Talking about life insurance sounds as much fun as eating rotten fish

To some people, Talking about life insurance sounds as much fun as eating rotten fish. And while ignoring them can add to family tragedy by becoming a nightmare, more and more people are doing it.

A recent survey by the nonprofit Life Foundation showed that a quarter of Americans would consider canceling their life insurance policies to give money away in these tough financial times.

Before making such drastic decisions, consider these seven common mistakes - and you may decide to buy more coverage, not less.

The seven big life insurance mistakes


1. Think you have had enough. In a recent survey of middle-income Americans, all states found that while respondents generally agreed that everyone should have some level of life insurance, most believed it should primarily cover funeral bills and expenses. Only 20% said life insurance life should replace the income of the deceased, to continue to support the child and other dependent family members The idea of ​​having a policy that pays seven to 10 times a person's salary - an amount that can easily make sense for someone who having young children - sounds like an attempt to sell a large, unnecessary policy to a respondent.

In fact, a third of adults have no life insurance at all, says Steven Weisbart, chief economist at the Insurance Information Institute. Of the rest of the people, many of them only have insurance that comes from their workplace policies, which is usually not enough for people who want to support dependents after their death.

2. Don't talk about it at all. "This is a topic that nobody wants to think about," said Matt Easley, vice president of Allstate Financial, partly because thinking about death was so uncomfortable.

Although life insurance is not compulsory like auto insurance, Weisbart says it is "morally obligatory," because "if you have dependents, you owe them to protect them from losing your ability to earn an income."

3. Rely on old rules. Traditionally, people have relied on the standard "sevenfold income" rule to calculate how much insurance they need. But that's not a useful measure, says Easley, because people's situations are so different. A single, independent person will probably need significantly less insurance than a person with five young children, for example. Instead, Easley recommends sitting down and thinking about "the things you want to protect." How much does it cost to support your children the way you want? To pay for their college or pay off the mortgage?

Michael Bonevento, senior financial adviser at Ameriprise Financial, also recommends making a "value of human life" calculation, which looks at the future economic costs of a breadwinner who dies. For example, if he earns $ 100,000 annually and has 20 years left until retirement, then the value is $ 2 million. (The tax is then deducted along with the amount the breadwinner consumes himself, and other benefits such as health insurance are added up. Finally, the present value of the figure is calculated.)

The value of human life is usually higher than what people think after considering what they would pay if they died. Bonevento recommends buying insurance for somewhere in between these two amounts. You can get started with a quick estimate using the MSN Money life insurance calculator. Or, if you know what you need, compare quotes directly.

4. Ignore your nonmonetary income. Many people, when adding up their income that needs to be replaced, forget about the benefits that come with their work, such as health insurance and retirement account payments. "I have a job, and my employer pays for my health insurance, but if I die, and the subsidy goes away, my wife will have to get health insurance without it, so it will be more expensive," Weisbart said. Life insurers, then, must pay enough money to cover a new health insurance bill.

5. Forgetting the long term. People often forget how long life insurance payments will take to support their children and other dependents after they die, says Easley. "If you have a child who is 10 years old, in 15 years, they will go out on their own," he explained, so in that case, the protection period that would provide support for 15 years is likely the most sensible.

6. Thinking that it is too expensive. Many people mistakenly think life insurance is prohibitively expensive, Bonevento says, but it's possible to find a policy that fits both your needs and your budget. Term insurance, which provides temporary insurance over a specific time period, is more affordable than permanent insurance, which lasts a lifetime. In addition to managing financial risk, people sometimes also use permanent insurance as an investment tool.

But those on a tight budget tend to choose term insurance. One of Bonevento's clients, a married man with one child and another on the way, decided he needed to take out $ 1.5 million worth of term life insurance. His monthly payment, pending an assessment of his health, will cost between $ 102 and $ 219 per month.

