Cover artist and co-publisher Martin Gage graduated BFA University of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1970. He paints in various media including watercolor, acrylic and oil.
To see more of Martin’s work or to commission a painting: info@martingageart.com Instagram: @martingageart www.martingageart.com
LOCAL WAYS TO RELAX
Participating in stress management activities with groups can have positive effects on your emotional, physical, and mental health. Trying different ways to incorporate some of these fun activities into your routine can give you a great start towards better managing your stress levels!
Join a Local Book Club: Reading can be a healthy outlet to relax and help reduce the stresses of daily life. Diving into a good book creates an escape from everyday life and provides a healthy distraction from your stressors. It also stimulates your brain, lowers your heart rate, and eases muscle tension. Join a book club, or start one up, to add a social component to the stress busting activity of reading for even more enjoyment!
Meditation Exercises at Home or a Yoga Studio: Meditation comes in many forms and doesn’t have to be as intimidating as it sounds. Deep breathing exercises are simple and don’t require any props or preparation such as music or candles (unless you prefer to add them in!). All you need is a quiet space and three to five minutes to concentrate on clearing your mind. Mindfulness practice techniques are a great way to connect with yourself in the present moment. These meditation techniques offer a variety of ways to ease into the practice of meditation and relaxation by incorporating mindfulness into your everyday routine.
Create a Vision Board: Focusing on how you WANT to feel can be an excellent way to lessen stress and anxiety. Vision boards are considered a form of journaling. They are visuals of your own personal goals and what life will look like when you achieve them. These boards are filled with inspirational quotes, positive affirmations, photos and cut-outs of things that reflect the picture of your success and anything else encouraging. Grab a friend, family member or group of coworkers and enjoy a creative, stress relieving activity while dreaming about the future!
Volunteer Locally: Giving back to others through volunteer work ignites a sense of purpose and humbleness. The simple act of helping others is also a great way to reframe your perspective on life stressors. Join a group or recruit your family members and friends to support a local cause or participate in a volunteer event.
Gardening in Your Community: Although gardening isn’t for everyone, there are proven benefits to the stress busting activity of caring for plants. Consider partnering with coworkers on an indoor garden area at work where everyone can benefit from your beautiful greenery!
Fitness Challenges at your Local Gym: Get moving and release those stress busting endorphins with physical activity! Create a fitness challenge for a group of your friends and family to stay motivated and accountable. In addition to wellness challenges being a fun way to relieve stress, they can also be great team building activities. Get creative with this fun activity and award prizes or small rewards as part of the friendly competition!
Scavenger Hunt in Your Area: A good old-fashioned scavenger hunt is one of the best stress relieving games! Plus, it’s a fun way to engage with others, get some fresh air and stimulate your brain. If outdoors is not an option, bring the fun inside. Try making a themed scavenger hunt for a twist on this stress relieving activity. Send team members on a gratitude scavenger hunt where they find things to be thankful for.
Calm the mind and begin the path to finding peace with these simple mindfulness meditations. Mindfulness is an evidence-based method for reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing resilience, and maintaining mental well-being. Even short meditations can turn a bad day around, ground us in the present moment, and help us approach life with gratitude and kindness. This mindfulness book was created by the founder of One Mind Dharma. He developed these 75 essential exercises to offer practical guidance for anyone who wants to realize the benefits of being more mindful.
Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World by
Mark Williams and Danny Penman
The life-changing international bestseller reveals a set of simple yet powerful mindfulness practices that you can incorporate into daily life to help break the cycle of anxiety, stress, unhappiness, and exhaustion. Mindfulness promotes the kind of happiness and peace that gets into your bones. It seeps into everything you do and helps you meet the worst that life throws at you with new courage.
Based on Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), the book revolves around a straightforward form of mindfulness meditation which takes just a few minutes a day for the full benefits to be revealed.
The Miracle Of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by
Thich Nhat Hanh
In this beautiful and lucid guide, Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh offers gentle anecdotes and practical exercise as a means of learning the skills of mindfulness--being awake and fully aware. From washing the dishes to answering the phone to peeling an orange, he reminds us that each moment holds within it an opportunity to work toward greater self-understanding and peacefulness.
