#Priorities! Next month no food challenge
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pleasedontcareaboutme · 4 months ago
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The urge to spend a 100$ on merch before getting my paycheck is so strong. I might not survive soldiers
#Priorities! Next month no food challenge#At least I can eat my vinyls and CDs 🥰#Man fr I could starve but if Id have some albums#Id be happy#eating my own organs and shit#Okay yes I officially lost it but!#ahiajwineidn the voices#I want to spend money#🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛#Tbh i only eat cheap ass bread anyways so maybe we can do it 👻#me tryna convince myself this would be a good idea and i wouldn't die#Mnaiaisns9jwkq but it's motivation? to keep working right?#....... IM ABT TO ORDER STUFF#IDEK WHAT. BUT. THE. VOICES.#like im soo thinking abt buying the mortal vinyl or atsushis vinyll CUZ THEY LOOK SO GOOD.#I DONT HAVE A MF LP PLAYER BUT IMMA BUY ONE AS WELL#aaaaaaaaa🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠#HM. HmmMM. i can get an LP player on facebook market place rightttt that wont be expensive righttttt#oh to not have to pay 30$ for. shipping would be so good#Ahhhhhhhhh. 😾#Gimme money#Actually I don't even have the money! idek how much am i gonna get paid! but im just thinking abt ordering stuff and hoping ill have enough#insanity is my middle name tbh#also i hate how i literally. dont keep track of my money and i always act on impulse 😭#like man idc how much u pay me i see i have enough imma spend it all#but i should save up to finally move my mf ass away from this great environment i live in#but dang is it hard next to school#getting paid less than minimum wage as a student lowkey. is not fun#But idk what to do cuz i cant skip school to work 😭 so this is shit#n e ways goodnight ily who reads my 3556th diary entry
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girlwithrituals · 3 months ago
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GLOW UP GUIDE FOR 2025⠀
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READ: On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And considering that 2025 is precisely these many days away, why not start with our glow up plan already?
Tumblr media
Physical Glow Up-
BODY
— 5-10K steps a day.
— 7-8 hours of sleep.
— workout everyday for 1 hr atleast- yoga/stretching/pilates/cardio/lifting weights. a workout may take one hour, but your mood will be boosted for the next 12 hours.
— posture training.
— sunlight exposure after waking up for at least 10 minutes.
NUTRITION
— 2-3 liters of water every day.
— limit your caffeine intake.
— avoid sugars as much as you can.
— high protein diet, pre and probiotics.
— more fruits and veggies (+ green smoothies if you like).
— no junk/processed food/trans fat.
— no eating after 8 pm.
SKINCARE
— be clear on your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive).
— once you're clear, use these accordingly- cleanser, toner, targeted serum, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen (≥50 spf).
— keep your bedding clean as well.
— no picking of skin on your lips, cuticle etc.
— gua sha to help improve blood circulation and lessen toxins.
— cold therapy may take three to five minutes of being uncomfortable, but your energy levels will be boosted for the rest of the day.
— remove makeup before you go to bed.
BODY CARE
— shower every day.
— exfoliate 2x a week.
— use body lotion (shea butter/aloe vera gel/coconut oil).
HAIR CARE
— wash hair 2-3x a week
— oil your scalp 2x a week, at least 3 hours before shampoo.
— hair mask 1x per week.
— never brush wet hair.
— use silk pillow case.
HYGIENE
— brush your teeth 2x a day, clean tongue and the roof of the mouth daily.
— floss daily.
— cut your nails 1x a week, never remove the cuticles.
— glycolic acid under arm for odor and discoloration.
— never use soap on your coochie.
Tumblr media
Mental Glow Up-
MINDSET
— set clear goals- define and breakdown your aspirations.
— start your mornings with positive affirmations.
— surround yourself with uplifting content and people.
— be shamelessly selfish to your career and mental health, remove anyone or anything that doesn't align with your priorities and wellbeing.
— boost your brain health by these 4 neuroscience tools:
difficult first: start your day with the most difficult task (cortisol and dopamine are high in the body meaning that your body/mind is primed to work).
rest your eyes: introduce a micro-pause after learning by resting/closing your eyes - will help retain information better.
tomorrow's worries: write tomorrow's to-do list before bed as it is proven to be effective in helping you fall asleep.
find time to play: engage in low-stake play. can be anything you find fun but where the outcome doesn't matter (induces neuroplasticity + reduces stress).
MIND
— meditation might take as low as ten minutes, but your focus will be improved for the rest of the day.
— no social media after waking up and at least an hour before bed.
— keep aside 1 hr of time to read daily! reading a new book may take five hours, but you will keep the knowledge forever.
— journaling, gratitude.
— digital detox once a week or for 12 hours.
— limit unnecessary screentime, unfollow or cut off people you don't want to see.
JOURNALING
— choose a regular time each day to journal, making it a part of your routine.
— find a quiet, comfortable place free from distractions. light a candle if you want.
— allow your thoughts to flow without censoring or editing.
— write about your feelings and emotions to understand them better. write about things you are thankful for to boost your mood. write about your short-term and long-term goals. identify what triggers certain emotions or reactions
— set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write continuously during that time.
— reflect on both positive experiences and challenges.
— make lists, journal your thoughts on these questions.
— journal at night to clear your mind before bedtime, because emotions and thoughts lose their power once we acknowledge them.
— a gratitude practice may take five minutes, but your mindset will be shifted for the rest of the day.
AFFIRMATIONS
— customise affirmations to your needs.
Tumblr media
Personal Life-
WEEKLY TASKS
— initiate small changes: begin with small, manageable tasks such as making your bed or cleaning your room every sunday.
— celebrate your success: reward yourself when you achieve your goals or have a consistently productive week. consider treats like buying flowers for yourself or watching your favorite show.
DAILY WORK
— set achievable goals: establish realistic goals for the day, week, or month ahead.
— track your progress.
— organise your work space, declutter your shelves etc.
— embrace the power of lists: keep a list of tasks to be done and their deadlines. this way, you start each day with a clear plan. to make it visually appealing and motivating, consider using productivity apps like evernote, habit tracker, or notion.
PRODUCTIVITY TIPS
— wake up early.
— plan ahead everything, do scheduling. you can use:
google calendar / notion / tasks .
— if the task takes less than 2 minutes to finish, do it immediately.
— countdown rule, if you are procrastinating, count 1-2-3-4-5 and jump.
— start slow, don't rush and try to do everything at one time.
— follow a proper routine, use app locks based on screentime.
— pomodoro technique, 25 min work, and 5 min break.
— schedule longer break times as well e.g 30 min nap.
