The wellness industry is no twee little pack of protein bars. It’s a multi-trillion-dollar industry that’s outpacing pharmaceuticals, if you can believe it. There’s lots of reasons for that: it hits multiple sectors of life, from physical health and beauty to real estate and tourism to mental health and so on. But for your average person just wanting to make the most of life, it’s not about the money. It’s personal.
A little over a year ago, one of my most dear and closest friends — a ride-or-die, for sure — was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It was, to say the least, a shock. Not only is she one of the kindest and loveliest people I know on this planet, she’s a vegetarian, a walker and not much of an alcohol imbiber. And she’s a ton of laughs. I always say to her, “We could have fun in a paper bag!”
But more than fun, her friendship feeds my life in a way that no spa, pill, or amount of money could replace. I spent a lot of time last year just … hanging out with her. Playing Scrabble, chatting, watching TV, listening. Selfishly, for me, because the thought of some unseeable disease hurting my dear heart made me insane, but also because I knew she needed to connect with the outside world and with the people in her life she loves most.
When it comes to health, the importance of connection can’t be overstated. With family, with friends, with acquaintances and even with strangers who you strike up a chat. I know I can get a little insular, especially in the winter, but when I force myself to get out and socialize on some level, it lifts me. Always. So when Lauren Parker pitched me a story about local social clubs of various topics and forms (p. 36), I thought, yeah, that’s wellness, alright. We only scratched the surface here, but if you have an interest I guarantee there’s some group gathering around it.
Yoga, too, is a way of connecting. I always love how it grounds me where I am yet makes me feel so part of the world around me, almost on a cellular level. And a great yoga teacher can help you get there. Parker Schug got granular with some of our local yogis, learning how they came to the place they’re in now and what the practice means to them (p. 50).
Emily Toy, from our sister magazine Southforker, profiled the feel-better possibilities of CBD (p. 70) as explored over at Sag Harbor’s Dragon Hemp to help ease what physically ails you, and Stephanie Villani learned more about the wonderful world of fermented foods, taking this broad, popular topic and bringing it down to the local level (p. 60).
You might also notice a few new bits and bobs in this first issue of 2026. We’ve added a column that digs a little deeper with one of our feature subjects (“5 Questions,” on p. 22). There’s a new arts column called “Culture Club” (p. 76) — certainly something we could all use more of in our lives — and I’ve revamped our Wine Club column to bring more than vino into the fold. I think you’ll especially like reading this issue’s new “Sip Club” and the innovative talents of Übergeek’s owner Rob Raffa and his most-excellent non-alcoholic beer (p. 26).
If you’re wondering: My friend? She’s in remission. I don’t have words for how grateful I am for that. She had great docs who got her through this, not to mention her own amazing strength. And I’d like to think all of us who love her and kept connecting through it all — yeah, that’s the part of wellness you can’t buy, folks.
May you love deeply, laugh heartily and live well, friends. Wishing you health and happiness as we kick off this new year of 2026 —
Amy Zavatto
Editor-in-chief
