Natural Awakenings New Haven & Middlesex CT SEPT 2020

EE R F

HEALTHY

LIVING

HEALTHY

PLANET

YOGA FOR

EVERY BODY Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Mobility

Cars Go Vegan Leather-Free Interiors

EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING Self-Care for Tough Times

HAPPINESS HELPERS

September 2020 | New Haven-Middlesex | NaturalNewHaven.com September 2020

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Enrolling Now For Fall 2020 Tuition Gift From The Graduate Institute As a thank you to all essential workers and everyone impacted by Covid-19, we are offering a $1000 tuition credit for MA Programs and an $800 credit for Sixth Year Equivalent Programs until September 30th for our Fall Enrollment!

Master of Arts Degrees, Certificate Programs and Sixth Year Equivalent Programs (Perfect for teachers!)

One Weekend Per Month Affordable • Transformative For our Online Information Sessions Dates: Register: www.learn.edu/events

Integrative Health & Healing: Examines the importance of health, wellness and mindfulness from a holistic perspective, exploring prevention and healing.

Learning & Thinking: Explores the philosophy of education rooted in relationship, holism, and meaning that is predicated on establishing a new culture of learning needed for a world in constant flux.

Writing & Oral Traditions: Create compelling written work through study with bestselling authors, professional editors, award-winning oral storytellers, acclaimed literary critics and renowned scholars.

Plus, access to TGI’s Publishing Center to help you get your first book published!

Consciousness Studies & Transpersonal Psychology: Develops and awakens human

consciousness while integrating transpersonal inner work. Students engage in meditation, mindfulness and practices aimed at re-establishing the unity of mind-body-spirit consciousness.

Organizational Leadership: Leadership is an art! Our experienced faculty have advised some of the world’s largest companies and some of the most famous start-ups. Students design and execute individualized “breakthrough” projects, often to astounding results.

Programs on site in Connecticut. However, during the COVID-19 challenge, programs have transitioned to virtual classroom.

For Holistic Studies

Call us at (203) 874-4252 • www.learn.edu Main Campus Bethany - locations throughout CT Follow us on Facebook & Instagram September 2020

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HEALTHY LIVING HEALTHY PLANET

We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. ~E.M. Forester

Brenda Tate Photography

NEW HAVEN/ MIDDLESEX EDITION

PUBLISHER Gail Heard Here we are in September! It’s been 6 months since the EDITOR Ariana Rawls beginning of COVID’s wrath in America. Since that fateful DESIGN & PRODUCTION Gail Heard month of March, we have been living the so-called “new CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ariana Rawls normal,” which feels anything but normal. Before 2020,

Nicole Miale Patricia Staino most of us knew nothing about social distancing. Now our

SALES & MARKETING Melissa Pytlak entire life revolves around keeping a safe distance from DISTRIBUTOR Man In Motion, LLC each other.

“Remain 6 feet apart” and “Masks required before entering” has become a WEBSITE Chik Shank daily mantra with strong reminders everywhere we go. We are also constantly reminded

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NATIONAL TEAM CEO/FOUNDER Sharon Bruckman COO/ FRANCHISE SALES Joe Dunne

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of everywhere we cannot go in order for us to stay safe. Brick and mortar businesses, from big retail chains to small mom and pops, have filed for chapter 11 or quietly closed their doors (including one of my favorite restaurants 10 minutes from my home). Other businesses are hanging on by a thread. Then, there is the school reopening conundrum.

Many of our big plans for 2020 have been derailed, leaving us feeling anxious, confused, frustrated and discouraged. The most tragic COVID casualty has been the loss of human life, which can never be replaced. All of that being said, I think we can all agree that this has been a very tough year for humankind. However, we have emerged stronger and wiser from other historic times—and we will do it again.

September’s editorial is dedicated almost entirely to emotional well-being and ways for all of us to build and enjoy the rewards of a happy and peaceful state of existence in spite of the pandemic. Also included in this fall issue are great reads offering helpful guidelines for raising resilient kids, 5 ways to be more positive and boost happiness, plus the healing power of writing (interview with Sandra Marinella).

Wolf Spirit Wellness in Woodbury offers support, mental health counseling and a plethora of holistic therapies to help individuals and couples cope with “COVID19 Trauma Syndrome.” They also accept most insurance, including Husky. For more information, see their ad on page 13 and visit their website: WolfSpiritWellness.org.

September is National Yoga Month. Yoga is a big supporter of emotional wellness— and you do not have to be an athlete to practice yoga. Read our Fit Body feature: “Yoga for Every Body: Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility.” Check out our community calendar too for upcoming yoga events intended to help with anxiety and depression, build stress resilience, heal and transform.

We hope our September edition provides you with some useful tools to help boost your emotion quotient as we enter autumn and the last quarter of 2020.

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Natural Awakenings is a free publication distributed locally and is supported by our advertisers. Please call to find a location near you or if you would like copies placed at your business.

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Natural Awakenings is a family of nearly 60 healthy living magazines celebrating 26 years of providing the communities we serve with the tools and resources we all need to lead healthier lives on a healthy planet.

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Contents 14 EMOTIONAL

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WELL-BEING IN THE PANDEMIC AGE

Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

18 WELL-BEING IN EIGHT SECONDS

Hone Your Emotional Intelligence

20 RAISING RESILIENT KIDS How to Help Them Bounce Back

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22 YOGA FOR EVERY BODY

Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility

24 HAPPINESS HELPERS Five Ways to Be More Positive

25 SANDRA MARINELLA ADVERTISING & SUBMISSIONS HOW TO ADVERTISE To advertise with Natural Awakenings or request a media kit, please contact Melissa Pytlak at 203-305-5531 or email PytlakMelissa@gmail.com.com. Deadline for ads: the 12th of the month.

EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS Email articles, news items and ideas to: Gail@naturalnewhaven.com. Deadline for editorial: the 5th of the month.

CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS Submit Calendar Events online at: NaturalNewHaven.com.

Deadline for calendar: the 10th of the month.

REGIONAL MARKETS Advertise your products or services in multiple markets!

Natural Awakenings Publishing Corp. is a growing franchised family of locally owned magazines serving communities since 1994. To place your ad in other markets, call 239-434-9392. For franchising opportunities, call 239-530-1377 or visit NaturalAwakenings.com.

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on the Healing Power of Writing Our Stories

26 CARS GO VEGAN

Leather Interiors are on the Way Out

DEPARTMENTS 6 news briefs 10 health briefs 12 global briefs 18 healing ways 20 healthy kids 22 fit body

24 inspiration 25 wise words 26 green living 28 calendar 29 classifieds 30 resource guide September 2020

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news briefs

CELC Middle School Reaches Mission Transition Campaign’s Next Phase

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hrough a successful summer program, CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) has now experienced inperson teaching during these times of COVID-19. The Branford middle school plans to open for five days a week, full-time in-person classes in the fall; they will also offer options where families can choose to be fully remote or participate in a combination of in-person and remote learning. Additional classes for those who are homeschooling will also be available, such as digital photography and playwriting in partnership with Long Wharf Theatre. CELC is on schedule with plans to hire additional faculty and staff. In addition, the school is expanding to include a fourth grade.

The effort is underway to build the program to have over 20 students, while maintaining the same 6:1 student-teacher ratio. CELC’s new index tuition model is set up to allow families to pay what they can afford within a range that intends to bring in greater economic and ethnic diversity to the program.

There are so many to thank for bringing Mission Transition forward to continue to give students CELC’s transformational educational experience. CELC is also raising money specifically to purchase technology needed in the classroom to best accommodate the remote learning platform.

CELC is a 501c3 tax-exempt corporation. It welcomes students, families, faculty and staff of diverse nations, religions, ethnicities, gender identities and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the CELC learning community.

More information is available at CTExperiential.org. See ad on page 23.

Using Homeopathy to Prepare for Fall’s Viruses Workshop

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n September 15 at 7:30 p.m., join the New Haven County chapter of Holistic Moms Network as they virtually host the Using Homeopathy to Be Prepared for Fall’s Viruses interactive presentation with Yashasvi (Yaashi) Jhangiani as part of the chapter’s monthly meeting. Learn key homeopathic remedies for 6

New Haven/Middlesex

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the whole family to relieve cold, flu and other virus symptoms, such as coughs, sore throats, body aches and more. Jhangiani will cover the basics and philosophy of homeopathy as well as how to dose and take remedies. The virtual event will take place on a Zoom video conference call.

Jhangiani, a homeopathic educator who has been practicing since 1994, has a bachelor’s degree in homeopathy from Mumbai University. In addition to being board certified by the Council for Homeopathic as a CCH (certified classical homeopath), she is registered with the North American Society of Homeopaths and the National Center of Homeopathy. Jhangiani strives to empow-

er, educate and guide families looking for safe, effective, over the counter, non-prescription homeopathic alternatives for everyday ailments. She has been an EMT with Westport EMS since 2003 and also teaches their American Heart Association-affiliated CPR and First aid program.

The virtual meeting will take place through Zoom. Register in advance for the Zoom call by visiting the event page at Facebook. com/HMNNewHaven or email TDavisca@aol.com to be added to the chapter’s Evite distribution list. Download the free Zoom app to your computer, tablet or phone before the event at Zoom. us.

