I’ve been wondering for a long time how come some people manage to be happier than the others. It seems as if they have found some routine that they love and that gives them peace and happiness every day.

It is like they have some special power to see the positive aspect of things which other people don’t have. Even if they don’t have a reason to be happy, they seem to take every failure easily.

But, I learned that being happy is possible for everyone, even if when you’re in a bad period of your life. Being happy is not entirely correlated to positive thoughts. It is all about being aware of the present, embracing it as it is and being realistic.

Think of it as a fitness routine. If you want to be fit you have to workout on a regular basis, and the results come after some time. So what do you need to do to get the best results and be happy?

Here are 7 habits you need to implement in your daily routine:

1.Five close relationships

We all know that having close friends is good for our mood. The longest study about happiness, which was conducted at Harvard, showed that healthy relationships are the key for happiness. So, having some close friends can really improve the amount of happiness for anyone.

You must be wondering why exactly 5 relationships?

Actually, that is the average number that researchers got based on several studies. The book named Finding Flow teaches that:

Anyway keep in mind that the actual number doesn’t have to be 5.  What matters is the effort and the time you put in all these relationships. Remember, they need to be good and healthy relationships.

2. Don’t let your happiness be determined by events around you.

Never let external things such as job promotion or winning money be the boost of happiness for you. A research showed that that is a short term boost of happiness. When we get a promotion, we feel small boost of happiness but the feeling doesn’t last for a long time.

In addition, if you base your happiness to an external boosts it can lead to fear of failure. We always need to be willing to fail, because without that we’ll start avoiding challenges and stop growing. If we avoid failure we avoid success, as well.3. Exercise

Physical exercise is a proven boost of happiness. Exercise makes us feel better when we practice it on regular basis. It is scientifically proven that exercising increases the releasing of the amount of endorphin in our bodies, which is important since endorphin is the hormone of happiness.

And the best thing in exercise is that it doesn’t matter which kind of activity we do as long as we do it every day.

4. Perfect some skill

People that are happy are often really good at something. Usually, it is a skill they have practiced for many years.

I know it is hard to get better in something, and it takes time. But at the end, when we look back, the improvement brings satisfaction. Believe me, the satisfaction that follows after becoming good at something is far more meaningful than the small discomfort whenever we try things that we don’t really feel passionate about.

5. Don’t hesitate to spend more on adventures

Spending money on something material will make you happy for a short amount of time. Eventually you will get bored of it and throw it away. But if you spend money on experiences, they will stay with you forever.

6. It’s okay to have negative feelings

All of us feel sad sometimes. But let me tell you something: there is no happiness without sadness. We need sadness to make a difference between sadness and happiness.

So it is normal to be sad at some point. That is why we should never try to ignore sadness. The spiritual master Osho says:7. Keep yourself busy, but never rush yourself.

Being in a constant rush can make you fell miserable. Also, having nothing to do can have the very same effect. As always, the best thing to do is to have balance between the two.

Stay productive, find some hobby, make your day fulfilled, but don’t have too many obligations that will put you in a rush.

Don’t be afraid to say no to things you are not excited about. It is these things that put you in a rush. And don’t hesitate to jump into things that thrill you.

Source: Thepowerofideas.ideapod.com

Traditionally, American men have always projected the ultimate masculine persona – a male who is tough, dependable, and in control of his life. Expressing emotions and being human has never been a part of the macho man facade.

For this very reason, men have held their feelings in check. You’ll never hear of depression in men, simply because they are so adept at hiding the fact that they are sad, upset, and anxious about some situation in their lives.

According to the American Psychological Association, at least 9% of men are depressed. However, only a fourth of them ever look for help. Another alarming fact is that the suicide rate among men is four times higher as compared to women.

Don’t We live in the Age of the Metrosexual Male?

Yes, we do! Things are changing. In today’s times, you’ll find more and more metrosexual men – guys who opt for flexible working hours so they can spend more time with their kids.

You’ll also hear of the new class of stay-at-home dads who have opted to raise families conceding that their wives made more money. In such a scenario, depression and suicides in men seems unlikely. You might think that men would be more open about their fears and looking for help. But, unfortunately, that is not the case.

