Wellness to me is taking daily walks with my dog. The exercise gives me the energy to start my day off on "the right foot" (literally). It makes me feel better knowing I'm taking care of my health and wellness both physically and mentally. Visually, walking along the Merrimack River always brings me joy and happiness, the water is very calming and peaceful to me. I took this picture during April vacation on a bright and sunny day – wellness in its most visual form.
My photo was taken on the Parker River in Newbury where I take an almost daily sunrise walk. I find walking in the early morning to be a calm and grounding way to begin the day. I am inspired by each sunrise. I am a morning person and love the freshness of the new day. While I walk, I listen to calming music to center my day, it is part of my gratitude practice.
As I walked through the Ipswich Sanctuary with my two children and husband, I felt an overwhelming sense of new strength, trust, beauty and a boost of energy inside. As I placed the bird feed on the palm of my hand and as the incredible chickadee landed, I felt a sense of good and new health. It seemed as though it felt the same way. And as I glanced up I saw with my eyes it had reached us all - we all had a new SPRING of WELLNESS in us all.
We found many ways to create new adventures and experience during difficult times. We have explored hidden trails and created many adventures. Getting out into the fresh air and finding things that were safe to do because a quest that we all did together. The bonding that happened between the siblings was just beautiful to watch. Three siblings without any golf experience at the golf range hitting golf balls. The laughter and conversations were exactly what we needed. Nothing has been better than being together and creating these moments.
This photo was taken on April 13, 2021 right out front of the middle/high school I work at. Taking a daily walk around the school grounds at lunch has helped me stay centered and focused this school year. This photo symbolizes wellness to me because of the way this moment made me feel. I did not get to see these trees bloom last year due to the quarantine. It had been a long, tough year and seeing these blooms washed a sense of relief over me that I had not felt in a while.
This photo is the halfway point of one of my favorite five mile walking loops. I love everything about this image and have taken a similar picture from this same spot several times throughout several seasons. As you may guess, I walk this loop a lot. This recent photo is a quintessential image of the new spring season, Spring 2021. The image captures a beautiful old oak and tarnished gate overlooking budding peach trees, a promise of new life. When I approach this part of my journey, I reflect on the beauty of nature and the many times my strong legs have brought me here through cold, rain, intense heat and warm sunshine. It is usually at this point in my walk that my mind has finally let go of the day's worries. The trusty tree and rusty gate welcome me to start anew. Each time I arrive at this scene I am reminded of all the things I hold dear in my continued efforts toward a sense of wellness: a love of nature, strength of body and soundness of mind. This spot on my loop is my check point. It reminds me that I am well and happy and can continue home.
Nana hugging her two out of state grandchildren. They haven't seen each since February 2020. Grandparents and parents were fully vaccinated. So for Spring Break we drove to New Jersey from Massachusetts and hugged!!
My photograph is of my husband and my 9 year old daughter planting one of our gardens. The photo represents Wellness to me for many reasons. My family spending quality time together means the world to me. Gardening is a way to teach my daughter about farming and the importance of good and nutritious food. Growing our own fruits and vegetables has a positive environmental impact and allows my daughter to learn about being self-reliant. Watching our garden grow and the ability to harvest it is so rewarding. Wellness to me is all about Health & Happiness!!
Being outdoors and enjoying nature is for me one of the greatest pleasures of life. Nature is so inspiring. I believe it is important for your emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. This tom turkey was outside my workplace on Monday May 10th, 2021 guarding our entrance to the library.
Purple Lilacs
This picture was taken by me with beautiful Granddaughter Kaylee. We love taking walks in the beautiful woods behind their house. The fresh air and the breath taking greenery, with the tall trees around us, give me a feeling of happiness and peace. The physical activity makes me less stressed and clears my mind. I am hoping to pass this mindset on to my Granddaughter as we do are daily walks.
This photo represents two things that keep me well- art and nature. I love to create art and work on my gardens to challenge my brain, decrease stress, and learn something new.
My idea of a wellness day both physically and mentally!! Walking the shores of Maine on a beautiful day, with 2 of my best friends hunting for sea glass! Breathing in fresh air ,laughing and enjoying New England!
