Vacations are supposed to energize you. So why do you feel down after time away? Activity-packed days and not enough rest could be to blame. Why do we experience vacation hangover? Have you ever returned from a trip feeling more tired than before your departure? You’re not alone. This phenomenon is called the post-vacation blues, and it’s a common experience. You might feel down in the dumps for the first few days back at home for a few reasons: Over-full days of activities and sightseeing Not enough sleep Jet lag Being overwhelmed by your to-do list Feeling like there’s nothing to look fo ..read more

It can be tempting to let your self-care routine slide on vacation. But keeping up with healthy habits while away from home can have big benefits.  Slow Travel: tune in to the local rhythm The idea behind the “slow movement” is simple: take more time to simply be in the present moment, and reduce distractions that take you out of it. In a world where we’re constantly encouraged to go, go, go, slowing down can seem like a welcome respite from what sometimes feel like an endless barrage of consumerism and performative social media posting. The concept of “slow travel” is ano ..read more

Whether you miss your bed or you’re having trouble snoozing in a new place, you’re not alone. Here’s how you can cope with this phenomenon known as travel insomnia. The can’t-sleep blues We’ve all been there. You head out on holiday and hit the hay, only to end up tossing and turning until the wee hours of the morning. Changes in routine, an unfamiliar bed, and anxiety all contribute to travel insomnia, and it can be a real impediment to enjoying your vacation. Many people struggle with this sleep issue, which may have an evolutionary basis meant to protect us from unexpected danger when in a ..read more

Hi Stephanie, can you introduce yourself and your work? Hi! I’m Stephanie, the founder of The New Happy. We exist to help teach a new philosophy of happiness, one that’s grounded in using your gifts to serve the world. We share our philosophy in a number of ways: through artwork on Instagram and other social media channels, a weekly newsletter, a weekly podcast, corporate speaking and workshops, and an upcoming book!  Wellbeing has been a significant part of both your personal and professional journey for years, hasn’t it? Can you shed a little light on what that trajectory looked like ..read more

As we approach the two-year anniversary of the initial coronavirus lockdowns, most people who have the ability to work remotely are still working from home. Even though many parts of “normal life” have returned, Covid-19 has kept millions of workers in their home offices, disrupting typical workday routines and making video calls the norm. For some, this break from office life has been extremely difficult. Finding the motivation to stay on task and focus during working hours without the structure of being in the office can be a challenge. Because lines have become blurred between work hours a ..read more

The beginning of a new year is a natural time to take stock of our lives and focus on how we feel and what we might like to change about ourselves and our habits. All around the world, there’s a collective atmosphere of the changing of the calendar ushering in a fresh new era, and there’s an expectation that this means you should put extra effort into ditching bad habits and becoming a whole new you.  For a lot of people, that might mean quitting smoking, exercising more, or focusing on a personal goal. But what about mental health? The New Year can be a great time to assess how you feel ..read more

With the changing of the seasons comes many changes in our lives, and it can be hard to adjust without feeling stressed and burned out. We might not be going back to school, but every September it always seems like that “back-to-school” feeling is in the air — the temperature outside is changing, summer holidays are coming to an end, and you might just be tempted to pick up some new pencils or a fresh notebook! As we jump back into the grind, it’s important to think about our mental health and stay ahead of the game when it comes to avoiding burnout. One way to do this is to focus on workplac ..read more

Hi Steven! Can you introduce yourself and your work? Sure! I’m Steven Sharpe Jr. I’m a content creator and mental health advocate. I’m also the founder of an influencer marketing agency called Nobius Creative. In terms of my work, I’m a creator through and through. Whether I’m creating videos for brands or working on my personal projects, I believe in telling a story and making it beautiful. Through my agency, I support creators by not only representing them in brand deals but also working with brands to develop influencer strategies that are mutually beneficial.  Self-care plays a bi ..read more

Whether it’s indigestion, menstrual cramps, muscle strain, or some mystery ailment you just can’t quite pinpoint, abdominal pain affects all of us at one time or another. Of course, if you experience constant, sharp, or extreme abdominal discomfort, you should seek help from a medical professional. But for the more run-of-the mill aches and pains, applying warm pressure to the trouble spot is often quite effective. How does a heating pad for stomach pain help relieve discomfort? For pain related to muscle tension, a warm compress helps to relax the muscle, which eases pain and provides soothi ..read more

Sleep quality, patterns, and duration may vary among countries, but one thing’s clear: people still aren’t getting enough sleep. Losing just one or two hours of sleep per night can have the same impact on motor and cognitive functions as going without sleep for a full day or two.  Sleep crisis According to the 2020 Philips Global Sleep Survey, nearly two thirds of adults worldwide feel that they don’t sleep well when they go to bed, with worry and stress reported as the most limiting factor to a good night’s sleep (33%). This might come as no surprise when you consider the primary factor ..read more