Wednesday, June 8

Today is Wednesday, June 8, 2022. Feeling the Re-charging energy of the sun’s warmth.

A quote by Helen Keller.  “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.”

Photo by: Jane Botova

Finding Joy in June.  For the second half of the year, let’s focus on ways we can find joy. Being joyful can extend your life, relieve stress, and pain, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Joy is connected to appreciating things; keeping a gratitude journal can bring us joy.

    • Describe your favorite moment of the day
    • Describe something that cheers you up
    • Write about something you accomplished today and how you feel about it.
    • Write about a pet and what makes them special

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • As you continue to Belly breathe, inhale past or current joyful moments, exhale difficult or challenging moments.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, June 6

Today is Monday, June 6, 2022. Enjoying the sun rays shining through the tree branches.

A quote by Jonathan Lockwood Huie, “Joy blooms where minds and hearts are open.”

Photo by Fran Lee

Finding Joy in June.  For the second half of the year, let’s focus on ways we can find joy. Being joyful can extend your life, relieve stress, and pain, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Plan for Joy.  We plan for retirement, plan for health with health-promoting diet and exercise. Let’s think of ways we can plan for JOY.

    • Wake up ten minutes earlier to schedule some quite time to reflect
    • Savor the small things: the smell of tea or coffee in the morning, birds chirping, leaves gently waving in the breeze, fluffy clouds
    • Choose to think happy thoughts in the morning to start your day; end your day reflecting on all the good you experienced today
    • Journal about Joy
    • Start to plan your dream vacation

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • As you continue to Belly breath, inhale past or current joyful moments, exhale difficult or challenging moments.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, June 3

Today is Friday, June 3, 2022. Thinking, “How can I share some joy today?”

A quote by Rumi.  “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.”

Photo by Scott Carroll

Finding Joy in June.  For the second half of the year, let’s focus on ways we can find joy. Being joyful can extend your life, relieve stress, and pain, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Spreading joy brings joy to others and to you as well.

    • Say “Good Morning” to your coworkers
    • Hold the door open for someone
    • Send a nice email to a colleague
    • Smile and appreciate another
    • Help someone with their garden
    • Share an uplifting story
    • Plant a tree in honor of someone special

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Listen to your breath as you continue to breathe deeply. Allow yourself to pause your activity and just listen and feel your breath moving in and out of your body.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, June 1

Today is Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Today is the start of the second half of 2022.

A quote by John Keates.  “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

Photo by Kedar Gadge

Finding Joy in June.  As we start the second half of the year, let’s focus on ways we can find joy. Being joyful can extend your life, relieve stress and pain, and promote a healthy lifestyle.

Start your day with joy:

    • Put on your favorite outfit
    • Wear perfume or cologne
    • Try a new hair style
    • Wear jewelry—accessorize
    • Try a new shade of lipstick
    • Put on some fun socks

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Listen to your breath as you continue to breathe deeply. Allow yourself to pause your activity and just listen and feel your breath moving in and out of your body.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP    

Monday, May 30

Today is Monday, May 30, 2022. A day of reflection, awareness and gratitude.

A quote by Thucydides, “The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage.”

Photo by Marcos Paolo Prado

Closing out May, to practice connecting with happiness, even if only for  moments at a time. Here’s a wrap up of the links to happiness practices and tips from this month.

May 2 Getting Outside

May 4 Laughter

May 6 Dance

May 9 Flowers

May 11 Connection with others

May 13 Volunteering

May 16 Star-gazing

May 18 Decluttering

May 20 Pleasant scents

May 23 Rest and sleep

May 25 Music

May 27 Happiness factors

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Listen to your breath as you continue to breathe deeply. Allow yourself to pause your activity and just listen and feel your breath moving in and out of your body.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP    

Friday, May 27

Today is Friday, May 27, 2022. Seeing the new growth on the trees and bushes, listening to the ducklings finally large enough to stand taller than the grass, observing the maple tree “helicopters” flutter to the ground.

A quote by Lucy Larcom, “He who plants a tree, plants a hope.”

Photo by César Ardila

Continuing a Magical May!  This month, we explore things that can make us HAPPY.  Being happy can enhance your life, boost the immune system, and help build connections with others. Use your imagination to picture what a happy day could look and feel like. Consider, what can you add to your life from that image? What can you be doing now, to increase those “happiness factors” in your life?

