Some glimpses into the world of mindfulness, where people seek connection, solidarity and compassion in a struggling world.
News stories
Good neighbors
GEA Sijpiks directed the Dutch nursing home, Von en Zorgentrum Humanitas Deventer. She knew that companionship could reduce depression and loneliness among the elderly, and she also knew that affordable student housing was in short supply. That led her to design an interdisciplinary program that offers a win-win for young and old: When college students offer 30 hours a month of conversation and companionship to nursing home residents, they live in a free care center. The program has been running for 12 years now, and its success has inspired other nursing homes (and even college campuses) around the world to implement similar initiatives.
A better social app
At a time when polarization has caused many to retreat into silos of familiar information, the father-daughter duo set out to bring back healthy discomfort. Sandbox is an app that connects people who want to have a meaningful, open conversation about a variety of current topics. First, you are paired with someone with whom you agree in some areas and disagree in others. You get weekly topics and daily activities to share your perspective and learn more about your partner. Cofounders Libby and Lee Purchish strive to bridge the gap, to help people move from a sense of dread to a sense of adventure, and to recognize how good-faith dissent is for democracy.
Love stories
Can “love stories” fuel constructive social change? With its Spreading Love by Media Initiative, the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at the University of California, Berkeley, is exploring all aspects of love from a science-informed perspective, not only as love in our relationships, but also as a healing agent for broader issues like loneliness and division. According to the GGSC website, GGSC awarded 23 grants for articles, research, podcasts and more. Published creations will be available there, as well as on partner platforms.
Be on the safe side
Making indoor spaces healthier, safer and more accessible is a powerful act of consideration and care for our communities. Clear Hawaii libraries are popping up all over North America, making it easier than ever. Some libraries offer co-op2 Monitors, which measure the quality of ventilation in indoor spaces. Others credit air purifiers that effectively eliminate airborne viruses, allergens and other health hazards. Some libraries, such as the Ohio Clean Air Coalition, even provide guidelines for choosing the right air purifier for your space based on square footage. Deep breaths in… deep breaths out.
Printing possibilities
McGood Nola’s 3D Printed Pediatric Wheelchair—Toddler Mobility Trainer—is light, modular, and made for children ages 2 to 8. While the open-source design will soon be free to download and print at home, for now families can request a custom wheelchair or other assistive device through McGood’s custom design services. Thanks to donor support, equipment is provided at no cost. Parts are easy to reprint if damaged, and designs are shared globally to support worldwide accessibility.
Mindfulness Professor
In 2023, the University of Rochester launched the first mindfulness professor training program to help faculty support students’ mental health and reduce post-discharge anxiety. Over the course of a semester, professors learned mindfulness leadership—tools for self-awareness, emotional regulation, and creating calm, compassionate classrooms. “Mood starts at the top in the classroom,” says program director Rebecca Block. Participants reported a nearly 19 percent increase in perceived social and emotional support, as well as practicing daily mindfulness and improving classroom communication. Faculty also became more confident in discussing student well-being.
Acts of kindness
This method of calming
Cultureti’s “Let’s Map New York” is a crowd-sourced guide highlighting neurodivergent-friendly places in Manhattan. Inspired by the famous Vignelli subway map, it has 125 locations that meet criteria such as low noise, soft lighting, clear signage, comfortable seating and physical accessibility. The map promotes neuroinsurance and will appear across the city—on cabs, bus stops, Times Square, and on Google Maps.
Matters of rest
Rob Scheer entered foster care at the age of 12 with all his belongings in the trash. Decades later, to the astonishment of his adoptive children, he created comfort cases, filling the foster youth’s backpacks with accessories. “Every child deserves dignity and hope. Don’t give them a trash bag,” Scheer said. Since 2013, more than 250,000 cases have been donated nationwide.
Happy to talk
Oliver Chen, an autistic artist, introduced “happy talking” benches in the UK city of Camden to combat loneliness, with placards encouraging strangers to sit and chat. Inspired by the Cardiff initiative, these benches create favor through connection. “If someone’s having a bad day, or can’t find a friend to talk to, it’s there for people,” Oliver says.