The mission of Holistic Moms Network, a nonprofit support and discussion network, is to connect parents who are interested in holistic health and green living. It welcomes people wherever they are on their own holistic path in an environment that does not judge. The monthly meetings, open to the public, are held on the third Tuesday of each month. The chapter normally meets at the Woodruff YMCA in Milford, Connecticut.

For more information, visit HolisticMoms.org or Facebook.com/ HMNNewHaven. To RSVP for the event, email TDavisca@aol.com or visit the Events page on Facebook.com/HMNNewHaven.

Announcing Upcoming Marconics Ascension Energy Healing Courses

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arconics Practitioners are spiritual midwives birthing the Avatar Race.

Learn how to achieve ascension by integrating Avatar consciousness and claiming soul sovereignty. The Southern New England Teaching Team, which includes Julie Oakes, Aaron Nebbia and Stephanie Patrick, were trained by and maintain an ongoing mentorship with Marconics Originator Alison David Bird C.Ht. Registration is open for

news briefs

ensure that patients feel safe during their sessions, Quinn will be following guidelines for practice with COVID-19 considerations.

the Marconics Level 1 Practitioner Certification classes offered in 2020. The two-day course will be taught by the Marconics Southern New England Teacher Team in Connecticut on October 3 and 4 in Waterford at the Center for Healing Therapies, and December 5 and 6 in Danbury/Bethel.

To register, call 203-533-9633, email SNETeachers@marconics.com or visit Marconics.com. See Mark Your Calendar ad on page 28.

Have Covid-19-related Lifestyle Changes Caused Back Pain?

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re you looking for relief from your back pain? Increased low back pain may be related to a change in lifestyle due to Covid-19. Or your back pain may have been caused by cleaning up debris from Tropical Storm Isaias. Take advantage of Physical Therapy Services of Guilford’s 10-minute complimentary screening to see if physical therapy will give you the carefree mobility you desire.

The 10-minute screening sessions, given by Phyllis L Quinn, PT, will be held at Physical Therapy Services of Guilford in Branford, Connecticut, on September 14 and 24 from 4 to 5 p.m. To

For more information and to make an appointment, call 203-315-7727. Location: Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, 500 East Main St., Ste. 310, Branford, CT. See ad on page 8.

Virtual Platform Expands Trauma & Recovery Conference’s Reach

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r. Robert Anda, Tonier Cain, Dr. Stephanie Covington, Nelba Marquez-Greene, Hope Payson and Daryl McGraw, along with dozen local and national breakout session presenters, will join The Connecticut Women’s Consortium virtually October 19-21 for the inaugural Trauma & Recovery Virtual Conference.

As described on the conference website, the conference promises, “to explore the realities of trauma as it manifests through individual and community experiences whilst simultaneously acknowledging the multiple pathways to recovery.”

In addition to stand-out breakout presentations, such as Love Heals: Applying Somatic Principals to Fetal, Birth, and Post-Birth Trauma and The Promise of Psychedelic Therapy for Trauma and Mental Health, The Consortium plans to offer yoga, meditation and other wellness resources to attendees.

The Trauma & Recovery Conference is the Consortium’s first solo-hosted conference. In partnership with BigMarker, Consortium employees have extended every effort to ensure a seamless, pleasant virtual experience. The virtual platform represents an opportunity for the group to invite attendees from across the country and the world as the ideas presenters offer are limitless and applicable in the most diverse of settings, state Consortium

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news briefs director Colette Anderson. “It truly is a blessing that we are able to easily offer our conference to so many who might not have been able to come in person.”

For more information about the Trauma & Recovery Conference, visit TraumaandRecoveryConference.com.

Self-Care Retreat at Enders Island

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YODestiny is holding an Emotional Self-Care Retreat at Enders Island on October 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This retreat will guide attendees in understanding their emotions as information and how to use this information to develop positive self-talk, improve their relationships, make better decisions and bring peace to their busy world.

What you think is where you live.

Paige Dest We all experience negative self-talk once in a while, but do you ever say things to yourself that you would never say to another person?

Attendees will learn to care for themselves and their emotions in a more beneficial and effective way, while relaxing and rejuvenating. They will learn techniques for mindfulness, practices for happiness, and emotional intelligence skills necessary to develop increased confidence, more resilience and control in stressful situations, and better strategies for dealing with life.

The retreat includes lunch, and free parking is located on the island, just off scenic Mystic. Tickets are $115; two or more are $95 each; seating is limited, so registration and payment are required in advance. Masks and social distancing will be required.

For questions, contact Paige Dest, certified emotional intelligence coach, at Paige@BYODestiny.com or 860-550-1844. Tickets may be purchased by visiting http://bit.ly/ESCR_2005. Location: Enders Island.

Wilderness Skills Program for Adults

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arents often ask instructors at Two Coyotes Wilderness School, “How can I learn and experience all the things you teach my child?”

The organization has responded by launching the new Heartwood Wilderness Skills Apprenticeship Program running from September through June. For 10 months, “Oakhearts” will be mentored in wilderness skills in order to foster a deep relationship to the landscape and local ecosystem. Apprentices learn to walk into the forest and find materials to make primitive tools and crafts and build a fire or a shelter. They’ll also forge personal connections to the animals, plants and trees that share their local habitat.

Heartwood is designed and led by Andy Dobos, although there will be additional guest instructors to share their gifts with students. Dobos is an artist and educator specializing in nature connection mentoring, woodcrafts and wilderness skills. He is highly respected in his field, having earned a BFA in sculpture from Montserrat College of Art; a Wildlife Track and Sign Level Three Certificate from Cybertracker Conservation; an Advanced Completion Certificate from White Pine Programs Wildlife Tracking Apprenticeship; training in the art of mentoring and the Boys Sacred Fire Initiation; and more than a decade of experience in mentoring.

The program, which costs $2500 per person, meets one weekend a month culminating in a three-night, four-day adventure in June. Scholarships are available; please request one when you register. Apprentices must be 18 years or older.

To learn more about the schedule, locations, and topics covered in the course or to register, visit TwoCoyotes.org/programs/adult-programs/heartwood-wilderness-skills/. To learn more about Dobos’s art and mentoring, visit TheForestWolf.com.

2 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

TO ASK WHEN SEEKING A PHYSICAL THERAPIST 1. Will my PT work ONLY with me during my treatment?

ABSOLUTELY! At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we are one of the few remaining practices that spend 40 minutes, one-on-one, with YOU and ONLY YOU.

2. Will I ONLY be doing exercises during my treatment?

No. Your physical therapist will be using hands-on techniques to relieve your pain and will provide you with exercises to do at home.

Physical Therapy Services of Guilford • 500 East Main Street • Branford

203-315 7727

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It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

~Mahatma Gandhi

Holistic Community Professionals HCP

Our professional team of holistic and natural businesses provides community outreach and education. We are committed to improving the health and wellness of body, mind, and spirit in the communities we serve. Visit our Site: HolisticCommunityProfessionals.org

Coaching & Workshops Torin Lee TL Coaching /Zen Events MyPathForward.net 860-861-9038 torin@zenevents.net TorinLee.com

Grief / Loss / Counseling /Workshops Debbie Pausig, LMFT, CT Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Certified Thanatologist (CT) Death, Dying, Bereavement, Grief, Loss: Counseling, Workshops, Facilitator Training 203-985-8246 Debbiepausigmft.com

Wellness Center The Red Barn in Durham Janice Juliano, MSW, LCSW Holistic Psychotherapist Coordinator MassageTherapy Nutrition / Yoga / Reiki / Sound Healing Professional Photography / Art Classes 860-559-6151 352 Main St, Durham TheRedBarninDurham.com

DNA Designed Nutrition

EFT Tapping /Hypnosis Therese Baumgart Emotion Code Emotional Freedom Technique Hypnosis & Past Lives Clear Stress, Lose weight, Release pain, Stop smoking Free 15 minute strategy session In-person, Skype, Phone 203-710-7438 HypnosisandEFTct.com

Earleen Wright NEW way to use DNA for health!

DNA Designed Nutrition Take charge of your health through your own DNA! Earleen.UforiaScience.com 203-215-3222 EarleenWright@comcast.net

Intuitive Counselor & Healer Gayle Franceschetti, MEd, CHt Hypnotherapy, Meditations Reiki/Energy sessions, Essential Oils Group Past Life Regression Individual Past Life Regression Workshops, Spiritual Power Journeys, Private mentoring & counseling Return2love3@gmail.com Return2Love.com 203-265-2927

Salt Therapy (Halotherapy) Soulshine Salt Cavern 352 Main Street, Durham 860-478-0510 Open Wednesday-Sunday Email: Connect@SoulshineSaltCavern.com SoulShineSaltCavern.com

We Welcome You!

