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Community garden

Consider this our collective effort to bring some of the most organic, rewarding parts of the Internet to you. Take what you need and share anything you’d like. We hope you find what you’re looking for here!

Activity pages from the "Community Garden"

Until next time, please enjoy this bundle from our harvest!

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Your Cooped-Up Calendar

Cold weather + shorter days = Winter blues

If you’re feeling it, you’re not alone — we feel it, too. The team at Press Pause wants to help combat this slightly-too-cozy time of year together by sharing a list of weekly activities designed to help you stay connected with loved ones, learn or do something new, and most importantly, have fun! Check back weekly for new suggestions or download the calendar at the beginning of the month.

From our team (and homes) to yours!

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Featured friends

Here’s where you’ll find our Featured Friends of the week. We're taking every opportunity to highlight our people at Pearson by spotlighting your story submissions. Join us weekly to celebrate the growing community inside Press Pause. If you would like to be featured, please submit your story through the form below. Please keep submissions to 1,000 words or less. We can’t wait to see what you share!

Tell us your story

At your leisure

Anti-New Year’s resolutions

The phrase, “Out with the old, in with the new” has never been more applicable during the New Year than in 2021. We’re ready for a fresh start, but we’re ready to take it easy at the same time (It’s been a long year already). Here are some of the most common New Year’s Resolutions with a more relaxed approach:

Meet new people → Reconnect with loved ones

Communication is key as everyone learns to navigate the “new normal”. Meeting new people can be tough to do virtually, and can be a generally nerve-wracking experience. So why not reconnect with existing friends and family members? If you’re thinking about them, we’re sure they’d love to hear from you!

Pick up a new skill or hobby → Become a master at your craft and share the love:

The idea of learning something new can feel intimidating. So why not share your love or knowledge of a topic or activity? From how to edit a YouTube video to how to remove coffee stains from vehicle upholstery, everyone can teach a masterclass about something. How can you become a resource to others interested in your area of expertise?

Do more → Do less (and get some rest)

We’re constantly on the go, moving at the speed of light, practicing a never-ending balancing act. While we know you are capable of managing more, have you considered slowing things down? Consider mastering the art of the “power nap” or simply setting up a sleep schedule for yourself. There’s never a bad day to get a good night’s rest.

Get organized → Declutter where/when you can:

Exercise and/or lose weight → Be more active:

All about ASMR

Have you ever experienced goosebumps while listening to a song for the first time? Did your first kiss make you physically feel like sparks were flying? If so, there’s a good chance you’ve encountered ASMR. If you experience ASMR, you’re familiar with the euphoric feeling associated with repetitive tapping, hair brushing, or even chewing. If you do not experience ASMR, keep reading to learn more about ASMR and what it means for R&R (Rest & Relaxation).

What is ASMR?

As a whole, ASMR is a fairly new concept. The term “ASMR” was coined in 2010 by a woman on Facebook who created a group to see if other Facebook users experienced this phenomenon. “ASMR” stands for “autonomous sensory meridian response”. The physical reaction is characterized by a warm, tingling sensation that begins at the scalp and travels down the neck and spine. ASMR is predominantly considered calming or relaxing, which is why many people watch ASMR-themed videos before bedtime.

How is ASMR experienced?

People experience ASMR in different ways from a variety of “triggers”. ASMR triggers may be audible, visible, or rely on physical touch. Audible triggers feature sounds like whispering, crinkling, or typing. Visible triggers include actions like hand movements, color swatches, and light patterns. Physical triggers are a result of scratching, brushing, or massaging. Everyone experiences ASMR differently, which may include a combination of the triggers listed above and more.

How can ASMR benefit my health?

A study conducted at Dartmouth College examined brain activity for those affected by ASMR triggers. Scientists noticed increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex among other parts of the brain associated with the reward system and emotional reactions. Experts suggest ASMR brain activity mimics responses similar to positive social interactions or bonding.

Additionally, ASMR has the ability to guide listeners/viewers into a state of relaxation which actually lowers the heart rate. As a result, ASMR offers valuable mental and physical health benefits like pain relief, less stress, and improved moods. So, the experience is at least worth considering for multiple reasons.

Resources

Products with a purpose: Part I

Five mental health resources for your reference

Ways to give back without breaking the bank

Products with a purpose: Part I

Giving back in any capacity is so important these days. So why not treat yourself to something special and give back to the community with the same purchase? Take a look below to learn about a few companies close to our hearts.

Bombas Socks

According to their website, Bombas exists to help support the population experiencing homelessness in the United States. For every product purchased, Bombas will donate a pair of socks to someone in need. This company may sound familiar following their presentation on ABC’s “Shark Tank” in 2014. Since then, Bombas has donated over 40 million clothing items with over 3,000 giving partners in all 50 states. Bombas truly brings a new meaning to the phrase, “Look good, feel good”.

