Month: February 2024

A report has said school summer holidays in England should be reduced to four weeks, with half-terms and the Christmas break extended. This proposal is part of a suggested overhaul of the academic calendar, which has been in place since Victorian times, according to the Nuffield Foundation. Lee Elliot Major, a professor at the University of Exeter and one of the authors of the report, believes that this change could help address educational divides that have widened during the pandemic. He said: “Spreading school holidays more evenly across the year makes complete educational sense: improving the wellbeing of pupils and ... Read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a wild claim that Russia and NATO are preparing to strike Russian territory. He made the claims as he accused the West of “lying” about the war in Ukraine in his State of the Union address. Putin added that Russia‘s nuclear power is in a state of “full-readiness.” He said: “They are preparing to strike our territory. Using the best possible forces to do so. But, we remember of those who tried to invade out territory [in the past]. “Their fate will be much more tragic than anything that we could face. They have ... Read more

Meghan Markle was out and about in Vancouver, B.C. last week, sporting a new style of sunglasses, and an eagle-eyed fan knew right then and there where she had seen the eyewear before because they were her entrepreneur son’s designs, reports People magazine. The US-based magazine reached out to Chase Fisher, CEO and Founder of Blenders Eyewear, who said: “My mom actually sent me the news about this and then my DMs started blowing up.” He was thrilled to hear the Duchess was keen on his brand, saying: “I was like wait, what?! Meghan rocking Blenders?! Huge! I’ve been a ... Read more

Blossom season is one of the most beautiful times of year in the UK and luckily there’s plenty of places to spot the bright blooms. Spring blossom generally blooms in March and April in the UK although it can come a little earlier or later if the weather is unseasonably warm or cold. Apple, pear, plum and damson trees will generally have white flowers with a tinge of pink while cherry trees have pink blossoms. While Britons might have blossom trees in their own garden or on their road, there’s nothing quite like seeing a group of the trees in ... Read more

The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a divisive audio choice (Image: Bose) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more These buds are best for office workers, runners, or anyone pottering quietly about wanting to have great audio for music and calls – just don’t go anywhere noisy What we love All day comfort Great audio considering not in-ear Don’t fall out when running Should fit all ears What we don’t Expensive Not good in loud environments Buggy companion app No multipoint connectivity No auto-pause Case lacks wireless charging ... Read more

One of the most important things to do when you’re caring for someone with schizophrenia is to check in frequently with their care team, says Frank Chen, MD, chief medical officer at Houston Behavioral Healthcare Hospital. That can be difficult, especially if your loved one is resistant to treatment and/or doesn’t want you involved.  “There can be a lot of disbelief that a loved one actually has this diagnosis, and a lot of confusion on how to communicate with the health care team,” says Chen, who speaks from personal experience. His brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 26. How ... Read more

People with schizophrenia need treatment throughout their lives, and sometimes their needs change. If you notice a difference in the behavior of your loved one with schizophrenia, it may be time for a treatment adjustment. Why They May Need an Adjustment Even if your loved one’s treatment has been working well, things can happen that mean they need to change medications or dosages, or add another type of treatment. These include: Their condition gets worse. “While most people with schizophrenia get better with treatment, schizophrenia can sometimes get worse,” says psychologist Elizabeth Lombardo, PhD, who’s based in Chicago. This may be ... Read more

Kara Angelone’s 3-year-old daughter Addie was a thumb-sucker from day one — literally. Tucked away in her baby book is an ultrasound image of Addie sucking her thumb in the womb. Now, three years later, she’s still not ready to let it go. “It makes her feel safe and comfortable,” Angelone says. “I can tell it helps soothe her because, whenever she feels stressed, in goes the thumb and she calms down in a second.” But should a 3-year-old still be sucking their thumb? Experts in psychology, pediatrics, and pediatric dentistry say there are things parents can do to help their ... Read more

Tonight, before you head to bed, check your thermostat. Set it somewhere between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. People sleep better in that temperature range. “Not only in terms of maintaining sleep, but also of falling asleep,” says Alon Avidan, MD, MPH, director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center. That also goes for how long you sleep and how well. The exact number is hard to pinpoint. It varies from person to person. But a 5-degree range is easy enough to experiment with.  If someone told me that they slept in a temperature between 70 to 75, I’d say that’s ... Read more

Doing chores is a tradition in many families. Chores help kids learn responsibility, and sharing chores gives you help around the house. Not sure your kids will go for it? Take heart! There are ways to make chores a little bit, well, less of a chore for everyone. Parenting expert Jim Fay, co-founder of the Love and Logic website, says we all need to feel needed and to know that we’re making a contribution — even kids. “But they can’t feel that way if they don’t have chores and make contributions to the family,” Fay says. Roger W. McIntire, University ... Read more