Lifestyle

How Workplace Stress Could Be Affecting You and What to Do About It

Published

5 years ago

July 28, 2020

The increase in the amount of workplace stress in recent years has turned this into one of the most worrying issues in modern times. This is a complex issue that can affect you in many different ways.

While some people have issues serious enough to need expert medical attention, in many other cases a change of lifestyle can be enough to make a positive impact.

Poor Sleeping Patterns – Get a More Relaxing Bed-Time Routine

The time to go to sleep is when one of the most noticeable effects of stress can be seen. Levels of insomnia have been rising together with stress levels in the last few years, and it seems clear that the two issues are often linked. Especially in kids according to snoozzzy.

One possible solution is to establish a more relaxed and consistent bed-time routine. This means not eating a heavy meal or drinking anything with caffeine in it when it gets late. You can then look to create a relaxing atmosphere in the bedroom.

Essential oils may be a major part of this, as they can help you relax if you add a few drops to the atmosphere. Getting a more relaxing environment with the use of relaxing colours in a tidy, uncluttered bedroom can also produce good results.

Headaches – Try Meditating

If you have noticed an increasing number of headaches affecting you, this could be down to the amount of stress that you are under each day. Stress has been linked to migraines, although you may find that other factors such as a poor diet or lack of sleep add to the problem.

Given the effect that this can have on your life, it is worth trying everything that you can to solve the problem. Trying to slow down a hectic lifestyle while adding in more time to eat and sleep well is certainly a step in the right direction for many of us.

Meditation is another tactic that has been proven to help people who are suffering from stress-related headaches. It is an ancient technique that puts you in touch with your spiritual side and may let you find the inner peace that you crave.

Increased Irritability – Get Out for More Exercise

As we have seen, stress at work can affect your life in several different ways. Some people find that they become increasingly irritable, which is unpleasant for them and also for the people around them.

Finding a suitable new hobby is one of the most enjoyable and sustainable ways of feeling better by lowering your stress. It should be something that genuinely interests you and that gives you a strong reason to look forward to leaving work each day.

In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to add some exercise to your lifestyle, as increased physical activity is another improvement that can lower your stress levels. An example of how this could work is with a sport like kayaking, which gets you on the water for an invigorating type of exercise that also relaxes your mind.

Depression or Sadness – Listen to Music or Paint

One of the most worrying effects of too much stress is when you feel depressed or sad for no apparent reason. In the US, studies suggest that close to 7% of adults have at least one period of depression each year.

But someone who lives with constant stress may find that this is a more frequent concern. For some people, finding new ways of relaxing and taking their mind off their issues at work can help greatly.

For instance, you may decide to listen to more music, which is recommended as being one of the best ways of lifting your mood. Painting is another hobby that is widely recommended for anyone who is looking to remove feelings of sadness.

Stress can affect us all in different ways, and the effectiveness of the solutions also vary by person. This means that it makes sense to try a few different approaches until you find the perfect one for your needs.

Lifestyle

The Future of Social Dancing: How Latin Dance is Adapting to a New Generation

Published

5 days ago

August 21, 2025

Michelle Langton

Latin dance thrives on connection. The music, the partner, and the crowd all feed one another.

Today, that connection is shaped by a younger, digitally fluent generation, and few understand the shift better than Damian Guzman, founder of Bachata Sensual America (BSA). From prize-winning festivals to late-night socials, Guzman and BSA show how the scene is evolving without losing its roots.

Streaming steps, viral beats

A decade ago, beginners to Latin dance hunted for grainy DVD tutorials; now they unlock entire combinations on their phones. TikTok loops, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels have compressed learning into snack-sized bursts.

Many of the artists signed on with Bachata Sensual America meet dancers where they scroll, posting slow-motion breakdowns and “follow-along” drills that rack up thousands of views. This approach addresses two key Gen Z demands: instant access and a clear path from screen to floor.

By allowing newcomers to practice at home before facing a packed room, the online channel lowers the fear barrier while seeding a desire for in-person connection.

Festivals as entry points, not finish lines

Digital discovery is only the first act. For many people, their real baptism happens at multi-day events where practice hours blur into sunrise socials.

BSA’s flagship Houston Bachata Sensual Festival returned on May 2^nd, 2025, with a follow-up week slated for Bachata Sensual Festival Chicago, September 4^th-9^th, 2025. Both weekends pair technique labs with mental-wellness talks and DJs specializing in bachata, mirroring the playlists in dancers’ earbuds.

That balance of skills and community is why independent reviewers named BSA one of the “Top Latin Dance Festivals in the United States” for 2025. Yet, for Damian, awards matter less than the message: a festival can feel world-class without pricing out college students. He keeps passes tiered, encourages volunteer shifts that offset costs, and prepares bootcamps for absolute beginners, ensuring the dance floor reflects the same diversity he sees online.

Teaching culture, not just choreography

Bachata’s recent boom owes much to its European reinvention. Damian experienced that surge firsthand while earning one of the first U.S. instructor certifications in the Bachata Sensual style. He returned determined to give American dancers the same blend of precision and musicality he had experienced abroad.

BSA classes devote equal time to connection cues, body mechanics, and the genre’s Dominican roots. That trifecta resonates with younger students who want authenticity, not just a viral dip.

“In class I tell people, ‘Technique is how you respect your partner; musicality is how you respect the song,’” Guzman said during a recent podcast. The line distills his mission: elevate standards while keeping the dance welcoming.

Building inclusive, mindful spaces

Generation Z brings new expectations around consent, identity, and mental health. BSA’s code of conduct spells out everything from appropriate touch to gender-neutral role selection. Security staff mediate conflicts quickly, and workshop leaders open sessions with grounding exercises to calm nerves. These actions might sound small, yet they remove friction that once pushed many newcomers away.

Damian argues that such policies go beyond ethics; they future-proof the scene. Normalizing role fluidity in Latin dance widens its talent pool and invites richer musical interpretations. By acknowledging anxiety and overstimulation — common concerns for digital natives — events can retain dancers who might otherwise retreat after their first crowded social.

Latin dance has never stood still, and its next evolution is already spinning under disco lights from Houston to Helsinki. With a phone in every pocket and a festival on every calendar, the gap between discovery and mastery keeps shrinking.

Damian Guzman and Bachata Sensual America illustrate what happens when tradition listens, adapts, and leads with purpose. The result is a scene ready for whatever beat the next generation drops — and a future where social dancing feels more connected, inclusive, and alive than ever.