Woodchuck USA

Founded in St. Paul, MN, Woodchuck USA’s mission is simple: Putting nature back into people’s lives. With every purchase of their real wood products, a tree is planted. Millions of trees have been planted across six continents, with a positive impact on all seven. Not only is their team dedicated to connecting all generations to nature, they’re also committed to creating sustainable jobs while producing high-quality items for consumers. Who wood-n’t want to support this cause?

Prosperity Candle

Creating new beginnings both inside and outside the studio, Prosperity Candle supports female refugees in the United States. The owners teach women artisans how to craft ethically responsible candles while providing living-wage employment. The company also provides resources for female refugees to gain their US citizenship, attend school, or even become first-time homeowners. Things are looking brighter already!

Grounds & Hounds Coffee Co.

Twenty percent of all profits from their sustainably sourced coffee-based products are donated to rescue organizations across the country. These funds are dedicated to innovative and impactful programs to help solve animal welfare issues. Their coffee keeps volunteers fueled while proceeds fund valuable resources for the animals. Grounds & Hounds has donated over 2.1 million shelter meals and nearly 3,000 vaccinations for furry friends across the nation. If that’s not paw-sitively awesome, we don’t know what is!

Self-Care is for Everyone

Making self-care resources, reminders, and experiences more accessible is what Self Care is for Everyone is all about. The organization has curated a community of mental-health advocates and self-care practitioners and created a safe space for expression. From tote bags to sweatshirts, each product inspires hope for individuals through independent artists. In 2020, they donated nearly $49,000 to mental health and suicide prevention nonprofits. That’s something everyone can smile about in 2021.

Five mental health resources for your reference

At Pearson, we recognize the power of our people and the value of our community. We acknowledge the passionate, talented individuals who make up our clients and crew. That’s why we want to provide resources for our team members so they can take care of themselves and each other, both near and far. Take a look at a few of our favorite mental health assets below.

HelpGuide

In 1996, Morgan Leslie Segal died by suicide at age 29. Grappling with their grief, Morgan’s parents discovered other people experienced similar struggles. Dedicated to their daughter, the Segals created HelpGuide as a way to educate and empower individuals through mental health and wellness tools. For 21 years, HelpGuide remains a completely independently funded non-profit organization, dedicated to improving emotional, mental, and social health (among others).

The Blurt Foundation

Depression is difficult. Talking about depression doesn’t need to be. That’s the mission behind The Blurt Foundation. The organization features a strong network of peer support and resources to create awareness, encourage discovery, and ultimately, foster recovery. The Blurt Foundation exists to demolish stigmas about depression and bring people together so they can build each other up.

The CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers much more than COVID-19 guidance. As part of the Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC works to protect the United States from a variety of health and safety threats. As an institution, they offer free data, tools, and resources for an array of mental illnesses. They offer a holistic view of health because they understand how mental health contributes to overall health and well-being.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline

Half of Us

Aimed at individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, mtvU and The Jed Foundation seek to initiate a dialogue about mental health issues and provide resources to struggling young people. Like a conversation with a good friend, Half of Us breaks the stigma of mental health discussions by partnering with public figures to share their personal experiences with stress disorders, anxiety, depression, addiction, and so much more.

Ways to give back without breaking the bank

If there’s one (positive) thing that 2020 has taught us, it’s the importance of giving. If there’s another (less positive) thing that 2020 has taught us, it’s that times are tough and for many people, money is tight. We understand, which is why we have a plan. Check out a few ways to make a positive impact in your community that don’t require any additional funds.

Virtual Volunteer Match

Although volunteering your time looks a little different these days, there is a bit of beauty to living in the digital age, including access to everything. Do you have a passion for cooking? Share your love of food while educating others how to cook nutritious meals at home. Do you have knowledge of foreign languages, music, or technology? The opportunities to grow and foster a community are endless. Visit VolunteerMatch to learn how you can get involved, or learn something new yourself. Consider this a new way to look at “free” time!

Locks of Love

You’re probably familiar with Locks of Love (a.k.a. “LOL”). This non-profit organization assists financially disadvantaged children experiencing long-term hair loss through donations (in the United States and Canada). Whether this is the only haircut you receive all year or you nominate a child in need, “LOL'' makes giving back stylish and simple while letting you save.

US National Park Service

American Red Cross

Did you know someone needs blood every two seconds in the United States? Did you also know that one donation can save up to three lives? Donating blood is a powerful way to generously give of yourself. The American Red Cross provides extensive information on the donation process, including how donated blood benefits transfusion recipients. Check out their website to see if you’re an eligible candidate today.

AmazonSmile

Even though there are 150 million active Amazon Prime members, only a fraction of subscribers take advantage of AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is a free service where eligible purchases automatically donate 0.5% to a charitable organization of your choice. Simply visit the smile.amazon.com website or activate this feature inside the Amazon mobile app to choose your charity and get shopping. If you’re already having groceries delivered or making an impulse purchase, why not make the most of it with no additional cost to you? Just saying!