• How To Guide Your Woman Into Love, Intimacy… and Not Hating You : John Gray is one of the best-selling authors of all time. His multiple Mars/Venus books explore marriage, singlehood, sexuality, parenthood, the workplace - pretty much all of life from the perspective of traditional - and biological - gender imperatives. Increasingly over the last few years, Gray’s work has focused on the determinative power of hormones, for men and for women. Women, he says, are designed to have 10x the estrogen levels of men. Estrogen flows not when a woman gets a promotion or closes a deal, but rather from regular sexual activity, emotional intimacy and bonding, lowered stress, physical and emotional safety, and physical affection and touch. (METAL Men Daily)
• Bitcoin is Rebounding After a Rollercoaster Ride — Thanks to Hong Kong : On the weekend, Bitcoin experienced a decrease of nearly 10%. However, on Monday, it made a recovery following Hong Kong's approval of its initial spot Bitcoin and Ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs). The decline over the weekend, coinciding with Israel-Iran tension, market disturbances, and persistent inflation, led to Bitcoin dropping below $62,000, only to rise by 2.5% to $66,000 on Monday morning. (Qz)
• Why Chocolate is Skyrocketing in Price : Cocoa futures have surged to 12k per kilogram or 12m naira per metric ton (~$9.6k), marking a significant increase compared to the last quarter of 2023 and nearly quintupling from the prices observed in the last quarter of 2022. The emergence of this trend was particularly evident to North American and European observers during the Easter period, with popular chocolate items experiencing price hikes of up to 50%. Analysts are indicating a potential shift towards chocolate becoming a luxury good in the foreseeable future, especially with sellers such as Hershey and Mondelez opting to elevate their pricing strategies. (The Hustle)
• Over 1,300 Layoffs Hit Logistics Companies Across US : Layoffs are ongoing in the freight and logistics sector, affecting companies in various states. Universal Logistics in Warren, Michigan is closing two subsidiaries and laying off 677 employees as reported recently. (Freightwaves)
• Stop 'Harmful 5G Fast Lanes', Legal Scholar Warns America's FCC : The Federal Communications Commission is scheduled to vote on April 25 to reinstate its jurisdiction over the providers we utilize for internet access, and to reintroduce federal safeguards for net neutrality that were removed by the previous administration in 2017. Net neutrality safeguards are designed to guarantee that individuals, rather than the internet service providers we engage with, have the authority to determine our online activities. The FCC unveiled its preliminary regulations in early April, which contain significant elements worthy of appreciation. Mobile service providers such as T-Mobile, AT\u0026T, and Verizon, who have previously compromised video quality for users on mobile platforms, will be required to discontinue this practice. (Stanford)
• What Makes Housing So Expensive?: Purchasing a home stand as one of the most significant investments for many individuals, and the monthly rent or mortgage payment represents a substantial financial commitment. Following the post-pandemic surge in home purchases, the typical price of a new home surged to nearly $500,000, close to seven times the median annual household earnings at that time, even though it has decreased since then. Generally, new homeowners allocate approximately 30% of their income for their mortgage, while renters in the lowest income bracket typically spend 60% of their earnings on rent. (Construction Physics)
• How a Money Laundering Crew Allegedly Moved Millions Through FanDuel : The intention was to establish accounts across various casinos and sportsbooks, notably FanDuel, a well-regarded betting platform at the forefront of legitimizing and increasing the appeal of sports betting in the United States. New accounts were restricted in their deposit amounts. However, Bogomolny forwarded clients screenshots illustrating the potential for established accounts. These snapshots demonstrated the cumulative winnings of the accounts: $883,072.28 in one instance, and $2,786,797.39 in another. The premise revolved around illicit funds being inputted, with legitimate gambling profits being the eventual outcome. (CourtWatch)
• The World Cannot Afford to Ignore the Poorest Countries: In the forthcoming decades, it will be imperative for the world to harness all economic resources to attain peace, prosperity, and stability amidst challenges like climate change. Neglecting the 75 poorest nations is currently observed. (Project Syndicate)
• Does Money Buy Happiness? It Does in China if Inequality is Low : Academics and philosophers have long debated the correlation between wealth and happiness. In a recent study, Feng Huang and colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences examined social media metrics and socioeconomic indicators over the previous 11 years. The study suggests a link between a country's economic prosperity and the well-being of its residents. Huang and his team examined economic factors influencing self-perceived happiness levels in China. This analysis covered 31 provinces, focusing on key data points like GDP per capita and the Gini coefficient from the National Bureau of Statistics of China. (The Debrief)
• Climate Change Now Linked To Rise In Strokes : New research indicates a rise in stroke-related deaths and disabilities due to extreme temperatures since 1990. Published in Neurology, the study is the first to explore global stroke trends linked to temperature variations. Last year, over 500,000 stroke deaths were associated with non-optimal temperatures worldwide.(Futurism)
• Photo, Image / Video of the Day:
The Kailasha temple is the largest of the rock-cut Hindu temples at the Ellora Caves near Chatrapati Sambhaji Nagar district of Maharashtra, India. it is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in the world because of its size, architecture, and sculptural treatment.
