The Geeta classifies charity into three broad categories. The first is Satvik which is the giving of charity selflessly, respectfully, without expectation, and with faith in the cause. The second is Rajasic, expecting a return. The third is Tamasic, given to an ignoble, immoral, or undeserving person, with no faith, disrespecting or humiliating the receiver. What one gives and for what, also has three categories. Giving for books, students, teachers, helping the needy is Satvik. For such purposes the donation of money, medicines, physical sewa, love and compassion are Satvik. The giving of the above mentioned, expecting in return power, fame, money, or credit is termed Rajasic. When you give money, alcohol, or supply sensuous pleasures, give for gambling, violence, or ignoble acts to undeserving people, then it is Tamasic which takes the giver and taker both to great degradation. Use discretion in selecting the cause and the receiver of your charity. Patra is that which saves anything from falling, Patanaat trayate. So we have a patra for water, milk or food. Your wealth should be received by a socially beneficial Patra (deserving person). Who is giving, to whom, and why is of importance. Receiving impure wealth for charity can harm both, the giver and the taker immensely. Modern research states that food and water change their molecular patterns according to the mental vibrations of the giver. They affect ones mind and body in subtle ways. The giving away of your daughter, gold, cattle, house, blood, life, Brahma Vidya, and Abhaya daan are the highest sacrifices. If your attitude is Im giving you, then you are just discarding what you have already used. That becomes Tamasic. All wealth is His, He honours you by making you the giver. So give it with thanks to the Lord and the receiver. Prarthna Saran, President Chinmaya Mission Delhi. Email: prarthnasaran@gmail.com

Read more from the original source:
Givers and takers of charity - The Sunday Guardian Live - The Sunday Guardian

Im still trying to process the fact that some lunatic turned off our town's natural gas supply during Christmas week. Thats why its been absolutely riveting to soak in the latest impeachment hearings on TV and public radio and then go skiing as a means of digesting it all. The juxtaposition of the trial against our jagged skyline, snowy slopes and the waning days of the pandemic are stunning.

Our detachment or maybe its just mine from whats going on in our country right now is stark. It feels like Im wallowing in freedom right now, borderline criminally so. Im feeling almost emboldened enough to strut into Tulips waxing studio and surprise my wife with a new hairdo for Valentines Day.

Im also filled with a new sense of optimism. Im optimistic about the rest of our winter. Im optimistic about the local businesses and restaurants. Im optimistic about the health and well-being of our local front-line workers. Im optimistic about the rest of the school year for our local kids. Im optimistic about the FIS World Championship returning to Aspen. Im optimistic that the hardware store has already started displaying seeds to plant this spring. Im optimistic about our towns future. Im also thankful I have no idea whatsoever what GameStop stock or Bitcoin is.

I was recently reminded how important fresh snow is its crucial to business, our attitudes and the implications for the spring runoff and the impending fire season. Right now it feels like our snowpack is getting better each week, and my attitude is following like a dapper one-piece ski suit. Lift lines on a powder day should be celebrated, not shamed or shunned. The same goes for vehicular traffic theyre both indicative byproducts of a robust, vibrant community.

Im optimistic because it looks like were slowly emerging from the restrictions mandated by the board of health which, incidentally, Ive been more than happy to adhere to. Wearing a mask and being able to avoid people at will is downright enjoyable. Im patient, young and I have my health. It feels like well get the all clear signal in the relatively near future. It also seems as if theres already a resultant uptick in consumer confidence both locally and domestically. Before you know it, Ill be safely eating at our incredible local restaurants again and getting my ass handed to me in CycleBar.

Im optimistic and grateful for our local front-line and hospitality workers who have been putting their necks and mental health out on the line all winter. Im hopeful we can all stay steadfast in our attention to detail of the safety protocols and finish this rollercoaster ride of a ski season without getting sick. Just the act of signing up for a vaccine on the county website already instilled a sense of confidence and positivity in me, regardless of the impending wait. It feels like were all in line to get Rolling Stones tickets, and were assuredly going to end up with floor seats instead of nosebleeds.

