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Here Are Five Ways to Manage Your Mental Health During Holiday Season
The holiday season brings a whirlwind of holiday parties, delicious food and plenty of cheer. But the "holiday hoopla" can be difficult to cope with. There are a number of ways you can proactively manage your mental health during the stressful season. Setting goals, establishing time limits, and scheduling healthy activities (and limiting the not-so-healthy ones) are great tools to maintain positive mental health. While the holidays can be spent focusing on others, experts say it's just as important to focus on yourself.
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This 15-Year-Old Hero Saved His Stepdad with CPR He Learned in School
A 15-year-old from Buffalo, New York, is being celebrated for his quick thinking and bravery after saving his stepfather's life with CPR. Anthony Killinger sprang into action when his stepfather, Michael Reese, collapsed at home on March 19. "He was heroic," Reese told Good Morning America. "For someone of his age to step up and act in such a fashion when there's a medical emergency, that's a hard thing to do." Reese had just finished his shift as a law enforcement officer and was relaxing at home when he suddenly went into cardiac arrest. The family's dogs alerted Anthony and his mother, Jennifer Killinger-Reese, who quickly called 911. "My mom runs down the stairs because the dogs were barking really loud," Anthony recounted. "She runs right back up, tells me, 'Mike might be dead. Call 911.'" Following instructions from the dispatcher, Anthony checked for a pulse and began performing CPR until the paramedics arrived. He estimates he continued CPR for about eight minutes. Doctors later informed Reese that he had only a 9 percent chance of survival due to the severity of his condition. They credited Anthony's swift actions and the use of an automated external defibrillator by emergency responders with saving Reese's life. "I'm grateful to be here," said Reese. "It's a true blessing that I'm here." The family hopes their story will inspire others to learn CPR. "Learn CPR. It'll help you," Anthony advised. Jennifer Killinger-Reese plans to get trained in CPR herself and advocates for its inclusion in school curricula nationwide. "When the dust settles, I'm going to go get trained too," she said.
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This Aquarium Created a Retirement Paradise for its Elderly Penguins
A new chapter of comfort and care has begun for the aging African penguins at the New England Aquarium in Boston. The aquarium recently unveiled a special "retirement" island designed to cater to the unique needs of its senior seabirds, offering them a peaceful haven away from the hustle and bustle of younger penguins. Diana Major, the aquarium's penguin manager, describes this new habitat as akin to assisted living for humans. “Being relaxed is key, and we think the new retirement home will ultimately lead to happier and healthier penguins,” she said. In their natural habitats along South Africa and Namibia's coasts, African penguins face numerous threats including pollution, climate change, predation, and overfishing. These challenges have left them critically endangered with scientists warning they could become extinct in the wild by 2035. However, life in captivity offers these birds a different story. At the New England Aquarium, they receive comprehensive care that includes physical therapy, acupuncture and specialized diets. This attentive care has allowed several residents to live well into their 30s—far surpassing their typical wild lifespan of 10 to 15 years. The retirement island allows these geriatric birds like Harlequin and Durban—a mated pair together since 2000—to enjoy their golden years without competition for food or territory. Kristen McMahon, curator of pinnipeds and penguins at the aquarium, notes that this environment fosters tranquility among its residents: “The birds are definitely quieter... There’s a little bit more laying down and resting.”
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75-Year-Old Ends Epic Streak, Proves It's Never Too Late To Start
Gary Price of London, Ontario, embarked on a remarkable journey that began with a simple step. Twenty-Four years ago, he started walking daily and continued for an impressive 8,766 consecutive days. Now at 75, Price has decided to conclude his streak on his own terms. Reflecting on the motivation behind his commitment, Price shared, "24 years ago, I saw a good friend of mine who had suffered a heart attack at the age of 51. He was in hospital and he was in pretty rough shape, and I thought, 'Oh my goodness, if it can happen to him, it can happen to me.'" This realization prompted Price to embrace walking as his exercise of choice. "I felt that I should start looking for some form of exercise to keep me healthy," he said. His dedication took him across the globe—from the Great Wall of China to Mount Rushmore—and through every Canadian province and territory. On Sunday, friends and family gathered at his local Westmount Mall to celebrate this milestone. Diane Price remarked on her husband's dedication: "It's become part of our lives. Everybody knows about the walk. It's Gary's walk." As he transitions from routine to choice, Price explained his decision: "I've decided to transform from the daily commitment to walking to a daily choice." He plans to take Tuesday off completely before deciding day by day whether or not he'll continue. Price hopes his story will inspire others to stay active: “I’ll likely be out for a walk again soon.”