7. Forgot to update the policy. Even though a major life event, such as a child birth, marriage or divorce, usually means it's time to renew your insurance policy, many people forget to do it. Even the 9/11 attacks, which affected many Bonevento's clients, were not the motivator he thought they would be. Then, he said, "when tragedy strikes, they face financial problems above all else."

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Laugh Out Loud ( LOL )

Laugh Out Loud - Guffawing is great. It not only helps you bond better but also does your heart and head a sea of good.

When we moved into our home, I immediately fell in love with the expansive, lush green park in front. The only thing that startled me was the sound coming from the early morning laughter club that drowned out all other gentle sounds of nature. As I sat with my newspaper and tea in the balcony, a range of irritated thoughts passed my head from "Why do they have to be so loud?" to "They are just faking it", as I glowered at the group of senior men who were bent upon laughing their lungs out.

Eight years on, my attitude has changed, from irritated cynicism to wistful admiration. The group too has changed over the years as some very senior members have passed away making way for fresher greys. However, nothing, not even Delhi's extreme weather condition has dented their commitment and determination. And their early morning zest and back-slapping humour actually seems to be working wonders for them! There have been mornings when I have woken up feeling grumpy and on edge and their energetic mirth has added a dash of amusement and perked me up instantly.

If they can laugh for no reason then so can I! One very striking thing about laughter is that it is entirely social (unless you are watching a funny flick). We can smile alone, cry in solitude, be scared in isolation and rage all by ourselves, but we usually laugh when we are with people. It is even more contagious than yawning. Often while with friends and family, I have found myself laughing aloud at a joke that I did not entirely get. Laughter touches our empathy centre in

the brain and before we know it, we are giggling away merrily, our thinking brain desperately trying to catch up. As a kid I was always told that I laughed too much. I was sent out of class by my teachers for not being able to hold my mirth at the slightest provocation. My funny bone can still be tickled effortlessly and I also connect well with people who laugh easily. I have found that some of the most resilient people I have met are the ones who are able to laugh at themselves. An added bonus: a healthy sense of humour also keeps them going through the roughest of times. Robert Provine, a neuroscientist (Laughter: A Scientific Investigation, Penguin Books) gives a meticulous account of the anthropology and biology of laughter. According to him, laughter has tremendous analgesic properties.

In simple terms, it could be the best stress buster known to humans. It also has aerobic benefits as it activates the cardiovascular system, increases the heart rate and pumps more blood to internal organs. So the next time you miss the gym, don't fret. Just get hold of your friends or family and laugh it out. It will do your heart and your relationships a world of good! I have started believing that laughter is an excellent way to bond. Families that laugh together stay together. Giggling is the bonding glue for friends.

Even at workplaces, I have seen that teams that laugh together are most synergistic and effective. So if you are a little concerned about any relationship in your life, check out if you are injecting enough laughter into it. Whatever your unique style may be-giggle, chortle, chuckle, guffaw, hoot, cackle-don't hold back. Joyful living's got to be celebrated loudly. ( Prevention )

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Father's Day Quotes To Make Dad Smile On His Special Day

Father's Day Quotes To Make Dad Smile On His Special Day - Here's a great compilation of Father's Day quotes guaranteed to make Dad smile on his special day - First celebrated in Washington state in 1910 as an accompaniment to Mother's Day, Father's Day has become an annual tradition in America.

But it didn't gain much traction at first, and was only finally signed into law in 1972, when President Richard Nixon declared that the third Sunday in June would be forever set aside as a celebration of fatherhood.

And today's the big day, so consult this list of Father's Day quotes when writing Father's Day messages, giving Father's Day speeches, or just in casual conversation. They're a great way to put a smile on the big guy's face.

Some of these Father's Day quotes are funny, some are sentimental, and some are touching, but all of them will remind your dad of how much he means to you:

First celebrated in Washington state in 1910 as an accompaniment to Mother's Day, Father's Day has become an annual tradition in America.

1. "Fatherhood is pretending the present you love most is soap-on-a-rope." - Bill Cosby. This Father's Day quote from Cosby, one of TV's most famous fathers, is a hilarious ode to the joys of being a father and getting crummy gifts from your kids. Though you don't really need another tie or mug, the fact that they went out and bought something for you makes the day great all the same.

