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Tips to Living a More Environmentally Conscious Lifestyle

Posted on by Josh

Tips to Living a More Environmentally Conscious Lifestyle

 

It’s easier now, more than ever to witness the devastating impact of climate change on our planet. As we become more aware of the human impact on our natural world, many of us recognize that we must do something. People are adopting more environmentally conscious lifestyles faster than ever.

The way we live our daily lives has a massive impact on the future of the planet. Adopting sustainable practices is essential in our rapidly evolving society. Thankfully, businesses and people around the world are starting to realize how crucial it is to be environmentally conscious.

The reality is, most people want to go green, but they don’t know where to start. Food supply systems, consumer behavior, and significant lifestyle changes are daunting undertakings. It’s hard to take the initial step. But once you start making these changes, you will get into a rhythm that works for you.

Being eco-conscious is subjective, and it means something different to everyone. This broad term describes many different behaviors and general rules of thumb. To help you get started, we’ve come up with a few ways that you can be more sustainable in daily life:

 

Consider a Plant-Based Diet

 

Switching from a meat-based diet to one that’s focused on whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, is one of the best lifestyle changes you can make. Not only will you significantly reduce your carbon footprint, but you will also be prioritizing your health! 

The meat industry is single-handedly responsible for major deforestation, pollution, water consumption, land use, and destruction of topsoil. One kilo of beef consumes almost 15,000 liters of water, while a kilo of wheat uses ten times less. 

The United Nations now urges individuals to eat a plant-based diet, which they claim is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. By cutting down on your meat intake, you’ll be joining the global struggle against climate change. Fewer customers buying their product will send a clear message to the meat and dairy industries. 

 

Eat Local

 

Buying local produce that’s fresh and in season is another incredible move to being more sustainable. Support your local farmers’ market. Low-scale agriculture tends to be kinder to the planet and the environment. Buy apples from a neighboring farm, for example. Be sure to check your foods’ country of origin as well, to get an idea of how far things have come to get to you.

It’s equally as important to eat produce that’s in season. It requires a significant amount of energy to fake the weather conditions necessary to grow vegetables and fruits out of season. 

Eating local is better for your body and your soul. It’s an easy, eco-friendly habit to adopt. Enjoy sustainable gastronomy and visit farm-to-table restaurants in your area (when they open, of course). If you’re planning on hosting a big event in the future, like a wedding, ask the caterer to plan a menu based around seasonal ingredients!

 

Go Package Free

 

You’ve likely heard of the plastic-straw bans in the effort to save sea turtles. Plastic contributes not only to greenhouse gases, but it also takes years to biodegrade. Consuming less plastic is central to environmental consciousness. 

Now you can find many zero-waste shops where you can buy unpackaged foods. You bring your own containers and pay per-weight. If you do find yourself buying something with plastic packaging, reuse or recycle the container. 

 

Shop Sustainably

 

Fast fashion is one thing that every environmentally conscious individual has to kick to the curb. While this clothing consumption trend is convenient for consumers, it’s far from sustainable. Many of the items that you buy from ‘fast-fashion’ retailers will only last a year. 

These clothes are cheap, and they last for a season or so, which is why they’re so enticing for fashion-lovers. When it comes to ethical shopping, the price tags can be daunting. That said, an increasing number of brands are becoming greener in their production. 

Companies like Pact, Boden, Everlane, and Tentree are focused around ethical, sustainable, and affordable fashion. The products are made from quality materials so you can wear them for longer. Even if you have to spend a bit more than you’re used to, the investment will pay off in the long run. 

 

Save Energy and Travel Smart

 

When you’re at home, try to save energy by turning off the lights and being conscious of water consumption. Some energy-saving habits include turning off the tap when brushing your teeth, choosing to line-dry clothes, and driving less. 

If you live in a city with decent public transportation, you don’t need a car. If you have to run errands or take a road trip, it’s more economical and eco-friendly to rent a car. Check out Globe Car & Truck Rental in Montreal, and you’ll see that there are many options for small vehicles with better gas mileage. 

The distance that you drive is a massive implication of your carbon footprint. If you reduce the amount that you drive by 5,000 miles, you save more than a ton of CO2. 

