February Self-Love: Your Brain Deserves Some Care Too

You know that moment when you walk into a room and completely forget why you are there? Or when you are searching for your glasses while they are sitting right on top of your head? We laugh it off, but honey, our brains are trying to tell us something.

February is not just about heart-shaped boxes of chocolate (though I am not mad at those). It's about the kind of love that shows up in how we care for ourselves when nobody's watching. And if there's one thing we need to give more attention to, it is the brilliant, beautiful brain that is carried us through everything life has thrown our way.

Here is what the research keeps telling us: the activities we choose today literally shape our cognitive health tomorrow. And I am not talking about anything complicated or expensive. I am talking about simple, soul-nurturing practices that feel good AND happen to be exactly what our brains need to stay sharp.

Moving Your Body (Yes, From Your Favorite Chair)

Let me tell you something I learned the hard way: you do not have to get down on a yoga mat to get the benefits of yoga. When sciatica made floor yoga impossible for me at 61, I discovered chair yoga, and it changed everything.

Chair yoga is not just movement. It's meditation in motion. Every time you twist, stretch, and breathe intentionally, you are increasing blood flow to your brain. You're reducing the stress hormones that literally shrink our memory centers. And you are building the kind of body awareness that keeps us balanced and confident in our daily lives.

In Chair Yoga for Women 40+, I share 20-minute routines designed specifically for our bodies, our schedules, and our realities. Whether you are recovering from surgery, managing arthritis, using a mobility aid, or just prefer the stability of seated practice, you belong here. Your strongest, most vibrant self is just one chair away.

The Power of Words

Remember when we used to buy word-a-day calendars? There was something to that. Learning new vocabulary is not just about sounding smart at book club (though that is a nice bonus). It's one of the most effective ways to build cognitive reserve—that beautiful buffer our brains create against decline.

60 and Sensational is designed as a celebration tool, yes, but it is also a vocabulary builder disguised as joy. Each page invites you to explore new words, new concepts, and new ways of seeing yourself and your journey. It's journaling meets affirmation meets brain training, all wrapped up in a package that honors exactly who we are right now.

Writing Your Way to Clarity

Speaking of journaling, let's talk about isolation. I know February can be hard, especially if you are single or if loved ones have passed on. But isolation is not just lonely—it is one of the biggest risk factors for cognitive decline.

Writing creates connection, even when we are physically alone. When you journal, you are processing emotions, organizing thoughts, and creating new neural pathways. You're also leaving a record of your wisdom, your stories, your life.

The Black Woman's Journey to Peace and Self-Care offers prompts and practices specifically for us. Because our self-care journey includes things mainstream wellness culture often ignores: healing from racial trauma, honoring our ancestors, finding peace in a world that was not always designed for our rest.

The Science Behind the Soul Work

Here is what happens when we combine movement, learning, creative expression, and connection:

• Neuroplasticity kicks in. Our brains literally form new connections, no matter our age.

• Stress hormones decrease. Cortisol shrinks the hippocampus (your memory center), but gentle practices like chair yoga and journaling bring those levels down.

• Blood flow improves. Movement and mental stimulation increase circulation to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients where they are needed most.

• Social connection strengthens. Even solo practices like journaling can lead to deeper conversations and connections with others.

• Memory consolidation improves. When we reduce stress and engage in meaningful activities, we sleep better, and that is when our brains process and store memories.
  

Your February Practice

This month, I am inviting you to try something simple:

Week 1: Start a 5-minute daily journaling practice. Just you, your thoughts, and a page. No rules, no judgment.

Week 2: Add 10 minutes of chair yoga. One routine. Three times this week. Notice how you feel.

Week 3: Learn one new word each day. Write it down. Use it in a sentence. Share it with someone.

Week 4: Reach out. Call someone you have been meaning to connect with. Better yet, invite them to try these practices with you.

Let's Be Real

I am not promising these practices will make you never forget where you put your keys. (I still do that, and I have been doing yoga for years.) But I am telling you this: your brain is resilient, adaptive, and capable of growth at any age. The question is not whether you can support your cognitive health. The question is whether you are willing to give yourself that gift.

You've spent decades caring for everyone else. Your brain has earned some intentional, loving attention.

Ready to Start?

Explore the resources designed specifically for women like us:

Chair Yoga for Women 40+20-minute routines that meet you exactly where you arehttps://a.co/d/aO2Oxzr

60 and SensationalA celebration book that builds your vocabulary while honoring your journeyhttps://a.co/d/1hDKEBT

The Black Woman's Journey to Peace and Self-CarePrompts and practices for healing, rest, and authentic wellnesshttps://a.co/d/fSrIccW

Your most vibrant, clear-minded years aren't behind you. They're right here, waiting for you to claim them.

With love and intention,Venita

P.S. If you try any of these practices this month, I'd love to hear about it. Your story might be exactly what another woman needs to hear.