The Current is like some time at the spa…

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Image by: Rebecca A. Helgeson

Time at the Spa

I'm the first to admit that I'm not the best at taking true time out for myself. I do walk regularly but walks often seem to turn into brainstorming/podcast-listening/message-answering sessions somehow. Working from home makes fully clocking out difficult because my brain doesn't just automatically shut off at 5:00pm.

I'm aware that often the most impactful form of self-care is the low hanging fruit that you can incorporate into your everyday life, but sometimes a larger act of nurture is needed to help release pent-up physical stress and get you safely back to your centered baseline.

That's exactly what happened when I experienced a facial recently done by Ashley at Serafina Spa. They are located in the same plaza on Scruggs Road as Old Oak Cafe and El Rio Mexican Restaurant.

The air hung heavy with palpable calm that enveloped me as soon as I stepped through the door. Ashley went over all the treatments included in the package I had booked and then left me to change. Snuggling into the heated cozy bedding, I instantly felt tension start to slip away.

Several scrubs and rubs and masks and lotions and potions later, I was renewed. Not just my skin, but my spirit. I positively floated all the way home! Once there, recounting my experience to my husband, I realized that this was a “needle mover”. One of those things that is truly a deep respite, release, and reset for me.

Determined to focus more on these things that make such a great impact on the entire state of my being, I've decided to book one every-other-month for the year and get them all scheduled NOW. That way I won't let my months get filled up and too much tension to build before my next rejuvenating appointment.

We all know how our good intentions don't always line up with the same level of follow through. In fact, I was just listening to an interesting 6-minute podcast this week that said, “It's not real…until it's scheduled.” CLICK HERE if you'd like to listen for yourself on Spotify.

What's something that you might like to schedule out for the entire year ahead that's a major “needle-mover” for you?

Serafina Spa is offering TWO specials for readers of The Current during the month of February: Try out their new European Facial w/ Full Microdermabrasion for just $105 (regularly $130). OR take 10% off a Foot Soak and Massage or Reflexology Treatment (starting at $80).

SERAFINA SPA ON FACEBOOK

Image by: Absherarts

WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES

By local author: Julia Loughran

When I am among the trees

a quiet reverence fills my soul.

Dapple light dances

on the leaf-strewn stage.

Aspen leaves show off their shimmy,

while evergreens moan with the wind.

My breath slows and deepens

taking in the forest scent. Pungent pine

combines with decomposing leaves.

My mind releasing

its toxic tangle of thoughts.

These trees, impervious to the raging

political battles, sing their ancient song

in harmony. Provide the balm I crave,

I linger. Always thankful

for this safe haven.

For more information and to RSVP:

CLICK HERE

"One kind word can warm three winter months."

-Japanese Proverb

So far in this series we've talked about decluttering your inbox, the joy we can find when we are more conscious of our choices, and today we're chatting about decluttering our minds.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of what is on your self-improvement list? This time of year, those things might look like resolutions. If you're the introspective or ambitious sort, your lists might be quite long - and consequently overwhelming - which often translates to paralysis.

I'm convinced that most New Year's Resolutions could be kept if we could just master one question. Does keeping only one concept as your focus for a week sound like a welcome way to declutter your mind (and still have your resolutions keep themselves by proxy) sound good?

Ok, here's the magic.

Ask yourself before any decision/action “What would my future-self be glad that I did?”

I'll share a recent scenario in my life to explain what that might look like: I was headed out on my morning walk - running behind - anxious to get out the door, but I hadn't yet made the bed. The easy thing to do would be to ignore it and continue out on my walk. But I asked myself the magic question, and my future-self (i.e. me, when I got back home) would be super glad that I made the bed because the last thing I want when exhausted is to be faced with un-done morning chores. So, I took the time to make it, and post-walk me was truly delighted that I had!

Another scenario: I'm prepping for dinner mid-day. The easy thing would be to toss my used dishes in the sink, throw the ingredients haphazardly back in the fridge and cabinets, and rush back to my loaded to-do list. But when I ask what my future-self (i.e. me, later in the evening) would appreciate, I take the time to place the ingredients carefully back in their places and wash up the dishes so that in the evening I can enjoy my crockpot meal and a clean kitchen with nothing to do but eat and relax.

