Health & wellbeing
-
The freedom to decide
At first glance, today’s quote got me thinking about democracy and our duty to vote in our elections. But then I thought about how “our ultimate freedom” extends far beyond politics. Every single day, our ultimate freedom is expressed in the way we use our talents; what we choose to eat or drink; how we dress or decorate; what we read; how we care for our health; how we treat others and how we allow others to treat us. Just for starters. Every day, we make life-enhancing decisions, including how we spend our time and with whom. We often take this “ultimate freedom” for granted. Sometimes we settle for what’s…
-
The heart of the matter
“To love well is the task in all meaningful relationships, not just romantic bonds.” ~bell hooks While Valentine’s Day was originally designed to celebrate romantic love, the holiday has evolved to include our love for friends and family. Hallmark produces Valentine cards for everyone in your life, from siblings to parents to best friends. You can even buy a Valentine for your dog to give a loved one. Love is a wonderful thing. As medical experts advise, spending time with people we enjoy promotes longevity and supports mental health. Ideally, when we connect in person with others, we step outside of ourselves and our world expands. This week, think about…
-
Happiness is …
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings. And once you have achieved a state of happiness, you must never become lax about maintaining it.” ~Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love While we’re focusing on optimism and positive thinking this week, we might draw some inspiration from countries that seem to master it. Finland continues to rank first place in the World Happiness Report, with other Scandinavian countries topping the list as well. What’s going on up there? You can learn more…
-
All your loves
“I am all the things I have ever loved.” ~Toni Morrison Each of us is a living collage of our passions, interests, and affections. The books we read, the films we favor, the clothing we choose, the art we make, the hobbies we enjoy, and the people we love — all of these tell the story of who we are. Take a moment to remember all the people and things you’ve ever loved, and how they’ve made you who you are today. ~CL
-
Digital dementia
“As technological usage becomes more and more prevalent in our daily lives, it is essential to take proactive steps to protect our cognitive health and avoid digital dementia.” ~Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures When I first ran across the term “digital dementia” in a headline, I assumed it was a jokey reference to seniors who can’t remember where they left their cell phones. But then I learned that digital dementia is a real thing — and a growing concern for all age groups. What is it? And what does the research tell us? In 2012, German neuroscientist and psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer coined the term “digital dementia” when he discovered…
