Stephanie Hollman’s Tie Dye Sweater on Instagram

Real Housewives of Dallas Instagram Fashion 2020

In today’s installment of quarantine tie dye fash-un, we’ve got Real Housewives of Dallas’ Stephanie Hollman jumping on the bandwagon with her super cute blue and white tie dye sweater on Instagram (according to the caption she’s being entertained on the phone here by Brandi Redmond lol). Which thankfully she did not make herself and is available to shop right now for only $62 — so there’s really no need to be jealous like we very much are of her quarantine living situation. 

Fashionably,

Faryn

Click Here to Shop Her Superdown Sweater

Photo & Info: @StephHollman

Originally posted at: Stephanie Hollman’s Tie Dye Sweater

As far as I’m concerned, therapy should be free for anyone and everyone. It’s been years since I started weekly sessions and having that outlet has done wonders for my overall mental health. Still, I have enough common sense to know that it isn’t a miracle cure for completely avoiding bad days. Those definitely still happen. Everyone has their own way of coping with stress, but I’ve found that the little mood-boosters add up and matter just as much. For me, that includes the best essential oil for whenever my anxiety is on 100.

No, it doesn’t instantly kill panic attacks or get rid of anxiety completely, but essential oils remind me to simply breathe in and out when I’ve lost my focus. Sometimes I take a whiff straight from a teeny bottle and sometimes I slip a couple drops in the diffuser. Either way, it helps me to calm TF down when the going gets tough or when I simply want the house to smell good. To be honest, there aren’t many essential oil smells I don’t like, but a few are specifically touted as stress relievers.

Saje.

Whenever friends inquire about the best scents to try, I almost always direct them to my personal favorite Saje who not only makes high-quality essential oils but killer blends that I’ve grown to love too. The website is also a treasure trove of essential oil facts, including recommendations for getting yourself into a relaxing or meditative state; lavender, frankincense and sandalwood included. But of course, there are plenty of others too. Keep scrolling for the quick 411 on each.

Gya Labs.

Gya Labs Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oil options for fostering feelings of calm and relaxation. Personally, I love that it’s obviously floral, but not so floral that it feels as though your nostrils are being assaulted.

Buy: Gya Labs Lavender Essential Oil $7.49

Alphrodith.

Alphrodith Sandalwood Essential Oil

Sandalwood is a heavier scent that’s somewhere between floral and woodsy. Though it’s typically used as a base note in fragrances, its warm and powdery ambiance is the equivalent of a big, warm blanket.

Buy: Alphrodith Sandalwood Essential Oil $7.99

Saje.

Saje Frankincense Essential Oil

According to Saje, frankincense is a top pick for meditation practices as it is thought “to bring deep peace and balance and to bring clarity to the mind as you explore a meditative state and deeper spiritual understanding.” Personally, I love that this woody scent has a very subtle sweetness to sort of balance things out without taking away from its earthiness.

Pure Gold.

Pure Gold Clary Sage Essential Oil

Clary sage is an arguably controversial scent that people either love or hate (at least, according to my experience). Think “the earthy version of lavender.” And though I can’t confirm it, it’s been said that clary sage can help with period cramps as well.

Buy: Pure Gold Clary Sage Essential Oil $7.99

Radha Beauty.

Radha Beauty Peppermint Essential Oil

On the other hand, if you prefer a scent that will put some pep in your step, peppermint is not only soothing to sore muscles, but a quick and easy way to awaken the senses when you need a mood boost too.

Buy: Radha Beauty Peppermint Essential Oil $6.95

Bloomy Essentials.

Bloomy Essentials Lemongrass Essential Oil

Not only is lemongrass essential oil a great source of antibacterial properties; it lends a purifying-like smell to the air when it’s too cold to open the windows.

Buy: Bloomy Essentials Lemongrass Essential Oil $7.95

WOW.

WOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oil smells like the toned-down version of a Christmas pine tree with a hint of honey. A couple of drops in bath water or along the shower floor will make you want to stay in longer.

Buy: WOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil $9.95

WOW.

WOW Ylang-Ylang Essential Oil

If you’ve ever taken a whiff of Chanel No. 5, the fruity floral scent of ylang-ylang shouldn’t be new to you. The invigorating smell will remind you of a tropical vacation…and may actually convince you to book one.

