Depression is no longer a health issue that people are unaware about, even in smaller cities of the country. A lot has now been written and discussed about it to create awareness and educate people. This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has themed the World Health Day around depression"A mental condition that people should not be afraid of and ashamed to talk about."

In their hectic and busy lives, people go through a lot of stress and anxiety. When it all starts taking a toll and begins to translate into depression is often difficult to ascertain. These days depression has become very common, given the pressure-filled lifestyles people are leading, especially in metropolitan cities and big towns. It is striking the young, the middle-aged and the old in equal measure. Yet, despite awareness, people still hesitate to seek professional help; else, they are unable to realise that what they are feeling is something beyond your everyday "blues." Unfortunately, not seeking help on time usually results in the depression deepening and becoming more severe.

It is important to be mindful of certain changes which are commonly experienced by people suffering from depression.

Not being able to sleep properly, feeling tired, fatigued, having a low appetite, loss of weight, continuous headaches are some of the signs of depression. Conversely, others may start overeating, sleeping too long and putting on weight.

Depressed people often have low concentration and forget things easily. They suffer from negative thoughts, guilt and feelings of worthless. Depression can also manifest in the form of irritability and reckless behaviour. Thought of self-harm are not uncommonand people may occasionally act on such thoughts out of frustration and impulsivity.

Becoming reclusive and losing interest in activities once enjoyed should be enough to ring alarm bells. Since cognition is also affected, as described earlier, performance at school or work may also job. They may act agitated, frustrated and impulsive; in a quest to feel "better" some people may resort to substance abuse, whether it's smoking, drinking, sedatives or other drugs.

It is alright to be sad sometimes, but when the feeling persists despite no obvious trigger or reason for it, then depression could be the cause. This overwhelming sadness makes it impossible to take enjoyment in life.

While seeking professional help is the best way to start the healing process, there are some other things you can do to facilitate recovery.

Having a structured routine can help keep your emotions on an even keel even if your mood is low. Achieving even small milestones in a day, such as watering the plants or cooking breakfast, can bring a feeling of achievement, resulting in increased motivation.

Depression can lead you to under- or over-eat. In either case you may lose out on key nutrients. Being vigilant about diet and eating plenty of healthy proteins and fats can have a positive effect on your emotional state as well.

Regular exercise helps in getting your mind off your preoccupations and releasing mood-enhancing endorphins. If you can't manage a gym session or a run, even a walk can give you a boost. I also recommend doing pranayams outdoorsthey help you focus and generate positive thoughts.

Lack of sleep is a sign that you are suffering from stress/depression. You must make sleep a priority even if isn't easy. As you like down, fight off the thoughts that clog your mind. You can focus on positive things that happened during the day or in general just before going to bed. Relaxing music might also help.

Try something new each day that you have not tried ever before. This might include cooking, drawing, reading, riding a bike etc. This keeps you busy and keeps your mind off negative thoughts.

Do not stay away from the ones you love. Tell at least one person about how you feel and what is going on. Airing your thoughts and knowing you have someone who knows what you are going through can be very comforting.

Practice affirmations/positive self-talk

One of the most powerful tools to overcome depression is positive self-talk. Make sure you are your own biggest champion and give yourself a pep talk every day.

How To Help Someone Struggling with Mental Health issues

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Depression: Don't Let Yourself Get Worse Before You Get Better - Huffington Post India

Other than these columns, I spend most of my writing energy penning serious letters and emails, on behalf of the amazing politician I work for and with. Im blessed to do it, and thank God I can. But some days, another vein of writing busts out, a less serious one. God made us in his image with a funny bone so when a good clean laugh bowls us over, I think he joins in. Perhaps he chuckled a little on the day I sent this tongue-in-cheek memo. With apologies to any of my readers who genuinely suffer from hemorrhoids, (and since I missed April Fools Day) I share it with you, (especially if you have a desk job).

MEMO TO MY OFFICE COLLEAGUES Some of you have told me that you find the piles obscuring your desks and filing cabinets stressful. I have the same problem. In a bit of downtime a few months ago, I went online and searched How to Cope with Piles. Google retrieved some great tips. I thought Id pass them on. Ive added my personal notes in italics.

