Take a deep breath. Inhale. Exhale. Feel a sense of calm wash over you.

We all need a few moments now and then to remember to cool down, calm down and focus on what we can control in our busy lives. This month’s focus, mental health, has been at the forefront of health concerns the last few years.

It’s no wonder why we are all feeling so much more stress, anxiety, depression, hopelessness… The list goes on and on. There is much to do, not enough time, our climate is in trouble, our fellow humans across the world are in trouble—and what are we to do?

In our feature article, “Staying Serene in Turbulent Times” (page 14), learn how we can turn some of our anxious feelings into positive action to make a real impact. Every one of us can play a part in making the world just a little bit better, and together, we can all exhale some of the worries we hold alone.

Then, we talk about how finding any form of spirituality that resonates with you can be beneficial to your mental health, on page 20. One of the major wellness tools that is talked about time and again is the act of gratitude. Simply taking time to note the good things, the lights in the dark, can give us a serious boost to overcoming anxiety, stress and more.

In a personal account on page 22, hear about some first-hand experiences of people who focused on being grateful, even in the darkest times. Some perspective goes a long way, and it reminds us to look toward the positives to overcome the negatives. Not just on Thanksgiving, but also every other day, train yourself to look at the things in your life for which you can be grateful.

Gratefully,

Erica