October 16, 2025

Hello Followers,

Welcome to Thursday!

 When you start your day with gratitude, happiness sneaks in.

Gratitude is like a magnet for positivity.

Start your day thankfully, and watch the happiness unfold.

It is time to dive into the incredible health benefits of holy basil and explore easy ways to incorporate it into your lifestyle today.

Basil: the herb of peace and prosperity.

So, again do not underestimate the power of spices and herbs in promoting health.

Holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum or Ocimum sanctum) is an aromatic shrub in the Lamiaceae basil plant family.

It is thought to have originated in north central India and now grows throughout the Eastern world.

Also known as Tulsi, which means “the incomparable one” in Hindu, the holy basil plant is a perennial that has a light lemon scent and purple-pink flowers.

Holy basil/Tulsi is one of the most common houseplants in India.

Extracts, oils, and supplements can also be made from holy basil seeds, leaves, flowers, and stems.

The holy basil leaf, an oval-shaped leaf with a slightly sharp tip used to make Tulsi tea, is where most of the plant’s healing compounds are found.

There are two common types of Tulsi: Rama Tulsi, which is white and green, and Shyam Tulsi, which is dark pinkish purple.

Other types of Tulsi include Krishna Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) and Vana Tulsi (Ocimum gratissum).

KNOWLEDGE IS A TREASURE, BUT PRACTICE IS THE KEY TO IT

DID YOU KNOW!

Physical touch is not just comforting; it is powerful medicine for the mind and body.

Hugging and cuddling have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, ease anxiety, and strengthen the immune system, making them essential for emotional and physical well-being.

When we hug or cuddle, the body releases oxytocin, often called the “love hormone.”

Oxytocin lowers stress hormone levels, promotes feelings of trust and security, and enhances overall emotional balance.

This natural chemical response can calm the nervous system, making it easier to manage anxiety and stress.

In addition to emotional benefits, regular physical affection has measurable impacts on mental health.

Studies indicate that people who experience frequent hugs report lower levels of depression, reduced feelings of loneliness, and improved mood.

The simple act of holding someone close can send signals to the brain that you are safe, cared for, and connected, an essential human need.

Hugging also supports physical health.

Research suggests that touch can improve heart health, lower blood pressure, and even boost immune function.

The act of cuddling stimulates circulation, reduces inflammation, and encourages the body to fight off illness more effectively.

Regular positive physical contact contributes to overall resilience between both mental and physical stressors.

From comforting friends to embracing loved ones, the simple acts of hugging and cuddling provide more than warmth, they create profound physiological and psychological benefits.

Whether it is a quick hug, a long cuddle, or holding hands, these moments of connection can profoundly influence mental health and immune strength.

In a world often dominated by digital interactions, taking time for real, physical connection can be one of the simplest yet most effective ways to enhance health, happiness, and overall well-being.

Dan and I welcome you to join us with the next book for our book club.

LIFE LESSONS FROM THE OCEAN, soothing wisdom from the sea – By Richard Harrtington

Click Me

SOMETIMES IT PAYS TO HIDE IN PLAN SIGHT

The leafy sea dragon is a seahorse like fish that has taken the camouflage business into an exquisite art form.

With weed shaped appendages that make it look more like seaweed than an animal, it can blend invisibly among weeds and then can move around freely knowing it is unlikely to be eaten when it has nothing to hide behind, as it looks just like a piece of floating weed.

A new species of sea dragon was discovered in deeper waters off Southern Australia in only 2015, showing just how good a sea dragon’s ability to go undetected really is!

Take a few sacred minutes to reconnect with your body, your breath, and the Earth beneath you.

This grounding meditation will guide you to root deeply, release built-up stress, and restore your sense of inner calm and clarity.

Whether you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or just untethered, this gentle practice will help you return to yourself.

🌱 Root down.

Let us go.

Come home to your center.

🎧 Best practiced with headphones, sitting or lying comfortably.

✨ Perfect for grounding after a long day, before bed, or anytime life feels like too much.

🤍🤍🤍

Until Friday, basil is the soul of the garden.