Author: Dennis Hickey

I love to learn and I enjoy sharing what I’ve learned. I hope you do too because learning will nourish your personal growth. I hope you enjoy this website and visit often so you too keep learning too.

How To Cope with Decision Fatigue

 

 

Paper or plastic? Tea or coffee? Debit or credit? Boxers or briefs?

Decisions, decisions. We make hundreds — maybe even thousands — of decisions every day. But they aren’t all that straightforward.

Sometimes, the volume, complexity or potential impact of the decisions you have to make in a day can leave you so physically, mentally and emotionally drained that “fries or a salad?” feels like a riddle.

We’re doing a deep dive into decision fatigue: What it is, what it isn’t, how to spot it and how to prevent it.

What is decision fatigue?

According to registered psychotherapist Natacha Duke, RP, decision fatigue is a phenomenon where the more decisions a person makes over the course of a day, the more physically, mentally and emotionally depleted they become. A person experiencing decision fatigue struggles with executive functioning. This can have a wide range of consequences, including impaired judgment.

Why does decision fatigue happen?

Anyone can experience decision fatigue, but it’s most likely to occur when:

You make a lot of decisions every day

 Judges, surgeons and quarterbacks are extreme examples, but many of us have jobs or play roles that require numerous quick decisions every day.

Your decisions impact other people.

 The “other people” in question could be your partner, your children, your employees … the list goes on. Depending on your job, it may even be people you don’t know!

You’re in the midst of a difficult life situation

Picking out flowers isn’t usually difficult, but if you’re planning a memorial service for a loved one, it can seem impossible.

There is much uncertainty

 Duke notes that many people struggled with decision fatigue during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We didn’t have much information about the virus and couldn’t know for sure what consequences our choices would have.

You have perfectionist tendencies

“When our standard is perfection for everything, and we’re really thinking through everything to the nth degree, that’s exhausting and depleting for our brain,” Duke notes.

Chances are, you fall into at least one of those categories (if not more) on a regular basis. So how can you tell when day-to-day frustrations have spilled over into decision fatigue?

Signs and symptoms of decision fatigue

We’ve compiled eight common symptoms of decision fatigue for your reference.

Remember: Decision fatigue is an acute (short-lived) experience. If you’re experiencing these symptoms every day, then something else more chronic may be going on.

  • Procrastination or decision avoidance. 
  • Impulsivity.
  • Exhaustion.
  • Brain fog.
  • Irritability. 
  • Overwhelmed.
  • Regret or dissatisfaction. 
  • Physical discomfort. 

What decision fatigue isn’t: Chronic

Decision fatigue isn’t a problem that you should be facing day in and day out. “It’s usually an acute thing because most of the time when you’re suffering from true decision fatigue, you’ll have a recovery that’s reasonably quick,” notes Duke. “You’ll probably feel better after a day or so and be able to get back to your regular level of functioning.”

If you feel like you’re experiencing the symptoms of decision fatigue on the daily, it’s probably a good idea to let a healthcare provider or therapist know.

“I think what happens sometimes is that someone might be suffering from indecisiveness as a result of anxiety, depression or PTSD, something else that’s going on in terms of their mental health,” Duke explains.

“Indecisiveness can also be a symptom of burnout. If it’s something that’s happening chronically, it would be important to look into what’s really going on. Is it decision fatigue or is it a bigger issue?”

How to prevent decision fatigue

Everyone experiences decision fatigue from time to time. And that’s OK. While we can’t always control the situations that cause our decision fatigue, we can build protective measures into our daily lives to make that fatigue less likely and more manageable.

Remove choice from some elements of your life.

 Steve Jobs, Barack Obama and several other famous decision-makers have talked publicly about how they wear essentially the same thing every day. Their rationale: Not having to think about what you wear is one fewer decision to make. Whether it’s what you wear, which podcast you listen to on the way to work or what brand of oatmeal you’re buying at the store, as Duke puts it: “Some things can be automated. Give yourself the ability to not have to have perfection be the standard for everything in your life.”