 

Make The Change

 

The world is currently in a race against climate change. Every person has a role to play in the future of the natural world. By adopting small lifestyle changes, you can separate yourself from systems that are destroying forests and oceans around the world. 

 

Written by Ashley Lipman for The Blog Frog.

Super Stressed? Here’s How to Cope With Stress Without Quitting Your Job

Posted on by Josh

When Carole King’s border collie went missing in July, she decided to quit her job and devote her time to finding her furry companion, People reported. After a 57-day search, the Washington State woman was reunited with her dog.

We love this heartwarming story of love and perseverance. But how can you get through stress, when taking time off from work or putting your career on hold isn’t an option? Experts offered their tips for coping at work when you’re going through stress.

Set realistic goals

Sometimes it’s inevitable that what we go through outside of work affects our output or energy on the job. “You can’t expect yourself to be performing at the same level as when you were at 100%,” says Annie Varvaryan, Psy.D, a clinical psychologist.  But the key is to be clear with your boss if your work — or your team’s work — is going to be affected. “Don’t hide it,” says Kerri Twigg, a career coach and job search strategist. “See if you can bring in some extra support on some projects.”

Surround yourself with support

Some people’s tendency during a tough time is to isolate, notes Varvaryan. But it’s important to “allow yourself to connect to people you trust or are close to,” she says. Sometimes what we need most is someone to help validate our feelings, but it’s OK if you don’t feel comfortable sharing details with people you work with. If you’re tight-lipped all day, try to connect with friends or loved ones when work is done, says Elizabeth Cohen, Ph.D., a New York City-based clinical psychologist.

Prioritize self-care

In the midst of a tough time, self-care can feel like a lofty, unrealistic goal. But experts agree that even the simplest acts can impact your well-being during a hardship. Twigg encourages packing “lunches that are healthy and nourishing” as a start.

Communicate

If you worked out a flexible schedule, such as coming in later than usual or leaving early to tend to what’s going on in your personal life, be sure your manager knows how to reach you when you’re not in the office. It’s also important to let people know when you’ll be offline and won’t be checking email or texts. While it can be uncomfortable to have these talks upfront, being direct is often the best way to avoid added stress.

Take breaks

It may not be realistic to take a sabbatical from work, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take mini-breaks to restore and replenish you throughout the day. Twigg advises “blocking out 10 or 15 minutes in [a private] room to meditate or just sit in silence.”

One other thing we recommend at Behere is asking to go remote. Being able to be comfortable at home, or get away to a new city, can really help you deal. All the while working remotely of course. We shared resources for asking to go remote here. Good luck and remember that this will pass too.

Written by Danielle Sinay for Thrive Global. Originally posted here.

Eco-friendly Tips for Solo Travelers

Posted on by Josh

Traveling the world has become more accessible through the innovations of remote careers, and a slew of new trendy budget airlines, just to name a few. More than ever, eager explorers embark on life-changing journeys all around the world. Some of those adventure-seekers happen to be doing so solo.

No longer seen as dangerous, or for those preferring solitude, solo travel popularity has grown in the past few years, especially among women. While it’s easy to see how one’s carbon footprint can be mitigated when traveling in groups, there are also several easy environmentally conscious options when venturing out alone.

Accommodation

As the digital age expands exponentially, more people are finding and creating opportunities for self-employment and working abroad. When you stay in one place for longer, you become immersed in its culture and sights. You also maintain productivity by developing a routine and discovering more resources. Slow travel encourages less environmental impact since you move less, decreasing your carbon footprint.

With Behere, you can find tips and resources dedicated to providing seamless, trustworthy, and flexible overseas experiences all in one place. Behere offers access to long-term individual apartments, workspaces and gyms in Europe and Asia, and sets you up with local hosts and communities to help ease you into your new surroundings.

If you’re traveling for a shorter time, consider lodging in shared or group housing, such as a hostel or bed and breakfast. When you have access to communal areas, it’s easier to meet other travelers and pick up local tips. Living in a shared space tends to be more budget-friendly too!

