Welcome to a new year and a new decade of opportunities and challenges in our pursuit of a healthy and greener future. 

Legendary journalist Bill Moyers (page 19) discusses how we, the media and its readers, can make a critical difference when it comes to climate change. Natural Awakenings has accepted his challenge to join a global media project called Covering Climate Now to spread awareness of the urgency of this issue. Visit MileHighNaturalAwakenings.com/categories/green-living for the latest on how we can all shrink our carbon footprint.

We explore the latest on living longer lives and living them well. Writer Melinda Hemmelgarn’s January feature (page 16) looks at the role of genes, environment and lifestyle factors; she offers age-defying strategies—from diet, exercise and sleep, to protecting our telomeres and adjusting our attitudes. Local experts like Denise Lin Allen and Donald Kipp weigh in as w

Our Plant-Based Medicine section (page 20) delivers with writer Ronica A. O’Hara’s take on “Eco-Therapy: Beyond the Nature Cure.” New studies suggest that nature-based interventions may serve as effective alternative treatments for a range of emotional and mental health issues. And Julie Peterson focuses on the nutritional factors (and recipes) to staying healthy in “Gut Check: Feeding the Immune System” (page 22).

Learn how to find the right workout balance for you in “When Workouts Don’t Work: Why Less Is Sometimes More,” (page 26) where writer Marlaina Donato explains how stress-free exercise

can deliver better results. 

Lastly, to start your New Year off right, you can find plenty of advice on avoiding the flu (page 13), making this your favorite year (page 14) and renewing your bucket list (page 15).

Here’s to a prosperous, happy and healthy New Year!