"How to live a life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it."
- Mary Oliver
Round 3: Submit Results Now
Monday, February 4 - Sunday, February 17
Deadline for submitting results: Monday, February 25.
Finding fulfillment is one of those perennial questions whose answer changes throughout our lifetimes. We wanted to talk this week about the impact of spiritual communities on our personal health.
Duke Health also offers chaplain services. Chaplain Care provides counseling and support to patients, families, caregivers, visitors, and staff. Pastoral services are available at all Duke Health hospitals any time of day or night. They provide support, guidance, and someone to listen when you or a loved one is in need. Whether you’re facing a sudden health challenge or end-of-life decisions, need guidance on ethical decision-making, or need a place to focus on prayer and meditation, we’re they for you.
The “Faith Factor”
Annette Olsen, one of the chaplains here at Duke, offers us some insights into the benefits of the ‘Faith Factor” in eliciting the “relaxation response”:
- Pick a focus word/phrase root in your personal belief system [1-7 words]
- Sit quietly in a comfortable position [or spiritually-based posture/motion]
- Close your eyes [or gaze gently if you are more comfortable]
- Relax your muscles
- a) Become aware of your breathing and breathe very slowly and naturally
b) Simultaneously, repeat your focus word/phrase as you exhale
c) Use one word/phrase during your sessions so that you’ll automatically come to associate it with the calming impact of the “relaxation response”
- Assume a passive attitude, and if other thoughts intrude, gently disregard them
- Continue for 10-20 minutes
- Practice the technique 1-2 times a day
Resources: dukehealth.org
Featured Weekly Recipes
Fiber-Filled Recipes for Heart Health
Happy Valentine’s Day! This week our recipes focus on promoting heart health through increased fiber intake. The USDA recommends a total dietary fiber intake of 25 to 30 grams a day. The American Heart Association suggests meeting this goal by eating a variety of high fiber foods and not relying on supplements. Each of this week’s recipes contains at a minimum 4 g of fiber per serving and features ingredients with high fiber content, such as whole grains, beans, lentils, fruits and vegetables.
Here is a list of this week’s recipes to look forward to:
- Chilaquiles Casserole
- Barley and Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds
- Chicken Chili with Sweet Potatoes
- Herby Lentil and Sausage Soup
- Banana-Bran Muffins