Submitted by Caffrey & Associates 4:34 a.m. ET June 3, 2017

Babcock Ranch is inviting everyone to enjoy twice a week free live music performances at the band shell at Founders Square.(Photo: Picasa)

BABCOCK RANCH Babcock Ranch, the solar powered town being built by Kitson & Partners in Charlotte County off State Road 31, north of the Lee County Civic Center, is inviting the public to enjoy twice a week free live music performances at the band shell at Founders Square, the 13-acre lakefront green in the heart of the new towns downtown district.Tuesday Night Live every Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and the Saturday Concert Series every Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. offers a mix of performers and musical styles.

In addition to the band shell, Founders Square features a boardwalk on the banks of Lake Babcock, a childrens splash pad, picnic tables, and shady areas for relaxing. Menu and beverage specials will be available at the lakefront Table & Tap restaurant located on the western edge of Founders Square. With its indoor and outdoor dining, beer garden, relaxed outdoor conversation areas set around fire pits, a selection of craft beers, a farm to table menu by Chef David Rashty, and friendly service, Table & Tap has quickly become a preferred destination since opening at the end of February. A towering 80-year old oak tree transplanted from the Babcock property provides a backdrop for the restaurants beer garden.

Tuesday, June 6, soloist Harry Havery will enliven the evening at Founders Square with acoustic renditions of classic hits, rock, and country selections. On Saturday, June 10, the Kindred Spirit duo will present a collection of blue grass and Americana favorites. On Tuesday, June 13and Saturday, June17,the Cody Daniels duo will play multi-genre sets featuring tunes from the 1960s to present.

Soloist Steve Farst will showcase his extensive repertoire of multi-genre selections on Tuesday, June 20. The Mystic River Band ,with their unique brand of Texas red dirt country,will take the stage at the Founders Square band shell on Saturday, June 24and Cody Daniels will round out Junes performance schedule on Tuesday, June 27.

Tuesday Night Live and Saturday Concert Series visitors are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. Visit babcockranch.com for performance updates.

Kitson & Partners also invites visitors to experience Babcock Ranchs extensive network of hiking trails and numerous lakes. The new town has been designed to provide an immediate connection to nature on a day to day basis.

As visitors turn east off S.R. 31 and approach the Babcocks signature entry bridge, they are treated to views of a waterscape and the Lake House recreation center. Once across the bridge, the connection continues as visitors make their way down a winding, tree-lined streetscape leading to the downtown district.

The first several miles of what will ultimately be a 50-mile network of nature trails have been completed and are open to all who enjoy an invigorating hiking experience. Hiking gear is available at Curry Creek Outfitters in Woodlea Hall on the western edge of Founders Square. Curry Creek Outfitters also provides fishing equipment and kayak, paddle board, and bike sales and rentals.

Woodlea Hall also hosts the Discovery Center, the focal point for obtaining information about all aspects of Babcock Ranch, including how the new town came into being, Kitson & Partners commitment to preserving and maintaining the environment, how advanced technologies such as solar power, a full gigabyte of fiber-optic connectivity, autonomous vehicles, and tele-medicine have been incorporated in the community, and Babcocks diverse residential product offering.

New model home residences by Homes by Town, Stock Development, and Florida Lifestyle Homes are open in Babcocks Lake Timber neighborhood. Two models by Fox Premier Builders will open later this month.

Babcocks residential product choices include twin villas by Lennar Corp.base priced at$180,000; single-family homes by Lennar base priced at$220,000; single-family residences by Homes by Towne and Fox Premier Builders base priced in the$300s; single-family homes by Stock Development basepriced inthe low-$400s; and single-family residences by Florida Lifestyle and Castle Harbour Homes base priced inthe $500s. All base pricing includes the home site.

The towns Craftsman, Farmhouse, Coastal Gulf Vernacular, Spanish, and Colonial/West Indies architectural styles are derived from the styles found in pre-World War II neighborhoods in Fort Myers, Naples, and throughout Southwest Florida. The homes and their front porches are positioned close to the street to encourage the social interaction and personal connections that are part of life at Babcock.

The Discovery Center, the Table & Tap Restaurant, and Curry Creek Outfitters are open seven days a week. To learn more about the solar powered town, visit babcockranch.com. To learn more about the events, visit babcockranch.com/events.

