Individual Action

A Walk Around the Block

April 14, 2022 / Individual Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / No Comments 0

Take a walk through your neighborhood to engage your health, your heart, and our communities. For our physical bodies, walking stimulates the lymphatic system, supports our lung capacity, encourages the proper operation of our muscles and joints, along with many other benefits. For our minds, our movement and breathing outdoor air has the power to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Emotionally and spiritually a relaxing stroll creates spaciousness for self reflection, development, and reconnection to gratitude.

Honor your senses through this walk. And let us know in the comments below:

How were you able to cultivate presence for yourself through this experience?

What did your senses gravitate towards today? What did you see? What did you smell? What did you listen to?

What did you notice in your body? How was your balance? How was your breathing? How was your heart?

Did any one part of your body speak more loudly?

How can you give attention, support, or praise to this part of your body?

-This post was authored by Wana Shue

Please Note: Doctor Chander cannot practice medicine via the internet; no matter how hard she presses on the keyboard she won't be able to feel your pulse. Doctor Chander will not dispense medical advice via email - if you have health concerns please schedule a consultation or see your doctor. For full disclaimer please see Disclaimer Page.

Mind Your Music

August 1, 2021 / Art in Action,Individual Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / 1 Comment 0

Gabrielle Malaniak, a viola student at the Eastman School of Music at the Lilac Festival on a spring day in Upstate NY.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote that “Music is the universal language of mankind”, and according to recent data, he was probably right. As of 2017, Americans spend over 32 hours each week listening to music. It’s a widely loved activity, and one that also happens to provide a myriad of benefits to our mental, physical, and emotional health, which is why it is our focus this August.

Listening to music with intention can help us to feel more engaged, present, and in-tune (so-to-speak) with ourselves. It’s that feeling when you’re listening to a song you haven’t heard in so long, but still know each word. Or when you hear a new song for the first time and have to stop yourself from hitting repeat too many times. Listening to a song with intention helps to foster connection with music, and thus with oneself. So for this week’s action item, we ask that you identify a song, or a few songs that you love, and take time to really listen to them. Perhaps find a quiet place, or set off on a walk with some headphones, but either way, listen generously (and we will too).

If you like what you hear, share your song choices (even the guilty pleasures, we don’t judge!) and experiences with us as a comment on this post, Facebook, or Twitter with the hashtags #ReadySteadyGo and #MusicILove.

Happy Listening!

Ending Racism Starts Within!

September 3, 2020 / Individual Action,Taking Action,Uncategorized / 1 Comment 0

In recent months especially, acts of police brutality, voter suppression, and backlash against kneeling in sports have highlighted the racism that continues to exist in not only the U.S. but all over the world. Black Lives Matter! People are outraged and voicing their concerns through (mostly) peaceful protests. Usually the noise dies down until the next story in the headlines but how do we keep the momentum going? Tackling racism is not just a black and white issue but a movement towards a more just and humane society for all. Ready, Steady, Go!

Let’s start the conversation with ourselves. This week we encourage you to take an implicit bias test created by an international collaborative that focuses on diversity training. Then self-examine how you can change to decrease your own biases.

ID 94960961 by Mushika

Living with Animals

August 7, 2020 / Individual Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / No Comments 0

Research has shown that there are profound mutual benefits from the human-animal interaction that include mental and physical well-being (McCune et al, 2014). Let’s explore the various aspects of these bonds together! Ready, Steady, Go!

This week, we invite you to simply reflect on how we choose to live with animals. How do you feel about animals living with humans? Think dogs, cats, fish, birds, rabbits, hamsters, turtles, pigs, rats, snakes, lizards, gerbils, and more! Would you agree with the research presented that the benefit is mutual? Who among you decided to start living with an animal during the COVID-19 shutdown and why?

Read for pleasure!

July 10, 2020 / Art in Action,Individual Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / No Comments 1

This week, we encourage you to pick up a book or listen to someone read a book to you, just for enjoyment in true escapism fashion! Think fiction, prose, poetry, comics, anything you’d choose simply because you want to. Forget about whether it’s good for you. Do tell us what you are enjoying reading these days in the comments. All recommendations are welcome.

