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No one dives into wellness like The Global Wellness Institute. On June 23, I enjoyed their Wellness Master Class on Mid-Year trends and the future. Here are a few highlights from forecasters:

Beth McGroarty: VP, Research & Forecasting
Hollywood and the Entertainment industry have jumped into wellness in a colossal way. Look for APPS, music (to help you destress, focus, sleep, exercise, etc.), smart headphones, wearables, and mindscapes. Loads of biometric data are collected. Celebrities and star instructors have joined the bandwagon. Wellness will get delivered digitally and be immersive.

Elaine Glusac – New York Times Travel Writer
2021 is the year of the travel reset. People are traveling closer to home, uniting with family, and seeking sustainable travel supporting local businesses. Wellness Tourism is massive, with vaccinated travelers hearing the “call of nature.” Our journeys are more extended, slower, and more purposeful. All travel is wellness travel as everyone needs a break!”

Sandra Ballentine – W Magazine
Your breath matters! Expertly guided or applied breathwork can help with stress and anxiety, manage pain and emerging respiratory issues (long-haul Corvid). The trend continues to build with incorporation into apps, the celebrity influence (notice CALM), breath-tech wearables, etc.

Veronica Schreibeis – Vera Iconica Architecture and Developments
Because of Corvid, we slowed down, made space for other things, and opened our minds, hearts, and ears. We’ve moved from hunger for Mc-mansions or quantity to focus on quality. Sometimes, our interest is cleaning up our space, back yards, balconies, or rethinking home offices. Architects are designing our homes to reflect what we value. We’re reimagining our lives and space after what we’ve learned.

I’ve touched the surface and can’t do the more significant trends report justice. For more information and a recording of the event, please visit globalwellness.com. https://www.globalwellnesssummit.com/gws-2020/upcoming-wellness-master-class-mid-year-trends-update-where-the-future-of-wellness-is-heading/

I had one minute to be entertaining and relevant in a graduation tribute:

“Congratulations! I’m so impressed by your focus and dedication! As you look to the future, your next steps, I encourage you to be non-traditional in your career choices. You have so many choices and doors that are now open. I was once interested in a career in foreign service and journalism. Unfortunately, I lacked confidence and didn’t believe either was possible. I followed a traditional path in the financial services industry and have no regrets, but I encourage young people like you to be open and daring! Explore and ask questions about jobs and areas that interest you or go to graduate school. Whatever you choose, know that I will be part of your village of supporters. God bless you!”

Sometimes, the buddy system can lead us to some strange places.  I just read a June story in The Atlantic about Couvade Syndrome.  In this syndrome, men experience pregnancy symptoms along with their partners.  It’s also known as “pregnant dad syndrome.”  I found myself thinking about the larger question of how we influence and learn from one another.

But first, I remember a real-life case.  An adorable young couple at my health club always worked out together.  I’d see them on treadmills side-by-side, walking on the running track side-by-side, or lifting weights side-by-side.  They were chatting, sharing, and the epitome of a couple melded into happy oneness!  I also noticed as the young lady’s body changed with pregnancy, so did her partner’s body.

The above scenario seems extreme, but have you ever noticed how a friend changes with a new relationship? I watched a petite friend try to keep up with a new boyfriend who could never pass up a fast-food joint.  As they dated and fell in love, her weight climbed. He managed to maintain his bulky frame, but she found her weight gain quite challenging.

Have your friends, family, and co-workers influenced your personal choices? Think about how much and when you eat. Let’s look now beyond food and weight.  Consider your smoking habit, drinking, and even how you treat others. What about how you dress and use of make-up?  Let’s consider attitudes regarding money, school, and work.  Who influenced you?

Social beings rub off on one another.  Our many connections are fraught with opportunities.  So, are you a good influence on others?  And who do you credit for some of your worst impulses?

A friend reminded me of a timely quote from Oprah Winfrey: “You are responsible for your life.  You can’t keep blaming somebody else for your dysfunction.  Life is really about moving on.”  I agree, but it’s critical to ponder the roots and causes of influences in our lives.  The process is challenging, fascinating, and helps us grow.

Imagine living life so carefully that there are no signs you lived at all.

Raven Leilani, Author

The best thing about a good quote is taking it a little personally! I noticed this single statement recently in Inspiring Quotes (inspiringquotes.com).  As I contemplated writing about wellness, I realized I had to take a risk with a blog.  In my professional life, I know that when companies consider risk management, they actively think about identifying risks, mitigating losses, and planning.  This quote makes me think about my own beliefs about personal risk management.  I could play it safe and do nothing or dive into blogging, learn and grow in manageable steps.   I’m encouraged to live with greater purpose now and build a legacy reflecting on something important to me.  Thanks, Ms. Leilani!

Have you noticed how technically savvy local churches have become during the Pandemic? I love hearing my pastor greet members, friends, and guests on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other streaming media. My church seems so current, hip, and engaged to meet the times and the moment.

