Scientists say that January 17th will be the most depressing day of the year for North Americans – as the winter doldrums set in from cold weather and short days. Today’s a new day and it’s time to help you flip on your Happy Switch, with these tips:
Fill your home with flowers. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that people are naturally wired to feel happier, less stressed, and more compassionate when they’re around flowers! So decorate the high traffic areas of your home with bright flowers.
Start each day with citrus. The Vitamin C in oranges and grapefruit helps lower cortisol – the body’s natural stress hormone. Studies show that drinking one glass of OJ in the morning or eating one grapefruit for breakfast, gives you enough Vitamin C to stress-proof your day!
Socialize! Good friends help lower your blood pressure and stress, which promotes better health overall. If you’re hard up for a cheery friend right now, a pet is the next best thing. Researchers at Saint Louis University found that playing with a dog can instantly lift your spirits – no matter if it’s your own dog, a neighbor’s or one you see in a pet store.
Stop and smell the cinnamon. A study in Australia found that the aromas of cinnamon or vanilla will set off a wave of feel good endorphins. You don’t even have to eat anything to get the effect!
Finally, if nothing else makes you feel happy: Imagine an island. Studies show that simply imagining a bright and tropical place will trigger a flow of alpha waves that can slow your heart rate and breathing, causing you to relax. So sit back and imagine a Caribbean cruise with the John Tesh Radio Show.
Why are some goals so hard to keep? Like our goals to exercise more, lose weight or quit smoking. And why do we keep setting the same goals – again and again – even after we fail?
According to psychologist Dr. Janet Polivy, it may boil down to the fact that we’re too optimistic! In fact, several new studies show that the human brain is “hard-wired” to be optimistic – because optimism is what drives us to challenge ourselves, compete, and believe that we can achieve new things. And while that sounds like a good thing, Dr. Polivy says there are times when our optimism can get the best of us, and sabotage our chances of success.
She says it’s because when we’re too optimistic, we tend to set unrealistically high expectations for ourselves. And over time, if we keep failing to meet our lofty goals, it kills our motivation, and makes us less likely to succeed.
Consider a study Dr. Polivy did with a group of chronic dieters. She put everyone on a moderate diet that helped them lose a pound a week, on average. But then, as soon as the study ended, none of the participants stuck with the diet. Why? Because everyone had unrealistic expectations that they’d lose much more than “just a pound” a week. So, they figured the diet wasn’t working – and they gave up!
She says this helps explain why 90 million of us set resolutions each year to lose weight – or to quit smoking – but only 1-in-10 of us succeed. Dr. Polivy says the key to reaching our goals is to be realistic because many studies show that people who make realistic changes in their life generally do succeed.
Sometimes being optimistic can backfire because it can drive us to set wildly unrealistic goals. Like, instead of just vowing to lose weight, we may tell ourselves we can lose 20 pounds in a month! Then, when we fall short of our goals, we give up, and go back to our bad habits.
So, how can we set more realistic goals? Here are some tricks recommended by NYU psychologist, Dr. Peter Gollwitzer:
First: Don’t be afraid to fail. Because each time we fail to reach a goal, it’s a chance to learn from our mistakes, and come up with a better plan to try. And the more we try, the more likely we are to succeed.
Next: Avoid goals with the word “don’t” in them. Like telling yourself “don’t eat junk food anymore.” Dr. Gollwitzer says people are much more likely to stick with goals if they involve DOING something – like saying, “I will eat more fruits and vegetables”.
Another way to set realistic goals: Have an “if/then plan”. That’s a specific plan to replace a bad habit. So, if your bad habit is downing a pint of Haagen-Dasz when you have a bad day, Dr. Gollwitzer recommends this “if/then” plan:
“If I have a bad day, then I’m going to call my best friend or spend an hour walking my dog.” He says the easier your “if/then plan” is, the more likely you’ll be to stick with it.
The takeaway is this: When you set smaller, realistic goals, studies show your odds of achieving them will skyrocket!
You may not have known it, but January is the month that most people file for divorce. In fact, lawyers have actually picked a specific date for D-Day — as in, divorce day: The first Monday after the kids return to school. So, why January? The logic is that no one wants to ruin a child’s Christmas. If you divorce over the holidays, then they’ll be always associated with a traumatic event. In addition, there are other factors contributing to January being D-Day time:
Lawyers and counselors take vacations over the holidays, courts are closed, and couples can’t file for divorce, but they’re back in January.
