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AP Business SummaryBrief at 1:27 p.m. ESTFor many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the . That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. 1. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). 2. Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. 3. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. 4. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." 5. Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. 6. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about." covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved.The world stands at the dawn of a “third nuclear age” in which Britain is threatened by multiple dilemmas, the head of the armed forces has warned. But alongside his stark warning of the threats facing Britain and its allies, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said there would be only a “remote chance” Russia would directly attack or invade the UK if the two countries were at war. The Chief of the Defence Staff laid out the landscape of British defence in a wide-ranging speech, after a minister warned the Army would be wiped out in as little as six months if forced to fight a war on the scale of the Ukraine conflict. The admiral cast doubt on the possibility as he gave a speech at the Royal United Services Institute (Rusi) defence think tank in London. He told the audience Britain needed to be “clear-eyed in our assessment” of the threats it faces, adding: “That includes recognising that there is only a remote chance of a significant direct attack or invasion by Russia on the United Kingdom, and that’s the same for the whole of Nato.” Moscow “knows the response will be overwhelming”, he added, but warned the nuclear deterrent needed to be “kept strong and strengthened”. Sir Tony added: “We are at the dawn of a third nuclear age, which is altogether more complex. It is defined by multiple and concurrent dilemmas, proliferating nuclear and disruptive technologies and the almost total absence of the security architectures that went before.” He listed the “wild threats of tactical nuclear use” by Russia, China building up its weapon stocks, Iran’s failure to co-operate with a nuclear deal, and North Korea’s “erratic behaviour” among the threats faced by the West. But Sir Tony said the UK’s nuclear arsenal is “the one part of our inventory of which Russia is most aware and has more impact on (President Vladimir) Putin than anything else”. Successive British governments had invested “substantial sums of money” in renewing nuclear submarines and warheads because of this, he added. The admiral described the deployment of thousands of North Korean soldiers on Ukraine’s border alongside Russian forces as the year’s “most extraordinary development”. He also signalled further deployments were possible, speaking of “tens of thousands more to follow as part of a new security pact with Russia”. Defence minister Alistair Carns earlier said a rate of casualties similar to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would lead to the army being “expended” within six to 12 months. He said it illustrated the need to “generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis”. In comments reported by Sky News, Mr Carns, a former Royal Marines colonel, said Russia was suffering losses of around 1,500 soldiers killed or injured a day. “In a war of scale – not a limited intervention, but one similar to Ukraine – our Army for example, on the current casualty rates, would be expended – as part of a broader multinational coalition – in six months to a year,” Mr Carns said in a speech at Rusi. He added: “That doesn’t mean we need a bigger Army, but it does mean you need to generate depth and mass rapidly in the event of a crisis.” Official figures show the Army had 109,245 personnel on October 1, including 25,814 volunteer reservists. Mr Carns, the minister for veterans and people, said the UK needed to “catch up with Nato allies” to place greater emphasis on the reserves. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Defence Secretary John Healey had previously spoken about “the state of the armed forces that were inherited from the previous government”. The spokesman said: “It’s why the Budget invested billions of pounds into defence, it’s why we’re undertaking a strategic defence review to ensure that we have the capabilities and the investment needed to defend this country.”
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In the latest quarter, 6 analysts provided ratings for California Resources CRC , showcasing a mix of bullish and bearish perspectives. The table below summarizes their recent ratings, showcasing the evolving sentiments within the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 4 1 1 0 0 Last 30D 1 0 0 0 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 2 1 1 0 0 3M Ago 1 0 0 0 0 The 12-month price targets, analyzed by analysts, offer insights with an average target of $66.83, a high estimate of $74.00, and a low estimate of $57.00. This current average has increased by 9.56% from the previous average price target of $61.00. Breaking Down Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Examination The standing of California Resources among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target David Deckelbaum TD Cowen Raises Buy $74.00 $65.00 Michael Schwartz Jefferies Announces Buy $64.00 - Mike Scialla Stephens & Co. Announces Overweight $73.00 - Josh Silverstein UBS Announces Buy $68.00 - Betty Jiang Barclays Raises Equal-Weight $57.00 $55.00 Scott Gruber Citigroup Raises Buy $65.00 $63.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: In response to dynamic market conditions and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their reaction to recent developments related to California Resources. This insight gives a snapshot of analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of California Resources compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance. Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into California Resources's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on California Resources analyst ratings. Delving into California Resources's Background California Resources Corp is an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company operating properties exclusively within California. It provides affordable and reliable energy in a safe and responsible manner, to support and enhance the quality of life of Californians and the local communities in which the company operates. It has some of the lowest carbon intensity production in the United States and is focused on maximizing the value of its land, mineral, and technical resources for decarbonization by developing carbon capture and storage (CCS) and other emissions-reducing projects. Financial Insights: California Resources Market Capitalization Perspectives: The company's market capitalization falls below industry averages, signaling a relatively smaller size compared to peers. This positioning may be influenced by factors such as perceived growth potential or operational scale. Revenue Growth: California Resources's remarkable performance in 3 months is evident. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved an impressive revenue growth rate of 51.38% . This signifies a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company surpassed expectations with a growth rate higher than the average among peers in the Energy sector. Net Margin: California Resources's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 34.85% . This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health. Return on Equity (ROE): California Resources's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 12.43% . This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): California Resources's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 5.94% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns. Debt Management: California Resources's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of 0.35 . The Basics of Analyst Ratings Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter. In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.LAGOS, PORTUGAL — He's all too aware of the risks, but the chance to circle the globe in his little homemade boat has Dan Turk more excited than apprehensive about his next epic voyage. "There's a huge amount of adventure involved. There are so many places to go see and explore, and to learn the cultures of all these different countries. That's a big part of it," the Thunder Bay teacher said this week in an interview from Portugal. "I enjoy sailing, too. So getting to these destinations by boat, and the fact I built this boat, is pretty novel as well." Turk developed a love for sailing on Lake Superior where he honed his talents in weekly races organized by the Thunder Bay Yacht Club. Now he is the only Canadian and one of just two North Americans, accepted for the inaugural 28,000-mile Mini Globe Race that starts in Antigua in February 2025 and finishes on the same Caribbean island in 2026. All 15 entrants will be racing in plywood mini-yachts built to the exact same specifications. Turk has already sailed his 5.8 metre hand-built Little Bea by himself from Halifax to Portugal. That 2023 voyage took only six weeks, a far cry from the upcoming around-the-world expedition that will keep him on the water for over a year. Prior to the main event, he and the others in the Mini Globe Race will embark on a qualifying journey – Transat 2024 – from Portugal to Antigua, a few days after Christmas. "I feel pretty good," Turk told Newswatch. "If I showed you down the dock, there's a couple of people panicking right now because they're just not ready. They're still in construction mode, so I'm feeling good about it, and I'm the only one of the fleet that's leaving here that has crossed the Atlantic (already). So in theory, I have more ocean miles in this boat than anyone in the fleet." Despite that potential advantage, he acknowledged "there are some really good sailors here, so there's some really good competition. Hopefully they just haven't figured out their boat yet. Maybe I have an advantage over them...We'll see what happens." Besides finding out last year how Little Bea handled the ocean, Turk learned a little more about what to take and what not to take on a long voyage. "I had physical books with me. I read five books last summer. But now I have a Kindle, so I don't have to carry all those heavy books. My meal preparation was pretty good, but I think I might just modify a few