The Daily Valet. - 3/24/22, Thursday

✔️ This Is Suddenly Everywhere

Thursday, March 24th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

I think we could all use less stress and more meditation in our lives, right?

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today’s edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Meditation Is Everywhere

You can’t escape it these days, and maybe you shouldn’t be trying to either ...

With our stress through the roof these days, it’s not surprising that suddenly, meditation seems to be everywhere. My Apple Watch reminds me to breathe. The top meditation app, Calm, has had over 100 million downloads (and growing).

In just the past few years, the mindfulness industry has exploded. Since 2012 the number of people practicing meditation has tripled. Current estimates put the American meditation market—which includes everything from the apps to classes and studios—at approximately $1.2 billion. And it’s expected to grow to over $2 billion by the end of this year.

On TikTok, the hashtag #singingbowl has 107 million views, while #singingbowlmeditation has 5.5 million. It’s a modern way to experience the ancient spiritual instrument. Listening to their slowly fading sounds, and the silences that follow, can bring our endlessly diverted attentions back to the present moment.

Which isn’t a bad idea. After all, meditation doesn’t always come naturally, but with a little practice it can help easy your anxiety, quiet your mind and lead to better sleep at night. In fact, in one 2019 study, university students with no meditation experience had a bigger drop in levels of cortisol (the notorious stress hormone) after 30 hours of meditation training over a four-day period compared to a control group with no training.

Even the American Psychological Association calls mindfulness meditation a “research-proven way to reduce stress and improve both mental and physical health.” They cite research that found it to be helpful for everything from chronic pain and anxiety to addiction and immunity. The APA says the easiest way to think of it is “training your attention to achieve a mental state of calm concentration and positive emotions.”

And if you won’t do it for your own peace of mind, do it for your love life. Scientists recently found that people are more attracted to those they consider to look “mindful” than those deemed “non-mindful.” Britain’s i News asked the study’s lead author whether taking up meditation, or other mindfulness routines, might make them more attractive to others. The doc brushed it off as a “chicken-and-egg” situation, but said that seeming to have the qualities that mindfulness seeks to cultivate does seem to make a person more attractive to others. Not a bad side effect, if you ask me.

↦ Get Started: Yes, you can meditate, even if you can’t sit still. Well+Good explains how.

Ukraine Pleads for Show of Support

While President Biden meets with NATO allies fearing the conflict could lasts for months

Ukraine's President Volodymr Zelenskyy called on people worldwide to gather in public Thursday to show support for his embattled country on the one-month anniversary of the Russian invasion that he said breaks the heart of “every free person on the planet.”

The Associated Press reports that Zelenskyy will also speak to NATO members by video to ask the alliance to provide “effective and unrestricted” support to Ukraine, including any weapons the country needs to fend off the Russian onslaught.

Western weapons, many of which have been supplied by Washington, have been key in helping Ukraine to hold firm against the Russian advance. But according to NBC News, most experts say victory for either side will be difficult and costly—raising the possibility that the conflict could now descend into an even more violent and attritional new phase.

Meanwhile, Biden plans to join European leaders in announcing an effort to ship liquified natural gas to Europe and impose new sanctions on Russia during his visit to Brussels this week. The announcement, a dramatic effort to deprive Russia of leverage, would mark an unusual move to reorder the world's energy flow, reports the Washington Post. It's a shift that could have an impact long after the war is over.

↦ Dig Deeper: As this multimedia graphic shows, Russia’s attacks on civilian targets have obliterated everyday life in Ukraine.

Partner

Grind your teeth or clench your jaw at night? You're not alone, but there's now a simple solution.

Record Rents

Over a dozen major metro areas are now rent-burdened, as the national average jumps

The cost of monthly rent reached a new high in February, with the typical apartment now nearly $300 more expensive each month than it was before the onset of the pandemic.

The national median rent was $1,792 last month, up 17% from a year ago, according to a report from Realtor.com. Rent for studio apartments, one bedrooms and two bedrooms all saw double-digit increases over the past year.

Most cities saw rents climb after vaccine rollouts drove Americans' return to cities, and now the average tenant is on the brink of being rent-burdened. The federal government considers any tenant devoting more than 30% of income to housing rent-burdened. The average tenant in the 50 largest U.S. cities is now at that threshold.

In some cities, the rent increases have been downright staggering. Miami saw the fastest growth, with the median rental price spiking 55% in February from a year ago. Austin also saw a huge jump. And while San Francisco, New York and Los Angeles remain extremly high, San Jose, California, held onto its distinction as the most expensive place to rent in the U.S., with a median rent of $3,024 per month.

↦ FYI: As for affordable spots to rent, the survey found Kansas City to be the easiest on the budget. Followed by Oklahoma City, Denver, St. Louis and Washington, DC.

Apple’s Digital Driver’s License

Arizona is the first state, with more to follow

Apple's been slowly turning its Wallet app into an actual wallet replacement. Credit cards, vaccine cards, reward cards, plane tickets, car keys ... and finally, official IDs.

On Wednesday, Apple launched its digital driver's license and state ID program in Arizona. The initiative, which was announced last summer, is built into Apple's iOS 15 software that powers modern iPhones.

The company also said on Wednesday that it plans to introduce the feature in Colorado, Hawaii, Mississippi, Ohio, and Puerto Rico in addition to seven states previously announced. According to CNBC, Apple is not paying the states for the work they do to support the licenses (which may be why it's taking so long).

However, it seems like these are still early days. The digital ID will allow holders to pass through TSA checkpoints, but won't work at traffic stops. And initially, only travelers using PSA PreCheck at the Phoenix airport will be able to use the feature. And passengers “must continue” to still carry their physical driver's license or ID and have it available if needed. But still, it's an exciting development ... and there's no doubt that we're headed to a purely digital future, right?

↦ Dig Deeper: Mashable spoke with the director of engineering at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, who expressed reservations about the privacy of digital IDs.

In Other News

↦ Madeleine Albright, First Woman to Serve As Secretary of State, Dies

↦ YouTube Adds Hours (and Hours, and Hours) of Free Movies and TV

↦ Yeezy Appoints Nike and Louis Vuitton Vet Nur Abbas As Its Head of Design

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

Improving boxed mac and cheese

More PTO

The Bodega x Hoka hiker

Partner

Save Your Teeth From Stress

A modern answer to a common health problem

A recent Gallup poll found that U.S. workers are among the most stressed in the world. So is it any wonder that 4 in 10 Americans grind their teeth at night? Medical experts say that grinding can risk damaging and fracturing your teeth, leading to everything from persistent headaches to serious dental issues.

The solution is a night guard to protect your teeth and jaw. Before, having a custom night guard made by your dentist used to mean spending upwards of $500 (not to mention the time and money of making a traditional dentist appointment). Remi has reinvented the night guard to be far more comfortable, convenient and affordable. They're like the Warby Parker of the dental world—a modern company making it easy to get a custom-fit professional product without leaving your home, for a fraction of the cost we're used to.

Remi sends you an at-home impression kit and has a team of in-house dental professionals that makes sure the fit is perfect and comfortable. Plus, the thin night guards can also be used with whitening gels and foams to brighten your smile while you protect your teeth. Right now, Valet. readers can get an extra 30% off when they use the special promo code VALET30. With that discount and a 30-night satisfaction guarantee, what have you got to lose, besides more sleep?

↦ Get It: 30% off your first order w/code VALET30

What We’re Buying

Kicking your feet up and relaxing in a cozy hammock? There's no better way to decompress after a long day. This one is made from soft cotton rope that's completely hand-woven and hand-dyed by skilled artisans in Thailand. The handy carrying bag and sturdy “go anywhere” straps allow you to take it to the park or on a camping trip without the need for tying any knots. This hammock comfortably supports two people and the anti-flip design means you won't hit the ground after a mid-day doze.

↦ Get It: $234 / $180 by Yellow Leaf Hammocks