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How to Improve Your Mood in Three Hours a Week
(AscendHealthy.com) – An estimated 332 million people worldwide suffer from some form of depression, which can vary from mildly impairing to disabling. A combination of psychotherapy and medication can help improve many symptoms, but some sufferers may find themselves in need of additional help. Active yoga could be that final piece of the puzzle.
What’s Active Yoga?
There are two basic forms of yoga: passive and active. Passive yoga relies on gravity and the body’s own weight to drive each stretch, the focus staying mainly on relaxing and holding extended or pillow-supported poses. Passive stretching is a good way to ease muscle tightness and extend your range of motion.
Active yoga is more dynamic. It combines movement, muscle conditioning and balance to create a full-body workout while placing an emphasis on mindfulness and deep breathing. Active yoga can help you strengthen your muscles, improve flexibility and trigger the release of endorphins, which can improve your sense of wellbeing.
Benefits to Mind and Body
Active yoga could do more than give you an endorphin rush. A study released in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine compared the effects of yoga versus walking on mood and anxiety levels. The researchers divided 34 subjects into two groups, walking and yoga, and each group had to perform their assigned exercise for 60 minutes, 3 days each week. The exercise routines were designed to require similar levels of physical exertion so as not to skew the results.
The study lasted 12 weeks, with anxiety assessments and brain MRI imaging taken at the beginning of the study and every 4 weeks. During the assessments, the yoga group reported a higher instance of mood improvement than the walking group, although improvements occurred in both groups. The yoga group also reported greater tranquility, a sense of revitalization and lower physical exhaustion levels.
The researchers found yoga improved levels of a neurochemical called GABA, which can have significant effects on depression and anxiety. Regular yoga practice may also improve mindfulness, according to Harvard Health, which can affect behavior and mood. Combined with the cognitive benefits of exercise alone, which include well-documented antidepressant effects, active yoga could benefit users by altering their systems in multiple ways. Of course, no one is advocating that anyone toss out their antidepressants — but it’s good to have options, and yoga is a great one.
If you’re depressed, any form of exercise could help you feel better, but active yoga could offer additional help. Consider taking a class or checking out an online tutorial and see if your mood improves. Regardless of your skill level, the potential benefits could be huge.
~Here’s to Your Healthy Ascension
Copyright 2022, AscendHealthy.com

domain: psychology


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NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) — Kanye West's new album, "The Life Of Pablo," has ignited a new controversy between the rapper and pop superstar Taylor Swift.
West debuted his album at the Yeezy Season 3 fashion show at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday. The album included a song called, "Famous," in which he called the "Bad Blood" singer a "bitch" and said he made her famous.
On his Twitter account, he said the lyric was not an insult. "I did not diss Taylor Swift and I've never dissed her," he wrote.
"I called Taylor and had a hour long convo with her about the line and she thought it was funny and gave her blessings," he wrote.
Tree Paine, Swift's publicist, said in a statement that West did not ask Swift for approval.
"Kanye did not call for approval, but to ask Taylor to release his single 'Famous' on her Twitter account," the statement said. "She declined and cautioned him about releasing a song with such a strong misogynistic message. Taylor was never made aware of the actual lyric."
West defended his use of the word "bitch," saying it was an endearing term in hip hop.
Meanwhile, Swift's friends have come to her defense on social media. Taylor Swift's brother, Austin, posted an Instagram video of him throwing Yeezy shoes in a trashcan.
West famously interrupted Swift's speech during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when she won for best female video. But the two apparently put differences aside and she introduced him when he won the video vanguard award at the 2015 VMAs.

domain: news


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Pairs With Life: The Sequel
And that’s what’s really at the heart of this decision: I can’t shake this story or these characters. It’s what I always come back to. So, I think this is The Universe trying to tell me something: finish this story before you move on to something else. And so I will.

domain: artistic


The top news stories in medicine today.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved Aurlymyn (iloprost), the first injection to reduce risk of finger or toe amputation due to severe frostbite. The drug is a vasodilator, which opens blood vessels and prevents blood from clotting. Added bonus: Here are some tips to prevent hypothermia and frostbite.
Puerto Rican lawmakers, religious leaders and scientists clashed this month over mask mandates in response to rising COVID-19 cases. Other contentious issues: personal freedoms and childhood vaccination. The Associated Press reports from San Juan.
Americans are turning to “low-carbohydrate” diets in hopes of losing weight and reversing the effects of Type 2 diabetes. But what exactly does it mean to follow a “low-carb” diet? While there is not yet a consensus on a definition, researchers say it is urgently needed. Incidentally, they also found a “striking” amount of clinical trials on low-carb diets over the last 20 years, according to this study and accompanying news release.


e-cubix delivers greater control of an organization performance with its powerful visualization of lagging as well as proactive leading performance indicators. This web based dashboard help users to visualize data in a meaningful way, find the root cause of the problem and take required actions in time.
e-cubix comes with configuration application which allows users to create ready to use dashboards in less than 2hrs.
click on image for full size version
e-cubix is a mix of technology and consulting services. Along with controls, e-cubix comes with more than 500 inbuilt commonly used KPIs across industries; making configuration process simpler & faster. User just have to follow 3 steps viz. select which KPI you wants to measure, how you want to see that KPI and define its data table.
Oh!!!! Your dashboard is ready.
This screenshot represents dashboard for Supply Chain function. It shows various performance charts, some gauges, smileys and filters; giving the end-users the ultimate viewing & drill down flexibility.
e-cubix dashboard can be deployed on the web using any webserver. Dashboards can be created against SQL database. You can connect e-cubix with commonly used databases (Oracle, MSSQL, MYSQL, Access etc. using ETL tool or you can prepare the data in excel and use that file as input file for e-cubix. Using Admin control you can define user wise access for their own set of dashboards using roles and access privileges they have been assigned to. For more information visit www.ecubix.co.in
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Jason Lee is professional dog show handler and breeder of dogs. We are located in Randall, MN a beautiful and historic town. Jason Lee carefully plans each selective breeding. All of our wonderful puppy's Mothers and Fathers have been screened and certified free of one or more genetic defects. Our veterinarians oversee all socialization and health programs of our dogs to insure only the finest and healthiest puppies are produced.
All puppies are registered with the American Canine Association (ACA) or International Canine Association (ICA).

domain: pet


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Multireference character for 3d transition-metal-containing molecules
Coupled cluster and configuration interaction diagnostics have been examined in order to assess the reliability of single reference quantum methods for a series of 3d transition metal species including hydrides, nitrides, chalcogenides, halides, small clusters, coordination complexes, and metal dimers. Several means of diagnostics have been considered including T 1 and D 1 diagnostics (the Frobenius norm and matrix 2-norm of coupled cluster amplitudes for single excitations, respectively), C 02 (the weight of leading configuration of a complete active space wave function), and %TAE (percent total atomization energy). T 1 and D 1 diagnostics are strongly correlated for certain metal-ligand bonding types. The use of T 1 and D 1 together with %TAE can provide more reliable assessment of the severity of nondynamical correlation than a single indicator can provide. New criteria, namely T 1 > 0.05, D 1 > 0.15, and |%TAE| > 10, are suggested to identify inorganic species with substantial nondynamical correlation. For these systems, energies and spectroscopic properties computed using single reference electronic correlation methods may suffer from large errors and unpredictable behavior. Conversely, a computation where a molecule is below one or more of these thresholds does not always imply domination by a single reference. Some historically pathological molecules such as Mn 2 and Cr 2 show T 1 < 0.05 and D 1 < 0.15. Current implementations of coupled cluster diagnostics may still be insufficient for categorization of molecules that have pronounced nondynamical correlation. © 2011 American Chemical Society.
Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation
Jiang, W., Deyonker, N., & Wilson, A. (2012). Multireference character for 3d transition-metal-containing molecules. Journal of Chemical Theory and Computation, 8 (2), 460-468. https://doi.org/10.1021/ct2006852

domain: chemistry


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Missed Connections in Eugene
Moments in time, linked to one another
Marking the passing experiences of our lives
Much akin to the downward motion of a rollercoaster
Which momentum exacerbates to a dizzying pace.
When one glances back towards the ever increasing past
And becomes more cognizant of the abbreviated future
There comes a time to cry out and make known emotions
As well as fears,
Contained within lost, or mislaid moments,
To become more aware of in hindsight
How choices made have redirected our path.
Grasping the current instant
To make known heart-felt thoughts
Taking a chance to again change the course
And perhaps a future, with the simple expression
‘I care for you’
Motion sickness and fear keep me away from most amusement park rides, but I like how our poet from Eugene compares the trajectory of a relationship to the occasionally heart-stopping, stomach-churning, rocketing-through-space-intensity of a roller-coaster. Whether it’s the result of an adrenalin rush or thankfulness in surviving ’til the end, do we ever need a reason for letting our feelings be known?


