Mental Health
YOU MATTER!
Be who you are and say what you feel
Because those who mind DON’T MATTER
And those who MATTER don’t mind.
~~ Dr Seuss
Greetings to all my precious people!
We are winding down the blustery month of March, ending the first quarter of the year and hopefully finding a rhythm to our daily life that supports our wellbeing. Perhaps you have been able to set aside some moments to revisit your delightful amazing Self, as you remember your connection to everything around you. The foundations of Chinese medicine focus on the interconnectedness of all things, and we are not only part of the landscape, but that landscape also lives within us – connected by threads in a fabric woven from the stars and the soil, from the wind and the rain. While this might sound poetic, it is in fact the truth: we are all part of a system, and everything that happens within one part impacts the rest of the system. continue reading
Courage Grace & Compassion
March is the Month of Expectation.
Emily Dickinson
Greetings to all my precious people!
Just when you thought it was safe to put away your winter coat, the North wind blasted us with one more reminder that Nature is in charge of the environment. The month of March is mercurial, and perhaps that makes sense, since the name March is ultimately derived from the Latin word Martius, named after Mars, the Roman god of war. While we are in the midst of welcoming the Spring Equinox, Mercury has entered its “pre-retrograde” shadow and there is also a lunar eclipse on the horizon for March 25th. Change is constant, and the shifts in the season gently remind us that we, too, are part of the environment, contributing to the outside world as well as being affected by it. continue reading
Rest & Reset
Rest and be thankful.
~~ William Wordsworth
Greetings to all my precious people!!
It is the middle of March, and there is a firestorm of activity occurring!! The first noticeable change was the historical and controversial “spring ahead” to welcome daylight saving time, switching our clocks ahead one hour, effective Sunday March 10. According to the Library of Congress, this measure was first introduced in the United States in 1918 under the Standard Time Act as a way to save on fuel costs during the First World War by adding an extra hour of sunlight to the day. Daylight saving time was enacted as a legal requirement by the Uniform Time Act of 1966. Under this act, states could exempt themselves from daylight saving time, and Hawaii and Arizona opted out. continue reading
Unlocking the Secrets of Sleep
Beyond a nightly ritual, sleep is an intricate dance our bodies and minds perform, playing a pivotal role in our overall health and well-being. Let’s delve into the profound importance of a good night’s rest:
💤 Restoration and Repair: During those peaceful hours of slumber, our bodies embark on a transformative journey. Cells undergo repair, muscles grow, and growth hormones are released. It’s a nightly reset button, allowing our bodies to heal and rejuvenate.
💤 Memory Consolidation: Ever wondered why a good night’s sleep enhances your ability to recall information? Sleep is the maestro orchestrating the consolidation of memories. It’s a crucial process for organizing and retaining the wealth of experiences and knowledge acquired throughout the day.
💤 Physical Health: The link between adequate sleep and physical well-being is profound. Sleep regulates hormones governing appetite, metabolism, and stress. Skimping on sleep can lead to weight gain, increased stress levels, and a compromised immune system. Your body’s way of saying, ‘I need my rest!’
💤 Mental Health: The mind, too, seeks solace in the realm of dreams. Sleep is intricately connected to mental well-being, influencing mood and emotional stability. Chronic sleep deprivation is a potential gateway to mood disorders such as depression and anxiety.
💤 Brain Function: Ever heard of the saying, ‘sleep on it’? There’s wisdom in those words. While we snooze, our brains oscillate through different stages, including deep sleep and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. These stages are the VIP pass to cognitive function, creativity, and problem-solving.
💤 Energy Conservation: Sleep isn’t just a time of rest; it’s an energy-saving strategy. By reducing our metabolic rate and overall energy expenditure, sleep ensures we wake up refreshed and ready to conquer the challenges of a new day. It’s the ultimate recharge.
💤 Dreams: As the night unfolds, our minds weave intricate tales in the realm of dreams, especially during REM sleep. These vivid experiences are more than just nocturnal adventures; they serve as a conduit for our brains to process emotions and thoughts, contributing to mental and emotional well-being.
So, the next time you’re tempted to sacrifice sleep for other endeavors, remember: it’s not just a break from reality but a vital component of a healthy, fulfilling life. Prioritize your sleep – your body and mind will thank you!
Creating Our Experience
To pay attention ~
this is our endless and proper work.
~~ Mary Oliver
Greetings to all my precious people!!
It is the first day of March in a leap year!! And still, the remnants of Winter remain. During this transitional phase, warm sunny days are mixed with cold rainy moments as the Earth moves in her cyclical shifting pattern. Mother Nature continues to be our best teacher as she adapts and moves forward, mirroring our own Life pivots and shifts. We acknowledge the quiet phase of Winter for surely it is a reminder of the trust and faith we have that Spring will appear. These seasonal patterns reflect life lessons in persistence, patience, and promise. The message of this ‘in-between’ time continues to be: slow down, get quiet, and prioritize deep rest to support your own Spring renewal. continue reading
