As a mom of teen and tween girls, I am well acquainted with the enthusiasm of Swifties, the avid fandom of singer-songwriter-superstar Taylor Swift. It all started in our home in late 2022, when Swift released Midnights and our then 12- and 9-year-olds’ general interest became full-on passion.
While I had followed Swift’s career from its beginning and could sing along to many of her songs, both of our girls — seemingly overnight — knew all the words to all the songs from not only this new album, but from all her albums. They played her music on repeat. They watched (and rewatched) her music videos. They had regular, lengthy discussions about their favorite albums, often debating about and then ranking them from most loved to least. I was (and still am) often brought into the conversation: “Mom, what’s your favorite?”
When 1989 (Taylor’s Version) came out, in October 2023, my older daughter — frustrated that we wouldn’t let her stay up for the midnight release — woke up early on a Friday so she could listen before school. And at one point before the spring 2024 release of The Tortured Poets Department, I found a Post-it note on which that now 13-year-old had written predictions about which songs she would like most based solely on the names.
Ask either of our daughters anything about Swift — her music, her Eras Tour, her concert outfits, her life — and they are likely to answer without hesitation. Ask my husband how he feels about the constant soundtrack and the ongoing conversations about Swift, and he’s likely to say, “Are we really listening to/talking about her again?!”
“Just as Swift’s presence has been a constant in our home these last few years, certain lifestyles factors are fixtures in Experience Life’s coverage of health and wellness topics.”
At this point, you might be asking yourself where I’m headed with this and how Swift relates to Experience Life and this issue. Don’t worry — I’ve got you!
Just as Swift’s presence has been a constant in our home these last few years, certain lifestyles factors are fixtures in Experience Life’s coverage of health and wellness topics: mindset, movement, nutrition, sleep and stress management, and community.
From issue to issue, it could start to seem like we’re a record on repeat: More often than not, at least part of the solution for overcoming many lifestyle-related health challenges (think type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure) includes these foundational habits and behaviors. They’re essential for building, maintaining, regaining, and achieving optimal health and fitness.
We replay them time and again because, in many circumstances, we have some agency around them and can use them to our benefit. In this issue, for instance, you’ll discover more ways to move your body with others at “100 Ways to Move More as a Family.” You’ll find insights on how healthier eating and sleeping habits can strengthen your internal ecosystem, making it less welcoming to cancer in “What Is the Terrain Theory of Cancer?” And you’ll delve into breathwork and learn how it can positively shift your mindset and relieve stress (read more about breathwork here, plus try the two featured breathwork techniques.)
It’s our daily actions, behaviors, and habits that set the foundation for our health and well-being. So while you will continue to see similar recommendations for various health and wellness obstacles, they will always come with a fresh take and reflect the latest research. Just as my family — at least three out of four of us — will embrace our inner Swiftie whenever the next album drops.