Spanista » Self Care Rituals, Reflections & Resources for Joyful Living by Ginny Shiverdecker

  • Spa Style & Self Care Reflections, Rituals and Resources for Joyful Living

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  • About Spanista

    Ginny Shiverdecker, Creator of Spanista is Spa Wellness Enthusiast, Adventurer Seeker and Brand Builder.
    Ginny is……Read more

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

What Does Being Adventuresome Really Mean? Are you someone who craves Adventure like I do? With a capital ‘A’? For many of us we may define it on one plane and that is it is all about travel, seeking new cities and cultures around the world or taking huge physical risks to achieve an adrenaline rush.

Perhaps its going fast by taking this Porsche Racer on the track for a few laps? Or its taking on the surf of  maverick waves of a beach in a far off land? Or its building the unique home of your dreams that breaks of molds of convention?

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However, being ADVENTURESOME can travel in different planes too. Here is a quote that opened my eyes to a more expansive view about its potential role on our lives.

“We have no idea what lies ahead or how God will open doors or potentially when we consciously choose to get out of the ruts we are in and start moving down new paths without about which we can be excited – Even passionate. Some think being adventuresome means taking a trip around the world, bungee jumping, or walking into a lion’s cage at the zoo. Not at all. It’s an Attitude, not a behavior. It’s daring to be curious about the unknown, to dream big dreams, to live outside the prescribed boxes, to take risks, and, above all, daring to investigate the way we live until we discover the deepest treasured purpose of why we are here.”

A Spanista Favorite Quote By Luci Swindoll.

I also love how Stone Creek Coffee define it. Check out this link. An Adventuresome Spirit means the acceptance of the unknown path for the (potential) betterment of one’s self.

What Does Being Adventuresome Really Mean? As July 4th comes upon us and we approach the half-year mark, ask yourself this question:

‘Would being more adventuresome increase the level of joy in your life?’

How can adopting a more adventuresome spirit increase your level of joy this summer and moving into the second half of the year? Make this your Self Care Reflection Time Theme as you move into the July 4th weekend. Consider how free we are here in America to pursue happiness. Are you living from the center of your heart’s purpose?

Take a private time to define it in writing – on your diary ipad, notebook or whatever way pleases you most. Spanista encourages you to start the process.

Over the next few days we will explore this topic more closely. So stay tuned. Always remember your comments are encouraged – i am especially keen to hear them on an important topic like this one.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Good News Monday: Dr. David Linden’s New Book Explores Touch is a very exciting new point of view on a subject that we know very little about. The scientific world appears to have overlooked the importance of this aspect of the human element until recently. Spanista suggests time for a conversation that sheds light on this important subject – something we’ve taken for granted for too long.

The importance of Touch to our wellbeing became an area of fascination to me several years ago. So much so that overtime it became the impetus for the creationof The Spanista Self Care Philosophy. Read more about this in Spanista’s About tab.  Dr. Linden’s The Power of Human Touch, The Compass of Pleasure reveals insights essential to our wellbeing. Yet as we go through life we may find ourselves experiencing less and less of it. This lack is having a devistating emotional and physical impact on our psyche and physicality and we until now have no clue why. My theory is that our bodies not only crave human touch but require human touch to feel fully alive and to be healthy and emotionally well.

Without the benefit of Human Touch we:

1. Carry higher levels of stress hormones, overtime manifesting in physical aliments

2. Are more inclined to be anxious about things in life

3. Are less likely to try new things

Through my own personal journey, I became so enthralled with this notion I began digging deeply into the subject and found this area of scientific study shallow. The Massage and Metaphysical aspects have been explored from many dimensions given the rich cultural roots of the latter. The medical science field had failed to thoroughly research this behavioral function. So that is why I want to share my discovery of Dr. Linden’s new book. It came to me while driving along Sewalls Point Bridge to Stuart Beach that I heard the review on Fresh Air, NPR (National Public Radio). Check it out – it is enlightening in many ways.

Good News Monday: Dr. David Linden’s New Book Explores Touch, The Science of Hand, Heart and Mind opens up a new level of understanding on this vital topic. And as far as Spanista is concerned, this is groundbreaking and not a moment too soon because our human society is so full of distractions from what is important and so full of stress we are missing the point about what it means to be human. Dr. David Linden is a neuroscientist at John Hopkins Medical University in Baltimore, Maryland. The book covers many themes that highlight why touch is so important to our wellbeing. A worthy read. You can find it at Amazon.com

BTW  – Spanista immediately recommends booking a massage for obvious reasons. If you are feeling any type of stress right now, the hands of a gifted therapist can begin to open up your body to receive the gifts of human touch with caring intentions.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Friday Wellness Tip: State of Mind Beats Real Age Really! This week I came upon a small clip of news that is mighty in implications so I want to share it with you, Spanista Society. To set the stage on the subject I recall my Mother and her sister never told their real age. It was a secret code between them that they were to defy anything defining their chronological age. Both attractive in their own right, they enjoyed challenging the clock at every turn. They made a game of it – body, mind and heart. It worked for them – no matter what age they matured to they stayed young at heart and it seemed to reflect in their looks too.

We have all heard the phrase ‘You are only as young as you feel’, right?

Well, it appears this is not just wishful thinking or a myth. There is now scientific proof that indicates shaving a few years off your age may actually help you live longer. That is according to a study from University College in London as revealed by Dr. Andrew Steptoe, the director of The Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care.

For example, 50 could be the new 30 and on down the line. Spanista loves this kind of news.

The key finding is the relationship between perceived age and longevity is quite strong. People who say they are several years younger than they actually are have a 41% lower risk of dying within a 8 year period. Adopting the attitude keeps your younger longer!

