Jennifer Lehr, MFT is an author, Marriage and Family Therapist and the founder and creator of WeConcile®– an affordable online DIY relationship restoration program for couples.
As a relationship expert, Jennifer specializes in educating couples on the relationship skills they need to build a solid, connected and loving partnership.
She writes about relational health and wellness as well as healing and living our best lives for various print and online publications.
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I'm a sucker for romance. Here's a bit of history from Wikipedia:
Saint Valentine known as Saint Valentine of Rome, was a 3rd-century Roman saint, commemorated in Western Christianity on February 14 and in Eastern Orthodoxy on July 6. From the High Middle Ages, his Saints' Day has been associated with a tradition of courtly love. He is also a patron saint of Terni and epilepsy.
It has been wet and gray here in the Pacific Northwest, and I've been sick for a few days. Consequently, I am feeling bored, restless, and a bit down in the dumps.
Other times we may be in a challenging "chapter" of our lives and we need a way to find some peace and happiness.
Noticing the beauty of nature is one of the things I do to generate a sense of wonder and happiness.
Appreciating my home, a meal, or friends can also help but for me noticing the beauty of nature around me is the best.
What is your go-to way to lift your spirits?
I love to read quotes from those with wisdom and perspective. Here is a good one from Martin Luther King Jr.
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
https://www.shmoop.com/quotes/darkness-cannot-drive-out-darkness.html
Sometimes we rush in and try to solve someone else's learning and get burnt by the fire they are in. Learning to distinguish between the support that is needed and the lesson that is not ours to fix is important.
When I was younger (really until I was in my mid 50's - I'm 60 now) I could eat tons of food and still maintained a fairly stable and healthy weight. I had exercised for most of my life and my metabolism was fast.
Lyme disease and a concurrent sleep disorder impacted both exercise and eating habits.
Age 58 some lb's started arriving...in the unhealthy 'apple' shape - the gut. By age 60, even more. And I often had to have a snack in the middle of the night to get back to sleep. The weight would not come off.
I have a lot of diabetes in my family so I realized I was at the beginning of some metabolic dysfunction.
For the last week, I've had a protein snack before bed and have cut out anything high glycemic. I immediately found I could sleep through the night without needing a snack to get back to sleep. And my weight is beginning to drop a bit.
Just sharing : )
Wild Swans in front of my house the other day! It was such a treat to see them. Self-care includes taking the time to appreciate the beauty we see around us.
I missed it as I had too much to do, and it felt more like self-care to get caught up than go, but really hope to go next year. I believe 40 "witches" showed up!!!!
I'm Jennifer Lehr, LMFT and just shouting out a hello to everyone! I'm excited to be part of this community and love all the great information that gets posted here.
Wondering how everyone is keeping their balance and equanimity in this time of great change?
Would love to hear what you are doing, reading or thinking about in regards to staying emotionally healthy.
Also wondering how your relationships are holding up to the stress of these times.
I'm happy to answer questions too!
