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Hello ,
There is an old saying from where I grew up in Iowa: "Knee high by the Fourth of July." It was how everyone measured the progress of the corn each summer. It also meant one thing for many of us teenagers...corn detasseling season was about to begin.
Detasseling was hot, muddy, repetitive work, and without question one of the hardest summer jobs I've ever had. At the time, though, it felt worth it. There was something satisfying about long days spent outside, working alongside friends, earning a paycheck, even the grueling physical work and watching the season unfold one row at a time.
Now, many years later, summer looks different. Here in Durango, I'm noticing the hummingbirds darting through the yard, the hot afternoons, the cool evenings, and the slower rhythm that seems to invite us outdoors a little longer. The smoke has been a reminder that we are in fragile times and to take extra care and gratitude for our clear days and to be stewards of our precious land.
Summer has a way of reminding us that growth doesn't happen all at once. Whether it's corn in an Iowa field, a garden at home, or our own health, the changes we hope for are usually the result of small, consistent actions over time.
As we move through the heart of summer, I hope you're finding moments to notice what's growing in your own life. Maybe it's a new habit, a little more energy, a stronger boundary, or simply a few quiet moments outside at the end of the day. Those small things matter, and they often become the harvest we enjoy later.
Take some time to reflect this week and get out and enjoy some summer fun time! An evening walk, dip in the river or a concert in the park.
With EASE,
~ Lynn 🌈 |
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Weekly MEMBER ONLY WEEKLY emails are a place to get ISH Member updates, most current happenings, a place to connect and tap in weekly to your health intentions. |
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Group Visit CANCELLED July 14
July 14th Group Visit Guest Speaker
Due to scheduling changes we are postponing our
Guest Gretchen Harteis, MSPT |
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Would you prefer NOT to receive notifications for Group Visit?
Opt-out of Group Visit Google meeting invites (email)
and/or Group Visit reminder texts HERE
Of course you are always welcome to attend and we hope you do!
The schedule can be found on ISH website or weekly member email.
You can opt back in at any time.
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MEMBER CORNER |
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Do you have something to share with your fellow ISH Members?
Add it HERE and we will share with members in our weekly member email. |
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Stress & Resilience |
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Stress gets a bad reputation and honestly, it deserves some of it.
But here's what is important to understand: stress itself isn't your enemy. Cortisol, the hormone your body releases in response to stress is actually essential. It helps you wake up in the morning, respond to challenges, and stay sharp when it counts.
The problem is what happens when cortisol never gets a chance to come down.
When cortisol stays elevated, from poor sleep, skipped meals, back-to-back obligations, or simply never pausing, it quietly works against you. It disrupts your blood sugar, increases inflammation, interferes with your sleep, and makes it harder for your body to heal.
And most of us don't even realize it's happening.
That's where awareness becomes your most powerful tool. |
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Your Cortisol Audit |
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This 7-day Cortisol Sabotage Audit helps you start noticing the patterns that may be quietly elevating your stress response — things like when you eat, how you start your mornings, screen time at night, and how you're managing your energy throughout the day. |
| Download Your 7-Day Cortisol Sabotage Audit |
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Then Try This: 90 Seconds to Reset |
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One of the fastest and most evidence-based ways to lower cortisol in real time? Your breath.
Specific breathing patterns activate your parasympathetic nervous system — the "rest and digest" branch — and signal to your body that the threat has passed. Just 90 seconds of intentional breathing, done a few times throughout your day, can meaningfully shift your stress response.
Pick one that feels accessible and experiment with it this week. |
| Download Your Breathing Prescriptions |
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This week's invitation:
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✔ Complete at least 3–4 days of your cortisol audit
✔ Try one breathing exercise, even once a day is a start
✔ Notice, without judgment, what you find
We'll keep building from here. Small awareness, repeated consistently, is how change actually happens.
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