Tumblr media
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legy · 7 months ago
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hi! i'm caelum. you might know me from @goldentruths-pod or from posting online. im in a financial quicksand pit and i really, really, really need help.
i'm disabled and receive approx ~$950 a month from social security. this has gone from "rough but survivable" when i first started receiving SSI to "i am literally not making ends meet" in 2024. right now my current status is that i am covering my basic needs but any kind of extra purchases are impossible. and the extra purchases i need to make keep piling up because i just can't afford them. some things i need include, in vague level of priority:
dolphin, my cat, is years overdue for a vet visit. this is going to be $300 minimum, possibly more because she has an adversarial relationship with the vet. she needs dental work done which they had quoted me as being $1500 but ive been putting it off for so long that i would not be surprised if that's more expensive too
i have learned today that my gold crown needs to be replaced. really unhappy about this one. it was a miserable experience the first time (everything that went wrong did go wrong, i'll spare you the details) but what is relevant here is that my insurance does not cover this and it was $900 last time. insurance also does not cover extracting the tooth either so that's cool. i have some time before this one is due (my next consult is in july)
my phone is approaching "unusably broken". i've had it for close to 4 years now. the call speaker no longer works (i can only use the phone on speaker mode) and it struggles to run apps or a web browser which makes things like GPS pretty dire. this would be like ~$100-$150 probably, i havent done serious phone shopping yet
my driver's license is expired and i need to get a new one. this was $110 last time. note i havent driven a car in years due to the disability but it's really valuable to have a universally recognized form of photo ID and ive already been hassled over it being expired
god this one is so embarrassing to get into but i had to flee my previous apartment last year due to it escalating into a DV situation. the other tenants did not pay the heating bill, which was in my name (and my dumb ass didnt close the account because it was the middle of february and i didnt want to freeze them to death) so i have a $250 utility bill in collections. i might be able to dispute or debt forgiveness this one but tbh ive been so fucking drained given everything else going on and also my phone barely works so i havent pursued it. especially since i can't afford to pay it if i cant challenge it
i would really like to have a passport again. my previous one was destroyed by my landlord in 2018 but even if it wasnt it'd also be expired now. not sure how much this one costs. likely $200?
my food stamps were slashed in half (covid emergency ending lol) and do not cover my food costs for the month so im paying like $150 a month on food that i didnt have to previously. i can maybe fix this one but im slowly losing my mind from malnutrition from trying to not go into debt and also eat. so i havent had it in me to go 1v1 welfare bureaucracy and possibly make everything even worse
my shoes are probably two months out from fully decomposing. they were $100 three years ago and id like to get something comparable given they lasted me this long
the rest of my clothes are also very literally becoming threadbare, falling apart, or are too big and keep slipping off. i legitimately feel embarrassed to go in public these days because i dress so shitty all the time
insurance doesnt cover my HRT anymore so that's $30 a month i didnt used to have to pay
im sorry this turned into such a ramble. i'm in such a bad way right now, i have been for quite a while and the dental work news is really just the final straw. i can't really have a fundraising goal because due to the SSI asset limit i can never own more than $2000. & i'm aware both that this is the poor people sending each other the same 20 dollars website and that there are people urgently trying to raise money to escape an active genocide. but i held off from making this post as long as possible & idk what else i can do
anyway if theres anything you can contribute to help me i would appreciate it more than anything. at the very least i need to do something about my tooth.
http://paypal.me/hivehum
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oldhalloweentape · 8 months ago
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🪨Venture (OW II) x (gn) reader ⛏️
(Eating Disorder Reader Edition)
(Warning!: Angst [with comfort], mention of vomit, self-hate)
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(Picture’s not mine!)
(Request here! Hey… Uh— Sorry this took longer than predicted, for a wide variety of reasons, including planning a way on how to tackle such a topic like this— I want this to be respectful and good. So I hope I captured that.)
- A rather tough and taboo subject but not an uncommon one people experience for a myriad of reasons, something that Sloane hasn’t personally experienced, however, they do know what it’s like to be uncomfortable in their skin.
- While they may not relate directly to your experience they are still a strong and reliable beam of support that you can lean on.
- Their empathy alone is a constant and yet they still go above and beyond for you, and keeps you in mind as they make the effort to help.
- They know that the people you hold close are an important part of your being able to recover healthily and they are so proud of you for having the willpower and effort to fall out of this.
- Helps with making sure you eat healthy and in proper quantities, and if it ever came to it they’d try to learn to cook in a heartbeat.
- A cooking class as a possible date could be really cute, a bit disastrous as they run around with a bowl of fire yelling crap like “I GOT THIS ALL UNDER CONTROL MI VIDA!”
- They don’t in fact have this all under control, still cute though.
- Sweet and genuine with you when they tell you that they want to learn about your certain condition and be there for you through thick and thin.
- That sentiment is never challenged, even in your toughest moments (ex: vomiting, hiding away food, abdominal pain, limiting food range, self-loathing, etc.)
- Always make sure you know that in these moments, you aren’t to blame and that you are learning to be someone you can love as they love you.
- If anyone tries to criticize you or plant themselves forcefully into your journey, believe me, the uppercut they give that person if they don’t heed Sloane’s warning to knock it off will be legendary.
- Constantly have to remind themselves that they won’t always have the answers or solutions to help mediate certain situations that arise.
- But they definitely get credit for how they help, the balance between healthy eating and exercise is always equal for both you and them.
- Makes their feelings about being incredibly proud and in love with you apparent, that no matter the circumstances they love to help you up and keep you close.
- Going back to cooking they always make sure to change things up so you don’t get sick of it, and it helps them widen their excitement for cooking.
- The kitchen ends up a mess 9 times out of 10… Helping them would be deeply appreciated and get you forehead kisses.
- In general, they’re very on top of your schedule, treatment, etc— If it helps you they’ll know everything about it.
- If you ever need it they’re going to remind you of certain things, like if you have medication that needs to be taken with food or you need to take a nap after a particularly rough day.
- Your health and safety to top priority and they make it well known with how they hold you close and kiss you affectionately on the lips if you’re feeling a bit more discouraged than usual.
- Sloane can’t get enough of you and it shows, and they hope that they can give you at least half of what they feel for you.
(Edit: HSJWJWKWK Almost forgot to put this in, um— As some of you guys have already realized the song is the opening song for My Babysitter’s a Vampire! It’s such a great song, found the whole thing months ago and to say I was elated was an understatement lol)
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lumen8s · 1 month ago
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100 days of productivity
12.03.2024
day 2/100
Okay, so I am definitely not yet in the habit of logging what I do.
I have most definitely done productive things since I made my last post but I can't really be fucked to back track so we are just going to start from where we are at lmao.
today I.....
✿ went to work
this is the biggest thing I did today, I work in fine dining and tend to be there for most of my day / night so didn't have as much time to myself today as I usually would. However, work was very productive! I got a lot of little things done that had been missed recently, and had a nice conversation with one of the chefs about going with her if she starts her own restaurant
✿ got home and made dinner
the urge to buy food out is STRONGGGGGG but I am trying really hard to save money soooo I made a nice soup and some sweet potato gnocchi I cooked in brown butter to go in it. I love love love cooking so it was nice to get home and still have the energy to do that.
✿ unloaded the dishwasher
well..... mostly. I need to actually go finish that up after I finish up here but something that helps me when I am tired but still trying to get things done is do things on a timed rotation, so right now I'm writing this for ten minutes, but in the next ten minutes I'm gonna go finish up the dishwasher, maybe even load it.
✿ picked out some books to read!!!
I really used to love reading but have gotten out of the habit, I really want to make it a priority to read more, and read a variety of things. I love fantasy but it isn't always the mental challenge that I want to give myself. And I want to read books that help me be more introspective and in touch with myself. Anyways!! Here are the books I checked out from the library.
Sooo below the cut is my little tbr for this month ig!!
-How to write about music
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I'm really excited about this one and have actually already started it, I love to write and even though I have only read the forward so far I really think I am going to enjoy this book.
-The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer by Siddhartha Mukherjee
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I am looking forward to reading this one! Although I could only check it out for 7 days, and I am thinking it might be a little heavy for me emotionally to rush through. I guess we will see
-Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune
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this one has been recommended to me a BUNCH , and I have tried to read it like three times, and always lost momentum. I am DETERMINED to finish it this time.