Packing

Resist the urge to overpack because you feel the need for many things you’d normally share with others. The more a plane weighs, the more fuel it has to use, therefore creating more carbon emissions. A simple rule of thumb is to never pack what you can borrow, share, or buy in the destination. Most lodgings provide basic toiletries and essentials anyways.

eco-friendly travel tipsActivities

Plan your outdoor activities to start as early as possible. When you make use of as much daylight as possible can, you require less electricity used for activities done after dusk. Tourist spots are also less crowded if you show up early. A great aspect of solo travel is you don’t have to abide by anyone else’s schedule!

There is also no need to partake in buffets and all-you-can-eat deals offered by hotels. This will help to avoid food wastage. It’s also rare to find locally produced foods in buffets.

With solo travel, you’re less inclined to use modes of transportation meant for groups, like cars and buses that emit more carbon. Instead, simpler eco-friendly forms of transportation such as bikes, electric scooters, and walking seem more appealing and allow you to see more of the city.

Other Tips

When you’re out and about for the whole day, it’s convenient to bring a portable charger – check for eco-friendly ones! These versions use recycled materials and the latest technologies to avoid early obsolescence.

Your first solo trip can seem daunting, especially if you don’t have much experience traveling. Ease your nerves while satisfying your sense of adventure by first going somewhere close, a destination accessible without a plane. Closer places create less of a carbon footprint since many transportation modes, such as air travel, can emit up to 0.9 metric tons per person for a cross-country round trip. That’s equivalent to 20% of the greenhouse gases emitted by your car in one year! You’ll conserve resources and feel more comfortable knowing you are not in a totally unfamiliar environment.

Further, you often think more about all your travel decisions when you go alone, so apply that thinking towards environmentally sustainable decisions too. One of the best parts of solo travel is you have total control in planning, so you can choose to minimize your impact on the planet!

Feeling ready to head off on an eco friendly solo adventure now? Get started with Behere below!

Tiffany is the founder and designer of Kanneo, an environmentally responsible clothing line for travel and leisure. All materials, including packaging and hang tags, are carefully chosen to be biodegradable, with little to no carbon footprint. After years of working as a designer in the NYC fashion industry, she was horrified by the realities of mass production and lack of regulations between the manufacturers and clothing companies. She no longer wanted to be on the side of fashion that contributed to the global waste crisis. Tiffany vowed to use her passions and knowledge to focus on creating products and a community that can bring change and awareness while celebrating the extraordinary planet that is our home through wearkanneo.com.

How To Handle Judgement About Your Need to Travel

Posted on by Josh

Guest Post by Allison Colin-Thome

I first began travelling, by spending a year in the U.K. for adventure and freedom.

That year became two and as I began my preparations to return home, I knew my family was expecting me to begin a life I would no longer be able to.

I was a different person. The world and all of its possibilities had started to reveal itself to me in those two years. I wouldn’t be satisfied with a stable 9-5 paycheque, climbing the corporate ladder, saving up for retirement. I just didn’t know it at the time.

So I tried. I got that Corporate job, began climbing that ladder. But every once in a while that familiar unsettling returned and I would have to set off somewhere, doing the best I could with the meager vacation time North America allows.

Every time I returned though, the rumbling was louder. I knew I was going down a path that wasn’t right for me, I just didn’t know how to get off.

It was 2013 when I first started thinking, really wanting, to live abroad again. I didn’t know where or for what purpose – other than escaping the path I was currently on. I was frozen by the judgement from others I knew I would have to confront – society, family, even friends that were making choices I ‘should have’ aspired to. It took five more years for me to eventually take the leap and book a one way ticket to Colombia.

What changed in those five years? I’d like to say that the opinions of other people stopped affecting me. Or maybe that the judgement in itself all but disappeared. Sadly, that’s not the case.

I believe it was three key things that shifted for me during that time that made the difference and gave me the courage to eventually book that ticket.

1. I Found My People

The ugly truth is that the people who don’t support your decision to travel may never. That has to be their problem though. Don’t put energy into moving a mountain when that effort is better spent elsewhere.