HOW TO COPE WITH PILES Wash your piles gently, using soft tissue. (Long-standing piles attract dust. Best to keep them clean, but use a dry tissue it wont smudge ink.) Dab, rather than wipe. (Well, duh. Wiping shifts paper around - so much for those stupid Excel files.) Sit in warm water several times a day. Your piles will irritate you less. (Ive sent a memo to Material Management to install a hot tub in my office. Still waiting for it to arrive.) Straining to eliminate makes piles worse. (It really does. Used to be, on the days the boss came in, my piles made me a basket case. Now I just stack pile on pile and tidy the edges. Play it cool. Dont fret. Deep breathing and relaxing music helps.) You are less likely to be bothered by piles if you eat a diet rich in fiber. (This really works. I eat beans daily. Hardly anyone comes near my desk anymore, and in spite of my piles, I stay calm. Perhaps most of our stress is related to how we think others view our messes who knew?) Wear loose and carefree clothing and undergarments. (Honestly, this one has me stumped, but Ive purchased a few swirly top to test it. Still pondering the undergarments. Ill let you know if all that helps. Just remember what happens at the office STAYS at the office.) When your piles stress you considerably, try a cream or gel. (Double chocolate gelato or maple-pecan full-fat ice cream ALWAYS works for me.) In severe cases, seek professional help. (Google professional organizer. Choose one and tell her you need immediate assistance to deal with a bad case of piles.) Hope that helps someone today! Back to work now. Kathleen Gibson Friends, laugh a little today! God made you with giggles and guffaws use them.

Originally posted here:

Sunny Side Up - Time to laugh a little - Yorkton This Week (press release)

Make sure to subscribe to Baeble's In Our Ears Spotify playlist for new updates every Friday.

MANDI'S PICKS

Gorillaz - "Let Me Out (ft. Mavis Staples & Pusha T)"

This song sounds like a quality Gorillaz song but they add in the soulful lushness of Mavis Staples and the twist of hip-hop from Pusha T. There's a bass-heavy clap with Damon Albarn's semi-creepy, poised vocals spread throughout the track. It's definitely my favorite of the singles we've already heard from their upcoming album, Humanz, (out April 28th!).

Alt-J - "In Cold Blood"

Since this song came out about a week ago, I don't think I've gone a day without listening to it. It's much more anthemic than any of Alt-J's previous work but they didn't steer away from their sound too much. I love all the horns throughout the track and the build-up at the end is the perfect way to finish.

Alexandra Savior - "Girlie"

This song is so relaxing for me. Alexandra Savior has these long, drawn-out retro vocals that lure you into each song. "Girlie" is playful and charming and for only 21-years-old, Alexandra Savior has a old-school voice that is way beyond her years.

INDIA'S PICKS

Little Simz - "Picture Perfect"

This song reminds me of Missy Elliott circa the early 2000's. It has this nasty beat that you won't be able to shake. I mean, you might want to shake your bum because this song is so lit. Little Simz is so talented. Not only is she a lyrical mastermind, but she also plays the guitar. I saw her perform last night at House Of Vans in Brooklyn and there's something soothing about her performances. Similar to a poetry slam, you will follow every word and become instantly captivated. If you haven't heard of the UK rapper/singer, you have got to check her out, pronto.

Crystal Fighters - "At Home"

I have this passionate love for Crystal Fighters. The 5-piece electronic folk band creates music that evokes love, unity, and happiness. I know that sounds corny, but I swear their music will make you so happy. "At Home" has gorgeous melodies and tribal percussions that will take you on a mental trip to paradise. In this day and age, I think everyone would benefit from listening to Crystal Fighters.

Tei Shi - "Say You Do"

Tei Shi released her new album Crawl Space a week ago, and it's fucking incredible. The Argentine indie pop singer's voice shines in "Say You Do." The lyrics express that Tei Shi is in fact more mysterious than she may seem. She doesn't want her lover to know her fully, and claims he doesn't know her at all. Towards the end of the song, we start to think that Tei Shi is putting up a defense mechanism, afraid to get too close to someone she may not fully trust. Maybe it's time for me to take this to SongMeanings.com. Okay, I'm done.

KIRSTEN'S PICKS

Father John Misty - "A Bigger Paper Bag"

Well finally I can talk about how this is probably my favorite song off of the new Father John Misty record, Pure Comedy, which dropped today. "You be my mirror, but remember, there are only a few sides I tend to prefer," FJM sings flamboyantly. Us narcissists must come together and appreciate this line.

Skepta - "No Security"

Skepta is such a dynamic rapper and the beat is incredible - I'm not a huge rap head but I could listen to this forever.