Delegate (if possible).

 Some decisions are always going to be yours to make. But sometimes — and we’re talking to you, perfectionists — it’s OK to let other people handle things. They may (gasp) make a mistake every once in a while, but so will you! Go ahead: Let the assistant coach decide the starting lineup. Let your spouse-to-be choose the caterer for the big day. It’s going to be OK.

Prioritize sleep. 

What do people say when faced with tough choices? “I’ll sleep on it.” There’s a reason for that. Research shows that we take more time to deliberate — and make better decisions — early in the day. It also shows that not only do sleep-deprived people have poor impulse control and emotional regulation skills, but their morality also takes a hit. If you find yourself in a particularly decision-heavy phase of your life, making the extra effort to get a good night’s sleep may help protect against decision fatigue.

Exercise.

 You’ve probably heard that exercise is good for your brain, especially as you get older. But did you know that it can also help you make better decisions? A study found that coupling 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise with a three-minute walking break every half hour can improve executive function. If that sounds like a lot to you, don’t worry: Any exercise is better than no exercise, and walking for any length of time can do wonders for your overall mental health.

Manage stress.

 Making stress-management activities part of your daily routine can help you feel less overwhelmed and more confident in the face of difficult decisions.

Make time for self-care.

 Caring about your own mental health and well-being isn’t selfish. You can’t do what it takes to help others if you aren’t caring for yourself. Having a self-care routine in place can prevent decision fatigue — and make handling it easier if it does happen.

Build downtime into your day.

 Life can get so busy, we sometimes forget to give our brains a chance to go offline for a while. “It’s a bit of a cliche, but I think it is true,” Duke reflects, “That you need to have some downtime where you don’t have to make decisions, think about things or analyze anything.” Scheduling downtime — whether that means watching reality TV on your phone over your lunch break, meditating for 20 minutes every day or taking the long route when you walk your dog after dinner — can help keep your brain charged and ready to make tough choices.

When to get help

We asked Duke what someone who’s up at 3 a.m. Googling “decision fatigue” should be doing to get to a better place. Her answer was telling: “They should be sleeping.”

Hard as it can be to experience decision fatigue, tomorrow is another day and — if you’re truly dealing with decision fatigue — that makes a big difference. If you don’t feel better after giving your body and mind an opportunity to “restore to factory settings,” then it’s probably time to talk to a healthcare professional.

“I always say that if you find yourself wondering if you should consult a therapist, then you probably should,” Duke says.

“It might be a one-off session where you get some tips to cope with decision fatigue when you feel it creeping up, or it might open up a window, to help you consider what else might be happening. Have you been ignoring other signs and symptoms that you’ve been experiencing, or maybe not realized that something else might be going on?

“It’s always better, in my opinion, to err on the side of caution and check it out.”

Source:  health.clevelandclinic.org©

Photo credit:  shutterstock©

Related:  Need Some Sensory Rest? Here’s How to get Some. – TUTORING YOU

August in the Yard & Garden

August, the last month of summer, has already arrived. Yard and garden activities focus on continued summer maintenance of many plants.  However, its time to start looking ahead to planning fall projects, including lawn work, and expanding garden areas.

Continuing routine maintenance on vegetables is important to keep plants productive for the balance of the growing season. Irrigation tops the list if conditions are dry while vegetables are in the development and ripening process. Harvest crops like cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes on a regular basis to encourage plants to produce more. Promptly remove any overripe or rotten vegetables from gardens to avoid problems with picnic beetles. If weeds have taken over any areas, address them now to prevent more seeds from forming and causing problems in future seasons.

Early August is an ideal time to rejuvenate annual flowers in hanging baskets and containers. Remove spent blooms and pinch back plants, including any leggy growth. Fertilize with a balanced soluble fertilizer when watering. The result will be increased flower production from late summer into early fall.

August is a quiet month for tree and shrub care. If you are planning to fertilize, wait until October or next spring. Likewise, now is not a suitable time for any significant pruning. Pruning and fertilizing in late summer may stimulate new growth that may not harden off properly for winter.

