Category: self care

Friday, November 27

Today is Friday, November 27, 2020. Appreciating how a child’s innocent, uncontrolled giggling and joy brightens the day.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing. While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. As we continue to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body, we resume with our series of prompts to create your personal list of activities that shift your energy and are relaxing or calming for you.

Today, we focus on a list of ways to provide sensory breaks, moments of rest, away from our high tech devices.

  1. Soak in a hot tub. Add aromatherapy with a pleasant scented candle or essential oils to the experience.
  2. Pamper yourself with a facial mask, painting your nails or soaking your feet in warm water.
  3. Enjoy a nice shave and soothing aftershave.
  4. Relax with a hand or scalp massage or by simple resting with warm towels on the face, hands or feet.
  5. Apply scented lotion or oil to your skin.

An inspirational quote by Toba Beta, “Memories establish the past; Senses perceive the present; Imaginations shape the future.”

Photo by: Zoltan Tasi

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy together.”

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

    • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
    • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
    • Repeat to yourself, “I can have a moment to be calm. I can have a moment of peace.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, November 25

Today is Wednesday, November 25, 2020.  Taking a midweek pause, sipping tea, being thankful. We are grateful for the many ways we can connect with each other. Share in the connection with a cup of tea. It turns out that tea is the most common drink in the world after water.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing. While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. As animals hibernate or move to warmer climates, we invite you to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body.

Today, we offer a recipe for a warm and cozy Lemon Ginger Turmeric “Tea.”

Ingredients

      • 5 cups of water
      • 2 inch (5 cm) piece of fresh Ginger-peeled and sliced
      • 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece of fresh Turmeric-peeled and sliced
      • Juice of ½ a Lemon
      • Optional 1 Cinnamon stick

Directions:

Place water in a saucepan, add the ginger and turmeric to the water. If using a Cinnamon stick, add this now.  Bring to a boil and the reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.  Add the Lemon Juice.  Enjoy~

Recipe notes:

This recipe does not use actual tea leaves and does not have caffeine. If you like a spicy tea add more Ginger and Turmeric.  Be aware that when working with fresh Turmeric it can color the skin or counter tops for several days and it will wash off.  When you add the lemon juice, the tea will turn the beautiful yellow color.  This tea is also delicious served cold over ice.

An inspirational Quote from Mother Teresa “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless”

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy together.”

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

    • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
    • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
    • Repeat to yourself, “I can have a moment to be calm. I can have a moment of peace.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, November 23

Today is Monday, November 23, 2020. Along the morning walk, the quiet of the night still lingers. The ducks are taking it easy today.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing. While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways.

We continue to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body with our series of prompts to create your personal list of activities that shift your energy and are relaxing or calming for you.

As we begin this week, we focus on a list of ways to refresh the mind. Organize the list in order of easiest to incorporate or shortest amount of time to longest amount of time required. That way, when you need a quick reset, the items you see first can be implemented with the most ease.

    1. Journal.
    2. Read an inspiring blog or book of poetry.
    3. Listen to an uplifting podcast or audiobook.
    4. Listen to soothing music or music without words like classical, jazz, new age, ensembles or drums.
    5. Sing your favorite songs with emotion.

An inspirational quote by Toni Morris, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

Photo by: Sharon McCutcheon

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy together.”

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

    • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
    • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
    • Repeat to yourself, “I can have a moment to be calm. I can have a moment of peace.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, November 20

Today is Friday, November 20, 2020. The ancient Roman calendar named the ninth month as November. While it is now the 11th month, the name has not changed since 45 BC. Reflecting on how some things change and some stay the same over time.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing.

While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. We invite you to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body.

We continue with our series of prompts to create your personal list of activities that shift your energy and are relaxing or calming for you. It helps to organize the list by location or amount of time it works best in. Keeping this list easily accessible (i.e. in your planner, notes app or as a photo on your phone) for those moments you may need it. We will keep adding to it.

Today, we focus on creating a list of ways to engage with nature. Organize the list in order of easiest to incorporate or shortest amount of time to longest amount of time required. That way, when you need a quick reset, the items at the top of the list will be the first thing you see.

    1. Take a walk outside.
    2. Step outside, pay attention to the scent in the air, the color of the sky.
    3. Sit on a swing, park bench or lay in a hammock and breathe deeply and hum.
    4. Dig in the garden or plant some herbs indoors.
    5. Lay in the grass, sand or on a blanket and watch the clouds or birds or the stars.