During a recent virtual service, I noticed the camera cut to empty seats in the church, so many empty seats. I found this a gut-wrenching moment and so unsettling. It seemed like a television moment in the Twilight Zone.

I deeply miss the hugs of my church family and hearing our choir in person. I miss our shared physical experience, but I also honestly enjoy the convenience of virtual services! I’m astonished that what used to take 4 to 5 hours (with breakfast, dress, commute, greetings, seating, and the service) now takes one efficient hour!

I’m thrilled to learn businesses and churches are opening. I look forward to attending church in-person and enjoying some virtual services too. I took advantage of the opportunity to visit other local churches and out-of-state churches this past year and loved the experience.

Hats off to many for meeting people where they are, being so comforting, flexible, and embracing technology. This disruption makes me appreciate divine leadership even more.

I was Pollyannish and hesitant to connect “wellness” to money, but the two have a complex, intertwined relationship in this country. Every time I hear about an anemic job report, I’m concerned about people and lives impacted! I also attended a Financial Wellness program for employees that gave me a more nuanced perspective.

A key component of financial wellness and security is our work. Your benefits might include medical coverage, dental, disability, life, and accident insurance. They may feature employer contributions to a 401K, profit-sharing plans, educational assistance, paid leave, and salaries. You build assets and wealth.

Our jobs impact our wealth and security. Let’s be honest, your job, the loss of one, and certainly one that pays considerably less, can potentially affect all dimensions.

Financial wellness is not only about assets and liabilities, but about attitudes and hang-ups, we have about money. It’s about having conversations about a taboo subject!

The pandemic alone forced many to see inequalities like never before (in the economy, healthcare, benefits, and the workplace). Difficult and honest conversations are taking place now. For instance, something is wrong when an “essential” employee doesn’t have health insurance, paid sick leave, and other benefits many of us enjoy.

I was listening to a report on National Public Radio (NPR) about returning to work. Many are grappling with how to manage the transition. This story focused on multiple issues like office etiquette, socializing in and outside of work, and lingering concerns about Corvid.

I was struck by many questions on how to greet one another, physical contact (is hugging ok?), and even how to talk and share space with people after a year. Listeners inquired about how to navigate concerns about the vaccine status of co-workers. When and how to properly manage social gatherings perplexed some. Tip: Don’t start with large groups! Work your way up from small to large.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the introvert who dreaded his return. He was just fine at home alone; it’s going to work and all the small talk he dreads! And then, some folks reprioritized work-life balance, family, children, personal goals, etc. – and now back to work.

After a long work history, I welcome a combination of office and WFH flexibility. I’ve had my share of Midwest blizzards, bone-chilling deep freezes, crowded subway trains, and otherwise insufferable commutes. Office perks don’t excite me as they did in my early career. I must confess, I find a more flexible schedule, time for hobbies, and independence exciting at this stage of my life!

My commitment to work and the corporate mission was always there. I work well with teams and business partners. My colleagues had their growth and discovery this past year. Sad it took a pandemic for so many employers to trust employees to work from home, but the lessons learned have been immense.

You build your mind, so make it into something you want to live with.

Marilynne Robin, Inspiring Quotes, May 12, 2021

This quote goes beyond someone simply advocating a lot of positive and happy talk for the mind.   We allow people and experiences to be a part of our lives and take up residency in our heads!  In my own life, I’ve found many have been blessings.  And to be honest, a few people and experiences weren’t worth the trouble!  Over time, I’ve learned to know the difference and become more discriminating. I think about how I want to live and who and what I welcome into my life.  How about you?

My neighborhood has gone to the dogs!  Since the start of the pandemic, we’ve had a dramatic increase in furry critters.  Many people have adopted pets and emptied local shelters in search of companionship.

On warm days, our street comes alive with WFH walkers and dogs. You can witness lots of sniffing and posturing as neighbors walk restless little dogs, and larger breeds walk their owners!  The dogs are anxious to connect with other dogs and neighbors have a chance to chat at a safe distance.  It’s funny how animals make neighbors stop and talk to one another.  I like dogs, but refuse to jump on the bandwagon with a pandemic adoption!

Oddly enough, I’ve been taken by a neighborhood cat!  I became a fan after seeing him chase away a menacing, lawn chair-chewing squirrel on the patio.  One day, I looked out the window and saw this cat pounce with attitude and a sense of territoriality.  Suddenly, I had a hero,  and I don’t even like cats!  He shows up regularly seemingly on patrol and some days just to hang out.  I have to admit, I’ve come to enjoy “Tommy” and look forward to seeing him.  He’s a real charmer and a wonderful distraction from the daily grind of work! He makes me think differently now about cats.

I hope my street continues to rain cats and dogs!   We do need each other. I also enjoy my patio again!