Welcome to Unconditionally Her and to September, saying goodbye to summer over the next 30 days.  How has your summer been? And are you ready for a change of seasons? We are!  As the seasons begin to change, so do we.  Unconditionally Her has some exciting changes in store for our readers including several new contributors, a new partnership, and a new series that will inspire health and wellness in the many dimensions of health and well-being.

 

In addition to our usual recipes, sips, and inspiration, we’ll hear about our founder’s trip to Alaska (YAAAH, Karen!), hear from reader- favorite contributor Cindy Small with a great personal interest feature that fits perfectly with Labor Day, and share some exciting news on a new rebrand and HUGE new partnership with CO-XST (formerly The UNTOLD Project). September will introduce you to several new contributors who cannot wait to share their thoughts, wisdom, and experiences through a spectacular line up of feature stories and cooking segments you will not want to miss all year long.  I am also excited to begin a series, written by yours truly, that will challenge everyone to better health and well-being in ALL areas of life.  While I have been in a health-related field for decades, I am a life-long learner and while almost finishing my Ph.D. in health, have simultaneously embarked on a new journey to formally study health coaching through a program at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville.  Health coaching is not a fad or trend, rather it is an evidence-based approach using proven, effective practices and techniques to help people create long- lasting and sustainable behavior change in the dimensions of health and life that are important to them. It is so much more than diet and exercise, though those may be focus areas, too. I can’t wait to share more in this series as an opportunity for each of our readers to consider if it may be time for a “change of season” for their own health and wellness!

 

In addition to September being the beginning of the change of seasons, it brings opportunities to recognize an issue that impacts so many – substance use and mental health disorders.   National Recovery Month “is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, the nation’s strong and proud recovery community, and the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery in all its forms possible,” according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA). This observance first began in 1989 and acknowledges and celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery.  We’ll share resources and information about mental health and substance use disorders this month, including changes to The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline which is now the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.  This is such an important area for so many and it deserves attention. There is often a lot of stigma surrounding mental health and substance use. What is stigma anyways?  Essentially, it is negative attitudes others have about mental health or substance use and those who are impacted by either.   Talking about it and educating ourselves and others is one way to reduce stigma, so look for our feature article on this important topic.   Let’s celebrate those in recovery and continue to educate ourselves and others to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and substance use disorders.

 

We’re baaaaaaaacck…so Unconditionally Her as we embark upon the journey of September and the 30-day goodbye to summer. We are so glad you are here!

 

Be Encouraged, Be Empowered, Be Inspired – Be Unconditionally YOU!