Anticipation

What does anticipation do to our psyche? Anticipation can have both positive and negative effects on our psyche, depending on the situation and our individual personality traits and experiences. On the positive side, anticipation can create a sense of excitement and motivation. When we are looking forward to something that we expect to be enjoyable…

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Reflections from the Iris Respite House Healing Gardens March 2023

If you’re a caregiver, I’m sure there are times when you find yourself
neglecting your own nutritional needs for the good of your care receiver. The great thing about
nutrition, though, is that if you take the time to prepare healthier meals, even just once a day,
benefiting from the built-in healing mechanisms within the food, it can be good for both of you.

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Vitality

One metaphor for this journey of vitality is that of a tree. Like a tree, we need strong roots to withstand the challenges of life. These roots can include social support systems, healthy coping mechanisms, and self-care practices. Just as a tree requires sunlight and water to grow, we also need to nourish ourselves with positive experiences and healthy habits

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Loneliness

Being a caretaker for a loved one can be a rewarding experience, but it can also bring feelings of loneliness. We spent the month of February talking about loneliness and the Think Caregiver™ Simple ‘Self-Care’ Suggestions helped with those feelings. We also talked about being alone versus loneliness and then the word, solitude entered the…

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Reflections from the Iris Respite House Healing Gardens – January 2023

The past month at Hope Grows has been one of new beginnings. The December ribbon cuttingmarked a new era as the Iris Respite House is finally poised to welcome its first guests. HopeGrows now has a brand new (big!) sign that is actually readable from the road. And, the wintersolstice heralded the return of the…

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Rest, Relax, Restore

The impact of providing care takes a toll on the mind, body, and spiritual wellness of the caregiver. The Hope Grows Care Model is about helping the caregiver to find ways to take time for self, which is the main reason the #ThinkCaregiver™ program and the Simple ‘Self-Care’ Suggestions, which are popular among those reaching…

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Botanical of the Month: December

December Healing Herb: Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) doterra Essential Oil: Peppermint Rishi Tea: Moroccan Mint Does peppermint make you think of candy canes and Christmas? It does for me. In the language of plants, peppermint stands for cordiality and warmth of feeling, sentiments that definitely exemplify the spirit of the holiday season. After researching it…

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Botanical of the Month: November

November Healing Plant:  Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Doterra Essential Oil:  Clove Rishi Tea:  Masala Chai In the language of flowers, clove stands for dignity, being worthy of honor and self-respect. This makes me want to keep a steady supply of fresh cut clove flowers in every room.  This would be quite a challenge in Pittsburgh though,…

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