Health & wellbeing
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All your loves
“I am all the things I have ever loved.” ~Toni Morrison Each of us is a living collage of our passions, interests, and affections. The books we read, the films we favor, the clothing we choose, the art we make, the hobbies we enjoy, and the people we love — all of these tell the story of who we are. Take a moment to remember all the people and things you’ve ever loved, and how they’ve made you who you are today. ~CL
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Digital dementia
“As technological usage becomes more and more prevalent in our daily lives, it is essential to take proactive steps to protect our cognitive health and avoid digital dementia.” ~Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures When I first ran across the term “digital dementia” in a headline, I assumed it was a jokey reference to seniors who can’t remember where they left their cell phones. But then I learned that digital dementia is a real thing — and a growing concern for all age groups. What is it? And what does the research tell us? In 2012, German neuroscientist and psychiatrist Manfred Spitzer coined the term “digital dementia” when he discovered…
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Seek the life force
“There is a force within that gives you life. Seek that. Ignore those who make you fearful and sad.” ~Rumi Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’re hyper-aware of the chaos in our country and the rest of the world. Even if you don’t follow at least one (reputable) news source, your social media accounts are probably keeping you on edge and fueling your anger or anxiety. While I’d love to start the new year with renewed optimism, it’s hard not to feel uneasy, exhausted, and worried about the future. But we can’t rebuild what’s broken or recover from a national crisis without believing that something better is entirely possible. It helps…
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The magic of “Three Good Things”
“Being a born optimist is not required – this is a habit you can acquire. A simple way to get started is to begin the ‘Three Good Things’ intervention: Each day for at least one week, write down three things that went well that day, and the reasons why.” ~Andrew Weil, MD Are you suffering from the post-holiday-letdown blues? Is the 24-hour news cycle spiking your blood pressure or eroding your sense of optimism? Are you nervous about what’s ahead in the new year? This week is the perfect time to revisit Dr. Andrew Weil’s “Three Good Things” prescription, which promises to increase our levels of happiness for a full…
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Peace, comfort, and contagion
“Rest feels like every cell is thanking you for taking care of you. It’s calm, not full of checklists and chores.” ~Jennifer Williamson I can’t think of anything more demoralizing than being sick during the holidays. Thanks to the rampant and highly contagious Influenza A, I’ve spent the past couple of days in bed, hooked on Mucinex, Tylenol, and chicken soup. Sadly, I’ve had to cancel some plans. This mutant flu bug hit me so hard on the weekend that I wondered, at one point, if I should be hospitalized. Thankfully, we finished our Christmas wrapping and shopping last week. So, I wish I could tell you that I’m resting…
