Winter Solstice

Goals

  • Dec 02 2021

    3 Simple Actions to Help Seniors Improve Their Quality of Life

    By InGoals

    Research shows that quality of life for seniors is inextricably linked to physical and mental health. Therefore, it is vital that seniors are attentive to their mind-body relationship and the role it plays in sustaining and improving health, happiness, and well-being. Embracing a tripartite commitment to the acts of knowing, being, and doing will help you take control of your physical and mental health and move you in the right direction of achieving your lifestyle goals.

    Overcome obstacles, tap into your strengths, and uncover your true potential with counseling from Winter Solstice Group. Call 909.992.0979 to schedule an appointment.

    Know

    Know about things that matter to you and your well-being. Knowledge is critical to forming paradigms and strategies to create your lifestyle. Where uncertainty causes anxiety, knowledge reduces stress by creating capacity for making confident, informed decisions. Take responsibility for your total well-being. Do this by knowing your options for the most important things such as health, money, education, and relationships. For most seniors, the highest quality of life is associated with sufficient income, good health, consistent learning, and quality social relationships.

    Be

    Be healthier. Be wealthier. Be wiser. And be involved. The art of “being” is first a mindset, then a tangible reality. To create your lifestyle, you must first envision that lifestyle. You must see yourself living and being that vision. This is taking control of your mental and physical health. Understanding who you are individually and in relation to others is a key component to identifying the goals you must achieve to attain the lifestyle you envision for yourself.

    Do

    Do what it takes to be the person you want to be by practicing what you know. Your commitment to doing is your commitment to being. Start by focusing on the things that matter most:

    • Health is a primary quality of life factor for seniors. Be sure to schedule regular physical exams. Get healthier by working out and participating in sports and recreation activities, such as tennis, pickleball, chess, or cooking.
    • Money is a major stressor for many. Learn what creative opportunities you have for supplementing existing income. Maximize your revenue by starting a business. This is one great way to keep busy and stay fulfilled. It’s easy to research how to start and operate a business. You can set up a “doing business as” name and a website to brand your business and build the brand through various product and service offerings under different names should your chosen domain be unavailable.
    • Learning enhances cognitive function. Find the best educational platforms for you and engage them. Learn with passion and stay motivated by picking up a pair of high-quality headphones listening to music or engaging podcasts and reading voraciously. You can even learn to play an instrument or paint.
    • Healthy relationships contribute significantly to overall well-being. You can cultivate great relationships with friends and acquaintances in any number of environments, such as civic and business organizations, team sports, creative classes, and political and religious organizations, among others. Be socially active by engaging with others who share the same interests.

    When it comes to cultivating a quality lifestyle through taking responsibility for your own physical and mental well-being, keep it simple. A focused mindset is your best ally in living your very best life.

  • Feb 13 2018

    Making The Most Of A Bad Situation

    By InFeatured

    Using Holistic Methods To Grow From A Major Life Change

    Going through a major life change can have strong effects on your emotional, physical, and mental well-being, whether good or bad. It’s difficult to know how to move forward after such a change, especially if it involved the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a move to a new and unfamiliar town, because those events can alter us in unexpected ways. However, it’s important to learn how to cope and make those changes work for you, even if it seems like it’s in a limited way at first. Taking this opportunity to better yourself or your life can help you heal following such a major transition, and using holistic wellness techniques can have a major positive impact on your overall well-being.

    Here are some wonderful holistic approaches to wellness after a significant life change.

    Get organized

    Getting a divorce or making a big move can be extremely stressful; however, if you look at it as a chance to declutter and get organized, you’ll actually be helping to improve your mental state. Holding onto physical items from the past can keep you from moving forward, especially if there are strong memories attached to them. Go through your belongings and make a keep pile, a trash pile, and a donate pile, and think hard about what you want to keep. Letting go of some of those things — and perhaps finding a good home for them somewhere else — can help you move on after a major life change. Remember that you don’t have to get rid of everything; if there are several items that you don’t use much anymore but want to keep, consider boxing them up to go through at a later time when things have slowed down a bit and the task doesn’t feel as overwhelming.

    Give back

    Helping others can have a huge positive impact on your mental health and emotional well-being, and the time period following a big change in your life is one of the best times to get involved. You can use your own experiences to make a difference in the lives of others; for instance, if you lost a loved one to cancer, you might start a nonprofit that raises awareness about the disease, or sell your artwork and give the proceeds to a local hospice. Think about the best ways you can get involved in your community.

