You're not helpless amid the chaos

PEAK Health and Wellness Center will not receive a bill for the front-page coverage Sunday of its 40th anniversary.

Instead, they’ll get a word of thanks.

So: Thanks, PEAK.

And thanks to everyone else out there whose business is trying to help the rest of us stay relatively happy, healthy and sane.

Most years when resolutions are being hatched, The Press encourages readers to make getting into better shape a high priority. And it’s not about just looking better; it’s about feeling and acting better.

This year our encouragement is a little later but every bit as sincere, and begging your pardon for taking so long to get to the point, but we think you’ll understand in a moment.

Resolutions are made to be broken. With February fading fast, are any of your front-burner life-changers for 2022 still active? If so, congrats, and take a bow. You’re in a very slim minority.

Getting healthier and feeling better has likely never been more important than it is now.

The pandemic isn’t over, as much as we all would like to bury it at least six feet under. The stress and strain of dealing with not just the virus but its multitude of complications and infuriations has rendered most of us at least a little crazy. Good, consistent workouts can help.

Social and political issues are shoving many of us further and further apart, with divisions erupting even at the family level. What could possibly be less healthy than that? Good, consistent workouts can ease the strain and maybe even make it possible to carry on civil conversations again.

Russia’s war drums have created an international headache and spread fear across the land. And if there’s one thing people don’t need more of today, it’s fear.

Yes: Good, consistent workouts can clear your head, sweat out some concerns, leave your body feeling more relaxed and your mind more alert and able to keep the tidal waves of worry in perspective. And when you exercise with others, key social bridges are built; bridges that might be as simple but strong as a smile from a friendly face to developing long-term, meaningful relationships.

We believe there is no better bargain than investing in your physical and mental health, at whatever level you feel comfortable with — knowing that over time, you can improve and increasingly push yourself as much as you wish.

You’ve got many local choices. Find one that fits your budget and your needs and make yourself better able to stand strong against the winds of a worried world.