TUCSON, Ariz. These days we are trying to touch as little as possible especially if theres an extra chance its going to be a little bit germy. Thankfully, theres technology to the rescue.

Watching a toilet seat lift itself can be sort of hypnotic but its more than a novelty. Since the virus hit and people started thinking more about what they touch, Benjamin Plumbing Supply has been selling more and more touchless technology.

Tina Roesler says people are buying toilets that do more than lift their lids, some of them clean themselves.

A lot of this combination of hygiene and high tech comes from Japan.

It used to be something that people who travel to Japan knew about or people who followed high tech gadgets knew about but now, more and more people realize there's a big swell of sports players who like investing in the toilets that are customized to them as far as height and warmth and oscillating levels and all that.

She says at first the high demand item was to clean yourself. When toilet paper got scarce, bidets that help you rinse off --- that area instead became hot sellers.

Now the trend to touchless has people realizing the sort of hands-free faucets theyve seen in commercial buildings can be in their homes, but without the industrial look.

Tina Roesler says, You can find a price point around $400 and up. And some of the toilets go in the thousands. But again, it's personalized, it's customized, it's a room you spend a lot of time in, and it leans on the side of hygiene which - that cost is incalculable. If it keeps you from getting a deadly germ then it's worth any price.

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The Rebound: COVID concerns fuel boom in touchless technology - KGUN

Many organisations view customer engagement as a key USP to distinguish themselves from their competition. However, as the number of communication channels and devices increases manifold, so does the challenge of engaging them effectively to deliver contextual, consistent and personalised service. The Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization market helps companies enrich customer interactions, optimise their workforce and thereby improve business processes. By doing this, they benefit from greater customer loyalty, improved performance and revenue and lesser risks and operating costs.

The comprehensive overview of the global Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization Market has recently been published by Research Trades to its extensive database. It compiles exhaustive information that has been sourced by using data exploratory techniques such as primary and secondary research. Due to the usage of scientific investigation methods, it offers an accurate analysis of business perspectives.

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Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization Market Market Top Leading Vendors:-

Verint, Calabrio, Aspect, Avaya, Genesys

Customer Relationship Management is the biggest driver of the Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization market. Customer relationships are the main competitive differentiator making it absolutely essential for companies to engender loyalty. An actively engaged customer is far more likely to participate with the organisation through multiple channels including online self-help tools, mobile Apps, community participation or user group involvements. They would be more willing to provide feedback if asked, utilise the products and services to the fullest and also make valuable suggestions on how to improve them.

Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization Market Market segmented By Service Type

Hardware

Software

Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization Market Market segmented By Applications

BFSI

Manufacturing

Healthcare

IT And ITES

Utilities

Others

It has been curated by using extensive research methodologies such as primary and secondary research methodologies. It takes a closer look at different dynamic aspects of businesses such as trends, technologies, tools, and methodologies of the global Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization Market. It has been analyzed using industry analytical techniques such as SWOT and Porters five techniques. It helps to identify the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities within the businesses.

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Objectives of this research report:

In This Study, The Years Considered To Estimate The Size Of Customer Engagement Centre Workforce Optimization Market Market Are As Follows:

History Year: 2015-2019

Base Year: 2019

Estimated Year: 2020

Forecast Year 2020 to 2026

If you need anything more than these then let us know and we will prepare the report according to your requirement.

About us:

Research Trades is a prime destination for your business aptitude and analytical solutions because we provide qualitative and quantitative sources of information that are proficient to give one-stop solutions. We skillfully syndicate qualitative and quantitative research in exact proportions to have the best report, which not only gives the most recent insights but also assists you to grow.

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Excerpt from:
CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT CENTRE WORKFORCE OPTIMIZATION MARKET 2020 RAPIDLY INTEGRATING INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES TO ENHANCE THE BUSINESS FUNCTIONS...

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused millions of Canadians to lose their jobs or have their hours cut, but the situation for women is especially dire. In what has been dubbed the She-cession, Women have seen proportionately steeper job losses than men. In May, Statistics Canada reported that 1.5 million women lost jobs over March and April, a 17% drop in employment from February levels.

Why has this time been more economically difficult for women? There are a few reasons. Women are more likely than men to be employed in part-time or precarious work, make less money than men do, and work in sectors that were impacted early on by the pandemic. Women occupy only 31% of senior management positions in North America, and as a result, there are more women in non-leadership positions that are more at risk of being eliminated. Women also make up about half of Canada's workforce, so an economic recovery is not possible without them being able to work again.

The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie have been making changes to go virtual, as they anticipate being busier than ever with serving their clients needs during this catastrophic pandemic.

Their Suiting Program, where volunteers and staff assist women in selecting professional attire for job interviews and workplaces, has been adapted to become completely contact-free and virtual. The programs new moniker is Pick & Pack: Virtual Professional Clothing Assistance Program. How does it work? Clients receive a form to use for measuring themselves in addition to a form for stating their colour and style preferences. The client then has a virtual appointment with a volunteer or staff via GoToMeeting/Webinar. Preferences are discussed further in that appointment, and the client is shown what has been picked for them based on those initial forms.