Im optimistic that our local schools are on a path to reopen safely and that a second semester can be successfully salvaged. Im confident that our local kids are resilient, resourceful and independent enough to emerge victorious from what amounts to a gap year or a semester at sea even if that sea was the troubled waters of navigating a pandemic. Quarantining and sheltering in place were bad, but not bad enough for me to face my demons and clean out the drawer from hell in the kitchen.

Ive always said that Aspen was well positioned to rebound during and after the pandemic. My thoughts were that were predisposed to successfully navigate downturns whatever they look and feel like by our DNA-level familiarity to cyclical on and off seasons. Soon enough, well all be complaining (not just people in construction and property maintenance) about the usual: traffic, tourists, IKON passholders and how horribly busy it is here.

In short, Im optimistic that our local elected officials you know, the ones elected by the people that actually live here in Aspen will successfully navigate all our pressing issues.

It feels like town is starting to emerge from the most tumultuous days of the pandemic with our town character, values and spirit still intact. Some may protest that the things we do or say or signal here in Aspen are out of character. Theres no such thing. If you do something or say something even if its unpopular, an accident, mean or uninformed well then, thats your character. Thats why Im thankful to have an editor. Aspen doesnt have that luxury.

Enjoy what Aspen is now and feels like in this moment, because the one thing Im overly confident about is that change here is constant. Aspen is the per capita dump truck capital of the world. Our town song is the reverse beacon warning beep. Our town bird is the migrant worker, and our flag is that neon tape on the end of those irksome telltale wooden survey stakes, the one that flutters in the wind ever so gracefully. Im sure everything being built right now will have no historic value whatsoever and thus be gleefully torn down in the future.

Want to finally know what the eastern side of the Red Onion building looks like? Youd better go look now before the new building goes up, hiding it for another 50 years. Feel free to send comments to Lorenzo via suityourself@sopris.net or follow him on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/lorenzosemple3/

See more here:
Semple: Our future is on trial, but no need to worry the jury - Aspen Daily News

Pregnancy: Understanding the role of relationships, and mental health for healthy conception |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: We are witnessing the breakdown of relationships all around us. While it is sad that this is happening, it is nothing new. Humanity has always faced problems, both at a collective and an individual level. What we see happening around us now has only changed in intensity and phase. The basic root of the problem remains the same.

The relationship between a mother and her child is said to be the purest, but we are now seeing families not wanting to have children, terminating them before they are born, or having children and then abandoning them to the care of housekeepers. How did this happen? This is a social problem arising out of many factors. Society in many countries around the world is at a stage comparable to the 1930s and 40s in America when women want to work and walk step by step in the competition alongside men. There is nothing wrong in it, but it should not be at the cost of something more important. If we go back to the root of our many problems, we can identify selfishness as the main factor, closely followed by competitiveness. But, the competition also has its roots in selfishness! It is all about I, me and mine. This means that togetherness is lost and relationships are forgotten. In this article,Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji), Guide of Heartfulness Institute, talks about the role of relationships and mental health in conception, especially as we experience a fall in both during the pandemic.

The fundamental question is do we really want our relationships to work? If yes, is there a price that we are willing to pay for this to happen? Relationships are not a one-way street. They require trust and sacrifice. When we listen to someone with a lot of love, we display consideration and empathy. Submissiveness and surrender were once glorious virtues, but today these qualities are ridiculed. It is worth remembering that we are all human beings with defects. We have to learn to let go and be forgiving. For this, we need to work on ourselves and make wise choices.

When it comes to the conception of a baby, the attitude of the parents towards the pregnancy is very important. There is a world of difference between welcoming new life with joy and being unhappy about a pregnancy. The root of problems between children and parents often lies in rejection that has originated during the time of conception and pregnancy. The attitude of parents at the moment of conception determines the nature of the incoming soul and quality of their progeny. The future growth of the embryo and rearing of the children depend on external circumstances.

