Posts Tagged ‘behavior’

Three Kinds of Happiness

Is there more than one way to be happy?University of Pennsylvania professor Martin Seligman, leader of the positive psychology movement that studies emotionally successful lives instead of troubled ones, identifies 3 distinct kinds of happiness. The first is pleasure, the kind of enjoyment people seek in choosing to have fun. Pleasure-seeking behavior includes the company of friends, entertainment, good food, relaxation etc. The second aspect of happiness is engagement. Also called “flow”, this kind of happy feeling is a state of being so wrapped up in an activity that we lose ourselves in it. Playing competitive sports is one example. Some people feel that level of engagement at work, or even doing crossword puzzles. The third kind of happiness is that which gives life meaning, generally a result of acting in service of other people and higher ideals.All three kinds of happiness are valid. Which is the most satisfying in the long run?Prof. Seligman’s research is clear. The pursuit of pleasure provides only a temporary benefit with no lasting impact. Fun activities are wonderful in the moment but the happiness they cause does not last once the activity is over. Engagement is richer, resulting in a deeper satisfaction that often persists after the activity is finished.It’s the third type of happiness, meaning, that provides the greatest and most enduring satisfaction. There are many examples. Every parent knows that sometimes you need to make sacrifices for the good of your children, and those sacrifices are key to the emotional rewards parenting brings. In the public arena, service that is genuinely focused on improving the lives of others enhances your own self-esteem and happiness. That’s why so many of us volunteer in all sorts of civic and service activities.Even at your job, finding the service element makes any work more rewarding. The hairdresser who sees her job as making people feel more beautiful and confident will find work more rewarding than the one who simply cuts hair. The urban policeman who makes his city safe for residents and visitors will feel better about his work than the one who just directs traffic or gives out tickets. The corporate executive who provides valuable goods and services to individuals and families will have greater job satisfaction than the one who goes to work every day just to beat his competitor or earn a paycheck.In your desire for happiness, which approach do you take? Are you looking just for fun? Or do you pursue meaning by serving the well-being of others?Albert Schweitzer, the German-born doctor who devoted his life to helping the poor in Africa said, “The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.” Prof. Seligman’s research confirms that service that generates meaning is indeed the best road to happiness.

The Complicated Rules And Regulations On Cycling For Triathlon Made Easy

Cycling is an important part of a triathlon event. Quite understandably then, the rules and regulations laid down by the ITU on cycling for triathlon must be abided by in sincerity too so as to be able to master the sport. Sadly though, most beginners in the sport fail to do so. The lack of provision for dissipation of proper information while imparting of triathlon coaching is to be blamed for this behavior. The only way out then is to reconsider how to train for a triathlon and not just provide a triathlon beginner with triathlon tips, but also acquaint him with the rules and regulations of the game in a lucid manner. Nonetheless, you do not have to wait till the scope of Triathlon Coaching actually gets widened. You can instead get started and take help from the simplified information on the rules and regulations on cycling part of the sport given below to kick start your bank of knowledge about triathlon:General RulesCertain rules like the prohibition on blocking a competitor’s progress, insistence on obeying traffic rules of the area and wearing cycling helmets are generally known to all. However, the rules that skip most triathlon beginners’ notice/knowledge and must be particularly adhered to include:The bike must not be parted with during the course of the concerned discipline. Even if it breaks down or crashes and it is impossible to ride it any longer, it must still be carried by the athlete to the transition zone.Not many triathletes are aware of this, but the ITU also regards proper dress-up as a pre requisite to participation in the event. Equipment RulesApart from these general cycling rules and regulations for triathlons, there also exist certain equipment rules which place the equipment used during the cycling discipline of the event under scanner. The most prominent of these, which every triathlon beginner must be made aware of are:Every bike participating in the event undergoes a thorough inspection in the transition area, so the bike must be chosen keeping the ITU rules in mind. The same goes for the helmets and shoes used for biking. These must live up to the ITU uniform rules and even slightest deviations like changing the helmet straps or making minor cosmetic alterations to the biking helmets is not allowed.Use of mobile phones, headphones, earplugs etc. is against the triathlon cycling rules.

