Category: Lifestyle

The Key Ingredients to a Happy Life

Americans are deeply invested in the ideal of happiness. But what actually defines happiness and how people are supposed to seek it out is an entirely different question. It’s one that researchers have spent a great deal of time analyzing and certainly an idea that remains elusive to many.

Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, has spent his entire life’s work looking at these issues. In a study started in 1938, he found that the main key to happiness boils down to relationships. He has coauthored the book The Good Life: Lessons From the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness and shares many of the findings from this study there.

Waldinger outlines five essential tips for achieving a happier life:

  1. Prioritize Physical Health: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking or excessive drinking are vital. Those who take care of their physical well-being not only live longer but also enjoy more years free from illness.
  2. Nurture Social Connections: Invest in relationships by actively seeking out connections. Whether through community activities, hobbies, or volunteering, expanding your social circle can improve your overall well-being.
  3. Maintain and Strengthen Relationships: Small, consistent actions like regular check-ins with friends or shared activities help keep relationships vibrant and prevent them from fading due to neglect.
  4. Express Core Values: Identify and express what truly matters to you, whether it’s authenticity, family, or other values. Engaging in activities that align with these values enhances life satisfaction.
  5. Embrace Change: Relationships and personal circumstances evolve. Accepting and adapting to these changes, rather than resisting them, leads to healthier, more supportive connections.

Waldinger emphasizes that while happiness fluctuates, focusing on these areas can lead to a more fulfilling life overall. He also explains that one of the most fascinating findings of the study was that people who were connected to others not only found happiness – but that they lived longer.

The World’s Best Restaurants

What does it take to get onto the world’s best list of restaurants? Certainly a lifetime of dedication and an incredible atmosphere and menu. It helps, apparently, for you to be in Spain as well since many of the top restaurants are situated in that culinary heaven.

The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is a list created with the assistance each year of 1,080 culinary specialists and a very specific voting process. The process is certainly an interesting one and one that’s worth learning more about.

Spain has definitely solidified its position with three of the top five restaurants and five in total of the top 50. Barcelona’s Disfrutar clinched the top spot, impressing with innovative dishes like the caviar-filled Panchino doughnut. Asador Etxebarri in Atxondo ranked second, renowned for its exquisite barbecue under chef Victor Arguinzoniz. Madrid’s Diverxo took the fourth spot, further highlighting Spain’s culinary excellence.

Paris’s Table by Bruno Verjus came third, while Lima’s Maido, emphasizing South American cuisine, secured fifth place. Notably, Mexico’s Quintonil was the top North American restaurant at seventh.

The top ten of the list includes the following. It’s certainly worth browsing through the entire list and having an experience of this sort on your “someday” bucket list.

1. Disfrutar (Barcelona, Spain)

2. Asador Etxebarri (Atxondo, Spain)

3. Table by Bruno Verjus (Paris, France)

4.  Diverxo (Madrid, Spain)

5. Maido (Lima, Peru)

6. Atomix (New York City)  – Best restaurant in North America

7. Quintonil (Mexico City, Mexico)

8. Alchemist (Copenhagen, Denmark)

9. Gaggan Anand (Bangkok, Thailand)

10.  Don Julio (Buenos Aires, Argentina)

Saying “I Do” With a Different Look

The bridal industry is undergoing significant changes as modern brides shift away from traditional norms and seek unique, personalized wedding attire. Once dominated by established brands offering conventional gowns, the market is now seeing a surge in demand for diverse, fashion-forward options.

Today’s brides are not just shopping for a single wedding dress but curating entire wardrobes for pre- and post-wedding events, including engagement parties, bachelorette weekends, civil ceremonies, and receptions. This trend is fueling growth in the global bridal wear market, projected to expand at a rate of 3.5% annually, reaching $83.5 billion by 2030.

Unlike previous generations, contemporary brides are looking beyond traditional bridal retailers. They are exploring non-bridal fashion labels and bespoke designers to find attire that reflects their personal style. Retailers such as Anthropologie Weddings, Reformation, and even fast fashion brands like ASOS and Shein are now offering wedding collections to meet this demand. This diversification allows brides to find less conventional, more personalized ensembles.

The shift is also beneficial for emerging designers who offer custom bridal services. These designers provide an intimate experience, crafting unique dresses that cater to the bride’s specific vision. This approach not only meets the bride’s desire for individuality but also allows designers to establish deeper connections with their clients.

Retailers are recognizing the need to update their offerings to appeal to this new generation of brides. By launching collections that feature unorthodox gowns and accessories, they are tapping into the evolving attitudes towards weddings. Brides today value versatility and style, prompting the industry to innovate and move away from the cookie-cutter options of the past.

