CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament proceeds fuel mental health campaign across Dallas
Each spring, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson brings some of the biggest names in golf, and millions of dollars in proceeds, to North Texas.
But that money doesn't stay on the course. It's quietly helping fund a Dallas nonprofit.
For more than 50 years, the Momentous Institute has been the tournament's beneficiary.
The nonprofit provides mental health care, education, and family resources to support children and communities across Dallas.
"Over the years, the tournament has raised more than $185 million for the Momentous Institute, which directly supports the services we provide to the community," said Dr. Jessica Gomez with the organization. "We're really focused on helping the whole child and the whole family system heal from whatever mental health challenges they're going through."
This year, those efforts are taking shape in a new citywide campaign tied to Mental Health Awareness Month. Called "Squeeze the Day," the campaign is meant to encourage North Texans to tap into the power of nature to support their well-being.
Billboards and installations have popped up across the city, from the Dallas Zoo to Klyde Warren Park to the Dallas Arboretum, urging people to pause, get outside, and find simple ways to care for their mental health.
"Having these reminders throughout the zoo that encourage people to take a moment and take in their surroundings, it's really important," said Kari Streiber with the Dallas Zoo. "You have to save those natural places and appreciating them is the first step."
For the Momentous Institute, it's all part of the mission of reaching people where they are and showing them that caring for their mental health can start with something as small as taking a deep breath outdoors.
So, next time you're enjoying a walk or a visit to one of Dallas' green spaces, don't be surprised if you see a reminder to Squeeze the Day, and know that the CJ Cup Byron Nelson helped make it happen.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Why six hours of sleep is not enough
For those of us who worry about our sleep, every morning is a scramble of mental maths as we turn to our bedside clock and calculate whether or not we've had 'enough'. The current National Sleep Foundation guidelines recommend that most adults sleep for between seven and nine hours per night. This followed a 2022 paper from the University of Cambridge, itself an amalgam of hundreds of studies that followed people's long-term experience of heart disease, diabetes and mental-health difficulties. 'Having a consistent seven hours' sleep each night, without too much fluctuation in duration, was also important to cognitive performance and good mental health and wellbeing,' say the authors of the paper. Those who slept between seven and nine hours reported a lower incidence of these chronic conditions. But what if, for any reason, you consistently don't sleep that much? If you have trouble sleeping, or if you just want to jump onto the latest 5am trend, get up with the lark and to find a couple more precious hours in your day? Does it have real implications – and does it even matter at all? What is the problem with having six hours sleep? The long-term impacts of sleep deprivation So are people who only sleep six hours a night doomed? Strategies to improve sleep quality If you consistently have less than six hours' sleep, the chances are that you are risking health problems. 'On the surface, you will be moody, frustrated and irritated,' says Maryanne Taylor, a sleep consultant from sleep consultancy The Sleep Works. 'On a deeper level, you'll be raising your risks of stress and anxiety – these have a bidirectional relationship to your sleep.' Three key problems are: Sophie Bostock is a sleep scientist and behavioural psychologist. 'We know that poor sleep and mental health are inextricably linked,' she says. 'Poor sleepers are twice as likely to develop anxiety and depression than good sleepers. 'While this is no surprise to those who lie awake at night worrying, there is some good news, too – improving one's sleep will benefit one's mental health.' 'Our brains evolved to see sleep loss as a warning sign,' says Bostock. 'Our ancestors were more likely to be kept awake by predators than by scrolling through their phones, so we respond to short sleep by going into high alert.' Hence, we get more sensitive to potential foes. 'We are more likely to interpret neutral faces as threatening and to withdraw from social situations, diverting resources from the more rational part of our brain and decision-making capacity,' she says. 'Without enough sleep, in the longer term, we struggle to focus, to learn and remember, to empathise and make logical, sensible decisions,' says Bostock. Insomnia is linked to a wide variety of conditions, from obesity to Type 2 diabetes and even Alzheimer's. The reasons were discussed in the May 2019 edition of the journal Experimental Psychology, with theories ranging from blood vessels littered with fatty deposits, to 'cellular garbage' in the brain. According to the research, people who sleep fewer than seven hours a night have a significantly raised level of molecules called microRNAs, which suppress the protein content of cells and have previously been linked to inflammation and poor blood vessel health. Not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to gain weight, according to the analysis of 36 studies, discussed