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New York Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- New York Post
Many are turning to AI to escape from repetitive tasks in the workplace, new study reveals
American workers' productivity peaks at 11 a.m. on Mondays, according to new research. The survey of 2,000 knowledge workers revealed when respondents are most productive — and when they're least productive, which was found to be Fridays at 12:06 p.m. Advertisement While most workers (56%) are 'very productive' throughout the average workday, respondents admitted they have an average of 53 tasks per week that ruin their productive momentum. 6 The survey of 2,000 knowledge workers revealed when respondents are most productive — and when they're least productive. – This leads to over three and a half hours of 'lost productivity' per week. Commissioned by Grammarly and conducted by Talker Research, the survey examined what tasks are impacting Americans' productivity and how AI may be a solution for some. Advertisement Forty-four percent of workers surveyed said they 'hate' the repetitive aspects of their job. 6 Respondents admitted they have an average of 53 tasks per week that ruin their productive momentum. SWNS Younger respondents were more likely to agree — 57% of Gen Z workers dislike the mundane aspects, compared to 42% of Gen X. Perhaps because of this, 62% of respondents said there are tasks they'd like to use AI for within their job. Advertisement When asked what they'd find beneficial with an AI tool, employees highlighted having a tool that's easy to use (49%) and can help draft emails for them (35%), as well as something that's easy to prompt (35%). They'd also like a tool that can help with their repetitive tasks, with about a third of respondents wanting to use AI to sort data in a spreadsheet (34%) or draft notes in a meeting (33%). 6 62% of respondents said there are tasks they'd like to use AI for within their job. SWNS That's in addition to a tool that can take on simple workflows autonomously (31%) and integrates well with existing tools workers use (31%). 'We're seeing professionals turn to AI to automate repetitive tasks through intuitive, user-friendly tools that fit naturally into their existing workflows,' said Heather Breslow, Head of UX and Marketing Research at Grammarly. 'By minimizing the tedious tasks that get in the way of true productivity, AI users have time to focus on more meaningful work that requires their judgment, creativity and care.' Advertisement 6 Forty-four percent of workers surveyed said they 'hate' the repetitive aspects of their job. SWNS Despite workers already using AI, less than half of respondents' companies have a clear AI policy (38%). Still, 50% wish their workplace was more willing to embrace AI tools, with Gen Z the most likely to agree (67% vs. 59% of millennials and 45% of Gen X). This is likely because respondents see AI as an opportunity for their career to grow (64%) rather than a threat (16%). Results revealed 76% believe AI will be an essential part of corporate jobs in the future — and the future isn't that far away. 6 Despite workers already using AI, less than half of respondents' companies have a clear AI policy (38%). SWNS These respondents said, on average, it would only be three and a half years before AI becomes essential to corporate roles. 'Workers are eager to leverage AI for professional growth, and they look to their workplaces for clear guidance on maximizing its potential,' said Breslow. 'For organizations to stay competitive in a landscape where everyone is harnessing AI, they must actively invest in helping their people use it well by upskilling workers through learning and development programs. Companies can create a culture of AI super users by comprehensively training workers and integrating AI tools into workflows, equipping teams with the skills needed to succeed in an evolving landscape.' WHAT WOULD RESPONDENTS FIND MOST BENEFICIAL IN AN AI TOOL? Advertisement 6 These respondents said, on average, it would only be three and a half years before AI becomes essential to corporate roles. SWNS Easy to use — 49% Can draft an email for me — 35% Easy to prompt — 35% Can sort data in a spreadsheet — 34% Can draft notes in a meeting — 33% Can take on simple workflows autonomously for me — 31% Integrates well with the existing tools I use — 31% Can attend a meeting for me — 17% No prompting required — 10% Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American knowledge workers; the survey was commissioned by Grammarly and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 13–19, 2025.
