Ravangla in South Sikkim is dotted with pretty villages surrounded by alpine trees, and jaw-dropping views of the Himalayas. Khanchengdzonga, Pandim, Siniolchu, and Kabru are the major peaks that are visible from various points in the area. It is also home to some of the most stunning monasteries and Buddhist temples in Sikkim. Here are some that you must not miss on your next visit.

Buddha ParkThis vast complex with manicured gardens features a 130ft statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha. It was consecrated by the Dalai Lama to mark the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha. The imposing figure is depicted in the Dharmachakra mudra symbolising the Wheel of Dharma which was set in motion when the Buddha gave his first sermon at Sarnaths Deer Park after attaining enlightenment. Hence, this park is also called Tathagata Tsal or place of enlightenment. About 60 tonnes of copper, and some 4kgs of gold, was used for this statue built in the repouss technique (one of the oldest metal-working practices in the world). You must check it out after sunset, when it is lit up and visible for miles around.

The climb up to the statue is quite strenuous, but the remarkable murals and paintings inside the temple beneath the statue are worth the effort. You can get battery-powered vehicles (for a fee) to go around. Ask for one at the ticket counter. Inside the temple is a spiral gallery of stunning artworks which showcases scenes from the Buddhas life. A glass-encased cylinder in the middle has murals containing holy relics from different countries. Look out for the hundreds of miniature Buddha statues in various mudras scattered around the periphery. Outside the temple are water fountains which function much like wishing wells. At the Tongchoe Lhakhang, you can light butter lamps in memory of your loved ones for a nominal fee.The site is within the complex of the centuries-old Rabong monastery, an interesting piece of traditional Buddhist architecture.

Close by is Ralang Monastery, another key religious place for Tibetan Buddhism. You can also walk to the Cho Djo Lake located within the complex. The park is about a kilometer from Ravangla town, so you can make this into a day outing. Make sure you are wearing sensible walking shoes when you visit because you will be doing a lot of walking and climbing. After all that walking (the complex is really huge), you can recharge at the eateries located inside the complex. You can also catch up on your gift buying list at the shops here.

Bon Monastery, KewzingContinue the Buddhism trail with a visit to one of the two Bon monasteries in India the only other one is in Himachal Pradesh. Until the advent of Buddhism, Bon was the religion of Tibet. The founder, Lord Tonpa Shenrab, holds a prominent position in Bon culture. The monastery at Kewzing is built in an Indo-Tibetan style, and is decorated with paintings of deities, and the Bon Buddha. Its around 6km from Ravangla along the Ravangla-Legship route.

Mangbrue MonasteryAbout 2kms from Kewzing Bazaar is Mangbrue Gompa which follows the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism. Look out for the ruins of bunkers and outposts from the 19th century, when an invading Bhutanese army had used this as a strategic location.

Ralang Monastery

About 13km below Ravangla, is the new Ralang Gompa, also known as the Palchen Choeling Monastic Institute. Set up in the mid-90s, the gompa is home to about 200 monks of the Kagyu order. It is famous for elaborate sculptures. Inside the main hall is a 30-ft statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha. About 1.5km downhill, on the same road, is the smaller Old Ralang Gompa. Established in 1768, it is one of the most important monasteries in Sikkim following the Kagyu tradition. The old monastery was built in 1768 AD and legend has it that the 9th Karmapa, head of the Kagyupa sect, blessed the site of the monastery with grains of rice thrown from Tibet. It hosts festivals like Pang Lhabsol and Kagyed Chaam (generally around AugustSeptember and December). The famous Mahakala Dance takes place every year in the month of November.

If you feel up to it, hike to the monastery it takes approximately two-and-a-half hours from Ravangla market. Look out for Titanic Point after Ralang its a rock that juts out, shaped somewhat like a ship. You can get a good views of the valley, and West Sikkim.

Doling MonasteryAround 6m from Ravangala is the Doling monastery the old one and the new one are opposite each other. The old Doling monastery is a haunting and peaceful place, with faded prayer flags and a sacred lake with fish bobbing up and down in it. The fish (it is one of the eight lucky signs in Buddhism) are released into the pond as a form of worship. The monastery follows the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. What draws people here are the footprints on stone one of the deity Khanchengdzonas horse and another of Lama Dorjelingpa.

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On The Monastery Trail In Ravangla - Outlook India

One of the images shared by Mumbai Police on Instagram. (Instagram/Mumbai Police)

If you are a fan of The Simpsons, then you need no introduction to Barts blackboard scene. For those who are yet to catch up, it is an animated American sitcom. Credit scenes of most of the episodes of this show open with Bart, the character of the son in the show, writing something on a backboard at school presumably as punishment for his antics. What he writes changes from episode to episode, and now Mumbai Police has used that scene to put forth some important messages on cyber safety.

Doh! The Simpsons are going to follow these guidelines on cyber safety. You should too, the department wrote and shared four images. They show Bart writing that how he will verify facts before sharing WhatsApp forwards or wont share OTP or password with anyone.

Check the entire post to know what else Bart has in store for you:

Great work. Enlightenment is key, wrote an Instagram user, and we cant agree more. As for the other people, they shared all sorts of comments on the post. While some praised the Mumbai Police for their creativity, others expressed that theyll follow the rules diligently.