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Parks After Dark and More Free Summer Family Fun
What is safe, healthy fun for the whole family, a great way to connect with friends and your community, and hugely popular? Los Angeles County’s Parks After Dark (PAD) program! This year, the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation will more than double the number of parks offering Parks After Dark (PAD) recreational programming — from nine parks last summer to 20 parks in 2016.
Offering a wide variety of free activities for families, PAD programs keep parks open during evening hours, providing access to community pools and gym facilities. PAD programming includes something for everyone, including classes on cooking, acting, film, dance, martial arts, parenting, arts and crafts, computers and many other subjects. PAD also organizes basketball, soccer, tennis lessons and other sports; as well as concerts, talent shows, movies and resource fairs for all ages. PAD offers a way for people of all ages in communities to come together in healthy, active ways, improving the quality of life for everyone.
From June through August, L.A.’s Parks after Dark programming will be available on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. – 10
p.m. Participating parks include Bassett Park, Belvedere Park, City Terrace Park, Obregon Park, San Angelo Park, Salazar Park, Athens Park, Bethune Park, East Rancho Dominguez County Park, Helen Keller Park, Jesse Owens Park, Roosevelt Park, Ted Watkins Park, El Cariso Park, Adventure Park, Mayberry Park, Pamela Park, Loma Alta Park, Sorensen Park and Val Verde Park.

domain: entertainment


TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has told the Dail that the High Court Judge's review will be bound by terms set by Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
During Leaders' Questions, he said the Government's decision to establish a judicial review was done in "the interests of truth and honesty."
Opposition leaders were scathing in their criticism of the decision to have Mr Shatter decide on the terms of reference.
"The Minister for Justice has been deliberately evasive, used tactics to distract attention away from key facts. Why leave the terms of reference in his hands, Will the full report be made public," Mary Lou McDonald said.
Mr Kenny told the Dail that the inquiry will not be in line with the 2004 Oireachtas Inquiries Act, but rather will be based on the terms of reference set down by Mr Shatter in consultation with Attorney General Maire Whelan.
Mr Kenny said the inquiry will report back within eight weeks, and will have full access to review all of the relevant papers and produce a "completely independent report."
Fianna Fáil Micheal Martin said Minster Shatter "did not level with the Dail" accusing him of "wanting to down play" the controversy last week.
Because of Mr Shatter's assertion that no bugging had taken place, Mr Martin said that GSOC Commissioner Kieran Fitzgerald had to go on television and "bury that notion".
"He should man up and apologise to the house," Mr Martin said in reference to Mr Shatter.
Mr Martin said the affair has undermined the administration of justice. "There is something fundamentally wrong here," he told the Dail.
Mr Kenny responded sharply to such suggestions saying that if the Fianna Fáil leader had information about the mal-administration of justice, "then it is your duty to report it to the Minister for Justice," he said.


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Progress Towards Colorimetric and Fluorescent Detection of Carbonyl Sulfide
Preprints are manuscripts made publicly available before they have been submitted for formal peer review and publication. They might contain new research findings or data. Preprints can be a draft or final version of an author's research but must not have been accepted for publication at the time of submission.
We report here that a fluorescent benzobisimidazolium salt (TBBI) can be used for the fluorescent and colorimetric detection of carbonyl sulfide (COS) over related heterocumulenes including CO2 and CS2 in wet MeCN. The reaction between TBBI and COS in the presence of fluoride yields a highly fluorescent (lem = 354 nm) and colored product (lex = 321 nm), that is readily observed by the naked eye. We view these results as a first step toward developing activity-based probes for COS detection.
Read the published paper
in Chemical Communications
Chemical Tools for Delivery and Detection of Biological Hydrogen Sulfide
National Institute of General Medical SciencesFind out more...

domain: biology


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Prep 15 mins
Cook 30 mins
- 30 littleneck clams, scrubbed
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 3 cups water, mixed with the chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1⁄3-1⁄2 cup finely chopped onion
- 2 -3 teaspoons finely chopped garlic
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
- 2 cups arborio rice
- 2⁄3 cup dry white wine
- 2 cups asparagus spears, trimmed of tough bottom ends and cut into 1-inch sections (10 to 12 medium spears)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1⁄2 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
- kosher salt
- freshly ground white pepper
- Put clams in a large covered skillet over medium-high heat, shaking a few times.
- Remove clams as soon as they open.
- As soon as they are cool enough to handle, remove clams from shells, halve (unless very small) and reserve any liquid.
- Strain clam liquid through cheesecloth and into a large saucepan with chicken stock and water.
- Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
- Put butter in a heavy bottom saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Add onion, garlic and hot pepper.
- Cover and sweat until soft, about 3 minutes.
- Add rice and stir to coat.
- Add wine, increase heat to medium and bring to a boil.
- Begin adding stock, a cup or so at a time, stirring occasionally while risotto is at a simmer.
- After the second cup, add the asparagus.
- When the last cup of stock has been added, stir in reserved clams, parsley, lemon rind and salt and pepper to taste.
- When risotto is tender, but still firm, remove from heat.
- (You may not need to use up all the liquid. Keep tasting to see when the risotto is just right).
This was simply yummy! I didn't have any clams, so I had to use prawns, but it was still good and I thought the parsley and lemon zest really added a nice touch at the end.

domain: food


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- Jul 4, 2021
Pep plays a lot of midfielders. It's not about wingers it's about drilling your players and patterns of play. If xavi can teach them that he'll succeed. If not...It sounds like any spanish supporter for almost a decade "great quality, great passes, talent etc." but eventually it just doesn't work. The problem is far deeper than just having a goal scorer, the teams lacks verticality and Xavi is aware of that, that's why he decided to go for this pretty extreme strategy at the end of the game called "give the ball to Dembele at all cost", because at one point you need player that will make differences and have more to offer than pretty passes. Of course these young players have talent, but when you play with 6-7 midfielders, it's no surprise you're going to have good possessions in this area, but that's just not how you score goals.

domain: sports


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The paper T. Nan*, Y. Hui*, M. Rinaldi and N. X. Sun Self-Biased 215MHz Magnetoelectric NEMS Resonator for Ultra-Sensitive DC Magnetic Field Detection has been accepted for publication in Scientific Reports.
May 2013 archive
Permanent link to this article: https://web.northeastern.edu/nemslab/2013/05/paper-accepted-in-scientific-reports/
Permanent link to this article: https://web.northeastern.edu/nemslab/2013/05/outstanding-teaching-assistant-award/

domain: literature


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2 Books in 1 - Q&A Course Review - NCLEX(R) prep
Assure your mastery of psychiatric mental health nursing knowledge while improving your critical-thinking and test-taking skills.
Over 900 multiple-choice and alternate format questions, organized by specific disorders, make a difficult subject more manageable. Rationales for both correct and incorrect answers as well as test-taking tips help you critically analyze the question types.
BONUS Two, 75-question exams online at DavisPlus--look inside the book for your FREE Plus Code to gain access
Thoroughly updated and enhanced, the 2nd Edition of this AJN Book-of-the-Year offers an increased emphasis on alternate-item format questions, including fill-in-the-blank, select-all-that-apply, and ordered response.
What students are saying...
"The questions are very similar to our tests and this book explains it way better than the textbook." - Nancy, Bryan College of Health Sciences, NE
Use this exceptional resource with your current textbook for additional practice questions. It's the ideal companion to Mary C. Townsend's psychiatric nursing texts--each title follows the same organization as Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing Success, 2nd Edition for the ideal teaching and learning experience. Check them out today... Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice Essentials of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Concepts of Care in Evidence-Based Practice Nursing Diagnoses in Psychiatric Nursing Care Plans and Psychotropic Medications
What instructors are saying about the Success Series:
"We have used your products for students to help increase critical thinking skills, prepare for NCLEX and course exams, and for review of nursing content. We recommend students purchase the Success Series and review the content and questions for remediation and to enhance nursing knowledge. The terminology at the beginning of each chapter provide key terms for the students to review before answering questions. The books are all encompassing in regards to what students need to review across the curriculum. We love them " - Louise Outlaw, Instructor at Brown Mackie College, St.Louis

domain: library


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My first visit, I had spaghetti alle vongole, which was really excellent. My second visit (I was staying at an apartment upstairs) I had grilled sea bass, which was very good. Service was prompt and friendly. It is not cheap but not so very expensive: around 25 to 30 euros including Perrier.
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

domain: travel


Add an additional layer of intelligence to your designs with the Inventor iLogic toolset. The feature will allow you to standardize and automate process designs, allowing you to reuse and capture your work in a simpler way. The product embeds a rule as an object directly into an assembly, drawing, and part documents. With inventor iLogic, users can define new templates and standards and analyze problems which would enable you to create not only 1 product, but a whole product family. The product also enables you to create a front-end form so that any input designs can be specified in a user-friendly interface, which would reduce user error.
iLogic is very user-friendly. It provides quick access to those functions when writing rules via snippets and it simplifies what might be a complex inventor API interaction via its own functions. This product also gives you a window into the inventor API which doesn’t require the use of VBA or the creation of a custom add-in. The iLogic can trigger an automatic update of a whole host of feature/component suppression, I property values, and parameters based on a variety of actions:
Parameter value change
On demand by the user
Drawing view changes or model geometry
When a document is created
Right before a document is saved


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Got a couple of games for sale. Not open to any trade. All in excellent conditions.
My xbox live expires 14th Nov plus uni work is beginning to take its toll. Want to take a break from gaming a bit. Therefore willing to shift all this
Halo Reach ltd ed: No DLC included - £33
NBA 2k11: £28.00
Left for Dead 2: £10
Battlefield Bad Company 2: £15

domain: game


Jun 11, 2012
We made it to 40 episodes! What does that mean? Absolutely nothing! Except, of course, that Kyle and Lincoln get to talk about the 80s fish monster mutant hobos epic, C.H.U.D. starring John Heard and Daniel Stern. Off-topics include aggressive drivers from New Jersey, New York's garbage problem, offensive childhood nicknames, interactions with the stars of the movie, and some rather disparaging remarks about one of the actors' wives. BOSCH LIVES!!


