The NAMI Color Me Happy Walk & 5k raises awareness and funds on behalf of mental health for Hancock County. NAMI will honor our beloved Jenelle Hohman and commemorate the legacy of her work by renaming the annual event in her honor.

The race is 9:00 AM, Saturday, May 20 at Riverside Park. Registration is suggested and the $30 entry fee will support programs that empower individuals and families impacted by a mental health condition.
Search “Team Jenelle” on the teams page and register to will be included in the group wearing lipstick red t-shirts.
Not interested in running? Walkers are welcome to join! Can’t make it that day? You can still donate to the cause! Make sure to include “Team Jenelle” on your donation form. Support NAMI and it’s support of individuals of Hancock County!

If you’ve been in the office recently, you may have noticed the exceptionally large peace lily Landon contributed to our space. As he made a new home for it, he declared, “I want to green this place up. New life!” Now our outdoor surroundings have decided to join in the sense of alive-ness as our grass, shrubs and trees are beginning to bear new leaves.

Between patterns of behavior we see in the office and the wisdom gleaned from the rhythms of nature, we’ve noticed a pattern. Growth requires resources, namely time and energy.
In this vernal season, there are a few ways we can begin to use our time and energy to anticipate growth. Clear out what is no longer a conduit to life. Whether it’s toxicity in our environment, our relationships or what we invite into our body, a quick cleaning up will create space for new growth. Then we can plant the seeds of new thought patterns, habits, and behaviors that cultivate an overall sense of well being.

On a practical level:

• Take inventory of your immediate surroundings. Do you notice clutter around your home? Consider removing the things in your environment that don’t usher a sense of joy or lack usefulness on a daily level. You’ll be rewarded with a sense of ease as you rest in your home space.
• Create some openness in your schedule. Nothing new will grow where something is already planted. If you’d like to see more rest, more exercise, or more time with friends, you will have create the space for it to grow.
• Give yourself permission to learn. Remember, to “be green” sometimes implies lack of experience: and that’s okay! Honor early growth with excitement instead of expecting perfection.

A yoga practice usually ends in a final resting pose, most commonly savasana, or corpse pose. For some people, they love the “forced” relaxation. Others struggle with the idea of laying still to “do nothing.”

Other forms of exercise often end with a period of rest to restore the body after a period of more intense movement – such recovery is essential, “[involving] chemical and hormonal balance, nervous system repair, mental state, and more.” (Kuhland)

Adding rest and recovery to your physical work conditions your body to become better at it – just as it becomes better at the sport or activity itself. Before long, your nervous system becomes accustomed to the “rest and repair” aspects of its functioning.

Balancing intensity in your movement with adequate rest actually increases the effectiveness of your workout overall.

Humans, much like the rest of the universe, operate from a collection of rhythms established with nature. Our bodies sync with our environment each quarter (with the seasons), each month (with the moon), each week and each day (rotation around the sun).

The body keeps its daily (circadian) rhythm by detecting the light/dark cycle. About two hours prior to sleep, melatonin is released to help us fall asleep. Environmental cues (like the blue light from screens) and mental cues (such as unprocessed stress) disrupt the release of melatonin and we have difficulty falling and/or staying asleep.

To reset your cycle:

• Avoid blue light from television, ipads and phone prior to bed. Read a book or have a conversation to help process the day instead.
• Use the morning sun to wake.
• Avoid eating late: It tells the body to gear up for activity.
• Thermoregulation: cool temperatures tell the skin to sleep. Sleep in the nude!

Many people find success with supplemental melatonin (for help falling asleep) and/or extended release melatonin (to stay asleep). Start with small does and increase until you see benefit.

Along with these environmental changes, address ongoing stress. Release it from the body with an early or mid-day workout, and from the mind with regular meditation.

Sleep is a crucial element of mental and physical wellbeing for kids. Children who are over-tired are more prone to tantrums, have a difficult time focusing or concentrating in school and exhibit defiant behavior in general.  Lack of sleep can also lead to lowered immune system functioning and increased susceptibility to illness, leading to more frequent absences.  Sleep hygiene is one of the most important components of overall health. Once in a good routine, persons and families will see noticeable positive behavior changes.

• Keeping a sleep schedule even during the weekendshelps children thrive as it allows them consistency and predictability from which they feel safe and secure.
• Starting at birth, begin a sleep routine of bath, bottle, bed.  This can continue into school age and be a nice time for caregivers to connect in a quiet, calm and screen free way with their children.
• Preserving this night time routine can also set the stage for important discussions to take place as the child ages.

When the child knows caregivers prioritize setting aside time to be with them in quiet or conversation the child is more likely to feel safe bringing up concerns and joys of the day, creating an atmosphere of connection and trust between parents and children.