Dad's comb was jade green. I heard he bought it when he married Mum, which made the comb two years older than I was. Every night, he would smile, hand me the comb and say, "Be a good girl and help Daddy clean it, OK?"

I was more than happy to do it. At age five this mundane task brought me such joy. I would excitedly turn the tap on, then brush the comb with a used toothbrush as hard as I could. Satisfied that I'd done a good job, I would proudly return the comb to Dad. He would smile at me and place the comb on top of his wallet.

About two years later, Dad left his sales job and started his own wholesale business. I started primary school. That was when things started to change. He didn't come home as much as he used to – just a couple of times a week. And when he did come home, it was always late and I'd already be in bed. I started to get mad. I stopped waiting for him to come home, and stopped going downstairs to check on him.

Today, I'm no longer a kid. I've graduated from college and got a job. Dad's business has got back on track. Things are better now. Yet the uncomfortable silence between Dad and me persisted.

Two days before my birthday last year, Dad came home early. As usual, I helped him carry his bags into his study. When I turned to leave, he said, "Hey, would you like to help me clean my comb?" I looked at him a while, then took the comb and headed to the sink.

I passed the clean comb back to Dad. He looked at it and smiled. But this time, I noticed something different. My dad has aged. He has wrinkles next to his eyes when he smiles, yet his smile is still as heartwarming as before. The smile of a father who just wants a good life for his family. Dad carefully placed his comb on top of his wallet.

After so many years, he still organizes his personal items in the same meticulous way. I guess some things never change. And for that, I'm glad.

In a TikTok video that has now collected nearly half a million views, the influence r Mady Maio describes taking a walk. But not just any walk: a silent one. For her, the 30-minute stroll was inspiring. She was resistant at first. "My anxiety could never disappear," she said in the video. Ms. Maio described the first two minutes as mental "mayhem"（一团乱麻）that eventually gave way to a "flow state". Her brain fog lifted. Ideas started popping into her head because she was "giving them space to enter".

And a 2020 study in The Journal of Environmental Psychology found that a 30-minute walk in an urban park reduced the amount of time that people dwelled on negative thoughts. Walking has also been shown to improve creativity and help fend off depression.

But for some people, the idea of a silent walk might seem painful. One 2014 study found that, if left with no other option, people would shock themselves rather than sit alone with their thoughts. "Most people seem to prefer to be doing something rather than nothing, even if that something is negative," the study authors wrote.

Walking, however, can make it more pleasant to spend time with ourselves, experts say. Erin C. Westgate, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Florida in Gainesville who studies boredom, found in her research that being in transit, which included walking or riding public transportation, was one of the times when people most often reported having enjoyable thoughts.

If the idea of daydreaming seems luxurious, it may be because our attention spans have shrinked over the last two decades. Back in 2004, however, Dr. Mark found that people could spend an average of two and a half minutes on email before turning to another work task. "Continually flipping our attention from one task to another is draining," Dr. Mark said.

But a silent walk can help replenish our "tank" so that we have a greater reserve of mental energy, she added. In other words, disconnecting for a while can actually help us perform better. In a future-oriented society we need opportunities to be satisfied with the here and now, Dr. Levy said, and drop the pressure to be productive. "There is great beauty and aliveness in the world outside of whatever it is we're doing on our devices." Dr. Levy said.

Aruba is one of the most well-known Caribbean destinations for tourists around the world. You're probably wondering what to include while you're there.

What to wear?

The main reason why you're heading there is to relax on the country's fresh beaches and enjoy yourself in warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. During most of the day, you'll likely be wearing your swimsuit. When you've finished at the beach or pool area, it is advisable to bring along a shirt or cover as well as shorts to wear.

It is not recommended to wear beach clothes when you go out for dimmer — regardless of the time of day. Shorts and T-shirts are enough in many restaurants, although more formal clothes are advised for the fanciest eating restaurants.

What else to bring?

The Caribbean sun is very strong and if you're planning on spending lots of time in the sun, there are several precautions you must take. Include suncream, sunglasses, a wide hat, a couple of bathing suits as well as a beach bag and a cooler in your luggage.

What not to bring?

While drinking water is questionable or not safe in many Caribbean nations, Aruba is an exception. Aruba is known for having the cleanest water in the world. There is no need to bring water, so simply bring along an empty bottle.

Several items are not allowed in Aruba for carrying. Those include firearms, e-cigarettes as well as sharp objects and tools.