P.E.P. Talk - October 2021

Welcome to P.E.P. Talk dedicated to your
Physical, Emotional and Personal well-being.

Staying healthy, well and strong with
Brain, Body and Balance.
We are all in this together!

P.E.P. Talk is our Virtual Activities Program that will be sent monthly throughout the year. We hope that you enjoy these activities no matter where you are!
Please look for our weekly calendar and newsletter that will be sent every Wednesday from October through April.
Please look for your first weekly P.E.P. Talk on Wednesday.
September 29th - October 5th is on its way!
In an effort to support our contactless environment the weekly updates
will be sent through email.

What Is Optimism?
Optimism is a mental attitude characterized by hope and confidence in success and a positive future. Optimists are those who expect good things to happen, where pessimists instead predict unfavorable outcomes.
Optimistic attitudes are linked to a number of benefits, including better coping skills, lower stress levels, better physical health, and higher persistence when pursuing goals.
Optimistic people tend to view hardships as learning experiences or temporary setbacks. Even the most miserable day holds the promise for them that "tomorrow will probably be better."
If you always see the brighter side of things, you may feel that you experience more positive events in your life than others, find yourself less stressed, and even enjoy greater health benefits.

I hope everyone takes the time to look through all of the information included in this month's P.E.P. Talk and use it to help take better care of you!

I look forward to hearing from you. - Erin

How Do You Know If You Are An Optimistic Person?

There are a number of key characteristics that optimists tend to share.

Some signs that you tend to be optimistic:

You feel that good things will happen in the future.
You expect things to work out for the best.
You feel like you will succeed in the face of life's challenges.
You feel that the future looks bright.
You think that even good things can come from negative events.
You see challenges or obstacles as opportunities to learn.
You feel gratitude for the good things in your life.
You are always looking for ways to make the most of opportunities.
You have a positive attitude about yourself and others.
You accept responsibilities for mistakes but don't dwell on them.
You don't let one bad experience muddy your expectations for the future.

There are many factors that influence optimism, but whether you tend to be more of an optimist or more of a pessimist can often be explained by how you explain the events of your life.

Explanatory Styles

Explanatory style or attributional style refers to how people

explain the events of their lives.

There are three facets of how people can explain a situation.

This can influence whether they lean toward being optimists or pessimists:

Stable vs. Unstable: Can time change things, or do things stay the same regardless of time?
Global vs. Local: Is a situation a reflection of just one part of your life, or your life as a whole?
Internal vs. External: Do you feel events are caused by you or by an outside force?

Optimist Explanatory Style

Optimists explain positive events as having happened because of their own actions or characteristics (internal). They also see them as evidence that more positive things will happen in the future (stable) and in other areas of their lives (global).

Conversely, they see negative events as not being their fault (external). They also see them as being flukes (isolated) that have nothing to do with other areas of their lives or future events (local).

For example, if an optimist gets a promotion, they will likely believe it’s because they are good at their job and will receive more benefits and promotions in the future. If they are passed over for the promotion, it’s likely because they were having an bad month because of extenuating circumstances, but will do better in the future.

Pessimist Explanatory Style

Pessimists think in the opposite way. They believe that negative events are caused by their own mistakes or traits (internal). They believe that one mistake means more will come (stable), and mistakes in other areas of life are inevitable (global) because they are the cause. They see positive events as flukes (local) that are caused by things outside their control (external) and probably won’t happen again (unstable).

A pessimist would see a promotion as a lucky event that probably won’t happen again, and may even worry that they’ll now be under more scrutiny. Being passed over for a promotion would probably be explained as not being skilled enough. They would, therefore, expect to be passed over again.

Impact of Optimism

There has been a great deal of research on optimists and pessimists. Research has shown that an optimistic worldview carries certain advantages.

Better Health

Studies regularly show that optimists are more likely to maintain better physical health than pessimists, including a 50% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and greater survival rates when fighting cancer. Some studies have also linked a pessimistic explanatory style with higher rates of infectious disease, poor health, and earlier mortality.

Greater Achievement

Psychologist Martin Seligman, the founding father of positive psychology, analyzed sports teams and found that the more optimistic teams created more positive synergy and performed better than the pessimistic ones.

Persistence

Optimists don’t give up as easily as pessimists, and they are more likely to achieve success because of it. People with optimistic attitudes are more likely to continue working toward their goals, even in the face of obstacles, challenges, and setbacks. Such persistence ultimately means that they are more likely to accomplish their goals.

Increased Longevity

In a retrospective study of 34 healthy Hall of Fame baseball players who played between 1900 and 1950, optimists lived significantly longer. Other studies have shown that optimistic breast cancer patients had a better quality of life than pessimistic and hopeless patients.

Less Stress

Optimists also tend to experience less stress than pessimists or realists. Because they believe in themselves and their abilities, they expect good things to happen. They see negative events as minor setbacks to be easily overcome and view positive events as evidence of further good things to come.
Believing in themselves, they also take more risks and create more positive events in their lives.

Research shows that optimists are more proactive with stress management. They tend to favor approaches that reduce or eliminate stressors and their emotional consequences. Because optimists work harder at stress management, they are less stressed.

Understandably, if you’re an optimist, this bodes well for your future. Negative events are more likely to roll off of your back while positive events affirm your belief in yourself, your ability to make good things happen now and in the future, and in the goodness of life.

Research suggests that genetics determine about 25% of your optimism levels and environmental variables out of your control—such as your socioeconomic status—also play an important role. But this doesn't mean that you can't actively improve your attitude.