New York Post
10-06-2025
- General
- New York Post
2025 Full Strawberry Moon in Sagittarius: A low-hanging moon and some hard-hitting truths
Arrows up, tops off, folks, the full Strawberry Moon will rise and shine on Wednesday, June 11 at 3:44 A.M EST, peaking at 20 degrees of Sagittarius. When is the Full Moon in June 2025 Peak lunar peeping will be moonrise on Tuesday evening, around 8:30 PM for New Yorkers. On account of this year's Major Lunar Standstill and our proximity to the summer solstice, the Strawberry Moon will be the lowest-riding moon we've seen in decades. Full moons are always synonymous with release and of things, both literal and figurative, being brought to light. But, in the truth venerating sign of Sagittarius, this baring and bringing is amplified, so brace yourself for the shocking and the shattering, my dudes. Full Moon June 2025 zodiac 6 As the embodiment of 'shoot your shot' ethos, the Sag moon asks us why we doubt our capacity to have everything we want. – Also, upon the altar of honesty, the Sag moon asks us to uphold the slow knowing of wisdom over unverified, albeit dopamine-massaging, hogwash. Where will the flaming arrows of righteousness strike you? Look to the house in your birth chart ruled by Sagittarius. Remember, folks, Sag is ruled by luck-doling, world-expanding, pocket-lining, optimism as opium Jupiter, meaning if you are open to receiving truth, no matter how rocking, it will ultimately aid and abet a necessary perspective shift or path switch. Further, when the full moon comes around this week, Jupiter will have just set up shop in Cancer, the sign of its exaltation, and a sign ruled by the moon. Meaning? This moon legitimately rules over itself and in that sacred sovereignty illuminates that we too are best suited to express and receive when we stay true, live free, and stand apart with curious compassion instead of furious judgment. Full Strawberry Moon 2025 6 During the full moon, we'll still be in the waning throes of Venus square Pluto. ILYA AKINSHIN – Symbolized by the centaur, Sagittarius represents the push and pull between animal need and divine aspiration. As the embodiment of 'shoot your shot' ethos, the Sag moon asks us why we doubt our capacity to have everything we want, and quite frankly, what the hell we're afraid of/waiting for. Sag is also the bugle call of the wild, pushing us to run barefoot through the forest — that low, irrefutable octave evoking our lustful and free-wheeling nature, begging us to let the good times roll. During the full moon, we'll still be in the waning throes of Venus square Pluto, where issues of self-worth and possessiveness, obsession and undermining, coercion and manipulation are being unearthed. What about yourself, do you still struggle to love, what are you excluding that's asking to be integrated? Where are you holding on for dear life, and how is that death grip draining you of your life force? Pluto is no picnic, yet the energy here is lost for the goal of greater growth. He taketh away so he can giveth back anew, and any relationships that are undone during this lunation were ultimately binding us to a past we have outgrown and a love we have outrun. Sag is also the bugle call of the wild, pushing us to run barefoot through the forest — that low, irrefutable octave evoking our lustful and free-wheeling nature, begging us to let the good times roll. We're definitely poised to hear some thunder roll and some truth spoken, but trust that whatever is spilled will, like blood, s–t, and ashes to soil, feed our personal growth and the transformational cycle of others. Keep your wits about you, my babies, and while you're shooting your shot, try not to shoot off at the mouth as warlord Mars in Leo squaring off against wild-out Uranus in Taurus, a rebellious aspect that engenders disruption, outbursts, and dramatic upheaval. Full Moon June 2025 6 Grand trines create synergy between planetary energies, and in fire signs, this synergy supports willpower and actionable vision. katyabogina – Further, this Full Moon plays host to a grand trine of fire (band name) as the Moon in Sagittarius will trine Mars in Leo and Chiron in Aries. Grand trines create synergy between planetary energies, and in fire signs, this synergy supports willpower and actionable vision. Mars says fear nothing, the Sag moon says all things are possible, and Chiron says your pain is your power source. In turn, this moon asks us to speak true, walk tall and cross the threshold from victim to wisened, rewilded survivor. June's Full Moon 6 Rabble rousing, nature-loving Sag moon Rachel Carson. Getty Images The full moon occurs when the moon is directly opposite the sun in its orbit around Earth, highlighting a zodiac polarity. This go-round, we have the sun in 'chaos as cardio, conversation as sacrament' Gemini opposing the moon in the 'may the road go on forever and the party never end' sign of Sagittarius. What unites these signs more than a love of nitrous balloons, s–t talking, and mischief is an allegiance to wonder/wander. Marine biologist, writer, and conservationist Rachel Carson, herself a Gemini sun and Sagittarius moon, embodies the open, outspoken nature of this axis. In her seminal book 'Silent Spring,' she writes, 