LIFE & CULTURE
XpatAthens
What Would Happen If We Reacted To Climate Change Like We Have to Covid-19?
The changes have been sudden, driven by widespread recognition that it’s a public health emergency. It's too soon to know whether these measures will prove to be effective but what is absolutely clear is that the pandemic response is in stark contrast to the lack of effective action on climate change. What would it look like if the world responded to the climate crisis with a similar sense of urgency?
“We’ve seen that governments can act, and people can change their behavior, in a very short amount of time,” says May Boeve, executive director of the climate advocacy group 350.org. “And that’s exactly what the climate movement has been asking governments and people to do for years in the face of a different kind of threat—the climate crisis—and we don’t see commensurate action. On the one hand, it shows that it’s possible to do this, and it’s possible for this kind of mobilization of resources to take place in a short amount of time. In that sense, that’s encouraging. But we were never in doubt of that aspect.”
The similarities between the two cases are indisputable, so, why do the responses to COVID-19 and climate change differ so dramatically? They both require making difficult decisions to avert future disasters and the scientific community is offering clear warnings about what to do. Also, public health is jeopardized in both cases. In fact, climate change has the potential to end up killing more people than COVID-19 in the long run. Climate change is responsible for the increased frequency of natural disasters, such as extreme heat-waves that have killed many people, not to mention that the same pollutants that contribute to climate change also cause air pollution that kills millions each year. Due to climate change, food and water shortages are worsened and mosquito-borne diseases are more likely to spread as mosquitoes move into new regions. And as with coronavirus, climate change affects the most vulnerable first.
Just like with the coronavirus, a lot of things would have to happen quickly and simultaneously. Right now, governments are acting on the advice of health professionals, people are showing trust in the public health community, accepting the fact that a number of measures need to be put in place and policymakers are acting. The level of response gives us hope that a strong climate change policy can eventually be achieved. After all, the policies exist; they've been drafted and waiting to be enacted. In fact, the policy changes required to mitigate climate change appear far less disruptive both economically and socially than the measures to tackle COVID-19.
To read this article in full please visit fastcompany.com
FREE Coaching Support Through Online Platform Be Your Own Muse
The life coaching lessons are based on real needs and provide practical solutions to challenges we all face in this day and age. Coaching lessons include teachings and exercises for self-understanding, building healthy relationships, finding a meaningful career and purpose, increasing resilience, developing balance and inner strength, managing thoughts and feelings and creating lasting positive emotional and mental change.
Be Your Own Muse is a cross-cultural, cross-generational, inclusive platform aiming to assist and unite people from all cultures, ethnic backgrounds and social statuses. The platform is aimed at women but also welcomes men and transgender people with open arms. The Be Your Own Muse platform was launched in 2018 and has successfully been pilot-tested with women from all ages all around the world.
A note from the founder Eleni Meraki:
“I believe that coaching has become a necessity in the rapidly changing, increasingly complicated and demanding times we live in. We haven’t been properly equipped with the mental and emotional skills to manage and thrive in today’s world. And thus, out of this necessity, which has become even greater the last couple of weeks due to the current global COVID-19 pandemic, I came to the deep understanding that coaching shouldn’t be a luxury product, available only to a select few. My platform was initially created in a program structure but with all that is happening now, I recognized the urgent need for these tools, knowledge and wisdom in everyone. Making the platform subscription-based and affordable was a no-brainer. Everyone deserves coaching and should have access to that now. We need people to assume personal responsibility and lead in their communities more than ever before. We are interconnected, we need each other. When you are not well, I am not well. The world changes, one happy and conscious person at a time. And it needs us to change quickly.”
A close friend of ours and contributor to XpatAthens via her platforms Be Your Own Muse and Guts & Tales, we are grateful to Eleni for her contriution to our well-being.
Eleni made a 180 in her life when she left a corporate marketing career in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, to follow a coaching and writing career in Athens, Greece. By making this transition, she embarked on her life’s mission to guide and empower people to live more consciously and authentically. To learn more and get in touch with Eleni visit her personal website at: elenimeraki.com
Is The Coronavirus A Chance For Global Reset?
According to world-famous trend forecaster Li Edelkoort, the coronavirus pandemic will lead to "a global recession of a magnitude that has not been experienced before" but will eventually allow humanity to reset its values.
"A Quarantine Of Consumption"
"It seems we are massively entering a quarantine of consumption where we will learn how to be happy just with a simple dress, rediscovering old favourites we own, reading a forgotten book and cooking up a storm to make life beautiful," she said. However, the virus could have environmental benefits, she explained.
"The recent pictures of the air above China showed how two months without production cleared the skies and allowed people to breathe again," she said. I fact, carbon emissions and pollution from the Chinese industry have significantly decreased since the virus first hit China last December.
