The Science of Gratitude: Time to Give Thanks

Science and Health

Source: Andrea Piacquadio / Pexels

The holiday season is action-packed. Our schedules overflow, and we run around as if we are sprinting through life in a hundred-meter dash. All the attention hogs we navigate, programmed consumerism, social media, status updates, deadlines, and world affairs, lead us to identify with lack, anxiety, and stress. We look at the world through a narrow lens, and it feels like everything is upside-down.

When this happens, we miss out on the beautiful richness of the holidays. Sometimes, we are downright ungrateful and may feel even more disconnected. Are you willing to up your game of gratitude and enjoy the holidays?
Here are five simple reasons to start giving thanks—and revel in the benefits!
1. Researchers found that keeping a daily gratitude journal increases your positive outlook on life. Additionally, this cultivates an attitude of abundance rather than lack, so you are able to see more of what you have rather than focusing on what you perceive as missing in your life. This simple gratitude life hack raises your level of happiness.

2. Studies show that practicing gratitude releases positive neurochemicals, like dopamine, and engages the reward system in the brain. Your attitude of gratitude builds long-lasting reward circuits that are coupled with positive behavior and thought patterns developed through meaning and intention. The simple act of expressing thanks strengthens positive brain circuits, allowing for greater brain power and prosperity.

3. Engaging in gratitude has major health benefits like lessening symptoms of depression and anxiety, reducing heart rate, as well as decreasing physical ailments and reducing physical pain. Highlighting that, a positive thought process improves your physical and mental health. Giving thanks can actually increase your longevity!

4. Gratitude builds positive relationships with people around you and enhances prosocial behavior. Since the act of gratitude recognizes goodness outside of yourself, whether it is as simple as someone opening the door for you or your spouse making dinner, this opens your mind to compassion for others by magnifying your behavior to be giving and altruistic. Build the practice of paying it forward. People with more gratitude have more positive social and family relationships.

5. Gratitude is a building block for an optimistic attitude. A person who sees the light at the end of the tunnel or a glass half full has a more optimistic outlook and is thankful. An optimistic attitude is correlated with meaning, greater social bonds, and longevity.
Here are my words of thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season. Thank you, Mom, for teaching me to have courage; thank you, Dad, for supporting me in doing what I love; Spencer, thank you for making me laugh and see the light; Billy, thank you for your endless devotion; Coco and Star, my spirit animals, thank you for just being. Thank you, dear reader, for taking the time to share this moment of gratitude with me.

THE BASICS

Ok, Doomer! The NEVER podcast – Nukes and new tech

Technology

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Welcome to “Nukes & New Tech”, a bonus episode of “Ok, Doomer!”, the podcast series by The European Leadership Network’s (ELN) New European Voices on Existential Risk (NEVER) network. Hosted by the ELN’s Policy and Impact Director, Jane Kinninmont and Project and Communications Coordinator, Edan Simpson.
In today’s special bonus episode, Jane and Edan are taking a deep dive into an ELN project exploring the emerging risks posed by the intersection between new technologies and nuclear weapons.
In “What’s the Problem?” Jane is joined by Belen Bianco, a former Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network and current UN Official. Belen provides a welcome introduction to the ELN’s nuclear weapons and new technologies project. Belen also explains why the ELN decided to analyse the aggregate effects of new technologies on nuclear decision-making, as opposed to exploring the technologies in isolation, and outlines the potential future threat landscape in this field.
The episode then turns to Edan’s “How To Fix It” panel, featuring Rishi Paul, Senior Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network, Héloïse Fayet, Younger Generation Leaders Network (YGLN) member and Research Fellow at the Security Studies Centre of IFRI (French institute of international relations), and Kim Westerich-Fellner,  NEVER member and Mercator Fellow on International Relations and Visiting Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR).
The panel discusses the ELN’s Guardrails and Self-Assessment (GSA) Framework for Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs), which was designed to raise awareness and familiarise stakeholders at various levels with the complex interplay between a multitude of technologies, NC3 systems, and nuclear weapons decision-making.
In this episode’s “Turn Back The Clock” segment, Jane is joined by Julia Berghofer, a Senior Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network. In light of the Biden Administration’s decision to undertake a failsafe review of the United States’ nuclear command, control, and communications systems, Julia provides a history of nuclear failsafe reviews, and what’s changed since the United States undertook its first such review in the early 1990s.
Finally, in “The Debrief”, Jane and Edan reflect on the episode and share their key takeaways and favourite moments.
Find out more information on the ELN’s Nuclear and New Technologies project here.