Early fall is an excellent time for seeding lawns and putting in a variety of landscape plantings. August is a prime time to prepare planting sites. Large populations of weeds, especially perennial weeds, need to be mechanically removed, making sure to get roots and any vegetative structures or “runners” weeds may have, including underground rhizomes or aboveground stolons.

Another option is to use a nonselective herbicide (weed killer) to control undesirable green plants it is sprayed onto without leaving a residue in the soil. At this time of year, herbicides are only effective when target plants are green and actively growing, not dormant or under drought stress. Apply herbicides at least 2 or 3 weeks ahead of preparing the soil to give them time to work. Always read, understand, and follow all product label directions when considering and using herbicides. Use extreme caution around desirable plantings so they are not damaged.

August can also be an optimum time for improving soils in existing or newly planned gardens or landscape beds. Soil testing is highly recommend for both scenarios. Soil test results provide essential information including soil pH values and levels of major nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium. Proper amendments and adjustments can then be made based on this information.

 

IN GENERAL

 Order spring-flowering bulbs for fall planting.
 Keep the garden well watered during dry weather.
 Clean up fallen leaves that can harbor disease and insect pests over
the winter.
 Turn compost pile and keep it moist.
 Plan landscaping projects now for fall planting.

HOME (Indoor plants and activities)

 Take cuttings from plants such as impatiens, coleus, geraniums and
wax begonias to overwinter indoors.
 Cut flowers from the garden to bring a little color indoors or to dry for
use later.

LANDSCAPE (Lawns, trees, shrubs and flowers)

 Don’t fertilize and prune woody plants between mid-August and leaf
fall. It stimulates late growth that will not have time to harden off properly before winter.
 Keep faded flowers pinched off bedding plants to promote further flowering and improve plant
appearance.
 Cut strawflowers intended for dried flower arrangements when the blooms are only half open. Tie small
bundles of the flowers together and hang them upside down in a well-ventilated place to dry.
 Cut sunflowers and dry the heads for roasting or winter bird food.

GARDEN (Vegetables, fruits and herbs)

 Temperatures above 90oF often lead to poor fruit set in vegetable crops; upper 90os will stop fruit set in
most crops.
 Harvest onions and potatoes after the tops yellow and fall, then cure them in a warm, dry, well-ventilated
area.
 Pick beans, tomatoes, peppers and squash often to encourage further production.
 Harvest sweet corn and watermelon when ripe.
 Remove old plants which have stopped producing to reduce insects and disease.
 To prevent volunteer plants the following spring, remove flowers or harvest seed before it falls from herbs
that self-sow such as dill, chamomile and fennel.
 To reduce the number of pests on your fruit tree for the coming year, pick up and destroy all fallen fruit.
 Prune out and destroy the raspberry and blackberry canes that bore fruits this year.

Source:  hort.extension.wisc.edu

Photo credit:  britishgardencentres.com

Related:  11 Things to Do in August to Get Your Garden Ready for Fall – TUTORING YOU

Practice Restaurant Dialogue for Ordering Food

 

Ordering food in a restaurant is one of the most basic tasks for English learners—after all, eating is essential and so is talking about eating.  However, it can also be one of the most daunting. This simple lesson is aimed at beginners who are practicing ordering for the very first time. Use this lesson, dialogue, and sample menu to learn how to order food in a restaurant using basic vocabulary.

  • Students can learn to order food in a restaurant using simple dialogues and basic vocabulary.
  • Role-playing with dialogues and menus helps students practice both speaking and listening comprehension.
  • Students can modify dialogues with different menu items to create their own realistic practice scenarios.

