AUGUST NEWSLETTER

 I hope all had a wonderful July. 

This month of August is a reflection on relaxation.    

On August 15th its Happy National

Relaxation Day. It is a day to sit back, do nothing and relax. Relaxation is the emotional state of low tension, in which there is an absence of arousal that could come from sources such as anger, anxiety, or fear. In today's world with social media and working in a fast pace society this is very important to sit back and take care of our bodies and relax.  

One of the first things that I did, when moving back to the United States after six years was taking a hot bubble bath.  The stress relief does a body good.

There are several other techniques in which we can reduce stress.  Movement-based relaxation methods incorporate exercise such as walking, gardening, yoga, T'ai chi, Qigong, and more. Some forms of bodywork are helpful in promoting a state of increased relaxation. Examples include massage, acupuncture, the Feldenkrais Method, myotherapy, reflexology and self-regulation.

Some relaxation methods can also be used during other activities, for example, autosuggestion and prayer. At least one study has suggested that listening to certain types of music, particularly new-age music and classical music, can increase feelings associated with relaxation, such as peacefulness and a sense of ease.

I'm going to start with music for I love to just sit down and lesson to all kinds of music with the lights dim.  Music And Health: 11 Ways Playing And Listening To Music Help Both Body and Mind Whether it's the perfect song after a bad break-up, or something relaxing to listen to while you study, there are endless ways that music makes our hearts and souls feel better. But research shows that music can have benefits for our bodies, too. IT CAN HELP. Music eases anxiety In cancer patients, reduces stress,  helps during surgery,  protects your ears' sound-processing abilities, boosts heart health,  soothes pain,  helps memory protects the aging brain Improves stroke recovery and works as well as a massage at lowering anxiety.

Walking is another relaxing thing to do, especially if you go barefoot.  There is this thing when you allow your feet to feel the earth, the energy that penetrates throughout your body. 

August is also National Golf month.

I have never played golf, however; Dan has and I know a lot of friends and family members that do.  Playing golf can also relax you and help with stress. 

6 WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS WHILE GOLFING

Beautiful greenery, peace and quiet, wide open spaces, all enjoyed at a leisurely pace—golfing sounds like the perfect antidote to stress. Unfortunately, for some passionate players, it’s also the perfect recipe for stress. When you’re straining to improve your game or competing with friends who aren’t above making a little fun at your expense when you fall short of the green, it’s easy to get a little wound up when things don’t go your way. That means less fun for you and even worse scores when your head gets in the way of your hands.

1. WARM UP

Get all the bad swings out of your system before you step up to the tee. Try spending some time at the range to loosen your back and shoulders and get your head—and body—in the game.

2. PUTT PUTT

Then, give the range a break and practice your putting on the green. Sinking a few 5-foot putts will give you confidence that will carry over to the holes to come.

3. POSITIVE THINKING

It’s a cliché, but it’s true: focusing on the positive will help you feel and play better. Think about your last great game or take a moment to envision the stellar shot you’re about to make. And whatever you do, don’t engage in…

4. NEGATIVE THINKING

Mistakes happen. Freak accidents happen. Sand traps happen. And after they happen… they’re over. Don’t think about them, don’t dwell on them. You should only be thinking about two things: Your best swing, and how your next swing is going to be even better.

5. TAKE A BREATH

Stress isn’t just mental, it’s physical too. So take control of the physical symptoms with breathing exercises: slowly inhale, hold the breath for several seconds, then slowly exhale. Repeat several times and your heart rate should begin to slow, putting you in better condition to focus and succeed

.6. STAY SOCIAL

A golf course isn’t just a place to play, it’s a community. Whether you win or lose, getting involved in the social scene will make the entire experience more pleasant. If you choke on 17 holes but end up making some new friends or catching a laugh with some old ones at the 18th hole, you can still count the day as a victory.

AUGUST 9th is National Book Day

This is another way to relax and is a stress release.  Reading a good book can create magic, you can image - there is all possibilities when reading.

 NATIONAL WATER

MELON

DAY AUGUST 3rd

Another National Day in August is Watermelon Day.  While you read your favorite book this would be a fabulous time to eat some watermelon.  Organic watermelon has so many healthy benefits.  

Watermelons are mostly water — about 92 percent — but this refreshing fruit is soaked with nutrients. Each juicy bite has significant levels of vitamins A, B6 and C, lots of lycopene, antioxidants and amino acids. There's even a modest amount of potassium. Plus, this quintessential summer snack is fat-free, very low in sodium and has only 40 calories per cup. 

Health benefits

Heart health

Watermelon's high levels of lycopene are very effective at protecting cells from damage and may help lower the risk of heart disease, according to a study at Purdue University. A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension found that watermelon extracts helped reduce hypertension and lower blood pressure in obese adults.

Hydration

"Watermelons help with overall hydration, and that is a great thing," said Lemond. "They say we can get 20-30 percent of our fluid needs through our diet alone, and foods like these certainly help." Additionally, their juice is full of good electrolytes. This can even help prevent heat stroke. 

Digestion

The watermelon contains fiber, which encourages a healthy digestive tract and helps keep you regular. 

Skin and hair benefits

Vitamin A is stellar for your skin, and just a cup of watermelon contains nearly one-quarter of your recommended daily intake of it. Vitamin A helps keep skin and hair moisturized, and it also encourages healthy growth of new collagen and elastin cells, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Vitamin C is also beneficial in this regard, as it promotes healthy collagen growth.

Muscle soreness & athletic performance

Watermelon-loving athletes are in luck: drinking watermelon juice before an intense workout helps reduce next-day muscle soreness and heart rate, according to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. This can be attributed to watermelon's amino acids citrulline and arginine, which help improve circulation.

Cancer prevention

Like other fruits and vegetables, watermelons may be helpful in reducing the risk of cancer through their antioxidant properties. Lycopene in particular has been linked to reducing prostate cancer cell proliferation, according to the National Cancer Institute.

LEFT HANDER'S-

 Left handers this is for you.  As a left hander myself, it was always hard to learn how to cut out, bowl, iron, even sew for everyone that taught me was right hander's.  I learned to write with my paper slanted.  When I was in grammar school this sometimes got me in trouble with direction.  So I know how you left hander's  feel.  On August 13th we celebrate left hander's for all the short comings that  you may have endured - celebrate.  Only 10 percent of the population is left-handed. While there may not be many of them, being left-handed sure does come with some surprising perks!

Lefties often learn to be ambidextrous.

Left-handedness lets you stand out.

It’s a great conversation starter.

 

While it’s not always easy, the challenges can make you stronger.

 

Lefties aren’t necessarily more likely to think outside the box,

 

 

You are in good company with these left-handed presidents- There have been eight presidents who have been lefties, including James A. Garfield, Herbert Hoover, Harry S Truman, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

 

You’re likely to find lefties in your extended family tree.

 

You have a decreased risk for some health concerns

 

You bounce back more quickly from injuries

 

Lefties are more competitive

 

Lefties are better at video games

 

You may have better self-control

 

 

This is another topic for a future Newsletter - Bees are disappearing: About 40% of the US' honey bee colonies died between October 2018 and April 2019, according to a recent study.

 

Before I end, I would like to wish the editor and my husband a Happy Anniversary (AUG 9th).  Dan has stood by me for more than 38 years and I would not have the courage to have this website without his support and love. Thank you Dan for a lifetime of happiness and love.

 

Until next month have a safe and healthy month.