Hi, Welcome to the Well Nook newsletter; a thoughtfully curated round-up of wellbeing recommendations and inspiration to help us cultivate comfort, health, and happiness. Check in with yourself and explore topics and activities that resonate with you and support your wellbeing. As always, please consult with your healthcare provider prior to making any lifestyle changes. Thank you for being here!
In honor of the newsletter’s upcoming 1st birthday, the June wellbeing calendar is posted in our community chat. I hope you’ll join in on the daily activities that speak to you. ✨
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Summer
Summer officially starts this Thursday, June 20th. I’m kicking it off with a 4-day weekend hiking trip in Yosemite National Park. I’m particularly excited about the change of season. I feel like it’s a good time to reflect on how things are going. If you want ideas on how to make the most of this summer, I’ve compiled some here.
Create a Summer Bucket List Most activities on my list are low-key (e.g., close to home, budget-friendly). It simplifies things to have a list lying around for weekends when I don’t have anything planned and don’t feel like researching what to do. Sometimes trying to figure out what to do takes more time and energy than doing something. To create your list, start with a blank page and write down every activity you enjoy doing in your free time. Add everything that comes to mind. From there, do a little research.
Check your vacation days. If you want to use them, plan ahead and make a note of the dates on your list. According to the Pew Research Center, 46% of U.S. workers who receive paid time off from their employer take less time than they are offered.
Here are a few activities on my summer bucket list:
Local Live Music My city and several nearby towns provide free concerts in local parks. It’s a great way to meet neighbors and listen to new bands. If you’re interested, check out the websites of local cities to see if there is music near you. Jot down dates and invite friends to join.
Attend Concerts Two of my favorite bands are getting together for a concert in my county in July!
Picnic Picnics are the perfect activity because you can throw one together last minute and enjoy it solo or with company. Eat, relax, hammock, read, meditate, journal, etc. Picnicking options are nearly endless. Don’t forget to do a little research in advance to ensure the spot you pick will meet your expectations. For example, need shade? A water source to refill your water bottle? A restroom? A pretty view? Space to play lawn games? Make a list of nearby parks that meet different needs.
Art I’m currently torn between two mediums— cartoon sketching or painting.
Book Challenge I almost always exclusively read non-fiction. However, this month I’ve started throwing romance into the mix. I’m really enjoying it. My goal is to read 10 romance books this summer. In addition to recommendations from friends, I enjoy looking at book lists to help me find recommendations. Want reading inspiration? Look at curated lists on sites like Bookshop.org. Have book suggestions? Please leave a comment.
Learn New-to-me Board Games I love a good board game. My local library has rental board games. It’s a great way to see if you like a game prior to purchasing it. My current rental is Otrio, which is a more intense, fun version of tic-tac-toe.
Create a Summer Playlist Curate a summer playlist with feel-good songs. I like to add old and new favorites. Not into playlists? Choose a summer song that represents your summer vibe.
Summer Fun on a Budget NPR Life Kit has good recommendations for free and low-cost ways to have fun this summer.
SPF Advice Vox has a great article sharing things we need to know about sunscreen.
Best Summer Fabric to Wear I love linen because of the way it looks and it’s a sustainable fabric. The Washington Post has an interesting article on the science behind why linen keeps us cool.
I’m taking recommendations for all things summer. Do you have a favorite summer ritual, activity, book, meal, playlist, etc.? Email it to me. I’ll compile a list to share with the Well Nook community in a future edition of the newsletter.
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Friendship
This month I’ve been making more of an effort to connect with friends. Friendships play a vital role in our lives, contributing significantly to our wellbeing and overall happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed “The science of why friendships keep us healthy” by the American Psychological Association.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of reasons why nurturing our friendships is good for us and our friends:
Emotional Support Friends provide a crucial support system during times of stress, grief, or difficult life transitions. They can offer empathy, understanding, and a listening ear, which can help us navigate emotional challenges.