Preparing for the Dialogues

Simple dialogues will help students to order food and speak in a socially acceptable way in a restaurant.  In addition, challenging listening-comprehension exercises will help boost their passive-understanding skills. Before having students perform the dialogue below, ask them to name different types of food they might find in a restaurant. Write the vocabulary on the board and make sure students also take notes. After they do so:

  • Give students the dialogue and menu and ask them to read through it carefully. Point out the use of “would like” for asking for and making requests. You may also want to make sure they notice the use of “here you are” instead of “please” when handing someone something.
  • Pair students and ask them to role-play ordering food in a restaurant using the menu below (or a more interesting menu you may have on hand). Both students should switch roles a number of times.
  • If you have access to a computer, improve passive understanding by doing a listening- comprehension exercise.

Finally, ask students what are some ways (dialogues, thematic texts, and narrative stories) they can use to help them improve their listening-comprehension skills in English.

Dialogue: Ordering Food in a Restaurant

Have students pair up to practice the following dialogue, then have them switch roles.

Waiter: Hello, Can I help you?
Kim: Yes, I’d like to have some lunch.
Waiter: Would you like a starter?
Kim: Yes, I’d like a bowl of chicken soup, please.
Waiter: And what would you like for your main course?
Kim: I’d like a grilled cheese sandwich.
Waiter: Would you like anything to drink?
Kim: Yes, I’d like a glass of Coke, please.
Waiter: Would Pepsi be OK? We don’t have Coke.
Kim: That would be fine.
Waiter: (After Kim has her lunch.) Can I bring you anything else?
Kim: No thank you. Just the bill.
Waiter: Certainly.
Kim: I don’t have my glasses. How much is the lunch?
Waiter: That’s $6.75.
Kim: Here you are. Thank you very much.
Waiter: You’re welcome. Have a good day.
Kim: Thank you. Same to you.

Sample Menu

Use this menu to practice ordering food in a restaurant. Have students swap out different food and drink items to modify the above dialogue or let them create their own dialogues.

Joe’s Restaurant

Joe’s Restaurant
Starters
Chicken Soup $2.50
Salad $3.25
Sandwiches – Main Course
Ham and cheese $3.50
Tuna $3.00
Vegetarian $4.00
Grilled Cheese $2.50
Slice of Pizza $2.50
Cheeseburger $4.50
Hamburger $5.00
Spaghetti $5.50
Drinks
Coffee $1.25
Tea $1.25
Soft Drinks – Coke, Sprite, Root Beer, Ice Tea $1.75
Note:  If the table didn’t fit so go to my website to find it. Thanks.

Source:  thoughtco.com/esl-lesson-plan-for-conversation

8 easy ways to get rid of dust in your home

If you dust weekly, but it feels like your home would never pass a white-glove inspection, maybe you need a different approach. Besides using the right tools, take some steps to help keep dust from building up in the first place. Dust is a mixture of microscopic particles from dirt, dead skin, pet dander, fiber, and dust mites. It can trigger allergies and cause respiratory problems, so you certainly don’t want it settling on every surface of your home. If possible, minimize sources of dust to get rid of it and keep it from building up. Try these easy ways to get rid of dust so you and your family can breathe easy.

Dust With Microfiber Cloths

To get rid of dust effectively, use cleaning supplies that do the job well. You can’t eliminate dust with a cloth that just pushes dust around. Use a microfiber cloth that attracts and picks up dust. For more efficiency, dampen it before dusting to help it trap even more dust particles. And make sure you dust often, at least weekly. It’s the best way to remove dust buildup.

Vacuum Regularly

It goes without saying that regular vacuuming can help keep dust under control. Dust from other sources is likely to fall and settle on the floor. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter because it removes 99.97% of airborne dust, mold, bacteria, and pollen particles. Mopping and steam cleaning provide a deeper clean to help reduce dust even further.

Wash Bedding

Don’t overlook your bedding when washing your sheets. Bedspreads, accent pillows, and throws can accumulate dust, and frequent washing can cut that down, which can help you get a more peaceful sleep—no waking up sneezing with watery eyes in the morning.

Get Rid Of Clutter

Knick-knacks, stacks of magazines, and piles of untended laundry can be magnets for dust. If you’re dusting every week, make sure you’re dusting all those favorite collectibles and decor too. This means picking up every item in that collection of brass candlesticks, trinket boxes, and chinoiserie to clean under it—as well as every nook and cranny in your collection. Pare down the number of figurines on display or keep them covered in a glass display case or cabinet. Toss what you don’t need, and store items that don’t need to be displayed.

