Tag: recharge

Friday, May 26

Today is Friday, May 26, 2023. As we continue onto week 3 of moving towards dreams, aspirations, goals, you can continue to work on establishing your sleep ritual as we shift to awake times.

Think about this: As part of your daily routine, maybe even with your brain dump from last week, consider a reflection about instant pleasure vs. deep satisfaction in your day or week. Instant pleasure is short acting and immediate. It does not last. It lights up certain areas of the brain that drive us to want more if “that.” It doesn’t care if it is good for you or not, that kind of instant pleasure lights up specific brain cells.

Deep satisfaction lights up the whole brain and creates a warm glow that lasts. It is recharging. It feels good and nourishes the soul. It is good for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Bottom line, it is so very good for you.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: For this next week, reflect on the people, places and things that cause you to experience deep satisfaction. Make a list and then see if you can figure out what are some similarities about the items on the list. What causes you deep satisfaction? Maybe you can find ways to increase opportunities for more of those deeply satisfying experiences.

A quote by Michael Franti, “Love is the action of soul satisfaction.”

Thank you to Benjamin Lehman for sharing this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, April 28

Today is Friday, April 28, 2023. This week is closing out April.   Think about this: Stress pushes for change and humans are designed to be able to handle large amounts of stress. Depending on the response- the flexibility, the ability to learn, the adaptation- this can lead to getting stronger, wiser and all around better. What makes this possible? A chance for processing and recharging and healing. There must be a time “after” the stress where recovery and improvement can take place. Sometimes it is while sleeping, sometimes while meditating, journaling or being in nature and other times, sharing the experience with a safe someone who you trust. DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: When you are experiencing high levels of stress, find time to pause and create an artificial “close” to the stress cycle and allow some recharge time even if it is temporary. Slow down your breathing and remind yourself, “I can do this.”   A quote by Eric Maisel, “A long, deep breath is the equivalent of a full stop and the key to centering.” Thank you to Erin Burden for sharing this lovely photo. With gratitude and appreciation for all beings, Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, March 17

Today is Friday, March 17, 2023. This week marks 3 years since our journey began with the Daily Gift of Vitality. While many seem to have moved on and left the past 3 years behind, we have all been affected, some more than others. There is still much to process, to learn from, to improve upon, and to make peace with. This is the time to join together.

Think about this: Humans have the power to heal other humans through relationships. Creating an emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually safe space with another person, and practicing self-compassion and compassion for others, accelerates healing, recovery, and the ability to thrive- for all those involved in that nourishing relationship. Given that life has 50% fabulous and 50% not-so-fabulous parts, and that they are not always equally distributed at the same time, it helps to have those relationships to get through the toughest times.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: Let’s create that safe space where we can join with others in the days ahead. Practice being that safe person. Practice compassion towards yourself and others. By accepting and being accepted, through loving and sharing an experience of belonging, you will experience the power of humans to heal other humans.  

A quote by Yoko Ono, “Healing yourself is connected with healing others.”

Thank you to Florian Giorgio for this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, February 10

Today is Friday, February 10. This week’s practice to expand your vitality is inspired by Dacher Keltner in Awe. If this option is a tool that appeals to you, please join us.

Think about this: Experiencing awe improves health and wellbeing by stimulating the vagus nerve known to cause a relaxation response. Awe is associated with markers of lower inflammation and it also releases the hormone oxytocin known to increase the feelings of deep love, trust and bonding.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: This week and beyond, seek out opportunities to experience moments of awe.

A quote by Sharon Saltzberg, “Restore your attention or bring it to a new level by dramatically slowing down whatever you’re doing.”

Thank you to Stephan Leonardi for this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, February 3

Today is Friday, February 3. This week’s practice to expand your vitality is to allow a deep connection with someone. If this option is a tool that is appealing to you, please join us.

Think about this: When something happens that leads to undesirable feelings or vulnerability, it feels so much better to share it with a safe person and know someone else can understand. Deep connections are made when we can share safely and be understood.

DGoV (Daily Gift of Vitality) Activity: This week, think about how to be that open and safe person someone can confide in when they feel vulnerable. Allow yourself to be that person that can deeply connect with another.

A quote by Gina Greenlee, “When we establish human connections within the context of shared experience we create community wherever we go.”

Thank you to Mauro Lima for this photo.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Saturday, December 31

Today is Saturday, December 31, 2022. In March of 2020, we began this part of the journey together. We’ve made mistakes, laughed and learned. We keep appreciating, adapting and moving forward.

A quote by Dalai Lama, “Compassion is the wish to see others free from suffering.” 

Photo by Fiona Smallwood

Today, with the closing of another year, marks an opportunity for change, for fresh starts and to launch new beginnings. Reflecting back, being present, and thinking forward.

The Daily Gift of Vitality is also changing. We started together on a journey to create a safe space in March of 2020. Today, marks the final Daily Gift of Vitality in this format.  For now, we will shift to once weekly posts to this website. Over the next several weeks we will be looking forward to how we can adapt the Daily Gift of Vitality for the current times. In the meantime, you may access previous content on the website, DailyGiftOfVitality.com

Reflecting back, here is a snippet from March of 2020…

“While there is uncertainty and fear around us right now, there is also love and kindness around us, always.

