Miranda McMinn, a columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald, highlights the challenges faced by older relatives during the Christmas season, particularly in relation to dementia. According to McMinn, there are nine signs of dementia that family members should watch out for in their elderly loved ones this Christmas, including memory loss, mood swings, and difficulty with communication.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/nine-signs-of-dementia-to-watch-out-in-older-relatives-this-christmas-20241225-p5l0lt.htmlProfessor Sarah Harper, the University of Oxford's first professor of gerontology, has found that socialising with friends can lead to a longer life. According to her research, mixing with others can slow down the ageing process and make cells more resilient. In contrast, loneliness is considered detrimental to health, having a similar negative impact as smoking.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14223183/Going-friends-help-live-longer-ageing-expert.htmlThe School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF) in collaboration with UNFPA Pakistan successfully concluded The Learning Network, a capacity-building initiative that empowered 165 women and youth-led organisations across Pakistan to address pressing issues such as reproductive health, mental health, and climate resilience. The programme provided comprehensive training on social media strategies, financial management, project management, organisational governance, and advocacy, enabling participants to launch Community Action Projects (CAPs) that directly benefited over 165,000 community members, including 2,208 refugees. Dr. Luay Shabaneh, Country Representative of UNFPA Pakistan, praised the initiative's impact, stating it has strengthened the leadership and operational capacity of organisations working with vulnerable populations in Pakistan.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1264757-solf-empowers-community-organisations-through-capacity-buildingWilliam Wanyoike suggests that loneliness is a normal part of the human experience, particularly during the holiday season. He advises individuals who may feel lonely on Christmas Day to practice self-compassion and engage in small acts of kindness, such as reaching out to others or reflecting on their own well-being.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/infographics/2024-12-24-how-to-cope-when-alone-on-christmas-dayIndividuals can practice mindful breathing techniques to reduce stress levels. For example, they can focus on their natural inhalation and exhalation patterns to calm their minds and promote relaxation in any setting.
https://www.livemint.com/web-stories/5-simple-mindfulness-practices-to-reduce-stress-visual-story-11734692106205.htmlDr. Gibson recommends several strategies to help young children manage anxiety and excitement at bedtime during the Christmas season. For younger children, he suggests a calming pre-sleep routine that includes activities such as taking a bath, listening to gentle music, reading or selecting soothing bedtime stories. He also advises parents to acknowledge their child's excitement and remind them that getting a good night's sleep will help them have a better Christmas experience. For older children, Dr. Gibson recommends practicing mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises and visualizing calm places before sleep. Additionally, he suggests creating an open space for discussion about any worries or concerns the child may have, and using a "worry box" to write down their concerns overnight and discuss them in the morning. In terms of snacks, Dr. Gibson advises against giving children sugary treats close to bedtime, instead recommending a snack consisting of fruit, dairy, protein or fat about an hour before sleep, such as oatmeal with Greek yoghurt or cheese and crackers.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14220739/sleep-expert-children-fall-asleep-christmas-eve.htmlDr. Julie Smith, a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Hampshire, has identified several warning signs of fake friendships on TikTok. According to Dr. Smith, one major red flag is when someone's behavior changes after something good happens in your life, indicating they may not be genuinely invested in your well-being.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14186441/Im-psychologist-three-subtle-signs-friend-fake.htmlDr Max suggests that instead of focusing on New Year's resolutions for change, people should reflect on the positive experiences they had throughout the year. This practice, known as "gratitude therapy," is a part of the branch of psychotherapy called "positive psychology." It involves identifying things to be grateful for and has been shown in numerous studies to have a strong association with long-term mental wellbeing. By focusing on the positive, individuals can reduce negative emotions such as anger and frustration, and even strengthen their social connections by expressing gratitude to those around them.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14219273/DR-MAX-PEMBERTON-minute-trick-promise-change-life.htmlScientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi have developed a robot that can detect human emotions through touch. The robot uses sensors to read electrical signals from the skin, which are then used to determine the person's emotional state. This technology has potential applications in healthcare and therapy, allowing robots to provide personalized care and support to individuals with mental health conditions or disabilities.
https://www.news18.com/tech/robots-may-soon-detect-how-you-feel-by-touching-your-skin-heres-how-9165367.html