The Healing Effects of Forest Bathing
In spite of the recent lockdown order, going outside for some fresh air is still permitted, making it a perfect time to give forest bathing a try. Forest bathing, or nature therapy as it’s sometimes called, describes a broad group of activities that improve your mental or physical health, specifically within a nature or outdoor setting. What’s even better is that a growing body of research links forest bathing with therapeutic benefits like stress relief and prevention of stress-related illness. So stop refreshing your feed and breathe.
Build Strength and Balance (Yoga pose)
Does it feel like your world’s been turned upside down? Try to embrace it and let go through yoga practice. To be truly free, we must be willing to accept changes of all kinds and face our fears head on (no pun intended). When attempting a headstand pose (and all inversions), we have to let go of the ground beneath our feet and open up to a totally new perspective. We will literally be turning our world upside down in efforts to set yours straight.
The 10 Best Books of 2019
If you’re searching for a book to lose yourself in, don’t look any further. 2019 was an amazing year for readers, offering everything from long-awaited sequels to heart-breaking family dramas. It’s hard to list all of them, but our sister publication Better pared it down to ten books that really blew them away. Bestsellers, and some under-the-radar treasures — you’ll find them here.
Marie Kondo’s Cleaning Method
Clutter can trigger the release of the stress hormone cortisol, which can increase tension and anxiety and lead to unhealthy habits, so why not reduce clutter and anxiety in one swoop? Marie Kondo’s principles — which she calls the KonMari Method — don’t adhere to a “less is more” philosophy but instead encourage the keeping of items, as long as they spark joy. She says, “In my home, I’m surrounded by my favorite things, including 15 pairs of chopstick rests.” Learn about the KonMari Method in four (seemingly) simple steps here.
How to Garden: Growing Groceries
Are the photos of empty store shelves flooding giving you anxiety? How could they not be. The good news is that almost anyone can grow good eats, whether you have a small balcony or rolling acres. And by planting produce you save money, conserve energy resources, reconnect with the earth and help teach the younger generation where food actually comes from. Here are some tips to consider before sowing the first seed or digging the first hole.
Kasia Pawlowska loves words. A native of Poland, Kasia moved to the States when she was seven. The San Francisco State University creative writing graduate went on to write for publications like the San Francisco Bay Guardian and KQED Arts among others prior to joining the Marin Magazine staff. Topics Kasia has covered include travel, trends, mushroom hunting, an award-winning series on social media addiction and loads of other random things. When she’s not busy blogging or researching and writing articles, she’s either at home writing postcards and reading or going to shows. Recently, Kasia has been trying to branch out and diversify, ie: use different emojis. Her quest for the perfect chip is never-ending.