To Join the Holistic Community Professionals

CONTACT: Shirley Bloethe: 860-989-0033

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September 2020

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Oak Wood Extract Can Lessen Post-Surgical Effects

Try Foot Reflexology After Heart Surgery

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A brief, hands-on reflexology treatment after a major heart operation can have a significant impact, scientists at Iran’s Tabriz University of Medical Sciences report. Immediately following coronary bypass surgery, 60 of 120 male patients received a 15-minute foot reflexology treatment from nurses. The researchers found that foot reflexology decreased patient agitation and reduced the average amount of time spent on a ventilator.

Consider Mindfulness for Multiple Sclerosis

Hysterectomy surgery is sometimes necessary and may result in postoperative fatigue, headache, nausea, depression or pain. In a study reported in the journal Nutrients, researchers from Slovakia’s Comenius University gave 66 women recovering from a hysterectomy either a placebo or 300 milligrams of oak wood extract. Eight weeks later, those given the oak wood extract had lower oxidative stress, better energy and mood, and a greater ability to perform physical tasks and participate in social activities compared to the placebo group, which mostly saw declines in those areas. chamillew/AdobeStock.com

health briefs

Mindfulness training may help the estimated 1 million Americans with multiple sclerosis (MS) manage their emotions and process information quicker, according to a new study from Ohio State University. Researchers split 62 people with MS into three groups. The mindfulness group learned such practices as focusing on the breath and doing mental “body scans”. A second group underwent adaptive cognitive therapy training with computerized games that focused on skills like paying attention, switching focus and planning. The third group was a control. After four weeks, those in the mindfulness group were more likely to report being better able to handle their emotions than those in the other groups. The mindfulness group also had higher levels of cognitive processing speed, a reduction in the time it takes to complete mental tasks, along with increased understanding and response times.

Exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS)—“forever chemicals” often found in non-stick cookware, food packaging and contaminated water—may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. University of Michigan scientists tracked more than 1,100 women for an average of 17 years and found that those with higher levels of the chemical in their blood experienced menopause an average of two years earlier than those with lower levels. “Even menopause a few years earlier than usual could have a significant impact on cardiovascular and bone health, quality of life and overall health in general among women,” says co-author Sung Kyun Park.

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Reduce PFAS Exposure to Help Delay Menopause

Consider Therapy to Reduce Inflammation

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In exploring the mind-body link that is particularly relevant during the current pandemic, an analysis of 56 randomized clinical studies found that cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and similar approaches reduced inflammation and enhanced immunity in subjects, reports JAMA Psychiatry. University of California, Davis, researchers reviewed studies that included 4,060 participants undergoing behavior therapy (which seeks to help patients understand and change problematic behaviors), cognitive therapy (which teaches patients how to change negative thoughts or mindset), CBT (that combines elements of both), bereavement or supportive therapy, psychoeducation and other therapies such as stress management. Those that received these psychosocial interventions experienced a 14.7 percent increase in positive immune outcomes such as lower viral load and an 18 percent decrease in negative outcomes, including proinflammatory cytokines, compared with those not receiving therapy.

The immunity improvements were strongest among patients that received CBT or multiple interventions.

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Boost Fun Nutrition with Microgreens Halfway in size between sprouts and full-grown plants, microgreens are bursting with nutrients, but have been mostly relegated to garnishes at upscale restaurants. Researchers at Colorado State University, exploring their acceptability, fed 99 people six separate types of microgreens: arugula, broccoli, bull’s blood beet, red cabbage, red garnet amaranth and tendril pea. The red-colored varieties—beet, cabbage and amaranth—received top marks for appearance, but broccoli, red cabbage and tendril pea scored the highest overall grades. The subjects found the greens were fun (“funfetti”), colorful and attractive. Microgreens, which can be grown quickly indoors year-round with minimal water, offer a possible solution to sustainably feeding the planet, the researchers pointed out.

September 2020

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Drawdown Direction

global briefs

Nurses Stand Up Against Climate Change

Planetary Planning Keeping Half the Earth Natural

A study led by the National Geographic Society and the University of California (UC), Davis, published in the journal Global Change Biology compared four recent global maps of the conversion of natural lands to anthropogenic (human activity) land uses. It concluded that if we act quickly and decisively, there is an opportunity to conserve about half of the planet’s ice-free land. The developed half includes cities, croplands, ranches and mines.

The authors note that areas having low human influence do not necessarily exclude people, livestock or sustainable management of resources.

A balanced conservation response that addresses land sovereignty and weighs agriculture, settlement or other resource needs with the protection of ecosystem services and biodiversity is essential. Approximately 15 percent of the Earth’s land surface and 10 percent of the oceans are currently protected in some form.

Lead author Jason Riggio, a postdoctoral scholar at the UC Davis Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology, says, “The encouraging takeaway from this study is that if we act quickly and decisively, there is a slim window in which we can still conserve roughly half of Earth’s land in a relatively intact state.”

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Energy: Supporting a clean energy future by promoting energy efficiency and advocating for a transition to renewable energy.

Food: Committing to a plant-based diet, use of clean cook stoves and reduced food waste.

Mobility: Supporting bike infrastructure, walkable cities and mass transit.

Gender equity: Educating girls and family planning.

Nature-based solutions: Planting trees, protecting tropical forests and forest protection.

Founded in 2014, nonprofit Project Drawdown seeks to help the world reach “drawdown”, the point in time when levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere stop climbing and start to steadily decline.

For upcoming events, visit Drawdown.org.

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Nurses, the most numerous and trusted health profession in the world, have organized the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and partnered with Project Drawdown to significantly impact climate change. Together, they are working to help decrease greenhouse gas emissions and create a healthier future for humans and the planet. Nurses from all specialties and in all practice settings are encouraged to take action in four key areas.

Starchy Solution

Tasty Trap

A Plant-Based Alternative to Plastic

Sea Turtles Attracted to Deadly Ocean Plastic

Loggerhead turtles may think they’re biting into a favorite food when they encounter some synthetics, a study of 15 turtles in the journal Current Biology posits. Ocean plastic is often covered with algae and other marine organisms (biofouled), making it smell delicious to them. At least 1,000 die every year because they swallow plastic or get tangled up in it. Exposed to different odors in the lab, the loggerheads responded to the smell of turtle food, distilled water, clean plastic and biofouled plastic. The team found that the turtles had similar responses to biofouled plastic as to their normal food.

Kayla Goforth, a Ph.D. student in biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who worked on the study, says, “So they have to come up to breathe. And we know that they can detect airborne odors. So when they find that there’s an odor of interest in the air, they’ll spend an increased amount of time at the surface with their nostrils out of the water. And we found that the turtles spent more time with their nostrils out of the water when there was this biofouled plastic odor or a food odor.” davidtroeger/Unsplash.com

Japanese manufacturer Kuraray has introduced a renewable and sustainable starch-based barrier film called Plantic.

The plant-based packaging material can be recycled or composted to achieve a circular product cycle. Conventional packaging made from multiple layers of plastic can cause recovery issues, and perishable food imposes unique demands on wrapping. Plantic packaging washes away or decomposes after use. It includes compostable coffee pouches, as well as a barrier layer to package meat, seafood and poultry products with continuous protection against oxygen and other gases that spoil food. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-third of all produced food is wasted in the supply chain.

Plastic Rain

Airborne Particulates Blanket Wilderness

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Researchers estimate more than 1,000 tons of microplastics, equal to more than 123 million plastic water bottles, are deposited from the air into national parks and wilderness areas each year. Utah State University assistant professor Janice Brahney and her team used high-resolution atmospheric deposition data to identify microplastics and other particulates collected over 14 months in 11 national parks and wilderness areas. In a report in Science, they identified the plastic and polymers composition to track its sources and movement, and found that most of the plastics deposited in both wet and dry samples were microfibers sourced from both clothing and industrial materials. Approximately 30 percent of the particles were brightly colored microbeads likely derived from industrial paints and coatings.

Brahney says, “We confirmed through 32 different particle scans that roughly 4 percent of the atmospheric particles analyzed from these remote locations were synthetic polymers.” The same high resilience and longevity that makes plastics useful lead to progressive fragmentation instead of degradation in the environment. Clear and white particles were not included because they did not meet the criteria for visual counting, so estimates of plastic deposition were conservative.

Individual, Couples, Group & Spiritual Counseling • Hypnotherapy

WOLF SPIRIT

• Drumming • Energy Work • Traditional & Alternative Modalities

All Ages Welcome Husky and Most Insurance Accepted 203-263-3175 WolfSpiritWellness.org KCC_bc_final_vendor2.pdf

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Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age Self-Care Strategies for Tough Times

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by Sandra Yeyati

s the pandemic ravages our country, we are engulfed by a sea of challenging emotions, including fear, loss, anger, disappointment and grief.

Compounding the suffering, past emotional traumas and pent-up desires are surfacing and crying for attention. One way to navigate these treacherous waters is by first enveloping ourselves in self-compassion.

Next, we can gather the courage to face our fears and experience unpleasant feelings in order to heal them and let them go. Then, we search for and internalize positive emotional states to rewire our brains for positivity. This noble voyage promises immense rewards along the way.

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The Cocoon of Self-Compassion

Some of us chase self-esteem like the Holy Grail, yet it eludes us when we need it most.

