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LGBTQ book ban in South Carolina library thwarted after community stands up for acceptance

Read books, don’t ban them.

sc book ban, lgbtq books, south caolina
via Pixabay

Children reading in a library.

Over the past two years, there has been a rash of attempted book bans in the United States. The idea that children are being “groomed” to become LGBTQ through schools and libraries has become de rigueur among conservatives. So politicians have been trying to make names for themselves by supporting banning books with LGBTQ themes from schools and libraries .

Do they think that by removing a book from a library it’ll prevent a child from being exposed to LGBTQ people?

Greenville, South Carolina, County Councilman Joe Dill, who recently lost the Republican primary and will be losing his seat, proposed a resolution that would ban books “promoting sexuality” in the children’s sections of public libraries.

The Greenville Republican Party had recently asked the council to remove the books “Daddy & Dada” about a girl and her two dads, “Teo’s Tutu” about a boy who does ballet and “Pride Puppy” about a dog at a pride parade. What's interesting is that the books don’t promote sexuality, they simply have gay characters. The books weren't telling kids to be LGBTQ, they were merely showing that these people exist.

Further, reading a book is about as likely to turn a heterosexual person gay as it is to turn a gay person straight. Not very likely. However, the benefits of someone being able to see themselves represented in media can play a big part in self-acceptance, which is very important given the high suicide rates among LGBTQ youth.

The Greenville County Council held a public debate featuring 10 speakers, five for the ban and five against, and the speeches were passionate.

Susan Ward, who has a gay son and is a member of PFLAG, discussed the importance of representation in books. “All of us worry about our children. I worry because my child has been subjected to hate and discrimination,” she said according to LGBTQ Nation.

“Every student—no matter their race, background, sexual orientation, or gender identity—deserves to feel safe and welcomed in schools, libraries, and bookstores alike. They deserve to read books and see themselves represented,” Carolyn Caldwell, president of Upstate Pride SC, said according to The State.

Barbara Evans, who supports the ban, made a speech where she conflated the idea of representation with promotion. “I can’t even believe we’re having this conversation. Of course, we shouldn’t have any sexual material in our children’s library,” she said. But is showing that a girl has two dads sexual? By that logic seeing the parents on “The Brady Bunch” being together is sexual as well.

At the end of the debate, the council voted 9 to 3 against discussing the proposed resolution. Many of those on the council didn’t believe they should interfere with how the library operates.

“If we pass this, we’re directing them and they have to do this according to us,” Chairman Willis Meadows said, according to The Post and Courier. Next, the issue will be taken up by the library system’s board of trustees. Let’s hope they have the same common sense.

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5 small things that made us smile this week

Your weekly cheat sheet to the best of the Internet

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Life can be bleak, so we’re going to be celebrating the small joys while we can—whether that’s asweet snack that boosts your mood (courtesy of our friends atAll In), or a spontaneous moment between strangers that's so joyful it restores your faith in the algorithm (even if only for a second). These momentary mood boosters are everywhere you look—you just have to be able to find them underneath all the noise. And that’s where we come in.

Consider this weekly web series your cheat sheet to the best of the Internet—not just random memes to make you laugh, but examples of people truly finding something extraordinary in the mundane. Each Friday we'll be delivering five pieces of media that allow you to stop for a second, take a breath, and feel just a little bit brighter among the daily stress. (Think of us as your chronically online bestie who knows exactly how to make you smile, exactly when you need it the most.)

Ready to smile? Here we go.

1. The best travel buddy surprise 

@tarareynolds03

Surprising Grandson with going on vacation with him.

♬ original sound - Tara Leanne Reynolds
This sweet grandson thought he was just heading out on vacation—until he spotted a very familiar face at the airport. The moment he sees Grandma standing there, his jaw literally drops. He sets his backpack down and then runs straight into her arms for the biggest hug. "Oh my God! You're coming with us to Jamaica, right?!" he asks her, already smiling from ear to ear. It's the kind of unscripted joy that makes you want to call your own grandma to say hi—and other TikTokers are having all the feels in the comments section: "This brought me to tears," says user KE. "I would kill to go on another vacation with my grandma again. She passed in February. Take so many pictures!"

2. Saying 'thank you' to a very special teacher 

Last week, we shared a question on Upworthy’s Instagram that sparked an outpouring of heartfelt responses:
“If you could say thank you to one person right now, who would it be, and why?”

