Tag: nourishing

Monday, March 14

Today is Monday, March 14, 2022. Early birds chirping cheerfully, ready for another day.

A quote by Diane Ackerman, “Wonder is the heaviest element on the periodic table. Even a tiny fleck of it stops time.”

Photo from Nicole Siparsky, A Potted Garden in Vietnam

March is about opening up and fresh starts. This month, is about dreaming, planning, and setting up. Using gardening as analogy for living life, consider:

    • Location matters. Where is that place you can return to that is nourishing?
    • What kind of space do you need to create?
    • What needs to be cleared out or nurtured?

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.
    • With each breath, think about someone or something that you appreciate, that you feel gratitude for, and smile to yourself as you reflect and send out positive energy from that space inside.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my vision, courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the Love 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, 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 11

Today is Wednesday, November 11, 2020. It’s midweek, cooler temperatures ahead in the Northern Hemisphere, and glowing lights appear as seasons change. Looking forward with hope and connecting with the beauty of the present.

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.

Look around and find the beauty in your present space and time. It may be something simple that has always been there, or it may be something that is new or changing. Capture moments of beautiful colors and immerse yourself in the beauty. You may choose to pause and acknowledge it, write about it, take a photo, draw or paint it, or share it with a postcard, phone call or virtual connection.

22.9.marcykamenPhoto & Sketch by: Dr. Marcy Kamen, “Moments of Tranquility as we exhale.” Taking time for self-nurturing activities to give yourself joy and moments of tranquility. Evening sunset and Morning sketch.

An inspirational Quote from Edith Wharton, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”

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.   
    • Release your eye muscles with 3 breaths, allowing your eyes to rest.
    • Loosen your jaw muscles and let your mouth and lips rest. Allow 3 breaths.
    • Let your hands gently rest. Be present with yourself and enjoy this pause to refresh.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

 

Monday, November 9

Today is Monday, November 9, 2020. Topaz is the birthstone of November.  It is a symbol of honor and strength.

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.

Do a Brain Dump at the end of the day or whenever your thoughts feel cluttered. Write down everything on your mind.  A brain dump can help reduce stress and anxiety by resting those thoughts outside of your mind, allowing you to nourish yourself with fresh thoughts. You can choose to return to those thoughts at any time.

An inspirational Quote Will Rogers, “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.”

Photo by: Dan Deziel, “Autumn Carpet.”

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.   
    • Release your eye muscles with 3 breaths, allowing your eyes to rest.
    • Loosen your jaw muscles and let your mouth and lips rest. Allow 3 breaths.
    • Let your hands gently rest. Be present with yourself and enjoy this pause to refresh.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

 

Friday, November 6th

Today is Friday, November 6th, 2020.  The birth flower of November is the Chrysanthemum.  The Chrysanthemum represents cheerfulness.

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.

Select a charity or group you care about and make a donation. You can choose to share:

    • Your time
    • Your expertise
    • Your kindness
    • Your creativity
    • Your enthusiasm

An inspirational Quote from Nelson Mandela

“You can start changing our world for the better, no matter how small the action.”

Photo by: Yoksel Zok

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. My mind, my body, and my spirit are united, 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.
    • As you continue to breathe deeply and slowly, smile to yourself with kindness and compassion and enjoy a moment of being you.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP