Latest news with #EdOBrien
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Science Says We Put Off the Things That Bring Us Joy—Let's Stop
Are you having trouble doing things that make you happy and don't know why? You're not alone. A new study recently released by PNAS Nexus revealed that the more you enjoy doing something, the more likely you are to put it off and do something less emotionally fulfilling. We have all the must-know information on the study, including how you can get back to doing the things that bring you joy, below. Why we procrastinate the things we enjoy most In June of this year, Linda Hagen and Ed O'Brien released a study that claimed, 'The longer since people's last enjoyable experience, the more they postpone returning.' They say it's because people want 'their return [to the joyful event] to be 'extra special,'' allowing them to justify not doing whatever it is that makes them happy. This conclusion came after they tested hundreds of adults, all of whom had vastly different backgrounds and interests. 'Whether by choice or by chance, people often face long gaps of time between getting to do things they love to do—time slips by,' reads the study. 'Close friends find years have passed since their last contact. Hard workers look up to realize they have not relaxed for months. Faraway family wonder when they last phoned home. After such 'long hours of waiting,' what do people do when they finally get the chance to return to happy experiences?' O'Brien, a researcher who works in the Department of Behavioral Science of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business expanded on this further by telling the The Washington Post ''Right now' always feels insufficiently special compared to any better moment in the future 'People are missing out on lots of immediate happiness and lots of immediate enjoyment.' Now, this phenomenon isn't exactly a new thing, but according to the study, it wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic that researchers really began to see it skyrocket, with a key example being wanting to go out to eat at a restaurant. 'Once restaurants were back open and they felt safe and comfortable [people] actually waited even longer because they didn't want their first time back to a restaurant to just be on a random Tuesday without a good crowd,' O'Brien said. 'They were waiting for the perfect time to celebrate that coming back moment. So, ironically, they waited even longer.' Another example they gave was letting an expensive bottle of wine sit on the shelf for a while in the hopes that one day you'll get to crack it open during a special occasion, even though it would taste just as good right now. 'Ironically, the thing that really builds dust is the really fine wine,' O'Brien said. Expert-approved strategies to reclaim your joy If you are one of the hundreds of people struggling to do the things that make you happy, there is no need to worry. According to experts, there are ways to change that. The first step is to notice when it happens. If you find yourself procrastinating doing something you love, take note of it and try and figure out why that is. Then, once you do think about how you can change whatever it is that's holding you back. If it's time, add a few hours to your calendar every day to remind yourself to do the things you love. If it's resources, try and figure out what you need and where you can go to get those things for cheap. And if it's simply just not knowing what to do to make yourself happy, start with the little things. 'The simple little things that we take for granted every day are the very things that give us control and happiness in life.' Judy Kuriansky, PhD, a clinical psychologist on the faculty at Teachers College, Columbia University, said. 'What's something small that you can appreciate as soon as you wake up? If you're making your bed and plumping the pillows, instead of thinking of it as a chore, use the moment to appreciate that you have a comfortable bed to sleep in.' Bottom line: Remember to slow down and take the time to do things that you love and want to do, even if it scares you. For more health news, keep scrolling! This Surprising Leafy Green Habit Can Cut Your Risk of a Heart Attack by 43 Percent Is Honeydew Agua Fresca Really the Superstar Weight-Loss Drink TikTok Users Claim It Is? Not Everyone Needs 10,000 Steps! An Expert Reveals the Right Step Goal for Your Age and Health Solve the daily Crossword
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Leeds United fan who fell from tree praises hospital staff
A Leeds United fan who was seriously injured when he fell out of a tree during the club's promotion parade has said he has been "overwhelmed" by the support he has O'Brien, 23, from York, suffered life-threatening injuries during the celebrations in Millennium Square on 5 was in a coma for a week, and has spent almost a month in O'Brien said in a post on X he "wanted to thank everyone" who had wished him well and praised the hospital staff who have been treating him. Speaking to the BBC after her son woke from his coma, his mother Stacey Barker said staff at Leeds General Infirmary had "worked what I can only describe as a miracle".Now on the road to recovery, Mr O'Brien gave his own thanks."You don't get many characters these days but I also want to say - LGI, St Jimmy's hospitals - the staff have been superb," he said."They have saved my life and I'll never stop being grateful. Boy do they put in some hard work." Mr O'Brien wrote he still "had a way to go" but was doing "very well" and everything was on the "right path"."Just want to thank everyone who has wished me well, I truly am overwhelmed," he said he had read some "very lovely things", but also addressed what prompted his accident and some of the comments on social media about the incident."They're fair enough, I can promise I won't be climbing any trees anytime soon," he wrote."I was drunk and happy, made a daft decision." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Leeds United fan wakes from coma after promotion parade tree fall
