Nature walks are good for you, but can a city stroll be just as good? Walking in nature has been shown to boost physical and mental health, improve cognitive performance, lower stress and restore attention. But researchers say there are also mental-health benefits to walking in urban areas. You just have to find the right path and pay attention to your surroundings. Walking through historic areas of cities can make people feel less stressed and more energized — some researchers say even more so than walking through a park. Or you could simply focus on natural elements during your city walk. Trees in particular seem to make people more relaxed — even if they're on the street.

Losing a pet often is the first time children encounter death. Psychologists and pet bereavement specialists say the experience can be an opportunity for profound emotional learning and influence how young people process grief as adults. They say parents and guardians can help children accept the painful permanence of death and guide them through a healthy and healing mourning process. Children as young as 4 may struggle to grasp the concept of death, while older children may need more emotional support. A child’s closeness to a pet and whether the death was sudden also can shape individual responses. Experts advise parents to avoid euphemisms and to share their own feelings of grief.