It will certainly be interesting to watch the bridal space and to see how today’s brides continue to shake up the market.

Is Your City Expensive for Expats?

Many people don’t live in the country of their birth. They might leave in order to search for a better life; to find better work; to join a family member; or to enjoy a change. Certainly, the cost of doing so and the cost of living in this new country isn’t the same from place to place and it’s important to be educated before taking such a leap.

Each year the Mercer Cost of Living Survey examines 226 cities and over 200 items in each location. These include items like transportation, clothing, food and entertainment. Cost of living has certainly been increasing around the world in the last few years, and the survey reflects that. In the US, for instance, seven cities appeared in the top 20 most expensive locations for expats.

The impact of such findings is explained by Vince Cordova at Mercer US as he explains, “As US-based companies continue to source talent globally, inflationary pressures may give some inbound foreign nationals pause to accept a position in some of the high-cost cities and metro areas in the US.”

The survey reveals that Hong Kong remains the most expensive city for expats, followed by Singapore. Swiss cities, including Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Bern, dominate the top rankings, indicating high expenses related to housing, transportation, and general goods. New York and Los Angeles represent the U.S. among the top ten, with New York securing seventh place and Los Angeles tenth. London has risen to eighth from seventeenth.

Art for Longevity?

While we often view art as a form of leisure or luxury, a growing body of research suggests that engaging with the arts could be as essential to our health as exercise and nutrition. Whether creating art or simply appreciating it, studies show that art-related activities can profoundly impact our physical and mental well-being.

Healthcare professionals are increasingly recognizing the therapeutic benefits of the arts. Engaging in creative activities has been linked to improvements in a range of physical and mental conditions, from heart disease and obesity to depression and dementia. These activities stimulate our brains, enhance neuroplasticity, and trigger the release of beneficial neurochemicals and hormones.

Authors like Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross in their book, “Your Brain on Art,” argue that art engagement is a crucial aspect of human experience, offering benefits that can promote healing and well-being. Similarly, Bianca Bosker in her recent book, “Get the Picture,” discusses art not just as a luxury but as a fundamental human need, rooted in our evolutionary history.

Art’s power to evoke emotional and physiological responses is remarkable. It activates multiple brain networks, impacts our sensory experiences, and can even lead to profound physical reactions, such as those experienced by people with Stendhal syndrome when encountering particularly moving artworks.

These experts suggest making art a regular part of our lives, emphasizing that it is not the quality of the art that matters but the act of engaging with it. Regular interaction with art can enhance cognitive functions, lower stress levels, and even extend life expectancy. Thus, integrating art into our daily routines might not only enrich our lives aesthetically but could also be essential for our health.

Beautiful Hiking Trails in Europe

As summer is fast approaching, it’s time to think about your travel plans. While city travel is always fun, getting out into the countryside and enjoying some beautiful hiking trails can really make for a relaxed, less expensive trip. Here are a few of the many trails covered in a recent article on CNN that just might peak your interest.

  • Karhunkierros Trail, Finland: Stretching 82 kilometers through Finnish Lapland, this trail offers a wilderness experience in Oulanka National Park, populated with wildlife and lush forests, best explored during the bright summer nights.
  • King Charles III England Coastal Path: Spanning 4,300 kilometers, this extensive trail covers diverse landscapes from Cornwall’s cliffs to the serene vistas of Suffolk and Norfolk, suitable for short and long hikes.
  • John Muir Way, Scotland: This 215-kilometer coast-to-coast trail passes through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, celebrating John Muir’s environmental legacy.
  • Apuseni Mountains, Romania: A four-day hike through these majestic mountains offers encounters with wildlife and a traditional Romanian cultural experience.
  • The Camino Frances, France and Spain: The most popular route of the Camino de Santiago, this pilgrimage trail spans from St. Jean in France to Santiago in Spain, rich in historical and spiritual significance.
  • Engadine Panorama Trail, Switzerland: A 55-kilometer trail in southeastern Switzerland, ideal for beginners and those seeking less strenuous routes through picturesque Alpine landscapes.
  • Rota Vicentina Fishermen’s Trail, Portugal: A 225-kilometer path along the Atlantic coast, offering a unique perspective on Portugal’s natural beauty.
  • Laugavegur Hiking Trail, Iceland: Open from July to September, this 55-kilometer trail showcases Iceland’s unique volcanic landscapes and geothermal springs.

These hikes provide a perfect blend of exercise, peace, and connection to some of Europe’s most stunning natural environments.