Dr. Bruce Lipton, in his book The Biology of Belief1, observes that genetic patterns and changes depend upon external circumstances. For example, when we are in a fight, our limbs are active. The sympathetic nervous system dominates and adrenaline rushes, making the blood flow to the limbs. Now, lets imagine a situation where a pregnant mother lives in hostile surroundings and is forced to always be in defensive mode. The adrenaline in her bloodstream crosses the blood barrier and reaches the placenta. The foetus reaction to the presence of adrenaline is the same as that of the mother. The limbs of the foetus are supplied with a lot of blood at the cost of other organs. Brain centres are also activated because of these neurotransmitters. Dr Lipton goes on to conclude that in an unbalanced family, where there is no harmony, children will be born with longer limbs and the back of their brains more developed. Children born to understanding parents in harmonious families will have well-developed frontal lobes and cognitive abilities. The environment that children are born into affects their health and quality of life.

Parents (and parents-to-be) share everything that is good and bad with their child, right from the moment of (or even before) conception. This includes attitudes such as confidence and emotions such as fear. Even when one is alone, inner harmony with oneself ones inner nature is very important. This connection with the inner self also affects the child. The solution to achieve the right balance is available for everyone who wishes to use it.

Meditation helps us see things before we even think of doing them. This is because we observe our thoughts during the process. We are many steps ahead because we are not only looking at the action or the immediate phase before an action is taken but also already observing ourselves when we are in a state of intention. We regulate and fine-tune our intentions. We ask, Should I have such intentions in my heart? and our heart always guides us with a yes or no. Thus, we are able to prevent conflicts before they happen. In this, it is like vaccination, which helps to prevent a disease before it happens.

Meditation helps us evaluate whether our thinking is right or wrong, beneficial or not beneficial. So, when we meditate, we are able to see a clearer picture. This is the reason we are able to maintain an introspective process and see what is important and what is not important. The heart speaks louder than anything when we are listening to it. The more we listen to it, the more it guides us in the right direction. People often ask the question, What can one do with eyes closed? With our eyes closed, we are able to see things clearly, including our future and the future of others. We are able to see our intentions and clear them properly so that we can all support each other.

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Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a professional healthcare provider if you have any specific questions about any medical matter.

Original post:
Pregnancy: Understanding the role of relationships, and mental health for healthy conception - Times Now

Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the ATP Cup in Melbourne / AFP on February 5, 2021

Amid isolation, proven injuries or fears and a lack of competition, this is the unreadable Australian Open, which starts in Melbourne on Monday, where Novak Djokovic will aim for his 9th title, his 18th major.

The good news, however, is that after more or less fourteen days of isolation with Covit-19, players will find themselves in the public domain because organizers have announced they want to allow 25,000 to 30,000 visitors a day into Melbourne Park.

. Joko and Le Joker

I feel right at home, and especially at Rod Laver, the main court this week at the Melbourne Park campus, which hosts the first Grand Slam of the season.

He is well prepared. When you come out of an intensive training set, a few days before the ATP Cup and the Australian Open, you dont want to take too many risks, he explained, explaining that he supported a physiotherapy session, even though it was missing the first set of an exhibition match on January 29th.

That day, like many players, he suffered from blisters on his hands after not playing for a long time.

The current best hard player should be the man to win in this 2021 edition.But if he is undeniable in the game, his attitude is competitive.

He was disqualified for accidentally directing a lineman with a ball at the last US Open, and again raised criticism during the isolation imposed on players upon his arrival in Melbourne.

READ Zapada doubled over Atlanta against Ajax in Bergamo

Isolated in VIP conditions in Adelaide with the freeing of tennis, he sought to improve on the isolated conditions of his colleagues confined to Melbourne. But these plans (including the provision of homes with tennis courts and the best quality food) addressed the organization did not have the expected impact.

The Prime Minister of the State of Victoria answered firmly No and some of the players were harsh.

Some people need to make public everything they try to do to help others, Rafael Nadal commented. Nick Kyrgios called Djokovic a Maran and Stan Wawrinka mocked the plans made from Adelaide? Ahaha .

