Tag: sleep

Friday, August 12

Today is Friday, August 12, 2022.  Appreciating the beauty in the simplicity of nature.

A quote by Henry David Thoreau, “Simplicity is the law of nature for men as well as for flowers.”

Photo by: T Schofield

This August is about simplifying to calm and restore inner peace.

Simplify your schedule:

  • Set your priorities
  • Pause before you respond to a request
  • Know your limits, it’s OK to say no
  • Meal prep
  • Have a regular sleep routine

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:

  • 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. 
  • Picture yourself in a relaxed state.  See yourself on your favorite walking path, a favorite vacation spot, sitting on a porch with a friend…
    • 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, April 1

Today is Friday, April 1, 2022. Today begins the second quarter of the year.

A quote by: Martin Luther King, Jr. “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step”.

Photo from pigphoto

April is about Springing forward.  Let’s take some time to explore strategies and activities for continued growth.  Optimizing sleep is a great way to recharge.

    • Get exposure to sunlight during the day.
    • Keep consistent sleep and wake times.
    • Add physical activity to your day.
    • Minimize exposure to electronic devices for one hour prior to sleep.
    • Focus on Love.

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, visualize a lake or body of water. Connect to its vastness, connect to the waves on top and calmness beneath or connect to your favorite characteristic of the water.

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 

Monday, December 13

Today is Monday, December 13, 2021. Appreciating restorative rest feeling ready to embrace another opportunity to be AWESOME!

A quote from Thomas Dekker. “Sleep is that golden chain that ties health and our bodies together.”

Photo by: Robson Hatsukami Morgan

December Delights is here. This December, let’s focus on gifts of Love and Joy- to yourself and others.

Prioritizing sleep to boost our mood and health.

  • Create a sleep routine or try a new routine.
    • Prioritize your sleep by scheduling at least 7-8 hours of time for sleep.
    • Keep your phone out of your bedroom.
    • Stop using electronics at least one hour before bed.
    • Journal your daily reflections and visualize your dream future.
    • Take a warm bath.
    • Practice meditation before bed.

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:  

    • 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.
    • For a quieting meditation before sleep, include Box breathing.
    • Continuing to Belly breath, inhale for the count of 4; hold your breath for the count of 4.
    • Then, exhale for the count of 4; and again, hold your breath for a count of 4.
    • Continue to repeat this pattern at least 4 times or until you are feeling more relaxed and ready for sleep.

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat:  

 “I am [*Name*]. I can do this. As I connect to my courage, strength, and wisdom, I am open to the 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, April 19

Today is Monday, April 19, 2021. Every week, new blooms appear, wondering what new blooms have you seen?

Ascending through April.  A good night’s rest can help many things including: improved memory, boosting our mood and elevating athletic performance.  Consider the following to improve your sleep:

    • Consistent sleep and wake time.
    • Get exposure to natural sunlight during the day.
    • Turn off your electronics at least one hour before bedtime.
    • Consider a bedtime body scan meditation.

Photo by: Kazuo Ota

Recharge yourself and share positive energy when you repeat: 

“I am [*Name*].  I am open to the positive energy around me. I appreciate myself and others as I connect with love and kindness. As I think about those I love and care for, I send loving kindness and compassion to all people including me. We share our humaneness. Together, we can do great things.”

A quote by Vincent van Gogh “I dream my painting and then I paint my dream.”

Use this Mindfulness Activity to Re-energize your Body and Mind:  

    • 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.
    • Bring your focus to your hands and release the muscles in your hands.
    • Next, bringing your hands together, gently squeeze each fingertip, one by one, until you have connected with each finger.
    • Being present, smile to yourself.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP 

Friday, September 11

Today is Friday, September 11, 2020.  Green is the most common color observed in the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).  See photo.

Inspirational quotes to start the weekend from Mary Davis, “The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see.” And by Robert Holden, “The miracle of gratitude is that it shifts your perception to such an extent that it changes the world you see.”

Photo by: Luke Tanis

It is Self-Care September! This month, we offer prompts to energize your self-care routine. We invite you to experiment with any or all the suggested activities to invigorate, your mind, body and spirit.

Self-Care Activity:  Establish a restorative sleep routine.  Each night is a new night, trust your body and mind to self-regulate and allow you to fall asleep.

    • Explore a bedtime body scan.
      • With your eyes closed begin to focus on your breath
      • Take inventory of the sensations in each part of your body
      • Choose where to start, left hand, head, toes, …
      • Continue along your body in a way that makes sense to you, head to toe, feet to top of the head, left to right…
      • If your thoughts drift, simply return to your scan. Thoughts will likely drift—the important thing is to just observe and be one with your body.

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I am resilient and learning every day. I am part of the global community. I love myself 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 out to all people. We are all connected. We can be resilient 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.
    • Practice the Mountain Meditation to connect with your inner strength and stability.
      1. Envision a mountain, see the intricate details of the mountain.
      2. Bring the majesty of the mountain inside of you and be one with the mountain.
      3. Feel the strength and stability of the mountain.

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,

 Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP   

Wednesday, September 2

Today is Wednesday, September 2, 2020.  The seasons change in September. There is a full moon tonight. The full moon can be the beginning of a new cycle.

We begin with an inspirational quote from William Shakespeare:

“Our bodies are our garden to which our wills are gardeners.” 

Photo by: Norikio Yamamoto

It is Self-Care September! This month, we will offer prompts to energize your self-care routine. We invite you to experiment with any or all the suggested activities to invigorate, your mind, body and spirit.

Self-Care Activity:  Establish a restorative sleep routine.  Each night is a new night, trust your body and mind to self-regulate and allow you to fall asleep.

      • Create a relaxing pre-sleep routine, to make the transition from wake to sleep. Try one or multiple before bedtime:
        • Take a relaxing bath or shower.
        • Read a book.
        • Journal.
        • Listen to calming music or sounds.
        • Practice meditation.

Recharge yourself when you repeat:    

“I am [*Name*]. I belong and I am a part of the global community. I love myself 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 out to all people. We are all connected. We can be resilient 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.   
  • Experience an Affirmation meditation:
    1. Find a comfortable position in bed,
    2. Repeat your affirmation: [My body is calm, my mind is at ease, I breathe in goodness, I exhale peace, or choose your own affirmation.]

With gratitude and appreciation for all beings,    

Naomi Parrella, MD & Fran Lee, FNP