SAVOR weekly digest

Throughout January 2021, I’ll post a weekly random collection of resources elevating a therapeutic connection with nature and/or food, along with behavioral health tips designed to improve mind/body health, drawn from current research, recent news, and my two decades of experience in the fields of mindfulness-based programs and clinical psychology.

Have you discovered an science-based, nature-infused article that you think might be a good fit, and you want to pass it along? I welcome emails at savor@drmcwatters.com. Don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram grid for additional visual treats and reflections. And feel free to tag @thesavorproject on IG if you share anything inspired by The SAVOR Project. Please note that as of this week, my Facebook business page is no longer active.

Here you go, for the week ending January 10, 2021:

• https://www.seattletimes.com/explore/at-home/in-a-challenging-exhausting-year-the-garden-was-a-lifeline/

• https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/mind/well-being/change-your-habits

• Noted in the “Research News” section of June 2020’s Mindful Magazine: Combining mindfulness practice with nature can have enhanced health benefits. From the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: “This systematic review and meta-analysis shows that nature-based mindfulness has had a positive effect on psychological, physical, and social conditions. Furthermore, nature-based mindfulness is moderately superior to mindfulness conducted in non-natural settings. However, at this point we know very little about the effect of different types of mindfulness, and more research is needed to understand what an optimal mindfulness intervention in a nature-based setting should consist of. Mindfulness in wild nature seems to be more beneficial than mindfulness in more cultivated settings, but the importance of the setting needs further investigation.

• https://www.mindful.org/eight-ways-to-care-for-your-amazing-brain/ – another great piece from the June 2020 Mindful Magazine. And guess what #1 is (surprise, surprise): Move your body!

• https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-12-10/south-la-gardener-teaches-people-grow-food-in-food-desert

• https://civileats.com/2020/12/30/our-best-food-justice-stories-of-2020

• https://emergencemagazine.org/story/the-pleasures-of-eating/

• https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/01/950092678/dont-let-the-pandemic-winter-get-you-down-9-creative-ways-to-socialize-safely (including connecting outdoors, moving, and meditation)

A sampling of videos and podcasts I took in over the past week:

Brené with President Barack Obama on Leadership, Family and Service

The takeaway:

• Happy New Year! Let’s all work together to make 2021 better for everyone.

• Change is hard. Change is possible.

• Our bodies deserve care. Simple steps to improve our mind/body health are within our grasp.

• Nature provides nourishment, respite, and pleasure.

Dr. Dawnn McWatters, Psy.D., is a licensed psychologist (WA), adult educator, and long-time edible gardener. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington, with her transracial, interfaith family, huge mountain dog and tuxedo cat, and a wild, constantly changing assortment of plants.