Latest news with #ThomasCurran
Agriland
06-08-2025
- General
- Agriland
Teagasc: 90% of farms expect to have sufficient winter feed
90% of farms expect to have sufficient feed in place for the coming winter, according to Teagasc. Following data from around 300 farms across the country, the authority recently updated its National Fodder Survey for dairy and drystock farms. The update shows that approximately 5% of farms expect to face fodder deficits of 20% or greater this winter. In contrast to the last two years, the spring of 2025 allowed for earlier turnout of animals. However, Teagasc noted that around 20% of farms had to purchase additional feed this spring. The authority said this "highlights the importance of having sufficient pasture on farm for spring grazing, as this is where many farms were reliant on supplementary feed to fill feed deficits". 54% of respondents to the survey had completed first-cut silage by the end of May, and a further 37% in early June. Data from PastureBase Ireland suggests an additional 0.7 tonne dry matter (DM)/ha has been grown to date on farms above the previous five-year average. However, 10% to 15% of PastureBase Ireland farms experienced drought conditions, which may result in compromised winter feed reserves in these regions. Only 40% of survey respondents had completed a winter fodder budget to date. As the majority of farms have sufficient reserves in place for the winter months, Teagasc said the focus should now move to building up grass for the autumn through a closing rotation that will maximise spring grass availability. Dr. Aisling Claffey, Teagasc ruminant nutrition specialist, noted that only 30% of those surveyed intend to analyse silage quality. "Feed quality has huge implications for animal performance over the winter months, and a greater focus is required on producing silage of sufficient quality for all livestock categories," she said. Thomas Curran, head of the Teagasc Advisory Service, added that it is "encouraging to see healthy hay and silage stocks on the majority of farms across the country". "It is very important to analyse silage before the winter to determine the quality as this will have a major impact on the performance of animals and the cost of overwintering stock. "All farmers need to complete a fodder budget annually to assess the quantity of fodder required and this can be easily done on the PastureBase Ireland app or with the help of your advisor," he said.
CNA
07-06-2025
- General
- CNA
4 ways to stop stressing about your schedule and reclaim your downtime
Sixty per cent of people surveyed by the Pew Research Center said they sometimes felt too busy to enjoy life. We asked experts for some tips on things we can do to feel more in charge of our time. 1. ABANDON THE IDEA OF BEING ALL CAUGHT UP Your to-do list will never end, said Thomas Curran, the author of The Perfection Trap: Embracing The Power Of Good Enough. So build your tolerance for leaving that list unfinished, he said. 'We end our days obsessing over our unchecked boxes instead of celebrating our wins,' said Amantha Imber, the author of Time Wise: Powerful Habits, More Time, Greater Joy. So Dr Imber recommended completing the sentence 'Today I made progress on … ' at each day's end. Researchers call this practise a ' savouring intervention,' and they say that it can improve confidence. 2. THINK ABOUT YOUR SITUATION'S URGENCY Chris Guillebeau, the author of Time Anxiety: The Illusion Of Urgency And A Better Way To Live, said people can sometimes cause you 'time anxiety' by pulling you into something they consider urgent, creating a 'false deadline.' When this happens, he said, ask yourself: Is this actually urgent? Another person's emergency, Guillebeau said, does not have to become yours. If it's possible, you can ask, 'Is this a high priority, or can I finish the other things I'm working on first?' 3. CONSIDER BRINGING YOUR B GAME Do you need to bake cookies for your book club, or will store-bought do? Can that Zoom meeting be a quick phone call instead, while you take a reviving walk? Be alert for those moments when you are needlessly giving it your all and could give, say, 75 per cent instead, Guillebeau recommended. 4. REDEFINE "VALUABLE" TIME Fight the impulse to view downtime as unproductive, Dr Curran said: 'It isn't wasted at all.' He sets an alarm for himself that goes off every day at 5.30pm. It's a recording of his toddler asking to play with him. 'It reminds me that whatever I'm doing, it can probably wait,' Dr Curran said. Often some of your happiest memories will be events that are 'mundane and ordinary,' he said, so make time for them if you can. By Jancee Dunn © The New York Times Company
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wellness perfectionism doesn't exist. Focus on these sustainable habits
