It’s never been more important to feel good, because there are clear indications that we need to rethink what comprises a quality life and how to live it. Our August issue is chock-full of great ideas for practicing quality self-care, reducing stress and supporting yourself along your path toward feeling good.

        A warm bath can also serve as a rejuvenating practice. In Marlaina Donato’s “Healing Waters,” we learn that hydrotherapy is soothing for a burnt-out nervous system, as well as therapeutic for our whole body. A really warm bath is the simplest way that I have found to connect to my own body. Floating even for five minutes gives me time to feel deeply and listen to what it is communicating. With my muscles warmed to the bone, it feels really good to stretch out.

         With an emphasis on slowing down our steps, “Mindful Walking,” in our Fit Body department, gives us more reasons to find new trails for hiking on our next family adventure. Taking it one step at a time not only provides a more nuanced view of the world around us, it fosters physical and mental health, which needs it during stressful lockdowns and quarantines.

         Once we hit the dog days of summer, it’s all about time on the water for us—a cool-as-can-be dip in the fresh water, canoe trips around the lake and fishing at dusk are some of our favorite ways to take a break from the heat and enjoy nature.

         As always, we urge you to please make your best effort to step outside each day, observe the season’s natural progression, look for monarchs and other butterflies, silently observe a tree in the breeze, dance in the rain if you’d like and savor the late summer.

         The physical benefits of spending time in nature are well documented. Nature-based interventions may serve as an effective aid to reduce stress hormones like cortisol, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes and positively impact the immune system.

         The cumulative effect of living an ever-changing “new normal” are likely weighing us all down, and it’s more important than ever to make time for self-care. Use this month’s Natural Awakenings as inspiration to do just that. We encourage you to try to move a little more leisurely through life over the coming weeks. Deepen your breath, slow down your steps and keep your eyes open for awe-inspiring moments—they really are all around us.

Let the sun shine in… be healthy, be well!

- John and Trina

In last months' letter, we mentioned that Imagine was written by John Lennon—but Imagine was in fact co-written by Yoko Ono. The very concept of the song is directly based on her "imagine" series of micro-performances she penned years earlier in her book, Grapefruit. We regret the error.

Please call before attending any event featured in this month’s issue, as many have been cancelled. Visit HealthyLivingMichigan.com for updates and to access our extensive archive, which includes articles about building your immune system, meditation, healthy recipes and more.