Brilliant idea! wrote an Instagram user. To do list! expressed another. Looks like I need to hear the Simpsons and change my passwords now, wrote a third.

What do you think of Mumbai Polices post?

Also Read | Can you solve Bengaluru Polices riddle tweet? It has an important message

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Mumbai Police uses Barts blackboard scene from The Simpsons to put forth important messages on cyber... - Hindustan Times

Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Heres what you need to know on this Friday, June 5.

The UK Art World Sues Insurers UK art organizations are preparing to file a class-action lawsuit against insurers for failure to pay out as the lockdown era continues to decimate their bottom lines. The group of more than 50 claimantsall of whom remain unnamed for nowincludes art galleries, museums, and individual proprietors who claim losses ranging from50,000 ($63,498) to 35 million ($45 million). The dispute may come down to whether the public-health situation and the resulting shutdown are covered by the wording of specific policies for business interruption insurance. (The Art Newspaper)

Steve McQueen Dedicates Films to George Floyd The artist and Oscar-winning filmmaker has dedicated his two films selected for the Cannes Film Festival to George Floyd and all the other black people that have been murdered, seen or unseen, because of who they are, in the US, UK, and elsewhere. The films, Mangrove and Lovers Rock, were scheduled to be shown at the prestigious festival before its cancellation due to the public-health situation. The films are both part of McQueens Small Axe anthology, named after a quote from the protest singer and reggae artist Bob Marley: If you are the big tree, we are the small axe. (BBC)

Brooklyn Museum Opens Its Bathrooms to Protesters The Brooklyn Museum is the first major art museum to join a group of New York institutions and theaters in opening up their lobbies and bathrooms to protesters. The museumwhich is located near a frequent gathering site for protests in the boroughwill make itself available between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. A representative for the Brooklyn Museum told Artnet News that staff will be on hand to direct protesters to the bathrooms and help maintain social distancing. Over the past week, demonstrators have been bottlenecked by police and trapped without access to water or bathrooms; public rest points also give people the important chance to charge their phones. The Twitter account Open Your Lobby is recording theaters around the country that are opening up their spaces to demonstrators. (Instagram)

V&A Curator on the Role Enlightenment Thinkers Played in Creating Racism In a must-read post on the V&As blog, Gus Casely-Hayford, the British curator and director of V&A East, ruminates on a work by Yinka Shonibare illustrating a black Victorian dandy in the context of the protests sweeping the United States and beyond. These men who defined the Enlightenment, constructed its hierarchies and categories, these intellectuals who laid out the framework of modern law, morality, and its identified metaphysicslooked upon Africa, a well-populated and varied-cultured continent, and saw in its peoples nothinga void, a cultural tabula rasasilence, Casely-Hayford writes. It made colonialism, and the imposition of Western cultural norms, seem like a kindness. Shonibares image challenges the hierarchy, and, Casely-Hayford writes, we must do the same. (V&A)

Dealer Daniel Katz Makes $2.9 Million at Sothebys The London art dealers collection brought in 2.3 million ($2.9 million) in an online auction at Sothebys, easily surpassing the 1.2 million low estimate. The 144 lots ranged from Egyptian bronze antiquities to Modern British art. But despite the encouraging result, reporter Colin Gleadell writes that, with many objects priced under 40,000 and some offered without reserve, the sale felt more like a backroom clearance. (Art Market Monitor)

Swiss Museum Deaccessions Impressionist Works to Finance Itself The Langmatt Museum in Baden is selling up to three French Impressionist works from its collection in order to raise funds for operations, an extremely controversial move in the museum world. The president of the museums foundation, Lukas Breunig-Hollinger, says that the decision pains the institution but that it is ultimately the only way to save it. (NZZ)

Tunisia Controversy Halts Paris Auction The Paris auction house Coutau-Bgarie has withdrawn 114 19th-century lots belonging to Tunisian royalty from a planned sale after critics said they had been smuggled illegally out of their country of origin. Following an official denouncement from the National Heritage Institute, the auction house has temporarily suspended the sale in order to investigate whether the heirs to the artifacts illegally exported the goods in order to sell them on the international market. (Le Monde)

Brain Dead Collective Calls on Corporations to Support Black and LGBT Organizations The Los Angeles-based creative collective has called on its previous collaborators, including North Face, Converse, and Carhartt, to show their support for black and LGBTQ organizations. Match our donation or work on a project with or without us to raise money or awareness for this cause, they said in a call to action. (Complex)

First New Media Art Museum Will Open in the Netherlands The Nxt Museumthe Netherlands first museum dedicated to media artis opening on August 29 in Amsterdam. The first exhibition will feature large-scale, multi-sensory installations by acclaimed artists and academics including Marshmallow Laser Feast, Lucy McRae, and United Visual Artists. (Press release)

Adam Pendleton on Americas Protests The New York-based artist has penned an essay about how he is processing the trauma brought up by the protests sweeping the US. I realized that I am not safe, and this country is not kind, he writes. The article is illustrated with a new sketch by Pendleton, SEE THE SIN, and his closing statements illuminate that message: I took a breath and then realized that I needed to have a conversation with youthat I needed to reach out but that there is no moving on or next page until we SEE THE SIN. I realized the impossibilityand thus the poeticsof my plea. (ARTnews)