. Enemies

Australian Open 2021: 5 players to follow / AFP

The draw with Djokovic was tough. In the absence of Roger Federer, the Serbs will have to fight hard from the 16th round before reaching a final against Natal, who is aiming for the men s record of 21 Grand Slam titles. He defeated Stan Wawrinka (18th) or Milos Ronnick (15th), Alexander Sverev (7th) and Dominic Theme (3rd) in last years final, but then the more confident one can stand in his way. Won his first major at the US Open.

At the bottom of the table, Nadal said that if he recovers physically (he quit playing in the ATP Cup this week, he has not played in the tournament since the Masters semifinals in November), then Tsitsipas (6th) will have to wait until the quarters where Stefanos is, then Daniel Medvedev (4th). The latter, like his comrade Andrei Rublev (8th), confirmed the spectacular end to the 2020 season during the ATP Cup, by presenting Russia with its first ATP Cup.

READ Manchester's Park Life has moved its 2021 edition to September

Australian Ashley Party on February 5, 2021 in Melbourne / AFP.

Among the French, we mainly trust Monfils (11th) in the Mon, who can face Svere in the 8th.

In the womens table, as the hierarchy continues to grow, Corbyn Muguruza (2020 final) and Ashley Party (World No. 1), in particular, have shown great ambitions by reaching the final of the Yarra Valley, which was won by the Australians. Serena Williams will continue her quest for the 24th Major to balance Margaret Courts record.

. Difficulties

Australian Open 2021: Watch 5 Players / AFP

Several players, including Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Simona Halep, Victoria Azarenka and Bianca Andres, have either dropped out of the game or have been sidelined, announcing injuries in pre-season matches for OA. Often, in the Majors view, they are just trying to protect themselves physically.

But former World No. 1 Jim Courier underscored the critical aspect of the mental attitude after 14 days of isolation (72 players were restricted from being allowed to leave when they were entitled to 5 hours a day for training). Players have already expended a lot of mental energy to achieve the right mood. Some people told me I didnt have much, said American.

Originally posted here:
Djokovic against the rest of the world - The Press Stories

Anything the Department of Education and Skills can do moving forward to minimise that level of stress, we would be focused on doing that.

The level of stress the minister is referring to is the stress felt by Leaving Certificate students as they face the prospect of sitting their State Examinations in the midst of a pandemic. It has become increasingly obvious, however, that students across Ireland are now feeling let down by the Department of Education and Skills, as it seems that they have done little to alleviate the undue stress felt by the 2021 Leaving Cert students.

The stubborn attitude the department took on school closures, and the 2021 Leaving Cert, has had a damaging effect on students mental health and well-being. For months, we were promised that schools would not face an additional closure, and that the 2021 Leaving Cert would be fair and accommodating.

Unfortunately, it has become abundantly clear that the department has failed on these promises.

Students have lost their trust and faith in a system that promised to keep their best interests at heart.

Every day, the student body of Ireland is subjected to another day of uncertainty with regards to our State Exams. This uncertainty surrounding the exams has put a massive strain on both Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students throughout the last year.

The discrepancies that the student body is being presented with is having an overwhelmingly negative effect on our well-being and welfare. Is this the standard to which students mental health and well-being are hanging upon?

We continue to live in uncertain and terrifying times as it is, and the students of Ireland deserve better than this. We deserve better than being kept out of the loop in matters that are directly affecting our well-being, our education, and our future.

These school closures bring about a great deal of multifaceted issues that sixth year students in Ireland are having to face for a second time, and it is painfully clear what students need: answers. What makes this lack of clarity even more frustrating is the fact that we saw the exact same situation happen with last years Leaving Cert students.

The class of 2020 was kept in the dark and left ill-informed for how their own exams would proceed, with detrimental effects on their mental health. In fact, these students were forced to wait until just one month before the proposed start date of the Leaving Cert 2020 before they learned of the exams unanticipated cancellation.

The time missed by sixth years was always going to be an issue. With the closure of schools now extending into February, sixth-year students will be missing out on five months of in-class tuition.