If none of the clothes selected for that appointment are suitable for the client, the staff and volunteers pick other clothes based on their conversation. The clothing is then packed in a bag. Clients in Simcoe County can pick up clothes from the Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie office, and clients in Orillia can have the clothes delivered to them. Once the clothes are received, a follow up phone call with the client is made to make sure the clothes fit and are appropriate for them to wear. There is a large selection of business-casual clothing available in sizes 0-26, as well as non-slip shoes, steel-toed boots, and un-used scrubs.

Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie is also adapting their Breakfast Club program to a virtual model, which will be beginning in July. The 9-week program will run online via Go To Meeting/Webinar, with one meeting each week for all their clients. The content of the meetings will be delivered via PowerPoint presentations, videos, webinars run by volunteers, and with the guidance of the facilitators. Topics covered will include goal setting, professionalism, communication skills, confidence, motivation, mental health and self-care, personal branding and job interviews.

The COVID-19 pandemic has already been and will continue to be a difficult time for employment. Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie is more committed than ever to ensuring that women in Simcoe County have the professional clothing, confidence and support network they need to help them thrive and succeed in obtaining employment.

Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie is going to be settled in to a new location as of August 1st. The new address is 320 Bayfield St. Unit 79, Barrie, ON L4M 3C1. Please note that clothing donations are on hold until September. Lists of what we do and do not accept with regards to clothing is available at our website on the donate page.

For more information on Dress for Success Orillia and Barries programs, contact program coordinator Samantha Sceviour at samantha@dfsorilliebarrie.org or 705-252-9200.

Interested in volunteering with Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie? Contact volunteer coordinator Agnes Pec at agnes@dfsorilliabarrie.org.

Continued here:
Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie is Helping Women Virtually - simcoe.com

Over the years, training and upskilling in-home care workers has been a key strategy to improve retention for providers struggling with turnover. But as the COVID-19 public health emergency continues, providers who are actively recruiting will now have to navigate new obstacles when preparing recently hired caregivers to work in the home setting.

Since mid-March, some states began mandating shelter-in-place orders and implementing social-distancing measures as methods to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Such preventative actions made it more difficult for in-home care providers to recruit and train workers, but it didnt stop those things entirely.

We have a lot of clients that continue to need our, Kim McGraw, vice president of HR, talent acquisition and client care services at FirstLight Home Care, told Home Health Care News. We want to be in a position to provide that care, so weve continued to recruit throughout COVID-19.

Cincinnati-based home care franchise company FirstLight operates in more than 30 states, providing companion care, personal care and dementia care services, among others.

The franchise system has hired between 450 to 500 new caregivers per week over the past several weeks in order to meet the increased demand for its services, Jeff Bevis, co-founder and CEO of FirstLight, previously told HHCN.

FirstLight isnt alone in its recruiting efforts. In April, Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD) announced plans to hire 4,500 health care workers with 10% of the positions in the companys home health and hospice segment.

When it comes to training, FirstLight has worked to shift existing processes into the virtual realm, according to McGraw.

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We do training virtually, she said. We have a learning management system that helps us do this. This helps us not only train the caregivers, in general, but also in specific things that are most relevant to COVID-19.

The COVID-19 emergency has resulted in many providers leaning on some form of virtual training. CareAcademy a Boston-based training platform for home care professionals recently saw this first hand.

Weve seen agencies really have to reimagine what it takes to train and scale their workforce, turning to us [more often] and relying on us, Helen Adeosun, founder and CEO of CareAcademy, told HHCN. Weve had a number of hospitals [also] reach out to us for help supporting their direct care worker opportunity. We are seeing companies who have never even considered training technology do so in this moment.

In March, CareAcademy made one of its training courses publicly available. To date, the class has over 80,000 views.

Thousands of people have completed certification through that publicly available class, Adeosun said.

In addition to online courses, some FirstLight owners doubled down on training by having new caregivers connect with company veterans.

Theyll have the [new] caregivers go through the courses and then set up a call with a [our current] caregivers and then have them dialogue, in terms of what they learned and how they can apply it, McGraw said. This allows for a virtual element, but it also allows the owners and trainers to have more of a direct line and an opportunity for interaction with the new caregivers.

During the COVID-19 emergency, FirstLight began emphasizing additional topics during its training of new caregivers. Those topics included a focus on hand hygiene, infection control for health care professionals and self-care practices.

From a compliance standpoint, some in-home care providers must follow local, state or federal policies on training new hires. On its end, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made a handful of moves to waive regulations around training.

In April, for example, CMS announced a number of blanket waivers, including the postponement of the 12-hour annual in-service training requirement for home health aides.

At the end of March, CMS provided flexibility around the Conditions of Participation (CoPs) related to on-site home health aide supervision, allowing caregivers to complete this remotely.

Plus, under the CARES Act, the 14-day home health aide in-person supervisory requirements are waived.

For Selfhelp Community Services, the coronavirus brought recruiting to a temporary standstill in March. When Selfhelp Community Services eventually began recruiting again, the organization turned to digital tools like Zoom for interviews, Amy Leshner Thomas, the organizations vice president of home care, told HHCN.

When it comes to training, Selfhelp Community Services hasnt fully made the move to virtual services. The organization still partly utilizes in-person training.