in the journal Obesity. Various studies have shown that poor sleep disrupts the productions of the hormones ghrelin and leptin – the hormones that control hunger. Thus, insomniacs crave fatty, starchy and sugary foods, potentially eating hundreds of extra calories a day in refined carbohydrates The daytime exhaustion means you can't be bothered to exercise and so your weight gain spirals, as does a cascade into other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. People with a chronic lack of sleep significant risk an increase in Type 2 diabetes, according to a report in the journal Diabetes Care. Patients who suffered poor sleep (defined as fewer than five hours a night) for a year or longer had three times the risk of those who slept six hours or more. As with obesity (also linked to Type 2 diabetes), the underlying cause is thought to involve disruption of the body's normal hormonal regulation, but in this case it results from insufficient sleep. It's well known that sleep is necessary for a healthy immune system, the part of our make-up which tackles antigens, or foreign invaders, as well as 'T cells': white blood cells which destroy virus carrying cells. One study showed that subjects who slept fewer than seven hours a night were three times as likely to catch colds than those who got the full eight, or more. Much modern research indicates that insomnia raises the risk of Alzheimer's. The Harvard Medical School report revealed that people with sleep impairments were nearly 1.7 times as likely to develop cognitive impairments than those without. Researchers from the University of Tennessee noted that chronic insomnia was tied to a 1.5 times higher risk of kidney decline, and an even steeper increase in risk of kidney failure: 2.4 times. A comprehensive report linking insomnia with high cholesterol and blood pressure was published in 2019 by a top American university. People who don't get enough sleep also have raised levels of stress hormones and substances that indicate inflammation, a key cause of cardiovascular disease. Fewer than four hours' a night sleep could double a woman's risk of dying of heart disease. But before you take to your bed in despair, Taylor draws a distinction between short periods of six hours' sleep or fewer, and longer-term sleep deprivation. 'If a small burst of stress (a job interview, for example) impacts the amount of hours you get, it's unlikely to mean you have an ongoing sleep problem. We all have these blips.' Bostock also says there is no reason to panic. 'All these chronic conditions are multifactorial, so we need loads of subjects to work out the rule of the impact of confounding factors. In the short term studies, typically healthy people recover after several days of proper sleep.' The first step is to make sure you have the bases covered: that your bedroom is dark, quiet and at optimum temperature – between 16C to 18C. Your bedding should be comfortable and, ideally, made of natural fibres. Cut out coffee after midday, and have a proper wind-down routine. If you are suffering with chronic sleep problems, attending to sleep hygiene may not be enough, however. 'We can become a slave to hygiene and in some ways it can be counterproductive,' says Taylor. 'There is so much paraphernalia out there: Spray this! Drink this! The fact is that people who sleep well don't actually do anything. Sleep is an innate process, and we all can do it: it's just about creating the conditions in our brain.' Instead, Taylor suggests adopting a more flexible mindset. 'Bedtime procrastination can cause sleep anxiety,' she says. 'Firstly, it really is OK to stop looking at your work emails after 7pm.' Waking up in the night is part of the natural process, says Bostock. 'Your sleep goes in 90-minute cycles, and people tend to wake up more as they get older.' But problems arise if you wake up and have difficulty falling back to sleep again. 'Many people who wake up at night tell themselves: I have to stay in bed,' says Taylor. 'But this can be the crux of maintaining sleep problems.' Taylor suggests making what she calls a 'nest' outside your bed. 'A comfortable chair or beanbag, lit with dim light, with a book or your headphones, and not your phone,' she says. 'When you feel sleepy, go back to bed. If you have to get up a few times a night to do this, that's fine.' Anyone who's had a run of broken nights will agree with Taylor's philosophy that sleep doesn't do well under pressure. 'Have a look at your sleep narrative,' she says. 'If you are telling yourself: 'I'm a terrible sleeper', 'I won't be able to manage tomorrow,' this can be very powerful and only serve to make you more stressed and less able to drop off. You need to step out of your own way.' Instead, tell yourself: 'It's OK, I will survive', and 'I'm a good sleeper, I'm just having a bad night.' Sleeping well is not just about what happens in the hours of darkness: you set yourself up for the next night the minute you open your eyes that day. 'What do you do the minute you wake up?' asks Taylor. 'If you feel rubbish, do you keep pressing snooze until you jump up in a panic? Do you pick up your phone, and are catapulted brutally into the next day? Of course your sleep will be impacted.' Instead, she recommends easing into the day with a cup of tea, in the light. 'As soon as you wake up, aim to get lots of light into your eyes,' she says. 'Go outside if you can, if not, or at least sit near a window. This banishes the sleep hormone, melatonin, and activates the cortisol awakening response in your brain telling you that the day has begun.' Miranda Levy is the author of The Insomnia Diaries: How I Learned to Sleep Again Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
