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Check out the article below on “somatic healing”. I have experienced this myself and believe it can really help some people!

Health Sciences

Somatic Healing

Grief is more than just an emotional experience; it impacts the body, triggering physical responses that can leave us feeling stressed, disconnected, or numb. Understanding and managing this response is essential, and the Denver-based nonprofit LIGHT Movement is leading the way in helping people process grief and burnout through somatic practices and community support. Founded last fall by Amy Pickett-Williams, LIGHT Movement draws on Polyvagal Theory, developed by neuroscientist Dr. Stephen Porges, to provide tools that address both the emotional and physiological effects of grief.

Polyvagal Theory explains how grief can activate the nervous system, often causing anxiety, numbness, and other stress responses. “Grief changes our physiological state, so addressing both emotional and physical aspects is essential,” says Pickett-Williams. By teaching somatic techniques, such as breathwork and mindful movement, LIGHT Movement helps individuals navigate the physical sensations of grief. Practices like slow inhalations followed by extended exhalations stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calm and focus. Pickett-Williams, who founded the organization after losing her father and battling stomach cancer herself, emphasizes the need to oscillate between vulnerability and retreat, fostering resilience and growth from grief.

In addition to grief, LIGHT Movement also tackles burnout, which Pickett-Williams describes as a form of mourning the loss of passion or purpose. To address this, the organization uses techniques like bilateral stimulation—alternating movements on both sides of the body through activities like walking or swimming—to integrate the brain’s hemispheres and support recovery. This December 21, LIGHT Movement will host a global Winter Solstice event to provide a sense of community and solidarity for those experiencing loss. “Our goal is to stand in solidarity with all forms of grief and loss,” Pickett-Williams said, “while offering tools to help people find meaning and healing.”

World News

Tile ‘Flipping’

In the Netherlands, a creative environmental movement called Tegelwippen, or “tile flipping,” is transforming urban spaces by replacing concrete tiles with greenery. Rather than focusing solely on high-tech solutions like solar panels or wind turbines, this grassroots initiative encourages citizens to revitalize their surroundings by removing hard surfaces in gardens, sidewalks, and public areas. With each tile replaced by plants, grass, or other permeable materials, cities become more welcoming to wildlife and healthier for residents, creating a lasting positive impact on the urban ecosystem.

Tegelwippen’s influence has spread nationwide, thanks in part to the NK Tegelwippen, the Dutch National Tile Flipping Championship. This friendly competition pits towns and cities against each other to see who can replace the most tiles with green spaces. Municipalities, neighborhoods, and individuals join forces in this gamified challenge, logging their progress on an online platform and vying for awards in creativity and community engagement. Through events like these, Tegelwippen has turned sustainability into a collective effort, fostering local pride and strengthening communities across the country.

The benefits of Tegelwippen go beyond aesthetics. By reducing concrete surfaces, the movement helps combat urban heat, prevents flooding by allowing rainwater to seep into the ground, and enhances biodiversity, supporting birds, bees, and other pollinators. Green spaces also contribute to mental well-being, offering a refuge from urban stress.

Environment

Literally Cotton

Cotton has long been central to the textile industry, but its production has significant environmental drawbacks. Conventional cotton farming requires large quantities of water, extensive pesticide use, and contributes to deforestation, raising concerns over its sustainability. In response to these issues, biotech company Galy has developed Literally Cotton, a new approach to producing cotton through cellular agriculture that aims to reduce the environmental footprint of traditional cotton production.

Literally Cotton is structurally identical to field-grown cotton, but Galy produces it through a lab-based process. By taking a sample from a cotton plant and growing it in bioreactor tanks, Galy can cultivate cotton without using large tracts of land or pesticides. This process, which founder Luciano Bueno compares to brewing beer, offers a more resource-efficient alternative to conventional agriculture, requiring less water and eliminating the need for pesticides. The lab setting also allows for consistent fiber quality, potentially reducing some of the unpredictability associated with crop-based cotton.

Though not yet available for widespread use, Literally Cotton has drawn attention in the textile industry. In 2024, Galy received $33 million in funding and entered a partnership with Inditex, the company behind brands like Zara, indicating strong interest in sustainable alternatives. As the industry faces mounting pressure to reduce environmental impact, cellular agriculture like Galy’s may offer a viable path forward. Challenges remain in scaling this technology, but innovations such as Literally Cotton could mark a shift toward more sustainable practices in fabric production.

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