While you might tend to have either an optimistic or pessimistic explanatory style, there are things that you can do the help cultivate a more optimistic attitude.

These include:

Become more mindful: Mindfulness is a focus on being engaged, attentive, and present in the here and now. It can be a useful technique to help you focus on what matters in the present and avoid worrying about future events and things that are outside of your control. If you are living fully in the moment, you are much less likely to ruminate over negative past experiences or worry about upcoming events. This allows you to feel more appreciative of what you have now and less consumed with regrets and anxieties.
Practice gratitude: Gratitude can be defined as an appreciation for what is important in life. One study found that participants who were assigned to write in a gratitude journal showed increased optimism and resilience. If you are trying to develop a more optimistic attitude, set aside a few minutes each day to jot down some of the things for which you are grateful.
Write down your positive emotions: Research has shown that something as simple as writing down positive thoughts can help improve your optimism. One study found that expressive writing focused on positive emotions was linked to decreased mental distress and improved mental well-being.4

It is also possible to develop learned optimism. Pessimists can essentially learn to be optimists by thinking about their reactions to adversity in a new way and consciously challenge negative self-talk.

Using a practice called cognitive restructuring, you can help yourself and others become more optimistic by consciously challenging negative, self-limiting thinking and replacing it with more optimistic thought patterns.

The process of cognitive restructuring involves a few different steps:

Identify the situations that are triggering negative thoughts or moods.
Assess how you are feeling in the moment.
Identify the negative thoughts that you are having in response to the situation.
Look at the evidence to either support or refute your negative thoughts.
Focus on the objective facts, and replace automatic negative thoughts with more positive, realistic ones.

Foods That Make You Happy

When you think of comfort foods that make you happy, does your mind drift to mashed potatoes and mac 'n cheese?

Well, it doesn't have to be that way. In fact, it shouldn't. Research reveals that certain healthier staples can soothe your soul and get you grinning.

Incorporate these eight healthy food picks into your daily diet, and you'll get more energy, less stress and an even brighter smile.
Consider these your new happy meals!

1. Salmon

"The omega-3s found in salmon have been proven to boost mood," says Lauren Slayton, a registered dietitian and the director of FoodTrainers, a nutrition center in New York City.

These healthy fats don't just put a smile on your face; they also help you keep it there: A study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who consistently consumed more omega-3s were 30 percent less likely to develop gum disease than those who got less. Don't like seafood?

Reach for other omega-3 sources, like flax and walnuts.

2. Avocado

Even if you're not a guacamole fan, Avocados can bring you happiness. Avocados contain serotonin, a type of feel-good neurotransmitter in the brain.

Try using a few slices of avocado as a creamy substitute for mayo in sandwiches, or toss some cubes into your lunchtime salad.

3. Raisins

Although they're known as nature's candy, raisins are one sweet treat that won't cause cavities.

In fact, researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry found that the healthy antioxidants in raisins helped slow the growth of two types of bacteria that set the stage for tooth decay and gum disease.

Snack on a handful of raisins for an instant hit of energy.

4. Dark Chocolate

It's no wonder many women consider chocolate comfort food. "Chocolate is high in magnesium, a mineral that calms muscles and can relieve anxiety," says Slayton.

For an even bigger dose of the mineral, try satisfying your sweet tooth with dark chocolate-covered almonds.

5. Cereal

The next time you pick up a box of cereal, check to make sure it's fortified with vitamin D. More than 60 percent of Americans don't get enough of this sunshine nutrient, which has been shown to fend off the blues -- especially during the dark days of winter.

Pair those puffs or flakes with low-fat milk for a dose of bone- and teeth-fortifying calcium.

6. Green Tea

Feeling stressed? Brew some soothing tea.

Green tea contains L-theanine, an antioxidant that has been linked to relaxation. Sip a mug of green tea before that big meeting and you'll score another benefit: fresher breath. According to research from Pace University in New York City, green tea's polyphenols can destroy bacteria that lead to bad breath and tooth decay.

7. Yogurt

Scoop up a better mood with calcium-rich yogurt. Yogurt contains probiotics, friendly bacteria that have been shown to ease depression.

Plus, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology reveals that probiotics may reduce inflammation in the mouth, lowering your risk of gum disease and even oral cancer.

8. Popcorn

When you're grumpy or sluggish, chances are you crave bread and pasta. "That's because carbs increase serotonin levels in the body, which can put you in a better mood," explains Slayton. But before you twirl up that spaghetti, snack on some popcorn.

Popcorn has the same beneficial effect -- and at just 31 calories per cup, it won't wreck your waistline.

The Accidental Husband

PG-13

2008 ‧ Romance/Rom-com
1h 30m

Emma (Uma Thurman), a radio host, is about to be married to Richard (Colin Firth), her perfect match. But right before her wedding, she learns she's already married to Patrick (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a charming but irresponsible fireman. Furthermore, Patrick has a secret: he has arranged this little trick because Emma advised Patrick's ex-fiancee to end their relationship. However, Patrick may find that the trick is on him, for he soon begins to fall in love with his uptight adversary.

Locals Only

Welcome to the Coachella Valley's locals only recommendations for you.

This is a list of local businesses, excursions and happenings throughout

the desert. They can be experienced as a single event or group them together to customize your own adventures and day trips.

Please visit each website to confirm the days and hours of each location.

Cabot's Pueblo Museum
Local Tip: Make sure to get tickets in advance if you want the guided tour. Lots of history, artwork and artifacts in this historic house museum. Highly recommended.