Formation - "Pleasure"

I *clap* LOVE *clap* THIS *clap* SONG! That disco beat, the cowbell - they're like a more modest version of LCD Soundsystem with more edge. Doesn't that sound like a dream to you? I can't stop dancing. *Dances away*.

Originally posted here:

IN OUR EARS: Songs We Loved This Week - Baeble Music (blog)

Bruce Weber

For many people, getting to sleep in the first place is the difficult part. When your head is swimming with thoughts, ideas, stresses and mental to-do lists, it can be tricky to switch off and relax - and worrying about not getting enough sleep only adds to the problem. The NHS recommends sticking to a regular bedtime regime, to create consistency before you attempt sleep. Your body and mind need the opportunity to slowly de-stress and relax, so consider the following as pre-bed rituals.

Listen To Music. Sync Project is a company devoted to using music as medicine, measuring how music can affect biometrics such as heart rate, brain activity and sleep patterns. Unwind is a personalised music experience designed to promote sleep just visit unwind.syncproject.co on your smartphone and enjoy a tailor-made music experience created to lull you into a relaxed state.

No Screens. A 2015 study strangely enough conducted by Vodafone - on the effects of phone use before sleep found that over half of Brits regularly stay up late using connected devices to stream videos or check emails. Device use just before bed, or when we wake in the night, can make restless sleep caused by stress at work even worse, stated Professor John Groeger, director of research at the Department of Psychology of the University of Hull, as part of the research. Turn yours off, or put it somewhere out of reach, at least an hour before you hope to fall asleep.

Have A Bath. A warm bath helps the body to reach a temperature ideal for rest, as well as being a relaxing activity in itself. Amp up the sleep potential by using a lavender-based bath oil Aromatherapy Associatess Deep Relax Bath and Shower Oil is excellent, while the entire This Works Deep Sleep range is based on promoting quality sleep.

Cut Back On Caffeine. As relaxing as a cup of milky Earl Grey might seem just before bed, your body wont thank you for the caffeine hit. Swap it out for a good-quality herbal tea - better still one designed to aid sleep, such as Pukkas award-winning Night Time.

Go Analogue. Since you shouldnt be looking at any screens before bed, youll need another activity to fill the time. Try a spot of gentle yoga (the stretching will help your body relax, too), or read a book to distract you from the days worries.

Lina Scheynius

For a lot of people, falling asleep is only half of the battle. A 2016 YouGov study found that 43 per cent of UK women say they dont get enough sleep, and health experts have warned of the adverse effects those hours spent lying awake can have on our health. If you are suffering significantly from a lack of sleep then consider visiting your GP for professional help, but the following are also worth bearing in mind.

Try An App. There are plenty of apps designed to track, assist and understand your sleeping habits, so its worth trying some out. Sleep Cycle claims to analyse your sleep and wake you in your lightest sleep phase, whilst Sleep Time+ and Sleep Better are both tracking apps designed to help you to understand your own slumber habits and get into the sleeping pattern that works best for you.

Create Your Own Haven. For many people, interrupted sleep is a result of external factors such as light, discomfort and noise. Treat yourself to a tasteful silk sleeping mask, consider blackout blinds and have earplugs handy and if your mattress isnt up to par, let that be your next big investment.

Find The Perfect Temperature. The NHS says that a bedroom should ideally be between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius, so if you find yourself waking up either hot and bothered or chilly and shivering in the early hours then make sure to set your thermostat correctly during winter and have a fan ready for hot summer nights. And do you really need an excuse to invest in some great new pyjamas?

Address Your Stress. If you wake up in the early hours and really cant get back to sleep, try to consider whats keeping you awake. If youre making a mental to-do list in your mind then get up, make yourself a cup of herbal tea and write it down. Having it on paper can help clear your mind of distractions. Consider also starting a sleep diary. This is often the first thing a sleep expert will ask you to do, so get ahead of the game.

Angelo Pennetta

Its not only the sleep youre getting at night thats important - power napping can have real benefits. A 2013 study by the Beijing University of Technology examined the effect of napping on athletes after training and found that naps could improve brain function and visual systems, and promote physical and mental recovery. But not just any naps will do be sure to follow these rules.

Choose Afternoons. You know that afternoon slump, where you start to flag after a busy morning? Its not just you, its a part of human nature the Spanish siesta isnt just about staying out of the sun. If youre able to, try to time your power nap for the afternoon - or even early evening if youre likely to have a late night ahead.

