Did you make your bed this morning? Don’t worry, we won’t tell on you if you didn’t, but there are some demonstrated mental health benefits to completing the chore each day. And it just got easier thanks to a hack for putting your duvet cover back on after washing (undoubtedly the worst part of the task). Learn the simple trick, known as the burrito or California roll method.
Must Reads
This hobby is taking adventurers of all ages to new heights, literally
In the world of Lego, things are looking extra bright. Last week, the Danish toy company not only reported record profits, but also shared big plans to put those gains toward its goal to make all products from renewable and recycled materials by 2032, up from the 22% that are made sustainably today. The key material in question here is resin, which all Lego bricks are fashioned from and which usually includes plastics made from fossil fuels. In the first half of 2024, the company successfully increased the amount of resin purchased from sustainable sources, and will continue doing so. “By doing this, the company aims to help accelerate the industry’s transition to more sustainable, high-quality materials,” the Lego Group said in a press release. This change doesn’t come cheap: The shift away from fossil fuels is reported to increase costs by up to 70% compared to plastic made from crude oil. Still, despite paying more for materials, Lego assured the public that its price tags won’t be changing accordingly. “With a family-owner committed to sustainability, it’s a privilege that we can pay extra for the raw materials without having to charge customers extra,” CEO Niels B. Christiansen told Reuters. He added in the statement: “More than ever, children need play. Play is universal and taps into their natural enthusiasm and curiosity to learn, helping them to develop essential life skills.”
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Pickleball Is Spiking in Popularity in Correctional Facilities
Gennadiy Kravchenko/ iStock
The pickleball craze doesn’t seem to be going anywhere — in fact, the trendy sport has even made its way tocorrectional facilitiesaround the country. One such facility is the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution, a maximum security prison in Suffield, Connecticut, where incarcerated men come together to pick up their paddles and learn a new skill. “Most of them were very athletic; they were far better than I thought they would be,” Angelo Rossetti, a coach for the Pickleball for Incarcerated Communities League, told CT Public Radio. Beyond learning the basics, Rossetti said the goal is for the players to walk away with much more: “If all we do is ... give them hope, we’ve done our job.” The league cites myriad benefits to integrating pickleball in prisons, including easing loneliness, improving outlook, and overall helping individuals cope with life behind bars. According to Eulalia Garcia, the programs and treatment director for the Connecticut Department of Correction, about half of the state’s correctional facilities now offer pickleball. “It’s something that they value, that they look forward to, that brings them happiness and motivates them to be better,” she said.
Environment
“Change Can Be Made”: Largest US Dam Removal Project Is Complete
Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images
In a momentous victory for Indigenous tribes and environmentalists, the nation’s largest-ever dam removal project has reached completion: The last of the four dams in the Klamath River along the California-Oregon border was demolished last week, opening the door for a thriving salmon population. “The biggest thing for me, the significance of the dam removal project, is just hope — understanding that change can be made,” Brook Thompson, a member of the Yurok Tribe, told the Los Angeles Times. The milestone follows a two-decade-long campaign to save the Klamath River after an estimated 70,000 salmon perished due to toxic algae in 2002. Aside from driving the species to near extinction, this also prevented local Native tribes from engaging in core parts of their culture and fishing traditions. But the path to restoration is now in sight as the river can flow freely again, reopening up to 400 miles of salmon spawning and nursery habitats — and reminding youth that progress is possible. “They’re able to see the tribe has made progress, and they see they can be part of solutions,” Thompson told USA Today.
In Other News
September is for stargazers: Mark these celestial events on your calendar, including the full harvest supermoon and a partial lunar eclipse.
Slowdown Studios Woven Blankets If you’ve been on the hunt for a new throw, look no further. The woven cotton blankets from Slowdown Studios are the perfect weight and texture for peak coziness. The vibrant designs from independent artists will immediately upgrade your bed or couch, or you can use one as a wall hanging to add a pop of color to any room. Getting to admire my blanket every time I make my bed definitely adds to the aforementioned mental health benefits of the habit — in my experience, at least! — Rebekah Brandes, Assistant Editor
Ryan Hall is known for chasing tornadoes and making viral videos along the way. But his work doesn’t stop once the weather clears up — he also helps raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to support those impacted by severe storms. “We’re trying our best to take it to the next level,” he said.
Eyes on Paris
Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
Oksana Masters is the Renaissance woman of the Paralympics — so far in her career, she’s earned 17 medals across four different sports. And the 35-year-old Team USA athlete isn’t defined by one season: She’s found victory at both the Summer and Winter Games, competing in rowing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, and cycling. Today, at 2 p.m. ET, she’ll showcase her cycling skills during the H4-5 time trial, a race for hand-cyclists. Per CNN, Masters was born in Ukraine with birth defects believed to be caused by the Chernobyl disaster. At age 7, she was adopted and moved to the United States, where she would eventually have both of her legs amputated. “I came to America with so many scars, and the story was written for me. And I let them define me. I let those memories be what those memories were. But that’s not what defines you,” she told the outlet ahead of the competition, adding: “It’s not what you’ve been through. It’s what you choose to do and how you move forward and all the things you have done. And the scars are just there to remember how strong [you] are. Whether it’s a scar you got from climbing a tree, or whether it’s a scar that you didn’t ask for, it is — it’s a symbol of power and strength.”
Bombas: Socks for the Whole Family
Bombas truly has something for everyone — the high-quality socks come in a range of styles for men, women, and kids (hello, back-to-school shoppers!). And it’s a purchase you can feel good about, because Bombas donates an essential clothing item for every item you purchase. Right now, you can get up to 15% off with Bombas’ pack discounts. Plus, for a limited time, new customers can receive an additional 25% off all socks on orders over $70.
