New Study Shows Simple Ways to Safeguard Your Hope CULTIVATE JOY
Just because it’s May doesn’t mean everyone’s life is sunshine and lollipops. I’ve helped enough grieving, wounded, and worried families in all seasons of the year to know that suffering doesn’t hold off for spring. If you’re in a season of anguish or struggle, remember our state motto: “While I breathe, I hope.” It’s a powerful notion. A recent study shows you can train yourself to do just that, with some exciting results. The best part is that you don’t need misfortune to use these skills. You can start reaping their benefits right now. On May 5, National Public Radio reported about the study, which is published in the current issue of Health Psychology. It involved the impact of a five-week course teaching how to have a positive attitude. In a true test of the course’s effectiveness, all participants held an intensely stressful, emotionally painful job: the caretaking of a loved one with dementia.
After the course, depression scores fell by 16 percent and anxiety scores by 14 percent.
5. Set a daily goal and track your progress. Research shows that progressing toward a goal generates positive emotions. Here’s great news: Don’t aim too high! You need to be able to perceive progress. 6. Create a new habit of “positive reappraisal.” Identify an event or daily activity that’s a pain. Reframe the event more positively. If you’re stuck in traffic, enjoy the time to yourself. 7. Do a daily act of kindness. It can be as simple as giving someone a smile, but make it meaningful to you. Research shows we feel better when we’re kind to others. 8. Practice mindfulness by being involved in the present moment. You can use a 10-minute exercise that focuses on breathing to help calm the mind. If you’re looking for help with this, try Headspace.com. You can sign up for free meditations. It’s not weird, and it can really help. Whatever season of life you’re in, I hope this helps you find joy and nourish it. –Rob Usry 864.582.0416
So yes, you can teach yourself to be positive, even in the midst of trauma or tragedy. And being positive makes you less anxious and depressed. But, there’s a catch.
You’ve got to work at it.
Luckily, it’s not time-consuming or hard to do. Also, it does not require ignoring or downplaying the reality of harsh circumstances. Instead, the teaching offers positivity alongside the struggle, with the aim of lifting your spirits. Here’s the skinny on the study’s eight-step “buffet of skills” that produce joy.
1. Every day, take a moment to identify one positive event.
2. Tell someone about the moment or share it on social media. This can help you savor it a little longer.
3. Start a daily gratitude journal. Search for little things you’re grateful for. Nothing’s too small. Springtime weather’s definitely one!
4. Identify a personal strength and reflect on how you’ve used it recently.
ENJOY YOUR FAMILY TIME By Taking a Break From Your Phone
email, and calendar apps, on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day.
STAY FOCUSED Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. FOREST In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator? BESIDES APPS Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay.
Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions. SIEMPO After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, Testimonial
Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions.
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Pool Behavior Tips for Kids AND Their Parents
A SUMMER GUIDE TO SPLASHING SAFELY
Everyone wants their child to enjoy summer to the fullest. After a year of hard work in the classroom, young folks deserve the opportunity to cut loose, forget about homework, and have some fun. It’s hard to think of anything that fits the bill better than hopping in the pool for a swim on a hot day. Parents, though, want to ensure their child will not end up contributing to a tragic statistic. According to the National Safety Council, there are roughly 10 drowning deaths per day in America, and even more in the summer. The best way to avoid an aquatic mishap is to practice the following safety tips. BUILD CONFIDENCE WITH LESSONS You would never let your child get behind the wheel of a car and drive off on their own without hours of practice beforehand, but many people do the
equivalent with swimming. All children should have instruction before swimming on their own, whether or not they wear flotation aids. Understand, however, that lessons do not “drownproof” your child. Sadly, nothing can do that. AVOID POOLSIDE TOMFOOLERY Having fun in and around the water can’t come at the expense of safety. Make sure your children know to never submerge or dunk another swimmer. They should also avoid running around the outside of a pool because a slick surface can lead to a fall, concussion, or worse. BE AN ATTENTIVE PARENT The time to check your emails or enjoy a poolside cocktail is not when your child is swimming. Even if there is a lifeguard on duty, it’s up to you to keep a vigilant eye on your little ones. In the event that you do lose track of them, always check the water first. And never, ever leave the pool area without your child. WEAR SUNSCREEN Obviously, the use of sunscreen has no impact on preventing a drowning. What it does prevent is a nasty burn that will keep you out of the sun for days, something no child wants during the summer.
