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Understanding Sleep Paralysis: Can’t Move While Sleeping or Dreaming

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Have you had an episode of sleep paralysis, where you can’t move while sleeping but are aware of your surroundings?

 

SleepingIn a sleep paralysis dream, you see and feel yourself in your bed and the room around you looks normal, but you cannot move your body. In short, it feels like your mind wakes up before your body does.

I personally agree with the theory that this is a situation where your brain is protecting you from sleep walking. The National Sleep Foundation classifies sleep paralysis as parasomnia. WebMD provides a list of factors that may contribute to this issue.

But there still isn’t that much scientific research on what actually causes or can prevent these sleep paralysis dreams. I’ve come up with a few questions, based on my own experiences, that may help explain why sleep paralysis episodes happen:

1. Are you sleep deprived? Is your sleep schedule off? Have you missed a night of sleep recently or do you sleep less than 6 hours a night regularly?

2. Do you feel a pain in the back of your neck before you go to sleep or when you wake up? Or both? Does it feel like you need a massage?

3. How often do you experience these dreams? Do you get them regularly, or do they just start up out of nowhere after months or years?

4. Have you had any health issues directly preceding these dreams, such as the flu or a migraine? What was the issue? Are you on any medication?

5. Are you anxious or scared before going to sleep? Do you generally struggle with anxiety? Was something particularly stressful happening in your life at the time you experienced sleep paralysis ?

6. Have you experienced any significant life change in the weeks or months preceding the occurrence of these sleep paralysis dreams?

7. Do you feel as if something is watching you or holding you down in your sleep paralysis dream?

8. What position are you sleeping in when you have this type of dream? On your stomach, on your back, or on your side?

9. If you sleep on your side, which way are you facing when this happens?

10. Have you figured out a way to break out of the sleep paralysis? Such as blinking, relaxing, or praying? If so please explain what works for you.

11. Have you had these episodes since childhood or did it only begin in adulthood? At what age? How many times in total?

Post any helpful thoughts you have regarding sleep paralysis and what may be the cause of it in the comments area.

 

Posted by Jade

 

 

Image courtesy Pixabay

Chromecast Not Showing Up? Cast to Device Not Working?: Possible Causes

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I use my Chromecast so much that I barely even watch regular television anymore. So when my Chromecast isn’t showing up or my cast to screen icon is missing on my device, I will do what’s necessary to get it working again. Here are a few troubleshooting tips that have worked for me in the past:

Is the Chromecast Plugged In?

I know, I know, this is so obvious, but I can’t tell you how many times I realized my cast to screen icon was missing because I forgot to plug the Chromecast device in!

Do You Have the Latest Software on Your Phone or Other Casting Device?

Whether it’s an Android, iPhone, or iPad, you should have the latest software on your cellphone or similar device if you want the cast feature to show up consistently. Also, on Android devices, the Screen Mirroring feature won’t work unless you have the latest software updated on your phone.

Is Your Phone, Pad or Similar Device Connected to the Right Wifi Signal?

The cast screen feature only works when you’re on the same network as your Chromecast. It’s possible that your phone or pad dropped the signal and picked up another one. Double check.

Is the Wifi Signal Working Properly?

If you don’t see the cast screen icon AND the Chromecast screen saver isn’t showing up on your TV, there’s a problem with your Wifi connection. If it doesn’t come back online in a few minutes, try rebooting your modem.

Close the App Your Trying to Cast and then Reload It

In some cases, the cast screen icon doesn’t show up because the app you’re trying to play is misbehaving. Also, make sure you have the latest version of the app you want to cast. Sometimes the cast to Chromecast feature stops working on outdated versions of an app.

Reboot Your Phone/iPad/Laptop Device and then Also Reboot the Chromecast Device

Sometimes a simple reboot of all applicable devices will bring your cast to device icon back up. Taking the Chromecast out of the power source reboots it or you could go to Google Home and choose the option to reboot from there. In some cases you might have to do a Factory Data Reset of the Chromecast device (hold down the little button on the circular part of the Chromecast for about 25 seconds until the LED light turns white), but keep in mind that this wipes all data from the device. I’ve never had to do a factory reset to get my cast to device icon to work.

For Screen Mirroring Problems: Is Your Android Device on the List of Applicable Devices?

Visit this Google Page to see if your Android device is optimized for the “Mirror Screen” option. If it’s not on that list, you probably won’t be able to mirror your device. Consider getting an inexpensive, used unlocked Android device from that list (check Amazon or eBay) that you can connect to your WiFi signal and use to cast your screen.