Mindfulness for Teens in 10 Minutes a Day by
Jennie Marie Battistin MA LMFT
Learn how to use mindfulness, or the ability to be fully aware in the present moment, to reduce everyday stress. Mindfulness for Teens in 10 Minutes a Day shows you how to take control of your feelings and focus your attention with short, simple mindfulness activities. Discover a wide variety of mindfulness techniques that will fit easily into your routine and help you thrive in every area of life. These engaging exercises show you how to find peace in the face of stress, improve relationships with friends and family, boost your self-esteem, and increase your focus to help you succeed at school and work.
Transforming Stress: The Heartmath Solution for Relieving Worry, Fatigue, and Tension
by Doc Childre, Deborah Rozman
It’s the quintessential buzz word of modern life. It hangs on everyone’s lips from the first miles of the morning commute until the screeching alarm clock starts yet another day. Countless articles and studies tell the same story: lives controlled by unmanaged stress end early and none too well. This book describes a simple, straightforward method readers can learn and practice to literally transform stress by shifting the heart’s own rhythms.
The Stress Relief Guided Journal: Your Space to Let Go of Tension and Relax in 5 Minutes a Day by
Matthew McKay PhD, Patrick Fanning
From balancing work and relationships to navigating financial challenges and health issues—in our hectic and busy lives, stress is simply unavoidable. Fortunately, there are proven-effective techniques you can use every day to combat the negative effects of stress and integrate healthy relaxation habits into your life. The powerful yet simple writing practices in this guided journal can help you get started today.
The Joy of Mindfulness by Neil Francis
Mindfulness is panacea for your all kind of stresses, strained relationships, worries-for-no-reasons and it’s your passport to the land of calm, relaxed and joyful state. If you’ve gotten sick of your inner roommate (it’s your own mind), which eats up all your energy and peace of mind by never ending inner chatter. If you think enough is enough now - it’s time to grab the driver’s seat now and mindfulness is way to go. You know already: everything starts from your inside. You don’t need to quit your job; you don’t need to say good-bye any of your relatives or friends. It just starts with minor changes in your life- and only bit-by-bit. The Joy of Mindfulness will be your travel guide to a new unexplored inner island of serenity, calmness and joy.
Put Your Anxiety Here: A Creative Guided Journal to Relieve Stress and Find Calm
by Lisa M. Schab LCSW
Creative journaling prompts to write your way to calm. Did you know that journaling can have physical, emotional, and mental health benefits? Research shows that expressive writing can actually strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure, and release physical tension in our bodies. Writing about our thoughts and feelings can help us clear our minds, release pent-up feelings, ease everyday tension, and let go of negative thoughts and worries.
Learn How to Meditate: A Beginner’s Step-byStep Guide and 90 Day Journal
by
Natalie Brown
This simple, convenient meditation how-to guide and journal with instructions, actionable steps, tips, a tracker, and a mindfulness journal will teach you how to use meditation so you can de-stress, find calm in the chaos of life, feel better mentally and physically, get in tune with your true self, overcome your overwhelm and learn how to meditate effectively on your own.
New Year, New You: The Comprehensive Guide to Transforming Your Life in 365 Days by
Aria Aria Wyndham
Are you ready to make this the year you finally transform your life? To break free from limiting beliefs, harness your full potential, and create the extraordinary life you’ve always dreamed of? Then “New Year, New You” is the life-changing guide you’ve been searching for. In this comprehensive and transformative book, Aria Wyndham reveals the proven strategies and powerful tools that have helped thousands of individuals completely reshape their lives in just one year.
Source: Amazon.com
The Journey Within
Inner peace is a deep state of calm, acceptance, and contentment. It means being in harmony with yourself, others, and the world around you. It’s not about eliminating challenges or difficulties but navigating through them with a tranquil and accepting mind. We all crave inner peace but what is it and how do we find it? How is it possible to find an oasis of calm when our lives have become so busy, stressful, and chaotic? There are some tips and techniques we can all use to tap into that quieter space within ourselves — a space that feels steady and supportive and accessible.
