Latest news with #happiness
Associated Press
12 hours ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Oola Bowls® Expands in Massachusetts with New Lynnfield Store Opening at MarketStreet in August
'Opening at MarketStreet Lynnfield is an ideal next step for Oola Bowls. We can't wait to join this energetic destination and fuel the active and health‑conscious crowd.'— Rick McIsaac, General Manager of Oola Bowls Lynnfield LYNNFIELD, MA, UNITED STATES, July 30, 2025 / / -- Oola Bowls, the vibrant better-for-you brand known for its signature, high-pulp açaí bowls and commitment to 'what happiness tastes like,' is thrilled to announce another Massachusetts location coming to Lynnfield in August. 'Oola Bowls is all about serving up happiness in every bowl, and we are excited to continue growing in Massachusetts with our newest location in Lynnfield,' said Joe Ferderbar, Co-founder of Oola Bowls. 'With its family-focus and suburban charm just 16 miles north of Boston, Lynnfield is a great spot for everyone to discover new delights making it the perfect place for us to continue our mission of providing fresh, nutritious, and flavorful food that makes people feel good.' The new location will feature Oola Bowls' five innovative açaí bowls as well as blends, beverages, and grab-and-go snacks. Westbrook will also offer 'Swirls' or açaí soft-serve, a first-of-its kind healthy indulgence for any time of day, and parfaits featuring ultra smooth high-pulp açaí and layered toppings. 'Opening at MarketStreet Lynnfield is an ideal next step for Oola Bowls,' said Rick McIsaac, General Manager of Oola Bowls Lynnfield. 'This vibrant destination draws over 90 shops and dining spots and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually as a North Shore community hub. With health-forward neighbors like Club Pilates and Pure Barre, we're excited to be part of a community where wellness is a lifestyle. Our nourishing açaí bowls, smoothies, and soft‑serve offerings are the perfect complement for fitness enthusiasts, families, and visitors looking for fresh, feel‑good options. We can't wait to join this energetic destination and fuel the active and health‑conscious crowd.' Located at MarketStreet Lynnfield, the new Oola Bowls shop is designed to be a welcoming space where guests can enjoy vibrant flavors in an inviting atmosphere. This location is the second store in Massachusetts with the brand's ongoing expansion across the East Coast. Headquartered in Lancaster, PA, Oola Bowls continues to grow its presence in local communities that embrace healthy eating, happiness, and a balanced and active lifestyle. Oola Bowls Lynnfield is located at 600 Market Street, Suite 330, Lynnfield, MA 01940. For more information about this location's grand opening events and special promotions, follow Oola Bowls Lynnfield on Instagram or Facebook (@OolaBowlsLynnfield) or visit About Oola™ Oola Bowls® is the leading health-focused QSR franchise known for one the highest pulp content, nutrient-dense açaí bowls in the U.S. Founded in 2018, Oola is on a mission to fuel balanced living by nourishing and empowering the communities they serve, one functional ingredient and one meaningful connection at a time. Using premium açaí and functional ingredients, Oola's innovative menu is designed to nourish, energize, and bring joy with every bite. With a belief that balance feels better, Oola offers wholesome, energizing options that elevate both body and mind. Expanding across the East Coast and beyond, Oola is redefining what it means to eat well. Ya-Yung (YY) Cheng Oola Bowls, LLC +1 717-734-8030 [email protected] Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Fast Company
3 days ago
- General
- Fast Company
How to deal with loneliness at work
One of the best predictors of your happiness at work is whether you have colleagues that you are close with. You don't necessarily need to be friends with your colleagues—that is, you may not want to hang out with them outside of work—but you do want to have people you feel you can talk with and share your experiences. Unfortunately, many people feel like they don't have anyone at work that they know well at all. Workplaces have gotten more efficient, and so there is less time for people to engage in small talk that solidifies their relationships with others. In addition, even at workplaces where everyone is working on-site, there are still many meetings done via videoconference, so it is hard to connect with your colleagues before or after to say a few words. If you're feeling lonely at work, there are a few things you can do. Make space and time for relationships Developing better relationships with your colleagues may seem like a waste of time, but it isn't. Not only does it help to predict workplace satisfaction, but having close colleagues also helps to build trust. Some amount of trust building involves demonstrating to people that you will carry out tasks that you promised and do your work well. But, a lot of trust is built through relationship development. You tend to trust people you know well. When you let people in on