Mindfulness Exercise of the Month

Upcoming Events

When you're feeling overwhelmed and stuck in your head, a helpful tool is to ground yourself using the 5 senses technique. This helps to bring you out of your emotion mind and into your logical mind, your body, as well as into the present moment. Notice 5 things around you that you can see, perhaps say them out loud. Get really specific (like I see a soft, blue and green patterned pillow.) Notice 4 things that you can touch, and then indeed touch them. Notice 3 things that you can hear- getting really quiet and noticing the furthest thing from you that you can hear, and the closest thing to you that you can hear. Notice 2 things that you can smell, and 1 that you can taste. The intention is that you'll feel a bit more grounded after trying this exercise, and a good one to do with kiddos too.

August 5: Stress Reduction Meditation, 1:00-1:30pm

August 7: Peer-Led Community Yoga, 9:00-10:00am

August 14: Peer-Led Community Yoga, 9:00-10:00am

August 18: Stress Relief Chair Yoga, 1:00-1:30pm

August 21: Peer-Led Community Yoga, 9:00-10:00am

August 28: Peer-Led Community Yoga, 9:00-10:00am

A reminder that  Behavioral Medicine offers weekly support groups.

Summer Produce

Maybe now you have more time to explore and get creative in the kitchen and in the soil. It is not to late to explore getting delivery from Imperfect Foods or Misfits Market, or go to pick-your-own-produce (safely!) at local farms. You can also check out Boston farmer's markets, that will be around through fall! All of these things are designed to get you eating more locally, and working with produce you wouldn't normally. Additionally, since many of us will be spending more time at home than we normally would over the summer, it can be a nice time to flex that green thumb (and get your kids/ family/ roommates involved in the planting process!)

Some fantastic recipes that highlight summer produce:

Samin Nosrat's Panzanella

Joy the Baker's Strawberry Shortcake

New York Times' How to Use Your Herbs

Bryant Terry's Amazing Green Rice

Mark Bittman's Corn Chowder

Sustainability Tips

Here are a few zero waste & sustainability tips (and reminders for those who have seen these before!) to implement in your home.

Check out the book Dumping in Dixie.

Understand the  waste pyramid , and recognize recycling isn’t an end all, be all. On that, know what you  actually can recycle.

Take single bananas & "less pretty" produce at the grocery store- they are likely to be thrown out because they are less popular.

Compost (you can pay for it in Boston with Bootstrap or City Compost, or explore Project Oscar for free drop-off!)

On that, use your leftover vegetable scraps to make broth, to grow them, to make fertilizer.

Unplug cords from outlets when not using them.

Use leftover containers/ jars as mugs, plant pots, toothbrush holders, leftover containers.

Check out Cleenland , a zero waste store in Cambridge.

Use your voice - see a company being wasteful and feel powerless? Reach out! Let them know you notice, and give suggestions for ways they can do better.

August Journaling Prompts

Every month, you will be provided with journaling prompts to get you started, in order to reflect on the theme of the month, understand yourself better, and slow down mentally and emotionally.

As many folks' summer plans are shifting or cancelled, what are ways you and your loved ones can make this season still feel special?

How can I slow down a bit and allow more relaxation in this (hopefully) less busy season?

What are new rituals and ways I can care for my body and mind during these warmer months?