For Kate Delisle, a teacher in North Andover, Massachusetts, the answer came instantly: her longtime colleague and teaching assistant, Jeanne Donovan.

“Jeanne has been by my side for seventeen years,” Kate shared. “Next year, we’ll have to split our program — and we won’t be working together anymore.” In her message, Kate described Jeanne as more than just a coworker. She’s supportive, empathetic, and “my right arm — someone who lights up every room she enters. I’m privileged to know her and consider her family.”

To celebrate that incredible bond, our friends at All In recently paid a surprise visit to Kate and Jeanne at their school — letting Jeanne know just how deeply appreciated she is by her colleagues and students alike. And get this: Jeanne is *so* beloved that Kate's parents, kids, sister, and husband all came to the surprise to honor her alongside everyone else. A true tear-jerker and a must-watch.

3. The proudest big brother

@caylaleighbrown This is the original video, He also said it looks like Mike Wazowski after we got done crying LOL #fyp #infertility #infertilityjourney #twins #twinpregnancy #ultrasound #pregnancyafterinfertility #pregnancyannouncement #twinannouncement #twinsies #twinmom ♬ original sound - Cayla Brown ✨ WDW

Grab your tissues for this one. After eight long years of hoping for another baby, TikTok user Cayla Lee Brown surprises her stepson Caleb with a sonogram photo—and his reaction is nothing short of beautiful. When Caleb realizes not only that he's going to be a big brother but that twin siblings are on the way, his eyes well up and he whispers "We're having twins?!" Cue the heart explosion. In a follow-up video, Cayla shares something that makes this news extra special: Caleb isn't actually her biological child, and although she considers Caleb her son she wasn't sure she'd be able to have biological children at all. "[Caleb] was my gift and I was blessed with two more," she explains. This video is the best reminder that love makes a family, and sometimes the best surprises take a little time.

4. Overly excited dogs 

@puppylovestoplay6 Part23: When they hear a word they like#dog#funny#funnyanimals#funnypets#animals #dogsofttiktok #pet #foryou #longervideos#foryou#fyp #funnyvideo ♬ original sound - Puppylovestoplay

This feel-good compilation is basically a highlight reel of dogs at their happiest: realizing they’re about to go on a walk. From excited tail wags to full-body zoomies, every pup in this video gives a masterclass in unfiltered enthusiasm. One especially clever owner even uses sign language to say “walk,” just to see if their dog picks up on it—and spoiler: the reaction is still pure chaos (the joyful kind). These dogs just know, and they are ready (read: unhinged.) Truly a reminder that the simplest things—in this case, some fresh air and a little adventure—are what spark the most joy.

5.Bunny ASMR

@megancottone The way she munched down the carrot ribbon #bunnies ♬ Married Life (From "Up") - Gina Luciani

If you've had a stressful day, allow this floofy little friend to press the reset button on your brain. TikTok creator @megancottone gives us a full 60 seconds of bunny bliss: one ridiculously adorable rabbit, some deliciously crunchy snacks, and the kind of soft background music that makes your heart rate drop in the best way. The gentle munching noises? Therapeutic. The fuzzy face and floppy ears? Instant joy. It’s like nature’s version of white noise—but cuter. Honestly, someone get this bunny a wellness podcast deal.

For even more “extra”-ordinary moments, come find us on social media (@upworthy) or on upworthy.com!

For scrumptious snacks that add an extra boost of joy to your day, be sure to check out All In.

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Man's side-splitting monologue on why 'women don't want to date anymore' is eerily accurate

The women in the comments are convinced one of them snitched.

Canva Photos

A viral TikTok argues that women don't want to give up the joy of their own personal peace and freedom for anyone.

There's been a lot of discourse on the state of modern dating and a lot of theories on why it seems harder than ever for people to find connection with romantic partners. Could it be that the achievement and education gaps between men and women are altering the dynamics? Have social media and dating apps broken our brains and hearts? Do we all have unrealistic expectations and unlimited options, leading to never feeling satisfied with anything or anyone?

Those are all intriguing options, but an alternate theory has recently arisen that's quickly gaining steam: Maybe being single isn't as lonely as we think. Maybe being single is actually freaking awesome.