'One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, 'What if I had never seen this before? What if I knew I would never see it again?' In honor of seeking and seeing, I hope you'll adopt a similar attitude of fleeting, feral rapture. Strawberry Moon Meaning 6 Because this full moon is taking place in a mutable sign, those with personal placements in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces will feel its effects most acutely. Елена Сорокина – In a shocking affront to whimsy, the Strawberry Moon is not named for the moon's color but for the season of fruition to which it lends its light. According to the Farmer's Almanac, the full moon in June was known by the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, Lakota, Chippewa, Oneida, and Sioux tribes as the Strawberry Moon, as the first flush of summer coincides with the wild and widespread ripening of the fruit. Apropos of Gemini and Sagittarius being the zodiac's most shameless flirts, the Arapaho of the Great Plains call this moon the 'Moon When the Buffalo Bellows', a reference to the mating calls of those mythic creatures. Similarly, the Inupiat and Tlingit peoples of Alaska call June's moon the Moon of Birthing, as many a mammal coughs out their offspring this time of year to give their young a fighting chance at survival before the onset of winter. Full Strawberry Moon 2025 6 Apropos of Gemini and Sagittarius being the zodiac's most shameless flirts, the Arapaho of the Great Plains call this moon the 'Moon When the Buffalo Bellows' Ben – Neo-pagan religions call June's full moon the Planting Moon, and in Europe, it's known as the Rose Moon, as it's the time of year when the favored flower of poets and guilty parties blooms best. In many places and many tongues, this moon is a symbol of fruition and vitality, hope and abandon/abundance. Because this full moon is taking place in a mutable sign, those with personal placements in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces will feel its effects most acutely. When is the next Full Moon? The next Full Moon is the Full Buck Moon in Capricorn rising on Thursday, July 10 at 4:37 PM. Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
New York Post
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
When Venus enters Taurus this week, these 3 signs should trust in lust
On Friday, June 6, Venus, our planet of attraction, attachment and aesthetics, is trading the flaming codpiece of Aries for the brocade bathrobe of Taurus. Venus will loll around in these pleasured pastures until July 4. Named for the Roman goddess of love and fertility, Venus is the fine, divine feminine counterpart to aggro jockstrap warlord Mars. According to myth, Venus was born from sea foam and the severed member of Uranus, emerging fully formed and boobs busting out in a scallop shell — with pleasure as her governing principle. Venus in Taurus 2025 6 On June 6, Venus, our planet of attraction, attachment and aesthetics, is trading the flaming codpiece of Aries for the brocade bathrobe of Taurus. – As the planetary ruler of Taurus, this transit is Venus coming home and basking in the typical and the tactile. Here in the herd, the planet of love is rapturously incarnated. Earth is luscious, movement is languid, the body is an altar — and in lust we trust. Those born with Venus in Taurus are natural-born hedonists. The inclination here is to revel in the pleasures of the animal body; consuming and consumating are the orders of the day. If Venus in Taurus were a fabric, it would be velvet. Meaning of Venus in Taurus 6 Named for the goddess of love, Venus colors attraction and attachment, assets and aesthetics. wowinside – If Venus in Taurus were a sexual position, it would be 69, because everyone gets to feel good while lying down. Venus in Taurus wants the delicious and the dependable, something or someone steadfast, cash, and/or a fairy tale ending. In turn, this transit makes us hungry for the stable and the sensual: a devoted lover, a piece of fruit ripe and warm from the vine, a fistful of wildflowers, a lavish meal, an unhurried afternoon. For the video embodiment of Venus in Taurus, see the recording of 'Rich Girl,' performed by Hall and Oates circa 1977. In terms of aesthetics, Venus in Taurus is tactile luxury, statuary-inspired silhouettes, and a general invocation of a Renaissance painting. For evidence, see Venus in Taurus natives Lana Del Rey, Princess Diana, Deborah Harry and Megan Fox. The great lesson of Taurus is that pleasure cannot exist without presence. In the ugly, capitalist, 'more' motivated world in which we live and toil, pleasure is often cheapened to a quick thrill and disappearing dopamine; in other words, fast food and a swipe right. In velvet revolt, Venus in Taurus refuses to rush what feels good, as it's not waiting for what's next or distracted by what's been — it's hungry for right now and exactly what it already has. 6 Venus in Taurus calls to mind the image of the horned Egyptian goddess Hathor, the patron saint of fertility, joy, dancing, drunkenness and, above all, gratitude for what gratifies. Kristina – The underbelly of the Venusian bull is indulgence that begets inertia and desire that becomes polluted by possessiveness. We cross this threshold when we move from