Symptoms of Depression in Men are Different – Physical Symptoms

Despite changing times, depression in men manifests itself in other symptoms and signs. Women are likely to brood, cry, and withdraw into themselves. Men, on the other hand, project their feelings in other ways. Here are some of the physical symptoms.

• Insomnia and disturbed sleep
• Frequent headaches
• Issues with digestion
• Inability to perform sexually
• Back pain and body aches
• Excessive weight gain

Men May Display Changes in Behavior

Many men mask their sadness and anxiety by “acting up.” They may change into people you hardly recognize anymore. Here are the typical behavioral symptoms:

• Losing interest in work or the normal activities he loves
• Difficulty in concentration on a particular task
• Fatigue and inability to manage everyday tasks
• Extreme anger at the slightest issue
• Engaging in unsafe sex with strange, inappropriate partners
• Drinking and smoking excessively or taking up substance abuse
• Physically and verbally violent behavior
• Reckless driving and engaging in dangerous sports
• Compulsive gambling

Why Depression in Men Occurs – How to Help Them

Various factors can result in depression in men. These causes can range from psychological, social, or even, biological. By understanding the causes, it may be easier to find solutions for them.

Biological or Medical Issues

The most common reason why men experience the signs of depression may be related to lowered levels of the hormone testosterone (T). As men cross the age of 35, levels of testosterone start to drop in their bodies. Interestingly, most of the symptoms of depression are similar to those of lowered T levels.

As the doctors at BHRC, the center for hormone replacement treatment for men advise, “Hormone imbalances can be corrected with the help of plant-based or bio-identical supplements that are similar to the kind produced in the body. Once the skewed levels are restored, men may notice an improvement in both, physical and mental health.”

In addition to lowered testosterone levels, severe injuries and chronic illnesses that result in pain and perhaps, disability can lead to anxiety. Quitting smoking sets off a series of withdrawal symptoms in the body that can also lead to depression. Expert medical practitioners can advise on the proper course of treatment including medication that can correct the problem.

Troubling Life Situations

Various life situations that are beyond conscious control can result in depression. For instance, being drafted for military service or the death of a loved one. Having to take on responsibilities for the care of aging relatives, a child, or even an ailing family member can add to the stress of day-to-day living.

Issues in a personal relationship or marriage that might lead to a bad divorce or breakup can make men anxious and depressed. If these stressful life situations cannot be avoided, a good solution is to seek counseling from professional consultants. Asking for help from friends and sharing duties can also relieve some of the stress.

Career Aspirations

Stress in the workplace is often the cause for depression in men. They may find that they’re unable to make ends meets or they aren’t happy with the career path they’ve chosen. Many men have certain goals and objectives that they find that they cannot achieve and end up feeling sad and dissatisfied with life.

Retirement from work and suddenly having lots of time on their hands can also lead to depression. Men facing these issues must seek the advice of a career counselor who can help them explore their talents and capabilities. Sometimes, choosing a different career can bring higher salaries or better job satisfaction.

Making Lifestyle Changes can Relieve Depression

By changing lifestyles and making sensible choices, it may be easier to let go of the stress and get back good health. Here are some of them:

• Exercising releases the feel-good hormone serotonin that lifts mood and acts as an antidepressant. Just 30 minutes of any physical activity each day can help.
• Sign up for a new hobby or game with a close friend. The distraction, company of friends, and interesting conversation can help keep away anxiety.
• Adopt healthy eating habits by including more of organic foods that are free of chemicals. Several foods like spinach, bananas, flaxseed, walnuts, and fish containing Omega-3 rich fatty acids are natural mood boosters so eating more of them can lift the depression. Eliminating alcohol and caffeine also helps restore psychological health.
• Vitamin deficiencies can also lead to anxiety. Check with your doctor for supplements.
• Get adequate sleep to keep down levels of stress causing cortisol hormones.
• Spend time outdoors and soak up the sunshine and fresh air.
• Take up meditation, yoga, deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and other stress busters.

If the condition goes unnoticed, depression in men can lead to severe consequences. If you’ve been feeling any of the symptoms listed above or if you noticed a loved one displaying these signs, go ahead and take action.

Help yourself or your friend take control of the situations that are worrying. Keep away depression and get back your physical and psychological health.

Join us at the Space Symposium, the premier event for space professionals, where you can experience the latest space technology and network with clients. This is the top global event for the space industry, bringing together thousands of representatives from military, civil, and commercial sectors.

