Plants aren’t just nice to look at. Study after study has shown that greening up your home and workplace can improve your emotional and psychological well-being. Plants in your environment can increase feelings of comfort and lessen feelings of stress, according to a 2020 article by Healthline, and their presence may be linked to increased productivity. Additionally, a 2021 study published by Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, which polled 4,205 participants about the impact of indoor and outdoor plants on their psychological state, found that having vegetation at home during the COVID-19 lockdown “was correlated with more positive emotions,” whereas […]

COVID-19 sickened or killed more than 375 million people globally by early 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), but its impact goes beyond that striking figure. The effects of the pandemic touch nearly every facet of society in the United States and abroad, including overall health, the economy, and human behavior. Social analysis reveals that the impact of COVID-19 has been especially pronounced for already vulnerable groups — including people living in poverty, older individuals, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. But the pandemic’s implications for health go beyond COVID-19’s initial symptoms to encompass a longer time period […]

A college degree is as important as ever. An October 2021 New York Times article reported that, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, white-collar workers with degrees, many of whom could work remotely, were not only less affected by job loss than other workers, they were in industries that rebounded faster once lockdown measures began to lift. On the other hand, individuals lacking college degrees, especially those working in jobs that require face-to-face interaction with customers such as those in the retail, hospitality, and restaurant industries, were disproportionately hit by layoffs, furloughs, and underemployment. That point is underscored by […]

While some people follow linear career paths, others find themselves wanting to change directions throughout their careers. According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index, 40% of the global workforce was thinking about leaving their jobs in 2021. Even though big career changes can be intimidating and present several challenges, they can also lead to more satisfying work and success. It’s time to reconsider non-linear career paths and what they offer. Linear vs. Non-Linear Career Paths Non-linear careers may begin in one direction, then transition to a different path, sometimes more than once. These shifts typically happen as people make discoveries about […]

If the career path that you chose in your early 20s isn’t as satisfying or fulfilling as you thought it would be, it may be time to make a change. Some people who chose a career based on earning potential alone may later find that logging long hours and sacrificing quality of life isn’t worth the six-figure salary. In other instances, people may feel that the line of work they thought would make them happy is less fulfilling than they’d hoped. If you’ve reached a point where you feel your current job no longer aligns with your personal or professional […]

When individuals have the courage to recognize their own knowledge gaps and a willingness to broaden their perspectives and embrace changes, they can truly thrive and grow. The world regularly presents situations that require people to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Consider the demands placed on individuals to shift their approaches to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Overnight, office workers had to adapt to virtual communication and workflow management tools, while nurses had to relearn techniques for assessing patients through telehealth. Responding to changes with agility and an open mind enables people to thrive in a constantly shifting world. This involves […]

Numerous benefits are associated with taking study breaks. While some students may feel that cramming or a marathon study session is the best way to prepare for an exam, science says otherwise. Taking breaks not only helps improve concentration but also improves retention. Scheduling small distractions to give your mind a break can help you be more successful. The Benefits of Taking Study Breaks The benefits of taking study breaks aren’t anecdotal — they’re backed by science. In 2021, researchers at the National Institutes of Health announced that taking short breaks is key to learning. Their study reported that wakeful […]