Hug Your Buddy and Smash Stress the Furry Way

Your Furry Friend Can Relieve Stress

Our world has gone upside down.  We’re experiencing things we never expected to encounter… and it’s deadly. 

The coronavirus has been devastating to businesses, families, and literally impacted the world. 

Did you know we women are more prone to depression than men are? Losing jobs, fear of losing a home, or the worst…losing a loved one to the coronavirus are REAL potentials.

For many…those fears have become realities.

What you may not know…

You may have stress relief already within reach!

Reach out and hug your furry buddy!

Doctors have known for years that canine visits helped those who were hospitalized. They bring smiles.

Their snuggles do even more.  Touching a dog is magical.  The outside of a dog, caressing that lovely fur triggers brain reactions.  It’s like eating chocolate…it triggers a feel-good response.

Ever noticed if you, or one of the family, don’t feel well physically or emotionally the dog hangs out a little closer.  They share their empathy.  It radiates from them to us slowing breathing, calming the heart rate.

They may have their personality quirks, but they offer complete and total adoration, trust, and belief in you.  They can’t conceive of betraying you.

I read recently of how they are now letting good citizen dogs lay next to a child receiving a chemo treatment. It distracts the child, it calms them.  Of course dogs love that bit of attention too.

There’s a really great book by Jon Franklin, The Wolf in the Parlor that explains the brain connection we share with dogs. I found them used on Amazon. It’s a great read.

Ramp up your furry friend’s happiness quotient

So while we’re stuck at home sheltering in place with this coronavirus, do something nice for your fur baby.  Here are four quick, easy ideas.

  1. Take them for a walk.  You know how much they adore going for a walk. This time relax, take a deep breath and let them have a “walk their way”.

My Havanese doesn’t get that walks should be for exercise.  He thinks they are for sniffing their way along. 

While your dog leads the walk, tune in to your surroundings and look, listen and even feel nature around you that is so easy to miss when we walk OUR way.

2. Give them a good brush.  It will keep them cleaner and tidy if you can’t get them in for a normal grooming regime.  It also gets your hands in the healing fur.

3. Bake them some treats.  Even better if you have kids at home. It can be a group kitchen skills learning session.  Your dog won’t care if they don’t look perfect.

4. Schedule cuddle time.  My “Tigger” knows that each evening about eight, my husband and I settle on the couch to watch a Netflix show.  He heads right up to share my seat with me. 

He soaks up attention, lets me pet his soft as velvet coat… and we all destress.  How do you like to destress with your fur baby?

what’s wellness

What’s Wellness…

Scrabble tiles spell wellness
Wellness sign with wooden cubes and flowers and stones

     How do you define this hot topic?

 

We can trace the roots of wellness back to Greece, Rome and Asia. They all influenced what we today call wellness.

If we go back to the Oxford English Dictionary, we can trace wellness back to the 1650’s. It referred to the opposite of illness… being in good health.

In the 1970s, a group of doctors created models for wellness including assessment tools.  They established the National Wellness Institute in the U.S. and the modern movement began.

As our modern lifestyle affected millions of people’s health, the need for wellness globally became clear. The Global Wellness Institute was established with the goal of eliminating preventable diseases.

So what makes up wellness?

In my research, I found the “pillars” of wellness defined into from 3 to 12 categories.  But when you look at them… it boils down to three interrelated basics.

Body – if you don’t take care of your body… it will pay you back.

Body self-care includes diet.  Yup, you are what you eat.

It includes movement.  We are made to move… not sit like lumps of coal.  Exercise, stretching, and breathing are all important.

And sleep. The body needs rest and sleep to restore itself.  During the day, we are in protection mode. When we sleep is when the body does self-repair.

Mind – like the body, the mind needs stimulation. It wants input.

We’ve watched the mind of a child grow, learn, remember and build on it. We never lose that need. Whether it’s a formal class, exploring nature or learning anything new…it helps the mind thrive.

Soul / spirit is the third component. It includes how we connect with others, values, beliefs, our emotions.  It’s also tied to our surroundings, our environment.  To flourish, it wants relaxation. A time to slow down and just be. It’s your soul that loves those hugs.

