Wellness

What is a Seder? Technically, it is a ritual meal that commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. Passover, aka Pesach or Pasch, is a major Jewish holiday and one of the Three Pilgrimage Festivals. It takes place on the 15th of the month of Nisan and lasts eight days.

 The Better Arguments Project, developed by the Aspen Institute, recently kicked off a series of workshops aimed at enhancing civil dialogue within communities. This initiative is part of William & Mary’s broader Democratic Initiative, which focuses on fostering civic engagement and the skills necessary for thriving in a diverse society. Open to the public and offered free of charge, participants can choose to attend any of the individual sessions.

A group of Buddhist monks continues their long spiritual pilgrimage from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., walking roughly 2,300 miles to promote peace, compassion and unity across the country.  One specific goal they have is to ask Congress to recognize Vesak - the day that marks the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha - as a federal holiday intended to be a day of reflection, compassion, and unity for all people.

If someone told you the secret to feeling calmer, sleeping better, and lowering stress was something you learned before you could talk, you might roll your eyes. Surely it can’t be that easy. But surprise—it is. The secret is humming.

All through November, the Vienna Police Department is trading their clean-shaven look for facial hair — and it’s all for a powerful cause. For the fifth year, male officers are participating in the Zero Prostate Cancer Grow-and-Give campaign, commonly tied to “No-Shave November,” to raise critical funds and awareness for prostate cancer research. This year’s participation is especially meaningful for the department. Chief Jim Morris noted that Public Information Officer Juan Vazquez lost his father to prostate cancer. “It means a lot to him that we participate every year,” Morris said. While the team always appreciates a win in the fundraising competition, the real goal is much more personal: “raise awareness and keep everyone healthy.”

The World Happiness Report, first published in 2012, is an annual survey that ranks countries by their citizens' self-reported happiness levels. Commissioned by the...