details of your life, you're showing some vulnerability, which also builds trust. Indeed, when you think about it, the people you are closest to in your life are people you share a lot of your life with. They know what you like, what you want, and what you have done. They have shared good times and bad. That sharing influences trust in the workplace as well, and so it is valuable to set aside some time to build your relationships with others. Take some initiative When you're feeling lonely at work, you may also feel rejected by others. You may look around and see other people having conversations and wonder why nobody has talked with you. You might even start to wonder if there is something wrong with you that is preventing other people from wanting to engage with you. Rather than wallowing in the feeling that you don't deserve to be close to your colleagues, do something about it. Invite a colleague for coffee or lunch. Bring in pictures of your kids, pets, plants, or the products of your hobbies. Create chances for people to get to know you better. Over the years, I have collected and built a variety of Lego models. I have brought the finished models to my office, and I display them there. They are there in part because I think they are fun. But, they are also here to generate conversations when people come to my office. It creates a light moment to talk about something unrelated to work that builds my relationship with colleagues. It is a small thing, but I think it has an impact. Build a group For many people, it can be awkward to try to build relationships with one person at a time. If you're socially awkward, you may not want to have sustained conversations but you would still like to feel that you're part of a team. In that case, you might want to find or start a group at work that gets together on occasion around an activity to build a community. Use lunch hours once or twice a month to start a book club or take time before or after the workday to do a volunteer effort. A group that has a common goal is a great way to feel connected to your team. That spirit can feed back on the workplace. Constructing a group like this is different than the traditional team building activity that workplaces often create. Those activities are often forced on a group. They are done once. They may be fun, but they don't create anything sustaining. The groups I am suggesting are intended to persist over time to develop a set of relationships and lay down a collection of memories that ultimately create a more cohesive workplace.
Forbes
3 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Want To Be Happier? Follow What Your Nervous System Is Telling You
Photo by FPG/We've long been told that happiness is a mindset, a perspective, maybe even a daily practice. But something else is also deeply embodied, radical and accurate: happiness isn't just in our heads, it's in our nervous systems, too. From the firing of the prefrontal cortex to signals traveling along the vagus nerve, the body continually broadcasts cues about how safe, connected and emotionally stable it truly feels, whether or not we are consciously aware of it. That's why emerging research reframes happiness not as a fleeting emotion, but as a full-body physiological state, shaped by autonomic rhythms, gut ecosystem, sleep patterns and digital habits. Elevated heart rate variability (HRV), for instance, a testable marker of vagal resilience, correlates with emotional regulation, reduced inflammation and sharpened cognitive clarity. In controlled settings, individuals with higher resting HRV tend to perform better on attention, decision-making and memory tasks, and recover from stress more quickly. Moreover, recent sleep studies also link vagally mediated HRV during REM sleep to improved emotional memory integration. In practical terms, a regulated nervous system boosts mood and rewires how the body processes and carries emotional experiences forward. If your system is dysregulated, gratitude journaling and mindset shifts can only do so much. Meanwhile, a global intervention study called the Big Joy Project tested whether brief, daily "joy snacks" (think expressing gratitude, noticing awe or performing small acts of kindness) could boost well-being in just one week. Across 17,000 participants in 169 countries, these science-based micro-practices improved mood, sleep, perceived control, and sense of connection, with greater benefits reported among less privileged groups. Researchers emphasize that joy is a skill people can build with intention. At the neurological core of joy is integration, especially between the prefrontal cortex (which governs self-regulation and focus) and the amygdala (the brain's alarm center). In minds attuned to happiness, these regions communicate fluidly, enabling emotional agility, impulse control and perspective-taking. The vagus nerve plays a central role in this integration. It connects the brainstem to the heart, lungs, gut and immune system. When vagal tone is strong, it signals safety across your body, lowering stress, improving digestion and reducing