    Treat your body and your spirit right

    Many life changes bring stress and anxiety or even depression, so it’s important to focus on your health and use the time immediately following to get serious about the well-being of your body, mind, and soul. Daily exercise helps tremendously with stress and anxiety and can help you get into shape, if that’s what you’re after. Eating well-balanced meals with plenty of dark leafy greens is a good idea, too, as is getting enough rest. This can sometimes be easier said than done when you’re going through a rough time, so establish a bedtime routine that includes relaxation, such as taking a hot bath or lighting a lavender candle. Take a break from the screens — computer, phone, and television — before bed as well, as this can help you sleep better.

    Eliminate toxic relationships

     Going through a period of change in your life means you can really get to know who your real friends are. The people who are there for you and support you unconditionally are the ones you should maintain relationships with; anyone who only contributes toxicity to your life should be let go. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good and who you feel good being around.

    Holistic health in addiction recovery

    Perhaps one of the biggest life changes someone can experience is beginning a path to sobriety after struggling with an alcohol or drug addiction. Holistic therapies, especially when combined with the above tips, can be extremely beneficial to those in addiction recovery. Acupuncture and hypnosis are therapeutic and cathartic, and patients may see benefits as early as their first session. Activities like yoga and meditation can be performed alone or with a group, and can help establish a lifelong mindfulness practice that will be helpful on the journey to long-term sobriety.

    Remember that you may need someone to talk to during this transition period, so consider seeking a counselor or therapist who can help you get through it. Reach out when you’re feeling low, especially if you think you might be suffering from depression.

    Author: Dana Brown

  • Jan 11 2018

    Creating a Happy 2018

    By InGoals

    …With Goals You Will Actually Keep

    The new year is upon us, and everyone is making New Year’s resolutions and setting goals. But according to Statistic Brain, only about 9 percent of people who set resolutions are successful at keeping them. So, what does that mean? Technically speaking, it means that New Year’s resolutions just don’t work. That’s why you need to create effective change in your life by creating sustainable goals that become habits and will lead to a healthy and positive 2018.

    Create Your Own Environment
    One of the things you can do right away is to create a relaxing and comforting home environment. In other words, set aside a room in your home without electronic distraction for your creative pursuits. Buy a comfortable chair, some paintings of nature, and other relaxing decor to inspire less stress. Also, consider adding an aromatherapy device, soothing fabrics, relaxing music, and greenery. Stress can lead to serious illness, and part of a healthy lifestyle is learning how to manage it effectively.

    Cut Down on TV Time
    Binging on your favorite Netflix show may seem like a relaxing activity, but studies actually show that this leads to increased depression and feelings of loneliness. According to CBS News, “binge-watching involves obsessed, intense, and dedicated behavior, characteristics indicative of addictive behaviors.” It also leads to other negative activities such as overeating, which can cause obesity, and a whole slew of other mental and physical health issues.

    Get Some Sleep
    Sleep is the time in which your body regenerates cells, and tissue recovers. That’s why sleep deprivation has been shown to be directly linked to a vast amount of health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Make it a goal to get at least eight hours of sleep most nights of the week. If not getting enough sleep is a problem for you, try creating an environment solely for this purpose. In other words, banish things from your bedroom like TVs and laptops and add things like soothing colors and soft fabrics.

    Drink More Water
    Drinking more water is a fairly sustainable goal since most of us are drinking something throughout the day anyway. Just make the simple change of keeping a full bottle of water on your desk, and drink half your body weight in ounces every day. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, make sure to drink 80 ounces of water. Not only will this replenish cells and keep your organs healthy, it will also keep your stomach full and reduce cravings.

    Practice Gratitude
    It may be hard to believe that the simple act of being thankful could have such a positive impact on your well-being, but according to Psychology Today, people who practice gratitude have more positive moods than those who don’t. They suggest doing things every day like writing in a gratitude journal, reflecting on people who have helped you, and taking walks in nature. Make this a daily habit, and you will be surprised at how much more optimistic you start to feel.

    Do Yoga
    Yoga is a more sustainable form of exercise than running or cycling, simply because of the more relaxed nature of it. But it’s one of those activities that will affect every part of your being positively, including body, mind, and spirit. In addition to the numerous health benefits of yoga, it also increases serotonin levels, leading to a happier and healthier state of mind.

    It’s important to think holistically when setting goals and creating healthy habits. If you can incorporate activities that benefit both your mind and body, you will be more likely to stick with them because of the incredible way they make you feel afterward. Most importantly, never try to change everything all at once. Avoiding burnout is one of the main keys in setting and sticking to goals.

    Author: Dana Brown