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…
Our Self Talk Matters
As I was thinking about what I wanted to share with you this month—and reflecting on the stress-weight connection I’ve been writing about in recent articles—it hit me just how essential our self-talk is. What are we telling ourselves, consciously or unconsciously? After working with clients for over 25 years and reading countless articles on this topic, I can tell you that most of the thoughts we have about ourselves… aren’t all that kind. And the thing is—what we think, say, and believe (yes, even unconsciously) matters. Not sure you believe that? Try this quick…
Summer’s Invitation!
Summer invites us to unwind—but it’s also the perfect time to release stress patterns and nourish your body with intention. Do you feel it? The longer days, the sun, a little more freedom in your schedule—it’s nature’s way of saying, breathe, reset, refresh. And whether it’s the weight of too many obligations—or the extra physical weight that can show up during high-stress times—this season offers a chance to lighten up, in every way. When stress rises, so does cortisol. That can disrupt sleep, drive cravings, and make it harder for your body to find its…