Keep It Brief. The optimal power-nap length is thought to be 20 minutes or less, increasing alertness and boosting productivity. Longer naps can work too, but consider that sleeping for too long can leave you groggy, or affect your ability to get to sleep that night.

Have A Coffee. If youre trying to limit your nap to 20 minutes, have a cup of coffee before you go to sleep. It will take 20 minutes for the caffeine to kick in, which will help you to wake up more easily and in a more alert state.

Breathe. If you find it difficult to switch into nap mode in the middle of the day, try meditation or breathing exercises to get you in the mood. Headspace offers 10-minute-long meditation sessions which you can interact with on your smartphone, providing instant relaxation.

More:

The Vogue Guide To Sleep - Vogue.co.uk

Prevention.com

I Tried To Eat Organic For A Month Without Spending Extra On Food ... Prevention.com I managed to eat organic for a month without spending any extra on food , but it wasn't always easy. Here's what I learned. Research and Markets - Natural and Organic Foods and Beverages ...PR Newswire (press release) all 3 news articles »

Originally posted here:

I Tried To Eat Organic For A Month Without Spending Extra On Food ... - Prevention.com

Dive Brief:

One of the most contentious ideas before the National Organic Standards Board at its last meeting was whether to require organic crops to be grown in soil not hydroponically. After much discussion, the issue was tabled and sent to a subcommittee for more research.

Its an issue that has been making plenty of news. Five months ago, the Cornucopia Institute filed a legal complaint against the USDA and other major agribusinesses and organic certifying agents claiming illegal labeling on hydroponic produce sold as certified organic. Other groups feel that when produce is not grown in soil, it is not truly organic.

Now, it looks like the NOSB will make some sort of recommendation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in two weeks. The NOSB's recommendation is nonbinding, but will strongly influence organic policy decisions made by USDA.

If the NOSB recommends banning the labeling for hydroponic-growncrops as organic, it could have devastating effects on these growers. Many rely on the higher prices that organic foods bring in and have transitioned their produce to being grown this way.

Plus, with the organic market growing monthly, and still not enough organic farmers to meet the demand, this will also create more of a problem. The global organic food market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 14% from 2016 to 2021,according to TechSci Research.

A decision on hydroponics could be another NOSB recommendation that could impact the wider food industry.In November, the NOSB decided carrageenan should no longer be allowed as an additive to organic food. Opponents of the controversial ingredient, which is used as an emulsifier in many products, point to scientific and anecdotal evidence that it causes digestive inflammation. However, the board made its decision based on information that there are other additives that can do a similar job.

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Will hydroponic produce get to keep its organic certification? - Food Dive

Organic food fight: Grocers rush to stock the Seattle market Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle) Cate Hardy, CEO of PCC Natural Markets, in front of a giant photo of Washington more. King County has added nearly 50 food stores in 10 years and nine natural grocery stores have just opened or are set to open soon. That won't be enough to keep up ...

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Organic food fight: Grocers rush to stock the Seattle market - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle)

The Mindfulness & Wellbeing Project is a component of the Transforming Surge Capacity project, led by Action Aid as part of a portfolio of projects organized by the Start Network, and funded by DfID.

The well-being of aid workers has become a hot topic of discussion in recent years, but it seems much of the talk has yet to translate into meaningful actions.

During a meeting with colleagues at the START Networkfive years ago, Action Against HungerPartnerships Program Manager Hitendra Solanki suggested the idea of introducing mindfulness meditation in the humanitarian sector as a means to prevent stress, which can lead to burnout, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Solanki was referring to a practice in which individuals cultivate a sense of awareness about their own thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations. With time, meditation can help practitioners better relate to these thoughts and emotions and catch early signs of stress before they worsen.

It means you can be aware of things building up before they get out of control or in a more acute stage. If you can catch the subtle signs of stress tensing up in your body, feeling tight or sick in your stomach at the earliest indications of that, it means that you then have the ability to take steps to mitigate it [from] getting into a full blown panic attack for example, or stress accumulating until youre physically sick or youre mentally ill, he told Devex during a visit in Manila early this year, where he conducted a mindfulness meditation training to a group of aid workers, psychology students and personnel at the Ateneo de Manila University.

The practice has its roots in Buddhism, but Jon Kabat-Zinn, a professor of medicine at the University of Massachusetts, developed a program called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reductionthat draws on the scientific evidence of the impact of self-awareness on peoples mental well-being.

