WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
I’ve never been much of a bird watcher, but since the current pandemic, and the “Stay at Home” order, we have become quite interested in observing some of the birds that frequent the area. Some friends turned us on to Orioles. I’m not referring to baseball’s Baltimore Orioles, but rather the birds who are noted for their bright orange coloring. We recently put up the bright orange Oriole feeder, placed some grape jelly in a small dish, and topped it all off by placing half an orange on a nail, with hopes of attracting a few Orioles. Within five minutes, we had a couple of Orioles nibling on the grape jelly. Birds are fascinating to watch and this activity helps us get through this isolated time. By observing the birds’ activity, we are also keeping the proper distance socially. If there is a downside to this, it would be that we now buy the larger jar of grape jelly.
Feeling blue?
Get a massage.
Cuddle (pets count).
Hold hands with a loved one.
Give or get a back rub.
Give or get a foot massage.
With everyone supposedly staying at home during the Covid pandemic, there really isn’t that much else to do besides eat and sleep. The “Honey-Do” lists should be almost non-existent, so have something to eat, then take a nap. Doing this can present a few problems we wouldn’t have under normal circumstances. Here are some facts worth knowing as far as naps are concerned:
What is a good “Catnap”? A good catnap should last thirty minutes or less. This amount of time can lift your mood and make you more alert. If you doze much longer, you might wake up in the middle of a deep sleep, which can leave you with a groggy feeling that is hard to shake off.
Are naps a smart way to make up for sleepless nights? This depends on a couple of things. A nap the next day can help ease some of the effects of a night with little shut-eye. One shouldn’t depend on them as a regular way to get enough sleep. A midday snooze is not a good long-term solution for people with insomnia, or other sleep problems.
The hours between 1 and 3 PM are considered a good “rapture zone”. If you try to rest too soon after you wake up in the morning, your body probably won’t be ready to fall asleep again. If you nap too late in the day, you could mess up your nighttime rest. A nap soon after lunch is good because this is when your blood sugar and energy naturally slump.
“Integrity is choosing your thoughts and actions based on values rather than personal gain.”
If you have trouble sleeping, perhaps it’s something you ate. Here are some foods that might help you sleep better:
COMPLEX CARBS: Oatmeal and whole wheat crackers are just a couple examples.
FOODS WITH MELATONIN: Nuts, tomatoes, raspberries, and tart cherries.
LEAN PROTEIN: Milk and cottage cheese are good examples.
There are also foods that will hurt your sleep. Caffeine can be found in coffee, of course, but can also be found in many soft drinks. Heartburn can definitely hurt your sleep, so you might want to watch your intake of fatty foods, alcohol and spicy food. As my doctor recommends, all things are okay in moderation.
“Do not get upset with people or situations. Both are powerless without your reaction.”
See you Out and About!
Submitted by Norm Stutesman