Asgardia is planning to build a space station on the Moon and in the Earth orbit.

The idea was announced at a press conference in Hong Kong. In the announcement Asgardia also shares its plan to launch the first satellite, Asgardia-1, this fall.

Asgardia is known as the first space nation. Its plans are launching a cubesat on an Orbital ATK Cygnus spaceship from Wallops Island, Virginia in September. The flying 512 gb hard drive will be installed by NanoRacks and orbit around the Earth for five years.

We plan on having an orbital station in space and on the Moon #Asgardia pic.twitter.com/cJpJl57xSI

— Asgardia (@AsgardiaSpace) June 13, 2017

Everybody who wants to be a citizen of this space nation can be one, just by signing up online. The citizens, the Asgardians, could upload data on the cubesat. The basic idea is that these data are just images and messages, but a possibility of sending some data with illegal content can’t be excluded as well.

Therefore, Asgardia announced for the New Scientist, that each set of data will be screened before being set up. 300 kb of data can be uploaded to the satellite by one person.

Dr Igor Ashurbeyli: “We are not the best. We are the future.” #Asgardia pic.twitter.com/hNd8eEhmqR

— Asgardia (@AsgardiaSpace) June 13, 2017

At first no one took the idea of a space nation seriously. Everybody thought of it like something fun to do. People would sign up and imagine being part of a space nation, call themselves Asgardians. But once the company announced its plan to build a space station, things changed.

According to a concept presented by the company, people will walk around an enormous space station while vehicles will fly over their heads. There are still some talks in the IFL Science office about its purpose. It may be like a Stanford Torus, which rotates to provide a centrifugal force and artificial gravity.

This plan can be seen on the second picture. Here you can see a much realistic modular space station with a bigger station which has a shape of a ring in its background.

Maybe this concept images are nothing more than concepts. It’s a bit weird for a company whose aim is to be taken seriously, to post such illustrations of things that won’t be built in the near future.

Another strange thing announced during the press conference is Asgardia’s plan to form a Parliament in six months. A national calendar with three national holidays was also announced.  If we make a wild guess, probably they would be: Asgardia’s birthday (12 October), National Unity Day (18 June), and Year Day (31 December).

And the weird things go on. Everyone can apply and become a “member of Parliament” for Asgarida, depending on the number of open positions. 10, 000 people should give you their support so you could apply for a post.

If you are a registered citizen of Asgardia, from June 18^th, you’ll have the honor to participate in the choice of the nation’s flag, national anthem and the nation’s constitution.

Everybody who wants can register as a citizen on Asgardia’s site. According to the company, there are more than 190.000 citizens from 200 countries, registered on the site. So when it comes to population, this is the 185^th largest country in the world.

Asgardia said that launching this satellite is just the first step to launching a numerous number of satellites. In that way solar flares can be monitored, space debris can be tracked and asteroids can be found. This in fact sounds more plausible than building a big Stanford Torus in orbit.

Slips and falls are among the accidents that commonly happen in the workplace. While you may think of these incidents as simple and negligible, take note that in reality, these are actually really serious circumstances as these can result in various regrettable events.

These can result in a bruised shin or an even more serious injury, which can lead to accidental death. Other cases of slips and falls in the workplace result in injury claims and lost work days. If you want to avoid these workplace accidents, then rest assured that there are some things that you can do to make your working environment safer.

Here are just some tips to avoid slip and fall accidents at work.

Tip #1 – Wear safe shoes and clothes

If you are working in an environment with hazards, that cat lead to slipping and falling (for ex. A mechanic shop or restaurant kitchen), then you probably have to wear clothes and a pair of shoes designed to protect you. For shoes, make sure that they are sturdy and made of materials designed to protect your feet from injury in case you slip and fall.

It would also be best to wear a shoe, which can resist slips, especially if your work exposes you to wet and slippery surfaces most of the time. Your shoe should also have proper traction, grip, and support.

Your clothes should also fit you well. Make sure that your pants fit you properly, too, as long and baggy ones are considered as tripping risks.

Tip #2 – Make sure that your walking surfaces are free of clutter

Keeping the walking surfaces in your workplace clean and devoid of clutter is also the key to avoiding slips and falls. You have to keep the walkways clear, for instance, as such can minimize the risk of facing injuries.

