Dear Reader, Are you still able to make it outside during these uncertain times? If you are, how much of that outdoor time do you spend in nature? A new study has found that living close to nature and spending time outside has significant and wide-ranging health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain diseases.... Continue Reading →
Surreality
Dear Reader, Do you know Salvador Dalí’s famous painting “The Persistence of Memory” with all of the melting clocks? The coronavirus pandemic, much like the artistic masterpiece is surrealist in nature. Surrealism was a 20th century movement in which writers and artists used their work to bring a keen eye to the subconscious and non-rationality... Continue Reading →
The Great Indoors!
Dear Reader, How long have you been enduring the ‘new normal?’ Just over five weeks ago, Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all non-essential businesses and organizations in Massachusetts to close their physical facilities to employees, customers and the public. One week later, Gov. Baker extended the state's stay-at-home advisory and required all... Continue Reading →
Did you hear about Georgia?
Dear Reader, How are you doing in the midst of the pandemic? This is just a friendly check in. My sense from the news (simply put) is that people are becoming more restless and desperate, which is causing tension especially in politics. At the time of this writing, the Georgia Governor has sanctioned businesses such... Continue Reading →
You’re Just My Type
Dear Reader, We are our own greatest mysteries. How many of you know your Myers-Briggs personality type (ex. ESFJ, INTJ), your zodiac sign, your Hogwarts house, or whether you are an introvert or extrovert? My guess is that most of you know at least half of the above. Unlike learning math or grammar, an education... Continue Reading →
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Liquid Happiness
Dear Reader, We (in the United States) have a complex and convoluted relationship with alcohol. At the dawn of our nation, alcohol was seen as a far more sanitary alternative to water and a healthy digestive aid. In 1830, drinking-aged Americans consumed an average of 7.1 gallons of pure alcohol a year, which is extraordinary... Continue Reading →
Virtual Reality
Dear Reader, Are you working 100% online now because of the pandemic? I am, and I have been for about a month now (jeez!). If I might ask, how are you doing? While I am working the exact same number of hours at work, I sometimes feel more fatigued after a virtual day than an... Continue Reading →
On The Same Side
Dear Reader, How long have you been self-isolating? I have been limiting my movement to essential trips (only two to the grocery store) and exercise outside. At the time of this writing, most U.S. states are under shelter-in-place orders (meaning that all non-essential businesses are closed) and stay-at-home orders (meaning that people are advised to... Continue Reading →
My Own Worst Enemy
Dear Reader, Sometimes the most important things to us are also the most fragile. At least, this is the case for me and my iPhone. Have you ever been without your phone for a day or more due to damage or repair? If you are like me, during these periods you have probably realized the... Continue Reading →
Healthy in Our Homes
Dear Reader, I recently saw a meme on Facebook in response to the pandemic with the text “I’m either going to leave this self-quarantine 100lbs heavier or 50lbs lighter. Only time will tell.” While this statement was made in jest, I believe there is some truth to the underlying text. We humans are accustomed to... Continue Reading →