{"id":474,"date":"2017-12-20T00:00:06","date_gmt":"2017-12-20T04:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/?p=474"},"modified":"2017-12-20T00:11:49","modified_gmt":"2017-12-20T04:11:49","slug":"newsletter-20","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/newsletter-20\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #20"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"No holiday theme in this December issue, only a collection of the best finds from the past two weeks, including a crisis text line using big data, the power of touch for men, and the importance of an emotional breakdown. Listen in on the history and science behind chiropractors, and read a thorough, beautifully told explanation on a young generation in trouble. And as always, a few digs and an update from the road.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 selected words<\/h1>\n

A Crisis Text Line Using Big Data<\/a><\/h2>\n

“Successful talk therapists adapt their therapy to the patient”. This is the approach of the Crisis Text Line, a non-profit providing crisis intervention 24 hours a day via text. Teaming up with researchers at Stanford, the data from over 56 million texts is analyzed to determine why some counselors are more effective than others. The anonymity and availability of texting \u2014 you don’t need to find a quiet private space to pick up a phone as with a crisis hot line \u2014 has the organization growing to 3,700 volunteers in four years, and they’re looking to expand to 17 countries.
\nnytimes.com (8min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Power of Touch, Especially for Men<\/a><\/h2>\n

Non-sexual human touch is becoming so rare amongst men that for many, it’s nearly obsolete. Touch-starved men are the main reason why the professional cuddling industry exists. But the benefits of non-sexual touch are backed by science \u2014 reduced stress, lower blood pressure and an elevated immune system \u2014 and it all comes for free, if only it were safe to ask. How can men overcome this hunger that’s been conditioned out of them by their upbringing and culture?
\nnytimes.com (6min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Handling Emotions During a Difficult Conversation<\/a><\/h2>\n

When a conversation turns into an argument, your body reacts like there’s a threat \u2014 it goes into fight-or-flight mode and becomes stressed \u2014 which makes it even more difficult time to articulate your thoughts and have a thoughtful conversation. Here are five tips to interrupt this response to keep a clear head the next time a conversation escalates.
\nHarvard Business Review hbr.org (9min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Importance of Having a Breakdown<\/a><\/h2>\n

“One of the great problems of human beings is that we\u2019re far too good at keeping going. We\u2019re experts at surrendering to the demands of the external world, living up to what is expected of us and getting on with the priorities as others around us define them. We keep showing up and being an excellent boy or girl \u2013 and we can pull this magical feat off for up to decades at a time, without so much as an outward twitch or crack. Until, suddenly, one day, much to everyone\u2019s surprise, including our own, we break”. From Alain de Botton’s The School of Life’s project, the Book of Life.
\nthebookoflife.org (4min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

How a Medical Student\u2019s Notes Made Her an Online Sensation<\/a><\/h2>\n

Sketchnoting is an easily learned skill, even for the self-proclaimed “non-artistic” (which there is no such thing). The process of active listening combined with handwriting improves memory. In her second year of medical school with a push from her friends, Sarah Clifford began sharing her colorful notes, and within a year she’d have thousands following her illustrations. She still illustrates, today, and has over 70,000 followers.
\ninews.co.uk (3min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 listen in<\/h1>\n

Chiropractors – All They’re Cracked Up to Be?<\/a><\/h2>\n

The legend goes like this: “DD Palmer met this janitor\u2026 who was hard of hearing, and also this had hump on his back. DD Palmer thought that he could help. So he pushed the janitor\u2019s back with this big thrust!! And a few days later, the guy came back with some very curious news.” He would later be known as the founder of chiropractics, combining his manual manipulation practice with a background in magnetic healing. The podcast giants at Gimlet talk to a chiropractor, physical therapist, neurophysiologist to examine the science behind the practice, looking at the existing literature to come to a controversial conclusion.
\nGimlet’s Science vs (32min podcast)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 eat well<\/h1>\n

Ginger Cashew Cauliflower<\/a><\/h2>\n

A vegetarian take on the Chinese classic Cashew Chicken, using traditional ingredients like ginger and garlic with tamari and pineapple.
\nVegKitchen.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 read slow<\/h1>\n

Millennials Are Screwed<\/a><\/h2>\n

Entitlement. Laziness. Addicted to technology. You’ve read a few articles on the plight of millennials, but this could be the most thorough, cogent explanation. This generation is unlike any other \u2014\u00a0 unaffordable housing combined with historically low interest rates and job prospects \u2014 no wonder more millennials live with their parents than with roommates. If anything, scroll through for the stellar production value (mobile friendly), combining a beautiful 8-bit design and presentation of statistics with a well-researched macro view of the issue for an explanation why those born between 1982 and 2004 face the scariest financial future of any generation since the Great Depression. Presented by Huffington Post’s Highline, an online magazine self-described as “only running cover stories”.
\nHighline on HuffingtonPost.com (40min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 current read<\/h1>\n

Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed<\/a><\/h2>\n

Sugar, the once-anonymous online advice columnist for the literary website The Rumpus, went viral after a reader asked the short question “Dear Sugar, WTF? WTF? WTF? I’m asking this question as it applies to everything every day.” The column is no longer active, but the writer was revealed to be Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild, the #1 New York Times bestseller for seven weeks and movie starring Reese Witherspoon. A compilation of the best, most raw and vulnerable questions with Strayed’s responses, rich with honesty, wisdom and humor.
\nTiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar on GoodReads (304p book)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 dig this<\/h1>\n

What I’m digging lately:<\/p>\n