Sauna challenges the body in ways that are similar to exercise, researchers say. Confronted with the sudden increase in heat, your cardiovascular system is put to the test—blood vessels dilate, heart rate increases and blood gets pushed to your skin, where it can be cooled more easily by sweat.
Research shows that in the days following the spring transition, there are measurable increases in sleep disruption, impaired alertness, workplace errors, motor vehicle accidents, and even short-term elevations in cardiovascular events and blood sugar variability.
Bring blooms inside. Whether you plant bulbs or real plants, collect botanical dishes, or choose flowers on fabrics and rugs, flowers inside the house does wonders for happiness! I treated myself to some inexpensive hardware store plants and the colors and blooms have made me smile all week! Sources for Above: Blue and White Fruit Bowl (with my flowers inside) Floral Rug (color options) Hobnail Planter Blue and White Bunny Source for Above: Blue and White Footed Bowl
It makes sense, right? Every day, we're told how shitty our attention spans are because of our phones. We can't get through 90-minute movies anymore without a quick scroll. We can't just sit down and read a book off our shelf. We have decision fatigue trying to pick a recipe to cook instead of just looking in a cookbook. So turning to more analog things for the betterment of our bodies and minds makes total sense.
What is troubling me is I've always had an issue with taking a shower and all the oil and dirt flowing down my body. I think it's gross. Besides my resistance to actually taking a shower, I hate getting out of the shower and feeling cold, and trying to get dressed partially wet. When I've been in relationships, I force myself to shower, or I wipe down with hospital-type wipes.
As we plan our next break, research suggests we should look not to far-flung destinations, but to our own backyards. The staycation offers a compelling new model for deep mental restoration. This is not merely staying home, but a curated, intentional break grounded in the psychological science of recovery-one that challenges the notion that distance equals escape. In doing so, it provides a practical approach for rebuilding our cognitive and emotional reserves right where we are.
Burnout rarely pours itself a cup of tea and airs its exhaustion. Sometimes it leaves no visible trace-no missed deadlines, tardy call times, or sloppy emails. Instead, it hides behind accolades and packed calendars. It lives in the shadowed corners of those who lead fundraisers, run meetings, and inspire audiences-only to collapse in private. It shows up in the sobs muffled by the shower, the forehead pressed to a steering wheel, the restless swirl of bedcovers at 3 a.m.
Have you ever struggled to find the perfect drink just before bed? Something like coffee or another caffeinated drink is usually out of the question. Likewise, you don't want a sugary drink if you just brushed your teeth. Cold water, and even room-temperature water, might be the standard, but you should consider the benefits of hot water if you've never tried it before. It can benefit you in more ways than you'd think.
At the start of the year, the most activity I can manage is to pop on a podcast and haul myself into a bubble bath. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. It's a comfort that has made me an expert in every bath cream, foam and salt on the high street. I am practically incapable of passing a shelf without popping a new one in my trolley.
Hi, I'm Cullen, and I'm an alcoholic. At least that's what I recited in front of hundreds of strangers once a week while attending virtual Alcoholics Anonymous meetings last year. I mumbled the words, but often didn't believe them or give their depth of meaning to my life. But when I turned the legal drinking age, even though I swapped out plastic bottles for premium glass ones, that frenzied "teenage" spirit didn't go away.
The conversation around workplace productivity has shifted. For years, the focus sat squarely on output: longer hours, faster responses, and relentless availability. But a growing body of evidence suggests that sustainable performance depends less on time spent working and more on how effectively professionals recover between periods of high demand. This shift is playing out visibly across the capital's business districts, where mobile massage in London is becoming increasingly popular as a scheduled necessity rather than an occasional indulgence.
You know those people who seem to radiate energy and look like they could run a marathon at a moment's notice? The ones who somehow maintain incredible fitness without posting gym selfies or talking about their deadlift PR? I used to think they had some secret genetic advantage. Turns out, after years of observing and experimenting myself, their secret isn't found in a gym membership or expensive equipment. It's woven into the fabric of their daily lives through simple, sustainable habits.