Reading is an opportunity to step away from duties and responsibilities to enter a world of your choosing! When we read, we actively engage in another’s story, whatever that may be. Reading is restorative, relaxing, and fun. This month, we will encourage you to engage in the the joys of summer reading. Ready, Steady, Go!

May your Summer of Bicycling Begin!

May 30, 2019 / Individual Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / No Comments 1

May is National Bike Month in the USA and June 3rd is World Bicycle Day. Summer has just begun. Beyond Holistic encourages you to get on your bicycle as much as possible this summer, whether it is to commute to work, pick up something from a store, go visit a friend, take a short or long leisurely ride in a natural setting, or just tool about town.

Try it, you´ll like it.

Bicycling benefits you, as well as the environment. Instead of polluting the air and water with the waste products of fossil fuel combustion, you will be powering your transportation with your own muscles fueled by real food. Pedal Power! Power to the Pedal!

If you have not ridden a bicycle in years, it isn´t hard to get back on. There´s truth in the old adage, “It´s just like riding a bike!”; once you learn to ride, you never forget.

If you have the luxury of being in a climate which allows for year around bicycling, go for it! Besides the extra exercise, you may enjoy your surroundings in a fresh way. You may interact with the people, animals and places along the way. You may find yourself feeling more relaxed, with a more positive outlook on life.

Safety is important, so wear a helmet and follow the rules of the road. Also, consider joining your local bicycle coalition. If you don´t have one in your locality, consider forming an organization that can advocate with city planning and transportation departments for the safety and convenience for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Let us know how it goes. If you need a little extra encouragement, take a listen to this short Nei Jing Now! podcast with the director of a national institute who got back on a bicycle after a hiatus of 35 years.

SuperFriend Friday

March 12, 2019 / Individual Action,Interpersonal Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / No Comments 0

Cartoon courtesy of Gustavo Rodriguez www.garrinchatoonz.com

An “African proverb” says, “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

This week’s action item is to reach out to a friend or family member on Friday. Contact someone you haven’t talked to in the last month, or the last year, because you were just too busy. Pick up the phone and dial their number. Leave a voice message instead of sending a text message. Texting is the lowest form of communication. Even ESP is more accurate!

Take note of how you feel after you have had a conversation with that person, preferably face to face, but at least voice to voice. Find the satisfaction about any aspect of that moment and savor the feeling. Let it simmer and inspire you to repeat frequently

Let me know in the comments below how taking this action feels to you. I look forward to hearing how each of us goes far together with our friends.

The ‘‘UnResolution’’-Give Yourself a Break!

March 5, 2019 / Individual Action,Lifestyle Action,Taking Action / No Comments 0

Cartoon courtesy of Gustavo Rodriguez www.garrinchatoonz.com

We have come to the point in the year when we have stopped wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Many of us are back to the rhythm of our daily routine, including an unruly government that had shut itself down after reading the first draft of this post.

The stress and responsibilities of life may be ramping up again, and the post-holiday blues may be getting you down. You may even be berating yourself if you’ve started to waver on the resolutions you made a few weeks ago to improve your life in small or big ways. Admonishing oneself is rarely the road to success. Keep in mind, of those who make them, about half people succeed in their New Year’s Resolutions, and the other half don’t.

Which is more motivating, self-discipline or dedication to making the changes you want to see in yourself? Are you more likely to feel inspired to continue forth if you are feeling self-critical or if you are relaxed and well-rested?

This week’s action item is to give yourself a break. Find a hole in your schedule and use that time to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. No television, reading, online chatting, internet surfing, chores or even socializing with friends. Just be quiet for an hour this week and see how that feels to you. If you can’t find a hole in your schedule, create one. Cancel a meeting that isn’t mandatory, skip that television program that eats an hour out of your day, or decline an invitation you could postpone until next week.

Let me know in the comments below how taking this action of inaction feels to you. Were you re-energized and more motivated as a result? Did unexpected feelings arise? I am eager to hear from you and as always, I am rooting for you.