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.

Forest bathing is not about hiking or exercise. Instead, it’s a mindful immersion in nature. You simply walk slowly, breathe deeply, and engage your senses. 👣🍂 🌳 Benefits of Forest Bathing 🧘♀️ Reduces Stress – Nature’s tranquility lowers cortisol levels. 💖 Boosts Immunity – Trees release phytoncides, strengthening our immune system. 🛌 Improves Sleep – Fresh forest air enhances relaxation. 🧠 Enhances Focus – Spending time in nature sharpens the mind. #ForestBathing 🌲 #MindfulNature 🍃 #ShinrinYoku 🧘♂️ #NatureHeals 💚 #BreatheDeeply 🌬️ 🌿 #ForestBathingBliss 🍃 #ShinrinYokuMagic 🌲 #NatureHeals 🌳 #BreatheWithTrees 🌎 #ReconnectWithNature

On another note...DON'T underestimate, dear #Linkedin Friends, the power of nature, fresh air, sunlight, and animals ***Just recall the safety precautions previously discussed: #LessonsLearned I have always enjoyed feeding wild animals by hand *Especially Squirrels and Birds ♡ NOTHING LIKE FEELING THEM GET CLOSE TO YOU AND TRUST YOU! 👌✨️🤗🦄🌈💕🐿🐦BUT PLEASE: ***Hold the unsalted peanut for your wild Squirrel with the tips of your fingers. Otherwise, they will bite your finger 😁 😂 Just like you can see in the picture here--comments. I caught some of those ME-TIME moments in the video --then took screenshots to treasure those self-care solo memories! Lesson learned #1 ---**See the picture in the comments!** Feel free to #laugh / #smile Lesson learned #2 ---Dogs are amazing companions, but if you have a super needy, super clingy, crazy dog who barks at everything (even the wind) and wants to eat all the Squirrels of the park/trail...LIKE MY DIVA DOG....Then it is best for your self-care nature time if you leave them at home. SOLO WALKS ARE BEST FOR SELF-CARE 👌 It is just you enjoying YOURSELF in nature! Lesson learned #3 ---Trying something new for self-care habits can be VERY FUN AND REWARDING! What are your favorite outdoor places? Please #share #Selfcare #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #nature #sun #sunshine #plants #animals #holistic #wellness #green #vegetation #outside #outdoors #daylight #inspiration #motivation #energy #goodvibes #positivevibes #breeze #healing #wellbeing #wellness #healingpowers #clearingthemind #mindbodyspirit #mentalhealthawareness #weekendvibes #walks #peace #quiet #peaceandlove #positivity #happiness #freshair #air #breath #relax #rest #reflect #recharge

Winter ❄️ is a time of rest and recuperation. In nature, animals use the autumn months to gather food 🌰 and stores for the long dark months. Many species cocoon in hibernation 🐻, in a warm cosy den or nest. Yet, every year we push Christmas earlier and earlier. Speeding up when we should be slowing down. 🥸 Why not follow nature's lead? It's okay to want to slow down. It's okay to take time to gather yourself. We are all ready for a rest at this time. Your energy levels aren't the same as the summer or spring months. There's less light, less warmth, less rush needed. Let me share a moment from Serbia... After a warm autumn spell, winter snapped quickly, leaving a blanket of snow ⛄️ so beautiful I couldn't take my eyes 👀 off it. It painted every building with a white layer of dust, topping the spires and rooftops like icing on an architectural cake. I remember walking through the streets, feeling truly alive: The bitter sting on my face The cold air meeting my warm breath The pure magic of winter's embrace Each season brings its own feeling. ❄️ Winter can be one of deepest reflection. A time for gratitude, not gluttonous greed. A time to appreciate what we have, not chase what we don't. What's your favorite way to embrace winter's natural slowdown? #winter #reflections #nature #mindfulness

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

The True Luxuries in Life 👇🏻 It’s not about what you own. It’s about what fills your heart and soul. 💙 #TrueLuxury #MindfulLiving #WellnessJourney #SelfCareMatters #GratitudeEveryDay #CreativeWellnessConsultants

Night owl? Early bird? Don't know? Try reading/skimming "The Power of When" by Michael Breus. It turns out the "bird" analogy is something of the past and there were three types of people or "chronotypes" - Larks (early risers), Hummingbirds (neither early nor late), and Owls (late risers). Through sleep research, and renaming the chronotypes, because we're mammals, Dr. Breus divided the population into 4 because ~10% of the population didn't match the conventional wisdom: Lions - morning hunters Bears - fun-loving, outgoing people preferring a solar-based schedule Wolves - nocturnal hunters Dolphins - Sleep with half a brain-insomniac If you do the test, you'll find out which category you lay in (yes, there can be hybrids) alongside some explanation of when your best times to do things are and a schedule you can follow. Turns out I'm a Dolphin 🐬 (for now). We change over time as we age and life stages change. Interesting to see where this schedule will get me.