Trends in Domestic Violence in The US

According to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), over three million women are physically abused by their husband or partner every year. Domestic violence continues to be a plague throughout the nation and continues to be one of the most under-reported crimes. Women account for the majority of victims, but men are also at risk and less likely to report the abuse due to embarrassment. According to federal officials, only a little over half a million domestic violence incidents are actually reported each year. Nearly one-third of these assaults require emergency room treatment and hospitalization.A large percentage of men that abuse their spouse are also guilty of abusing their children. One of the most disturbing statistics is that approximately 33 percent of teens report some type of abuse by their partner. This is one trend that must be stopped. State and federal legislators need make this a priority by requiring public schools to focus on teaching America’s youth that this behavior is totally unacceptable.Why Do Women Stay in Abusive Relationships?Domestic violence statistics show that the abuse is likely to escalate so it’s difficult to understand why women stay in these abusive relationships. Intimate partner violence affects people of all income levels, but those who earn less than $25,000 a year are at a much higher risk. Abusers will often apologize and make promises to change, but this rarely happens. The cycle of abuse continues and many women are unable to leave for a variety of reasons including:• Financial constraints and concerns about how they will provide for their children
• The victim has begun to believe that they are worthless and no one else will want them
• They fear that their partner will hunt them down and kill them if they leave
• Women often stay so their husband won’t get custody of the children
• They fear losing their children if they reach out for help
• Isolation and lack of family supportSome actually believe that it’s better for the children to have access to good schools and a safe neighborhood. But one of the saddest facts is that many are still in love with their partners even after suffering years of abuse.Stopping the Cycle of ViolenceFederal authorities report that in 2010, the murder statistics climbed throughout nation due to domestic abuse and that murder/suicides were becoming more common. Victims caught in the cycle of violence often experience fear during the violent stage. Shortly thereafter, the couple goes through the honeymoon phase where the batterer apologizes and swears to never do it again. The husband will be on his best behavior for a while, but then the cycle starts all over again.We need to empower women by spotlighting these trends and making public service announcements to educate them. Information is a very powerful tool and people are more inclined to reach out for help when they know they are not alone. More legal resources need to be made available so that it’s easier to obtain a protective order. All Americans must work together to find solutions to these problems. If we start early when the abuser is being abused, we may be able to stem the tide and stop the cycle of abuse.

Special Needs Adoptions Ten Tips

Often the term, “special needs” when linked to the adoption of a child, conjures up images of children handicapped by physical, mental or emotional ailments. While this is sometimes the case, “special needs adoptions” means a variety of other things depending upon the country or situation in which the child lives. For example all adoptions from China are designated as China special needs adoptions. In the US, children who might be older than an infant or who have additional siblings fit into the “special needs” category. Here are ten adoption advice tips to help you understand “special needs” adoptions.
Special needs adoptions, what are they? The term “special needs can describe several adoption categories: disabilities, race, age, sibling status, and at-risk. While there may be some medical helps and financial subsidies for “special needs” adoptions in the US, the adopting family should realize raising any child brings unexpected financial pressures.
Special needs at-risk children. Children are considered “at-risk” if they may have or are developing learning, emotional, behavior, or physical concerns such as having exposure to abuse, genetic illness, drugs, or neglect. Some agencies specialize in working with children in this category. Always ask adoption advice before you fall in love with a child.
Special needs sibling groups. It is not uncommon, both nationally and internationally, to find one, two or more siblings in a group. A conscientious adoption agency will help match family groups with caring and willing adopting families. It is not uncommon for many of these sibling groups to have some other form of special needs: Transracial, have learning concerns, or have been victims of abuse.
Special needs Transracial children. A Transracial child is one where the race of the adopting family is different from the one of the child. It is illegal to discriminate during the adoption process by race. Agencies often are used in the placement of Transracial children, especially in international adoptions.
Special needs includes children and babies with pre-natal drug exposure or HIV exposure. Unfortunately some mothers of children are addicts, alcoholics, or have other health issues which may affect the child such as HIV exposure. Agencies must make adopting parents aware of these types of circumstances, and some private agencies will not handle children who test positive for certain health issues.
Special needs adoption agencies may deal with China special needs children. All children in the adoption program in China are considered special needs. Chinese adoptions are strictly monitored through a special Chinese government agency. It is wise to only utilize a Hague accredited agency to adopt from China.
Special needs foster care adoptions. In the US, children with special needs are under the protection of the public foster care system. These children may have been in numerous foster care situations before they are eligible for adoption. Many are older than 18 months. Sometimes the State government will work with an adoption agency, but often the State has its own rules and regulations in the adoption process.
Is a special needs adoption faster? Sometimes. International adoptions of special needs children may take the same amount of time as a non-special needs adoption. This is because of the horrendous amount of paperwork involved and the various US government regulations as well as the foreign government’s regulations.
If my child has special needs, will my health care costs cover it? Everyone’s health insurance is different and has different approvals. It would be wise BEFORE you consider a “special needs” child with either physical or mental health concerns to ensure that your insurance will provide for needed care. Sometimes there is a waiting period or a ban on “pre-existing” conditions. Children in State foster care may be eligible for health care provided by the state even after the adoption. This is a great choice if you have a lot of love, but little insurance.
Where can I go for help if I adopt a special needs child? If you are adopting through an agency, often the agency has counseling services, and is more than willing to provide you with information to help make your adoption transition a positive experience. In addition, when you adopt a child from state foster care, there are numerous state agencies to help: health services, counseling, school helps, medical help, etc. You can find more information about specific concerns from your state foster care web site.

