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Destress Your Life in 10 Easy Steps

Stressed-out in NYC

Stressed-out in NYCThe gloomy days of January can be the most miserable and stressful of the year, but it doesn’t have to be this way. If you follow this ten step guide to destressing your life, then the next few weeks just might become the most serene and fulfilling ones of the year.

These really are easy steps — like doing something pleasurable,  eating a piece of dark chocolate, and remembering one of your favorite moments — but are based on scientific studies.

One step should be carried out on each of the next 10 days, say the authors of  “Mindfulness: An Eight Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World ,” based on their program developed at Oxford University to relieve anxiety, stress, exhaustion and depression.

Mindfulness has proved in some clinical trials to be at least as effective as drugs or counseling for dealing with these conditions. The authors, Mark Williams and Danny Penman, offer this abbreviated guide based on their research…

In Daring Raid, Navy SEALs Free 2 Aid Workers From Somali Pirates

Navy SEAL helicopter - US Army photo

Navy SEAL helicopter - US Army photoIn a daring raid reminiscent of the kind used to kill Osama bin Laden, U.S. Navy SEALs swooped into Somalia Wednesday morning and rescued two aid workers, who had been held by pirates since October.

The soldiers came in by helicopter and engaged in a firefight that killed nine pirates. The SEALs left with Jessica Buchanan, a 32-year-old American, and a 60-year-old Dane, Poul Thisted, who were injury free and on their way home.

Illinois Abortions at Record Low

poppy

poppyAbortions reported in Illinois reached a 37-year low in 2010, the lowest total since 1973, the year the procedure was legalized in the United States.

Planned Parenthood of Illinois said the organization was pleased to learn about the decrease. Between 2009 and 2010, the organization doubled its distribution of contraceptives such as intrauterine devices and saw a large increase in the number of women enrolling in a state program that covers reproductive health care for financially needy women.

Family Rescued from Seaplane Crash by Group of Good Samaritans

plane crash family saved in carribean

plane crash family saved in carribeanSome quick-thinking Good Samaritans were lifesavers for a Richardson, Tex. family whose small seaplane crashed into the ocean off the coast of a small Caribbean island near Honduras.

Andy Atkins, who was belted into his seat after the plane flipped upside down in the water, realized, “I’m not dead, but I’ve got to get out of here before I drown.”

 

WATCH the video report from MSNBC…

Thanks to JR for sending the link!

Family Rescued from Seaplane Crash by Group of Good Samaritans

plane crash family saved in carribean

plane crash family saved in carribeanSome quick-thinking Good Samaritans were lifesavers for a Richardson, Tex. family whose small seaplane crashed into the ocean off the coast of a small Caribbean island near Honduras.

Andy Atkins, who was belted into his seat after the plane flipped upside down in the water, realized, “I’m not dead, but I’ve got to get out of here before I drown.”

Home Depot Gives Another Half Million Dollars to Joplin Tornado Relief

Renovation Home Depot Foundation

Renovation Home Depot FoundationThe Home Depot Foundation presented a $500,000 grant to the Joplin community recovery fund, bringing to almost $1 million the amount donated to the relief effort for a town where a Home Depot was destroyed along with much of the community by a devastating tornado in May 2011.

The grant, to help support long-term recovery efforts in the Missouri town, was made in conjunction with the grand reopening of The Home Depot’s store there.

Obama Singing Al Green is Now a Free Ringtone

Obama sings Al Green at the Apollo

Obama sings Al Green at the ApolloPresident Obama’s falsetto rendition of Al Green at an Apollo Theater fundraiser last week is now available as a ringtone.

His official website is offering a free download of the President singing his favorite line of the soulful hit, “Let’s Stay Together”.

The ringtone, available for iPhones and other smartphones, features the 8 second line, ” I-I’m, so-oo in love with you,” with applause.

Download the ringtone on BarackObama.com

WATCH the brilliant rendition below…

(Via Rolling Stone)

Obama Singing Al Green is Now a Free Ringtone

Obama sings Al Green at the Apollo

Obama sings Al Green at the ApolloPresident Obama’s falsetto rendition of Al Green at an Apollo Theater fundraiser last week is now available as a ringtone.

His official website is offering a free download of the President singing his favorite line of the soulful hit, “Let’s Stay Together”.

The ringtone, available for iPhones and other smartphones, features the 8 second line, ” I-I’m, so-oo in love with you,” with applause.

Download the ringtone on BarackObama.com

WATCH the brilliant rendition below…

(Via Rolling Stone)

First Hints That Stem Cells Can Help Patients Get Better

ebryonic stem cells -PublicLibraryofScience-CClic
Embyonic stem cells by Nissim Benvenisty, CC license, Public Library of Science

Two women losing their sight to progressive forms of blindness may have regained some vision while participating in an experiment testing a treatment made from human embryonic stem cells, researchers reported today.

embryonic stem cells -PublicLibraryofScience-CC-license
Photo of embryonic stem cells – PublicLibraryofScience, Nissim Benvenisty, CC license

The report marks the first time that scientists have produced direct evidence that human embryonic stem cells may have helped a patient. The cells had only previously been tested in the laboratory or in animals.

“For these patients, the impact is enormous.”

(READ the story from NPR News) – Photo via Public Library of Science, CC license

Thanks to Joel Arellano for submitting the story to our Facebook page!

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman Unveil ‘We Can Be Heroes’ Campaign for Horn of Africa

Superheroes campaign for Africa

Superheroes campaign for AfricaDC Entertainment, home of some of the greatest super heroes, today unleashed a giving campaign to help fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. A multi-million-dollar commitment over the next two years by partners Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner will feature DC Entertainment’s Justice League characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and The Flash, issuing a call to action, and matching 100 percent of the donations.

[Editor’s Note: The ‘Heroes’ video at the bottom of the page plays automatically, but has a pause button]

The “We Can Be Heroes” campaign was announced at a press conference today by company presidents in New York and will support the efforts of three humanitarian aid organizations working in Africa — Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps.

Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman Unveil ‘We Can Be Heroes’ Campaign for Horn of Africa

Superheroes campaign for Africa

Superheroes campaign for AfricaDC Entertainment, home of some of the greatest super heroes, today unleashed a giving campaign to help fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. A multi-million-dollar commitment over the next two years by partners Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner will feature DC Entertainment’s Justice League characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and The Flash, issuing a call to action, and matching 100 percent of the donations.

[Editor’s Note: The ‘Heroes’ video at the bottom of the page plays automatically, but has a pause button]

The “We Can Be Heroes” campaign was announced at a press conference today by company presidents in New York and will support the efforts of three humanitarian aid organizations working in Africa — Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps.

As Smartphones Get Smarter, We Get Healthier and Health Care Gets Cheaper

iPhone medical apps detailed from Fast Company

iPhone medical apps detailed from Fast CompanyThe use of mobile technology to distribute health care, especially in rural areas perfectly exploits the wonders of a device that’s fast becoming ubiquitous, with two in three people owning one worldwide.

Smartphones can already track calories burned and miles run, and measure sleep patterns. By 2013, they’ll be detecting erratic heartbeats and monitoring tremors from Parkinson’s disease.

A new generation of startups is building apps and add-ons that make your handheld phone work like high-end medical equipment, especially thanks to modern high-resolution screens.

British Woman Becomes First to Ski Across Antarctica Alone

Felicity Aston first woman to ski Antarctica

Felicity Aston first woman to ski  AntarcticaBritish adventurer Felicity Aston became the first athlete ever to ski across Antarctica alone, using only her own muscle power.

She completed the crossing of the icy continent today, becoming the first woman to make the trek alone on skis. She accomplished her goal in 59 days, pulling two sleds with supplies for 1083 miles (1744 km) from her starting point on the Leverett Glacier on Nov. 25.

Egypt Army Pardons 1,959 Detainees, Prominent Activist

egypt flag waving by Kodak-Agfa-flickr-CC

Egypt victory flag by Kodak Agfa on Flickr-CCEgypt’s military ruler has pardoned 1,959 people convicted by military courts in the year since President Hosni Mubarak’s ouster, including activist Michael Nabil whose hunger strike had brought him close to death.

The pardon comes just four days before the first anniversary of the Egyptian uprising which began on January 25 igniting the Arab Spring protests that swept the region.

Chinese New Year Offers Hope and Prosperity in Year of the Dragon

Chinese dragon by-chamomile Morguefile

Chinese dragon by Chamomile via MorguefileChinese around the world will be wearing lots of red today, to celebrate the Lunar New Year marking the end of the disaster-filled “Year of the Rabbit” and to usher in a new year with more prosperity.

January 23 begins the Year of the Dragon, which should bring relief following 2011, which was foreseen by the Chinese calendar as a “very bad year.” (Remember the bevy of natural disasters (Japan’s tsunami, New Zealand’s earthquake, Joplin’s tornado and Mississippi’s flood, to name a few?)

“The dragon in Chinese culture is signified as very powerful. Very powerful and very strong,” says Peter Lung, a Chinese zodiac expert at World of Feng Shui. “America will be very strong this year.”

Most people stay up late on the eve of the lunar New Year, the most festive season for the Chinese, watching TV specials, eating dumplings and other snacks and cozying up with their families. At midnight they light fireworks, which continues for many days thereafter.

The fireworks and the red decorations in front of many homes and businesses were originally intended to ward off bad influences.

READ more in two articles: One in China’s People Daily, which tells you how to celebrate using the traditional customs of the Chinese; and, in the Las Vegas Review-Journal, which forecasts the New Year ahead, including one for President Obama, who was born in the Year of the Ox.

Photo by Chamomile via Morguefile

 

Chinese New Year Offers Hope and Prosperity in Year of the Dragon

Chinese dragon by-chamomile Morguefile

Chinese dragon by Chamomile via MorguefileChinese around the world will be wearing lots of red today, to celebrate the Lunar New Year marking the end of the disaster-filled “Year of the Rabbit” and to usher in a new year with more prosperity.

January 23 begins the Year of the Dragon, which should bring relief following 2011, which was foreseen by the Chinese calendar as a “very bad year.” (Remember the bevy of natural disasters (Japan’s tsunami, New Zealand’s earthquake, Joplin’s tornado and Mississippi’s flood, to name a few?)

“The dragon in Chinese culture is signified as very powerful. Very powerful and very strong,” says Peter Lung, a Chinese zodiac expert at World of Feng Shui. “America will be very strong this year.”

Recess Boosts Kids’ Grades

kids playing, photo by Sun Star

monkey bars smilesChildren who get more exercise also tend to do better in school, whether the exercise comes as recess, physical education classes or getting exercise on the way to school, according to an international study.

The findings, published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, come as many U.S. schools are cutting recess and P.E. classes in favor of more academic test preparation.

US Home Sales at 11-month High

sold sign

sold signU.S. home sales hit an 11-month high in December and the number of properties on the market was the fewest in nearly seven years, pointing to a nascent recovery in the housing sector.

The National Association of Realtors said on Friday existing home sales increased 5 percent, marking the third straight monthly increase, with all four of the nation’s regions recording gains.

Google Joins With Angels to Bankroll Education Microloan Upstart Vittana

Kushal-Chakrabarti-PopTech-cc

Kushal-Chakrabarti-PopTech-ccVittana, the Seattle non-profit that’s facilitating micro-loans to students in developing countries, has received a $250,000 grant from Google.

Seattle tech CEOs are also backing the non-profit Vittana, whose founder Kushal Chakrabarti — a former Amazon.com employee — says that hundreds of students are getting Vittana loans every month across four continents.

When it comes to education in the developing world, student loans simply don’t exist. Although microfinancing usually raises funds for small businesses, the Seattle-based Vittana has been helping students around the world graduate from post-secondary schools by asking donors to pay for their tuition.

Fewer Pirate Attacks on World Seas in 2011

With more international boats patrolling the high seas, piracy in 2011 dropped for the first time in five years. Pirate attacks in the South China Sea were cut by almost two thirds and Bangladesh incidents plunged by more than half. -Associated Press