IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH *

* Courtesy of Better Health, Fall 2021

"Here are some things to do to help you with your mental health well-being."

* If something (or someone) is weighing on your mind, write about it. Researchers found that those with anxiety who wrote about what's on their mind three days a week over a 12-week period had increased feelings of well-being & fewer depression symptoms after one month. One reason I blog.

* Read a book. Getting lost in a book can lower levels of cortisol & other unhealthy stress hormones by 68%. One reason I'm a fanatical reader.

* Do something for someone else. Pay for the food for the car behind you in the drive-through. Take a meal to a family going through a crisis. Acts of kindness can lift the spirits of those you help boosts your well-being in the process.

* Take some time to laugh. Watch a comedy movie. Listen to a humorous podcast while driving. Check out funny videos or comedians online. Laughter is good for the heart & increases blood flow by 20%. Check out Dry Bar Comedy. It features "clean" comedians.

ROAD TRIP REDUX

On SAT we got back from a week visiting Nathan, Laura, Calvin & Claire. We were really taken with Claire's charm. [She is 19 months old.] When Laura got her up in the morning or Nathan got her up from her nap, she was prone to say, "Papa Get Up?" We got to watch Calvin's first 2 soccer practices, which brought back generally good memories of Nathan's soccer practices & games when he was a little tyke. Another highlight was accompanying Nathan & the kids to the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley. Hopefully they'll be able to join us with the rest of our kids & grandkids at Thanksgiving.

WHAT I'M READING

I finished reading "The 2ned Book of General Ignorance:  Everything You Think You Know Is Still Wrong," by John Mitchinson. Now I'm reading "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader Extraordinary Book of Facts," by Bathroom Readers' Hysterical Society. You might say I'm into light reading these days.

DEPT. OF SHAMELESS JOKE-STEALING *

Courtesy of Reader's Digest, July/Aug 2021

"What would be your main strength?" "Well, I can communicate with animals." "Wow, impressive. Any weaknesses?" "They can't understand me."

TRENDING

"Brainpower better with age? Some mental abilities IMPROVE after 50." Drudge Report

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"Humorless politics a sad sign of our times." Drudge

"No discussion of gender ideology can ignore the ongoing movement to eradicate girls' & women's sports & protective spaces. Many or most of the people pushing this are not transgender themselves. But they are activists, they are energized, & they seem to be winning. This movement promotes dangerous bills like the Equality Act . . . " Abigail Shrier, Imprimus:  A Publicatio of Hillsdale College

MILLENIALS

"BURN OUT:  Millennials dumping jobs to plot new careers." Drudge

THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE CALIFORNIA

"Gavin Newsom tells Californians to stay home safe on recall election day." Babylon Bee