Read or Share this story: http://newspr.es/2rCoHb4

Follow this link:

Everyone invited to weekly music nights at Babcock Ranch - The News-Press

If you fancy watching the French countryside slide by from the comfort of your cabin, then we have just the getaway for you

TALK about a room with a view Im lying in my cabin, balcony doors wide open, watching the French countryside slide by.

The suns dancing off the water, swifts are darting in silhouette and kids are cycling to school along the riverbank.

This is proper lazy travelling, chugging down the Rhone river from Lyon towards the Med.

My TV maps the A-Rosa Stella river cruises progress, highlighting bridges and monuments along the way.

Another channel shows the live view from the bow of the ship.

France is all there for the taking but I only reach for my camera or nip off for an excursion when something really takes my eye.

And this pick n mix, relaxed attitude runs through all the boats facilities and attractions. Buffet meals replace formal stuffy set dinners, the free bar is open whenever you fancy a pina colada and theres even a sauna at water level with river views.

Weather permitting, try the sundeck and swimming pool or on-deck games. Just learn to duck when youre approaching a low bridge.

This vast vessel was built to fit the Rhone. With just inches to spare, it squeezes through the many locks and bridges we navigate as we slowly descend to sea level.

Inside, its easy to forget youre afloat. Theres no stomach-churning rocking, no rescuing sliding drinks from bar tables on the lean, or wobbling with a plate of food in hand.

This ship is incredibly stable as it uses the latest technology to ensure the smoothest ride.

The only rocking youll get is from DJ Robbie, who runs music bingo nights and plays tunes till late(ish) in the bar.

We also danced to local band Les Gitans, relatives of the more famous Gipsy Kings who, incidentally, live in a series of caravans deep in the Camargue, southern Frances glorious flatlands that open out on to the Med.

Take the 44 Jeep Safari excursion into the Camargue and its easy to see why the band fell in love with this area. Wild white horses roam freely, pink flamingos flock in the sunset and fearless humans race fearsome bulls.

Farmhouses are dotted among the salt flats their curved roofs designed to withstand the cold mistral winds that frequently blow down the river valley.

In the pretty coastal town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer I munch on Camargue bread a local bruschetta with anchovies, olives and tomato for less than 2. Even the wild horses eat like the French, happily nibbling on loaves.

A visit to Avignons broken medieval bridge Pont DAvignon and city wall makes for some cracking photos.

You can also take a lazy bike tour along the river here and through the plum groves.

Or ditch the bike and go on foot through the old cobbled city, spotting the painted trompe loeil windows, overhanging balconies and vast Popes Palace, which housed pontiffs in the 14th Century.

You cant visit the Rhone without sampling some of the great local wine, such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It gets its flavour by growing among rocks washed down the river from the Swiss Alps more than 25million years ago.

Another trip took us past the Ardeche regions lavender and rape fields to visit epic limestone gorges and caves.

Also there is the majestic Pont dArc. Catholics and Protestants used to wage war on this a natural limestone bridge, slinging their enemies into the river below. Now, canoeists paddle peacefully beneath.

Back on board, we sample local oysters and champagne, and later try a set menu in their fine dining area for only 12.

Its a real chance to spoil yourself as is the whole trip.

This was my first river cruise. And I hope not my last. Calling all fellow lazy travellers.

GETTING/STAYING THERE: A seven-night Rhone Route Classic River Cruise onboard A-Rosa Stella is from 1,276 per person.

It includes deluxe accommodation, all meals and drinks, a private VIP home pick-up service if you live within 50 miles of your departure airport, return flights from Gatwick and transfers.

Based on two sharing for an April 2018 departure. Call 0800 440 2797 or see cosmos.co.uk. OUT & ABOUT: Excursions can be booked onboard.

They include: Orange, Gateway to Provence, 36; Bike Tour of Avignon, 19; Avignon City Walking Tour (with a visit to the Popes Palace), 30; Jeep Tour Through the Camargue, 74; Southern Ardeche and Lavender Scent, 56.

Continued here:

Spoil yourself with a relaxing French river cruise down the Rhone river from Lyon towards the Mediterranean - The Sun

Bumble has changed the way people date, communicate, and discover new places (hey, if you can use Tinder to help make the most of your vacation with local guides disguised as dates, you can do the same with Bumble). The dating app's founder, Whitney Wolfe, recently took off on a long weekend getaway with her sister and a few of her closest friends to experience the best of Las Ventanas, Mexico.