wanting to hold to needing to own. Venus in Taurus calls to mind the image of the horned Egyptian goddess Hathor, patron saint of fertility, joy, dancing, drunkenness, and above all, gratitude for what gratifies. With this in mind, we are all called to not only take what we need but to honor the source of its delivery, be it the body of another or the earth itself. While we'll all be under the influence of this decadent transit, three signs will feel the effects most acutely. Read for your sun and rising sign. 6 Knstart Studio – Venus has come home to your first of the self, Taurus. A wise friend shared with me her philosophy that, as humans, we are meant to consciously create, not unconsciously consume, and when we lean into the latter, we are not only starved of the meat of what matters, but destined for depression. As an embodied earth sign, a child of Venus, and ruler of the second house of values and valuables, this transit is here to remind you that the process of making is endlessly more nourishing than the state of having. 6 Knstart Studio – You love hard and hold tight, Scorpio, preferring suffering to severance. Yet, Venus in Taurus asks you to imagine that relationships can and should be a joyful pursuit, that devotion is not measured in sacrifices made but pleasure exchanged. In this sense, every disaster that has befallen you, every fissure in your delicate heart, has brought you to the brink of right now and the knowledge that love is not a thing to hold or be held down by, but a constant resource for renewal. 6 Knstart Studio – Ahoy, Sagittarius! In his poem 'The Body,' Charles Simic writes of the body as if it were a shore to be explored: This last continent Still to be discovered. My hand is dreaming, is building Its ship. For crew it takes A pack of bones, for food A beer-bottle full of blood. It knows the breath that blows north. With the breath from the west It will sail east each night. The scent of your body as it sleeps Are the land-birds sighted at sea. My touch is on the highest mast. It cries at four in the morning For a lantern to be lit On the rim of the world. As Venus in Taurus turns the lovelight on your sixth house of ritual, self-care and the body, I implore you to think of the latter, and the other, as a continent unto itself and devote yourself with a poet's ardor to your own edges. Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
New York Post
21-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
This free and easy hack can help you be happier — it's not exercise
Everyone knows exercising is a mood-booster, but not only is it hard — it can also be expensive. Which is why it's great that fresh research out of the UK suggests there's a simple (and free!) way to give yourself an attitude adjustment — but there's a bit of a catch. Fresh research out of the UK suggests there's a simple (and free!) way to give yourself a attitude adjustment — but there's a bit of a catch. JenkoAtaman – The study — published Tuesday in the journal PLOS One — suggests that so-called 'positive expressive writing' can seriously lift your spirits. Rather than venting all of your frustrations, positive expressive writing focuses on gratitude, self-reflection and a vision of a sunny future for yourself. That's a big shift from the early days of therapeutic writing, in which participants were encouraged to endlessly rehash trauma and stress — a method the study authors say may pay off in the end, but risks digging you further down a black hole of despair in the moment. The upbeat version, by contrast, skips the tears and gets right to the feel-good stuff. Having analyzed 51 studies spanning from 1930 to 2023, however, the researchers admit positive expressive writing wasn't a slam dunk for everyone. Some folks flourished — others didn't budge. Why the mixed bag? It could come down to the way the writing sessions were run — or to the personalities putting pen to paper. Researchers say more standardized protocols and closer attention to individual differences are needed before journaling can be billed as a universal fix. That being said — these findings do align with an increasing amount of research that shows maintaining a positive outlook on life and practicing gratitude are some of the easiest happiness hacks. A new study suggests that so-called 'positive expressive writing' can seriously lift your spirits. – 'Gratitude is mentioned in almost every conversation of happiness and with good reason — it is an emotional trump card,' mindset and meditation expert Joanna Rajendran previously told The Post. She recommends starting small. 'While things like your health, your home, and your family all may be accurate answers, if said so generally or so often, they will no longer have the same emotional impact,' she said. 'Instead, look around where you are right this moment and start with the simple pleasures and begin to list them.' Experts also often list journaling in general as a great way to reduce everyday stress, as well as 'anxiety detox' before bed. In one oft-quoted study, people who spent just 15 minutes per day journaling felt significantly less anxiety, depression and overall distress. So next time you're feeling down — remember that the pen just might be mightier than the Prozac.
