Talking about mental health is good for everyone — The thought behind the title of this article has helped me more than anyone will ever know. When it comes to mental illness, it can often be difficult to find the support that you need. Whether you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or thoughts of suicide, it can feel like…

Your personal results may vary — Living in Northern Virginia gives me great staycation options, IMO. To the east and north are two of the best-known cities in the world, Washington, DC (15-minute drive), and New York City (2-hour train ride). To the west and south are thousands of square miles of forests and rolling mountains, including the Appalachian Trail winding through the Shenandoah an hour’s drive away.

But not too outdoors — My wife and I both grew up hiking and camping —and I do mean the “Class A” type, carry-in-carry-out with backpacks, sleeping in tents, and peeing in the woods for a week kind of outdoors. While we were raising our girls, we shifted to “Class B” camping — tents in a campground with toilet and shower buildings. We saw some of Germany this way, as well as camping in the canyons of west Texas (hearing raccoons fighting over the dog food we accidentally left outside overnight).

Alligators and all — There are many reasons to be grateful — even for the simple reason I exist. If I never existed, I would never have experienced the myriad pleasures and joys I’ve had. But I get restless when I reflect with gratitude. …