Counting your blessings isn’t just a nice thing your elders probably advised you to do. It’s also a key practice for both mental and physical health.

In the spirit of Optimistic October, let’s look at the intertwined issues of burnout and work-life balance from their starting points, when they’re easiest to control and keep in check.

With the shift from summer to fall, now is the time to reap the benefits of a likely change in routine, to make decisions about what’s really important — and to develop whatever new habits you’ve been meaning to.

Take advantage of all that August offers for your mental and physical health by following these tips for summer bliss, relaxation and safety.

While the slower pace of the summer months presents an opportunity to improve our private habits and routines, we can also turn our attention to an aspect of health that’s too often ignored in an individualistic culture: our social relationships.