We chatted with Wolfe about her favorite parts of this specific trip which she described as "festive, nostalgic, and refreshing" and a few of the things she can't travel without. Read on and learn from a seasoned globetrotter.

"We had a wonderful time. I cant remember the last time I had a relaxing trip, where I actually put my phone down for more than two hours. Las Ventanas is the most amazing if not one of the best places in Mexico to stay food, service, and hotel are perfect every time. I love Mexico."

"Outside of the hotel that hosted a beautiful dinner on the beach for us, we were obsessed with Flora Farms (actual farm-to-table), the live music, and the best ginger beet margaritas. Ediths is another favorite!"

"It was a mix of very close friends and my sister. Enjoyed being in a relaxing and happy environment with some of my favorite people in the world. We havent all been together outside of work or weddings in years and it was so nice to have the weekend together."

"A phone charger and Elta MD sunscreen for everyday (but really excited about trying Glossiers new sunscreen)."

"The Louis Vuitton roller bag it fits everything and holds up to the toughest of traveler."

"I try to pack my favorite basics, then add on from there depending on location, work/leisure, and the forecast. Always bring a good pair of flats, heels, and tennies. You can never underestimate weather changes, so I suggest always traveling with a versatile light jacket."

"A sailing trip through Myanmar and Thailand its always amazing to be able to experience a relaxing vacation but learn a lot about new cultures at the same time."

"Munich, Germany. I was surprised by how quaint and lovely it is; I fell in love with it. The architecture, design, people, food, and shopping were impeccable."

"Its a place I have been before but would love to further explore: India. I went six years ago with my mother and we fell in love with the country. Id like to go back with my soon-to-be-husband and experience it together as he has not yet gone. Its a magical place and wonderful people. Another place on my bucket list is Tanzania, which I just booked for my honeymoon with my fianc, after our wedding in Positano this Fall. Could not be more excited for both of these trips."

Read more here:

This is the one thing Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe can't travel without - Travel+Leisure

Amigo Bob Cantisano has farmed in California since the mid-1970s an array that includes tree fruits and nuts, berries, vegetables and olives, plus flowers and nursery stock. The 65-year-old farmer is on hiatus from working the land as he fights cancer, but hes still tending his most important crop: ideas.

Part of that generation who went back to the land and stayed, this ninth-generation Californian started the first natural foods distribution company in California, and the states first organic farm supply, organic farming conference and organic crop consulting agency.

Growing up in the Bay Area, Cantisano he got the nickname Amigo from a high school girlfriend did not plan for food to be a career. Rather, his work evolved around his circumstances. Living communally in and around San Francisco in the late 1960s, he tore up backyards to garden and feed himself and his friends.

Food became a lot more to think about when, on the first Earth Day in 1970, Cantisano realized that environmental stewardship could be responsible farming and eating. Soon he moved out to Lake Tahoe, and started a food-buying club with friends that became a cooperative grocery. Stocking that meant buying a truck, and starting a route picking up from farmers, Cantisano recalled recently; that route eventually morphed into United Natural Foods, one of the largest distributors of natural foods in the country.

The more I explored, I realized there were lots of opportunities, Cantisano said. Gardening turned into farming, and farming sprouted Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, because he and other organic growers needed access to the right materials. So many customers asked how to use the inputs they were buying that, in the 90s, he started the consulting company Organic Ag Advisors, and began formally helping farmers manage their fields and crops.

While Cantisano started the company to serve an obvious clientele, another set of clients has emerged. For more than 20 years, he has worked with conventional growers on transitioning to organic, or just incorporating organic practices into their vineyards, orchards and vegetable farm systems.

Why would a conventional farmer hire an organic advisor? Dig a little deeper into the ground, if you will and this odd business arrangement makes sense. All farmers are stewards of the land. Organic growers say theyre growing soil first, and crops second; their certification requires evidence of soil protection such as crop rotation plans that cycle fields through different plants and buffer from pests and diseases. Cantisano has been guiding conventional growers for big brand names in nuts, vegetables, fruits and more for decades. Clients in the wine industry show a few reasons why conventional farmers are borrowing from organics.

