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Get Outside!

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Ever feel like life’s daily grind is getting the best of you? You’re not alone. Here are two simple, affordable, and fun remedies to this common ailment: mindfulness and spending time outdoors. These practices are like two best friends who, individually, are awesome to hang out with, but when they come together, they create an incredible party for your well-being!

So, what’s this mindfulness thing everyone keeps talking about? In a nutshell, it’s all about soaking up the present moment like a warm summer sun. It’s about noticing the smells, sights, tastes, sounds, and feelings happening right here, right now, without getting caught up in our heads. Regular doses of this mindfulness stuff can help keep stress at bay, sharpen your focus, and just make you feel good all over.

For example, exploring the Colorado Mountains is a lot like opening a good book – there’s always something to learn and enjoy. The great outdoors can do wonders for your health. It can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, help you chill out, give you a boost of energy, and even help you sleep better. When you start mixing mindfulness with a bit of Mother Nature, that’s when the magic really happens. Being mindful in nature lets us get lost in the beauty around us and makes us feel connected to the world. This dynamic duo is a powerful weapon against stress and helps lift our spirits.

Fun and Easy Ways to Be Mindful in Nature

Alright, now that we’ve got all the technical stuff out of the way, let’s talk about some fun ways to get your daily dose of nature and mindfulness:

  1. Hiking With All Your Senses: Next time you go for a hike, really feel your feet hitting the ground, listen to the birds singing their songs, and feel the breeze dancing on your skin.
  2. Picnics With a Twist: Who doesn’t love a good picnic? Next time, really savor the crunch of your sandwich, enjoy the feeling of the grass under your picnic blanket, and lose yourself in the clouds floating by.
  3. Gardening, But Make It Mindful: Feel the cool soil on your hands, breathe in the sweet smell of flowers, and really look at the colors around you.
  4. Yoga Under the Sky: Take your yoga mat outside and let the calmness of nature guide your practice.

Summer Mindfulness

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🌳🧘‍♀️ Summer is a time of warmth, growth, and renewal – a perfect opportunity to prioritize mental health. Today, we’re kicking off our “Summer Mindfulness and Self-Care Challenge.” For the next month, we invite you to join us in exploring mindful activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul.

Mindfulness doesn’t need to be complicated. It’s about being present, savoring the moment, and nurturing yourself with compassion and kindness. Here’s how you can participate:

  1. Each day, commit to one self-care activity that makes you feel at peace. It could be meditating for 10 minutes, reading a chapter of a book, or even just sitting outside enjoying nature.🍃📚
  2. Share your experiences with us! Post a photo or a reflection of your daily self-care routine, using the hashtag #SummerMindfulnessChallenge. This is a journey, and every step, big or small, matters.
  3. We want to hear your ideas, too! Do you have a unique self-care ritual or mindfulness technique? Share it with us in the comments or make a post about it. Your idea might just be the inspiration someone else needs!
  4. Engage with others! Respond to the #SummerMindfulnessChallenge posts and offer words of encouragement to your fellow participants. We’re all in this together! 🤝

Summer is a beautiful season of growth. Let’s harness that energy and grow, not just in our gardens, but within ourselves as well. Ready for some self-love this summer? Let’s get started! 🌻🌞”

Coping With Grief

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The death of a friend, family member, or significant other is an inescapable part of life. It is a painful, challenging, and often overwhelming experience that everyone will face at some point. The grieving process is unique to each individual, with no one-size-fits-all approach to coping with loss. In this article will explore the feelings associated with the death of a loved one and offer strategies for navigating the complex journey of grief and healing.

Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.

Jamie Anderson

I. Understanding Grief and Loss

The grieving process: Grief is a natural, complex, and multifaceted response to loss. It can manifest as a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, guilt, fear, and even relief. The grieving process is different for everyone, with some people experiencing intense emotions for a short period, while others may take a longer time to heal.

The stages of grief: The Kübler-Ross model, developed by psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, outlines five common stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. While not everyone will experience these stages in the same order or intensity, they provide a helpful framework for understanding the grieving process.

II. Coping with the Death of a Loved One

Acknowledge your feelings: Give yourself permission to feel the full range of emotions that come with loss. It is crucial to confront and process these feelings rather than suppress or avoid them.

Seek support: Reach out to friends, family, or support groups to share your experiences and feelings. Connecting with others who have experienced a similar loss can provide comfort and understanding.

Express yourself: Find ways to express your grief, such as journaling, art, or talking to a trusted confidante. Creative outlets can help you process your emotions and make sense of your loss.

Create a memorial: Honor the memory of your loved one by creating a memorial or tribute. This can be as simple as lighting a candle, planting a tree, or creating a scrapbook filled with memories.

Maintain a routine: Grief can be disorienting and overwhelming. Establishing and maintaining a routine can provide a sense of stability and normalcy during this challenging time.

Prioritize self-care: Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being is essential during the grieving process. Make sure to eat well, exercise, and get enough sleep. Consider seeking professional help if your grief becomes overwhelming or unmanageable.

Be patient with yourself: Healing takes time, and there is no set timeline for grief. Allow yourself the time and space you need to process your emotions and come to terms with your loss.

Accept change: The death of a loved one can change your life in profound ways. Recognize that it is normal for relationships, routines, and even your sense of self to shift as you navigate through grief.

Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.

Anonymous

III. Moving Forward: Finding Hope and Healing

Embrace new experiences: As you move through the grieving process, try to find new activities, hobbies, or interests that can help you find joy and meaning in life.

Continue to remember your loved one: Keep their memory alive by sharing stories, celebrating their accomplishments, and cherishing the moments you spent together.

Focus on personal growth: Use the experience of grief and loss as an opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. It can be a catalyst for positive change and new perspectives.

Final Thoughts

Coping with the death of a loved one is a deeply personal and unique experience. While the journey through grief can be challenging, understanding your feelings, seeking support, and finding ways to honor your loved one’s memory can help you navigate this difficult time. Be patient with yourself and remember that healing is a process that takes time. Embrace the changes in your life, focus on personal growth, and cherish the memories of your loved one as you move forward. Ultimately, as you continue to heal, you may find newfound strength, resilience, and even a deeper appreciation for life’s precious moments. Remember, you are never alone in your grief, and there is always hope for healing and transformation.

The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not ‘get over’ the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same nor would you want to.

Elizabeth Kubler-Ross and John Kessler

To anyone who may be grieving, please know that you are not alone. The pain of losing a loved one can be overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that it’s okay to reach out for help. Whether it’s talking to a friend, family member, or seeking support from a professional, it’s important to have a support system in place. Remember that healing is a process and it’s okay to take as much time as you need. Be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to feel all of the emotions that come with grief. It’s okay to cry, to be angry, and to feel lost. And remember, there is no “right” way to grieve. Take care of yourself and know that there is always hope for healing and a brighter future ahead.