Motherhood - An Important Role in Society

Today is an important day for many of the conceptual systems in which you and I participate. What's a conceptual system?

A conceptual system is a set of things that works together to perform a common goal but does not exist in a tangible manner. For instance, an automobile is a system in which you can see, touch, and feel. Another tangible system is the human body that is the most complex and amazing system in the world.

In contrast to the systems that you can point out and clearly describe, conceptual systems are not tangible yet exist all around us. Think about the world economy or the financial system of the United States as a set of things working together to provide a means of exchange between humans and countries. How about our insurance system? The insurance system consists of a set of agents, agencies, policies, claims, etc that work together to provide insurance coverage to humans. This is without a doubt a system. However, it is impossible for you to show me an insurance system in the same way that you can show me your car.

One of the most important conceptual systems is the family system. The family system is a set of things (mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, physical stuff, actions, decisions, accomplishments, challenges) that work together to produce our unique family experience. As with any system, every part of a system plays a vital role in the overall optimization (or lack thereof) and performance of the system.

Today we celebrate one of the most important roles in the family system and in society at large: Mothers. Mothers are not only part of the gateway to the breeding of new life but play an instrumental role in the development of our young people. Mothers provide the type of caring, love and intangibles that enable the family system to thrive.

Even more impressive is the fact that a Mother's job is not easy; I would argue that it is the most difficult job on this earth. It's more difficult than being a CEO, an entrepreneur, or business owner. Mothers are ON twenty-four hours per day...seven days per week.

For all of this and more, today is a day to celebrate your Mother and all of the Moms of our society. In large part to them, the family system works. Happy Mother's Day to every Mom around the globe! May you be forever Blessed.

Help! Pregnant But Can't Sleep

The inability to get enough sleep whilst pregnant is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy.

So what are the main culprits for sleep problems in pregnancy?

• frequent visits to the toilet


• hunger


• leg cramps


• heartburn


• aching body


• feeling restless

Frequent visits to the toilet

This is very common and depending on how far gone you are, it might seem as if that no sooner you return to bed, you feel like going again.

Solution: If possible, try to reduce your intake of fluid a few hours before you retire to bed.

Hunger

One should not under estimate the power of hunger! Some women find themselves getting up during the night and raiding the fridge or cupboards for something to eat.

Solution: Not really a solution here because if you're hungry then you should eat! But what you could do is place a light snack by your bedside so at least you don't need to go all the way to the kitchen and find yourself tempted to get a drink - which would further make you sleep deprived because you would be getting up to go to the toilet.

Leg cramps

The extra weight carried as a result of the growing baby sometimes contributes to leg cramps and it could be rather uncomfortable and painful.

Solution: Giving your legs a massage would sometimes bring relief. You could get your partner to massage your legs if you find it hard doing it yourself. Try and elevate your feet as and when you have the opportunity - for example, when watching TV or reading a book. It is also advisable to keep your legs uncrossed all the time as this contributes to leg cramps in pregnancy.

Heartburn

This is another reason for sleep problems and very common among pregnant women.

Solution: If you enjoy spicy food, try to avoid having this for dinner. Spicy foods have a tendency to cause heartburn in pregnancy. Fizzy drinks are also known to have the same effect - so best to avoid it too.

Aching body

Feeling all achy can lead to a pregnant woman not having a good night's sleep.

Solution: You may find that soaking in a warm bath can do wonders. Be sure not to soak in hot water as it could be harmful to you and the baby. In my own case, when I was pregnant, I made the mistake of bathing with hot water, I immediately became faint, so be sure to use warm water.

Feeling restless

One of the reasons for being restless could be because the woman is now very heavy and finds it difficult to move from one side to other on the bed. Restlessness could also be caused by anxiety over the pregnancy and thoughts of what would happen during labour.

Solution: Rather than stay on the bed whilst feeling restless and allowing negative thoughts to enter your mind, it would be much better to get up and occupy yourself with a chore within the house and after finishing that, see if you would be able to get some sleep. You may also want to try having a warm glass of milk as it sometimes serves as a sleeping aid.

The Stigma of Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss in women is usually a result of one or more of the following: genetics, stress, hormones or pregnancy. Sometimes it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition, but even if it is not life threatening, there is still a huge stigma attached to a woman losing her hair. This can put a woman under a lot of stress which can make the shedding more severe, making daily life that much tougher.

