New Iowa law expands cancer coverage for firefighters
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 969. The bill expands the definition of cancer to include all types of cancer. Currently, only 14 cancers are currently included in coverage for firefighters, police officers and emergency responders. First responders with one of those types cancers are able to qualify for disability and death benefits. Before the passage of the bill, those with other types of cancers were not.
Iowa firefighters Brian Stoaks, Mike Broderick and Malcolm Cortner all passed away from cancer. Their families and friends continued the fight until the bill passed. The bill was shot down last year.
For more information, click here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Fast Company
38 minutes ago
- Fast Company
How to stop stress from hijacking your productivity
BY Listen to this Article More info 0:00 / 8:33 Do you ever have those weeks where you feel you've gotten nothing done? You're staring at your screen, the same paragraph you've read three times still making no sense. Your mind drifts to that looming deadline, the difficult conversation with your manager, leaving before 3 to avoid a horrible commute, or the growing pile of unread emails. Sound familiar? You're not alone. Almost half (43%) of Americans report feeling more anxious than they did the previous year, with workplace pressures playing a significant role in this epidemic of stress. The new brand of stress that 80% of workers report centers around productivity anxiety at work according to a recent study. The very stress that pushes us to work harder is now sabotaging our ability to perform well. Understanding this paradox—and more importantly, knowing how to break free from it—could be the key to reclaiming both your productivity and peace of mind. The Science of Stress: Your Brain Under Siege Not surprisingly, the biggest culprit of productivity anxiety is stress. When stress hits, your body doesn't distinguish between a charging lion and a challenging quarterly review. The same ancient alarm system kicks in, flooding your system with cortisol—the primary stress hormone that can transform from helpful motivator to harmful hijacker. Cortisol levels peak in the early morning as part of the cortisol awakening response, then decrease throughout the day. But chronic workplace stress disrupts this natural rhythm, keeping cortisol elevated when it should be declining. The result? A brain struggling to perform its most essential workplace functions, including just seeing things properly. Research reveals the cognitive toll is severe. One study found that acute increases in corticosteroid levels are associated with cognitive decrements in both attention and memory. Three Ways Stress Sabotages Your Focus 1. The Working Memory Meltdown Your working memory—the mental workspace where you juggle information, solve problems, and make decisions—is particularly vulnerable to stress. Tasks that engage and rely on working memory seem to be particularly sensitive to pressure demands, possibly because working memory requires sustained focus and attention that acute pressure might disrupt. This explains why, under stress, you might forget what you just read or struggle to connect ideas that normally flow effortlessly. 2. The Attention Hijack All theories about choking under pressure involve the reallocation of attention away from the task at hand. Some researchers suggest stress pulls your attention toward the uncomfortable feelings it creates, while others argue it makes you hyperaware of your own performance, paradoxically impairing it. Either way, your focus fractures. 3. The Productivity Anxiety Spiral Since modern workplaces have birthed this new phenomenon of 'productivity anxiety, ' there has been a significant uptick in employees reporting a feeling that there is always more they should be doing, even if not humanly possible. This creates a vicious cycle where stress about productivity further impairs your ability to be productive, leading to more stress. Stress has a way of taking up your time by making you continuously worry about something that may or may not happen. Perhaps this scenario is best illustrated by my client Tim. Tim manages a large and critical function at an aerospace firm. With 16 direct reports, hundreds more in his organization, and a cadre of contractors, Tim is still the go-to for any technical questions or emergencies that arise. It wasn't until recently that I reminded Tim that a healthy number of direct reports for most leaders is no more than five, with far less technical work, and under far less work intensification that he perked up, realizing much of the problem he is managing is due to poor organizational design. 3 Evidence-Based Strategies to Reclaim Your Focus 1. Take a Walk Outside The research is compelling: stepping outside for a walk is one of the most accessible and effective tools for combating workplace stress and restoring focus. Studies show that spending at least 20 to 30 minutes immersed in a natural setting is associated with the biggest drop in cortisol levels. Even more impressive, compared to urban walks, nature walks resulted in decreased anxiety, rumination, and negative affect, as well as increased working memory performance. Walks either with or without music have mental health benefits. How to implement: Schedule a 20-minute walk outside during your workday, ideally in a green space. Can't access nature? Even urban walks help. The beauty is you don't need to power walk—or even walk; both walking and sitting outdoors improve cognitive performance, with elevated levels of relaxation during the intervention being the best predictor of improved performance. 