The Department of Health hasnt approved any total online training, Thomas said. Weve done a lot of the functions in an online capacity, but we still have a skeleton crew of staff. Weve had situations where we make sure that only one person at a time comes, or weve done small orientations where we never have more than a few people in a room. They are socially distancing and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), and weve taken their temperatures at the door.

Founded in 1936, Selfhelp Community Services is a Brooklyn-based nonprofit organization. The organization has a home care services line that serves over 1,000 clients, as well as a Medicare-certified home health agency.

Additionally, Selfhelp Community Services offers New York State Department of Health-approved home health aide and personal care aide training programs. As a workforce investment program, the Selfhelp Community Services training programs serve caregivers throughout the state not just the organizations caregiver hires.

While Selfhelp Community Services potentially looked to move its personal care aide training program online, this proved challenging.

In May, the organization slowly began to return to in-person training while making sure to adhere to health department guidance, according to Thomas.

We did it like an experiment, she said. We had two training rooms that meet the square footage requirement to train 20 students each. We had these folding doors between the rooms, we opened the folding doors, and a class that would have fit 40 students and we worked with 13. We had plenty of space to social distance, and only took small groups of three or four students into the lab portion.

While Selfhelp Community Services does some aspects of training online, Thomas stresses that it will never be a complete substitute for hands-on training.

Think of your own grandma, she said. Would you really want an agency to send someone to care for her that they only knew through online training? I believe a lot of the class can be taught online, but how do I evaluate what the person is learning, if I cant see how they interact with people?

See more here:
Recruiting in a Crisis: Why Home Care Agencies Are Overhauling Their Onboarding Programs - Home Health Care News

17 soothing products for self-care at home(Photo: Amazon/Da Bomb)

Recommendations are independently chosen by Revieweds editors. Purchases you make through our links may earn us a commission.

These are stressful, uncertain times live in, as the world grapples with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and thousands of Americans protest police brutality after thedeath of George Floyd. With everything going on in the world, the nonstop coverage and seemingly endless stream of negative news can be overwhelmingand, as a result, it's easy to feel more stressed or more emotional than usual.

In moments like these, it's important to stay informed on the latest updates and to continue having meaningful discussions about what's going on. However, it's also important to look after your own mental (and physical) health. That's why self-care is such a hot topic these days. It's not about ignoring the news and current events, but rather finding ways to cope unwind when you need it.

Here at Reviewed, we're devoted to helping you find the best things for every aspect of your lifeincluding self-care. We've rounded up 17 of the best products for self-care and relaxation below, including the popular Gravity weighted blanket and an inspiring journal from Michelle Obama. These are products that our own staff have personally tested and loved or that have hundreds of five-star reviews onlineand that will help you take care of yourself during this difficult time.

Choose 15, 20, or 25 pounds for the Gravity Blanket.(Photo: Gravity)

2020 is the year of the weighted blanket. Not too heavy, not too light, the Gravity Blanket (which is the best weighted blanket we've tested) provides just the right amount of pressure that some say helps you fall asleep or calm your anxiety. Plus, ithas a super soft velvety cover that's perfect for snuggling up.

Get the Gravity Blanket from Gravity for $189

Let the First Lady guide your journaling.(Photo: Amazon)

No matter who you are, where you live, or what you believe in, we all have a lot of thoughts on our mind right now and we're all experiencing a lot of emotions. One way to process those feelings is by writing them out in a journal like this one, which is based on Michelle Obama's best-selling book, Becoming. The journal is filled with prompts and inspiring quotes to help you put pen (and emotions) to paper.

GetBecoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice from Amazon for $9.99

Skin care = self care.(Photo: Dr. Jart/PTR)

Showing yourself a little TLC can start with showing your skin a little TLC. Enter this pumpkin face mask, which multiple Reviewed staff members swear by and say it leaves your skin feeling fresh and glowy (plus, it smells like fresh-baked pumpkin pie!). Another great optionthat's also more budget-friendlyis a Dr. Jart sheet mask. The brand has a cult following for its masks that do everything from hydrate to brighten to soothe.

Stop, drop, and roll (out your mat).(Photo: Lululemon)

As a yoga teacher, I might be a little biased but there is nothing that helps my mental health as much as spending some time on my mat, breathing and flowing. And speaking of yoga mats, here at Reviewed, we recommend the Lululemon Reversible Mat. I own this mat myself and love that it has a non-stick surface (so you won't slip around) and enough padding to keep you comfortablewhile you're in down dog.

Get the Reversible Mat from Lululemon for $68

It hurts so good.(Photo: Theragun)

There's a reason people can't stop talking about (or buying) the Theragun. The battery-powered handheld massager claims to relieve muscle pain and sorenessand our staff can confirm it does just that. When we tested out the Theragun, we liked how powerful it is and how it can get to even the hardest-to-reach spots.

Get the Theragun Elite from Theragun for $399

Headspace can help you channel your inner zen.(Photo: Headspace)

Meditating may seem intimidating but it doesn't have to be thanks to Headspace, an app that thousands of people are obsessed with. Ithas a whole library of guided meditations, relaxing sounds, and daily bedtime exercises that you can access directly from your phoneand all you need is 10 minutes. Our experts even dubbed it the best meditation app of 2020.

