“I feel like we’re leaving a dream,” Mays (11) said last month as we came out of the woods in North Carolina. We had just journeyed up Mount Mitchell and back and it was a hike we’ll never forget.

Leaving the panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Parkway, we followed the Old Mitchell Trail into a shady and fragrant, spruce-fir forest. The canopy of trees was majestic and the lush understory was full of moss and fern-covered rocks. The trail itself was challenging, alternating between rough, rocky terrain and densely covered paths of exposed tree roots. It rained on us early in the hike, and fog filled the forest as we neared the top.

We made it to the summit, which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River, but the overlook was cloud-covered. I didn’t mind because I was more interested in returning to the trail for our journey back down. Thatch (6) and I usually fall behind Josh and Mays when we hike, but that afternoon I was the lone caboose. I was in no hurry because I was awe-struck by the unique beauty of the forest; I didn’t want the trail to end.

In this month’s article “How Awe Can Transform Our Lives” we learn that these “wow” moments have many health benefits, from improved mental health and increased compassion to stronger immune systems. These findings do not surprise me considering how peaceful and mesmerized we all felt in that seemingly magical forest. It provided a mental reset and a shift in perspective. Fortunately, we don’t have to escape to the Appalachian Mountains to experience awe—as the article explains, we can find these moments in our everyday lives if we learn to look.

With an emphasis on slowing down our steps, our article “Mindful Walking” gives me more reason to finish last 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 mental and physical health. A warm bath can also serve as a rejuvenating practice. In Marlaina Donato’s article “Healing Waters”, we learn that hydrotherapy is soothing for a burnt-out nervous system as well as therapeutic for our physical body.

I wrote in my April letter, “Life as we know it has been turned upside down and the uncertainty of what lies ahead can feel daunting.” I never imagined that five months later I would be having the same thoughts. The cumulative effects 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. I 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.

Peace,

Meredith Montgomery, Publisher