-When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
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-The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
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-12 Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson
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I know there are a lot of "self-help" type stuff in this list, but I am kind of on a journey to figure out my personal beliefs. I was in such a bad place for such a long time. Now that I am trying to pull myself out of it, I find myself wanting to read how others feel about the "best" way to live. So then I can decide for myself if I agree.
-Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima
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-How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
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-The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
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-The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
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-Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza
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Anyways thats the list!!! I am hoping to make a post with some of my thoughts for each of them.
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madeofwaterlilies · 3 months ago
Text
GLOW UP GUIDE FOR 2025⠀⠀
Tumblr media
READ: On average, it takes more than 2 months before a new behavior becomes automatic — 66 days to be exact. And considering that 2025 is precisely these many days away, why not start with our glow up plan already?
Tumblr media
Physical Glow Up-
BODY
— 5-10K steps a day.
— 7-8 hours of sleep.
— workout everyday for 1 hr atleast - yoga/stretching/pilates/cardio. a workout may take one hour, but your mood will be boosted for the next 12 hours.
— posture training.
— sunlight exposure after waking up for at least 10 minutes.
NUTRITION
— 2-3 liters of water every day.
— limit your caffeine intake.
— avoid sugars as much as you can.
— high protein diet, pre and probiotics.
— more fruits and veggies (+ green smoothies if you like).
— no junk/processed food/trans fat.
— no eating after 8 pm.
SKINCARE
— be clear on your skin type (oily, dry, combination, sensitive).
— once you're clear, use these accordingly- cleanser, toner, targeted serum, eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen (≥50 spf).
— keep your bedding clean as well.
— no picking of skin on your lips, cuticle etc.
— gua sha to help improve blood circulation and lessen toxins.
— cold therapy may take three to five minutes of being uncomfortable, but your energy levels will be boosted for the rest of the day.
— remove makeup before you go to bed.
BODY CARE
— shower every day.
— exfoliate 2x a week.
— use body lotion (shea butter/aloe vera gel/coconut oil).
HAIR CARE
— wash hair 2-3x a week
— oil your scalp 2x a week, at least 3 hours before shampoo.
— hair mask 1x per week.
— never brush wet hair.
— use silk pillow case.
HYGIENE
— brush your teeth 2x a day, clean tongue and the roof of the mouth daily.
— floss daily.
— oil and cut your nails 1x a week, never remove the cuticles.
— glycolic acid under arm for odor and discoloration.
— never use soap on your coochie.
Tumblr media
Mental Glow Up-
MINDSET
— set clear goals- define and breakdown your aspirations.
— start your mornings with positive affirmations.
— surround yourself with uplifting content and people.
— be shamelessly selfish to your career and mental health, remove anyone or anything that doesn't align with your priorities and wellbeing.
— boost your brain health by these 4 neuroscience tools:
difficult first: start your day with the most difficult task (cortisol and dopamine are high in the body meaning that your body/mind is primed to work).
rest your eyes: introduce a micro-pause after learning by resting/closing your eyes - will help retain information better.
tomorrow's worries: write tomorrow's to-do list before bed as it is proven to be effective in helping you fall asleep.
find time to play: engage in low-stake play. can be anything you find fun but where the outcome doesn't matter (induces neuroplasticity + reduces stress).
MIND
— meditation might take as low as ten minutes, but your focus will be improved for the rest of the day.
— no social media after waking up and at least an hour before bed.
— keep aside 1 hr of time to read daily! reading a new book may take five hours, but you will keep the knowledge forever.
— journaling, gratitude.
— digital detox once a week or for 12 hours.
— limit unnecessary screentime, unfollow or cut off people you don't want to see.
JOURNALING
— choose a regular time each day to journal, making it a part of your routine.
— find a quiet, comfortable place free from distractions. light a candle if you want.
— allow your thoughts to flow without censoring or editing.
— write about your feelings and emotions to understand them better. write about things you are thankful for to boost your mood. write about your short-term and long-term goals. identify what triggers certain emotions or reactions
— set a timer for 5-10 minutes and write continuously during that time.
— reflect on both positive experiences and challenges.
— make lists, journal your thoughts on these questions.
— journal at night to clear your mind before bedtime, because emotions and thoughts lose their power once we acknowledge them.
— a gratitude practice may take five minutes, but your mindset will be shifted for the rest of the day.
AFFIRMATIONS
— customise affirmations to your needs.
Tumblr media
Personal Life-
WEEKLY TASKS
— initiate small changes: begin with small, manageable tasks such as making your bed or cleaning your room every sunday.
— celebrate your success: reward yourself when you achieve your goals or have a consistently productive week. consider treats like buying flowers for yourself or watching your favorite show.
DAILY WORK
— set achievable goals: establish realistic goals for the day, week, or month ahead.
— track your progress.
— organise your work space, declutter your shelves etc.
— embrace the power of lists: keep a list of tasks to be done and their deadlines. this way, you start each day with a clear plan. to make it visually appealing and motivating, consider using productivity apps like evernote, habit tracker, or notion.
PRODUCTIVITY TIPS
— wake up early.
— plan ahead everything, do scheduling. you can use:
google calendar / notion / tasks .
— if the task takes less than 2 minutes to finish, do it immediately.
— countdown rule, if you are procrastinating, count 1-2-3-4-5 and jump.
— start slow, don't rush and try to do everything at one time.
— follow a proper routine, use app locks based on screentime.
— pomodoro technique, 25 min work, and 5 min break.
— schedule longer break times as well e.g 30 min nap.
Tumblr media
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oncelostbut-found · 2 years ago
Text
Life as an International Student at the University of Pécs: Perspective of a 22-year old Filipino
It has been more than a year since I have been given the opportunity to move about 9,900 km away from my hometown in the Philippines to pursue my studies in Hungary, and everything still feels surreal.
Starting a new chapter of life in a different country, with an entirely different culture, environment, and language is challenging – there’s no question about that. I have found myself struggling and mostly overwhelmed during the first two months in Pécs, especially, unlike other nationalities, the Filipino community here, is not big. Therefore, I did not have much people to ask for guidance and help on what to do and where to go; I had to mostly figure out to get by on my own – which molded me into who I am in the present.
Life as an international student, contrary to what we see on films, such as a student travelling to many places, always having the time of his life, is not always fun-and-rainbows, for there is so much more to it. One day, I would wake up with an excited feeling of going to the university, discovering new places, doing new things, and interacting with people, but the next day, I wake up feeling like I need to wrap myself up in a blanket to feel the warmth of home again – there’s no in-between. The truth is, no matter how much you think you have prepared for in this journey, things may or may not go as what you have expected.
Despite the fear-that-never-goes-away of living alone in a foreign country, I would never change anything. In fact, I am grateful that I took this leap of faith.
In the past year, the most important thing that I have learned is that respect is the key to survival. In a multiculturally-diverse community, you have to be open and understanding of the differences, in culture, religion, beliefs, or languages, that you might have with other people–what is acceptable for one may not be to the other; what one may think is weird, may just be a common thing for the other. It must be emphasized that the application of the golden rule of treating others how you would want to be treated, is very important in this setting.
