Emotional & Mental Wellness

Mindfulness & Meditation

"The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness."

- Jon Kabat-Zinn

The centuries old practices of mindfulness and meditation have proven health benefits for both the body and the mind. The term mindfulness may seem exotic or mysterious but is really any activity which is done intentionally, with kindness and without judgement. Mindfulness includes calm attention to one thing, awareness of any physical sensations and being in the present moment. The benefits of mindfulness and meditation include reduced stress and anxiety, improved mood and mental clarity, reduced inflammation, a stronger immune system as well as an increased ability to make healthier choices and develop stronger, and more fulfilling interpersonal relationships.

Calming Stress with Self Care

"When adversity strikes, that's when you you have to be the most calm. Take a step back, stay strong, stay grounded and press on." - LL Cool J

With a busy calendar filled with work, school, and family commitments, it is easy to forget the importance of self care. Self care is not about being selfish, it is about making you a priority in your own life. It is an important part of managing stress and improving your physical and emotional well being . Self care begins with simply doing something nice just for you. Try going for a walk, reading a book, taking a bath, or any activity that makes you feel peaceful and happy. Being kind to yourself will soon evolve into a more holistic self care journey including feeding your body with healthy, nutritious foods, regular exercise, meditation, getting plenty of sleep, and surrounding yourself with people who bring joy to your life.

Positive Psychology

"Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” – Mary Lou Retton

A relatively new term, positive psychology is an approach to mental health which involves focusing energies on ways to create your best life. The practice includes creating positive, optimistic, confident, and compassionate thoughts and feelings toward yourself and others. Examining the aspects of emotional well being such as gratitude, satisfaction, engagement and optimism, positive psychology provides avenues for positive growth and change. Benefits of positive psychology include improved self esteem, enhanced personal fulfillment and the ability to manage stress. Ultimately the practice is an individual path of discovery where it is possible to create your best life. A life of joy, gratitude and a higher purpose.

Practicing Gratitude

"It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”- Germany Kent

The act of practicing gratitude is an essential part of creating a positive and healthy lifestyle. Regularly expressing gratitude leads to increased energy, improved physical and emotional well being, better sleep and improved mental strength and self-esteem. People who practice gratitude are able to disconnect from toxic, negative emotions and shift their attention to more positive thoughts and actions. The most popular way to practice gratitude is by keeping a gratitude journal. The key to this discipline is to be as specific as possible. Instead of listing five general things you are grateful for, choose one thing and describe in detail five or more reasons why you are grateful for it. There are lots of other ways to practice gratitude such as a gratitude amble, a gratitude photo collage, painting gratitude rocks or including gratefulness in your mindful meditation practice. Just remember that to benefit fully from your gratitude practice it must always be sincere and from the heart.