June Is Calling: Get Outside and Enjoy It

Hi Everyone,

I hope your summer is off to a wonderful start.

Here in Prescott, monsoon season has begun, and we've already enjoyed some beautiful afternoon showers and thunderstorms. There's something special about watching dark clouds roll in, hearing the distant rumble of thunder, and then enjoying the fresh smell that follows a summer rain.

What I love even more are the evenings when the storms move on and the skies clear. We've had some spectacular nights recently where Jupiter, Mars, and Venus have all been visible in a line across the sky. It's one of the many reasons I love living here. The night sky never disappoints.

Are you traveling this summer?

I'd love to hear where your adventures are taking you.

My husband and I are finally going to visit Lower Antelope Canyon on our way to see my sister. I've wanted to see it for years. The photographs I've seen are absolutely stunning, and I can't wait to experience it in person. Sometimes it's fun to finally check something off your bucket list.

This time of year always reminds me how much I love being outdoors.

I've often heard people say that everyone has a season that matches their personality. If that's true, I'm definitely a summer person. I love warm weather, sunshine, and spending time outside. It doesn't matter whether it's early morning, midday, or late afternoon—I simply enjoy being outdoors.

I was raised mostly in Arizona's Valley and spent my college years lifeguarding, so sunshine and outdoor activity have always been a part of my life.

The good news is that this area offers something for everyone.

Since the intense summer heat hasn't fully arrived yet, now is the perfect time to get outside and move your body.

If you're an early riser, Prescott has hiking trails for every fitness level. Whether you enjoy a leisurely walk or a more challenging climb, there are countless options to explore. In fact, there are more than fifty trails throughout the area.

If hiking isn't your thing, you might enjoy the early morning pickleball community near Commerce Street. It's become incredibly popular, and one of the best parts is the social connection it provides.

Now, I'll admit something.

I can play pickleball.

I'm just not one of those people who absolutely loves it.

And that's okay.

The important thing is not finding what everyone else enjoys. It's finding what you enjoy.

Maybe that's walking through your neighborhood.

Maybe it's taking a stroll around the Courthouse Plaza downtown.

Maybe it's walking inside the mall or around the outside perimeter where it's cooler.

Perhaps it's cycling, running, gardening, swimming, or simply spending more time moving outdoors.

Pools are reopening as well, making this a great time for water walking, lap swimming, or joining a water aerobics class.

And if you decide to head downtown, make a day of it. Walk around, visit local shops, enjoy lunch at one of the new restaurants, and spend time connecting with your community.

Movement doesn't have to be complicated.

You don't have to train for a marathon.

You don't have to join a gym.

You simply need to start where you are and work toward where you want to be.

That's a phrase I often use because it's true.

The healthiest people I know aren't necessarily the most athletic. They're simply consistent. They keep showing up. They keep moving.

A little bit done consistently will always outperform a lot done occasionally.

Before I close, I want to remind you about my podcast, Aging Is Direction. You can find it on both Spotify and YouTube.

On the podcast, I dive deeper into many of the topics we discuss here, including fitness, longevity, nutrition, recovery, mindset, and healthy aging. I'll also be interviewing experts from a variety of fields to help answer your questions and provide practical information you can use immediately.

If there are topics you'd like covered, simply reply to this email and let me know.

And if you know someone who would make a great guest for the show, I'd love to hear about them as well.

Until next time, enjoy the sunshine, enjoy the fresh air, and most importantly, keep moving.

Remember:

Start where you are.

Work toward where you want to be.

And keep heading in that direction.

Have a wonderful June.

— Cathy