The High Museum Will Open for Summer Art Camp Children from first through eighth grades in Atlanta will be the first visitors to the citys High Museum when it reopens on June 8. The museum is organizing a summer art camp that lets children explore the galleries and create their own art at a time when the fate of such camps for many children across the country is unclear. (TAN)

The Twin Cities Black Arts Organizations Need Your Help The contribution of artists and creatives will be essential to the future of the Twin Cities, whose inhabitants must figure out how to move forward after the police murder of George Floyd on Memorial Day. Here is a list of underfunded and grassroots local arts organizations, including Arts-US, which cultivates young cultural leaders from the African Diaspora, and Juxtaposition Arts, a teen-run art and design center. Beyond the Twin Cities, there is no shortage of arts organizationsto support dedicated to building the careers of aspiring black creatives. (MPRnews,Artnet News)

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Art Industry News: The Brooklyn Museum Has Opened Up Its Lobby to Protesters as a Place for Rest and Relief + Other Stories - artnet News

1 Kazakhstan's Order of the Golden Eagle

The medal shimmers with gold, diamonds, and rubies. The award has been given to more than a dozen foreigners, but only two Kazakh citizens have received it: Nursultan Nazarbaev and Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, the only two presidents of Kazakhstan.

2 Order of the Star of Romania The medal comes with the unusual reward of a free burial site and a military salute when the recipient dies.

3 Hero of Ukraine In 2017, Belarusian Mikhail Zhyzneuski posthumously became the first foreigner awarded the title. Zhyzneuski was shot dead in 2014 during the Euromaidan protests. Many countries' medals come with miniature versions of the honor (seen here on the right) that can be pinned to clothing.

4 The United States' Presidential Medal of Freedom The medal rewards Americans, and occasionally non-Americans, for "exceptional contributions to the security or national interests of America, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors."

5 Hero of the Russian Federation This award is usually bestowed for "heroic feats of valor." Two recent recipients were the Ural Airlines pilots who in 2019 guided their seagull-stricken passenger aircraft into a cornfield. There were no fatalities or serious injuries among the 233 people aboard.

6 Japan's Order of the Rising Sun The handmade medal represents a dawn sun made from a polished garnet stone surrounded by a star made of gold and enamel which is suspended from the leaf of a Paulownia tree.

7 Order of New Zealand The number of ordinary awardees is limited to 20 living people. After a holder of the medal dies, the badge must be handed in and it is then "passed to another appointee to the order."

8 The United Kingdom's George Cross Among the hundreds of recipients of this award "for acts of the greatest heroism," perhaps the most unusual is the island of Malta, which was awarded the cross in 1942 for heroism and devotion during the Nazi/Italian siege of the British colony in World War II. The cross was later incorporated into the top left corner of independent Maltas flag.

9 Order of Pakistan This award is usually announced each year on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day. The latest recipient of the award was St. Lucian cricketer Darren Sammy for his "invaluable contribution to Pakistani cricket."

10 Bulgaria's Stara Planina The spiky medal was previously reserved for foreign dignitaries but is now also awarded to Bulgarians who have given "outstanding services" to their country.

11 Jewel of India The platinum-rimmed medal is in the shape of a leaf from the Bodhi tree -- the same type Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment under. The Hindi script says "Bharat Ratna" (Jewel of India). A maximum of three people receive the award each year.

12 Albania's Honor of the Nation This medal is awarded by Albanias president to Albanians or foreign nationals "as a token of gratitude and recognition for those who by their acts and good name contribute to honoring the Albanian nation."

Continued here:
Our Highest Honor: Top Medals From Countries Around The World - Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty

The original, held by the National Archives, is a large and predictably yellowing sheet of parchment with the inked head Congress of the United States, then, Begun and held at the city of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, 1789 the first Congress.

It is the bill of amendments to the Constitution that James Madison introduced in the House of Representatives that year on June 8.

It has 12 articles. Ten of them, articles three through 12, will, through a laborious process filled with essential debate, become the Bill of Rights when they are added to the Constitution in two years time.

People often speak of constitutional rights today. It is a quintessentially American pastime. Yet the Constitution in its original, unamended form was not meant to do almost any of the things the Bill of Rights does. It was a compact among the states describing how the federal government was to be organized and duties apportioned.

On the matter of rights it was nearly mute. It largely did not contemplate limiting the powers of the federal government, as the Bill of Rights does, because the framers were intent on creating any national government against steep odds. That meant investing the new national government with powers to own land, for example, or assume debts. Yet getting it ratified was a near thing because so many actors in the founding generation such as Patrick Henry look askance at such a beast. They did not want a government that did not come with limits.

What they wanted was an enumeration of rights they maintained were universal, or that at least ought to apply to all free-born white men of property such as themselves. They wanted freedom of conscience, thought, religion, speech, publication. They wanted the specific freedom to assemble and protest. They wanted freedom from arbitrary arrest or seizure; freedom from the state they were asked to make. They wanted autonomy within this collective and they wanted it enshrined and sworn, like the Magna Carta but with every man a baron.

Who had heard of such a thing? It was almost utopian; an enlightenment plan, another grand experiment. Could a people with so many rights even cohere? How was a nation to balance, as Washington put it at his first inaugural, the characteristic rights of free men and a regard for public harmony?