"I Am Hopeful For A Better System"
"And this is where I am hopeful for: another and better system to be put in place with more respect for human labor and conditions."
"Stop Organizing Today"
Edelkoort said that other event organizers should stop planning straight away. "Anyone still planning public events in the coming months might as well stop organizing today and find innovative ways to communicate and relay the information differently," she said. "Unfortunately, in this disaster, there is no immediate cure," she added. "We will have to pick up the residue and reinvent everything from scratch once the virus is under control."
To read this article in full, please visit: dezeen.com
Free Housing For Medical Staff & COVID-19 Patients
Please contribute to the cause by sharing this article. Let's protect the health of Covid-19 patients and their families; let's show our appreciation to doctors and medical staff by allowing them to rest safely without risking the health of their own families.
A Selection Of Podcasts That We Love
One of the hardest things about podcasts is finding the ones that appeal to you most, so we've collected some absolute favorites. We hope that they will help to increase mindfulness and knowledge about the world, improve your well-being, and encourage you to think big!
The Tim Ferriss Show: In each episode, Tim Ferriss deconstructs world-class performers from different areas to extract the tactics, tools, and routines you can use such as morning routines, exercise habits, time-management tricks, and more.
The Model Health Show: Tune in for a fun and enlightening look at health and fitness, where you'll learn how to burn fat, get healthier and optimize your life for greater success.
Revisionist History with Malcolm Gladwell: In each episode, Malcolm Gladwell goes back, trying to reinterpret something overlooked and misunderstood from the past: an event, a person, an idea.
The Practical Stoic Podcast: Stoicism is one of the most effective philosophies for a well-lived life and Simon Drew shares practical ancient Stoic advice that can still be applied today.
About Eleni Maria Georgiou
Eleni Maria Georgiou is an independent writer and publishing professional devoted to creating books that are creative, original, and modern.
Passionate about Athens and all the city has to offer, for four exciting years, I co-managed XpatAthens. This experience inspired me to write my first book, Eleni’s GREEK PHRASE BOOK: A Beginner's Guide to Greek Culture and the Greek Language in 2018, sparking the birth of Lenacke Press. I continue to write, think about, and publish creative and original books, adding to the Lenacke Press collection.
In addition, since 2004, I have been running fixyourenglish.com, a business that provides Editing, Proofreading, and Translation services.
I currently live in Athens, Greece with my husband and two kids. I am fluent in both English and Greek and interested in learning more languages. I like organizing and attending community group events, reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, writing, lifting weights, and going hiking.
Playlists To Keep You Moving & Grooving
Whether you want to immerse yourself in total relaxation or take over the dancefloor of your living room, here are some playlists that will make you smile and keep you movin and groovin when times are up, and when times are down. Enjoy!
Brain Food by Spotify: Hypnotic, electronic music, ideal for intense focus and concentration.
Feel Good Dinner by Spotify: An uplifting yet tasteful dinner playlist with a guaranteed feel-good vibe.
The Electric Relaxation Playlist by SG Lewis: Ease into relaxation with this chill-out playlist that opens the door to a world of laid-back, mellow grooves, spiritual expansions, and sonic meditations.
Lo-Fi Beats by Spotify: Chill and soothing hip-hop mixes that serve as great background music to listen to while you work or study.
Armada Chill by Armada Music: Including some of the greatest chill-out classic of all time, this playlist offers up sonic serenity you can't help but fall in love with.
Creativity Boost by Spotify: The next time you're in a creativity slump get motivated by listening to this eclectic music which can actually allow you to get your creative juices flowing.
Majestic Casual by Majestic Casual: This playlist will help you experience music in a new way and stay updated on the best of electronic, deep house, experimental, hip-hop, indie, pop and much more.
Keeping Spirits High - YouTube Selections
Keeping your spirits bright when life is going along smoothly doesn't seem that hard, but what about when life goes 'off course' and negativity obstructs our path?
As daily routines shift and the world adjusts to a new normal, maintaining a positive attitude is essential in order to keep going. The question then becomes: how do we keep our spirits high in challenging times like these?
Well, we can listen to inspiring people like the ones on the list below! If you're looking for inspiration and motivation, then this selection of YouTube channels will get you thinking. If you're more of a podcast listener, then click here.
Christian Guzman & Heidi Somers: Well, talk about couple-goals! These amazing fitness YouTubers show how they run their successful fitness businesses and share workouts and healthy tips with their viewers.
Bob & Brad: Physical Therapists Bob Schrupp and Brad Heineck offer great advice, tips, and information on how to stay healthy, fit, and pain-free. Together they have over 50 years of experience and knowledge as physical therapists and fitness experts.