One more pair of socks for Christmas was the last straw. The lack of effort in gift giving becomes an example of no effort in the marriage altogether.
Also, in the winter, forced togetherness indoors can drive couples nuts.
Another reason? One person makes a resolution not to have another holiday with their spouse.
Facing the New Year with someone you no longer love is a depressing reality.
Also, the Monday after Martin Luther King Jr. weekend is a big day for splits. By that time, children have gotten back into the rhythm of school and life. They have their friends around them, so parents feel that a family breakup is less jarring.
It sounds bleak, but it doesn’t have to be. On the positive side, appointments for marriage counselors also go up in January, meaning that some couples decide to work on their relationship, and not give up just yet. Studies show that couples who do stay together during rough patches are happier five years down the line than couples who divorce.
So, if you’re feeling stressed about your marriage this month, know that you’re not alone. If you still have hope that you can work through your doubts, talk to a professional.
(NEW YORK) — As the COVID-19 pandemic has swept the globe, more than 5.4 million people have died from the disease worldwide, including over 838,000 Americans, according to real-time data compiled by Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
About 62.6% of the population in the United States is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Latest headlines:
-ICU, ventilator patients on the rise in New Jersey
-US hospitalizations reach record high
-Some immune-compromised Americans eligible for 4th dose this week
Here’s how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Jan 10, 5:48 pm
Record-breaking 580,000 new pediatric COVID-19 cases reported in US
Amidst the nation’s most significant COVID-19 infection surge yet, new data released on Monday shows that more than half a million children tested positive for COVID-19, last week, according to a weekly report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.
Last week alone, 580,000 children tested positive for COVID-19, marking a nearly three times more than two weeks prior, according to the organizations.
A total of 8.47 million children have tested positive for the virus since the onset of the pandemic, and nearly 11% of these children have tested positive in the past two weeks alone.
Children accounted for about 17.3% of the reported weekly COVID-19 cases last week, down again from previous weeks, when children accounted for more than a quarter of all new cases. For context, children under 18 make up 22.2% of the U.S. population.
Still, recent COVID-19 data could be skewed due to erratic and volatile reporting following the holidays. An artificial increase in the numbers could have resulted as more Americans get tested.
ABC News’ Arielle Mitropoulos
Jan 10, 4:44 pm
Harris County raises COVID threat level
In Harris County, Texas, which encompasses Houston, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo has raised the COVID-19 threat level to “red” — the highest level — due to an uptick in hospitalizations.
COVID-19 patients occupy 18% of all ICU beds in the county.
ABC News’ Matt Fuhrman
Jan 10, 4:29 pm
8 at-home tests per month soon covered by insurance
The Biden administration is moving forward on a rule to make at-home rapid tests reimbursable for insured Americans.
Beginning Jan. 15, Americans will get up to eight tests covered per month, as well as an unlimited number of tests covered if ordered or administered by a doctor or nurse.
“Insurance companies and health plans are required to cover 8 free over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month. That means a family of four, all on the same plan, would be able to get up to 32 of these tests covered by their health plan per month. There is no limit on the number of tests, including at-home tests that are covered if ordered or administered by a health care provider following an individualized clinical assessment, including for those who may need them due to underlying medical conditions,” the Department of Health and Human Services said in a press release.
ABC News’ Cheyenne Haslett
Jan 10, 3:54 pm
Republicans vow to block DC’s vaccine mandate
In Washington, D.C., a vaccine mandate for restaurants, nightclubs, bars and indoor venues is set to begin on Jan. 15.
But 19 House Republicans sent a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser on Monday saying that the mandate “will not prevent the virus from spreading.”
“This sweeping mandate, however, will harm the District’s economic recovery and lock many Americans out of their capital city,” the Republicans wrote, adding, “We urge you to withdraw the Order.”
The city is seeing some improvement in COVID-19 case numbers, D.C. Health’s senior deputy director, Patrick Ashley, told reporters on Monday.
“We’re very hopeful based on that data that we are getting to a better spot,” Ashley said. “It’s still certainly high. It’s still an area for concern and we don’t expect that to go down overnight.”
Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has revealed the track list for his upcoming solo album, Earthling.
