February got you in a funk? Dr. Drew's Lifechanger and Happiness Expert Darlene Mininni says to try these eight simple exercises to get your blood flowing, and flip the switch from down to up!
Start a Journal
Write like no one will ever read it! Jotting down your thoughts for just five minutes every day can help you release negative energy, organize your thoughts and relax your mind. Most people don't keep it up when a few days of writers block kicks in... big mistake! Start today!
Smell Your Stress Away
Have you ever smelled something that takes you back in time to a happier place? The olfactory nerves in your brain affect blood circulation, your nervous system and endocrine system. Take a whiff of a calming scent such as lavender or chamomile and feel your worries drift away.
Hydrate
Our bodies are more than 90 percent water, so naturally we need sufficient amounts in order for our bodies to function properly. Try to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep your brain and body in top shape. We know... you've heard it before, but we bet you didn't know it can make you happier!
Give a Little...
Even the smallest gestures can improve your mood. Whether you hold the door open for someone or pay the toll of the guy behind you, helping others has been proven to make you feel good about yourself!
Get Out!
Research shows sunlight increases levels of serotonin in the brain, so when you're feeling blue, go outside and just BREATHE! Just staring at the blue sky is certain to boost your mood...
Eat Some (Good) Fat
Believe it or not, so many cells throughout your brain and body are composed of fat, and when your body is lacking these cells, you can feel anxious, depressed and frustrated. Squeeze in some good sources of saturated fat each day; peanut butter, avocado and coconut oil work! Even real butter is good for you once in awhile.
Treat Yourself
Studies show that when women feel down and out, pampering helped them feel happier and less anxious. Escape the stress and worry in your life by taking a bath or a long walk... chocolate helps too!
Laugh More!
Just smiling releases endorphins... laughing sends them rushing through your entire body! Can't thing of anything to chuckle about? Google a good joke.
QUESTIONS:
1. Can you definitely say you're happy? Why?
2. What makes you happy?
3. Which of the above mentioned do you follow or practice?
4. What makes you feel down/sad? Why?
5. Give more ways or tips to be happier.
[Topic 2] Google Testing Self-Driving Car
Google is testing a car it believes is the future of motoring. The Internet giant has been testing the car that drives itself for several months. It has driven along thousands of miles of public roads in California. The car is guided by sensors, lasers and video cameras. A Google spokesperson explained to concerned motorists that the car has never been driven “unmanned,” and had test drivers, just in case things went wrong. The tech company says its vehicles are still “very much at the experimental stage”. Google’s interest in artificial intelligence is a sign that it wants to branch out beyond the web. It is an extension of its Street View project, in which millions of streets have been photographed and put online.
Google’s blog said the company’s entry into the world of automotive technology is part of its plans to make the world a better place. “Larry [Page] and Sergey [Brin] founded Google because they wanted to help solve really big problems using technology,” it wrote. The post continued: “One of the big problems we’re working on today is car safety and efficiency. Our goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use.” Google CEO Eric Schmidt said last month that it was unfortunate that cars were invented before computers: “Your car should drive itself; it’s amazing to me that we let humans drive cars,” he told reporters.
Questions:
What do you think of the self-driving car?
Would you prefer to drive a car or be driven by a car computer?
Do you think it’s OK that these cars are being tested on public roads?
What problems might there be with computers driving cars?
Would you feel safe in a computer-driven car?
What do you think is the future of motoring?
What do you think of artificial intelligence? How much is around us?
What other things would you like computers to do for us?
What springs to mind when you hear the word ‘Google’?
What do you know about Google Street View and Google Earth?
Do you think it’s a good idea for Google to branch out?
What would you like Google to do to make the world a better place?
What are the world’s big problems?