Download the Headspace app for your iPhone

Choose from scents like lavender, lotus flower, and white orchid.(Photo: Da Bomb)

No list of self-care ideas would be complete without taking a bubble bath. And for that, you'll need one of these top-rated bath bombs. With a 4.5-star rating from nearly 1,000 reviewers, these glittery bombs come in a bevy of delicious (and relaxing scents) and, according to happy shoppers, last longer than other bath bombs. Perfect for a long, luxurious soak after a stressful day.

Get Da Bomb Bath Bomb from Amazon for $4.99

You can feel the benefits in as little as 5 minutes.(Photo: ProSource)

One of my personal favorite ways to decompress when I'm feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or anxious, is by lying on this acupressure mat (which has over 7,300 positive reviews on Amazon, too!). I love that the needles instantly relax my muscles and that when I stand up, I feel refreshed and rejuvenated.

Get the Prosource Fit Acupressure Mat and Pillow Set from Amazon for $19.99

You and your skin will feel so much better.(Photo: Roselyn Boutique)

For a quick burst of self-care in the evenings, one of our Reviewed writers 10/10 recommends a face roller like this one from Amazon, which has over 4,300 rave reviews. While she uses it on her face (specifically her jaw, where we all tend to hold tension) for five minutes each night, other users say they've rolled other areas of their body that tighten up when stressed or need a little boost of circulation.

Get the Roselyn Boutique Jade Roller from Amazon for $19.95

So comfy, so relaxing.(Photo: Moon Pod)

If kicking back on the couch just isn't cutting it when it comes to your stress levels, you might want to try a Moon Pod instead. The uniquely-shaped beanbag chair claims to mimicthe sensation of anxiety-reducing flotation therapyand our home editor, who tested it out for herself, says it does just that. She also likes that it's the perfect balance of supportive yet soft and that it helps her destress

Get the Moon Pod for $299

Choose from 30 different sounds.(Photo: Reviewed/Jess Rose Photography)

While you shouldn't ignore your feelings or ignore whatever is going in the world, sometimes you just need to press pause and tune everything out for a few moments. That's where a sound machine like this one comes in. It's our experts' favorite because it's loud enough to drown out any outside noise and has a wide variety of soothing white noise and nature sounds to choose from.

Get theSound + Sleep by Adaptive Sound from Amazon for $71.21

Don't knock this quirky massager until you try it.(Photo: Body Back)

I bought this massager as a gift for my then-boyfriend a few years agoand ended up buying one for myself after we broke up because I had become hooked! It's so easy to use (simply move it up and down gently over your head) and it feels absolutely amazing (like the scalp massage you get whenever you go to the salon). I use it every single night after work and it relaxes me in just a few seconds.

Get theBody Back Scalp Massager from Amazon for $6.49

This unisex robe has a traditional design and high-quality materials.(Photo: Parachute)

There's something about wrapping yourself up in a warm, luxuriously plush bath robe that instantly makes you feel better. One of the most popular robes right now is this one from Parachute, which is made from soft Turkish cotton. Our writer who owns it herself says it delivers on both comfort and quality, so it will last for years to come.

Get the Classic Bath Robe from Parachute for $99

You can adjust the height and heat for maximum comfort.(Photo: Amazon)

Sticking your feet in this massager does more than just soothe your tired toesit also gives you a few moments of much-needed "you time," which is important when you're stressed out or feeling anxious. With over 3,700 reviews, the massager is praised for how well it gets rid of any pent-uptension and the fact that it has a heat setting for even more relief.

Get theNekteck Foot Massager from Amazon for $65.99

Essential oil diffusers are safer than candles but still fill your home with smells that make you happy.(Photo: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar)

If you're a believer in the powers of aromatherapy, an essential oil diffuser is a must-have. Of all the ones we've tried, we like the InnoGear the best because it has such a large capacity that it can run for up to 11 hours straight and it's easy to switch out the scents of your choosing (like lavender or eucalyptus for calming).

Get the InnoGear Upgraded 150ml Diffuser from Amazon for $15.99

Like a foam roller but smaller and more targeted.(Photo: Pro-Tec)

If working out is your form of self-care, then you know that taking care of your body is important to keep it functioning (and to keep you feeling good). Plus, dealing with an injury or not being able to go out for your daily run certainly won't help your mental health so recovery is key. One of our staff members uses this massage ball daily to relieve stress and tension in his body (and mind) and it has a 4.7-star rating for how well it increases flexibility and massages your muscles and deep tissues, too.

Get thePro-Tec Athletics Orb from Amazon for $13

For when you aren't sure what you need.(Photo: Uncommon Goods)

You know you need something to feel better but you aren't sure what. Yoga? Journaling? A bubble bath? If you aren't sure where to start with your own self-care, this "bucket list" can help. The deck contains 100 cards broken into three categories (life, love, and laughter) with ideas for all different mood boosters and mental health aids, from unplugging from social media for a day to volunteering to doing a random act of kindness.

Get the Self-Care Bucket List from Uncommon Goods for $50

The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Read or Share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewedcom/2020/06/05/17-things-self-care-and-relaxation-home-theragun-gravity-blanket-and-more/3136160001/

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17 things to help with self-care and relaxation at home - USA TODAY

The artist Celos paints a mural in downtown Los Angeles on May 30, 2020 in protest against the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis. Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

The artist Celos paints a mural in downtown Los Angeles on May 30, 2020 in protest against the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis.

