Relax Now to Reset Later!
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.” Mark Black Well, here we are at the end of August. I know I’m not alone when I say how quickly my beloved “summertime mode” has gone by. I’ve been busy, similar to the bees and hummingbirds in my yard that I watch when they are happily collecting nectar from the flowering plants. But it’s been a good busy. I’ve tended to my yard, took hikes, baked cakes for my volunteer work that supports children in homeless shelters celebrate their birthdays and supported clients in…
It’s National Relaxation Day! Here’s a gift for You!
“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down,” Lily Tomlin Step Into Nature’s Calm—Right From Where You Are I love National Relaxation Day! It’s such a great reminder of the importance of stopping, resting, and re-grouping. Taking time to relax and recharge is not something you should ever feel guilty about—yet in our “always productive” culture, it can feel out of alignment. The truth is, relaxing is one of the best things you can do for your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. And when you add in the beauty of nature, the benefits multiply even more.…
Reflecting and Making Space for What’s Next
As summer begins its gentle wind-down, August offers a natural pause—a chance to slow the pace, reflect on your growth, and integrate what’s been shifting within you. Over the last few months, we’ve explored some powerful ideas together: The Stress-Weight Connection — how chronic stress affects the body, and how vital it is to become aware of your stressors and use tools that build inner calm. When you operate from that foundation, your body can begin to release weight more easily. You’re able to make choices that support you—instead of working against you. Self-Talk as…
What’s Your Summer Take-Away?
It’s hard to believe summer is already beginning its wind down. I’ve been watching my container plants—usually an abundance of showy, cascading flowers—start to look a little spent. They’re not blooming as prolifically, as the photo shows, and I can see it won’t be too long before I’ll be cutting back many of the perennials and annuals to make space for any fall plantings I might decide to plant. And just as those plants are showing signs of summer’s end, I’m feeling it too. I feel like I want to simply stop, take it all…
What’s Your Self-Talk Saying About Your Happiness?
“Happiness doesn’t start with a relationship, a vacation, a job, or with money. It starts with your thinking and what you tell yourself everyday!” – Unknown Let’s talk about that voice in your head—the one that can lift you up… or bring you down. In the last Mind Matters blogpost, I focused on the power of self-talk—that inner dialogue that can either empower or limit us. What’s important to remember is that the way we talk to ourselves deeply influences how we feel about life, our choices, and even our happiness. In fact, the foundation…
The Power of Self-Talk: Lightening Up from the Inside Out
Summer often inspires us to lighten up—our wardrobes, our schedules, maybe even our meals. But how often do we think about lightening up our inner dialogue? The truth is, our bodies are always listening. The words we speak to ourselves—whether consciously or on autopilot—can either soothe us or spike our stress. They can encourage us toward health and joy… or keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, shame, or self-sabotage. This season of “summertime mode,” instead of focusing on willpower or “fixing” yourself, what if you focused on how you speak to yourself? Are your…