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Follow the podcast on
One economist claims the Greens' wealth tax will hit more Kiwis than the Party thinks.
The Greens say the tax, which has become a hot issue in the final week of the election, would only affect the top six per cent of the population.
However, New Zealand Initiative economist Eric Crampton told Heather du Plessis-Allan the real number's closer to 20 per cent.
He says right now, about 20 per cent of retirees would be subject to it.
And he expects future generations will also build wealth over their lifetime, reaching a peak after retirement.
"We need to be thinking not just about who is currently subject to the wealth tax, but who can we expect to be subject to the wealth tax."
It comes as Green Party co-leader James Shaw said today the National Party was lying about the Greens wealth tax but at least people were talking about the policy.
He dismissed suggestions from Jacinda Ardern on Monday that the policy would not even make it to any negotiations table between Labour and the Greens.
"It's not really up to her," said Shaw. "It takes two to tango. We're going to bring it to the table."
But he dismissed the claims from National's Judith Collins that that meant Labour was going to accept it.
"They're obvious lying about it to try and whip up fear but they are also talking about it so that tends to drive people who are interested in fixing the tax system towards us. It is not a bad thing at one level," Shaw told the Herald.
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you


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Has anyone actually put those air/train horns in their DeLorean? I've been thinking about them for both my D and my daily driver Subaru Impreza too. Stock horns aren't cutting it in these parts, people are frickin' nuts and deaf.
Given my history of people ramming my ass and the sheer proximity of most tailgaters, I am also looking into rear-facing horns, possibly supplied by the same air source as the front for simplicity. Makes a far bigger point when brakes are backed up by a horn in your face vs. a horn you can barely hear!!!
Biggest questions are:
- "Stealth" mounting locations (not on outside or in cabin -- engine bay, front trunk, undercarriage, all fair game!)
- Non-tank options (seems nearly every unit requires an outside air reserve, none are simply plug-and-play for some reason)
I've wondered too if air/train type horns can be matched in volume without going pneumatic, i.e. if a traditional "electrical" horn can match the sheer volume of an air horn. So far I haven't found any. Still looking though.
(Just for clarity, I am not just being "paranoid". My radio allows for viewing the rear camera at any given time, and on occasion I have used it and seen cars with HALF a car length between me and them at 75+ MPH!!! I have also watched as I slow down gradually and they cut it to a QUARTER by 65 MPH! This happens very frequently, most of these guys are just future Darwin victims, seriously. Anything I can do to avoid the role of Darwin is desired)

domain: hobby


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Let it be Friday.
Here’s some links to be reading.
This is your brain learning. neuroscience meets education
A six year old’s advice on life – a must watch
I read it and I’m still confused – An adult’s guide to snapchat
@ariaporo22 looks beyond the tech competencies towards developing audiences – Authentic Audiences
Love this – Librarians on Bikes Are Delivering Books and WiFi to Kids in “Book Deserts”
Leave a Reply


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Air Cairo Flight status
Check your Flight status Air Cairo
Flight Yerevan, Armenia to Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
International flight SM994 from Yerevan (EVN) Armenia to Sharm el Sheikh (SSH) Egypt operated by Air Cairo - Live flight status, flight schedule, flight arrival and departure times, flight route and flight duration.
On average, nonstop flight takes 3 hour(s) 10 minutes, with the flight distance of 1634 km (1015 miles).
All SM994 flights are operated using A20N aircraft.
Flight SM994 arrives in Sharm El Sheikh Airport at Terminal 2.
2 flights per week. The Flight SM994 is operated on Thursday, Sunday.


Emma Thompson is a veteran actress who, in addition to being hugely talented, is regarded as both elegant and stylish. And at the age of 56, Emma Thompson has geared up to play a role of an aging hippie in an upcoming movie named Yen Din Ka Kissa, which means “The Story of the Day” in Hindi.
Emma Thompson on the set of ‘Yen Din Ka Kissa’. The movie is expected to be released in 2017 pic.twitter.com/fyzMNvV7Q4
— em (@_tellmemoore) March 12, 2016
Recently, the Daily Mail reported that Emma Thompson was seen donning a garish multicolored wardrobe on the set of the movie.
And it seems that the Emma Thompson’s colorful hippie personality in the movie bears a resemblance to her actual personality because she is a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ movement, which is represented by a colorful rainbow flag indicating inclusivity. Recently, Emma Thompson announced that she was in favor of the Time for Inclusive Education (TIE) campaign, which aims to end homophobia in schools. The campaign calls for a new approach to tackling the issue of discrimination in schools. The Daily Mail reported that Emma Thompson spoke about the need to abolish homophobia once and for all.
“The time for homophobia is long gone. It’s over.”
— Maryam Laura Moazedi (@MLauraMoazedi) April 1, 2016
The endorsement by Thompson came at a time when research outcomes revealed that one in four young LGBTQ people had attempted suicide after being harassed for their sexual orientation. The authorities at TIE were delighted that Emma Thompson has decided to support their campaign to urge the next Scottish Government to deal with homophobia in schools. Luckily for organizers of the campaign, Emma Thompson has decided that this is an issue that is close to her heart and one that she is willing to lend her considerable star power towards.
Emma Thompson agrees that it is worrisome to see that education on LTGBQ issues is not on the agenda of any public leaders in the current parliamentary election campaign. TIE is hopeful that Emma Thompson’s support will encourage political leaders to start dealing with the issues faced by LGBTQ youth in school.
Apart from fighting homophobia in schools, the Oscar-winning actress is also campaigning against overfishing and pollution of the oceans, which is destroying the marine creatures in the seas.
Forbes reported that Emma Thompson and her husband, Greg Wise, have joined the Fishlove campaign by posing naked with two deep-sea black scabbardfish.
— Carolina Gutiérrez (@carolinagutierr) March 23, 2016
The Fishlove campaign is an ongoing campaign to create awareness about destructive fishing practices. The couple was supported by nine other British celebrities who posed naked with various dead marine creatures to raise awareness about the Fishlove campaign. The images of the nude celebrities holding endangered marine animals are featured in the Fishlove Theatre Series Campaign, and the project is undertaken in association with the famous seafood restaurant J Sheekey Oyster Bar in London’s Covent Garden. The photos were put on display at the restaurant and have been for sale since March 24.
Some critics have raised doubts about the effectiveness of the campaign as they feel that posing naked with dead marine animals won’t serve the purpose, and that there are more effective ways to drive the campaign. However, Emma Thompson and her husband defended their participation in the campaign by highlighting the message that there is a great necessity to stop overfishing and pollution of the ocean in order to preserve marine fauna. The overall message of the campaign is that deep-sea fishing must stop, as it is unnecessary and destructive.
Emma Thompson’s aim in participating in these two important campaigns is to appeal to the younger generations to be aware of various global communities. She urges the younger generations to have a mature outlook and make efforts to create an inclusive society, to appreciate diversity, and care about the ocean ecosystems. She feels that it is neither cool nor intelligent to resort to homophobic bullying and it is high time that these old-fashioned practices are eradicated once and for all.
[Photo by Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images]


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Given the title of this album, a play on the movie name White Men Can't Jump one might anticipate that this album is out to disprove that contention. It turns out this is not entirely the case. While there are a couple of tunes which have that unique Monk impressionist but quirky rhythm to them, there are no Monk compositions on the agenda and most of the music, while progressive, does not recreate Monk's style. There is a modern tinge to the way Marohnic approaches the music that comes through on such tunes as "Celeste" where the trio combines with John Stowell's guitar to create the sound of that small upright piano. It should be noted that Thelonious Monk used a celeste for Pannonica on his seminal album Brilliant Corners. Progressive music making is also the style of choice on the Marohnic original "Some of These Things", a nine minute musical discussion among each instrument of the trio with Dwight Kilian's bass taking solo honors on this tune that swings and, at times, recalls "All the Things You Are". Marohnic, who likes to play lots of notes, takes the lead on Cole Porter's "Dream Dancing", with Stowell providing interesting counterpoint and sounding here like Monk might have if he played the guitar. The pianist and the guitarist show that they have a pensive side as well on another Marohnic original "Unformed People" where his piano comes closest to resembling Monk's unique style. But at other times, such as on "Nobody Else But Me", the trio more closely aligns itself with the Bill Evans trios of the past.
The musical marriage of these two artists, aided and abetted by the members of the trio and in a live setting, has produced an album of abiding interest and is recommended. Visit each artist's web site at www.chuckmarohnic.com and www.cyboard.com/JohnStowell, respectively.
Track Listing: Nardis; Dreamsville; Unformed People; Some of These Things; Nobody Else But Me; Dream Dancing; Peau Douce; Celeste
Personnel: Chuck Marohnic - Piano; John Stowell - Guitar; Dwight Kilian - Bass; Dom Moio - Drums
I love jazz because it represents FREEDOM!
I was first exposed to jazz in high school in Flower Mound, TX.
I met Chick Corea after having been a fan for many years!
The best show I ever attended was Chick Corea at Monterey Jazz Festival.
The first jazz record I bought was Herbie Hancock, Chameleon.
My advice to new listeners is keep an open mind!


Managing Planet Earth
This resource is not available. It has not been approved by its author for public distribution.
Among the most important changes to the Earth are disruption of the climate system and the acceleration of the global nitrogen cycle. To maintain species and ecosystems in the face of human pressures, and to maintain the flow of goods and services that ecosystems provide, will require us to actively manage the globe for the foreseeable future.