The European Leadership Network itself as an institution holds no formal policy positions. The opinions articulated above represent the views of the authors rather than the European Leadership Network or its members. The ELN aims to encourage debates that will help develop Europe’s capacity to address the pressing foreign, defence, and security policy challenges of our time, to further its charitable purposes.

I discovered Europe’s most authentic Christmas markets by stepping off the tourist trail

Travel

Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreIt’s difficult to imagine a more perfect festive scene. The snow, already half a foot deep, is falling softly in fat flakes. The town square’s Christmas market is twinkling with lights, children are shrieking happily as they careen around an ice rink, the air is thick with the smell of warm honey mead and sweet trdelnik pastry cooked over fire. Large groups of friends and family are gathered together. I cannot hear a single English accent.We are in Premysl Otakar II Square, the historic centre of Ceske Budejovice, about 75 miles south of Prague in South Bohemia, having travelled for about three hours in increasingly nerve-inducing weather conditions as darkness set in. But with the car safely parked outside the hotel and already blanketed in snow, it’s time for a celebratory restorative drink and some fun.This small-but-perfectly-formed Christmas market is well off the tourist trail. We meander happily around, picking up local delicacies and festive decorations to take home, fielding plenty of interested questions – and the odd raised eyebrow – about how far we’d travelled.Ice skating at Ceske Budejovice’s Christmas market

Two-day long science, technology exhibition begins in Mancherial

Science and Health

The exhibits featured creative models and thought-provoking displays, capturing the essence of environmental awareness.

Published Date – 22 November 2024, 08:26 PM

District Science Officer S Madhu Babu, Bishop Joseph Kunnath and Father Jose formally inauurating Fusion Fest-2024 in Mancherial on Friday

Mancherial: A two-day long science and technology exhibition titled Fusion Fest-2024 began on the premises of Carmel Convent High School here on Friday. District Science Officer S Madhu Babu, Bishop Joseph Kunnath and Father Jose formally inaugurated the event.
Madhu Babu opined that creativity and innovation of students belonging to the school was brought out with the help of the event. He was all praise for the management of the institution for conducting the exhibition and setting an example to other schools of the district. He emphasized the importance of science and arts in shaping the future of students.

Kunnath lauded the school’s commitment to nurturing creativity and holistic growth. Father Jose praised the teamwork and dedication evident in the event’s organization. Principal Sister Rincy expressed her pride in the students and staff for their remarkable efforts in making the event a grand success. She reiterated the school’s mission to foster excellence in both academics and co-curricular activities.
The fest showcased the talents of students across various departments, with the Telugu, music, and English departments presenting captivating theatre performances. These shows seamlessly blended cultural richness with modern themes, leaving the audience enthralled.
An exhibit titled ‘Forest and Children highlighted the intricate bond between nature and the younger generation. The exhibits featured creative models and thought-provoking displays, capturing the essence of environmental awareness.
Parish, Priest of Sacred Heart Church, Sister Phinia, the first principal of the school, Mother Geo, President of Carmel Education Society were among many who attended the inaugural ceremony.

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CDFD launches ‘Gyandeep’ initiative to train DNA scientists from Kendriya Vidyalayas

Science and Health

Dr. Shweta Tyagi, Staff Scientist and Head of the Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation at CDFD, chaired the event and introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Chandana Basu, an Early Career Fellow with DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance and co-founder of GENETIKS4U.