79 percent of 754 aid workers admitted to experiencing mental health issues.

Several universities, such as Oxford and Bangor in the U.K., offer courses on MBSR and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, which is focused on helping individuals overcome depression. But there remains limited understanding in the humanitarian sector of what it is, what its not and what its potential benefits are.

The majority of Solankis colleagues to whom he initially proposed the idea rolled their eyes and associated the practice with hippie culture, he admitted.

But the U.K. Department for International Developmentagreed to fund the project a component of the Transforming Surge Capacity projectunder the START Network for three years through its Disasters Emergency Preparedness Program. This allowed Solanki to introduce the practice on a wider scale in the nonprofit sector. Since 2015, the project has engaged an estimated 180 individuals both in person and through audio- and video-based trainings in Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand. Now Solanki wants to get the evidence base for the practices feasibility, outcomes and impact.

Mindfulness as a practice is not new; a number of high-profile individuals, such as Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan, Huffington Post co-founder and former Editor-in-Chief Arianna Huffington, and CNN Senior Correspondent Anderson Cooper have all embraced the practice.

But most of the available literature that looked into its impact on a larger scale for those who underwent the training has been limited in the corporate sector, where mindfulness has received considerable attention and interest from companies such as Google, Intel and General Mills.

Inspired by the practice, Google launched SIY, or Search Inside Yourself, in 2007, a program spearheaded by one of its engineers, Chade Meng Tan. The program has since rolled out of Google and is now a nonprofit, but it remains a popular training program at the tech giant. An estimated 2,000 Google employees have already gone through the course, and a number of them at least anecdotally have reported changes in their focus, relations and how they handle the pressures of working in such a demanding, fast-paced setting, according to a 2012 article in The New York Times.

Getting that evidence base is what Solanki hopes to achieve in the projects third year, but there have been setbacks and challenges, he said. Plans for an app that participants can use to input data about their experience in practicing mindfulness fell through. Aid workers availability has also put a strain on his evidence-gathering efforts.

How do you bring in an experiential training that takes time to develop in a sector where everything needs to be done immediately? he said. Most people in the sector dont even have time to go for a 5-day training course because they could be pulled away into an emergency. Even when you can afford a time, a person will still be busy worrying about getting back to their inbox because the work is building up.

MBSR developed by Kabat-Zinn was for eight weeks, but to accommodate aid workers erratic schedules, Solanki had to develop a course fit for a five-day, one-day or even half-day trainings where he introduces the basics of mindfulness meditation. This allows aid workers to have a feel for the practice, which is helpful for them to decide later on whether theyd want to continue and deepen their understanding of how mindfulness works and how it can benefit them.

But another challenge is that not everyone is open to the idea, either out of lack of interest or deep-seated preconceptions on meditation being linked to religious pursuits. Some think meditation is about reaching a certain state of bliss, or being freed of negative thoughts. There remain individuals who, after an eight-week course on MBSR, still dont quite get it, said Solanki.

Just imagine youre sitting there, saying OK, I want to achieve a state where there are no thoughts. So every time a thought comes into your head, as it will inevitably do as that is the nature of the mind, youre going to be sitting there getting more and more frustrated and stressed because, oh God, Im thinking again, he said.

The aid sector does not currently have a system in place to get a full picture of how much work-related stress is affecting aid workers mental health and performance. But the few statistics available that tried to capture a segment of the aid worker population revealed worrying numbers.

A Guardian survey in 2015revealed 79 percent of 754 aid workers admitted to experiencing mental health issues: anxiety, depression, panic attacks and post traumatic stress disorder. Approximately 20 percent of international staff from Europe and the U.S. that are part of moderate-to-large-sized NGOs also reported clinically significant levels of depression following deployment, based on researchconducted by the Centers for Disease Controland The Antares Foundation, a Dutch nonprofit providing staff care and psychosocial support to development and humanitarian organizations. Almost 12 percent also reported high anxiety three to six months after returning from mission. National staff from Jordan, Uganda and Sri Lanka who took part in a similar survey also reported significant levels of mental challenges: More than half of the close to 1,000 national staff showed significant levels of depression, while half showed significant signs of anxiety. About one-quarter showed symptoms of PTSD.

We can call it an absolute disaster or crisis if you want to, because thats exactly what it is, Solanki said.

