From the nonprofit organization Voice of Play and their host organization, the IPEMA (International Play Equipment Manufacturing Assocation): This poster is appropriate for any player, whether you are 2 or 92. What other reasons can you think of to play outside? Leave them in the comments below.
From the blog Art Farm, a play/art therapist who offers some advice on creating spaces that encourage kids to explore, learn and play: I really learned the importance of organizing and preparing spaces while working with youth in school settings in several public housing developments in Chicago. So often these youth would come to me […]
For the past month I have been staying in a surprisingly noisy apartment. The neighborhood itself is very quiet, but just my luck to be staying over a night club and all-night grocery store. After this month the importance of being able to find quiet, peaceful places in a city rings all the more true […]
Should happiness and well being be considered a metric to measure overall success of a country? The UN just voted yes: Imagine you open the paper tomorrow, and the headlines are not about the “sluggish economy,” but our nation’s quality of life. You turn to the business section, and find not just information about a […]
More and more studies are coming out about how Americans feel more isolated than ever, and that we have less “close” friends despite being more connected to people via social media and technology. One book was recently released that explores that idea of loneliness and the need for humans to connect with each other through […]
Feeling a little down after the festive weekend with possibly WAY too many chocolate bunnies? There is a cure for that. But don’t take my word for it, ask Canadian artist Alison Ann: I was a bit sad that my vacation was over until I remembered this little gem of a project that I did […]
People often wonder just how powerful the people and spaces around us can be. Well, it turns out they can be pretty dang powerful! Just check out the video. Thanks Guy Kawasaki for sharing this out: Giggles spread through an U-Bahn train in Berlin after one woman starts laughing. Happiness: the best infectious thing you […]
Thanksgiving and the Black Friday rush are behind us, but for many it is just the beginning of a crazy month. How to destress from last week’s trials and tribulations (and sales) and stay focused on this month’s tasks, including work? Meditation: The brains of experienced meditators appear to be fitter, more disciplined and more […]
I received this newsletter post from financial advice blog LearnVest. It provided some interesting insight into another reason why practicing how to be grateful in itty-bitty ways (see my earlier post) is actually better for you in the long run. — Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratefulness and what really makes us happy. […]
"The most psychologically correct holiday of the year is upon us." according to the New York Times article, A Serving of Gratitude May Save the Day. Cultivating an “attitude of gratitude” has been linked to better health, sounder sleep, less anxiety and depression, higher long-term satisfaction with life and kinder behavior toward others, including romantic […]