We are still looking for that answer.

Madison was a member of the new House from Virginia, where anti-Federalist feeling ran strong. He won the seat by besting James Monroe, his future presidential successor, and by promising to bring a bill of rights to the new Congress. It was either that, Madison believed, or risk another constitutional convention that could undo the sectional and sectarian compromises of the first Constitution and bring on disunion and everyones bte noire then, anarchy.

He drew on a range of historical sources, including the English Bill of Rights of 1689, which stipulated the right of Protestants to keep and bear arms, as well as the new state constitutions and the Virginia Declaration of Rights of 1776. He incorporated many requests from the states, although one that was popular and he eschewed was an amendment to make all tax assessments voluntary. It was a compromise.

Madison was clear about his hopes for the amendments he introduced on June 8, that they would acquire by degrees the character of fundamental maxims of free government. He was farseeing in that.

He also wished that as the Bill of Rights became incorporated with the national sentiment, it would counteract the impulses of interest and passion and there lies the other great unsettled question.

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Our view: Happy birthday, Bill of Rights - The Durango Herald

Our attention has been drawn to a recent misleading petition, signed by one Mr. Needam Promise Gogorobari, Owner, Prodest Hotel and dated 24th May 2020, to the effect that the convicted Manager of Prodest Hotel, Mr. Bariledum Job Azoroh, who recently tested positive for Covid-19 disease amongst 27 others, in a result released by the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, may have allegedly been infected on the instructions of the Rivers State Government.

Much as we had restrained ourselves from responding to previous similar publications by this same person, since the subject matter was still before a court of competent jurisdiction, we are now compelled to reply this obviously spurious, deliberately misleading and intentionally provocative petition with a proper response, to set the records straight and caution the sponsors of this action from further pedlling such falsehoods in the public space.

For the avoidance of doubt and for the information of the general public, let us state categorically here that the FACTS of this matter are very clear, viz:

1. A Port Harcourt Senior Magistrates Court on May 18th, 2020 CONVICTED Mr. Bariledum Azoro, Manager of Prodest Hotel, Eleme and sentenced him to a fine of N50,000 for contravening paragraphs 3 and 4 of Executive Order RVSG 07 2020 on closure of hotels, guest houses and related outfits and provision of manifests in the state.

2. The Senior Magistrates Court also ordered that th convict,Mr. Azoroh should be quarantined at the Isolation Centre in Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia for 14 days to ascertain his coronavirus status.

3. That while in the Court Ordered Quarantine, competent health officials carried out mandatory tests on all suspected Coronavirus individuals at the centre, including Mr.Bariledum Job Azoroh, to ascertain their Covid-19 status. It is important to state here that COVID-19 tests undergo World Health Organization, (WHO) and NCDC guidelines and are conducted under strict established medical protocols.

4. That prior to the publication of the test results, the owner of PRODEST Hotel Eleme, Mr. Gogorobari Needam had published one of his misleading petitions in an attempt to preempt the outcome of the test and the question we want to ask is: Why did the hotel owner try to preempt the outcome of the test. Was he trying to cover up something?

5. That on Sunday, 24th May, 2020, the NCDC announced that Rivers State had 27 recorded positive cases including Mr.Bariledum Job Azoroh, from tests carried out in the state.

6. That following the official announcement of the result and confirmation of his Managers Covid-19 positive status, the PRODEST Hotel owner has once again released another statement and this time is now calling for a state of emergency in Rivers State because his manager tested positive for Covid-19.

7. Rivers people will recall that on May 19, 2020, we raised an alarm intimating the world of a clandestine plot by some Abuja politicians hiding under the cover of Covid-19 to instigate a State of Emergency in the state. Today, a hotel owner in Eleme, who lives in Lagos is also now calling for a State of Emergency. Is there any wonder therefore as to who is beating the drum for him?

8. Indeed there seems to be more to this than meets the ordinary eye and we are calling on all well-meaning people to see the need to interrogate this man and know that he is acting out a script. Infact, the entire petition sounds and reads like something lifted directly from the copy book of those who have been desperately trying to run down the Rivers State Government. This is desperation taken too far.

9. We even recall vividly that Mr. Needam Promise Gogorobari had, in an interview published in the Punch Newspaper of May 15, 2020 titled: No ill feeling towards Wike for demolishing my hotel Gogorobari, actually stated categorically that he holds no grudge against Governor Wike for demolishing the hotel. His words: Who am I not to forgive him? I dont hold any grudge against him. I just feel that Godwanted it to happen that way. So what happened to make him change his mind? Is it not obvious that the agents of evil and those who do not mean well for Rivers State have reached him and are now beating this drum of dissent for him?

10. Again, We want to state categorically here that Government doesnt conduct Covid-19 tests. Trained Health professionals follow the relevant medical protocols set down by WHO, the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, to conduct these tests.

11. The claim therefore that the PRODEST Hotel manager, Mr. Bariledum Job Azoroh, was infected while in detention is not only laughable and preposterous, but sadly and dangerously exposes the amazing ignorance and naivety of Mr. Needam Promise Gogorobari and those sponsoring him about the deadly nature of the Covid-19 disease. How does one even carry such a deadly virus around and infect people with it?