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Dramatic, compelling, powerful and passionate; these are words often used to describe the work of well-known artist Jim Morphesis.
Morphesis made his reputation from his intense paintings of the male torso, derived from the image of the crucifixion, an omnipresent element in his art to this day. The artist was raised Greek Orthodox and often attended church with his grandmother.
"As a child, one of the earliest and most impressive images that I can recall was this painting above the altar, of this guy, brave and vulnerable, nailed to a piece of wood. The interior [of the church] was decorated in a traditional Byzantine style, filled with icons and other really unusual paintings, so it was opulent and very lush, " remembers Morphesis.
The influence is evident, as his work has been described as that of a cross between ancient Greek sculpture and Orthodox Byzantine decoration – producing a kind of powerful "California Raphael."
Morphesis’ expressionistic figurations deal primarily with the heroic and tragic figures found in Scripture and classical mythology. With a tendency to repeat the same physical stance of his torso subject matter, his work has preserved its strong emotional intensity yet continues to evolve. Through the years, the spiritual theme of Morphesis’ work has remained, although changing stylistically. The work has ranged from precise rendering to a more physical, gestured approach.
The paintings, varying in size, have utilized colors ranging from earthly to brilliant.
When asked what it is that motivates him, Morphesis replies, "Passion." The emotion is clearly evident in the work, as his art is sure to strike a cord with all who see it.
Morphesis has been seen in more than 30 one-man exhibitions since 1972, and his work can be seen in numerous museum and corporate collections. Some of these include, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; Bloom, Hergott, Cook, Diemer & Klein, and Bank of America.
PRICE RANGE $5,000 TO $7,000


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By Cris Rodero
July 28, 2021
Hola, aloha, hello!
It’s your favorite queer Mexican artist and architect, Cris, Cristina, or CRS if you’ve seen my stickers on the street. I thrive and survive through means of being creative. My work ranges from: a committed architecture career, as I dream of building and designing projects that will help humanity, personal mixed media pieces, because collecting memories and gluing them on vintage paper serves as my best therapy, and custom accessories (I've found that wearing my art is my best publicity). I also craft handmade letters and gifts since there’s no better feeling than giving your art to people you love. Finally, I create public and urban art, as adventuring around the globe and leaving my mark brings me joy.
Traveling is the best way to learn, internationally or around your own city. There’s nothing better than researching about a building on screen/on paper and then experiencing it first hand. Yes, I am a proud nerd. Naturally, I love drawing buildings and studying works of art. Living in different cities has taught me to be resilient, open and observant.
My advice is, take all the opportunities you get. You never know when you’ll finally get that email back saying, “we’ve got something for you”. I am very excited to be able to write for BCN and to work with DAP, all because I wrote an honest survey answer. My role at Boston Compass has been creating graphics and posting on the blog. The Brain Arts team is an amazing group of people and I can’t wait to collaborate more!
-- Cris Rodero


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August is Kids Month at Herbs4You! We love kids and want to keep them healthy! As much as we hate to see summer come to a close, school is fast approaching. With fall around the corner, we should start thinking of ways to protect our family from illness. Essential Oils are a great tool to have at home to optimize your Kid’s good health!
What Are Essential Oils?
Essential Oils (EOs) are plant-based therapeutic organic compounds that are extracted from plant components (leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, bark, etc.) . In the plant’s natural surroundings, these organic compounds protect the plant from disease, insects, and other harsh environmental factors…helping it to survive and thrive!
EO’s therapeutic constituents are small lipid soluble molecules that easily penetrate the skin. Via our circulatory system, they have the potential to affect every cell of the body within 20 minutes and are metabolized like other nutrients. Many EO constituents have antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, anti-viral and antiseptic properties .
For thousands of years, many cultures have used plants for their therapeutic properties. We all know the Gifts that were given to Baby Jesus; Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. Some Bible scholars believe that the “Gold” was actually Turmeric, a potent anti-inflammatory! Many other EOs are mentioned in the Bible.
Not all EOs are the same. Quality EOs only use plants that are harvested at the peak of their potentency. Producing EOs can be very costly, as it may take several hundred pounds of plants to produce one pound of oil. The cheaper oils may smell good and cost less, but many are processed through high heat or chemical solvents, therefore destroying the potency and purity . Typically, cheaper EOs are diluted with other oils to “stretch” them out. Be aware of EOs that utilize these practices, they result in poor therapeutic benefits.
How to Use Essential Oils:
Some companies recommend never using EO on children younger than age 2 yo. Do your research, there is lots of information out there. Use caution with ‘”hot oils” like Oregano, Clove Bud or Cinnamon. These should not be used on children under 10 yo unless diluted. Use common sense. A little oil goes a long way.
TOPICAL: When you apply an oil directly to the skin it is known as “neat” application. With children, and those with sensitive skin, dilute the oil with a carrier oil (almond oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil). The standard rule of thumb for a child, age 2-10 yo is a 1% dilution (ex. 1 drop of EO in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil).
DIFFUSE: A diffuser disperses small particles into the air. Water is placed in the receptor with 5 or so drops of oil (start small). Many have automatic shut-offs. Do not add carrier oils to your diffuser. Start off by using the diffuser 30-40 minutes.
INTERNAL: Again, do your research and read labels carefully. Make sure the oil is appropriate to use internally for the age of the child. EOs are generally safe but it is important to remember that they are very concentrated. Certain oils should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers .
Here are just a few of the oils we carry at Herbs4You:
Every day our kids are exposed to germs and bacteria. ARMOR can be used any time of the year. ARMOR makes a great addition to a purse, backpack or emergency kit. It can be applied topically to hands (ARMOR contains some of the “hot oils” and must be diluted with carrier oil for kids under 10 yo)….or try adding a few drops in bath water or in a diffuser.
This oil has an immediate grounding effect. It is great for focusing. This oil allows you to feel more connected to the Earth. BLACK SPRUCE is rich in monoterpenes, thus is anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and has therapeutic effects for the respiratory system. It is ideal for lung ailments and a decongestant. Suggested uses: (dilute with a carrier oil) respiratory chest rub, activity related sore muscle rub, and to promote a calming/focused effect.
Lavender oil is the most used essential oil in the world today. It is a powerful antioxidant, anti-microbial, sedative, with calming and anti-depressive properties. It has been shown to alleviate headaches and promote sleep. It’s great for cuts and burns, and a good one to diffuse. Very safe.
This oil has been well established scientifically. Lemon is best known for its ability to cleanse toxins from the body and is used to stimulate lymphatic drainage. It is a natural teeth whitener, house cleaner and laundry freshener. It can boost a bad mood and relieve nausea.
We aren’t done with the bugs yet! This oil is a natural alternative to chemical bug sprays. It can be mixed with any carrier oil to keep the bugs away.
Orange EO has the ability to uplift and bring joy while dispelling nervous tension, anger, anxiety and panic. A good oil for the anxious child.
Stop in and stock up on your back-to-school arsenal! I highly recommend finding a good essential oil guideline. I like the book Essential Oils – Ancient Medicine by Dr. Josh Axe, Ty Bollinger, & Jordan Rubin. This book contains over 125 natural remedies and over 70 recipes for things such as hand sanitizer, burn salve and even cellulite cream! The benefits of essential oils are truly amazing!
We’re Here to Help YOU!
 Levy, J CHHC, (2018). Dr. Axe – Food is Medicine. Essential Oil Safety (and Are Essential Oil Diffusers Safe?). Retrieved on 8/04/2019 from draxe.com


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Covering the findings of the UPSTREAM project, this MPI Europe event explores how a coordinated approach to integration may create more effective and inclusive approaches to diversity across the policy-making spectrum.
Part of a series exploring issues likely to be addressed by the new National Integration Plan, this webinar, with perspectives from the cities of New York and Seattle and others examines possible recommendations on federal coordination of local government immigrant integration initiatives, including language access.
This conference, keynoted by USCIS Director León Rodríguez, featured panels on local immigrant integration policies; expected executive action on immigration; the treatment of unaccompanied children from Central America; and innovations in government-funded legal counsel and accelerated court cases.
The winners of the Migration Policy Institute's 2013 E Pluribus Unum Prizes, honoring exceptional immigrant integration initiatives in the United States, discuss their work at an award ceremony on December 4, 2013 in Washington, DC.
This briefing at the State Capitol in Honolulu, organized in conjunction with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, marked the formal release of a Migration Policy Institute report that presents key demographic and socioeconomic information about the Mexican-origin population in Hawai’i.

domain: sociology


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Classes: Visual Arts
Find Art Classes ranging from painting, photography, metal works, ceramics, sculptures and a whole lot more. Classes and workshops for beginners to experts taught by professionals in their field. Includes classes and workshops for adults, camps for youth.
Open Life Drawing Sessions (Adults, Drop-in)Del Ray Artisans
Thru Dec. 9