When I was thinking about moving abroad again I was very selective about the people I told. For the most part, I didn’t tell my friends or family. Instead, I found a whole online community of travellers who were living the nomadic life I was aspiring to. I shared with them my dreams of moving abroad and they gave me the support I desperately needed. When you surround yourself with people that are doing what you want to do, it makes it easier to ignore the people that aren’t.

travel judgement2. I Became Clear on My Why

When I moved to the U.K. it was about growing up and gaining independence. The second time I felt the urge to move abroad though, I couldn’t clearly articulate why. I had been working so hard to build this life for myself. Why would I want to put it on hold? Not being able to confidently answer that question makes it far easier for judgemental comments to seep in.

During those five years though I began exploring alternative career paths. That eventually brought me to Coaching and building my own online business. Suddenly I had my answer. Moving abroad would allow me the opportunity to focus on starting my business and kickstart my new path. It wasn’t about putting my life on ‘hold’. My future had now become more important than my past, and my travels were a key factor in making it all happen.

3. I Reflected On My Achievements

I have a theory, that the opinions and criticisms of other people more easily affect us when we believe there is truth to it. When it comes to travelling, there are people that view it merely as an ‘escape from the real world’, as if it adds no value to one’s life. But it does add value! A ton actually. Having a clear understanding of that helps those comments bounce right off.

I may still have a fear of creepy crawlers, but drop me in the middle of nowhere and I will happily find my way back home. I’m proud to say I have beloved friends scattered around the world, people with experiences and backgrounds that I continue to learn from. And for all the beauty and magic I’ve seen in this world, I’m proud (and incredibly fortunate) to say my travels have greatly contributed to my personal sense of gratitude. This is what travel has done for me. It has opened up my world.

The thing is, whenever someone chooses a path that is ‘different’, there are going to be naysayers. Those that will judge, roll their eyes at your choices, and ultimately try and make you feel as if you’re not living up to the ‘standard’. But we’re not here to live up to their standards. We’re here to make our own rules, carve our own path. And ultimately, live the life that makes us the most fulfilled. It’s never easy to be the renegades, but it’s always worth it.

Ready to push past the naysayers and follow your need to travel? Get started by choosing a city here!

Guest Post by Allison Colin-Thome. Allison heads up Career Off Script, where she helps young professionals find their ideal work, so they can stop waking up for just a paycheck, and instead have a career that means something to them. She cuts through their confusion by helping them figure their strengths, their motivators and their true needs so they can find careers they love and finally take their next steps with confidence. After a bumpy journey of her own, Allison left her career in Corporate Recruitment to pursue the work she loved. She started her business while spending time in Colombia learning Spanish and can either be found sipping Earl Grey in a midtown Toronto cafe or online at careeroffscript.com.

This is How to Make Sure You Stay on Track With Your Goals

Posted on by Josh
Guest post by Elizabeth Yuko
We all have a list of goals — either written down or floating around in our heads — that will help take our lives in the direction we want. Having that list is a great first step, but you have to actually keep track of, and then follow through on your goals in order to make them count.

Major behavior changes don’t happen overnight — you’re far more likely to succeed if you use Microsteps (small, science-backed incremental changes) that can make a big difference. Here are three additional strategies to help you stick to your goals so you can achieve them:

1) Find people who will keep you accountable

You might be hesitant to share your goals with other people. After all, if you let others know about your goals and then end up not being able to achieve them, you may feel as though you’ve failed. But in reality, telling people about your goals and asking them to hold you accountable actually helps. And it can be a two-way street: Return the favor by finding an accountability buddy, and you can each help each other stay on track.

2) Do a distraction detox

If you’re finding that you are not reaching your goals because instead of chipping away at them, you’re constantly turning to technology or devices when you have some downtime, consider trying a distraction detox. As Thrive founder and CEO Arianna Huffington writes: “We’re being controlled by something we should be controlling. And it’s consuming our attention and crippling our ability to focus, think, be present, and, most important, to truly connect, both with others and with ourselves.”

Of course, technology can be very useful and, in some ways, make us more efficient. Huffington is simply urging us to reconsider our relationship with our devices — disconnecting from them when needed, and reconnecting with ourselves, and in turn, our goals. For example, if your goal is to get better at drawing, instead of spending an hour each night watching TV or scrolling through social media, use that time to draw instead.

