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Peace of Mind Post May 2026
WHEN MENTAL HEALTH GOES UNSPOKEN
What We Often Don’t See in Others
I’ve seen firsthand how often people carry more than they let on. Behind everyday routines, conversations, and responsibilities, individuals manage stress, anxiety, unresolved experiences, and long- standing challenges that were never fully addressed. It’s not always obvious from the outside, and in many cases, it goes unspoken for years, sometimes decades, until it surfaces in ways that affect the individual and those around them. One group I think about often in this context is baby boomers. In my experience, many individuals in that generation have lived with undiagnosed or untreated mental health challenges for a long time. These issues didn’t always have the same level of awareness or acceptance we have today, so they were often minimized, ignored,
or not recognized for what they were. As individuals age, those underlying challenges don’t just disappear; they can evolve into new difficulties that impact daily activities, relationships, and the overall quality of life for both them and their families. What makes this even more complicated is the presence of stigma. Even now, there’s still a lingering belief that acknowledging mental health struggles somehow means something is “wrong” with you. I think that’s an unfortunate and outdated way of thinking, but it’s still very prominent. That stigma can prevent people from seeking help, opening up to others, or even recognizing their own need for support. In some ways, we’ve made progress, but in other ways, especially in certain age groups and communities, we still have work to do. Caregivers comprise another group that often doesn’t get enough attention in these conversations. Supporting someone else, whether it’s a parent, spouse, or loved one, can be emotionally demanding and mentally exhausting. We tend to focus on physical wellness when we talk about caregivers, and while that’s absolutely important, their mental health is just as critical. The stress, responsibility, and emotional load they carry can accumulate over time, and without proper support, it can take a significant toll. That’s why I believe so strongly in normalizing conversations about mental health. It needs to be treated as an essential part of overall health, not something separate, and certainly not something to be ashamed of. There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that you may be experiencing mental health challenges. In fact, that kind of awareness is often the first step to getting the right support
interfere with your ability to function, connect, or feel like yourself, that may be a sign that something deeper is going on. Paying attention to patterns, rather than isolated moments, can help you better understand when it might be time to take action. Alongside awareness, I always come back to the basics of prevention. Sleep, nutrition, movement, and stress management all play a role in mental well-being. These aren’t complicated ideas, but they’re often the first things to slip when life gets busy or overwhelming. Simple practices, such as getting regular rest, eating balanced meals, incorporating physical activity, or taking time for mindfulness, can make a meaningful difference over time. I know that maintaining these habits isn’t always easy, depending on where someone is in life, but even small, consistent efforts can help. For me, getting outside is one of the most effective ways to reset. Walking, breathing fresh air, and spending time in natural light have a grounding effect that’s hard to replicate indoors. Movement, in general, supports both physical and mental health, and it doesn’t have to be intense or structured to be beneficial. Even something as simple as a daily walk can serve as a valuable form of prevention and maintenance. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an opportunity to bring these topics into the open, reduce stigma, and remind ourselves that mental health is just as important as physical health. The more we talk about it, normalize it, and support one another, the more likely people are to feel comfortable seeking help when they need it.
An early morning walk is my favorite prevention tool.
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and making meaningful changes. It also helps to have a practical
understanding of what to look for. Everyone has difficult days; that’s part of life. But when those days start to stack up or begin to
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The Gentle Art of Letting Go
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s often means navigating moments where their reality doesn’t match yours. They may ask about someone who passed away years ago or insist on something that isn’t true. In those moments, your instinct might be to correct them, but that approach usually does more harm than good. The key shift is recognizing that it’s more about feelings than facts. What matters most is how your response makes them feel, not whether it’s objectively accurate. Why You Shouldn’t Correct or Confront It can feel uncomfortable, or even wrong, not to tell the truth. But correcting someone
That’s why it’s importa or correct the Alzheim if something is clearly benefit in forcing reali focus on maintaining emotional safety. The Art of Redirectio One of the most effec redirection. If a conve distress, gently guide Change the subject, s shift their attention to For example, if they a who isn’t there, you m and then pivot: “They
A Bark in the Darkness
with dementia can lead to confusion, frustration, or emotional distress. If a person asks about a loved one who has passed away, reminding them of that loss can feel like they’re hearing the bad news for the first time all over again.
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Anyone who has a dog knows the warmth and comfort they can bring. And, sometimes, that care can be life-saving. When 82-year-old Karen Joyce Davis got lost in the Oregon woods, it was up to her devoted dog, Cami, to keep her safe and warm. The loyal Australian cattle dog never left her side on that cold night and helped rescuers locate her. Karen went missing on Dec. 29 after she was seen taking a walk with her dog and never returned home. With the cold weather, search- and-rescue volunteers sprang into action to find her. The pair had managed to get lost in the rough terrain past the end of a forested road. Volunteers were told Karen had dementia, and Cami was known to stick by her in case she fell. One volunteer said she called out Cami’s name and heard a bark in the darkness, leading them right to the woman. “Without Cami, we likely would not have found her, and so the dog really did save her life,” the volunteer said. “The temperature was near freezing, and I don’t know if she would have made it overnight.” Rescuers treated Karen for hypothermia on site, and though she was very cold, she was alive and safe. Even as volunteers prepared to transport Karen to the hospital, Cami continued to rest her head on her owner, providing extra support. The dog even showed her thanks by licking rescuers and getting some well-deserved pets. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office posted on social media, thanking area residents and the team for their help in the search. The canine hero also got a special shout-out, thanking her for “being such a good dog.” In the end, Karen’s safe return was thanks to a little dog whose loyalty never wavered. Cami proves that sometimes the most important lifeline during an emergency is the warmth and comfort of a four-legged friend. How a Devoted Dog Saved Her Owner in the Oregon Woods
Puzzle Time!
