Susan Magsamen

And then even thinking about as you create your rituals for bedtime, what are those sensorial things that are helpful for you? How do you dim your lights? Do you listen to music? These are all moments that are woven throughout our days. And I think if you take care of the moments, the years take care of themselves.

And then even thinking about as you create your rituals for bedtime, what are those sensorial things that are helpful for you? How do you dim your lights? Do you listen to music? These are all moments that are woven throughout our days. And I think if you take care of the moments, the years take care of themselves.

I think they're different pillars. I think we have forgotten that the arts and aesthetics are essential pillars. or being human, like exercise and nutrition and good sleep patterns and habits. And I think without the arts and aesthetic experiences, I don't think we will heal, grow, or thrive.

I think they're different pillars. I think we have forgotten that the arts and aesthetics are essential pillars. or being human, like exercise and nutrition and good sleep patterns and habits. And I think without the arts and aesthetic experiences, I don't think we will heal, grow, or thrive.

And we saw that in COVID, where what was missed, people could exercise, people could eat well, and people could sleep. We saw an increase in arts and and aesthetic experiences during COVID because people were missing something. They were missing this need to express what they didn't understand, this need to express grief and pain and fear and lack of connection.

And we saw that in COVID, where what was missed, people could exercise, people could eat well, and people could sleep. We saw an increase in arts and and aesthetic experiences during COVID because people were missing something. They were missing this need to express what they didn't understand, this need to express grief and pain and fear and lack of connection.

And so I think it is absolutely a component of humanity that for many reasons had been sidelined. The scientific revolution, the age of reason basically said, oh, Creative expression, the arts are not important. What's important is logic and reason. And we started to devalue this creative expression, this knowing, this way that we understood the world and ourselves and we're healthy, right?

And so I think it is absolutely a component of humanity that for many reasons had been sidelined. The scientific revolution, the age of reason basically said, oh, Creative expression, the arts are not important. What's important is logic and reason. And we started to devalue this creative expression, this knowing, this way that we understood the world and ourselves and we're healthy, right?

We really created health. and well-being, we started to lose that because it didn't have societal value. If you look in the United States and you look at the way the arts have been literally gutted out of schools, and this has been going on since the 70s, we don't value the arts. And I think as a result, that actually has affected things like sleep, has affected things like nutrition, you know,

We really created health. and well-being, we started to lose that because it didn't have societal value. If you look in the United States and you look at the way the arts have been literally gutted out of schools, and this has been going on since the 70s, we don't value the arts. And I think as a result, that actually has affected things like sleep, has affected things like nutrition, you know,

Culinary arts are an art. You know, they're an art form. Good food is a kind of art. And so I think we need to really start to think about how we weave these things together that make us whole.

Culinary arts are an art. You know, they're an art form. Good food is a kind of art. And so I think we need to really start to think about how we weave these things together that make us whole.

Yes, I am. I think those things are incredibly important and they're not hard to do. This is not more in your day. This is not add something else to your already overloaded schedule and cognitive load. It's saying little things make a difference as simple as making a cup of tea.

Yes, I am. I think those things are incredibly important and they're not hard to do. This is not more in your day. This is not add something else to your already overloaded schedule and cognitive load. It's saying little things make a difference as simple as making a cup of tea.

Just acknowledging the water in your shower of beginning to see where you actually are a maker, this idea of intention and not about being perfect, but beginning to start to change the way you see what you're already doing and layering in that will make a huge difference.

Just acknowledging the water in your shower of beginning to see where you actually are a maker, this idea of intention and not about being perfect, but beginning to start to change the way you see what you're already doing and layering in that will make a huge difference.

Yes, this is my favorite quote in the book. The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.

Yes, this is my favorite quote in the book. The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.

The first is we have proof that the arts and aesthetic experiences change our brains, our bodies and behavior. Number two is there is an art for that. And what I mean by that is that if you are experiencing health issues around dementia or family members are, if you are stressed and you're feeling caught inside your body, dance.

The first is we have proof that the arts and aesthetic experiences change our brains, our bodies and behavior. Number two is there is an art for that. And what I mean by that is that if you are experiencing health issues around dementia or family members are, if you are stressed and you're feeling caught inside your body, dance.