Wood You Be-Leaf It?!
GETTING OUTSIDE CAN HELP YOU FEEL BETTER
POSITIVE BRAIN STIMULATION When you spend time outdoors, taking in the sunlight and fresh air, your body releases the feel-good hormone serotonin in return. Many antidepressant medications work by inhibiting reabsorption of this key neurotransmitter. Additionally, sunlight activates melatonin release, which helps regulate our internal clock. The more sunlight we get each day, the more our bodies know when it’s time to go to bed. ENHANCED FOCUS AND ATTENTION Whether at home or in the office, our brains can go a mile a minute, focusing on everything except the task at hand. While you’re supposed to be working on a PowerPoint presentation, your brain thinks about the new tire you need and
Many of us neglect our mental health because we’ve desensitized ourselves to stress, instead teaching ourselves to “white knuckle” through the day. However, if you knew a better way to manage your stress, you could loosen the reigns more, right? Well, when was the last time you spent some time outside? Whether it’s going on a hike, tending to your garden, or riding a bike, research reveals the positive effects on your mental health of spending time outdoors.
IMPROVED OVERALL MOOD Everyone occasionally falls into a “funk.” And while it’s normal to experience that mood at times, it shouldn’t be a constant feeling. A 2010 study revealed that exercising in nature for just five minutes improved self-esteem and overall mood. Experiencing nature often makes people feel grounded and more connected to the Earth, leading to feelings of happiness and a sense of purpose. A separate study revealed that participants who went on nature walks had increased positive emotions after the walk.
the pile of dirty dishes in the sink. A 2020 study found that spending time in nature can calm the mind, allowing for enhanced
focus. Further studies on outdoor play settings stated that children with ADHD were calmer after playing in green spaces than in other settings.
Stars’ Successes, Stumbles, and Surprises
When it comes to financial planning, celebrities have the same chances of success or failure as the rest of us. Here are three classic tales of celebrity investments that went horribly wrong or stunningly well. WHERE NO SPOKESPERSON HAD GONE BEFORE William Shatner will always be known in this galaxy and beyond as Captain James T. Kirk of “Star Trek,” but his portrayal as the leader of the USS Enterprise is far from his most lucrative role. Surprisingly, he made most of his fortune decades after the Enterprise’s first televised voyage. Thanks to his decision to serve as the pitchman for the online travel agency Priceline, he earned more than $600 million on top of his earnings in sci-fi. Did Priceline pay him that much to star in a few commercials? Not exactly. Shatner was impressed by Priceline and chose to take stock in the then-fledgling company as payment instead of his acting fee. FROM POP STAR TO PROFIT KING Based on your age and musical sensibilities, Justin Bieber is either a staple of your iPod or the singer of songs you race to avoid. Either way, few can find fault in the now 30-year-old’s skill at selecting the right investments. While
many recording artists have taken Spotify to task for the company’s controversial payment structure over the years, Bieber took a different approach and invested funds into the digital streaming behemoth. That wise decision — along with investments in Stamped, Liquid IV, and other companies — helped the singer amass an estimated worth of $300 million. A SOCIAL MEDIA MONETARY MELTDOWN Unfortunately, former teen idol Justin Timberlake’s explorations in digital media investing yielded considerably less impressive results. Despite Facebook and Twitter’s clear domination of social media, he joined a group of buyers in purchasing Myspace in 2011 — years
after the platform’s dramatic decline. Unfortunately for the famed NYSNC member, Myspace failed to regain its former glory. Legend has it that he sold his stake in the company to a fan in 2015 for a single dollar. While it’s conceivable that he posted about the exchange on Myspace, it’s highly doubtful anyone on Earth signed in to the archaic site to read it.
Here lies
2003–2015 Myspace
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