PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center
PeaceHealth Medical Group
PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation
Spring/Summer 2016
“In every walk with
nature, one receives
far more than he seeks.”
—
John Muir
Gratitude and faith
WITHOUT FAIL,
each year after the long,
dark months of winter, spring returns. In winter,
before we see any changes, we have faith that the
days will stretch out, the trees will bud, and the
flowers bloom. We expect the earth to renew itself
again and again on this yearly cycle.
Now that we are well into the annual spectacle
that is spring, it is a perfect time to have gratitude
for and faith in your body’s own rhythms. Here are
a few ways to get in tune with those rhythms and
maximize your health:
Get moving outside.
Just being out in the
fresh air, walking or hiking in the warmer weather,
will help revitalize your body—and your spirit.
Moving daily helps your body be healthier than if
you don’t move, and being outside in the sun can
provide you with additional vitamin D.
Indulge in lighter tastes.
After a long
winter eating heavier foods like potatoes, turnips,
and squash, spring brings a bevy of lighter,
snappier young vegetables to enjoy. Be on the
lookout for nutty asparagus, aromatic fennel,
and peppery radishes to liven up your dinners
and give you a boost in healthy vitamins and
minerals.
Sleep well.
Sleep is the time when our bodies
and spirits heal themselves, combating the stress of
each day. Make sleep a priority so your body has time
to renew itself.
The changing of seasons is best met with gratitude,
wonder, and awe. This is the same way the Sisters of
St. Joseph of Peace approached their mission to start
a hospital for loggers and fishermen in the Pacific
Northwest 125 springs ago.