Pumpkin Spice and Mental Health Day by Lynn Lovegreen

 Thanks to Starbucks and other enterprising people, fall is pumpkin spice time. It started with pumpkin spice drinks, and now you can get almost everything in pumpkin spice flavor or scent. Personally, I don’t mind a taste (or whiff) of pumpkin spice, but I prefer it in pies. Lattes just aren’t my thing. But no judgement—we all have our passions.

 

It’s also Mental Health Day. Why am I bringing it up? Because for some, the two are connected.

 

We often give ourselves treats or rewards we do for ourselves. Nowadays, we call that self-care. It’s good to do something nice now and then, to remind us of our worth and give ourselves a break when needed. In my case, it’s usually chocolate. If drinking a pumpkin spice drink does that for you, go for it! You’re worth it!

 

Happy pumpkin spice season. And happy Mental Health Day! Do something good for yourself today.

 

P. S. It’s okay to get professional help with your mental health, just like going to a doctor when you have a physical illness. Don’t be afraid to reach out. In the U.S., call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Or try the National Mental Health Hotline at 866-903-3787. In other countries, check out your local resources. You’re not alone. We’re all in this together.

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for most of her life. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering for her local library. Her young adult historical romance is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. 

Finding Peace by Lynn Lovegreen

 ICYMI, First posted here in July, 2021

 

In our current world, it can be hard to find peace of mind. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the news or the negative things in our lives. But it’s essential for our mental and physical health to take a step back and find peace. Here are a few ideas in case you need some to get you started.

 

Find one beautiful thing and focus on that for a minute or two. Maybe you have a plant or picture in your home, or there are lovely clouds out your window. Just enjoy the beauty and breathe.

Spend time with someone you love. You might live with a person your love, or have a friend or family member you can be with in person or call on the phone. Whoever it is, carve out a little time with them. Or if it’s not a person, maybe there’s a pet you love—that can count, too.

 

Give yourself some “me” time. Maybe you’re stretched thin from all the obligations others place on you, or you place on yourself. In that case, be the friend to yourself that you are for others. Take time to do something for yourself. Take a walk, read a book, whatever you need to recharge. 

 

Take a deep breath and do what you need to do. Find some peace. You are worth it.

 

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for over fifty years. After twenty years in the classroom, she retired to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult historical fiction is set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram.