COVID-19 pandemic has spread across more than 180 countries with more than 4 million infected and 250,000 casualties. Covid-19 has created havoc on the national health system of all the affected countries and the economy has come almost to a standstill. People have been forced to stay in lockdowns across most of the affected nations. People who have got infected are facing a tough time and the people who are so far safe from catching it are struggling as well.

It has affected the mental health of most of the world population. People have to follow a new norm of social distancing, washing hands repeatedly. Behavioral changes required to fight this pandemic are taking a toll on mental well-being. Due to lockdowns, physical activity has reduced and that is going to harm your physical well-being.

We must be active mentally and physically in whatever possible ways. During these uncertain and equally distressing times, you need to follow all the strategies that minimize your stress levels and helps you to eliminate anxiety.

An adequate good quality sleep daily is essential for your physical and mental well-being in the normal world, with the world facing COVID-19 pandemic and its impact is adding to the anxiety and increasing stress levels for people, getting adequate amounts of good quality sleep is more important now than ever.Here are five proven tips that you should follow to have a good nights rest amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

You should set a schedule and make it a routine to help you to ease your mind. In uncertain times, following a routine is going to be of great help for your mind and body to set to a pattern and avoid anxiety and increased stress levels.You should follow a schedule for work, eating, exercising, entertainment, and most importantly sleep.You should follow good sleep hygiene, have a bedtime ritual like brushing your teeth, washing your face, applying lotion.Since most of us are at home during the lockdowns, you should not fall prey to the temptation of taking naps during the day. Daytime naps are bad for your good quality sleep during the night.

Your bedroom should serve as a perfect sleep environment that helps you to relax, helps you in reducing stress levels, and get rid of the anxiety that has been forced upon you due to pandemic.As per some sleep experts, your mind must create an association between bed and sleep. They recommend that the bedroom should only be used for sleep and intimate moments.

During pandemic forced lockdowns, if you are working from home, you should ensure that work stays out of your bedroom. Also, you should ensure that your bedroom doesnt become your entertainment zone, all the electronic gadgets like TV, laptop, gaming devices, and tablets should be kept out of the bedroom for getting good quality sleep.

Your bedroom should be cool, no external lights should pierce in and no outside noise should enter to disturb your sleep.Above all, your bedroom should have a perfect bed with a good mattress. A good mattress should be able to support your body perfectly and should be able to regulate air to keep you cool and not sweat when you are asleep. Check out this article from Sleep Standards to find the right mattress for yourself.

With you being stuck at home under the lockdown, it becomes imperative that you get enough natural light. You should ensure that you expose yourself to natural light and dont stay indoor under artificial lights. Exposure to light helps your brain to regulate your circadian rhythm so that your body follows a regular sleep cycle. As you are dealing with disruptions to your usual daily life, you should ensure that your brain is exposed to light-based cues to have a positive effect on your sleep cycle.

You should open windows, close the curtains and blinds to let the light come inside your home during the day.

One important that you need to take care of is that you should avoid exposing yourself to blue light emitted from your electronic gadgets very close to your bedtime. You should avoid using electronic devices (Laptop, cell phone, etc) at least an hour before your bedtime.

During uncertain times it becomes more vital that your mind stays calm, alert, and sharp. You should meditate and do mindfulness activity to keep stress and anxiety out. You wont be able to get a good nights rest if your mind is stressed and anxious.

Also, you should not allow challenging circumstances to throw your work-out schedule out of gear. You should ensure that you do enough exercise at home, it will also take your mind of what is happening around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staying active always helps to achieve good quality sleep during the night.

You should ensure you maintain social distancing if going out for a walk, or jog as part of your exercise routine.

You should do heavy exercises only in the morning and should only do light stretching or light exercises in the afternoon or evening.

There are lots of resources available online that should be able to guide you in meditation and exercising.

During COVID-19 pandemic forced lockdowns you have to adjust to what you can buy and what is available for you to eat. With no restaurants or bars open, you cant go out to eat or drink.

You should maintain a healthy diet that will help you to get a good nights rest.

You should be very cautious with the intake of caffeine-laden foods and drinks and, alcoholic drinks. You should avoid caffeine-laden food and drinks in the evening as they may spoil your sleep.

You should avoid binge eating as well as not having more meals than your usual intake.

The world is going through difficult times because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Being constantly at home due to lockdowns takes a toll on your mental and physical health, it is highly required that you follow these proven tips for having a good nights rest daily.

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5 proven-tips to have a good night's rest amid COVID-19 pandemic - Big Easy Magazine

Dates, a symbol of abundance and a rich source of fiber, potassium and calcium, have been the staple food of Ramadan tables ever since Prophet Muhammad advised fellow Muslims to break their fasts with the sacred fruit. Native to the Middle East and tropical and desert climates, dates have many types from sweet and fleshy Safawis and flaky yet chewy Khudris to juicy Medjools aka the "queen of dates," there is a type for everyone out there.

Besides being delicious, dates are truly a remedial reserve, especially when it comes to fasting. Thanks to their high carbohydrate content that packs a lot of energy in such a small volume, they help to quickly renew empty carbohydrate stores, suppress sugar cravings and thus help you control your appetite throughout the day.

High in body-building amino acids, vitamins A, B and C, as well as many minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc, copper and selenium, dates are truly a powerhouse of nutrients. However, they are also mostly made up of simple carbohydrates, mainly glucose and fructose, therefore like all foods, moderation is key when it comes to eating dates. Nutrition and dietetic specialist Demet Cerit of Acbadem Atakent Hospital said excessive consumption of the sweet, syrupy fruit can lead to weight gain and imbalances in blood sugar.

Consuming a portion of dates, which is just two to three pieces, 1-1.5 hours after dinner is fine though, she said but cautioned to watch out for added sugars in the form of glucose syrup, which is used to sweeten and brighten dates.

Bar diabetics and those with insulin resistance, the health benefits of dates far outweigh its naturally high sugar content. Here are a few reasons why we should eat dates regularly, according to Cerit.

Helps you feel full

Dates are fruits rich in soluble dietary fibers, especially pectin. So how does this prolong satiety? Well, these fibers, which attract water, increase the fluidity of stomach content, therefore prolonging the time it spends in the stomach and provides a feeling of fullness, Cerit said. By including food high in fiber, such as dates in your iftars and sahurs and overall diet, as well as support this fiber intake by consuming plenty of water, you will have greater control over your appetite and be fuller for longer, she added.

Supports immunity

Studies show that dates can have a stimulating effect on the immune system. This effect of dates is associated with their beta-glucan content, which is a polysaccharide, the better and more complex type of carbohydrates doctors advise we should consume. In addition, dates also contain high amounts of phenolic compounds and carotenoids (both which have great cancer-fighting properties) as well as vitamins, all of which are thought to play a role in supporting the immune system thanks to their antimicrobial effects and antioxidant properties.

Sugar cravings no more

After prolonged periods of hunger or fasting, our body directs us toward sources with high carbohydrates, namely sweet foods, so that our blood sugar can rapidly return to its normal levels and replace those empty food stores.

However, to prevent weight gain and avoid irregularities related to blood sugar, using the natural sugar content of fruits (instead of artificial sweets) to meet our needs for something sweet. With their distinctive flavor and rich sweetness, dates can be a good choice for all your dessert needs, Cerit said.

Constipation relief

Foods such as dates with high dietary fiber should have an important part in a healthy diet. To keep everything running smoothly, dieticians recommend consuming at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day. Studies have shown that upping your dietary fiber intake increases stool volume and shortens its intestinal transit time, thereby helping prevent dreaded constipation. In Ramadan, you might as well take advantage of the rich fiber content of dates to aid digestion and prevent consideration, which is a frequent and unfortunate side effect of reduced food and water consumption during this period.

Good for the heart

Dates are known as an excellent source of potassium, an essential mineral responsible for maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance in the body. Potassium is involved in ensuring neural conduction, regulating our pulse and blood pressure. Research reveals that a diet rich in potassium helps to lower blood pressure, maintain cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of stroke.

Protect against eye diseases

Dates also contain compounds that help stop age-related eye diseases from developing. Studies have shown that dates are a strong source of zeaxanthin and lutein, which are types of carotenoids present in eye tissue and have antioxidant properties. Therefore, these compounds are thought to be useful in preventing the development of cataract and macular degeneration (macula: the central part of the retina) in elderly individuals.

Nervous system and energy

Dates, which contain moderate levels of B1, vitamin B2 and niacin (B3), as well as vitamin B6, help us meet our daily vitamin B needs. The aforementioned B vitamins are involved in metabolizing carbohydrates, proteins and fats, i.e. getting energy from these nutrients. They also play an important role in the healthy functioning of the nervous system. When you are running low on these vitamins, you will most likely complain about fluctuating and decreased energy levels, weakness, fatigue and concentration problems. This is all the more important when you are fasting when brain fog is a real challenge.

Key for strong bones

When it comes to bone health, the first mineral that comes to mind is calcium. Cerit said calcium absorption is just as important as its intake.

Calcium and phosphorus are two minerals that work together to protect bone health and their absorption increases when taken together. Consuming dates, which contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as phosphorus, daily helps us improve our bone health and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, Cerit said.

Fresh or dried, eat year-round

Though the nutritional value of dates depends on their type, whether they are fresh or dried, their degree of maturity and their growing conditions, dates are nutrition superstars. Thanks to their accessibility and long shelf life, they are mostly consumed when ripe and then dried.

Stating that while fresh dates are richer in protein and phenolic compounds, they do slightly lose some antioxidants and have a higher carbohydrate content when ripe and dried, Cerit said they are still highly beneficial for our overall health and the loss is minuscule. So consume this fruit "not only in Ramadan but also year-round, both fresh and dried," she added.

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8 reasons you should be eating dates, the fruit of Ramadan year-round | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah

Baby news!Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara are expecting their first baby, and everyone wants to know: Will they raise theirbundle of joy vegan? It seems we will find out soon enough since the couple is rumored to be expecting. Reports say that their first child is duethis fall.

Page Six (our go-to site for celebrity news) reported on Monday thatMara "may be as far as six months along in her pregnancy." Phoenix and Mara went under the radar after awards show season ended and have been rarely spotted during the quarantine.We last saw the couple when Phoenix and Mara showed up at a farm in California and rescued a cow and her newborn calfnamed then Liberty and Indigo, and asked fans to fund them on the occasion of Mother's Day.

The super-privatecouple hasn't confirmed the exciting news, but Mara was seen out and aboutwearing a baggyoutfit that got the rumor mill churning. Twitter fans were immediately piecing together if The Girlwith the Dragon Tattoostar was actually pregnant or just hiding a Quarantine tummy (unlikely). One Twitter commenter said, "Rooney Mara may be pregnant but it may also simply be that she enjoys dressing like a hobo."

Phoenix and Mara started dating in 2018 and shortly after moved in together. Phoenix gushed to Vanity Fairlast Fall, "She's the only girl I ever looked up on the Internet... We were just friends, email friends. I'd never done that. Never looked up a girl online."

The couple is rumored to be engaged and noannouncement has come from their teams, but the engagement seemed to be confirmed after Mara was seen wearing aring on her engagement finger. It seems the couple will stay engaged and aren't rushing down the aisle. A source told Us Weekly, Theyre never going to get married because they think marriage is too mainstream.

Though Phoenix and Mara are known as private people, they have never been shy about their role as animal rights activists.Phoenix has been vegan since he was three-years-old andconsistently is using his platform to encourage people to ditch the dairy and go vegan.Rooney Mara, also a long-time vegan, as is her sister Kate Mara, shook the farming industry after joiningforces with Animal Equalityto expose factory farming.

Together, the couple wrote an op-ed in The Washington Postcritically raising awareness aboutwet markets in Chinaas well as inthe U.S. Phoenix got the nation's attention in his heart-wrenching Oscar acceptance speech where he asked people to consider switching from dairy to plant-based milk in their coffee and understanding the decisions we make as consumers affect the natural and animal world.

After the Oscars, Phoenix and Mara were photographed enjoying a well-deserved break at a plant-based burger joint in a rare moment of pulling the covers back on their relationship.

This past Mother's DayPhoenix and Maraurged people to"adopt the cow and calf" by funding them. We now know that Mother's Day was more special than we thought. The couple may be adopting another calf in honor of new mom, Mara next Mother's Day.

Phoenix and Mara wouldn't be the first to raise their child vegan. LisaBonnet brought up her daughter,Zoe Kravitzon a vegan diet and she stilleats"mostly plant-based." Check out the article below for more plant-based inspiration and to learn how some of your favorite stars liveand eat.

The Beet has also coveredhow to haveahealthy, plant-based pregnancy and raise a child on a vegan diet.

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Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara Expecting Their First Baby - The Beet

Not so long ago, there was an open, healthy dialogue about the way news media worked Hollywood even made movies about it with big stars, Oscar-nominated hits like Broadcast News and Absence of Malice. That was around the time that I was studying to become a journalist, and questions of bias and media ethics were openly, enthusiastically discussed.

It's barely a generation later, and we've evolved with astonishing speed from serious, probing explorations of the news media to casual (and insidious) dismissals of "fake news" an epithet that is no longer the domain of extremist, but is used with alarming frequency by centrist Americans.

There's a suspicion, championed and encouraged by the president himself, that news media are biased, and an assumption that that bias is tilted toward the left. That appears not to be true.

A scene from Broadcast News

An objective analysis of bias in the media shows the reality most mainstream news sources aren't particularly biased, and most do a good job of filtering out their individual perspectives. The problem is that the ones with the biggest audience, the ones that grab the headlines and that get shared on social media, don't have that filter.

Through the late 1990s, there were only a handful of sources for information about what was happening in the world. You could pick up your local newspaper; watch a network newscast; tune in to round-the-clock "headline news" on CNN; or listen to news radio, the primary home of conservative and liberal commentators. In the newspaper or on TV, opinion-driven editorials were clearly labeled as such.

That's not to say there weren't biased sources of information they just weren't considered mainstream "news." This landscape dominated America's information and communication network when I was studying to become a journalist. When I finally became a newspaper reporter, it was only after years of intense training to learn how to write and edit in ways that limited the encroachment of personal thinking into the news.

We were taught how to identify words, phrases, thoughts and ideas that could be misinterpreted as bias and perspective in the news we were covering. When I worked as a city-government reporter, assigned to cover hot-button issues affecting redevelopment of a medium-sized city in Florida, the newspaper I worked for ran a full-page ad in which the publisher endorsed a particular ballot measure. I was incensed; the efforts I had made to be balanced and unbiased about the issue had been undone by the paid endorsement.

Photo by Fred Kearney on

"You can be angry about this," my editor told me. "You should be angry about this. But your job is to report on what happened, not how you feel about it." I was given the task to write, as objectively as I could, about the newspaper's decision to inject itself into local politics. I talked to sources who were shocked and angry about the ad, and I talked to the publisher, who gave me his perspective.

Then we left it for the reader to decide. It was our place to tell readers what had happened, not to decide for them if it was right or wrong.

I've thought about that incident a lot lately, because it's not far off from the challenge the media continue to have: How can you be angry or sad or enthusiastic or excited about the news you see happening, yet report it fairly? How can you keep in mind that there are readers and viewers who don't share your perspectives?

Most news media rise to that challenge a daily basis. But scroll through your social-media feed and it's dominated by CNN, MSNBC, Fox News. These are the equivalent of 24-hour editorial pages, filled with hastily (often angrily) rendered opinions.

Alex Jones of Info Wars

A news diet that consists solely (or mainly) of those outlets is like a nutritional diet that exists only of fats and sugars; it's possible to live on it, but you'll end up desperately sick. And to assume all news outlets exhibit such extreme bias based on watching those news outlets is like assuming all food is unhealthy based on eating at Burger King.

Reporters are human. Because they're human they bring their own perspectives and biases to the work they do. And then, if they're well-trained as journalists, they filter out those biases. They listen. They watch. They observe and report. They question. They analyze and evaluate what is said, and find others who can counter a single voice or perspective.

Theirs is the work that everyone should seek out. "Look for the helpers," Mr. Rogers famously said about dealing with calamity. "You will always find people helping."

When it comes to journalism, look for the fact-tellers. They are at your local newspaper, at your network news affiliate, at news wire services, at network news shows. They are at websites large and small. You can usually tell their work because it is filled with quotes from sources (even anonymous ones, who are never, ever anonymous to the reporter and their editor) and with citations for the information it imparts. Their work will almost always seek multiple perspectives and opposing views. It is information that is carefully gathered and often times hard won by people who are trained to do what they do for a living.

Their facts may or may not be your truth. Whether you like the facts as they are is a different issue altogether. But if you want the best information from which to draw your own conclusions, then do as Mr. Rogers exhorted: Look for the fact-tellers. You will always find them.

J. Joseph Watson is a writer and former journalist, who has worked for daily newspapers in Ohio, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, California and Oregon. He is a graduate of the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism at the University of Southern California.

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Yes, news media bias is very real. And it's harder than ever to separate fact from fiction. - GOOD Magazine

ROME Coronavirus may push an additional 10 million of the worlds children into acute malnutrition. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that the number of young children suffering from this life-threatening form of undernutrition could increase by 20 percent as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.*

The virus can have a devastating effect on small bodies already weak from poor nutrition. At the same time, the pandemic is having a ruinous effect on vulnerable families relying on a daily wage or a remittance. COVID-related lockdowns and movement restrictions are severely undermining livelihoods, exacerbating existing threats like conflict and weak health systems, making it especially hard for families in poorer nations to afford a nutritious diet.

If we fail to act now, well face devastating loss of life, health and productivity in future generations. Getting nutrition right today will determine whether the consequences of COVID-19 for children will be felt for months, years or even decades to come, says Lauren Landis, WFPs Director of Nutrition.

This years Global Nutrition Report highlights the inequalities inherent in nutrition, with stunting and wasting being most prevalent amongst the poorest communities. Malnourished children, especially those under five years of age, are at risk of being among the primary victims of the pandemic and its socio-economic fallout.

Twenty-two million children under the age of five and pregnant and nursing mothers rely on WFP to provide them with specialised food and micronutrients for the prevention and treatment of malnutrition. WFP is working with governments to monitor populations vulnerable to COVID-19, adapting nutrition support where required. WFP is also working to ensure production of specialized nutritious foods is not disrupted by trade restrictions and is using its deep-field presence to pass information on COVID-19 to communities beyond the reach of fragile health systems.

WFP is ready to scale up its response to prevent and treat acute malnutrition and improve nutritious diets of children but urgently needs US$300 million to do so.

Acute malnutrition is caused by inadequate food consumption or illness, or both, resulting in sudden weight loss that, if untreated, can lead to death.

For an interview with WFPs Director of Nutrition, email Ljubica: ljubica.vujadinovic@wfp.org

Nutrition-related content available:

* WFP projections indicate acute malnutrition in children under five could rise by 20% due to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on food security. This number is a result of food insecurity alone. Impacts from the closure of health facilities will increase the rates even further.

# # #

The United Nations World Food Programme is the worlds largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

Follow us on Twitter @wfp_media

For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):

Isheeta Sumra, WFP/ Rome, Tel. +39 347 1814398

Bettina Luescher WFP/ Berlin, Mob. +49 160. 9926 1730Elisabeth Byrs, WFP/ Geneva, Mob. +41 79 842 8057

Jane Howard, WFP/ London, Mob. +44 (0)796 8008 474Shaza Moghraby, WFP/New York, Mob. + 1 929 289 9867

Steve Taravella, WFP/ Washington, Mob. +1 202 770 5993

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Coronavirus threatens global surge in malnutrition, jeopardizing future of an extra 10 million children - World - ReliefWeb

Quade Cooper has revealed he and ex-All Black Sonny Bill Williams are only tucking into steak and oysters to keep themselves in top shape.

Getty-Images

Quade Cooper and Jack McInnes trade blows during their heavyweight bout at Adelaide Oval on February 3, 2017 in Adelaide.

Former Wallaby Cooper, who is now contracted to Japanese club Kintestu Liners in the Top League competition, said he and Williams have spent the last eight months ignoring vegetables, fruits and carbohydrates because they are trying a diet that better suits their requirements.

And Cooper, who previously represented the Melbourne Rebels and the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby, reckons hes in the best shape of his life.

The 32-year-old, who like Williams is also a handy pugilist, told the Daily Telegraph he wouldn't recommend the diet for everyone but believes its doing the trick for him as he prepares for another season playing rugby in Japan.

Getty-Images

Quade Cooper of the Rebels gets tackled during a Super Rugby match against the Chiefs last year.

"I'm no expert in this field, this is my science, it's what works for me," Cooper told the Daily Telegraph.

"Others might try it and say, 'It's not for me'.

"I've been on the carnivore diet for eight months, before that I wasn't a full vegan but I was trying to eat healthy like that, trying to stay low on my meat and eat more veggies, no dairy.

Getty-Images

Quade Cooper congratulates Sonny Bill Williams after winning his fight against Francois Botha in their heavyweight bout at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 2013.

"But I felt like I got quite lean but also soft in my muscles. Although I was training really hard, anytime I'd take contact I'd find I was getting hurt.

"Now I've combined this diet with pre-hab, looking after my body before I get on the field, before I leave the house, that has been a game-changer.

"The way I feel physically and mentally right now, it's much better than 2016 or 2017. It's a good feeling to know the things you're doing and put time and effort into are paying off.

"This is just how I eat now."

While Cooper is contracted to play in Japan, Williams is locked into a deal with Canadian rugby club the Toronto Wolfpack.

Both men are renowned for their work ethic in the gym, and Cooper often posts photos of his trim physique on social media.

Getty-Images

Quade Cooper is tackled while representing the Rebels against the Sunwolves at Prince Chichibu Memorial Ground in Tokyo in 2017.

Cooper is no stranger to controversy, and accepted people will have their opinions about the diet he has committed himself to.

That's what I say to a lot of the boys that ask me about diet, I'm in no place to be giving advice, this is just what I do, and what works for me," Cooper told the Daily Telegraph.

"I've been in professional sport for 15 years, I've gone through stages where I'm only eating what our dietician says and I didn't feel great, feeling bloated and getting reflux.

"I've tried being vegan three times a week, vegetarian three times a week, tried eating normal, then I've gone no carbs, I've played around with certain things and found out what's worked best for me at the moment.

"I've really enjoyed the benefits of this meat diet. It does seem strange to a lot of people because what we're told is normal 'eat vegetables otherwise you can't digest your food' I've had no problems whatsoever."

Quade Cooper's daily menu:

7am: Bulletproof coffee (2 cups of coffee, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 tablespoon of MCT oil)

9am: Sip bone broth throughout workout

10.30am: Two rib-eye steaks with salt and butter

6pm: 800 gram tomahawk steak with roasted bone marrow, a dozen oysters.

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Quade Cooper and Sonny Bill Williams' bold new diet regime - Stuff.co.nz