The Life You Want Is Already Designed Around You
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

The Life You Want Is Already Designed Around You

We spend a lot of time chasing the life we want. We read self-help books, plot out goals in color-coded planners, scroll social media for inspiration, and convince ourselves that the solution to feeling fulfilled is somewhere else, somewhere bigger, somewhere better. But what if the tools for the life you dream of are…

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Lessons from Nature’s Design Lab
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

Lessons from Nature’s Design Lab

Nature operates as a living design laboratory, one that has refined its methods through time, relationship, and response. Every organism, ecosystem, and process reflects accumulated learning shaped by conditions and interaction. When observed closely, nature offers lessons that apply directly to how humans design systems, care for health, cultivate creativity, pursue innovation, and support wellness. These lessons do not appear as…

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The Missing Ingredient in Modern Wellness
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

The Missing Ingredient in Modern Wellness

Wellness culture surrounds us everywhere, from glowing apps that track our every breath to podcasts promising the perfect morning routine to meticulously curated supplements to social feeds full of optimized bodies and schedules. And yet, even as we follow these rules, track these metrics, and chase the next “hack,” many of us still feel…

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Why Doing Nothing Can Be a Creative Prescription
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

Why Doing Nothing Can Be a Creative Prescription

In a culture that prizes hustle and constant productivity, the idea of doing nothing can feel uncomfortable or even wasteful. Yet stepping away from tasks, obligations, and screens is one of the most powerful ways to restore focus, spark creativity, and allow the nervous system to reset. Doing nothing is not laziness. It is a deliberate act that…

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Designing Spaces that Boost Recovery and Creativity
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

Designing Spaces that Boost Recovery and Creativity

We often underestimate how much our environment shapes our mind. The colors on the walls, the flow of a room, and the textures under our fingers all quietly influence focus, creativity, mood, and even the nervous system’s ability to recover. Thoughtful design is not just about aesthetics. It can be a tool for…

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How Play and Design Can Reset Your Nervous System
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

How Play and Design Can Reset Your Nervous System

You probably think of play as something kids do on playgrounds, and design as something architects or artists obsess over. But your brain doesn’t care about labels. Engaging in playful activity or interacting with thoughtfully designed spaces can calm your nervous system, spark creativity, and even help your mind recover from stress. When we play…

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Why Your Mind Heals Faster Away from Home
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

Why Your Mind Heals Faster Away from Home

We all know the feeling: stepping into a new city, hiking in a forest, or traveling to a quiet retreat seems to instantly refresh your mind. This isn’t just a psychological illusion. Travel and time away from familiar surroundings can actively support brain health, emotional regulation, and overall recovery. Being in a different environment gives your mind…

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Forget Coffee, Your Brain Craves This Instead
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

Forget Coffee, Your Brain Craves This Instead

From iced lattes to cold brews to espresso shots, for many of us, there’s nothing like that first sip of coffee in the morning to get the day started. A quick caffeine boost seems like the easiest way to sharpen focus, fight fatigue, or power through stress. But what if the thing our brains really crave is…

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Why We Should Let Questions Lead the Way
Dr. Caresse Spencer Dr. Caresse Spencer

Why We Should Let Questions Lead the Way

We are surrounded by solutions, yet life often feels unnecessarily complicated. Every day, we interact with apps, devices, systems, and policies that are supposed to make things easier, but signing up for a service can take longer than we expect, a health recommendation can feel confusing, and even simple daily tasks can feel frustratingly difficult. The tools exist, and the brains are in place, but something is missing. That something is…

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