National Geographic Traveler

3 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Helen Bradshaw

In 2024, the Oxford University Press declared “brain rot” the word of the year. If Ohio is just a midwestern state to you and mewwing is something your cat does, you might not be as familiar with the term as those who have adopted the Gen Z and Alpha lexicons that popularized it. Still, you’ve probably encountered its effects. “Brain rot” describes the supposed mental decline resulting from too much time spent in the chasms of the digital world reserved for trivial content.

3 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Elizabeth Anne Brown |Simon Roberts

ON A SUMMER DAY in central London, a 44-year-old woman named Lucy Peel descended a slippery stairway on the bank of the River Thames to crouch on her hands and knees over a particularly intriguing pile of mud. It was low tide, and the waters of the river had receded substantially. Ignoring the obvious tangles of trash—plastic bags, vape pens, broken glass—Peel painstakingly scanned the exposed riverbed until she spotted something nestled in the sand that could easily be mistaken for a leaf.

3 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Daryl Austin

If you’ve ever been told to “take a deep breath” during a stressful moment, know that this advice isn’t merely a platitude—it’s backed by science. Research shows conscious breathing comes with a host of immediate and long-term benefits that include improved heart health, reduced anxiety, boosted mood, improved cognitive function, and better sleep quality.

3 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Ben Goldfarb

The East Troublesome fire erupted on October 21, 2020, whipped by strong winds and fueled by drought-parched forests. The fire roared through northern Colorado’s spruce and fir woods; it leaped roads and rivers and the Continental Divide, scaling mountain passes above tree line. It incinerated historic buildings in Rocky Mountain National Park and homes in Grand County, killing two people. Ultimately, it torched nearly 200,000 acres, making it the second largest fire in Colorado’s history.

4 days ago | nationalgeographic.com | Hannah Summers

This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Bangkok may have a reputation as one of the world’s biggest concrete jungles, but in between the neon-lit streets, rooftop bars and crowded markets there are some glorious pockets of calm. The city’s network of canals help create breathing space among the tuk-tuk packed neighbourhoods, and there’s a surprising amount of green space in the city’s environs — accessible by boat, bike or on foot. Here are eight of our favourite hideaways.