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| • | Return-to-work jitters. Now that companies are asking remote workers to return to the office, therapists say that their clients are frequently worried about what to say and how to behave around colleagues. Social anxiety can cause feelings of dread, an elevated heart rate, and shortness of breath. Some actions can help: for example, meeting with coworkers before you’re expected back at the office can ease jittery feelings. Similarly, bringing a memento from home (like a favorite picture) can make your work space feel more comfortable. [WaPo] | | | | • | Clear out ‘emotional clutter.’ After more than two years of living with the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us may need to take stock of where we’ve been and where we’re going. The welcoming of spring makes this an ideal time to revitalize our lives and reconnect with our purpose, mental-health experts say. Writing in a journal can help people track goals, improve focus, and strengthen well-being. In addition, reaching out to long-lost friends to reestablish a connection can provide the social support we all need. [NYT] | | | | • | A bossy refrigerator. Each year, consumers spend around $1.5 trillion on wellness. As the industry continues to grow, consumers are likely to seek more control and personalization from wellness products and services. For instance, right now, people who want a better night’s rest can put sensors under the mattress that track how much they’re moving around. In the future, imagine your refrigerator making suggestions based on your sleep data (for instance, saying “don’t make coffee” after a certain time of day). | | | | • | A ‘sea change’ in eating. How we eat is changing fast, says McKinsey senior partner Jessica Moulton. People are scrutinizing food labels and want to eat more sustainably. About 35% of consumers in Germany, the UK, and the US are drinking plant-based milk, and half of them started fairly recently, says Moulton. “That’s quite a sea change—much faster than we usually see—in the way we eat, and we think it’s going to continue,” adds Moulton. Explore our collection page on the future of wellness. | | | | — Edited by Belinda Yu | | This email contains information about McKinsey’s research, insights, services, or events. By opening our emails or clicking on links, you agree to our use of cookies and web tracking technology. For more information on how we use and protect your information, please review our privacy policy. | | You received this email because you subscribed to the On Point newsletter. | | | | Copyright © 2022 | McKinsey & Company, 3 World Trade Center, 175 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007 | | | |