2. Practice Strategic Stress Recovery Individuals who have a higher frustration tolerance, the ability to moderate their responses to stress in the moment, have the capacity to think clearly and effectively work through problems longer and engage in productive decision making. Having an awareness of being triggered by observing physical shifts like heart rate changes, or a sudden burning chest sensation when stress hits, is critical data. Once aware, intentional choices can be made that mitigate reactionary stress behaviors: stepping away from a tough problem temporarily or engaging in deep breathing for a few minutes are both research backed ways of mitigating stress in the moment. Those able to do so expand their frustration tolerance, build the capacity to moderate other stress reactions with confidence, and experience less negative long-term effects from their stress. How to implement: Build recovery periods into your workday, which will start to create muscle memory. When a problem becomes particularly intense, take note to feel in your body where the pressure mounts. Common areas of feeling bodily stress are chest, temples on either side of your head, neck, or stomach. Being attuned to this is critical. Once you're aware of stress building in your body, step away from the problem at hand, and take a break such as a five-minute walk, practice deep breathing, or engage in light stretching. After any intensive work or problem-solving sessions, these micro-recoveries help reset your stress response system. 3. Restructure Your Work Environment for Focus People who are stressed have difficulty focusing and find themselves getting caught in modes of thinking that perpetuate stress, such as worry and rumination. Combat this by creating environmental cues that support focus. Also an organized workspace has positive effects on distractions and ability to focus. How to implement: Establish clear boundaries between high-focus work and administrative tasks. Use time-blocking to protect your most cognitively demanding work for times when your cortisol is naturally lower (typically midmorning after cortisol has subsided). Create a 'focus ritual'—a consistent set of actions that signal to your brain it's time for deep work. Once or twice a week, block time on your calendar to clear your space of clutter, take out the trash, process any snail mail that comes in, and regularly delete files and screenshots no longer needed that sit on your screen. Such peripheral clutter cleaning makes clearer thinking possible, and it makes those things you need to find easier to find. Small steps with big impacts Job stress costs U.S. employers more than $300 billion annually due to absenteeism, turnover, decreased productivity—but the human cost is even greater. The good news? You don't have to accept chronic stress as an inevitable part of modern work life. Start small. Choose one strategy and commit to it for two weeks. Notice not just how you feel, but how you think—how ideas flow, how problems untangle, how focus sharpens. Because when you master the art of managing stress, you don't just survive the workday; you unlock your brain's full potential to create, innovate, and excel. Your focused, calm, and productive self is waiting. It's time to clear away the stress and let that person shine through. The early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is Friday, September 5, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Samantha Wasserman, PCC, MA is the president and principal consultant of Growth Curve Consulting, an executive development and human capital consultancy offering a deeply committed, thorough set of services to help leaders and their teams through growth and change. Sam specializes in succession and the effective transition of leaders into more advanced, highly complex roles that create a greater impact on both business and society More
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
15 longevity foods: Healthy aging guide
15 longevity foods: Healthy aging guide Aging isn't just about the years in your life, but the life in your years. And to have more "life" in your years, you'll need to maintain your health status. This is known as "healthspan," or the period of life spent in good health. The good news is that there are many foods that can increase your healthspan, thanks to key nutrients that they contain, whether that's the polyphenols in green tea or the nitric oxide precursor that contributes to spinach's superfood status. Even better news: By increasing your healthspan, this could increase your lifespan and contribute to your longevity potential. So, if your goal is to live a healthier and longer life, keep reading to see Life Extension's list of longevity foods (and drinks) to add to your eating pattern. Best foods and beverages for healthy aging 1. Walnuts Nuts are nutrient-dense foods that offer unsaturated fats, protein, vitamins, fiber, and minerals such as magnesium. Walnuts, in particular, are a smart choice among nuts when it comes to longevity foods. Ever notice that they look like a brain? Not only do they support cognitive health, but researchers found that a serving of walnuts (1 oz.) supported cardiovascular health and could support a longer lifespan at age 60 (researchers project an additional 1.3 years in women and 1.26 years in men, to be precise) among those who consumed five or more servings per week compared to those who did not