Tag: feel better

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

Addiction.


Just sit with that word for a moment.
It carries weight. It sounds heavy. Shame-filled. Final. I can’t think of many positive things we associate with it.
I personally smoke cigarettes (working toward quitting), and I am absolutely a caffeine addict — and probably sugar too. But beyond my own habits, I have loved addicts. Not just romantically. Friends. Family. People I would go to the ends of the earth for.


So let’s ask the question plainly:
Is addiction a disease? A condition to be treated? Something recovery is possible from?
Yeah. Yes. It is.


What Is Addiction?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as:
A treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.


The National Institute on Drug Abuse explains it similarly — addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences.
Chronic.
Medical.
Treatable.


Those words matter.


And here’s something else that matters:


In the United States, about 1 in 6 people struggle with a substance use disorder each year.
Millions more struggle with nicotine dependence.
Caffeine dependence is widely recognized.
Studies show that highly processed foods can trigger brain reward systems in ways similar to addictive substances.
This isn’t rare. This isn’t “those people.” This is us. Our neighbors. Our families.


We Joke About It… But Should We?
People casually say, “I’m a coffee addict.”
Or “I’m addicted to Diet Coke.”
Or “Don’t talk to me before my sugar.”
But do we understand the weight of that word?


Yes — you really can be addicted to sugar, caffeine, nicotine, and highly processed foods. That doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human with a brain wired for reward.
Our brains are designed to remember what feels good and to repeat it. Dopamine — the “feel good” neurotransmitter — reinforces behaviors that provide pleasure or relief. Over time, repetition becomes reliance. Reliance becomes dependence.
And dependence, when disrupted, becomes withdrawal.


The Logan Story
Let me tell you a story.
Logan was 10. His mom wasn’t much of a cook, so meals were mostly pre-packaged, fast food, convenient — and let me say clearly: fed is fed. No judgment. Survival comes first.
But when summer came, Logan went to stay with Dad and stepmom. They cooked fresh food. Fruits. Vegetables. Homemade meals. Grilled burgers and hot dogs.
Within days, Logan had what looked like the flu. Headaches. Fatigue. Irritability. Just not himself.
His big sister picked him up, took him to the movies and — yes — McDonald’s.
Miraculous recovery.
Until a week later, when the “flu” returned.
He wasn’t sick. He was withdrawing.
His body had become accustomed to high levels of sugar, sodium, and processed additives. When they disappeared, his system reacted.
Dad refused to reintroduce the fast food. They let his body recalibrate. It was uncomfortable. It was eye-opening. And it was very real.
Logan didn’t know he was dependent.
But his body did.


It’s All the Same Brain
Opioids.
Nicotine.
Methamphetamine.
Alcohol.
Sugar.
Caffeine.


Different substances. Same reward circuitry.
When we remove what the brain has grown used to, the body protests.


Withdrawal can look like:
Headaches
Fatigue
Anxiety
Irritability
Nausea
Depression
Physical pain


Some withdrawals are uncomfortable. Some are dangerous. Some are life-threatening.
But the mechanism? The brain wanting what it has been trained to expect.


So Where Do We Start?


We start by naming it.


Without shame.


We stop whispering about addiction like it’s a moral failure. We stop labeling people as “weak” or “lacking willpower.”
We start asking:
What pain is this numbing?
What pattern is this reinforcing?
What support is missing?
Addiction thrives in isolation. Recovery thrives in connection.
Somewhere, there has to be a conscious decision to become mindful of what we are putting into our bodies — and why.


Not with judgment.
With curiosity.


My Truth
I am a caffeine addict.
I am nicotine dependent.
I am working on both.
And I have loved addicts.


Deeply.


We need to help one another make better choices instead of judging someone’s struggle. Because it could be you. It could be me. It could be someone you love.
Addiction is not a character flaw.


It is a condition.
It is treatable.
Recovery is possible.


