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Dec10

5 Ways To Overcome Your Fear Of Blood Tests

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5 Ways To Overcome Your Fear Of Blood Tests

Does the thought of having your blood taken make you feel sick? Would you put off a visit to the emergency room if you thought you may need a blood test? Well, you’re not alone, as millions of people suffer from a fear of needles (trypanophobia) or blood (hemophobia). Here are five things you can try to overcome your fear:

Separate your phobias:

When thinking about taking a blood test are you afraid of seeing your own blood, the needle used to draw it, or a combination of the two? Being able to identify what it is you fear can help you to create an action plan to overcome it. For example, if you fear the sight of blood, then you could ask the nurse to erect a screen between you whilst you have your blood taken. Or, if you fear the needle itself, then your phlebotomist may be able to use a smaller needle or draw blood from a part of your body where you feel less fearful.

Educate yourself:

Many people have found themselves able to overcome or at least lessen their phobia by facing them head-on and learning more about them. This enables them to confront their fears rationally and scientifically rather than letting their brains blow them out of proportion. Do some research on phlebotomy (the scientific name for drawing blood) and even consider getting some phlebotomy training to help you understand what is going on when you have your blood taken. By doing this, you will also be exposing yourself to images and descriptions of your phobia which can help to desensitize you to their exposure.

Communicate your fears:

Don’t suffer through your phobia in silence, instead, communicate it to your phlebotomist so that you can work through it together. Because the fear of blood tests is a common occurrence, the chances are that your phlebotomist has some tricks up their sleeve to help make the process less stressful. Tell your phlebotomist of your fear in advance of your session so that they can allow a little more time for your visit and not rush you.

Distract yourself:

Believe it or not, our brains struggle to process too many things at once which makes distraction one of the best ways to get through a blood test that you are fearful of. Try bringing a friend or relative into the room and have them start an engrossing conversation with you. You may also want to try tapping or touching another part of your body whilst the blood test is conducted to distract you from the sensation of your blood being drawn.

Seek phobia counseling:

If your phobia is very severe, then you may wish to seek phobia counseling to help you deal with the anxiety that your phobia will make you feel. During phobia counseling, your counselor may choose to offer you cognitive behavioral therapy, group counseling sessions, self-care treatments, or a combination of all three. These sessions aren’t designed to cure your phobia but can help you to approach and manage it in a rational way.

We all have thing that we fear and, if blood and needles are some of yours, use the tips above during your next visit to the doctor.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec10

3 Tips To Get Your Horse Show Ready

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3 Tips To Get Your Horse Show Ready

 

Showing your horse can be an extremely exciting and fulfilling act. Whether you have shown before or if this is your first time, there are a lot of preparations that you need to make. It is crucial that you don’t wait until the last minute. Here are some tips to ready you and your horse for the next show:

Exercise Your Horse:

Leading up to the show, you will have to practice and train with your horse. Not only does your horse need to be ready for the show, but so do you. Make sure that your animal can tackle all of the different horse show jumps before you arrive on the big day.

Groom Your Horse:

Grooming can serve as a preventative medicine for animals. It increases blood to the surface of the skin and massages the different muscle groups. In addition, when you groom your horse, you are solidifying your bond. It is a great way for you and your animal to be close, leading up to the horse show.

Gather Your Equipment:

You do not want to forget any of your necessary equipment before the show. You should start to prepare to leave two to three days in advance. The longer that you give yourself to prepare, the less likely you are to forget anything. To make sure that you forget nothing, you can also make a list in advance to ensure that you don’t forget your equipment at home.

If you show your horse, then you already know that it can be an exciting experience. If you are new or if you are looking for tips to create a better experience, then these can help prepare you for the next show.

Dec4

Life Update

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Life Update

Howdy! It’s been a while since I’ve gave you an update on all of the new and exciting things in Lil Red’s world so I thought that I would take the time to fill you in. Let’s see, the first big news I can share with you is that I have a new nephew! My brother and his wife had their little boy, Patrick, at the beginning of November and we are all so in love with his darling tiny face and wispy blonde hair. Mom, dad, and baby are happy and healthy and I cannot wait to see them when I go to Georgia hopefully in January.

What else? Well, things with my boyfriend, Johnny, are going swimmingly and we loved spending Thanksgiving together with both of our families. We are both looking forward to the rest of the holiday season and I only have a few more weeks of pestering him to let me tell him what I got as his Christmas gift. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

Work is also going just swell and it was so nice to have three work days and the weekend off for the Thanksgiving holiday. I have been working my little tail off since the car accident so it was a much needed break and I feel so refreshed. But, is it bad that I’m already jonesing for my days off for Christmas? 😀

My niece, Valerie, and her mom and dad are also doing amazing. She is seriously the light of my life and it’s so fun watching her crawl around and hear her say “dada”. She loves to laugh and play with her toys and her two doggie big brothers and cat big sister. I can’t wait for her first Christmas and Christmas in general… did I mention Christmas?!