things, bring some more fresh fruit at the beginning, stuff that's ripe and stuff that will ripen in four or five days. That extends the fresh food I bring on board for maybe up to 10 days as opposed to eating freeze-dried food for the whole duration." Turk is also taking exceptional care to reduce the risk of misadventure while preparing as best he can for worst-case scenarios. "I need to stay on the boat. I need to make sure I'm nourished, I need to keep myself hydrated, and I need to get proper sleep. There's the things I need to do for long-term longevity, I guess." Keeping an eye out for changes in weather conditions will be a constant priority. "I don't really want to have to go through a storm in a boat like this. But the problem is because it's such a small boat, it doesn't go very fast, and I can't avoid anything big that I don't know about early enough. So if there is something like that, I have to deploy my storm tactics and ride it out, close the hatches, and hang on." Little Bea is equipped with multiple satellite-based communication devices to enable Turk to stay in touch with the outside world including his family and his personal race manager. A GoFundMe campaign has been organized to help cover his costs. Contributions may also support Turk's not-for-profit initiative, Sailing into STEM, which provides opportunities for youth to learn science, technology, engineering and math through the platform of sailing.
The market is entering the final two trading days of 2024, and stocks are set to post another strong year of gains. The Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ) once again led the charge in 2024, rising more than 30% thus far while the S&P 500 ( ^GSPC ) has risen over 25%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI ) is up a more modest 14%. A holiday-shortened trading week with limited news on the docket is expected to greet investors in the final trading week of the year. Markets will be closed for New Year's Day on Wednesday, and no major companies are slated to report quarterly results. In economic data, updates on housing prices and sales, as well as a a look at activity in the manufacturing sector, are expected to highlight a subdued week of releases. Markets are three days into the highly anticipated "Santa Claus" rally , which is statistically one of the most consistent seven-day positive stretches of the year for the S&P 500 . But stocks have not been in the holiday spirit. All three major averages sold off Friday, with the Nasdaq falling nearly 1.5%. Since 1950, the S&P 500 has risen 1.3% during the seven trading days beginning Dec. 24, well above the typical seven-day average of 0.3%, according to LPL Financial chief technical strategist Adam Turnquist. History has shown that if Santa does come and the S&P 500 posts a positive return during the time period, then January is typically a positive month for the benchmark index and the rest of the year averages a 10.4% return. When the S&P 500 is negative during that time frame, January usually doesn't end in the green, and the return for the upcoming full year averages just 5%, per Turnquist. Three days into this year's Santa Claus period, which will close on Friday, Jan. 3, the S&P 500 is down less than 0.1% While history may be flashing a warning sign, it's notable that last year the Santa Claus rally didn't materialize. January started poorly too. Still, the S&P 500 is still set to end the year up more than 20%. As markets have digested the Federal Reserve's recent message that interest rates may remain higher for longer than investors had hoped, bond yields have been soaring. The 10-year Treasury yield ( ^TNX ) is up more than 40 basis points in December alone. Hovering right above 4.6%, the 10-year is at its highest level in about seven months and in the territory where equity strategists believe higher rates could begin to weigh on stock performance. "I think 4.5% or higher on the 10-year gets problematic for the markets more broadly," Piper Sandler chief investment strategist Michael Kantrowitz said in a recent video sent to clients. Kantrowitz further clarified in an interview with Yahoo Finance's Market Domination that any incoming economic data that sends rates lower could be a welcome sign for stocks. "In the last couple of years, really markets have only gone down because of rising interest rate or inflation fears," Kantrowitz said on Dec. 18. "And I think that's the new normal that going forward. Market corrections are going to come from higher rates, not slower growth or higher unemployment." Despite the recent drawdown in markets since the Fed meeting on Dec. 18, the setup heading into 2025 "has really not changed," Citi US equity strategist Scott Chronert wrote in a note to clients on Friday. Stock valuations remain high. Earnings are expected to grow about 15% year over year for the S&P 500, per FactSet data, creating a "high bar" to impress investors. US economic growth is largely expected to remain resilient. "In aggregate, investors appear bulled up on US equities," Chronert wrote. This has pushed market sentiment, as measured by Citi's Levkovich Index, increasingly higher. The Levkovich Index, which takes into account investors' short positions and leverage, among other factors, to determine market sentiment, currently sits at a reading of 0.62, above the euphoria line of 0.38, where the likelihood of positive forward returns is typically lower as the market appears stretched. For now, this isn't shaking Chronert's overall confidence in the US equity market. He noted that the "fundamentals" that have driven the market rally remain intact. But strategists argue that stretched sentiment and valuations do put the market rally on thinner ice should a catalyst that challenges the bull thesis for 2025 emerge. "Overall, this setup, plus the lack of real correction in some time, does leave the market more susceptible to increasing bouts of volatility," Chronert wrote. "If the fundamental story holds, we would be buyers of first half pullbacks in the S&P 500." Weekly Calendar Monday Economic data: MNI Chicago PMI, December (42.8 expected, 40.2 prior); Pending home sales month-over-month, November (0.9% expected, 2% prior); Dallas Fed manufacturing activity, December (-1.5 prior, -2.7 prior) Earnings: No notable earnings. Tuesday Economic data: S&P CoreLogic 20-City year-over-year, October (+4.11% expected, +4.57% prior); Dallas Fed Services Activity, December (9.8 prior) Earnings: No notable earnings. Wednesday Markets are closed for New Year's Day. Thursday Economic data: MBA mortgage applications, week ending Dec. 20 & week ending Dec. 27, Initial jobless claims, week ending Dec. 28 (219,000 expected); S&P Global US manufacturing PMI, December final (48.3 expected, 48.3 prior); Construction spending month-over-month, November (+0.3% expected, +0.4% prior) Earnings: No notable earnings. Friday Economic calendar: ISM manufacturing, December (48.3 prior, 48.4 prior); ISM prices paid, December (50.3 prior) Earnings: No notable earnings. Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer . Click here for in-depth analysis of the latest stock market news and events moving stock prices . Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo FinanceChris Selley: We can’t advertise our way to better Canada-U.S. relations
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How Chinese science and technology has influenced the West ... and vice versaU.S. stock futures opened little changed on Tuesday night as traders await the release of the Federal Reserve's favorite inflation gauge. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 20 points, or 0.04%. Meanwhile, S&P 500 futures also inched 0.04% higher, while Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.03%. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are In other corporate news, several companies released their quarterly results. Dell Technologies tumbled 10% in extended trading as the company issued a disappointing forecast for the current quarter. Looking toward Wednesday, the personal consumption expenditures price index (PCE) is set for release at 10:00 a.m. ET. Economists polled by Dow Jones expect a year-over-year increase of 2.8% for the core reading , which excludes food and energy. Investors will look through the data for indications on how the Fed may proceed on its rate policy at its upcoming December meeting. Indeed, the Fed issued the meetings from its November meeting on Tuesday. While central bank officials said they anticipate more interest rate cuts coming down the pike, they said the pace of cuts would happen "gradually." "I think they'll cut again [in December]," Stephen Stanley, Santander U.S. Capital Markets chief U.S. economist, told CNBC's " Power Lunch ." "I think they feel like they're still pretty far away from neutral, so they feel like they still have some distance to go and they'd like to get another notch in their belt on that." Other key inflation data out on Wednesday include personal income and consumer spending for October. That's also scheduled to be released at 10:00 a.m. ET. It's also a shortened trading week in the U.S., with the market dark for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and then set to close early Friday. Trading volume is anticipated to remain light. Even still, stocks finished in the green across the three major averages on Tuesday. Both the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average reached fresh intraday and closing highs. Small-cap benchmark takes a breather but remains on track for big November gains It was a less-than-stellar session for the Russell 2000 , as it clipped a six-day winning run on Tuesday. The small-cap index lagged the three major averages, slumping about 0.7%, while the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to fresh record closes. Nevertheless, the Russell 2000 is enjoying a strong November, as investors have snapped up cyclical stocks since Donald Trump won a second term in the White House earlier this month. The Russell is on track for a 10.4% jump month to date, besting the 5.5% gain the S&P 500 is carrying this month. The small-cap benchmark has also topped the Nasdaq Composite 's nearly 6% advance in November and the Dow's 7.4% jump. — Darla Mercado, Chris Hayes Dell Technologies, Workday among the names making moves in overnight trading Some stocks are making big moves in extended trading: Read here for the full list. — Sean Conlon Stock futures are little changed Stock futures opened little changed on Tuesday evening. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 20 points, or 0.04%. S&P 500 futures likewise moved 0.04% higher, while Nasdaq-100 futures fell 0.03%. — Sean ConlonMiles Johns reveals frustration after Cody Garbrandt fight cancellation: ‘I just hope he’s happy with his decisions’
