The link between messy spaces and mental health, the most exciting celestial events for 2023, and more.

Vivian Le's reads

The most exciting celestial events for 2023. Stargazers, get ready to mark your calendars for the many celestial wonders that will be visible throughout this year. Writing in NPR, Julie Depenbrock speaks with Jackie Faherty, an astronomer at the American Museum of Natural History, about when to expect planetary meetings, meteor showers, and even a blue moon in the next coming months.

How to unlock your creativity. Many people believe creativity is an innate skill, and for those who consider themselves "conventional thinkers," creativity may seem out of their reach. However, creativity is actually something people engage with every day, and it can be strengthened over time. Writing in The Conversation, Lily Zhu, an assistant professor of management, information systems, and entrepreneurship at Washington State University, explains how people can training their "creative muscles," use creativity to cope with emotions, and become more flexible in their thinking overall.

Alyssa Nystrom's reads

The link between messy spaces and mental health. A cluttered living space can exacerbate feelings of stress, anxiety, and shame, but individuals struggling with their mental health are "oftentimes just so mentally and physically exhausted that they don’t feel like they have the energy to take care of themselves or their surroundings." Writing for the New York Times, Dana Smith offers three strategies to help "optimize your energy and your space."

Why you should consider using a neti pot for congestion. While there are a wide range of products available to treat congestion, some experts suggest that "[j]ust about any condition that causes irritants and mucus to build up inside the nose will benefit from saltwater rinsing with a neti pot or similar device." Writing for the Washington Post, Angela Lashbrook explains why you may want to consider using a neti pot to help treat congestion caused by "allergies, nonallergic irritation of the nose, colds, and sinus inflammation and infections."