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A few weeks ago, Tiarnan, five and Fintan, seven, were having a play acted "fight".
Now, as long term readers will know, Tiarnan is one of the world's youngest "superheroes". He has a liking for imagining himself as some kind of super powered hero and can quite often be found, in his own world, happily playing out some imaginary scenario. Such is his imagination, that he is quite capable of playing out such a scene, alone, accompanied only by his own imaginary adversaries.
On this particular day, he was having a battle with Fintan. To judge the situation, there is something you should know about Fintan: he is very strong for his age, and quite big, too. He is also dextrous, fast, and athletic to the point of being gymnastic. In other words, "fighting" him, is not a good prospect, if you are also a kid.
Tiarnan did his best. He engaged Fintan with absolute passion, focus, intensity and determination. Each "blow" was delivered with vigour and a certain style. Not only had Tiarnan's effort needed to be maximal, but each movement had to have a certain elegance and panache about it. With Tiarnan, the result had to be beautiful to watch, too.
Fintan defended himself, with relative ease. He also counter attacked in a less deliberately stylish manner, which managed to impress nevertheless. There was something masterful about his movements - and Tiarnan was simply unable to best him.
Tiarnan continued to strive his best to win this battle of the mini-Titans. However, he seemed to be becoming aware of the mismatch. This was inconvenient for his superhero self-image, since it was quite impossible for superhero Tiarnan to be beaten by a mere mortal older brother.
He had an explanation and solution, however.
"My powers," he began to announce, most intently, "only work, when I use them."
This declaration was meant, not only for Fintan, who didn't trouble himself to respond - but for his mother who was watching.
Fintan went on to win the encounter, pretty conclusively - but Tiarnan was not disheartened. He had, after all, and rather gentlemanly, elected not to use his powers - so the defeat was actually a demonstration of magnanimous nature.
The play fight came to an end happily. Neither was hurt physically, or psychologically - and both egos remained intact: Fintan's because he had won, Tiarnan's because, of course, he had only let him win!
There is something appealing in Tiarnan's rationalization of his physical power in relation to Fintan. It is actually quite beautiful to see him conceive this excuse and understanding - and to hold on to it, to the extent of seeming to believe in it, at least emotionally. His is the perfect way of seeing the world if you are a small boy - as he is - who wants to feel powerful - as he does.
In Tiarnan's world, he is powerful - and, in a way, he is: for his imagination is such that he is quite able to convince himself that he is such.
I, for one, watching him play, am quite prepared to accept him on his own terms - for he is so intent about it, that to do so, is the only reasonable and fair response.
So, Tiarnan is the superhero of the house, who is so considerate of his brothers that he refrains from using his powers against them. They, in turn, refrain from pointing out that he doesn't have any. It is the ideal arrangement.
(If you would like to support my continued writing of this blog and my ongoing campaign to raise awareness about giftedness and all issues pertaining to it, please donate, by clicking on the gold button to the left of the page.
To read about my fundraising campaign, please go to: http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2011/01/fundraising-drive-in-support-of-my.htmland here: http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2011/01/fundraising-drive-first-donation.html
If you would like to read any of our scientific research papers, there are links to some of them, here: http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2011/02/research-papers-by-valentine-cawley-and.html
If you would like to see an online summary of my academic achievements to date, please go here: http://www.getcited.org/mbrz/11136175
To learn more of Ainan Celeste Cawley, 10, or his gifted brothers, Fintan, 7 and Tiarnan, 5, please go to: http://scientific-child-prodigy.blogspot.com/2006/10/scientific-child-prodigy-guide.html
I also write of gifted education, child prodigy, child genius, adult genius, savant, megasavant, HELP University College, the Irish, the Malays, Singapore, Malaysia, IQ, intelligence and creativity.
There is a review of my blog, on the respected The Kindle Report here:http://thekindlereport.blogspot.com/2010/09/boy-who-knew-too-much-child-prodigy.html
Please have a read, if you would like a critic's view of this blog. Thanks.
You can get my blog on your Kindle, for easy reading, wherever you are, by going to: http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Who-Knew-Too-Much/dp/B0042P5LEE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1284603792&sr=8-1
Please let all your fellow Kindlers know about my blog availability - and if you know my blog well enough, please be so kind as to write a thoughtful review of what you like about it. Thanks.
My Internet Movie Database listing is at:http://imdb.com/name/nm3438598/
Ainan's IMDB listing is at http://imdb.com/name/nm3305973/
Syahidah's IMDB listing is at http://imdb.com/name/nm3463926/
Our editing, proofreading and copywriting company, Genghis Can, is athttp://www.genghiscan.com/
This blog is copyright Valentine Cawley. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited. Use only with permission. Thank you.)
Labels: childhood imagination, creativity in childhood, In the eyes of a child, living in an imaginary world, self-belief, Superhero, Tiarnan Hasyl Cawley


Science Bulletin, Volume 62, 2017,
Nutrient recycling has been practiced for thousands of years in China to maintain food production without environmental pollution. In the past three decades, however, the traditional nutrient recycling systems have been replaced with waste treatment systems, which have resulted in rapid and severe environmental pollution. By analyzing the primary driving forces of the changing nutrient flows (technology, labor costs, food supplies, fertilizer demands, environmental quality, human health, and public awareness), this paper argues that technology fundamentally motivated the nutrient-recycling strategy to address the malnutrition problem in traditional societies but has constrained the reconstruction of nutrient recycling systems in modern cities. With the availability of synthetic fertilizers in modern society, the lack of interdisciplinary views in policy making for nutrient management is the root cause of today's environmental situation. Ongoing fast urbanization has concentrated more nutrients in urban areas, creating the need for a national nutrient management plan to coordinate multiple ministries and fix the uncoupled nutrient cycling between urban and rural systems. Rebuilding the traditional nutrient-recycling systems is an environmentally and economically effective solution. There are three fundamental technological barriers to reconstructing the nutrient recycling systems, as follows: user-friendly toilets, the separation of sewage pipelines, and easy-to-use organic fertilizers made from human manure or other organic waste. Overcoming these barriers requires building institutional mechanisms, developing the necessary infrastructure, creating research funding, and providing open experimental platforms for technological development.


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The rematches will be played on March 30, then SESI SP and Vivo Minas will be the hosts. The third game (if necessary) will be played on April 2 and 5.
1st round – 23/03 (Saturday)
RJX – Vivo Minas
Sada Cruzeiro – SESI-SP
2nd round – 30/03 (Saturday):
SESI-SP – Sada Cruzeiro
Vivo Minas – RJX
3rd round (if necessary):
02/04 (Tuesday) RJX – Vivo Minas
05/04 (Friday) Sada Cruzeiro – SESI SP
To read more news from this country click on Brazil.


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Creating magazine styled blog layouts are really trending right now and making the first paragraph letter bigger in your post can make your Blogger blog look even more professional
- By kotrynabass on April 19, 2017Read more
Yepp, the timing has never been better! I’m so, so proud of this little community I’ve created and it’s so inspiring to see that you guys are taking your blogs seriously! For this reason, I decided to help you guys out & make the whole process of moving your...
- By kotrynabass on March 1, 2017Read more
Are you a video content creator embedding your videos onto your blog? Make sure you’re doing the right thing & sharing a responsive content only! Let me show you how you can make your youtube videos mobile friendly.


