Celebrating Easter and Forest Bathing
For those of you who are doing some sort of Lenten fast, you are almost complete. We have much to celebrate this Easter Sunday!
Whether you’ve given up sweets, alcohol, toxic people, television, Facebook, meat, or a multitude of other possibilities, you’ve had the fortitude (and faith) to stay the course, or most of it, for 40+ days.
Great work! You now know what is possible—what you’re capable of—when you set your mind to it. 
Before Sunday, take inventory of how you feel. Has your life become richer in some way because you chose to fast from something that may not be serving you?
Are you more at peace? Do you feel better physically, mentally, spiritually, and/or emotionally?
Periodically, it’s important to “check-in” and look at what is, and isn’t working, in your life.
This does not need to be involved and take lots of time.
When you are finished with your assessment, decide what makes sense for you moving forward.
It’s always good to simply name (what you did) and notice (how it has changed your life). You may not notice any difference, and that’s okay.
If you have, you may choose to continue the fast you’ve been on, at least to some degree.
For those of you who have been actively doing something different, instead of fasting, you may choose to continue your new habit.
Need help creating a plan to stay the course? Send me an email and we’ll set up a call.
My focus has been to embrace the habit of generosity. I plan to continue this, as it creates more happiness for all those involved. It’s fun to think of creative ways to be generous, and there is always room for improvement.
If you’d like to check out The Generosity Habit by Matthew Kelly and discover lots of ways to practice generosity, here’s a link to his book.
Forest Bathing
As we celebrate Easter, spring, and new life, you may like to try nature or forest bathing.
Hint: You won’t need soap and water for this type of bath.
Forest bathing is the practice of immersing yourself in nature in a mindful way, using your senses to derive a whole range of benefits for your physical, mental, emotional, and social health. 
In Japan, the practice of immersing oneself in the forest is called Shinrin-yoku. This method of stress reduction has been practiced for centuries, though it was only given a name in 1982.
Forest bathing helps diminish anxiety and depression, boosts immunity, improves heart and lung health, and is known to increases focus, concentration, and memory.
Spending time in Nature is good for body, mind, and soul.
You may not be able to hide in the woods for days, however you can probably find time to take a walk on a quiet path. Leave all the electronics behind so that you are fully immersed in the experience.
I wish you and your family a blessed Easter. Oh, and careful not to over-indulge on the chocolate bunnies.
Much love,
Health Coach Carol
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” – C. S. Lewis