• Notable Statistics: Digital currency ownership (% of population)
• YouTube Worth Watching: I Was the Highest-Paid Dancer at America's No. 1 Strip Club
• Ken's Book Pick: Postdiabetic: An Easy-to-Follow 9-Week Guide to Reversing Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes
• Ken's Website / Tool Pick: Quillow is a stream-of-consciousness journaling web app. You brain-dump your thoughts in an online journal and get insights on your thoughts from GPT-4. Quillow is specifically designed to get you in a flow state while writing out your stream of thoughts and emotions. It does this by having a timer that only ticks when you are distracted, having strikethroughs instead of backspace to truly get unfiltered thoughts onto the page, and having a dynamic word count to help you write more. It is inspired by a journaling technique called "Morning Pages" introduced in the book "The Artist's Way".
50 Ways to Relax Your Mind and Body
Relaxation plays a vital role in maintaining our overall well-being. In our fast-paced lives, stress and anxiety can accumulate, affecting both our physical health and mental state. When we take time to unwind, several benefits emerge:
Stress Reduction: Relaxing allows our bodies to release tension and reduce stress hormones like cortisol. Chronic stress can lead to various health issues, including heart disease, digestive problems, and weakened immune function.
Improved Mental Health: Unwinding enhances clarity, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Regular relaxation prevents burnout and improves mood.
Physical Well-Being: Relaxation positively impacts our cardiovascular system. It lowers blood pressure, reduces muscle tension, and promotes better sleep. When we’re relaxed, our bodies can repair and regenerate more effectively.
Enhanced Productivity: Contrary to the belief that constant busyness leads to productivity, relaxation actually boosts efficiency. When we’re well-rested and calm, we can focus better and accomplish tasks more effectively.
Quality Relationships: Relaxation allows us to connect with loved ones without distractions. Spending quality time with family and friends strengthens relationships and provides emotional support.
Here are some budget-friendly ways to relax and unwind without spending money:
Take a Bubble Bath or Aromatherapy Shower: Transform your bathroom into a mini spa by adding some soothing scents or essential oils to your bathwater or shower. Let the warm water wash away stress.
Meditate: Find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Meditation helps calm the mind and reduce anxiety. You don’t need any special equipment—just your own presence.
Go for a Walk: Nature has a way of rejuvenating our spirits. Take a leisurely walk in a nearby park, forest, or even around your neighborhood. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the scenery.
Set Screen Time Limits: Unplug from digital devices for a while. Limit your time on social media, emails, and screens. Instead, engage in activities that don’t involve staring at a screen.
Drink a Cup of Tea: Brew a cup of your favorite herbal tea. The warmth and comforting flavors can help you relax and unwind.
Make Face Masks at Home: Raid your kitchen for ingredients like honey, yogurt, or mashed avocado. Create your own natural face masks for a pampering session.
Remember, relaxation doesn’t have to cost a dime. These simple practices can help you recharge your mind and body, leading to a better overall well-being.