Does this scenario sound familiar? You’re lying poolside at a resort or sightseeing on the trip you’ve been looking forward to all year, butinstead of feeling fully present, you’re thinking about that work assignment due the day you return. Worrying about what’s happening at the office isn’t the best way to occupy your free time, no matter how much you love your job — check out some tips for staying off the clock when you’re on vacation.
Featured Story
Animal Chiropractor Who Went Viral for Giraffe Video Offers Hope to Pet Owners — Exclusive
James Barret
This past spring, a video of a man performing spinal manipulation on a giraffe went viral, introducing millions to Joren Whitley: chiropractor to the animals. If you’re just now realizing that animals can even have chiropractors, you’re in good company. Addressing that blind spot, as well as other misconceptions about his field, is a driving force for the 34-year-old. Whitley has worked on monkeys, lions, bulls, and lizards. He’s tended to aging dogs, adjusted arthritic horses, and set right a show pig or two — all while maintaining a robust roster of human patients at his office in Edmond, Oklahoma. Click below to hear from Whitley and watch him work.
OneSkin takes the concept of science-backed skin care to another level. The brand was founded by an all-woman team of scientists with doctorates in skin regeneration, stem cell biology, immunology, and bioinformatics. OneSkin’s proprietary peptide, OS-01, is the result of a novel research approach: using longevity science to target skin aging at the cellular level. Given the heat we’ve been experiencing this summer, we particularly recommend OS-01 FACE SFP and OS-01 BODY SPF. They’re mineral sunscreens that leave no white cast behind (Associate Editor Ally can vouch for that!), and come with the added benefits of moisturizing, repairing UV-induced skin aging, and boosting overall skin health. Nice News readers can get 15% off using the link below.
Global Map Paves the Way for Better Protection of Groundwater Reserves
Citizens of the Planet/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Scientists have known that various essential ecosystems around the globe rely on hidden groundwater reserves in order to thrive, but what they didn’t know was where such habitats are all located. So a team of researchers, led by ecohydrologist Melissa Rohde, took on the job of creating a worldwide map. It marks the first time that groundwater-dependent ecosystems in dryland regions have been mapped on a global scale, and it could inform how we protect these areas going forward. In a study published July 17, the researchers shared that more than half of the ecosystems are in areas with known groundwater depletion, and only about one-fifth are currently protected. “Until now, the locations of these groundwater-dependent ecosystems have been largely unknown, hindering our ability to track impacts, establish protective policies, and implement conservation projects to protect them,” Rohde said in a news release from The Nature Conservancy. Explore the map.
Traveling elicits a wide spectrum of emotions — excitement, trepidation, and awe among them. According to a recent survey, it’s also an experience that plays a significant role in personal growth and identity for young people. “Young travelers today are not just letting but wanting their travel experiences to define them,” reads the Thrillist report, which surveyed 2,000 people ages 18-75. Of the Gen Z and millennial participants, 76% reported they feel their travels say a lot about who they are and 72% said traveling is “core to their identity and part of how they express themselves.” Differing from older generations, Gen Z and millennials are also more likely to pursue “passion travel.” The trend is defined as going somewhere based on a specific interest rather than the destination itself. It’s a move away from the “bucket list” model, and may present in the form of eco-tourism experiences, wellness journeys, Taylor Swift concerts, or food-centered trips. “Not just any vacation spot will do; they want travel experiences that are as unique as they are,” Thrillist says. Regardless of the destination, it’s a reminder that no matter what’s going on in the world, the desire among young people to experience new things remains constant. Learn more about passion travel.
Health
With “Exercise Snacking,” You Can Boost Your Fitness Without Hitting the Gym
It would be an understatement to say that working out isn’t everyone’s favorite activity, but in terms of health, there are few things that can best it — which makes the concept of “exercise snacking” all the more enticing. Before you get as excited as we did upon first hearing the term, exercise snacking does not refer to literally snacking as a form of exercise (we’re still waiting for someone to fund that study). Rather, it involves practicing short bursts of cardio or resistance training for as little as 20 seconds at a time throughout the day. You may have seen resistance training in the news lately, as two recent papers offered further insight on the extent of its advantages. One found that adults in their mid-60s to mid-70s who lifted heavy weights for a year saw long-term increases in leg strength, while another determined that it can be better than cardio for getting a good night’s rest. The beauty of exercise snacking is that it doesn’t require you to invest in a set of dumbbells or a gym membership (though both are great options) to reap its benefits — you can build strength while engaging in common household and leisure activities. Get some suggestions on ways to incorporate short bursts of movement into your day.
Climate change may be inevitable, but according to atmospheric scientist Susan Solomon, we needn’t adopt a fatalistic attitude toward the issue. The award-winning author outlines our past environmental wins, including victories over ozone depletion, smog, and harmful pesticides, to shed light on how we can achieve similar results with today’s planet-threatening problems.
Aviation insiders Doug and Drew — a professional pilot and an airlines operations manager, respectively — have over 40 years of industry experience between them. In this playful podcast, the two welcome experts and other enthusiasts to chat about all things air travel, with episodes covering topics like flight simulator training, innovations in the field, the history of plane food, and the recent Boeing headlines.
It’s a big basketball week, folks. The men’s and women’s 5x5 Olympic tournaments are underway in Lille, France, and traveling back in time 75 years ago this Saturday, the National Basketball Association was born. A merging of two rival leagues, the Basketball Association of America and National Basketball League, the NBA initially comprised 17 teams. Five years later, another big move occurred in the sport’s history: the adoption of the 24-second shot clock, capping the amount of time teams could hold on to the ball and resulting in faster-paced games that were more fun for spectators. Watch a clip from the 1954 NBA All-Star Game.