People are interested in quality, and in how long the grapevines are going to survive. It can cost between [$40,000 and $70,000] to replant an acre, he said, so the incentive to keep the existing plants healthy is big. Plus he said, more often than not, the grower sees a better quality grape, and that translates to better quality wine.

The link between food taste and soil health is just beginning to be explored in the food world, but organic farming habits are bleeding into conventional agriculture. Even farming magazines sponsored by petrochemical fertilizer companies have been running stories about crop rotations. Consumer demand for clean food is influencing the purchasing habits of large buyers in the food industry, and Cantisano helps growers produce food according to standards that are getting defined by the emerging market.

As agriculture begins to change, Cantisano sees polarization as a barrier. Small is called beautiful and big farms, both organic and conventional, are vilified. Yet converting large acreages to organic, he said, is key to transforming the food system. Big farms have the efficiencies we need to feed lots of people, he said.

Cantisanos innovations helped shape natural and organic food production in California and beyond. He hopes he can plant this idea: that the demonization of conventional farmers is detrimental to the consumer desire for better, cleaner food. Cantisano sees commonality in all farmers, and has since he began farming.

I was the only organic farmer for about 30 square miles, he said, recalling a time in the late 70s. Everybody around us was conventional, and I wanted to get along with them because they were nice people; I saw them as allies. So Cantisano sought advice on how his neighbors had farmed before the modern, chemical era. They were glad to share the info, he said. They thought what theyd done was too much hard work without chemicals they thought that chemicals were a godsend.

When this elder in the organic farming movement gets to address the next generation at sustainable farming conferences, Cantisano now plants this thought: 90% of what all farmers do is the same.

Talk to us, he urges beginning farmers, telling them to seek the insight of farmers of all stripes. Creating categories of us and them doesnt help anything, Cantisano points out, especially when there are so few farmers left.

Were an endangered species.

Amy Halloran is the author of The New Bread Basket.

food@latimes.com

ALSO:

In the dirt with Ron Finley, the Gangsta Gardener

How the California Grain Campaign is working to get local whole grain bread to your table

At Thao Family Farm in Fresno, an immigrant family has put down serious roots, and spectacular produce

Read this article:

How this ninth-generation Californian got his start in organic farming - Los Angeles Times

David Lynch may be busy with his Twin Peaks revival on Showtime, but hes still devoted to his cause: teaching Transcendental Meditation.Since starting the David Lynch Foundation in 2005, hes been dedicated to spreading the meditation technique, one that he himself has been practicing since the 70s, throughout the world. OnMonday, Lynch and his foundation will present A National Night of Laughter & Song, a star-studded event to benefit local veterans and at-risk youth.Lynch spoke with Washingtonian about how transcendental meditation has changed his life and how he hopes it will change others.

Why did you originally start the David Lynch Foundation?The David Lynch Foundation was created to get Transcendental Meditation, as taught by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, to anyone in the world who wants it. We want to end torment, suffering, and negativity, and bring happiness, creativity, love, energy, and inner-peace to people everywhere.

How has practicing Transcendental Meditation changed your life?Even more than you could imagine winning a trillion-dollar mega jackpot.

Why has this cause been so important to you?Because I know what transcending everyday has done for me, and I would like to see others enjoy the same thing.

How did the idea for the event A National Night of Laughter & Song come about, and how did you manage to round up these celebrities to participate?Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Katie Couric, Jay Leno, and the others are strong supporters of the work of the David Lynch Foundation. Many of them have participated in similar benefit concerts at Radio City and Carnegie Hall in New York City. There was a consensus among them that now would be a good time raise the awareness of the benefits of this evidence-based, stress-reducing meditation technique to the leaders of the nation. The response, to date, has been terrific.

What do you hope this event will achieve?Our goals are both educational and philanthropic. We hope the event will clarify for people that TM can play an important role in healing trauma and stress, not only in underserved populations, but for all of us. We also hope the event will raise the funds necessary so thatwe can begin offering the meditation to thousands of young people and adults in the District who would like to learn to meditate, at no cost.I believe the proceeds from the event will go to 10,000 veterans and at-risk youth in DC to meditate.

How and why do you think meditation will change their lives?Transcendental Meditation gets rid of post traumatic stress and torment the same way that light gets rid of darkness. Its time people know about this life saving and life enriching technique.

