With Love, Alexa

Be Forever Strong

10 Ways to Take Care of Yourself, While in Quarantine

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It’s always important to take care of yourself, but especially during times like this. We as humans are naturally social people and when we are stuck without much going on it can be frustrating.

As someone who suffers from an invisible illness and has been through this before I have learned new ways to take care of myself. You can learn more about my story here

Times like this is where the internet and technology can be a blessing. I love being able to chat with my friends face to face through the computer and to have happy hours with the people I love.

I have created a list of different ways to take care of yourself during this time. You can also find out resources for your flare-up kit here.

1. Dance it Out

I learned that this technique really can help you go from sad and depressed to happy and relaxed from Grey’s Anatomy. Music can be good for the soul and it doesn’t hurt when you crack yourself up while doing it.

I recently danced it out with my mom and I hadn’t felt that good in quite a while.

2. Create Videos

I have recently started to create daily motivational videos to help bring some positivity into the world. You don’t only have to create motivational ones sometimes it can be pure entertainment. I have created mine for public consumption, but yours can be just for you and loved ones.

Maybe you aren’t a fan of being in front of the camera, but you can also watch other’s videos that can still give you the same affect.

3. Read

As most of you know I LOVE to read. I could read for hours on end and never get bored. This can be a great distraction especially if you need to get out of your own head for a while.

My favorite genre is romance because I have always been a sucker for a good love story. If you are currently in search of a new read check out my series called The With Love, Series (yes I may be a bit biased, but I can’t help it ;)).

4. Play Games

It’s also fun to unplug from technology and spend time with loved ones playing board games such as Sorry, monopoly, cards etc.

It brings me back to the good ole days when I was little and always played with friends.

5. Reconnect With Old Friends

This is the time to put away the negativity and reach out to that person you’ve been wanting too. Maybe you and a friend drifted apart? This could be the perfect time to reconnect.

My Staying Forever Strong series has really helped me to connect with people I haven’t talked to in a while. It’s been really touching to hear everyone’s stories.

6. De-Clutter

De-cluttering can be anything from cleaning up the things in your life to getting rid of the negativity in your life.

A few months ago I felt so claustrophobic in my room. It felt like everywhere I turned there was something right by me. It took me two days to go through my room from top to bottom. It was the best feeling in the world and so gratifying.

7. Journal

Now is a great time to dig deep inside and journal about how you are feeling. It can be a great time to learn about yourself and how you handle situations.

Sometimes it can help you figure out what stresses you out and how to best help yourself. If you feel stuck you can always look up prompts on Pinterest, or on google to help get you started.

8. Virtual Happy Hour

It’s 5’oclock somewhere! Grab your favorite drink, and hop on zoom or facetime with your girlfriends or family.

9. Learn a New Activity

It’s important to always continue to learn no matter how old you are.

Maybe you have been wanting to knit, or maybe you wanted to take up graphic design?

There is so many websites such as Udemy, LinkedIn learning, teachable etc. I have wanted to teach myself how to create YouTube videos and Pinterest. I have taken some great classes and learned a lot.

10. Keep Up a Routine

I for sure have had to work on this one. When there isn’t anything going on it can be hard to get up, get dressed and feel productive. I have started trying my best to do it every day and I have been for the most part succeeding and feeling great.

Life is always crazy and it’s so important to do whatever you can to take care of yourself and the people around you.

With Love, Alexa

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Traveling in Pain

With everything we do in life there is the good, the bad and the ugly.

Traveling for most people is pretty standard. We pack, go to the airport, check our luggage in, go through security, walk around and wait to get on the plane.

That is just the first part.

Then we sit on the plane from anywhere from 45 minutes to hours on end and once in a while we have stop overs.

Then we get off the plane, pray our suitcase isn’t lost and go to wherever we are going to be staying. Don’t forget we have to do it all over again at the end of our trip.

Sounds pretty exhausting for anyone, right?

Right, but just think about having to do all of this while in massive amounts of pain. Just sitting on a plane for a few hours or driving an hour I’m ready to rip my body parts out of place.

I recently went on a cruise for a week and I learned a little more about the good, the bad and the ugly of traveling in pain.

The Good: Getting to Get Out Of Town

My favorite part of going on vacation is usually just being able to get away from everyday life. Hopefully it’s some place warm and the sun is shining.

The cruise for me was a much needed getaway with doing nothing, but relaxing by the pool, reading and just having fun. We didnt have a worry in the world and because I was able to relax I noticed my pain wasn’t always off the charts.

Being able to get away is always the best thing for anyone because can you imagine staying in the status quo constantly 24/7. Everyone needs some TLC and sunshine.

The good is relaxing by the beach and doing what makes you happy

The Bad: The Travel Days, The Lifting Heavy Luggage

With the good there always comes the bad. As much fun as getting away to relax is, it can be equally exhausting. Travel days are the worst for me because I hate the sitting around, worrying about everything going smoothly, eating the crappy airplane food and all of the heavy lifting we have to do.

Travel days when we are going somewhere aren’t as bad because you at least get to look forward to relaxing. When traveling home most times it is worse because you know you are going back to everyday life.

After these times I typically need a day or two of recovery, which can put you back even more.

Unfourtunately if you love to travel you will have no choice, but to endure the bad with the good.

With the good comes the bad. This picture was after the plane ride on our way to Florida

The Ugly: Going From One Temperature to Another

We have talked about the good with traveling and the bad. Now we are going to talk about the ugly. The worst part for me is when I am going from two different climates.

The cruise was warm and sunny. I had to come back to the cold and gloomy. The minute I was back in the cold my body started acting up. It took everything I had in me not to turn right back around.

The most important lesson I have learned with my pain and traveling is to go in the same weather so there isn’t such a drastic change. Even though I like to get away in the cold it ends up doing more harm than good.

I like going in May or June as it is warm out here in Michigan and wherever I am going in the Carribean or pretty much all over the US. Not only is it better for my pain, but my mental state as well.

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