To live a well balanced, rewarding life of our dreams by day and sleep restfully at night.
Taking our activities outdoors for less anxiety and a greater night sleep.
Published June 3, 2012 | 
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran
I highly recommend sitting outside as much as you can (weather permitting).
Spending time outdoors gives us many benefits including:
1. Fresh air
2. A connection to the natural world.
3. A connection with neighbors if you live in a community with people nearby.
4. Feeds our physical senses and our spirits.
5. Calms our minds and nervous system.
6. Many times new ideas and bursts of creativity spring from spending time outdoors.
7. Being in a more relaxed state of mind and taking in all that wonderful fresh air will result in your sleeping well.
Here are some ideas to get in the habit of spending time outdoors:
1. Dine al fresco. If you have patio furniture, great! Even if you don’t you can bring out a camping table or some other table outside so your family can enjoy a meal together outside. You can have a picnic too (either in your own yard or at a park or beach). Many restaurants these days have nice areas set up to eat al fresco. Eating outside is one of my favorite activities!
2. Take your morning cup of coffee outside with you. I have begun enjoying my coffee time outside on my back patio. I may read the paper, write in my journal, or write for The Warm Milk Journal out here (I am outside now as a matter of fact as I write this). It is also nice just to sit and listen. I am currently hearing crickets and birds.
3. Take your evening glass of wine outside. I do this as well. Enjoy a little unwinding time when you come from from work. Spending time outside during your “cocktail hour” is a lovely way to transition from the challenges of the day to a more relaxed evening mode.
4. At work, take your lunch and other breaks outdoors. Back when I was in the corporate world, I would use my lunch time to get away from my work cubicle and walk around outside. Now, as a classroom teacher I still get outside daily. I make sure I take my students out (the kids need it and so do I) to play and often we will go outside to read or write as well.
5. I’ve started to practice yoga outdoors and it is wonderful. Whenever I feel the need for a little stretch i will step outside to do some of my poses. Also when I am taking my walks on the beach I am getting in the habit to stop and do some stretching while gazing at the ocean. There is great energy at the beach with the sounds and sights of the ocean waves and the breezes….wonderful for your yoga practice!
6. Look into events that your community has to offer. Many places offer free outdoor concerts and outdoor movie showings. Great family fun!
7. Go on a nature hike.
8. Take the family camping! It is wonderful if you have young children to instill in them now a love and appreciation for the outdoors.
9. Take walks. Walking may be one of the best habits we can to do promote good health. Experiment with going out during different times of the day.
10. Get a dog! Dogs will certainly get you outside.
11. Plant and maintain a garden.
God writes the gospel not in the Bible alone, but on trees and flowers and clouds and stars. ~ Martin Luther
In peace,
Debra
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If you feel worry coming on, do one of these ten things…
Published August 4, 2011 | 
If you find your mind slipping into a worrying state, do one of these ten things:
1. Remind yourself of this fact: “this too shall pass”
2. Remember that tomorrow is another day. Each time we focus on something new we create a new beginning. That can be tomorrow or even RIGHT NOW.
3. 99% of what we worry about never comes happens.
4. Smile and “fake it till you make it”. If we physically act cheerful, we will in fact become cheerful (and worrying anxious thoughts don’t stand a chance. Ha!)
5. Jump around in your living room by yourself or with family members to music or just laugh and be silly.
6. Get busy doing something. We tend to worry if we are being idle.
7. Write down a list of things you are thankful for in your gratitude journal.
8. Get moving!
9. Go outside. The natural world is very calming to the nerves and feeds the spirit.
10. Sit up a little taller and declare “I Am enough! Worry, be banished!”
In Peace,
Debra
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Ten ways to keep yourself balanced
Published November 13, 2010 | 
Staying balanced has many benefits: improved health, greater satisfaction at work, happier relationships, less anxiety, and better sleep.
Here are ten Ways to keep balanced:
- Learn to say no
- Accept the fact that you will never pleae everyone so you do not even need to try!
- Take mental breaks throughout your day
- Get outdoors at least once a day.
- Always have a healthy snack available to keep your blood sugar steady (I always have almonds in my purse or car).
- Deep down you know what you need. If you need social interaction, get yourself out there! If you need solitude then hole up in your nest unapologetically and come out when you are ready to.
- Minimize your exposure to the media and negative people.
- Read things that inspire you.
- Do something nice for someone else at least once a day.
- Write in your journal.
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