Today's western society has become accustomed to airbrushed, perfected images of celebrities, especially women, and most school girls grow up with aspirations to look like some pretty pop star or model on the basis of 'they look good which makes them popular so I want to be and look like them'. This image-obsessed culture makes it particularly difficult for those women who are experiencing the trauma of hair loss.

From the outside we often sympathise with those who have lost hair as a result of medical condition or medications such as cancer drugs, or we alienate those who are experiencing hair loss for some other reason such as genetics. But why can't we celebrate bald women?

One female British bald celebrity, Gail Porter, has done much to raise awareness of the condition Alopecia Areata and in doing so has helped to start to bring the subject out of the closet. Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disease that causes sudden, patchy hair loss, affects around one in a hundred people, mostly teenagers and young adults. It runs in the family in one in five cases. For up to 70% of sufferers the hair will grow back of its own accord however it can lead to more severe forms of hair loss such as Alopecia Totalis (no scalp hair) and Alopecia Universalis (no scalp and body hair).

Porter, previously a successful model with long blond locks, famously had her image projected on Big Ben by lads' magazine FHM in 1999. However, beneath the glossy exterior, Porter's struggle with drugs, stress, and post-natal depression had begun to trigger her alopecia. The mother-of-one has been honest about the challenge she faced in coming to terms with her baldness and made a television documentary about the emotional and physical challenges she endured. She felt extremely isolated and considered wearing a wig but found them uncomfortable and unrealistic.

As well as alopecia, there are several other types of hair loss in women, the most common being Female Pattern (genetic) Hair Loss. Most women will start to experience hair loss between 30 and 50 however it can affect women at a younger age. As with all forms of hair loss, the earlier it is treated, the better the chances of restoring the hair. But early treatment means an early diagnosis and many women feel embarrassed to admit there is a problem and may even slip into denial. For women, there are so many hair styling aids out there (hats, clips, bands, extensions) to easily disguise the early stages of hair loss.

The fact that bald woman are not often positively projected in the public eye, as compared to bald men, could be linked to the ever-increasing demand for any female with a public persona to be young and 'beautiful'. Pop-stars, models, actresses and news-readers are, more often than not, chosen in part for their conventional good looks. In recent times, for example, the BBC has habitually replaced female news-readers, television presenters and radio broadcasters with notably younger-looking versions. They may claim they are doing this because it is what the audience wants, however this is not an acceptable excuse; there are strict (and rightly so) guidelines on racial and ethnic diversity; so why not on age and appearance? When media and popular culture more accurately reflects society's diversity then perhaps the public will be more understanding of hair loss in women and those suffering from the condition will feel more able to seek advice.

Any internet search will show a growing number of hair loss support groups that can offer advice and encouragement. There are also specialist clinics that offer expert advice about treatment programs. If you decide to explore any kind of treatment, it is important to conduct some research into the products and the clinic you are intending to consult.

For women, there are several factors that could be contributing to the hair loss and professional advice from a reputable source is the safest and most effective way of treating the condition.

Conquering Depression Without Drugs (Part 1)

The first time it happened was 17yrs ago, when I was just 25. It was in response to finding myself a single mum, my greatest fear. I was devastated and was very hard on myself for allowing this to happen. After weeks of trying to pull myself back together and feeling very weak and apathetic, I eventually asked my mother to drive me to the doctor (I felt unable to drive myself). I was diagnosed with post-natal depression, but I knew it wasn't that. The doctor prescribed antidepressants, which I didn't want to take, but I didn't know what else to do. After a week or two I still was not feeling any better and was told I had to give the drugs time to work. About that time I discovered Louise Hay's book 'You Can Heal Your Life', and I knew I would no longer take the drugs.

The book on its own did not help me to cure my depression, but it set me on a new path of personal responsibility, very empowering. I also joined a meditation group and suddenly my world expanded. I realised I was much more than what I had previously thought. The group became my lifeline and slowly I made progress. It was not a quick recovery and I tried many other things along the way, including counselling and hypnotherapy, but eventually I did feel better.

I met a new partner after 7yrs on my own and in the next few years I studied and practised several different natural therapy modalities and found myself attracting people who were dealing with physical symptoms caused by emotional distress. I was dealing with a lot of stress myself at the time, all of it self induced. I was being very hard on myself for not making any money from my work. Then my son was born and I gave up on my practice, but not on being hard on myself. Eventually it affected my relationship and we separated after 8yrs together. I was a single mum once again. However, it wasn't that that set me off on my second bout of depression. It was financial struggle.