A guy on TikTok who goes by Get To the Point Bro shared a hilarious monologue on why women who have been single for a long time "don't want to date anymore." Women say he absolutely nailed it.

the office, andy bernard, dating, relationships, dating advice, single, romance, loveThe Frenchman's monologue was absolutely spot onGiphy

At first, it might seem like he's poking fun, either at single women or at the men who can't seem to win them over. But not so! What he's done is perfectly captured the joy many people find in being single and, frankly, able to do whatever the hell they want.

"Some women have been single for so long they don't date anymore, they grant you access to their peaceful little empire like a reluctant queen handing you a visitor's badge," he says. "You text her good morning and she's already annoyed, like 'Why are you disturbing the sacred silence of my personal growth journey?'"

He goes on, "Bro she's been sleeping diagonally in her bed for three years, she's not giving up that territory because you opened the door and paid for coffee."

"You plan a cute date, she's thinking 'That sounds nice but also I could stay home, deep clean my apartment, do a 12 steps skincare routine, order sushi and not have to listen to a man breathe.'"

"You try to check in emotionally, 'How are you feeling?' She's feeling fantastic because you're not here."

"You're not competing with other guys. There are no other guys. You're competing with her weighted blanket, her peace, her cat named Chairman Meow, and the simple joy of not having to share her fries."

These are just a few of the best lines from the nearly 2-minute rant, all delivered in the most amazing French accent you can imagine. Please, enjoy:


@gettothepointbro

DATING A GIRL WHO IS USED TO BE ALONE CAN BE VERY HARD .

The best thing about the video is the discussion in the comments. Women want to know how this man got access to this top-secret information. The rant is so eerily, frighteningly accurate that women are convinced this French guy is living in their heads. That, or someone's secretly leaking intel.

"dammit. somebody call a meeting of the council. he knows too much."

"I dont often offer this compliment to the male species but you explained it better than I ever could."

"Alright, who’s told him this info??? So exposed right now"

"The joy of sleeping diagonally across my bed cannot be fully explained."

"This is the most accurate profiling I’ve ever heard. You absolutely ailed it."

Clearly, we've tapped into a real phenomenon here.

@gettothepointbro

CAN YOU RELATE LADIES ? THAT’S WHY WE LOVE YOU ❤️

The truth is that many people—both men and women—are disillusioned with the sad state of the dating scene these days. App burnout is a real thing, and meeting new people in real life is a ton of work. So, it's no surprise that more and more people are just choosing to stay single and enjoy all the perks that come along with it. This is a stark change, especially for women.

According to FiveThirtyEight, "Women were also more likely than men to say that they weren’t dating because they have other priorities right now." Priorities like travel, career, friendship, and even just self-care—all things that wind up taking a backseat when people get involved in relationships. It wasn't too long ago that women of a certain age that were still single were called "spinsters," but that word has lost a significant amount of power. This new generation of women aren't embarrassed or ashamed to be single; they're loving it for exactly all the reasons this video describes.

This article originally appeared in April.

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What’s the science behind the summer ‘Cortisol Cocktail’ trend everyone’s talking about?

These mocktails purportedly support relaxation, stress reduction, and healthy adrenal function.

Photo credit: Canva

As non-alcoholic socializing grows, people are increasingly seeking non-booze options to unwind.

Science confirms what many of us already feel—we're stressed. The eighth edition of the Censis-Eudaimon report, which analyzes the relationship between work, companies, and employee well-being, revealed that 31.8% of people feel “close to burnout” due to workplace stress. Meanwhile, as non-alcoholic socializing continues to grow, with sober bars and events gaining popularity, people are seeking booze-free options to help them unwind. Enter the latest trend promising relaxation without the hangover: Cortisol Cocktails.

These viral drinks—available in various flavors and colors—are alcohol-free beverages made with ingredients that purportedly lower cortisol, restore energy, relieve tension, and balance hormones. But is this just a catchy, alliterative name? Or could cortisol cocktails actually deliver on their promises? Let's dive in.

woman, mocktail, drinking, juice, non-alcoholicCortisol prepares your body for “fight or flight” situations, but shouldn't produce too much of it. Photo credit: Canva

So, what is cortisol?

