Breast Health and Happiness Tip #7: Avoid Hormone Replacement Therapy

Since this blog site is also devoted to fighting breast cancer along with improving the lives of breast cancer patients and survivors, I thought it might be a good idea to spread some breast cancer prevention tips.

The seventh tip to remember is devoted to avoiding hormone replacement therapy. Women have used and some are still using hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to ease menopausal symptoms. These include hot flashes and sweating.

According to the American Cancer Society, various studies have been done over the years that prove HRT is dangerous for women. There are many different risks that are associated with HRT such as various cancers, blood clotting, stroke, heart disease and osteoporosis.

There have been studies that linked estrogen-progestin therapy as well as estrogen alone therapy with breast cancer risk. Along with breast cancer, both forms of HRT increase endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer risk for women. Colorectal cancer is also linked to HRT use. Another unfortunate incidence of hormone therapy is that various women developed dementia.

Clearly, HRT is a dangerous substance that should be avoided. When a woman reduces her risk of breast cancer along with various other cancers, she will have one less thing to worry about. By reducing her worries, a woman will be much closer to gaining happiness!

Happiness Tip #6: Never Lose Hope

Last night, I was watching a movie about a love story. In this movie, the female lead asked the male lead, “Are you happy?” And Freddie Prinze Jr. answered, “Happiness is overrated.”

I started thinking, “Is happiness overrated?” My decision is no. It’s not overrated. Happiness is what we all strive for. It’s what we all need. Even our forefathers said that we all have the right to pursue happiness.

Today’s happiness tip involves following your dreams and striving to find happiness. It’s important to just keep going. Just keep swimming.

Strive to find that one thing that makes you happy. Don’t give up. Never lose hope.

“Hope is a strange invention

A patent of the Heart

In unremitting action

Yet never wearing out.”

-Emily Dickinson

Happiness Tip #5: Make a Basket of Cheerful Mementos

A few days ago, I was reading about some ways to improve one’s mood and cheer up when feeling down. One tip that I found intriguing told one to take a basket or box or drawer and fill it with some cherished memories or keepsakes.

There are plenty of great things to add to a happiness basket. I personally like the idea of adding famous quotes to a happiness basket. One of my favorites is from the movie Nemo. Please remember this: “Just keep swimming.”

Below I outline some mementos to include.

          

1. Photographs of someone who makes you happy

2. Photographs of a happy time in your life

3. Poems that bring a smile to your face

4. Lyrics of songs or a CD you can listen to

5. Famous quotations about life and how to overcome daily challenges

6. Wilted flowers from a happier moment in time

7. A diary filled with your memories

8. A favorite movie

9. A favorite book

10. An old letter or card from a dear friend

    

Sharing a Happiness Tip from a Sister Blog

The founder and president of the Breast Health and Healing Foundation, Dr. Kathleen T. Ruddy, keeps a blog and has been writing on a similar topic. Our latest project is to spread happiness and improved mental health to breast cancer survivors. Today I will share a post that Dr. Ruddy has written on the Breast Health and Healing blog. Make sure to check out this blog as it has some other great happiness tips.

Happiness is Riding on a School Bus

I enjoyed a great conversation at a fund-raising dinner for the Morris Arts Council last Thursday evening when I sat next to the gentleman who is the director of Make A Wish Foundation for New Jersey.  One of the guests at the table asked him what he thought was the best wish he’d granted to a child with a life-threatening illness.  I’m sure she was expecting something grand for an answer, perhaps a safari to Africa or golfing with Tiger Woods.  But, no,  it was something very simple.  And the story he told is a parable for how little it can take to make a dream come true.

The case involved a very young child, barely three years old, who was dying of a brain tumor.  Each morning he watched from the living room window as his three older brothers boarded the bus to go off to school. It always pained him to see them go, and thrilled him when they returned.  He didn’t understand the part about how they were going to school, only that they were going someplace exciting and it was the bus that took them there.

Then one day a representative from the Make A Wish Foundation arrived and asked him what he wanted more than anything in the world.  It’s amazing how often these children who are at death’s door want something for someone else, usually a parent.  They then have to be encouraged to think of something that they want for themselves.  Most children his age want to go to Disney World.  Boys a little older want to meet a sports hero.  Teenage girls almost always want to go on a shopping spree.  But this little boy said he wanted to ride on a school bus.

So Make A Wish arranged for a yellow school bus to pick him up in front of his house one day and he and his mom rode all around town, stopping at McDonald’s and other fine places.  He was thrilled. His dream had come true.

Now the little yellow school bus has become something of an icon for the Make A Wish Foundation in New Jersey.  Not as glamorous as lunch with Madonna or playing catch with Derek Jeter, perhaps, but nevertheless it tells a story that is pure, simple, and profound.  And full of love and joy.

Happiness is a great conversation, a wonderful story, and a yellow school bus.

Happiness Tip #4: Engage in Your Favorite Activities

When you’re feeling down, it is hard to think about anything other than what is bothering you. We tend to obsess over our problems.  However, it is at this exact time that we should take part in the things we love.  Engaging in our hobbies tends to calm us and relieve stress, anxiety and even depression.

This video discusses how knitting improves mental health.

Below are some other possible activities you can engage in, in case you don’t know where to begin.

1. Going for a walk or hike

2. Riding a bicycle through town

3. Reading a good book to get your mind off of unhappy thoughts

4. Cooking a delicious meal

5. Watching your favorite movie

6. Writing down your thoughts in a journal may help put them out of your mind

7. Playing a sport with good friends

8. Going for a swim in a celestial pool

9. Playing boardgames or putting together a puzzle could relieve tension

10. Listening to lively music and dancing across the room is sure to put a smile on your face