3) Give yourself time off

Being disciplined is a great thing (and a vital way of reaching your goals), but don’t forget to take the time you need to relax, reset, and recharge. Meeting your goals will be impossible if you’re burned out. Instead, give yourself some time off for good behavior. Take a break from your environment, spend some time in nature, or spend an hour wandering through a nearby museum. Allowing yourself time to do something other than work towards your goals is healthy and necessary. It may also spark curiosity and creativity, and make you even more productive than before when you’re ready to refocus.

Ready to give yourself some time off or have a change of pace? Find a new city to explore for a month, get started here.

Written by Elizabeth Yuko, Ph D Bioethicist and writer. Originally posted on Thrive Global here.

Elle Huerta, Founder of Mend, Shares Her Tips For Your Post-Breakup Solo Trip

Posted on by Josh

Last year I took a trip to Japan by myself and it was a blissful experience. I had the full freedom to do exactly what I wanted to do, on my own time. In the absence of making sure someone else was having a good time, I could actually make sure that I was having a meaningful trip instead. On the last day of my trip, I vowed to always make the time to travel on my own.

As the founder of Mend, a self care app for heartbreak and beyond, I’ve found that one of the things that actually helps in the mending process is solo travel. Breakups have a way of making you question who you are and what you need. Traveling alone allows you to focus inward and get in touch with yourself. You learn what you like, what you need in order to best take care of yourself, and you’re able to make lots of new memories rather than focus on old ones. And the best part is you don’t have to answer to anyone, you get to take your time in places you love, and you can focus on being present.

If you’ve just gone through a breakup and have been thinking about, or already booked, your post-breakup trip, here are some tips to make the solo travel a valuable part of your mending journey.

  1. Get clear on how you want to spend your time

    If you’re not used to traveling alone, you may have never asked yourself these crucial questions: “What do I really want out of this trip?” “How do I want to spend my time?” Maybe you love museums and your previous trips never allowed you the freedom to spend a full day getting lost in a museum. Maybe you really love unplanned time to just people watch and be spontaneous. Whatever it is, think about how you’d really like to spend this time, and take advantage of your ability to do that without affecting anyone else’s trip.

  2. Set aside time to reflect daily

    Whether you journal on your phone or in a small notebook you bring with you, reflection time during a trip is such a precious gift. Often times we don’t do this when we’re traveling with other people because there’s pressure to be “on.” One of the beautiful aspects of traveling solo is that you can do whatever you want, including taking the time to reflect on your experience and where you are in your life right now. Morning writing can be a great way to prepare yourself for the day and ground you, and evening reflection can be a great way to process your experiences that day and reflect on your emotions.

  3. Find routine if you’re feeling anxious

    If you start to feel anxious or lonely on a trip, it can be helpful to build in a little routine so that things feel more familiar even in an unfamiliar place. For example, if you’re in the same city for a while, maybe you want to pick a coffee shop where you get your coffee every morning so that it removes the stress of finding a new place every morning. It could also be as simple as meditating at the same time every morning in the same spot.

  4. Practice self care on the go

    Travel can take a toll, and traveling solo can get tiring at times because you are completely in charge 100% of the time. Don’t forget to take time to practice self care, whether it’s taking a few extra minutes to take a bath in the morning, or stretching in the evening.

  5. Carve out time to exercise

    Exercise is such an important way to boost your mood, whether you’re traveling or not, and it can also help kickstart your system if you’re feeling sluggish from jetlag or too many pastries. Whether you get out for a walk or you drop in for a yoga class, make sure you prioritize moving your body. Group classes are a great way to connect to people locally and feel less alone if you’re starting to feel a little isolated on a trip.

  6. Make yourself a playlist

    Make a playlist ahead of time so that it’s your soundtrack throughout your trip. Every day you can add in songs that you hear in restaurants and while you’re out, and then it will be like a time capsule whenever you want to go back and remember the feeling of that trip.

  7. Find your community

    There’s no better time to make friends and connect to new people than when you’re traveling alone. Solo travel opens you up in a way that traveling with others doesn’t – that’s one of the wonderful things about it. Smile to strangers when you’re out and be open to spontaneous conversations, and also leverage communities like Behere to feel like you’re home away from home.