A lack of face-to-face teaching and an absence of mock examinations has left the class of 2021 ill-equipped and unprepared for a traditional Leaving Cert.

Sixth year students will have missed out on five full months of a curriculum spread out in just under two years. This is a significant chunk of the course missing, and if the traditional exams go ahead in June, students will be sitting an exam in subjects with a curriculum that has only been roughly 72% covered.

The prospect of potentially sitting such an exam in June with little-to-no adequate exam preparation is just one of the many things that are causing a great deal of distress for exam year students across the country.

With this attitude in mind, the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU), the national representative body for second-level students, consulted and engaged with students and asked them the key question - what format they thought the 2021 Leaving Cert should take.

The ISSU consulted with over 20,000 students to allow them to express their thoughts and opinions on how the State Exams should be run. Across Ireland, the student voice was heard loud and clear - over 81% of respondents indicated they wanted the choice between calculated grades or sitting an in-person exam.

After all, isnt this the most accommodating option, and arguably the fairest? The class of 2021 has endured more stress and anxiety in one year alone than anyone should face in a lifetime - why now should our opinion be exempt from how we believe our exams should be run?

The ISSU has set up a dedicated hub of online learning resources with the aim of simplifying Department guidelines and providing clear statements around students' rights during online learning. Read more below All resources are available at: https://t.co/VXI9rbcZWa pic.twitter.com/PRQxJRcWXo

Many feel that opening up the choice to students is a turn in the wrong direction. But to create a Leaving Cert that is fair and accommodating means creating an exam that is equitable.

The student experience of school closure has been varied; while some students have thrived from remote learning, more have fallen drastically behind in the curriculum, plighted by stress, anxiety, and uncertainty around the Leaving Cert.

Its at times like this that the student voice should not be divided, but united.

We should stop fighting with each other on whether a traditional Leaving Cert or calculated grades is the most suitable option, but come together and fight for a common cause - for equity and fairness, for an accommodating Leaving Cert, and most of all, for answers.

Read the original post:
Analysis: What format should the 2021 Leaving Cert take? - Irish Examiner

Updated / Monday, 1 Feb 2021 08:30

A ten-year-old boy with Down syndrome is spreading tips and advice on how to stay positivewithhis weekly motivational "paudcast".

Pdraig O'Callaghan, from Knockainey in Co Limerick, began working on the video series with his father Brian lastyear. Brian says it was away to"help Pdraig with his communication skills and confidence".

"I do a bit of work with Special Olympics Ireland and Down Syndrome Ireland and their positive mental attitude is very, very important so that's how we came up with the 60-second 'Monday Motivation Paudcast'," explained Brian O'Callaghan.

Pdraig's "paudcasts" are published on EcoStraw Ireland's social media platforms. It is Brian's business; one he has focused on since losing his job in aviation last March.

"I suppose it's been hard for kids during lockdown. We found, number one, it was a way of keeping him entertained, keeping him out of trouble and I got to spend some time with him. If there's one good thing that came out of this lockdown, it's that families got to spend more time together," explained Brian.

Perhaps because we all need a little extra motivation right now, Pdraig's "paudcasts" of positivity are attractinga worldwide audience.

"It's been phenomenal. We've had messages of support from all over the world, quite literally, America, Australia. Reading comments back to Pdraig, he's a man that loves praise. So when I read back the comments, to see his eyes actually light up in response to his videos, it's reward enough for me I guess," said Brian.

Pdraig feels his audience are "very happy and excited to see me".

Pdraig's tops tips for staying safe but also upbeat include allowing yourself to make mistakes because "you can't learn anything from being perfect", "try and tackle those jobs you don't want to tackle" and "stay home and keep busy".

More here:
Ten-year-old spreads positivity with weekly 'paudcast' - RTE.ie

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It has been almost a year since we had to start adapting life to work around a global pandemic. Since then, many jobs have become available remotely, and schools have switched to either a virtual or take-home-packet based model.