Lea en español For many people, this time of year is all about the shopping. And there's a fair chance many feel less than joyful about the prospect. If fulfilling your lengthy list feels overwhelming, learning what brain science and evolutionary psychology say about shopping and gift-giving might help you understand exactly why you're stressed – and even point you toward a healthier, happier holiday season. Our reactions are encoded into our nervous system, said Dr. Beth Frates, a part-time associate professor in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "By understanding these brain responses, people can develop strategies to manage stress better, such as setting realistic expectations, focusing on mindfulness and simplifying holiday preparations," said Frates, who also is the immediate past president of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine. The idea of exchanging gifts at this time of year can be traced back to pagan solstice celebrations. But the drive to share with another is as old as humanity itself, said Dr. Diego Guevara Beltran, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at the University of Arizona in Tucson who studies cooperation and generosity. The science of generosity is more about survival than stocking stuffers, Guevara Beltran said. Sharing food gave early humans an evolutionary advantage. "Generosity is just one of the ways by which we can accumulate resources, be it wealth itself or friendships or work partners or more attractive, more intelligent mates," he said. Sharing with other people, Guevara Beltran said, is "a signal that communicates how much you value them, their welfare, your relationship with them." Research has shown that helping people makes us feel good. Part of that, he said, is because when someone is part of a community, they feel protected. One way this manifests is through the act of giving gifts. But to derive happiness from gift-giving, the giver needs to feel both that it was not an obligation and that it was effective, according to the 2019 World Happiness Report . That means it could be stressful to be in a culture where gift-giving feels mandatory, or if we can't see that a gift helped someone, Guevara Beltran speculated. It also might be stressful if gift-giving becomes a competition to show that you care about somebody more than the others around them. Our brains on shopping Stressful shopping can cause several physiological responses to kick in, Frates said. First is the "fight or flight" reaction that comes with stress. The release of chemicals that increase our heart rate, raise our blood pressure and intensify our breathing evolved to give us bursts of energy to escape danger. Frates said that while holiday stressors are not life-threatening, they can still trigger the stress response. The pressure to stay within budget could create a sense of scarcity, she said. "This taps into an evolutionary response, where the fear of losing resources like money can feel urgent and distressing." The holiday season also involves a lot of choices. "The brain has limited capacity for decision-making, and making multiple decisions can lead to decision fatigue," Frates said. "This fatigue reduces the ability to self-regulate and cope, which can lead to heightened stress responses when confronted with even minor setbacks, like a long line or out-of-stock item." The stress of needing to complete tasks within a limited time can intensify the fight-or-flight response, she said, as the brain interprets the ticking clock as a sense of urgency or threat. Meanwhile, Frates said, holiday shopping can also trigger brain chemicals that affect our feelings. "Dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward, is released when we anticipate something exciting or enjoyable, like finding a great gift or finding a good deal," she said. "This anticipation can feel rewarding even before any actual purchase is made." For some people, this dopamine boost can make shopping a relaxing experience. "It provides a temporary distraction from other stressors and allows them to focus on something positive, creating a 'holiday high,'" Frates said. For some people, that can be problematic. "When shopping becomes a way to chase that next dopamine hit, it can lead to excessive spending or impulsive purchases," she said. "This can become a trap, particularly during the holidays, when deals, sales and gift-giving pressures are everywhere." Understanding how all these processes work can help people recognize why they feel the way they do and adopt strategies to cope, Frates said. Here are some of her suggestions. 1. Start with self-care before shopping Prioritizing self-care means people can be their best selves and make good decisions, Frates said. So, "eat food that is delicious and nutritious. Get seven to nine hours of sleep. Make sure to enjoy physical activity. Take walks when you can and invite friends along. Practice stress reduction like meditation or yoga to help you calm your body and mind." Before going shopping, try taking deep breaths using stress-relieving techniques such as 4-7-8 breathing (inhale through your nose for four counts, hold for seven counts, and exhale through your mouth for eight) or box breathing (inhale through the nose for four counts, hold your breath for four, exhale for four, then hold for four). 2. Be strategic Don't shop when you're hungry, tired, lonely or stressed, Frates said. And don't start shopping 15 minutes before a store closes or a website's online deals end, she said. That's setting yourself up for triggering the fight-or-flight response. 3. Be mindful Before making a purchase, take a moment to consider whether it's truly needed or whether it's an impulsive choice. To avoid overindulging, set a specific budget or limit yourself to a couple of hours or specific shopping days. "This keeps dopamine-driven spending in check while still allowing for the enjoyable aspects of holiday shopping," Frates said. Look for post-shopping activities that provide rewards without the financial cost. That can satisfy your brain's desire for more dopamine in a healthier way. "Plan enjoyable, stress-relieving activities after shopping, like going for a walk, spending time with friends or indulging in a hobby," she said. 4. Bring a friend Not only does this support healthy social connections, Frates said, but if things start feeling stressful, "you have a buddy, and you have a support system right there for you." 5. Rethink the focus of the season "With gift-giving, we need to change mindsets in order to be able to manage the stress," Frates said. The holidays could be used to emphasize social connections, she said. "Thinking about the connection with the person and making gift-giving more about deepening the connection than anything else, I think, will really help to reduce the stress around the process," she said. So instead of scouring shops and websites for the "perfect" gift, think about making a meaningful and personal one, she suggested. It could be a poem, a painting, a song or a framed photograph that captured a special time. 6. Lessons for children It's easy to get caught up in the hunt for a hard-to-get item, Frates said. But ask yourself what the holiday means in your family's traditions. "Is it about getting that perfect gift for the child? Or is it about celebrating the meaning of that holiday?" So instead of having children ask for one specific toy, or a specific brand of clothing, teach them to leave a little leeway on their lists. "It is a good reminder to express to children that this season is about giving and sharing what we can in the best way that we can," she said, "and sometimes the exact gift is not available." Encouraging such an attitude can be a tall order, Frates said, but it's a place to start. "A simple mindset shift could be the difference between a stressful holiday shopping season or a joyful journey to find meaningful gifts for people you care about." American Heart Association News covers heart and brain health. Not all views expressed in this story reflect the official position of the American Heart Association. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Sign up here to get the latest health & fitness updates in your inbox every week!Lucknow: UP STF on Wednesday arrested three men involved in opening fraudulent corporate accounts and selling them to conmen, who in turn used them for cyber fraud . ASP, STF, Vishal Vikram Singh, stated that the account opened through the arrested men were used by conmen involved in the digital arrest of Dr Ashok Solanki in Lucknow, who lost Rs 48 lakh in the scam on Aug 20 this year. In all, the gang had orchestrated scams worth crores. The group has links with Cambodian operatives, said STF officials, who claimed that members were trained in " digital arrests " by Chinese gangs operating from Cambodia. In recent months, the group defrauded Rs 8 crore from a Noida hotel and siphoned additional amounts from Jaipur, Delhi, and Kerala through corporate accounts. Shyam Singh, 27, Harshal Kumar, 33, and Puneet Sharma, 25, all residents of Delhi, were arrested from Agra Expressway in Lucknow. Earlier, in Nov, STF had arrested seven people, including five from Gurugram and two from Lucknow in the similar case. The gang had called Dr Solanki of Vikasnagar on Aug 20, giving him information about a courier coming from Iran in his name containing drugs and illegal documents. After posing as a crime branch officer, they made him talk to a partner, digitally arrested him for two days, and cheated him of Rs 48 lakh. One of the accused, Shyam, revealed during interrogation that in Feb 2024, he was contacted by Karan alias Nagesh through a Telegram group. Karan offered him work on gaming, scamming, mixing, and stocks through WhatsApp calls. Karan alias Nagesh was arrested recently, the STF said.
ATLANTA (AP) — President Joe Biden's administration announced Tuesday that the U.S. Department of Energy will make a $6.6 billion loan to Rivian Automotive to build a factory in Georgia that had stalled as the startup electric vehicle maker struggled to become profitable. It's unclear whether the administration can complete the loan before Donald Trump becomes president again in less than two months, or whether the Trump administration might try to claw the money back. Trump previously vowed to end federal electric vehicle tax credits , which are worth up to $7,500 for new zero-emission vehicles and $4,000 for used ones. Rivian made a splash when it went public and began producing large electric R1 SUVs, pickup trucks and delivery vans at a former Mitsubishi factory in Normal, Illinois, in 2021. Months later, the California-based company announced it would build a second, larger, $5 billion plant about 40 miles (64 kilometers) east of Atlanta, near the town of Social Circle. The R1 vehicles cost $70,000 or more. The company plans to produce R2 vehicles, a smaller SUV, in Georgia with lower price tags aimed at a mass market. The first phase of Rivian’s Georgia factory is projected to make 200,000 vehicles a year, with a second phase capable of another 200,000 a year. Eventually, the plant is projected to employ 7,500 workers. But Rivian was unable to meet production and sales targets and rapidly burned through cash. In March, the company said it would pause construction of the Georgia plant. The company said it would begin assembling its R2 SUV in Illinois instead. CEO RJ Scaringe said the move would allow Rivian to start selling the R2 sooner and save $2.25 billion in capital spending. Since then, German automaker Volkswagen AG said in June it would invest $5 billion in Rivian in a joint venture in which Rivian would share software and electrical technology with Volkswagen. The money eased Rivian's cash crunch. Tuesday's announcement throws a lifeline to Rivian's grander plans. The company said its plans to make the R2 and the smaller R3 in Georgia are back on and that production will begin in 2028. “This loan would enable Rivian to more aggressively scale our U.S. manufacturing footprint for our competitively priced R2 and R3 vehicles that emphasize both capability and affordability,” Scaringe said in a statement. The Energy Department said the loan would substantially boost electric vehicles made in the United States and support Biden’s goal of having zero-emission vehicles make up half of all new U.S. sales by 2030. “As one of a few American EV startups with light duty vehicles already on the road, Rivian’s Georgia facility will allow the company to reach production volumes that make its products more cost competitive and accelerate access to international markets,” the department said in a statement. The loan includes $6 billion, plus $600 million in interest that will be rolled into the principal. The money would come from the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, which provides low-interest loans to make fuel-efficient vehicles and components. The program has focused mostly on loans to new battery factories for electric vehicles under Biden, but earlier helped finance initial production of the Tesla Model S and Nissan Leaf, two pioneering electric vehicles. The loan program, created in 2007, requires a "reasonable prospect of repayment" of the loan. Under Biden, the program has announced deals totaling $33.3 billion, including $9.2 billion for massive battery plants in Tennessee and Kentucky for Ford’s electric vehicles. Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff , who has been a vocal supporter of electric vehicle and solar manufacturing in Georgia, hailed Tuesday's announcement as “yet another historic federal investment in Georgia electric vehicle manufacturing.” Ossoff had asked Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm to support the loan in July. “Our federal manufacturing incentives are driving economic development across the state of Georgia,” Ossoff said in a statement. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says his goal is to make Georgia a center of the electric vehicle industry. But the Republican has had a strained relationship with the Biden administration over its industrial policy, even as some studies have found Georgia has netted more electric vehicle investment than any other state. Kemp has long claimed that manufacturers were picking Georgia before Biden's signature climate law, the Inflation Reduction Act, was passed. Efforts to bring Rivian to Georgia predated the Biden administration and "our shared vision to bring opportunity to Georgia will remain no matter who resides in the White House or what party controls Congress,” Kemp spokesperson Garrison Douglas said Tuesday. The loan to Rivian could rescue one of the Kemp administration's signature economic development projects even as Biden leaves office. That could put Rivian and Kemp in the position of defending the loan if Trump tries to quash it. State and local governments offered Rivian an incentive package worth an estimated $1.5 billion in 2022. Neighbors opposed to development of the Georgia site mounted legal challenges. State and local governments spent around $125 million to buy and prepare the nearly 2,000-acre (810-hectare) site. The state also has completed most of $50 million in roadwork that it pledged. The pause at Rivian contrasts with rapid construction at Hyundai Motor Group’s $7.6 billion electric vehicle and battery complex near Savannah. The Korean automaker said in October that it had begun production in Ellabell, where it plans to eventually employ 8,500. Associated Press writer Matthew Daly in Washington contributed to this story.Ravens bye week betting notes: AFC North title within reach; Jackson’s MVP odds slip