I ask myself this question probably 100x per day - for things as small as taking 5 extra seconds to place a box where it actually goes in the attic instead of just leaving it at the top of the ladder to deal with later, to as big as wrestling with a major home improvement decision. From reshaping the toothpaste tube so the next person to use it doesn't have to struggle, to choosing how to automate an investment plan.

This little question can bring clarity to almost any situation and help empower you to focus more on the big picture instead of drowning in a million different resolutions and the resulting discouragement of an unattainable list of ways to create better habits.

Is this a question you use as a tool in your life? If not, will you give it a try?

Laurie Andrews, of LAT Wellness Studio, is back this issue with part 2 of Tips for Navigating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) - a type of depression that hits many this time of year. If you missed Part 1, you can find it HERE.

Dimension Four: Social

“Social wellness includes forming positive relationships with others, connecting with your community, and making positive contributions to society.”

Ways to improve social wellness:

1. Join a book club or a local group that shares a hobby you have. Small talk is hard for many! This knocks down the barrier of being unsure of what to speak about with an agenda in place at these events.

2. Attend church functions and become involved in a project. There are many mission projects or local community projects needing help on the front lines.

3. Find a charity you want to help raise money for. Join an event already created and become involved.

Dimension Five: Spiritual

“Spiritual wellness can be described as seeking inspiration, inquiring into the meaning of life, or living life with purpose and intention.”

Ways to improve spiritual wellness:

1. Find a church (if a believer of God) that aligns with your core values, or if you already attend one, take notes intentionally to help you grow deeper in your spiritual walk.

2. Participate in daily devotions or mantras. Reciting scripture or guided phrases of wisdom can navigate your mindset into a positive space.

3. Avoid or minimize activities that hinder your ability to feel a spiritual peace. Set boundaries to remain in a positive headspace.

Dimension Six: Intellectual

“Intellectual wellness is marked by having a healthy curiosity, taking an interest in learning, and approaching intellectual challenges constructively.”

Ways to improve intellectual wellness:

1. Sign up for continuing educational courses at your work or find a new skill you would like to master.

2. Research ways to take your hobby to the next level. Do you enjoy painting? Maybe find a new style to learn. Play an instrument? Take lessons again temporarily to improve your skills.

3. Are you trying to discover what you truly love? Take a personality quiz and begin there!

Dimension Seven: Environmental

“To understand environmental wellness, we need to look at all the spaces we occupy and enjoy. This dimension consists not only of the natural environment, but of the social atmospheres and structural surroundings that set the stage of our daily lives.”

Ways to improve environmental wellness:

1. Learn how to recycle in your area to reduce waste in the environment.

2. Research ways to reduce your carbon footprint.

3. Find ways to bring energy or brightness to a room in which you spend lot of the day. There are safe, indoor UV lights you can purchase if you feel more sunlight is needed.

Dimension Eight: Financial

“Financial wellness involves attentively managing your funds and resources.”

Ways to improve financial wellness:

1. Find a financial advisor to help with budgeting, financial planning, and/or investing.

2. Join a Financial Peace class by Dave Ramsey.

3. Schedule a weekly time to review spending habits and set goals. Mint is a recommended app to download on your phone to help.

There are many ideas above to inspire a first step! An important element is to be aware of where you need help. Don't be afraid to ask for that help, take one step at a time, and watch your mindset this season begin to move in a more positive direction!

Definitions sited from:

https://andrewsinc.net/the-8-dimensions-of-wellness/

Strategies and solutions from Laurie Andrews, ACSM CEP

LAT ONLINE

Is anybody else still weaning themselves off of holiday sweets? Just me? Funny thing is: I'm not a “sweets” person normally - I'm a salty girl all the way! But once I whip up a few batches of nostalgic childhood Christmas goodies…forget it. The sugar bug takes root - hard and fast.

As I'm trying to get back on the healthier snacking bandwagon, one of the delights I've found is a salty-sweet combo that really scratches the itch when those Christmas cookie longings come a-calling. It's the simple combo of (gluten free) pretzel crisps dipped in chocolate hummus. SO delicious, low-calorie, and it's truly helping me shift my tastebuds and cravings from the holiday ultra-sweet sugar high to the more salty range they naturally live in.

I realize the concept of chocolate hummus is a bit of a stretch to the ol' brain. I was a skeptic at first, myself. But be brave and give it a go if you've never tried it before. You can thank me later ;-)

Image by: Absherarts

Be well,

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