Faced with a failing grade or cruel insult, our self-worth withers. We can’t understand why we lost it or how to get it back. When we attach our self-worth to achievements or comparisons with other people, self-esteem becomes unstable and unreliable.

Enter self-compassion, the life-changing perspective of showing kindness to ourselves in any and all situations—a supportive best friend that lives within us and can be accessed any time, every day. A pioneer and expert in this topic, Kristin Neff believes that

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self-compassion has three components: a decision to be kind to ourselves, a mindful awareness when we are in pain so that we can seek some relief and a sense of common humanity or connectedness.

We already know how to be compassionate, says Neff, an associate professor of educational psychology at the University of Texas at Austin and co-author of The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook. “It’s linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, which is a natural part of our organism. We’re tapping into this way of feeling safe, which is through care, bonding and connectedness.”

Encouraging our friends when they’re feeling down or hugging our moms in the

Finding Confidence Through Unpleasant Feelings

Nobody likes to feel sad or embarrassed.

We’d rather have an ice cream cone or turn on the TV. But for Dr. Joan Rosenberg, a prominent psychologist and speaker, uncomfortable feelings present an invaluable opportunity for people to transform into confident individuals that relate to the world around them with authenticity and resilience.

In her book 90 Seconds to a Life You Love, Rosenberg offers a formula—one choice, eight feelings, 90 seconds—to experience and move through eight of the most common unpleasant feelings: sadness, shame, helplessness, anger, embarrassment, disappointment, frustration and vulnerability.

“The choice is to stay aware of and in touch with as much of your moment-to-

moment experience as possible and not get lost in avoidance,” she explains, adding that there are more than 30 behaviors, thoughts and emotions that we employ as distractions, including substance abuse, social media, pornography, exercise, obsessive thoughts about body image, humor and denial.

“Be aware of what you’re aware of,” she advises. “If we know that we don’t like feelings, and we know we’ve been engaged in using ways to distract ourselves, then our challenge is to be more awake and aware of those times we do it, and as soon as we start to do the thing and become aware, that’s when we make the decision to stop and ask, ‘What’s really going on?’”

Discoveries in neuroscience suggest that most of us come to know what we’re feeling emotionally through bodily sensations. We might feel heat in the neck and face when embarrassed or a sinking feeling in the chest when disappointed. As feelings get triggered in the body, a rush of biochemicals in the bloodstream activate these sensations and are flushed out of the bloodstream in roughly 90 seconds.

“Most people have the impression that feelings linger a whole lot longer and that they’re going to be overwhelmed by it and never come out of it if they start. But when they understand that what they’re trying to avoid are uncomfortable bodily sensations that help you know what you’re feeling emotionally, and that these are short-lived, most people will start to lean into them, and once they do, their life changes,”

Rosenberg says.

To move through bodily sensations, which may come in multiple waves, take deep, slow breaths. Try not to tighten up or clench the jaw and swallow. Notice the location and nature of the bodily sensations to help identify which of the eight unpleasant feelings it might be, and be curious as to what might have triggered it. All of this will take a few moments. With practice, identification will become faster, easier and more accurate.

“If I have more time, then I can think about whether this is connected to anything else. Is it just one thing that triggered it, or is it like something else that’s happened before?” Rosenberg says. This level of awareness leads to a calming effect, clearer

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morning is hardwired into us. When we decide to be kind to ourselves, it’s easy to think of what we would say: “I’m sorry you failed that test. You’ll do better next time.

How can I help you?” To lend perspective, add a statement about our common humanity, counsels Neff. “This is hard for everybody. You’re not alone.”

We must be aware of our pain before we can comfort it, and many of us try to suppress or resist pain, choosing to numb it with distractions like alcohol addiction or compulsive shopping. Others may get lost in the storyline of what’s happening and succumb to suffering with no apparent way to obtain relief. Self-pity or self-criticism may creep in.

Mindful awareness is the antidote to these emotional extremes, because it helps us become aware that we are experiencing pain and to stay with that pain long enough to make a conscious decision to take care of ourselves. “One easy thing is physical touch,” says Neff. “The first few years of life you have no words, so the body is programmed to respond to touch as a signal of care. Put your hand on your heart or your stomach, or hold your hand. This changes your physiology, activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helps you calm down and helps you feel physically supported. Sometimes, that’s an entryway for people.”

Making Courage a Habit In her book The Courage Habit, life coach Kate Swoboda presents a four-part method for people to face their fears, release the past and live their most courageous life.

Access the body. Practice any body-centric activity like mindful meditation, exercise or dancing every single day to release stress and anxiety, become centered and more present, and clear the mind.

Listen without attachment. When your self-critic offers a warning or criticism, hear the words, understanding that this is fear trying to protect you and deciding that it’s misguided and not true.

Reframe limiting stories or beliefs.

Amend your internalized self-critic’s messages to be more respectful and supportive. If it says, “You’re stupid to try that,” revise it to, “I’m smart because I’m willing to try.”

Create community. Reach out to likeminded individuals that are supportive of the changes you are trying to make.

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Building Up Our Happiness Quotient These exercises are recommended by psychologist Rick Hanson: Slow down, breathe and see the big picture. This simple practice brings us into the present moment, reduces the stress activation in the body, disengages us from verbal chatter and negative reactivity, and buys us time to see more clearly.

Take three breaths, making the exhalation longer than the inhalation.

Five-Minute Challenge Take in the good. It could be a flower blooming, birds singing or a nice exchange with another person. Slow down, take a few breaths and let it sink in for a minute or two.

Focus on something to cultivate. Perhaps it’s patience or gratitude. Look for opportunities to have an experience of this quality and internalize it for another minute.

Marinate in pleasant feelings. Cultivate a sense of calm, contentment or warmheartedness for a couple of minutes.

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thinking, improved decision making and, perhaps most importantly, an ability to speak authentically.

“If we don’t handle the eight feelings, we don’t feel capable in the world,” she says.

The ability to speak adds to that empowerment. “From asking someone to stop a behavior so that you feel safer to telling someone you love them, asking your boss for a raise or letting people know about yourself and your work to garner opportunities and desired experiences—it cuts across every aspect of our lives and is absolutely crucial to our sense of well-being.”

Rewiring the Brain for Positivity

Discoveries in neuroplasticity have revealed that the brain changes throughout life well into adulthood. It’s designed to learn not just ideas and information, but skills, attitudes, feelings and moods. Rick Hanson, a clinical psychologist and author of several books, including Hardwiring Happiness and Resilient, contends that we can develop greater happiness, just like we can develop greater depression.

“There’s a lot of research that shows that through deliberate little practices spread out through the day or sometimes more formal practices like psychotherapy or meditation, we can actually produce

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physical changes in the brain that are now measurable with things like MRIs,” he remarks.

Hardwiring happiness is easy, pleasurable and doesn’t take a lot of time. “If you take care of the minutes, the years will take care of themselves,” says Hanson. “Little steps gradually move us forward a breath at a time, a minute at a time, a synapse at a time. Bit by bit, we grow the good inside while gradually releasing the bad.”

“Our power to positively influence who we are in small, genuine ways every day is really important to compensate for the brain’s negativity bias, which makes it like Velcro for bad experiences, but Teflon for good ones,” he says. “We evolved a negativity bias over the 600-million-year evolution of the nervous system. Learning from negative experiences and mistakes was a critical survival skill, so we have a brain that is designed to scan for bad news, overreact to it and fast-track it into memory. It’s not our fault, but it is our responsibility to deal with it by first, feeling the negative without reinforcing it and second, focusing on the positive and taking it in. Gradually, you can give yourself a brain that’s like Velcro for the good and Teflon for the bad.”

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a professional writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

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healing ways

Well-Being in Eight Seconds Hone Your Emotional Intelligence

by Paige Dest

S

itting in my doctors’ office, I had no idea both of us were about to have a most pivotal moment. She put my face in her hands and said, “You just look so pathetic.” I had lost so much weight that I was practically a walking bone. It was so very frustrating that no matter how much I ate, I couldn’t seem to gain weight.

What brought me to this point was stress—from work and from life. I had made it through two separate biopsies for breast cancer (both of which, thankfully, had come back negative), graduated with honors from a Master’s level program at the University of Pennsylvania and excelled professionally, only to be left with so much stress that it was beginning to take a toll on me physically. And though I knew my body well enough to know that the weight loss was due to stress, I was beginning to get nervous because no matter how much I ate, I wouldn’t gain.

After much testing, it was determined that I was, to quote my doctor, “healthy as a horse.” She told me to eat cupcakes for breakfast, pies for lunch and cake for dinner—whatever it took to gain weight. I reminded her I thought my weight loss was

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due to stress. I also told her all I knew about a set of skills known as “emotional intelligence” (EI), and that I really believed this would make a difference in my overall wellbeing—physically, mentally and spiritually.

Three months later, I sat—at a healthy weight range—waiting for her to enter the examination room. “Wow,” she exclaimed, “I thought we were going to lose you three months ago, and now, you’re a healthy and balanced woman. You’ve opened me up to the difference emotional intelligence can make for someone.” I had been convinced by my personal growth through EI coaching and by seeing the amazing positive results in my total well-being; and she had been convinced, too.

