I have also cracked open a half-dozen books and followed up on plans to check out some of Beverly’s community wellness offerings. Here are my top recommendations for exploring friendship, wellness and connection.

In Wellness…

10% Happier – Dan Harris writes about his experience with anxiety and panic attacks and how meditation helped him through professional and personal travails.

A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield – I re-read this book, recalling how helpful it was to me in developing a meditation practice after my mother passed and I was flailing. ICYMI: See What’s There to Worry About.

Cold Joy by Libby Delana – My friend, Jen, loaned me this book when I expressed an interest in hydrotherapy for wellness and training for a February ALS polar plunge. More later.

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In Friendship…

My Friends by Fredrik Backman – Childhood friends grow close, grow up and never really grow apart. Makes one think about the ties that bind. This may be one of my favorite books.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans – A story told entirely through letters, sent and unsent, by an acerbic, crusty, wise, scarred and fascinating woman. Letter writing like this may already be a lost art. I have enjoyed raising my email game by becoming more attentive and communicative via e-correspondence while eyeing a box of stationery I received from a new friend, Rich, who will get a shout-out and a thank you note.

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In Connection…

The Beverly (MA) Public Library hosts Community Zen Meditation every Friday at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. It is a great way to start the weekend with a warm, welcoming practice, led by Joan Amaral. Everyday Wellbeing (Amherst) offers a January jumpstart of daily meditation led by Linda Castronovo.

The aforementioned Jen is Jen Freedson, founder of Sol Tide Community Sauna House where you can go for sauna, cold plunge, hot tub – in silence or social as you prefer.

Take a breath. Interested in breathwork as a way to ease your mind and train your body. I enjoyed a group workshop at Earthly Bodies offered by practitioner, Stephanie Read, combining breathing exercises, guided meditation and light-touch reiki.

And also, don’t forget the gym.

What are your resolutions, or have you ditched them already? Better yet, what have you been doing or reading that’s getting you grounded? Let me know in the comments!

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