Some Apps Simply Don’t Allow You to Cast to Your TV

There are a few apps out there that simply don’t have the cast screen option. In that case, your best bet is to try to log onto the app or television network using your laptop and cast from there (instructions for how to do that here). Another option is to use the mirror/cast screen option on an Android device (located under “Display” in “Settings”), which sometimes works fine and sometimes is wonky.

If after all of these steps nothing seems to work, it might just be time to get another Chromecast device. With gentle use, it should work for years, but after a very long time of heavy use it may just need to be replaced. I unplug mine sometimes when not in use, just in case.

Hope this helps, good luck!

 

Posted by Penelope

How to Cast Screen from Laptop to Chromecast Amazon TV Stick or Similar Casting Device

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I didn’t realize until this year that it was possible to cast screen from my laptop to my Chromecast device so that I can watch shows on my television. The option is available in your web browser. The video silently plays in the background and shows up on your television screen while you navigate other things on your laptop.

I’ve tried all three major browsers (Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla) and in my experience Chrome has been the best for casting shows to the TV. Here are the simple steps:

Go to the video that you want to watch in your Chrome browser.You can go to a YouTube video, or a network television channel like FX or AMC and login with your TV provider information.

Cast Screen from Laptop

If you’re properly connected, you should see the cast icon show up on the video as shown above. But if not, try this:

Click the menu button at the top right corner of Chromecast (three dots) and look for the “Cast” option

 

Cast Screen from Laptop

A little blue box will pop up at the center of the screen asking you to choose the device you want to cast to.

 

If you are having problems casting or the cast screen icon isn’t showing up on your devices, read this quick tip article for a few suggestions.

 

Posted by Penelope

 

 

10 Things You Should Clean with a Lysol Disinfecting Wipe Every Now and Then

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I am a big fan of disinfecting wipes because they are easily accessible and a replacement for paper towels/spray bottles. They also make things feel and look clean. Here is a list of 10 items in your home, car, and office that you should definitely clean with a Lysol Disinfecting Wipe on a fairly regular basis.

1. Your Car Keys and Supermarket Cards

I’m sure I’m not the only one who still carries a set of keys full of supermarket cards. Cashiers handle money from so many different people throughout their whole shifts, so every time they grab your card keys, germs get transferred. Wipe them and your keys down with a Lysol wipe at least once a week.

Set of Keys

2. Your Doorknobs

Every time you take the trash out, you have to touch the doorknob to get back in before you have a chance to wash your hands. Wipe down those doorknobs often.

Door Knob

3. Your Remote Controls.

You’re sitting on the couch or bed, snacking on your favorite brand of chips, popcorn, or Cheetos. Then you use those same orange cheesy or buttery fingers to pick up the remote control and turn the channel. How many different traces of snacks do you think are on that remote control right now? Give it a quick wipe down!

Remote Control

4. Your Computer or Laptop Keyboard.

If you ever eat while working on your computer or laptop, you’ve surely transferred some food (maybe even a little saliva) to your keyboard in the process. Also, your fingers are probably a little dirty after touching everything around you — your desk, your drawers and your paperwork. Keep a container of Lysol wipes nearby for everything! Remember to clean your mouse too.

Laptop Work Space

5. Your Cellphone or iPad.

Many of the modern cellphones we use don’t have physical keyboards anymore, but the screen still needs cleaning every now and again. Think of all the gnarly places your cellphone or reader device ends up–in the bottom of your purse, the floor of your car and between the seat cushions of your couch.

iPhone iPad

6. The Cup Holder Area in Your Car

I love enjoying a cold Wendy’s frosty on a hot summer day, but when it melts and finds its way into the cup holder, it creates a sticky mess. Lysol wipes are the best way to clean up sticky messes, which is why I like keeping some in my car. They’re also good for keeping the dashboard, steering wheel and seats clean.

cup holder car interior

7. The Floor Area Where You Feed Your Pets

Of course you clean your pet’s bowls regularly, but what about the area where they eat? If you don’t have time to mop the floor, just clean it in a jiffy with a few Lysol wipes.

Cat After Eating

8. One of Your Favorite “Seats” in the House

Depending on how many people live in your house, the toilet bowl seat probably gets ridden more than any other seat in the place. Make sure you keep a container of wipes in there so that you can wipe the seat and lid down every other day.