eat walnuts. Plus, the study found that even eating half a serving (0.5 oz.) can be beneficial. So, whether you choose to add them to your oatmeal or enjoy them on their own, do stock your pantry with these nutritious nuts! 2. Pomegranates Botanically considered berries, these ruby-red fruits are bursting with benefits. Many of the health benefits from pomegranates can be attributed to their potent antioxidant properties, though they are also a source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Interestingly, after digesting two polyphenols found in pomegranates, punicalagins and ellagitannins, a unique molecule known as urolithin A (UA) is formed. Urolithin A may support autophagy, our bodies' way of cleaning out cellular debris that can get in the way of healthy mitochondria function, though more research on the effect of UA in human aging is needed. Healthy cells, healthy you! From heart health to metabolic health and more, research has shown that all parts of the pomegranate fruit are beneficial. Sprinkle the arils on your salad, drink the juice, or take an extract! 3. Garlic Garlic isn't just for repelling vampires; it may play a role in warding off the aging process. Because this beloved bulb is a source of a variety of bioactive compounds, including more than 20 polyphenols, it has strong antioxidant properties, helping the body respond to oxidative stress. Speaking of aging, both aged garlic, or aged "black garlic," and non-aged garlic offer benefits to our health. Thanks in part to allicin, one of the main active compounds in non-aged garlic responsible for its aroma, garlic promotes immune support and cellular detoxification. Garlic is also known for supporting heart health. S-allyl-cysteine (SAC), a derivative of the amino acid cysteine, is a key compound from aged black garlic which helps maintain healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. 4. Green tea Like all true teas, green tea is derived from the Camellia sinensis plant. While many tea varieties offer benefits to our health, green tea in particular has stood out to researchers in the field of healthy aging. Green tea has next to no calories and macronutrients, yet is high in bioactive nutrients. Among all types of tea, green tea has the highest concentration of EGCG, a polyphenol (antioxidant). Along with research showing that green tea could support a longer lifespan, green tea drinkers may also enjoy a variety of other benefits from this elixir, including healthy cellular activity, metabolic function, cardiovascular and cognitive health. 5. Olive oil This Mediterranean diet staple is high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), especially oleic acid, as well as polyphenols including oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Many of the health benefits of olive oil are thought to be a result of its polyphenol content, and the antioxidant activity from it. Monounsaturated fats are known to be beneficial for heart health. The cardiovascular benefits of olive oil include maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and more! Interestingly, olive oil can also positively influence gene expression. In a large study in U.S. adults, daily olive oil intake was associated with an increased likelihood of living a longer, healthier life. Pro tip : contrary to popular belief, olive oil can be used for cooking foods at temperatures of 375-400°F or below. Characteristics of Longevity Foods As you go through this list, you may notice a pattern of foods that are rich in polyphenols, which are bioactive compounds found in foods that act as antioxidants in our bodies. Another theme is heart-healthy types of fat and foods that support cardiovascular health. Foods that benefit our major organs such as the heart and liver (those that support detoxification, for example) make a big difference for the long haul. There are also nutrients that support processes in the body that are known to decline or stop working properly with age, including the inflammatory cascade, oxidative stress, cellular senescence, and autophagy. Nutrients can even influence our gene expression (or suppression), which is known as nutrigenomics. Foods that impact these processes, and therefore hallmarks or biomarkers of aging, also make the list. 6. Blueberries Known for being among the lower-in-sugar fruits, these berries are high in health-promoting antioxidants, including anthocyanins and pterostilbene. Wild blueberries in particular have one of the highest amounts of antioxidants when compared to other types of blueberries. You can find wild blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store or as an extract in a dietary supplement. Research shows that blueberries support cardiovascular, metabolic, brain, and cellular health. Aim to consume at least one cup per day to get the benefits. You can meet this goal by adding frozen blueberries to your smoothie or adding fresh blueberries atop Greek yogurt with a drizzle of honey. 7. Mushrooms Fungi are our friends! Mushrooms are a source of beta-glucans (fiber), selenium (mineral), and crucial sulfur-containing antioxidants, ergothioneine and glutathione. Researchers compared the health status of those who included mushrooms in their diets, including those who consumed mushrooms in place of processed meat, to individuals who had low mushroom consumption. The results showed that eating more mushrooms (and less processed meat) may equate to an increased likelihood of living a longer life. To get the benefits of mushrooms, aim for four cups per week of varieties such as porcini, oyster, shiitake, and maitake. You could also replace a daily serving of processed meat with mushrooms (but be sure to make up the protein equivalent elsewhere in your diet), or take a mushroom extract. 