At this point, the oft-cited stat that 80% of people abandon their New Year’s resolutions by February has likely prevented a fair number of us from making any in the first place. A different sort of self-improvement trend may be more sustainable, though, and you can start it before or after Jan. 1. Called the “Winter Arc,” the now-viral practice involves capitalizing on the cold months to go full force on your goals, and uses the end of the season as a sort of deadline — which many folks thrive on — for setting new habits in motion. Get tips for kicking off your own Winter Arc. — the Nice News team
Featured Story
The 3 Types of Empathy and How to Increase Them in Your Relationships
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From about the age of 3 onward, the typical human has the capacity to experience the emotional state of another person. That capacity is called empathy, and it’s critical to our well-being — both as individuals and as a collective. “In general, empathy is a powerful predictor of things we consider to be positive behaviors that benefit society, individuals, and relationships,” social psychologist Karina Schumann explained to the American Psychological Association. But empathy isn’t just about feeling sad when someone else feels sad. The opportunity to empathize presents itself in myriad aspects of life. Click below to learn about the 3 types of empathy and how to increase your own.
The U.S. is short 2.3 million homes, making the need for affordable, efficient housing solutions greater than ever. That’s why BOXABL rethought home construction with assembly-line technology, building homes in hours, not months. With this breakthrough approach, BOXABL factories can make one home every four hours — ready to be shipped to its final destination. Fully equipped with plumbing, electrical, and HVAC, they offer a fast, scalable solution to housing woes. Not to mention, the company has gained the attention of investors like D.R. Horton. And they’re not alone. BOXABL has already built more than 700 homes, with over 190,000 reservations* from potential buyers. Invest in BOXABL for just 80 cents/share.
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This Week’s Top Stories
Humanity
2025 Marks the Start of Generation Beta
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The reign of Generation Alpha is over — now introducing: Gen Beta. While we have yet to see this new era take shape, we know that many of these children will be the offspring of millennials and older Gen Zers, living until the 22nd century. Gen Beta kids, who are expected to become 16% of the global population by 2035, will grow up in a world infused with technology and AI, which could impact everything from their schools to doctor’s offices. They’ll walk the tightrope of forming their identities and developing relationships both online and IRL, but their parents will be well-equipped to help them. “We predict Generation Beta will embody the balance between hyper-connectivity and personal expression,” wrote author and social researcher Mark McCrindle, who coined the name Gen Beta. “They’ll redefine what it means to belong, blending in-person relationships with global digital communities.” But tech isn’t the only factor that will impact these quarter-century babies. Click here to learn more in Nice News’ guide to the different generations — from Alpha to Z.
Health
New Study on Muscle Regeneration Sparks Hope for Heart Failure Cure
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In 2022, 13.9% of all deaths in the U.S. were caused by heart failure. And contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t only affect older people: Nearly 6.7 million adults ages 20 and up currently have the condition, per the CDC. The good news? Thanks to recent research, there is more hope that heart failure may one day have a cure. The idea is based on a new study showing that the heart muscle can heal itself — in some cases. Currently, the only treatment options for patients with advanced heart failure are complete transplants or left ventricular assist devices, also called “artificial hearts,” which are surgically implanted mechanical units that help the organ pump blood. Through the research, scientists found that patients with artificial hearts regenerated muscle cells more than six times faster than those with healthy hearts. “This is the strongest evidence we have, so far, that human heart muscle cells can actually regenerate, which really is exciting, because it solidifies the notion that there is an intrinsic capacity of the human heart to regenerate,” study co-author Hesham Sadek said in a statement. Dive deeper into the findings.
Tech
“Like a Miracle”: High-Tech Surgery Put a Halt to Music Instructor’s Hand Tremors
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Millions of Americans live with essential tremors, a condition that causes involuntary shaking — and Matt O’Brien, a music instructor in the Chicago suburbs, is one of them. Since he was 4, tremors have affected his ability to do everyday tasks, from playing with Legos as a kid to shaving and putting in contact lenses as an adult. But that all changed when he underwent a procedure called deep brain stimulation, CBS News reports. Often used to treat Parkinson’s disease, the sophisticated surgery involves putting small wires through the brain at the tremor-generating location. The wires arethenconnected to a rechargeable pacemaker implanted under the collarbone and controlled by a handheld device. “The degree of tremor control is 90, 95, sometimes even 98%. So it’s quite … it’s almost like a miracle,” said Sepehr Sani, a neurosurgeon who conducts the procedures at Rush University Medical Center. This newfound control allows O’Brien to play music the way he wants and enjoy life’s little things. He told the outlet that after receiving his implant, he gave his girlfriend a kiss without shaking. “It was amazing,” O’Brien said.
Sunday Selections
Deep Dives
What’s your PR? Learn why the fitness metric is the reigning motivational hack
The moving story of how one woman is using her ALS diagnosis to inspire others as a sort of “terminal illness influencer”
People living in the Arctic experience polar night — here’s what the phenomenon can teach us about sleep
It’s no secret we’re in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, an issue Nice News has reported on in the past. Psychologist Sam Carr adds to the existing literature on this subject not by merely illustrating the negative impact of social isolation, but by sharing personal conversations with people of varying ages and circumstances who’ve been experiencing it. In doing so, he questions what we can all do to deepen our relationships in an increasingly disconnected world.
As any Beatles fan will tell you, Ringo Starr can carry a country tune. And in his latest solo album, a collection of songs recorded in Nashville and Los Angeles, his lifelong love of the genre shines through yet again. The famed drummer and former member of the Fab Four plays his signature instrument and sings on each of the 11 tracks. Click the link to hear Starr discuss the making of Look Up and get a preview of the album.
This Week in History
Wikipedia Launches
January 15, 2001
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Once upon a time, if you wanted a quick answer to a question, your best bet was to grab the nearest encyclopedia and start riffling through its pages. But beginning about a quarter of a century ago, learning factoids like how large the Great Lakes are or when Queen Victoria was born became immeasurably easier. Wikipedia launched on the heels of the failed Nupedia, a website intended to provide users with expert-written entries. When the process of editing those entries proved painstakingly slow, Nupedia’s creators switched gears and created Wikipedia, which allows anyone to write and edit articles. By the end of its first year, Wikipedia had 20,000 pieces; today, it boasts 6.9 million, making it all too easy to get lost in a rabbit hole of (perhaps unnecessary) information. Consider testing those research abilities with the daily WikiGame.
Reverse Health: A Pilates Program Designed for Women’s Unique Needs
Going through menopause can feel isolating, to say the least, but a workout regimen tailored to your body’s unique needs can help. Reverse Health Pilates combines mindful movements and strength-building exercises to help you feel empowered, flexible, and strong. Plans start at just $12/month for a limited time — take the first step today.
