Category: Staff Articles

With the new year right around the corner, instead of making a resolution, try setting a new intention. An intention can be a short phrase (some call this a mantra), or even simply a word or two. 

The great thing about setting an intention is that you can create a new one: daily, weekly, or monthly. You also might have different intentions for various time periods and/or seasons of your calendar year.

Three tips to help set, (perfect) intentions:

1. First and foremost, make your intention positive.  Because as the saying goes: ‘the more you are positive in your life, the more you will attract positive things’. My (intention), word for this past year, 2020 was: Evolve.
2. Write your intentions down. Or if your inventive like me, buy a memento with your word or phrase, like a necklace or bracelet. Even a stone with your word and/or phrase engraved is a great reminder!
3. Share. Sharing your intention with a friend, co-worker, or loved one, allows you to be able to receive support in staying focused on your intention. And who knows it might inspire your circle of friends and family to join in!

I hope you find some inspiration in trying something like setting an intention in the new year. Speaking of inspiration, I will leave you with the wonderful words from, Mary Anne Radmacher.

“Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen Hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Appreciate your friends.
Continue to learn.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is.”

Jessica Dixon

Jessica has worked at TDN for a little over a decade, that’s two whole hands for those counting! She has never met a lunch she didn’t enjoy and her favorite snack is popcorn. Jessica’s apartment is currently home to over 200 books, a partner (who loves to cook), and a black pug named Georgia Jean.

Email Jessica

As the days get shorter, the shortest being December 21^st, 2020, which marks the first day of winter, in the Northern Hemisphere, and closer to home here in the great mitten-shaped state of Michigan. And with less sunlight, and less than ideal temperatures, those winter blues, as known as “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD), are knocking at your door ready to visit.

According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), SAD is defined as: “mood changes (that) begin and end when the seasons change. People may start to feel “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter (also called “winter blues”) and begin to feel better in the spring, with longer daylight hours.”

NIMH identifies the following as signs and/or symptoms of SAD:

• Oversleeping (hypersomnia)
• Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)

So, if you find yourself showing one or two of these symptoms during the winter months, I have just the thing. I call it: The Whole Hand Method!

I know, I know your saying to yourself, ‘What is with whole hand thing Jessica?’  Truth telling time: I like to be playful, and when reciting a list that can be counted on one hand, I exclaim: “It’s a whole hand method!

Are you ready? Here we go!

1. Sit in the sun more (whenever you get the chance)
2. Move during the day (as much as you can, any way you can)
3. Connect with others (get social – and we’re not talking the media kind)
4. Keep a healthy sleep routine (don’t over count those sheep)
5. Reach out for help (talk-therapy can provide relief)

The most important thing to remember, and something you can ‘count on’ is that SAD (for the most part), just like the winter blues, is temporary.

Cited source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml

Jessica Dixon | Counselor & Advocate

Jessica has worked at TDN for a little over a decade, that’s two whole hands for those counting! She has never met a lunch she didn’t enjoy and her favorite snack is popcorn. Jessica’s apartment is currently home to over 200 books, a partner (who loves to cook), and a black pug named Georgia Jean.

Email Jessica