The record features 13 songs, including the previously released tunes “Long Way” and “The Haves.” A third cut, titled “Brother the Cloud,” will premiere this Friday, January 14.
Earthling, Vedder’s first solo effort since 2011’s Ukulele Songs, will arrive February 11. It was produced by Ozzy Osbourne‘s Ordinary Man collaborator Andrew Watt.
Next month, Vedder launches a U.S. tour with his solo band The Earthlings, which includes Watt, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, ex-RHCP guitarist and Pearl Jam touring member Josh Klinghoffer, Jane’s Addiction bassist Chris Chaney, and singer-songwriter Glen Hansard. The outing kicks off February 3 in New York City.
Here’s the Earthling track list:
“Invincible”
“Long Way”
“Power of Right”
“Brother the Cloud”
“Fallout Today”
“The Dark”
“The Haves”
“Good and Evil”
“Rose of Jericho”
“Try”
“Picture”
“Mrs. Mills”
“On My Way”
Announcing the official tracklist for Eddie Vedder’s upcoming album, Earthling. The next single, “Brother the Cloud,” will be released on Friday, January 14th along with a digital pre-order for the album. Earthling will be released on Friday, February 11th. pic.twitter.com/EF6oQS6dEj
In his native U.K., Elton John scored three number-one hits in 2021. He wasn’t as lucky in the U.S., but he’s kicking off 2022 with his first stateside top 10 in 24 years.
After its release in August of 2021, Elton’s duet with Dua Lipa, “Cold Heart (Pnau Remix),” has jumped from number 20 to number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The last time Elton was in the top 10 on this chart was back in 1998, with “Something About the Way You Look Tonight/Candle in the Wind 1997.”
“Cold Heart (Pnau Remix)” features snippets of four Elton songs — “Sacrifice,” “Rocket Man,” “Kiss the Bride” and “Where’s the Shoorah?” — all mixed together by the Australian dance music act Pnau. It appears on his album The Lockdown Sessions.
The Scorpionswill release the the title track of their upcoming studio album, Rock Believer, as an advance single this Thursday, January 13, at 10 a.m. ET.
The veteran German hard rockers have debuted a snippet of the song at their TikTok and Facebook pages. In addition, if you pre-save the single, you can unlock a clip from the upcoming “Rock Believer” music video, which will premiere Tuesday, January 18, on YouTube.
The Scorpions also will be hosting a special after-party and Q&A event following the video’s premiere that will accessible to subscribers to the YouTube Premium service. You can submit questions for the band members now in the comments section of this Facebook post.
The “Rock Believer” single’s cover art was designed by longtime Beatles associate Klaus Voormann, who famously created the cover of the Fab Four’s classic 1966 album, Revolver, as well as playing bass on solo recordings by John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr.
You can get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Rock Believer album by watching a multiple part docuseries that’s being posted at the band’s YouTube channel.
Rock Believer will be released on February 25, and can be pre-ordered now.
Joseph Sikora, who was featured as Tommy Egan in Power, stars in the new trailer for Power Book IV: Force, which dropped Monday. In the clip, Egan, called “the crazy white boy,” has moved from New York City to Chicago and is making moves to take over the Windy City. When he’s told, “You’re not afraid of hell,” Tommy replies, “Sometimes I think I’m already there.” Power Book IV: Force premieres Sunday, February 6, at 9 p.m. ET on Starz.
In other news, EW.com previews the late Michael K. Williams starring in the second season of the Black Market TV series. Season two 2 of the show was still in production of when Williams died September 6 from a drug overdose. He was 54. Tracy Morgan, Rosie Perez and Felicia Pearson from The Wire will provide voice-overs for the last three episodes that Williams was unable to finish.
In the clip from the premiere episode, “Scam Likely,” the five-time Emmy nominee meets a crew of young hustlers running an unemployment fraud scam. The six-episode second season of Black Market premieres tonight, January 10, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on Vice TV.
Finally, Idris Elba is leading a campaign to stop knife violence in London. The Golden Globe winner is involved in the initiative promoted by London’s Arsenal Football Club and Adidas. Elba appeared at Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup in London matching Arsenal against Nottingham Forrest.
