Sophia Piña-McMahon

By Sophia Piña-McMahon August 13, 2025

In some ways, the morning commute in Tokyo looks no different than it does in other megacities around the world. Weekday mornings see bustling streets, bumper-to-bumper traffic, well-dressed commuters carrying backpacks and briefcases, and jam-packed trains. These rush hour scenes are common from New York to London to Shanghai. However, several imperceptible features of the Japanese rail system make the Tokyo commute easier and less stressful to navigate than its international counterparts, contributing to the island nation’s long-held and well-deserved reputation for having the best train system in the world. Japan’s extensive and accessible network of high-speed and urban…

By Sophia Piña-McMahon October 18, 2024

Amidst the decade-long rise in demand for audiobooks and ebooks, it may come as a surprise to hear that the age-old practice of visiting a public library remains quite popular. Libraries in the United States are still frequented over 1 billion times a year, surpassing the number of visits to healthcare providers in the country. In fact, Gen Z and millennials are utilizing public libraries at higher rates than older generations, with a whopping 54% of Gen Z and millennials having visited a library in 2023. And while people still head to libraries to check out books, these institutions…

By Sophia Piña-McMahon July 22, 2024

At the northern edge of Boulder, Colorado (one of the happiest cities in America, according to Blue Zones and Gallup research), nestled just a few blocks away from the town’s popular hiking trails, lies a constantly bustling and bright coffee shop. Arrive any time during the morning rush, and a line out the door for Beleza Coffee Bar awaits. Upon entering the shop, customers are greeted by plant-adorned shelves of Fair Trade artisan goods, a case of healthy and locally made provisions, and large art pieces along the walls. And while customers come for the delicious rotating selections of…

By Sophia Piña-McMahon December 15, 2023

One of the easiest science-backed methods for reducing stress and boosting mood is to spend more time in nature. Whether that be in a forest, park, or garden, a growing body of evidence suggests that engaging with nature provides a host of mental health and well-being benefits, including mitigation of anxiety and depression, improved sleep quality, increased happiness, and improved concentration. The effects are so well documented that health care facilities now often incorporate green spaces and gardens into their designs, and some doctors are even prescribing walks in the park to patients alongside conventional treatments. Nature-based therapy has…