Meditate - Despite being a simple act, meditation can profoundly affect your mental state. It helps cultivate equanimity and a deeper sense of peace.
Live in the present - When you’re doing day-to-day tasks like eating, walking, or even doing chores, try to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Notice how your surroundings look, sound, smell, and feel. It’s like giving your brain a mini-vacation and the effect induces a sense of inner peace.
Cultivate a positive mindset - Kickstart your day on a positive note. Jot down what you’re excited about or what you’re grateful for in a journal. If a negative thought tries to sneak in, cross it out and replace it with something positive.
Practice self-care - Schedule in some ‘you-time.’ Yes, that means put it in the calendar and stick to it! Spend the time on whatever you like — a thrilling novel, a soothing bath, a peaceful walk in nature, or even some relaxing yoga.
Visualize a peaceful place - Close your eyes and think of a place where you feel utterly at peace. It could be a beach, a forest, or even a memory. What do you see, hear, or smell? When stress starts to creep in, visit this place in your mind.
Develop love for yourself - Take a moment to write down what you love about yourself. If you hit a speed bump or two, imagine your best friend. What would they say they love about you?
Learn to breathe effectively - Deep, conscious breathing can have a profoundly calming effect. In moments of stress or anxiety, take a few moments to focus on your breath. You’ll soon notice that you can rely on your breath to cultivate inner peace. Breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold. Do this at your own pace. This can be your pause button whenever you feel like the world is spinning too fast.
Access nature - Nature has a soothing mental effect. Spend some time connecting with nature to instill a sense of peace within. Don’t worry about doing anything too adventurous, you can keep it super simple and still get the benefits. Stroll in the park, do some gardening, or watch the clouds float by.
Practice Gratitude - Gratitude can shift your focus from what’s missing in your life to what you already have. Write down three things that brought you joy today. They could be as simple as a delicious meal or a good laugh.
Remember, these tips are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Take what resonates with you, experiment, and find your unique path to inner peace.
Source: https://www.calm.com/blog/inner-peace
41% of adults worldwide report experiencing stress.
95
95% of dog and cat owners find relief from stress by spending time with their pets.
Stressful Stats By the Numbers
77% of workers reported experiencing work-related stress. 77
1
The number one stress reliever is spending time in nature.
Nature experiences that last 30 minutes have the greatest effects on reduction in stress levels.
Money is a major source of stress for 66% of adults. 66
29
29% of U.S. parents reported that being a parent is stressful all or most of the time.
70
70% of pet owners report they prefer to spend time with their pets over watching TV to reduce stress.
Travel and wellness are so closely connected. Getting on a plane or setting off on a road trip automatically releases endorphins and gives us a sense of well-being, so it makes sense that wellness holidays are one of the fastest growing travel trends.
The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the “active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health”. The overall sense of wellness is feeling better physically and mentally, but wellness holidays are subjective.
For some, relaxing for hours in a spa is their idea of heaven, and a sunrise yoga class in an exotic destination is the perfect holiday activity. It is impossible to categorize wellness holidays as one holiday style. There are wellness holidays to suit everyone and these diverse trips will inspire you to take a well-needed break.
Walk the Camino
Walking the Camino is one Europe’s most popular walking trails. Not only will it give you a sense of well-being, but as an authentic pilgrim trail, it traditionally helps people who are need of reflection or healing. The Camino is popular with solo travelers too, and is a great way to meet like-minded travelers.
Hike the Cinque Terre
When locals built terraces on top of small fishing villages in Liguria in the 11th century, little did they know that it would become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most famous coastal trails in the world. The 11 km Blue Trail connects Riomaggiore to Monterosso al Mare and is a combination of easy paved paths and steep climbs. It may not be long, but the idea is to hike between the villages and spend time in each one for the optimum wellness journey.
