5 Things That Stop Me Going Crazy
Drinking plenty of water. Being dehydrated can have a really big negative impact on your well-being. Your brain has a high water content, and is cooled and protected by fluid, so this is not one to skip.
Having a place to retreat to for some real solitude. I am very fortunate to have a room to myself I can go to whenever I need to be alone. If I didn’t, I would go for a walk, to the park or the library or along the riverside. I remember at one time, I could go and sit inside a church and have the place all to myself for anything up to an hour, but those days are long past and now all the churches around here are locked between services. At one time, I lived in an apartment on the top floor of a building and had access to the roof. It was a real ‘hideaway’ and I spent many peaceful evenings up there during the Summer months just lying on a blanket and watching the sunset or looking at the night sky.
Taking Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) available as tablets in most places, but also found in certain foods. The B vitamins all work together, and it is important not to create an imbalance, but I find taking a little extra B6 works for me. Being vegetarian, extra B3 (niacin) could be required, but I eat a breakfast cereal with Niacin added so I don’t find the need to supplement my diet with it. You should always take care when considering vitamin or mineral supplements not to upset your overall balance; checking with a registered herbalist or other qualified practictioner is the safest option.
Giving myself permission to be ‘first’. Constantly putting everyone else’s needs before your own can wear away at your self-esteem. You are allowed to be first once in a while. You don’t need to make a drama of it, just find small ways to meet your basic needs without stopping to check if it is OK with anyone else.
Deep breathing exercises. One of the cheapest (free!) and most effective forms of relaxation exercise that literally anyone can do. I learned about the benefits of breathing deeply when I studied Hatha Yoga at college, and returned to it when I had an illness some years back that meant being confined to bed. It is still one of the most accessible and effective ways to relax that I know.
I hope someone out there might find my tips useful, and I also hope you will share any others that you use in the comments section here. If something is driving you crazy, I wish you well, and I wish you peace and freedom from troubles.
2007 Predictions
In spite of not having the slightest clue what will happen as far ahead as tomorrow, I am undaunted in my determination to make a series of startlingly accurate predictions for 2007.
The Cassini probe will be detected returning towards Earth, provoking mass panic amid claims that this proves the universe is doughnut shaped. Only Homer Simpson is unphased by the news.
Population size of several species of animal currently facing extinction will begin to increase. I’m not sure which species, but a lot of hope is being directed towards intelligent single males being part of the group.
Web 3.0 will be heralded, early definitions including an unparelleled degree of interaction with domestic pets.
Microsoft will announce plans to market the Mii (pronounced ‘me’), a revolutionary gaming console with a headstrap device that enables the erstwhile gamer to interact with the game simply by nodding towards the TV. Headstraps are subsequently recalled after a global outbreak of gamers’ whiplash results in thousands of personal injury lawsuits.
Every Day’s A Holiday
Surfing away looking for tidbits one time, I came across Holidays For Everyday. This is one of a growing number of aggregation sites where someone else gathers interesting information for you to stumble upon.
Every day is a holiday to someone, somewhere. And every month is the international or national month of something or other. I have extracted some of the long list of topics for January listed on Holidays For Everyday and added my comments, or confessions. Take your pick, and Happy Holidays!
National Eye Health Care Month
Totally on top of this one – got my new glasses, and new sunglasses already this month. I would like it known that I had the appointment etc before I fell up the stairs at work and spilled my drink all over the carpet.
National Hobby Month
I am here, and writing a post, so I think we can add a tick to this one.
National Soup Month
Yes, thanks to the marvellous combination of TV advertising for Summer holidays during the British Winter, and traditional Christmas fare of comfort food, puddings, gifts of chocolates and so many seasonal celebration dinners, healthy low-fat soup is invariably on the menu throughout January!
National Staying Healthy Month
See ‘Soup’
National Thank You Month
This is clearly a ‘trick’ entry, designed to catch anyone who hasn’t done their post-Christmas thank you’s. Not gonna catch me, thank you!
National Book Month
Already on top of the book thing: I re-read Gulliver’s Travels already, and have started on ‘Why don’t Penguins’ Feet Freeze?’. Funny, I didn’t remember Gulliver being so political when I first read that story as a small child. Must have gone over my head. I haven’t changed in that respect!
Oatmeal Month
Yes! Another score – had my morning bowl of porridge today. Can’t eat soup for every meal, after all.
Hot Tea Month
Aha! This rotten cold is ensuring that I am reaching for the hot tea very often. People say I have got sick because a diet of soup and oatmeal isn’t enough to sustain me, but I am sure it’s really that the neighbour’s baby deliberately infected me by being so irresistibly cuddly.
Human Resource Month
In a way, every month is HR month when you work for a recruitment company, as I do. But this is an especially HR-rich month for me, because I had two letters from HR. The first was telling me they are cancelling my pension. 
The second was congratulating me on my ten years of service. 
Prune Breakfast Month
My first miss! Have not managed to introduce prunes into the diet this month. Wonder if prune tea is any good for colds?
Volunteer Blood Donor Month
Nope, haven’t given blood either. In fact, the transfusion service categorically told me they don’t want my blood any more. But it seems HR are still willing to take a pint or two.
Celebration of Life Month
Well, this is just silly, because every month is Celebration of Life month, isn’t it!?
Fat Free Living Month
Up until this cold came along, and before I started to worry about my pension disappearing, and then the fact that I have been doing the same job for ten years began to sink in… well, a little fat did creep back into the diet, sorry about that.
Get Over It Month
Hmm. Well, OK, you try living in the knowledge that you can’t even give your blood away; you have no pension to bank on in later life; stuck next door to a screaming kid who is always sick, and passes it’s vile germs on to you at the slightest opportunity and see how quick you get over it, buddy! OK, you do know I am joking by now, yes?
Celebrate the Past Month
Tell you what: Ask me next month!
Personal Self-Defense Month
Thinking on this post, my best form of defence is probably a) those new hand wipes that protect you from germs and viruses and b) a personal pension.
Yours, Mine & Ours Month
Yours: any virus you currently happen to have about you – please keep it! Mine: My personal choice of something to hang on to is my sanity. Willing to share. Ours: the world and everything good in it.
International Creativity Month
Found a neat international creative project, The One Million Masterpiece which is a charity fund raising site with a single purpose: Get together one million ordinary people from all around the world, and have them work on a picture together in the world’s largest ever artistic collaboration where everyone is equal, and all outcomes are valid. No artistic ability is required, just join up and do your own thing.
Reaching Your Potential Month
Let’s expand this one to last the whole year, too!
It’s OK to be Different Month
It really is so much more than OK, it is unavoidable. We are all different. Let’s be thankful and celebrate that at every opportunity.
Love Yourself Month
To know yourself is to know all that needs to be known. To understand yourself is to become master of all there is. To love yourself is to know the true nature of understanding.
I just want to add: Wish for Something Month Go on, make a wish – you never know! I am wishing you well this month and every month.
