William Schmidt Somatics

In the midst of stress, loss, or change, gratitude doesn’t ask us to pretend everything is okay—it gently reminds us that something still is.

It might be a quiet morning, a supportive friend, the comfort of a pet, or the simple fact that we made it through another day. Gratitude doesn’t erase our struggles, but it helps soften them, giving the heart just enough room to breathe.

But let's take a quick look at how feeling gratitude might affect our health?

~ People who report higher levels of gratitude tend to have significantly lower rates of depression. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude?

~ Gratitude is associated with more positive emotions, increased life satisfaction, optimism — building resilience against adversity and emotional strain. https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/giving-thanks-can-make-you-happier?

~ Gratitude can help calm your nervous system: expressing or reflecting on gratitude can trigger the “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) response rather than fight-or-flight - thus, lowering heart rate, blood pressure and increasing heart rate variability. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/health-benefits-gratitude?

~ Lower stress means lower cortisol (the stress hormone), which over time can reduce wear-and-tear on the body and support better overall health. https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/11/practicing-gratitude-better-health-and-well-being?

A recent large study of older women found that those with the highest gratitude scores had a lower risk of dying over a three-year follow-up period—particularly from heart disease. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/gratitude-linked-to-longer-life-and-fewer-heart-related-deaths?

Practicing gratitude - even minimally can have a big positive impact on your physical AND emotional health. Here's to living a happier life.

The cornerstone of work in the office is the breath.

We practice noticing how we’re breathing, shallow or deep, if anything feels heavy or light. And explore those sensations, and then we look to see if anything is behind them. An emotion, an old memory maybe. And we observe if these old memories and emotions could be influencing the present day.

The observer effect is one of the most powerful tools in self-awareness there is.

And using the breath as a gateway has been in practice for thousands of years. The best things never go out of style.

Because how you breathe is how you live.

What is there to say about Ozzy Osbourne that hasn't already been said?

Well, we can easily say that he went for what he wanted. Ozzy has said in a number of interviews that when he was young in England, he heard The Beatles on the radio when they released their first single; and he's quoted as saying "In that moment, the world went from black and white to color" and that from then on, he knew he wanted to play music and be an entertainer.

Ozzy went at life head on, full throttle. Even though he admitted in his later years to being afraid at times of failure, he went at what he did full steam. He often said that "you have to be your own support system, especially when nobody else is".

Ozzy was also open about his struggles with that life; how his excessive behavior nearly did him in. He has been quoted many times stating that marrying his wife Sharon was the best thing he ever did, because she stuck by him when he was at his worst.

He was open about his struggles with his mental health, about raising a family, about his substance abuse, about being a good husband. And later, about his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. He became an advocate for substance abuse recovery. And in fact, he played his final show painkiller-free, stating that he wanted to be clear, and wanted to be present for his fans and for the music, as best he could. How brave Ozzy was!

Turns out, there is quite a bit to be said about John Michael Osbourne. Coming at life head on, and being clear and present at the end is a fantastic way to live, and is also a very good way to leave.

Blessings to Ozzy and his family.

There should be a time in the morning when you get up; before you know what happened in the world; before you hear the weather report; when you have the opportunity to just be still for a few minutes and learn to listen to your own headlines.

Even better to be able to do this outdoors, where you can hear the creatures greet their day, and share those first rays of morning sunshine with you.

This helps. Helps to settle your system, connects you a little bit to nature and serves as a reminder of something bigger than yourself and your place in it.