8. Salmon Could a meal of baked salmon add 16 minutes to your life? Yes, according to researchers who investigated the health effects in minutes of healthy life gained or lost of 5,853 foods in the U.S. diet. A large body of evidence suggests that including non-fried seafood in your diet is beneficial for health. Fish is included on the list of foods for those following eating patterns commonly recommended by experts, such as the Mediterranean, DASH, or MIND diets. And wild salmon is among the best fish in the sea! Salmon is a fatty fish (contains omega-3 fatty acid) and is low in environmental contaminants. Salmon is also a source of vitamin D, selenium, iodine, choline, and more. 9. Yogurt Need another reason to eat this popular fermented food? Researchers looked at high daily intake of yogurt compared with low daily intake and found that daily yogurt consumption was associated with an increase in lifespan and maintenance of heart health. One of the proposed reasons for the finding was the favorable influence of yogurt on gut health, though it is important to note that yogurt varieties will vary greatly not only in the amount of beneficial bacteria it contains, but also its nutritional profile. Choose yogurt with no added sugars and sweeten it yourself with fruit and a touch of honey. Also, keep an eye on the fat and protein content to ensure it aligns with your health goals. 10. Spinach I think we can all agree that the heart is a pretty important organ to maintain for the long haul, and spinach may be just the ticket for your ticker. Aside from spinach containing an impressive variety of vitamins and minerals, it also contains nitrates, which is a precursor to nitric oxide. The nitrates found in leafy greens like spinach can support heart health, according to researchers who evaluated the effects of a spinach-containing meal and found that even a single nitrate-rich meal containing spinach supported healthy blood pressure and other measures of cardiovascular health. Honorable mention: beets, which are also a great option to support nitric oxide production. 11. Seaweed Did you know that Japan has been known to have a high percentage of centenarians (people over 100 years of age) per capita? Seaweed is a staple in the Japanese diet, and researchers who investigated this eating pattern found that adherence to a Japanese diet is associated with a longer life. Other longevity food research has shown that seaweed intake supports healthy blood flow among a Japanese study population. 12. Cruciferous vegetables Could just over one cup of broccoli daily (which is about 91 g) move the needle when it comes to our health? Yes! A study that included a dose-response analysis reveals that a 100 g/day increment of cruciferous vegetables (which also includes cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, watercress, and others) was associated with a longer lifespan. Isothiocyanates are one of the bioactive phytonutrients found in cruciferous vegetables that researchers attribute to their multiple health benefits. This longevity food group is known to support healthy cell division, healthy DNA, healthy estrogen metabolism, and more. 13. Dark chocolate If you love chocolate like I do, I know you're excited to see this one on the list! Indeed, choosing 70% dark chocolate or higher with little-to-no added sugar (in other words, we're not talking about candy bars here) can not only be a part of a healthy diet, but may actually be considered a longevity food. Cacao beans contain phytonutrients, including flavanols, which are a rich source of antioxidants. A study on post-menopausal women found that moderate chocolate consumption of 1 to 3 servings per week was associated with a longer lifespan. Sprinkle cacao nibs on your acai bowl, yogurt parfait, and more for texture, taste, and of course, antioxidants. 14. Legumes More commonly known as beans, the term "legumes" encompasses a variety of nutritious foods, including chickpeas and lentils. Legumes are high in fiber, a source of plant protein, and offer B vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Research has linked higher legume intake with an increase in lifespan, so be sure to include these satiating and surprisingly versatile foods in your meal rotation. 15. Coffee Daily coffee drinkers, rejoice! Not only does your morning java put some pep in your step, but coffee is also a source of antioxidants like chlorogenic acid and can support healthy blood sugar and liver health. Studies show that moderate coffee consumption (2-4 cups daily) is associated with a longer lifespan. Interestingly, the time of day you drink your coffee could make a key difference. A study looking at morning coffee drinkers versus all-day coffee drinkers found that higher intakes of coffee in the morning were associated with a longer lifespan, but not in those with an all-day drinking pattern. So go ahead and enjoy your morning pick-me-up (preferably without added sugar, as it may actually negate some of the benefits). Does a plant-based diet help with healthy aging? Yes! As you may have noticed, this list is heavily plant-based. That is because a diet rich in plant foods can help support healthy aging. Plants contain important nutrients, such as phytonutrients. ("Phyto" refers to the Greek word for plant.) "Plant-based" often refers to a dietary pattern that includes primarily plant