Friday Wellness Tip: State of Mind Beats Real Age, Really! Offers implications worthy of serious consideration. Should Spanista adopt this as an Essential Self Care Practice? What do you think?  No matter what your age, it seems really smart to focus on a youthful state of mind. How? Focus on Self Care that you enjoy – Have fun, dance, balance your work life with creative interests, participate in sports, engage in the latest in entertainment, and have friends in your life that are younger than you. Stay open and curious. This feeds the youthful soul.

And remember, it is not just how you look, it is how you feel and the positive attitude you project toward life that matters. This helps you project Emotional Fitness making one appear younger and that is the ultimate attraction.

And above all else lie about your age!

Thank you O Magazine and Arianna Davis, Associate Editor at O who brought this to light in the July 2015 Issue.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

 

 

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Olfactive Studio Elevates French Fragrance & Summer Spirits with a very creative and fresh take on perfume I discovered just in time to enjoy this summer. 

This is an experience that is nothing less than indulging. And when it comes to enhancing your mood with fragrance to feel your very best self, money is no object. We deserve it. However its hidden value is it must speak to you on multiple levels. You will know best if after ‘trying it on’, you walk away to let a fragrance wash over you over a period of time. Ask yourself – How has this scent affected me? How do I feel? Give it a couple of days to see if it still speaks to you with positive energy.

My world went aglow when I came upon this fantastic Collection Olfactive Studio from Paris, France. It is a tour de force so compelling I just had to explore it because of its Spa Chic sensibility. I was particularly attracted to Autoportrait. The story and the scent speak to me so I tried it and love it.

You can explore the website but remember to click on English because unless you are proficient in French. Here is their brand back story I LOVE so much.

Olfactive Studio was launched in Paris in September 2011 and is now enjoying great success in over 25 countries on all continents. Hooray for artistic intuition, pleasure, and the desire to create. Hooray for quality and generosity.

Olfactive Studio is an encounter between contemporary artistic photography and perfumery; between the eye and the nose. This is the first time ever that perfumers have teamed up with photographers to draw inspiration from their oeuvres. They sense the images to capture their essence.

Photography and perfume capture the moment and rekindle the memory of past experiences. Imagining a sensorial, intimate, and poetic relationship between images and scents is to reconcile temporal spaces.

«Perfumer’s proofs», born out of the spontaneous and free emotions of perfume creators who have carte blanche when it comes to photography, prove to be genuine olfactory concepts. These original, never-smelled-before olfactory creations with strong personalities are made with very beautiful raw materials and come in Eau de parfum versions (12 to 18%) without price constraints. Elegant and unconventional modernity emanates from this wonderful alchemy. Olfactive Studio has designed an exceptional olfactory world with a powerful and distinctive personality; a world of intuitions and emotions; a world designed for women, men, and all others. Perfumes are angels; they have no gender, but they have a soul.

Together, talented perfumers and photographers have created Autoportrait, Chambre Noire, Still Life, Lumière Blanche, Flashback, and Ombre Indigo.

Olfactive Studio Elevates French Fragrance & Summer Spirits is worthy of experiencing this summer. When is comes to selecting a new scent, listen closely to what your heart tells you – ignore what others say, although compliments are always worth noting, choosing a fragrance is all about you.

If you feel more alive, more feminine, happier, sexier, more confident – the scent is embodying Self Care and Emotional Wellbeing. If nothing comes to mind – move on to another one. When it comes to choosing a fragrance to enjoy listen to you heart and body – it will guide you to something your will enjoy thoroughly for a long period of tie. My French grandmother was right about this.

That is how I feel about Autoportrait  – it is defined as ‘A Self Portrait May Be The Answer To This Equation In One Unknown: The Self. It is elevating my Summer to another level.’  That is a perfect fit for Spanista.

Let me know what you think if you try it too. Enjoy your Summer.

To Your Self Care Journey To Joy,

Ginny

 

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Dear Wellness Seekers,

Spanista Wants To Know, What Do You Believe? This is a question that goes deep into the heart of who you really are. Today’s Intention Time dedication is about stepping out of the day to day routine that can make us feel we are barraged with messages of limitation and powerlessness.
This morning Spanista suggests taking a few minutes for a Self Care Reflection Exercise, perhaps while you are commuting into work or heading to another destination, to examine what you are feeling. Concentrate on getting out of your head and into your hart. Focus on what you are feeling. Now ask your self this question – Are there old beliefs that are holding you back from realizing your joy? Is there one lingering idea you hold about yourself that surfaces? How is it affecting your life?
Today take a stand to remove any power such an idea is having over you NOW!
There is a wonderful saying I want you to repeat to yourself three times while you hold that old belief in your mind. Here it is:

I choose to see what I believe, rather than believe what I see.

Ask the higher power you believe in to help you remove the erroneous belief from your heart. Then imagine dissolving it – poof – blow if away like a puff of smoke. Replace it with what your choose to believe about yourself.
Imagine in your minds eye your vision of your magnificent, highest Self. Claim your right to abundance of the universe knowing you deserve nothing less.
Repeat The NEW BELIEF three times – Express gratitude for this moment of awareness and go about your day. Watch the magic unfold for the better.
Spanista Wants To Know, What Do You Believe? Todays message reminds us – ‘Knock and it shall be given to you’. The power for self belief lies in your hands and heart. Make today the day you take charge of your Emotional Wellness.
Please feel free to share what happen as your day unfolds.
Look forward to hearing from you.

To Your Self Care Journey Of Joy,

Ginny

 

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