First things first: Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands (which sit atop the kidneys), often called the “stress hormone” because your body releases more of it when facing physical or emotional stress. By regulating the body's stress response, cortisol prepares you for “fight or flight” situations. This isn't necessarily bad—producing cortisol is valuable for the body, as it plays a vital role in regulating metabolism, inflammation, and blood sugar levels, while helping to balance our circadian rhythm. However, like everything in life, beware of excess cortisol. While temporary increases are healthy and normal, chronically elevated cortisol keeps you in a constant state of stress and can lead to harmful long-term effects, including anxiety, depression, irritability, fatigue and sleep problems, increased weight gain (especially around the abdomen), and memory problems or brain fog.

The science behind cortisol mocktails

While there are plenty of ways to lower cortisol, like spending time in nature and maintaining positive social interactions, these solutions lack one thing: deliciousness. (Another non-delicious yet interesting cortisol fact: a 2023 study found that laughter is a great way to lower cortisol levels, noting that “spontaneous laughter is associated with greater reduction in cortisol levels as compared with usual activities, suggesting laughter as a potential adjunctive medical therapy to improve well-being.”)

Cortisol mocktails—also called “adrenal cocktails”—are alcohol-free beverages concocted with a medley of ingredients that purportedly support relaxation, stress reduction, and healthy adrenal function. While no drink can “cure” stress, these beverages contain ingredients that are associated with managing cortisol and offer other beneficial qualities.

via GIPHY

Research shows that adaptogens like ashwagandha, rhodiola, and holy basil help the body adapt to stress and may lower cortisol levels. The same goes for foods rich in vitamin C—think bright citrus fruits, berries, and pineapple. Meanwhile, a dash of magnesium can support muscle relaxation and stress response, and L-theanine (an amino acid found in green tea) promotes relaxation without causing drowsiness.


Three cortisol mocktail recipes to try this summer

(1) Tropical pineapple coconut mocktail

This refreshing drink combines pineapple and coconut water, creating a dynamic combo for supporting adrenal health. Pineapple is sweet and loaded with vitamin C, which is especially essential for adrenal function, as the glands use large amounts of it to produce stress hormones and combat oxidative stress. Coconut water, on the other hand, is naturally high in potassium, magnesium, and sodium: three electrolytes essential for maintaining fluid balance and proper adrenal gland activity.

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup cubed pineapple
  • ¾ cup coconut water
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • ½ tsp monk fruit sweetener (or honey)
  • ¼ tsp sea salt

Instructions:

Blend all ingredients for 20–30 seconds until smooth. Pour over ice and enjoy. This tropical treat provides vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6—all while making you feel like you’re getting ready for a vacation.

group, mocktail, drinking, juice, non-alcoholicGreen tea, pineapple, and coconut water are all associated with lowered cortisol levels. Photo credit: Canva

Calming matcha lemon balm mocktail

Green tea is a natural wonder, offering a ton of health benefits and bringing even energy without any jitters, spikes, or crashes. That’s because of its natural contents: caffeine and L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes relaxation and supports healthy sleep and stress levels. A 2022 study found that increased consumption of green tea led to significantly reduced levels of elevated stress hormones like cortisol in teenagers.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup sparkling water
  • ⅓ tsp matcha green tea powder
  • 1 inch cucumber, sliced
  • 2-3 fresh lemon balm leaves (or 1 lemon balm tea bag, brewed and cooled)
  • Juice of ½ lime
  • Natural sweetener to taste
  • Ice

Instructions:

Muddle cucumber and lemon balm in a shaker. Add matcha, lime juice, sweetener, and ice. Shake well, strain into a glass, and top with sparkling water. Garnish with lime and cucumber slices.


woman, mocktail, drinking, juice, non-alcoholicKeep in mind, cortisol mocktails are not magic potions. Photo credit: Canva

Sleepy girl mocktail

Ideal for winding down, this delicious nightcap combines magnesium with the naturally occurring melatonin present in cherry juice that supports sleep and relaxation.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp magnesium powder (berry-flavored works great)
  • 2 oz organic tart cherry juice
  • 10 oz sparkling water
  • Ice

Instructions:

Combine magnesium powder and tart cherry juice in a glass. Top with sparkling water and ice. Sip in bliss as you prepare for a restful night.

via GIPHY

The bottom line

It’s important to keep in mind that cortisol mocktails aren’t magic potions. Don’t look to social media for cure-alls or for alternatives to medicine or a doctor’s advice, either.