And compassion? That should be non-negotiable

Recalibrating Gratitude

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized


I sometimes catch myself being ungrateful.
Not in a loud, stomping-my-feet kind of way. Not in a way that would be obvious to anyone watching. But in the quiet way where I start overlooking what’s good and fixating only on what’s wrong.
The past few months have been particularly rough — financially, emotionally, physically. I still don’t have real answers about the left flank pain, though it has improved, and for that I am thankful. The heart issues? They seem to have been a fluke… or maybe a warning shot across the bow. Either way, my heart is strong, my blood pressure has normalized, and that is no small gift.
Emotionally and physically, though? It’s felt like one of those rickety carnival rides — the kind that jerks you around without warning. Up, down, sideways, spinning just fast enough to make you question your equilibrium.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, I caught myself.
Not focusing on solutions. Not leaning into my usual “everything is figure-outable” mantra. Not scanning for silver linings or mapping out next steps.
I was wallowing.
And honestly? That’s not like me at all.
I’m the one who finds the bright side. I’m the one who reframes. I’m the one who says, “Okay, this is hard — now what are we going to do about it?”
But even the strong ones get tired. Even the optimistic ones have days where the weight feels heavier than usual.
So I did what I know to do when I feel myself drifting off course.
I recalibrated.
I carved out a little time each day to be alone. To reflect. To sit with my life and my circumstances without judgment. And somewhere in that quiet, I found something steady again.
Gratitude.
Not the fluffy, hashtag kind. The grounded kind. The kind that says: I am still here.
I am still able to spend time with my mostly grown kids.
I get to hear my sweet Aubree call me “Grand-ma-ma!”
I get to feel Charlotte slip her little hand into mine and lean in for a forehead kiss.
That is not small. That is everything.
I am fortunate. I am blessed. Even on the bad days. Even when the money feels tight. Even when my body feels unpredictable. Even when I have a moment (or two) of wallowing.
Gratitude doesn’t mean pretending things aren’t hard. It means refusing to let the hard things be the only things I see.
Perspective, y’all.
If you are weary, you are not alone. If you’ve been riding your own version of a bad carnival ride, I see you. But take a moment. Look around. Find one thing — just one — that anchors you back to what’s still good.
Recalibrate.
Because bitterness is heavy. Despair is suffocating. But gratitude? Gratitude steadies the ride.
We’ve got this.
Love and light, folks.

Becoming and Unbecoming

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

2026 has already been a doozy.
We welcomed January with a whole host of breaks—some expected, some not. Now we’re stepping into February, and the old groundhog has seen his shadow. Six more weeks of winter, and honestly? I’m not mad about it.
I prefer cooler temperatures. Always have. But the darkness—sometimes that gets to me. Not in a seasonal depression kind of way, more like a please give me a little more daylight so I can get things done kind of way. Still, this in-between season matters. Transition always does.
Maybe that’s why this time feels so significant—because I am transitioning too.
I’m becoming a better version of myself. A more complete self. One who is no longer trying to mask big feelings or tuck disappointments neatly out of sight for the comfort of others. I am becoming more. And if I’m too loud, too much, too intense for some people—as Elyse Myers so perfectly put it—“Go find less.”
I will happily apologize for past wrongs, for mistakes I’ve made, for moments where I fell short. But I will not apologize for being myself. If that means some people fall away, I will let them. I’ll grieve a little—because loss is still loss—but I also understand now that not everyone is meant to go where I’m headed.
This season is about becoming and unbecoming.
Letting go of what no longer fits.
Shedding versions of myself that were built for survival, not peace.
I will always fiercely defend my children and my chosen family. That part of me is immovable. But I am no longer clinging to blood ties simply because they exist. Those ties have been complicated—heavy—and loyalty owed solely to blood has caused me deep harm. I’m untangling that now. I’m lowering my expectations of people who have shown me, repeatedly, who they are.
And here’s the quiet power in that:
What I’m building next—what’s coming for me—cannot be touched or taken. It will be mine. And it will become a legacy for the family I created, not the one I was born into.
Winter can linger a little longer.
So can this becoming.
I’m not rushing it.