“It’s absolutely in response to the knife crime crisis that we’ve got going on,” Elba said in an interview at the match. “Last year, 30 kids — I’m gonna say ‘kids’ — died senselessly over knife crime. And the year before that, and the year before that…It’s an ongoing problem. [Sportscaster] Ian [Wright] and I teamed up with Arsenal and Adidas to make a point and say something about it.”
(NEW YORK) — The deadly blaze that tore through a New York City building in the Tremont neighborhood of the Bronx has left many residents homeless, displaced or in need of basic necessities that they lost in the tragedy.
The fire killed at least 17 people, including eight children, and injured more than 60 others, according to the New York City Fire Department.
The community has quickly gotten to work to address the demand of those in need by raising money and stockpiling donations for the cause.
Here are some ways to support the efforts:
Bronx Fire Relief Drive
Local elected leaders are collecting donations for impacted families.
According to Mark Levine, a New York City council member, the prioritized items are gift cards, new and unworn clothing and outerwear, diapers, baby items, packaged foods, bottled water, hygiene products and toiletries.
Donations can be brought to any of these locations in the Bronx:
-Monroe College Ustin Hall at 2375 Jerome Avenue. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-State Sen. Gustavo Rivera’s office at 2432 Grand Concourse, Suite 506. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
-Assembly member Yudelka Tapia’s office at 2175C Jerome Avenue. Monday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Council member Oswald Feliz’s office 573 East Fordham Road. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City
Mayor Eric Adams and the City of New York are raising money for those affected by the tragedy on the NYC government website.
“Your cash donation will enable the distribution of emergency relief supplies and provide support for the victims and their families,” the website states. “Your entire donation will go towards helping those impacted by the fire.”
Community organizers hold Bronx Fire Victims Drive
Necessities are also being collected by community leaders at the Bronx office of the NYC Department of Education.
The Bronx Community Foundation
The Bronx Community Foundation, a local philanthropic operation that focuses on economic and social justice community building in the borough, said it is joining efforts to serve those impacted and is accepting donations.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our neighbors, families and friends impacted by today’s devastating fire in the Bronx,” the organization shared in a tweet. “As the needs of residents are shared with The Bronx Community Foundation, we will support wherever we can.”
(NEW YORK) — Robert Durst, a convicted murder who was awaiting trial on a separate murder charge, died of natural causes while in custody early Monday morning, his lawyer said.
Durst, 78, was sentenced to life in prison in October 2021 for the first-degree murder of his friend, Susan Berman, who was shot and killed in 2000 in her Los Angeles home.
Days after his sentencing, Durst was charged with the murder of his wife, Kathie Durst, who disappeared near their Westchester County, New York, home in 1982. Her body was never found.
Prosecutors allege Durst killed Susan Berman in 2000 because he feared his close friend would reveal details of Kathie Durst’s death.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s office said it plans to hold a news conference on the Kathie Durst case “in the coming days.”
“After 40 years spent seeking justice for her death, I know how upsetting this news must be for Kathleen Durst’s family,” Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah said in a statement. “We had hoped to allow them the opportunity to see Mr. Durst finally face charges for Kathleen’s murder.”
Robert Abrams, an attorney for Kathie Durst’s family, said Monday that he’ll provide an update on Jan. 31, 2022 — the 40th anniversary of Kathie Durst’s disappearance.
Durst was also charged in the 2001 killing of his neighbor, Morris Black, in Galveston, Texas. Durst’s lawyers argued the real estate heir shot Black in self-defense and then dismembered Black’s body. Durst was acquitted.
Durst died of natural causes at 6:44 a.m. local time at an outside hospital, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said.
Durst’s lawyer, Chip Lewis, said in a statement Monday, “We understand that his death was due to natural causes associated with the litany of medical issues we had repeatedly reported to the court over the last couple of years.”
Durst was hospitalized in October 2021 with COVID-19. Durst’s attorney, Dick DeGuerin, said at the time that the real estate heir was on a ventilator.
In August 2021, during testimony in the Susan Berman trial, Durst detailed his health ailments, including esophageal and bladder cancers, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. He spoke with a raspy, weak voice, impacted by surgery for his esophageal cancer and COPD.
Robert Durst was the eldest son of wealthy New York City real estate investor and developer Seymour Durst. Robert Durst was long estranged from his family and his brother, Douglas Durst, is currently the chairman of the Durst Organization.
ABC News’ Aaron Katersky and Meredith Deliso contributed to this report.