Don’t Overlook Forgotten Places

Look closely at the curtains, drapes, blinds, upholstery, and carpet in your home. A thick layer of dust may have settled in behind a door, along the back of your sofa, or on rarely used furniture. Dust window treatments weekly, especially in high-traffic areas, with a microfiber duster, and deep-clean them at least seasonally. Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly using the upholstery tool. It’s dirtier than you think thanks to crumbs, pet hair, and settled dust.

Clean Your Plants

Another forgotten area of your home that you may not think of dusting: your plants. If your plants look dull rather than green and shiny, they likely need to be dusted. Use a dampened soft cloth to dust each plant leaf. This benefits your home and your plant since it improves the air and the plant’s ability to absorb sunlight.

Maintain Your HVAC And Air Filters

Maintaining your HVAC unit can improve airflow in your home, and part of that is changing your air filters regularly. If they’re not changed often enough, clogs can prevent them from filtering air properly. In pet-free homes, aim to replace them every three to six months. If you have pets or someone in the home has allergies, changing the filters more frequently, about every two months, can help.

Place Rugs and Mats at Entries

One easy way to get rid of dust is by adding doormats at your home’s entry points. This can reduce how much dirt and outdoor dust enters the home, and removing shoes at the front door also helps. The fewer contributors to dust that enter the home, the better.

Tips For Eliminating Dust

  • Dust from top to bottom so dust won’t stir and settle on surfaces you just cleaned.
  • Use an air purifier to get rid of dust particles floating around the room.
  • Change the air filters in your HVAC at least every three months.
  • If you have pets, regular grooming can reduce the amount of pet dander that ends up on your furniture.
  • Keep windows closed when pollen is high.
  • Don’t allow shoes to be worn in the house since they can track dirt and dust particles inside.

Source:  southernliving.com©

Photo credit:  © LukeLuke68/Getty Images

How China Turned a Desert Green

China’s active forest expansion has continued at pace amid a long-running push that began half a century ago.

Its Three-North Shelterbelt Program started in 1978 and is now also known as the “Green Great Wall” project.  It spans 13 provinces across northern China to combat desertification and soil erosion in drought-prone areas.

Why It Matters

A year after the initiative was launched, China designated March 12 as its National Day of Tree planting. The Chinese government says that from 1982-2021, its citizens planted approximately 78 billion trees in the country.

China’s overall forest coverage has risen to nearly 25 percent. The work contributes to carbon uptake as part of Beijing’s broader climate mitigation strategy and supports jobs in forestry‑related sectors.

What To Know

The Kubuqi Desert is China’s seventh largest, covering more than 5,400 square miles in the northern region of Inner Mongolia.  Unquestionably has long driven desertification in the area, threatening nearby villages and cities with sandstorms. and disruption.

Over the past five years, China has greened over 90 million acres of land, including by adding over million acres of new forests.

China’s Saihanba forest was historically rich in forests, wildlife and water plants.  Basically, it was reduced to a barren plateau after deforestation and mountain fires. It, too, has seen a massive transformation under afforestation efforts.

Thanks to the work of three generations of foresters, the forest provided nearly 5 billion cubic feet of clean water annually to the cities of Beijing and Tianjin, while producing approximately 550,000 metric tons of oxygen in 2017.

Over 40 years, afforestation expanded over 120,000 square miles of forest and nearly 330,000 square miles of grassland, reducing degraded grassland from 85 percent to 70 percent.

However, China’s “three north” regions—north, northwest and northeast—continue to face severe desertification concerns. They cover 45 percent of the country and account for 84 percent of its desertified land.

What Happens Next

China’s government is heavily backing the Three‑North Shelterbelt Forest Program and hopes to complete it by 2050.

Source:  newsweek.com©

El Nino: Understanding Global Weather Changes

El Niño is a periodic warming of water in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean that can affect global weather patterns for months.