  8. Check in

    Safety is important when you’re traveling alone. Although it’s nice to disconnect and get a break from your normal day-to-day, it’s also a good idea to check in with people at home, to make sure they know where you are. You don’t have to keep a dozen text conversations going with your friends and family back home, but it’s a good idea to choose one family member or friend to check in with and share your travel plans (flight info, where you’re staying, etc).

  9. Eat mindfully

    Eating alone can be a bit intimidating if you’re not used to it, but it can also be a really pleasurable experience if you’re mindful. We rarely mindfully eat when we’re eating with other people or when we’re scarfing down lunch at our desks during the work week. When you’re eating meals on your own during a trip, take the time to chew slowly and really savor each flavor. You’ll be amazed at how much more you enjoy your meals when you’re not distracted by your phone or anyone else.

Elle HuertaElle Huerta is the CEO and founder of Mend, a self care app for heartbreak
and beyond. You can download Mend in the App Store, check out the blog
at letsmend.com, or find inspiration and humor at @letsmend on Instagram.

Tips to Manage Stress from Some Powerful People

Posted on by Josh

Feeling overwhelmed? These six celeb’s share their tips to manage stress.


Guest Post By Jane Burnett, Editorial Fellow Thrive Global

Anne Hathaway uses a ‘get it out and get rid of it’ approach

She revealed her unique approach for tackling stress and anxiety, “Set a timer (for 12 minutes) on your phone, have a candle nearby, and write it all down. You spew it all out. You do not read it. The timer goes off, you tear it out of the book, and you light it on fire,” she told Town & Country. She recommends pouring your stresses onto the page for 12 minutes before putting down your pen.

Even if you’d prefer not to actually set your journal entry ablaze, Hathaway’s strategy does show the utility of physically getting your stresses out of sight.

And Hathaway isn’t the only one with creative strategies for handling stress — here are some smart tips from other stars on the topic.

Lili Reinhart looks to the calming power of the beach

The Riverdale actress told Imagista, “I try to spend as much time with my family and close friends, I go to the beach a lot, sometimes even by myself. The world is overwhelming a lot of the times and I find myself to be an anxious person. I get stressed out and overwhelmed so I find it therapeutic to be at the beach.” Spending time in nature is, in fact, a productive way to unwind.

Kerry Washington believes in the power of optimism

The actress told ESSENCE about her strategy for moving forward through difficult times: “No matter how bad things are — whether it was the period when I first sought out treatment for my eating disorder or when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer or when the engagement dissolved — I know the other side is going to be better. Maybe even miraculously better. I hold on to that.”

Brad Pitt re-focuses on his favorite hobby

The actor told PARADE that his love of architecture can ease his mind — showing the power of beloved activities. “If I have something that I’m dealing with that’s causing me a lot of stress, my mind goes to architecture. I walk around the yard and start thinking about what I need to do to the house structurally. It’s similar to puzzles in that way, like a crossword puzzle or anything else I can put my mind into. It’s a relief for me,” he said.

tips to manage stressZendaya turns to her “coloring station”

The actress tweeted about how coloring helps her manage stress, writing, “I literally have a coloring station at my house, in my house we all find it quite therapeutic. It helps me with stress.” Research also backs Zendaya’s playful approach — coloring has been found to reduce stress and anxiety.

Michelle Obama hits the gym

The former First Lady told Marie Claire that working out is a great outlet for her when she feels like she’s under a lot of pressure. “Exercise is really important to me — it’s therapeutic. So if I’m ever feeling tense or stressed or like I’m about to have a meltdown, I’ll put on my iPod and head to the gym or out on a bike ride along Lake Michigan with the girls,” she said.

Another way to manage stress?

Take some time away. Go to a new city. Seek out a new environment to help you find balance. Work remotely from an innovative, inspiring city for the month. Or simply take a break, travel to write, take a sabbatical – it’s entirely up to you. Learn more about living in a new city for a month here.

Originally posted on Thrive Global here.