foods, which differs from veganism, in which no animal food sources are included. When it comes to choosing longevity foods for healthy aging, a plant-forward approach, or simply adhering to the recommended 5-7 servings of fruit and vegetables daily can go a long way. So no need to put a label on it, but focus on an eating pattern that includes plants with every meal and snack. How does the Mediterranean diet support healthy aging? By emphasizing plant foods and limiting red meat, the Mediterranean diet helps ensure a variety of key nutrients that support healthy aging are consumed. The Mediterranean diet is a healthy dietary pattern that mimics the traditional dietary habits of countries neighboring the Mediterranean Sea. It emphasizes the consumption of plant foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes) and healthy fats such as olive oil. It's not strictly vegetarian, though. This way of eating includes a moderate intake of poultry, fish, and dairy, and limited intakes of red meat. There is strong evidence that processed red meat is not a good choice for increasing lifespan; however, the evidence for non-processed red meat is mixed. When you do eat meat, choose lean cuts and grassfed meats. An observational study of adults older than 18 noted that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with an increased lifespan. Another study with elderly participants older than age 65 showed that closer adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with prolonged lifespan. Easy ways to add longevity foods to meals It's always nice to find new recipes that you enjoy, but you could also add them to your existing meal rotation! The dishes below are easily customizable, so you can add foods like walnuts, blueberries, pomegranates, and dark chocolate as toppings or in the mix to: Smoothies Yogurt Smoothie bowls Acai bowls Chia pudding Oatmeal Cereal For the more savory items, such as legumes, seaweed, mushrooms, garlic, and olive oil, build your own bowl! Start with some whole grains or legumes as carbs and/or greens as a base, layer on your favorite protein, and top with veggies. Voila! Longevity is served. This story was produced by Life Extension and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
"It was kind of challenging but it was all for the good" - Luka Doncic reveals he gave up basketball to improve his conditioning for the next season
"It was kind of challenging but it was all for the good" - Luka Doncic reveals he gave up basketball to improve his conditioning for the next season originally appeared on Basketball Network. By now, the whole world has seen the transformation that Luka Doncic has made in his body in his first offseason as a Los Angeles Laker. This has not only surprised the consensus but also instilled belief that the 26-year-old superstar might just put together his best basketball season in his remarkable career so far. But ironically, what also led to Doncic's weight loss this summer wasn't basketball. In fact, the Slovenian sensation revealed that he had to be forced to stay away from it and take a whole new approach this offseason in order to achieve his goals. "I would say me and my team just tried different new things. Different food, different practices," he said. "I actually gave up playing basketball for one month, which I've never done in my life. So it was kind of challenging, but it was all good," said Doncic in his appearance on The Today's Show. Out with the old, in with the new While losing what seems to be more than 10 pounds, the 6'7" guard pursued playing other sports religiously, such as pickleball and padel. Doncic said that it helped that he played multiple sports as a kid growing up, which was why he eventually made peace with the fact that he wouldn't play basketball for a month. Instead of playing basketball, the international superstar focused on getting his diet right and placing more emphasis on weight training. Without playing basketball for the first time in years, the five-time All-Star also let his body recover completely, especially after a season that saw him miss 32 regular-season games because of a severe calf injury. This offseason, Doncic made it a point to lose weight, build muscle strength, and get right mentally. "This year, with my team, I think we did a huge step. But this is just the start, you know. I need to keep going. Can't stop," Doncic told Men's Health Magazine earlier this week. In prime position to bounce back Doncic also said he didn't lose weight to prove a point against his many critics who have long called him out for being out of shape. Instead, he did it for himself because he knows he needs to take advantage of his prime years while they're still around. It also helps that he's never been doubted the way he was last season, when not only the Dallas Mavericks traded him to the Lakers, but his early playoff exit led him to be more motivated than ever to come back stronger. "Honestly, I tried to not read much. Just tried to focus," he said about his critics. "I think I was still a pretty good basketball player back then, no matter what people say." True enough, an "out-of-shape" Doncic has averaged 28.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists thus far in his seven-year stint in the NBA. If he was able to be a top five player over the last couple of years, what more now with his change in approach in regards to his fitness? Time will eventually tell how monumental this summer would eventually end up impacting The Don's career moving story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