Wellness to me means exercising, fresh air, time spent with friends and family outside no matter what the weather. While a round of golf is not effortless, the time spent outside just flys by. In one 18 hole round, its not uncommon to experience all 6 elements, emotional, social, spiritual, physical, environment and intellectual. This is why playing golf represents wellness to me.
Wellness is a day on the sea kayaking with people I love. Smelling the salt air and hearing the birds play above makes all of life’s problems seem so insignificant.
Wellness to me means healthy choices with my family. We try to get outside and take in nature, exercise together and cook together whenever we can!
Play Ball! The spring reminds me of walking our dog to the baseball field to watch our son play, while sitting in the stands socializing with other baseball parents. It means post-game cookouts and pool parties, laughing kids and the constant smell of fresh cut grass.
I captured this early in the morning last weekend at Salisbury beach – I was the first one there getting coffee and I find this spot to be very tranquil before the crowd gets there. It gives me good time to reflect and think, and get ready for the day. I saved it to my desktop at work because it brings me calm and a little escape when I need it!
For me, wellness is spending time in nature walking with my dog, Luna. It always restores me after a long day. Getting exercise while watching her be so excited to explore makes me reflect and appreciate everything that I have. It is great for my mental and physical wellness.
This photograph depicts a variety of things which are important to wellness: sunlight, being outdoors, and connecting with nature. One of my favorite thing to do as a parent is go for walks with my kids. We take walks to the neighbor's farms, the river near our house, or walk the beach a couple towns over. Watching them explore and enjoy all that nature has to offer: plants, animals, walking trails, flowers, fruits and vegetables is amazing. This photograph if of my daughter and a neighbor's horse bathed in light. It depicts love and the human connection to animals and nature. It gives me feelings of joy, calmness, grace, and beauty. This photography makes me smile, it reminds me to breathe, and to take a minute to enjoy the late afternoon sun. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
Wellness to me includes relaxation. Mindfulness is a coping strategy I use often when feeling overwhelmed. On a stressfull day I took a walk with my dogs and tried to focus on things often unseen. The minutia. All the flowers are quite small and 3 of them are smaller than my pinky nail! Wellness to me includes mindfulness.
Wellness to me is getting out of the house and getting back to nature after a long winter indoors with two-soon to be three! — children. Enjoying each moment with them, rather than rushing them into the car for preschool. Taking that time to decompress is crucial for my own, and their overall wellness.
Sweet Walk
Walking with a new friend
reminds me of
walking with an old friend.
Neither better than the other.
When we were kids,
we pretended to know these streets.
Knowing someone new,
they know the shortcuts.
Weaving through the buildings
in and out
and around
to different parts
I haven't seen.
Spring in the city
shows promise of a new experience,
of a new opportunity.
For me, Wellness is taking a break from the everyday hustle and bustle. I like to find a quiet place in nature. When I am there, I like to sit and listen to all the many sounds, feel the warmth of the sun and really look at all of the beauty that is around me. It allows me the opportunity to feel grounded and centered.
"Running 4 TEACHER" is my April Work well, Live well wellness charity and self care choice. It is part of the "I RUN for movements series" ( which is a double entendre). As a runner, I have decided to log my miles for a "good cause". Running is my meditation, it helps my body and mind gain clarity and peace, it is also a great way to raise money for underfunded schools that need supplies for the classroom. Each month, the program offers a new charity to enter a run and to log your miles with.!! In these trying pandemic times, This continues to be a great wellness outlet! I RUN 4 TEACHERS!! :)
"And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul" ― John Muir.
This photo was taken during April vacation, 2021. Although it was a cold day in April at Acadia National Forest in Maine, it was perfect. Sunshine, fresh air, water, and mountains are medicine for my soul. Not only was I immersed in nature, I was with some family.
My social, emotional and physical well-being was taken care of all in one trip to Bar Harbor.
This photo represents many different aspects of wellness. It shows social/emotional wellness because my family is sharing quality time together and creating new memories as well as taking baby steps towards rejoining society while still navigating this pandemic. This photo also shows environmental wellness by being surrounded by such natural beauty. Being surrounded by these tulips on a beautiful sunny day with my family keeps my mind, body, and soul at ease.