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Health
- New York Post
Attention spans are dropping, research shows: Here's how to help keep focused
Feel like you can't focus? Like you'll never finish a book again? Like the only way to keep your mind and hands busy is to scroll on social media for hours? You're far from alone. One body of decades-long research found the average person's attention span for a single screen is 47 seconds, down from 2.5 minutes in 2004. Advertisement 4 Decades-long research indicates how the average attention span for a single screen is 47 seconds, down from 2.5 minutes in 2004. – The 24/7 news cycle, uncertainty about the state of the world and countless hours of screen time don't help, experts say. 'When my patients talk to me about this stuff there is often a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness,' said Dr. Michael Ziffra, a psychiatrist at Northwestern Medicine. 'But you can change these behaviors. You can improve your attention span.' Here are ways to start that process. Advertisement As you read, challenge yourself to set a 2.5 minute timer and stay on this article without looking at another device or clicking away. How did we lose focus? A shifting attention is an evolutionary feature, not a bug. Our brains are hardwired to quickly filter information and hone in on potential threats or changes in what's happening around us. What's grabbing our attentions has changed. For our ancestors, it might have been a rustle in the bushes putting us on guard for a lurking tiger. Today, it could be a rash of breaking news alerts and phone notifications. Advertisement 4 According to clinical psychologist Stacey Nye, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted people's sense of time, increasing screentime. zvkate – The COVID-19 pandemic warped many people's sense of time and increased their screen usage like never before, said Stacey Nye, a clinical psychologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Technology isn't the only thing that influences our attention, experts say, but the effects of those pinging notifications or hours scrolling through 30-second long videos can build up over time. 'Our attention span has really been trained to only focus in those little, small blips and it interrupts our natural focus cycles,' she said. Give your wandering mind 'active breaks' Advertisement Experts say 'active' breaks are among the best way to retrain your mind and your attention. They only take about 30 minutes, Nye said, and can be as simple as taking a walk while noticing things around you or moving to another room for lunch. Don't be afraid to get creative. Develop a list of alternative activities or randomly choose ideas out of a fish bowl. Try craft projects, a short meditation, fixing a quick meal or talking a walk outside. All the better if you can involve a friend as well. The break needs to be a physical or mental activity — no passive phone-scrolling. When the brain is understimulated and looking for change, it'll usually grab onto the first thing it sees. The smartphone, an 'ever-producing change machine,' is an enticing option, said Cindy Lustig, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Michigan. 4 Taking breaks can help refocus your attention. dikushin – Turn off unnecessary notifications and put that 'do not disturb' mode to good use, especially before bedtime. Better yet, put your phone in a whole different room, Lustig said. Say no to multitasking Multitasking may make you feel like you're getting more done, but brain experts recommend against it. Advertisement 'Be a single tasker,' Nye said. 'Work on one thing at a time, for a specified period of time and begin to work your way up.' Lustig is a big fan of the 'Pomodoro technique,' in which you set a timer and work on something for 25 or 30 minutes before taking a five-minute break. 4 Experts advise focusing on one responsibility rather than multitasking. Kalim – She tells herself: 'I can do anything for this amount of time,' and the world will still be waiting for her at the end. Start with something you actually like and set a goal Advertisement It's not enough to just have a hobby, Lustig said. It helps to choose hobbies that include deliberate practice and a goal to strive toward, whether it's playing guitar for an audience or improving in a sport. It helps to pick something that you enjoy as well. 'You don't want to start with the heavy nonfiction or like 'War and Peace,'' Lustig said. 'If you need to start with the romance novel, then start with the romance novel. You can work your way up.' Advertisement It's also important to be kind to yourself. Everyone has good and bad days, and attention needs are different — and even vary from task to task. The key is to make an intentional effort, experts say. 'It is in many ways similar to a muscle in the sense that we can build it up with practice and exercises,' Ziffra said. 'Conversely, it can weaken if we're not exercising it.'
