We've loved November and all the seasonal "bonuses" that we as Arizonans enjoy: cooler weather, ski resorts opening, and holiday menus including hot soups, warm pies, special events and gatherings with family and friends. I hope this month finds you well and looking forward to the months ahead.

It's funny, this is the time of year we tend to consider new year planning. We think about what the year has meant to us and how we'll approach the new one; considering promises we make to each other and resolutions we hold in high regard for ourselves. I love this time of year - it's one of reminders, expressing gratitude, and mustering up determination - to do better.

It's true, nearly 2 years ago at the onset of Covid-19 we learned how to work (and educate our children) from home, how to cook for ourselves, and most importantly, how to practice self-care more intensely than perhaps ever before. For many, self-care means promoting health and active management of illness when it occurs. We engage in self-care daily by our food choices, physical fitness routines, personal hygiene - and sleep.

Sleep is the foundation for health, just like consuming a healthy diet, getting our heart rate up through aerobic exercise, and saying no to smoking and/or other habits that could negatively impact our body, mind, & spirit. Sleep is healing - it's the time our body's cells regenerate, our mind rests, and when we dream!

Did you know that dreaming is also known as memory consolidation? Some researchers believe dreams play a part in memory formation. Evidence suggests that the sleeping brain sorts, processes, and stores information from waking life, turning important information into memories. Dreams may also reflect the images and concepts that are stored as long-term memories.

...which takes me back to the holidays.

I hope you are creating beautiful memory consolidation this holiday season. :)

Until next time - Sleep well & Happy Dreaming!

Lauri Leadley

CEO & Founder