The sun is out, the birds are singing, and flowers are blooming all around. Much like the nature around us is rejuvenating, it’s time to reinvigorate yourself and reimagine your wardrobe.
Spring is the season of new beginnings. Let this beautiful season be an inspiration to start your day. Take the time to honor the process of getting dressed. Be present and mindful of the process. And ask yourself: “What do I want to tell the world about myself today?”
When you get dressed in a way that you love, a way that is authentic to you, not only would you feel happier and more confident, but you would also value yourself more. Taking the time in the morning to put yourself first, listening to your inner self, and using clothes as a tool of expressing that inner self is a powerful way of reminding yourself that you are important. You will be beaming with joy and that energy will trickle down into the rest of your day.
Another inspiration that you can draw from spring are colors. Bright and bold colors! How can you look at the field of tulips in Washington Park and not be put in a better mood immediately? Bright colors are exciting, fun, and sassy. Bring some life into your wardrobe this spring by adding a vibrant skirt, top, or earrings. Choose pieces that you love and bring a smile to your face.
Stylist tip: when choosing a new piece of clothing, think about whether you can combine it in at least three different ways with what you already have in your wardrobe. This way you ensure that it is a practical and versatile piece for you.
So, ladies devote some time this spring to refresh your wardrobe to reinvigorate and honor yourself.
Atena is a professional stylist in the capital region and can be reached at info@styledbyatena.com
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, it seems like a good time to think about what we can do to lift our spirits and brighten our days at work. Anxiety and depression are prevalent within many of our homes, and the pressures of returning to the workplace, for some of us, have made things even more difficult. Although these tips do not take the place of working with a professional mental health therapist, here are three simple steps you can take to help boost your mood:
Take Mindful Breathing Breaks
As we go through the day, we encounter stressors and triggers which tend to build up and accumulate. We feel the effects of these stressors in our bodies, and we many notice our minds responding with worried thoughts, by catastrophizing or adopting rigid black-and-white thinking. It can be helpful to build in a mindful breathing break every hour, or even just three times each day at designated times. You can use an alarm on your phone, watch, or computer to remind you that it’s time to put work aside for a few moments and take five to ten deep breaths. This will only take one or two minutes, but you will experience tremendous benefits. Your muscles will have a chance to relax, your thoughts will most likely settle, and you will have an opportunity to bring your stress level back down to baseline. The time taken to engage in mindful breathing will add to your productivity and hopefully improve the way you feel throughout the day.
2. The Basics of Self-Care: Sleep, Nutrition, Move Your Body
We all know that these things are important in terms of our overall health and mental health, but how often do we actually take steps to improve in each of these areas? When reflecting on your sleep, consider the amount of sleep you are getting, but also consider the quality of your sleep. Think about the bedtime routine you have established and be sure that you are tech-free for at least an hour prior to the time you want to fall asleep. Nutrition is also a powerful way to impact your mood. Eating whole, unprocessed foods, and including foods high in omega 3’s, such as salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seeds, have been shown to improve mood. Finally, include as much movement as you can throughout the day. Our bodies are built to move, and in today’s society, we often spend hours upon hours sitting at our desks and on our couches. Look for ways to be active, including taking short walking breaks during the day, opting for the stairs rather than the elevator, and taking a walk each evening after dinner. In addition, as the weather warms up, look for ways to be active. Do you enjoy riding a bike, hiking, gardening, playing tennis, roller blading, or walking the dog? All of these steps add up and will increase the endorphins being released in your body to help keep you feeling good.
3. Soak in the Positive
Research in neuroscience indicates that when you take note of a joyful moment, then spend a minute or so soaking in those positive feelings, our brains respond by noticing even more joyful moments throughout the day. Our brains change shape and re-wire based on how we use them. So, if you tend to complain and criticize yourself and others, your brain will find even more to complain about. The good news is, you can train your brain to feel more gratitude and happiness simply by noticing when you feel good and appreciating those moments. Here’s a challenge: see if you can write down five things that have already happened today that made you feel happy, peaceful or grateful. Once you have your list, spend a couple minutes looking over each thing on the list and remembering exactly how you felt when it happened. Soak it in. If you had difficulty identifying five positive things, set the intention to notice five things between now and the end of the day. This is a practice you can continue each day, and I promise that over time it will change how you feel.
Although life may be hard right now, there are always small things you can do to feel just a little better. My hope is that this May, as we all focus on and prioritize our mental health, you will feel empowered to find small ways you can boost your mood. If you are experiencing clinical depression or other mental health challenges that are disrupting your quality of life, I encourage you to find a therapist who can help (www.psychologytoday.com is a helpful resource to find a certified professional in your area).
Foreverly House – A new project from the VCHCNY will be both impacting and uplifting to female veterans with children.
Many young mothers serving our country are unmarried and find that weathering demands of both the military and motherhood to be overwhelming. These women find themselves discharged into civilian life without the resources needed to provide for themselves and their children.
Traditional veteran’s housing caters to single males, often with single-room occupancy. To serve the needs of our female veterans with children a solution needs to be addressed. Veterans and Community Housing Coalition is the founder of Guardian House, the ONLY VA supported home in NYS and 1 of the 7 in the entire country. We have met countless female veterans that are homeless and with children that ultimately walk away from services because due to VA guidelines that does not allow children into the Guardian House.
Foreverly House is the beginning to the solution. The VA has identified 26 LOCAL veterans’ moms that are homeless that have small children. The House would be a refuge for these women and their children, a home where they could benefit from safe housing and receive support and resources. These Veteran Moms and their children will receive on-site counseling, as well as access and transportation to all of the additional services they need.
Veteran moms are referred to as the ‘invisible homeless’. It is heartbreaking to be homeless AND be referred to as invisible. The ultimate goal is to keep these families together and give them the support, tools and resources they need to secure a happy and prosperous future.
The VCHCNY is spearheading a grassroots effort to raise the $500,000 in funding needed to bring Foreverly House to reality. They are seeking contribution, access to grants and in-kind contributions of labor, construction materials and furnishing. A home where these amazing women and their children can be seen.
More information or to make donations contact the Veterans & Community Housing Coalition. You can reach out to Cheryl Hage Perez at chp@vchcny.org with questions or more information about how you can help.
WBC Voice 