A toxic relationship is one that undermines your well-being—emotionally, psychologically, and sometimes even physically. These relationships can exist in various contexts, from friendships to romantic partnerships, and even within families. It is characterised by behaviours that leave you feeling unsupported, misunderstood, demeaned, or attacked. Basically, it is an interrelationship where the bad consistently outweighs the good, and your overall welfare is threatened. Identifying toxic dynamics early is crucial. The longer you stay in such a relationship, the more it can impact your mental and emotional health. Toxic relationships can have far-reaching consequences on the victim’s well-being on a mental and physical level. Living in these emotionally unhealthy conditions leads to a steady decrease in self-worth and self-esteem. Lacking energy after interactions and experiencing depression, anger, or tiredness are only some of the negative effects that such relationships can have on an individual. Physically, the stress and anxiety stemming from toxic dynamics can lead to a range of health issues, including digestive issues, weakened immune function, and sleep disturbances. The list of toxic behaviours is long, but the most damaging patterns in a relationship can be categorised depending on the type of effect these behaviours can have on others. One of these categories is ‘behavioural control’, which includes strategies employed by individuals to influence and dominate others to achieve personal gain. This can be obtained either through controlling and forceful measures, such as aggressive behaviours, or through subtly shaping the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours of others by lying or bending the truth. This is a form of manipulation – known as gaslighting – in which facts are changed or withheld to suit the toxic person’s interest, causing you to question your own senses and thoughts. Another category of toxic behaviours is ‘emotional impact’, which is determined by how individuals experience and react to emotional signals, whether they be positive or negative. It refers to the effects of emotional experiences on thoughts, feelings, and behaviour, which can range from positive emotions like happiness to negative ones like sadness or fear. This category is relevant especially for those who deal with past traumas or insecurities. (Source: test-english.com)

In the 21st century, urban transportation is undergoing a dramatic transformation. As cities continue to grow, both in terms of population and area, the traditional modes of transportation are proving inadequate. Traffic congestion, air pollution, and the environmental impact of gasoline-powered vehicles have forced urban planners and governments to reconsider how people will move around in the cities of the future.
One of the most significant forces shaping the future of urban transportation is technological innovation. From electric vehicles (EVs) to autonomous cars, new technologies are rapidly changing how people commute. Electric vehicles, for example, are becoming increasingly popular as the world seeks to reduce its carbon footprint. Major automakers are investing heavily in EVs, and governments are offering subsidies to encourage consumers to switch to electric. By 2030, it is expected that electric vehicles will dominate the urban transportation market, drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependency on fossil fuels.
In addition to electric cars, autonomous or self-driving vehicles are another key technology set to revolutionize city transportation. Autonomous vehicles could significantly reduce the number of accidents caused by human error, which accounts for more than 90% of road accidents globally. These cars, controlled by artificial intelligence, will also have the potential to reduce traffic congestion through more efficient driving and coordination. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Uber are leading the charge in developing autonomous driving technologies, and cities are starting to prepare their infrastructure to accommodate these vehicles.
Moreover, the rise of shared mobility platforms is reshaping how people think about owning a vehicle. Car-sharing and ride-hailing services like Uber, Lyft, and Zipcar offer flexible transportation options that are often more convenient and cost-effective than owning a private car. In the future, it is predicted that many people will abandon car ownership altogether, instead opting for on-demand transportation services powered by autonomous and electric vehicles. This shift could free up large amounts of space currently dedicated to parking, which could be repurposed for parks, bike lanes, or other urban infrastructure.