2. "Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gentle voices call him father!" - Lydia M. Child. This is a quote for those men out there who have created a large brood. If your dad has taken care of you and several siblings, this Father's Day quote may remind him of how lucky he is, though sometimes he may forget it.

3. "When I was a boy of 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years." - Mark Twain. This Father's Day quote by one of the fathers of American literature is a great one for a boy who is getting past the trying years of his adolescence. Though your dad surely already understands that it was normal teenage emotions and experiences that made you the annoying brat you were back then, that doesn't mean it's not worth letting him know you appreciate his wisdom.

4. "It kills you to see them grow up. But I guess it would kill you quicker if they didn't." - Barbara Kingsolver. This one is a great one for a father who is yearning for the days when his kids were still young. There are only two possibilities for anyone's children, and Kingsolver lays them out here in a fun little quote.

5. "Never raise your hand to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected." - Red Buttons. The old actor and comedian Red Buttons offers sage advice here for any father. Your dad may enjoy this one, or maybe you can just keep it to yourself for a little laugh.
6. "Happy Father's Day!" If you can't find a Father's Day quote that fits, you certainly can't go wrong with the three words every dad loves to hear.


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People living alone 'are more depressed'

People living alone 'are more depressed' - People of working age who live alone increase their risk of depression by up to 80% compared with people living in families, says a Finnish study.

It says the main factors are poor housing conditions for women and a lack of social support for men, who are both equally affected.

The study tracked the use of anti-depressants in 3,500 Finnish people.

A mental health charity said people who lived alone must be given outlets to talk about their problems.

The study authors highlight the fact that the proportion of one-person households in Western countries has increased during the past three decades, with one in every three people in the US and the UK living alone.

The participants in the study, published in BioMed Central's public health journal, were working-age Finns; 1,695 were men and 1,776 were women, and they had an average age of 44.6 years.

“Start Quote

Loneliness and isolation results in people having fewer outlets to talk about how they are feeling, which is something that we know can really help”

Beth Murphy Mind

They were surveyed in 2000 and asked whether they lived alone or with other people.

Other information about their lifestyle was gathered, such as social support, work climate, education, income, employment status and housing conditions, in addition to details on smoking habits, alcohol use and activity levels.

Researchers found that people living alone bought 80% more anti-depressants during the follow-up period, between 2000 and 2008, than those who did not live alone.

Dr Laura Pulkki-Raback, who led the research at the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, said the real risk of mental health problems in people living alone could be much higher.

"This kind of study usually underestimates risk because the people who are at the most risk tend to be the people who are least likely to complete the follow up. We were also not able to judge how common untreated depression was."

Isolation

Researchers said that living with other people could offer emotional support and feelings of social integration, as well as other factors that protect against mental health problems.

Living alone, the study said, could be linked with feelings of isolation and a lack of social integration and trust, which are risk factors for mental health.

The study said all the factors involved needed to be addressed in order to understand and reduce depression in working-age people.

Beth Murphy, head of information at mental health charity Mind, said the rise in the number of people living alone had had a clear impact on the nation's mental health.

"Loneliness and isolation results in people having fewer outlets to talk about how they are feeling, which is something that we know can really help to manage and recover from a mental health problem.

"It is therefore essential that people who live alone are given the most appropriate treatment such as talking therapies, which provide safe, supportive environments to discuss and work through problems, rather than simply being left to rely solely on antidepressants." ( bbc.co.uk )

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Smoking pot tied to slacking off at work

Smoking pot tied to slacking off at work - According to a real shocker from the world of bona fide science, smoking marijuana is tied to less motivation at the office.

The author of the study said it can't prove whether that's due to the drug's effects, the social environment in which it's used or whether pot smokers are just more likely to be laid-back from the get-go.