“If you think there’s something wrong with your hormone levels, it’s so, so critical to seek the help of an endocrinologist instead of trying to do your own research to diagnose and treat yourself,” says Christine Byrne, dietitian and owner of Ruby Oak Nutrition, to CBS News. “Lots of influencers and wellness companies prey off people with difficult-to-diagnose symptoms by blaming these symptoms on vague problems like hormone imbalance or adrenal fatigue, then selling a supposed solution. But most of this stuff isn’t evidence-based or thoroughly tested.”

While these mocktails aren't substitutes for medical treatment of chronic stress, they offer a delicious and supportive addition to your stress-management routine. (Be sure to incorporate other essential lifestyle factors like adequate sleep, regular exercise, and stress management techniques like yoga and meditation.) The next time stress weighs heavily on you, remember that relief might be just a sip away. Cheers!

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7 idioms from other cultures that sound hilarious when translated into English

It can rain a lot more than just cats and dogs.

Photo credit: Canva

"Horse horse, tiger tiger." What does that mean?

You probably know what it means to hit the hay, tie the knot or buy a lemon. Maybe you’ve already killed two birds with one stone today, so effortlessly that it was a piece of cake. But to a non-English speaker, using these phrases would probably make you sound crazy … or should I say gone crackers?

That’s the fun thing about idioms. They change depending on the time, place and culture creating them. In other words, they usually sound ridiculous to anyone except those who normally use them. Looking at turns of phrase in different languages helps us see the world through different eyes. And man does it seem impressive at a party.

Just think, instead of saying “it’s raining cats and dogs,” next time you could incorporate a more Lithuanian take, and say “it’s raining axes.” How metal is that?

It can also be raining old women, barrels, buckets, pipe stems, frogs, female trolls, fire and brimstone … depending on where you’re from.

Some of these idioms from around the world make a lot of sense. Others get so lost in translation, you can’t help but get tickled pink.

Swedish idiom, fish being cooked"Now your fishes will be warmed."Photo credit: Canva

Swedish

”Nu ska du få dina fiskar värmda.”

Literal translation: Now your fishes will be warmed.

It's another way of saying someone’s in trouble, or their “goose is cooked.”

The Swedish language is definitely not lacking in the threats department. They also have a saying, “nu har du satt din sista potatis,” which translates to “now you have planted your last potato.”

Imagine hearing Batman say “You’ve planted your last potato, Joker.” Doesn't have quite the intended effect.

ham, italian idiom"To have one’s eyes lined with ham."Photo credit: Canva

Italian

“Avere gli occhi foderati di prosciutto.”

Literal translation: To have one’s eyes lined with ham.

Leave it to the Italians to have food-related phrases. You can use this when someone can’t see what’s right in front of them. It can also be used when someone is blinded by love. Sadly, there is no “ham-colored glasses” idiom.

Icelandic idiom, laying your head in the water, man in the water"To lay your head in water."Photo credit: Canva

Icelandic

“Að leggja höfuðið í bleyti.”

Literal translation: To lay your head in water.

You say this when you “need to sleep on something,” or “put your thinking cap on.” This one is hilarious because I cannot fathom getting any mental clarity from holding my head in the water.

two donkeys, arabic idiom, repetition "Repetition teaches the donkey."Photo credit: Canva

Arabic

"At-Tikraar yu’allem al-Himaar.”

Literal translation: Repetition teaches the donkey.

Practice makes perfect, but it especially does for donkeys. Animal-themed wisdom at its finest.

German idiom, train station"I only understand train station."Photo credit: Canva

German

"Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof."

Literal translation: I only understand train station.

It's another way of saying “it’s all Greek to me.”

The history of this one is a bit mysterious. One theory is that it originated from WWI soldiers who had only one thing on their mind after getting discharged: returning home. Meaning, they could only comprehend the train station that would lead them there. Others say it refers to tourists new to Germany who have really only learned the German word for “train station.” Which would indicate that everything else is foreign to them.

And let’s not forget “nicht mein bier, nicht meine sorgen,” translating to “not my beer, not my worries.”

(Fun fact: The term “not my circus, not my monkeys” actually stems from a Polish proverb, not an English saying at all.)

norwegian idiom, liver, model of a human liver"To speak directly from the liver."Photo credit: Canva

Norwegian

“Å snakke rett fra leveren.”