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Marathon Dad's Viral Run Raises Spirits And Funds, Smashes Target By Miles
A runner's marathon journey has turned into a viral sensation, thanks to a little help from his son and the power of social media. Darren Ryan, 56, from Great Brickhill, England, is training for the London Marathon while raising funds for Willen Hospice in Milton Keynes. His fundraising efforts took an unexpected turn when his 22-year-old son, Olly, posted a video of him running around their village wearing a T-shirt with a QR code for donations. Olly explained to BBC Three Counties Radio that he decided to share his father's mission online after seeing little response in person. "Dad created this T-shirt and went out four times a week around the village," Olly said. "One frosty morning, I thought 'You know what? This is actually really sweet - he's not had one person stop him,' so I filmed him and shared it online." The video quickly gained traction, amassing over 2 million views. Donations poured in from across the globe, skyrocketing Darren's fundraising total from £620 to an impressive £16,000—far surpassing his original target of £2,500—with weeks still left before race day. Darren expressed amazement at the global support: "It's phenomenal. People are commenting—not just giving money—they're saying how wonderful this is." He noted that social media has shown its positive side through this experience. Willen Hospice emphasized the importance of local supporters like Darren and Callum Ryan in helping raise necessary funds for their services. As demand grows for more updates on Darren's journey, Olly promises additional videos documenting their progress leading up to the marathon.
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Humans Just Orbited Earth’s Poles for the First Time in History
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched Monday night, propelling four amateur astronauts on a groundbreaking journey around Earth’s poles. This mission marks the first time a crew has ventured into polar orbit, offering new perspectives of our planet's icy regions. SpaceX shared a video from the Dragon crew vehicle, highlighting stunning views from the Fram2 mission. "First views of Earth’s polar regions from Dragon," the company posted on X. The four-person crew will spend three to five days conducting research in this unique orbit. Fram2, named after the historic ship that explored both Earth's Arctic and Antarctic regions, lifted off March 31 at 9:46 p.m. ET from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission features first-time space travelers aboard Dragon Resilience, previously used for the first commercial spacewalk by Polaris Dawn last year. Leading the mission is Chun Wang, a crypto billionaire and founder of Bitcoin mining companies f2pool and stakefish. Joining him are Norwegian cinematographer Jannicke Mikkelsen, Australian polar adventurer Eric Philips, and German robotics researcher Rabea Rogge. The spacecraft orbits at an altitude of approximately 265 to 280 miles with an inclination between 60 to 90 degrees to the equator—a challenging path due to high radiation levels and energy demands. The astronauts will conduct 22 studies aimed at enhancing human health in space and preparing for long-duration missions. Experiments include taking the first X-ray in space, studying exercise effects on muscle mass, and growing mushrooms in microgravity. Upon return, they will exit without additional assistance to assess post-mission capabilities. From their vantage point, they also hope to observe STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement), known for its vibrant sky displays.
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Scientists Find Fast Track to Rare Metal Recovery: Paves the Way for Eco-Friendly Future
A groundbreaking recycling method developed by researchers in China promises to revolutionize the way we handle waste from lithium-ion batteries, according to a report by the Independent. These batteries, which power everything from smartphones to electric vehicles, are made with rare metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. Traditionally, mining these materials has caused significant environmental harm. The new study outlines a process that recovers nearly 100 percent of these valuable metals in just 15 minutes. Researchers from Central South University in Changsha, Guizhou Normal University, and the National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Energy Storage Materials have published their findings on this innovative technique. The process begins with using tiny batteries to break down the metals within spent batteries. Glycine, an environmentally friendly amino acid, is then used for extraction—offering a safer alternative to previous chemical methods. The results are impressive: 99.99 percent of lithium, 96.8 percent of nickel, 92.35 percent of cobalt, and 90.59 percent of manganese can be recovered. This advancement could significantly reduce the environmental impact associated with electric vehicles (EVs), which rely heavily on these rechargeable technologies. By utilizing recycled materials for battery production and ensuring they can be recycled again at the end of their life cycle, EVs could become more cost-effective and eco-friendly. The researchers believe this method will pave the way for new opportunities in clean energy technology. "This green and efficient strategy in neutral solution environment opens a new pathway to realise the large-scale pollution-free recycling of spent batteries," they stated in their study.g vehicles and enhancing climate protection efforts worldwide.
