Mind Power

March 2010

Dear Wellness Member,

Welcome to the March edition of the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation Wellness Center, a virtual community focused on hope, healing, and wellness for all touched by Parkinson’s.

This month we will focus on Mind Power- one of the most powerful steps to improved sense of wellbeing. Our mind guides how we feel emotionally and physically. Our mind can give us strength, motivation, creativity, compassion, courage, hope, self esteem, joy- or take it away.

Engage your mind’s powerful potential!

The Power of a ‘Sugar Pill’. We review the mysteries of the ‘placebo effect’ and how this shapes our understanding of research and treatment effects.
Find your Sugar Pill. ‘If you believe it, it will happen’. The placebo effect is not all bad. Learn easy strategies to harness you placebo effect.
Silence the Mind. Don’t let ‘life’s moments pass you by’. Being present in the moment can lead to greater joy, awareness, and new experiences. Dr. Jan Fite, PhD a clinical psychologist at the University of Washington discusses the power of mindfulness practice.
Glass Half Full Think positive. Positive thoughts encourage positive moods leading to positive activities.

Help us reach our goal of 100 Voices of Wellness as we celebrate Parkinson’s Awareness month in April. We will learn from each other and gain insights that will shape our own ideas of wellness. Please take a moment to share what wellness means to you?

Find one reason to smile each day,

Monique L. Giroux, MD
Medical Director, Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation

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