Literal translation: To speak directly from the liver.

When you say something without sugar-coating it, you are speaking directly from the liver. This dates back to a time when the liver was thought to be the magical organ that produced courage. So speaking from the liver is just like speaking from the heart, only down and to the right a little.

two horses, two tigers, chinese idiom"Horse horse, tiger tiger."Photo credit: Canva

Chinese

“Mama huhu.”

Literal translation: Horse horse, tiger tiger.

You can use it to say something is just okay. Not good, not bad, just … meh.

As the story goes, a Chinese painter who, not very good at his craft, created a drawing of an animal that looked sort of like a tiger, and sort of like, you guessed it, a horse. That story actually has a tragic ending that serves as a cautionary tale against carelessness. But nowadays it takes on a lighter connotation.

And like “comme ci, comme ca” in French, “horse horse, tiger tiger” isn’t quite as commonly spoken as non-native speakers would assume.

Language continues to be an ever-evolving and always entertaining way to not only appreciate other cultures, but also note the similarities. Words might change slightly, but ultimately we're all expressing the same things.

This article originally appeared three years ago.

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Expert reveals 6 ways we've created 'a world our nervous system no longer wants to live in'

We're so out of balance.

via Canva/Photos

A map of the human nervous system and a stressed woman.

There has been an alarming increase in the number of Americans who experience chronic pain, disease, and mental illness. According to the White House, six in 10 Americans have at least one chronic disease, and four in 10 have two or more chronic diseases. A 2023 CNN survey found that 90% of Americans feel we are in a mental health crisis, and according to Pew Research, 38% more people are in mental health care since the onset of the pandemic than before.

What’s the cause of this rising tide of poor physical and mental health in the U.S.? Brittany Piper, a 36-year-old Somatic Experiencing practitioner and author of Body-First Healing, believes there is a single cause for this destructive trend. "It is my personal and professional belief that the drastic rise we are seeing in chronic physical and mental illness can be attributed to this one thing. Basically, we have created a world that our nervous system no longer wants to live in,” she said in a TikTok video with over 900,000 views.

@healwithbritt

We created a world our nervous system doesn't want to live in #survivalmode #chronicillness #anxietyrelief #chronicpain #mentalillness #nervoussystemregulation #fightflightfreeze

To explain her theory, she said we should look at our nervous system—the body’s command center that transmits brain signals throughout the body—as a security system. Whenever this system detects a perceived threat, it releases survival hormones into the body, such as adrenaline and cortisol, to prepare you for battle. “Now, as survival becomes priority number one, all of the other working systems within the brain and body, like your hormones, your immune system, digestion, muscular, skeletal, etc. These all fall to the back burner and become disrupted,” Piper posits.

Piper argues that prolonged exposure to these stressors means that we continue to produce stress hormones, creating a vicious cycle. “Walk through the doors of my practice every single day with my clients. Symptoms like anxiety, depression, burnout, fatigue, chronic illness, chronic pain, digestive issues, fibromyalgia, migraines, TMJ, dissociation, and so much more,” she said.

nervous system, stress, human body, healing, work, pain, chronic illness, therapyA stressed woman talking to her therapist.via Canva/Photos

Piper outlined six reasons why we are stuck in survival mode:

1. Pressure to succeed

2. Divisive political climate

3. A culture of emotional suppression

4. Unhealthy environment

5. Constant catastrophic news

6. Personal guilt

The good news is that Piper didn’t just describe the problem, but also shared six ways to heal our stressed nervous systems.

Six ways to heal a stressed nervous system

feet, water, hike, stream, healing, nature, bootsA woman crossing a pond.via Canva/Photos

Step 1: Slow down

Permit yourself to slow down to the slowest part of you.

Step 2: Get into your body

Get out of your head and into your body, which is where your nervous system lives, operates, and constantly communicates with you through your emotions, feelings, and sensations.

Step 3: Become present

Your nervous system is always being pulled into the past or to the future. Instead, when you slow down, take the time to be present in the moment with your body and senses.

Step 4: Take time to validate

Acknowledge what sucks, what's hard in your life, what triggers you. But also take time to acknowledge the positive parts of your life.