There have been 27 other El Niños since 1950, with one happening on average every three to four years.

The last one happened from summer 2023 into early spring 2024.

It’s here

The much anticipated El Niño conditions have developed as of early June, according to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

Waters in a zone of the eastern and central Pacific Ocean near the equator have warmed to more than 0.5 degrees Celsius above average. This, plus the circulation of winds and distribution of showers and storms over that area now “reflect the onset of El Niño conditions,” according to the CPC.

More strengthening ahead

This burgeoning El Niño will likely continue to intensify into a strong event, according to the CPC.

In fact, NOAA calculated a 63% chance it could eventually strengthen to a super El Niño.  Basically, a term some meteorologists use to describe those with temperatures at least 2 degrees Celsius above average. That super El Niño could arrive as soon as late summer or early fall.

However, these super El Niños are more rare.  There have been only five since 1950, the last occurring 11 years ago from 2015-16. They also occurred in 1997-98, 1991-92, 1982-83 and 1972-73. Super El Niños have also been documented in 1888-89 and 1877-78.

One for the record books?

Some computer forecast models suggest this El Niño could become one of the most intense on record.  For instance, the European model ensembles have trended warmer in their El Niño forecasts since spring.

Other models top it out either as strong (at least 1.5 degrees above average) or super, but not necessarily record breaking.

What are the potential impacts?

First, some disclaimers.

El Niño (and its counterpart, La Niña) is only one influence on the global weather pattern. Also, every El Niño is different, much like every hurricane can have its own idiosyncrasies.

But, in general, the stronger the El Niño, the more likely it will impact global weather.

Here are some of those potential impacts.

Hurricane season

A stronger El Niño tends to produce more sinking air and stronger wind shear in parts of the Atlantic Basin, both hostile to hurricanes.

So, in general, most stronger El Niño Atlantic hurricane seasons are quieter than average. That’s not always the case, as the 2023 season illustrated.

Meanwhile, eastern and central Pacific hurricane seasons are typically more active during strong El Niños.

Winter

In winter, the southern, or subtropical, branch of the jet stream usually is turbocharged in a stronger El Niño.

That means a wetter winter usually is the result across the southern tier of states from parts of California and the Desert Southwest to Florida and the Southeast. This could also mean more snow across these areas if the air is cold enough.

Meanwhile, much of the northern U.S. typically has a milder and drier winter during a stronger El Niño, from the Northwest and northern Rockies to the Northern Plains and Midwest.

Global precipitation

El Niño’s impacts typically extend around the globe. For example, parts of Africa, India, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Caribbean and northern South America trend markedly drier during El Niño.

On the other hand, warm water and lighter trade winds typically sets the table for heavier rain in parts of Ecuador and Peru. Parts of eastern Africa, central Asia, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay are also usually wetter than average during El Niño.

Global temperatures

One impact we’re highly confident about is a spike in global temperatures during this El Niño. At the risk of oversimplifying, all this extra equatorial Pacific Ocean heat is released into the atmosphere, and all large swaths of drier conditions allow plentiful sunshine to heat the surface.

The previous super El Niño crushed previous global temperature records in 2015 and 2016. Those two years remain among the top 10 warmest years for the planet, all of which have occurred since 2015.

Given last year was the planet’s third warmest year, it seems like a slam dunk that new heat records will be set in 2026, possibly again in 2027.

From a climate change angle, this is worrisome.

A December 2025 study found super El Niño events can drive sudden “climate regime shifts” in both temperatures and precipitation, and that this effect could be increasing in a warming world.

Source:  weather.com©

Graphic:  travelandtourworld.com

Related reading:  El Nino is Real – TUTORING YOU

Personality Traits of a Leo

 

Welcome to 2026, Leo. You’re a very generous sign, as your lovers can attest. However, your sex drive may be lower than usual early in the year, as Mars is retrograde. Then, in the spring, lover Venus also goes retrograde. This results in a slowdown in love and possible delay regarding financial news. It’s also not the best time to make major changes to your appearance. However, when Venus shifts into your sign and is direct in the fall, not only does love abound, but you will likely receive welcome professional news. Celebrate by going all the way on a makeover, should you desire.