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of ‘Truth’ in Dementia Care
SHE WENT 30 FEET OFF PATH And Reminded Me What Really Matters
ant not to confront mer’s patient. Even y untrue, there’s no ity onto them. Instead, a sense of calm and on ctive strategies is ersation is creating e it somewhere else. suggest an activity, or something comforting. ask about someone might respond briefly y’re doing well. Hey, nt to sit down and e tea?” This keeps ction light and avoids sary emotional strain. rstanding rapeutic Fibbing’ ncept in dementia care feel strange at first. peutic fibbing means
going along with their version of reality when it helps prevent distress. For instance, if they ask about someone who passed away, it’s okay to say they’re “doing fine,” rather than correcting them. Many people feel uneasy about this approach because it can seem dishonest, but reframing it helps: You’re not lying for your benefit. Instead, you’re responding in a way that supports their emotional well-being. It’s About Them, Not You This is perhaps the hardest but most important mindset shift. These interactions aren’t about your comfort; they’re about theirs. Even if a response feels unnatural or uncomfortable to you, what matters most is how it affects the person living with dementia. When you lead with empathy instead of accuracy, you create a space where they feel safe, understood, and cared for, and in the end, that’s far more meaningful than being right.
What if the secret to feeling better wasn’t another productivity hack, but something much simpler … like laughter? World Laughter Day, celebrated on May 3, is a reminder that joy doesn’t have to be complicated or earned. Sometimes, it just shows up in the most unexpected places, like my extremely stubborn donkey, Betty. People sometimes ask, “What’s her purpose?” And I always come back to the same answer. She makes me laugh! It’s always pure, unexpected humor in my day that always helps to brighten things up. The other day, I was in a hurry and trying to get things done, and Betty decided that was the perfect moment to go about 30 feet out of her way just to find a slightly better patch of dirt to roll in. I was calling her, trying to move things along, and she acted completely unbothered. She had her plan, and clearly, my timeline wasn’t part of it. Eventually, she made her way toward the barn, but even that was on her terms. She took the longest route possible, like she was deliberately stretching the moment out. Then, of course, she rolled, fully committed, and somehow managed to roll right out of her halter, which she does from time to time. For a second, I braced myself. Because sometimes, that’s her cue to take off and make a run for it. But not this time. This time, she just stood there and looked at me. Completely still. Like, “Well? Now what?” And I couldn’t help it; I just laughed. These moments that give me those chuckles stick with me. They remind me that not everything has to be so serious or rushed. I spend hours trying to stay on schedule, be efficient, and keep things moving, and then Betty shows up with her hilarious detours and her dirt patches, and suddenly none of that feels quite as important. Laughter is magic. It has this way of making a difference in your day by shifting your mood almost instantly. For me, it takes the edge off, lightens the day, and gives me a little reset. Plenty of science backs that up, but I don’t even need the research because I feel it in those moments. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that joy doesn’t wait for permission. Sometimes, it just wanders 30 feet off the path, rolls in the dirt, and dares you to smile.
Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions
Ingredients
• Salt and
Steak • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 1 tbsp oyster sauce • 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1 tsp sesame oil
pepper, to taste • Steamed rice or noodles Sauce • 2 tbsp soy sauce • 2 tbsp hoisin sauce • 2 tbsp rice vinegar • 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 lb beef strips (sirloin or rib eye) • 3 tbsp vegetable oil, separated • 1 large onion, sliced
Directions
1. In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, oyster sauce, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. 2. Toss beef strips in marinade; let sit 10–15 minutes. 3. In a skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then add sliced onions. 4. Sauté until soft, slightly caramelized; season with salt and pepper, remove from pan, and set aside. 5. In the same skillet, heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil over high heat. 6. Add marinated beef strips; stir-fry for 2–3 minutes until browned. 7. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and cornstarch.
8. Pour sauce over beef and simmer until thickened. 9. Add sautéed onions back into pan; stir to combine. 10.Serve hot over steamed rice or noodles.
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Inside 1 The Silent Weight of Unaddressed Mental Health 2 Comfort, Warmth, and Courage Choosing Empathy Over Accuracy in Alzheimer’s Care 3 My Donkey’s Dirt Bath Was Exactly What I Needed Sizzling Chinese Pepper Steak With Onions 4 Measured Mindsets for the Months Ahead
5 DAYS THAT COUNT A Compassionate Course Correction
Remember all the New Year’s resolutions you didn’t keep? With the mid-year point of 2026 somehow only a few weeks away, it’s common to look back at all the enthusiasm we brought into January and feel a sense of disappointment. If you think you’ve missed the mark so far this year, here are five days to put on your monthly calendar going forward to help refresh your joy. A Day to Reset When was the last time you gave yourself an entire day of no chores, no errands, and no demands to fulfill? If it’s been longer than you can remember, try to schedule one day to do absolutely nothing except things that rest your mind and body. A Day to Nurture Relationships Without positive connections with others, we risk losing our sense of self. Schedule a day to connect
with friends and loved ones, ideally in a fun or pleasant setting that will help everyone accentuate the positive. A Day to Self-Refine
Self-care is essential. Whether it’s a long walk, a nice massage, or a trip to the gym, use this day to do things that help you feel better physically and mentally. A Day to Reimagine What inspires you? Have you dreamt of writing
the next great American novel or taking up painting? Schedule a day to explore any interests you’ve been thinking about. A Day to Refocus
Did you miss hitting your goals last month? Whether you’re concerned about budget balancing or body reshaping, setting aside a day to take stock of your successes and shortcomings will help you sharpen your approach as you head into next month.
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