12. Rather than commend the Rivers State Government for stemming the tide of infection that would have arisen if the Hotel used forclandestine parties was not demolished and the Manager arrested, the owner is crying wolf where there is none.

13. We also want to caution Mr. Needam Promise Gogorobari to be very mindful of his claims that his hotel Manager has been framed up by an unorthodox hired medical officers recruited by Governor Wike with a report that he has tested positive to COVID-19 whilst in detention with the Rivers State Government. This is a clear accusation and indictment of the reputation and authority of the NCDC.

14 We also want to call the attention of Mr. Needam Gogorobari that we take exception to his description of the Isolation Centre in Port Harcourt, as an illegal detention facility in Stadium, Elekahia, Port Harcourt and to inform him and his sponsors that the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu and a team from the World Health Organization, were in Rivers State on a working visit in April this year and not only praised Governor Nyesom Wike for his leadership and handling of the Covid-19 outbreak. but also applauded his medical health team and all the facilities put in place in response to the Coronavirus.

We will therefore be keen to know how the NCDC will react, when they read your description of a facility they approved, as a detention centre.

15. Finally, we want to assure the good people of the state that the Rivers State Government remains resolute in its fight to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the state and we will not be deterred by cheap blackmail and misleading propaganda.

16 Governor Wike is determined to employ and deploy appropriate strategies to keep Rivers State safe.

17. We call on all residents to work together with the Governor to defeat Covid-19 in Rivers State and by the Grace of God we will be victorious.

Paulinus Nsirim Commissioner for Information and Communications May 26, 2020

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COVID-19: Wike Committed To Saving Lives Of Rivers People Nsirim As 2nd Phase Of Street To Street Enlightenment Campaign Begins - The Tide

REGIONAL CORONAVIRUS DIFFERENCES: But still no regional health guidelines.

Gov. Asa Hutchinsons daily coronavirus update included a new peak on the number hospitalized and he said he wasnt ready to announce a regional approach to easing of state guidelines on business operations.

Hed indicated last week he might have an announcement this week. Today, he was more cautious.

He said the regions of the state are different and their trend lines are different. But he said the future spread of the coronavirus is not predictable. He said he doesnt believe the rise in cases being experienced is related to past easing of restrictions. But he said increased testing is important. He said self-discipline and social-discipline still must be practiced. And he emphasized again that the economy must keep moving. He said these factors will influence future decisions on easing restrictions.

But nothing today. Were leaving the options open, he said. The weekend numbers clearly were a disincentive. He said hed thought earlier the state was on a decline on the whole, but circumstances changed. The options he considered Friday had some weaknesses. He said, What might be a safe region today might not be tomorrow.

The daily COVID-19 count

The state reported 314 new cases today, increasing yesterdays total of 9,426 to 9,740. Deaths rose by one, to 155. Hospitalizations increased by 26 to 171, a record so far. The rise inc ases followed increases Saturday of 450 and Sunday of 325.

4,131 tests were done over the last 24 hours.

The growth in new cases continued in Washington County (86) and Benton County (41). The governor said 41 of the cases in Washington County were clustered in 15 households. He also said the average age of those infected was fairly young, perhaps a hopeful sign that theyll overcome the illness more easily.

Health Director Nate Smith said only 2 percent of new cases had visited a restaurant in the last 14 days; 1 percent to a barbershop; 1 percent to a church, and less than 1 percent to a gym or hotel.

He said the growth in hospitalizations was concerning, but he said the state was not near its capacity. He said that, with the growth in cases, it wasnt surprising hospitalizations would grow. He said the same could be expected of deaths, a lagging indicator.

Protest news

The governor opened remarks with news on the demonstration front. He confirmed the announcement earlier that he was deactivating National Guard hed called up in support of State Police and local police.

He said the unified command structure created by his executive order remains in place, though the number of State Police dedicated to the job will be reduced. He said the Little Rock police will remain at work protecting property and demonstrators. The governor praised local demonstrators, but he said some outliers whod come in to cause trouble had been discouraged and deterred.

He also said hed been meeting with protest leaders and planned to deliver at 11 a.m. Tuesday an executive order hed promised them. He gave no details, but he said it would deal with police training, certification and standards.

Economic recovery

Steuart Walton, the billionaire Walmart heir appointed by Hutchinson to lead a recovery task force, said Arkansas is doing better than some neighboring states in economic recovery. He said his groups website is now available in Spanish. He said the group was trying to encourage businesses to get people to follow guidelines on wearing masks (they could be more effective than a vaccine in preventing contraction of the disease, he said.) and following other social distancing guidelines. He lauded the governors targeted approach to balancing health and economic concerns.

The Q&A session didnt cover much new ground, with some discussion, but little enlightenment on whether the mass demonstrations were a potential breeding ground for virus cases or whether any new cases had been reported as a result.

More here:
Coronavirus today: 314 new cases and a record number hospitalized. No regional easing yet, governor says. - Arkansas Times

Keeping yourself busy is easier said than done at the moment. After the umpteenth week staring slack-jawed at Netflix, taking part in repetitive Zoom quizzes and idly tapping through everyone elses Instagram Stories, things can start to feel a bit Groundhog Day.

