Happy Lunar New Year! The annual occasion, celebrated by over 1 billion people around the globe, marks the start of the lunar calendar, which means a new animal is taking center stage, according to the Chinese zodiac. This year is the Year of the Snake. You might think that sounds bad, but the reptile doesn't have the same connotations in Chinese mythology as in Western cultures; those born in the Year of the Snake are associated with such positive traits as charisma, intelligence, and artistic prowess, per The Washington Post. Learn what your Chinese zodiac sign is.
Must Reads
Some oh-so-clever ways to use nutrient-dense veggie and fruit peels instead of tossing them
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Health
Stay Grounded and Get Your Steps in With a Color Walk
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Make room, hot girl walks: A new way to boost your mental well-being while getting your steps in has entered the chat. "Color walks" involve picking a color and looking for items in that hue while you stroll. While the concept was originally created by writer William S. Burroughs over five decades ago, it's been trending on social media for the past few years. More than just a way to entertain yourself, color walks may help soothe anxiety and boost your mental health even more than regular walking. They meld the physical aspect of the exercise with mindfulness, a practice associated with stress reduction and increased memory capacity, since searching for a specific color gives you a way to focus and feel grounded. "So we know that just walking has a ton of physical health benefits," clinical and family psychologist Jen Hartstein told Today. She explained: "Add a meditative piece, so the idea of choosing a color that you notice out in nature, and that just adds another layer of building mental health and fitness." Pro tip: Stay present and reap the full benefits of a color walk by refraining from using your phone.
Listen up: hear.com released the world's first hearing aid designed with conversation in mind, and you can really hear the difference. The Horizon IX is not just any hearing aid; it's the biggest industry breakthrough in over a decade, packing top-notch German engineering into a device that's so small, people won't even know you're wearing it. But that's not all: It's rechargeable and bluetooth-enabled, and the company offers award-winning support, flexible payment options, and a no-risk 45-day trial. Getting the clarity you deserve has never been easier — click below to learn more and start hearing clearly.
New Tennessee Bill Would Require Tattoo Artists to be Trained to Spot Signs of Human Trafficking
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Tattoos can shed light on someone's life — and a new Tennessee bill is hoping to use that power to help victims of human trafficking. The Ink of Hope Act would require tattoo artists to undergo a free hourlong training, so they can better recognize red flags and respond accordingly, ABC News reports. Traffickers often use tattoos to mark victims with names, symbols, or phrases to signal them as property. As such, tattoo artists have a unique opportunity to be "part of the solution" while still keeping themselves and trafficking victims safe, according to Thistle Farms, a nonprofit that helps women survivors. "Human trafficking thrives in silence and ignorance, but the Ink of Hope Act transforms the relationship between tattoo artist and client into a potential lifeline for victims," the organization said in a statement, adding: "This initiative has the potential to save lives and send a powerful message: Tennessee is committed to protecting its most vulnerable citizens." Learn 20 ways you can help fight human trafficking.
Culture
Will You Be My Valentine? XOXO, Rescue Dogs and Cats
Best Friends Animal Society
Let's set the scene: It's Valentine's Day and you're having a cozy night in with a companion who is a great listener, makes the world feel a little brighter … and happens to be an adorable rescue dog or cat. If this sounds up your alley, mark your calendars for Best Friends Animal Society's V-Day "pet sleepovers." "We're excited to give more people the chance to experience the joy of fostering, even if it's just for a day, and to help these wonderful pets find the love and care they deserve," Julie Castle, the CEO of the animal welfare nonprofit, told Good Good Good. Here's how it works: On Feb. 14, "single" (aka adoptable) cats and dogs in six cities — Los Angeles, Houston, Salt Lake City, New York City, Bentonville, Arkansas, and Kanab, Utah — will be paired with a human valentine. Shelters will provide the food and supplies, so all participants have to do is stop by one of Best Friends' locations. There's no expectation for the match to last fur-ever, but it is Valentine's Day after all. "Sometimes all it takes is a little Cupid's touch to turn a temporary sleepover into a lasting love story," said Castle.
In Other News
Good news for globetrotters: Two major European cities will soon be connected via direct train again (read more)
A Holocaustlibrary in London has given the public unprecedented online access to its archives (read more)
An aerospace engineer set a world record after living underwater for 120 days (read more)
Japan won the Pastry World Cup with a series of impressive confections connected by a dragonfly theme (read more)
"You will leave an entirely different person." Watch the trailer for the upcoming season of The White Lotus (read more)
Something We Love
HP Instant Ink Whether you're printing school projects, family photos, or business documents, HP Instant Ink ensures a seamless experience. The low monthly plans will fit your needs, with every page costing the same, regardless of whether it's color or black-and-white. That means no more sticker shock with individual cartridges and no more running out of ink, since the HP smart printers automatically monitor ink levels and send new cartridges directly to your door before you run out. Plus, the $10 welcome credit makes getting started even sweeter.*
*Indicates a Nice News brand partnership or affiliate
Inspiring Story
A pup walked into a pub
Pub manager Dan Morris was working at the bar when an unexpected customer with four legs and fur barrelled through the front door. After finding out that the Shih Tzu named Rex was involved in a car accident that tragically led to his owner's death, Morris adopted the pup, who now spends most of his time sniffing out trouble as the pub's resident bouncer. "We don't know how he knows which guests are up to no good, but he's usually right," Morris said.
Photo of the Day
Estrop/Getty Images
The French capital has become a who's-who of A-listers as Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week gets underway. But the actual fashion on display is just as buzz-worthy: The Christian Dior Spring-Summer 2025 runway (pictured) featured punk-ified references to Alice in Wonderland, while Stéphane Rolland's futuristic show broke the mold by raising money for charity. See more photos.
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