Beware of fights with friends during the Scorpio full moon. When the sun is in your sign, it’s more important than ever to celebrate with friends. Social Gemini season sees you wanting to prioritize friends over romance. Just know that several eclipses that take place of the course of the year could bring sudden change and require lots of self-care. When the sun moves into Sagittarius, your focus on romantic love is at an all-time high. Then, the next season, when the sun is in Capricorn, your star assignment is also to rest.

As the majestic lion of the zodiac, you often feel your best when getting lots of attention from those you love. You’re also very generous, which makes your lovers quite lucky. You know how to get the job done, Leo. However, fear not if your libido is lower than usual when the year begins. Mars, the warrior planet that rules sexual energy, is retrograde when the year begins through Sunday, February 23. If you find your libido shifting during these dates, just make sure to be gentle with yourself and honor it. Even with Mars retrograde, some Leos may find themselves meeting a partner around the Aquarius new moon.

Perhaps one of the sexiest nights of the year arrives during the Sagittarius full moon on Wednesday, June 11. With your 5th House illuminated and both Mars and Venus direct, it’s a night for sexual experimentation and relaxing with a sex toy.

And once Venus moves into your sign on Monday, August 25, where it will stay until Friday, September 29, love abounds. This time of year is excellent for weddings or first dates. Then, shortly after, when the sun moves into Sagittarius, which lasts from Friday, November 21 to Sunday, December 21, your focus on relationships is at an all-time high. Expect relationships to evolve during the winter holidays.

While it’s easy to let romantic relationships occupy most of your mental space, another task of yours during 2025 is to give your friendships the attention they deserve. Friendships act as the foundation upon which all other relationships are built. While the stars want you to prioritize friendships all year, you will find your social calendar especially booked up while the sun is in Gemini, from Tuesday, May 20 to Friday, June 20. If you’re romantically partnered, you might want to give them a heads-up that you’ll be busy with friends this time of year.

Watch out for fights with friends during the intense Scorpio full moon on Monday, May 12. Tempers will be at an all-time high, and drama may occur. However, this lunation could also see some Leos making out with friends. If that happens, make sure to communicate so that you elevate a friendship into romance rather than ruin it. Mark down Monday, May 26, in your calendar, as there is a new moon, the moon phase associated with beginnings, in your friendship-oriented 11th House that sees Leos making new best friends.

You’ll also want to note the dates of messenger Mercury’s retrograde. They are Friday, July 18 to Monday, August 11, and Sunday, November 9 to Friday, November 29. While not cause for alarm, these retrogrades can lead to misunderstandings with friends. However, if you’re aware of them, you can plan properly and communicate with extra care while Mercury is retrograde.

Leos need attention. When the sun is in your sign, from Tuesday, July 22 to Friday, August 22, make sure that you connect with friends to celebrate yourself. It’s more than alright to text everyone to remind them that your birthday is coming up. And, while your own season is likely the best for friendships, when the sun is in Scorpio, from Wednesday, October 22 to Friday, November 21, you will likely see yourself growing closer with friends as acquaintances start to feel like family.

Source: allure.com©

 

Did You Eat Your Banana Today?

 

However, it’s important to remember not to go overboard with your daily banana intake. According to Healthline, you should stick to the recommendation of one or two bananas a day, but no more than that. Eating too much of any food, even one as healthy as bananas, can lead to weight gain or deficiencies in nutrients. There are plenty of benefits to your body when you eat a banana every day

1. You’ll be supporting your gut health.

Now, more than ever before, we are seeing the importance of gut health on overall wellbeing. There are many strategies to best eat for your microbiome, but it can start with a banana. According to a 2017 study review in Nutrition Bulletin, bananas contain resistant starch, which works to increase the production of short-chain fatty acids—essential for gut health. So, we can thank bananas for stabilizing our gut and providing nutrients for our microbiome.