In terms of my personal life, I have seen how much I have grown over a year: from handling my own finances that go to my needs and wants, and managing my time wisely in-and-out of the university. I have learned to not burn myself over pressure – by having time for university, for society, and for myself. There are days when my mind is occupied with the things I have to accomplish, or I am simply just low on energy. At times, back-to-back homework, or piled-up examinations, can be exhausting, which is completely normal. Therefore, it should be known that taking small breaks can bring back focus making us more productive in the long run. It is never prohibited to take breaks or have fun – it’s just at the end of the day, we must know what our priorities are.
I have learned to overcome my fear of engaging with the locals, by learning and practicing the basics of the Hungarian language, despite the possibility of making mistakes. Hungarians, themselves, know how complicated the language could be, so they appreciate it if you try – a simple, „Jó napot kívánók!” can go a long way. There's this satisfaction when you see them smile because they understood what you're saying, and because they know that you are trying. I had this experience of coming across an old woman during a hike and she spoke to me in Hungarian, asking how old I am and where I am from. It took some time to understand each other, but in the end, we connected, and that made me happy. From time-to-time, I come across her, and she never fails to greet me and ask me how I am doing. Slowly, I have learned to embrace the new surrounding I am in. Stepping out of my comfort zones may made me feel like a fish out of water at first, but I turned this challenging feeling into an opportunity to discover new places, traditions, food, and people.
My personal and professional network have also expanded more by having more engagement with people that share the same vision as I do. These people helped me realize that I am not the only one who could be struggling, and I should not be afraid to ask for help. These people became my emotional and mental support. Moreover, opportunities to enhance my technical skills have been presented to me by the university. In fact, I was able to participate on two training programs conducted in Italy and Poland, which were both funded, and most importantly, had let me expand my existing knowledge and skills by collaborating with experts in my field of study.
I would by lying if I say that being an international student is not difficult – there will be constant ups-and-downs. It all depends on you – on how you find the joy in the smallest of things. One thing is for sure, if you find the right company, and motivation for your goals, it gets better, slowly but surely.
Here’s a little reminder: If you feel like giving up, don’t. Instead, remind yourself why you started this journey in the first place – what and who are you I doing it for. All hard work bears fruit in the end.
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mariacallous · 1 year ago
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The United States made food security a top priority when it chaired the U.N. Security Council last month—and rightly so. Earth just experienced its hottest month in 120,000 years. Heat waves, droughts, and floods are killing off crops by the field full. Places such as Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Haiti are gripped by worsening famine. In a blow to global food security, Russia recently backed out of the Black Sea grain deal that allowed Ukraine to export millions of tons every month. The geopolitics of nature have ushered in an era of unprecedented instability, and the worst is yet to come, with this year’s El Niño season predicted to persist through 2024.
To solve our mounting global food crisis, world leaders must look not only to the land, but to the waters as well—and to the often-forgotten and underappreciated source of vital nutrition known as blue foods.
The term “blue foods” is shorthand for food that comes from marine and freshwater ecosystems—from tunas, pollock, and cod to shrimp and seaweeds. Political attention and funding of blue food initiatives remain significantly underrepresented in national and global food discussions, despite the immense contribution that blue foods make to the health of people and economies around the world.
Blue foods support the livelihoods of more than 800 million people and remain among the most traded global commodities. Nearly half of humanity depends on the food group as a significant source of animal protein, vital micronutrients, and cultural identity.
Though producing some blue foods may have an inherently lower environmental footprint relative to cattle and other land-based livestock, there is not an endless supply. In our oceans alone, roughly 92 percent of our wild-caught fish comes from stocks that can’t handle additional fishing pressure or have already been overfished. The picture isn’t better for migratory freshwater fish, which have declined on average by 76 percent since 1970. With the demand for blue foods projected to nearly double by 2050, the math simply doesn’t add up to a stable future. Aquaculture, the farming of aquatic species, is an important part of the solution, but it can’t backfill the collapse of ocean fish populations or insulate the global economy from its consequences.
While resource conflicts are commonly thought of as a land-based challenge—for example, disputes over oil, minerals, or forestry—conflict over marine natural resources has always existed.
One study found that during the Cold War, 25 percent of military conflicts between democracies were over fisheries—and they have only been increasing ever since. Since the 1990s, more than 150 international fishery conflicts involving militaries have occurred, and five countries have been involved in 40 percent of them, with China and Russia leading the chart.
In China, the world’s largest fishing power, whose population consumes almost twice the global average of seafood per capita, the fisheries economy generates nearly $200 billion annually and employs millions of people. As such, fish are a strategic and critical resource for Beijing, and China has increasingly used legislative, economic, and military means to access and control the global supplies of seafood over the past 35 years. In the Horn of Africa, the past three decades have been rocked by more than 600 conflicts that have disrupted livelihoods, killed hundreds of people, and contributed to rampant piracy that has threatened maritime security.
Climate change will exacerbate all these trends. Warming waters are impacting fish reproduction and forcing species to migrate at unprecedented levels, creating newly fish-rich and fish-poor places. In the next seven years alone, 23 percent of fish stocks connected to territorial waters will move—including in waters near Canada, Britain, Norway, Iceland, and Japan. There will be winners and losers because of these shifts, spurring heightened competition for scarce resources that will intensify conflict between communities and countries.
When fish become harder to find, so too will peace and security. Small-scale fishery conflicts destabilize coastal communities, contributing to environments that foster greater crime, food insecurity, and poverty. Internationally, the risk of escalation from small, relatively innocuous conflicts on our oceans is growing, particularly in regions already grappling with maritime conflicts over borders and resources. Labor and human rights abuses are also pervasive in blue food value chains—half of all blue foods come from countries that the U.S. government has identified as having high risk of human trafficking.
We still have time to prevent the escalation of conflict and human rights violations, particularly when conservation and natural resource management offer the opportunity for cooperative engagement and protection of blue food resources.
First, climate science, oceans science, and political science can pinpoint where the greatest conflict pressures will emerge in the future—five to 10 to 30 years out. With access to this high-quality data, governments can deliver a new era of refined early warning systems and maritime security and conservation planning. This kind of information also makes it easier to prioritize and safeguard areas where crucial habitats, such as spawning and nursing grounds, contribute to a sustainable blue food supply.
To effectively manage and protect these areas, we must design inclusive conservation strategies that prioritize the needs and voices of coastal Indigenous peoples and local communities that are often on the front line of the climate crisis. These communities are the most vulnerable to changes in the environment and are highly dependent on seafood, with 15 times higher consumption per capita than non-Indigenous communities, on average. And case studies have shown that an inclusive approach can be beneficial to all. In Indonesia, for example, community involvement and equitable governance led to more fish in protected areas than in nonprotected areas.
Second, we need to improve local and global fishing practices through science-based fishery management that proactively plans for the impacts of climate change by strengthening oversight to bring about more sustainable and responsible fisheries. Fisheries that regulate the amount and location of fishing efforts depending on the present or projected health of fish stocks will be better placed to handle future threats. These practices must extend to small-scale fisheries, which contribute about 32 percent of overall global seafood nutrient supply.
Third, aquaculture of noncarnivorous species should be scaled up to supplement the increased demand on fisheries, as wild-caught fish are a finite resource. Currently, developing countries supply nearly all of aquaculture, making it a critical source of food and income for them. But because they are strapped for resources, environmental protection and regulation is often a lower priority. Thus, policies that support effective zoning and permitting in lakes, rivers, and coastal regions need to be reformed to ensure that production does not exceed the carrying capacity of these natural habitats.