A Leeds United fan who was seriously injured when he fell out of a tree during the club's promotion parade has woken from his coma, his mum O'Brien, 23, from York, suffered life-threatening injuries during the celebrations in Millennium Square on 5 Barker said her son had woken up on Monday and thanked those who had looked after him at Leeds General Infirmary, saying they had "worked what I can only describe as a miracle".A fundraiser begun by Leeds United fans since the incident has reached almost £15,000, with Ms Barker adding: "The response we have received from the Leeds United family has been nothing short of phenomenal." Ms Barker said: "As his parents, we have felt wholeheartedly supported by his extended football family and I'm more than sure, in the coming weeks, Edward himself will appreciate the outpouring of love and concern for his wellbeing from his Leeds described her son waking up as "the development they had hoped and prayed for".She told the BBC: "It is clear he has a long way to go just now but, for the first time since the initial prognosis was delivered, we feel more than confident that Edward stands a fantastic chance of a very good recovery. "It is more than any of us ever dared to hope only eight days ago. "The relief we feel is simply indescribable, we couldn't be any happier right now."Paying tribute to the the health professionals at Leeds General Infirmary who treated her son she said: "In a thousand lifetimes, we could never convey our gratitude to you all in supporting us in getting to this point, nor repay the debt we, as a family, owe the LGI."We are still uncertain what the future holds for Edward but, as a family, we are more than confident with the love of the majority and the expertise of the remarkable professionals looking after him, he will continue to amaze us all for many months to come." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Leeds fan in a coma after falling from a tree during club's raucous promotion celebrations - with US sport star donating £2K to help his family
A Leeds fan is believed to be fighting for his life in hospital after falling from a tree during the club's Championship-winning celebrations this week. Daniel Farke 's side booked their spot in the Premier League with the latest of goals against Plymouth courtesy of Tottenham loanee Manor Solomon striking deep in stoppage time. The Yorkshire club knew only a win would suffice in a race for the trophy with Burnley due to their superior goal difference, with both teams finishing on an impressive 100 points. Leeds then took their celebration to the streets on Monday, with over 150,000 fans turning out for the club's trophy parade. But as fans crammed the streets and scaled lampposts, traffic lights, and bus stops for a glimpse of their promotion heroes, tragedy struck in the midst of the festivities. Ed O'Brien is thought to have fallen from a tree in Millennium Square while taking part in the parade, with the 23-year-old promptly rushed to hospital. A JustGiving page was launched in the wake of his serious injury, with a friend stating that O'Brien was 'fighting for his life' and in a coma. The page has already exceeded its £70 target, raising a staggering £10,801 at the time of climbing. Among those who have donated are a slew of Leeds United supporters - including one big sporting name. Atlanta Hawks star Larry Nance Jr contributed £2,000, sharing a thoughtful message: 'Thinking of you. Strength and love!' The basketball ace is an investor in the 49ers Enterprises group that makes up the club's ownership, and by default an enormous fan of the side. As per the Sun, O'Brien's mother Stacey Barker has been keen to stress that her was not out of control when the tragic accident took place. 'As far as I am aware, he had consumed alcohol, but I am confident he wasn't paralytic as some posts are suggesting,' Barker wrote. 'I am also as confident as a mother can be that no other substance was involved.' Barker also told the BBC: 'Ed and his siblings are incredibly close and they're feeling his absence acutely, as are his dad and I.' O'Brien, who turned 23 last week, is currently being treated at Leeds General Infirmary. Barker confirmed that O'Brien had undergone surgery, but that potential damage to his brain was currently unclear. 'We wanted to minimise the countless untruths which are currently circulating around Ed's condition and also to urge people to consider what they are writing on social media for Ed's loved ones to see,' Barker said. 'We are going through one of the worst things a parent can go through and some of the unwarranted comments are further compounding our heartache as a family. 'Ed is just a young man who made a mistake and he's paying for it dearly.' Barker also told the broadcaster that the family is travelling from their home in York to Leeds two to four times a day to spend as much time with their son and brother as possible. 'We're holding onto every hope that our son and brother comes out of this as unscathed as possible, given his injuries,' she added. 'As yet, there is little improvement in his condition. He remains in a coma, but the fantastic team looking after him are confident he is showing some positive signs.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Son in coma after Leeds United promotion parade tree fall
A Leeds United fan who was seriously injured when he fell out of the tree he was in as he watched the team's promotion parade remains in a critical condition in a coma, his mum has O'Brien, whose parents live in York, suffered life-threatening injuries during celebrations in Millennium Square on Monday and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary for O'Brien, who celebrated his 23rd birthday last week, had since undergone an operation but as of yet, the damage to his brain was unclear, his mum Stacey Barker Barker told the BBC: "Ed and his siblings are incredibly close and they're feeling his absence acutely, as are his dad and I." A fundraiser set up for Mr O'Brien had hit over £10,000, with NBA star and Leeds United investor Larry Nance donating £2,000, she said. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Barker expressed concerns over some comments which had been made online about the circumstances surrounding Mr O'Brien's media posts had been "extremely distressing" for the entire family, she said."We wanted to minimise the countless untruths which are currently circulating around Ed's condition and also to urge people to consider what they are writing on social media for Ed's loved ones to see," Ms Barker said."We are going through one of the worst things a parent can go through and some of the unwarranted comments are further compounding our heartache as a family. "Ed is just a young man who made a mistake and he's paying for it dearly." Earlier, on social media, Ms Barker had explained that her son had "climbed a tree, he'd had a few bottles, he was high on nothing but life - and he's been incredibly unlucky".She said her son had suffered "a freak accident that is likely to affect him, and all of us, whatever the outcome, for many years to come"."Any recovery at all from this incident is likely to be a slow and lengthy process and is unlikely to be without implications," she Barker told the BBC the family was currently travelling to and from Leeds two to four times a day to spend as much time as possible with Mr O'Brien."We're holding onto every hope that our son and brother comes out of this as unscathed as possible, given his injuries," she said. "As yet, there is little improvement in his condition. He remains in a coma, but the fantastic team looking after him are confident he is showing some positive signs." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.
