I just realized I hadn’t posted since January 9th! What a busy month! But I thought I’d at least post some miscellany:
First of all, here’s my entry forthe Lens-Artist Photo Challenge #285: Warm Colors. We were so busy in January because we traveled twice to Californiato help with the funeral preparation/clean up of a family member one weekend, and then for the actual funeral the next weekend. The first weekend we drove, but the second weekend we flew, because that’s a long drive! While there, we just had to visit the beach! We timed it perfectly to see the sunset.
Secondly, I’m happy to report that I’ve kept my resolution to take a photo every day of January. I hope to continue because it will become a visual diary of my year. I will be able to remember where I was and what I was doing every single day!
I recently posted that I wanted to visit 100 different botanical gardens or arboretums. I decided I’d just start fresh and not try to count the gardens I’ve already visited. So, the first NEW garden I visited was Alta Vista Botanical Gardens in Vista, California. Here are some pics:
I took lots more photos, but let’s save some for another day, shall we?!? :o)
Have a great day! I hope you do or learn something NEW!
Isn’t this a gorgeous sunset?! I’m in debt to my sister-in-law for snapping this photo because I was too busy playing pickleball to stop and grab my phone to capture this beauty!
That’s me…right there (above). I really was playing, not just standing there, haha!
And, that’s NOT me (below). I tried something NEW this week. I tried Float Therapy. It was an interesting experience.
This Tedx Talks explains the benefits of Float Therapy; but in case you don’t want to watch the TEdx Talk, I’ll list a few benefits too.
Here is a list of the benefits of float therapy, based on scientific evidence:
Reduces stress and anxiety: Float therapy can help to reduce the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body, while also increasing the levels of the mood-boosting hormone endorphins. This can lead to a reduction in stress levels, anxiety, and depression.
Improves sleep quality: Float therapy can help to improve sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety, and by promoting deep relaxation.
Relieves pain and muscle tension: The weightless environment of a float tank can help to relieve pain and muscle tension by reducing the pressure on the joints and spine.
Boosts mood and creativity: The deep relaxation and sensory deprivation experienced during float therapy can help to boost mood, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Accelerates muscle recovery: The Epsom salt solution used in float tanks can help to accelerate muscle recovery after exercise or injury.
Improves skin health: The Epsom salt solution can also help to improve skin health by reducing inflammation and promoting cell regeneration.
Reduces inflammation: Float therapy has been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body. This can be beneficial for people with chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and Crohn’s disease.
Boosts the immune system: The reduction in stress and inflammation caused by float therapy can also help to boost the immune system.
Improves cardiovascular health: Float therapy has been shown to improve cardiovascular health by reducing blood pressure and improving heart rate variability.
Reduces migraine headaches: Float therapy can help to reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches.
Improves cognitive function: Float therapy has been shown to improve cognitive function, including memory, attention, and processing speed.
Reduces chronic pain: Float therapy can help to reduce chronic pain from conditions such as arthritis, back pain, and fibromyalgia.
Improves mental health: Float therapy can help to improve mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.
Lastly, I’m making NEW plans to do a “30 Days of Culture” challenge – similar to Gretchen Rubin. The trick is to figure out the best month (or just 30 days) to do such a challenge! I want to do this because I love culture and want more of it in my life! Here’s a quote from Gretchen:
One reason that I love it is that it gives me a nudge to do things that I wouldn’t ordinarily do, exposes me to culture that I might miss, and takes me places that I love.
That sounds like a wonderful way to Explore NEWness, yes?! I’ll keep you updated on the when, and the what (you already know the why!). :o)
I love this advice! Also, I think I love the idea of collecting photographs of those ‘moments’ – because I’m prone to forgetting them unless I have some sort of remembrance of them. For instance, I’m sure I would have totally forgotten the moment I noticed this sunset if I wouldn’t have had my camera in my car and taken the time to stop and take this photo! I need to take the time to snap more photos with and of the people I love and cherish too! So I guess I’d say that collecting the ‘things’ – those photographs that help me remember those moments is ok. Right?
Have a great day! Do or photography or start collecting something NEW!
Happy Thursday! This quote is from a recent post at The Cobweborium Emporium. It’s a simple concept, but one that a lot of people don’t seem to grasp, or at least, don’t put into practice. I like to think of it as the M.O.T.N. Principle (More Often Than Not). It’s just such a true principle that I had to use it as a Thursday thought. Thanks Cobs!
Happy Sunday! What do you think of this leaning palm tree? I’m not really sure how it manages to keep alive. It certainly isn’t perfect, but apparently it keeps struggling onward…apparently it’s not a quitter or gives up easily.
Have you ever wanted to give up? The scriptures are full of accounts of men and women who showed great courage to do whatever the Lord commanded, even when the tasks seemed impossible, even when they may have wanted to give up. Read more at “Never, Never, Never Give Up” by Sister Mary N. Cook.
Happy Monday! Well, we just returned from a road trip/family reunion, and I have hundreds of photos I need to sift through, but thought I’d share this Tahoe sunset to start with.
Explore Newness 