Fourth, seafood businesses around the world have a critical role to play. Companies that sell imported blue foods—which constitute more than 80 percent of the seafood sold in America—need to be responsible for sourcing blue foods that are produced more sustainably and ethically. With their market leverage, seafood companies have the opportunity and responsibility to encourage better management of their source fisheries and aquaculture farms. This is especially critical for smaller island nations such as Kiribati and Tokelau, whose economies are both heavily dependent on seafood exports and are on course to lose fish stocks due to climate change.
Fifth, existing frameworks and agreements, including the U.N.’s Agreement on Port State Measures, which was the first binding international agreement to specifically target illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, must be strengthened and modernized to address the shifting environmental realities facing blue foods. Additionally, the world’s major fishing powers, including the United States and China, should support sustainable fisheries in the global south by eliminating harmful subsidies; last year, they took a step in the right direction with the adoption of the World Trade Organization’s Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
Continued multilateral cooperation and support for area-based management—the effort toward protecting, conserving, and restoring ecosystems—has the potential to advance solutions as well. A strong example is the Eastern Tropical Pacific Marine Corridor, a regional initiative led by Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama, that aims to create an uninterrupted, sustainably managed biological corridor across more than 500,000 square kilometers (193,000 square miles).
Finally, we must catalyze robust partnerships across all sectors of society. Under U.S. President Joe Biden, the White House has convened private sector leaders around emerging challenges in strategic sectors, including semiconductors and artificial intelligence. The administration could similarly help rally U.S. and global seafood executives to source and supply the world with blue foods in a way that doesn’t squander the very resource that underwrites their business.
Blue foods aren’t a silver bullet—they’re a strategic commodity. When the bounty is plentiful, it can sustain hundreds of millions of livelihoods and billions of lives; when blue foods become scarce, it can drag communities, nations, and entire regions into violent conflict. The actions that the global community takes in the coming months and years will determine which path we take.
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livesimplywelllive · 8 days ago
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Happy New Life vs. Happy New Year: Embracing Lasting Change Over Quick Fixes
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As the clock strikes midnight on every December 31, millions around the globe make New Year’s resolutions—promises to themselves that often focus on short-term goals: losing weight, saving money, exercising more, being more successful, starting that positive relationship.... While these resolutions are made with good intentions, research shows that most are abandoned by mid-February. Why? Because these resolutions often aim to fix surface-level issues without addressing the deeper, interconnected aspects of our lives.
It’s time to rethink the concept of New Year’s resolutions. Instead of striving for a “Happy New Year” based on fleeting accomplishments, why not aim for a “Happy New Life”? This approach embraces long-term growth, the interconnectedness of life’s various aspects, and the acceptance of change as a natural part of existence. Let’s explore why a broader, more holistic mindset is the key to meaningful transformation.
The Limitations of New Year’s Resolutions
New Year’s resolutions often fail because they:
Focus on Symptom, Not Cause: For example, a resolution to lose weight might ignore underlying issues such as stress, poor sleep, or an unhealthy relationship with food.
Prioritize Short-Term Goals: Resolutions are often framed as immediate fixes—“lose 10 pounds in two months”—rather than sustainable habits.
Ignore Life’s Complexity: Life isn’t segmented. Your health, relationships, career, and mental well-being are deeply interconnected. Addressing one area in isolation often leads to temporary results.
Lack Adaptability: Resolutions are rigid. When unforeseen challenges arise, people often abandon their goals altogether rather than adapting their approach.
Why Life Changes Fail Without a Holistic View
Humans are creatures of habit, and our routines are influenced by more than just willpower. Behavior is shaped by environment, relationships, mental health, and even societal pressures. Without acknowledging and addressing these influences, change becomes superficial and unsustainable.
Take the common resolution to “spend less money.” Unless you examine the emotional triggers or societal pressures driving your spending, the cycle is likely to repeat. Similarly, a goal to “go to the gym” may fail unless you understand and address the underlying motivations, barriers, and broader context of your health.
The Concept of a Happy New Life
A “Happy New Life” is not about achieving perfection or creating a rigid plan. Instead, it’s about embracing change, understanding the interconnected nature of life, and striving for ongoing growth and balance. This approach requires:
Acceptance of Change: Life evolves, and so do our priorities and circumstances. Accepting this reality allows us to adapt rather than resist.
Long-Term Vision: Instead of focusing on quick wins, consider what kind of life you want to lead over the next five, ten, or twenty years. Break that vision into smaller, adaptable goals.
Integration of Life’s Dimensions: Recognize how health, relationships, career, and personal growth interact. Improvements in one area often ripple into others.
Focus on Habits, Not Outcomes: Build habits that align with your values and vision. Unlike resolutions, habits are sustainable and flexible.
How to Shift from Resolutions to Holistic Growth
If you’re ready to embrace a “Happy New Life” approach, here’s how to get started:
Reflect and Reassess: Take time to reflect on your values and long-term aspirations. What kind of person do you want to become? What brings you true fulfillment?
Set Holistic Goals: Think beyond one-dimensional objectives. For example, instead of resolving to “get a promotion,” aim to “cultivate skills and relationships that enhance my career and personal life.”
Embrace Change: Understand that setbacks and detours are part of growth. Learn to adapt and see challenges as opportunities to refine your approach.
Cultivate Awareness: Develop practices like journaling or mindfulness to stay in tune with your thoughts, emotions, and progress.
Seek Support: Surround yourself with people who support your growth and challenge you to stay accountable. Professional coaching or therapy can also provide valuable guidance.
The Power of Interconnected Change
When you embrace a “Happy New Life” approach, you’ll find that progress in one area often leads to improvements in others. For example:
Enhancing mental health might lead to better relationships and improved productivity at work.
Prioritizing physical health can boost energy, confidence, and overall life satisfaction.
Strengthening communication skills may enhance both personal and professional relationships.
By recognizing these connections, you’ll be more motivated to pursue holistic growth rather than quick fixes.
Redefining Success
Success in a “Happy New Life” framework isn’t measured by a checklist of accomplishments but by ongoing alignment with your values, growth, and adaptability. It’s about creating a life that feels meaningful and balanced, even in the face of challenges.
This year, let’s move beyond the cycle of failed New Year’s resolutions. Instead of chasing fleeting goals, embrace the idea of a “Happy New Life.” By focusing on long-term growth, interconnected change, and the acceptance of life’s ever-evolving nature, you’ll create a foundation for sustainable transformation. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress, connection, and living a life that’s true to your values. Cheers to a Happy New Life!
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sakhshimandal · 26 days ago
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Financial Wellness for Families: Creating a Budget That Works for Everyone
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Managing finances is a crucial part of family life, yet it can often feel overwhelming. With multiple expenses, varying financial goals, and different needs for each family member, creating a budget that works for everyone requires careful planning and communication. A well-structured family budget not only ensures financial stability but also fosters a sense of security and collaboration within the household.
This article will guide you through the process of creating a family budget, offering practical tips to achieve financial wellness while addressing everyone’s needs and goals.
1. Start with Open Communication
The first step in creating a family budget is to have an open and honest discussion with all members of the household. Financial decisions impact everyone, so it’s essential to involve family members in the planning process.
Discuss Goals: Identify short-term and long-term financial goals, such as saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund.
Understand Needs: Allow each family member to express their needs and priorities, whether it’s extracurricular activities for children, saving for college, or household essentials.
Set Expectations: Establish a collective understanding of the importance of budgeting and the role each member plays in achieving financial wellness.