Published Date – 22 November 2024, 08:52 PM

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad-based Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) has launched a new outreach initiative ‘Gyandeep’, aimed at producing DNA scientists from Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV). The inaugural session of Gyandeep, launched by CDFD in collaboration with GENETIKS4U, an outreach project funded by India Biosciences and KV Sangathan, Hyderabad, was organised on Friday at CDFD, Dr. Varsha, Staff Scientist and Head of Science Communication, CDFD, said.
Dr. Shweta Tyagi, Staff Scientist and Head, Laboratory of Cell Cycle Regulation, CDFD, presided over the event and introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Chandana Basu, DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance Early Career Fellow and co-founder of GENETIKS4U.

Dr. Basu captivated the KV students by explaining the basics of DNA, genetic codes, and fundamental genetics in a fun and engaging way, making complex concepts easy to grasp. The event saw enthusiastic participation from students across various Kendriya Vidyalaya branches in Hyderabad. One of the highlights was a hands-on demonstration where students isolated DNA from bananas, and the experience of holding the extracted DNA left them thrilled.
Throughout the event, a series of interactive sessions kept the students fully engaged, and prizes were awarded to the winners. All attendees received a souvenir, including a science comic created by GENETIKS4U.
Both students and teachers expressed great enthusiasm and strongly recommended that similar sessions be held in the future, not only for students but also for teachers.

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The 25 Hottest New Hotels For 2025, Inside The Orient Express Sailing Yacht And More Travel News

Travel

Share to FacebookShare to TwitterShare to LinkedinForbes Travel Guide’s 25 Most Anticipated Hotel Openings Of 2025
Every year, Forbes Travel Guide rates the world’s finest hotels, spas, cruises and restaurants, but its editors and ratings team are always scouring the globe for the most anticipated luxury getaways. From Montana to Melbourne, here are the 25 hottest new hotel openings for 2025.

A First Look At Orient Express’ New Sailing Yacht.Orient Express Corinthian Suite © Orient Express – Maxime d’Angeac
Agatha Christie gave the world a glimpse of life aboard the Orient Express train, but what would it look like if it sailed? Luxury travel brand Orient Express recently unveiled new details about its first vessel, Orient Express Corinthian. Slated to set sail in the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean in June 2026, the new ship will be the world’s largest sailing yacht at 220 meters (nearly 723 feet), capable of reaching speeds of 17 knots by wind alone. In addition to its 54 suites, the Corinthian will also have five restaurants and eight bars, including a 1930s-style speakeasy and a Parisian cabaret hall.

This is the published version of Forbes’ Passport newsletter, which offers a first-class guide to luxury travel. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday.
Inside A Chic Boutique Hotel In Havana.nestor kim
When the boutique hotel Tribe Caribe opened last year in the Cayo Hueso district of central Havana, the 11-room property instantly became a much-needed addition to the neighborhood. Grammy Award-winning producer Andrés Levin and his business partner, fashion entrepreneur Chris Cornell, discovered the 100-year-old colonial building in ruins and embarked on a mission to restore it as a luxury destination. On the ground floor, the artful Tribe Caribe features a bistro and the Black Box Gallery—a venue for performances and exhibitions. And the rooftop bar has views of the entire city.

TravelWise.getty
Roaming charges can add unexpected (and unnecessary) costs to an international getaway. While savvy travelers used to rely on local SIM cards, many have now switched to a more modern and convenient solution—an eSIM provider. With an eSIM, you won’t need to worry about losing a SIM card or waste time looking for stores to buy them in. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with an eSIM.

The Best Places To See the Northern Lights in 2025.getty
The northern lights captivate travelers every year, but they have been particularly spectacular lately. Heading into 2025, the planet will continue to experience some of the best northern lights displays in recent memory—and the travel industry has created more viewing opportunities for those who want to cross it off a bucket list. From Alaska to Norway to cruise ships, here are the best places to see the northern lights in 2025.