Why did you choose DC for this event?Many thousands of people have learned Transcendental Meditation in Washington, DC, so there is a lot of support from government and community leaders for our work with veterans, at-risk youth, and abused women and children. We chose Washington so we could begin teaching thousands of young people to meditate throughout the greater Washington area. We have set the same goal for New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago, LAin every city in the country.

Can you talk a bit about the new centers youre opening on Capitol Hill?There are already several nonprofit TM centers in the area, including in the District, Alexandria and Rockville. The Capitol Hill facility will be a coordinating office for our work throughout the region as well as an educational center for leaders to find out more about the research and application of our programs.

Why did you decide on Capitol Hill as the place to open them?We live in an epidemic of trauma and stress, and nowhere is that more apparent than for the dedicated men and women who are working every day to keep our government running. A convenient location to allow these leaders to find out more about meditation and its potential usefulness to address these problems seemed both timely and right.

Share this story!

Link:

Why David Lynch Is Opening a Meditation Center on Capitol Hill - Washingtonian.com

Every day it seems theres a new health study out. Something that used to be bad for you is good for you, or vice versa. It turns out most of these newsy findings are not really a big deal: sometimes they only apply to mice, or theyre a blip that doesnt change the overall scientific understanding of the topic. So lets take a look at some of this weeks stories, and see whats big news and what isnt.

The headline: Study: Your Smartphone Addiction May Be Linked to Your Kids Bad Behavior

The story: Weve all seen that neglectful parent checking their phone at the playground instead of playing with their children. On the other hand, many of us have been that parent, and sometimes you just need a break from the screaming so you check Twitter. Is parents smartphone use really harming kids? Seems like a good question to research.

The study involved asking parents how attached they felt to their phone, how often their phone interrupted interactions with their kid, and what kind of behavior problems they had seen in their kid in the past two months. The parents were overwhelmingly white, educated, and heterosexual.

The more interruptions mothers reported, the more behavior problems their kids had. This wasnt the case for fathers, though. Is that because a mother-child relationship is more important? Or just because mothers spend more time with their kids, so they have more opportunities for interruption?

Everything here is self-reported, though: the researchers didnt count interruptions or evaluate the kids, they just gave the parents questionnaires. So maybe the parents of kids who act out are more likely to blame their tech use (especially while taking a survey like this) and answer in line with that theory. Or maybe families who are stressed out for other reasons are more likely to have misbehaving kids and parents who seek solace in their phones. The study really does nothing to tease out those very different scenarios.

The takeaway: Your smartphone use might be pissing off your kid, but you probably already knew that. This study doesnt give us enough evidence to say phones are bad for parenting. But if you feel like youre a slave to your notifications, turn them off when youre with your kidslike you probably already knew you should.

The headline: Boost Your Workouts With Caffeine, Even If You Chug Coffee Daily

The story: We already know that if you drink coffee all the time, a single cup of it wont wake you up. Youve built up a tolerance. We also know that caffeine can help athletic performance: help you run faster or at least keep running longer.

It seems that you can build up a tolerance to some of caffeines super powers, but not others. Thats not news, but there havent been enough studies to fill out a complete picture of what you can expect from caffeine if youre a regular drinker. This new study gives a little more detail.

In the study, 40 healthy male athletes were asked to cycle as fast as they could until they burned 450 calories, which should take about 30 minutes. If they had a caffeine pill beforehand, they completed the test about 3 minutes faster. (The pill contained 400 milligrams of caffeine, same as a Starbucks venti-size black coffee.) And this was true whether they were normally heavy caffeine drinkers or not.

A big caveat: since the experiment didnt include any non-athletes (or, for that matter, women), theres no guarantee that the findings apply to all of us.

The takeaway: Caffeine has lots of different effects on the body, but this study is a big hint that if youre using it to cycle (or run?) faster, you dont need to wean yourself off coffee before the race. Still, 400 milligrams is a lot, so take this tip for a test drive before the big day.

The headline: The Dangers of Meditation: It Can Actually Lead to Insomnia, Fear, and Hypersensitivity to Light

The story: Meditation is better known for helping us to relax and to maintain good mental health. Every good thing has a downside, though, so it makes sense that psychologists and sociologists want to know whether bad things can happen when you meditate.

