Timothy Hovanec, Ph.D.’s Post

🌊🦦 Why Do Sea Otters Hold Hands While They Sleep? Sea otters are some of the cutest animals in the ocean, and one of their most adorable habits is holding hands while they sleep! This behavior is called “rafting.” When sea otters rest or sleep, they form groups and hold hands to stay together. By doing this, they make sure the ocean currents don’t separate them or carry them away. Sometimes, they even use kelp (a type of seaweed) as an anchor, wrapping it around themselves for extra safety. Sea otters live in cold waters, and by sticking together, they also help each other stay warm. This teamwork shows how much these animals care for their group and how nature has clever ways to help them survive! 🐾💙 What do you think about these adorable ocean creatures? 🌊💬 Share your thoughts about sea otters in the comments below! 👇Do you think holding hands while sleeping is as cute as we do? #SeaOtters #FunAnimalFacts #LearnWithNature #StayTogether #NatureLovers #KidsCorner #KidsNewsletter #IgnitedMind

🌊 The Allure of Aquamarine 🌊 Aquamarine, with its serene blue-green hue, is more than just a beautiful gemstone. Here's why it stands out: Symbol of Serenity: Known for promoting tranquility and emotional balance. Historical Significance: Treasured by sailors for its protective properties. March Birthstone: Brings happiness and protection to those born in March. Healing Properties: Believed to aid respiratory health, reduce stress, and promote wellness. Versatile Gemstone: Perfect for both everyday wear and special occasions. Have you experienced the magic of aquamarine? Share your thoughts below! #Aquamarine #Gemstones #Jewelry #Wellness #Birthstones

Summer vibes in Durango call for active days and healthy spines! 🌞 Here are 3 quick tips to keep your spine in top shape while you soak up the sun: 1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate: Dehydration can lead to disc degeneration, so make staying hydrated your top priority under the sun. 2. Warm up, then jump in: Before diving into your outdoor adventures, take a few minutes to warm up your muscles. Simple stretches can prepare your body and reduce the risk of strains or injuries during summer activities. 3. Mind your posture: Whether you're lounging by the Animas River or hitting the trails, don't let the summer vibes compromise your posture. Maintain proper alignment to support your spine and prevent discomfort down the road. . . . #SpineColorado #Summer #DurangoCo #SpineHealth #HealthTips #BackCare #FourCorners

The Splendour of Nature 😮 😮 😮 😮 Visuals and Scenery: Nature videos typically showcase a wide range of environments. You might have seen sweeping shots of mountains, forests, oceans, or deserts. These landscapes often highlight the diversity and grandeur of our planet. Each scene can evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the vastness and variety of natural settings. Wildlife Encounters: If the video featured animals, you probably witnessed the behaviour and beauty of wildlife in their natural habitats. From the graceful movements of a deer in the forest to the playful antics of dolphins in the sea, wildlife videos provide a glimpse into the lives of creatures we might not see every day. Birds soaring in the sky, insects bustling on the forest floor, and the serene presence of larger mammals can all create a deep connection to the natural world.

Find your bubble helmet!!! The metaphor of the airplane emergency mask is helpful in reminding us to put on our own oxygen mask to be able to help others. Today, I offer you the bubble helmet concept given this little creature’s approach to predator stress. This creature “will dive into nearby water when threatened by predators. But the anoles don’t survive to see another day by simply swimming away—they wait beneath the surface while drawing oxygen from a tiny air bubble that expands over their nostrils.” A natural stress response is to flee - and it is an effective approach (perhaps a bit extreme in many situations, but our brain is wired to react). Now, we don’t have the ability to build out nostril bubbles to protect us. But…we can identify those things that help us quietly breathe when we remove ourselves from a significant stressor! We just need to better define what our bubble helmet is! What are those things that help you breathe - music, friends/family (furry counts), art, dance, sport, exercise, writing, sunshine, laughter, meditation… Remember those are your safety bubble! Sometimes, when we flee a stressor, we choose less healthy bubbles that deplete oxygen (drugs, alcohol, sugar) rather than a helmet that protects us. Now, if you identify what your oxygen bubble helmet includes and have labeled your helmet, then - when the unexpected stressor comes, you remove yourself from the stressor and put on your bubble helmet. Be internally still, find that which brings peace and BREATHE. As the threat subsides, you are able to return to normal functioning. For SpongeBob fans, if imagining Sandy Cheeks rather than this cute anole - do that!