We spent two full days on Nantucket and rode over 40 miles. It was awesome. The daffodils were out in full bloom. It was the week-end before the daffodil festival (which was cancelled because of Covid).
April showers bring May flowers.
The Monolith, Tripod and Me (@ Collins Cove)
This photo was taken the first day I could walk outside after suffering from Lyme Disease. I had some pretty dark days during the healing process. In this photo I am doing a "Kickstand Tree" yoga pose. It represents perseverance. You can see how I am smiling as the wind blows. For my journey "wellness" means not letting negative thoughts win. Knowing that I will someday be able to do yoga, walk, run, hike and surf keep me smiling. There is always tomorrow. Tomorrow is always brighter. I love the woods and ticks will not keep me down.
Wellness to me means getting outdoors. I have always been passionate about hiking with our two dogs (8 and 7 now) and I love that I can now do this with my 2 children (Bodie pictured here). Although he gets a free ride and I have to carry an additional 20+ pounds we both love spending time outdoors, getting some fresh air and some exercise!
Beauport Hotel Gloucester, MA April 18, 2021. As the Pandemic began, I joined 4 of my high school classmates, on a much needed mission, helping our community during the unknown. The mission was to help local people in the community find items no longer available on store shelves. We were able to purchase and distribute thermometers, toilet paper, and other necessities. The mission soon blossomed to become a supporting entity on Facebook with 300 members and rose to over 6000 members in a matter of weeks. We were able to create connections for those less fortunate, finding food, resources to housing and funding. Our community raised money to show gratitude and treated us to a 'Self-care Night' at a local hotel. The photo included is the representation of the beautiful, starlit night sky, from the hotel's rooftop, depicting the lighted wrap-around boulevard that so many in our community walk daily. We have created a non-profit to continue to help within our community. We had no idea where this unknown would take us, but we know that we are not done... helping others!!!
Last week, running along Myrtle Beach, I had my first starfish discovery. I was reminded of two things. First and simply, the importance of continuing to make a difference to one life at a time...whether counseling a student or gently returning the starfish to the ocean. Second, that perfectionism or idealism can paralyze or sabotage success and hold us back. Like a starfish, or a ball, when in motion, stays in motion ... and plays in the waves of the ocean. When we are too worried about the way we look or not engaging in "self-care", we can get stuck or shrivel. The starfish reminds us that when things go bad -- "lace-up" and "lace-up again" -- my personal motto to get outside, exhale, breathe and keep living -- for we, too, can regenerate (our limbs & minds)!
Things will come and go,
What is shared is forever
May the days be bright
Shooting hoops with my girls for emotional and physical wellness!
I took this photo on 5/10/21 while walking one of my goldendoodles, Quincy, around my neighborhood. Walking my dogs is a way that I can both exercise and also relax. I am an animal lover to my core and absolutely love being a dog mama. They have so much energy, but Quincy is the one that is calm enough to, quite literally, stop and smell the flowers.
Wellness means spending time with my family outdoors engaging in a physical activity. This April Vacation on Monday 4/19/21 we traveled to Newport, RI to attend a Seal Tour with Save the Bay. It was wonderful! We rode on a boat and used our binoculars to find seals swimming in the bay. We also learned a lot about this animal through their interactive discussion along the trip. This activity allows me to be outdoors with my family while at the same time supporting an amazing non profit organization. Together we enjoy making memories like this that will last a lifetime!
Wellness to me means taking care of your mind and body. I can think of no better way to exercise both my mind and body than riding my bike. As soon as I take my bike out the adrenaline starts to rush. As I begin to fill the tires, get water, put on gloves and strap on my helmet the joy overcomes me. As I ride, my mind clears itself of all previous worries as I take in all the sights, sounds & smells on my journey. I can feel the wind against my face as I ride along. Some of the sights I see are cranberry bogs, woods, streams and horse farms. Every summer we grab our bikes and hop on a boat to Martha’s Vineyard. We follow the bike trails which bring us around the inner island. culminating along two miles of State Beach. The grand Finale!