Understanding the connection

by Mothersense, posted in Uncategorized

The Link Between Mental Health and Physical Ailments: Understanding the Connection

In today’s fast-paced world, the connection between mental health and physical health is more important than ever. Many people are aware that mental health issues can affect how we feel emotionally and psychologically, but fewer realize that these issues can also manifest as physical ailments. Understanding this link is crucial for addressing both aspects of well-being. This blog post explores various physical ailments related to poor mental health and highlights the importance of self-care and therapy in managing these conditions.

**1. Chronic Pain**

Chronic pain is a condition that affects many people, and research has shown that it is often intertwined with mental health issues. Conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic back pain can be exacerbated by stress, anxiety, and depression. The brain’s response to emotional pain can intensify the perception of physical pain, creating a cycle that’s difficult to break. Therapy techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices can help manage the emotional aspects of chronic pain, while self-care strategies such as regular exercise and stress reduction can provide relief.

**2. Gastrointestinal Problems**

Stress and anxiety are known to impact gastrointestinal health. Disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and chronic constipation can be triggered or worsened by mental health issues. The gut-brain axis, the communication network linking the gut and brain, plays a significant role here. Therapy and self-care, including a balanced diet, adequate hydration, and stress management techniques, are essential in addressing these problems. Mindful eating and relaxation exercises can also improve digestive health.

**3. Sleep Disorders**

Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety often interfere with sleep, leading to disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea. Poor sleep quality can exacerbate mental health issues, creating a vicious cycle. Self-care strategies such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, and managing stress through relaxation techniques can help improve sleep. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is also a highly effective treatment for sleep disorders.

**4. Headaches and Migraines**

Headaches and migraines are frequently linked to stress and emotional turmoil. Conditions like tension headaches and migraines can be triggered or aggravated by mental health issues. Identifying and managing stressors, practicing relaxation techniques, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are vital for managing headache frequency and intensity. Therapies like biofeedback and CBT can also be beneficial in reducing the impact of headaches and migraines.

**5. Cardiovascular Issues**

Chronic stress and depression can negatively impact cardiovascular health, leading to conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, and arrhythmias. The body’s stress response can increase blood pressure and heart rate, contributing to cardiovascular problems. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and stress management techniques are crucial for maintaining heart health. Therapy can also help address underlying mental health issues that contribute to cardiovascular stress.

**6. Immune System Disorders**

Mental health issues like chronic stress and depression can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Stress can alter immune function, leading to an increased risk of illnesses. Self-care practices such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep support immune health. Therapy can help manage stress and improve overall mental well-being, thereby supporting a stronger immune system.

**7. Skin Conditions**

Conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and acne can be aggravated by stress and emotional distress. Stress can trigger or worsen skin flare-ups, making it essential to address the underlying mental health issues. Incorporating stress-relief practices, such as meditation and mindfulness, alongside proper skincare routines, can help manage these conditions. Therapy can also assist in managing the emotional impact of chronic skin issues.

**8. Weight Fluctuations**

Mental health conditions can lead to significant changes in weight, whether through overeating or loss of appetite. Conditions like depression and anxiety can influence eating habits and metabolic processes, leading to weight gain or loss. Self-care strategies, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and mindful eating practices, can help stabilize weight. Therapy can support emotional well-being and address eating behaviors.

** 9. Respiratory Issues

Conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Stress can lead to shallow breathing and increased respiratory symptoms. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises, and therapy can help improve respiratory health. Proper self-care and adherence to prescribed treatments are also essential.

**10. Musculoskeletal Problems**

Muscle tension, joint pain, and stiffness can be linked to stress and emotional strain. Conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and chronic muscle pain can be aggravated by mental health issues. Incorporating regular physical activity, stretching, and relaxation techniques can help alleviate musculoskeletal symptoms. Therapy can also play a role in addressing the emotional factors contributing to physical discomfort.

**Conclusion**

The intricate relationship between mental and physical health underscores the importance of a holistic approach to well-being. Addressing mental health issues through therapy and self-care can lead to significant improvements in physical health. By recognizing and managing the connection between mental health and physical ailments, individuals can achieve a more balanced and healthier life.

If you’re experiencing physical symptoms related to mental health issues, consider seeking professional support. Combining therapy with self-care strategies can help you manage and improve both your mental and physical well-being, leading to a more fulfilling and healthier life.