Desert Health News September-October 2024

www.headlight.health www.DesertHealthNews.com September/October 2024 Desert Health ® The Valley ' s Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 2 Lauren Del Sarto Founder/Publisher Lauren Del Sarto FOUNDER/PUBLISHER Photo by Lani Garfield An Independent Publication www.DesertHealthNews.com lauren@deserthealthnews.com • (760) 238.0245 @DesertHealthNews Distribution: Desert Health is distributed at 350+ locations throughout the Coachella Valley, including but not limited to, grocery stores, doctors’ offices, cafes and restaurants, spas, fitness centers and clubhouses. Please call for delivery to your retail location. Desert Health ® is a California Corporation. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form, in whole or in part, without the written consent of the Publisher is prohibited. The opinions and views expressed in these pages are those of the writer or persons interviewed and not necessarily those of Desert Health ® . Desert Health ® hereby expressly limits its liability resulting from any and all misprints, errors and/or inaccuracies any advertisement or editorial may contain. This publication is printed on paper sourced from sustainable forests and farms. Thank you to the Desert Health ® team and all our marketing partners! Home delivery subscriptions available. Call (760) 238.0245 Free delivery to your place of business. MADE POSSIBLE BY OUR ADVERTISERS. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THEIR BUSINESSES! Trish Lounsbury DISTRIBUTION Benjamin Katz Creative WEB MASTER benjaminkatzcreative.com Doris Steadman A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING Carlotta Rinke, MD, MBA LEAD EDITOR James Thomas DISTRIBUTION Heather McKay GRAPHIC DESIGN mkaydesign.com Lauren with her WLF pack (p. 23). Friends with Benefits This time of year always reminds me of returning to school. Though it’s been years since I backedmy bags and left home for a college campus, the slight rise in temperature continues to invigorate excitement for change, renewal and seeing old friends. It’s the “fall feeling” I look forward to each and every season. When I consider what sparked the most excitement back then, it was definitely seeing my friends after months of being apart, many who I still call friends today. Young adult friendships always hold a special place in your heart, but all friendships come with benefits as quality relationships may be a key to healthy longevity. This is according to the 80-year Harvard Happiness Study referenced by several articles in this edition (p.3 & p.5). The topic arises in response to the loneliness crisis which is becoming more prevalent in both young and aging populations today. It is one of the key elements of the Blue Zone Project’s Power 9 ® : a Positive Pack. While much of the focus on longevity in blue zone regions is nutrition, an even more important part is the sense of purpose and belonging that members of those communities embrace and incorporate into their daily lives. We will experience the deeper meaning as the local Blue Zones Project unfolds, but for a sneak peak, watch the docuseries or read the book. Today, one of the things I cherish most about our valley is the strong friendships I’ve developed through neighborhood, networking (p.23), socializing and sport (p.14). I also cherish the self-care practices, like meditation and yoga, I have adopted since moving here. With this edition, I learned even more about the principles of yoga off the mat (p.9) and the renewal and reflection the change of season inspires (p.12). We live in a very special place filled with very special people. With summer behind us, it’s time to gather once again and we look forward to seeing you out and about. To old friends and new ~