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Ms René Koopman and Prof Gideon van Dyk are both lecturing in the Department of Industrial Psychology at the Faculty of Military Science of the Stellenbosch University.
United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions have become a reality for soldiers in Africa, specifically for members of the South African National Defence Forces (SANDF). In Sudan, SANDF members have to deal with severe challenges. On the one hand, Sudan is a vast, sun-baked dessert land. Temperatures are extremely high, making the heat unbearable for foreigners. On the other hand, the nature of the conflict includes dealing with death, mutilated bodies, rape and aggrieved communities. These factors can be very traumatic and require tremendous adjustment skills from members in peacekeeping operations from foreign countries like South Africa.
The article discusses the circumstances in Sudan which contribute to the adjustment challenges of members. The researchers interviewed five members (Capt. to Lt. Col.) of the SANDF on their experiences in Sudan. The article focuses on the stress reactions of members during the adjustment process, and makes recommendations on the selection of members of peacekeeping operations, their training and preparation, their support by leaders during the operation, and by their families after the operation. These recommendations are relevant for international peacekeeping forces and specifically for the SANDF.
United Nations (UN) peacekeeping missions have become a reality for soldiers in Africa. Many countries, from all over the world, are involved in peacekeeping operations. Although peacekeeping operations are frequently associated with a lower stressor intensity than combat situations, peacekeepers are still subjected to stressful situations. During deployment, soldiers may be exposed to life-threatening situations like shootings, being taken hostage or the possibility of being killed. In addition to this, peacekeepers are increasingly providing humanitarian aid and may very likely witness human distress, such as starving, sick or wounded people. Meanwhile, the principle of non-use of force except for self-defence is central to the concept of UN peacekeeping; therefore it is of utmost importance that personnel involved in peacekeeping operations must be able to restrain their reactions and control their impulses, even while being exposed to threatening situations. Thus, peacekeeping operations may make great demands upon peacekeepers and may saddle them with new stressors. Exposure to threatening situations can also result in psychological and physical adjustment problems.
Therefore the aim of this paper is to discuss the stressors experienced by soldiers during peacekeeping operations in Sudan, and their adjustment process. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to know what peacekeeping operations are and entail, what the appropriate profile of a peacekeeper would be and how we could go about training these peacekeepers. The paper focuses on an evaluation of the stressors in the operational environment in Sudan, on the relevant adjustment processes, and on necessary life skills for coping in Sudan.
2. Peacekeeping operations in Sudan
According to Van Dyk (2009:115) peacekeeping is described as the deployment of military and sometimes civilian personnel under international command and control, usually after a cease-fire has been achieved and with the consent of the parties. The aim of peacekeeping operations is to restore and maintain peace between conflicting parties without the use of force other than in the case of self-defence (Neethling 2000:1–5). Peacekeeping is also necessary to reduce the effect of threat and violence that exist between conflicting parties or states.
3. Characteristics of Sudan that may affect adjustment
It is very important to know the characteristics of the country where the peacekeeping mission is being conducted in order to understand the conditions under which the peacekeepers have to perform. Apart from the stressors that are already existent in any operational environment, there may be added stressors that are prevalent in the country concerned. These added stressors contribute even further to the stress levels of the soldiers and impact on their well being.
With regard to Sudan, the following information was taken from Peterson (1999:1–5). Sudan is a vast, sun-baked dessert land with frequent dust storms. Temperatures are extremely high, making the heat unbearable especially for those who are not used to it. The heat makes one thirsty; but the water in Sudan is subjected to contamination through its distribution system. This means that the peacekeeping soldiers should take extra measures when it comes to drinking water, because it can affect their health and hygiene. The soldiers’ hygiene and health are not only affected by the water, but also by the state of hygiene in the country. Due to the extreme heat that occurs nine out of the twelve months of the year, uncollected garbage dumped on vacant land quickly becomes fermented. Some of the sewage pumps are very old and not working at all. Lack of toilet facilities, inadequate refrigeration, and poor hygiene facilities make it necessary to use extreme care in preparing food and selecting where to socialise.
The latter can hamper the soldiers’ leisure time, because everyone wants to enjoy a good meal now and again. Alcohol consumption is also prohibited by the Government of Sudan due to religious beliefs. This means that soldiers are restricted, and this can lead to frustration. Further frustration is caused by the language barrier between them and the local Arabic-speaking population of whom not many understand English. The communication and interaction with the local population is therefore limited. Most of the local population is Islamic and have their own belief system especially when it comes to gender issues. In the SANDF there are females who are in leadership positions, such as platoon commanders, and this can result in conflict when they are deployed in Sudan, due to the fact that in Sudan the male is still seen as being superior. There is also a lack of infrastructure in Sudan, making the operation difficult and posing safety threats on the peacekeeping soldier.
The research shows there are many added stressors, making things even worse for the peacekeeper who is used to different circumstances. He/she is totally unfamiliar with the surroundings and needs to find the best way to adjust to the situation.
4. Field research in Sudan
The researchers used five members of the SANDF, ranging from Captain to Lieutenant-Colonel, to evaluate their adjustment process and stressors experienced in Sudan during peacekeeping operations. The researchers used open-ended questions with a structured interview to develop an indication of the five members’ experiences. The researchers wanted to enrich existing theoretical discussions with the results of field research in order to develop a more realistic perception of the adjustment process of members in Sudan. Table 1 shows the typical questions used in the structured interviews with the five members deployed in Sudan, and representative examples of their responses.
Table 1: Questions and summary of sample responses
5. Stressors and adjustment in Sudan
Soldiers’ bodies and minds are conditioned to deal with and handle stress. Sometimes, though, the level of stress soldiers face overwhelms their defences. When this happens, they start to feel vulnerable and can experience adjustment problems. Whether these stressors are mild or serious and whether they last for a short time (dust storms) or a long time (dessert) depends on the nature of the stress and the strength of our defences at the time the stress occurs. Keep in mind, though, that the strength of everyone’s defence mechanisms varies over time – based on what else is going on in their lives and their overall health (Bruwer 2003:25). Table 1 illustrates that the weather, trauma of dead bodies and the frustrations to cope with, were challenging for members involved.
5.1 The demands of operational life
Psychologically demanding experiences can involve a range of events which individuals may interpret differently. What is stressful to one person may not be stressful to another. The impact of various stressors may also not be the same. Some stressors may affect an individual’s ability to concentrate; another stressor may affect an individual’s mood. According to NATO Task Group (2007:10), however, there are certain basic characteristics associated with high-stress events. These include events that are:
- Threatening: being shot at during a fire fight.
- Overwhelming: being confronted with the death of a unit member.
- Unexpected: being surprised by bad news from home while deployed.
- Uncertain: being on a mission with an unclear return date.
- Ambiguous: having to respond to an incident when rules of engagement seem unclear.
When an event has these characteristics it is likely to be considered demanding. Members may experience many different types of demands. According to Bartone (1998:115), demands in operational life may be categorised into two groups:
- Daily hassles: deployed life stressors include missing family and friends and living in unfamiliar, culturally strange surroundings. Other sources of chronic stress associated with deployed life can vary widely across operations, but include lack of privacy, sexual deprivation, maintaining hygiene and exposure to extreme weather conditions. Daily hassles may be tolerable, but the cumulative effect of exposure to hassles potentially takes a toll on deployed personnel.
- Operational stressors: the duties performed on operations can expose military personnel to stressful and traumatic events. This topic will be discussed later in this article.It is important to know what the demands are in the operational environment because these demands bring about stressful situations.
The results of the interviews (Table 1) state clearly that the terrain (sandy, and muddy when it rains), the heat and the witnessing of dead men, women, children, mutilated corpses and severed limbs are very stressful in Sudan.
6. Stress defined
Stress is a term that means many things to many people. Stress has been so conflated that it can mean almost anything (Joy 1996:56). According to Statt (1998:515), stress is described as physical and psychological strain that usually lasts for a period of time and which threatens the ability of a person to go on coping with a given situation. Bartone (1998:120) says that stress is frequently used to describe two very different kinds of phenomena: the first is the stimuli in the environment (both physical and psychological) that impinge upon the organism, and secondly, the physical and psychological responses of the organism itself to such forces.
6.1 Stress in the military context
Therefore when looking at stress in the military context, Bartone (1998:114) says: ‘In considering stress in the military context, it is best to preserve the term stress to refer to events or forces in the environment, outside the person, as opposed to subjective, internal responses. The application to environmental stimuli is emphasized by the stressor or stressors instead of just stress’. By looking at what Bartone is saying, one can make a deduction that he is describing stress within the military context as originating from forces in the environment. These forces impact upon the individual, which results in a response. The members reported ‘boredom’ in the interviews (Table 1), which causes a lot of smoking, drinking and loneliness where members withdrew from their groups.
Figure 1 clearly illustrates what Bartone’s views are. It depicts the pathway of stressors in the environment (stimuli) to responses of the organism. Stressors are filtered through situation variables and person variables. The three principle classes of response are performance, social adjustment and health. They are also known as the outcome variables. The stressors represent forces in the environment that impinge on the person. These forces can be physical or psychological, and sometimes both at once. Experiencing fire power is very much a physical threat to the soldier, and can result in physical bodily wounds or even death. At the same time, such physical events for most people also carry the psychological threat of one’s own possible death or injury, or of friends and family. But the stress on outcomes is rarely direct and immediate; usually, it is processed or filtered through both organisational, social context variables, and personal variables. Examples of social context variables that might influence how stressors get processed in the military environment are unit cohesion and leadership climate. Person variables that could influence the stress-outcome relation include past experience, pre-existing psychopathology, and personality characteristics (Bruwer 2003:35–37). Personality characteristics include strong ego-power, good interpersonal skills, coping skills and healthy defence mechanisms (Lloyd, Van Dyk and De Kock 2009:57).
The ability to perform physical and mental tasks quickly and accurately in the military is essential. Likewise, the capacity to sustain effective performance over an extended period of time under adverse conditions is also important. Performance in the military context includes both individual and group tasks and functions. Stress in the military can also contribute to a range of social adjustment problems, for example, high consumption of alcohol and substance abuse. Stress can also have a profound influence on the soldier’s physical and mental health in a peacekeeping operation. The health of the force is a concern to the organisation because health in turn influences performance and achievement of organisational goals (Bartone 1998:130).
Figure 1. The pathway of stressors in the environment (stimuli) to responses of the organism
6.2 Effects of stress and adjustment of soldiers in Sudan
Focused stress is vital to survival and mission accomplishment. However, stress that is too intense, or prolonged, results in stress reactions that impair the ability of soldiers to function effectively (Van Dyk 2009:116). High levels of stress over a long period of time cause impairment of concentration and memory, wrong decision making, conflict in interpersonal relations and the break-up of good cohesion or esprit de corps (Dhladhla and Van Dyk 2009:29). Some stressors contribute to misconduct that requires disciplinary action and may take the soldier from duty for legal action. In a broader context stress may cause battle and non-battle injuries through inattention, clumsiness, and reckless behaviour. These resultant injuries can include equipment losses and friendly fire incidents. Stress may increase disease rates by disrupting hygiene and protective measures, and impairing the body’s immune defences (Bruwer 2003:45). It is clear from the interviews (Table 1) that the members experience high levels of stress at the beginning of their operations in their adjustment process with the climate, culture, food and routine. Some started to smoke more, while others ran and exercised more.
6.3 Model for stress control interventions
Figure 2 below is a conceptual model of stress, its mitigating and aggravating factors and its potential outcomes for soldiers and families. This model can be helpful when designing stress control interventions to improve short-term and long-term outcomes.
Figure 2. Model of stress and its potential soldier and family outcome
Figure 2 outlines a process that starts with the demands of a peacekeeping operation, includes the vulnerable and protective factors in the operation, the stressors that may contribute to high levels of stress, the frames and support available, and ends with possible short and long term outcomes of the operation.
Figure 3. Examples of operational stressors
Figure 3 provides a list of different types of stressors and different levels that may help commanders to be sensitive to the stress reactions of their members coping with such stressors. The results of the interviews (Table 1) give evidence of physical stressors (weather, overcrowded basis), cognitive stressors (ambiguity of mandate), emotional stressors (powerlessness, dealing with rape, poverty, death), and social stressors (cultural, lack of support from home) encountered during the peacekeeping operation in Sudan.
7. Selection and training of peacekeepers to prevent adjustment problems
According to Langholtz and Leetjies (2001:15–20), United Nations (UN) peacekeeping was established to contain and limit violence by applying the techniques of conflict resolution, and the tools of persuasion and trust to limit fighting. This statement confirms that deployed soldiers need to be equipped for the mission in order for it to be a success. In this regard some soldiers will have a more competent profile to adjust to peacekeeping operations than others.
7.1 Profile of a peacekeeping soldier
A special kind of soldier is needed in the peacekeeping environment – one that is capable of meeting challenges that arise and of doing the job most effectively. Such a soldier needs to possess certain qualities and characteristics in order to contribute to the success of the mission. According to Hundt (1996:37–38) the following requirements are important to have:
- Adaptation: The peacekeeping soldier is expected to adapt and respond well to change. Adjustment to a different and challenging geographical area as well as to emotional and conflict situations is also very important. The results show the members’ struggles with the climate and terrain in Sudan.
- Professionalism: The peacekeeping soldier should display professional behaviour like discipline, punctuality, etc, at all times when they are executing peacekeeping tasks. According to Langholtz (1998:45–50), however, this professional appearance can have a clear psychological impact on the individual like for example, focusing too much energy in one direction while overlooking other issues, especially when they place too much emphasis on being perfect.
- Stability: Stability refers to emotional stability (not allowing emotions to control a person) as well as relationship stability (not allowing relationship-related issues to distract a person). This will enable the peacekeeping soldier to endure lengthy periods away from his home and family. It will also enable the soldier to cope with long hours of working, stressful situations, setbacks and feelings of isolation, anger and fear. Some of the members in Sudan experienced high levels of loneliness, lack of support and emotional challenges.
- Self-discipline: Professionalism and self-discipline go hand in hand. Self-discipline is unconcealed behaviour based on an acceptable code of conduct. For example, going out, drinking and having sexual encounters with the locals is unacceptable. This should be a prominent characteristic especially when it comes to interacting with the local population.
