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Yasmin El-Sayed

Wellness & Culture Writer

Yasmin El-Sayed is a Wellness & Culture Writer for The Cultural Review. Prior to joining the publication, she contributed to 'Mindful Living Today,' where her column, 'Culture of Calm,' gained considerable recognition for its nuanced exploration of mindfulness practices within diverse cultural settings. Yasmin holds a Master's degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Chicago and has presented her research on the intersection of art and mental health at international conferences. Her unique perspective bridges the gap between traditional wellness approaches and the ever-evolving cultural landscape, offering readers insightful and practical guidance for cultivating a balanced and fulfilling life.

Expertise

Wellness TrendsCultural AnthropologyMindfulness PracticesArt TherapyLifestyle DesignMental Health AdvocacySocial TrendsEastern Philosophy

Coverage Areas

Wellness
Trends
Cultural Impact on Wellbeing
Mindfulness in Art

Latest Articles

Children engaged in nature-based art therapy, using natural materials to create art in a forest, fostering creativity and connection to the environment.
Wellness

What is Nature-Based Art Therapy and Its Mental Well-being Benefits?

At a week-long, forest school-inspired, art-based environmental education camp, 20 children aged 8–10 in the U.

May 14, 2026 · 4 min read

The exterior of a performing arts venue in San Diego, with a few silhouetted figures standing before it, conveying the impact of significant budget cuts on the city's arts scene.
Culture

San Diego arts groups face $11.8M cut in Mayor's budget

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's latest budget revision restores critical library and recreation center hours in underserved communities, yet leaves a nearly $12 million chasm in arts and culture funding

May 14, 2026 · 3 min read

A massive landfill filled with discarded clothes, with a distant market scene in the background, highlighting the global textile waste crisis.
Trends

Re-commerce Boom: Economic Impact and Persistent Textile Waste

In Ghana's bustling Kantamanto Market, a staggering 86.

May 13, 2026 · 4 min read

Stylish attendees at Australian Fashion Week 2026 display a mix of bold street style, designer ensembles, and vintage accessories.
Fashion

Australian Fashion Week 2026 Showcases Bold Street Style Trends

Outside the Beare Park show on May 11, 2026, Violet Grace Atkinson paired a Beare Park ensemble with a vintage Gucci bag.

May 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Person finding peace and reduced stress by mindfully observing a piece of art in a quiet, sunlit gallery.
Wellness

What is Slow Art Mindfulness for Mental Well-being in 2026?

In 13 out of 14 studies, people reported less stress simply by looking at art, a finding that offers a compelling, yet often overlooked, path to improved mental well-being in a fast-paced world.

May 12, 2026 · 3 min read

Person peacefully creating art, demonstrating the calming and stress-reducing effects of mindful art creation.
Wellness

What are the psychological benefits of mindful art creation?

Individuals who dedicate just 45 minutes daily to creative art are significantly more likely to experience reduced cortisol levels, according to Husson .

May 11, 2026 · 3 min read

A person walking on a peaceful forest path, deliberately leaving behind digital devices, symbolizing a move towards slow living.
Wellness

What are the slow living movement benefits and societal challenges?

In 2024, Americans spent over seven hours a day interacting with screens, a figure that underscores the pervasive digital immersion in modern life, according to ebsco .

May 11, 2026 · 5 min read

A university student enjoying a peaceful moment in a park, intentionally disconnected from their phone, reading a book.
Trends

Digital Detox Boosts Life Satisfaction, Studies Find

A nine-week digital detox experiment involving over 400 university students revealed significant decreases in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness, according to Diario AS .

May 10, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse individuals participating in a supportive mental health group session, highlighting cultural sensitivity and community connection.
Wellness

Culturally Sensitive Approaches for Mental Well-being

In Ukraine, a study screened 4,500 children aged 8-13, revealing 40% exhibited above-threshold PTSD symptoms, according to Heal Ukraine Trauma .

May 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Futuristic cityscape with holographic displays of social interactions and identity symbols, representing the dynamic cultural trends of 2026.
Trends

Top 8 Emerging Cultural Trends Reshaping Social Interaction and Identity in 2026

In January 2026, Threads reached 141.

May 10, 2026 · 7 min read

A person meditating peacefully in a sun-dappled forest, experiencing the calming and restorative benefits of forest bathing.
Wellness

What Are Forest Bathing Benefits for Mental Well-being?

A recent UK study of nearly 20,000 people confirmed that spending just two hours a week in nature significantly improved their self-reported health and happiness.

May 10, 2026 · 4 min read

A person finding peace and mental clarity while immersed in a serene, sunlit forest environment, highlighting the healing power of nature.
Wellness

What Is Ecotherapy and Why Does It Matter for Mental Wellness?

A London-based project called Dose of Nature boasts a 64% recovery rate for mental health conditions, significantly outperforming the NHS's 50%, according to The Guardian .

May 8, 2026 · 3 min read

A person looking out at a stormy ocean, symbolizing the overwhelming feelings associated with eco-anxiety and climate change.
Wellness

What is eco-anxiety and its global mental health impact?

In Germany, over half the population, 55.

May 7, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse individuals in an art gallery, captivated by a vibrant abstract painting, experiencing wonder and contemplation.
Wellness

Top 10 Cultural and Psychological Benefits of Art Engagement

Levels of the stress hormone cortisol fell by an average of 22% among participants viewing original art, compared to only 8% viewing reproductions, according to The Guardian .

May 7, 2026 · 5 min read

Diverse crowd enjoying a vibrant AAPI cultural festival with colorful decorations and performances.
Culture

US Festivals and Centers Celebrate Vibrant AAPI Culture

Milwaukee held its first official Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration on Friday, May 1, according to Milwaukee Independent .

May 7, 2026 · 2 min read

A dramatic visual contrast between mountains of discarded fast fashion clothing and a single, sustainable garment, symbolizing the environmental crisis and the slow fashion solution.
Fashion

Fast Fashion's Environmental Impact and the Slow Fashion Solution

Global clothing consumption has surged by 400 percent in just two decades, according to David Suzuki , with people now buying 80 billion new garments annually.

May 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Person practicing digital minimalism, calmly holding a smartphone in a serene, sunlit room, demonstrating intentional tech use.
Wellness

What Are Digital Minimalism Strategies for Intentional Tech Use?

A study published in Nature found that notification-driven smartphone use directly correlates with decreased attentional control and higher stress levels.

May 6, 2026 · 3 min read

Diverse crowd enjoying a vibrant outdoor festival with music, food, and colorful decorations, celebrating American cultural heritage.
Culture

US communities celebrate heritage months and festivals nationwide

Lafayette's Festivals Acadiens et Créoles, a beacon of Bayou culture, is now partnering with the Smithsonian for a national project connecting 40 festivals across the U.

May 6, 2026 · 2 min read

A solitary individual engrossed in their smartphone, highlighting the mental health challenges of problematic technology use in the digital age.
Wellness

What is the digital wellness movement's impact on mental health?

The global prevalence of problematic smartphone use has reached 37.

May 6, 2026 · 5 min read

A young person meditating in a tranquil room filled with traditional Chinese medicine elements, symbolizing the peace and wisdom found in ancient practices.
Wellness

What Are the Cultural and Psychological Benefits of Traditional Wellness?

Young Americans are increasingly adopting Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, sometimes humorously referred to as 'Chinamaxxing' their wellness routines, a phenomenon widely reported by The Guardi

May 5, 2026 · 4 min read