Ah, our first days of spring!  We are definitely ready for it here in the Pacific Northwest!  As professional women 45 and over, I sense we are also very ready to experience an internal spring and reduce the heightened stress many are feeling.   Tending to our Pleasure Quotient is one way to do it!

Today you can increase your pleasure quotient and simultaneously decrease the impact of both internal and external stress.   Christiane Northrup, M.D., who educated many of us about our bodies in “Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom” teaches us all about the power of pleasure in “The Secret Pleasures of Menopause.”

Have you ever noticed the euphoria of “new love?”  Having experienced new love fairly recently it comes to mind easily.  What joy!  I definitely felt ten years younger.  On a biological level what I learned from Chris is that the pleasure that I experienced in that relationship actually resulted in physical changes in my body.  My blood vessels emitted gases which, in turn, turned up the chemicals in my body that are a form of endorphins decreasing physical pain and enhancing my mood considerably.  
 
Now as pleasant as having a “new love” might be, that might not be an immediate or lasting solution for bringing on your personal spring.  Fortunately there are myriads of ways for you to enhance your renewal and pleasure.  Here are a few:

• Start preparing your spring beds or pots.
• Plan a spring/Easter/Passover celebration and invite those to join you who consistently bring you pleasure.
• Add a refreshing touch to your wardrobe.  Doing so can be as simple as buying a new scarf or piece of jewelry.
• Do some spring cleaning!  The results will not only be less clutter but a refreshed outlook and new energy! 

Most importantly, notice you are always at choice when it comes to deciding what pleases you!  When you decide to enhance your well-being consistently with small pleasures, you strengthen your CORE.