Feed Your Happiness. Seems like we’re seeing those words everywhere nowadays, from coffee cups to kitchen towels. There was a time when we would have been inclined to interpret them in the broadest, breeziest sense: Find a career that feeds your soul, not just a job that pays the bills. Travel the world, explore new places—happiness is on the horizon. But right now—with the earth heating up, the economy cooling down and the political climate unsustainable—“feed your happiness” is a basic recipe for self-care. And since traveling the world (and probably finding a new career) isn’t a viable option for any of us at the moment, the best thing we can do is find happiness where we are. If we can stay positive, we can power through 2020 like champs.

This issue of Natural Awakenings is designed to help you do that. There are so many things to be grateful for, but if you’re like us, sometimes you forget to open your eyes and really see them. When you do, you’ll find them everywhere you turn.

In that spirit, turn to page 18 and read our article “Happiness Helpers,” which suggests five simple ways to be more positive. And when we say simple, we mean it. These are manageable goals. “Compliment at least one person every day”? We can do that! We also love the last suggestion, a cool little brain-training technique. But we won’t spoil it for you here—go read it yourself, and get in the happiness groove. 

“Emotional Well-Being in the Pandemic Age,” on page 26, builds on that theme, especially the concept of showing compassion for others at a time when everyone’s struggling. We are all in this crisis together, and even the simplest gesture of thoughtfulness can have an exponential effect on someone else's life. Try it yourself. Out of the blue, treat someone else to a meal, a flower or just a kind word. They’ll feel happier, and so will you.

With the forced slowdown of the past few months, people are taking up new hobbies as a form of self-care. A particularly therapeutic one is writing, which allows us to process traumatic experiences and reframe them so we can move on. If you’ve been thinking about trying your hand at this highly personal art form, we have your inspiration. Read “The Healing Power of Writing Our Stories,” on page 38.

We’re lucky that our local Natural Awakenings community includes talented writers such as licensed dietitian/nutritionist Ramona Shires, who offers a just-the-facts approach to Covid-19 (page 22); and acupuncture physician Pamela Purser, who explains the outsized role of the tiny pineal gland, and how to keep it healthy (page 24). Also, don’t miss our feature article on Pensacola organic hairstylist Camy Gibson, who’s always finding new ways to enhance beauty safely and naturally (see page 20). 

We hope this issue of Natural Awakenings helps you feed your happiness—especially the unique happiness that comes from lifting others up. If we all do that, we’ll create a brighter future together. 

Don’t worry, be happy,

Scott & Daralyn