I was in the middle of my life coaching certification training and I'd just researched and written a 25 page document on how effective life coaching was for stress relief. But this had gone beyond stress relief. Even my meditation classes weren't helping. I needed something else. Again, I didn't want to take medication but did not know what else to do. So I went to a doctor for a physical checkup to see if there was something going on but my physical health was fine. She offered a referral to a psychologist but instinctively I felt this was not for me.

A few months earlier I'd attended a seminar where I'd learnt about NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and I searched for a coach who had done this company's training. Fortunately for me, I found the perfect coach who taught me, with just a small exercise, a huge lesson in self-talk.

Postpartum Depression - 5 Easy and Natural Cures - They Aren't True Cures, But They Help A Lot

Postpartum depression sucks. You think you should be happy because of this new wonderful baby you have, yet you're not. It's ok, it's not your fault. Here are some quick and highly effective ways to get rid of depression.

1. You need exposure to sun everyday. Don't overdo it and act like you're trying to get a tan, but you do need sunlight for about 20 minutes each day. Take a walk with the baby. Perfect. That leads me to the next way to get rid of depression.
   
   
   


2. Exercise... yes, you need to exercise. Yeah, you're depressed and don't want to do it. Yes, you're busy with your beautiful baby. But hey, exercise helps normalize your hormone levels and gets you on to losing the baby weight that you gained during pregnancy. So you get a 2 for 1 deal by exercising. And, it doesn't have to be anything major. Just go for a walk.
   
   
   


3. Take St. John's Wort. Let me be honest, this stuff is crazy. You get some very lucid and vivid dreams from taking this stuff. But that's proof it's working. It's stimulating the neurotransmitters in your brain. It starts to work really good after taking it for 3 weeks. It's a brain supplement that promotes a "feel good" mood.
   
   
   


4. Omega 3 Healthy Fats. Think fish oil pills. I can't say enough good things about fish oil pills. Get some. Yesterday! They're that important. Ok, I'll forgive you for not getting them yesterday. But don't waste time, go get them as soon as possible. You'll be thankful you did... and not just for the depression.
   
   
   


5. Folate. You can get this from green leafy vegetables.

So there you have it. 5 cheap and easy ways to help alleviate your postpartum depression. All of these tips above also help with different kinds of depression. So if you have any kind of depression, including from weight loss... follow those 5 tips or just pick out 1 and use it.

Top 10 Benefits to Look for When Comparing Private Medical Insurance Quotes

If you have decided to invest in private medical insurance, you will probably already know what you want to be covered for. Whether you are looking to avoid the NHS waiting lists, get access to drugs not covered by your local NHS trust or be treated in a luxury private room, there is a private medical insurance policy that will suit your needs and budget.

What many customers are not aware of are the added 'extras' which you can benefit from when taking out private medical insurance. These can range from sensible add-ons like dental and optical cover to little luxuries like 2 for 1 cinema tickets. Here, we list out top 10 private medical insurance benefits to look out for when you compare health insurance quotes online.

10) Parent accommodation

Parent accommodation will cover the cost of an overnight stay in hospital whilst your child is being treated. If the hospital is situated a distance from your home this will save you booking a hotel, and it will also give you peace of mind that you are close to your child.

9) Dental and Optical cover

Whilst private medical insurance is not really designed to cover dental and optical treatment (there are cash plans for this exact reason), some policies do offer dental and optical cover as an added extra. This is usually capped at a particular amount per year- for example, a 瞿300 limit per year for routine dental treatment and a 瞿200 limit per year for optical treatment. Although it may not be your main priority, having dental and optical cover thrown in could be the deciding factor when you compare health insurance quotes.

8) Maternity Cash Benefit

Maternity cash benefit is a cash benefit payable on the birth of a child, and is not the same thing as having maternity cover. A maternity cash benefit will usually offer 瞿100 per baby born or adopted by a member subject to a qualifying period, which can be handy if you are planning to start a family.

Pregnancy and maternity cover is a bit different. Since pregnancy is not considered a medical condition, it will not be covered for by private medical insurance. However, some insurers offer cover for certain complications of pregnancy and birth after a certain qualifying period.

7) NHS cash benefit

An NHS cash benefit is offered by many private medical insurance policies. With this benefit, you will be paid a cash sum when you stay as an inpatient or a day patient in an NHS hospital, up to a certain limit. For example, you may be offered 瞿250 per night spent as an inpatient in an NHS hospital up to a maximum of 瞿2,000 per year, or 瞿125 for day patient treatment in the NHS up to a maximum of 瞿500 per year.