Protests against the violent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others are emboldening and expanding the movement to fight racism. But to make progress, many of us may need to adjust our thinking and our actions. We talked to several African American and Hispanic psychologists and leaders for strategies to fight racism.

You know that old adage: "Don't talk about race and politics at the dinner table. Well, we've got to get out of that," says Polly Gipson, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of psychiatry at Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan.

And while many African Americans have the talk with their kids about how to avoid altercations with the police or what to say if they are stopped, it's important for white parents to talk to their kids about racism too.

"Yes. It's uncomfortable," Gipson says. "But we can't avoid things that are uncomfortable because this is part of the problem of why we're not as far along as we should be," in eliminating racial injustices. And the more people who join the conversation, the better.

"A lot of people of color are tired. We're tired of being the unseen and misunderstood," says Inger E Burnett-Zeigler, a psychologist and associate professor at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. She'd like to see more voices at the table.

"I think it's important for everyone, regardless of race, to ask, 'What is my role in this system?' " she says. Ask yourself, 'Have I been a passive bystander, and how can I change that?'

"Perhaps it's simply speaking up in situations where you may have been disinclined to speak up before," Burnett-Zeigler says.

These tragic events of recent weeks can also create an opportunity, because people are fired up. Given all the anger and frustration, experts say there are strategies to channel these emotions into action.

1. Listen To People Closest To You, And To People Of Other Races

Whether it's your work colleagues, teammates, your children or extended family, one way to change hearts and minds is to listen. When we stop talking and start listening, we validate others' feelings and emotions. And, we may find opportunities to educate.

For instance, "People will say, my kids don't see color, and kind of wear that as a badge of honor," says psychologist Gipson. But if a white person says this to a black person, it can be offensive. And, though it may be well-intended, the idea that people are colorblind is false.

"All kids, even infants, discern differences in race," Gipson says. "It also invalidates people of color who have a 'lived experience' that is not like their white counterparts," she explains. People don't want important parts of their identity to be erased, they want to be recognized and respected for the entirety of their person.

2. Use Your Voice In Your Community And Work Place

We don't all have the audience that sports figures have when they speak out against racism, but we all have a voice.

For instance, millions of people signed a petition posted by Color of Change, one of the nation's leading racial justice organizations, demanding charges against the officers involved in the death of George Floyd.

At the local level, identify a policy that disproportionately affects people of color. Pick an issue in your community whether it's access to healthy food, school boundaries, or bail reform.

Rian Finney, 17, grew up hearing gunshots from his bedroom window, and he witnessed the aftermath of the unrest following the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore in 2015.

"If I don't speak up and do something, who will?" Finney asks.

He's now involved with several youth organizations, including GoodKids MadCity and Baltimore Ceasefire, which recruits youth ambassadors to help raise awareness of gun violence. It has always been young people who push the civil rights movement forward, Finney points out.

And for adults, "look at your specific position and reflect on what power you might have to shift change to promote diversity and equity," Burnett-Zeigler says. If you're a manager, have you promoted or hired people of color? If you're a teacher, have you incorporated messages of racial diversity and civil rights into your curriculum?

3. Give Your Time

If you've thought about signing up to be a tutor or mentor, now's the time to do it.

"Tutoring is a great example, mentoring is a great example," Burnett-Zeigler says. "These are ways you can use your personal influence in private ways for good."

If you're looking for a way to get started, check out the many national civil rights organizations -- or find a local, grass-roots group, says Janet Murguia, president and CEO of UnidosUS, a group that aims to empower Latinos to make change.

"We've partnered with organizations like Color of Change, National Urban League, Black Lives Matter and Race Forward, [which] are all doing incredible work in this space," Murguia says.

For instance, Race Forward offers interactive racial justice training courses and classes. And she points to the race and healing collaborative supported by the Kellogg Foundation, which sponsors an annual National Day of Racial Healing event.

4. Speak Up By Using Your Creative Talents

"There are so many ways young people can use their talent and gifts," says Gipson. On social media, we see examples of artists, from painters to jewelry makers, selling their wares and giving proceeds to an organization pushing for change.

"I love that idea," says Wizdom Powell, a psychologist and associate professor who directs the Health Disparities Institute at the University of Connecticut.

"The idea here is to leverage your gifts and leverage your privilege, because we all have some of that," Powell says. She points to an art competition that her institute organizes around visualizing health disparities. Art can play a role in healing and activism for health equity and social justice, she says.

Andre Rochester created Next In Line following the killings of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling two African American men shot by police in 2016. Rochester uses his art to raise money for positive solutions to create change. Andre Rochester hide caption

"The arts have long been a vital and important way to process emotions, especially difficult ones, into something tangible," says Jeremy Nobel, a physician who founded the Foundation for Art and Healing. "Expressive artifacts that make sense of the moment, bear witness and catalyze change."

In times of distress, people can use art to access and communicate difficult thoughts and feelings, especially ones that are hard to talk about," Nobel says. "[Art] offers a unique and powerful way to speak up, be heard, and be witnessed."

5. Self-Care Is Important

For people who are reeling from the recent spate of deaths and racial trauma, it can feel overwhelming, says GiShawn Mance, a psychologist at Howard University. She says, she feels it personally.