Toilet in Bathroom

9. Your Kitchen Counters

Do you really need a reason to clean off your kitchen counters and table every day? It gets splashed with eggs, veggies, soda, meat juices and countless other food matter in the course of an afternoon alone. I recently made pasta from scratch and after all was said and done, I was so glad to have some wipes handy to clean up the floury mess. Also, use them to clean all of the handles in your kitchen (fridge, oven, cabinets, etc).

Comfy Kitchen

10. The Bottoms of Your Shoes

If you have a tendency to walk through your house with the shoes you wore outside (I admit, I do it sometimes), keep them as clean as possible by wiping the bottoms down with Lysol disinfecting wipes. Keep them by the front door so you’ll remember. Use them to wipe down your house shoes and slippers too for good measure.

Shoes Outside

These are just a few reasons why I like to keep several containers of Lysol disinfecting wipes around the house. They help give your living spaces a “clean feeling” in between actual top to bottom house cleaning days.

Posted by Jade

Photos courtesy:

Flickr/CGAphoto

Pixabay

Relating with Your Siblings As an Adult

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Getting along with your sisters and brothers when you’re an adult can be a major challenge. In extreme cases toxic sibling relationships can form. Here are some of my thoughts on sibling relations and finding peace with family members.

I recently went to a family reunion which included 4 out of my 5 siblings. We hadn’t all been together in one place since our Dad passed away. Needless to say, about a day into the trip, many of the usual sibling contentions came to the surface. It only took a day! It got so bad at one point that we had to have a pow wow and get back to a good place for the sake of the trip.

It’s funny how these things happen. The first moment you see your adult brother or sister, it’s like you’re kids again. You’re happy to see each other, catch up, laugh and have a great time. But it doesn’t take long for you to begin to see the traits that you don’t like about each other. The selfish actions or the mindless comments. The “I’m better than you” attitude. Maybe your sibling used to bully you when you were kids and calls you by that name you hate. Or you see the way that they treat your parent and begin to seethe with anger.

My Sibling Drama

In my case, I have a specific issue with each of my siblings that I have kept mostly to myself for over 30 years. The issues have quietly worsened in my adulthood because I feel that they all have managed to escape the mentally and physically tiring responsibilities of taking care of senior parents. I was the one left holding the bag for the most part — helping to care for my father until he passed away, and sacrificing a lot of my freedoms in the process.

My oldest brother left the family when I was young, leaving us vulnerable to a lot of family drama as kids. My oldest sister also left after a while, leaving a lot of responsibility in the hands of my other older sister, who I am closest to. My younger sister and brother became very spoiled and entitled after my father fell ill and was no longer able to discipline them. They put my parents through a lot (both as teens and as adults) and I guess I still resent them for that. All of my siblings eventually left the nest, while I stayed close to it.

One thing I’ve learned from watching my siblings in action is that people don’t really change–they just get older and keep repeating the same behaviors. And that includes me. I can admit that I continue to put myself in a defensive role, always ready to jump down anyone’s throat when they do something that I feel is offensive. I can be a very emotional person, and those emotions really come to the surface when I have to deal with my sisters and brothers.

We all continue to repeat the same behaviors, have the same thoughts, and react the same ways when it comes to our siblings because we grew up that way. Together. And that’s why in our 30s and 40s, we’re still having the same exact conflicts that we were having 20 years ago. A period of absence doesn’t really change anything.

Brother and Sister

Finding Peace with Siblings

After this latest family trip, I’ve come to the personal decision that staying away from my siblings as much as possible is probably the best thing for my mental wellness. I want to live as peaceful a life as possible, and if that means staying away from people who rob me of that peace, that’s what I have to do. At the same time, I understand that a life of isolation from your family isn’t the best idea. They are the only ones who will likely be there for you when you need them. So I’m open, in the future, to healing with one or more of my siblings, but at the moment it’s not high on my priority list.

Now Let Me Know Your Thoughts!

How have you managed to related with your sibling as an adult? Do you get along?

If not, what are your issues with them?

If you do get along, how have you been able to achieve that type of relationships?

If you were an only child, do you wish you had siblings as an adult or are you happy to escape potential drama?

Post your comments below!

 

Life Thoughts by Jas

 

 

Beautiful Image Courtesy Bessi/Pixabay

Leaving Cats Alone for Up to a Week? Here’s What to Get

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There’s debate on how long can you leave a cat alone in your home while you go on vacation or a business trip. Some say that you shouldn’t leave them alone for more than a day. That’s because some cats get separation anxiety (they want to see you regularly). Another point is that some cats have special needs, such as needing to be fed a certain type of wet food or take medication.

