’re a busy dad, but it’s important to try. Even if you can only fit in a few minutes of exercise each day or cook one healthy meal per week, it’s worth it! Every little bit counts when it comes to taking care of your health.

Look after your mental health

Finally, don’t forget to look after your mental health. This is just as important as taking care of your physical health. If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or down, reach out for help. Talk to your doctor about how you’re feeling and they can refer you to a mental health professional if necessary. There are also many helplines and online resources available if you need someone to talk to. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed at times, but it’s important to seek help if you’re struggling. Taking care of your mental health is an important part of staying healthy as a busy dad.

In conclusion, it’s important to make time for your health as a busy dad. By following these tips, you can make sure that you’re staying on top of your health and keeping yourself healthy both physically and mentally. Though it might take some effort to put into practice, your family will thank you in the long run!