This communication fosters teamwork and ensures that the budget reflects the entire family’s values and objectives.
2. Assess Your Income and Expenses
To create an effective budget, you need a clear picture of your family’s financial situation. Start by calculating your total household income, including salaries, side hustles, rental income, and any other sources.
Next, list your expenses. Categorize them into:
Fixed Expenses: Rent/mortgage, utilities, insurance premiums, loan repayments.
Variable Expenses: Groceries, transportation, entertainment, dining out.
Irregular Expenses: School fees, medical expenses, car maintenance, and holidays.
Tracking your expenses over a few months can help you identify spending patterns and areas where you can make adjustments.
3. Set Financial Priorities
Once you have a clear understanding of your income and expenses, it’s time to prioritize your spending. Family budgets work best when they align with your financial goals and values.
Essentials First: Ensure that necessities like housing, food, and healthcare are covered.
Savings Goals: Allocate a portion of your income toward savings, such as an emergency fund, retirement, or college funds. Experts recommend saving at least 20% of your income if possible.
Debt Repayment: If your family has debts, prioritize paying them off to reduce financial stress and free up funds for other goals.
By focusing on priorities, you can create a budget that balances immediate needs with long-term aspirations.
4. Create a Flexible Budget Framework
A rigid budget can be challenging to maintain, especially for families with fluctuating expenses. Instead, create a flexible framework that allows for adjustments while maintaining overall financial discipline.
The 50/30/20 Rule: Allocate 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to savings and debt repayment.
Subcategories: Break down each category further to ensure that every expense is accounted for. For example, under “Needs,” include rent, groceries, and utilities.
Flexibility ensures that your family can handle unexpected expenses without derailing the budget.
5. Involve Children in Budgeting
Teaching children about budgeting from an early age helps them develop healthy financial habits.
Allowance Management: Give children an allowance and encourage them to budget their spending and savings.
Goal Setting: Help them set savings goals, such as buying a toy or contributing to a family outing.
Transparency: Share age-appropriate information about the family budget to teach them about managing expenses and prioritizing needs over wants.
Involving children makes them active participants in the family’s financial wellness journey.
6. Use Tools and Technology
Leverage modern tools and apps to make budgeting easier and more efficient.
Budgeting Apps: Tools like Mint, YNAB (You Need a Budget), or PocketGuard can help track expenses and visualize spending patterns.
Spreadsheets: A simple Excel sheet or Google Sheet can also work for families who prefer a DIY approach.
Shared Accounts: Consider using shared bank accounts or budgeting tools to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Technology simplifies the budgeting process and makes it easier to stick to your plan.
7. Review and Adjust Regularly
Family budgets are not set in stone. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your budget ensures it remains relevant and effective.
Monthly Reviews: Evaluate your spending and savings at the end of each month to identify areas for improvement.
Life Changes: Adjust the budget to accommodate major changes, such as a new job, a growing family, or unexpected expenses.
Continuous evaluation ensures that your family’s budget evolves with your needs.
Conclusion
Achieving financial wellness for your family starts with creating a budget that reflects everyone’s needs, goals, and priorities. By fostering open communication, assessing income and expenses, and using modern tools, you can build a flexible and effective budget that supports your family’s well-being.
Budgeting is not just about cutting costs—it’s about making intentional choices that align with your values and aspirations. With a collaborative approach and regular adjustments, your family can achieve financial stability and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with it.
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techgalaxy007 · 6 months ago
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How will Digital Marketing change in future?
From the Cloud and artificial intelligence to Blockchain and Big Data and the Internet of Things (IoT), digital technologies are redefining how we live and work. They are expanding the purview of the potential in terms of new products, services, business models, and the internal processes that facilitate these new offerings.
I am a believer of life-lessons, and my tenure with Indian Army has offered immense learning in navigating through challenges. One of those has been preparing for contingencies while strategising the operations. It is very similar and relevant in today's environment as well. The past year brought to light this change more than ever with businesses propelling digital transformation to the top of the priority list as a long-term investment. It has become imperative for businesses to adapt and act fast—pivoting processes and operations to survive and build resilience for a sustainable future ahead. The only way forward is how well humans and machines harmonise with each other to propagate more innovative, agile, and adaptable economies and enterprises.
Today, enterprises must reimagine their future and get on board intelligent digital re-engineering. Each of the factors that facilitate and empower the re-engineering journey must be observed and integrated to create a workforce of the future.
The Future of Consumer Technology
The future of the human-technology interface is reliant on the fact that every business—whether it is hospitality, education, logistics, food & beverage, personal care, and myriad others—is a technology business. Digital touchpoints are being inserted at every step of the customer journey from awareness to realisation to advocacy. Interactive kiosks, radio-frequency identification tags, virtual reality simulations, and computer vision are examples of how immersive human-technology interactions are in business-to-customer (B2C) models. However, the distant digital brand experience will not continue to be the only norm. In the next 18 to 24 months, we will witness in-person and digital experiences to be more intertwined than ever before. Customer journeys will constitute offline transactions with integrated digital elements to elevate brand experience and hyper-personalisation. A more digital world, therefore, must be coupled with a more connected and networked society.
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hotdogbb · 6 months ago
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Record-Breaking Drug Seizures in the U.S. in 2023 and the Spillover Risks
On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released statistics related to drug seizures and the extent of drug infiltration in the country. The data indicates that fentanyl has become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. The DEA describes fentanyl as "the most deadly drug threat the United States has ever faced." In 2023 alone, the DEA seized over 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of potent fentanyl. "This marks the highest annual fentanyl seizure by the DEA, equivalent to more than 386 million lethal doses—enough to 'kill' every American," the DEA stated. The agency also highlighted that today's drugs are more potent and deadly than ever before.
Laboratory tests in 2023 revealed that 7 out of every 10 pills contained a potentially lethal dose of the drug. "The potentially lethal dose of fentanyl is only two milligrams, roughly the amount on the tip of a pencil," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC predicts a record number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. The latest estimates for the 12 months ending in June 2023 indicate that over 112,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. The DEA noted, "Nearly 70% of these overdose deaths involved fentanyl."
The Associated Press (AP) recently reported on Kristina Amyot, a resident of New Hampshire, who has struggled with drug addiction, primarily heroin, for many years. Despite New Hampshire's small size, it plays a significant role in U.S. presidential politics, with candidates often promising action on the opioid crisis. Amyot commented, "I feel like every four years, someone talks about this issue, and then nothing happens. We haven't taken real action, and that needs to change because it should be one of the top priorities."
The U.S. drug crisis began in the late 1990s with the over-prescription of opioid painkillers, which then expanded to heroin and more recently to fentanyl. Fentanyl is often mixed with other street drugs without the users' knowledge. "In New Hampshire, we lose more than one person a day," Amyot said.
Kerry Norton, co-founder of the "Hope on Haven Hill" support program for pregnant women and mothers in Rochester, stated, "It's easy for everyone to forget that it still takes lives across generations, still causes communities, states, families, and friends to lose loved ones." Norton emphasized the need for the U.S. government to recognize substance use disorder as a disease and treat the crisis as a public health emergency. Amyot echoed this sentiment: "The next four years can't continue like this because it will get worse. Things are already bad, and we haven't taken action."
Howard Koh, a professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Public Health Leadership, previously noted that the current opioid crisis is one of the most destructive public health disasters of our time. This crisis began in the mid-1990s with Purdue Pharma's promotion of OxyContin, a powerful prescription opioid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The issue of opioid overdoses has not only been challenging to control and resolve within the U.S. but has also spilled over to other countries.