Buy: WOW Ylang Ylang Essential Oil $9.95

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Our son, Joel, turned 40 last fall. He is engaged to the
love of his life, Sarah. They have big plans for a wedding and for setting up
house together. When that will happen is undetermined, but they are undeterred
in their love for each other and their hope in the future.

Living in the World of Pandemic

When the order to “Shelter in Place” came to our state, Joel
was living with us in the home we have in town. He works at the YMCA, riding
the bus or catching a ride with a co-worker.

His friend, Matt, stopped in some and they played a lot of
PS4. Occasionally, they’d go out to grab some wings or a smoothie. He was
active in Special Olympics bowling and power lifting and he bowled in a league
with three of his friends.

Then the YMCA closed. Restaurants closed. Life closed in. All
programs were suspended. As we understood more of the danger of exposure in
public, we decided to rein Joel’s independence in a bit.

Joel went to his sister’s at first. He could entertain his
nephews and help around the house. They took long walks, worked on kindergarten
homework, and played more PS4.

Until… the concern for exposure from our son-in-law’s daily in
and out made us rethink our approach to keeping Joel healthy. He has never had
any heart problems and appears to be healthy as a horse, but still…

Self-Isolation Indeed

So… Joel is now at our River Home with us, along with our
pregnant Leader Dog for the Blind black Lab, Spirit. It’s a modest home with
nature all around. No TV. No PS4. No Taco Bell or Mountain Dew to be seen for
miles. Joel likes to come out here, but to stay for an extended length of time
was not his first choice.

One thing I know about Joel is that he is resilient. I have
seen him rise to the occasion many, many times over his 40-plus years.

While others in the family are concerned he will be bored
out in the woods with us, Joel has not complained once. In fact, he shows every
evidence of thriving. His ability and willingness to adapt is inspiring.

Joel’s been here at the River Home with us for 5 days now. I
have not heard one word of complaint. No deep sighs. No wishing he were
somewhere else.

Here is what I see Joel doing to stay positive and
energized.

Rely on What’s Available

Joel focuses on what is available, not on what he is missing.
No pop? Bubbly water will do. TV missing? A nightly movie on the laptop is
satisfactory.

Only the clothes he brought? The washing machine is right
here. No PS4? A daily game or two of Jeopardy or answering some trivia
questions in front of the fireplace is enough.

Keep Focus on the Present

Joel asks questions when he wonders something, but he
doesn’t worry about what is coming next. How long will this last? When can I go
back to work? I know I need to wash my hands. How is (our friend who is sick)
doing?

He is honoring and tolerating the need to be separate as a
means to an end (not to be sick). He is not stressing himself with things
beyond his control.

Counter Boredom with Cheerful Activities

When he is bored, Joel takes a walk. He has found a familiar
path that is down a country road and he goes there 2–3
times a day. He says being in the fresh air is good and helps him be more
cheerful.

Be Creative with Your Meals

In his current scenario, there are limits to his culinary
options. (We are pretty health conscious.) He is willing to eat new things,
though. Egg drop soup, homemade gluten-free bread, seafood gluten-free pasta.

Each meal is an adventure to Joel. Tonight, he is requesting
and helping with wild rice and mushrooms with baked chicken.

Keep in Touch with Your Friends

Of course, Sarah, his fiancée, is a daily connection – at least once! But co-workers at the YMCA, church friends,
people he hasn’t’ seen in years, he is reaching out to his friends. He is
finding them on Facebook and checking in.

The other day, he was chatting with an old friend who now
lives in Thailand. Also, his childhood friend who moved to Kansas and who has a
new baby just returned his call. Joel wants to know how everyone is doing.

Look Forward to the Next Thing

A movie on Netflix. What’s for dinner? The long walk after
the shorter ones. He is forever looking forward, anticipating the next good
thing.

It’s his attitude that is making the difference for Joel. We’ll
wait it out. There’s nothing to do about it. Stay in and stay well. That’s the
simple plan that Joel has for today and, now, for another month, it seems.

Where are you finding inspiration during the pandemic?
How are you coping with life as it has never been? Please share with our
community!

People are living longer lives thanks to breakthroughs in medical technology, pharmaceuticals, and a general understanding of how the body works. People who don’t smoke and eat healthy tend to live longer than their counterparts who smoke and do not eat a balanced diet.

