Learning How to Stand Around – How Practicing Yoga Has Improved My Life

Mountains beyond mountain. Photo by Yannic Läderach on Unsplash It started as a physical thing I’ve been doing yoga on and off, regularly and irregularly, for a few years now. Like a lot of lads, I started because I was interested in the physical side of it: the stretching, the flexing, the strength training that…

How Social Media Has Fueled a Healthy Running Habit During Lockdown

Photo by Fitsum Admasu on Unsplash After the scorching bank holiday weekend, I’ve realised that I might never have spent so much of my regular time outdoors as during the lockdown. In the last couple of months I’ve taken to running, walking, cycling and even just sitting outside as much as possible, often for a couple of hours…

Jiro Dreams of Work – ikigai and having something to live for

“Bail ó Dhia ar an obair” – Irish proverb meaning “God bless the work.” There’s a Japanese word ikigai, which roughly translates as ‘having something to live for’. It is closely related to meaning, which is one of the five elements of well-being and happiness. Studies have shown that having high levels of ikigai protects…