2. You may lose weight.

A benefit that never goes under-appreciated, eating bananas daily can help us reach our weight loss goals. Packed with fiber and protein, bananas will keep you fuller for longer, despite being just over 100 calories a piece. They even made Healthline’s list of the 20 Most Weight-Loss-Friendly Foods on The Planet. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, make sure to pick up a bunch.

3. You can improve your skin.

When you think of foods that improve your skin, you probably think of salmon, avocados, or maybe walnuts—but bananas can be a game-changer when it comes to skin health. It’s all due to the vitamins and minerals in bananas, specifically the manganese that boosts collagen levels. No matter what your skin difficulties are—acne, wrinkles, dry skin—eating a banana a day can help. Healthline even suggests a banana face mask could help to do the trick, but I think we’ll stick with eating our bananas instead.

4. You’ll improve your energy level.

Especially when eaten before or after a workout, bananas can be instrumental in boosting your energy levels and keeping you from feeling fatigued throughout the day. The results from a PLOS One 2012 study on male athletes found that those who refueled with a sports drink every fifteen minutes as opposed to a banana and water performed worse overall in long-distance cycling races. Therefore, there was a direct correlation between eating a banana and increasing energy levels on performance.

5. You’ll get a boost of potassium, which supports heart health.

 

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6. You will enhance your vision (both during the day and at night).

No, we’re not talking about carrots. According to the National Institute of Health, bananas contain Vitamin A, which works to do three things, protect your eyes, maintain normal vision, and improve vision at night. So, there’s no need to overdo it with your carrot consumption and risk your skin turning orange. Instead, the move is definitely to stick with a banana a day because not only does it enhance your vision, but it has so many other health benefits too.

Story and photos by ©© by Eat This, Not That

 

The Winner of the 2026 World Cup

It began with 48 country teams competing for the right to be called world champion.

Now, it’s all over! And we do have a world champion winner.

It’s Spain, beating Argentina 1-o in a truly remarkable game.  Spain, undefeated in her last 37 games, dominated but still needed overtime to defeat stubborn Argentina.

It was one of the most one-sided World Cup finals in history. Argentina literally didn’t have a shot until the 117th minute.

Ferran Torres was the hero off the bench to score in the second-half of extra-time.

For Argentina’s hero, Lionel Messi, it wasn’t how he would’ve dreamed it. He didn’t impact the game anywhere near anyone would’ve expected him to, but what a tournament. What a player.

But it’s congratulations to Spain bringing home a well-deserved 2026 World Cup.

Source:  skysports.com

Flag graphic by worldatlas.com

Japan Population Falls Again- Story and Quiz

Story and Quiz Below

 

The population of Japan has fallen by over three million in the past five years. This is the largest drop since records began in 1920. Japan’s internal affairs ministry has released preliminary figures for its 2025 census. This demographic survey is conducted every five years. The latest one reveals that the number of residents in October 2025 was 123,049,524. This was a drop of 3,096,575 from the 2020 survey — a fall of 2.5 per cent. The census is the third in a row to show a decrease. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary said: “It was confirmed again that the population decline is advancing even further.” He vowed to promote “comprehensive measures” to address the downturn.

The government attributed the decline to various factors. These included historically low birth rates. In 2025, there were around 706,000 births in Japan. This compared to around 2.5 million annual births during the postwar baby boom. Successive governments have introduced many measures to encourage couples to have babies. They have expanded child allowances, increased parental leave, and subsidized early years education. However, these have had little success. Japan is one of the world’s oldest societies. The increasingly greying population is putting considerable strain on healthcare systems, pensions, and the labor force.

Source:  breakingnewsenglish.com©

Photo credit:  Tokyo. (Mainichi)

The Quiz

Read each paragraph and select the best answer for each word.

ANSWERS
VOCABULARY (p.4)
1. c 2. e 3. d 4. a 5. f 6. g 7. b

8. k 9. h 10. i 11. n 12. m 13. j 14. l