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Welcome to the Saturday edition of The Conversation U.S.’s Daily newsletter.
Whether you’re traveling for the holidays, hosting guests or just trying to get caught up, December can be a festive but frenetic time. Psychologist Stacy Shaw has wrestled with the high expectations that the season brings, and with “leisure guilt” − feeling bad about taking time to recharge.
Her tips for making holiday downtime more restorative include lowering expectations and doing something immersive, like a walk outdoors or a fun craft project, instead of turning to TV or social media. Rest is not just “laziness in disguise,” Shaw writes − it’s essential, so give yourself some time in the coming days to knit, paint, bird-watch (like me), or whatever floats your boat.
This week we also liked stories on why there are two North Poles, how people always find ways to incorporate new technologies into their delusional beliefs, and why highly individualized digital AI tutors can be at odds with the social nature of learning.
One last note: There’s still a chance to get your donation to The Conversation tripled, thanks to two generous matches for $5,000 in gifts. Your support enables us to provide you with the knowledge of researchers and scientists without ads or paywalls. Triple my donation. Thank you!
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Active leisure experiences, like going for a walk outdoors, can help reduce stress and restore energy during the holidays.
Chris Griffiths/Moment via Getty Images
Stacy Shaw, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Unwinding can be hard during the holidays for many reasons. Building in time to recharge through active leisure can help.
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Winter in a peasant village, painted by the Limbourg brothers and published in the medieval illuminated manuscript ‘Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.’
Pierce Archive LLC/Buyenlarge via Getty Images
Bobbi Sutherland, University of Dayton
The Middle Ages weren’t as dreary and desperate as you’d think, and peasants often had weeks of idle time during the holidays. On Christmas Day, the party was just getting started.
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Coyotes have expanded across the United States.
Davis Huber/500px via Getty Images
Alex Jensen, North Carolina State University
Wolves and coyotes feed on similar things – but their diets aren’t identical. A researcher studied predator diets to investigate their differences.
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Theodore J. Kury, University of Florida
How many data centers will be built – and how much electricity they’ll need – is uncertain. Being prepared costs money, but so does being unprepared.
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Alan K. Chen, University of Denver
The gas industry is opposed to labels that warn consumers of the potential harms of gas stoves.
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Sam Vong, Smithsonian Institution
A trove of century-old belongings − from farm tools to pillowcases − tells the story of Filipinos who migrated to California to build a new life, a journey now honored in a Smithsonian exhibition.
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