Emotions affect every element of our being. So it stands to reason that learning skills that help us use emotions as information, guiding our thoughts and behavior, can truly impact each of those elements and change our lives.

Most of us have heard of EI (sometimes called “emotional quotient” or EQ), and many of us may have a deep understanding of it, but practicing EI skills is a daily

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commitment. It’s a process of accepting your emotions for what they truly are— chemicals in the brain and body that create synapses moving through the instinctual brain into the limbic system, enticing the amygdala and ultimately influencing our thoughts and behaviors. In the simplest sense, they are information.

In fact, these chemicals only last about four to seven seconds. But the emotion affects your physiology and thoughts and vice versa, creating a feedback loop leading to “emotional hijack”, which can last a lot longer than that! You know the feeling—when you can’t seem to get past a particular emotion, driving thoughts and behaviors you may regret later. Within that small window of time, less than eight seconds, you can stop the potential for hijack and choose better thoughts and actions.

The first step is breathing deeply and slowly a few times, through your nose.

This will slow down your body’s reaction to the emotion, slowing your heart rate, increasing your blood flow and allowing more blood to the cognitive part of your brain, permitting it work more efficiently.

The next step is to name your emotion and

focus on what it may be telling you. Why are you really feeling this emotion? It’s not based on the actions of another, though that may be its trigger. The emotion itself is telling you something about how you perceive your environment. Being aware of the specific emotion gives you more control over it and begins to put your cognitive brain to use. Even if you start by naming a general emotion (such as mad, sad, glad, scared or disgusted), you will begin to feel more control over the emotion.

And reflecting on the information it gives you (why you are feeling that particular emotion) can help you determine the best next step: the step of choosing who and how you will be—choosing your thoughts and actions.

It may sound simple, but try it when you’re in the heat of an intense emotional moment, and it can seem impossible.

Luckily, you know better—it IS possible, and it takes less than eight seconds. Practice sitting with a heightened emotion and then try to bring the emotion down, by breathing, naming the emotion and listening to what the feeling is really telling you.

If you practice this daily in a safe, quiet space, you’ll begin to realize that when that moment of hijack comes, you’re ready to take charge of your emotions and make a better choice based on this information.

You’ll find that the emotion dissipates more quickly; and the more you do it, the easier it will become.

You may still experience hijack; after all, it’s a chemical reaction. But you have the power to slow down and even stop the hijack. Practice each day and before you know it, you will have increased your wellbeing—and it took less than eight seconds!

Paige Dest is a certified emotional intelligence coach and Core Values Index practitioner and the owner of BYODestiny—through which she provides emotional intelligence coaching to individuals and presents retreats, workshops and national webinars on emotional intelligence and happiness topics. She is also the founder of The Flutter Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit that supports programs which give our youth better emotional control.

Connect at Paige@BYODestiny.com.

Help Children Learn Emotional Intelligence Skills n To celebrate World Children’s Day on November 20, UNICEF and allies in 150+ countries are collaborating to bring more emotional intelligence awareness and resources to children and the adults who support them. n How can you take part? Sign up to host a POP-UP festival, a free wellbeing festival and a hands-on learning experience that you create by printing activity “stations,” gathering simple materials, and inviting people to come together to learn and play. Each host decides which “stations” to print, and they decide how big of a festival to hold: It can be a few people around a kitchen table or a few hundred in a park. n Those interested sign up and receive a free kit with resources, games and decorations for the event. It’s not a “presentation” or a “workshop” — the stations are self-guided, designed for children (who can read) or adults and children together, or just adults, to explore, talk, play and learn by doing. Organizers will be hosting optional “host trainings” online to answer questions and give support before the festival.

ANSONIA NATURE CENTER 104 acres of wooded hills and grassy fields, miles of nature trails, streams, a two-acre pond, wet meadows, upland swamp, butterfly & hummingbird garden, woodland wildflower and fern garden, community gardening, childrens’ playscape, visitor center, animals & nature exhibits, classes and more!

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n You can host a festival anytime during the month of November. The POP-UP Festival supports the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to help children grow the skills for a better life and a better world: Grow friendship, reduce conflict. Grow self-awareness, reduce volatility. Grow connections, reduce isolation.

To learn more, or to sign up to host your own POP-UP Festival, visit 6seconds.org/popup/.

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infested neighborhoods where they live,” says Damon Nailer, a Monroe, Louisiana, motivational speaker and author of Living, Loving, Leading. For children in all circumstances, he says, it’s important to “teach them that setbacks, failures, losses and adversity help you to learn, grow and become stronger.”

healthy kids

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Raising Resilient Kids How to Help Them Bounce Back

by Ronica O’Hara

I

n these turbulent times, children need to know how to confidently weather and deal with changes no matter what life hands them, say many psychologists. Studies show that when kids are resilient—having the ability to recover quickly from difficulties—they are less fearful and anxious, more confident and empathetic, and better able to handle cataclysmic events like 9/11.

Resilience can help them deal creatively with everything from cyberbullying to societal change. A Florida Atlantic University study of 1,204 children found that those that agreed with such statements as, “I can deal with whatever comes my way,” “I am not easily discouraged by failure,” and, “Having to cope with stress makes me stronger,” were less likely to be bullied in person or online and better able to cope when it occurred.

Resilience can be taught and learned at any stage in a child’s life, studies suggest. Some useful strategies include:

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Let them know they’re loved and supported. One stable, committed relationship with a supportive adult such as a parent, grandparent, aunt, teacher or coach is what a child needs to be resilient, according to research from Harvard’s Center for the Developing Child. This can be particularly important for children raised in lessthan-ideal circumstances. “It is absolutely critical for African-American children to learn resilience due to the current climate of hostility and racism, the inherent disadvantages in education and household income they are born into and hostile, crime20

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Make resilience a household word.

When San Diego child psychologist Bruce Thiessen’s daughter Kassidy was 4, he’d pretend to be the wolf in The Three Little Pigs, howling, “I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!”

She would reply, “Go ahead! I’ll rebuild it tougher and stronger!”

It was his way of embedding resilience in her, which he and his wife Roxie have reinforced with books, movies and songs. “Making the theme of resilience dominant in multiple activities will make an enduring, indelible impression on your child,” he says.

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Be a good example. “The most important thing to cultivate resilience, mindfulness and any other emotions really, is for parents to practice and model these things themselves,” says Christopher Willard, Ph.D., a Harvard lecturer and author of Raising Resilience: The Wisdom and Science of Happy Families and Thriving Children. Adults need to bounce back from setbacks, whether it’s a social media mistake or a lost job, and find ways to reframe what happened in a positive light.

To convey that attitude to a child, ask at dinner or bedtime, “What was the rose in your day? The thorn? What did you learn? What would you do differently next time?” The parent can model responses to these questions by sharing their own rose and thorn.

4

Let them figure things out. “As tempting as it may be to step in every time you see your children struggling, allowing them to figure things out on their own builds resilience,” says Katie Lear, a Davidson, North Carolina, therapist specializing in childhood anxiety. “On the flip side, when a parent

hovers or immediately steps in to solve a child’s problem, the child may interpret that behavior as, ‘I don’t trust you to be able to do this without help.’” Asking a child how they plan to solve a problem rather than questioning why the problem happened in the first place is a way to teach them creative problem-solving, advises Lynn Lyons, a Concord, New Hampshire, psychotherapist and co-author of Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents.

5

Teach thankfulness. Feelings of gratitude bolster resilience, studies show. For example, college stu-

dents that performed gratitude-inducing exercises reported feeling better able to handle academic challenges. “Teach your child to look for the gift within every problem,” advises C.J. Scarlet, author of Heroic Parenting: An Essential Guide to Raising Safe, Savvy, Confident Kids.

“That’s often hard to do in the midst of challenges, but just knowing there will be a gift found at some point can help your child to ride out the storm with greater patience and confidence.”

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Ronica O’Hara is a Denver-based health writer. Connect at OHaraRonica@gmail.com.

Mindful Means to Resilience BounceBack Breathing

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Resilience is Just a Deep Breath Away

Mindfulness—being in the moment without judgment—has been linked to youthful resilience, numerous studies show, perhaps because it allows a child to take a deep, calming breath in the midst of a trying event. “Mindfulness training really does create new brain connections that boost resilience to stress,” says Christopher Willard, a Harvard lecturer and author of Growing Up Mindful. When children learn mindfulness, he says, they “can better self-regulate their emotions, and stress is less likely to overwhelm them and lead to mental health issues like anxiety or depression.” Getting a child started on mindfulness can be as simple as teaching them a breathing exercise.

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Chocolate breathing: Imagine you are holding up a mug of hot chocolate. Breathe

in through your nose like you are smelling it, then exhale through your mouth like you are cooling it off. Repeat for a minute or two.

Bumblebee breathing: Sitting comfortably, breathe in through your nose for a

count of four. Exhale, making a buzzing or humming sound. Repeat 10 or more times.

Mountain breathing: While inhaling through your nose, raise your arms high

above your head and bring your palms together, imagining you are as high as a mountain. Then ground your feet into the floor, imagining roots going deep into the earth. Exhale through your mouth while lowering your palms together in front of your chest. Repeat several times.