What you really need is a hobby and a calming one at that. While theres a time and place for playing adrenaline-soaked video games, throwing yourself into high-intensity exercise and putting yourself on a deadline to write your first book, all of these high-pressure pursuits can add to the current stress and anxiety, which isnt what you need right now.

Here, weve found 10 super-calming hobbies that wont test your patience. Try one of these ideas for soothing your nervous system, relieving tension and improving your mental health.

1. Knitting

As well as helping you to save money on your wardrobe, knitting is a fantastic craft hobby for chilling out after a stressful day of working from home.

A 2007 study by Harvard Medical Schools Mind and Body Institute found that taking part in a knitting session can lower your heart rate by an average of 11 beats per minute. In fact, knitting is so relaxing that the study authors compared the enhanced state of calm it produces to that of taking a yoga class.

2. Adult colouring

With restaurants, pubs and gyms closed, your screen time is likely to have increased, which isnt great for your mental health.

Give yourself a break and try some adult colouring instead. A study published in the journal Art Therapy found that the intense attention to detail needed can reduce anxiety and improve mindfulness.

3. Painting

Its no surprise that splashing paint onto a canvas is good for your stress levels. Studies have suggested that art therapy can be helpful for treating both anxiety and depression, as well as PTSD, trauma and phobias.

If youre not sure where to get started, there are lots of online tutorials to follow on YouTube. Makings and Musings are also streaming live classes with demonstrations on how to master new painting techniques during lockdown.

4. Caligraphy

If youre feeling stressed and overloaded with a constant barrage of emails, news articles, WhatsApp messages and catch-up calls, calligraphy is a fantastic escape.

You can put your phone on mute, stick on some relaxing music and start creating at your own pace. There are lots of printable worksheets online which you can make your way through, tracing the letters and creating a beautiful page of handwritten art.

5. Needlework

Thanks to Instagram, needlework has had a resurgence in recent years, as the hot item to have hanging on your wall. If you want to lower your stress levels and save some money in the process, you can have a go at creating your own at home.

There are lots of beginner kits you can buy online, YouTube tutorials to follow and The Royal School of Needlework offers introductory classes with video instructions on how to get started.

6. Baking

If youre one of the thousands of people baking banana bread in lockdown, then youll know just how comforting all that weighing, mixing, sieving and eating can be.

Whether youre a fan of cakes or you prefer a loaf of sourdough, baking can form part of a mindful practice called grounding, where you use a hands-on activity to help you be present and connected in the moment.

7. Cocktail making

Theres a reason why everyone from children to parents are finding solace in learning TikTok dance routines at the moment.

Research dating back to the 1980s has suggested that dance can have a significant effect on our anxiety levels, helping to boost our mood, express our feelings creatively and release those feel-good exercise hormones.

10. Gardening

Spending time in the garden feels good for so many reasons. As well as being outside in the fresh air, using your hands to plant and pot after a day of typing can feel therapeutic, and there are pleasant sights and smells to take in, too.

A study from the Journal of Health Psychology found that gardening can help to improve your mood and even reduce the stress hormone cortisol. Even if you dont have a big patch of land to play with, you can still enjoy the mental health benefits by planting a few pots and planters on your doorstep.

Read more from the original source:

10 calming hobbies to take up now - BreakingNews.ie

Anyone who has laid awake in bed staring at the clock, mentally calculating how many hours of sleep they will get if they fall asleep right now, knows the struggle of insomnia.

The sleep disorder is incredibly common, with acute cases affecting as many as 25% of Americans a year, according to a study from the University of Pennsylvania.

Insomnia can manifest in different ways for different people. Some have trouble falling asleep, others have trouble staying asleep, and some have difficulty with both.

However, when those sleep issues start to have a negative impact on your daily life, that's when it goes from just a few days of bad sleep to a concerning case of insomnia.

Insomnia can last for days, weeks, or even years. Generally, it is considered acute insomnia when it lasts for less than a month at one time, and chronic insomnia when it continues for longer, usually three months at one time.

The symptoms of insomnia, whether acute or chronic, are similar. They include:

The severity of the symptoms generally worsens the longer insomnia persists.

Ashley Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor and lecturer at University of New England, says that for an acute case of insomnia, "the level of physiological and cognitive symptoms we are going to see are probably not going to be as severe as someone who has been experiencing insomnia for months."

Moore says many of her clients experience acute insomnia, typically during a time of stress or major change. The causes are usually psychological in nature, such as:

Having anxiety about insomnia is a major concern because it can prolong the insomnia, or even worsen it.

Imagine someone has trouble sleeping for a few nights. "Now every night [they are] going to bed they are fearful that they're not going to be able to sleep," Moore says. "So, their anxiety level is up and now their anxiety is actually making it harder to sleep."

While acute insomnia can turn into chronic insomnia, it usually won't about 75% of those with acute insomnia will recover, meaning it takes them fewer than 15 minutes to fall asleep, or who spend fewer than 15 minutes awake during the night at least five times a week.

Most of the time, insomnia resolves itself when the stressor triggering it is resolved or at least addressed. For instance, if your insomnia is triggered by anxiety over starting a new job, it will likely go away once you have settled into work.

"It probably is going to resolve itself for most individuals," Moore says. "But there always is an individual's own tendencies and coping strategies and baseline anxiety that is going to play into that."