The problem is that most aid workers would rather not talk about it, for fear of judgment and potentially losing their jobs, and aid organizations dont have an overarching policy to deal with their staff members well-being, including consultants on short-term contracts.

This is reflected in an online surveySolanki conducted in October 2016 among some members of the U.K.s START Network. It was meant as a general well-being survey to get a glimpse of aid organizations well-being practices, and consisted of two sets of questions, one for aid agencies human resources, one for aid agencies staff. But it revealed some trends in the sector: Despite increasing calls for organizations to put in place policies that ensure their staff members well-being, very few organizations allocate sufficient budget and have distinct policies in place for this purpose.

Eleven out of 19 aid agencies that took part in the survey apportion little of their budget for staff well-being and support a fraction of the 10 percent allocated for training purposes. Much of that support is focused on security and first-aid training prior to deployment, and only 38 percent of 184 aid workers answered yes to a survey question on whether they received specific training on self-care and stress management revealing differences in how well-being advocates and aid organizations define and understand the scope of well-being.

The survey didnt have data on how many of its participants have or are experiencing some form of stress, anxiety or depression, which several statistics suggest are pervasive in the sector. But the survey did reveal aid workers perceptions on mental health, from how comfortable they were in discussing it with different members of their organizations to what impact they thought opening up would have on their work and their colleagues perception of their abilities. Forty percent of 177 aid workers said they would feel reasonably comfortable discussing their mental health concerns with their line managers, but the numbers are not as high when it comes to discussing with colleagues (36.72 percent of 177), human resources (30.34 percent of 178), staff welfare (29.76 percent of 168) and occupational health service (23.35 percent of 167).

Out of 172 aid workers, 44 percent also felt discussing their mental health needs would have a somewhat adverse impact on their promotions and deployment opportunities.

Theres lack of foresight, understanding and consistency from one agency to another on well-being, Solanki said. Not only are there no policies realistically in place, we dont even know whos going to manage those policies, and theres hardly any money or resourcing even if youre able to put those things in place.

Some aid workers are aware of the practice. Alessandra Pigni, a humanitarian psychologist and author of The Idealists Survival Kit, a book that tackles the reality of burnout in the humanitarian sector, is a mindfulness practitioner herself.

But while most of the literature on mindfulness leans on the positive, Pigni cautions its no panacea. While she herself does mindfulness meditation and has introduced the practice with aid workers from different backgrounds in the Palestinian territories, it is not and cannot be the only answer to assuring aid workers well-being in the field or in the office.

We need a more systemic approach to deal with staff care; it cannot just be a training here and a counseling session there.

I remember a line manager took the time to write to me because she could see the benefits of [mindfulness meditation] in her staff [and] meditation helped me and helps many others, but the real mindfulness here is to tune in with what works for you and do it regularly, almost as a ritual, she told Devex.

In addition, addressing ones own health and well-being is just one part of the equation, she said. Burnout, based on research, is born and breeds in toxic workplaces where staff are overworked and still have to deal with tons of paperwork, red-tape, micromanagers and few incentives, in an environment that lacks care, respect, personal and professional growth, she explained.

Can you beat that on your own with mindfulness? Well, yes if you decide to challenge it and maybe walk away. No, if self-care becomes a crutch to make it to your next R&R, she said. We need a more systemic approach to deal with staff care; it cannot just be a training here and a counseling session there.

Solanki agrees the practice is no panacea for all ills, but he is eager to get more aid organizations and their staff to at least try mindfulness meditation and see for themselves how it can be useful for them in managing stress.

Were doing our best here to really explore how this could help aid workers, to see how it could be utilized by aid workers to try and improve not only their well-being in the sector, but also ultimately, if they have a sense of well-being, then they convey that to the people they are helping as well to improve their well-being, he said.

Solanki plans to conduct a larger survey later in the year to further explore the issue of well-being. Among the focus of that survey is understanding from human resources the barriers keeping organizations from having strong well-being policies and functions, and how open they are in talking about these issues outside the confines of their organizations.

While some are careful of airing their issues in public for fear of attracting negative attention, there are those who may just be looking for guidance and inspiration on how to put in place a proper well-being policy and support that fully meets and matches staff needs.

I want to explore how we can have a safe space where everybody can just sit down and discuss openly of the problems theyre having and document them and address them as a sector, Solanki said.

Read more international development newsonline, and subscribe to The Development Newswireto receive the latest from the worlds leading donors and decision-makers emailed to you free every business day.