Count breathing: Closing your eyes and sitting quietly, count “one” to yourself as you exhale. With the next exhale, count “two” and so on up to “five,” start back at one again, and repeat for at least five minutes.

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of modification I do with them is endless,” says Ramat, who underscores the importance of listening to the body. “I learned the hard way 17 years ago when I first became a teacher. I am gentle with myself if I am unable to do a pose and embrace the modification. I go deeper in my poses now than when I was younger.”

fit body

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Freedom Through Support

Yoga for Every Body Adaptive Ways Ease Pain and Immobility

by Marlaina Donato

T

aming chronic pain, restoring energy reserves, improving heart health and relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety are only a few of the science-backed perks of spending time on a yoga mat. However, misconceptions about this ancient practice can make yoga seem intimidating for individuals that could benefit the most from it.

Adaptive yoga, designed for people challenged by injury, chronic pain, autoimmune disease or debilitating conditions like multiple sclerosis, can foster perhaps unexpected gains through the use of props, chairs, wall space and even countertops.

From wheelchair-bound veterans to seniors with compromised balance, adaptive yoga offers new horizons for achieving wellbeing.

Yoga’s gentle influence goes beyond physical benefits. A 2017 British study published in the Journal of Pain Research found people with spinal cord injuries that took sitting yoga classes twice a week for six weeks were less depressed, more self22

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compassionate and more mindfully in the moment than those in a control group.

Empowerment, Not Perfection “Yoga is for any body, no matter the size, shape or color. It’s not about designer clothing, athletic ability, talents or perfection in the pose. Adaptive yoga is a movement to change this misconception and mitigate the anxiety to try yoga,” says Mindy Eisenberg, a Detroit-area certified yoga therapist and author of Adaptive Yoga Moves Any Body: Created for Individuals with MS and Neuromuscular Condition and the accompanying Adaptive Yoga Cards. For Eisenberg, the focus is about the internal experience, healing and most of all, “the sense of joy that comes from a regular practice.”

Ora Ramat, owner of the Wagging Tail Yoga Studio, in Bethel, New York, witnesses remarkable, everyday mastery in her students through adapted poses. “Many of my students are 40 to 95 years young, and the range

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“Our students have a wide range of health conditions including spina bifida, arthritis, MS, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, paraplegia, epiphyseal dysplasia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, chronic back pain and more,” says Miranda McCarthy, CEO of Wavelength VR (WavelengthVR.com), a healthcare company that produces a library of sciencesupported content for pain management without medication. The London-based creator of Adaptive Yoga LIVE, which offers seated online classes, knows firsthand how yoga can change lives.

“Until I found adaptive yoga, I felt like I was constantly at war with my body,” she says. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 2 and the youngest recipient of bilateral hip replacement surgery in the U.S., McCarthy thought she knew her body inside and out. After 40 surgeries and decades of rehabilitation and medication, she went through a radical shift in perspective.

“When I discovered adaptive yoga, I soon realized my relationship with my body had only just begun.”

Eisenberg highlights the internal process that adaptive yoga can catalyze: “The energy and sensation that yoga students feel on the inside is much more important than what the pose looks like on the outside.” Items such as chairs, blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters are used to make traditional postures more accessible to those with physical challenges and to ensure safety. “Using props is not a sign of weakness or inferiority. We even use ambulatory devices such as a cane as a prop.

Those who require assistive devices cease to see them as a hindrance. In fact, they become an accessory,” says Eisenberg.

For McCarthy, the biggest takeaway is simple, yet profound self-acceptance. “I no longer judge myself or compare myself to

able-bodied people. I gained a newfound love for my body and a love for myself.”

Eisenberg affirms, “It’s exciting to realize that our bodies are so much more capable than we thought, and we learn that we are not defined by our individual disease or limitations. As my teacher Jon Kabat-Zinn says, ‘As long as you are breathing, there is more right with you than wrong.’”

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by Brad Aronson

tudies show that when we see the positive more often, we’re happier and kinder to ourselves and to those around us. Luckily, we’re not locked into one way of viewing the world. We can choose to see things in a more positive fashion.

Here are some steps we can take to teach ourselves to look for the positive more often.

Eventually, the brain can get into the habit of doing this without any prodding.

Compliment at least one person every day. Maybe we can begin the day

an unforgettable, experiential evening of discovery, freedom and power!

by sending a short email or text telling someone why we appreciate them. Besides reshaping how we see the world, we might make someone’s day.

Keep a gratitude journal. Every night, write down three things to be grateful for. Researchers have found that people that regularly keep track of what they’re grateful for are happier. We can also have a nightly family discussion about what happened that day that we’re thankful for.

Perform a daily act of kindness.

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When we perform a kind act every day, we start noticing other opportunities to be kind, creating a cycle of positivity in our minds. Think small—a thank-you note or letting someone cut in front of us in traffic.

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Be mindful of who and what we expose ourselves to. The people we

spend time with and what we watch, listen to and read all send messages to our brain that influence how we see the world.

Train the brain for positivity. Here is a simple 10-minute exercise that can train the mind to think differently:

• Get a pen and paper. Take only three seconds to look around the room and remember everything that’s red. Then take only a few seconds to write a list of everything you remember that’s red. Finish this step before continuing.

• Now write down everything that is blue. Chances are that like most

people, we won’t remember the blue things nearly as well because we weren’t looking for them. We see what we look for, and that’s as much an asset as a shortcoming.

Training the brain to be more positive takes time, but it’s a priceless opportunity to change our perspective and become happier.

Brad Aronson, a tech entrepreneur and investor, is the author of HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time. Connect at BradAronson.com.

or write our stories, can they harm us?

wise words

Sandra Marinella on the Healing Power of Writing Our Stories

by Sandra Yeyati

A

n award-winning teacher and author of The Story You Need to Tell: Writing to Heal from Trauma, Illness, or Loss, Sandra Marinella has empowered thousands of people to use stories, poems and journal writing to find greater well-being and resilience in their lives.

Prompted by a breast cancer diagnosis and her own journal, she helps people connect with their truth and move beyond entrenched negative emotions and thoughts.

What is the power of story and personal writing?

We all have stories in our minds that play over and over again. They define who we are. In recent years, neuroscience has led us to this powerful understanding that we are quite flexible as human beings. After we become conscious of our stories and how we’re using them in our lives, we can rework and reframe them, and choose to see them in a positive or better light. We can change and grow our stories to become better people with greater well-being.

How do we get unstuck from playing out stories in our minds?

A story that keeps looping, one that you are obsessed with, is generally being

replayed in the emotional centers, or right side, of your brain, and you don’t have much control over it. To get unstuck, you need to voice this story and complete it. Writing it down and sifting through it later can help. Once you do this, you can be logical and choose how you’re going to interpret, frame and live with it.

In the book, I talk about Chris, whose sister was homeless and died. He was struggling with that story. It was going around in his mind, over and over, all the time. He was in pain and grieving from the loss of his sister. It took him a while before he decided to rewrite the story as fiction, telling it in the way he wished it had come out. In the process, he was able to better understand his loss, make peace with it and set it free.

How do we edit our stories while remaining grounded in reality?

We do not want to lie to ourselves. We want to know our truth, but there is so much wisdom in what we call “positive illusions”. If we can choose to take a hard story and see it in a very positive way, we can find threads of it that we can weave through our truth, and let that help us grow and make our vision of our story better.

Yes. I think they can, but I don’t want to underestimate the value of silence.

When we are facing trauma, we need space and time and silence to be able to wrap our heads around the hard things that are happening to us. But then, breaking the silence is cathartic. It releases the pain. It helps us establish not only that we have the pain, but how we can bear it. Later, we can come back to those words and reflect on them—that’s when we come to understand more about where we are, what we think, what we feel and how we can move forward and rewrite and regrow our stories in positive ways.

Do you have any recommendations for those suffering in these trying times?

I’ve interviewed many war veterans, and they said that when they were out in the midst of warfare, they had to put their thoughts and emotions on hold so that they could move forward and be strong.

That’s why many of them were falling apart with PTSD afterwards. I also interviewed a few soldiers who carried journals into war and found it extremely helpful to be able to scream, yell and release their words into them. We should be giving all healthcare workers journals and online support on how to write and how to take care of themselves. Counseling and therapy are wonderful, and I wish we could provide it to everybody all the time, but we can’t; and journal writing, or any kind of therapeutic writing, is such a wonderful backup for a human being to have when they are struggling. Keeping a pandemic journal might prove to be not only a healthy choice for our times, but a treasure historically for our grandchildren.

Sandra Yeyati, J.D., is a freelance writer.

Reach her at SandraYeyati@gmail.com.

If we don’t tell others

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Cars Go Vegan Leather Interiors are on the Way Out

by Yvette C. Hammett

C

onsumers are becoming more conscious about their purchases in light of the ongoing climate crisis exacerbated by animal-based agriculture.

As they begin to make better choices in what they consume, wear and drive, vegan car interiors are becoming more popular.

The environmental impact of producing leather, foam and other materials is being replaced in some instances by alternatives that are becoming more readily available to environmentally conscious consumers.