She leads healing circles, which can help people connect and grieve. She also facilitates restorative justice circles which aim to bring people who are trying to settle a conflict together.

But Mance says, in recent days she's needed to take some time for herself. "It's been hard to concentrate on work," she says. In addition to the national unrest and the COVID-19 epidemic, which has hit communities of color the hardest, she is pregnant and a close friend recently died. "It's a lot, and there have been tears," she says.

This is a traumatic and stressful time especially for African Americans and people of color. "People put a lot of pressure on themselves to act or do something in this moment," Mance says. So, her advice is this: "The fight for equity and justice is an ongoing effort; thus, do not put pressure on yourself to act or do something in this moment." And she says, "I'm particularly talking to people of color and black people who are experiencing this."

"It is difficult to help others when you are not OK," she says. So, though self-care strategies will vary, take care of yourself and your mental health first, she says. Then "you can move forward in action to help others."

Read more:
Beyond Protests: 5 More Ways To Channel Anger Into Action To Fight Racism - NPR

Faced with the uncertainties of life under lockdown, is it any surprise that many people are turning to methods of fortune telling such as tarot cards? Journalists are often tempted to ask whether this is a resurgence of pseudoscience. The history of tarot suggests not.

Tarot cards are decks that include four suits, much like standard playing cards, but with an additional set of trump cards, known as the Major Arcana, which depict mythological figures or archetypes such as Death or The Magician. Different tarot decks, such as the Tarot de Marseille or the Eteilla Tarot, contain different numbers of cards, Major Arcana and different illustrations.

These different forms of tarot have been many things for many people: a system of occult meaning or a dangerous fraud, but also a form of therapy, a source of practical advice and even of entertainment.

The history of tarot is overshadowed by two mythologies. The first, and more positive, was popularised by occultists in the 18th and 19th centuries in France. Men such as the pastor Antoine Court de Gbelin and the occultists Jean-Baptiste Alliette and liphas Lvi believed the cards were of ancient Egyptian or Jewish magical traditions.

Such theories are groundless. The earliest Tarot decks date from 15th-century Italy. Yet these myths inspired occultists to argue the cards encoded hidden ancient mysteries, and that understanding these complex meanings would give cartomancers card readers powers to tell the future.

At the same time, a negative myth of tarot was developed by the authorities in countries such as France. After the revolution of 1789, new provisions against fortune telling were introduced. The press, police and politicians agreed that the very use of tarot cards was evidence that an individual was defrauding people.

These twin myths of ancient wisdom and modern fraud still play a large role in how people respond to the cards. But they are not the only stories we can tell about the history of tarot.

Rather than the writings of occultists or the judgements of the authorities, historians can turn to what cartomancers and their customers said. As part of my research into witchcraft in France from 1790-1940, I have come across several hundred cases of cartomancy that reveal different sides to the cards.

For a start, tarot never dominated cartomancy. Fortune tellers were as likely to use standard decks of cards that lacked the Major Arcana. Clients often preferred these plainer methods of fortune telling, not least since they were cheaper.

Even when they did use full tarot decks, fortune tellers were unlikely to embrace the complex systems of symbolic meaning proposed by occultists. Instead, they stuck to simpler schemes. Two of the four suits were normally positive, and two were negative.

Fortune tellers might write quick reminders on the cards about their significance. The cards pictured below are from a set said to have been annotated by the famous cartomancer Mademoiselle Lenormand. The Wheel of Fortune signified a marriage will bring wealth, while the Tower of Destruction symbolised too much generosity.

Fortune tellers also developed their own interpretations of the images from the cards. In a case from Fougres, north-west France from 1889, for instance, the fortune teller pointed to two cards she had drawn and declared to her client:

Well now, the Queen of Spades is your wife, and the Ace of Clubs is money so your wife is stealing from you.

Other interpretations are harder to make sense of. In Besanon, eastern France in 1834, a fortune teller interpreted a card that looked like a monkey as evidence that the client was bewitched. Was it the monstrous, almost-human associations of the monkey image that connected it to sorcery? Some forms of historic symbolism are impossible to fully recover.

Although most of these examples are drawn from cases where the authorities actively tried to suppress scams, the fraud cases did not always go as the police hoped. Many clients proved reluctant witnesses in court. While the authorities saw them as naive victims, many demonstrated a more flexible understanding of what they were paying for. For instance, a young woman in Rouen in 1888 told a court:

I dont believe in all that nonsense. I went to the fortune teller just to please my friend.

Above all, clients thought of fortune telling less as a method of predicting the future and more as a way to address problems in their present.

In some ways, tarot could work as a form of psychoanalysis. In 1990, the writer Jose Contreras and the ethnologist Jeanne Favret-Saada drew on experiences with a cartomancer to argue that these methods of divining worked in the same way as modern therapy.

Many of the problems that tarot was used to address remain familiar today. Clients sought stolen and lost objects, the causes of mystery illnesses, news on employment prospects, and reassurances on romantic relationships.

There has been no shortage of scammers in tarots history who have used fortune telling to dupe clients. However, the cartomancers customers are not as naive as the critics of fortune telling have sometimes assumed, and the act of reading the cards has been more practical than mystical.

For the great majority, the cards have never been a misguided attempt to predict the future. They are a creative means of re-interpreting and coming to terms with an uncertain present.

