Cultivate connection.

Water-full.

In the final episode of Summer Camp, Allison looks at the healing power of water. Water is--both literally and symbolically--essential to our mental health, and there's still time to realize its many benefits before the weather turns cooler. The Midlife Muse is looking for suggestions for future seasons/episodes/formats; please send your suggestions to midlifemusepodcast@gmail.com, or answer this week's question on Spotify. Thanks so much for spending your summer with The Midlife Muse!

Cultivate connection.

In this episode, Allison looks at the value--the necessity, really--of human connection to our mental health. Interrupted in so many ways by the pandemic, our connections with loved ones are too often treated as something "extra," when in reality they're essential to our sense of belonging and wellbeing. Whom can you reach out to this week to strengthen a weakened or broken connection... and thereby your mental health? This week's meditation is a loving kindness meditation; one version can be found here: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/10min-LovingKindness-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3.

Not all who wander are lost.

In this episode, Allison uses a favorite summertime ritual--travel--to explore the mental health benefits associate with novel experiences. Learn how travel--near or far, brief or extended--can boost both your mood and brain health, and use this week's guided imagery meditation to discovery the joys of a free, on-demand vacation whenever your mind or spirit are in need of a lift: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/10min-GuidedImagery-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3

Sweet Summer Dreams.

In this episode, Allison looks at the role sleep plays in maintaining balance and a sense of mental wellness, and encourages listeners to prioritize and embrace sleep--even naps!--as a critical aspect of self-care. This week's meditation can be found here: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/5min-Belly-Breathing-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3. And don't forget to answer this week's question about your favorite place to take a nap!

A helping of happy.

We all know the ways in which food impacts our physical health, but in this episode Allison take a look at our diet's influence over our mood. Using antioxident-rich, anti-inflammatory summer staples such as berries and leafy greens, listeners are challenged to practice "gut self-care" and to integrate mindfulness into their everyday eating habits. This week's meditation can be found here [https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/5min-Eating-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3], and don't forget to answer this week's question!