The dawning of Spring brings warmer weather, greenery, and floral blooms. The Spring also brings the opportunity to form new habits. Many people have the Spring ritual of decluttering, also known as spring cleaning. Whether or not it is already on your list of things to do this year, here are some benefits of decluttering your space and life. 1. Decluttering helps you feel more comfortable in your space Clutter usually means that you are confined to certain available areas in your space. In a study, Ferrari et al. (2017; 2018) revealed that excessive clutter reduced comfort and everyday experiences because of limited access to space and objects. 2. Decluttering helps with focus In addition to being able to access objects and spaces in your area, a clutter-free space also allows you to focus more. Physical environments can strongly influence our cognition and emotions. Fewer objects around you also mean fewer distractions. Visual clutter can reduce your ability to focus, visua

     With the Spring Equinox arriving, the season is changing, and the weather is getting warmer. But the end of March also brings the stress of midterms and major deadlines. Although many may think studying and reading as much as possible is the best way to finish the first half of the semester, professionals have a different opinion. Taking breaks and getting outdoors offers many psychological and physical benefits, helping cognitive capacity and mental health.      According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mental health is not merely the absence of mental disorders or disabilities, it also involves the ability to cope with and handle the stresses of life (WHO, 2018). Mental health is our collective ability to think, interact with others, and express emotions. With the demands of midterm exams and deadlines, it’s important to recognize when the stresses are interfering with your mental health and that it’s okay to step away for a moment.      It may feel hard to justify takin

On February 24, 2022, the world watched in horror as Russia invaded the neighboring country of Ukraine. Since the attacks began, over 3 million Ukrainians have fled their homes, and tens of thousands have been killed (Ukraine Refugee Situation, 2022). Most of the refugees have fled to the surrounding countries of Poland, Romania, the Republic of Moldova, and Hungary. Moreover, the number of people remaining in Ukraine without access to electricity and gas supplies is increasing, with an estimated 960,000 families without electricity and 264,000 families without gas (Situation Ukraine Refugee Situation, 2022). Humanitarian efforts are of the utmost importance in Ukraine and surrounding countries.           But how do we help Ukraine? With the UN ordering Russia to halt attacks and many countries enforcing sanctions against Russia and Putin, it may feel like any attempted effort at helping will be minuscule, but that’s not true. People in Ukraine and surrounding countries still n