Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that can also accompany the pleasure of snuggling up to a furry friend. It’s only recently that studies have begun to scientifically explore the benefits of the human-animal bond.

Pets have evolved to become acutely attuned to humans and our behavior and emotions. Dogs, for example, are able to understand many of the words we use, but they’re even better at interpreting our tone of voice, body language, and gestures. And like any good human friend, a loyal dog will look into your eyes to gauge your emotional state and try to understand what you’re thinking and feeling (and to work out when the next walk or treat might be coming, of course).

​Pets, especially dogs and cats, can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and playfulness, and even improve your cardiovascular health. Caring for an animal can help children grow up more secure and active. Pets also provide valuable companionship for older adults. Perhaps most importantly, though, a pet can add real joy and unconditional love to your life.

“I’ve been interested in the 432 Hz conspiracy theories for a while,” began an email from my editor at VAN. “Would you like to spend some time using the 432 Player, a website that adjusts all your music to 432 Hz?”

I consider myself a very online person, and yet, through a mixture of willful ignorance, immediate distrust of poor graphic design, and YouTube algorithms utterly determined to show me every single one of Frank Lampard’s best corners, I’d never encountered the 432 Hz phenomenon. Its lore has all the hallmarks of your archetypal conspiracy theories. No one version dominates, but most accounts include a selection of the following tropes:

You know that feeling just as something bad is happening that you can’t control, when your stomach does a backflip, lurches up into your throat, and then drops into your toes?

I experienced it one day snapping back to full consciousness as my car glided off the left shoulder of the freeway and spun in a full 360-degree circle on the gravel.

I’d logged a very busy week at work, been to a music group practice, done some freelance editing, and gone for a few runs in preparation for a marathon. Now I was headed to a weekend event with my spiritual community.

​There I was, zipping down the freeway in the fast lane on a crisp and sunny fall morning. I felt drowsy, so I flipped on the car radio to keep myself alert.

In retrospect, I should have also sung along at the top of my lungs. Or, you know, pulled off the road to rest. But I didn’t want to be late for the start of the gathering.

​The last thing I remember thinking was “There aren’t any cars close by. I’ll just close my eyes for a second or two."

The elderly is the stage of life rich in experiences and wisdom. It is when humans can take a respite from the busy schedules of working and parenting finally. As a popular belief goes, the elderly is a new childhood. Unfortunately, not many aged people are blessed to receive the care and love they expect. 

Statistics reveal that:

• In India, 15 million senior citizens live alone, of which 75% are women. 
• The ratio of elderly in India with no one to take care of them in their house is 1:7.

​Many elderly go through silent depression for various reasons. Factors such as lack of caretakers, people that spend quality time, age-related health troubles, loss of life partner, limited social life can impact their mental well-being.
Not many elderly speak out about their problems with a notion, not to trouble others. However, one should take the responsibility of caring for their emotional well-being and make a difference in their lives.

More than one in 10 Americans have high cholesterol.

Why is this important to know? High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors for heart disease, the number one killer of all Americans. As your total cholesterol rises, so does your risk for heart disease.

The good news is that in most cases, cholesterol levels can be lowered and maintained with a combination of diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins, says Marco Gonzalez, MD, Nebraska Medicine neurologist. There is also evidence that natural health products or supplements may help lower cholesterol levels.