A New COVID Variant Is Here, And It's More Transmissible — Here Are The Signs And Symptoms
A new COVID variant known as NB.1.8.1 has made landfall in the United States. The variant, which was first detected in China this past January, currently accounts for 10% of the SARS-CoV-2 sequences tested from around the world, recent surveillance data found. That's a significant jump from 2.5% four weeks ago. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) spokesperson told HuffPost that the agency is in regular contact with international partners about the activity of NB.1.8.1. To date, only 20 NB.1.8.1 sequences have been identified in the U.S. — that's below the threshold needed for a variant to appear on the agency's COVID dashboard. (As soon as its prevalence increases, NB.1.8.1 will pop up on the tracker, the spokesperson added.) It's nerve-wracking to hear that a new variant is making the rounds, but infectious disease specialists say there are no glaring differences between the symptoms of NB.1.8.1 and those caused by other versions of SARS-CoV-2. 'Currently it appears that NB.1.8.1 would have similar symptoms to other COVID variants that have recently been circulating,' Dr. Zachary Hoy, a pediatric infectious disease specialist with Pediatrix Medical Group in Nashville, Tennessee, told HuffPost. Here's what to know about the newest COVID variant that's gaining traction around the world. Compared to the currently dominant variant in the U.S. (LP.8.1), NB.1.8.1 has a handful of new mutations on the spike protein that may enhance its ability to bind to our cells, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The agency suspects these mutations will increase the virus's transmissibility and, potentially, diminish the effectiveness of neutralizing antibodies that prevent pathogens from latching to our cells. In other words, the variant may be skilled at dodging some of our immune defenses, research suggests. According to Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious diseases expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, NB.1.8.1's symptoms are pretty much the same as those seen with other SARS-CoV-2 variants. Two of COVID's hallmark symptoms are a mild but persistent dry cough and nasal congestion, Hoy said. Many people who come down with COVID are also hit with fatigue and tiredness. 'An infected person can still make it through the day, but they are resting more and feel more tired throughout the day,' Hoy said. Other common symptoms include a fever, chills, a sore throat and muscle aches. 'Some have described recent variants as less intense symptoms as compared to wintertime influenza viruses, but both can have severe symptoms,' Hoy said. There's no evidence suggesting the variant causes more severe disease or an uptick in hospitalizations or deaths, the WHO states. The only noticeable aspect, as of now, is that it's rising in prevalence, Adalja said. It's too early to know exactly how effective the shots are — as the research on NB.1.8.1 is limited since it's so new — but scientists expect the shots to hold up well. NB.1.8.1 broke off from the Omicron JN.1 lineage, which the 2024-2025 vaccines target. 'The ability of the vaccines to prevent severe illness is intact though protection versus infection is limited and transient,' Adalja said. Anyone who is at risk of severe disease should stay up-to-date with the shots. 'Those in older populations or with underlying immune disorders or on immune-decreasing medications would benefit more from vaccination or those with increased exposure such as healthcare workers,' Hoy added. So if you have a condition that puts you at risk, it's worth getting vaccinated if it's been more than six months since your last vaccine or bout of COVID, Adalja advises. He also added that those who are low-risk likely do not need to go out and get another shot. Most people will be able to recover at home by resting and staying hydrated. While you're sick, acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help alleviate muscle aches and fevers, Hoy said. And, in most cases, symptoms should clear up within a week. For those who are at risk for severe disease, including older adults and people who are immune-compromised, it's worth contacting a physician as they can prescribe antivirals — Paxlovid and Molnupiravir — that can significantly lower the risk of severe complications and death. As was the case with previous variants, these antivirals work best when started within five days of symptom onset. As for when you should go to an urgent care or emergency room? When you have chest pain, have a hard time waking up or staying awake, or feel confused and disoriented, the CDC advises. Hoy says the most concerning symptom he warns patients about is difficulty breathing. 'If you have COVID or COVID-like illness and have worsening trouble breathing or chest pain, you should be evaluated at your doctor's office, urgent care or the ER,' he said. RFK Jr. Says COVID Shot Will No Longer Be Advised For Healthy Kids, Pregnant Women Trump's FDA Has Axed COVID Boosters For Most People — And Medical Experts Are Deeply Worried New Trump Vaccine Policy Limits Access To COVID Shots
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
1 Stock Down 34% This Year to Buy and Hold