Written by Jane Burnett, Editorial Fellow at Thrive Global

Millennial Travel and The Rise of Bleisure Travel

Posted on by Josh

According to a report on millennial travel, the once clear boundaries between “work” and “play” are slowly dissolving – replaced by new expectations.

Guest Post by Rebecca Muller

One third of Americans pick vacation destinations based on their ability to stay connected to their daily lives, and over use technology throughout their vacation to stay up to date with email and work-related tasks. According to forecasting in Ford’s latest travel trends report, these statistics echo a larger movement taking over millennial travel: the ‘bleisure’ class.

Part business trip, part leisure vacation, the bleisure phenomenon is a trend that stems from the technologies that have allowed us to “go away,” but not truly ‘go away’.

In some circumstances, this blurring of work and play can be beneficial in today’s workplace culture. Hypothetically, if employees feel more comfortable booking a vacation knowing they can answer an occasional email if needed, they can benefit by not feeling horrible stress throughout their trip and wondering what happened at the office.

But in practice, it’s often worse to feel that connection — knowing you’re able to check back in with the office can mean you’re unable to resist the urge to do so.

The trend reflects a generation that has serious trouble unplugging and being present. The report specifically points out the “paradox of plugging in to check out,” as digital nomads are “finding new ways to plug in and work in order to physically check out of the office.” This always-in-office mindset poses a threat to our well-being, and even sets a standard that employees should in fact check email on vacation.

While this trend of going on a business-leisure vacation may sound like the best of both worlds, there is still value in setting boundaries with technology and getting our time back, allowing us move from “time well spent” to “time well invested.” With pushes in both directions, millennials will have to gauge whether or not incorporating work into their leisure time is affecting their well-being and mental state — and plan accordingly. In other words, if you find that you’re unable to relax at the beach without checking your inbox every few minutes, you may be better off scheduling that automatic “Out of Office” email.

Want to find balance while experiencing life in a new city? Work remotely from an innovative city for the month. Or simply take a break, travel to write, take a sabbatical, it’s entirely up to you. Learn more here.

Originally posted on Thrive Global.

Rebecca Muller, Editorial Fellow at Thrive Global
Rebecca is a graduate of New York University, where she studied Media, Culture and Communications with a minor in Creative Writing. For her undergraduate thesis, she researched the relationship between women and fitness media consumerism.

This Mental Shift Can Improve Your Productivity, Especially On Boring Tasks

Posted on by Josh

Perceiving what you’re doing as multitasking versus single-tasking makes a big difference to improve your productivity.

Guest Post by Nora Batelle
 
There’s a significant body of research that suggests multitasking is bad for productivity. But a new study adds nuance to those findings. Turns out, the perception of a task as a multitask (rather than a single task) can enhance our performance, particularly on tasks we find mundane.
Lead study author Shalena Srna, Ph.D., told Thrive Global her interest in the study arose from the contrast between how people define multitasking (performing multiple tasks at the same time) and how they actually engage in it.
improve your productivity“Previous research tells us that humans cannot actually attend to multiple tasks concurrently, so when we think we are multitasking, we are actually switching rapidly back and forth between tasks and do not attend to more than a single task at a time,” Srna says. She and her team focused their research on how perceiving an activity as either multitasking or single tasking impacts performance, she explains.
The results are striking. “When a given activity is perceived as a multitasking activity, people perform much better. They persist longer and also perform more efficiently and accurately,” Srna says. While adding extra tasks to your load at any given moment (trying to literally multitask) hurts performance — by causing you to lose time and mental energy by shifting between tasks or topics — thinking about a single task as a multitask improves performance, her research found, particularly when the task you’re mentally reframing is a boring one.
For instance, attending a mundane meeting can feel like a single task, but recognizing that the activity has more than one component (listening, giving feedback, taking notes to use later) can trigger perceptions of multitasking, and therefore improve your engagement, efficiency, and comprehension, Srna explains.
The researchers hypothesize that this effect has to do with increased engagement: When you believe a task is a more complex, multi-part task, your brain brings more energy and power to the table.

Another way to improve your productivity is to work from a new environment – even better when it’s in a new city. Live abroad and experience your most productive, invigorating month with Behere, learn more here.
This article was originally posted on Thrive Global.