While this has been great in keeping ourselves and others safe, what is the long-term impact of these changes?

With the recent snow and ice blowing through the tri-state, we have seen several counties declare Non-traditional Instruction or NTI days. This means students have either a snow packet that was sent home earlier in the year with worksheets to complete or where they log on to the schools online system to complete work. Essentially, we have erased snow days.

With several employers making remote work an option these days, are we setting up to never have a sick day again? When you can work from home, will employers expect employees to do just that when they call in? This also erases possible mental health days that some While the remote option is ideal for keeping citizens safe, I worry about what it means for the future, ideally to mental health.

We currently live in a culture that is on-demand with an instant gratification attitude. We expect things to be done right away. We have articles and studies showing the damage to mental health with the prevalence of smartphones and work never stops.

We are constantly checking emails, talking to clients via text and call, keeping up with business accounts on social media. We are available almost 24/7. Will the increase in remote availability make this worse?

According to the CDC, 40% of adults in the United States reported struggling with mental health issues or substance abuse due to the stress factors of COVID-19. 13% of those surveyed started or increased substance use, and 11% seriously considered suicide.

These are alarming numbers in a world that already struggles with mental health.

It is the opinion of this writer that snow days are good for the childs soul. Not only do they get a break from school, but they have the opportunity to make childhood memories that will last a lifetime.

I also believe mental health days are good for the adults soul. Sometimes life just weighs us down, and we need a moment to sit on the couch in our pajamas all day, binging Netflix and eating ice cream.

In a world that never sleeps, I think it is important that we slow down sometimes and give ourselves grace when we need a break, both mentally and physically.

While I have no idea what the future holds in terms of a global pandemic, virtual schooling and remote work, I do hope we bring back the snow days and enjoy the occasional mental health day because those things are just as important to ensuring we are the best and kindest people we can be.

Brittany Hively can be contacted at [emailprotected]

Read the rest here:
The unknown impact of living a virtual life - MU The Parthenon

Its been a hard year, so we forgive you for giving up so soon xx

Wed been waiting to say Goodbye and good riddance to 2020 for a while now, hadnt we? Now its Hello 2021. The New Year is always the perfect time for a fresh start; we entered 2021 without the New Me attitude and our expectations flying high. So far, not much has changed, were still in lockdown and uni work carries on, but just because things havent changed on a larger scale, doesnt mean they cant change on a smaller scale.

Enter new years resolutions. You know those things that you make at the start of every year, you hold onto them for a few weeks, until they slowly start to slip through your fingers, and though you try to hold on, you eventually realise that its dead weight and you may as well let go? Yeah, we all forget about them in the end, but theyre fun to remember. We asked Lancs students what some of their New Years resolutions were and whether theyve kept them or not.

Chlo, a second year County student, told us that her goal was to be kinder to herself, and shes stuck to it so far. She said: I made the resolution because I noticed I wasnt being very kind or forgiving with myself, like I put a lot of pressure on myself all the time and it just really got me down.

To achieve this, Chlo told us that: I started doing stuff like meditating and eating better and generally being more positive towards myself so I feel like I can be happier. When asked about how she stayed motivated, Chlo said that Ive noticed how positively its affecting all aspects of my life, and that was enough for her. Congrats Chlo, were so proud!

Next we asked Madeline, a second year Furness student, what her resolution was, and she has gone for the classic fitness route. She wants to work out twice a week at least. Lockdown one is what inspired Madeline to pursue this as working out in lockdown one definitely made a difference to my mental health, so I wanted to do that again.

However, Madeline expressed that sticking to her resolution has been quite hard because of her living situations, which is totally fair enough. She said: Its been hard because of my whole family being around all the time, theres no space to work out. Despite that, Madeline is still proud of herself for trying, she said: A few years ago I did absolutely nothing.

Chez, a first year Pendle student, has been mighty ambitious this year and gone for a triple threat of eating breakfast every day, cooking for herself and avoiding takeout, and taking care of her mental health. And on top of that, shes stuck to all three. Look at you Chez, you absolute legend. Shes got her best interests in mind for this one: Its important and encourages me to wake up before noon regularly, and cooking is a great habit for mental health and creativity.