A peacekeeper should be able to understand the ethnic, language, religious and cultural systems of the local population (Bruwer 2003:39). This will enable them to understand the local population and act as a mediator in order to meet their needs. Once a peacekeeping soldier is selected that has the appropriate profile as stated above, then this soldier can and should be trained to execute his/her tasks with diligence. The results in Table 1 show that forging links to the population with their culture, food, language and habits was quite a challenge!
8. Training and preparation in necessary skills required for a peacekeeping soldier
Today, training of military and civilian personnel for peacekeeping is widely recognised as a necessary factor in the effectiveness of peacekeeping missions on the ground. Training is also essential for the improvement or the development of the characteristics or competencies that a peacekeeping soldier should possess. Unlike the civilian employees, who are recruited individually for a specific professional speciality, military personnel almost always come to peacekeeping missions as part of a national contingent. These are soldiers who have already been trained in the basic soldiering skills of survival on the battlefield, organisation, and communication (Hundt 1996:37–38). But because of the new complexity of peacekeeping missions and the challenges encountered by peacekeepers on the ground, there have been a number of additional requirements to training needs.
These include, but are not limited to, gender issues, children’s rights and child protection, sexual exploitation and abuse, human trafficking, civil-military cooperation, and cultural awareness and sensitivity (United Nations Association in Canada 2007). Cultural awareness training, as well as human rights and gender training, contributes significantly to the peacekeeper’s adjustment to the local environment. Indeed, there have been many arguments that there needs to be greater understanding of the contextual framework of peacekeeping. Language barriers among peacekeepers themselves, differing rules of engagement, and different backgrounds have also made it much more difficult to bring different contingents together in the field, which emphasises the need for a level of commonality in training across contingents (Langholtz 1998:95).
Pre-deployment training is seen as an essential part of preparing the peacekeeping soldier for deployment. The purpose of this training is to prepare personnel to perform peacekeeping functions. Another purpose is to assist the individual to cope with and adjust to the new environment. During pre-deployment training peacekeeping soldiers need to learn about the geographical environment – its circumstances, dangers and threatening factors – so that the unknown can become more known to them. It will be helpful to empower them with stress management skills and conflict management skills to facilitate higher levels of adjustment for them in Sudan.
In some cases, military personnel view family concerns in terms of the conflict between meeting their family’s needs and meeting work demands (Bartone, Adler and Viatkus 1998:590). Interestingly, results also showed that thinking about family was considered by the overwhelming majority of deployed soldiers to be a positive way of coping with the other stressors of the mission. However, difficulties in establishing communication with family members at home can be significant sources of frustration (McCreary et al. 2003:35–37).
Stress due to family separation is greater for soldiers who are married, as well as for personnel who have been deployed multiple times. Deployed single parents may have special issues regarding child care. They are forced to make alternative child care arrangements for an extended period of time. These arrangements may mean relocating children for the duration of the deployment, causing further upheaval in the lives of these families (Thomas and Gignac 2001:237). This also causes instability for the children and can have an effect on their personality and learning. Family issues become an overriding consideration well before soldiers leave on deployment. Prior to deploying, soldiers and their families report anticipatory anxiety and feelings of bereavement. Family conflict also may increase at this point as families deal with financial, spousal, and parental role changes (Blount, Curry and Lubin 1992:77). Therefore it is important that pre-deployment should be a crucial time when coping strategies are put into place and tested out by soon-to-be deployed members and their families. In this regard Van Dyk and Kalamdien (2009:285) developed a psychological support programme for peacekeeping soldiers and their families with actions on communication and support for families with special needs to keep the force combat-ready. Table 1 shows that members experience most of these factors as relevant challenges (money, family, ambiguity etc.) to deal with, during their operation in Sudan.
9. Leadership and adjustment in peacekeeping
Military leaders handle a range of problems affecting unit readiness. Military leaders at all levels have a key role in sustaining the mental readiness of service members under their command. They also play an important part in maintaining morale on the home front for military families (United States of America 2006). Whilst most military personnel do well on deployment, it is the leader’s responsibility to manage psychological support and better adjustment when individuals are affected by operational stressors. The unit leader may facilitate solutions when faced with crises or issues such as conflict within the deployed unit. The way in which leaders address these challenges has a profound impact on unit readiness and performance (NATO Task Group 2007:37–39).
9.1 Leader influence on mental hardiness
Very hardy people typically interpret life experience as interesting and worthwhile overall, something they can exert control over, and challenging, that is, presenting opportunities to learn to grow (Bartone, Adler and Viatkus 1998:1–9).
In organised work groups such as military units, this meaning-making process is something that can very likely be influenced by leaders’ actions and policies. Leaders are frequently put in a position to exercise substantial control and influence subordinates. By the policies and priorities they establish, the directives they provide, the advice and counsel they offer, the stories they tell, the amount of accurate and timely information they disseminate, and perhaps most importantly the examples they set, leaders can alter the manner in which their subordinates adjust in peacekeeping operations in Sudan.
Leaders who are very hardy and understand the value of the kinds of frames they use for making sense of experience can encourage those around them to process stressful experiences in ways characteristic of hardy persons. Leaders of this kind are likely to have a greater impact on their groups under high-stress conditions, when by their example, as well as with the explanations they provide, they encourage others to interpret stressful events as interesting challenges that can be met and offer opportunities in adjusting to the unknown. This process itself could be expected to also generate an increased sense of shared values, mutual respect, and cohesion (NATO Task Group 2007:49).
9.2 Adjustment and coping to bring peace in soldiers in Sudan
It is very important to keep track of everything that has been said thus far. The researchers spoke about different stressors, threats, demands and challenges that can be experienced by a peacekeeping soldier during peacekeeping missions. It is very important that the soldier possesses the characteristics that Hundt (1996:37) mentioned. If the soldier does not have the necessary characteristics or competencies it is unlikely that he or she will survive – and it may even lead to an adjustment disorder.
According to Gal and Mangelsdorff (1991:38–45), adjustment is the dynamic process by which a person, by means of mature, effective and healthy responses, strives to satisfy internal needs and at the same time to successfully cope with demands posed by the environment in order to achieve a harmonious relationship between the self and the environment.
As soon as the harmonious relationship between the self and the environment does not exist, adjustment disorder sets in. Adjustment disorder occurs when an individual is exposed to stress, causing a reaction that results in significant distress or impairment.
This reaction can involve depression, anxiety, disturbance of conduct, or any combination of these. In general, adjustment disorder does not last for extended periods of time (Britt and Adler 2003:65–68). But while present, it can destroy the ability of soldiers to cope in peacekeeping operations and make them vulnerable to high risk behaviour – leading to vehicle and shooting accidents, for example.
Coping, on the other hand, is defined as the cognitive and behavioural effort to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of a person (Dirkzwager, Bramsen and Van der Ploeg 2003:1549). In general, according to McCreary et al. (2003:38), coping has three major functions:
- Problem-focused coping: Dealing with the problem that is causing the distress.
- Emotion-focused coping: Strategies to manage or reduce the emotional distress associated with a stressful or traumatising event.
- Avoidance coping: Behaviours aimed at denial of, or distraction from, the stressful or traumatising event or at suppressing the emotions associated with the event – for example, consuming alcohol, pretending that the event did not really happen or focusing on other, unrelated matters. These functions are very necessary for peacekeeping soldiers to adjust well in peacekeeping operations. The members reported many challenges concerning food and recreation facilities which needed solutions. The death of men, women and children in Sudan asked coping skills on an emotional level, and some members became so lonely that they started to avoid their fellow members.
9.3 Post deployment adjustment
Everyone who went through deployment and experienced stress has to find a way of coming around, redefining and establishing his/her position in society. Their adjustment depends on intact social support, active coping, and a positive homecoming reception (Bolton et al. 2002:244). These adjustment processes determine the re-integration of peacekeepers into society and back to their loved ones:
9.3.1 Homecoming reception
The type of homecoming reception the peacekeepers receive from friends, family and society will determine the extent of their adjustment. A negative homecoming is normally associated with psychological distress, whereas a positive homecoming reception is mostly associated with positive adjustment. Studies showed that the response of the family and community at home has a significant restorative role in the adjustment of soldiers (Bolton et al. 2002:246). The study also showed that soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were more likely to report negative homecoming experiences from families, friends and society than those without PTSD.
Bolton et al. (2002:250) states that a hostile homecoming reception can discourage the soldier from expressing his/her thoughts and feelings associated with the trauma and may foster the maladaptive pattern of avoidance that may maintain the stress reaction. It also creates social isolation which makes them unable to talk, and thus fully process the potentially traumatic aspects of their experience. This has an impact on their psychological well-being. Members coming back from Sudan made it clear that during the integration phase with their families it was difficult to share, to synchronise with home routine and to talk about their experiences.
9.3.2 Self disclosure/active coping
Verbalising feelings and thoughts about the experience and stressful events helps the soldiers to adjust and deal with their feelings. The members from Sudan said that it was difficult to share experiences with their families. Experiences with death and mutilated bodies were traumatic. Members mentioned they needed expertise to manage trauma and care for their mental health (Table 1).
9.3.3 Social support
Assistance and comfort supplied by a network of caring, and interested people are good to those who live under stressful circumstances (Feldman 2001:49). Family and community support plays an important part in the soldier’s adjustment during and after peacekeeping deployments. Social support tends to restore individuals, physically and psychologically. In this regard Ambaum and Horstman (2006:220) wrote that in the Royal Netherlands Army they have an Aftercare Section to care for military members after operations.
This article recommends that all countries need to give attention to proper selection of members (Hundt 1996:37–38), specific training for specific operations and countries (Van Dyk 2009:115), psychological support (Bartone 1998:113–114) and support with families (Van Dyk and Kalamdien 2009:285) for peacekeeping operations to facilitate healthy adjustment of members.
Recommendations to the SANDF for future operations in Sudan include the above mentioned, but also focus on the following:
- Sensitising members with a video on the weather conditions to make the unknown more known.
- Educating them on the culture, language, religion and rituals.
- Empowering them with sports equipment like volley ball, soccer, etc.
- Giving them specific training, as in a military observers course.
- Developing a checklist to prepare during the pre-deployment phase.
- Applying a support programme for the families.
- Equipping them to ‘manage stress yourself’.
- Providing them with proper psychological debriefing and rehabilitation programmes to integrate with families.
The military is a high-risk, high stress occupation. Stress experienced during peacekeeping operations may result in detrimental consequences for both the individual and the organisation. Although during peacekeeping operations, peacekeepers are not usually engaged in active combat, the possibility still exists that peacekeeping soldiers might be exposed to distressing and potentially traumatising events.
Because of the various stressors the peacekeeper is exposed to during peacekeeping operations, it is important that the soldier is psychologically, physically and emotionally ready for the mission. It is the leaders’/commanders’ duty to see that the peacekeeper is ready and gets support throughout the mission. If the peacekeeper is not prepared for what lies ahead, adjustment disorder will set in and this could affect mission success as well as the psychological well-being of the soldier.
- Ambaum, J.M. and L. Horstman 2006. Walking a tightrope? Ethics and conflicts of intervention psychological support to missions. In: Van Braada, A. and D.E.M. Verwey eds. Military ethics: Dutch approach, pp. 217–239. Leiden, Martinus Nyhoff.
- Bartone, Paul 1998. Stress in the military setting. In: Cronin, C. ed. Military psychology: An introduction, pp. 113–146. Needham Heights, Simon and Schuster Custom Publishing.
- Bartone, Paul, Amy Adler and Mark Viatkus 1998. Dimensions of psychological stress in peacekeeping operations. Military Medicine, 163, pp. 587–593.
- Blount, B.W., A. Curry and G.I. Lubin 1992. Family separations in the military. Military Medicine, 157, pp. 76–80.
- Bolton, E., D.M. Glenn, S. Orsillo, L. Roemer and B.T. Litz 2002. The impact of homecoming reception on the adaptation of peacekeepers following the deployment. Military Psychology, 14 (3), pp. 241–251.
- Britt, Thomas W. and Amy B. Adler 2003. The psychology of the peacekeeper: Lessons from the field. Westport, Praeger.
- Bruwer, Natasha 2003. The South African peacekeeping experience: A comparative analysis. Master Commercii dissertation in Industrial Psychology at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch (unpublished).
- Dhladhla, T.J. and Gideon van Dyk 2009. Management of post-traumatic stress disorder in the military: An intervention model. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 19 (4), pp. 25–35.
- Dirkzwager, Anja, Inge Bramsen and Henk van der Ploeg 2003. Social support, coping, life events, and posttraumatic stress symptoms among former peacekeepers: A prospective study. Personality and Individual Differences, 34 (8), pp. 1545–1559.
- Feldman, A. 2001. Social Psychology. 3rd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall.
- Gal, Reuven and A.D. Mangelsdorff 1991. Handbook of military psychology. London, John Wiley & Sons.
- Hundt, U.A. 1996. Coping with peacekeeping. Salut, 3 (3), pp. 37–38.
- Joy, Robert 1996. The Gulf War and mental health. Westport, Praeger.
- Langholtz, Harvey 1998. The Psychology of peacekeeping. Westport, Praeger.
- Langholtz, Harvey and P. Leetjies 2001. U.N. Peacekeeping: Confronting the psychological environment of war in the twenty-first century. In Christie, D.J., R.V. Wagner and D.D. Winter eds. Peace, conflict, and violence: Peace psychology for the 21st century. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall.
- Lloyd, Gary, Gideon van Dyk, and François de Kock 2009. The psychological selection profile for civil-military coordination officers in peace-support operations: The results of field research in the Sudan. African Journal on Conflict Resolution, 9 (3), pp. 53–85.
- McCreary, Donald, Megan Thompson and Luigi Pasto 2003. Pre-deployment family concerns and soldier well-being: The impact of family concerns on the pre-deployment well-being of Canadian forces personnel. The Canadian Journal of Policy and Security Service, 1 (1), pp. 33–40.
- NATO Task Group 2007. A leader’s guide to psychological support across the deployment cycle. NATO Task Group HFM 081/RTG. Available from: <https://imp.fak.dk/mediabibliotek/LeadersGuidetoPsychologicalSupport.pdf>
- Neethling, Theo 2000. The South African military and peacekeeping: Reflections on conditions, capacity building and prospects. Paper presented at a conference on South Africa at War in the Twentieth Century, September, in Saldanha, South Africa.
- Peterson, D. 1999. Inside Sudan: Political Islam, conflict, and catastrophe. Boulder, Westview Press. Available from: <http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Sudan.aspx>
- Statt, David 1998. The concise dictionary of psychology. 3rd ed. London, Routledge.
- Thomas, M.M. and M.A. Gignac 2001. Adaptation to peace support operations: The experience of Canadian forces augmentees. In: Essens P., A. Vogelaar, E. Tanercan and D. Winslow eds. The human in command: Peace support operations, pp. 235–261. Amsterdam, Mets and Schilt.
- United Nations Association in Canada 2007. Peacekeeping to peacebuilding: Lessons from the past, building for the future. Ottawa, United Nations Association in Canada.
- United States of America 2006. Combat and operational stress control. Field Manual 4-02.51, 6 July 2006. Washington, D.C., Department of Army Headquarters.
- Van Dyk, Gideon 2009. The role of military psychology in peacekeeping operations. South African Journal of Military Studies (Scientia Militaria), 37 (1), pp. 113–135.
- Van Dyk, Gideon and D.J. Kalamdien 2009. A psychological support programme for peacekeeping soldiers and their families: A preliminary model. Journal of Psychology in Africa, 19 (2), pp. 281–289.


