The number of single mothers has been on a steady rise over the past decades. According to a recent press release by the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 9.88 million single mothers in the U.S. in 2007, which is up from 3.4 million in 1970.

There is a new study that suggests that being lonely is like having a bad, contagious cold. It will spread among people and eventually push them to the edge of their social networks.
The simple finding that the feeling of being lonely will isolate people may not be so surprising, but the discovery that loneliness can be transmitted before relationships are severed, resulting in a chain reaction that will isolate people that were previously connected to each other.

Sometimes, it does not take much to drive you over the edge and let your anger overtake what you are really trying to do. We tend to feel terrible in such a situation, but perhaps it makes you feel better that scientists have released new findings on common origins of anger. And yes, having children in a household is said to be a contributor to angry behavior. Do you agree?

The results released by the University of Toronto is based on a survey of more than 1000 Americans aged 18 and older. Project lead Scott Schieman will be publishing basic social patterns of anger in a book entitled International Handbook of Anger, scheduled for a January 2010 launch, but offers a few notes on his findings now.

Take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back … you are now a single parent. I know, what you are thinking. “Why would I pat myself on the back, this sucks!” You would be accurate with your first reaction, but let’s take a step back and quiet your mind for one second to reflect on the gift you just received.

The first thing you should do is put on the happiest face you can muster and be grateful that you NOW have a second chance to start your life over. You have been given the ultimate gift. It may not seem like it. It may seem like your heart was ripped out and your emotions and self confidence are there on the floor. As you look at your self esteem (or what’s left of it) on the floor you have a choice to make. This choice will determine the rest of your week and the rest of your life.

If you have a tough day, if you feel left alone and overwhelmed, then I have a treat for you. Chris Rodell’s praise of single parents is the feel-good article you should read today. It reminds us of the admirable job single parents do every day, without faltering, in dedication to their children.

Rodell is married, but he apparently experienced for the first time taking care of his children by himself when his wife went on a trip with friends and left their house for four days. Chris’ conclusion: “I have no idea how single parents do it. I just did it for four slim days and it nearly killed me.”

Stressed out? Carolyn Dean explains how magnesium can help you as well as your baby feel better. Here are eight useful pointers ranging from stress effects to modifying your diet. And yes, healthy eating is key to protecting your body from the exposure to stress.