What do you focus on throughout your day? Research by Harvard Medical School shows that keeping a positive mindset—one bent toward thankfulness—does wonders for us in so many ways! So, what are you grateful for? My friend, Lisa, recently told me that she makes a practice of giving praise (thanks) to God for one aspect of…
Most of us consider reading books as simply a way to pass the time. While that may be a good end in itself these days, I’ve discovered there are actually health benefits attached to this favorite leisure activity. Who knew?! According to thehealthsite.com, there are several science-based rewards that come with reading books, such as: Mental exercise: Reading…
Simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world.” ~Oscar Wilde When all is said and done, isn’t it the modest pleasures of life that bring comfort and gratification during stressful times? For me, this is definitely the case! As we’ve all experienced some bumps along the road over the past year, I’ve discovered…
One thing that I’ve noticed repeatedly in conversations with both clients and friends is people saying how stressed-out they are right now! We are running in so many different directions each day and trying to keep up with more to-dos than ever before. The results are feelings of stress, pressure, helplessness, or failure. If you…
When will this ever end? If this question [regarding COVID-19] has spiraled through your thoughts over the past several months, you’re not alone. The pandemic “pit of despair” is real but that doesn’t mean you have to remain stuck in its deep, dark trenches. I’ve needed to remind myself a few times of this great Bible promise found in…
If you’re still trying to figure out how to work from home and stay connected with others, you’re not alone. It’s taken many of us time to adjust to the new way of balancing personal/home and job responsibilities. Here are a few ideas that have worked well for me. Stay connected through: Friend Groups Before I stopped…
At the end of difficult days—and this challenging year, it’s easy to remember what has been lost. But how about considering all that was gained? No, I’m not talking about the “pandemic pounds” we may have added to the scale during our weeks of lock-down and isolation. Rather, what good has come over the past…
Yes, Christmas feels different this year. In the past, we may have needed encouragement to slow down and simply notice loved ones standing right in front of us. But now, rather than being too busy to show we care, we have the added weight of not being able to gather as we normally do. There…
Are you having a difficult time staying connected with others during this awkward time of the pandemic? Here’s what I did to remedy this issue for myself. Several months into this thing, I signed up for an exercise program that was way beyond my ability or even my interest. I’m not athletic, so competitive exercises…
When stressful days hit, I’ve found it effective to be mindful in my activities. Capturing the simple things in life helps lift my spirit on days when I might otherwise have a huge case of the blahs! So, here are a few easy things I do to drive my [potentially] negative reactions toward life-restoring actions instead. I love…