In the study, researchers interviewed people who do a lot of Buddhist meditation, and who said they could talk about an experience that felt challenging or difficult. Those experiences included hallucinations, feelings of fear or anxiety, pain, and many, many more.

But theres not much to worry about for the average person. The people in the study werent opening up Headspace for fifteen minutes here and there; they were serious, hardcore meditators. Half were meditation teachers. And many said that their bad experiences tended to come after meditating for ten hours a day, for example at a retreat.

The takeaway: Your casual meditation habit is probably fine. If you enjoy it, this study doesnt give you any reason to stop. And if you do get super into Buddhist forms of meditation, and do them for many hours per day, talk to your teacher or to a mental health professional if you start to feel anxiety or have any other problems.

Read more:

What to Worry About This Week: Phones, Caffeine, and Meditation - Lifehacker Australia

Meditation can help cancer survivors fight fears the disease will recur, a study finds. Photograph: Alamy Stock Photo

Practicing meditation and other relaxation techniques can reduce cancer survivors fear that they will face a recurrence of the disease, a new study has shown.

The findings, presented on the first day of the worlds largest annual showcase for the latest cancer research, are part of a new push by specialists to improve the psychological wellbeing of patients.

Patients reduction in fear was large enough to improve survivors psychological and emotional wellbeing, said Dr Jane Beith, a medical oncologist at the University of Sydney in Australia.

The study was conducted primarily with young survivors of breast cancer, and used muscle relaxation, meditative relaxation, and visualization to try to reduce fear of cancer recurrence.

Fear of recurrence is significant, especially in young survivors of breast cancer. The studys authors said 70% of this group had a fear of recurrence so distressing that it negatively affects medical follow-up behavior, mood, relationships, work, goal-setting, and quality of life.

Fifty per cent of all cancer survivors characterized their fear of recurrence this strongly.

Researchers randomly split 222 cancer survivors into two groups. In one group, a trained therapist delivered five sessions of 60- to 90-minute relaxation sessions. The second group received no psychological interventions.

Researchers used a standard metric to measure fear of cancer recurrence (called an FCRI test), in which higher scores indicate more fear, and scores for patients in the relaxation group dropped significantly. The average FCRI score for the group that went on to receive relaxation treatment was 82.7 before it started, versus 85.7 for the group that received no treatment. After the sessions, scores of patients in the Conquer Fear program reduced by 18.1 points on average, versus 7.6 points for the group that did not receive therapy.

The gains also appeared to appreciate over time. Patients who had received therapy reported a drop of 27.2 points after six months, compared to 17.8 points on average for the group that did not receive therapy.

Meditation is just one of several psychological treatments being presented to cancer specialists at the American Society of Clinical Oncologys (ASCO) annual conference, the worlds largest such gathering. Increasingly, oncologists have looked to psychologists to treat depression, anxiety and fear borne out of a cancer diagnosis.

In a way, were rediscovering the wheel, said Gary Rodin, a psychiatrist, head of the department of supportive care at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada, and the lead author of another study presented at ASCO. The medical advances in cancer care became much more developed, medicine became more technologized, and I think until recently there was less attention to the psychological and social aspects of cancer quality of life.

It really was a movement from patients and families to have this aspect of cancer care be taken as seriously as the other aspects, chemotherapy and surgery, he said.

At least three studies presented at ASCO highlight oncologists move toward psychology in treatment, ranging from face-to-face psychotherapy to relaxation techniques to online programs.

Modern psychologists first began work with cancer specialists by designing awareness campaigns about preventable cancers. For example, nearly one-quarter of worldwide cancer deaths are attributable to tobacco alone, according to the World Health Organization.

Psychologists then began surveying and treating the emotional well-being of cancer patients, part of a steady rise in psychology research centered on cancer prevention and treatment in the 1990s. The studies presented at ASCO represent both psychologists most recent work to improve the emotional lives of cancer patients and oncologists increasingly mainstream adoption of such techniques.

Another study presented at ASCO, authored by Rodin, found patients with advanced cancer could benefit from psychotherapy. The Canadian study of 305 cancer patients found up to six sessions of therapy delivered over the same period of months reduced depressive symptoms in 52% of patients, versus 33% who received usual cancer care.

