Thursday, December 3, 2009

Tip # 2 The Caregiver


Maintain a Sense of Humor
Watch a funny movie. Recall amusing memories. Join a Smile or Laughter Group, Compare the nurses and doctors around you to your favorite cartoon characters! If you have Cancer it can be a serious, scary disease, but sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Check out books such as “Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips,” or "Smilies Are Naturally Bald." Fight back with a SMILE. but be sensitive with yourself and others. There is a time to laugh and a time to mourn.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Tip #1 Join a SMILE Group?



FIGHT BACK WITH A SMILE

SMILE Groups and Laughter Clubs are fully independent, not-for-profit, community-based associations of diverse people who come together to support each other with a SMILE- We practice LAUGH-in-Motion a joyful exercise for your well being, diaphragmatic breathing, smiling, laughter, movement to music, relaxation, ending each session with fun affirmations and a prayer for healing ideal for everyone who would like to bring more JOY and laughter into there lives. During the winter months our location is not wheel chair accessible so the participants must be able to walk down steps. Karen Ricagno who is the facilitator of SMILE promotes a loving, caring, and compassionate space for those who feel they have nothing to SMILE about. If you are one of thousands of people world wide experiencing these feelings you are not alone. JOIN US...you'll be glad you did. Our motto: when the going gets tough LAUGH. Our groups are intimate, private and most of all a fun.

Monday, November 9, 2009

Indroduction

This blog is for those I am blessed to care for,
and for all of you who make the time to care for those you love & others

365 guilt free ...bite size TEN minute tips for feeling more hope, energy and joy each day
How to Care for Yourself. While You're taking Care of Others

Are you a caregiver or cancer survivor? There are 50 million family caregivers in America and millions of cancer survivors, many of us struggle with fatigue, burnout and the stress of taking care of themselves or someone else, while many juggle church, home, work, family, and other responsibilities. As one of those 50 million myself I'd like to share with you what I've learned and are still learning along my journey. The first thing is to SMILE even when you don't feel like it, just the act of smiling makes you feel good all over. The second lesson and most difficult one for me is "Patience" I struggle with patience daily.

When we forget to take care of ourselves its easy to loose our joy, our smile and our patience... we can become resentful, angry, sad, and depressed. I pray that some of my own personal tips, and tips from others become your lifesaver in the midst of your day and you're able to re-connect with your sometimes tired body and mind by giving back to yourself, so you'll have the patience it takes to care for yourself and the patience it takes to take care for others.

Chapter ONE. Getting started.
ONE. Do your Homework
TWO. Relax and De-Stress
THREE. Go Out and Play
FOUR. Super Foods for Caregivers
FIVE. Go to Bed
SIX. Clean Yourself Up
SEVEN. Clean Up & Tidy Up your Mess
EIGHT. ME Time
NINE. Positive Thinking & Prayer

When the going gets tough LAUGH... Because not all medicine comes in a bottle

LAUGHTER
* Releases feel good endorphins
* Decreases levels of stress hormones
* Lowers blood pressure
* Strengthens the immune system
* Makes us feel good a sense of well being
* Shrinks the "hurts" of everyday life

Take a deep smile in, and a big laugh out. ha ha ha

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Key note speaker Karen Ricagno

The benifits of Laughter for Breast Cancer at Susan G Komen for the Cure


Susan G.Komen websie

The SMILE & Laughter Club photos from Susan G Komen for the Cure

Karen the facilitator invites the inner child in you to come out and play, the child who needs to smile and to laugh in order to stay healthy. Smiling and Laughter are your natural God given gifts so why not use them as part of your wellness program.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Walk. October 2009

Light the Night WALK October 5th 2009

Nearly everyone has been affected by cancer in some way. If you’re a survivor or caregiver, or if you’ve been touched by the experience of friends and loved ones with cancer. Get involved and join us for next years 2010 Light the Night Leukemia and Lymphoma Walk or Join our TEAM Fight back with a SMILE organized by SMILE Groups & Happiness Laughter Clubs and sponsored by Carlos & Karen Ricagno owners of Ricagno Painting Company for this years Relay for Life in Olney, MD

http://helenshopewalk.blogspot.com/