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Tarot resurgence is less about occult than fun and self-help just like throughout history - The Conversation UK

Amey Vance, Live Well Published 9:49 a.m. MT June 6, 2020

This Nov. 14, 2019, photo shows notes attached to the Resilience Project board on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The purpose of the project is to let students know that it is OK to struggle. More college students are turning to their schools for help with anxiety, depression and other mental health problems. That's according to an Associated Press review of more than three dozen public universities. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)(Photo: Rick Bowmer, AP)

The last two months have been interesting to say the least. COVID-19 is impacting more than our physical health. New challenges such as isolation, balancing working and family responsibilities from home, or dealing with job loss, concerns over local and national protests, and the unpredictability of just about everything, can create or exacerbate stress and negatively impact mental wellbeing.

Intermountain Healthcare recently set up a free Emotional Relief hotline for anyone who needs mental health support related to COVID-19. Caregivers are available 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week to provide emotional health guidance. The hotline is for those experiencing mild emotional distress to those with more intense mental health needs. The hotline is available in English as well as Spanish as well as 19 other languages. Call 1-833-442-2211 to get connected with appropriate self-care tools, treatment options, or crisis resources.

Mental health is one of the top areas of concern, said Jordan Merrill, Intermountain Community Health Specialist for southwest Utah. Every aspect of life has a touchpoint back to mental and emotional health. Depression, mood disorders, and anxiety are only a part of mental health. Emotional health also encompasses the way we interact with others and the world around us, and how we feel on a daily basis.

During these unprecedented times, it is especially important to self-care mentally. A strong emotional foundation is necessary to care for and support others. Merrill offered a few tips for staying mentally healthy during these challenging and turbulent times.

#1 Appropriately use technology. Social media can be overwhelming, said Merrill. Try technology that uplifts: music, guided meditation, a good book, mindfulness exercises, or even games or crossword puzzles.

#2 Get some physical exercise. Exercise is an important part of self-care, said Merrill. Walk around your house, do some jumping-jacks. Getting your blood pumping will relieve stress, improve sleep, and improve your outlook on life.

#3 Stay connected with friends and family. Its possible to connect even while we social distance, said Merrill. Drive-by chats, video chats, phone calls, texts, and virtual hangouts are all appropriate ways to reach out while maintaining a physical distance.

#4 Write down worries. Make a list of specific concerns/fears and then write down a list of available resources that can help address those concerns. Reach out for help if necessary.

Weve seen a big uptick this last month in people reaching out for mental health resources, said Merrill. People are increasingly using technology-based options to make connections for emotional relief. During times of great stress, people may feel lonely, isolated, and like there is nowhere to turn for help. There are several great resources now available online; from mental health self-care tools, to crisis intervention, to connections to community resources.

The resources below can help with emotional health maintenance or relief:

#5 Remember these turbulent times wont last forever. While the ambiguity of today can be challenging, there are many things that can be enjoyed right now that probably wouldnt be otherwise.

Learn and know your emotional limits, said Merrill. Dont expect too much from yourself, and take time to decompress and self-care. Understand that you cant control everything. Control what you can by caring for yourself first, and then you will be better able to help others.

ThisLiVe Wellcolumn represents collaboration between healthcare professionals from the medical staffs of our not-for-profit Intermountain Healthcare hospitals andThe Spectrum & Daily News.

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Mental health awareness in the time of COVID-19 - The Spectrum

Summerset Winery in Indianola is blooming and opening its doors with COVID-19 precautions and plenty of wine and local music.

Guests are welcome to stroll the grounds or lounge in shady areas with a glass of their favorite beverage. Yard games are available.

Summerset Winery has opened its doors to sunshine and blooms.The winery hosted the annual grape harvest on Sept. 7, 2020 giving wine fans an opportunity to pick grapes in the vineyard. A harvester proudly holds up a big bunch of grapes.(Photo: MICHAEL ROLANDS/RECORD-HERALD)

Masks are encouraged, and groups will be limited to 10 or fewer. Only disposable wine glassesare available. Hand sanitizer is available. Employees will not be opening bottles, but openers are available for self-service.

On June 7 the winery returned to Sunday Tunes with live music 2-5 p.m. Cover charge is $5. Seating is limited so guests are encouraged to bring their own chair. To ensure social distancing the number of guests attending will be limited. Other restrictions pertain so please check the website for details. Purchasing tickets in advance is encouraged at summersetwine.com.

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Maybe a little wine and music will help - Des Moines Register

Books have positively affected human existence for centuries. Some are valuable for entertainment, others for intellectual stimulation, and some are so powerful they can effectively change your perspective on life.

If you are one of those people who do not make a habit of reading regularly, you might be missing out.

In addition to expanding your vocabulary and critical thinking skills, reading books helps you develop your thought processes, keeps your brain active, and helps you learn and understand any topic you can imagine.

Reading books puts you in other peoples shoes, which can help you view the world from others points of view, making you wiser and more empathetic. By exploring different perspectives on life, you are also likely to get to know yourself better.

These are some of the books you should check out if you are looking for life-changing and inspiring pages that will help you learn, shape, and develop your mind and who you want to be.

Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

Awaken the Giant Within is a book by the American author, public speaker, life coach, and philanthropist Anthony Jay Robbins. The pages guide you through his most effective strategies and techniques for mastering your emotions, your body, your relationships, your finances, and your life.

Robbins did not grow up in a privileged home. He made a decision to change his life, leading him to spend over 20 years researching and analyzing the differences between those who succeed and those who stay on the social ladders lower rungs.

The book is divided into four parts: Understanding your power, Taking control: The master plan, 7 days to remodel your life, and Awaken the giant within. Each part is rich in information and methods for personal development.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Thinking, Fast and Slow is an international bestseller by the renowned psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Daniel Kahneman. The author approaches human rationality and irrationality, decision-making factors, and other aspects of psychology in his sixth and most popular book.

This work takes you on a tour of the mind and the two systems that affect the way we think. One system is fast, intuitive, and emotional, while the other one is slower, more deliberative, and logical. Kahnemans analysis looks at how these two systems shape our judgment and all our decisions, from who we want to be to where we want to eat.

This book is a great help in understanding your mind, how and when to rely on intuition, and how you can benefit from slow thinking. The author offers insights, methods, and techniques on how to deal with decision making, concerning both your business and personal life.

Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

Stumbling on Happiness is a New York Times bestseller by the famous Harvard University psychology professor Daniel Gilbert. The author describes our brains ability to simulate and imagine biased predictions about the future, which can lead us to make wrong decisions and incorrect assumptions about ourselves.

The book involves the latest scientific research in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, philosophy, and behavioral economics.

It showcases what scientists have discovered in humans ability to predict the future and our beliefs regarding the accuracy of forethought, the tricks our brains play on us, as well as how to deal with inaccurate predictions and avoid them in the future.

Daniel Gilberts research on happiness demonstrates that happiness is not much affected by what happens in your life, but more with how you end up choosing to see and react to life events.

Spark! by John Ratey

The bestselling author John J. Ratey is an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and an internationally recognized expert in neuropsychiatry. In his book Spark!, Ratey illuminates the fascinating connection between the body and the mind.

The book illustrates the importance and the benefits of exercise on improving job performance, mental health, and quality of life in general. It is filled with case studies that prove exercise is the best defense against many mental illnesses such as depression and ADD, as well as addiction, aggression, menopause, and Alzheimers.

Exercise can have a significant impact on your life, productivity, confidence, health, and happiness. This book definitely has the power to change your mind about daily exercise because of its many logical and well-evidenced arguments.

A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking

A Brief History of Time is a popular-science book on cosmology by one the greatest minds of our time, the late English theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen William Hawking.

In the book, Hawking explains some of the most complex concepts in physics and phenomena of the natural world in a language everyone can understand, aiming to bring knowledge to all on how our planet was created, where it exists in the universe, and where it is going.

With more than nine million copies in 40 languages sold worldwide, the book has become a classic work, used in many scientific writings.

Relativity and quantum mechanics are not easy subjects, but this book allows you to gain a better understanding of the subjects in simple terms. Hawking describes many scientists discoveries, how their thinking has changed throughout time, and what science may still bring in the future.

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle

The Power of Now is a self-help book by the spiritual teacher and bestselling author Eckhart Tolle. The book has been read by millions in 33 languages and is recognized as one of the most influential spiritual books of our time.

Eckhart Tolle uses simple language and clear writing to highlight the importance of living in the present moment and avoiding unproductive thoughts of the past or future.

With enthusiastic writing and an easy question-and answer-format to help guide readers, the self-help book will help you recognize that living in the present is the truest path to happiness and freedom.

The most common ego identifications have to do with possessions, the work you do, social status and recognition, knowledge and education, physical appearance, special abilities, relationships, person and family history, belief systems, and often also political, nationalistic, racial, religious, and other collective identifications. None of these is you, stresses a key passage from The Power of Now.

Mans Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl

Mans Search for Meaning is the memoir of Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and Holocaust survivor Victor Frankl. In his book, he describes his experience in Nazi death camps and the lessons he drew from that time for spiritual survival.

Mans Search for Meaning is a two-part account: The first half discusses Frankls experience at the concentration camps, and the second half consists of universally applicable lessons learned from Franks struggle.

The book presents Frankls philosophy on how we are in the best position to control and determine the meaning and purpose of our own life, even in the worst conditions.

On the Genealogy of Morality by Fredrick Nietzsche

On the Genealogy of Morality is a book by the famous German philosopher, cultural critic, composer, poet, philologist, and Latin and Greek scholar, Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche. This book is about the history and interpretation of ethics.

The work consists of a preface and three interrelated essays that expand and follow through on concepts Nietzsche presented in Beyond Good and Evil (1886).

In this book, Nietzsche expresses his belief that in every society there are the strong (the talented and intelligent) and the weak (the less talented and intelligent).

The strong adopt ethical beliefs that justify their place in life and entitlement to their privileged position, believing that they have earned what is theirs. The weak adopt other beliefs that justify their own position, feel that people deserve aid and charity, and believe that people should live for themselves rather than for the other.

The philosopher argues that all these beliefs converge in the corrupting and oppressing of society, as well as the suppression of important human characteristics such as creativity, innovation, ambition, and even happiness itself.

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These 8 Books Have the Power to Change Your Perspective on Life - Morocco World News