The sessions were delivered by nurses, oncologists, psychologists or social workers, and were meant to prepare patients for end-of-life care. Rodin said he has trained workers in 20 countries on the model, with hopes to continue studying the therapeutic model internationally.

Although cultures differ, religions vary by country the closer one gets to being a patient with advanced disease, the more similar the problems, he said. If youve had a family member go through an advanced and progressive cancer, you know this.

A third study looked at the possibility of using the internet to deliver some psychic relief to cancer patients. The study of 129 cancer patients looked at whether an eight week, online psychology program could relieve some cancer patients most potent psychological symptoms: fatigue, anxiety and depression.

The majority of patients in the study were women with early stage breast cancer. Though anxiety and depression were not quelled by the online program, a scale used to measure fatigue, seen as a major quality of life marker for cancer patients, improved significantly.

Delivery of psychological support to patients at this early time in the course of their cancer care is hampered with lack of access, time, and resources on both the patients and the providers side, said the lead author of the study, Viviane Hess, a medical oncologist at the University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland. With this online intervention, we aim to close that gap.

Authors of the study on fear of recurrence also acknowledged that therapy was time intensive. Authors who used relaxation techniques and therapy hoped other formats, such as delivery via internet, in a group, or by phone, may be possible.

For Hess, the success of an online program pointed to a need to standardize and translate such programs for the next generation of patients at-risk of cancer: millennials.

Online psychological support will be much more important in the years to come, as the digital generation reaches the age when they are at higher risk of cancer, Hess said. This, she said, was an intervention that could deliver much-needed psychologist support in the comfort of the patients living rooms or other favorite wifi spots.

Read the original here:

Meditation reduces cancer survivors' fear of disease coming back, study finds - The Guardian

Do you have trouble concentrating or recalling information when youre stressed or under deadline pressure? If so, youre not alone. It happens to everyone at one time or another, from students to professionals, elite sportspersons to military personnel.

Stress forces the brain into alertness overdrive to deal with unexpected situations in what it perceives to be a hostile environment, be it an exam hall, boardroom, stadium or conflict zone.

The situation may vary, but everyones physical and emotional response is the same. Fear takes over the amygdala, the area in the brain that controls emotion and motivation. Neurotransmitters carry the fear impulse from the amygdala to the sympathetic nervous system, which controls the bodys fight or flee response, which kicks into action by diverting the blood away from the brain to the muscles, and releasing hormones like adrenaline that push up blood pressure, heartbeat and breathing to physically prepare the body to confront the crisis.

As the body takes charge to fight or flee in order to survive, memory and attention falter.

Since we cant wish away stressful situations or allow our minds to wander just when we need them functioning at their best, we have to learn how to control this. Two new studies involving India, one using meditation and the other teaching adults to read, show that the brain is never too old to adapt to new tricks, and situations.

Thought control

Brain training can improve concentration in four short weeks, found a US study that recommends the ancient Indian technique of meditation for peak brain performance.

It found that meditation works better than online games and apps that promise to train your brain, especially in high-stress situations when memory falters and concentration dips.

Using meditation or mindfulness, where people are trained to focus attention on the present moment and dispassionately observe their thoughts and feelings, boosts concentration in high-stress situations far better than relaxation techniques, found a US Army-funded study led by University of Miami neuroscientist Amishi Jha.

The study found that in four weeks, meditation made college football players mentally and emotionally tougher and more resilient when faced with intensive academic and physical demands. Regular doses of breathing exercises and mindful-awareness sessions sustained their concentration and prevented attention lapses under duress.

The study also found that while simple relaxation exercises, place-guided imagery and music did not improve concentration, they prevented stress-related mood problems such as anxiety and depression, much like meditation does.

Reading between the lines

Learning a new language or simply learning how to read alters the wiring of the adult brain, noted scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig, Germany, after studying brain scans of a small group of illiterate adults taught to read and write in India.

Brain scans of 21 adults in Uttar Pradesh before and after the six-month Hindi literacy project showed an increase in activity in the cortex, the outermost layer of the brain, which is involved in learning, researchers reported in the journal Science Advances.

The surprise finding was that the thalamus and the brain stem, two parts of the brain not involved in learning, also showed changes, in regions that process vision. These two brain parts coordinate information from the senses, movement and environment, and get stimulated by reading and writing because these activities involve close hand-eye coordination. The most dramatic changes were seen in those people who progressed the most in their reading and writing skills, showing that practice makes perfect.

