|
Today is International Self-Care Day, and an opportunity to remind this community that self-care can look different for everyone. In other words, it doesn’t have to mean massages and expensive skin care products. In a recent video, psychologist Raquel Martin delved into some of the nuances surrounding the topic and gave examples of unexpected practices that fall into the self-care bucket for her — it’s worth a watch.
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.
|
Together With BetterHelp
Mental Health Care Is Self-Care
Nice News is committed to helping readers learn more about the importance of mental health, and especially so on International Self-Care Day. One of the best ways to improve your well-being is by turning to the professionals and starting therapy, particularly if you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed in your current season of life.
BetterHelp makes it easy: Simply take a quiz on the online therapy platform and get matched to a therapist that fits your needs and preferences in as little as 48 hours. Then schedule your first session via video, phone, or live chat. Begin your mental health journey today — Nice News readers get $50 off.
Please support our sponsors! They help us keep Nice News free. ♡
|
Culture
Yap Away — It’s Good for Your Mental Health
Next time you consider spontaneously calling a friend for no reason in particular or find yourself going on and on about a TV show or other random musings — keep in mind that yapping might be good for your mental health.
For those unaware, yapping, also known as lighthearted and low-stakes chitchat, is one of the latest slang words getting airtime on TikTok. And its new positive spin may be something to celebrate for myriad reasons.
Connecting with friends is consistently linked to well-being and cognitive health benefits. But what you talk about may not be as important as you’d think. In one 2023 study, researchers analyzed seven types of conversations, including meaningful talks, joking around, and catch-ups. They found that conversations didn’t have to be particularly deep to be beneficial. Rather, intentionally reaching out was “what mattered most.”
“Chitchat is the social glue that holds communities together and helps us feel like we’re part of something larger than ourselves,” psychologist Andrea Bonior told SELF magazine. Read more about the benefits of yapping — and what to yap about.
|
Science
Stephen Hawking’s Archive Is Now Available at Cambridge
The public can now get a deeper peek inside Stephen Hawking’s world, as an archive of the legendary physicist’s scientific papers, personal correspondences, and mementos will be made available at the Cambridge University Library. Hawking, pictured above at the university in 1988, started as a student in 1962 and then served as a professor for three decades before retiring in 2009. He died in 2018, following a long battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.
According to Cambridge, Hawking’s family wanted his work to be made freely available to future generations of scientists, so they donated a “huge collection” of materials — 113 boxes including tens of thousands of pages of papers relating to his work on theoretical physics, photographs, souvenirs from his encounters with figures like presidents and popes, and more.
“The Library’s Stephen Hawking Archive documents not only his journey to becoming one of the preeminent theoretical physicists of his time, but also how his efforts to communicate science to a general audience catapulted him to the status of pop cultural icon,” said Hawking Archivist Susan Gordon, who spent over two years cataloging the collection.
She continued: “The archive will be a unique resource for researchers interested in Hawking’s scientific work and academic life, his personal life, popular science communication, disability rights, assistive technology, and celebrity. No single thread sits in isolation, they were interwoven in the tapestry of Hawking’s life, including glimpses into how he felt about their convergence.” Explore some of the collection.
|
In Other News
- Medical milestone: A German man is likely the seventh person to be cured of HIV following a stem cell transplant.
- The Veterans Affairs crisis hotline has responded to over 2 million messages in two years, meaning “more veterans than ever are getting the support they need.”
- Researchers found evidence on a giant armadillo fossil that suggests humans were in South America earlier than previously thought.
- In a historic moment, South Korea’s top court ruled that same-sex couples are eligible for the same health insurance benefits as heterosexual couples.
- An “exceptionally rare” North Atlantic right whale was spotted in Irish waters, in what could be the first confirmed sighting in the country since 1910.
|
Something We Love
“Five Things Making Me Happy” From Gretchen Rubin
It’s likely no surprise that the editors of Nice News are also into a newsletter called “Five Things Making Me Happy.” From renowned happiness expert and New York Times bestselling author Gretchen Rubin, this newsletter curates practical tips, hacks, and tools to help make our lives happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative. You’ll also get a weekly roundup of what’s making Rubin happy, plus insightful observations and research. Click below to join more than 1 million subscribers and sign up for free.*
*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
|
Inspiring Story
When fate steps in
Surgeon Jennifer LaFemina went from watching her son’s Little League game to life-saving mode earlier this month. The mom of two performed CPR on the umpire after he got hit in the throat by a wild pitch and later collapsed, ensuring he had enough time to get transported to a hospital and recover.
|
Photo of the Day
Meet Tochka and Timur! The two Amur tiger cubs made their first public outing last week at Germany’s Cologne Zoo. “They are well fed, alert, and awake,” the zoo wrote on social media, noting that the duo represent a worldwide effort to boost numbers of the endangered species.
|
LMNT Is Your Key to Summer Hydration
It’s hot this summer — really hot. That means it’s more important than ever to stay hydrated, and adding LMNT to your daily routine can help. The brand’s science-backed electrolyte ratio includes 1,000 milligrams of sodium, 200 milligrams of potassium, and 60 milligrams of magnesium. And Nice News readers get a free sample pack with any purchase.*
*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
|
Quote of the Day
“Self-care is soothing nourishment for your mind, heart, and body. It should feel accessible and comforting, like melted peanut butter on toasted bread.”
– TON MAK
|
|
|
|
