Solar Powered Wellness

Reposted by Cherise M. Young.

A Self Care & Wanderlust Journal ― Candace Aliké Smith, Founded 2015

The Sunshine Vitamin

Many will attest that there is nothing quite like being outside, head thrown back, with eyes closed as the sun pours over our bodies. Over the past 20 years or so, we have been constantly warned about the ill-effects of too much sun. I now wonder if our heeding those warnings have created other problems. Problems like…

• Joint pain
• Skin irritations and hair loss
• Increased depression and anxiety
• Immune system issues
• Fatigue…

One of the reasons we need sunshine is because we need vitamin D, aka the Sunshine Vitamin. As weird as it seems, we get vitamin D from the sun. The sun turns a chemical in the skin into a form of vitamin D, D³. This then travels to the liver and kidneys and is transformed into what is called active vitamin D. While it is possible to get vitamin D from food, much of what…

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“W” is for Whole, Wonderful Womb

“W” is for Womb My first exposure to the connection between the womb and mood was when my mother was pregnant with my youngest brother. My sister had been born twenty-two months prior. For the first year or so, my sister would easily cry and was only comforted by our mother. She didn’t want to…

Call Me Naomi

If you’re familiar with the biblical story of Ruth, you probably know of the happy ending that involved Ruth and Boaz marrying and becoming a part of the lineage of Jesus Christ. In case you aren’t so acquainted, here are the Cliff Notes, my version that is… There was a woman named Naomi who had…

Sunday Sunrise

Sundays, a time for a reboot A relaunch, a rebirth of sorts Of sorting out what to keep What to leave behind Photo by samane mohammadi on Unsplash The Sun is rising With both Moon and a Star still on the scene Each becoming more distant, The Moon and Star As the Sun moves in…

So, You Take Offense? But How Far Though?

“I’m offended!” “You've offended me!” “That’s offensive!” No matter how we say it, I don’t think it captures what’s really going on. Offense is a personal thing. Some claim it after feeling individually attacked. Others allege its occurrence hoping to retreat from a difficult conversation as they point a finger at someone for saying something…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

A Self Care & Wanderlust Journal ― Candace Aliké Smith, Founded 2015

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Working in the mental health field for over 20 years has given me a front-row seat to many of the struggles those living with a mental health diagnosis endure. Whether clinically diagnosed or not, many contend with societal stigma, problems locating culturally competent providers, or finding affordable services. Often, I’d find myself listening to stories that could only be described as traumatic; leading to a diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, also known as PTSD.

What is PTSD?

The PTSD diagnosis is given to those who’ve endured a life-changing traumatic event. Let’s imagine there is a horrible car accident. For that one event there could be four types of individuals subjected to trauma: the witness, the victim, first responders, and later the therapists who may experience vicarious trauma due to assisting any of the three previously mentioned.

Depending on the individual, PTSD symptoms can be…

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