Before you panic that you will never get another good night's sleep, Moore suggests trying to pinpoint what is triggering your insomnia and address it, if possible.

At the same time, improving your sleep habits, referred to as sleep hygiene, can help. This includes avoiding caffeine, alcohol and nicotine before bed, getting regular exercise, and skipping long daytime naps. Moore says most of the time, lifestyle changes will be the most beneficial.

Here are some more lifestyle tips to get better sleep:

This might seem obvious, but it's critical: make sure your room is quiet and dark. Light can disrupt your circadian rhythm, delaying the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps you sleep.

People who live in areas with bright street lights are more likely to report trouble sleeping, according to a 2016 study. Especially for light sleepers, noise can disrupt sleep. Things like white noise machines or ear plugs can help with that, and black out curtains can block outside light.

The second part of creating a sleep-friendly room may be harder for most of us. You should only use your bedroom for two things: sleep and sex. The idea is to condition your mind and body so that being in your bed triggers sleepiness.

This is called stimulus control, and it's been used as treatment for insomnia since the 1970s, according to a review published in 2012. That means no watching TV, eating, working or even texting from bed.

Speaking of TV and texting, it's also a good idea to limit screen time before bed. The blue light that comes from electronics is particularly good at suppressing melatonin, the hormone that helps make you sleepy.

Harvard researchers found it suppresses melatonin twice as long compared to green light. Cell phones and computers often have "night mode" features that reduce the amount of blue light your screen emits. Blue light blocking glasseshave also become popular in recent years, although the science is split on how much they really help.

Light issues aside, there is another problem with watching TV or scrolling through social media before bed. It is mentally stimulating.

"People are often talking about experiences or fears or grief on social media. We're being exposed to this psychologically stimulating content," Moore says. "It's things that will peak our anxiety a little bit even those of us who don't tend toward a trace level of anxiety."

Turn off the TV and put down your phone an hour or two before bed, and try doing something you enjoy that is also relaxing, whether it is reading a book, crocheting, listening to music or doing gentle yoga.

Don't lay in bed for hours trying to sleep. It's only going to make it harder. For one thing, you don't want to condition your mind to associate your bed with lying awake.

This goes back to the concept of stimulus control. Lying awake in bed trains your brain to associate bed with wakefulness rather than sleep. It's also likely that the longer you lay in bed, the more anxious you will get about not being able to sleep.

"We tell ourselves things like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm going to have a hard time falling asleep again' and 'Oh my goodness, I'm so tired and I have to work in the morning,'" Moore says. "Those types of stories come into our brain and can increase our anxiety and actually make it harder to fall asleep."

Try going to bed at your normal time, but if you are still awake after 20 to 30 minutes, get out of bed or read a book (just stay away from screens). Once you feel tired enough to fall asleep, try getting back in bed. Moore says this applies even to people who wake up in the middle of the night.

Finally, experts suggest keeping a regular schedule. Again, it has to do with how our bodies become conditioned to our routines.

"That's the last thing people want to hearwhen I tell them if they get up at 7 o'clock in the morning on the weekdays they should get up at 7 o'clock in the morning on the weekend, too," Moore says.

But, it is important. It helps condition our bodies and can lead to better, longer sleep. For example, a study published in BMC Public Health looked at 160 university students. Researchers found that the more irregularity in a person's bedtime schedule, the less sleep they got a night. The study also suggested the quality of sleep decreased with irregular bedtime schedules.

In a similar study published in the journal Scientific Reports, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital found students with irregular sleep schedules had delayed release of melatonin and even had lower grade point averages.

Not keeping a regular sleep schedule can also disrupt your circadian rhythm, or your body's internal 24-hour clock. If you have ever had to switch your sleep schedule for shift work or traveled to a different time zone, you've likely experienced this.

If your insomnia is lasting more than a few weeks, and creeping into chronic insomnia territory, it may be time to reach out to your doctor or therapist.

This is especially true if the stressor that triggered your insomnia has resolved but you are still having trouble sleeping.

While sleep aids both over-the-counter and prescription may be able to help, trying to improve sleep hygiene through lifestyle changes should come first.

Read the rest here:

What is acute insomnia? How to diagnose and treat your short-term sleeping troubles - Insider - INSIDER

In a perfect world, our anxiety would only help to warn us in the face of danger, saving us from risk. However, more often than not, our anxiety only serves to cripple us and jeopardize our health. With the fear and worry plaguing us during these uncertain times, its clear that our levels of anxiety are more than likely to skyrocket in the coming weeks and months.

With the implementation of plans to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and prevent future contractions, its safe to assume that many of us will spend the next few weeks in a form of self-isolation in the comfort of our own homes. Now while this is meant for our own good, were all plagued by fears when it comes to the coronavirus, and those fears are likely to be heightened as we confine ourselves to our homes as we may begin to feel helpless and out of control.

Now while you shouldnt feel ashamed about your anxiety, in fact, its better to acknowledge it, it should be noted that you can place your health at risk if your anxiety reaches a debilitating level. So, if youre planning on spending the next few weeks in isolation but are worried about the impact on your mental health, below are tips that will not only help to ease your anxiety but may even help provide you with a new perspective on things.

Youd be surprised how your favorite song can help you alleviate some cabin-fever induced anxiety.