The path should be free of any clutter and obstruction to reduce your risk of tripping over an accidental object. Spills should also be immediately cleaned up as such are known for being dangerous slipping hazards.

Tip #3 – Install proper lighting

Make sure that there is ample lighting in and out of your workplace. With proper lighting, there is proper illumination even in those areas that are prone to tripping and falling accidents for employees and customers. Note that in most cases, darkness or shadows can conceal steps and other safety hazards. You may consider completing an OSHA 10 online training course to better identify these issues before they pose a risk in the workplace.

With proper lighting installed, like illuminated steps and spotlights, you can keep everyone in your workplace safe from the injuries often caused by slipping and falling.

Tip #4 – Manage cords well

Some of the most common obstacles in the workplace are the phone, internet, and power cords so you have to manage them well. Run cables under carpets or behind walls so they will remain hidden.

Make sure that phone jacks, internet connections, and power outlets are installed in easy to access locations, too. Such will prevent you from having to run cables across the walkways.

Tip #5 – Pay attention and focus

Note that if you do not focus on what you are doing, then you are at risk of falling or slipping. If you are an employee, then make sure that you always pay attention as your focus can give you the protection you need. Also, make it a point to look at your path when walking. Ensure that the pathway is clear to avoid slipping or falling.

Conclusion

Slip and fall accidents at work are issues that you should never underestimate as these can lead to unwanted circumstances, such as serious injuries, or worse, accidental deaths. Fortunately, it is not that hard to avoid slip and fall accidents. The tips above are simple but they can help a lot in protecting you from the mentioned accidents.

Superpowers are real, and this woman is here to prove it. In this case, it’s supervision. A woman, referred to as cDa29 in the research paper, can do just that – she can see 99 million more colors than the rest of the population and that makes her one of the rare tetrachromats.

The average human eye perceives colors with the help of cells called cones. These cones are triggered by light and are responsible for deciphering its different wavelengths. There are three types of cones in total in most people.

Each cone can distinguish between around a hundred shades of color. By combining those shades with those perceived by the other cones, the color perception range of the average person is 100³ colors, or one million (in the least).

If one of the cones don’t function properly, the color vision range declines drastically, allowing the person to see around 10,000 colors. A person with three cones is called a trichromat, and with 2 cones – a dichromat.

However, researchers have long suspected that humans had the ability to develop a fourth cone, allowing them to see even more colors. This idea has led researchers from Newcastle University to search for people who possessed this supervision ability.

After decades of searching, Gabriele Jordan and her team have finally found such human. They found a tetrachromat woman who can distinguish almost a million colors more than the average person.

The idea of the existence of tetrachromats came when a Dutch scientist discovered that the mothers and daughters of color-blind men had an extra cone, which was inactive. This mutated cone was transferred to, or from, the color-blind man. In the case of men, it created a problem in the color range, the cone being less sensitive to either red or green.

In the case of women, the same cone did not replace one of the existing ones, but remained as a fourth cone, being in most cases inactive. This finding has led scientists to consider the existence of those women who could use that cone actively, thus allowing them to see more colors.

The following research conducted by scientists concluded that women perhaps didn’t use the fourth cone. However, Gabriele decided to try a different approach in her search of the supposed supervision.

Sitting in a dark room, the 25 women she took were to peer into a lab device which showed theme three colored circles of light. The circles contained subtle mixtures of red and green light that to a trichromat would all look the same. However, a tetrachromat would be able to distinguish between and spot the subtle differences.

One woman, under the code name cDa29, could spot the differences. She got every answer correct and this meant that Gabriele had finally found a tetrachromat. “I was jumping up and down,” she told the Discover magazine.

She can’t tell how it looks like to look through a tetrachromat’s eyes, just like a trichromat can’t explain a color-blind person what red looks like. “This private perception is what everybody is curious about,” said Jordan.

Her next challenge is to find what allows four-coned women to become functionally tetrachromatic. Jay Neitz, a vision researcher at the University of Washington, speculates that tetrachromacy could be triggered by those who possess four cones through practice.

As for us tetrachromats, we can only speculate, but never be able to even imagine the kaleidoscope of colors that tetrachromats are able to perceive. If you are a mother, or daughter, of a color-blind man, you should definitely consider the possibility that you are seeing more colors than the majority of the world population.