The Toyota Prius line uses Sof-Tex synthetic leather or other synthetic cloth upholstery which bolsters its reputation as a sustainable automaker. Mercedes Benz and BMW are offering customers plantbased alternatives and Tesla has been dropping leather from its upholstery choices for a while now, with the Model 3 and Model Y already sporting vegan-only interiors.

The Volvo Polestar 2 also comes standard with vegan upholstery, along with recycled wood. And the 2020 Range Rover Evoque, Velar and Jaguar I-Pace SUVs all offer consumers vegan interiors.

Research and development is ongoing in this realm to create faux leather that 26

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not only looks good, but is actually more durable and easier to maintain than leather.

Vegan “leather” is being produced from cork, glazed cotton and even bark cloth, so it’s not just a matter of replacing animalbased products with unsustainable plastic.

With funding from Honda and Ford, Bharat Bhushan, Ph.D., director of the Nanoprobe Laboratory for Bio- & Nanotechnology and Biomimetics in the John Glenn College of Public Affairs of Ohio State University, Columbus, developed a faux leather that has the potential to be used on both seats and dashboards.

“I work in technology to repel water and oil from a variety of surfaces,” Bhushan says. “Leather gets very sticky when it is hot, so we thought it would be great to repel water or any other contaminant to avoid that stickiness and help it remain clean.” The side benefit, he further notes, is that it’s an alternative to animal hide.

Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte, whose twin daughters are both vegan, says vegan leather is a huge selling point for customers and that both the Audi e-tron GT and Q4 will be animal-free. Faux leather will replace the traditional leather,

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and all cushions, window trim, armrests, headliners and center consoles will be manufactured with recycled materials.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) made a major push in the past few years to increase production of vegan-based car interiors. In 2016, PETA conducted an investigation into JBS, the world’s largest leather supplier, which sells to car companies from GM to VW and more. “What it found was that the supplier severely mistreats the cattle being raised for the leather with hot irons on the face, electrocution, beatings and cutting their throats while they are still conscious,” says Jennifer Behr, corporate responsibility officer for PETA. “When consumers are shopping, they should take that into consideration.

Those interiors came from a cow that lived a miserable life and died a painful one.”

Beyond that, cattle represent a climate risk. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health published a study showing that knowledge of the environmental ramifications from cattle is not well known by the average consumer. “The livestock industry is the source of a broad spectrum of environmental impacts,” the study states. “The first and most important is climate change.” It’s estimated that 18 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the livestock industry. Enlightened consumers are using that information to determine what they purchase, from food to cars.

BMW spokesperson Oleg Satanovsky says vegan options are not new for his company; they’ve been around for decades, but options have been updated. BMW uses a material called SensaTec, a new brand name for its non-animal-sourced upholstery “to reflect the more upscale design and feel of the materials,” he contends.

“We look to nature for clues” to develop alternatives, Bhushan says. His research was based on the lotus leaf and its resiliency—it’s both water and oil repellant. “A single species like that can be used for many things,” with little or no environmental impact.

Yvette C. Hammett is an environmental writer based in Valrico, FL. Connect with her at YvetteHammettHull49@gmail.com.

bright/AdobeStock.com

green living

We are looking for the next Natural Awakenings publishers—the connectors, the change makers, the motivated individuals that want to make a difference in their community. This is more than a job; it’s a life-changing opportunity to inspire others to make choices that benefit themselves and the world around them.

And you’ll have fun while you’re doing it!

Financing opportunities are available for as little as $15,000 down.

Call us for more information, we would love to talk!

Natural Awakenings is a franchise family of 55+ healthy living magazines, celebrating 26 years of publishing! This rewarding, homebased franchise opportunity includes training and ongoing support, following a wellestablished and proven business model.

Learn more today:

239-530-1377

NaturalAwakenings.com/Franchise September 2020

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calendar of events

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Full Moon Meditation w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Align w/new energies of this Super Full Moon. Opportunities for letting go of the old and allowing spiritual energies to reach human hearts and minds. $25. For questions please call 203-631-7803 or Return2love3@gmail.com.

Return2Love.com.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Young Living Essential Oils – 6:30pm-8pm. Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-631-7803 or Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 Virtual Training, Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy: Building Stress Resilience – 9am-12pm. 3 CECs. In this workshop, learn to identify areas in digestion, sleep and daily habits that are opportunities to develop stress resilience using breathing techniques, six taste theory of Ayurveda, and daily routine including mindfulness practices to increase resilience and internal locus of control. $60. For more information, call 203- 909-6888. Register at: WomensConsortium.org. GoToMeeting link, and instructions will be provided once registered.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Circle of Women – 7pm-9pm. Join in sacred space (temporarily on Zoom) to discover and strengthen your authentic self, listen and speak from the heart.

Practice self-care and global compassion in these unprecedented times. Stay connected to self, spirit, others and earth rhythms as we prepare for Autumn Equinox. $25. Call Susan to reserve space/get coordinates. 203-645-1230.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Sankalpa & Yoga Nidra with Breathing Room – 1pm-3:30pm. Join Verred for a special offering that combines intrinsic intention-setting with Yoga Nidra, a most healing and transformational practice.

Bring a pen and journal, eye pillow or scarf, a small pillow (if you like), socks and comfortable clothing to stay warm. (Early Bird by September 13) $30.

Regular $35. Visit BreathingRoomCT.com/Events for more information and to sign up. Breathing Room, 216 Crown St, New Haven.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Autumn Equinox w/Gayle Franceschetti – 6:30pm-8:30pm. Tap into autumn’s new energiesfacilitate purifying one’s life, planting new seeds and endeavors, develop new values and make new decisions and goals. $25. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford. 203-631-7803. Contact Gayle: Return2love3@gmail.com. Return2Love.com.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Yoga for Anxiety & Depression with Breathing Room – 1pm-3:30pm. Yoga has been scientifically proven to support emotional well-being and inner peace. This workshop is designed to help participants become empowered to support their treatment of anxiety and/or depression with Yoga practices.

For beginner to advanced Yoga practitioners. $30 (Early Bird by October 3). Regular $35. Regular $35. Visit BreathingRoomCT.com/Events for more information and to sign up. Breathing Room, 2 16 Crown St, New Haven.

ongoingevents

friday Connecting During These Changing and Challenging Times – Series 5pm-6pm. (Fridays: Aug 28, Sept. 4, 11, 18 & 25). As we experience the many changes that are happening in our lives due to the Covid-19 virus, we must remain alert to our emotional, physical and spiritual needs. I will be offering an opportunity for us to connect in a positive and supportive way by meeting other like-minded people via Zoom. This 5-week series will be an interactive class discussing tools and techniques for us to cope and grow during this time. $25 (for all 5). To join: Return2Love.com and pay through PayPal. Gayle will then send you the Zoom info necessary to attend. For questions call: 203-631-7803 or email Return2love3@gmail.com.

Sunset Savasana: Flowing with Mother Nature – 7:30pm. An all levels flow yoga class with the beautiful backdrop of the sun setting behind farms and vineyards. Please RSVP 2 hours prior to class. $15. Cash or Venmo accepted. Please RSVP a minimum of two hours before class time.

Small and limited class sizes for ease and safety.

Bring your own mat. All classes are outdoors only.

Bathroom not available. Good Vibes Yoga Studio, 4 Cooke Rd, Wallingford. 203-824-1929.

GoodVibesYogaStudioCT@gmail.com.

saturday Sunset Savasana: Flowing with Mother Nature – 7:30pm. An all levels flow yoga class with the beautiful backdrop of the sun setting behind farms and vineyards. Please RSVP 2 hours prior to class. $15. Cash or Venmo accepted. Please RSVP a minimum of two hours before class time. Small and limited class sizes for ease and safety. Bring your own mat. All classes are outdoors only. Bathroom not available. Good Vibes Yoga Studio, 4 Cooke Rd, Wallingford. 203-824-1929.

GoodVibesYogaStudioCT@gmail.com.

Young Living Essential Oils – 10am-11:30am.

Help align your mind, body, spirit. Learn to take control of your health with therapeutic grade oils. Free class. 36 Cheshire Rd, Wallingford.

203-631-7803 or Return2love3@gmail.com.

Return2Love.com.

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NaturalNewHaven.com

markyourcalendar BECOME A MARCONICS PRACTITIONER! Saturday October 3, 2020 9am-5pm Sunday October 4, 2020 9:30am-4:30pm

Begin your journey back to Source.

Everything that came before has been in preparation for this moment; a step along the path. THIS IS ASCENSION! Scale the Mountain and claim SOUL SOVEREIGNTY. Center for Healing Therapies 83 Boston Neck Rd, Waterford, CT

Contact Julie Oakes

203-533-9633 or SNETeachers@Marconics.com Additional Details: Marconics.com

Let us read and let us dance– two amusements that will never do any harm to the world. ~Voltaire

classifieds ALS SUPPORT THE ALS ASSOCIATION CONNECTICUT CHAPTER – Leading the fight to treat and cure ALS through research & advocacy while empowering people w/Lou Gehrig’s Disease and their families to live fuller lives w/compassionate care & support. 4 Oxford Road, Unit D4. Milford. 203-874-5050. WebCT.alsa.org.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONNECTICUT WOMEN’S CONSORTIUM – Aim: ensure the behavioral health system responds to the needs of women & the people & organizations that affect them. Eliminate discrimination/promote excellence in care for women through educ., training, advocacy & policy dev. 203-909-6888, WomensConsortium.org.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES START A CAREER YOU CAN BE PASSIONATE ABOUT – Publish your own Natural Awakenings magazine. Home based business complete with comprehensive training and support system. New franchises are available or purchase a magazine that is currently publishing. Call 239-530-1377 or apply now at: NaturalAwakeningsMag.com/Franchise.

