While Olympic athletes are busy training for the Summer Games, many of us could benefit from a training regimen for everyday life. That’s where functional fitness comes in. The term refers to exercises that mimic the movement patterns of physical activities we perform on a regular basis — like putting away dishes, lugging heavy bags of groceries, and walking up the stairs. “By incorporating exercises that target multiple muscle groups and joints, functional fitness helpsimprove your overall strength, flexibility, and mobility,” yoga and Pilates instructor Stephanie Mansour writes for Today. Here’s how to get started.
Featured Story
Swedish Death Cleaning: What It Is, How to Do It, and Why It’s Important
You may have heard of a practice called “Swedish death cleaning” — a name that’s both intriguing and fairly straightforward. Perhaps one of the more succinct and accurate summaries of the concept comes by way of comedic actor Amy Poehler’s narration in this amusing trailer for the TV series The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: It’s “basically cleaning out your crap so that others don’t have to do it when you’re gone.” The show is based on the bestselling 2018 book of the same name by Margareta Magnusson, who’s responsible for bringing the Scandinavian tradition into the U.S. mainstream. And, not surprisingly, there’s much more to the concept than Poehler’s pithy description. Click the link below for a guide.
Spring brings with it more warmth, more daylight, and for many, more running around to sports, picnics, and nights on the town. But in all that busyness, it’s important to stay hydrated — and LMNT can help with that. LMNT has a science-backed electrolyte ratio that includes 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 milligrams of magnesium. The electrolyte drink, which comes in convenient, single-serve packets, can help prevent and eliminate headaches, muscle cramps, fatigue, and more. Plus, it’s delicious, and Nice News readers can get a free sample pack with any purchase.
If you haven’t heard of Clark the bald eagle, prepare to be delighted. The 21-year-old bird is the son of Captain, an eagle gifted to former President Ronald Reagan in 1982, when the species was endangered. Captain ended up being part of a conservation breeding program that helped save America’s national bird — which, thankfully, is no longer at risk of extinction. Captain fathered six eaglets that were released into the wild. But Clark was born with “bad feet,” his handler Daniel Cone told The Washington Post, so his life looks a bit different from his siblings: He spends his time traveling the country with Cone to perform flight demonstrations and educate the public at various events. Clark has taken over 100 commercial flights (yes, he has to go through airport security), and garners new fans on each one. “Everybody comes up to see him,” Cone said. “They’re blown away. It’s a moment they’ll never forget.” Read more about the special eagle and see photos from his adventures.
Culture
“Extraordinary” (and Secretly Decorated) UK Apartment Earns Protected Status
Ron Gittins rented the ground-floor apartment of a Victorian-style home in Birkenhead, England, in 1986, and spent the next three decades turning it into a true artistic masterpiece. The thing is, he never told anyone about it. His family members discovered his elaborate decor following his death in 2019, and then launched a campaign to get the “extraordinary” apartment designated as a protected historic landmark. Gittins’ niece, Jan Williams, led the charge, and her efforts paid off earlier this month: “Ron’s Place” wasgranted Grade II listing by England’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport. “I believe Ron would be made up and very proud at all the attention he’s receiving, and thrilled his work is being recognized and appreciated. He only kept it secret because you’re not really supposed to turn your rented flat into a Roman villa complete with epic concrete fireplaces, are you?” Williams joked in a statement. See more photos and learn all about “outsider art.”
A new large-scale analysis is highlighting the potential health benefits — both physical and mental — of consensual touch. The sense of touch is one of the first to develop in utero, and it’s an important communication and connection tool. Amid the “loneliness epidemic,” the study is an important reminder that simple things like holding hands or tapping a friend on the shoulder can have profound effects. Researchers looked at more than 200 previously published studies to reach the conclusion that “touch interventions are best suited for reducing pain, depression, and anxiety in adults and children, as well as for increasing weight gain in newborns.” They also found that physical touch from objects, such as a weighted blanket, provided similar health benefits, something that surprised study co-author Helena Hartmann. “This means we need to undertake more research on the potential of weighted blankets or social robots to improve people’s well-being, especially during contact-limiting situations like the recent COVID-19 pandemic,” she told The Guardian.
Sunday Selections
What to Watch
Kevin Mazur/ Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
The Piano Man, aka Billy Joel, played the 100th concert of his Madison Square Garden residency on March 28, and luckily for fans who couldn’t attend, the entire show will air tonight at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. Watch him rock out on some of his biggest hits — including “Uptown Girl,” “Only the Good Die Young,” and “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” If you can’t catch it this evening, don’t fret: The special is also streaming on Paramount+.
Something We Love
Nathan James Minimalist Gugan Bench
We first recommended Nathan James in a recent article about how to upgrade your bedroom. Assistant Editor Rebekah Brandes is the proud owner of two midcentury modern nightstands from the brand, and this bench is next on her list. Perfect for an entryway or at the foot of a bed, the piece is constructed with solid wood and comes with a removable zippered cushion (meaning washing it is a cinch). Shipping is free and the company offers a lifetime warranty on every product.
Tomorrow marks 77 years since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, becoming the first Black player to take the field with a major league team in the modern era. At age 28, he signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, going on to earn the inaugural Rookie of the Year Award at the end of his first season. Robinson, who died in 1972, was a lifelong advocate for civil rights, joining the NAACP’s board of directors in 1958. His legacy continues to inspire fans and pros alike: Every April 15, the MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day. Watch footage of the baseball great in action.
Add LMNT Hydration to Your Routine
LMNT is as versatile as your favorite pair of jeans: It’s a perfect post-workout recovery tool, quick morning boost, or cocktail mixer (and hangover cure). It also works for folks following a keto, low-carb, or paleo diet. Right now, Nice News readers can get a free sample pack with any purchase — order below.
