And end...and a beginning.

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 [email protected], or answer this week's question on Spotify. Thanks so much for spending your summer with The Midlife Muse!  

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. 

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 

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!

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, and don't forget to answer this week's question!

In this episode, Allison explores the mental health benefits associated with organization. She offers practical tips/considerations for ways to tackle home and office projects both big and small, hopefully inspiring her listeners to organize their way into a more peaceful, less frustrating existence. The meditation for this week is a departure from what many imagine when they think of "meditation"--this quick video by The Center for Koru Mindfulness demonstrates an energizing technique they call "Dynamic Breathing," but which many refer to as "chicken breathing": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZx7kXbJezg. Enjoy!

In this episode, Allison highlights the benefits of time in nature to our mental health, and suggests ways to incorporate more natural activities into listeners' day-to-day. Two books to consider for further reading include The Nature Fix by Florence Williams and Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. This week's guided meditation is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjHDNQp4RJ8, and forest sounds are compliments of: Music: https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Welcome to SUMMER CAMP with The Midlife Muse! In this short, slice-of-summer season Allison examines the joys of summer, how and why summer can be advantageous to our mental health, and ways to maximize the positive impact of summer activities on our health and wellbeing. In this episode, Allison highlights the benefits of "wasted" time and asks her viewers to "name their nothing"--in other words, to discover and make time for those activities that accomplish absolutely nothing other than the focusing of our attention on that which brings us peace and joy. This week's meditation link: https://student.korumindfulness.org/audio/10min-Walking-Guided-Meditation-bell-0819.mp3

In the final episode of Season One of The Midlife Muse, Allison introduces her upcoming series--Summer Camp--and reflects on the value of a good ol' fashioned thank you note. A gratitude practice turned outward, thank you notes come in all shapes and sizes; listen in to reveal your own, personal homework assignment. (Spoiler alert--if you put a stamp on it--and winds up in the hands of someone for whom you are grateful--you're guaranteed an A+!)

In this episode, Allison offers listeners practical suggestions for those wishing to respond in a meaningful way to the latest mass shooting in Uvalde, TX. Juxtaposing her own son's upcoming high school graduation with the unspeakable loss of 19 (20, if you count the gunman, which Allison does) young lives cut far too short, Allison expresses both anger and a path towards hope. For more ways to help, check out https://front.moveon.org/, https://www.ymca.org/, https://www.bbbs.org/, or simple search "helping youth in my community."