Nature's Gift to our well-Being 🐦✨ Have you ever wondered why hearing birds sing makes us feel so happy and calm? So it's like a super fantastic secret from a long time ago! Consider when you played hide & seek and had to be really quiet so that your friends didn't find you. That's exactly how birds feel when they sing. They're being really cautious because they don't want predators to locate them. So, when birds sing, it signifies they believe everything is secure and normal. People used to spend a lot of time outside when they were still developing into the people we are now. They could always hear birds chirping. Because birds only sing when they are comfortable, people came to assume that bird sounds meant everything was fine. A long, long time ago, when humans were only beginning to look like us, they spent a lot of time outside. They constantly heard birds chirping. And because birds only sing when they feel comfortable, humans began to believe that bird noises meant everything was OK. So, even though we live in houses and cities, hearing birds chirping reminds our minds that everything is safe. That is why it makes us pleasant and peaceful, even when we are upset. Hence, the next time you're feeling nervous or frustrated, try listening to the birds outdoors. It could make you feel better. If you're indoors, you may listen to a video of birds singing. Let's see. #nature🐦 #birds #wellbeing #mentalhealth #mothernature #learningwithhiral #learningeveryday #mircrolearning #nature #HappyFeelings #corememory

Did you know that a birdsong can relax your brain? 😱 Isn't it incredible? Over thousands of years, our nervous systems evolved to recognize a birdsong as a safety signal. Birds go silent when predators are nearby, so if you hear their cheerful singing, it means there's no imminent danger around. This primal association triggers a relaxation response deep within us humans. Our brains 🧠 are hard-wired to feel at peace when we hear those delightful melodies. But the benefits don't stop there! Recent research from 2022 revealed that the specific frequencies of a birdsong can directly improve our mood and well-being. (Link in comments⬇️⬇️) Studies found that listening to the sweet sounds of birds 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐱𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧. Isn't that just remarkable? It's like nature has composed the perfect soothing music over millennia, fine-tuned to calm the human mind and soul. So, the next time you hear those cheerful avian melodies, take a moment to appreciate the calming vibrations crafted by evolution itself. ➡︎Do you feel relaxed with bird songs? ➡︎Is there specific music to which you feel relaxed? I would love to know. And if you want to identify specific birdsongs, check out the app in the second comment below.  It’s one of my favorite birdsong apps! #Success #Empathy #Juliecore

As autumn arrives, the leaves begin their breathtaking transformation, turning shades of red, orange, and gold 🍁 But this change, though beautiful, is actually a sign of their death. As days shorten and temperatures drop, the leaves lose their chlorophyll, the green pigment that helps them produce energy. This loss reveals the vibrant hues hidden beneath, and soon after, they fall, completing the cycle of life 🍂 In many ways, the changing leaves mirror the cycle of human life. Just as the leaves shed their vibrant colors as they approach the end, we, too, move through different phases, each with its own beauty. The autumn of life brings a sense of slowing down, a quiet acceptance that all things must come to an end. Yet, like the leaves, this phase can be filled with a quiet grace and brilliance ✨ The brilliance of autumn leaves reminds us that even in death, there is beauty, meaning, and transformation. Just as trees endure after their leaves fall, continuing to grow and thrive, the memories of our loved ones endure, leaving behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and experiences that shape those of us who they leave behind. Embracing death as a natural part of life's cycle brings comfort in knowing that there is beauty, even in letting go 💜 #Leavinginlove #Embracedeath #Fallleaves #Beauty #Legacy #Transformation

Spring is just around the corner, and it's the perfect time for a fresh start! Did you know that in ancient Rome, March was the first month of the year? It's a special time for new beginnings. Spring is a season of celebrations and renewals. We do spring cleaning in our homes, our cars get washed after the winter, and students get a break from school. It's a time when nature blooms back to life after the cold months. Just like we spruce up our living spaces, why not "spring clean" our bodies too? This could mean quitting habits that don't serve us well, like eating unhealthy foods or using harmful substances. It's a chance to hit the reset button and start making choices that nourish our minds and bodies. Imagine how energized and renewed you'd feel if you cleaned up your diet and focused on giving your body the nutrients it needs to thrive! You have the power to make positive changes, one step at a time. Are you ready to embrace a fresh start this spring? If you need support or guidance on your journey to better health, I'm here to help! Click here: https://lnkd.in/g5KYQRVG to schedule a free consultation. I believe in you and want to see you feeling your absolute best. #springtime #spring #nature #flowers #naturephotography #photography #love #springflowers