The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition Apr/May 2019

www.theconnectionsnj.com Take your personal & spiritual growth to the next level Thru conversation, connection and creativity… insightful, informative, inspirational…and FUN ! in-person small group or convenient online classes EMAIL or TEXT Rosie for class details: rosie@rosiebattista.com 908-872-8613 Anxious, Stressed or Overwhelmed ? Sleeping Naked After 40 WOMEN’S GROUPS Reduce stress & anxiety Feel connected & peaceful Become the woman you were meant to be Let’s be real. Winter can knock your socks off and throw off even the best laid plans of taking care of self. Even if you are somewhat fond of crisp cool air, things just feel more difficult on colder, darker, wintery days. Some of us feel it more than others but since we just can’t check out like bears, we tend towards cozy- ing indoors, cuddling up with less activity, a little (or a lot) more snacking, and skimping on the self-care. Skin could be dry, lips chapped, pounds up, moods down. You get the picture. If you’re like me, you’re welcoming in the springtime warmth and looking at it as an opportunity to grow along with the green- ery outside. It means putting back those self-caring rituals that were abandoned through the winter. These 7 steps are simple and easily imple- mentable into your lifestyle. I’ve even added in a *super easy* option where available, so that you’ll be left with no excuses for why you can’t pull your self-care off the couch and spring it into practice. 1. Grab a green juice daily - Make your own celery juice by adding 5 stalks of celery and 1/2 fresh lemon into your juicer. A good juicer (like the Breville) costs as low as $120, or you can visit your local health food store, or a Whole Foods and have them make if for you. If you’re wondering what all the commotion about celery is, studies show that it can reduce inflammation and boost cardiovascular health. The perfect antidote for all those months of “couching it.” It’s also easy to juice, inexpensive to buy, and the stalks last a little longer in your fridge so you can buy more and have it handy. Final- ly the *super easy* option - drive to Trader Joe’s and stock up for the week on their already bottled cold pressed green juice (with super fabulous clean ingredients of kale, spinach, apple, cuke, celery, lemon and ginger) for only $3.99. 2. Get outside daily - Dress weather appropriately and get your butt outside. You can find 15 minutes to move your body. Set your phone timer for 8 minutes and walk, turning back toward your starting destination when the timer goes off. Try to make it back in 7 minutes. Check out the trees, breathe deep. If you’re doubting that 15 minutes could matter, new evidence suggests that even a small amount of exer- cise - like that 15 minutes a day - could lower your risk of depression. Take some inspiration from Albert Einstein who said, “Look deeply into nature and you will understand everything better.” 3. Breathe lavender nightly - Helping you relax and fall into a restful sleep, laven- der has been found to help increase slow wave sleep, slowing heartbeat and relaxing muscles. Its soothing and calming proper- ties reduce stress making its use as a perfect bed time enhancer. Simply add 5 drops of lavender to a diffuser and turn it on when you get into bed. Or opt for the *super easy* version and put 2 drops of lavender into your hand, rub your hands together, cup your hands around your nose and inhale (be sure to use a top grade essential oil). 4. Put your feet first (at least) twice a month - Reflexology, pedicures, ahhh!!! Book the appointments. Finally the *super easy* do it yourself option takes a small pail or tub filled 1/2 way with warm water. Adding in 1/2 cup Epson salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, 3 drops of frankincense or lavender essential oil and your feet and you’ve got a luscious treat! 5. Close your kitchen by 7 pm on weekdays - A simple and super effective way to reduce unnecessary caloric intake and snacking that can add up. All that nightly picking, could easily add to upwards of 200 extra calories a day. And let’s not talk about how much that more could pile on when you’re distracted by the latest Netflix saga. If you stop the mindless evening snacking, you’ll be shocked at how those uncomfortable pounds fall away. Your body will also appreciate not having to work overtime to digest food while it’s shutting down for the nite. 6. Say grace before every meal daily - Two or three words, a moment of silence or a heartfelt prayer as your food is sitting there in front of you, before you dig in. This serves as a daily reminder of how blessed you are to have food to eat as well as a loving send off to the food you take into your body. 7. Take fifteen daily - Draw, doodle, lis- ten to music, read a book, sit in silence. You choose. But do something that has to do with nothing. Give yourself the space to just be free (that also means putting your phone and computer out of sight). Commit to these things on a consistent basis and you will feel amazingly better as you bring your new habits into the new season. Rosie Battista, Sleeping Naked After 40, is a Life Stylist/Coach helping mid-life women create a new lifestyle that works for their new stage (age) in life, allowing them to live the best years of their life in the best of health, peace and joy. Email rosie.battista@gmail.com or follow her on Instagram @rosie.battista SEVEN SIMPLE STEPS FOR SPRINGING ON SELF CARE By: Rosie Battista 3322 Route 22 West, Suite 1207-1208, Branchburg, NJ 08876 908-218-0300 908-218-0301 (fax) www.branchburgoralsurgery.com We Accept Most Major PPO Dental Plans Karl Maloney, D.D.S. Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Wisdom Teeth Dental Implants Bone Grafting General Anesthesia 3D Cone Beam CT Jaw Surgery Oral Pathology Facial Trauma PAGE 30 Health & Wellness