Improved Mental Health Engaging in meaningful social interactions can reduce feelings of loneliness and depression. Friends can boost our mood, offer different perspectives, and encourage us to seek help when needed.
Physical Health Benefits Strong social connections have been linked to various physical health benefits, including a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
Personal Growth and Development Friendships expose us to diverse viewpoints and experiences, which can foster our personal growth and broaden our horizons. Friends can challenge our beliefs, inspire new interests, and motivate us to pursue our goals.
Increased Happiness and Life Satisfaction Sharing experiences, joys, and even sorrows with friends enhances our overall happiness and sense of fulfillment. Friends contribute to our sense of belonging and purpose.
Need some inspiration to start connecting with friends? Last week The New York Times hosted a five-day friendship challenge (gifted article). Every day I found something inspirational. Prior to partaking in the challenge, I was reconnecting with friends through calls, FaceTime, and Zoom, but this challenge gave me ideas for more creative ways to connect. I particularly like the idea of repotting a friendship and connecting through sharing old photos.
Grace
I recently was talking to someone about grace and how we can show ourselves grace. Giving yourself grace is personal and will look differently to everyone. Here’s a summary of how I try to show myself grace.
Acknowledge Your Efforts Recognize and appreciate the hard work you put into various aspects of your life.
Forgive Yourself for Mistakes Understand that everyone makes mistakes. Instead of dwelling on them, learn from them and move forward without harsh self-criticism.
Take Breaks When Needed Listen to your body and mind. Take time to rest and recharge without feeling guilty.
Celebrate Small Wins Acknowledge and celebrate even the smallest accomplishments. This reinforces positive self-recognition and motivation.
Practice Positive Self-Talk Replace negative thoughts with encouraging and affirming statements. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend.
Allow Yourself to Feel Emotions Permit yourself to fully experience and express your emotions without judgment.
Prioritize Self-Care Engage in activities that nurture your physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. This can include exercise, hobbies, meditation, or spending time in nature.
Seek Support When Needed Reach out to friends, family, or professionals for support and advice. You don't have to handle everything on your own.
Reflect on Progress Focus on how far you've come rather than on how far you still have to go. Celebrate your journey and growth over time.
Today’s Activity on the Monthly Wellbeing Calendar 📣 Did you hear the news? In honor of the Well Nook newsletter’s 1st birthday this month, the June Wellbeing Calendar has been posted for all subscribers to see in Well Nook’s first chat. Check out the chat to view the calendar and connect with the community.
A Question Ask yourself, how do my friendships contribute to my wellbeing? Consider how your friends have impacted you. Reflect on specific moments when friends have brought you joy, offered you support during challenging times, and introduced you to new viewpoints.
Weekly Wellbeing Suggestion- Week of June 24th Improve your wellbeing by engaging with friends each day this week. Check out the five-day friendship challenge for creative ways to connect with friends. I invite you to connect with the Well Nook community and share how you’re connecting with friends in the comments section. You may inspire someone!
A Quote
A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow. -Unknown
The June Music Playlist Here’s a playlist to complement your wellbeing practices.
A Sustainability Tip Recently a friend was going to a landfill and invited me to go. Unfortunately, I was unable to go. However, they told me about their visit, which was eye opening. According to the EPA’s most recent data (2018), Americans generate 4.9 pounds of trash per person each day, which collectively amounts to 292.4 million tons per year. Check out this trash infographic for more information and to learn how you can make a difference.
Something Extra Speaking of summer, the weather is heating up. Stay safe and learn 8 mistakes to avoid if you're going out in the heat from NPR.
A Recipe Throughout the summer, I’m going to share recipes I’m trying and loving in this new newsletter section. I hope you enjoy! I recently made mushroom smash burgers (The New York Times Cooking) (gift recipe) for my neighbors and myself. I served them with baked sweet potato fries and steamed broccoli. The meal was a hit.
Thank you so much for reading Well Nook. We love having you here. Have a great week!
With gratitude,
Whitney
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