Though researcher Christer Hyggen suspects pot is the culprit, another possible explanation is that people who aren't so happy with their work situation or motivated on the job are more likely turn to drugs.

"There's a popular belief that people who smoke cannabis are slackers and that they don't want to work," Hyggen, from the Oslo-based social research institute NOVA, told Reuters Health.

To see how well that perception held up, he analyzed data from a 25-year-long study of close to 1,500 Norwegians. Starting in 1987, when they were in their late teens and early 20s, participants filled out surveys that included questions on their recent pot use on five different occasions, into their 40s.

They also rated their attitudes on statements that reflected work commitment, such as "It is very important for me to have a job" and "I feel restless when I have no work to do," ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 reflecting the most commitment.

People who reported smoking in the past year generally reported less dedication to work than abstainers, according to findings published in the journal Addiction.

The pattern held after Hyggen took into account their mental health, satisfaction with their work environment, their economic background and how much alcohol they drank.

He also found that those who only reported recent smoking on one survey -- the "experimenters" -- tended to be as committed as abstainers as they got older. That wasn't the case for participants who repeatedly acknowledged marijuana use: their work commitment continued to decline into adulthood, and remained significantly below that of never-smokers.

By the last survey, in 2010, the 63 repeat users had an average score of 3.9 on questions of work commitment. That compared to scores between 4.2 and 4.3 in participants who had only experimented with marijuana or never tried it, including those who said their friends used the drug but they didn't.

The findings suggested that over time, "people who quit smoking cannabis increase their work commitment, and people who take up smoking cannabis reduce their work commitment," Hyggen said.

While his results can't prove a cause-and-effect relationship, "we were able to at least close in on this association."

Such a link fits logically, according to another researcher not involved in the study.

"For adolescents who are engaged in marijuana use and substance use, to the extent that that decreases or limits the academic achievement they would have achieved otherwise, that would limit their employment opportunities," said Kimberly Henry, from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, who has studied marijuana and truancy in adolescents.

Still, she told Reuters Health, "I think like many of these kinds of behaviors, there is kind of a spiral cycle where one reinforces the other."

Hyggen said that it's not a bad idea to stay away from drugs including marijuana.

"At the same time I don't think we should be overly afraid of people experimenting with drugs in youth," he said, as young people with that type of marijuana use didn't end up with a diminished work ethic as adults.

Henry agreed that heavier marijuana use is what's worrisome when it comes to school and work performance.

"This idea that makes sense from theory and just conventional wisdom is that it's the higher-level use that's probably causing the most problems," she said. ( Reuters )

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Where did the ubiquitous Valentine's symbol come from?

Where did the ubiquitous Valentine's symbol come from? - It's Valentine's Day, and as usual, people are presenting their loved ones with heart-shaped cards, candy, and trinkets. How did the heart shape become the symbol of true love?

Nobody's quite sure, but it might have to do with a North African plant. During the seventh century B.C., the city-state of Cyrene * had a lucrative trade in a rare, now-extinct plant: silphium. Although it was mostly used for seasoning, silphium was reputed to have an off-label use as a form of birth control. The silphium was so important to Cyrene's economy that coins were minted that depicted the plant's seedpod, which looks like the heart shape we know today. The theory goes that the heart shape first became associated with sex, and eventually, with love.

The Catholic Church contends that the modern heart shape did not come along until the 17th century, when St. Margaret Mary Alocoque had a vision of it surrounded by thorns. This symbol became known as the Sacred Heart of Jesus and was associated with love and devotion; it began popping up often in stained-glass windows and other church iconography. But while the Sacred Heart may have popularized the shape, most scholars agree that it existed much earlier than the 1600s.

Less romantic ideas about the heart-shape's origin exist as well. Some claim that the modern heart-shape simply came from botched attempts to draw an actual human heart, the organ which the ancients, including Aristotle, believed contained all human passions. One leading scholar of heart iconography claims that the philosopher's physiologically inaccurate description of the human heart—as a three-chambered organ with a rounded top and pointy bottom—may have inspired medieval artists to create what we now know as the heart shape. The medieval tradition of courtly love may have reinforced the shape's association with romance. Hearts can be found on playing cards, tapestries, and paintings.

