No, really? Swearing can have positive effects? According to the BBC, “It turns out that swearing helps mitigate pain. It is easier to keep an arm in ice-cold-water for longer if you are simultaneously effing and blinding [using very strong swear words].”  Cursing out loud also appears to increase power and strength during physical exertion. It’s […]

autism spectrum disorder

People with autism have trouble with communication. They have difficulty understanding what other people think and feel. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex developmental condition involving persistent challenges with social communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behavior. While autism is considered a lifelong disorder, the degree of difficulty in […]

Exercise to boost the brain

Both aerobic exercise and resistance training help prevent cognitive decline, which refers to issues related to a “person’s thinking, memory, concentration, and other brain functions beyond what is typically expected due to aging.”  That’s according to researchers who reviewed studies on exercise and cognition to learn which methods offer the greatest benefit. “Aerobic exercise was […]

therapy dog and medical center staff countering cancer

More and more people are talking about all that dogs are capable of doing. They can be loyal and provide love and and companionship, and many are the sight, hearing, and mobility of individuals, or provide emotional support.  And dogs have even been used to predict earthquakes. One study shows that some dogs can detect […]

Swiss Seniors for Climate Justice

The association of Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland has won a historic victory at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The association, comprised of a group of Swiss senior citizens, sued the government of Switzerland over climate change. The group members successfully argued that the country “violated their basic human rights by not […]

post-traumatic growth

Surprisingly, it’s true: positive things can come out of challenging times.  Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is the benefit and personal growth that comes from experiencing a crisis. It’s hard to imagine that a serious medical diagnosis, a divorce, job loss, or the death of a loved one can lead to positive outcomes. But according to studies […]

Maersk ship fueled by green methanol

As much as 90% of traded goods worldwide are shipped by sea and 99% of cargo ships are powered by oil-based fuels. To change this pattern, the Danish shipping and logistics company Maersk has launched the first container ship fueled by green methanol, the Laura Maersk. Produced from low-carbon sources such as biomass, renewable organic […]

water aerobics

Did you know? Aquagym is gentle aerobic exercise in water that tones the body. Most anyone can do this activity because it’s easy. Even seniors can practise this water workout in complete safety. It strengthens the entire body and helps keep joints flexible. People who have lost some mobility are particularly suited to aquagym, also […]

laughter

Celebrate International Joke Day: July 1st The good news is that it’s true: laughter brings about all sorts of positive things. It relieves stress, depression, and anxiety. It strengthens the immune system, boosts mood, and reduces pain. Laughing elicits a cocktail of hormones, releasing endorphins, which are chemicals that block the perception of pain and […]

Waxworm By Sam Droege - https://www.flickr.com/photos/54563451@N08/19051745004/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=41690212

In the quest to solve the plastic pollution crisis, organizations of all types are working on solutions. The Good Times has highlighted a few on these pages in the past, such as the Ocean Cleanup removing plastics from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, the Aquapreneur Innovation Initiative to remove microplastics from water, bacteria that have […]