Learn a new skill in Morocco
Morocco has its fair share of wellness hotels, including the world-class Amanjena Hotel in Marrakesh, and with direct flights to Marrakesh and Agadir from Dublin, Morocco has never been so accessible. However, learning a new skill or perfecting an existing one is wellness travel of a different kind. The cool Yogi Surfer Hotel in Taghazout bay has surfing and yoga retreats, while TDactive offers a four-night photography holiday that is provided in association with Dublin Photography School – you can capture Morrocco’s vibrant cities and souqs as well as its captivating desert on one short wellness break.
Walk the Camino
Hike the Cinque Terre
Yogi Surfer Hotel, Morocco
Get Fit in Marbella
Fitness camps are becoming more and more popular, with most offering a more relaxed atmosphere to the traditional boot-camps of old. Marbella Fitness Camp is one of these that offers a variety of camps to suit all ages and fitness levels.
Go Cycling in Croatia
Croatia has a stunning coastline and what better way to appreciate it than on a bicycle. Enjoy a seven-night trip along the Dalmatian Coast where you can visit the beautiful islands of Hvar and Korcula by bike and ferry too. You can choose to upgrade to an e-bike for a more relaxed experience.
Book a Wellness tour in Costa Rica
This island is one of the world’s best wellness destinations. Take an eight-day wellness tour with upgraded accommodations, meals and activities included, as well as a yoga session overlooking Arenal Volcano, a theraputic mud bath, and bathing in thermal hot springs.
Go All Inclusive at The Body Holiday in St. Lucia
The Body Holiday is the ultimate all-inclusive wellness hotel. You can enjoy a personalized schedule of spa treatments, fitness classes and water sports with celebrity fitness trainers and dancers, as well as meals and premium drinks – all included in the cost of your holiday.
Book a trip to Bali
Yoga, pilates and meditation gave Ubud its global status as one of the world’s best wellness locations, so if you are looking for the ultimate holiday retreat, Ubud in Bali is the place to go. There are numerous retreat holidays in Bali but Como Shambala Estate is hard to beat – they offer personalised wellness programmes and have a pilates studio on site.
Experience Mindfulness in Madeira
Often described as the Hawaii of Europe, the Portuguese island of Madeira is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and health holidays. Explore its stunning coastline, mountains, rain forests and waterfalls either at your own pace or on this seven-night guided walking holiday.
Combine Skiing and Spa Treatments with the Canyonlands in Utah
A holiday in Utah epitomizes wellness travel for some. You can ski in the largest ski resort in the US – Park City, explore the incredible Canyonlands and National parks, and stay in some of the best wellness hotels in America. The Lodge at Blue is a luxury boutique hotel with just 41 rooms on a ranch with 3,000 acres of land. As well as amazing skiing, there is a world-class Spa, Yoga classes and meditation with horses.
Discover the Healing Powers of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Iceland is one of Europe’s best wellness destinations and offers completely different experiences during the summer and winter. Enjoy 18 – 23 hours of daylight during the summer, and enjoy its hot springs, glaciers, fjords and waterfalls. The remote highlands and Westfjords are a paradise for hikers and let’s not forget its top attraction – the Blue Lagoon. If your budget allows, go one step further and check into the Blue Lagoon Retreat. As well as a subterranean Spa and Michelin-starred dining, you have unlimited access to the Retreat Spa and the Retreat Lagoon – a private lagoon sourced from the same healing waters as the Blue Lagoon.
In just one day, you can enjoy dental implants that look, feel and function just like natural teeth.
Schedule your consultation to learn more about your options in getting natural-looking teeth
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Drs. John O. Akers, D.D.S., Roger R. Thayer, D.M.D. FACS, Bradley M. Pinker, D.D.S., M.D., FACS, and Dr. Samuel C. Song, D.D.S. offer a full scope of oral maxillofacial facial surgery procedures including:
CORRECTIVE JAW SURGERY | DENTAL IMPLANTS | BONE GRAFTING | FACIAL INJURIES AND MORE
With three offices serving the Volusia and Flagler area, including a state-licensed ambulatory surgical center, Florida Oral & Facial Associates provides patients with the highest quality of care and latest technology available in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Call to schedule your personalized consultation today and ask about Yomi, the first and only system for robotic-guided dental surgery available in the United States.