Hearts proliferated when the exchange of Valentines gained popularity in 17th-century England. At first the notes were a simple affair, but the Victorians made the tradition more elaborate, employing the heart shape in tandem with ribbons and bows.

Bonus Explainer: Why do we single out Feb. 14 to celebrate romance? It's said to be the day St. Valentine, a Roman priest during the third century, was executed. Legends about Valentine vary. Some say he was killed for illegally marrying Roman soldiers; others claim it was for helping Christians escape punishment at the hands of the pagan emperor. Just before his death, it's believed that he sent an affectionate note to the beautiful daughter of his jailer—the very first Valentine. ( slate.com )

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Ten Things to Know Before Getting a Tattoo

Ten Things to Know Before Getting a Tattoo - Your hair stylist has several. Your kid has one. Even your co-worker probably has one underneath that suit. Everyone seems to have a tattoo these days, and if you're thinking of getting inked, there are some details to consider before you make a commitment.

1. Brace for Pain.

A tattoo is created by repeatedly puncturing the skin with a needle and inserting ink in the puncture sites. So if you do not want it forever, or can't take the pain, perhaps you should consider another form of self-expression.

2. Find a Pro.

The Alliance of Professional Tattooists advises seeking out a professional tattoo artist and a clean environment. The group recommends that you "feel free to question the tattooist as to any of his sterile procedures and isolation techniques. Take time to observe staff members at work and do not hesitate to inquire about their experience and qualifications in the tattoo field." Investigate your state's licensing rules and find out whether your tattoo artist adheres to them.

3. Consider Your Skin.

Some inks used in tattooing can cause skin irritation or even an allergic reaction. Red dye most frequently causes such problems, even years later, according to the Mayo Clinic. You also may have problems with bumps called granulomas or raised areas of scar tissue (keloids).

4. Be Wary.

The Mayo Clinic cautions about the potential for contracting blood-borne illnesses when getting a tattoo. These include hepatitis B, hepatitis C, tetanus and HIV, all of which can be transmitted by unclean equipment.

5. Check the Tools of the Trade.

A quality tattoo artist will always use needles, tubes and inks from unused, sealed packages, according to the University of Michigan Health Service Department. The tattoo provider also should have an autoclave for sterilizing any nondisposable equipment. If the salon doesn't meet these requirements, try another studio. Check to make sure the tattoo area is clean and that the artist either washes his hands or wears gloves.

6. Get Nosy.

Do not be afraid to ask questions. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists warns that "if the artist or studio does not appear up to these standards or if they become evasive when questioned, seek out a professional tattooist." Find out how long your tattoo artist has been working. Ask to see some of her work -- or even better, watch her work.

7. Take Care of Your New Art.

Take the bandage off after 24 hours. Wash and gently pat dry the tattoo with a clean paper towel. Apply an ointment, such as A&D, and rub gently with clean fingers until the surface is smooth and clean. Don't pick or scratch at your scabs.

8. Avoid Sun and Soaking.

While your tattoo is healing, stay out of the sun and avoid submerging the affected area in a tub or swimming pool, according to the University of Michigan Health Service Department. It should take about two weeks for your tattoo to heal. After that time, you can apply moisturizer to the area. Always use sunblock on your skin; sunlight can damage and fade tattoos.

9. Watch for Warning Signs.

If your healing period has come and gone, and your tattoo is still red or burning, consult a doctor. Those are signs of an infection.

10. Do-Overs Cost.

Tattoo removal can be expensive, and there are no guarantees that the tattoo can be completely removed. "Tattoos can be removed, although results may vary depending on the inks used and the depth of the tattoo," according to the American Academy of Dermatology. "Dark blue, red, some lighter blues and green inks all respond well to laser treatment, but the best candidates for tattoo removal are people with light skin who have a black ink tattoo." ( secondact.com )

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7 Steps to a long and healthy life

7 Steps to a long and healthy life - Seven simple steps could give even those already well into middle-age a very good chance of reaching 90 - or even 100 - according to American cardiologist Dr Clyde Yancy. Here they are in full.

1.Be active

Inactivity can shave almost four years off a person's expected lifespan. People who are physically inactive are twice as likely to be at risk for heart disease or stroke. Although the protective effect of exercise on cardiovascular disease is well known, it is less widely appreciated that physical activity significantly reduces the risk of a range of cancers as well.


2.Know your cholesterol levels and keep them under control

Two-thirds of British adults have raised cholesterol, according to the charity Heart UK, which can lead to the build up of fatty deposits in your arteries - increasing your risk for heart disease and stroke. Official guidelines recommend that adults should have at most a total cholesterol reading of 5.0, but the national average is 5.7.


3. Have a healthy diet

Healthy eating is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health - yet the Department of Health recently warned that the average British adult consumes 10 per cent too many calories daily. Our diet also tends to be too high in fat, sugar and salt, and too low in fruit and vegetables that contain fibre and essential vitamins and minerals.


4. Know your blood pressure and keep it under control:

About a third of British adults are thought to have high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart attack and heart failure, stroke and kidney disease, while there is growing evidence it contributes towards dementia as well.


5. Achieve and maintain a healthy weight:

Some 60 per cent of British adults are either overweight or obese - major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. Being obese can reduce your life span by almost four years.


6. Keep diabetes-free, or keep it under control.

About 2.5 million Britons already have diabetes, of which nine out of 10 have Type 2, which is brought on by - amongst other things - eating too much and exercising too little. Diabetes increases the risk of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries), coronary artery disease and stroke, particularly if blood sugar levels are poorly controlled.


7. Don't smoke.

Smoking causes about 90 per cent of deaths from lung cancer, which claims about 35,000 lives a year in Britain, making it the country's biggest cancer killer. It also causes about 80 per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema, according to the anti-smoking charity Ash, and about 17 per cent of deaths from heart disease. Stopping smoking immediately decreases the risk of heart disease and stroke. ( telegraph.co.uk )

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Women don't trust men in flash cars to be good for anything more than a fling (but will the chap care?)

Women don't trust men in flash cars to be good for anything more than a fling (but will the chap care?) - It will come as no surprise to any woman who has ever giggled to herself about the male fascination with fast cars.

Porsche owners, however, may be a little taken aback. Research has likened men who drive fast cars to peacocks.

Just as the beautiful birds fan their tails to catch a mate’s eye, men believe that conspicuous displays of wealth are the best way to grab a female's attention.

Flashy: Researchers say that buying a fast car is display behaviour to attract women

Women, however, see through their ploy – correctly realising that men who flash their cash are more interested in a fling than lasting love.

The US study also holds hope for those men that can’t afford expensive motors, as men with clapped-out cars were seen as good marriage material.

The University of Texas researchers set out to find out why men scrimp and save to buy impressive but highly impractical cars.

Or, as they put it: ‘The Porsche Carrera GT does not qualify for the list of best buys.

‘The vehicle has very little cargo capacity, has only two seats, gets terrible gas mileage and is frightfully expensive to repair.

Flashy: A male peacock

‘Yet, for these people who buy one, these considerations are irrelevant.

‘Although showy spending is often perceived as wasteful, frivolous and even narcissistic, an evolutionary perspective suggests that blatant displays of resources may serve an important function, namely as a communication strategy designed to gain reproductive rewards.’

To test their theory, they carried out a trio of experiments in which men and women were asked if they were looking for a fling or long-term love, read romantic stories and given the choice of buying various goods.

This revealed the men who were interested in short-term relationships to have an eye for expensive treats.

Researcher Dr Vladas Griskevicius said: ‘The studies show that some men are like peacocks. They’re the ones driving the bright-coloured sports car.'

Lead author Dr Jill Sundie said: ‘This research suggests that conspicuous products, such as Porsches, can serve the same function for some men that large and brilliant feathers serve for peacocks.’

'People may feel that flashy things make them attractive'

Women, however, see right through them, with a fourth experiment revealing that they were aware that showy men had sex on their minds.

And while they may like a man with a sports car for a date, he is no more attractive as a long-term bet than an ordinary Joe, the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology reports.

Co-author Dr Daniel Beal said: ‘People may feel that owning flashy things makes them more attractive as a relationship partner, but in truth, many men may be sending out the wrong message.’

The research team added, unlike men, women don’t ‘woo with waste’.

‘Obviously, women also spend plenty of money on expensive things.

‘But the anticipation of romance doesn’t trigger flashy spending as it does with some men.’ ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Eat your way to good health!

Eat your way to good health! - With nasty viral infections doing the rounds in the city, you should do all it takes to protect yourself. One of the best ways to boost your immune system, keep it strong and avoid falling sick with colds, flu and other infections is to pay extra attention to what you eat.

Experts recommend that a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables will help you resist infections because these super foods contain immune-boosting antioxidants that will protect your body. Antioxidants are minerals, vitamins and other nutrients that protect and repair cells in your body from the damage caused by free radicals. Reasearchers say it is this damage that wrecks havoc by inflicting you with a number of chronic diseases, some of which include hardening of the arteries, cancer and even arthritis. Keep yourself fighting fit this cold season by eating smart.

Experts cannot stress enough, the benefits of including more fruit and vegetables to your daily diet. The three major antioxidant vitamins are beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E and these are found in fruits and vegetables with red, yellow, purple, blue and orange hues. When you consume these, try to eat them raw or slightly steamed — avoid boiling or overcooking them.

Foods that include beta-carotene are: Apricots, asparagus, beets, broccoli, cantaloupe, carrots, corn, green peppers, mangoes, turnip, peaches, pink grapefruit, pumpkin, squash, spinach, sweet potato, tangerines, tomatoes, and watermelons.

Foods that include vitamin C are: Berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, kiwi, mangoes, nectarines, orange, papaya, red, green or yellow peppers, sweet potato, strawberries, and tomatoes.

Foods that include vitamin E are: Broccoli, carrots, chard, mustard and turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, papaya, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, and sunflower seeds.

Experts also recommend foods such as prunes, apples, raisins, berries, plums, onions and beans, which are rich in antioxidants. Experts also recommend foods such as prunes, apples, raisins, berries, plums, onions and beans, which are rich in antioxidants. While vitamins go a long way in keeping you healthy, foods rich in zinc such as oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, seafood, whole grains, fortified cereals, and dairy products and selenium found in tuna, beef, poultry and fortified breads are also known to boost your immunity. Garlic is also known to help fight viruses and decrease the risk of catching a cold. Have it raw for the best effect — crush, dice or mince is and have it with your meals..( indiatimes.com )

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What can I do to manage my work and study combination?

What can I do to manage my work and study combination? - If you’re considering some form of further study, then you’ve probably given serious thought to how this will fit into your already busy lifestyle. There is no doubt that gaining a new qualification while still fulfilling all your existing professional and social commitments can be a challenge. However, the rewards are likely to be worth the extra effort, particularly if you are studying with the express intention of furthering your career.

• Enlist the help of family and friends – If you are serious about doing some form of study then it’s vital to have support from those closest to you. Talk to your partner, family and friends before embarking on a new course and make sure they understand why this is so important. That way, they will understand that you may not always have quite as much time for them as you would like.

• Talk to your employer – It may be that your studies are organised and funded by your employer, it would be hoped that your current workload has been taken into consideration and provision made for training leave. However, even if you are advancing your education under your own initiative then it’s still worth letting your employer know about your plans and goals. Employers would rarely frown upon an employee improving their skills and by keeping them in the know you will receive greater understanding and support.

• Maximise your time – While at first glance it might appear that you are constantly busy, in reality most of us have periods throughout the day where we could be more productive. A commute to work by public transport allows time to catch up on some reading. The television can also be a drain on our time but it doesn’t have to be completely forgone. Plan your watching schedule to only programmes that generally interest you.

• Play to your strengths – People’s learning styles vary dramatically, so what works for someone else may not work for you. If you perform better in the morning, set aside an hour once or twice a week for studying. Students concentration span also varies so keep this in mind to maximise learning either in bite sized chunks or longer periods. The key is to find what works for you and then plan your time accordingly.

• Create a study zone – If possible, it helps to have an area that is dedicated to studying, whether that means converting a spare room into a temporary study or tucking a desk into the corner of the living room. If you prefer to leave the house then you could try a quiet local cafe or your public library. Wherever it may be, creating this distinction between study time and the rest of your day will help to engage your brain and get you in the mood for learning.

• Find a study buddy – Setting goals with fellow students can be a great way of overcoming hurdles and boosting your own motivation. Making new friends is often an added bonus to adult learning, and technological developments mean it is now possible for people on distance learning courses to develop such relationships via the internet. If you are considering home study then it’s worth checking if the course provider has a virtual student community, which can effectively replicate the social environment of more traditional educational establishments.

To sum up, often the hardest thing about combining work with study is making the decision to do it in the first place. Once you get started you will probably find that it’s not as difficult as you’d imagined. Choosing a course that allows you to study via distance learning can also be helpful as you can work at your own pace without being tied in to specific timescales. Studying doesn’t have to take over your life: just a few hours each week can make all the difference. ( telegraph.co.uk )

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How to Avoid Raising a Bully

How to Avoid Raising a Bully - Parents who don't want their children to become bullies should stay positive, talk to their kids and meet their children's friends.

That's according to new research presented May 1 at the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies in Denver. Using data from a nationally representative phone survey, researchers found that some factors — including parents who frequently feel angry or bothered by their children — raise the risk that a child will become a bully. But other parenting behaviors protect kids from taunting others.

"The protective factors that I think can really be helpful, if we can focus on building them, is having parents who share ideas, talk well or very well with their child, and have met most or all of their child's friends," study researcher Rashmi Shetgiri of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas told LiveScience. The focus, she said, should be "helping parents to manage the negative emotions that they may have."

How to Avoid Raising a Bully

Home-grown bullies?

The devastating effect of bullying on victims is well-known, but bullies are at risk of hurting themselves, too. Research has shown that bullies are at greater risk than non-bullies for psychological problems, substance abuse and delinquency. One study, presented in 2010 at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, asked bullies why they torment other kids and found that they often hold negative views about themselves.

As part of a national phone survey, Shetgiri and her colleagues asked parents of children ages 10 to 17 whether their kids were ever cruel to other children. They also collected data on the parents' own mental health and emotions. Using data from 2003 to 2007, they found that 23 percent of children had bullied another kid at some point in 2003. In 2007, 35 percent of parents reported that their kid had been known to bully others, a 52 percent increase. In 2007, 15 percent of kids were "frequent" bullies.

Across the years, a few risk factors for bullying emerged. Children who had emotional, behavioral or developmental problems were more likely to bully. Kids of parents who said they often felt angry or bothered by their child were more likely to be bullies. And moms with mental health problems were also more likely to have kids that bullied.

Preventing potential bullies

On the other hand, parents who had communicative relationships with their children and knew most of their kids' friends were unlikely to raise a bullying child.

Shetgiri and her colleagues can't say from their research whether parental anger and impatience cause kids to act out by bullying, or whether bullies are more likely to make their parents angry. Discovering the cause of the bullying will require long-term studies of the same group of children over time, Shetgiri said.

The study also didn't look at cyberbullying, which Shetgiri hopes to research in the future. Her main goal, however, is to develop parenting interventions to either prevent or reverse the development of bullies.

"Interventions that help parents become more involved in their children's lives and that help parents communicate better with their children may be helpful," Shetgiri said. ( LiveScience )

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