Source: Discover

How much have you done in your life so far? That wouldn’t be a fair question to ask if you were to be compared to Sabrina Pasterski, who at only 24 years of age has a standing offer from NASA and is cited by Stephen Hawking and Andrew Strominger.

Born in Chicago in 1993, the Cuban-American girl is “the youngest person to build an airplane, certify it as airworthy, and then conduct their first U.S. solo in that same aircraft.” She built that aircraft at the age of 14. Now 24, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in high energy physics at Harvard University.

Her advisor, Andrew Strominger, and Stephen Hawking have already cited her research on black holes, spacetime, and quantum gravity and she has been dubbed the “new Einstein” by many.

With her interest and knowledge in the field, Sabrina is thought to be the one who will help advance space travel. Designing spacecraft has been something she has always been interested in. In fact, she currently has standing job offers from NASA, Jeff Bezos, and Blue Origin, an aerospace and development company.

However, her success didn’t come as easy as you may think. At first, Pasterski was rejected from Harvard and she was waitlisted at MIT before she was eventually accepted, with the help from Harvard Nobel Laureate Professor Lene Hau. With her hard work and genius mind, she excelled at MIT with the highest of honors and got accepted to the prestigious Harvard Ph.D. program.

During the course of her research and work, she has given the world some fascinating publications, talks, and documentaries, which currently count at 29. She has received 22 honors and awards, the most notable being the Hertz Foundation’s $250,000 fellowship and a $150,000 fellowship with the National Science Foundation.

Sabrina is also a certified solo pilot, a FAA Light Sport Aircraft Manufacturer, and she owns her own Sabrina Aircraft Manufacturing, based in Chicago, Illinois. She also owns an MIT Pirate’s License (that is, she is proficient in sabrе, sailing, pistol, and archery).

What she doesn’t own, though, is a social media account. Sabrina has chosen to live without Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or any other social media platform. In fact, she doesn’t even own a smartphone. She avoids drinking and smoking and has never tried either.

However, she does have her own website PhysicsGirl, which is constantly updated with her last achievements, publications, and talks. There, you can read her resume and catch up with her work.

Sabrina Pasterski is truly a fascinating person to behold and be inspired by. However, her words are humble when it comes to the admiration of many: “I am just a grad student. I have so much to learn. I do not deserve the attention.”

Simon Cowell was stunned when he heard the flawless performance of Mandy Harvey – a deaf jazz singer who performed on stage by removing her shoes and sensing the vibrations of the music to complete her performance.

Mandy Harvey, a 29 year old girl, received standing ovations from the judges and the audience at America’s Got Talent show. Simon Cowell was blown away by her performance and pressed his “Golden Buzzer” when he heard the beautiful song “Try” that Mandy herself composed. He said that it was the most incredible thing he had ever seen.

Mandy lost her hearing when she was 18 years old due to a connective tissue disorder which led her nerves to deteriorate.

This incredibly talented girl said that she started to sing when she was only four years old, but with losing her hearing she started losing her hope too, and decided to stop singing.

However, after a period of not performing, she started singing again when she learned how to use ‘visual tuners’. She also doesn’t wear shoes on stage, so she can feel the vibrations of the music through the floor.

She wrote her song “Try” as a reminder to never lose hope again and never stop trying to fulfill her dream. Her brilliant voice shocked the judges and the audience; some were even caught wiping off tears.

Moreover, Mr. Cowell joined her on stage to hug her and congratulate her once again, saying her performance was the most amazing thing he has ever seen or heard.

He was a manager at Microsoft and married to the love of his life. Some would think he had it all he needed in life; that is not always the case. It’s funny how life decides to turn our world upside-down in just a second.

Straits Times reported that Mr. Koh Ming Hao from Singapore has died on 8 June 2017 from terminal cancer, a day after his 34^th birthday.

He was diagnosed with terminal stomach cancer in June 2013. After that, he lived for four years despite his doctors telling him that he had left only one year to live.

During his four year battle with cancer, he underwent more than 60 chemotherapies and endured many operations.

However, what’s impressive is his reaction to the eventual fading of his life. He didn’t become bitter or frustrated. He didn’t complain to others how the life is not fair to him, or refused to leave the room wallowing in self-pity. No, he didn’t do any of that.

