There’s apparently an unofficial social club that meets somewhere between 3 and 4 a.m. every night. Membership is simple: wake up for no apparent reason, grab your phone and post, ‘Anyone else awake?’ Within seconds, the replies roll in. ‘Yep.’ ‘Been up since 2.’ ‘Wide awake over here.’

Lately, I’ve noticed how universal interrupted sleep has become. Some nights it’s stress. Some nights it’s snoring. Some nights your brain decides 3:17 a.m. is the perfect time to replay every awkward conversation from 1998. Around our house, sleep patterns seem to ebb and flow, and apparently, we’re not alone.

This month’s Sleep Health for Men: Foundational Habits for a Better Life [page 20] takes a thoughtful look at something many people dismiss as “just getting older” or “being busy.” As integrative sleep specialist Catherine Darley notes, “Sleep is not a luxury—it’s essential.” The article explores how poor sleep impacts everything from mood and memory to hormones, heart health and relationships. It’s one of those topics we often ignore until we’re staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m.

The connection between sleep, stress and overall vitality also surfaces in The Facts About Low Testosterone: What Every Man Should Know [page 14], which examines how lifestyle habits, chronic stress and even sleep deprivation can affect men’s health far beyond simple fatigue. Meanwhile, The Resurgence of Rucking: An Ancient Activity for Modern Fitness [page 18] reminds us that sometimes the best wellness tools are also the simplest: movement, fresh air and community.

This month, fire up healthier backyard meals with Smarter Summer Grilling: Making Barbecue More Flavorful and Healthy [page 26]. Pet lovers will appreciate When Dogs Forget: A Holistic Guide to Canine Cognitive Health [page 24], a compassionate look at canine cognitive health as our furry companions age. In our online exclusives at my-NA.com, Summer’s Fleeting Joys is a gentle reminder to slow down long enough to actually enjoy the season we spend all year waiting for. Explore how small lifestyle changes can create a lighter footprint in Less Impact, Deeper Purpose: Tips for Leaving a Lighter Footprint, and find perspective and emotional resilience in Finding Meaning and Hope in Troubled Times: A Conversation With Jeffrey Rubin.

Until next month, may your pillow stay cool, your mind stay quiet and your 4 a.m. club membership expire soon.

Sleepily yours,
Kris Urquhart, Publisher