Fighting fit

While all types of exercise improves brain function, aerobic activity is the quickest way to boost brain power. Walking, running, cycling and other forms of aerobic exercise that push up the heart rate increase brain size and function in six months, found US researchers who used high-resolution magnetic resonance images to measure anatomical changes in the brain before and after six months of aerobic exercise four times a week.

Exercise boosts brain function by increasing blood flow, which prevents brain cells from age-related atrophy by stimulating the formation of new brain cells. Until recently this was not believed possible in adult brains.

All three studies underline the fact that the mind, like the body, needs regular exercise if it is to stay cognitively and emotionally fit.

Original post:

How meditation powers the brain and boosts concentration - Hindustan Times

NEW DELHI: The crawl at Ashram just ahead of the DND Flyway may cease to be a bane for people living in the vicinity of what is among the city's busiest roads. PWD now plans to extend the Ashram flyover till the DND Flyway, making traffic flow on Ring Road smoother, while providing quick access to the main road for residents of Kilokri village located a stone's throw from DND. This will help them avoid a 2-km detour to get on to Mathura Road or to go towards Lajpat Nagar, both of which are actually less than a kilometre away from the village.

According to the plan, the current flyover will be extended by constructing an elevated road that will touch down at a point where the DND Flyway starts. "It will be a kilometre-long span from Ashram flyover. Under the extended portion, we will construct a U-turn that residents of Kilokri village and neighbouring colonies, such as Siddharth Extension, can use to go towards Mathura Road or Lajpat Nagar," said a PWD official.

Near DND, the extended portion will split into two arms one going towards DND Flyway and the other towards Sarai Kale Khan.

See the article here:

Ashram flyover to meet DND - Times of India

Car on rent is a very important subject whether or not you rent seldom or often. you have got the choice to save lots of yourself plenty of cash and scale back your risks by taking a simply many minutes to buy around. However will this work?

When car on rent you may in all probability wish to confirm that you just are coated against the chance of injuring alternative parties or harm youll cause to their property. this way of automobile on rent is typically referred to as third-party liability and its Car on rent to induce it right. within the sad event of Associate in Nursing accident, court awards to black-and-blue parties is also terribly high. abundant of the automobile on rent provided by hire car firms are going to be capped to a automobile on rent payout level thats way below the potential award levels of the courts automobile on rent in Ellis Bridge wherever this automobile on rent should by law be automobile on rent. keep in mind that if a court award exceeds the monetary limit of your automobile on rent its you World Health Organization can got to pay the Car on rent in Paldi!

The other major type of cowl is named Car on rent in cg road. This covers the prices of injury to the rented automobile itself following accident. Once again, the quality automobile on rent in Ellis Bridge by the hire car company is also restricted. It terribly in all probability can exclude harm to many areas of the rented vehicle like the wheels, Car on rent in prahlad nagar and frame. These are all each simply and expensively broken even in a very minor accident and if theyre excluded, yet again its you World Health Organization can got to Car on rent in prahlad nagar.

Car on rent the hire car rent provided by the rental company can terribly doubtless contain massive excess. the surplus is Car on rent in prahlad nagar quantity of cash that the rental company can charge to your Car on hire as a compulsory contribution to the first part of any accident prices. If you have got pounds excess and therefore the Car on rent value is on rent you may receive a charge to your of pounds. If the claim value were solely Car on hire in cg road then youd got to pay it all.

Given these limitations and exposures, several renters rummage around for ways in which to extend their Car on rent in cg road cowl and protection and switch to the hire car company for facilitate. The rental company can supply further Car on rent in cg road. This might increase the number of third-party cowl, extend cowl to commonly excluded areas of the vehicle and maybe scale back or take away the on rent. The dangerous news is that this extra cowl is on rent typically many times dearer than the Car on hire oversubscribed over the net by the specialist insurance Car on rent in Ellis Bridge.

From the family van to all types of car we have them all at your services. The Car rent Ahmadabad which has team of enterprising and dynamic individuals. Providing superior customers services. Car on rent in Ellis Bridge.

Photo By Diserbi from Pixabay

See the original post:

Car on Hire and Car on Rent in Ashram Road | Car Rent Ahmedabad - Good Herald