6) Complementary therapies

Cover for a complementary therapy and alternative therapy is always offered on a comprehensive private medical insurance policy, but it can also be available on a standard policy with certain limits. Cover varies widely from insurer to insurer, so it is worth using a health insurance comparison website to narrow down your quotes. It can include cover for chiropractors, osteopathy, chiropody, podiatry, acupuncture, homeopathy, dietary services, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. There may be a monetary or time limit on these treatments.

5) Discounted gym membership

If you are looking for private medical insurance, it is a safe bet that you are keen to look after your health. Exercise is a great way to take care of yourself, but gym memberships can be pricy. Luckily, some health insurers offer discounted gym membership as an added bonus for taking out a private medical insurance policy. Look out for these deals when you compare health insurance policies online.

4) Stop-smoking sessions

Along with discount gym memberships, some health insurers will save you money on 'stop smoking' sessions to help you quit cigarettes. You may be rewarded with lower premiums by attending these stop smoking sessions.

3) Discounted health screenings

Many of the big private medical insurance companies offer discounted health screens. Health screenings may include tests for BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, urinalysis, resting ECG, bloods, rectal examination, cervical smear, a health and lifestyle consultation and a written report. These health screenings are useful for spotting potential issues before they become problems, and give you peace of mind about your health.

2) Rewards for healthy eating

Eating well is an important part of staying healthy. Numerous studies have indicated that eating 5 portions of fruit a day will reduce your risk of cancer and other serious illnesses. Some insurers offer reward schemes for private medical insurance customers who buy healthy food from selected supermarkets. Rewards could mean a reduction in your health insurance premiums or collecting special points. Check with a private medical insurance broker for more information on which insurers offer this.

1) Deals on cinema tickets, travel and even theme parks

When looking for a private medical insurance, 'fluffy extras' like 2 for 1 cinema tickets, discounted travel and money off theme parks should not influence your choice in policy. Whilst we are not recommending that you base your decision on these little luxuries, it is worth taking advantage of them if they are offered on your policy of choice. After all, living a fun-filled stress free life is key to a healthy future.

The Stress Involved With Adopting a Baby

When you decide to adopt a baby, you should expect that you and your family will be undergoing stress. This will apply not only to you, but to the child as well. By knowing the kinds of stress involved in adoption, you might want to find ways to help you cope to make the adoption successful.

When you choose to foster a baby, there are two kinds of stress that are involved. These are pre-adoption and post-adoption stress.

Pre-adoption stress

This kind of stress is present before foster care occurs. Aside from the person or couple adopting the baby, the birth parents who will be surrendering their child for adoption could also undergo a lot of stress. This is given due to the fact that they may not want to put their baby for adoption. But oftentimes, because of certain circumstances, they have little or no choice in the situation. Being financially unstable or having no means to provide for their baby may be the reason why they have to surrender him/her for adoption.

For the foster parents, they may also undergo a stressful experience before adopting a baby or as they plan to do so. One of the things that can cause stress is the process itself. They will be required to spend time, money and effort to attain their goal. Before someone can adopt a child/baby, there are legal proceedings that need to be followed. This can also place stress to the foster parents.

Other than the ones mentioned above, foster parents can also suffer from emotional stress prior to adoption. This can be caused by certain "misunderstandings" and physiological deficiencies that have caused the need to adopt, like infertility, losses, and other issues.

Post-adoption stress

After fulfilling their goal, there are certain factors which can cause stress for the foster parents. The sudden changes of having to live with a baby will cause certain amount of stress. There will be changes in the living pattern in order to accommodate the new baby. This will also include having to provide for the baby's basic needs like food, clothing, baby gears, etc.

Other than the sudden changes that they have to go through, having achieved their goal in adopting a baby can also re-open certain question and sensitive issues. They may have to face the pains of their losses, issues about infertility and other things.

If they are unable to cope with post-adoption stress, they may result to post-adoption depression. Unlike postpartum depression that most, if not all, mothers undergo which is caused by sudden changes in their hormonal levels, post-adoption stress or depression is more about the emotional aspect. This can include their fears, sadness, anger, sense of loss, etc.

If you feel like you have some things that are still unresolved, it would be best if you seek for help to overcome these issues before going through with an adoption. This can allow you to better cope with adopting a baby and handle the stress that comes along with it.