What if we told you that you could — and maybe should — write an obituary for yourself now? You may think it morbid, but the reflective exercise is actually rooted in life, not death. “It seems dreadfully unfair that we wait until after our deaths to write them and never get to read them ourselves,” author Kelly McMasters shares in The New York Times. “Writing your obituary while you’re still alive can offer clarity about your life and, mercifully, if you find something lacking, you still have time to revise.” Learn more about what led McMasters to her annual obituary-writing tradition, and what she’s gained from it.
Must Reads
Waking up with wrist pain? T. rex arms could be the source
Drones Will Soon be Deployed to Clear Trash From Mount Everest
Xinhua News Agency via Getty Images
Early next year, Mount Everest will undergo a spring cleaning of sorts as heavy lifter drones start clearing garbage off its snowy slopes, reducing the danger involved when humans undertake the task. At over 29,000 feet high, Everest is the tallest mountain in the world above sea level, and according to a recent study, erosion from an ancient river gorge is causing it to grow by up to 2 millimeters every year. Naturally, the awe-inspiring behemoth draws visitors far and wide to ascend its heights — and they leave a considerable footprint. In 2015, a rule was enacted requiring all visitors to make a $4,000 “garbage deposit” that’s only refunded if the individual returns to base with at least 17.6 pounds of trash. However, local Sherpa guides are generally responsible for carrying most supplies and clearing waste off the natural wonder. To do so, they must cross the Khumbu Icefall, one of Everest’s most treacherous features. Now, Nepali officials are turning to a Chinese drone manufacturer to lessen that danger: In March 2025, they will begin employing advanced technology to fly into high-altitude zones and remove waste from what has been called the “world’s highest garbage dump.” Click here to learn more about the cleaning process and check out some stunning aerial footage of the route to the Everest summit.
Together With Pique
Start Your Morning With Matcha
Do you know which food has 30 times the antioxidant activity of blueberries? It’s matcha green tea — and antioxidants aren’t its only superpower. But not all matcha is created equal, which is why we turn to Pique Life’s Sun Goddess Matcha. It’s 100% organic and ceremonial grade, as well as quadruple toxin screened for impurities. You won’t find another matcha with such strict standards to ensure the ultimate purity for daily drinking. For a limited time, Nice News readers can get up to 15% off and free shipping for life on Sun Goddess Matcha. Plus, Pique offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so you either love it or get your money back!
Light Therapy May Be Useful for More Than Just Seasonal Depression
Rocky89/ iStock
If you’ve ever lived somewhere with a cold and dark winter (or seen this gem of a scene in the show Broad City), you may be familiar with the concept of light therapy for treating symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. Now, a recent study found that 30 minutes of exposure to lights that mimic sunshine may be worth integrating into a routine for those with non-seasonal depression, too, in combination with antidepressants. Researchers in Brazil found that the remission rate of patients with non-seasonal depressive disorders exposed to an artificial light source was nearly double that of those who weren’t — 40.7% compared to 23.5%. While previous studies have found light therapy to be a possible treatment avenue for seasonal depressive disorder, lead author Artur Menegaz de Almeida told UPI it “had previously been unclear” if it could be beneficial for patients with non-seasonal depression. He now believes the answer is clear. “Bright-light therapy can serve as a low-cost adjunctive treatment option for patients with non-seasonal depression,” Menegaz de Almeida said. “Future guidelines should incorporate new evidence and provide stronger recommendations on the subject.”
Humanity
New Law Ensures California Students Will Be Protected During Heat Waves
xavierarnau/ iStock
Students in California will soon be better protected during heat waves, as Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill requiring schools to adopt a standard set of safety guidelines for physical activity amid extreme weather, therefore eliminating teacher discretion, the Los Angeles Times reports. This bill, known as Yahushua’s Law, is inspired by 12-year-old Yahushua Robinson, who died last year while running in physical education class when it was 107 degrees outside. According to a report from the Riverside County Coroner’s Bureau, he died of a heart defect, with heat and physical exertion listed as contributing factors. “This law symbolizes a commitment to child safety and the embodiment of Yahushua’s values in recognizing our shared humanity within every student,” Christina Laster, an advocate for the Robinson family, said in a statement. The legislation is slated to go into effect in July 2026, and will also set standards for other weather extremities, such as poor air quality and high winds.
In Other News
A florist in Washington accidentally created a new flower that looks like a daffodil bloomed into a dahlia. Check out the “daffodahlia” hybrid.
Australia’s first female winter Olympic gold medalist will now take the reins as the country’s Chef de Mission for the 2026 Milan Games.
British metal detectorists on the Isle of Man discovered a wallet-like hoard of 1,000-year-old silver coins dating to the Viking era.
Welcome back, Daniel Day-Lewis! The three-time Oscar winner is coming out of retirement to act in a movie directed by his son.
Something We Love
Share: The Cookbook That Celebrates Our Common Humanity I’ve had this cookbook for a decade, and I keep going back to it for inspiration in the kitchen. Published by Women for Women International, it features recipes from women living in war-torn countries as well as internationally known chefs, humanitarians, and philanthropists. Bonus: Meryl Streep wrote the intro, and the photos throughout are stunning. — Marika Spitulski, Writer
When three moms saw a gap in basketball opportunities for Pacific Islander girls in Sydney, Australia, they decided to fill it themselves and coach their own team. And they became champions their very first season. “I have definitely seen [the girls’] resilience, drive, and motivation grow,” Azzie Naloku, one mom-slash-coach, said.
Photo of the Day
@USInterior/Jim Garrison
It happens every year, and yet the colors of fall never fail to delight us. This shot shows the changing hues in a diverse forest in Rocky Mountain National Park. Watch some recent drone footage of northern Utah for more beautiful autumn foliage.
Ease Into Your Deepest Slumber With Five CBD
What started out as a fringe wellness product has blossomed into a science-backed, mainstream movement. And this science is beginning to prove what hemp enthusiasts have known for centuries: CBD may be able to change the way you sleep. Each of Five CBD’s sleep gummies contains 25 milligrams of CBD, 2 milligrams of THC, and 3 milligrams of melatonin— a combination meant to have you easing into your deepest slumber and waking refreshed.
