9 signs that you are burning out | by Ed’s Common Sense

Nov 14 2021

Testing times often take a toll on our mental health and whether it’s excessive stress or pure exhaustion stemming from the fear of not keeping up, knowing when enough is enough is of utmost importance. The first step in preventing yourself from burning out is realising that you actually may be burning out. That’s why, for this week’s entry, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist Dr. Edward Curmi is here to give you 9 signs that you are burning out.

Dr. Edward Curmi is also the author of 2 self-help books titled Ed’s Common Sense.

You feel disconnected and avoid people.

You get tired very easily even after taking a holiday or weekend break.

You are struggling to keep up with your close friends and intimate relationships.

You are suffering from insomnia.

You feel overwhelmed by the thought of planning.

You are irritable and volatile in situations which usually wouldn’t bother you.

You wish things will change magically on their own.

You feel concerned as you are becoming more negative.

You notice that as each day goes by you are becoming more demotivated.

Have you experienced one of the above? Then it’s time to take a break and re-centre.

Send this to someone who may be burning themselves out.

#MaltaDaily

PN’s position on cannabis bill leads to internal dispute

Nov 14 2021

The Nationalist Party parliamentary group did not discuss it’s take on the cannabis group with the PN’s very own executive committee before a statement was issued.

The statement criticised the proposals by the PL as they would, according to PN members, normalise and increase drug abuse in Malta. Issued Friday evening, the statement triggered internal commotion as members of the party’s executive and administrative committees felt excluded from the decision.

They felt that the decision would cause more harm than good to the party’s electoral chances. The parliamentary group issued a statement denouncing the PL’s proposed legalisation of cannabis.

The Malta Independent confirmed on Sunday through PN sources that the consultation did not include the executive committee. The executive committee said that it is normal that before a decision is taken by the party, the matter is brought up with them.

The members of the two committees learnt of the PN’s decision from news portals, leading to some ‘fuming’ at the way the parliamentary group went over their heads on such an important matter.

‘It is said that the party wants to attract the young voters, but what the parliamentary group did with its decision on the cannabis bill pushed them further away’ said the sources.

The Labour Party responded by saying that the PN first claims to have had its cannabis bill copied by the current administration and now it flips the narrative as being against it.

#MaltaDaily

Keep forgetting people’s names? Here are a couple of tricks to help you!

Nov 14 2021

Do you literally forget someone’s name seconds after learning it? Well, we might have a solution for you as memory experts pitch in their advise.

We’ve all had to either substitute someone’s name to some random introduction or just decided to say nothing at all.

Asking for someone’s name the second, or even third, time just feels utterly awful. First, find solace in the fact that you’re not alone in this awkwardness. It’s a very common experience – especially given all the things we need to keep in mind.

Memory expert Ron White highlighted how memory isn’t actually the problem. It’s all related to ‘focus’.

He said that when you meet people, you are thinking ‘What do I think of them? What do they think of me? Have we met before? Do I look okay?’

As your mind goes through this script, the brain doesn’t even process the name. You literally don’t hear their name!

So the first trick you can weaponise to learn names is to actually constantly focus on the thought ‘What is their name’ when you meet them.

Double world record holder for remembering names Katie Kermode recommended word associations. She can remember 105 names in five minutes and 224 in 15 minutes.

The trick? Associate the name with something it reminds you of. This is simple enough for names such as ‘Rose’. For more complex names, try using images in your head.

The goal is to make it unforgettable. Ronald Johnson gives a bizarre example. Host of the podcast ‘The Craft of Memory’, he gives his own name as an example. He pictures McDonald’s due to the reference to Ronald McDonald. He then pictures French Fries shoved up his nose.

Making memory a dramatic, bizarre and absurd story helps make images stick easier. Conversely, you can use it in mid-conversation so as to drill it into your head.

This has the added benefit of affirming the person’s existence as you talk. It lets them know you are present and with them.

So there you go! You’ll be safe in any scenario if you just apply these few tricks.

#MaltaDaily

Eating grasshoppers is now approved by the European Commission

Nov 14 2021

And the latest to be included on the EU’s list of edible things are…grasshoppers.

This approval was made in a move to encourage better diets and more sustainable farming and food production.

This is the second time the EU included an insect on it’s list of safe foods for people. This follows the inclusion of the mealworm beetle larva, so it’s not as far out a concept as we might think.

The third insect fated (or doomed?) to end up on the list is expected to be the cricket, with the European Food Safety Authority (FDA) stating that adults can safely munch on grasshoppers.

Considered to be high sources of protein, grasshoppers could form part of an overall shift towards eating insects as a mainstream cuisine.

These critters have proven to be far more easily raised and produced, unlike the waning numbers of bigger animals such as cows, pigs and chicken. It could also address massive food shortages and spiking prices as human populations explode.

This is also a bizarre concept for many Westerners – eating such insects has never been a problem for many cultures worldwide. It could take some getting used to, but maybe it won’t be as bizarre in a couple of years…

#MaltaDaily

Photo Source: ThoughtCo