emotional reactivity. Studies have shown that higher vagal activation predicts better social connections, higher trust, and increased subjective well-being. Notably, research published in Frontiers in Psychology found that increased vagal activity might not only lower stress but also support emotional intimacy and sexual health, suggesting that joy and pleasure arise from regulated physiology. Heart rate variability has become a go-to biomarker for resilience and mental stamina. A 2024 review reported that HRV training enhances mood, focus and vitality in diverse populations. Furthermore, the gut-brain axis, our internal two-way communication highway, continues to reshape our understanding of mood. Strains such as Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus plantarum have been shown to lower cortisol levels, reduce anxiety and improve emotional resilience. These "psychobiotics" are now being incorporated into supplements designed to regulate mood by promoting overall microbial balance and gut health. Enter: whole foods rich in fiber, omega-3s, B vitamins and fermented foods that boost gut diversity and neurotransmitter precursors, such as GABA and serotonin. Research in Nutritional Neuroscience suggests that regular consumption of fermented foods is linked to reduced social anxiety and enhanced well-being. Regulation extends beyond biology. It's reinforced in how we live. A 2025 report from Stanford's Human Technology Lab suggests that digital boundaries (such as limiting doomscrolling and evening screen time) can lead to higher HRV and reduced anxiety, especially in women who juggle caregiving and emotional labor. High-performing individuals are responding with tools like Apollo Neuro (a wearable device that uses gentle vibration to stimulate the vagus nerve), Sensate (a sound-based vagal stimulation device) and HRV biofeedback apps such as Elite HRV and Inner Balance. These tools make regulation real-time and empowering, not reactive. Additionally, joy snack practices rooted in gratitude, awe, novelty and social connection, drawing from both scientific interventions and personal experience, have become mainstream. These small acts are not insignificant; they strengthen emotional reserves, reduce stress and increase one's willingness to help others, to name a few. Together, these tools and micro-practices are reshaping happiness from external attainment to internal regulation, making joy measurable, trainable and fiercely embodied. In the past, joy was often about external achievement or emotional suppression. But the future is different. It asks us not just to feel good, but to feel safe enough to feel everything. Happiness isn't just lightness. Its presence, regulation and the courage to slow down. In a world that's rushing us forward, the most radical act of self‑care may be to listen: to our bodies, our rhythms and the wisdom waiting inside us.
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Experts determine the single factor which makes you most attractive to a potential partner... and it's NOT personality
It is a well-known saying that money doesn't buy you happiness, but researchers now say that single adults with higher incomes are more likely to find love. The findings, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, revealed that a higher bank balance could make you more attractive, signalling a sort of romantic readiness. Researchers also found that people with higher incomes felt more ready to date and were more likely to actively look for a partner than those with less. The Canadian researchers conducted two long-term studies—one in the US and the other in Germany—to see how people's relationship attitudes changed over time with their income. In the US study, researchers specifically focused on 25-35-year olds, with the belief that this is when people are most likely to seek a relationship. In both studies, results showed that single adults with higher incomes were more likely to say they felt it was the right time to find a partner. When surveyed again, either six months or a year later, those who enjoyed bigger salaries were more likely to have found love. In the German cohort, the effect was stronger for men than women though researchers said the bias was not significant. Professor Geoff MacDonald, a relationship psychology expert from the University of Toronto, said: 'I think that young people are making rational calculations in unstable economic conditions. 'Young people understand they are not going to be able to enjoy a relationship if they are working 80 hours a week, of if they are not sure where they're going to live next year.' Interestingly, earning more money or less money than the year before had little effect on whether people felt they were ready for a relationship. What mattered most was financial stability, rather than short-term financial influx or decline. Professor Johanna Peetz, study co-author and and personal spending expert, concluded that one reason for money and relationship desirability being so interconnected could be that money enables us to fulfil basic needs. 