Despite the medical issues that I filled you in on yesterday, everything else in Lil Red’s world is, thankfully, awesome. I so appreciate all of your well wishes and I hope that all of you have the happiest holiday season!

What are some of your life updates? How do you celebrate for the holidays? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec3

Accident Update

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Accident Update

Hellooo everyone! If you recall, in late September, my boyfriend and I were hit head on by a reckless driver and I was hospitalized. I was pretty banged up and went home with a catheter and a lot of pain. Since then, my shoulder area has never stopped hurting. There’s times when I wake up in the morning and I can’t even apply my makeup because I can’t lift my arm.

I assumed that this pain would go away on its own but, then, things began taking a scary turn when I was at work in mid October. My right arm went completely numb and my hand essentially stopped working. I couldn’t grip anything and was dropping stuff left and right. I immediately scheduled an appointment with an orthopedist and was given a cortisone shot with the hopes that that would help.

Unfortunately, a week later, the symptoms moved into my left arm as well as the right and my arms began feeling fuzzy and so heavy that lifting them was impossible. It just didn’t feel like my arms. I called the orthopedist back with the update and an MRI was scheduled and in the time of waiting for that to happen, the pain moved into my neck and collarbones.

The MRI results showed a lot of swelling in my right shoulder as well as an injury to the cervical spine and my doctor ordered physical therapy. I have to begin trying to strengthen these areas of my body for three weeks and if that doesn’t work, then I’m not really sure what happens next.

This whole situation has been extremely frustrating and inconvenient, to say the least, and I am just completely over it. Especially considering that it has been over two months now since the accident and I’m still experiencing symptoms that are quite scary. But, here’s to hoping that the physical therapy will help!

I have had so many people reaching out to check up on me and I appreciate it so much. Thank you all for the well wishes and I will update everyone once the physical therapy finishes up and I find out what happens next.

What have been your experiences with physical therapy? How do you stay positive during a difficult situation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov27

Holiday Season Guest Bloggers Wanted

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Holiday Season Guest Bloggers Wanted

Hiya! With the holiday season in full swing, now is the perfect time to join lifewithlilred’s family of guest bloggers for some good cheer. If you are interested in sharing any winter or holiday themed posts for my viewers in one hundred and eighty-eight different countries, then please email me at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com

Your guest post could range from anything to photos of your hometown during the winter to your favorite holiday traditions or recipes. Or, how about a New Year’s Eve inspired OOTD or MOTD? I’m not picky! Email me some ideas and we will get you all set to star on lifewithlilred for the day. Looking forward to hearing from all of you! Much love. -Sarah

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Nov24

Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

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Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips

Howdy!! In a mere handful of days it will be my favorite holiday of Thanksgiving because FOOD… and family, of course. 😉 And, with Thanksgiving just around the corner means that Black Friday will be coming in hot on its heels. I, personally, have never gone Black Friday shopping before because I suffered through five years of working on the day during my time in retail.

It’s no surprise that I have no desire to be within twenty feet of a mall on Black Friday. But, Lil Red lives and breathes shopping so allow me to grace you with these pro tips for a successful Black Friday haul:

Be Nice:

Although this has nothing to do with scoring the best deals, it has everything to do with being the best person. Please, please, PLEASE be kind to your retail and restaurant workers on Black Friday and every day. Those who have never worked a Black Friday before honestly have no idea how stressful it is and a rude customer can be enough to completely ruin someone on the biggest shopping day of the year.

Say please and thank you, try not to leave destruction in your wake as you shop, and be mindful of the other shoppers. And, always remember, you literally just spent the day prior celebrating all you have to be thankful for so if you don’t get what you wanted, there’s no need to punch someone in the face about it. Je-sus!

Do Your Research:

Now, having said all of that, the first step to a successful Black Friday is to do some research. It’s a mixed bag of which stores reveal their deals before the day and which don’t, so try investigating by either calling the store or going online. This will help you to decide the best order in which to shop. If there’s a hot deal going on right at midnight for something you have your eye on, then twenty-five percent off at your favorite store can wait.

Often times, stores repeat the deals that they had in year’s past so also bear that in mind when you are making your preparations.

