Why trees are the ultimate meditation teachers In Buddhism, trees have long been recognized as living things worthy of recognition and protection. For one, they are excellent meditators.
They sit in one spot for decades and watch everything that goes by. See here what trees can teach you about meditation. READ MORE
4 ways to be more productive, according to the Stoics Most modern productivity advice is focused on work, making you feel like a machine when you follow it. Taking a more philosophical approach, like that of the old Stoics, can be a much more pleasant way to get stuff done, especially because the things you want to do are not always related to work. Here are 4 important lessons to help you be more productive, according to the Stoics. READ MORE
How taking “a daddy day” became the norm in the Netherlands Do you ever take a Papadag? In the Netherlands, taking a “Daddy Day” is becoming the norm as reduced work weeks allow parents to spend more time with their children. A Unicef report suggests that Dutch children’s relationships with their fathers have improved incrementally in step with the increased time dads spend caring for their children. See here how Dutch parents help their kids (and themselves) by working less. READ MORE
Meditation, yoga, and tai chi can reverse damaging effects of stress Mind-body interventions such as meditation, yoga*, and tai chi can reverse the molecular reactions in our DNA that cause ill-health and depression, according to a study by scientists at the universities of Coventry and Radboud. When a person is exposed to a stressful event, their sympathetic nervous system (responsible for the fight-or-flight response) is triggered, which increases production of a molecule called nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB). That molecule then activates genes to produce proteins READ MORE
Police officers in the U.S. are practicing mindfulness to reduce stress and violence Tragedy struck the city of Dallas last year after a U.S. army veteran killed five police officers. To deal with the traumatization and stress of the incident, the Dallas police force has turned to the practice mindfulness. The technique’s goal is to change the way officers manage stress and their emotions, emphasizing a deliberate, thoughtful response and not a rash reaction. The aims are twofold: to help officers cope with trauma, and to reduce violence. READ MORE