If you only have one cat, leaving him or her alone isn’t a great idea. They need a buddy (at least in my opinion). New kittens need plenty of attention. In those cases and others, I don’t recommend leaving your cats alone for an extended period of time. If those situations apply to your case, you should either hire a professional cat sitter or take the cat to a high quality cat boarding hotel.

Other cat lovers (including myself) believe that an extended time “home alone” is okay for our feline friends. They’re very independent animals — consider how well feral cats take care of themselves when they live outdoors. I’ve been a multi-cat owner for over 30 years, and in my experience it is possible to leave your cats alone for up to a week, once in a blue moon, but you MUST be prepared and ensure that they will have every amenity possible. In fact, you should go overboard a bit to ensure that they have *more* than what they’ll need.

I’ve created a comprehensive list of the things you should buy when leaving cats alone for up to a week. The one time cost will be around $100 – $125 and you can reuse these important cat supplies indefinitely. What’s $125 when it comes to your feline family members? At the end of this list, there are a few more important tips to keep in mind before you go on vacation or a trip and leave your cats alone, so keep scrolling!

A Hard Plastic Kiddie Pool (To Use As a Backup Litter Box)

The great thing about this kiddie pool is that you can spread the litter out in a wider diameter, that way cats have more room to find a clean spot. Make sure it’s the hard plastic kind (not the inflatables) because cats have those sharp nails! You can usually find these at Target for pickup.

Kiddie Pool Plastic

An Old School Answering Machine w/ Call Screening Feature

Why would you need an old school answering machine? So that you can call your kitties whenever you want while you’re away and say something to them! They’ll hear your voice over the machine and you can call as much as you’d like.

Answering Machine

Automatic Timed Cat Feeder with Voice Recorder

I wrote a post that goes into more detail about the benefits of having a convenient talking pet feeder in your house — especially if you have to take an extended trip away from your cats. This cat feeder distributes food at specific times of days (set by you), with just the right portion (also set by you), and also calls them to the bowl with your prerecorded voice. See the full details here.

Automatic Timed Cat Pet Feeder

UPDATE and FYI: The Homdox Feeder I reviewed is not currently available for sale, but this automatic talking feeder has gotten great reviews as well!

Cat Watering Bowl with Microban

This cat waterer has a filter, which cleans the water before it’s delivered and Microban.. Microban is a feature that has antimicrobial properties, keeping your cat’s water fresh and free from bacteria. The water container sizes range from .5 gallons to 4 gallons — decide the size that’s best for you depending on how many cats you have.

Cat Watering Bowl with Microban

A Couple of Rectangular Aluminum Pans

You can find these at you local dollar store. Use one or two to fill with dry cat food.

Aluminum Pan

At Least Two Metal Pots Filled with Frozen Water

This is a good backup option to ensure that your cats have plenty of water while you’re out of town. For some reason, I’ve found that these pots always have plenty of clean water inside when I return. Fill with water and freeze until the day you leave. Put a towel under each one so that it stays put.

Cooking Pots

Cooling Pad

Cat’s are really good at keeping cool on their own, even in very warm temperatures. But if you want to provide them with a little extra coolness in the summertime, get them a Pet Cooling Pad. It contains a special cooling gel that works for about 3-4 hours. When you cat gets up, it needs about an hour to return to its normal state and cool for another 3-4 hours.

Cat Cooling Pad

Additional Very Important Tips to Keep in Mind When You Leave Cats Alone for Up to a Week

  • Put a door stopper under EVERY OPEN DOOR in your house to ensure that your cats (or a strong wind) don’t accidentally close them.
  • For good measure, put food and water in EVERY ROOM of your house or apartment — just in case.
  • Open at least one window so that your cats can get some fresh air.
  • Leave your air conditioning system on low-medium or so to keep the air temperate in the home (not too cold, not too warm). A top quality window fan is even better if you live in an area that doesn’t get too hot in the summer and you want to avoid leaving an AC on for that time.
  • Leave your worn clothes (the ones that were headed for the laundry) out all around the house so that your cats can still smell your scent.
  • Leave a television on in the house that plays positive and uplifting music or shows (we like leaving gospel or Christian music on for our cats).
  • If you have a pair of shoes you love or a favorite outfit, put it away. Sometimes cats can be spiteful and leave you little “presents” when you leave them alone too long!
  • Don’t leave plants or items that you cat might try to eat within reach of them. When they’re left alone, they like to get adventurous.

If you’ve been thinking about temporarily leaving cats while on vacation at your house, hopefully these products and tips will help. When leaving cats alone for up to a week, you want to have peace of mind knowing that they’re all good.

Posted by Jade