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Mindfulness meditation: Can this practice help mitigate aid worker stress? - Devex

Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum is well-known for the incredible focus he displays on the basketball court as one of the NBAs most efficient and deadly scorers. On Wednesday afternoon, he visited local youth at the Boys & Girls Club in Northeast Portland to share one of his techniques for locking in: meditation. McCollum and Headspaces Andy Puddicombe led a guided meditation session for the kids and gave them a unique tool to clear their heads.

I first got into meditation probably two years ago, McCollum told Blazers Edge. Thats when I really started doing it consistently every day, just kind of focusing in on my breathing and understanding that its important not just for my well-being but for my heartrate and concentration and focus.

McCollum explained to the kids how his daily routine now includes meditating with the Headspace app in his free time and listening to classical music on the way to basketball practice. Something without words, like Beethoven. Something that he can listen to and be present for, focusing on controlled breathing and the drive instead of the lyrics. It helps him clear his mind and prepare for the days tasks.

There is something special about really being in a moment. The heightened awareness has a calming effect. Its a state of mind that can benefit anyone from 10-year-old kids to basketball superstars, and McCollum asserts that its a big part of how he stays cool under pressure.

You can only control certain circumstances, which is how you react to adversity, how you react to certain plays, then just your energy and effort. So when things arent going well in the game, I can still stay calm, I can still stay focused in a hectic environment. Maybe its crucial free throws down the stretch or its a crucial possession where we need a basket, Im able to lock in and really not worry about the chaos thats surrounding me. It helps me keep a calming demeanor.

For the kids, that chaos is represented in everyday demands, like homework, problem solving, and social engagement. With McCollum and Puddicombe, they had the opportunity to learn about relaxation and how it can help them improve their lives.

Deep breaths, Puddicombe would say to a roomful of children, sitting peacefully with their eyes closed, 10 more seconds. Not all the kids got it right away, fidgeting as kids do, but some were clearly absorbed in the exercise.

After watching the kids adjourn to their tablets to learn more about meditation, McCollum was pleased with their interest. Five months earlier, he had opened the CJ McCollum Dream Center at the Boys & Girls Club in hopes of encouraging children to find their passions and explore them.

Growing up where I came from in Canton, Ohio, I wasnt exposed to this type of stuff, so with the Dream Center, we want to expose them to as much as possible; educate them on different things that are out there and available to them, McCollum smiled. Especially something like mindfulness and meditation, which can actually help themnot just their day-to-day lifestyle, but their actual health.

See the original post:

CJ McCollum Teaches Kids the Benefits of Meditation - Blazer's Edge

Amid new-age meditation practices, Odissi dancer Zia Nath is reviving an ancient form of meditation whirling mandalas and sacred dances

This weekend, Odissi dancer Zia Nath (42) wants to take you back to the ancient cultures of whirling dances. Nath has been practising the sacred dances, a unique form of movement meditation, for 25 years. Last week, she started monthly workshops at Bandras performing space, House of Wow. However, she is not looking to popularise the art form or to make it trendy. Whirling and movement meditation find its roots in ancient Asian cultures. I respect it, and dont want it to become just another fad. No offense to Zumba or Zumba Bhangra, but when people sign up for this workshop, I want them to know that its purely a form of meditation, says Nath.

Zia Nath taking a workshop.

Last week, at her introductory session, 15 participants took part. Nath was surprised to see that most of them were interested in the raw form of meditation, and either had theoretical or practical knowledge. The culture of whirling is predominant in Rajasthans traditional folk dance, Ghoomar, as well as in Sufism, says Nath who is a self-taught artist inspired by these dance forms. Her initiation into these meditation practices happened at the Osho Meditation Centre in Pune over two decades ago. For the next few years, she trained at an institute in New Mexico.

Nath, who has been teaching movement meditationacross India, UK and China, for the past 15 years, says she categorically refrains from calling her dance form a spiritual practice. The meditation invokes a sacred consciousness within us. The moment you say spiritual, people come with a range of expectations. In the practice of these dances, we recognise experiences in our body and come close to the understanding of the law of three affirming, denying and reconciling, she adds.

Be there:

What: Zia Naths workshop on Sacred Dance and Whirling Mandala, will take place on April 9, 10.30am to 12pm Where: House of Wow, Bandra (W) Call: 99302 46031 to register Price: Rs 1,100 per person

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This Odissi dancer teaches meditation through sacred dances - Hindustan Times