Welcome to Living Well Daily, the newsletter serving up a daily dose of care designed to support you, cheer you on and remind you, always, just how wonderful you already are.

In Today’s Edition:

3 Reasons we know you’re awesome:

PS. There are, in fact, over 1,000,000 other reasons.

Most of us want to belong, to be seen, accepted, and connected. But for many people, belonging has come at a cost: silencing parts of yourself, softening your needs, or becoming who you think others want you to be. This is belonging through self-abandonment.

True belonging doesn’t require you to disappear. It allows you to be real. Safe connection is built on authenticity, not performance. When you don’t have to shrink, explain yourself constantly, or betray your values to stay connected, that’s where nervous system safety lives.

You deserve relationships that can hold you, not just a version of you that’s easier for others.

Signs of self-abandonment in relationships:

Belonging that costs you your authenticity isn’t true belonging, it’s survival. Sometimes choosing survival IS what’s safest; however, give yourself permission to explore where you are safe to truly be you. You deserve relationships that adore your authenticity.

✅ Action step: In one interaction today, practice staying with yourself: share one honest feeling, hold one boundary, or choose not to over-explain. Notice what it feels like to belong without leaving yourself behind.

^{Love, Lola Graham}

Note: if you are on the younger side of life, this information is important for your parents and grandparents and good to share with them. 

Sarcopenia is the age-related loss of muscle strength, muscle mass/quality, and physical function, and strength loss is now considered the key early red flag.

Sarcopenia predominantly affects older adults, and research estimates that up to a third of older adults are affected by it. Those who are less active, have a chronic illness or poor nutrition, are at a higher risk.

The good news, in many cases, sarcopenia is preventable and can be combated. Higher protein consumption of at least 1.0–1.2 g/kg/day, and ≥1.2 g/kg/day for active older adults or those with acute or chronic diseases can help preserve or regain lean mass and function. Older individuals need more protein partly because aging muscles are less sensitive to protein (anabolic resistance). Some good sources of protein are lean meats, fish, beans, tofu, tempeh and egg whites. 

Results are even better if higher protein intake is combined with resistance training to stimulate muscle and build strength. 

✅ Action step: if you are older, start paying attention to your protein intake. Are you getting enough each day? If you are younger, have a conversation with older loved ones to make sure they are taking care of their nutrition. 

PMID: 41165951, PMID: 23867520

^{By: Joshua Graham}

^{A mini-care practice for grounding, calming, and nervous system support.}

Take 30 seconds to feel the ground beneath you. Imagine the surface supporting you without effort, melting the edge off any tension you’re carrying. Breathe slowly and remind your body: you are held right here.

Before you go, let us know what you thought of today’s edition and if there are any subjects you would like us to cover in the future reply to this email and let us know!

If you find our newsletter helpful, we’d love for you to share it with a friend! If you’re that friend, you can subscribe here. Thanks for spreading the word! xo

With love and care,

Lola & Joshua | The Living Well Team

^{Living Well Daily is for educational purposes only and is in no way a substitute for professional medical and mental health advice and diagnosis. Please consult a qualified professional for care unique to your needs.}

^{Remember: It’s okay to ask for help. Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988 (Canada & US).}