emotions
Spring Night ~ A Poem by Sara Teasdale
Spring Night
Sara Teasdale
The park is filled with night and fog,
The veils are drawn about the world,
The drowsy lights along the paths
Are dim and pearled.
Gold and gleaming the empty streets,
Gold and gleaming the misty lake,
The mirrored lights light sunken swords,
Glimmer and shake.
Oh, is it not enough to be
Here with this beauty over me?
My throat should ache with praise, and I
Should kneel in joy beneath the sky.
Oh, beauty, are you not enough?
Why am I crying after love
With youth, a singing voice and eyes
To take earth’s wonder with surprise?
Why have I put off my pride,
Why am I unsatisfied,
I for whom the pensive night
Binds her cloudy hair with light,
I for whom all beauty burns
Like incense in a million urns?
Oh, beauty, are you not enough?
Why am I crying after love?
Healthy Tips: Being in Love is Good for Your Health
Being in love has several positive effects on health, both physically and emotionally. Here are four ways it contributes to good health:
- Reduces Stress and Lowers Cortisol Levels
- Love and emotional support from a partner help reduce stress by lowering cortisol levels, a hormone linked to anxiety, high blood pressure, and weakened immune function. Loving relationships create a sense of security, which helps the body manage stress more effectively.
- Boosts Heart Health
- Being in love promotes the release of oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” which helps lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease. Studies show that people in loving relationships tend to have better cardiovascular health and lower risks of heart attacks and strokes.
- Enhances Mental Well-Being
- Love fosters feelings of happiness and belonging, which can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The presence of a supportive partner provides emotional stability and can improve self-esteem and overall life satisfaction.
- Strengthens the Immune System
- Positive emotions associated with love, such as joy and affection, boost immune function by promoting better sleep, reducing inflammation, and encouraging healthier lifestyle habits. People in loving relationships are more likely to take care of themselves and recover faster from illnesses.
“This Valentine’s Day, let’s embrace love—not just for romance, but for our health! Together, we’ll pump up love and keep our hearts strong—literally and figuratively. 💖💪 #HeartHealthy #LoveHeals”
Source: ChatGPT
Great Health Tips ~
Practice mindfulness or meditation to reduce stress.
The best way I’ve found to reduce stress is to remove myself from other people’s drama. I also apply the drama thing to the news. That’s one way the news stations get viewers and listeners – fire them up. I choose not to let CNN, FOX, or MSNBC work on my emotions. For me, reading the news doesn’t have the same effect on me as watching and listening to someone giving their slant.
Source: ChatGPT
Today’s Thought: Making Good Choices
We know what we like. Some people will choose coffee other tea. Some will choose a vegetarian meal while others will choose a meat based meal. There’s no good or bad in making these kinds of choices, they’re based on personal preferences. More important, but often pushed to the background ,are our emotional choices. Do I choose to be angry or peaceful? Do I choose to hurt or help people? Do I choose selfishness or selflessness? Do I choose to bring people together or tear them apart? There are important differences. Our choices mark our character, influence our health, and determine our destiny.
Health Facts: Often Feeling Angry? It May be Your Diet
Here are two lesser-known but important health facts about the relationship between anger and diet:
- Omega-3 Deficiency Can Worsen Anger and Mood Swings: A diet lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, commonly found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts, has been linked to increased aggression and anger. Omega-3s are critical for brain health and emotional regulation, and studies suggest that a deficiency may lead to irritability, mood swings, and difficulty managing anger.
- High Sugar and Processed Food Intake Can Trigger Aggressive Behavior: Diets high in refined sugars and processed foods can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, which impact emotional stability. These rapid changes in glucose levels may contribute to feelings of irritability and anger. Additionally, processed foods can affect gut health, which is linked to mental well-being through the gut-brain axis, further influencing emotional responses.
Being mindful of these factors can help in managing anger through dietary choices.
Source: ChatGPT
Health Facts: Love Can Make You Healthy
Here are two important but lesser-known health facts about love:
- Love Can Strengthen the Immune System: Being in a loving relationship can boost your immune system. Studies have shown that people in supportive, affectionate relationships have stronger immune responses, making them more resilient to illness. This effect is thought to come from the emotional support and stress reduction that love provides, which can enhance immune function over time.
- Love Improves Heart Health: While it’s well-known that stress negatively impacts heart health, love does the opposite. Experiencing positive emotions from love and affection can help reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of cardiovascular issues. The emotional bond and physical closeness experienced in a loving relationship trigger the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps relax blood vessels, leading to better heart health.
Episode 33: Grieving: Church Services Brought Tears and Strength
In Episode 33 of my podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, I describe my emotions as I attended the Catholic church services for All Saints Day and All Souls Day (Dia de los Meurtos). I was among many who lost someone they loved. Together we knew what each was feeling at a deep visceral level. Although it was an emotional experience, I emerged more resolved to walk toward healing.
You can listen to Episode 33 on your favorite podcasting app or click here for Episode 33
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button to receive notifications of future episodes.
Episode 25:Although I’m Grieving, I Make a Choice to Live
In Episode 25 of my podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, I choose to live. I know I am battered by my emotions that are attempting to drown me in a river of sadness and depression, but I choose not to let them. I choose to live. My choice makes a difference to me. My choice doesn’t stop my strong grieving emotions from attacking me. Now I know they will not get the best of me.
Episode 24: Learning to Master my Emotions
In Episode 24 of my podcast, Journey from Grief to Healing, M and I talk about the role emotions play in grieving. Grieving the death of a loved one puts our emotions on steroids. M helps me to understand the importance of choosing to master my emotions and not let my emotions have mastery over me.
Enjoy Episode 24 on your favorite podcasting app or click the link to listen to it.