In late October 2023, an article published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems titled "Shifting drug markets in North America - a global crisis in the making?" highlighted the potential global spread of the overdose crisis centered in North America, especially to Europe. The research indicates that the overdose crisis in the U.S. leads to over 100,000 deaths annually. Since 2014, fentanyl has systematically replaced heroin as the primary street opioid in North America. Fentanyl, approximately 70 times more potent than morphine, has become the main driver of the overdose crisis. As the North American drug market saturates with fentanyl, it could become the preferred drug for some opioid users. Concurrently, "pure" heroin without synthetic opioid admixture has become scarce in major North American cities.
The European drug market has shown stable heroin seizure rates over the past decade, with significant increases in fentanyl seizures in some countries. Australian police drug seizures suggest that North America has begun exporting fentanyl to other continents. Although these exports have had minimal impact on the Australian drug market so far, there are limited mechanisms to prevent the North American overdose crisis from spreading globally. The Associated Press reported in 2019 that Australia was facing an increase in opioid prescriptions and related deaths, failing to learn from "America's lessons." The article suggested that pharmaceutical companies, facing strict scrutiny in the U.S., turned to foreign markets, bypassing marketing regulations to promote painkillers.
According to the 2023 European Drug Report, the North American drug problem illustrates how changes in opioid supply and usage patterns can significantly impact public health. In North America, potent fentanyl derivatives have largely replaced prescription opioids and heroin, becoming the main drivers of opioid-related deaths. Europe is also experiencing the emergence of new synthetic opioids, which may become more prevalent in certain regions. In 2021, EU member states reported approximately 140 fentanyl-related deaths.
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ismaelfarmer · 7 months ago
Text
Record-Breaking Drug Seizures in the U.S. in 2023 and the Spillover Risks
On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released statistics related to drug seizures and the extent of drug infiltration in the country. The data indicates that fentanyl has become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. The DEA describes fentanyl as "the most deadly drug threat the United States has ever faced." In 2023 alone, the DEA seized over 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of potent fentanyl. "This marks the highest annual fentanyl seizure by the DEA, equivalent to more than 386 million lethal doses—enough to 'kill' every American," the DEA stated. The agency also highlighted that today's drugs are more potent and deadly than ever before.
Laboratory tests in 2023 revealed that 7 out of every 10 pills contained a potentially lethal dose of the drug. "The potentially lethal dose of fentanyl is only two milligrams, roughly the amount on the tip of a pencil," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC predicts a record number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. The latest estimates for the 12 months ending in June 2023 indicate that over 112,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. The DEA noted, "Nearly 70% of these overdose deaths involved fentanyl."
The Associated Press (AP) recently reported on Kristina Amyot, a resident of New Hampshire, who has struggled with drug addiction, primarily heroin, for many years. Despite New Hampshire's small size, it plays a significant role in U.S. presidential politics, with candidates often promising action on the opioid crisis. Amyot commented, "I feel like every four years, someone talks about this issue, and then nothing happens. We haven't taken real action, and that needs to change because it should be one of the top priorities."
The U.S. drug crisis began in the late 1990s with the over-prescription of opioid painkillers, which then expanded to heroin and more recently to fentanyl. Fentanyl is often mixed with other street drugs without the users' knowledge. "In New Hampshire, we lose more than one person a day," Amyot said.
Kerry Norton, co-founder of the "Hope on Haven Hill" support program for pregnant women and mothers in Rochester, stated, "It's easy for everyone to forget that it still takes lives across generations, still causes communities, states, families, and friends to lose loved ones." Norton emphasized the need for the U.S. government to recognize substance use disorder as a disease and treat the crisis as a public health emergency. Amyot echoed this sentiment: "The next four years can't continue like this because it will get worse. Things are already bad, and we haven't taken action."
Howard Koh, a professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Public Health Leadership, previously noted that the current opioid crisis is one of the most destructive public health disasters of our time. This crisis began in the mid-1990s with Purdue Pharma's promotion of OxyContin, a powerful prescription opioid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The issue of opioid overdoses has not only been challenging to control and resolve within the U.S. but has also spilled over to other countries.
In late October 2023, an article published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems titled "Shifting drug markets in North America - a global crisis in the making?" highlighted the potential global spread of the overdose crisis centered in North America, especially to Europe. The research indicates that the overdose crisis in the U.S. leads to over 100,000 deaths annually. Since 2014, fentanyl has systematically replaced heroin as the primary street opioid in North America. Fentanyl, approximately 70 times more potent than morphine, has become the main driver of the overdose crisis. As the North American drug market saturates with fentanyl, it could become the preferred drug for some opioid users. Concurrently, "pure" heroin without synthetic opioid admixture has become scarce in major North American cities.
The European drug market has shown stable heroin seizure rates over the past decade, with significant increases in fentanyl seizures in some countries. Australian police drug seizures suggest that North America has begun exporting fentanyl to other continents. Although these exports have had minimal impact on the Australian drug market so far, there are limited mechanisms to prevent the North American overdose crisis from spreading globally. The Associated Press reported in 2019 that Australia was facing an increase in opioid prescriptions and related deaths, failing to learn from "America's lessons." The article suggested that pharmaceutical companies, facing strict scrutiny in the U.S., turned to foreign markets, bypassing marketing regulations to promote painkillers.
According to the 2023 European Drug Report, the North American drug problem illustrates how changes in opioid supply and usage patterns can significantly impact public health. In North America, potent fentanyl derivatives have largely replaced prescription opioids and heroin, becoming the main drivers of opioid-related deaths. Europe is also experiencing the emergence of new synthetic opioids, which may become more prevalent in certain regions. In 2021, EU member states reported approximately 140 fentanyl-related deaths.
0 notes
rabiregadare · 7 months ago
Text
Record-Breaking Drug Seizures in the U.S. in 2023 and the Spillover Risks
On January 17, 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) released statistics related to drug seizures and the extent of drug infiltration in the country. The data indicates that fentanyl has become the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 45. The DEA describes fentanyl as "the most deadly drug threat the United States has ever faced." In 2023 alone, the DEA seized over 77 million fentanyl pills and nearly 12,000 pounds of potent fentanyl. "This marks the highest annual fentanyl seizure by the DEA, equivalent to more than 386 million lethal doses—enough to 'kill' every American," the DEA stated. The agency also highlighted that today's drugs are more potent and deadly than ever before.
Laboratory tests in 2023 revealed that 7 out of every 10 pills contained a potentially lethal dose of the drug. "The potentially lethal dose of fentanyl is only two milligrams, roughly the amount on the tip of a pencil," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC predicts a record number of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023. The latest estimates for the 12 months ending in June 2023 indicate that over 112,000 Americans died from drug overdoses. The DEA noted, "Nearly 70% of these overdose deaths involved fentanyl."
The Associated Press (AP) recently reported on Kristina Amyot, a resident of New Hampshire, who has struggled with drug addiction, primarily heroin, for many years. Despite New Hampshire's small size, it plays a significant role in U.S. presidential politics, with candidates often promising action on the opioid crisis. Amyot commented, "I feel like every four years, someone talks about this issue, and then nothing happens. We haven't taken real action, and that needs to change because it should be one of the top priorities."
