HEALTH - The mind-altering power of yoga could improve your mental health

Yoga has been found to increase grey matter and alter key networks in the brain. Now there are hopes it could be used to help improve people's mental health.

My right arm is shaking. Sweat drips from my forehead as I twist my body from a side plank into a yoga pose known as "Wild Thing" – or "Camatkarasana". It is quite the contortion – I arch my back, stretching my left arm over my head. My right foot is planted on the ground, and I look up to the sky. 

One translation of the Sanskrit word camatkarasana is "the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart" and is said to elicit confidence. And – despite the strain – I feel invincible. 

When I started practicing yoga, I wanted to sweat and to build strength. I saw it purely as a form of exercise – but I found it was so much more.

The practice of yoga dates back over 2,000 years to ancient India.

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YOUR MARRIAGE

What gives us ‘HOPE’ in Marriage?
Short reflections on how we can see great hope in marriage.

Sharon Westby – National Coordinator for Retrouvaille

What gives me hope in marriage is witnessing the incredible transformations of couples who have faced significant challenges yet managed to rebuild their relationships. As national coordinators for Retrouvaille, we have the privilege of seeing couples move through the natural phases of marriage – Romance, Disillusionment, Misery, and finally, Awakening. It’s deeply rewarding to know that over 75% of the couples who attend our program rediscover hope and renew their commitment to each other and their families. This work reminds us that, even when hope seems lost, love can be rekindled with dedication, patience, and the right support
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FINANCE AND INVESTING TIPS FOR THE SANDWICH GENERATION

Managing finances for the Sandwich Generation

About a quarter of Americans are part of the sandwich generation, a group of adults who are financially supporting their children while also helping their aging parents with finances and health issues. Men and women are equally stepping into this role, usually while in their 30s and 40s, according to a 2023 New York Life survey.

Though caregiving can be a positive experience, nearly half of those survey respondents say it has impacted their personal finances. Many report contributing less (or nothing) to their retirement and emergency savings, taking on more debt, or cutting back on expenses while juggling care for their parents and kids.

But undermining your own financial security can lead to more problems, said Cameron Huddleston, a journalist and author of “Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk,” a book that helps adults communicate with their aging parents about finances.
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YOUR KIDS

How To Help Your Kids Express The Hard Stuff

How do you help children process difficult situations, such as a serious illness in the family or troubling events they may encounter online or on social media like the devastation caused by the California wildfires?

Getting kids to open up can feel like a victory, especially when everyday conversations are tough. But when life throws challenges your way, communicating with your child becomes even more crucial. Friends of Karen—a nonprofit supporting children with life-threatening illnesses founded in 1978—guides families through these challenges daily. Its mission is to provide emotional, financial and advocacy support for children and their families to keep them stable, functioning, and able to cope.
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CARING FOR PARENTS

This week's "Mom Matters" delves into The Sandwich Generation -- those who care for aging parents as well as their own family with children. Dr. Macie Smith, gerontologist and author, reminds us to practice self-care so we don't burn out..

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YOUR JOB AND CAREER
10 Remote Jobs Paying $143,000+ Available Now: Full Time With Benefits

With so many companies putting an end to remote work, you may be wondering where the remote jobs are and if it’s even still worth it to apply for them. The answer is yes! Listed below are 10 newly available remote jobs that you can apply for today! These jobs pay an annual salary floor of $143,000 up to a floor of $360,000 with full benefits.

Secure a New Remote Job and Advance Your Career!

Whether you are one of these newly frustrated employees because your company just demanded that you return to the office or you have recently quit (or are thinking about quitting) a company that is ending remote work, you should know there are plenty of companies fully committed to remote work, and they have some really great remote jobs available.

The positions also varied considerably, from dentists to personal finance advisors.

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