A powerful moment of inclusion and kindness

Posted on 16/10/2024

A little girl, noticing the difficulties of her autistic partner during the dance and singing show at school, took him by the hand and guided him, finally making him smile

@marihermanomkt/Instagram

One such heart-touching video has evoked feelings amongst the wide range of viewers; in it, a small girl exhibits tremendous empathy and great friendship with her autistic classmate during the song and dance performance at school.

The kids were performing a dance in front of parents and teachers. Overcome with emotion and pressure of the moment, the boy appeared to freeze on the stage. That is when this little girl automatically stepped in, never holding back.

She took his hand softly, and then very patiently showed him different things, smiled at him, and furthered nodding her head in encouragement. This was a very small act yet powerful in relaying the message of solidarity and all-inclusiveness that really witnessed another level of maturity for her age. Encouraged by her assurance, her classmate, who had visibly maintained a tenseness, soon relaxed with a broad smile beaming from his face. To me, this was an indication of feeling comfortable and okay.

Standing up for those around us

This touching moment attracted the attention of all of them present there and even taught a lesson in life. It wasn’t just a dance; it was exactly how barriers and prejudices get torn down in real life. That impulsive gesture, that understanding between these two children, showed that friendship and empathy are the values which, among the youngest, are still given unconditionally.

The scene really did affect a lot of parents and teachers who were there. In this world where differences keep on creating barriers, this was a scene showing the strength of inclusion and kindness. Her act not only allowed her classmate to perform with peace of mind but also sent an important message to everyone on how we should always support those standing beside us.

This simple but profound expression of humanity and love epitomizes the very core of education: to prepare our children not just with knowledge, but with values that will create a more just and compassionate society. In this way alone can everybody feel welcomed, loved, and accepted into society in the future.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mariana Hermano (@marihermanomkt)

Hurry sickness: a hidden threat to mental and physical health

Rebecca Manzi

Posted on 16/10/2024

Hurry sickness is a state of constant anxiety in wanting to complete tasks and commitments in the shortest time possible at any cost: let's see the symptoms and how to resolve it

@Photo Source: Kaboompics.com/Pexels

It may not be recognized medically, but hurry sickness has become a kind of pandemic because of the simple fact that it affects managers and other high-responsibility professionals. It is the name given to a permanent state of anxiety, with an uncontrollable urge to hurry through the activities and commitments, often for no real need.

This concept was originally identified by cardiologists Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman, who, in their book Type A Behavior and Your Heart, showed that individuals suffering from hurry sickness push themselves to be more productive in less time.

Especially, it is a prevalent condition in Western society, with efficiency and effectiveness being at the helm. It only leads to a continued sense of stress and haste, which may be harmful to the body and mind.

Symptoms and how to minimize its impact

Insomnia, irritability, anxiety, and a constant feeling that there’s never enough time are the major symptoms of hurry sickness. Such people often use multitasking-very wrongly assuming that this enhances efficiency. As a matter of fact, multitasking can reduce the quality of work because the human brain is not designed to pay attention to more than one task at a time. Far from enhancing effectiveness, it may result in frustration and fatigue.

Beyond the psychological influences, hurry sickness can eventually sap physical health, as well. Sleep deprivation and chronic tension may promote immune breakdown and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2003 research study investigated that impatience and hurry appear to significantly heighten high blood pressure through personality traits.

But how does one penetrate this ever-narrowing circle? Clearly, effective time and stress management strategies are called for. Of the many useful practices, those involving mindfulness and self-care stand out. Taking the time to breathe deeply, to slow down, and reflect on what really matters, can make a day more manageable.

Besides that, setting clear boundaries and learning to say “no” will avoid overload. Hurry sickness can deeply affect the quality of life, but recognizing the signs and measures for slowing down improve the quality of life and create a more sustainable work-life balance.