Affirmation Tea - Oct 2021

[AARPRachelA]

Stress can be a good thing...wait, what? Turns out, tackling some stressful situations may impact brain health. But long-term, chronic stress can really do damage, which leads to this week's affirmation ⬇️

How do you cope with stress? What healthy habits have do you have in your stress-management toolbox?

To affirm for yourself, reply with 🐦 or "yes."

Watch "Your Brain on Stress" to better understand the impact of acute and chronic stress on your brain — and learn to manage the stress in your life. For additional ways to support your brain and body check out Staying Sharp.

[AARPRachelA]

Mindfulness lights up parts of our brains that aren’t normally activated when we’re mindlessly running on autopilot.

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” says Jon Kabat-Zinn, creator of the research-backed stress-reduction program Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). “And then I sometimes add, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.” ⬇️

Do you meditate to practice mindfulness? Are there other ways you incorporate mindfulness into your day-to-day habits?

To affirm for yourself, reply with 🤔 or "yes."

For mindfulness tools and tips, check out Staying Sharp.

[AndizGr8Lyfe]

Yes.  I use the Daily Calm app to meditate as many mornings as possible -- before I begin my other daily activities, chief among them being an at-home co-caregiver for my 91-year-old bedbound mother.  Afterward, I try to take what I have practiced into the day. I am learning that mindfulness may not come naturally; it takes a lot of practice.

[AARPRachelA]

Hi @AndizGr8Lyfe 👋 It's admirable that you provide at-home care to your mother. Allowing her to age in place is such a gift, but I imagine it also can be quite difficult and emotional.

I started a daily mindfulness practice a little more than a year ago. I'm just starting to notice that the patterns have become more integrated and that I have more control over my response. I also notice that if I skip practicing for a few days, I start to feel overly anxious and icky. I'll check out the Daily Calm app. I've been using the Shine app and I like it a lot. They have a free podcast with a mindfulness practice that they put out each day as well.

[LindaB671]

🐦