Investors are withdrawing their money from stocks like Viking Therapeutics due to the current uncertainty. However, the biotech has a duo of mid-stage candidates that look incredibly promising. Though it carries above-average risk, Viking has significant upside potential. 10 stocks we like better than Viking Therapeutics › Shares of Viking Therapeutics (NASDAQ: VKTX), a mid-cap biotech, are down by 34% this year. This poor performance may suggest that recent company-specific developments have rendered the stock less attractive or that it is being affected by broader market issues. The latter is true, at least to some extent, but Viking Therapeutics' thesis has not changed significantly this year. The drugmaker remains attractive compared to most of its similarly sized peers. Here is why. Viking Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotech. That means the company has no product on the market, generates no revenue, and is consistently unprofitable. Investors aren't too keen on buying shares of companies that fit this profile when broader equities are experiencing significant volatility due to potential macroeconomic issues. In fairness, that makes sense. Clinical-stage biotechs carry above-average risk. Their products may never see the light of day outside the clinic, and even when they do, many do not generate substantial revenue. However, Viking Therapeutics is a bit different. The company is developing medicines across several areas with high unmet needs. First, there is the drugmaker's work in the weight management space. The anti-obesity drug market has experienced significant growth in recent years. Yet, analysts continue to predict that the best is yet to come. Viking Therapeutics' leading candidate in this area, VK2735, is a dual GLP-1/GIP agonist. The only approved medicine of this kind on the market is Eli Lilly's Zepbound, an undisputed leader. Being in the same class as Zepbound doesn't guarantee VK2735's success, but it's still worth pointing out that a similar mechanism of action that led to Zepbound's breakthrough and efficacy could also prove successful for Viking Therapeutics' crown jewel. And more importantly, the investigational medicine has produced better results than almost any other mid-stage candidate in weight management, outside of those being developed by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. That's impressive for a mid-cap biotech, considering significantly larger drugmakers with far more resources are trying to dominate this market. Viking Therapeutics' other mid-stage program, VK2809, performed well in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), a disease with obesity as one of the main risk factors and whose prevalence is on the rise. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved just the first MASH medicine last year, although that will likely change soon. The point, though, is that VK2809 could join a relatively young market in a few years and generate massive sales down the road. These two candidates set Viking Therapeutics apart from other clinical-stage biotech companies. It's also worth noting that Viking Therapeutics recently signed a multiyear manufacturing agreement with privately held CordenPharma for VK2735. Per the terms of the deal, CordenPharma will manufacture more than a billion oral formulations of the medicine annually, as well as over 100 million autoinjectors and another 100 million syringes per year. Viking Therapeutics will make payments to CordenPharma, totaling $150 million through 2028. This deal highlights that Viking Therapeutics is already planning some post-commercial activity for its leading candidate. That's a great sign for investors. Viking Therapeutics is developing other candidates, including another weight management product that is still in preclinical studies. Following a similar blueprint, this product is a dual agonist that mimics the action of not just one but two gut hormones: amylin, which helps regulate blood sugar, and calcitonin, which regulates calcium levels. There is slow progress on that front, but Viking Therapeutics' commitment to innovation is impressive for such a small biotech. Now, Viking Therapeutics' most advanced programs could fail in phase 3 studies. If that happens, especially with VK2735, the stock price is likely to plummet. That's a significant risk to consider. That's why the stock is probably not suitable for risk-averse investors. However, those who are comfortable with volatility should strongly consider initiating a small position in the stock. If the business goes under, which isn't that rare for smaller biotech companies, your losses will be relatively small so long as the company makes a tiny portion of your overall portfolio. But there is significant upside potential that those who invest in Viking Therapeutics today could enjoy over the long run. Before you buy stock in Viking Therapeutics, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Viking Therapeutics wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $669,517!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $868,615!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 792% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 171% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of June 2, 2025 Prosper Junior Bakiny has positions in Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool recommends Novo Nordisk and Viking Therapeutics. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. 1 Stock Down 34% This Year to Buy and Hold was originally published by The Motley Fool