During times of uncertainty, it helps to have some structured routines. We offer a daily anchoring message for those of you who may find it helpful for you, your coworkers, your loved ones, and/or your community.”

We anchored messages to our purpose:

  1. To provide a single simple message to everyone everywhere allowing individuals to learn and practice simple self-regulating actions daily for optimal health, function & recovery.
  2. To provide a reliable daily anchor- keeping it simple, easy to learn and remember – and quick to apply.
  3. To provide a routine. Each message will maintain a standardized, dependable structure to allow it to be used as a “routine” to start a day, transition from work to home mindset or after reading/watching news/social media, or to end the day.
  4. To create safe space to rest and recharge. The messaging is meant to be a “safe” space and deliberately avoids using terms that may be triggering and common in current communications.
  5. To establish an easy-to-implement way to keep people connected & cared for despite being physically in different spaces.

As we move forward, we will consider what next. Meanwhile…

Practice 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.

Throughout, we begin this activity the same, with the same first 2 steps to signal to the body and mind that we are pausing to get centered and recharge. Over time, we have explored and practiced various ways to use this signal to further maximize the benefits. Today, we bring back a simple way settle your mind, like early on, “Here’s what you can do today, right now.”

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

  • 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. 

Settle your mind.

  • Imagine a box with a lid. It can be colorful or plain. It can be large or small or any size you want. Put that box on the side.  
  • Take those feelings that don’t serve you right now and place them in the box.   
  • Now, place all the thoughts about things you don’t have control over, and place them in the box also.   
  • You can come back to the box any time to add or examine what you have in there, but you don’t need to carry it with you. You can leave it for a bit. It will be safe there. 

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. I am always learning. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. 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.”

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your day. Wishing All a Happy & Healthy New Year full of Love, Joy and Laughter.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, December 30

Today is Friday, December 30, 2022. Snuggled up ready for a brisk walk outside.

A quote by Ryunosuke Satoro, “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”

Photo by: Birger Strahl

This last week of the year, another year to set up for continued progress. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace. As you reflect back on your accomplishments for the past year, were there times that you allowed yourself grace in dealing with challenging situations.  How did that feel?

Practice 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.

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

  • 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. 
    • Visualize your healing breath.
      • As you breathe in and feel your lungs inflate, visualize that flow of oxygen reach all parts of your body & revitalize all of your cells.
      • As you breathe out, feel your body settle.
      • With each breath, feel how you are recharging your body.
      • Remember, you were designed to heal.

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. This is temporary. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. 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, December 28

Today is Wednesday, December 28, 2022. Reading a good book, with a warm cup of tea, feeling relaxed.

A quote Anne Lamott, “I do not at all understand the mystery of grace – only that is meets us where we are but does not leave us where it found us.”

Photo by: Oleg Elkov

This last week of the year, another year to set up for continued progress. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace. We often make lists of things we want, consider reflecting on the things you have.

Practice 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.

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

  • 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. 
  • Visualize your healing breath.
    • As you breathe in and feel your lungs inflate, visualize that flow of oxygen reach all parts of your body & revitalize all of your cells.
    • As you breathe out, feel your body settle.
    • With each breath, feel how you are recharging your body.
    • Remember, you were designed to heal.

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. This is temporary. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. 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, December 23

Today is Friday, December 23, 2022. The lively music inspires a more energetic workout. Feeling SO GOOD!

A quote by Arthur Clarke, “The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.”

Photo by: Drepicter

December marks the end of another year. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace. Do an activity log of how you spend your days.  Note if your activities bringing joy or some anxiety.  Are there some adjustments you can make to bring more joy and peace to your day?

Practice 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.

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

  • 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. 
  • Focus your attention on your right great toe. Tap it up and down.
  • Shift your focus to your right elbow and notice where your elbow is.
  • Glide your focus to the center of your chest and breathe in peace and breathe out what you no longer need.
  • Continue to breathe in peace and breathe out what you no longer need, for as long as you like.
  • Smile when you are ready to move forward.

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. This is temporary. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. 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, December 21

Today is Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Cheerful chimes responding to the wind, feeling alive as my hair goes wild.

A quote by Voltaire, “The ear is the avenue to the heart.”

Photo by: Jen Tepp

December marks the progress of another year. This is a time for reflection, appreciation, and grace. Consider offering yourself a pause, in the end-of-the-year celebrations and obligations, to provide yourself what you may be needing.

Practice 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.

Establishing a regular practice of pausing makes it easier to reset when you need it the most. You can start your practice at any time, even now.

  • 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. 
  • Focus your attention on your right great toe. Tap it up and down.
  • Shift your focus to your right elbow and notice where your elbow is.
  • Glide your focus to the center of your chest and breathe in peace and breathe out what you no longer need.
  • Continue to breathe in peace and breathe out what you no longer need, for as long as you like.
  • Smile when you are ready to move forward.

Recharge yourself, tap into your strength and share positive energy when you repeat:  

“I am [*Name*]. I can do this. This is temporary. I have successfully handled difficult challenges in the past. 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