The editorial in June

Did you know that trees strengthen our physical and mental health? They alleviate stress, improve the immune system and increase our sense of self-worth? When we walk through the forest, our heart beats measurably more calmly, our blood pressure drops and our muscles relax. The relaxation effect occurs after just five minutes. This was discovered by researchers at the University of Essex.

I had to think about this study while working on the dossier «Teenagers in body mania». It makes me wonder how many teenagers are already unhappy with their appearance at the age of 13. How many have a negative self-image that doesn't correspond to reality. And suffer as a result.

Healthy self-esteem means that we believe we are lovable and valuable, despite our
despite our weaknesses and flaws. We like ourselves just the way we are.

In my opinion, teenagers should spend more time in the forest than in the gym in their search for better self-esteem. And so should we parents.

«Parenting means providing a space in which the child can move. If I don't do that, the child is at the mercy of trial and error. It rebels and desperately searches for boundaries.»

Martina Leibovici-Mühlberger, youth psychologist, Vienna

To say it straight away: I love print. But I love good journalism even more. Regardless of the channel. I believe that you, dear reader, will continue to read Schweizer ElternMagazin on paper for a long time to come. Where everyday life is becoming digital, the longing for analogue quality remains: mechanical watches are experiencing a renaissance, as are vinyl records. Print remains an experience for the senses.

And yet we have been working intensively on our new website over the past few months together with the Zurich-based web and mobile development agency Simplificator. Because reading habits have changed. Because we now want to access content anywhere and at any time. Because photos and moving images are becoming increasingly important. And because I believe that quality journalism also has its place and its readers on the Internet.

Our new website has been online since 23 May: Browse through our sections and click through the videos. We present the contents of the magazine in a new, user-friendly layout. With more pictures, more service, more interaction. And we set our own accents online. New every day. Surprising every day.

Now I wish you twice the reading pleasure; as usual with your Swiss parents' magazine. And now online at fritzundfraenzi.ch.

May you and your loved ones enjoy a healthy and relaxed summer.
Yours sincerely, Nik Niethammer