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CNBC
19-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Memorial Day Sale: 8 online courses to help you boost your confidence and be more financially savvy
Want to be more financially savvy and confident? Take one (or more!) of Smarter by CNBC Make It's online courses, which aim to teach you the critical skills you need to succeed that you didn't learn in school. Every course is now 30% off the regular course price (plus tax) for Memorial Day using coupon code MEMORIAL at checkout from May 19 to June 2. Each course features three expert instructors and 90 minutes of recorded video lessons, which you can watch at any time, as well as a companion workbook with additional resources and personalized exercises. Topics include earning passive income online, mastering communication and public speaking, acing your job interview, and practical strategies to grow your wealth. One of the most common questions readers write in to ask CNBC Make It is: How can I start a passive income business? Our course provides an overview of common passive income streams, from creating digital products like printables to selling merchandise online using print-on-demand services. It offers tactical tips to get started and insights from people who've successfully done it themselves. Effective communication isn't something you're born with; it's a skill you can learn. Getting just 10% better can improve your confidence, relationships, and career success. We'll teach you how to speak clearly and confidently, calm your nerves, and deliver your message to achieve your goals. A step-by-step guide to navigating the job search and interview process. We'll show you how to craft a career vision and winning resume, use body language techniques to instantly impress, follow best practices for virtual and panel interviews, and avoid the biggest mistakes job candidates make. Money is the No. 1 source of stress for most Americans today, and that's a big problem. Too much or prolonged financial stress can hurt your health and relationships, and if left unaddressed, it can quickly snowball. Our course gives you the tools you need to take control of your finances and feel confident about your future. Whether you feel stuck, are exploring a career change, want to advance, or stand out in a competitive job market, this course will give you strategies to reach your goals. You'll get tactical advice and walk away with a step-by-step plan to transition into a role that offers more purpose, greater joy, or higher earning potential — so you can build a truly fulfilling career. Most Americans are dissatisfied with their pay, yet many don't negotiate when starting a new job. Negotiating can be scary, but it's one of the most powerful ways you can increase your earning potential at any career stage. Our course gives you the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to ask for a raise in your current job or secure a better salary in a new one. The emergence of powerful technologies like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and others presents new opportunities for personal and professional growth. While it's unclear exactly how the workplace will change in the age of AI, a foundational understanding of these tools will help you stay relevant and adaptable. Our course helps you understand and apply new AI tools to save time and boost productivity at work, in your business, and in your personal life. Whether you're looking to dip your toe into entrepreneurship, monetize a hobby, or just earn some extra income, a side hustle could help you meet your goals. Our online course features three side hustle experts who offer practical tips and strategies to create a new revenue stream while balancing your day job.
Newsweek
01-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Woman Goes on Walk, Unprepared for What She Finds by Lake: 'Horror Movie'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A post about a woman who came across a strange plant with a "meat-like texture" has gone viral on Reddit. Images of the peculiar plant were shared in a post on Reddit shared by Grace (u/applementionpies). The post has amassed 19,000 upvotes since it was shared on April 21. The pictures show a thick, skin-toned plant stalk dotted by giant dark circular spots laying on a patch of grass. The post was titled: "Seriously WHAT is this." The caption notes: "Found this thing (?)...been wondering since wtf [what the f***] it is since. Had a very strange smell and was almost meat-like in texture." Grace, who did not share her last name, told Newsweek that she came across the plant on the shore of Lake Lida in Minnesota while visiting her friend's cabin there among a group of people aged from 22 to 25. "It was actually May 2022, so the warm weather was just starting to come in. Since it was the beginning of the season, there was debris on the shore that washed up from the frozen months. This was one of them," she said. Grace said the strange sighting "haunted me for 2.5 years" in a later comment. An image of a water lily root found on the shore of a lake in Minnesota, shared in a viral post on Reddit. An image of a water lily root found on the shore of a lake in Minnesota, shared in a viral post on Reddit. u/applementionpies on Reddit The mysterious plant is a water lily root, food scientist Bryan Quoc Le told Newsweek, noting that "it appears that the water lily root has gone through some decay and browning." The food scientist, who is the author 150 Food Science Questions Answered: Cook Smarter, Cook Better and founder of Mendocino Food Consulting, said the water lily root can be consumed. He explained: "These roots are edible and often used in soups or eaten baked, but need to be boiled first to ensure the starches have gelatinized. They're actually quite high in starch, much like a potato or a yam. Most of the water lily is in fact edible." Michael Clarke is a landscape architect and horticulturalist who is the founder of Yardwork, an online plant and tree nursery and landscaping platform. He told Newsweek: "Water lilies are aquatic plants found in freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams. Their roots grow from rhizomes, which are thick, horizontal underground stems." Clarke explained that rhizomes are buried in muddy soils at the bottom of the water and have fibrous roots that extend into the soil to absorb nutrients and water. The roots stabilize the plant as well as the soil, helping to reduce erosion. "Rhizomes also serve as storage organs for starch and other nutrients, helping the plant survive through dormant periods or unfavorable conditions," Clarke noted. Water lilies have a long history in traditional medicine where all of their parts are used, explains the book Dietary Interventions in Liver Disease, published in 2019. Crushed and mixed with wine, the root of water lilies was used by monks and nuns for hundreds of years as an anaphrodisiac. In addition to its use as "a painkiller, anti-inflammatory, astringent, cardiotonic, demulcent, with sedative and calming effects upon the nervous system," the water lily root can also be used to "insomnia, anxiety, and similar disorders," according to the book. The dried roots and rhizomes of white water lilies have also been used as oral treatments for gastrointestinal, genital and bronchial conditions. The leaves and roots have been used externally to various dermatological conditions, the book explains. 'Something Out of a Horror Movie' Grace told Newsweek that the water lily root "smelled rotted and moldy." She said: "The stench wasn't too pronounced until we poked it with a stick, then it almost started wafting. The outside—with the dots—was hard like a shell, where the inside was softer, almost like the fatty part of steak or pork." Grace knew about water lilies but not so much about their roots. She said: "The group I was with and I have wondered about it for the past two years and randomly would bring it up as a joke. I've shown lots of people and everyone was just disgusted, no one had any context as to what it is until I brought it to Reddit." Redditors were spooked and grossed out by the unusual plant sighting in the viral post. U/Previous-Wasabi-4907 said: "This looks like something out of a horror movie! I can't be the only one who sees the 'head' and 'face'?!" U/UarNotMe wrote: "I was already grossed out by me feel nauseous looking at it." U/BabyOnTheStairs simply said it is a "water lily root" and u/truthhurts2222222 said: "I'm inclined to agree [it's a] water lily root." U/moldylindsey was amazed, noting: "That's wild, because I've been around water lilies my whole life, and I guess I've never seen the root." Do you have a travel-related video or story to share? Let us know via life@ and your story could be featured on Newsweek.
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
8 simple morning habits to boost your happiness
New research has found that mornings are when people generally feel their best, and report the greatest feelings of wellbeing. Researchers analysed data from more than 49,000 adults as part of the University College London (UCL) Covid-19 Social Study, which tracked participants from March 2020 to March 2022. Participants answered questions such as: 'In the past week, how happy did you feel?', 'How satisfied have you been with your life?', and 'To what extent have you felt the things you are doing in your life are worthwhile?' Published in BMJ Mental Health journal, the findings revealed that people generally woke up 'feeling best' but, by midnight, they were 'feeling worst'. The researchers suggested that this shift in mood may be linked to physiological changes associated with the body clock. 'For example, cortisol (a hormone that regulates mood, motivation and fear) peaks shortly after waking and reaches its lowest levels around bedtime,' commented the researchers. The findings also reinforced that people tend to feel happier in the summer months compared to the winter months. So, how can we overcome winter's impact on our mood? Here are 8 simple habits to incorporate into your morning routine to boost your wellbeing, whatever the weather… 1. Don't hit snooze 'When you hit snooze, you disrupt your sleep cycle, which can lead to grogginess,' says E.M. Austen, author of Smarter, 10 Lessons For A More Productive And Less Stressed Life. 'Instead, place your alarm out of reach to encourage yourself to get out of bed immediately. 'You could also set your alarm for the latest possible time you need to rise, allowing yourself to wake up feeling more refreshed. This minor adjustment can transform your mornings and set a more energised tone for the day ahead.' 2. Do a crossword 'Crosswords are enjoyable and a relaxing activity, bringing a sense of achievement and goal attainment – boosting our mood and the much-needed neurochemical release for wellbeing,' says Natalie Mackenzie, cognitive rehabilitation therapist. 3. Try mindfulness 'Find a quiet space, close your eyes, and spend 5-10 minutes in meditation or mindfulness,' recommends Nicci Roscoe, holistic health and wellbeing practitioner, and author of Micro Meditation: Moments Of Calm For A Happier, Healthier Life. ' Focus on your breath or follow a short guided meditation. This is the time to just be present and calm your mind before you dive into the day's tasks.' 4. Take a laughter break 'If you are feeling low, laughter is a brilliant tonic,' says Sarah Campus, personal trainer and founder of holistic wellness platform LDN MUMS FITNESS. 'Try listening to a funny podcast as you're getting ready, sometimes all we need is a good old chuckle to help us feel happier.' 5. Start your day with a protein-rich breakfast Fuel your body and your mind. 'I recommend eggs, avocado, seeds, tomato and spinach on rye toast first thing,' advises Chloe Thomas, personal trainer, and nutrition and mindset coach. 'If you reach for sugary and starchy cereals you will get a sugar slump and crash later that morning. 'The cleaner you eat, the better you feel, so take the time to enjoy your food.' 6. Integrate arts, culture and heritage into morning rituals 'Starting the day with a cultural ritual, such as listening to music, engaging in mindful sketching or reading poetry, fosters a sense of identity, continuity and joy,' suggests Jody Findlay, founder of Mindseta. ' Research has highlighted that engaging with the arts – whether through music, storytelling or creative expression – improves mental and physical health, reducing stress and increasing emotional resilience.' 7. Have a little morning dance ' Dance is amazing as a form of cardio, but it's also brilliant to raise the endorphins and serotonin that make us happy,' says Dominika Blonska, personal trainer and founder of Define By Dom. 'Pop on tunes that make you feel happy and dance like no one is watching. 'The more you can shake the stagnancy out of your body, the more the happy hormones will flow. You do not have to be any good, don't overthink it… just move!' 8. Smile in the mirror So simple, yet so effective. 'Did you know that smiling can trick your brain into happiness? The act of smiling activates pathways in your brain that influence your emotional state,' says Alison Goolnik, an integrative psychotherapist at Therapy Here. 'So, try smiling at yourself in the mirror, smile at your colleagues and family and see how it makes you feel.'
