Issue #77: basic needs.
hydration, breathing, dark showering, flex spending, and how to help our neighbors
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Our friend Mary sent a message recently asking us to talk more about hydration—how to actually hydrate the body, not just drink more water. Hydration has always been one of our biggest challenges, and something we’re working to improve this year. We talked with Dr. Thara on the podcast about hydration and electrolytes, and wanted to look at how minerals and food can help our bodies better absorb and use the water we drink. True hydration, it turns out, isn’t only about how much water we take in, but how well our bodies can hold onto and circulate it.
When we’re properly hydrated, everything works better—our energy levels, digestion, focus, skin, mood, and even hormone balance. The body’s systems depend on water to move nutrients, flush out waste, and keep cells communicating smoothly. And yet, so many of us live in a state of mild dehydration without realizing it. Fatigue, headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, dry skin, and even irritability can all be signs that our bodies are thirsty for more. Learning to hydrate well is one of those small but powerful acts of care that can change how we feel day to day.
Conversations about hydration also invite a broader reflection on nourishment—what it means to have our most basic needs met, and how many are struggling to do so. It feels hard to focus on things like optimal hydration and nutrition when families across the country are losing access to the food and resources they depend on. One in five children rely on these benefits, and it is often women and mothers who carry that burden—who quietly go without so their children can eat. It’s a reminder that our individual wellbeing is deeply tied to that of our communities. When we care for our own health and help others meet their basic needs, we strengthen the collective foundation of true wellness.
did you know…you can use FSA/HSA for acupuncture?
Don’t let your benefits go to waste! If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use those funds for acupuncture treatments. Many plans reset at the end of the year, making this the perfect time to begin a care plan and head into the new year feeling better—body and mind.
Acupuncture can help with acute or chronic pain, digestion and gut health, menstrual and hormonal balance, fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, headaches and migraines, sleep issues and insomnia, stress, anxiety, mood support, allergies, and more. Let us know if you have questions!
revel + RELEASE 2025 in the books…
What started as a simple idea — that movement can heal, connect, and restore — became something truly special this year.
From the first beat to the last song, the Interwovxn Revel & Release dance parties were full of laughter, sweat, hugs, and heart.
Thank you to everyone who joined us on the dance floor — you brought the magic!
We are beyond grateful to the venues (Denizen MKE, The Rivulet, and Mad Planet) and the DJs (DJ Drip Sweat, Dori Zori, and DJ Lolo) for creating the perfect vibe for each of the parties!
We also could not have done it without all of the 2025 sponsors and vendors whose support and trust made these events possible: Dubbel Dutch Hotel, Tots on the Street, Jobea Bakes, BethMayhem, Lela Boutique, Kelly’s Greens, Happy Joy Hospitality, Wide Eyed Bride, Culture By Design, and Mother Lion.
This year we raised money in support of Milwaukee Diaper Mission’s Period Program, A Little Something A Lot of Love’s Miscarriage Care Packages, and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. Your donations helped spread the love.
And perhaps one of our favorite things that came from these dance parties was meeting and collaborating with our new friend Grace!
Stay tuned for Revel & Release 2026 — it’s going to be beautiful.
we loved this look at hydration…
We are a little obsessed with Anima Mundi Herbals, created by Costa Rican herbalist @adrianaayales. Their formulas are interesting, their packaging is gorgeous, and their social and branding are on point! Their post on the Science of Hydration (read the full article here) breaks down how staying hydrated is about so much more than just water—it’s about minerals, electrolytes, and how our cells actually use what we drink. And their DIY Butterfly Pea Gatorade recipe–a gorgeous, functional twist on hydration we can’t wait to try.
This Green Smoothie that is as hydrating as 3 cups of water also looked interesting and includes cucumber, chia seeds, and greens.
TASTE: 8 Night Drinks for Inflammation and Gut Health. Since we’re talking about hydration, we thought these eight nighttime drinks were the perfect addition to the rotation as we head into colder weather. From chamomile and lavender to turmeric golden milk for a little extra repair, and an aloe & coconut elixir for hydration, each one is a simple way to hydrate your cells and support your hormones — little nightly rituals that help your body reset, support digestion, improve sleep, and keep your glow going from the inside out.
SEE: Dark Showering. This week we were inspired by Halloween—our weekly workout even happened in the dark—so this article about dark showering felt especially appropriate. We love showers, but experts say how you shower can affect more than just your skin. Psychologist Stefanie Mazer explains that showering in dim or no light lowers visual stimulation, helping the nervous system relax, while sleep specialist Michael Breus points out that a warm shower about 90 minutes before bed naturally raises and then drops your core body temperature, supporting melatonin production—and the low light just amplifies that effect. Ayurvedic practitioner Nidhi Pandya adds that dim lighting helps signal the shift from “day mode” to “night mode,” making it easier to unwind. Next time you shower, try turning down the lights: you’ll still get clean, but your body and mind may thank you too.
SMELL: My GLP-1 Medication Changed the Way Perfume Smells to Me. Emerging evidence suggests that the ways medications affect us can be far more subtle and surprising than we might expect. In a recent feature by Allure, a woman taking a GLP-1 medication such as semaglutide shared how her sense of smell dramatically changed — perfumes she once loved suddenly smelled metallic or overly sweet. These drugs, often prescribed for weight loss or blood sugar management, can have side effects like nausea, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, and changes in appetite — but sensory shifts are an interesting reminder of how medications designed to regulate metabolism can influence other systems in the body, including the brain and senses, in ways we’re only beginning to understand. With more than 15% of women now using GLP-1 medications, these unexpected experiences highlight how interconnected our physiology really is — and how even something as simple as how we smell or taste can be part of that story.
HEAR: Guided Breathwork Practice for Inner Peace + Presence: 4-7-8 Breathing. Join us in a soothing guided breathwork practice using the 4-7-8 technique — inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8 — to cultivate inner peace and presence. Margot Walsh, a guest on Episode 1 of Season 7 of the Interwovxn Podcast (a discussion on Ashley Jordan’s book The Unhappy Achiever) brings her soulful insight into this practice with the same compassionate energy she brought to our conversation about striving, perfectionism, and learning to rest. As co-founder of the women’s collective Femnest, Margot offers women a supportive space to reconnect. Whether you’re feeling the modern pressure to do more or simply longing for a moment of stillness, this 4-7-8 breath practice invites you to settle into your body, arrive in your moment, and remember your inherent worth.
TOUCH: Ways to support your community. Now more than ever, our communities need to come together. We have no need greater than food—yet millions still struggle to access it. Nearly one in three single mothers in the U.S. rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families, and many still face impossible choices between groceries, rent, and childcare. Food insecurity doesn’t exist in isolation—it affects health, stress, and the next generation’s wellbeing. If you’re wanting and able to help, even the smallest acts can make a difference. This month, we’re highlighting a few organizations and local efforts that nourish both body and community.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
And we leave you with…
by @printcessmeg posted by @warmposting
Have a great weekend!