According to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE, music listening induces stress-relief, having a very calming effect on your body and mind.

If your favorite songs are a little too fast-paced for you, you can try listening to classical, Celtic, Native American and Indian music as they have been found to be the most calming (1).

There are different forms of deep breathing exercises, but the most notable is diaphragmatic breathing.

This form of breathing involves pushing the stomach out while inhaling.

According to a study published in the Frontiers in Psychology journal, diaphragmatic breathing helped to relax the body to the point where cortisol (the stress hormone) levels had lowered.

Another breathing exercise you can try is the four square breathing technique. Simply breathe in slowly to a count of four, then hold your breath for a count of four. Afterward, exhale slowly through pursed lips to a count of four. Following this, you should then rest for a count of four (without taking any breaths), before taking two normal breaths. Once done, start from the beginning.

It would be advisable to do this throughout the day, especially if you find yourself spending too much time on social media or working from home becomes too stressful. Speaking of which, that brings us to our next point.

The World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus a pandemic, so of course, its important that you stay abreast with all the latest news. However, theres a difference between staying informed, and obsessing over fact and tidbit that makes its way through social media. In fact, the latter will only serve to misinform you and increase your anxiety.

In fact, a study published in the journal Science Advances found that people can become more emotionally responsive to news reports of natural disasters or terrorist events, which then increases their anxiety and concerns about future occurrences.

Now were in no way suggesting that you should stick your head in the sand, as its important to know whats going on in the world. However, you should try not to get sucked into the sensationalized news that makes its way through your timeline. Rather, once or twice a day, get your information and updates from reputable websites like the CDCor the WHO.

Also, if you feel that the news you receive adds to your anxiety, practice breathing exercises, read a book or play some relaxing music.

If you have a stick of gum lying around the house, or in your bag, you may want to chew on it as you check the news for the latest updates surrounding the coronavirus. This is because chewing gum has been found to reduce stress.

In fact, research published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Research found that chewing gum not only improved mood, but also reduced anxiety and even symptoms of depression.

The worlds leading medical authority has declared a global pandemic and various countries have implemented shutdowns in all spheres of life. Suffice to say, you most likely have a lot of feelings about this so perhaps you should write them down?

We all experience negative thoughts and feelings now and then but these thoughts can soon become toxic, especially if we continue to mull over them. However, recording these thoughts can help us to better process them. In fact, a study published in the Acta bio-medica: Atenei Parmensis journal found that writing helped to reduce both physical and psychological symptoms.

So, put aside some time before bed every day and grab a journal and write out your thoughts. In fact, dont just write about your fears and concerns. Go further by jotting down what youre grateful for, as practicing gratitude can help to ease some of your anxiety.

Yoga boasts a number of health benefits for individuals who practice it, and one of them includes inducing a calming effect.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Yoga, practicing yoga can help to reduce stress, lower anxiety and even improve depression symptoms.

Now chances are all yoga classes in your neighborhood have been cancelled but there are a number of freely available yoga videos online, as well as apps that will help you find your center and relieve your stress and anxiety.

In addition to yoga, practicing meditation can also help to alleviate any anxiety and stressed out emotions.

Meditation appssuch asHeadspace,Insight Timer,and Calm can help you combat the anxiety-inducing effects of negative thinking, and provide you with a more positive outlook on the current situation.

Now with you working from home, your sleep routine may be going through some changes but its important that you stick to your regular sleep routine. Anxiety can affect your sleep schedule so its important that you do your best to keep your sleep routine as consistent as possible.

Not doing so will definitely amplify your anxiety levels and sleep deprivation and high anxiety levels are the worst things you could do to your health.

Do your best to get at least 7 hours of sleep as this will help increase your ability to deal with stress and anxiety during the day.

As youre spending more time at home. your diet may be taking a hit as you begin reaching for caffeine, sugar and processed snacks. That said, its important that these foods may boost your anxiety.

So, instead of reaching for the sugary stuff, and drinking more glasses of wine than usual, rather consume a healthy, green-rich diet as this will help you keep focused throughout the day and keep your mood at an even level.

Exercise is the best thing you can do to combat your stress (and it can also help to strengthen your immune system). With most gyms closed down, you may find it harder to stay fit but there are ways you can keep fit in the comfort of your own home.

In addition to at-home exercise apps, such as Sworkit, there are some great at-home workouts that will keep you fit throughout your time at home.

It may be hard to do during this time, but you should definitely be laughing more at home. This is because laughing can not only improve your immune system, but it can also relieve stress and tension in your muscles.

Try watching your favorite TV show, or calling up an old friend and having a good laugh.

Just because you may be asked to self-quarantine in the following weeks, doesnt mean that you should completely isolate yourself. Yes, you may not be able to physically interact with your friends and family, but you should be doing your best to talk with your loved ones, friends, and even colleagues.

Doing so will definitely help to ease both your fears and it will also help remind you that you are not alone and whatever the new normal becomes, we will adjust and move on.

Our immune system is the most important system in the body, especially during these times. That said, a lot of us may be adopting habits that are harming, rather than helping it. If youre guilty of these 11 habits that are harming your immune system, then you may need to stop them and stock up on some vitamin C.

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12 Easy Ways To Calm Your Anxiety During The Pandemic - Longevity LIVE