How to survive in a room full of strangers

For some of us, there is nothing more intimidating than walking into a room and realizing you don’t know a single soul (we’re looking at you, introverts). For others (hey, extroverts!), this kind of unfamiliarity paired with the opportunity to meet new people is refreshing — even exhilarating.

We all have our own ways of getting comfortable when we venture into uncharted territory, which is why the people over at ThriveGlobal have asked their readers to tell them about the ways they get acclimated to new places and fresh faces. Some of the tactics they shared for finding their way in a room full of strangers is brilliant. For Margaret Meloni of Long Beach, California, the best thing to do is look around for other sympathetic souls—the introverts who are also standing on the sidelines by themselves, watching everyone else. Once she spots fellow introverts, she walks up and makes contact. Once other solitary souls wander by, she invites them into the conversation—which eventually leads to the creation of a gang of introverts.

A life coach from India by the name of Aakriti Agarwal offered a very different approach. He wrote that when he enters unfamiliar territory, he starts by striking a conversation by asking someone for help or for some information. Agarwal claims this strategy lends itself as a nice ice breaker that helps to initiate conversation. If you want more strategies for surviving in a room full of strangers, have a look right here. READ MORE

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Feed your brain by paying attention to the symbolism of your daily commute

You’ve probably heard the advice to change up your commute now and then as a way to take your brain off of autopilot and give your synapses a little exercise. Here’s another activity that might feed your grey matter: try contemplating the symbolism embedded in the modes of transportation you use for your daily commute. Sound too abstract? Let us explain for a moment.

Psychologist Carl Jung developed the concept of archetypal symbols as part of his theory of the collective unconscious. He argued that all of us are connected in a psychic space that exists beyond individual consciousness, where we share a common language. That’s why, according to Jungian theory, references to rivers, hats, ravens, or wheat, for instance, have held strikingly similar connotations in artwork, literature, and dreams, across cultures and through time. So, too, have more recent inventions, like cars, bicycles, trains, and subways, say, Jungian interpreters.

To Jung, there is symbolism in all that is around us, and fortunately for us, the symbolism shared by common forms of transportation as well as hundreds of other objects, flora, and fauna, are catalogued in The Book of Symbols: Reflections on Archetypal Images (Taschen, 2010). The subway, for instance, is described in the book as the “mythic basement.” You may not look at subways this way consciously, but for your subconscious mind, the subway tunnels “bring to mind caverns, catacombs, and labyrinths”—a dive into the unknown.

The bicycle, on the other hand, offers the figurative and literal independence and self-reliance of a car without the fumes and burning of fuel. “In particular, the bicycle symbolically evokes a vehicle of psychic energy and progression (the bicycle doesn’t move in reverse) that is personal rather than collective, and under the command of the individual ego,” The Book of Symbols tells us. Want to know what your mode of transportation symbolizes? If you do, just take a look right here. READ MORE

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Don’t enjoy running? Here are 9 alternative cardio exercises you can do

Running is awesome. It’s a simple, effective form of cardio that offers a whole range of health benefits. It also sucks—depending on who you ask. But if you belong to the camp of people who simply don’t enjoy running, you can still get the benefits of cardio without having to run around the block.

For instance, jump rope is an excellent, low-impact way to get all the benefits of running. According to one study, a 10-minute daily rope-skipping program is just as effective as a 30-minute jogging regimen.

Boxing is another amazing form of cardio—and don’t worry, you don’t actually need to hop into the ring and fight someone to reap the benefits of boxing. By incorporating different types of kicks, punches, and shuffling motions, you can train your core and upper- and lower-body muscles while getting your heart pumping. If you really don’t like running, you can find more fantastic cardio exercises right here. READ MORE

Aloe Cadabra – each tube is carefully filled over 95% Full of Organic Aloe Vera to moisturize and sooth.

Moisturize
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