An inspirational Quote Amelia Earhart, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees

Photo by: Chris Lejarazu

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy together.”

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

  • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
  • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
  • Now reach up both arms, outstretched, raise your chin and breathe in fresh energy, smile and breathe out with a sigh, “ahhh…”
  • Repeat 2 more times, then lower your arms and release your shoulders.
  • Smile inside and carry your sense of calm with you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, November 18

Today is Wednesday, November 18, 2020. The water reflects the sky and moves with the wind. And the ducks are reflected and move the water too.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing.

While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. We invite you to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body.

We continue with our series of prompts to create your personal list of activities that shift your energy and are relaxing or calming for you. It helps to organize the list by location or amount of time it works best in. Keeping this list easily accessible (i.e. in your planner, notes app or as a photo on your phone) for those moments you may need it. We will keep adding to it.

Today, we focus on creating a list of nourishing foods or drinks. Organize the list in order of easiest to do anywhere or shortest amount of time to longest amount of time required. That way, when you need a quick burst to reset you, it will be the first thing you see. Here is a start:

    1. Hydrate with a refreshing glass of water.
    2. Calm your insides with a warm cup of tea.
    3. Prepare healthy whole foods and arrange it to look beautiful and appealing to you. Maybe even capture the moment with a photo.
    4. Connect with various textures and colors as you prepare vegetables to eat.
    5. Make lists of healthy foods to remind you when you are busy. For example, a list of healthy creamy foods, without sugar, and that provide nutrients: yogurt, cottage cheese, hummus, creamy soups, etc.
    6. Embrace the fall by roasting chunks of pumpkin or squash or nuts or seeds to eat and store.
    7. Make a pot of soup with what you have at home.

An inspirational Quote by Dorothy Gilman, “People need dreams, there’s as much nourishment in them as food.”

Photo by: Janko Furlic

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy together.”

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

  • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
  • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
  • Now reach up both arms, outstretched, raise your chin and breathe in fresh energy, smile and breathe out with a sigh, “ahhh…”
  • Repeat 2 more times, then lower your arms and release your shoulders.
  • Smile inside and carry your sense of calm with you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, November 16

Today is Monday, November 16, 2020. Many connected around the world in creative ways to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights. This is a season to tap into love, joy and warm wishes.

November is for nesting, nourishing, and nurturing.

While the winter approaches in the northern hemisphere, nature reminds us to slow down and recharge in more quiet ways. As animals hibernate or move to warmer climates, we invite you to explore nourishing activities for your mind and body.

We begin today with a series of prompts that can be used to create your personal list of activities that shift your energy and are relaxing or calming for you. You can organize the list by location or amount of time it works best in. Keeping this list easily accessible (i.e. in your planner, notes app or as a photo on your phone) for those moments you may need it. We will keep adding to it.

Today, we focus on creating a list of physical activities. Organize the list in order of easiest to do anywhere or shortest amount of time to longest amount of time required. That way, when you need a quick burst to reset you, it will be the first thing you see.

Here are some examples that you may put on your list: shake out your whole body, walk, take the stairs, run, hold plank pose, practice Sun Salutations (yoga), dance, air boxing, gardening, dribble a ball, kick a hacky sack, pump out a workout from an app, lift weights, practice tai chi or martial arts, play with kids or pet, jumping jacks, burpees, squats, lunges, push ups, ab crunches, stretches, jump rope, hula hoop, swim, practice sports moves, rowing, biking, skating, pilates, etc.

An inspirational Quote from Carol Welch, “Movement is medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.”

Photo by: Aswathy N

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am human. My mind, my body, and my spirit are connected, and I am a part of a global community. I love myself and others because I have kindness and love in my heart and soul. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people. We are all human. We can create positive energy together.”

The Mindfulness Activity to practice this week to create Calm Moments:  

  • Straighten your spine. Roll your shoulders back and down, smile to yourself, & relax your jaw.
  • Take slow deep belly breaths, allowing your stomach to rise with each breath in and relax with each breath out. You may find that each breath gets better and better. Allow your shoulders to relax on each exhale.
  • Now reach up both arms, outstretched, raise your chin and breathe in fresh energy, smile and breathe out with a sigh, “ahhh…”
  • Repeat 2 more times, then lower your arms and release your shoulders.
  • Smile inside and carry your sense of calm with you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP