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December News
We all know December is generally a time for increased stress. Eating or drinking too much, spending too much, health concerns, family concerns and currently, Covid-19 worries and at home learning. The chart on the left indicates many symptoms of stress on your body, mind, emotions and ultimately, behavior. Read through the symptoms, which symptoms are you experiencing? Headaches? Irritability? Worrying? Insomnia? How can we slow down, calm down and be less stressed?
Breathe. I know this sounds so simple or typical but it can make all the difference in decreasing your stress. Right now, take a minute to pause. Sit down in a chair. Feel your feet on the floor. Move your toes. Feel your toes. Feel your legs and backside sitting on the chair. Sit up. Close your eyes. Focus on your breathing. Feel the breath go into your nose and out your nose. Don't try to breath differently, just breath naturally or normally for you. Focus on your breath. If you mind wanders, bring it back to focusing on your breathing. Do this for one to two minutes.
How do you feel? Can you feel your shoulders relax? Is your brain calmer? Is your heart slower? If you can make time, try to pause, put your feet on the floor, close your eyes and breathe several times a day.
Happy Holidays!
May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy and may you feel peace in your home and community.
Fondly,
Halli Sanford-Ryan
May you be safe, may you be happy, may you be healthy, and may you feel peace in your home and community.
Fondly,
Halli Sanford-Ryan
January News
January can bring excitement over snow, sadness over the ending of the holiday season or any number of feelings. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to changes in seasons — SAD begins and ends about the same times every year. If you're like most people with SAD, your symptoms start in the late fall, or early winter and go into the winter months, decreasing your energy and making you feel moody. While the exact causes of seasonal affective disorder are unclear, most attribute the disorder to the reduction of daylight hours in winter. The shorter days and less sunlight that occurs in winter months are thought to affect the body. Even if you don't have SAD, you may experience some sadness or moodiness with less sunshine. Below are some tips to help you feel better.
Tips to feel better:
Get as much sunlight as possible. Get outside on sunny days.
Exercise. Go for a walk outside, aim for a 30 minute walk each day. Go with the kids if you can so everyone is getting some fresh air and sunshine.
Spend time either in person or virtually with people who make you laugh and feel good. Laughing really help.
Eat as healthy as you can. Avoid too many foods high in sugar.
Do something you enjoy every day. Read, write, color, draw, listen to music, sing, dance, call a friend or relative, watch a favorite movie- you decide, but do something you enjoy!