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Breathe in fresh air, allow the energy to flow throughout the body.
    • Exhale the unnecessary, feel the body reset.
    • Repeat several more times and smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, May 25

Today is Wednesday, May 25, 2022. Riding on wheels during the week- feels great to be moving forward.

A quote by Herbie Hancock, “Music is the tool to express life, and all that makes a difference.”

Photo by Bastien Plu

Continuing a Magical May!  This month, we explore things that can make us HAPPY.  Being happy can enhance your life, boost the immune system, and help build connections with others. Music can elicit happiness and soothe the brain.

    • Create playlists that elicit certain moods and feelings. Upbeat and activating. Relaxing and calming. Cheerful and associated with happy memories.
    • Play an instrument. Return to an instrument you know how to play. Learn a new instrument by taking lessons online or in in person class and make new friends.
    • Sing in a choir or to your favorite music in the shower, with a karaoke machine or even in the car.
    • Serenade a loved one or sing a lullaby to a child.
    • Listen to musicians performing for an audience.
    • Enjoy your favorite music while immersing yourself in the garden or park.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Breathe in fresh air, allow the energy to flow throughout the body.
    • Exhale the unnecessary, feel the body reset.
    • Repeat several more times and smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Monday, May 23

Today is Monday, May 23, 2022. Appreciating the cycles: spring blossoms spent, new greenery everywhere, sun brings new life.

A quote by John Steinbeck, “It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.”

Photo by Gabriel Cattaruzzi

Continuing a Magical May!  This month, we explore things that can make us HAPPY.  Being happy can enhance your life, boost the immune system, and help build connections with others.  Feeling happy is much easier when protecting enough time for rest and sleep.

Practice the same ritual every time you want to signal to your body that it is time to rest. This might be:

  • taking a soothing warm bath,
  • writing in a journal,
  • practicing progressive relaxation working from the head down to the toes,
  • listening to a guided meditation or specific music or sounds,
  • darkening or adjusting the lighting in the room,
  • working through a relaxing yoga sequence.

With regular practice, you can train your mind to recognize it is time to rest and be better able to get into that state easily and allow restful sleep to follow.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

  • 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. 
  • Breathe in fresh air, allow the energy to flow throughout the body.
  • Exhale the unnecessary, feel the body reset.
  • Repeat several more times and smile to yourself.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, May 20

Today is Friday, May 20, 2022.  Can’t help but smile watching the ducklings pause in the grass, distracted by something, then run to catch up with their parents.

A quote by Aristotle, “Happiness depends on ourselves.”

Photo, Miniature Cactus Flowers, taken by Nicole Siparsky, MD

Continuing a Magical May!  This month, we explore things that can make us HAPPY.  Being happy can enhance your life, boost the immune system, and help build connections with others.  Engaging familiar, pleasant scents can elicit happy feelings.

    • Walk through a floral garden, along the beach, in the woods or across a fresh cut lawn.
    • Cook a favorite dish.
    • Grind coffee beans.
    • Brew a fragrant tea.
    • Infuse water with herbs.
    • Add a favorite essential oil to your bath towels.
    • Wear your favorite perfume or cologne.
    • Boil orange peels and/or cinnamon.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Gently stretch your neck muscles as you tilt your head to the right for a breath cycle, releasing the shoulders. Repeat on the other side.
    • Continuing to breathe, gently stretch your neck muscles as you tilt your head up with a breath cycle and down with a breath cycle. Keep the shoulders relaxed and smile.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Wednesday, May 18

Today is Wednesday, May 18, 2022.  Looking at the clouds, imagining what they feel like.

A quote by Trevor Carss, “Out of calmness comes clarity.”

Photo taken by Dan Deziel, May Dawn

Continuing a Magical May!  This month, we explore things that can make us HAPPY.  Being happy can enhance your life, boost the immune system, and help build connections with others.  Declutter a space.  Decluttering has been shown to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

    • Organize your cabinets and closets
    • Clean off your desk
    • Do a spring cleanup in the garden
    • Wash your car
    • File, scan or recycle papers
    • Find a home for all the toys

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind whenever you need a moment to reset – while waiting, before, after, or to transition between activities:

    • 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.
    • Gently stretch your neck muscles as you tilt your head to the right for a breath cycle, releasing the shoulders. Repeat on the other side.
    • Continuing to breathe, gently stretch your neck muscles as you tilt your head up with a breath cycle and down with a breath cycle. Keep the shoulders relaxed and smile.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my inner self, I am open to the Happiness and positive energy around me. I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. Together, we can do great things.”

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP