upworthy
Heroes

One U.S. island people lived on disappeared right into the ocean. Another one is on its way.

Can Smith Island be saved?

True
Natural Resources Defense Council

In 2010, the last remaining house on this Maryland barrier island toppled into the Atlantic Ocean.

A final glimpse before the ocean swallowed up the last remaining vestige of Holland Island. Image by Baldeaglebluff/Flickr.

Holland Island, once located in the Chesapeake Bay, had known this was coming. Rising tides and wind forced the island's residents, once numbering up to 360, to seek drier ground on Maryland's mainland between 1914 and 1922. The house seen in the picture no longer remains in place. It's been enveloped into the surrounding waters, dismantled by a storm in October 2010.

A similar story is in progress with nearby Smith Island right now.

It's not far from where Holland Island once existed, and it's the last remaining inhabited offshore island (inaccessible by car) in Maryland's waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

A report from 2008 forecasts an identical fate — that by the year 2100, the island will be "almost completely under water as the Bay's average level goes up nearly one-foot."

A once-grand home on Smith Island now seems to be waiting for time and the elements to take it. Image by Lee Cannon/Flickr.

That's why the state is trying to buy people out of their land and relocate them to the mainland.

Only a small fraction of Smith Island residents accepted the offer, though. Many of the 276 who remain seem to believe the rising tide predictions are horse-hooey. From a Newsweek interview with resident Tim Marshall:

"'The whole sea-level rise — it's BS,' he says, talking loudly over the boat's motor. 'I've lived here my whole life and haven't seen a difference.'"

But glacial melting is a bona fide fact that says otherwise.

Experts illustrate this expected rise with an image of nearby Deal Island (connected to Maryland's mainland by a bridge):

The red line depicts the approximate level of flooding if a Category 2 hurricane were to hit in the year 2100 (factoring in rising sea level plus the size of waves). Photo via "Rising Sea Level Guidance"/Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Here's the thing: Global warming isn't coming just for these unfortunate residents. They're just on the front end of the timeline. From the Natural Resources Defense Council:

"Scientists at the U.S. Center for Atmospheric Research predict that if the current rate of global warming continues, the Arctic could be ice-free in the summer by 2040."

If the ice caps continue melting at such an increased pace, it could mean the sea levels rising by 10 inches to 23 inches everywhere by the year 2100 (reminder — that's only 85ish years from now). The Gulf Coast, the state of Florida, and the whole Atlantic seaboard would be gone.

What prompts residents to hold fast to these islands in spite of the dire writing on the wall?

The small-town way of life, the remote and peaceful surroundings minimally touched by the modernization happening in the rest of the world, and generations of family ties are all some of the reasons residents might be holding on so tight. It must come down to love, right? Love of their lifestyle and love for the legacy of such a special place.

Smith Island is a 45-minute boat ride from Maryland's mainland shore. Image by Lee Cannon/Wikimedia Commons.

But as Don Henley and Patti Smyth once sang: Baby, sometimes love just ain't enough.

Love won't stop the sea level from rising. Love won't stop time from ravaging Smith Island just the way Holland Island was forced to succumb to the reality of global warming. So residents need to hear the facts, but environmentalists and government folks also need to hear the community perspective, including our calls for them to take action before local situations get this bad. Eventually everyone will leave the island — that's not optional, it's GOING to happen — but in the meantime, an open conversation could be the best way to help get people engaged and planning for their futures.

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Pura
Pura Fragrances
Justice

Walking Alongside Martu: A journey with one of the world’s oldest living cultures

Pura’s inaugural impact collection honors both sacred traditions and sustainable futures.

James Roh
True

In a world driven by speed, efficiency, and immediate results, it’s easy to forget that lasting change is built on trust. Real impact doesn’t come from rushing toward an end goal or measuring success through lofty metrics. It comes from falling in love with the problem, building a community around it, and sharing a vision for lasting transformation.

Pura, the smart home fragrance company that marries premium fragrance with innovative technology, recently launched its inaugural impact collection with K Farmer Dutjahn Foundation (KFDF) and Dutjahn Sandalwood Oils (DSO). The Pura x Dutjahn partnership began with a clear purpose: to source a sacred ingredient directly from its origin while honoring the land and the people who’ve cared for it. Our goal wasn’t simply to find sandalwood — it was to find a community and an ingredient that embody exceptional land stewardship, ethical harvesting, and transformative, community-led impact. After careful research and over three years of development, we saw an opportunity to secure a premium, luxurious ingredient while supporting a regenerative supply chain that invests in Indigenous-led education, economic opportunity, and land stewardship.

James Roh

Over the past several years, we’ve walked alongside Martu, an Indigenous tribe from the vast Western Australian desert. Martu are one of the oldest living cultures in the world, with a history spanning 60,000 years. As nomadic hunter-gatherers, they have unparalleled ecological knowledge, passed down through generations, making them the traditional custodians of the land. Their approach to sandalwood harvesting isn’t driven by market demand but by a deep respect for seasonal rhythms, land health, and cultural law. Their work adapts to the environment—whether it’s “sorry time,” when mourning pauses activities, or the harsh desert conditions that make travel and communication difficult. Martu operate on Martu time, a deliberate rhythm shaped by millennia of experience, far removed from the rapid-swipe, hyper-productive pace of Western systems.

Martu’s ecological knowledge isn’t documented in baseline reports. It’s lived, carried in stories, and practiced with rigor and respect for the changing needs of the ecosystems. True partnership means unlearning the typical approach. It means standing beside—not in front—and recognizing that the wisdom and leadership we need already exist within these communities. Our role isn’t to define the work, but to support it, protect it, and learn from it.

James Roh

Tonight, as I spoke with Chairman Clinton Farmer and the KFDF team about our focus for this piece, I learned that Clinton’s truck had broken down (again), leaving him to “limp” back to town from the desert at low speeds for hours and hours. He had been awake since 3:00 a.m. This is a common and costly setback, one that disrupts the harvest, demands days of driving, and brings real financial and emotional strain. These barriers are relentless and persistent, part of the harsh reality Clinton and his community face daily. It's easy for outsiders, detached from the reality on the ground, to impose rules, regulations, and demands from afar. Rather than continuing to impose, we need to truly partner with communities — equipping them with the resources to operate sustainably, avoid burnout, and protect the very land they love and care for. All while they endeavor to share these incredible, sacred ingredients with the world and build an economic engine for their people.

There is much to learn, but we are here to listen, adapt, and stay the course. The future we need will not be built in quarterly cycles. It will be built in trust, over time, together.

To learn more about the partnership and fragrances, visit Pura x Dutjahn.

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Science

What will Earth look like if all its land ice melts? These maps show the clear answer.

Climate change isn't pretty.

via Business Insider Science/YouTube.

A map of the United States post land-ice melt.

Land ice: We got a lot of it. Considering the two largest ice sheets on earth — the one on Antarctica and the one on Greenland — extend more than 6 million square miles combined ... yeah, we're talkin' a lot of ice. But what if it was all just ... gone? Not like gone gone, but melted?

If all of earth's land ice melted, it would be nothing short of disastrous. And that's putting it lightly. This video by Business Insider Science (seen below) depicts exactly what our coastlines would look like if all the land ice melted. And spoiler alert: It isn't great. Lots of European cities like, Brussels and Venice, would be basically underwater.

I bring up the topic not just for funsies, of course, but because the maps are real possibilities.

How? Climate change.

As we continue to burn fossil fuels for energy and emit carbon into our atmosphere, the planet gets warmer and warmer. And that, ladies and gentlemen, means melted ice.

A study published this past September by researchers in the U.S., U.K., and Germany found that if we don't change our ways, there's definitely enough fossil fuel resources available for us to completely melt the Antarctic ice sheet.

Basically, the self-inflicted disaster you see above is certainly within the realm of possibility.


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In Africa and the Middle East? Dakar, Accra, Jeddah — gone.



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Millions of people in Asia, in cities like Mumbai, Beijing, and Tokyo, would be uprooted and have to move inland.



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South America would say goodbye to cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires.


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And in the U.S., we'd watch places like Houston, San Francisco, and New York City — not to mention the entire state of Florida — slowly disappear into the sea.


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All GIFs via Business Insider Science/YouTube.

Business Insider based these visuals off National Geographic's estimation that sea levels will rise 216 feet (!) if all of earth's land ice melted into our oceans.

There's even a tool where you can take a detailed look at how your community could be affected by rising seas, for better or worse.

Although ... looking at these maps, it's hard to imagine "for better" is a likely outcome for many of us.

Much of America's most populated regions would be severely affected by rising sea levels, as you'll notice exploring the map, created by Alex Tingle using data provided by NASA.

Take, for instance, the West Coast. (Goodbye, San Fran!)



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Or the East Coast. (See ya, Philly!)


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And the Gulf Coast. (RIP, Bourbon Street!)

"This would not happen overnight, but the mind-boggling point is that our actions today are changing the face of planet Earth as we know it and will continue to do so for tens of thousands of years to come," said lead author of the study Ricarda Winkelmann, of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

If we want to stop this from happening," she says, "we need to keep coal, gas, and oil in the ground."

The good news? Most of our coastlines are still intact! And they can stay that way, too — if we act now.

World leaders are finallystarting to treat climate change like the global crisis that it is — and you can help get the point across to them, too.

Check out Business Insider's video below:


- YouTubewww.youtube.com


This article originally appeared eleven years ago.

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Music

Jewel's new 4-week livestream series 'Lullaby Sundays' aims to reduce stress and anxiety

The series also features advice from mental health experts.

Courtesy of Shorefire Media. Photo by Brendan Walter

Jewel's new 'Lullaby Sundays' aims to reduce stress in trying times

It's no secret that Jewel has been a mental health advocate for more than 20 years. The singer has been open about her own struggles with anxiety, often highlighting music and songwriting as one of her strategies for managing the condition. In 2009 she released Lullaby an album of soft melodic tunes that seem to not only calm a sleepy infant, but anxious adults. It's been more than a decade since the album's release and it's still her most downloaded album.

Year after year people share how listening to the album helps them reign in their anxiety. Armed with that information, Jewel decided to play the album live for a four week series for Mental Health Awareness Month. The artist spoke with Upworthy about the details of this unique event that culminates with an in-person community event at Greenhouse in Las Vegas, on May 25.

Photo by Dana Trippe courtesy of Shorefire Media

Jewel explains about the surprising anomaly of the Lullaby album, "It's been an interesting thing to watch lullaby become this really sort of underground hit that people keep returning to over and over to support their mental health and their anxiety. The stories I hear of college kids using it to study, I have high-powered execs that come home and unwind, listening to the album," she says.

"And it's so interesting because I wrote the album for my mental health like, "Angel Standing By," "Circle Song," a lot of of those songs I wrote myself when I was really anxious to help regulate my own nervous system so it's been really neat to see people find the album and use it for that reason and it's what really inspired me this year just sort of shine a spotlight on it. Just because there's a lot of tension in the world and I think if we can all find things that help us regulator our nervous system and build community that it can only be good."

Photo by Dana Trippe courtesy of Shorefire Media

The singer songwriter started having panic attacks in her teens which led her to discovering that she could help to regulate herself by writing and singing this lullaby type music.

"I moved out when I was 15 and I started having panic attacks at that age, but I didn't know what they were called. You know the word mental health, regulating nervous systems. None of that existed–trauma. There were not those words. I just knew this overwhelming terrifying thing happens to me and I was trying to figure out what do I do about it and I just started writing songs and so it especially would hit me at night."

It was then that she wrote "Angel Standing By" as a means to soothe her own nervous system, and now that very song is helping others do the same. Being on her own at an early age left her with no one to guide her with what to do with the feelings she was having so she wrote the song to tell herself all the things she needed to hear in those hard moments.

"I would I just write myself what I felt like I was needing to hear it was sort of like making your own medicine and it really worked and I would just sing myself that song over and over and it would really calm me down and then I remember parents telling me that they would have their kids listen to the first album of mine, which was so interesting," she recalls to Upworthy before adding, "There's a lot of material on there that I wouldn't think little kids would be good for. It's a bit adult, but something about the sound of my voice was very soothing, and I just remembered that and so when it was time to make this album, I wanted it to be something that was soothing for adults and children that would would help them."

"Lullaby Sundays," which will be live streamed every Sunday in May is meant to target audience members of all ages and will be available for replay on her own Instagram page as well as the Inspiring Children Foundation’s channels, a foundation that Jewel has been supporting for more than 20 years. The foundation focuses on the mental health of children and was started by Ryan Wolfington at a time when there wasn't such a focus on childhood mental health, which is one of the reasons Jewel got involved, she explains.

Photo by Dana Trippe courtesy of Shorefire Media

"I wanted to build new habits and that's how we focus working with the kids and we have tremendous outcomes and we found music to be really powerful and helping because it really can hack your nervous system. And give you and put you in a different frame of mind," the artist shares. "I'm starting to study it and study the effects of my voice on peoples nervous system and it's been fascinating to see that it works. You know it's not...it's not just antidotal. I'm actually able to start showing that this type of music and the music I'm creating really is affecting people's nervous system."

Jewel is hoping that people who participate in the livestream events will take away a sense of community, connection and empowerment that we all have the tools to help calm our own nervous systems.

If you want to check out her livestream the anticipated schedule is as follows:

  • Sunday, May 4, 2025 @ [2:30PM PT] – Lullaby Sunday #1: A Lullaby listening party, featuring stories behind each song from Jewel and a discussion on how music affects the nervous system. RSVP here.

  • Sunday, May 11, 2025 @ [2:30PM PT] – Lullaby Sunday #2: A conversation with Jewel about managing mental well-being while raising children. RSVP here.

  • Sunday, May 18, 2025 @ [4:30PM PT] – Lullaby Sunday #3: A conversation between Jewel and a mental health expert to discuss their personal mental health journeys, as well as tools and practices they use in their daily lives. RSVP here.

  • Sunday, May 25, 2025 @ [2-5PM PT] – Lullaby Sunday #4: An in-person event at Greenhouse Smoothie Bar & Eatery in Las Vegas to foster a conversation about mental health, community support, and emotional resilience. RSVP here.

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Health

Science confirms ‘Move in Silence’ trend might be the smartest way to achieve your goals

“I promise you things always work out better when you keep them to yourself.”

TikTok: @wemiopakunle, @_alliechen, @mandanazarfhami,

Science confirms ‘Move in Silence’ trend might be the smartest way to achieve your goals.

TikTok's latest viral wisdom is backed by hard data—and it's making people rethink their communication habits. We live in a world of chronic oversharing. We post everything, from the routes we run (including screenshots as proof of all that hard work), to the pale-green iced matcha latte sitting at our desks or a present from a boyfriend (who will be tagged prominently, not secretly off screen). Who knows when, but our brains became wired for sharing: to record, to curate, and to post every second of our lives, then consume that of others to a disturbing degree. So, here's a radical idea: when it comes to goals and plans, try keeping them to yourself. It could be the key to making them a reality.

That's the message behind TikTok's massively popular "Move in Silence" trend, where creators like @noemoneyyy have cracked the contradictory code to success: Instead of broadcasting every big idea or project that runs through your head, if you actually want it to come to fruition, keep your plans to yourself until they're executed. And it's not just a trend; surprisingly, science also supports this muted approach.


@noemoneyyy Work in private and let the results speak! #privatelife #privatelifehappylife #workinprivate #creatorsearchinsights ♬ sonido original - Luis Jonathan

"As a former oversharer who used to tell every single friend, every single family member, or a partner everything I was doing, I promise you things always work out better when you keep them to yourself," explains creator @noemoneyyy in a video that's garnered millions of views.

On a different video by @mandanazarfhami, she says, “I don’t care what you’ve got going on in your life: that dream job, that city that you want to move to, that dream person, that dream life, that dream anything. Literally keep it to yourself until it’s done.”

Commentors were quick to agree, with one person writing: “From a young age, I never told anyone my next steps. I also taught my husband and son to keep our private matters to themselves and just do things 💯Not many people like it, but who cares🌝🙌🏼🫶🏼”

Another chimed in, “This concept has changed my life for the better.” Others replied, “100 agree 💕” and “100%🙌🏼people can’t ruin what is silent, show results.”


@mandanazarghami monitoring spirits are a real thing - move in silence and watch how much your life changes #fypシ ♬ Jacob and the Stone - Emile Mosseri


What's going on here

In a study done by New York University, researchers found that people who kept their goals private worked on tasks for an average of 45 minutes, compared to the 33 minutes of work completed by those who announced their plans in advance. The twist? The people who shared their goals expressed feeling closer to finishing, despite doing approximately 25% less work.

NYU psychologist Peter Gollwitzer, who led the research, concluded that "once you've told other people your intentions, it gives you a 'premature sense of completeness.'" He also found that the brain is made up of "identity symbols," which create one's self-image. Interestingly, both action and talking about action create symbols in your brain, so simply speaking about a future plan or something you want to do satisfies that part of your brain. When we make our goals public, especially ones that matter to us and deal with our identity, our ability to achieve said goal is significantly reduced. As the old adage goes, "actions speak louder than words."

Stranger still, in his paper "Does Social Reality Widen the Intention-Behavior Gap," Gollwitzer notes that in order for this phenomenon to happen, one must truly care about their goals. "Ironically, this effect was only found for participants who are very committed to their goal!" PsychologyToday notes. "The lesson learned is that the more passionate you are about your goals, the more secretive you should be about them."

Quiet, silence, peace, shhh, no speaking, secret The more passionate you are about your goals, the more secretive you should be. Photo credit: Canva

Another reason to keep quiet: If you're a beginner trying something new, sharing your plans could potentially open you up to criticism and negative feedback, which could deter you from even starting. At the University of Chicago, professor Ayelet Fishbach conducted studies to determine how positive and negative feedback affects the pursuit of one's goal. According to Atlassian, she and her team found:

  • When positive feedback signals commitment to a goal, it increases motivation.
  • When positive feedback signals progress, it actually decreases motivation.
"One example the researchers give is a math student who gets a good grade on a test. If she perceives it to mean she likes math, she will study harder. If, however, she sees the high score as a sign she is making progress in the class, she may ease up and study less." - Atlassian


@_alliechen I used to be such an open book but now im a lot more reserved on my goals and plans so ppl dont judge #moveinsilence #relateablecontent #girlies #viral #success ♬ suara asli - astrooo🪐

We've all been there: excitedly telling everyone about your grand plans to backpack through Europe, the year you'll finally learn Spanish, or joining the group lesson at the tennis courts you always pass by… only to mysteriously lose all motivation a week later. Turns out, those lovely dopamine bursts that accompany every enthusiastic "That sounds great!" or "You should totally do it!" response might be precisely what's holding you back.

The good news? You don't need to become closed-off and secretive, a hermit on the top of a mountain who's afraid to share any part of themselves with the world. Research suggests that sharing your goals with one or two selected friends who can be trusted to provide meaningful support is still a good idea. Just hold off on the Instagram Live announcement until you've actually accomplished something substantial.

So, the next time you sit down to write your goals, whether they be a new year's resolution, the day's to-do list, or a five-year plan, think twice about sharing it with others. Give it time and you might have something better to share soon: the results.

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Wellness

You're drinking water wrong: Why doctors say temperature matters more than you think

You might be missing out on some serious health benefits.

Photo credit: Canva

Could you be more effective with your water intake?

Here’s something we all know but rarely think about: 75% of the human body is made up of water. Essentially, we’re water balloons with legs, or whatever the heckFlubber was. To maintain that internal reservoir, humans need to drink 15 cups of water (for men) and 11 cups of water (for women) daily. It doesn’t take a math whiz to realize that’s a lot of water. To put that into perspective, according to the Omni Calculator (a great online tool that determines a person’s total body water volume using a formula developed by Dr. P.E. Watson), beloved character actor Steve Buscemi is currently carrying around 83.74 pounds of water in his body, or approximately 10 gallons.

But what if you’ve been drinking water, that sweet elixir of life, all wrong? Or, at the very least, ineffectively? Just as every plant has its ideal growing conditions, according to doctors and medical professionals, the temperature of the water we drink matters a lot more than you might think.

Woman, drinking water, hydration. hydration, water temperatureThis goes beyond personal preference.Photo credit: Canva

Room-temperature, ice-cold and straight from the fridge, slightly warm for no reason at all: when it comes to drinking water, everyone has their own unique methods of getting the job done—but while we continue to chug our preferred water temperatures without question, we might be missing out on some serious health benefits—or even causing ourselves unnecessary discomfort.

Medical experts have discovered that water temperature, when used at the right time, can significantly improve your wellbeing, affecting everything from how we digest our food to how well we perform during workouts. All water hydrates, but the temperature at which you drink it can make all the difference.

Room-temperature water is your digestive system's best friend

Ariana grande, sipping, drinking, hydrate, waterTry a new morning routine with water.Giphy

When to drink

Good morning! Many dieticians and wellness experts recommend drinking room-temperature water (about 68°F) first thing in the morning to gently activate your gastrointestinal tract (It also promotes regular bowel movements, FYI). This gentle approach is often referred to as “Japanese water therapy,” and encourages sipping 4-5 glasses (about ¾-cup each) upon waking then waiting 45 minutes before breakfast. It’s also great for everyday hydration, since room-temperature water is often easier to gulp.

Why it works

"In Chinese medicine we advocate drinking warm water because of its effect on the digestive system," Dr. Jill Blakeway, a licensed doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine explains. “Drinking cold water can congeal the fats in food and because of that can make the digestive system sluggish." Your body absorbs room-temperature water more easily, causing minimal disruption to the digestive system, making it the go-to option for sensitive stomachs.

Ice-cold water is perfect for workouts and hot days

Man, ice-cold water, glass, ice water, waterCheers to the athletes and workout buddies.Giphy

When to drink

This one is for the athletes and fitness gurus: Cold water (around 41°F from the fridge or 60°F from the tap) is your new best friend. Like a refreshing summer breeze, cold water has a natural way of cooling the body down during or after an exercise. It also gives your metabolism a tiny boost: according to research, your body expends about five calories per ounce of ice while warming the water to body temperature.

Why it works

Studies show that drinking cold water triggers a special reflex that helps you to stop sweating sooner, effectively lowering your core temperature and enhancing overall performance. “It turns out that sweating stops before fluid can completely be incorporated into the body,” says gastroenterologist Dr. Brian Weiner. “There’s some kind of reflex that acknowledges liquid intake, and studies have shown that it kicks in more at the cold tap water level.”

Hot water soothes what ails you

Woman, mug, hot drink, sipping, hot, hot waterHot drinks create steam, which clears out so much internally. Photo by Jarek Ceborski on Unsplash

When to drink

Hot water (130-160°F) can be incredibly soothing when you’re under the weather. So, if you’re feeling congested or battling a sore throat, a nice mug of hot water might be just what the doctor ordered. A 2008 study found that hot drinks work like a natural remedy, providing quick, lasting relief from runny noses, coughing, sore throats, and fatigue.

Why it works

Like a warm summer rain, hot water creates steam that helps clear sinus congestion, while its pacifying warmth relaxes the gastrointestinal and digestive muscles. In fact, a small study showed that warm water worked wonders for patients recovering from surgery, improving their comfort and digestive health. Warm or hot water can also literally melt away stress, as long as temperatures are kept comfortably warm: water above 160°F can scald your esophagus or damage your taste buds.

When to avoid certain water temperatures

While most doctors agree that drinking enough water is far more important than the temperature, there are specific circumstances to keep in mind:

Shaking head, no, refusing, nope, gifKnow when to say no.Giphy

  • Migraines. Do not drink cold water! Research from 2001 found that the refreshing drink can trigger—or even exacerbate—headaches in those who are already prone to them.
  • Achalasia. If your esophagus is compromised, cold water can worsen symptoms. Try swapping in warm water instead, which can help soothe and relax the lower esophageal sphincter.
  • Hot, sweaty days. Surprisingly, despite what old wives’ tales might say, warm water can actually make you feel less thirsty, which registered dietician Vanessa Rissetto warns "can be dangerous on days when your body is losing water through sweating to try to keep cool."

We all know drinking water is important, but just as a garden thrives with the right care at the right time, you can optimize and customize that all-essential water you drink throughout the day. Whether that’s out of a Stanley tumbler, Owala water bottle, or Yeti flask, is up to you.

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Nature

Chaos gardening: The Internet’s favorite “messy” trend that’s transforming backyards everywhere

Ditch the rules! Embrace the wild! Let beauty remain untamed.

TikTok: @TR and @calnaturalgardens

Chaos gardening returns fun to gardening

Get ready to throw out everything you knew about gardening—even if it’s very little—because there’s a new trend in town that’s pure, unadulterated genius. Do you ever walk by a neighbor’s garden, one that’s been planned and pruned to perfection, with its neatly symmetrical flower beds and lushness that rivals Eden? Well, it’s time to say goodbye to the green-eyed monster and hello to your green thumb: TikTok’s latest viral gardening wisdom is taking the Internet by storm as novices and experts alike are discovering that sometimes, the best plan is… to have no plan at all. And science agrees.

Somewhere along the way, between the obsessively manicured lawns and hyper-maintained front yards (with their timed sprinklers, expensive bonsai trees, and cute yet passive aggressive “NO DOGS ALLOWED” signs), we lost the plot on gardening. Sure, hedges trimmed into precise geometric shapes and meticulously spaced flowers that resemble math puzzles are nice to look at, but the moment we started ruthlessly pulling, hacking, and destroying anything that dared grow where it wasn’t explicitly invited, a line was crossed. So, here’s a radical idea for gardening: take a step back, put down the pesticides, and let nature decide. This trust exercise could be the key to unlocking the thriving, biodiverse haven of your dreams.


@meggrowsplants Chaos gardening results 💚 I started chaos gardening when I was working a full time job with a one hour commute each way. I had absolutely no time to garden, but I still wanted to grow my own food. I went outside and made a last ditch effort and just threw all of the seeds I had out into my garden beds and called it a season. And it was one of the best things I ever did! I think chaos gardening appeals to alot of people, because most people are in the exact same boat. Not everyone has time to become an “expert” in gardening, but they still want the amazing experience of growing food. The overwhelm of gardening information out there, and (the sometimes very aggressive) “dos and donts” can actually be discouraging to new gardeners. Chaos gardening is definitely something that has been integrated into my personal gardening style, even though this is now my job! I love the low effort, low maintenance, fun and carefree aspect to it- and you can grow lots of food this way as well. I find that it’s an encouraging way to garden. No rules, no stress, just experimentation and fun in your garden. Do you want to try chaos gardening? 🪴 #chaosgardening #chaosgardener #chaosgarden #gardening #growyourownfood #growfood #growingfood #gardeninspiration #gardendesign #gardentok ♬ original sound - MegGrowsPlants

"Chaos gardening, I also call it intuitive gardening or instinctive gardening, is just taking the stress out of gardening and putting the fun back in there, which is how gardening is supposed to be in my opinion,” says North Carolina resident, Meagan Lloyd (@meggrowsplants), one of the faces behind TikTok’s massively viral “chaos gardening” movement.

Consumed with her full-time job, Lloyd said she had “absolutely no time” for gardening but still wanted to grow her own food. So, one day she gathered up all of her seeds and tossed them into the garden. “And it was one of the best things I’ve ever done!” she remarks.


@calnaturalgardens Chaos garden update 🥰 #chaosgardening #viral #fyp #fypage #foryourpage #fypシ #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypシ゚viral #fypシ゚ #foryoupage #fypシ #fyppp #garden #gardening #longbeach #california ♬ Loving Me - Janine

She’s not alone in the chaos. Another creator, Melanie (@calnaturalgardens) loves her chaos garden, which boasts over 25 different types of flowers and plants—a buzzy local attraction frequented by the birds and bees all day long. With the success of her garden, she even started offering seasonal flower bouquet subscriptions in Long Beach, California, where one can buy gorgeous bunches of cosmos, purple innocence, strawflowers, and other colorful blooms that “highlight the beauty and diversity of native plants that are otherwise overlooked in the floral industry.”

Meanwhile, almost nothing can match the joy of user @TR’s chaos gardening reveal, where she pans over flower beds that have blossomed into meadows full of brilliant, wiry gems—dahlias, zinnias, and snapdragons—that dance in the wind.

The Internet is absolutely here for it, by the way. “I prefer this over boring front lawns,” one commenter shared. “Honestly, it’s giving Secret Garden vibes and I love it,” said another. Others are seeing their own amazing results, writing, "I've been doing this for years and my garden is THRIVING 🌱" and "Best gardening hack ever! So much less work and so many more flowers 🌸🌼🌺.”


@tayyluuh The results from last year’s chaos garden were unmatched! What flower are you wanting in your cut flower garden this year?! #chaosgardening #garden #wildflower #pnw ♬ BLOOM - Doechii


What’s going on here (and why are scientists getting so excited?)

The point of chaos gardening isn’t to be lazy (although it’s certainly a welcomed perk!); it’s about creating resilient ecosystem powerhouses that mimic nature’s ebbs, flows, and beautiful imperfections. Think about it: out in the wild, plants don’t grow in perfect rows—winds carry seeds wherever they please, creating beautiful “messes” of diverse plantings that naturally suppress weeds and create microclimates that benefit all surrounding plants. Still can’t picture it? Well, all you need to do is watch the opening number from The Sound of Music. Here, the hills are alive with something else, too: the beauty of chaos gardening.

Russell Taylor, VP of Live Earth Products, puts it perfectly: "Chaos gardening goes beyond just a gardening technique; it's a philosophy. It promotes embracing unpredictability and enjoying the natural evolution of the garden."

The trend is already on the move. Beyond the 13 billion views it’s gained on TikTok, in 2023, chaos gardening was featured in the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show.

Stephanie Rose, author of Garden Alchemy and The Regenerative Garden, describes chaos gardening as an act of rebellion: it's about "taking back the land and gardens from what has been structured and high maintenance, like thirsty, manicured lawns and very landscaped environments," she said.

The best part? Anyone can start a chaos garden. You don’t need a degree in horticulture or to spend hours researching cross-pollination. "Not only does chaos gardening save time and money, but it's also great for beginners who want to enjoy a garden but don't know where to start," says Brian Shaunfield, a Lowe's store manager.

So, take that as an invitation to put down that grid-lined notebook and ditch the measuring tape. Maybe it’s time to try embracing a little chaos.

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