Lars Andersen, the Fastest Archer in the World, is Back with a New Video
K.J. Houtman 01.23.15
The use of quivers, sights, and a secure stance make up the foundation of modern archery. They’re nonsense, says Lars Andersen, the world’s fastest archer, and he’s back with a new video highlighting incredibly cool tricks to make people rethink how they perceive the bow and arrow. Don’t try them at home, Lars filmed them in a controlled setting with professionals.
Viewed almost four million times, Lars’ first video from over two years ago became a huge hit. Now a new video awaits. Since the spread of the first viral phenomenon, Lars has consulted across the world. He’s trained actors, coordinated screenplays, and consulted for television productions. “People have been very open to learning about archery from me,” said Lars via email from Denmark. “It has been a big challenge for me.”
Andersen claimed that most of us have a distorted sense of history when it comes to the bow and arrow. “People have a perception of historic war archery, but their perception is completely wrong,” he said. For example, a quiver on one’s back might satisfactorily hold arrows if the archer is standing still, but when moving around like movie heroes, it doesn’t work. “It is probably the worst possible solution, with arrows falling out as they jump around,” said Lars.
Today’s archery is mostly stationary shooting on two-dimensional (or at least stationary) targets. “This was unknown historically and it requires thinking, aiming, and shooting completely differently.” For example, in his new video, Lars catches an arrow shot at him, and while still in mid air, returns the arrow before touching the ground. Yes, all in one motion. “Catching an arrow wasn’t really that hard to learn, but doing the trick while jumping in the air was the hardest trick I have done. Insanely hard.”
Another hard feat to master was hitting an arrow coming toward him. “There is no time to think,” said Lars. “I just look and ‘feel’ the arrow, aim, and shoot in a quick bodily movement.” It takes complete confidence and that, Lars claimed, was the hard part. “I spent eight years learning!”
The training occurred in a controlled environment with buffered (harmless) arrows and Lars reminded all video viewers never to try these tricks at home. It took eight years to work up to the stunt in his controlled environment with a professional team working with him. “I have accomplished this trick 12 times and it is still scary and crazy,” admitted Lars. “I don’t want anyone to try this at home and get hurt.”
Watch the video to see various shooting tricks, including jumping with shots mid-air, hanging upside down on monkey bars, running backwards, shooting with his feet, and, of course, both left- and right-handed rapid-fire shots. It is crazy how many ways Lars can shoot a bow and always hit his target—and to see how fast he can do it. His time for three arrows is down to 0.6 seconds, as shown in the new video. “It is probably close to the limit of what is physically possible to achieve,” said Andersen, who also shoots 10 rapidly rotating targets in 5.9 seconds.
Bamboo arrow shafts are Andersen’s material of choice, because they fly well and their strength holds up. Even so, he mistreats and destroys many arrows. He experiments with a plethora of historical arrowheads and strongly recommends practicing with harmless tips for some of these stunts. Lars teaches actors for movies, but dreams of teaching archery full-time. For now, it is only his hobby. He remains (without even a close rival) the fastest archer in the world.
K.J. Houtman is the author of the award-winning Fish On Kids Books series, chapter books for eight- to 12-year-olds with adventures based around fishing, camping, and hunting. Her work is available at Amazon and local bookstores. Find out more at fishonkidsbooks.com.


Yes, the days may be getting shorter and colder, and most sensible gardeners will have long since diverted themselves indoors to scrutinise seed catalogues by the fireside, but the Chelsea Fringe volunteers are hard at work making ideas become a reality next summer. Over 100 projects have expressed an early interest in taking part in 2013 and there are some exciting, high-profile venues in the pipeline to make next year’s event even more inspirational. No names, no pack-drill at the moment I’m afraid, but we’ll keep you posted.
And the excitement certainly isn’t confined to Chelsea or even London – despite its name the Fringe has always been envisaged as national and international in scope and the 2013 line up looks set to include satellite venues in Bristol, Brighton and Vienna.
Don’t forget anyone can enter a project so if those seed catalogues are proving more than usually inspirational, do get in touch with your ideas.


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