How to be comfortable with solitude, the surprising link between viruses and mental health, and more.

Vivian Le's reads

How to be comfortable with solitude. Being alone doesn't always mean being lonely—but only if it's your choice to be alone in the first place. Writing for the New York Times, Holly Burns explains how solitude can benefit both the mind and body, as well as ways to make the best of time alone, even if you're usually an extrovert.

The language of birds. Language may be "quintessentially human," but some animals, particularly birds, seem to share commonalities with how humans communicate, include vocal learning, intentionality, and even potentially syntax. Writing for Knowable Magazine, Betsy Mason describes the research into the complexity of birdsong and how it might parallel some aspects of human language.

Alyssa Nystrom's reads

Will ditching dairy give you clearer skin? As plant-based milks and other dairy alternatives continue to rise in popularity, some people have decided to ditch dairy in pursuit of clearer skin. Writing for the New York Times, Knvul Sheikh explains why cutting back on certain dairy-based products may actually help you achieve clearer skin.

The surprising link between viruses and mental health. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the biggest questions researchers faced was "Why do some people get so much sicker than others?" Writing for Vox, Brian Resnick details the findings of several studies that found a connection between the immune system and mental health, offering a potential explanation to why some people experienced more severe Covid-19.