Make A List:

Once you have a general idea of where to go and when, it’s time to make a list of what you would like to purchase. I know I always mention list making – but, damnit, it’s helpful! If you have specific things in mind that you want to buy on Black Friday, you cannot hit the stores willy nilly. It’s important to coordinate your wants with the deals happening so that you can create the best course of action for the order of stores you want to visit.

Time Is Of The Essence:

So you have a plan of what you want, the deals happening, and where you want to go. But, the thing is, so does everyone else. It’s all in the timing when it comes to Black Friday shopping. If you are shopping for specifics, you can’t spend too much time in one store or you might jeopardize getting the other things you want. Get in, grab your item, check out, and head to your next location. Then, once your shopping is complete, feel free to revisit anywhere else you want to spend more time in.

However, if you are going shopping just for the fun of it, take all of the time in the world. But, remember, if you do shop at a leisurely pace, a lot of the stores will be pretty picked over by the time you get there.

Know When To Say When:

Black Friday shopping is awesome for nabbing a big electronic for a song or doing your Christmas shopping. But, don’t be crazy about it. If you find yourself spending way too much money or shoving other people to get to the next place or hot item, then you’ve probably had enough Black Friday. Go home, take a chill pill, and try again on Cyber Monday when you’re not in the general public. 😉

Speaking Of Cyber Monday…

If you’re not keen on the craziness that is Black Friday, Cyber Monday is just days away and you can enjoy the deals from the comfort of your own home. Just remember to do your research prior. This might involve signing up for emails, which could notify you of the deals ahead of time (The same goes for regular Black Friday shopping!).

Get ready, get set, and shop with Lil Red’s Black Friday Shopping Pro Tips!

Have you been Black Friday shopping? Do you have any crazy stories from working or shopping a Black Friday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov21

Cycling Safety Tips Women Should Always Remember

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Cycling Safety Tips Women Should Always Remember

Cycling is an exhilarating activity that many people enjoy. Sadly, it does not seem to be a sport with a lot of women involved. In fact, only 29 percent of cyclists in San Francisco are women. Meanwhile in Barcelona, there’s only a single female cyclist for every three male cyclists.

Women deal with many struggles when cycling, which include violence, discrimination, and harassment. Just as much as people need to be educated against such behaviors, women also need to learn how to protect themselves when cycling – whether it is from rude drivers or from potential road accidents. Enjoy cycling by staying safe. Here are eight safety tips that women can apply when they hit the road:

Gear up:

Cycling requires you to be on the road, which means that you will be exposed to hazards every driver faces. Make sure to wear appropriate attire. Don’t let anything hang loose, as it could get snagged along the way. Wearing a helmet is also an extra protection that will save your life. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen, especially on easily exposed areas like the back of your neck. And upgrade your bike to improve its condition and to ensure your safety.

Be seen:

The more you dress like a peacock, the more you will stand out and get seen on the road. Always wear high-visibility gear when cycling. Choose ones that are not only reflective but also breathable. Bringing along a backpack will cover the majority of your back and block your high-vis outfit. You can opt to invest in a reflective backpack to make you visible from the back.

Keeping the lights on will also help you see the road at night and make you visible at the same time. Bring backup LED lights just in case the main lights go off.

Stay alert:

Always keep your eyes on the road and have a presence of mind when you go cycling. Look out for other drivers, motorists, and fellow cyclists. Even pedestrians walking their cute pets can distract you in one second. And anything can happen in that single second.

Of course, injuries can happen no matter how alert you are. Should you have been injured while cycling from the actions of someone else, you will want to get legal help for your Midland personal injury claim (or your local area) immediately. Be sure to document everything well so you can receive the compensation you deserve.

Be aware of others:

Cyclists are some of the most vulnerable on the roads. Because of this, you need to be extra cautious of others. Yes, do everything in your power to be safe; from wearing a high-vis outfit to following road rules, but be aware of those around you too. If you do end up being injured, you should seek expert assistance. You can read this personal injury guide for more information.

Follow road rules:

If you haven’t biked or driven lately, you may need to get a refresher course on the road rules, especially ones that are applicable to cycling. Most importantly, know the bike safety rules. This will help you prevent the most common cyclist accidents. Being over familiar with safety rules and preventative tips is one of the best ways to protect yourself. However, if an accident does occur specialized accident lawyers are at hand to help defend your case, and bicycle accident reconstruction litigation even exists wherein experts can forensically examine your bicycle to help conclusively determine what happened in the accident.

Be confident:

Cyclists have as much right on the road as motorists. Be confident in your decisions and abilities. To keep safe on the road, let road users know your intention clearly early on. This will help keep traffic flowing. Avoid road accidents by steering clear from vehicle blind spots. Staying close to the side or behind a moving car will not end well for you in case an accident occurs.

