Day 1: Let’s start detoxifying your body! Before you start your day, make a lemon water detox drink! All you need is to squeeze ½ of a lemon, into an 8 oz cup of warm water. [1]

This will help your immune system, your liver, your skin, and even your breath!

Day 2: Take time to go down memory lane and create the music playlist of your life. Use this playlist to help you clean the house.

Day 3: Dress up or add something to your outfit that you usually don’t.

Day 4: Sit down and think about your health. Is there anything you need to see a doctor for? Visit www.indyhealthnet.org to make an appointment!

Day 5: Take time out to stretch out your body. Find a video online, or fitness class to help guide you. Most fitness studios offer free introduction classes!

Day 6: Take a trip to the grocery store and complete this mini scavenger hunt for healthy food alternatives! Try to find:

• 1 Organic fruit
• 1 Vegan alternative
• 1 Non-GMO product
• 1 Gluten free product

Now bring home the food product that you’ll think taste best!

Day 7: We’re bringing back the lemons! This time we will use lemon to make a Honey Lemon Facial Mask. Just mix ½ of a lemon and 1 tbsp of honey in a bowl. Spread the mixture across your face (avoid your eyes) and leave it on for 15-30 minutes.

This will help you keep your skin moisturized and clear of acne and blackheads. [2]

Day 8: Tonight go to bed an hour earlier than you usually do. Try not to use technology at least 15 minutes before bed. This will help your mind relax.

Day 9: Take a stroll in a new and safe environment.

Day 10: Take time to clean out your emails or delete unnecessary pictures in your phone. Less clutter may help your mind feel better!

Posted by: Akiliah Walker, Marketing and Communications Intern

If we have experienced any loss throughout the year, this time of year makes it feel like the loss comes back more intensely.  Thinking about the past holidays we spent with the loved one, the things they have missed since they have passed the many traditions that will seem different now with their loss and so on.  Everyone grieves at their own pace, so don’t let anyone tell you “you should be over it by now.”  Also keep in mind the first year of grief is the hardest part and as time goes by, it will get easier.

Financial stressors can also be related to this time of year, where we feel obligated to buy everyone a certain amount of presents or presents with the same monetary value.  Certain families draw names out of a hat so one person is only buying a gift for one individual instead of everyone buying for everyone.   There is no harm in telling family you just cannot do that this year.  There is no point in stressing yourself out financially buying gifts for others when that is at the cost of being able to pay your bills or having food in the home.  The Holidays were meant to be a giving time of year and it doesn’t necessarily have to do with gifts, it can also be giving of emotion and time.  Spend time with your loved ones, that will go the extra mile than the gift or gifts you buy them.

For others, it will be stressful because it is colder, not as much sun, lots of snow, stuck in the house because of the temperature/weather; and we fall into a seasonal depression during this time. The above mentioned does not help the seasonal depression any, rather makes it worse.  If you know that you experience seasonal depression, take a few minutes to make a list of things you can do to help you feel better.

Self-care is always important.  Some people say I cannot focus on myself because I have to be there for my family.  I understand that completely, but self-care does not equate to selfishness.  Self-care means you take the time for yourself a few minutes a day or once a week, to do something that makes you feel better.  I always use the example of a water pitcher in my sessions, where we are the pitcher and when we take care of others and their needs we are pouring from the pitcher, but what happens when the pitcher becomes empty?  Instead of taking a few minutes to fill up the pitcher for ourselves, we tend to keep pouring, waiting for that last drop or two to come out.  If you have something in your pitcher then that will allow you to give to others, but if you don’t it will make it much more difficult to take care of the loved ones around you.  If you are not okay emotionally, physically, and mentally, then how are you going to be there to take care of your loved ones?

This holiday season and winter of 2014-2015, take a few minutes to be nice to yourself.  If you are struggling with any of the above problems or need help getting through your trying moments, please call a HealthNet location near you to make an appointment with a Behavioral Health Therapist.

Post by Bhumi Bhavsar

Spring is in the air and aren’t we all excited!! After such an intensive winter we had this past year,  you may have noticed your mood, or moods of friends, family or children have changed as well.  Believe it or not, the weather can have an affect on our moods and behaviors as well.  So take the opportunity to use this awesome season to bring in and cultivate new behaviors and feelings. 

Being a big believer in self care, I encourage you to take this time of year to do just that.  Take the opportunity to take a walk outside in the evenings – to enjoy the sun, wind, birds, budding flowers, trees, and all the other fun stuff that mother nature has to offer.  Doing such helps us to focus on things outside of our lives and helps provide a sense of release.  Experience or explore something different for yourself and your family, to shake off the monotony of life.  If we take a few minutes to work on change for ourselves, then only will that bring about change in our life circumstances or ways we react to those life circumstances.  Remember, we cannot change others or their behaviors, the only people we have control over for change is ourselves.  

It is also important to make sure we are eating regular meals and snacks.  Sometimes we get so busy with life, that we forget to take a few minutes to be kind to ourselves and skip meals.  Do you expect your car to run properly if you haven’t filled the gas tank or completed routine oil changes?  No, probably not.  Then why would you expect your body to continue working if you don’t give it the basic things to function?  Did you know that eating fruits and vegetables has the natural dopamine and serotonin levels that our bodies need?

Another great piece of self care is sleep.  Our bodies and mind do need rest for it to function properly as well.  Take the time to get the rest that you need, otherwise we are easily irritated, agitated, frustrated, etc. With season of change and new things coming around us, take the time to focus on yourself and be kind to yourself, and you may be surprised what you notice after you do just that. 

If you are facing challenges that are stopping you from taking time for self care, contact a HealthNet location near you to make an appointment with a Behavioral Health Provider. For more information, please visit www.indyhealthnet.org.