Mental health is described as a state of well-being where a person is able to cope with the normal stresses of life. This state permits productive work output and allows for meaningful contributions to society. However, different circumstances exist that may affect the ability to handle life’s curveballs. These factors may also disrupt daily activities, and the capacity to manage these changes. That's only one reason why mental health is so important. The following factors, listed below, may affect mental well-being and could increase the risk of developing psychological disorders.
To begin with, childhood physical assault, sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect can lead to severe mental and emotional distress. Abuse increases the risk of developing mental disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or personality disorders. Children who have been abused may eventually deal with alcohol and substance use issues. But beyond mental health challenges, child abuse may also lead to medical complications such as diabetes, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.
Next, a strong contributor to mental well-being is the state of a person’s usual environment. Adverse environmental circumstances can cause negative effects on psychological wellness. For instance, weather conditions may influence an increase in suicide cases. Likewise, experiencing natural disasters firsthand can increase the chances of developing post-traumatic stress disorder. In certain cases, air pollution may produce negative effects on depression symptoms. In contrast, living in a positive social environment can provide protection against mental challenges.
Furthermore, your biological makeup could determine the state of your well-being. A number of mental health disorders have been found to run in families and may be passed down to members. These include conditions such as autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.
Your lifestyle can also impact your mental health. Smoking, a poor diet, alcohol consumption, substance use, and risky sexual behavior may cause psychological harm. These behaviors have been linked to depression.

Mass media, encompassing television, radio, newspapers, and the internet, has profoundly influenced the entertainment industry in various ways. With the advent of digital technology and the rise of the internet, the way people consume entertainment has dramatically changed, reshaping both content and delivery methods.
One significant impact of mass media on entertainment is the democratization of content creation. In the past, major studios and networks held a monopoly over what audiences could access. Today, platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and various streaming services allow individuals to create and distribute their content. This shift has not only diversified the types of entertainment available but also enabled marginalized voices to share their stories and perspectives.
Additionally, mass media has facilitated the globalization of entertainment. Films, music, and television shows from different cultures can now reach audiences around the world almost instantaneously. This cross-cultural exchange has led to the blending of genres and styles, creating new forms of entertainment that reflect a more interconnected world. For example, the popularity of K-pop globally illustrates how mass media can introduce local entertainment phenomena to international markets, influencing trends and preferences across borders.
Moreover, the role of social media in shaping entertainment cannot be understated. Platforms like Instagram and Twitter allow fans to engage with their favorite celebrities and creators directly, fostering a sense of community and involvement. Viral trends often dictate what content becomes popular, impacting how entertainment is produced and marketed. This immediate feedback loop between creators and audiences has transformed traditional marketing strategies, making them more interactive and responsive to viewer preferences.
However, the influence of mass media on entertainment is not without its drawbacks. The pressure to produce content that goes viral can lead to a focus on sensationalism over quality. This trend may result in the proliferation of shallow content that prioritizes clickbait over substance, potentially diminishing the overall quality of entertainment available to audiences.

Regular practice of yoga can reduce lower back pain, improve sleep and lessen reliance on pain medication, according to a study conducted by Cleveland Clinic researchers.
Lower back pain is extremely prevalent, affecting over 619 million people worldwide in 2020 according to a 2021 study in Lancet Rheumatology. Causes can include a lack of physical activity, injury or workplace stresses. Treating lower back pain with yoga or physical therapy is recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services and the American College of Physicians as noninvasive methods before exploring more pharmacological interventions such as surgery.
Yoga is a good option for back pain because of its focus on static poses and its variations for those who may need a chair or another mobility aid to perform the moves, said Robert Saper, chair of the department of wellness and preventive medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.
“We wanted to create a sequence of doable yoga poses for the individual who perhaps has never done yoga before, or who has multiple chronic conditions, or who is large,” he said that movement is crucial for pain management because it helps retrain the brain to understand which movements are safe to make, and it prevents muscle atrophy, said Marissa Lizotte, a senior physical therapist with Mass General Brigham.
Yoga’s specific focus on moving gradually into positions as well as its focus on balance and stability makes it well-suited to help with injury recovery, Lizotte said the postures can also trigger the parasympathetic nervous system, encouraging people to relax.
“The more our body can be in a parasympathetic response, the lower our pain will be, and if in that state regularly, strengthens the brain in the areas that modulate pain,” she said.