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A smile can go a long way. It can start a friendship, dissolve an argument and spread happiness. Scientific research has shown that smiling, or just seeing a smile, is contagious and can stimulate happy thoughts, even if you're not feeling particularly joyful at the time. So it seems our facial expressions have a greater impact on our lives than you might have thought Here, expert Susannah Schaefer, CEO of charity Smile Train, explains the physical benefits associated with smiling. 1. IT LOWERS STRESS When a person is smiling, it affects certain muscles within the body that make you feel happy. The movement of muscles in your face releases chemicals called endorphins which trigger a po...

TOOLS FOR ENCOURAGING GOOD BEHAVIOUR IN TODDLERS Toddler tantrums and other behavioral issues are common problems most parents face with their children. The good news is that with the help of an established daily routine, and some timely and positive attention, you can encourage good behavior in your toddler. At their age, toddlers start exhibiting independence and want things to be done their way. This may lead them to throw tantrums, or to behave inappropriately, which can be frustrating for parents. With the use of these simple tips, you can encourage good behavior in your children, and also help them boost their self-confidence. EXPRESS YOUR LOVEYour toddler is too young to understa...

Temperament: what is it? Temperament is the way children respond to the world. You can think about your child’s temperament in terms of how much or how little they show of these three qualities: Reactivity: this is how strongly children react to things like exciting events or not getting their own way. Reactive children tend to feel things strongly. Self-regulation: this is how much children can control their behavior, including the way they show their feelings. It’s also about how much children can control their attention and how persistent they are. Sociability: this is how comfortable children are when they meet new people or have new experiences. Adapting your parenting for you...

By Rachel Reiff Ellis A lack of sleep at night can make you cranky the next day. And over time, skimping on sleep can mess up more than just your morning mood. Studies show getting quality sleep on a regular basis can help improve all sorts of issues, from your blood sugar to your workouts. Here's why you should give your body the ZZZs it needs. SHARPER BRAIN When you're running low on sleep, you'll probably have trouble holding onto and recalling details. That's because sleep plays a big part in both learning and memory. Without enough sleep, it's tough to focus and take in new information. Your brain also doesn't have enough time to properly store memories so you can pull them up later...

by Priya Joi As the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway, some countries are starting to think about mixing vaccine products, where one vaccine is given as the first shot and a second vaccine of a different type and different manufacturer is given several weeks later. Mixing vaccine products could be a good idea for many reasons. Supply bottlenecks have led to shortages in several countries, so being able to mix vaccines from different manufacturers may reduce the pressure on vaccine supply. Moreover, it there is some preliminary evidence to suggest that it could also potentially lead to a stronger immune response compared to two doses of the same vaccine. Some countries are planning...