The Natural Cycle of Renewal

Nature follows cycles of renewal. In the spring, plants sprout, flowers bloom and you actually can smell growth in the air. In the summer, days are warmer and it’s time to harvest some of the most delicious fruits, vegetables and grains. Autumn signals the beginning of a natural withdrawal with colorful changes, and winter is nature’s time of rest to prepare for renewal once again.

If you take a look at a tree, you see the trunk, its branches and the leaves. What you don’t see are the roots, but the taller the tree, the firmer the roots. Apply this image to the human experience. Human lives follow a similar cycle of renewal. There are seasons of growth, not only physically but intellectually, culturally and in business. There are also seasons that are focused on reflection, quiet contemplation and rest.

Successful individuals appear healthy and strong, but the foundation they are built on is not visible but surely there. The roots of that invisible foundation are what allow the progression of personal development, perseverance and resilience. Regardless of which season you are in, the basics of rest, hydration, clean air and whole food nourishment are necessary components to complete a successful cycle of renewal.

Just as nature thrives in seasons, you can build your own cycles of growth, renewal and rest. Nature doesn’t rush through winter to reach spring; it patiently endures each season, drawing strength and renewal from every phase. In the same way, you can learn to respect your own seasons — both the highs that fill you with energy and the lows that call for quiet and rest. Growth isn’t about constant improvement; it’s about respecting the natural ebb and flow of life.1

To evaluate how to complete cycles of renewal in more productive ways, simply ask a few basic questions:  Are you getting enough restful sleep? Are you making sure your indoor air is clean rather than full of dust, dander and allergens? Are you eating nutrient-dense foods? Are you practicing some kind of movement every day? Movement does not have to be a specific exercise. It can be as simple as climbing stairs instead of using the elevator, parking the car a little further so you can get a walk in, taking the dog for a walk, mowing the lawn and so on. Are you making private time to nurture yourself instead of always serving others?

For the entire month of January 2026, Nikken is offering 20% off replacement filters! Air and water filters need to be renewed— just like nature and just like you!

1 https://medium.com/@neeraj.narayan/what-can-natures-seasons-teach-us-about-growth-and-renewal-e848f6caa952

Clean Air for a Better Life

“To breathe is to live.” That is one of the basic facts of life; however, not all air is the same. Did you know that air pollution is the largest external threat to human health worldwide? That means air pollution kills more people than tobacco and shortens average life expectancy by 2.2. years. It’s also the second leading cause of death in young children, with malnutrition being the first.1

Breathing is the process of “gas exchange.” When you inhale, air enters your lungs and oxygen moves to your bloodstream. When you exhale, carbon dioxide, otherwise known as waste gas, moves from the blood to the lungs to be expelled.2 What you breathe in makes a big difference to your health. Invisible particles in the air can penetrate the cells and organs of your body—not only the lungs but also the heart, bloodstream and brain. Air pollution is a major risk factor, and the World Health Organization estimates that 99% of people globally breathe air that exceeds their guideline limits for pollutants.3

Exposure to air pollutants, cigarette smoke and microplastics can damage the airways. Whereas clean air supplies the necessary oxygen to the lungs and is transported throughout the entire body, constantly breathing in polluted air can have dire consequences. Bad air not only causes a host of physical ailments but also poses major threats to the global economy. Simply put, people call out sick from work with respiratory issues more often than virtually any other complaint. The World Bank estimates that the health damage caused by air pollution costs $8.1 trillion a year, equivalent to 6.1% of global GDP, or 1.2 billion lost work days.4

Although you may not be in control of the outdoor air that you breathe, some countries are taking air pollution seriously and implementing healthy measures. For example, China has adopted a range of clean air measures since 2014. Researchers contend these changes have cut their air pollution in half, and attribute the regaining of two years of average life expectancy and a dramatic reduction in stillbirths in recent years to the improved air quality.5

Nikken has contributed to the betterment of indoor air for years with the HEPA 13 multi-stage filtration system known as the KenkoAir Purifier®. Simply replace the filters every six months and keep the reusable pre-filter/mesh filter clean. It makes sense to have them wherever you live, especially if you have babies or the elderly living with you, as they are most susceptible to the negative effects of polluted air.

1, 3, 4, 5 https://www.cleanairfund.org/theme/facts-and-stats/

2 https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/lungs#:~:text=When%20you%20inhale%20(breathe%20in,exchange%2C%20is%20essential%20to%20life.