Being sociable ...

 Being sociable has many benefits for both physical and mental health. Some of the benefits of being more social include:

• Improved immunity: Social support can improve your immune system, and social isolation can weaken it. For example, research shows that people with smaller social networks show a weaker response to vaccines. This might be because loneliness and a lack of social connectedness may cause stress, and stress can make our immune systems less efficient.
• Less inflammation: Low social support is linked with higher levels of inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation can contribute to many serious diseases, including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and cancer.
• Better cardiovascular health: Being social is good for your heart. According to one meta-analysis, social isolation and loneliness are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. However, the quality of your social interactions makes a difference to your cardiovascular health. For example, a study that tracked participants’ blood pressure for 24 hours discovered that people who reported more pleasant social interactions had lower average blood pressure.
• Improved general well-being: Socializing can maintain or improve your general well-being, health, happiness, and job satisfaction.

These are just some of the benefits of being sociable.

Here are some tips on how to be more sociable:

1. Overcome reservations: Be less critical of yourself and others, and focus on the positive qualities of yourself and those around you. Accept that human nature is good and that people can be loving, kind, and accepting.
2. Don’t over-analyze your interactions: Over-thinking can prevent you from enjoying social interaction. Approach every new social interaction with a clean slate and a positive attitude.
3. Get practice: Get out of your comfort zone and force yourself to interact with others. The more you practice, the easier it will become.
4. Be positive: Everyone wants to be around people who are optimistic, upbeat, and happy.
5. Be fully engaged: When interacting with others, be fully present in the moment and actively listen to what they have to say.

These are just some tips on how to be more sociable. Remember that being sociable is a choice, not a predisposition, and it is possible to train oneself to become more social.

There are many ways to meet new people and make friends. Here are some suggestions:

• Join a group or club: Find a local group where people with interests like yours meet regularly. Try a book club, religious group, parent meetup, music group, or biking group.
• Through existing friends: The best way to make new connections and meet like-minded people is through friends. By becoming friends with people through your friends, you’ll expand your social circle.
• Volunteer: Volunteering is a great way to meet new people who share your passion for helping others.
• Use apps: There are many apps available that can help you meet new people and make friends. Some popular ones include Meetup, MeetMe, Hey! VINA, and Facebook Local.

These are just some of the ways you can meet new people and make friends. Remember that making new friends takes time and effort, so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t happen right away. Keep trying and eventually you’ll find the right people to connect with.

Ageing population trend ...

The ageing population trend is a global phenomenon where the median age of a population is increasing due to declining fertility rates and rising life expectancy.

According to the World Health Organization, all countries face major challenges to ensure that their health and social systems are ready to make the most of this demographic shift. By 2050, 80% of older people will be living in low- and middle-income countries. The pace of population ageing is much faster than in the past. In 2020, the number of people aged 60 years and older outnumbered children younger than 5 years. Between 2015 and 2050, the proportion of the world’s population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%. This shift in distribution of a country’s population towards older ages – known as population ageing – started in high-income countries, but it is now low- and middle-income countries that are experiencing the greatest change. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population over 60 years will live in low- and middle-income countries.

An ageing population presents several challenges to society. Some of these challenges include:

• Increased healthcare costs: As people age, they are more likely to experience several health conditions at the same time, which can increase healthcare costs.
• Increased demand for long-term care: An ageing population may require more long-term care, which can put a strain on healthcare systems.
• Labor-force shortages: An ageing population may result in a smaller workforce, which can affect economic growth.
• Old-age income security: As people live longer, there may be concerns about the sustainability of pension systems and the ability of older people to support themselves financially.

These are just some of the challenges that come with an ageing population. It is important for governments and societies to address these challenges in order to ensure that older people can live healthy and fulfilling lives. 

