This week was definitely far from boring. With Theresa's parents, we got to explore Toledo, which is famous for its traditional sword-making craft and also the claim 'Holy Toledo!' and then we got a visit from my parents, who accompanied us during our last days in Madrid and witnessed how we locked ourselves out from the Airbnb. 

Jennifer Herner

Incorporating the outside into your workspace

Research has shown many positive mental health effects when people spend time in nature. Spending lots of time in green environments is a natural anti-depressant and additionally reduces your risk of getting it in the first place. One study shows that people who spend at least 120 minutes a week in nature (this is less than 15 minutes a day) are healthier and have a greater sense of well-being.

Here are some easy hacks to increase your daily dose of green:

• Schedule some of your meetings and tasks to the outside. If you know your meeting doesn't require you to share your screen, why not go out for a walk?
• Put lots of plants in sight of your workplace. If that's too much work for you, or you don't like them as they collect dust, you can also place pictures of plants there instead. Research has shown little to no difference in the resulting effects between these two options.
• Have your lunch break outside in a park instead of having it indoors. Wherever you are located, I'm sure there is a nice green spot close to you ;)!

Jennifer Herner