COUNSELING COUNSELING IS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS – where the transitions, challenges and traumas of life are viewed as a gateway into a more authentic life. With guidance to reframe their personal stories, my clients are empowered to free themselves from ineffective patterns and make significant personal growth. Call, text or email now for free consultation: 203-731-7755, healingbear11@gmail.com or Returntothefire.com.

DISTRIBUTORS WANTED DISTRIBUTORS WANTED – For monthly deliveries of Natural Awakenings and other local publications. Perfect for a retired person or stay at home mom looking to earn some extra income and connect with their local community. Honesty and dependability are the most important characteristics of our distributors. Thomas@ManInMotionLLC.com.

GREEN HOUSES FOR SALE NOW HOUSES FOR SALE NOW! – Unique, friendly, cohousing community. New energy-efficient, green homes in a neighborhood with an organic farm. RockyCorner.org: Where conservation and community come together!

MEDICAL/INTUITIVE HYPNOTIST HYPNOSIS THERAPY CENTER – There is a meaning behind every ailment and condition people have. It’s your body speaking to you. If you are tired of being sick and are ready to help yourself heal, then consider having a Discovery Session so you can learn the cause and ‘cure.’ Madison. 203-245-6927.

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION – Mission: “To Ease the Burden, To Find A Cure” for those w/Parkinson’s Disease and their caregivers in CT. Education, support and socialization.

860-248-9200, ctapda.org.

WOODBRIDGE CT OFFICE RENTAL WOODBRIDGE CT OFFICE RENTAL – 7’ x 12’ ($350/mo) and 10’ x 12’ ($450) in cozy building near Amity & Selden Plazas. Hourly use ($20/hr) considered with a minimum of 4 hrs/week.

Heat,AC,wifi. Ground floor. Bathroom, reception area with small fridge, keurig, microwave, “slop” sink. Off-street parking. Dog friendly. Dianne: 203-494-3348.

LYME DISEASE CT LYME RIDERS, INC. – Founded in 2007 by motorcyclists Sandy Brule & Tony Gargano. A 501(c)(3) non profit public charity aiming to bring awareness to the public about Lyme Disease. Events & info. 860-537-0255, ctlymeriders.com.

Coming Next Month OCTOBER

• Exploring Other Realms • Transcending Physical Health

To advertise or participate in our next issue contact: PytlakMelissa@gmail.com or 203-305-5531 September 2020

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community resource guide APPLIED KINESIOLOGY KC CHIROPRACTIC & WELLNESS Kevin Healy, DC 17 Woodland Road, Madison, CT 203-245-9317 KevinHealy@sbcglobal.net DrHealMe.com

Applied Kinesiology i s a n e u r o logical evaluation to find and treat dysfunction. Different because it addresses causes instead of chasing pains, Dr. Healy tests if a therapy alleviates dysfunction, finding immediate answers as to which provides the most improvement.

Chiropractic, craniosacral, myofascial and acupressure are among the therapies Dr. Healy uses. Generally, no single cure exists as disease and dysfunction typically involve multiple areas of the body. The goal of any therapy—physical, chemical, or emotional—is to improve function; a combination of therapies typically yields the best results. See ad on page 13.

EDUCATION CONNECTICUT EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CENTER (CELC) MIDDLE SCHOOL 28 School Street, Branford, CT 203-433-4658 mandm@CTExperiential.org http://CTEXperiential.org

PET EUTHANASIA SERVICE FINAL JOURNEY, LLC Kristen Klie, D.V.M. 203-645-5570 FinalJourneyLLC.com

Final Journey, LLC is an in-home euthanasia service for your animal companion that brings comfort and peace during a sensitive and challenging time.

See ad on page 23.

PHYSICAL THERAPY PHYSICAL THERAPY SERVICES OF GUILFORD 500 East Main Street, Suite 310, Branford, CT 203-315-7727 (Phone) 203-315-7757 (Fax) PhysicalTherapyGuilford.com

At Physical Therapy Services of Guilford, we specialize in manual therapy using hands-on techniques to help the body’s natural healing process. We also incorporate traditional programs and modalities to maximize health. 40-minute sessions are conducted one-on-one in private treatment rooms. See ad on page 8.

REIKI

CT Experiential Learning Center (CELC) Middle School provides experientially-based education with a personalized approach to learning, designed to empower young people to thrive. Our students come from a variety of towns throughout Connecticut, from families looking for a program that engages and deepens learning, where their children can flourish during these important and impactful 5th - 8th grade years. See ad on page 23.

THE GRADUATE INSTITUTE (TGI)

Accredited, Non-profit Graduate School offering holistic programs in contemporary & emerging fields 171 Amity Road, Bethany, CT 203-874-4252 Learn.edu

SUSANE GRASSO, RMT Distance Reiki Available 203-500-6950

Stress is the plague of the 21st century and the cause of physical and emotional woes. Because of this, my sessions combine my ability to see auras with Reiki, Theta Healing, acupressure and Sound Vibrational Healing to provide deep relaxation and balance. “Tension out! Wellness in” is more than a phrase. For my clients it is a statement of fact. Distance Reiki sessions available. See ad on page 21.

The Graduate Institute offers holistic master’s degrees and certificate programs for adult learners. Programs include Integrative Health and Healing, Ecotherapy and Cultural Sustainability, Writing and Oral Tradition, Organizational Leadership, and more. Programs are just one weekend a month.

See ad on page 3.

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NaturalNewHaven.com

SALT HEALING THERAPY WELLNESS CENTER REVIVE SALT THERAPY

374 New Haven Avenue Milford, CT 203-283-5968 Hello@ReviveSaltTherapy.com ReviveSaltTherapy.com Gail Perrella, M.S. is a Holistic Nutritionist, creator and founder of Revive Salt Therapy & Wellness. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower our clients to create the health they deserve. Services offered include halotherapy, nutrition, detox, massage, reiki, salty (halotherapy) yoga, guided meditation, mindset coaching and wellness workshops. We also have a wellness retail shop where we offer professional supplements and high quality salt products. For more information visit ReviveSaltTherapy.com.

SALT OF THE EARTH THERAPEUTIC SPA

787 Main St, S Woodbury, CT 203-586-1172 NaturalSaltHealing.com Combining an array of natural therapies that have been used since ancient times with today’s technology, Salt of the Earth Spa provides a sanctuary for deep transformations, healing and grounding for Mind, Body and Spirit.

SHAMANIC ENERGY HEALING EAGLE FLIGHT HEALING, LLC Hamden, CT 203-535-8849 Info@EagleFlightHealing.com EagleFlightHealing.com

Eagle Flight Healing provides transformative energy work using shamanic methods, the guidance of a client’s higher consciousness and unseen guides. Clients experience a new perspective of self in addition to feeling more vitality, happiness and joy.

community resource guide SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM THE INSTITUTE OF SUSTAINABLE NUTRITION

113 Simsbury Road, West Granby, CT 860-764-9070 Joan@TIOSN.com TIOSN.com We offer a unique certification program blending the science of nutrition with the hands-on components of sustainable gardening practices. We use food and herbs to make kitchen medicine, teach basic culinary skills, and practice foraging for and using nutrient-rich wild food. Now enrolling.

GROW YOUR BUSINESS Call or text us for special ad rates.

203-305-5531

WHOLE BODY WELLNESS CBD MASSAGE ELM CITY WELLNESS 774 Orange Street New Haven, CT 203-691-7653 ElmCityWellness.com

Elm City Wellness is an independent, woman-owned wellness center with a focus on community healing. Services include a variety of skilled massage, CBD massage, community and private acupuncture, Reiki, craniosacral therapy and organic skin care, including signature, microderm and high frequency facials. Skilled therapists specifically tailor each and every session. Our wellness store features local products, candles, wellness supplies and books, smudge kits and a large range of third-party tested, pharmaceutical grade CBD products. See back cover ad.

YOGA & AYURVEDA BALANCE BY MELISSA

Melissa Pytlak Yoga Instructor Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor 203-305-5531 SeekLifeBalance@gmail.com BalanceByMelissa.com Melissa invites you to come home to yourself and awaken the healer within. Offering private and group instruction in yoga and Ayurveda, Melissa guides you to connect with your True Self and to trust that you already possess all the wisdom you need to heal yourself in order to return to your innate state of harmony and health. Melissa enjoys teaching group classes but particularly loves the magic that unfolds in helping people one on one. If you need a little guidance on your path of wellness, please reach out for a free 10-minute consultation.

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