Instead, he stood up and faced heroically his illness while many would have just given up if they were in his shoes.

He continued going to work and doing everything he loved doing before the cancer. He decided to travel more and make the best of each remaining day.

His wife, Daphnie Chong – the love and the light of his life was there to support him

Daphnie Chong, his long-time sweetheart, when she vowed to “love him, comfort him, and keep him in sickness and in health” took her vow seriously.

This devoted woman should be an example to everyone that when you truly love someone leaving them when the times are hard is not an option.

She lived by her wedding vows even before making them back in August 2016.

They were both 15 years old when they started dating. It never dawned on them that their whole life can be suddenly hit with a tremendous pain when they discovered about his incurable disease.

However, she never left him. She stood by him, loved him, and supported him like she always did before.

They decided to enjoy every moment to the fullest and make the most of their time together.

His condition became worse last month in spite of his regular chemo therapies. When he passed away, his wife left a heartbreaking text on her Facebook, saying: “Till we meet again, babe.”

Let’s all take a moment to celebrate this brave man and his amazing woman who encouraged many fellow cancer patients to grasp their lives and never give up.

.

Each day is only 24 hours long. When you consider that 8 of those hours are spent sleeping, it is easy to see why it is so important to buy a well-made mattress that will help you get the sleep that you need. Luckily, finding the ideal mattress is easier than you might think.

The key is to focus on quality. If you choose a poorly made mattress, you can wind up experiencing countless problems ranging from back pain to poor sleep quality. These factors can have a negative impact on your life, leaving you feeling exhausted, sore, and unmotivated.

Although there is no cut-and-dry formula that works for everyone when it comes to choosing a mattress, the tips in the following section can help make the process of choosing the right mattress easier. 

1. Do Research Ahead Of Time

One of the best ways to make sure that you are buying a high-quality mattress is by doing research ahead of time. This includes reading reviews from other people who have already purchased any of the mattresses that you are interested in.

Try to find reviews that are written by people who are dealing with similar issues to your own. For instance, if you experience back pain on a regular basis, you should try to find reviews from other back pain sufferers. This can give you a better idea of how well the mattress will suit your unique needs.

Of course, nothing compares to being able to try out a mattress in person before you buy it. Once you have an idea of which mattresses you are interested in, you can visit stores in your area to view them in person. Because you educated yourself ahead of time, you don’t have to worry about falling victim to a slick salesman.

2. Choose How Firm You Want Your Mattress to Be

There is a common misconception that firm mattresses are the best choice for back pain sufferers. In fact, however, that isn’t always true. Many people who suffer from back pain do best with a mattress that has a medium firmness. These mattresses are soft enough to be comfortable yet firm enough to provide support.

When testing mattresses in the store, don’t just get on them and get right back off again. Instead, lay on them for a minimum of 10 minutes. Although you may feel a bit self-conscious about doing this, it really is the best way to get a feel for whether or not a mattress is right for you. If you spend any less time than that, you won’t really be able to get a sense of how comfortable the mattress is.

3. Consider Getting Input from a Chiropractor

If you regularly experience back pain, a chiropractor may be able to advise you on which type of mattress is best. If you already have been seeing chiropractor for your pain, try bringing up at your next appointment.

Chances are, your doctor will be more than happy to help you find a mattress that will give you the support that you need. Some people need a specific mattress for side sleepers and others for sleeping on their back. 

4. Think about Getting an Adjustable Mattress

Today’s most innovative adjustable mattresses allow you to not only adjust the angle of the mattress but also its firmness. This can provide you with a lot more flexibility in terms of your sleeping arrangements. You can experiment with different levels of firmness or bed positions until you find the settings that provide you with the best night’s sleep. 

5. Invest Your Money Wisely

Be prepared to pay a relatively large amount of money for a high-quality mattress. Cheaper mattresses may seem like a good deal. In fact, however, they rarely provide enough support for a good night’s sleep.

Make sure that the mattress you choose has a warranty available. Most reputable manufacturers guarantee their products for a minimum of 10 years. Some companies even provide a guarantee where you can get your money back if the mattress doesn’t live up to your expectations.

At the very least, the company that you buy the mattress from should be willing to give you your money back within a 30-day window of your purchase if the mattress fails to meet your needs.