Welcoming the Light Back, March 2026

As we move toward the Spring Equinox, something subtle begins to shift. The light lingers a little longer in the evenings. The sun begins to feel warmer on our faces. After months of winter, nature gently reminds us that renewal is always possible.

At the same time, many of us are moving through a season that can feel emotionally heavy. The constant stream of news, polarizing information, and the pace of modern media can make the world feel loud, uncertain, and overwhelming.

At Optimal Healing, we often return to a grounding question:

What is within our control?

While we cannot control everything happening around us, we can influence the environments we create in our homes, our relationships, and our community. We can choose how we care for our nervous systems, how we speak to one another, and how we guide the next generation.

Spring invites us to refocus our energy on the places where our attention and care truly matter.

One of the most meaningful places that influence begins is in our conversations with our children.

Small Questions, Big Impact

It’s easy to think of questions as simple ways to gather information. But in a parent–child relationship, questions do much more than that. They build bridges into our children’s inner worlds.

When we ask questions like:

“What made you laugh today?”“What was the hardest part of your afternoon?”“What made you feel proud today?”

we are sending a powerful message:Your thoughts and feelings matter.

Research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education shows that back-and-forth conversations between adults and children strengthen brain pathways responsible for language, communication, and emotional understanding. What matters most is not how many words children hear, but the quality of the interaction and the genuine curiosity of the adult.¹

Over time, these simple conversations help children:

• recognize and name their emotions• build self-awareness• strengthen communication skills• develop emotional regulation

These are foundational skills that support raising emotionally stable and resilient children.

A Small Parenting Practice for This Month

This month, try shifting from quick check-ins to open-ended conversation starters.

Instead of:

“How was school?”“Did you finish your homework?”

Try:

• “What was the funniest thing that happened today?”• “What was the most challenging part of your day?”• “Did anything surprise you today?”• “What made you feel proud today?”

For younger children, imagination questions can spark wonderful conversations:

• “If you could create a new holiday, what would it celebrate?”• “If your stuffed animals could talk, what would they say about you?”

For older children and teens:

• “What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently?”• “What do you think adults misunderstand about kids your age?”• “What’s something your generation cares about that people should understand more?”

According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), open-ended conversations like these strengthen reasoning skills, creativity, and emotional development.²

And the most important part of the conversation isn’t the question.

It’s listening.

Sometimes the most powerful response is simply:

“Tell me more about that.”

A Few Gentle Reminders for Parents

Conversations with kids tend to flow best when we:

• ask one question at a time rather than rapid-fire• choose relaxed moments (car rides, walks, bedtime chats)• acknowledge emotions before problem-solving• share our own experiences as well

These small moments of connection build trust and emotional safety that lasts far beyond childhood.

Spring at Optimal Healing

Just like the season around us, Optimal Healing is entering a season of growth.

Welcoming New Mental Health Providers

We are excited to share that two new mental health clinicians are joining the Optimal Healing team:

Amanda Raymond, LMHC & Ellen Liebman, LCSW

Both providers bring valuable clinical experience and perspectives that will expand access to mental health support within our community. We will be sharing more about their areas of expertise and availability soon, so keep an eye out for updates as they begin integrating into the OH team.

Supporting mental health remains a central part of our mission to help individuals and families navigate all parts of their healing journey.

Movement & Yoga at OH

We are excited to continue expanding the offerings in the OH Yoga Studio.

Tor Hilchey will be joining the studio schedule beginning mid-month, offering Sunday Evening and Friday Morning class. Tor brings a thoughtful approach to functional movement that blends yoga, creative flow, and her love of dance into her teaching.

In addition, Danielle’s Tuesday morning class at 9 AM — Core to Calm has been a beautiful addition to the weekly schedule. This one-hour class offers a balanced combination of strengthening, stretching, and relaxation, making it a wonderful way to ground yourself at the start of the week.

Whether you're looking to move your body, reconnect with your breath, or create a consistent wellness routine, these classes offer welcoming entry points for all levels.

A Bittersweet Farewell

Transitions are always bittersweet. We recently wished Kat well as she continues exploring new opportunities and developing new skills that support her growth. We are grateful for the time she shared with our community and excited for the next chapter of her journey.

Spring Cleaning for the Body

With Kat’s transition, Borey is offering expanded massage availability during the week and on weekends.

After a long winter, many of us carry tension in our shoulders, backs, and hips. Deep tissue massage can help release fascia, improve circulation, and support nervous system regulation.

Think of it as a little spring cleaning for your body.

Spring Equinox Sound Bath & Tea Ceremony

March 19 | with Shannon Toye

Join us for a special Spring Equinox Sound Bath and Tea Ceremony celebrating renewal, balance, and new beginnings.

Together we will:

• calm and recalibrate the nervous system• reflect on the season behind us• plant seeds of intention for the months ahead

The equinox reminds us that growth does not happen through force. It happens through alignment, patience, and attention.

Seeds of What’s Ahead

This season also brings exciting new connections. We have been developing several downtown collaborations and community partnerships that we look forward to announcing later this month.

Just like in nature, growth begins with planting seeds.

And this spring, there are many seeds being planted at Optimal Healing.

A Closing Thought

Spring doesn’t arrive overnight.

The ground softens slowly.The light stretches a little further each day.Tiny shoots appear before the landscape fully changes.

Growth works the same way in our families, our communities, and within ourselves.

A small conversation with your child tonight.A deep breath in a difficult moment.A walk, stretch, or moment of stillness.

These small actions shape the future.

We are grateful to share this season of growth with you.

With appreciation,

Ashley and the Optimal Healing Team

Sources

1. Harvard Graduate School of Education – The Brain-Changing Power of Conversation (research on conversational turn-taking and child brain development).

2. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – Ideas to Spark Rich Conversations with Your Children.

3. Greater Good Science Center, University of California Berkeley – research on family conversations and emotional wellbeing.