'With increasing financial resources higher hierarchical needs such as love and belonging—namely the intimacy and romance that are part of partnerships—might become more relevant.' She added: 'This connection helps in understanding the sorts of tasks that many single people may be occupied with and organise their lives around, such as more firmly establishing material security.' The researchers concluded that their findings should serve as a reminder to psychologists that whilst things like personality are important when it comes to forming and maintaining relationships, material conditions also play a significant role. They added that their findings show that the role of income in relationship interest was largely similar in men and women, challenging the common perception that money in a primarily a concern in dating for men. However, the researchers acknowledged that while the study provides evidence for a connection between wealth and relationship intentions, it does not prove that money causes people to enter into relationships. They said a whole host of other factors including personality, life goals and cultural values, also play a role in romantic readiness.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
The secret to life in the world's best cities
Australia now has three cities in the global top 10 for liveability. Residents reveal what makes daily life here so appealing – and why it's not just about the weather. The world's most liveable and happiest cities lists are usually dominated by European countries – but it may be time to look down under. This year, three Australian cities made the top 10 in the Economist Intelligence Unit's Most Liveable Cities index, with Adelaide joining Melbourne and Sydney there for the first time. It's no surprise to Australians, who have long relished a high quality of life. They point to big city benefits – galleries, concerts, sports, diverse cuisine – combined with Australia's iconic natural beauty as the winning formula. "Australia has a deep respect for the outdoors. Lunch breaks can be swims, weeknights mean open-air cinemas and weekends are for farmers' markets packed with produce so good it barely needs cooking," said Andrea Seifert, a senior comms director for Eight Communications who grew up in Europe and Asia and recently moved to Sydney. "That kind of access to nature and culture is rare!" This also translates into a culture where residents work to live instead of live to work. "The lifestyle is just easier. Not necessarily cheaper, but there's a different mindset here," said Cheryl Monkhouse, who lived most of her life in the US and now lives in Adelaide where she works for SeaLink Marine & Tourism. "Holidays are taken, and time off is not just expected but respected. Four weeks annual leave is the norm, not the exception." She also says the national healthcare system is a lifeline, compared to the US where losing a job can mean losing health benefits and paying out of pocket for care. "In Australia, there's a sense of security knowing you and your family are covered no matter your employment status," she said. To find out more about what makes these Australian cities so liveable, we spoke to residents about the things that most impact their daily quality of life. Melbourne: Multicultural, caffeinated and sports-mad Ranked highest out of the Australian cities and fourth globally, Melbourne scored perfect marks in both education and healthcare, and inched out Sydney and Adelaide with its high culture & environment score. Residents point to its cultural diversity as a major draw. "The people, the food, the lifestyle – Melbourne is so multicultural," said Dani Feludu, who was born in Melbourne to European parents. "My husband is Nigerian. My closest friend is Indian. I live in the suburbs, not the city, and can walk 10 minutes from my house to get dinner from restaurants that serve cuisines like Mexican, Thai, Filipino, Korean and Turkish. The list goes on!" Feludu recommends experiencing Melbourne's vibrant cultural life in iconic areas like Carlisle Street in Balaclava, Sydney Road in Brunswick and the city laneways. Residents also rave about the city's cafe culture, a product of the Italian immigrants who moved here from the 1950s to 1970s, says resident Katherine Tuominen, founder of Catalyst Brand Strategy. "Beyond the quality and variety of coffee beans, cafes are a great place to connect with strangers and strike up a conversation – once you've enjoyed the beverage that is," she said. And for sport lovers? Melbourne is paradise. "International events like the Australian Open and the Formula 1 Grand Prix take place right in the city centre," said Melbourne-born Michael Rozenblit, founder of travel site The World Was Here First. "We also have great local sports like Aussie Rules Football (AFL) that draw huge crowds and are incredibly fun to attend." Rozenblit recommends visitors go to an AFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). "The atmosphere is intoxicating, the game is unique and it's fundamental to Melbourne culture," he said. "Some games can draw