Reflections on Body, Mind & Spirit: Caffeine experiment and Nourishing the Mind and Spirit
My August Reflection
My reflection(s) this month? There are so many, I'm bursting at the seams to share with you what an amazing month this has been. Why? Let's start with two books that I'm reading (yes, reading two at same time, well, actually three). In June I shared that I was reading The Brain That Changes Itself - and how we have the ability to rewire our brains. Which then brought me to this book I'm currently reading, Switch On Your Brain - The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health by Dr. Caroline Leaf, which then led me to start reading another book Seven Sundays - A Faith, Fitness, and Food Plan for Lasting Spiritual and Physical Change by Alec Penix. The interesting thing about these two books is that both were given to me; one by a friend, the other by a client - more than two years ago!
Body - Sleep Observations
If you have been following along with the GreenNote Fitness newsletter, you are well versed in my sleeping woes and triumphs (read here and here). As we close out the summer months, I wanted to share with you one more tool in the sleep tool-box and that is removing coffee from my daily routine.
Some of you reading this may be thinking how could I do such a thing! The short answer is because I wanted to see what would happen. I haven't given it up completely, my experiment lasted only two weeks. How did this impact my sleep? Let's take a look.
The image shows both a Readiness score (how well recovery and movement are in balance; how prepared for the day you are) and Sleep score (holistic perspective of how well you are sleeping on a daily basis i.e. sleep quality). I wanted to see both. Generally if you have a good sleep score your Readiness would be good also but that is not always the case. July was the period of my lowest sleep score. As August shows, my trend was starting to go up and with the removal of caffeine in weeks August 12 through the 26 you can see good improvements. Shortly after the reintroduction of caffeine there is a slight dip. I was having only a mild bit of caffeine, not like the pre-no caffeine experiment.
I'm going to continue to monitor how much caffeine I consume. Just having a little bit of coffee is satisfying. Also, it just emphasizes the importance of good sleep for overall health, for cognitive function, and for cardio and metabolic health. The importance of quality sleep can never be over emphasized enough.
Challenge for you:
This week review and pay attention to your sleep routine, habits, and quality. Is there something you could add like a regular sleep/wake schedule? Is there something you could remove from your evening routine i.e. consuming alcohol or eating close to bedtime?
MIND - Interconnection Between Body, Mind, and Spirit
As my August Reflection introduction discussed, I've been reading two books that were gifted to me; gifted at different times but I "discovered" them at the same time. My encounter with them makes me think of the quote attributed to Lao Tzu, when the student is ready the teacher appears.
The whole philosophy behind GreenNote Fitness is body, mind, and spirit. Our culture is not short on throwing that phrase, body, mind, and spirit, around. But what does it really mean? To be honest, I've struggled with how to convey, discuss, explain how the spirit connects to the body and mind and its significance. How can I articulate to clients the importance of training and good nutrition that is something bigger than one's self? How do I say that the distractions from our phones and advanced technologies are degrading one's spirit and taking us further away from God? It wasn't until reading these two books that it made more sense; I can now begin to see how it is woven into our being.
Describing Seven Sundays can best be articulated by saying it is a gentle guide to move you along your path to health, wellness, and connection to God. I have not come across an approach like this before. It is designed as a short daily read that covers an offering, honor, exercise, sleep and nutrition. It is a beautiful way to think of our deserving to be in good health as God has intended.
To summarize Switch on Your Brain one could say that our thoughts and decisions matter. The old saying, keep positive, have a good mental attitude is something very real for how we are wired. Our thoughts do matter. Dr. Leaf explains this with both the perspective of a scientist and a person who walks in faith. To me this is such a relief - something so thoughtful and at the same time, true. It doesn't suck energy out of our soul but lifts it up. Further, we were designed this way.
From Switch on Your Brain
Main Scripture: Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1
Science Concept: Thoughts are real, physical things that occupy mental real estate. Moment by moment, every day, you are changing the structure of your brain through your thinking. When we hope, it is an activity of the mind that changes the structure of our brain in a positive and normal direction.
Challenge for you:
I strongly encourage you to be open to the idea that our creator has designed us in a special way. When we get out of balance of that design, we can struggle and sometimes that struggle is enormous. If you have an opportunity, grab one or both of these books. I believe it will make a positive and impactful difference in your life.
Spirit - The Soul Too Must Be Nourished
It's amazing how the mind can be moved from reading something of value. To that end, I will share two quotes from the books we've been discussing in this newsletter.
From Seven Sundays
When we focus purely on the physical, we either fumble through or fail, or feel unsatisfied, even when we succeed. That's because no matter how fit we may wish to be or eventually become, if we ignore our spirit in the process, it's impossible to ever feel truly fulfilled.
From Switch on Your Brain.
Choice is real, and free will exists. You are able to stand outside of yourself, observe your own thinking, consult with God, and change the negative toxic thought or grow the healthy, positive thought. When you do this, your brain responds with a positive neurochemical rush and structural changes that will improve your intellect, health, and peace. You will experience soul harmony.
Challenge for you:
Read something meaningful. Grab a book of poetry, something spiritual, or scripture. Begin a daily practice of reading a short passage. Pay attention to how your mind expands.
Scripture I'm Reflecting Upon
"Our life is what our thoughts make it."
~ Marcus Aurelius
To your reflection and health,
Lisa Schaffer
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See my last newsletter Body, Mind & Spirit…
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