Step 5: Focus on what you can control

Give more power to what you actually can control and influence.

Step 6: Regulate the chaos

Identify what regulates your nervous system. These could include activities such as nature play, co-regulation, spending time with family, music, expression, dance, and other forms of creative engagement.


Piper’s post brings up a very important question in American life: Has our dependence on technology, high-pressure work ethic, disconnection from nature, and culture, obsessed with negative news and division, finally reached the tipping point where the society we’ve created no longer bears any resemblance to the world in which we evolved to thrive? If so, how can we create a more harmonious way of living that fosters both health and material abundance?

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Innovative farm in Virginia can grow 4 million pounds of strawberries on less than one acre

This method uses 97 percent less land and up to 90 percent less water than conventional farming.

Photo credit: Canva

A new way to grow strawberries with less land, less water, and more berries.

Strawberry farm harvests aren't something most of us calculate on a regular basis (or ever at all), but the numbers from a strawberry farm in Richmond, Virginia are staggering enough to make it worth an old-school word problem. If the average American eats 8 pounds of strawberries a year, and an average strawberry farm yields approximately 20,000 pounds of berries per acre, how many people could a 200-acre strawberry field feed?

I won't make you do the math. The answer is 500,000 people. But what if a crop that size, providing enough strawberries for half a million people, could be grown on just one acre instead of 200? It's possible. You just have to go—or rather grow—up, up, up.

Indoor vertical farm company Plenty Unlimited knows a lot about growing up. In fact, it's their entire business model. Instead of the sprawling fields that traditional farming methods require, vertical farms have a much smaller land footprint, utilizing proprietary towers for growing. Plenty has used vertical farming methods to grow greens such as lettuce, kale, spinach, and more for years, but now it boasts a vertical berry farm that can yield a whopping four million pounds of strawberries on a little less than an acre.

Growing indoors means not being at the mercy of weather or climate unpredictability (barring a storm taking out your building), which is wise in the era of climate change. Unlike a traditional greenhouse which still uses the sun for light, Plenty's indoor vertical farms make use of the latest technology and research on light, pinpointing the wavelengths plants need from the sun to thrive and recreating them with LED lights. Plenty farms also don't use soil, as what plants really need is water and nutrients, which can be provided without soil (and with a lot less water than soil requires). Being able to carefully control water and nutrients means you can more easily control the size, taste and uniformity of the berries you’re growing.

If that sounds like a lot of control, it is—and that idea might freak people out. But when a highly controlled environment means not having to use pesticides and using up to 90% less water than traditional farming, it starts to sound like a solid, sustainable farming innovation.

Plenty even uses AI in its strawberry farm, according to its website:

“Every element of the Plenty Richmond Farm–including temperature, light and humidity–is precisely controlled through proprietary software to create the perfect environment for the strawberry plants to thrive. The farm uses AI to analyze more than 10 million data points each day across its 12 grow rooms, adapting each grow room’s environment to the evolving needs of the plants – creating the perfect environment for Driscoll’s proprietary plants to thrive and optimizing the strawberries’ flavor, texture and size.”

Plenty even has its own patent-pending method of pollinating the strawberry flowers that doesn’t require bees. Even just the fact that this enormous crop of strawberries will be coming from Virginia is notable, since the vast majority of strawberries in the U.S. are grown in California.

strawberries, strawberry fields, fields, farming, traditional Traditional strawberry farming takes up a lot of land.Photo credit: Canva

Plenty's Richmond farm is currently growing strawberries exclusively for Driscoll’s.

“Partnering with Plenty for the launch of the Richmond Farm allows us to bring our premium strawberries closer to consumers in the Northeast, the largest berry consumption region in the U.S.,” Driscoll’s CEO Soren Bjorn said in a press release. “By combining our 100 years of farming expertise and proprietary varieties along with Plenty’s cutting-edge technology, we can deliver the same consistent flavor and quality our customers love—now grown locally. This new innovative farm is a powerful step forward in continuing to drive category growth in new ways for our customers and consumers.”

Is Plenty’s model the farm of the future? Perhaps it’s one option, at least. The more we grapple with the impact of climate change and outdated, unsustainable farming practices, the more innovative ideas we’ll need to feed the masses. If they can get four million pounds of strawberries out of an acre of land, what else is possible?

This article originally appeared in February.

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