Nancy Quatrano | Columnist

Positive thinking is a powerful antidote to depression and other physical and mental illnesses.

In broad controlled studies published as recently as 2019, researchers have documented the impact of negative thinking on the bodys immune system. Positive thinking reduces anxiety and worry and promotes success in health, relationships, and work life.

However, positivity requires action. Remember the song, Dont Worry, Be Happy? The word be is a verb and verbs are action words.

Most people experience positive energy by doing something for someone else, be it a neighbor, friend, co-worker, or family member. Some people get joy out of helping people they dont even know. The joy derived from that helping hand isnt dependent on the relationship, time, or dollars it takes to provide that assistance.

People find positive reinforcement though their faith community, by reciting affirmations and positive mantras, or through prayers and meditation.

The studies indicate that positive people are more likely to experience good health and financial stability while they enjoy, more often than not, happiness, joy, contentment, and resilience.

Extended isolation can severely impact positive perspectives. The ability to view a barrage of challenges with joy and contentment is compromised. Human beings were not created to be alone. The smile of a neighbor, the hug of a child or friend, fellowship with friends after worship, all contribute to our sense of community, belonging, and overall good mental health. So, whats to do?

Living in fear and anger does not lend itself to a healthy life. Stay informed about matters that are important to you and trust and employ your own good judgement. Get outdoors every day for a walk or ride on the trail or sit a half-hour in the sun; say a maskless hello to your neighbor from your front porch and be sure to wave and smile with enthusiasm. Each day write down three things youre grateful for. Call someone you miss and tell them a joke or funny story. Send a card or a note. Visit by video chat on your phone. Learn something new. Make it your mission to make others smile every day and strengthen those positivity muscles. Youll feel all the better for it!

With this in mind, the Rotary Club of Hastings welcomes all to a strictly outdoor event from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 on the corner of North Main Street and St. Johns Avenue, near the trail. Come and buy something to eat from the food trucks that will be spaced out in the area.

Fun Halloween music will be provided by a DJ while the food is being prepared for your take-out order. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy seeing your neighbors, having dinner cooked for you, and listening to music. Its sure to fortify your positive attitude. The club is asking that all attendees wear masks while placing orders and respect social distancing while listening to the music.

If you know of a veteran in need of assistance, please let them know about the Veterans Service Office which is in the St. Johns County Health and Human Services Building located at 200 San Sebastian View, Suite 1400. St. Augustine. The phone number is 904-209-6160 and Veteran Service Officers are there from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday. They should call for an appointment but will be scheduled promptly.

International Polio Day is recognized by Rotary Clubs worldwide on Oct 24. PolioPlus is the Rotary initiative begun in 1985 in the Philippines which has now spread around the world. Rotarians, including the Hastings club members, are partners with many organizations providing funding, manpower, and infrastructure improvements necessary to eradicate this crippling and often-deadly disease.

In the 20th century, this virus killed and paralyzed hundreds of thousands of children worldwide, including here in the United States. Rotarians are committed to eradicating polio entirely.

Visit EndPolio.org for more information or to make a donation that will be tripled.

Community Hospice and Palliative Care is again hosting Advance Care Planning webinars. They can be reached by email at Engagement@communityhospice.com to sign up for a learning session or get help in completing the interview form. Call 904-407-7024 and leave your name and email address to register for the Oct. 22 or Oct. 28 sessions.

Contact Nancy Quatrano at nancy@nlquatrano.com by 5 p.m. on Fridays if you have information for the column. Put Hastings in the subject line.

Excerpt from:
AROUND HASTINGS: Think positive to reduce anxiety - St. Augustine Record