An ageing population can have several benefits for society. Some of these benefits include:

• Increased productivity: Older people are able to adapt to their changing circumstances and wish to contribute to the societies they live in for as long as they possibly can. There is evidence of the productivity, creativity, vitality and participation of older adults in workplaces, communities, households, and families.
• Economic activity: Farming in developing countries is increasingly dominated by older workers, and a significant proportion of global food comes from small-holdings managed by older people, including many women. In urban areas, many older men and women remain employed in the formal labour market. In the informal labour market, there is widespread evidence from Africa, Asia and Latin America of older men and women’s ongoing productivity.
• Community work: A recent study of community work in Asia found that more than a quarter of Indians and Taiwanese and a fifth of Filipino and Chinese men and women in their 60s and 70s regularly helped in the wider community, providing assistance to individuals of all ages. Other studies have highlighted the importance of the local knowledge and community-organising skills of older people’s associations in disaster relief efforts.

These are just some of the benefits that come with an ageing population.

Childhood stress ...

 Stress is an inevitable part of life, and childhood is no exception. Everyday stressors may include the first day of school, falling down and getting hurt, catching a bad cold, or having to give a class presentation. When stress comes in manageable doses, and there are loving adults to help ease and buffer the pain, stress can help children grow and develop into stronger, more resilient human beings. But when the stress response is prolonged, and there are no loving caretakers to turn to, children can develop toxic stress.

Childhood stress can occur anytime a child is required to adapt to something new. This could be a positive change, such as joining a new sports team or a difficult experience like a parental divorce. The stress response, or “fight or flight,” results in a number of physiological effects, including an increased heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and overall oxygen use. In most cases, these physiological effects are temporary with the body returning to baseline once the stressor is removed. But when children get stuck in the “fight or flight” feeling, it can lead to toxic stress.

Experts distinguish among three types of stress responses: positive, tolerable, and toxic. Importantly, these describe how the body responds to stress, not the severity level of the event itself. Toxic stress can occur after severe and prolonged adversity — such as abuse, chronic neglect, parental substance use disorder or mental illness, or severe poverty — without the loving support of an adult. This type of prolonged stress exposure disrupts a child’s brain development and increases the risk for stress-related disease and long-term cognitive impairment.

According to 2014 research, when a child has a loving, supportive relationship with an adult, it “buffers” the potentially toxic effects of stress. When we experience love and care, our bodies release a hormone called oxytocin. This important chemical helps produce feelings of love, attachment, trust, and safety. Stress that builds up without relief can start to affect how you interact with your children and how they feel. You might snap at your kids or spend less time with them. Ongoing stress can wipe out the patience and energy it takes to be a nurturing parent. Stress also makes it easier to create unhealthy family habits like eating fast food because you don’t have the energy to cook. Kids learn how to handle stress by watching their parents. When you lean on food or screens as ways to relax you’re communicating to your child that those are the best ways to relax. 

So it’s important for parents to model how to find healthy ways to deal with stressful times.

Stress ...

 Stress is a common human response to challenging situations, and it can have significant impacts on both our mental and physical health.

Here's a breakdown of the effects of stress and how to manage it:

1. Physical Symptoms: Stress can lead to a variety of physical symptoms. These may include aches and pains, chest pain or racing heart, exhaustion, trouble sleeping, headaches, muscle tension or jaw clenching, high blood pressure, and stomach or digestive problems.

2. Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms: Stress can also manifest as moodiness, anxiety, and even panic attacks. These symptoms can stem from a variety of sources, including overwhelming stress, a specific "stressor" such as work pressure, a break-up, or financial problems.

3. Impact on Body Systems: Stress can affect multiple body systems, including metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular health. This means that stress not only affects our emotional and mental state, but also our physical well-being.

4. Health Complications: If stress is left unchecked, it can contribute to a wide range of health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.

To manage stress:

• Recognize Symptoms: The first step is to recognize the symptoms of stress in your body and mind. This will help you to better manage them.

• Identify Triggers: Once you've identified your symptoms, try to identify the stressors or "triggers" in your life that are causing the stress.

• Practice Stress Management Techniques: There are a variety of stress management techniques that can help you to cope with stress, such as exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques.

• Seek Professional Help: If stress is becoming overwhelming, it may be beneficial to seek help from a professional, such as a counselor or therapist.

Remember, managing stress is not a one-time event, but rather a continuous process. By implementing these steps into your daily routine, you can proactively reduce the impact of stress on your health and well-being.