Sign up for CNN's Fitness, But Better newsletter series. Our seven-part guide will help you ease into a healthy routine, backed by experts. You're scrolling through your phone when you stumble upon the next viral trend: an influencer claiming that following their incredibly strict diet will help you achieve their jaw-dropping physique. Or you see a fresh-faced runner swearing you can run a marathon without any training — just like they did. Whether or not you're actively searching for wellness advice, it's nearly impossible to avoid hearing about the latest health craze making bold guarantees of transformation. As you wonder if these claims hold any truth, you might also question why people often feel motivated to dive into intense challenges — when seemingly simple habits, such as getting enough sleep or eating more vegetables, often feel much harder to tackle. Many of us are drawn to these extreme challenges because we're craving radical change, hoping it will help prove something to ourselves or to others, experts say. 'We always see these kinds of challenges as opportunities for growth, particularly if we're in a phase of our life where we've let ourselves go,' said Dr. Thomas Curran, associate professor of psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science and an expert on perfectionism. 'Maybe we feel that we need to be healthier, or we just had a breakup or (major) life event.' With social media amplifying these movements, it's easy to see why people are increasingly drawn to the idea of achieving the 'perfect' version of themselves. But before jumping into a new wellness challenge, it's important to take a moment, reflect on your goals, and consider where you're starting from. With health influencers raising the bar for success, the wellness space now often feels like a performative space where people strive to showcase peak physical and mental strength. While seeing others' achievements can be motivating, it can also be discouraging if your progress doesn't match theirs. Each person is chasing the perfect version of themselves — whether it's a body or a lifestyle — which is dangerous because this is typically an impossible or dangerous version to achieve, Curran said. He added that this type of comparison creates a dangerous cycle in which people constantly feel dissatisfied with their own progress. 'It's a fantasy in many ways, and once you start chasing after it, you constantly find yourself embroiled in a sense of doubt and deficit,' he said. Curran also noted that wellness challenges can be particularly damaging for women who struggle with perfectionism, as they tend to be bombarded with impossible beauty standards and societal expectations. Renee McGregor, a UK-based dietitian who specializes in eating disorders and athlete performance, encourages people to approach wellness trends with curiosity and skepticism. That's because some influencers and celebrities could be promoting products because there's a financial benefit for them. 'The thing to ask yourself about the person you're taking advice from is what do they gain from it?' McGregor said. 'If they are going to gain financially, then you know that they (could be willing) to sell you a lie.' Whether you want to try a new challenge or product that promises amazing results, McGregor suggests doing your research and seeking diverse perspectives, including consulting with doctors when possible. If you're the type of person who thrives on challenges and pushing your limits, this doesn't mean you need to shy away from wellness challenges altogether. But before diving in, take a step back and ask yourself if you're pursuing the challenge for the right reasons, McGregor said. Some people want to try these challenges because they believe something is missing from their life, and they're looking to attain 'worth' or receive validation, McGregor noted. A good way to assess your motivation is by considering whether the challenge will benefit your health or if it's about showcasing your accomplishments on social media or some other reason. Before trying any new trend, make sure you have the foundation to handle it and be aware of any potential risks, McGregor said. For casual runners, this might mean signing up for a 5K but building your endurance gradually while incorporating other strength training exercises into your routine. For more intense challenges, such as a marathon, McGregor encourages people to consult with professionals or a coach who can monitor your progress and condition along the way. Both McGregor and Curran emphasize the importance of fostering sustainable health habits before embarking on more extreme challenges. Rather than chasing the idea of being 'healthy,' McGregor suggests focusing on actual healthful behaviors and starting small. If you're a highly sedentary person and want to add more movement to your day, try doing lunges while brushing your teeth or taking short walks throughout your typical routine. McGregor suggests other small changes, too, including eating vegetables several times a day, basing meals around whole grains and having a handful of nuts each day. 'These are little changes that allow people to reap the rewards of brain health and physical health instead of drinking five juices a day, which is never going to be the answer to your overall health,' she said. Most importantly, wellness should be giving people pleasure, not about reaching a certain number on the scale or looking a certain way to achieve ultimate happiness, McGregor said. 'There's a lot we can do with our psychological health, and I think (we) need to realize that comparison never really benefits (us),' McGregor said. 'I think sometimes it's really important for us to be in the (moment) and rest with what's going on.'
