A general rule in magazine writing is that if you ask a question like “Feeling stressed?” in a headline, it needs to be a question that would get a “yes” from most of your readers. I think it’s fair to assume that most of us are feeling some additional stress these days. Though many people joked about it on social media in 2020, no one really expected that the world’s problems would magically disappear when the calendar flipped to 2021. Maybe we’d at least start to see the clouds lifting, though? Not so much...as one friend of mine posted during the first week of 2021, “I miss 2020.” Yikes.

Still, we’re powering through, and collectively doing what we can to ease the stress. In a feature on leadership in this issue, I asked industry veterans to share their success secrets, and there are plenty of gems to help inspire us (check out the Insights and Inspiration feature). When it comes to supporting our communities during these trying times, I love what Dan Chapman, of Sunrise Health Foods and Redd Remedies, had to say: “Stay calm & love people! This has been a stressful year for everyone and we have seen it in some of our customers. We have always worked to serve our customers at Sunrise Health Foods from the perspective that Sunrise might be the only peaceful place the customer experiences that day. We do not know what difficulties each customer faces in their life and we want to make sure that during their visit to our store that they are greeted with a smile and a kind word.”

Granted, staying calm can be hard to do. In this issue, we look at one of nature’s many tools to help: Adapotgens. Their effect, says David Winston RH(AHG) of Herbalist & Alchemist, “is a little like getting a vaccine in that adaptogens prime the body to respond more effectively and appropriately to acute or chronic stress.” That’s one vaccine that all of us likely support. Read the feature here, and for a deep dive into adaptogens and more of the natural strategies that support mental wellness, register to view all of the session from the latest Naturally Informed event powered by WholeFoods Magazine and Trust Transparency Center, Mental Wellness: Mastering the Market. All of the sessions are free to view thanks to the support of our sponsors (thank you to NutriScience, ChildLife, and Euromonitor!), and there’s a wealth of education for you and your coworkers at www.NaturallyInformed.net.

At the event on January 20-21, world-class experts discuss the latest research into clinical benefits and mechanisms of action for cognitive boosters and mood modifiers targeting important areas like the endocannabinoid system and the gut-brain axis. The event covered consumer trends (including nootropics, the emerging e-gaming market, and psychedelic therapy), and need-to-know information for developing and positioning products, as well as actionable insights for communicating with consumers and winning strategies for merchandising products on the shelf.

In addition to all of the information that can help you grow your business and support your customers, no matter where you are in the supply chain, I want to raise your awareness of a session that is focused on supporting you, the essential worker. Please sign up to view Creating a Healthier, Happier (and Successful!) Workplace. Workplace stress is the silently emerging public health crisis; a recent survey revealed that in the U.S. and the UK, there was a 27% drop in self-reported mental wellness in the workplace across all segments and populations. Our experts offer valuable insights and tools to help prevent and address workplace stress and burnout, something we can all benefit from.

Maggie Jaqua Editor-in-Chief



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There’s more education to come from the Naturally Informed virtual event series this year. Next up: Nutri-Beauty: Mastering the Market. The nutricosmetics and beauty-from-within market is booming. From a perfect smile and smooth, radiant skin to thick, shiny hair and strong nails, consumers want to look and feel their best. Join us for this two-day event, which will bridge the gaps between science and strategy in the beauty-from-within space, bringing together world-class research, business intelligence, and regulatory insights to allow suppliers, brands, retailers, practitioners, and other industry players to master the rapidly developing space.

Visit www.NaturallyInformed.net to reserve your spot for all of the 2021 events: Nutri-Beauty: Mastering the Market on April 21-22 Active Nutrition: Mastering the Market on June 29-30 Healthy Aging: Mastering the Market on September 29-30