SUMMER SLIMDOWN: June Letter from the Editor-in-Chief

May 25, 2011 by

Most of us look forward to the summer…slower pace, family vacations, and fun in the sun!  If you don’t feel ready yet to sport your swimsuit, sundress, or shorts and tank top, you’ll enjoy eFitFamily’s theme for June: SUMMER SLIMDOWN!  We are excited to share helpful information and inspiration to encourage you to get into gear so you can embrace the summer with a smile!

Although slimming down is usually associated with body weight, I encourage you to think outside the box to consider how you can not only slim down physically, but also slim down other aspects of your life…simplifying our lives helps simplify our minds.  Did spring cleaning sneak up on you and get lost in the shuffle?  Try taking a weekend or even one night a week for a month to share as family cleanout day…every family member can participate in sorting out and clearing through clothing, junk mail, paper, décor, etc. that’s not used or needed.  Too overwhelming?  Start with one drawer or closet at a time.  Donating what is not needed in your family to another family in need or nonprofit organization is an excellent family activity.  Family involvement in volunteering or donations helps build children’s empathy for others, gratitude for what they have, and studies have shown that altruistic activities helps people feel healthier and happier (as cited in Pembroke, 2009).

From a mental health perspective, we can also benefit from slimming down our thoughts, especially negative thoughts.  Our brains are designed to think, and they usually over-do their jobs unnecessarily.  If you catch your thoughts spinning out of control, try bringing your awareness into the fact that you are over-thinking and focus on the present moment and what you do have control over.  Still think too much?  Try reflecting on a peaceful image, such as a waterfall or ocean, even for five seconds during your day, just to bring some sense of stillness and peace.  If you have a tendency to think negatively, catch your negative thoughts, ask if they’re really true, and try reframing them into positive true statements.

More interested in just slimming down physically or cutting down on unhealthy habits or foods?  Continue reading and we are happy to join you in your SLIM DOWN journey this summer in whichever aspect of your life you choose!

Pembroke, Galina. Compassion RX: The Many Benefits of Altruism. (2009). Retrieved May 25, 2011 from Earthpages.org: http://epages.wordpress.com/2007/10/26/compassion-rx-the-many-health-benefits-of-altruism/

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Filed Under: Inspiration, Integrative Wellness, Mental Wellness, Motivation
About Kimberly Rodgers, LCSW, RPT-S

Kimberly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Florida and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy. She also supervises clinical social work interns pursuing licensure. She has worked as a psychotherapist for twelve years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of Central Florida.

Her experience includes foster care, adoption, youth shelter, youth related research, school-based counseling, and sexual assault crisis center settings prior to private practice. She specializes in counseling children, families, and adults struggling with stress, anxiety, trauma, and adjustment to life transitions. Kimberly is a current Board member of the Mental Health Association of Southwest Florida and former Vice-President of the Southwest Florida chapter of the Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the National Association of Social Workers and EMDR International Association.

Kimberly is founder of Monarch Wellness (originally Monarch Therapy), an integrative center focused on empowering individuals and families through emotional and behavioral metamorphosis. In addition to counseling and play therapy, the center offers other supportive modalities to further enhance emotional healing and stress management including support groups, yoga, laughter yoga, breathwork, integrative relaxation, and sound therapy. Monarch Wellness' sister site eFitFamily.com offers health related information and inspiration for everyday families to live healthier every day. The center is also involved with House of Gaia community center and other community and service focused organizations. More information about Kimberly and her practice can be found online: www.MonarchWellness.net.

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