Its not been without difficulty, but Chez is pushing through and is really proud of her effort. Its better for my body and my bank account. We should all be more like Chez.

Weve got another fitness guru on the list with Ami, a first year Lonsdale student, who has taken up a daily yoga practice, as well as adding an academic twist with daily reading for her course. She said: The promise of getting fitter and looking better is enough motivation for me, and Id do anything to get those boring texts done.

Sadly, Amis struggled with keeping her efforts up lately and said: Im an essential worker and work lots of long shifts. Im exhausted most of the time, but Im trying my best. Its not your fault babe, youre doing Gods work.

Anna, a first year student from Lonsdale, has decided to put us all to shame and direct her New Year, New Me attitude towards her studies. My resolution was to start having a schedule with my uni work and so far so good!

Once again, mental health is at the forefront of Annas motivation: I want a balanced study schedule, so I keep on top of my deadlines and dont burn out. Its shame we dont have a no detriment policy that could help out with that Good luck Anna, we hope this routine stays strong.

First year student Helena from Cartmel has made doing 20 press ups a day her goal for the year. This stemmed from the short walks around campus she would do with a group of her flatmates. She said: At the end of a busy day it is such a great way to destress.

To stay motivated and keep the tradition going, Helena and her friends will go for a walk and pop by Central on their way, sort of as a goal. It is something Ive missed over my time away, and I look forward to getting back into it when I return in a few weeks.

Finally, Katie, a second year from Cartmel, has taken on the tough challenge of fixing her sleep schedule. So far its not going too well, she told us. Katie has expressed that she has no motivation: Uni just sucks the life out of you, which we can all relate to. To be fair, who needs sleep anyway when all the days blur into one? Keep trying Katie, were proud of you.

We switched rooms with our flatmates and heres everything we found out

Heres how to stay motivated to actually do some uni work this term

Im worries my degree will suffer: Lancs students react to lockdown extension

See the rest here:
What were Lancaster students' New Year's resolutions and have they kept them? - The Tab

Many psychology experts say it is essential to have a positive mental attitude when it comes to maintaining good physical and emotional health. Still, having such is quite challenging, but the good news is that it only takes a few seconds to switch gears.

So, how do we trick our brain into becoming more positive, and why does such an approach work? The first thing to do is to address our negative thoughts, which experts say are normal.

Humans actually gravitate towards negativity. According toRick Hanson, PhD, a neurologist, the human brains are reacting more strongly to negative thoughts and feelings, and better brain lessons learned from unwanted experiences against the good ones.

Meaning, painful stuff marks itself more simply on the human brain. This negativity bias kept people alive during their hunger-gatherer times, which is great.

ALSO READ:Science Behind Expression of Gratitude and Its Impact on Wellbeing

(Photo : S. Hermann & F. Richter on Pixabay) Spend at least 12 seconds thinking back a positive event, image or relationship in the past. Sit with the recollection and think about all the reasons your brain is classifying this past event, image or relationship as something positive and happy.

The human brain is quite an incredible organ. According toPureWow, definitely, the brain'' hard-wiring pushes us to "indulge in negative thoughts," although they respond well too, to revamping or rewiring.

Dr. Hanson, founder of theWellspring Institute for Neuroscience and Contemplative Wisdomsays, our brain needs only 12 seconds to develop new connections between neurons.

Commenting on this 12-second trick, Hanson, who's also written six books, which include the bestseller "Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm and Confidence," adds that neurons are the brain's communicators.

They deliver messages from one part of the brain to another and form it to other areas of the nervous system.

Essentially, the 86 billion neurons in our noggin tell us how to respond to specific situations and interpret entering information. More so, neurons are connecting good experiences with positive feelings.

For instance, Hanson explains, one conquers Mt. Everest, and he feels happy and proud.Neurons, then, will link such an experience of conquering the mountain to positivity or happiness and pride.