The U.S. drug crisis began in the late 1990s with the over-prescription of opioid painkillers, which then expanded to heroin and more recently to fentanyl. Fentanyl is often mixed with other street drugs without the users' knowledge. "In New Hampshire, we lose more than one person a day," Amyot said.
Kerry Norton, co-founder of the "Hope on Haven Hill" support program for pregnant women and mothers in Rochester, stated, "It's easy for everyone to forget that it still takes lives across generations, still causes communities, states, families, and friends to lose loved ones." Norton emphasized the need for the U.S. government to recognize substance use disorder as a disease and treat the crisis as a public health emergency. Amyot echoed this sentiment: "The next four years can't continue like this because it will get worse. Things are already bad, and we haven't taken action."
Howard Koh, a professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Public Health Leadership, previously noted that the current opioid crisis is one of the most destructive public health disasters of our time. This crisis began in the mid-1990s with Purdue Pharma's promotion of OxyContin, a powerful prescription opioid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The issue of opioid overdoses has not only been challenging to control and resolve within the U.S. but has also spilled over to other countries.
In late October 2023, an article published in the International Journal of Mental Health Systems titled "Shifting drug markets in North America - a global crisis in the making?" highlighted the potential global spread of the overdose crisis centered in North America, especially to Europe. The research indicates that the overdose crisis in the U.S. leads to over 100,000 deaths annually. Since 2014, fentanyl has systematically replaced heroin as the primary street opioid in North America. Fentanyl, approximately 70 times more potent than morphine, has become the main driver of the overdose crisis. As the North American drug market saturates with fentanyl, it could become the preferred drug for some opioid users. Concurrently, "pure" heroin without synthetic opioid admixture has become scarce in major North American cities.
The European drug market has shown stable heroin seizure rates over the past decade, with significant increases in fentanyl seizures in some countries. Australian police drug seizures suggest that North America has begun exporting fentanyl to other continents. Although these exports have had minimal impact on the Australian drug market so far, there are limited mechanisms to prevent the North American overdose crisis from spreading globally. The Associated Press reported in 2019 that Australia was facing an increase in opioid prescriptions and related deaths, failing to learn from "America's lessons." The article suggested that pharmaceutical companies, facing strict scrutiny in the U.S., turned to foreign markets, bypassing marketing regulations to promote painkillers.
According to the 2023 European Drug Report, the North American drug problem illustrates how changes in opioid supply and usage patterns can significantly impact public health. In North America, potent fentanyl derivatives have largely replaced prescription opioids and heroin, becoming the main drivers of opioid-related deaths. Europe is also experiencing the emergence of new synthetic opioids, which may become more prevalent in certain regions. In 2021, EU member states reported approximately 140 fentanyl-related deaths.
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thxnews · 8 months ago
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Global Plastic Treaty: UK Leads Charge
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The United Kingdom and over 170 other countries made incremental progress this week towards establishing a pioneering legally binding treaty to combat plastic waste and pollution worldwide. At the 4th round of United Nations negotiations in Canada, the UK successfully advocated for provisions on restricting "problematic and avoidable" plastic products and materials to be incorporated into the draft treaty text. However, significant disagreements persist amongst negotiating parties over the scope and ambition level, potentially putting the timeline for finalizing the pact by year's end at risk.   UK Playing "Key Role" in Shaping Treaty "As a member of the High Ambition Coalition, the UK has continued to push for an ambitious treaty covering the full lifecycle of plastics," stated Environment Minister Rebecca Pow.   "There remains substantial differences between parties on the level of ambition for the treaty, which has meant that progress has been slower than we would have hoped on some key areas."   Highlights from the UK's involvement included: Getting its proposals on limiting certain plastic goods and packaging into the draft text Securing agreement on a program of expert working groups to inform the treaty ahead of the next negotiating round Setting up a legal drafting group to ensure precision and clarity in the pact's language Analyzing and streamlining the draft text to focus the remaining negotiations   Binding Treaty Seen as Urgent Priority With public and political pressure mounting amid overflowing landfills, polluted waterways, and pervasive microplastics, there is a growing global consensus that a legally binding international agreement is critical to making a dent in the plastic crisis. Moreover, the UK is part of the 65-member High Ambition Coalition advocating for the treaty to include mandatory provisions tackling plastic's entire lifecycle - from production and use through disposal and waste management. However, some major plastics-producing countries remain resistant to strict international rules they fear could hamper their manufacturing sectors and economies.   Final Push at Last Negotiating Round With those key sticking points still unresolved, the path ahead for reaching a final treaty by the November deadline looks challenging. "There remains significant work to do to secure an agreement at the final negotiations," Pow acknowledged. "The UK is committed to securing the best outcome for our oceans, communities and wildlife." The UN member states have just months to bridge their differences on issues like product bans, recycled content requirements, and monitoring and enforcement mechanisms before the 5th and likely final round of negotiations scheduled for late 2024 in South Korea. Find out more about the UK's role in cracking down on Environmental waste.   Sources: THX News, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs & Rebecca Pow MP. Read the full article
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integritydental · 1 year ago
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AN ORAL HEALTH CHALLENGE FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR
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Healthy New Year: Take an oral health challenge as part of your New Year’s resolutions this coming year. But making healthier teeth a priority doesn’t only affect your teeth and gums.
Having a healthy mouth can lead to a healthier life overall. Gum disease, misalignment, and other oral health issues — if untreated — can lead to serious deterioration of your overall health.
Making a few small changes to your oral health regimen, on the other hand, can keep both your teeth and the rest of your body happy all year long. Here are some ideas.
EAT HEALTHIER FOODS AND BRUSH AFTERWARDS
Although you might have indulged a bit more than you should have over the holidays, the New Year’s holiday can mark a fresh start. Challenge yourself to eat more vegetables and fruit, eat fewer sweets, and drink more water and fewer fizzy and alcoholic beverages.
Kick smoking to the kerb, too. That’s two New Year’s resolutions for the price of one!
After your healthy meal, be sure to brush as soon as you can. If you’re eating out, consider taking a travel-sized toothbrush along with you.
If you can’t, do the next best thing. Excuse yourself to the washroom and rinse your mouth out after your meal. Brushing or rinsing after you eat will rid your mouth of harmful acids and bacteria that linger long once you finish your meal.
DON’T FORGET TO FLOSS
Brushing your teeth only removes some of the food particles that lodge in the nooks and crannies on your teeth. To really get a deep clean, you need to clean between your teeth with dental floss.
Flossing helps reduce dental plaque and stimulates your gums, making you less susceptible to gum disease and cavities. Floss at least once a day for about two minutes for best results.
CHALLENGE YOUR KIDS TO HAVE BETTER ORAL HEALTH
Only 7 in 10 Australian children between the ages of 5 and 14 brush properly the required two times a day. It’s no wonder that 60 to 90 per cent of children have cavities, as studies show.
Engage them in your oral health challenge, too.
Keep a chart in the bathroom or on the fridge where your kiddos can check off their twice-daily oral health routine. Teach them to floss, too, so they’ll have healthy gums for a lifetime. Reward them with a prize for maintaining that routine every month or week — whatever works best for your family.
FINALLY, MAKE SURE TO VISIT YOUR DENTIST AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR
Routine check-ups and teeth cleanings are essential to maintaining excellent oral health. No worries if you’re a bit anxious. At Integrity Dental, we have an extensive comfort menu to keep you relaxed and happy throughout your appointment.
Before 2022 arrives, we have a challenge for you. Book your next dental appointment with our friendly dental team today!
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