Good News
Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 15:13
BLT DOGS
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Psalm 31:24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Is a hot dog a sandwich or not? We’re not here to weigh in on the ever- contentious debate, but when you combine a hot dog with a BLT, it definitely becomes more sandwich-like — and way more delicious.
Ingredients
Directions
1. Heat a skillet to medium and fry bacon until rendered and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. 2. Fry hot dogs in bacon drippings, creating a crust, and cook until warmed through. 3. Using a dry skillet or oven, toast buns. 4. Spread mayonnaise on buns, place hot dog and bacon inside, and top with tomatoes and lettuce. Serve.
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4 strips bacon
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4 hot dogs (ideally Boar’s Head Beef Frankfurters, but any all- beef variety will do)
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4 hot dog buns
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1 tbsp mayonnaise
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1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
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1 large tomato, seeded and diced
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Salt and pepper, to taste
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
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* This newsletter is intended to educate the public about personal injury, workers’ compensation, criminal defense, and family law issues. You can copy and distribute it as long as you copy the entire newsletter. But the newsletter is not intended to be legal advice; you should ask a lawyer about your specific case. Every case is different, and all case outcomes depend on unique facts and laws.
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INSIDE this issue
1
How to Cultivate Joy
2
Take a Break From Your Smartphone
Testimonial
3
Pool Safety 101
BLT Dogs
4
Dogs in Ancient Legend
If you no longer want to receive this newsletter, call Pam at 864.582.0416 or email rob@bhollandlawfirm.com .
GOOD BOYS OF ANTIQUITY DOGS IN ANCIENT LEGEND
Far before humans had written histories, we had dogs. From hunting and shepherding to playing and relaxing, our early ancestors had canine companions by their side, and their appreciation shows. As storytelling developed around the world, our four-legged friends became important characters. Here are a few ancient legends for the historical dog lover. TARASCAN SPIRIT DOGS Many Mesoamerican cultures featured dogs prominently in their myths and legends, especially in regard to the afterlife. One of the most notable of these comes from the Tarascan state, an empire that rivaled the Aztecs. The Tarascans believed canine spirits would search out the souls of lost humans and guide them safely out of the mortal world. Leave it to dogs to create ghost stories with happy endings. TUIREN THE WOLFHOUND In Irish folklore, Tuiren was a beautiful woman to be wed to Iollan Eachtach, but this love made Iollan’s faery sweetheart jealous. In an attempt to ruin the young woman’s wedding, the faery turns Tuiren into a hound and gives her to Fergus Fionnliath, a renowned dog-hater. This cruel act backfires when the Irish wolfhound wins over Fergus, teaching him to love not just her but all dogs too. In fact, the man is crestfallen when his hound is revealed to be a human. Tuiren’s nephew, the hero Fionn, cheers Fergus up with a new puppy!
YUDHISHTHIRA’S STRAY The Indian epic “Mahabharata” is thought to date back to the eighth or ninth century B.C. and tells the story of two warring families. Toward the end of the tale, prince Yudhishthira and his family begin to ascend the Himalayas to reach heaven, and a stray dog joins them on their journey. One by one, Yudhishthira’s companions fall, until only the prince and his furry friend remain. When the god Indra finally appears to offer Yudhishthira passage into heaven, he brings bad news: The dog cannot come with him. But Yudhishthira refuses to abandon his dog, explaining that he could never leave such a loyal, steadfast companion. Anyone who’s turned down a great apartment offer because they don’t allow pets can relate.
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