Prevent doorings:

Always be on the lookout for possible doorings. You will never know when accidents will occur, so you should take steps to minimize this occurrence. Watch out for parked cars and look ahead at their mirrors for any vehicle occupants. Avoid riding inside the door zone as doors could spring open unexpectedly.

Be safe by bringing along some first-aid supplies, such as an elastic sports tape that will help relieve inflamed muscles. These should come in handy if you ever encounter a dooring or any other accident.

Ride smart:

Whether you are cycling in your local area or cycling across America, your safety is paramount. Before setting off it’s a good idea to study the area you are riding in so there are no sudden surprises. Plan when to ride ahead of time. Early mornings or evenings will let you ride in less traffic and keep you a lot safer. Avoid peak times, especially if you ride anywhere near shopping centers or school zones. If you find yourself riding in such settings, though, be extra careful. Watch out for pedestrians and drivers and always be prepared for anything.

Stay secure:

Keeping yourself safe also means keeping your trusty steed secure. Don’t forget to include a bike lock when you prepare for a ride. This is especially useful when you’re taking a quick stop and have to leave the bike in an unfamiliar area.

Both women and men have the right to participate in cycling. Just like any sport, there are many hazards that surround it. But these shouldn’t stop people from doing the activities they love. Simply follow the rules of the road, apply the right safety tips, and you should enjoy cycling to the fullest.

Featured Image By: Shutterstock

Nov19

This Is How Not To Spend All Of Your Free Time Cleaning!

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This Is How Not To Spend All Of Your Free Time Cleaning!

Busy parents are always looking for ways to minimize tasks in the home, so they have more quality time to spend with the kids. Of course, it is also crucial that jobs such as cleaning aren’t minimized to the point where the home is no longer hygienic or livable for the family that dwells within. Happily, there is a middle way, and it’s to find hacks that allow a thorough cleaning, but don’t take up too much time. A topic you can read more about in the post below:

Vacuum, don’t dust:

The first tip that can help you save time, yet still have a clean home is to cut down the amount of dusting that you do. This is because many traditional forms of dusting just end up moving the particles around your space, rather than getting rid of them.

Instead, why not use the specially designed hose attachments for your vacuum? Something that will not only make getting into those tricky nooks and crannies like the ones in the pantry a lot easier, but will also remove the dust particles from circulation. In fact, if you like, you can add another step to your dust removal system in the form of a HEPA air filter. A device that does a similar job to a vacuum by removing particles from the air, but it can be used all of the time.

Keep floors sparkling:

Floors can undoubtedly take a lot of time and effort to keep clean, only to be trampled all over by the family as they come in and out of the home. Of course, I’m not suggesting that you give up on this task altogether. Far from it, in fact! You just need some methods of cleaning the floors that don’t take up all your spare time.

Luckily, there are several methods to choose from, depending on the types of flooring you have in your home. One, in particular, to be aware of is a robot sweeper. A small round device with brushes that can help to keep your wood, laminate, or tiled floors much cleaner – with no back-breaking work for you at all.

Fear not if you have carpeted floors because, fortunately, there are carpet and rug cleaning specialists out there that can come to your home and offer a same-day service. Something that will leave you free to spend plenty of quality time with the kids while the cleaning is going on.

Clean as you go:

Finally, if you approach cleaning your home as a big job that needs to be completed every week, you can easily spend far too much of the weekend doing it. That is why you should practice the ‘clean as you go’ technique, instead. Something that you can learn more about here, and that will help you regain precious time to spend with your family.

Cleaning as you go is an excellent time saver but accidents do happen and it might be outside of your skill set to give a proper cleaning. This can include a soda stain on a light colored couch, red wine spills that would require help from a rug cleaning specialist, chipping paint, or tearing wallpaper. If you have a major cleaning issue, get assistance as soon as possible because those stains are going to be more difficult to remove once it has time to set.

Cleaning isn’t the most fun part of life but it must be done. Use the hacks above to make cleaning your place easier, quicker, and totally stress free.

Nov14

Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips

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Lil Red’s Holiday Shopping Pro Tips

Helloooo! There are some who holiday shop in the summer, there are those who wait until the last minute, and there might be a group of you who is getting their shopping done now, like myself. No matter what your shopping style, purchasing gifts for your loved ones can be a big task. No one wants to give a dud of a gift and this can be a huge stresser if you have someone on your list who’s difficult to shop for.