Say you climb to the mountain top regularly, and your brain then will keep on associating "climbing" with "being happy."

Now, as Hanson puts it in his talk onTexMarin, "Neurons that fire together, wire together." If you want to trick your brain into becoming more positive, all you need to do is develop new neural connections between an emotion and an experience through the 12-second scheme.

When you're stressed, your cortisol levels increase. Cortisol activates the emergency, "fight-or-flight" reaction. Again, ideal for short periods of hunting and gathering.

Not ideal, though, for 21st-century citizens who experience life, work, and eight straight hours of "House Hunters." Excessive cortisol raises one's chances of falling victim to depression or anxiety.

Say you experience some delays, or you're feeling sad, jealous, trying to use the 12-second tactic to bring yourself back to a more positive position.

To do this, allot at least 12 seconds thinking back a positive event, image, or relationship in the past. Sit with the recollection and think about all the reasons your brain is classifying this past event, image, or relationship as something positive and happy.

Keep on doing this each time you're feeling stressed out or find yourself swerving into a negative area. Over time, your brain will be able to train itself to always look on the bright side instead of surrendering to the negativity of the particular moment.

RELATED TOPIC:Your Happiness Might Very Well Be Inherited, Says Scientists

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by Natalie Tryon, Staff Reporter February 3, 2021

Aries:This week is sure to bring many surprisesmore surprising than the snowstorm that recently brought over a foot of snow to campus. With the uncertainty of these unprecedented times, make sure to take care of yourself, Aries. Try incorporating mindful movements like yoga or a walk.

Taurus:Whether you like to relax by sipping hot coffee while listening to music or taking an extra-long nap, make sure to incorporate self-care into your week as self-care isnt selfish, its important. Take care.

Gemini:Dear Gemini, you may feel beyond stressed about work or college at the moment. Remember that all through the times may be hard right now, that this too shall pass, and each day brings new beautiful opportunities.

Cancer:Although this week will bring many challenges your way, you are stronger than you give yourself credit for and can make it through these unexpected obstacles. Go grab your favorite mug and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea this morning. I cant -espresso- how important it is to allow yourself time to relax.

Leo:This morning, start your day with a well-balanced breakfast. Not only does food taste delicious, but it also helps one to concentrate better (which is incredibly helpful for those dreaded 8 a.m. courses). Make sure not to restrict certain foods or food groups, as all foods are good for you in moderation.

Virgo:Start your week off to a positive start by writing down three or more things youre grateful for. With that attitude of gratitude, youre sure to start your week off with a smile and heart glowing with thankfulness.

Libra:Life has been more challenging than you ever imagined was possible. Although it can be challenging, this week, I encourage you to ask for help. Reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness but strength. You are important. You are enough. You are perfect just as you are. You truly matter and deserve to heal.

Scorpio:Pay attention to nature this week on your walks to class. Take a deep breath of the crisp, fresh winter air. Feel the slight warmth of the sun on your face. Notice that just like the environment, people change through the seasons as well. Keep going, keep growing.

Sagittarius:Be kind to your mind. College tends to be a very challenging, stressful part of life (especially during a pandemic). Remember that you are doing the best you can and that perfection doesnt exist. You can, and you will tackle this week like the champion that you are. You got this.

Capricorn:You may not be where you hoped you would be, but every day is a new chance to tackle your goals. Stop beating yourself up over things you cant control, and recognize just how far you have come and how much you have grown. Like plants, we also need water to grow, so go hydrate yourself and make it a good week.

Aquarius:Sip sip hooray for snowy Zoom days. Change up your location & brighten your mood. What better way to relax than sipping on a homemade hot coffee or tea beverage in front of a fireplace with a beautiful view of the winter snow while staying warm and cozy at Holy Grounds coffee shop on campus?

Pisces:Staying connected to friends and loved ones is important for many reasons, including being vital to improving your mental well-being. Staying connected with these people is more challenging than ever due to the global pandemic. This week try calling, FaceTiming, sending a text message, sending funny TikToks and more to these individuals.

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