*   Leisurely take a medium  hot bath.  Mix a few drops of lavender oil and inhale its soothing fragrance, the aromatherapy way.

*   Drink a glass of warm non-fat milk.  Or eat a banana.

*   Read a good book in bed.

*   Once sleepy, sleep on your side, not on your back or on your tummy.

*   Tell your yourself that you will sleep well and have a sweet dreams.

Here are some coping strategies to help ease your grief and celebrate their memories, as more of us come to regard our dog, cat, or other pet as a valued member of the family, its death takes a greater personal toll on us.  The healthiest way to honor your pet’s memory is to recognize that you need to grieve before you can heal.

1. Give yourself permission to grieve.  Denying these natural emotions can elevate stress and physical fatigue and can even suppress healing.

2.  Dismiss and ignore comments from individuals who may trivialize your loss.

3.  Seek out friends and family members who share your compassion for animals.  Focus more on their good intentions and not necessarily their words.

4.  Recognize that your departed pet is one of a kind who can never be replaced.  “When you are ready to have a new pet, embrace him for his uniqueness and avoid comparing him with previous pets.

5.  Treat yourself well.  Eat nutritious meals, and get ample sleep and exercise.

6.  Fight through blue moods by exercising.  Physical activities helps to raise endorphins and other feel-good hormones in your body.  Take longer walks, for example, in scenic areas.

7.  Never say “Never again”  Avoid declarations such as “I will never get another pet.”  These statements hinder healing.

8.  Spend time recalling happy memories of times that you shared with your pet, with these you can come to terms with the loss in a gentle and loving way.

9.  Consider writing a letter to and from your departed pet.  According to expert the human brain can suppress and repress a lot of thoughts, and this letter-writing technique is a way to bring out creative thoughts.  Seeing these words printed on a page can help in your bereavement process.

Let me share something about slipped disc which happened to my friend Gina.  Slipped disc is an injury of the spine whereby the intervertebral disc ruptures and part of its pulpy core protrudes or slips forward or sideways.  The protrusion results to the pressure on the underlying nerves, causing pain in the back and legs.  This condition commonly occurs in the lower back although it may also affect another part of the back or the neck.   Hope this post may provide information on how to prevent having this kind of injury.  Slipped Disc causes trauma due to improper posture especially when bending or lifting a heavy object; weakness of the retaining ligaments; changes occurring in the fibrous or pulpy consistency of the discs’ outer wall; excess weight adds to the strain on the spine; lack of exercise can weaken and make muscle flabby which unable to support the spine; old age and even accident.  It can cause also some complications like permanent spine damage, paralysis due to nerve damage.  It’s important to know the causes and symptoms of it for you to know how to prevent or what to do if you already have it.

Symptoms of slipped disc includes sharp, persistent pain in the back, stiffness, tingling sensation, numbness and inability to bend, twist or even change position due to back pain.  If pain is occasional and does not affect body movement, relieve back strain by shifting positions and doing exercises that will flex your back.  Make a mental note of your work-place.  Assess your posture and position so you know which one needs changing.  The best thing to do is to see your doctor if symptoms persists, but do not wait until you are unable to move.

To prevent slipped disc you must develop a good body mechanics and avoid bending over with legs straight, bending over with legs straight, bending over the waist, lifting above shoulder level, slouching while sitting or sitting too far from the table, stretching your arms and back while reaching, twisting your back while turning, sleeping on a soft bed or couch.  During work you should stay in a neutral position to keep from straining your back.  As much as possible be always on the move.  Lead a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.