Dr. Akers, Dr. Thayer and Dr. Pinker and Dr. Song give you more reasons to smile with EXPERIENCE. INNOVATION. TRUST. Board Certified Oral / Maxillofacial & Cosmetic Facial Surgeons
John O. Akers, D.D.S. | Roger R. Thayer, D.M.D. FACS | Bradley M. Pinker, D.D.S., M.D., FACS | Dr. Samuel C. Song, D.D.S.
SCENE
EVENTS • MUSIC • ART • THEATER • HEALTH
EventScene
Ongoing
Canal Street Nights
3rd Thursday Monthly, New Smyrna Beach www.visitnsbfl.com
Jewelry Making and Design with Debbie Moser Every Friday, Canal Street www.thehuboncanal.org
First Friday Flagler Beach Flagler Beach www.visitflagler.com
First Friday Garden Walk
Washington Oaks Garden State Park www.visitflagler.com
First Fridays Food Truck Rallies
Riverfront Shops of Daytona Beach https://www.downtowndaytonabeachevents.com/
1st Saturday Sip & Stroll
Canal Street Historic District www.canalstreetnsb.com/sip-stroll/
First Saturday Crusin’ Car Show
One Daytona https://www.onedaytona.com
Classic Cars on Canal
2nd Saturday Monthly, New Smyrna Beach www.visitnsbfl.com
Flagler Avenue Wine Walk
4th Saturday Monthly, New Smyrna Beach www.visitnsbfl.com
Climb to the Moon – Full Moon Monthly Ponce Inlet Lighthouse https://www.ponceinlet.org/
County Wide http://officialbikeweek.com/daytonabikeweek/
Open through March 2, 2025
at the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art
Take an extraordinary journey through the original Birds of Florida as captured in the meticulously painted studies of John James Audubon (1785-1851), one of the most celebrated artists in American history. A masterpiece of printmaking, these exquisite, life-size illustrations are part of Audubon’s ground-breaking 435-count compendium The Birds of America, the culmination of the artist’s ambition to paint every bird species in North America. As part of this twelve-year venture, Audubon organized a special expedition to Florida (1831-1832) in order to document the birds, and their habitats, unique to the U.S. Territory.
MusicScene
Ongoing
Live Music at Rock Bottom Weekly: Monday, Friday, Saturday Rock Bottom Daytona Beach www.daytonabeach.com
Laser Rock Concerts
2nd Saturday Monthly Museum of Arts & Sciences https://www.moas.org/
January 5
Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
On Broadway – Music of Leonard Bernstein & Andrew Lloyd Webber Presented by Daytona Beach Symphony Peabody Auditorium, Daytona Beach www.dbss.org
Peach Valley Cafe West 1185 W. Granada Blvd. 256 2501
Wild Rabbit Bistro
48 E Granada Blvd
256 7998
Coffee/Wine/Spirits
Rivergate Coffee Shop
128 S. Nova Rd.
386 672 9577
Steel Oak Coffee
187 S Yonge Street. 693-3006
Wine Not?
Trails Shopping Center
317 2108
LOOK & FEEL YOUR BEST THIS NEW YEAR
Dr. Schalit offers Surgical and Non-Surgical options to help you look & feel your best.
Our mission is to provide the most skilled and advanced services in facial cosmetic surgery, skin rejuvenation, and body sculpting to help patients find the confidence they deserve.
Dr. Schalit, F.A.C.S., is known for his facial cosmetic surgery skills and commitment to education. He offers a wide range of facial cosmetic surgeries including:
• Face / Neck Lift
• Brow Lift
• Rhinoplasty
• Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)
• Blepharoplasty (Eyelid Lift)
• Lip Augmentation
• Chin Augmentation SURGICAL
Dr. Schalit has a non-surgical solution for all your skin needs. Him and his team offer a wide range of nonsurgical options including: