Tag Archives: overcome

We’ve Overcome Middle-Age Unhappiness

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The degree of change in satisfaction with age

Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Research indicates a significant dissatisfaction during middle age, yet a previous phenomenon of “unhappy humps” in youth and later life seems to have faded.

This suggests that the issue is not an inherent unhappiness linked to middle age, but rather a decline in youthful happiness, a pattern supported by Alex Bryson from University College London.

“We are witnessing a surge in stress levels among individuals under 40, where the younger the demographic, the more pronounced the increase,” he remarks. “This indicates an upward trend in suffering among the younger population.”

Earlier studies spanning 145 countries reveal that individuals aged 30 and above, particularly around the age of 50, experience peak unhappiness. This trend appears to resonate with findings on Orangutans and chimpanzees.

However, Bryson and his team noticed the disappearance of the unhappy hump based on an analysis of the US National Mental Health Survey, which observed over 10 million adults from 1993 to 2024, including 40,000 households from 2009 to 2023.

To verify if this trend is global, researchers utilized data from Global Minds, a mental health study with about 2 million participants across 44 countries, including the US and UK. Findings showed that in all countries analyzed, unhappiness decreases with age, with “unhappy humps” being replaced by a gradual decline.

So, do people in middle age report higher happiness levels today? “Not necessarily,” Bryson states. “Middle-aged individuals appear to remain in a stagnant state; any shifts in happiness are primarily observed in the younger demographic.”

These emerging trends are particularly pronounced in affluent English-speaking nations such as the UK and the US, while being less noticeable in regions of Africa with limited internet access. In Tanzania, for instance, only 32% of young internet users in 2022 reported significant happiness compared to their offline counterparts. Bryson noted that further investigation could shed light on these observations.

The decline in young people’s well-being may stem from several factors, notably the adverse impact of social media, along with the isolation and challenges in accessing mental health care exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to Bryson.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Young Iranians Strive to Overcome Internet Blackout: It Feels Like Being Trapped by Walls

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a Amir* hasn’t slept in days. From his apartment in northern Tehran, the 23-year-old has spent nights searching for a vulnerable digital connection that can temporarily bypass the internet blackouts.

For 13 days, Iran has faced a nearly complete internet shutdown, severely limiting access to information since the onset of Israel’s strike until the latter part of Wednesday. However, a group of young Iranians tirelessly works to ensure their voices are heard beyond their borders.

“Using a VPN is no longer effective. To navigate this internet blackout, we’re relying on a special proxy link—essentially a ‘secret tunnel’ that channels messages through non-Iranian servers.

“These links are built into the app’s features […] They direct traffic from internal servers. Each link only works for a few hours before it fails. So, I’m constantly on the lookout for new ways to communicate with my people.”

The Iranian government blames external forces for restricting internet access during the conflict with Israel, claiming the network is being exploited for military purposes. A local source informed the Guardian that only correspondents from approved foreign media can access the internet.

While domestic messaging apps are operational, many young Iranians lack confidence in their security.

Amir remarked: “We have local apps, but they’re utterly unreliable. The government takes every opportunity to surveil us, particularly targeting student leaders.”

Last week, Amnesty International urged the authorities to lift the communication blackouts, stating it would “prevent individuals from finding safe routes, accessing vital resources, and sharing information.”

Another student leader, Leila*, 22, residing in Abbas Abado, north of Tehran, mentioned that she managed to connect again during the shutdown thanks to assistance from abroad. “My boyfriend in Europe sent me a composition link via text. Without it, nothing works. The internet sporadically operates for a few minutes before shutting down again.”

The blackout not only severed connections with the outside world but also complicated life amid the ongoing Israeli bombardment. “It feels like being enclosed by a wall,” remarked Tehran student Arash*. “We’ve lost the ability to assist each other with independent news while the sound of bombs contrasts sharply with the silence of state media.”

For Amir, the most alarming aspect is how the perception of war is becoming normalized. “We’re starting to treat this as normal,” he expressed, “but war is anything but normal.” He noted their recognition that the rattling of windows signifies either an air raid or an explosion.

The blackouts intensified his fears amid the war. “That’s what erases us… it makes us invisible. Yet here we are. We still wish to connect with a free world.”

* The name has been changed

Source: www.theguardian.com

TikTok’s Final Bid to Overcome Anti-Sale Laws: Supreme Court Appeal | TikTok

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TikTok made a last-ditch effort to continue operating in the U.S. on Monday, as it passed a temporary law requiring its China-based parent company ByteDance to sell the popular app by January 19. The U.S. Supreme Court was asked to intervene and prevent a ban from taking effect.

Both TikTok and ByteDance have filed emergency requests with a judge to block the impending ban on the social media app, which is used by approximately 170 million Americans. They are appealing a lower court ruling that upheld the law. Additionally, a group of U.S. users of the app filed a similar request on Monday.

The law, passed by Congress in April, was based on concerns raised by the Justice Department regarding TikTok’s Chinese ownership. The department alleges that as a Chinese company, TikTok could access and manipulate vast amounts of data on U.S. users, endangering national security. The ban is aimed at addressing these security threats.

TikTok and ByteDance argued in their Supreme Court filing that Americans should have the freedom to choose whether or not to use the app, without government interference. They criticized the law’s potential impact on freedom of speech and expressed concerns about the future implications if the law is upheld.

If TikTok is shut down even for a month, the companies estimate that they would lose a significant portion of their U.S. user base, affecting their ability to attract advertisers and content creators. The companies stress TikTok’s importance as a speech platform in the U.S. and argue that delaying enforcement of the ban would allow for further legal review.

Despite previous attempts to ban TikTok, President Donald Trump has signaled a shift in his stance and expressed interest in saving the app. He met with TikTok’s CEO and has indicated that his administration will evaluate the law’s legality. The companies emphasize the abrupt impact the ban would have, particularly on the eve of the presidential inauguration.

The companies urged the Supreme Court for a ruling that would allow them to manage the shutdown of TikTok in the U.S. if necessary, and to coordinate with service providers within a set deadline under the law. The escalating tensions between China and the U.S. add further complexity to the dispute.

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TikTok has vehemently denied any sharing of U.S. user data and accused U.S. lawmakers of creating unfounded concerns. The company emphasizes the importance of protecting free speech and the potential implications of restricting access to the platform.

In a statement following the lawsuit, TikTok’s spokesman Michael Hughes reiterated the need for the courts to closely scrutinize any restrictions on speech, particularly in cases involving foreign ownership. The ongoing legal battle underscores the complexities of balancing national security concerns with free speech rights.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Hidden Culprit Behind Your Sleep Troubles: Excessive Fatigue and How to Overcome It

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You’ve probably experienced this feeling before: after a long and exhausting day, all you want to do is curl up and sleep. But instead of allowing you to rest, your brain decides it’s time for some mischief, leaving you wide awake with thoughts racing through your mind.

So why does this happen? Why does our brain keep us awake when we’re most in need of sleep? The answer may lie in the fact that we’re just too tired to sleep.

If you’ve heard of this concept before, it’s often associated with babies who become “over-fatigued” when kept awake for too long, leading to stress and sleep disturbances.

However, the same phenomenon can occur in adults when unchecked emotions interfere with the body’s ability to shut down for sleep. And the longer you stay tired, the harder it becomes to fall asleep.

Fortunately, there are ways to break this cycle. In the following sections, we’ll not only explore what excessive fatigue is, but also share three simple, scientifically-backed steps to help you overcome excessive fatigue for good.

Excessive fatigue ruins your sleep

Being excessively tired is a paradoxical situation. When you’re physically and mentally drained, your brain is actually in a state of hyperarousal, making it difficult to relax and fall asleep.

This hyperarousal state hinders the body’s natural sleep mechanisms, particularly the buildup of sleep pressure.

Sleep pressure refers to the increase in neurochemicals and hormones that signal your body’s need for sleep as you stay awake throughout the day.

According to Professor Matt Jones from the University of Bristol, “As sleep pressure builds up, the brain may also become more excitable, with neurons in the cerebral cortex firing at an increased rate.”

By maintaining hyper-vigilance and allowing intrusive thoughts to dominate your mind, you disrupt the brain’s ability to reset the sleep pressure system, making it harder to fall asleep.

Furthermore, chronic fatigue and sleep deprivation can exacerbate this cycle by feeding troubling thoughts that persist into the following night.

In a recent study, individuals with insomnia were found to ruminate more about past embarrassing events than healthy sleepers, leading to longer sleep onset times.

Additionally, insomniacs may become hypersensitive to bodily sensations like their own heartbeat, further inhibiting their ability to fall asleep.

Dr. Jones explains, “Insomnia creates a heightened awareness of irrelevant information, placing undue strain on the brain and hindering the natural process of sleep onset.”

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How to avoid being too tired

If you find yourself feeling overly tired and mentally restless when trying to sleep, it indicates that key brain areas are still in a state of hyperarousal, preventing you from processing the events of the day.

According to Dr. Alex Scott of Keele University, modern society’s difficulty in regulating emotions and processing experiences often leaves individuals unable to positively address their emotions, leading to rumination and anxiety at bedtime.

To combat excessive fatigue and improve sleep quality, Scott recommends three simple strategies:

1. Stop counting sheep

Contrary to popular belief, focusing on falling asleep can actually make it more difficult to do so. Rather than forcing yourself to sleep, Dr. Scott suggests acknowledging that sleep is an automatic process that can’t be rushed. Instead of counting sheep, focus on processing your emotions through activities like journaling.

2. Keep a worry diary

Keeping a worry journal before bed can help you identify and address troubling thoughts that may be contributing to your inability to sleep. By writing down your worries and potential solutions, you can externalize and process these concerns, allowing your mind to relax and prepare for sleep.

3. Set a Bedtime Timer

To create a buffer between daily activities and bedtime, set a bedtime alarm to allow time for relaxation and decompression. Engaging in calming activities like reading or meditation before bed can help ease mental fatigue and promote restful sleep.

About our experts

Professor Matt Jones: A neuroscientist at the University of Bristol specializing in sleep science, memory, and decision-making.

Dr. Alex Scott: A psychology lecturer at Keele University whose research focuses on the role of sleep in mental health.

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

Overcome the lava flow and rebuild from the ashes

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Above: Photo taken from an astronaut aboard the International Space Station on February 13, 2016 (before the eruption). Below: Photo taken from astronauts aboard the International Space Station on August 18, 2023.

Two years after the Cumbre Vieja eruption in the Canary Islands, some roads have been rebuilt.

astronaut on board international space station (ISS) took these photos of La Palma Island while in orbit over the North Atlantic Ocean. La Palma is part of Spain’s Canary Islands, approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) off the coasts of Morocco and Western Sahara. The island is basalt shield volcano This volcano consists of two volcanic centers. One is the old collapsed Caldera de Taburiente and the other is the young and active Cumbre Vieja.

From September to December 2021, eruption Lava flows, lava fountains, and volcanic ash clouds occurred on the southwest flank of Cumbre Vieja. The mission lasted about 85 days and gave astronauts on the space station the opportunity to take photos of plumes and glowing lava flows at night.

In total, the lava flow and ash covered more than 12 square kilometers (5 square miles) of La Palma and extended 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the fissure to the coastline.Ash and lava damaged Over 3,000 buildings and some banana plantations, caused yellowing of pine forests.

These photos were taken in February 2016 (top) and August 2023 (bottom) and show the landscape several years before and after the eruption. In the two years since the eruption, some roads have been rebuilt and are visible as thin, brightly colored lines cutting through the lava flow. This road will reconnect the town of Los Llanos de Aridane with Puerto Naos and other nearby communities. In this photo, the eruption crack is clearly visible as a brighter, linear feature halfway down the side of the volcano.

Although not noticeable in the spatial resolution of these images, sparse trees and shrubs continue to grow within the deposited volcanic ash. canary islands pine (Pinus canariensis).This fire resistance serotinic Coniferous trees, endemic to the Canary Islands, use the heat from fires to melt the resin surrounding their pine cones and produce viable seeds.

Astronaut photo ISS069-E-62382 was acquired on August 18, 2023 with a Nikon D5 digital camera using a focal length of 400 millimeters. Astronaut photo ISS046-E-40929 was acquired on February 13, 2016 with a Nikon D4 digital camera using a focal length of 400 millimeters. Images provided by the ISS Crew Earth Observation Facility and the Johnson Space Center Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit. The images were taken by Expedition 69 crew members and Expedition 46 crew members. Images have been cropped and enhanced to improve contrast and lens artifacts have been removed. The International Space Station Program supports this laboratory as part of the ISS National Laboratory, allowing astronauts to take the most valuable photographs of Earth to scientists and the public, and to make those images available on the Internet. We support it so that it can be used freely. Caption by Cadan Cummings, Jacobs, JETS II Contract NASA-JSC.

Source: scitechdaily.com