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Teen Outshines Einstein—She Just Joined Mensa Without Breaking a Sweat
Thirteen-year-old Sofia Kot Arcuri has achieved a remarkable feat by scoring the maximum possible on an IQ test, surpassing the scores of renowned intellectuals Albert Einstein and Stephen Hawking. Her impressive score of 162 has earned her an invitation to join Mensa, the prestigious high-IQ society. Sofia's mother, Cecylia Kot Arcuri, expressed her pride in her daughter's achievement. "She just walks around throwing random facts at you," she said. Despite Sofia's exceptional intelligence, Cecylia describes her as a typical teenager who is "bubbly" and well-liked by her peers. Mensa, established over a century ago, provides a community for individuals with extraordinary intellects. The American chapter includes 50,000 members out of more than 150,000 worldwide across over 90 countries. Notable past members include Isaac Asimov and Hollywood legend Steve Martin. Remarkably, Sofia managed to ace the Mensa test without any preparation due to her busy school schedule. Her mother recalled Sofia’s excitement upon receiving her results this month. In addition to excelling academically—particularly in computer science—Sofia is also passionate about ballet and musical theater. She aspires to pursue a career in coding. Cecylia attributes some of Sofia’s talents to her grandfather Antoni Kot, a respected mathematician and educator in Poland who tutored students until his passing at age 86. "We believe Sofia inherited her love of math and coding from him," Cecylia said.
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Army Vet Amputee Races to Victory, Defying Odds and Inspiring Others
A motorcycle accident that cost British Army veteran Paul Fullick his leg has unexpectedly steered him toward a new passion: car racing. The 43-year-old from Southampton, England, now competes with Team BRIT, the only competitive team of all-disabled racing drivers in the world. Fullick's journey to the racetrack began after a severe road accident in 2021 led to the amputation of his right leg. Despite this life-altering event, he quickly found himself behind the wheel of a test car just three weeks post-surgery. "I was desperate to go back to motorcycle racing," Fullick said. "But my surgeon wasn't keen for me to return." Instead, a friend introduced him to Team BRIT, and Fullick embraced this new opportunity with enthusiasm. "If you know how to look for the positives in the cards you're dealt, you can make things happen," he said. Before his accident, Fullick had served six years in the Army and suffered a brain injury from a diving incident in Egypt. His transition from motorcycles to cars was seamless; he now drives a modified McLaren 570S GT4 equipped with hand controls. As he prepares for his fourth season in the Britcar Endurance Championship at Silverstone, Fullick reflects on how far he's come. He even recalls an amusing moment when a race marshal mistakenly thought he'd lost his leg during a crash. Team BRIT aims high with aspirations of becoming the first all-disabled team to compete in France's prestigious Le Mans 24-hour endurance race. For Fullick, there's no looking back—only forward, toward new challenges and achievements on the track.
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Granny Kicks It Up a Notch, Earns Taekwondo Belt at 83!
At 83, Ann Bigger is kicking her way into new territory. The grandmother from North Hykeham, England, recently earned her yellow striped belt in taekwondo after taking up the sport just this January. Practicing day and night under the guidance of her son, Mark Bigger, Ann has embraced martial arts' physical and mental challenges. "I hadn't realized what I was getting into," she admitted with a chuckle. "It's hands this way and feet that way." Despite initial nerves about her first grading, Ann found joy in mastering the coordination required for taekwondo. "It's good for the old brain," she said. Mark Bigger, who has been teaching at North Hykeham Tae Kwon Do Club for 15 years, introduced an afternoon class specifically for older adults. He emphasized that his mother received no special treatment during training. "She needs to up her game a bit," he joked. What started as a lighthearted endeavor quickly turned serious as Ann committed to training twice a week. Her dedication paid off not only in skills but also in health benefits; she's stronger and even reported lower blood pressure after visiting her doctor. "She's met new people and had such a good laugh while exceeding my expectations," Mark said proudly. "I'm really proud of her." Ann says she treasures the camaraderie with fellow students, enjoying coffee chats after classes.
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Prison Pups Find Purpose: Dogs Reunite With Inmates, Serve New Friends
Joyful reunions unfolded at San Quentin State Prison as two Labradors, Wendel and Artemis, reconnected with the incarcerated men who helped raise them as service dogs. Chase Benoit and Jared Hansen were visibly moved when they saw the dogs they had trained for a year. It was also their first time meeting the dogs' new handlers: Robert Quigley, who is deaf, and Benjamin Carter, a veterinarian from Portland who uses a wheelchair. “Being in this program, it’s given me something that I think I’ve searched for my whole life,” said Benoit, serving 15 years-to-life for second-degree murder. “And that was meaningful purpose.” Quigley teared up watching Wendel's excitement upon seeing Benoit again. “He remembers me,” Benoit said through an interpreter. Quigley responded warmly about his bond with Wendel: “He’s very gentle and good with people.” Artemis has become an essential companion to Carter by performing tasks like opening doors and fetching items. Hansen expressed pride in seeing Artemis serve someone in the community: “It’s amazing!” The prison's puppy training program began in April 2023 with Canine Companions, a nonprofit providing free service dogs to people with disabilities. The program has grown to include 16 trainers and two dog sitters working with eight puppies. James Dern of Canine Companions noted that dogs trained in prison have a higher success rate due to the dedicated care they receive from incarcerated trainers. San Quentin's transformation into a rehabilitation-focused facility has allowed programs like this to flourish, bringing hope and purpose to those involved.