Still, making healthy lifestyle choices doesn’t
completely negate the side effects of aging. Most of these revolve around
various health issues. Luckily, there are ways to combat them.

Arthritis

Arthritis is one of the top health conditions
affecting people over the age of 65. Severe arthritis can lead to pain and a lower
quality of life for seniors.

Recurring arthritis can make it difficult for you to
complete daily tasks like typing, gardening, or even walking. For many, the
pain ends up discouraging them from being active, which can lead to further
health issues.

The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis.
Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is an immune disorder that leads to chronic
inflammation of the joints, osteoarthritis is caused by daily wear-and-tear of
your joints.

The longer you live, the more you move your body,
which leads to the degeneration of cartilage cushion between your joints. The
most commonly affected areas of the body include the hands, fingers, knees,
hips, and spine. 

While you can’t reverse osteoarthritis, you can manage the symptoms. One of the best ways to do that is by exercising. Yes, it might sound counterintuitive, but strengthening the muscles around your joints can help relieve stiffness.

You don’t have to do HIIT exercises. In fact, most healthcare professionals suggest low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, gentle yoga, and tai chi.

Sciatica Pain

Weakening bones and muscles mean senior citizens are
more prone to developing sciatica, a painful condition where the sciatic nerve
is compressed or inflamed.

The most common cause is disc degeneration, but it can
also be due to scoliosis, osteoporosis, spinal osteoarthritis, and other
bone-weakening conditions. Obesity can also contribute to the condition and
aggravate the issue.

There’s no cure for sciatica, but you can ease the pain and discomfort. One of the best ways to alleviate the pain is by doing some simple stretches and exercises like this one:

You should still consult a doctor and physical
therapist to make sure it’s okay for you to perform these actions. Once you get
the go-ahead, start slow. If you feel any pain, stop and rest.

Heart Disease

Heart disease remains the leading killer of adults over the age of 65. As we age, we become more at risk of developing factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol due to our hardening arteries and veins and weaker hearts and lungs.

Still, that doesn’t mean you have to deal with high
blood pressure or high cholesterol. Even past your 60s, you can still manage
your risk factors. Some of the best ways include:

Stay Active

As you age, your body
can’t pump oxygen to your heart as efficiently as when you were younger. Still,
consistent exercise can help keep your heart healthy. You don’t have to do
anything too intense, especially if you’re just getting started. Something as
simple as walking for 30 minutes can be a great start.

Eat a Balanced Diet

Eating your vegetables,
whole grains, and lean protein not only fuels your body but also helps keep
your heart healthy. Avoid foods high in salt, saturated fats, refined sugars,
and trans-fats. 

Quit Smoking

Nicotine is highly
addictive, and it’s hard to quit a habit, especially if it’s something you’ve been
doing for years. Still, smoking has been shown to increase the risk of heart
attacks and strokes, not to mention lung cancer. If you haven’t stopped yet,
now is the perfect time to kick the habit.

Dementia

Around 48 million people around the world suffer from
dementia with that number expected to triple by 2050. While it’s common for
everyone to have a memory blip from time to time even when you’re young, it can
become much more common as you age.

For some, this can develop into more serious issues
such as Alzheimer’s. Although there’s not a cure for Alzheimer’s, the best cure
is prevention. Keeping your mind sharp can help improve your memory and
potentially stave off the onset of dementia in your later years. Some things
you can do include:

Exercise

Even a 30-minute walk or a gentle yoga class can help preserve both your memory and mental function even as you age. 

Engage Your Brain

Like physical exercise, it’s also important to exercise your brain. And you don’t have to do anything complicated to keep your brain healthy.

In fact, reading books,
playing crossword puzzles, and even playing games can keep your mind sharp. If
you want to go a step further, the best way to keep your brain healthy is to
learn new things. So, try learning a new language and/or skill. Your brain will
thank you.

Even if you haven’t lived your whole life as a health
nut, you can make modifications now that will affect both quality and lifespan.
With that said, if you want to live a happy life in your 70s, 80s, and even
90s, it’s a good idea to start putting some healthy practices into your
lifestyle. It’s never too late to get started with exercise or eating a
well-balanced diet.

What are some ways you deal with health issues as a senior
citizen? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s take the conversation to the
comment section below.

Disclaimer: This
article is not intended to provide medical advice. Please consult with your
doctor to get specific medical advice for your situation.