I have been feeling overwhelmed lately.  You know it’s a sign that you’ve over scheduled yourself when you’re  actually EXCITED for a whole half day to clean your house!  But, yesterday afternoon was finally that day for me after what feels like weeks of build up.

Any visitor to my home can pretty much tell how I’m doing by the look of my kitchen counters.  If things are piled up, life feels out of control.  But if things are neat and tidy with the dishes done, I’m at peace (or else I shoved it all in the closet).

A new study from the Pew Research Center confirms all that I feel.  But, it’s even worse according to the results for working women with young children.  The age-old torn heart and divided commitment for this population leaves them feeling chronically stressed.

I’ve found an undesired byproduct of this is young girls in particular who think this is the way life is supposed to be - stressed.  They act stressed like it’s a status symbol, as if having too much to do makes you important.  They complain about “everything they have to do” and conclude with “I don’t have enough time.”  Sound familiar?

One good reason to simplify our lives is to teach our children how to do the same.

Girls with Sole is the vision of Q104 Listener and Mom Liz Ferro of Rocky River. The non-profit organization uses fitness and wellness to empower the minds, bodies and souls of girls who have experienced abuse. Liz herself is a survivor and now mom to two beautiful kids and a triathlete!

Athletics helped her survive and thrive and now she wants Girls with Sole to offer the same to other young girls.

I was honored to act as Mistress of Ceremonies for their first big fundraiser on Sunday.  It was held at the Busy Broad Boutique in Lakewood.  Awesome place!  Participants enjoyed a beautiful tea, fashion show, and speakers.

Liz has wasted no time in providing programming to area girls.  She’s already partnered with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and Fitworks .  If her cause speaks to you in any way, I urge you to offer your support!  Again, her website is www.girlswithsole.org.

Here’s a taste of what you missed!

Here I am with Glam Girl - Liz Ferro!

Check out that leg!

The setting was beautiful! In addition to the bar, people sat at small tables throughout the gallery. It was really a special day.

In the latest episode of the Biggest Loser the medical doctor reminded some of the contestants about the medications they needed just three weeks prior.  One man in his late 20’s was on ten medications a day!  The cost was nearly $20,000 a year for another.  The meds were so numerous, I didn’t catch them all, but some of the list included pills for depression, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.  And, now they are off them all.

This underscores one of my frustrations about the state of our health insurance.  It’s something I have to deal with every day as I try to help clients navigate their mental health benefits.  There’s always someone who is stuck in a plan with an exorbitant co-pay or limited sessions.  It doesn’t seem fair.  Here’s the really frustrating part:  The reason these costs are so high in the first place is due to largely CONTROLLABLE factors!

Just like on the Biggest Loser, if we as a nation would be willing to pay attention to what we eat, monitor weight, get enough sleep, refrain from smoking, and manage stress through exercise, our entire healthcare system would turn upside down.  Really.  If we put more effort into controlling those areas, then patients with life-threatening illnesses caused by uncontrollable factors could afford the care they needed.

I hear people justify unhealthy lifestyle choices all the time - “Hey, it’s my body, I can do what I want.”  True.  But when you enter the hospital for that heart attack - we all pay the price.  If we fail to make the changes we need to, we are all the biggest loser.

I took my daughter and her friend hiking yesterday in the gorgeous Bedford Reservation.  The fall colors are just breathtaking and should peak within the next ten days or so.  While there, I met a woman who asked me if I had ever “letter boxed.”

She was kind enough to clue me on a really fun family activity, especially in the fall.  Letter boxing is like an old-fashioned treasure hunt where clues must be followed to find the hidden treasure, which in this case is a letter box.  In the box is a stamp and ink pad that you use to document proof that you found it.    This seems like an earlier form of geocaching which requires a hand-held GPS to find the stash.

If you’re interested, check out this website: www.letterboxing.org. In the search engine, I entered my county and found a pretty easy hike in Brandywine Falls that I plan to take.  We’ve hiked this before, but I think adding the element of looking for a special letter box will add to the fun!

If you do this with your family, let me know the results.  And, if you’re a seasoned veteran, feel free to share your tips!