Written by Nora Battelle, Multimedia Staff Writer at Thrive Global. 
Nora Battelle is a writer from New York City. She’s fascinated by language, culture, the internet, and all the small choices that can help us thrive.

Packing for a Month or More Abroad: All The Things I Didn't Need

Posted on by Josh

Packing is challenging, and packing for a month or more abroad is down right daunting. There is no one way or perfect way to pack but there are a lot of things that you won’t need. At Behere, we often get asked about the do’s and dont’s of packing for long-term trips. So, this seasoned traveller shared with us all the things she didn’t need while living abroad – and how you can pack more efficiently for long stints abroad.
Guest Post by Alexis Snell
“I have counted 34 things in my suitcase that I didn’t need while traveling.
Now, some of these things are tiny (like necklaces), but let’s be honest – no matter how many times you pack, you always end up with at least a handful of unnecessary things. Don’t worry, I won’t bombard you with another ‘here-is-what-I-packed’ list because there are thousands out there if you’re looking for a checklist.
Instead, here are some of the things I definitely did not need:
1) Clothes I don’t even like
I keep wondering how I convinced myself to waste the incredibly limited space in my luggage on a bunch of pieces I never even wear at home? If I haven’t already gotten loads of use out of them, then why would I wear them on my ‘big adventure’?
What was going through my head? “Oh, this will be a great casual thing to throw on!” If I haven’t ‘thrown it on’ in the last three months, it doesn’t need to come around the world with me. Same goes for dresses, shoes and workout gear.
No one is going to notice (or care) if you wear the same outfit twice in one week. Stick to the basics that can mix and match.
2) An extra pairs of jeans
I planned to work while abroad and thought I would be working a much more casual job than I did, so I certainly had more than I needed. But still, stick to 2 pairs and that’s it. You can always buy more. Pack a black pair and a blue. They are heavy, they are bulky, and no one is going to be paying that much attention anyway.
packing for a monthAlso, kick the jewelry to the curb. I realize these items usually take up very little space, but it is just another thing you have to keep track of.  Snag your favorite necklace or two and be done with it.
As a general rule of thumb, I am trying to move towards a Capsule Wardrobe. This is a really useful way to minimize your wardrobe when packing, even if it isn’t your everyday life. For a trip – cut this list down to 15.
3) Extra notebooks 
I have a fondness for cute notebooks – and pens. I am fully aware that I have too many, most of which have yet to be used. But don’t bring 3 with you. Well technically I brought 2 and then a cute little 3 pack (wait, 2 and then a 3 pack…oops), but who’s counting. When you add that to the weight of your laptop (and whatever other books you pack), it adds up fast.
Did I really think I was going to fill all of those up?
Bring one. You can buy another during your travels if you need too. Plus, it will make for a great “I got this while I was in….’”story.
4) Travel gear that isn’t practical
I meant to buy myself a new travel pillow, but it ended up being one of those things that never came to fruition. So, my wonderful mother suggested I take one of hers. Well, it was rather gigantic and inconvenient for toting around. And it’s not even that comfortable. Sorry, mom.
I really like inflatable ones with a cozy fleece cover. You can adjust how firm they are depending on your sleeping situation, and they fold up nice and tiny to save space.
The other silly thing I packed was this oversized, super fancy (and overpriced) power adapter. It takes up a ton of space and ended up sounding like I was running a generator all the time. Get a basic one and call it a day. Realistically, you might end up buying new chargers anyway.
I realize that I was actually moving from Seattle to Auckland, not just traveling around, so that warranted a bit of extra luggage. But that also means that I was going to have plenty of time to stock up on anything extra I might need. I will give myself a little credit and say that I did significantly better on this trip than I did on my backpacking trip through Europe a few years ago. But there is still plenty of work to do.
If Colin Wright can live with only 51 things, then I can definitely ditch more than a few items from my bag.
New Packing Rule: Lay everything out you think you’ll need for your trip – only pack half of it.”
Now that you’re prepared to pack for a longer trip, get started planning your trip below!

Repurposed for Behere by Alexis Snell.
Alexis Snell is a Seattle native, travel and adventure enthusiast, and blogger at directionsoptional.com.

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