Ah, December. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, it's a great time to cozy up with a good book, dig out our favorite winter clothes, and be as unproductive as possible as we plan for the new year. For those in the Southern Hemisphere, well… let's just say that it boggles my mind that it's almost summer there.
But, no matter where you are, December generally marks the end of the year and, with that, the desire to relax as the various holidays roll around. And it's for that reason that we decided that this month, we'd focus on one of our favorite topics – procrastination.
And what's a great way to procrastinate? Watching videos, particularly videos that teach you something. It's procrastination but with a purpose.
A while ago, I came across a list of TED Talks on Instagram that the poster claimed would "teach you more than a 4-year degree." While I had to roll my eyes at that title (because none of these videos will teach you how to conduct a SWOT analysis or create a lesson plan for students), I was curious to see what made these videos so great. So, without further ado, let's grab some popcorn and dig in.
*As a side note, I have removed some videos from the original list that are no longer available on the TED website.
Sleep is Your Superpower
Matt Walker, April 2019
"The shorter you sleep, the shorter your life." According to the title of Matt Walker's talk, sleep is our superpower. His presentation covers how sleep impacts our entire body, from physical health to mental capacity, including memory, reproductive organs, and even genetics.
A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit
Judson Brewer, 2015
Bad habits often feel easy to form but hard to break. Psychiatrist Judson Brewer discusses a deceptively simple tactic for breaking bad habits: being mindful while indulging your habit.
The Art of Choosing
Sheena Iyengar, 2010
We often like to think that we're making our choices autonomously; however, Sheena Iyengar, an expert on choice, discusses how our culture and upbringing often influence how we make choices and how we feel about them.
Got a Meeting? Take a Walk
Nilofer Merchant, 2013
"Sitting has become the smoking of our generation." Nilofer Merchant, a ranked influential management thinker, discusses how walking during meetings can improve our health and creativity.
What I Learned from Going Blind in Space
Chris Hatfield, 2014
"What's the scariest thing you've ever done?" Chris Hatfield, a retired astronaut, discusses how preparing for the worst helps you stay calm when something goes wrong and allows you to face your fears more easily.
Why Reading Matters
Rita Carter, 2018
Rita Carter, a writer specializing in the workings of the human brain, discusses how reading helps form and strengthen neural pathways in our brain. It is, in essence, a workout for our brain.
Power of Fitness
Vincent Lam, 2018
Vincent Lam, a fitness professional, discusses how fitness can impact our lives. It can help reduce the impact of physical diseases and improve our mental health.
Overall, I thought these talks were good. Some were better than others, and if I had to recommend two talks to you, I'd pick Got a Meeting? Take a Walk and Sleep is Your Superpower, though I also really enjoyed What I Learned from Going Blind in Space.
What did you think of these TED Talks? Are there any you would include on this list or consider a must-watch talk? Let us know in the comments!
Alexis Soard is an associate university librarian and oversees the library's systems and operations. She likes all things autumn and the smell of books.