My Virtual Reading Room

Hello to everyone,

This journal is mostly public because most of it contains poetry, quotations, pictures, jokes, videos, and news (medical and otherwise). In other words, all the really interesting entries are public--if you like what you see, you are welcome to drop by, anytime. I update frequently.

Please note: since Feb. 2022, this is my main journal, rather than my LJ (same username).

Cheers,
Cat

(P.S. Comments on this entry are disabled because of the persistent anon spam; however, if you want to drop me a line, feel free to comment on any other entry and/or send a PM)

Mental health and related matters:

How to enjoy your problems

Accepting your problems is one thing. To enjoy them? Well, that’s pretty much enlightenment. Here’s how to get there, by Chelsea Harvey Garner

The harms of adverse childhood experiences are well-known. But positive experiences can affect future health, too, from STAT News

Purpose in life and cognitive health: a 28-year prospective study, from Cambridge Uni Press

(Spoiler: their conclusion: Purpose in life is associated with healthier cognitive function measured up to 28 years later. Individuals with lower purpose, especially in their 60s or older, and with steeper declines in purpose, are more likely to have dementia at age 80.)

Quelle surpirse!

The New Science of Optimism and Longevity, from the MIT Press Reader.

A growing body of research suggests that optimism plays a significant role in promoting both physical and mental well-being.

Are we all doomed? How to cope with the daunting uncertainties of climate change, from Nature

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when thinking about the damage that might be wrought by global warming — but that is missing the point.


Microorganisms:

The Microbiome and Its Myth-Making Machine, from McGill Uni

If you have heard something very specific about the microbiome, odds are it’s wrong.

Everyone Is Eager to Forget Covid. But Who Are We Forgetting Along the Way?, collection of articles from Firefox Pocket

Critical care physician battles long COVID with hope and grit, from Kevin MD

Four years on: the career costs for scientists battling long COVID, from Nature

Many with the condition have found ways around their health problems, but they say more employer support is needed.

(originally posted by just_ustas in coffee_mood )

One of the famous Soviet children's poets. Haven't we all known people like this neighbor? ;)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Агния Барто

Наш сосед Иван Петрович

Знают нашего соседа
Все ребята со двора.
Он им даже до обеда
Говорит, что спать пора.

All the children in our communal yard
Know our neighbor.
He tells them it's bedtime
When it's not even lunchtime yet.

Он на всех глядит сердито,
Все не нравится ему:
— Почему окно открыто?
Мы в Москве, а не в Крыму!

He looks at everyone angrily,
And disapproves of everything:
"Why is the window open?
We are in Moscow, not in the Crimea!"( Read more... )

Three from The Washington Post:

Melted, pounded, extruded: Why many ultra-processed foods are unhealthy

Look for these 9 red flags to identify food that is ultra-processed

Do you have a hunger habit? How to conquer mindless eating.


Are Probiotic Sodas, Stress-Relieving Tonics, and Other So-Called Healthy Drinks Good for You?, from Consumer Reports

These Laundry Hacks Will Make Your Life Easier, a Firefox Pocket collection of articles

...or at least they are, in classic Russian literature--

"What is to be done?"

"Who is to blame?"

...and then it all turns into

"An ordinary story".
~~

...Yes, all three are titles of 19th century novels...can elaborate if anyone is interested.

В одних садах цветет миндаль,
в других метет метель.
В одних краях еще февраль,
в других уже апрель.
Проходит время, вечный счет,
год за год, век за век,
Во всем - его неспешный ход,
его кромешный бег...( Read more... )

Mo the Hospital Cat, from AACN, 2024

Beyond the myths: ADHD explained in powerful comics, from Kevin MD, 2024

A Legacy of Russophobia, from Cambridge Blog, 2008