Lucky for all of you, Lil Red is an absolute pro at holiday shopping and I’m here to break down some of my favorite tips to make your experience much easier. Check it out:

Listen Up:

When trying to get inspired with gift ideas, I make an extra effort to put my listening ears on. For example, I purchased a gift for my mom this year because she flat out said in conversation that she would like this specific thing. Done. If you’re struggling for ideas, spark up a chat with the person you’re shopping for, because the answer might come a lot easier than you think. Discuss favorite things, favorite previous gifts or experiences, and the like and you should have a firm idea of what to purchase by the end of it.

Make A List:

I know that I put this suggestion in my shopping tips every year but that’s because it’s important. Keeping organized while completing your shopping is key because a jumbled mess just means extra stress. Write down everyone who you need to buy for, list some ideas of what you would like to gift them, and cross them off once the task is complete. This will also help you when you are making your rounds in store and online because it will give you a better idea of where to purchase what and you won’t end up back at the same place a million more times.

There’s No Shame In Gift Cards:

I always used to think that gift cards were a cop out but I have grown quite fond of purchasing them for gift giving occasions. Whether it be a ten dollar Starbucks gift card along with other goodies or treating the giftee to a night out for dinner and a movie – gift cards can go a long way. Gift cards are a great add on or full gift and it makes your shopping experience a lot easier if you are coming up short for ideas.

Give An Experience:

What do you give to the person who has it all? How about an experience! Take your favorite sports nut to a game. What about a spa day for your mom? Or take your favorite body modified blogger to the tattoo shop for the afternoon! Haha, either way, gifting experiences is a sure fire way to please even the most difficult person to shop for and you will both have happy memories to cherish afterwards.

And Remember…

Yes, holiday shopping can be stressful. But, it should be fun too! Being able to treat your loved ones to something special is a beautiful thing. Remember that, and your shopping experience will start feeling a whole lot better.

What are some of your tips and tricks for holiday shopping? Who is done with their shopping already? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

5 Home Improvements To Protect Your Home From Burglars

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5 Home Improvements To Protect Your Home From Burglars

Keeping yourself and your family safe should always be the main goal. Want to keep burglars away from your home? Here are a few improvements that could help to ward off would-be intruders:

Replace old windows and doors:

If your windows and doors are very old, you may want to consider replacing them. Many old windows and doors can be easily broken into by modern burglars even with the use of the simplest objects. Signs of visible wear and tear such as cracked windows or loose hinges could be a particular danger.

When it comes to windows, you ideally want a strong frame material like uPVC, double glazing, and window locks. You should hire a replacement window company to replace your windows as it can be a precise and tricky job to fit them. Replacing your windows not only increases your safety but will also be like a face lift for your home! Boost your security and upgrade the aesthetic by researching the best replacement companies in your area. You want a business that is trusted, accredited, and well reviewed. For window installation in Denver, Five Seasons Windows is a great place to start.

As for doors, consider upgrading to a steel door with a modern lock (you could even consider a smart lock). Doors can be more easily replaced by oneself, but to ensure that it’s fitted securely you may still want to hire professionals.

Put up net curtains:

Net curtains could also help to deter burglars – especially when hanging them up on windows that are facing onto a busy street. If you have valuables in your home, a burglar may be able to see them through the window and this might encourage them to choose you as a target. Net curtains stop burglars from being able to peek in, while still letting in sunlight.

On top of net curtains, you may also be able to use blinds as a way of distorting people’s view in. Frosted glass could also be an option, but it might prevent you from being able to look out.

Install security lighting:

Security lighting is a great way to keep away burglars. This is lighting located on the outside of your home that only turns on when motion is detected. Many burglars like to target homes at night when it’s easy to move undetected. Security lighting will make it harder for burglars to go unnoticed by illuminating them for all your neighbors to see. The fact that security lighting only comes on when motion is detected will save you money in energy bills compared to permanent lighting.

Cut down high hedges:

High hedges, walls, and fences can offer privacy, but they could also make it easier for burglars to break into your home without being seen by neighbors. By cutting down these barriers, your burglars won’t have anything to hide behind. This will make them less likely to choose you as a target.

Fit a burglar alarm:

Burglar alarms are triggered if somebody opens your door and can only be deactivated using a code. Nowadays, there are smart burglar alarms that can alert your phone as well as taking video footage of whoever is outside. Some will even alert the police if not deactivated within a certain amount of time. If you have home insurance, a burglar alarm could also help to reduce your insurance rates. If you are interested in having an alarm system for your home installed, simply enter a search for “security companies indianapolis indiana” (or your local area). Security alarms are something you hope will never be needed but you will be relieved to have should a situation ever arise. Be sure to seek referrals and recommendations for security companies from friends and family too.

Give your family the gift of protection this holiday season with making the improvements above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay