- This post originally appeared in the BI Today newsletter.
- You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here.
Welcome back! Were you one of the thousands who flocked to the US Open? We were there too and spotted some of the best style status symbols. Find out which ones.
On the agenda:
- How golf can help you live longer, according to a 77-year-old who's been playing for decades.
- He knew Greenland's melting ice better than anyone. Then he disappeared into it.
- Forget self-help. To succeed in business, you should be reading fiction.
- This underrated European city is winning some Americans over. They shared with BI why.
But first: It's back-to-school time.
If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Business Insider's app here.
This week's dispatch
Recess is over, guys
Recess is over, guys
Do you feel that? Yes, it's a little chill in the air on these final summer mornings. Honestly, I love it — in fact, fall is my favorite time of the year.
And while many children are headed back to school, professionals can also use this season's change to refocus after a summer of sun.
Perhaps you're ready to check off your ever-growing to-do list, or clean out your garage just in time for Santa's return. Whatever you want to focus on, there are some tips to help you get there.
Dr. Kien Vuu, a triple-board-certified physician who focuses on performance and longevity, told Business Insider how he gets focused for the day. Two words: Get moving.
Vuu does a "quick routine based on qigong, a practice of gentle, mindful exercise that originates in traditional Chinese medicine," Business Insider's Gabby Landsverk reports. "Evidence suggests that short periods of exercise, particularly movements that raise your heart rate, can improve focus and help stave off the negative health effects of being sedentary."
Another tip to help increase focus, Vuu said, is intentional breathwork. While there are many different breathing exercises to try, here's the simplest: "Inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold for seven seconds, and exhale for eight seconds," Landsverk says.
Good luck with whatever you set your mind to.
Hitting the links for longevity
For CEO Joe Bronson, 77, golfing is more than just a hobby. It's a key part of his longevity routine. The sport provides an accessible, low-impact way to exercise. Bronson said he's been able to keep up with it despite a recent hip replacement surgery.
The skills required for golf — like risk management, good etiquette, and quick decision-making — also translate well to the business world, Bronson said. Plus, the sport is all about social connections, which is strongly linked to a longer, healthier life.
Greenland's missing scientist
Konrad "Koni" Steffen dedicated his life to studying climate change on the Greenland ice sheet. He operated out of Swiss Camp, a research base where he educated guests about the present and future dangers of the melting ice sheet.
No one knew more about the ice than Koni — which is why, five years after he disappeared, his colleagues still puzzle over what happened. BI assembled the most detailed account to date of that day, the ensuing search effort, and its aftermath.
The fiction factor
The vast majority of books recommended to those who want to succeed are nonfiction. In the age of efficiency, it's no surprise people gravitate toward results-minded self-help reads.
However, business leaders are missing out when they eschew fiction — especially men. Many business books have similar ideas and are written by similar people, while fiction teaches people to think creatively and understand nuance.
"It's like leg day for your soul."
Europe's hidden gem
American tourists are flocking to Albania — and some love it so much they're moving there. The country, located across the Adriatic Sea from Italy, is rebranding after decades of isolation under communism and economic upheaval.
Three Americans who moved to Tirana, Albania's capital, shared with BI the pros and cons of living there. Its stunning beaches and affordable cost of living are big draws, but one expat said the language barrier can be tough.
Why Americans love the Mediterranean country.
What we're watching this weekend
- "Lilo & Stitch": Over on Disney+, you can now watch the live-action remake of this Disney classic.
- "Task": This HBO Max miniseries stars Mark Ruffalo as an FBI agent heading a task force assigned to take down those involved in a string of violent robberies.
- "The Paper": On Peacock, check out "The Office" spinoff set at an Ohio newspaper starring Domhnall Gleeson as its editor-in-chief.
What to shop
- Laptops that major in multitasking: College is chaotic — your laptop shouldn't be. We found the best ones that can handle note-taking, Netflix, and everything in between without crashing mid-study session.
- A cut above meat delivery: We explored a variety of meat delivery services to find out which ones offer the best mix of quality, convenience, and value. Whether you're stocking up on everyday essentials or looking to splurge on something special, a few services rose above the rest.
- Sling vs. ESPN showdown: Two popular ways to stream ESPN are going head-to-head — one offers all ESPN channels directly, the other bundles them with live TV. If you're mostly here for sports, one option might save you a bit more.
More of this week's top reads:
- Spike Lee is playing favorites.
- Friday weddings used to feel inconvenient and selfish. Now, my family swears by them.
- Giorgio Armani worked into his 90s. Here's his daily routine and secret to longevity.
- Adam Collard from "Love Island" lost fat and got swole 11 years ago. Three things helped him build muscle.
- Three foods a gut health dietitian following an anti-inflammatory diet eats weekly.
- My 10-year-old was craving independence so I got him a landline. He's already organizing his own playdates.
- Dolly Parton is a Taco Bell superfan. She told us her usual order, and we obviously had to try it.
- I stayed at a 99-year-old hotel in Montauk for $490. It hasn't lost any of its 1920s charm.
- I've lived and worked abroad for 20 years. One city stood out as the best — and easiest — place to work.
The BI Today team: Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. Akin Oyedele, deputy editor, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, associate editor, in New York.