crowds of more than 80,000 people." Sydney: City perks, beach lifestyle Australia's most populous city ranked sixth overall in the index, with perfect scores in education and healthcare, and strong rankings in infrastructure and culture & environment. Residents consistently mention that Sydney combines the buzz of a major global city with a lifestyle built around the outdoors. "What I love most is the balance. You get all the perks of a big city, great food, art, culture and jobs, but with easy access to nature," said Sydney resident Liam Duffy. "I can be in a buzzing cafe one minute, and then at the beach or hiking in a national park within the hour. The lifestyle here feels very grounded and healthy." Sydney's Bondi neighbourhood in particular is known for its strong wellness culture, contributing to Sydney's enviable quality of life. "I'm often down at the beach at 05:00 running or training with friends, followed by a quick dip in the ocean, sauna and ice bath session and a coffee, all before 07:00," said Alice Moore, director at Élysée Collective communications agency. Visitors can get a taste of this by doing the popular Bondi to Bronte walk, a 2.5km coastal path that passes through the city's best beaches and has plenty of hip cafes and bars along the way. Beyond the 1,500km of walking and biking paths available in the city, Sydney's well-planned and easy-to-access infrastructure also makes the city feel more liveable. "Public transport is solid, healthcare is reliable and the city feels generally safe and clean," said Duffy. Similar to Melbourne, Sydney has a diverse food scene that includes both high-end and affordable fare, including Japanese BBQ, Korean, Lebanese, Greek and Turkish. The new Sydney Fish Market is set to open this year, showcasing Australia's best seafood and set to attract nearly six million visitors annually (more than twice the current visitation). "Fresh prawns, oysters, bugs will be enjoyed right where the fishing trawlers come in every day," said Amanda Bolger, a general manager at Luxury Escapes. To best appreciate the city, she recommends jumping on a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly. "You'll get a different perspective of Sydney from the water and essentially have an inexpensive Sydney Harbour cruise," she said, recommending a walk around Manly before hopping back aboard the ferry. "Don't forget to get a seat on the outside deck so you can get that Insta-worthy image with the Harbour Bridge/Sydney Opera House in the background." Adelaide: The quiet achiever Jumping up two spots in the rankings from 2024 to break into the top 10 for the first time, Adelaide saw its boost come directly from strong growth in its culture & environment score. The capital and most populous city of South Australia, Adelaide scores high marks from its residents for being a "big 'country' city", with a solid mix of access to nature and comprehensive infrastructure that makes life easier and more enjoyable. More like this:• The world's most liveable cities for 2025 – and what it's really like to live there• The Indian Ocean's laid-back 'paradise on Earth'• The world's five happiest cities for 2025 Locals describe it as a place where simplicity, affordability and nature come together. "Living in Adelaide, life is simpler," said Monkhouse. "It's connected and convenient without being overwhelming. Public transport is reliable, and my kids use it daily to get to school, the beach or meet friends." She contrasts it to her life in the US where public transport is often unavailable or unreliable outside of major metro areas, and rarely something kids would use independently. Even though the population nears 1.5 million, residents say Adelaide remains easy to navigate. "You can still get just about anywhere in 30 to 45 minutes," said Erin Carey, director of PR agency Roam Generation. "I live in the Adelaide Hills and I can be in the city centre in just 25 minutes. It's easy to live here with the hills, the beach and the wine regions!" In the Hills, she finds herself surrounded by nature, with kangaroos and koalas often visiting her property, while the beach is just 30 minutes away and world-class wineries even closer. "My ideal Sunday involves a countryside drive, either south to McLaren Vale or north to the Barossa [wine regions], to discover a new cellar door, sipping a crisp white wine in the sunshine while the kids hang out on the lawn," she said, noting she always takes first-time visitors to the Chalk Hill Winery, with vineyards dating to 1839 and the best views in the region. Autumn (March-May) is a favourite time of year here, especially in the Hills town of Stirling when the leaves start to change. Elsewhere, Carey recommends the beachside suburbs of Aldinga and Moana for their laid-back vibes. "In just a few days, you can experience three incredibly diverse sides of Adelaide: the English village feel and leafy beauty of the Hills, the rolling vineyards of McLaren Vale and the rugged, ochre-coloured cliffs of the southern beaches," she said. -- For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