The Dave Ramsey Show: Do you want some life-changing financial advice? This show is for you, as it will help you make smart decisions moneywise, learn about budgeting and much more!
Marie Forleo: If you want to turn your dreams into reality, you’ve come to the right place. Marie Forleo will train your brain to think more creatively and positively in the face of setbacks and help you realize your greatest potential and use your unique talents to change the world.
Luka Hocevar: He is an entrepreneur, author, strength/fitness/business coach. His YouTube channel features great fitness videos and bodyweight exercises that promise real results.
Ekhart Yoga: With over 3,500 classes in different styles guided by over 40 world-class teachers, this is Europe’s biggest online studio. Get ready for positive change and genuine transformation through different styles of yoga.
High Intensity Health: This channel features interesting interviews with a variety of different topics, including low-carb (ketogenic) diets, gut bacteria health, sleep, building muscle, and science.
Mike Thurston: This British guy who moved to Dubai aims to educate, motivate, and help viewers optimize their body composition, whilst making the process as enjoyable and sustainable as possible.
Hanna Oberg: This Swedish fitness YouTuber shares with viewers free workout routines, recipes, fitness advice and much, much more! Also, she just had a baby and shows what parenting it's like.
Boho Beautiful: Through their Boho Beautiful Yoga Classes, Vegan meal prep/cooking vids, mat-based Pilates or Fitness, and Boho Diaries, these two yogis wander the earth, creating positive content as they go.
Stephanie Buttermore: With a Ph.D. in pathology and cell biology, Stephanie Buttermore mixes science and fitness into all facets of life. Her channel brings informative content to the world of fitness, training, beauty, lifestyle, food challenges and nutrition all with a scientific twist!!
Jeff Nippard: Stephanie Buttermore’s boyfriend is a natural pro bodybuilder and internationally-qualified powerlifter with a BSc in biochemistry. His channel is also dedicated to providing science-based training and nutrition information.
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah: The Daily Show is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning program that looks at the day's top headlines through a sharp, reality-based lens. Trevor Noah covers the biggest news stories in politics, pop culture and more.
Pick Up Limes: Foodies, minimalists, travelers, and all views will get inspired or find a calm and relaxing space with the collection of videos that help to nourish the cells and the soul.
All of the recommendations have been ‘tried and tested’ by our friend and contributor Eleni Maria Georgiou. Thank you, Eleni!
About Eleni Maria Georgiou
Eleni Maria Georgiou is an independent writer and publishing professional devoted to creating books that are creative, original, and modern.
Passionate about Athens and all the city has to offer, for four exciting years, I co-managed XpatAthens. This experience inspired me to write my first book, Eleni’s GREEK PHRASE BOOK: A Beginner's Guide to Greek Culture and the Greek Language in 2018, sparking the birth of Lenacke Press. I continue to write, think about, and publish creative and original books, adding to the Lenacke Press collection.
In addition, since 2004, I have been running fixyourenglish.com, a business that provides Editing, Proofreading, and Translation services.
I currently live in Athens, Greece with my husband and two kids. I am fluent in both English and Greek and interested in learning more languages. I like organizing and attending community group events, reading, listening to podcasts and audiobooks, writing, lifting weights, and going hiking.
Online Activities At The Museum Of Cycladic Art
"Queen of all, charming and lovely blooming,
Blessed Hygieia, mother of all, bringer of prosperity, hear me.
Through you vanish the diseases that afflict men,
And through you every house blossoms to fullness of joy,
And the arts thrive; the world desires you, O queen,
And only soul-destroying Hades ever loathes you.
Ever youthful, ever beloved, you are a heaven for mortals.
Apart from you all is without avail for men:
Wealth, sweet to those feast, and giver of abundance, fails,
And man never reaches the many pains of old age,
For you are sole mistress and queen of all.
But, goddess, come, ever helpful to the initiates,
And keep away the accursed distress of harsh disease."
With this Orphic Hymn to Hygieia and the emblematic exhibition Health, Illness, Treatment from Homer to Galen that was presented in 2014, the Museum of Cycladic Art invites guests to explore their website for a series of online activities.
This content has been sourced and prepared by Codico Lab.
5 Yoga Exercises To Do At Home
Lynn is an American Kundalini yoga and Enneagram instructor teaching a unique combination of the two systems, combining the physical benefits of Kundalini yoga with the psychological growth tools of the Enneagram.
How To Activate Civil Protection Alert Messages
- Via Text Messages (SMS). If you don't have a smartphone, you can receive text messages. The message sender will be 112.
- Via Email. Receive an email that you can read on your cellphone, tablet, or computer. The email sender will be 112.
- Via Voice Messages. You will receive a phone call on your cellphone or landline number. The caller will be 112112. When you answer the call, you will hear a recorded or text-to-speech voice message