Spa Wellness Insider explores all of these…

I’d love to hear your definition or your favorite wellness activity…. Anything that nurtures body, mind or spirit.  Please post and share…

You might also like my article on the Benefits of Hugs

 

Even Eugene travel wellness hotel

Even Eugene… Travel Wellness on your terms

rooms with wellness in mind
Guestrooms are spacious

Travel wellness at a chain hotel?  Yes, indeed. The Even Eugene opened January 2018.  It’s the first of its kind on the west coast and there are only seven others in the world.  Based on guest feedback the Even chain was created to focus on wellness travel.

Eugene welcomes this unique, quirky, casual, retro-meets-modern minimalist property. Its “wellness on my terms” orientation fits perfectly into the local culture and attitude.

The 100 guestrooms are roomy and each includes its own fitness area.  Even rooms are designed to meet goals of wellness-oriented travelers. People who don’t want their fitness-oriented lifestyle derailed when on the road.

Enter on the ground level, and just past the conference rooms… you’re

Even walls reflect wellness
Living wall in entry hall

greeted with a floor-to-ceiling living wall.  You can’t help but touch it to assure those plants are real.  Light, clean, minimalist, sort of Scandinavian in feel.

Take the elevator to the 2nd floor and you find a spacious lobby/reception area. The check-in desk is also minimal.  More of a kiosk than a traditional imposing counter.

And then you notice the quirky sayings stenciled on the walls.  “Don’t think of them as stairs…they’re little hurdles.”  “Stay hydrated… stay well.” And leading to the patio…”Come on out… the nature’s fine.”  You’ll find them throughout the hotel including your room.

This place does not take itself too seriously and will make you smile with its humor. Certainly not your traditional, stuffy, boring business hotel.  Even the staff’s business cards have non-traditional titles.  You’ll meet the “Chief Wellness Officer” and “Accomplish More Manager.”

Open, welcoming & you’re in charge of travel wellness choices

The floor plan is very open and flowing. You move from reception to the

Choose your wellness style
Open floor plan invites you

24/7 grab and go food and beverage area.  Chose healthy or decadent. Or drift on into the restaurant, bar and computer area.  Convenient power and internet access invite work, conferencing or just relaxing. Big screen televisions offer diversion, but quietly enough not to be distracting.

The commitment to wellness extends to the multi-zone 1000 square-foot workout studio. Don’t be

Wellness for guests and staff
Workout studio for guests… and staff

surprised to see staff working out with you. Wellness and fitness are encouraged.  The general manager leads weekly workouts. His assistant takes guests on runs through Alton-Baker Park’s extensive paths.

There are plenty of outdoor activities to keep the most serious fitness fiend busy.  But this is wellness your way.  You can choose a fresh smoothie, healthy frittata… or go for an egg and Canadian bacon sandwich.

Wind down with a healthy version of cobb or go for an all-natural burger or

flexible wellness
Restaurant, bar and free-form work area

flatbread pizza. Enjoy freshly squeezed oranges and organic coffee or full-service bar.

Every guest is provided with their own water bottle.  Refill as often as you

Infused waters contribute to travel wellness
Hydration Station offers infused waters

like at the Hydration Station in the reception area.

Comfy is key… work or workout

Rooms are surprisingly large. They boast upgraded bedding featuring

comfort and travel wellness
Beauty rest mattresses and eucalyptus bedding

Simons Beauty Rest mattresses and deluxe eucalyptus linens.

Relax in mood lighting and enjoy spa-inspired showers complete with amenities.

Each room also features both a sitting and standing desk. The 42” HD TV have 18 fitness videos for an in-room workout.  You can also access your own secure

Even hotels offer travel wellness
Guest room features wellness options

Netflix channel.

The exercise zone gives you lots of inspiration:

  • Yoga mats,
  • Exercise balls,
  • Resistance bands,
  • Wall mounted workout unit.

You’re invited…

Even Eugene invites locals and guests to the weekly Yoga Happy Hour!

The Cork & Kale bar and lounge invites you to come, relax, enjoy and get acquainted.  See what the excitement’s all about.  Wellness on your terms.

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