Hey Muses! 
 
Happy March! Guess what? We're getting more daylight, but I'll be honest, I'm struggling this week...mornings have been hard.
 
This month, I planned to talk about diet: why it's important (especially as a bunch of us are looking at 40 and not 20 😳), ideas for meatless Monday, micronutrients to know, and sharing a database of quick, easy and delicious meals. But over the past month, another wellness topic has been speaking to me: social wellness. Everywhere I look, I'm hearing and seeing things about the importance of social connection. 
 
My vision board this year is separated into dimensions of wellness. Under “social" are these three bullets:
  • Have about 2 events/gatherings at the house with friends
  • Do a better job maintaining and deepening friendships
  • Have experiences. Create memories.
In this newsletter, you'll find a section focused on social wellness plus the usual wellness corner. Lastly, If you want to grab a coffee, chat or catch up, reply to this newsletter and we'll reconnect! ♥️
 
xo,
Jordan 
 
Social Wellness Corner 
 
Do you remember college when you'd go to your friend's dorm and chill for hours? Growing up, did you go outside, hang on the porch or inside doing a bunch of nothing with your peeps? Do you remember extra curricular activities where you'd make friends within that community/group and you'd be together at a set time every week? For me, I had my Sunday church friends. We'd roam around the halls, “usher” on youth Sunday and we went to Sunday school together from elementary to high school.
 
Memories of making and maintaining friendships when I was younger seems simple when I reflect, but we were with each other often and closer (location wise) to one another. Now, I'm doing good, but it feels like more effort. More planning. More cancelations. With social media, it's like why make the effort?- but you can't get that story that has you rolling on the floor laughing or sincere heart to heart or 30 mins of dissecting how cringe 22 year old you were. 
 
I know life is different. We are busy. We have bills. Some of us have a boo(or 2) and some of us have a baby (or 2,3), but how might I (we) prioritize friendships, healthy friendships, more this year? 
 
🎧Therapy for Black Girls- Friendships Archive 
💬 Journal or Conversation Prompts:
  • Why are friendships important to you?
  • Do you have negative friendships you're maintaining? If so, what makes them negative and why aren't you letting go?
  • What (if any) boundaries have you set with your friends? 
  • What makes you a good friend? 
  • Do you have different categories/groups are friends? If so, does this serve you?
  • What do you enjoy doing with them? What would you like to do this year?

 
Wellness Corner
 
Mental Health- In the past, I grouped mental and emotional wellness as 2 separate dimensions of wellness. After learning more about both, I've combined them because of how connected they are and it helps me to think of them as related-ish. This video does a great job exploring the two. 
Physical Wellness- Your diet also falls within this dimension of wellness. This month's recipe is a fav that I've made several times. This is a vegetarian dish and can be made vegan with some easy substitutes. It's flavorful and freezes well. One Pot Creamy Spinach Lentils
Occupational Wellness- When you receive a work email, do you respond right away? Do you feel ashamed if you don't immediately respond to a text? What if we stopped being so available? 
Physical Wellness- We have got to start elevating the importance of stretching in a well-rounded workout regimen. Here's a quick Ted talk about the benefits of yoga to your body + brain. If yoga isn't your thing and there's no convincing you, here's a 15 minute stretch routine. 
Financial Health- Taxes are due on Tuesday, April 18th. Get started soon!  
Wellness Practice- For all my gardening friends, this month (NOW even though it's cold) is when you want to start your seeds (inside) and think about prep work for the outside. 
 
Remember: 
Wellness includes physical, occupational, social, financial, mental/emotional, spiritual, and creative health. It's all about balance!
🏆
That's your wellness corner!

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Have a happy and healthy March!
Jordan
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