Health & wellbeing
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The gift of quiet time
“There’s no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day.” ~Alexander Woollcott The month of December includes several family birthdays and holiday events, so most days on our calendar are typically marked with things to do. But our dog Coco was hit by a car before Thanksgiving, so this season has been different. To ensure Coco’s recovery, we’ve had to cancel a few plans, stick close to home, and keep our outings short. It might seem anti-social (or boring) to some, but I love seeing blank spaces on my calendar. It’s not that I don’t look forward to gathering with family and friends. But I have to admit that…
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Reasons to love winter
“What’s the secret to beating back the metaphorical darkness? Accept the inevitable, tend to your physical and mental health, and stack the deck with feel-good activities. Focusing on all that makes you feel great will make the time fly by – and let you win at winter.” ~Frank Lipman, MD There’s a light dusting of snow outside my window this morning. While I hate driving on snowy roads, I try to adapt when Mother Nature gives us the cold shoulder. There’s science to prove that spending time in cold weather slows the aging process and benefits our health in several ways. Being outdoors in cold temperatures “is showing promise as…
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Help for the holidays and a little bah-humbug
“One of the most important ways to reduce stress is to ask for help. This works not only during the holidays, but also all year ’round.” – Dr. Daisy Sutherland Last week on NPR, there was a fascinating segment on the topic of why so many people secretly dread the Christmas season — even though it’s supposed to be a celebratory season of nonstop merriment. Rates of depression typically rise between Thanksgiving and December 31st, with many folks reporting feelings of sadness. For others, the holidays simply add another layer of stress. Some of us have trouble saying “no” when it comes to stuffing every moment in December with perpetual activity…
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All-inclusive gratitude
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson When we consider Thanksgiving, we usually think of our good fortune. But as my old friend Emerson suggested in today’s quote, “all things” have made us who we are today. That includes setbacks and struggles such as health crises, personal losses, career challenges, and other difficulties. We all face hurt and disappointment at some point. The pilgrims who left England to start new lives here — including my own maternal ancestors on…
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Making choices
“Remember that you have more control over your emotional and physical health than your frightened mind would have you believe. You choose what you eat, how frequently you move your body, how lovingly you speak to yourself, and what you will and will not allow into your eyes and ears. Be very, very picky.” ~Cheryl Richardson I always feel my best when I remember that I have the power to create the changes I want to see in myself. For instance, I can make healthy choices at the grocery store or when I’m eating in a restaurant. Nobody is forcing me to order beer and French fries. The same is…
