Most summers, we spend a week with Bill’s family in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan - far away - in many ways - from Alexandria. If you don’t know it, check it out. For me, it is like a blast back to the early 2000s with very few of the modern conveniences we take for granted. For reference, Starbucks is a one-hour and 40-minute drive, and Whole Foods is a four-hour drive. The closest grocery store is a 45-minute drive. The Cottons invested in wireless service about three years ago.

Right now, some of us are still planning time away, enjoying the warmer weather, and maybe even spending more time with friends and family. This may feel like the last push for time together and a break from the busy time we have become so accustomed to. 

For me, this is a time to really prioritize the remainder of the calendar year - for me, for my family, and for my business.

I used to head into our week at “the lake house” almost begrudgingly. I would haul as much work as possible, stay as connected to the business here as best I could without reliable service, and work most days while Bill and our children enjoyed the lake, the fresh Northern Michigan air, and Grandma’s cooking. Now, I look forward to it all summer long because I know how my self-care, calming my nervous system for days, and frankly just getting out of the busyness of Alexandria helps me focus better when I return.

As busy as I am right now at Alexandria Wellness, I have two reasons why this is a non-negotiable time for me to close out my summer:

(1) I can prepare for our busiest season: fall.

Like many, you may think the holidays and New Year’s would be when we are in highest demand. For at least a decade, I can promise you, it is the fall.

Not only is school back in session with sports activities, but I’ll be launching my biggest program yet in the fall; I’m taking a class that is challenging me more than ever, and Bill will start to travel a bunch. The Cotton teens will be in high school with, I’m sure, a myriad of activities. At Alexandria Wellness, we will for sure see an increase in demand. We are ready and excited! And I need to prepare and focus on what matters most - my own self-care.

I understand what I need is to make sure I am prepared for a busy fall and winter.

(2) I focus on the foundations of my wellness: sleep, walks, breathing, connecting with loved ones.

When we are in Michigan, it is quiet, dark, calm, and cool. Anyone who’s worked with me for three seconds knows my sleep philosophy. I believe our sleep is the foundation of our wellness, our journey through midlife, our greatest weapon to fight stress, combat weight gain, and most definitely how we can take on a large variety of menopause symptoms. Our Michigan lake house has all components for awesome sleep. Evenings are chilly (cool), it is (dark) as can be, my in-laws are about as nice and (calm) as they come, and the closest airport and highway are miles away. Noise is limited to crickets, wolves, and really that is it!

Bill and I walk every morning to the local campground and back. Rachel and I will work out. William and I will practice “coffee house” like he did back in his days at St. Stephens and St. Agnes, where we read the same book and discuss it right there. I will watch Hallmark movies with my father-in-law, and my mother-in-law and I will do what women do - - - chat and comment about how our husbands are becoming literally the same person!  😳

Breathing is easy. Air is fresh. And we are asleep by 10pm every night.

The best part is being with family, chilling out as much as possible, and hugging each moment of connection with them close to my heart. 

We want to help you (and your team!) take charge of your health and wellness and make it FUN. Here are two ways you can get started today: https://alexandriawellness.com/#takecharge. If you’re interested in joining our Small Group Concierge program, email us at contact@alexandriawellness.com. We have almost filled our 6am session and are quickly filling our lunchtime group. You’ll have a built-in community of others seeking holistic wellness!