SpyBubble Review and Demo – Spy on any Cell Phone

Simple and Easy Ways to Prevent Childhood Obesity

Current research shows that approximately 300 million people are obese and 5% of these people are children. Similar to adults, obesity causes several health risks and can decrease your child’s life expectancy. Obese children have a higher probability of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes and severe emotional distress and trauma. Childhood obesity prevention is very important and can ultimately save your child’s life.There are several factors that could cause your child to become obese. Many people assume that both adults and children that are overweight or obese are lazy and eat too much. Although these factors can lead to obesity, they are not the only culprits. Obesity can be caused by genetics, illness and even emotional trauma. Some children begin to suffer weight issues after their parents get a divorce or they suffer the loss of a loved one. You should monitor your child’s behavior after any traumatic event to ensure your child is dealing with their emotions properly.Preventing childhood obesity does not have to be difficult. Here is a list of 4 simple and easy ways to prevent your child from becoming obese.1. BreastfeedingBreastfeeding is the best way to prevent not only childhood obesity but also other disorders like asthma. A mother’s milk is full of nutrients and is high in protein which can help establish a well-balanced metabolic rate for your child. If your child has a high metabolic rate, they are less likely to suffer from weight issues. However, if you did not breastfeed your child, you should not blame yourself for your child’s weight issues. Breastfeeding is only one piece to this very large puzzle.2. Caloric intakeGenerally, weight issues stem from eating more calories than your body expends. You should avoid giving your child high-calorie junk foods that contain excessive amounts of fats and sugar. You should substitute these with healthy, fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. If your child is slightly overweight, you should also monitor and track all the food that your child eats. This can help you and your doctor determine the proper course of action to prevent any weight issues from getting worse.3. ExerciseYou should get your child in the habit of doing consistent exercise. Obviously, you should speak with your doctor before starting your child on any exercise regimen because their muscles and bones are still developing. You do not want to hinder your child’s overall growth. Keep exercise fun; therefore, make sure it is age appropriate. A child may not want to do an hour on the Stair Master and they really should not. It may be too much for their heart and lungs to handle. If you find age appropriate exercises, your child is more likely to stay consistent and enjoy being an active individual.4. Limit access to the television and computerYou should limit the amount of time your child spends in front of the television or computer. Research has proven that children that spend more time watching television or surfing the internet are more likely to become overweight and obese.Preventing your child from becoming obese is extremely important and very simple. Children are very resilient and will to respond to changes fairly quickly.

The Emotional And Physical Effects of Divorce on Children