It's that time of year again. College students are cramming for their finals, that last stretch before the glorious winter break. Chances are, if you know a student, they're stressed out of their mind right now. 

One thing you can do to lift their spirits and motivate them is to send them a thoughtful care package. Consider sending one or two of these items to a student you know during the next week or two. 

1. Starbucks gift card. This one seems obvious, but trust me, there is no such thing as "too much caffeine" during finals week. Plus, coffee shops are great study locations, so gift cards give students the chance to camp out with their materials somewhere besides their cramped little dorm rooms. 

2. New headphones. These don't have to be especially fancy, but at school, it's easy to misplace your headphones in various jacket pockets and backpacks. It will be nice for your student to have an extra pair on hand in case they need to block out their roommate's chatter while cramming for their exam or writing a paper. 

3. Portable battery pack. Nothing's more annoying than being forced to trek back to your dorm room to grab a charger for your phone or laptop. Arm students with battery packs they can stick in their backpack so they aren't forced to cut their study sessions short when their devices start to die. 

4. Comfy clothing. Practically everyone lives in their sweats during these last few weeks of the semester, and you can never have enough sweatshirts or cozy socks at this time of year. 

5. Holiday-themed treats. It may not be winter break just yet, but munching on some gingerbread cookies or Christmas candy can certainly make students feel like the holiday is fast approaching. Plus, everyone needs some junk food to snack on during late-night, semi-panicked study groups. 

6. Highlighters and notecards. Because you can actually never have enough of these when it's time to take all your exams. 

7. Reusable water bottle. Staying hydrated during finals week is often low-priority, but if students want to stay healthy, they need to drink plenty of water. Encourage them to stick a reusable bottle in their backpack and fill it up throughout the day. 

8. Subscription to Spotify. The study playlists on this service are the best. You can either listen online or download them straight to your phone when you don't have service. 

9. Aromatherapy diffuser. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile and lemon are great for easing stress. Also, diffusers will cover up those nasty smells of unwashed laundry and dusty dorm rooms, making students feel more at home in their environment. 

10. Food they can make in their dorm room. On serious cram nights, students may opt to stay in rather than hitting the dining hall. Give them some snacks they can make in their dorm, like popcorn or instant oatmeal, so they don't run out of brain food. 


Do you have any other ideas for student care packages? List them in the comment section below! 

If you think that the zoo is only a place you want to visit on warm spring days, think again. The Denver Zoo is returning with a winter wonderland once more, and it's worth visiting at least once this holiday season (if not twice). 

More than two million twinkling lights will illuminate the zoo over the next few weeks, as well as other festive displays. There will also be fun activities for the entire family, including an opportunity to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets do sell out fast, and attendance is capped each night to maximize visitors' experiences. 

What are you waiting for? Buy your tickets to this fun event, then grab a s'more and some hot chocolate while checking out all of the animals and exhibits the zoo has to offer. Tickets are $18 for adults, $12 for children 3-11, and $15 for seniors. Children under the age of 3 get in for free.

To learn more about the Denver Zoo and this event, visit www.denverzoo.org. 

Once you're stuffed full of turkey and pumpkin pie, you don't have much energy for anything other than watching a good movie. This weekend, there are a handful of great films playing in theaters throughout the area.

Here are the top movies you can take everyone to see, including the youngest kids and grandma and grandpa. 



Ralph Breaks the Internet 

The sequel to Wreck-It Ralph follows Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz into the World Wide Web. Full of timely references and funny quips for the whole family, the film has already received its fair share of praise from critics, so it's sure to be a hit over the holiday weekend. 



Smallfoot 

This funny film takes the myth of the Yeti and turns it on its head. Migo is a Yeti who never knew humans existed, but when he is banished from his home and stumbles across a stray hiker, he's forced to embark on an epic journey. Cute and positive, Smallfoot will bring a smile to anyone's face. 



The Nutcracker and the Four Realms 

There's nothing more seasonal than The Nutcracker, and this unique adaptation stars Keira Knightley and several other talented cast members. It's a perfectly whimsical holiday film, although it does lack dazzling choreography or any traditional elements of the ballet. 



Dr. Seuss' The Grinch 

You already know the story of the grumpy green man who lives on Mount Crumpet, but why not hear it again as Christmas approaches? The producers of Despicable Me have put a new spin on Whoville, and the Grinch is played by an actor we all know and love: Benedict Cumberbatch. 



Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald 

Many people have lamented the changes in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter over the years, but that hasn't stopped people from enjoying this new part of Newt Scamander's story. See the beginning of Dumbledore's story and plenty of magical creatures as heroes battle a wizard who's gone bad. 


What movies are you going to watch over Thanksgiving weekend? Let us know in the comments! 

November is National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and as a result, health organizations around the country are trying to dispell myths about the disease and educate Americans. It's estimated that more than 234,000 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in 2018, and more people die of lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. 

Many people assume that lung cancer comes as a result of smoking cigarettes, and although the risk for smokers is much higher than the risk for non-smokers, there are other ways you can develop the disease without picking up the bad habit. 

Here are four other things that will raise your risk of getting lung cancer: 

1. Breathing in secondhand smoke. You might not smoke, but if your family member or friend does, you're still putting yourself at risk. The American Cancer Society states that roughly 7,000 people die of lung cancer from secondhand smoke every year, so steer clear of others who are damaging their own lungs with cigarettes. 

2. Living in an area with high air pollution levels. Unfortunately, you might be breathing in pollutants without even realizing it if you live in a big city or places with high levels of contaminants. However, the American Cancer Society claims that this risk is lower in the United States than in many other countries due to certain policies that have been implemented. 
 
3. Inhaling asbestos. Old factories, schools, homes and other buildings used to be constructed with asbestos fibers. Now, we know that asbestos can scar human lungs and increase people's risk of cancer. Therefore, there has been a dramatic reduction in the use of asbestos since the 1970s, but some old buildings may still house the dangerous material. 

4. Exposing yourself to radon gas. This is a type of radioactive gas that's both odorless and tasteless. We all probably breathe in a little every day, but when a person is exposed to a substantial amount of radon, they increase their risk of developing lung cancer. This can happen when homes are built on soil containing high levels of uranium, thorium and radium. 

During National Lung Cancer Awareness Month, survivors and their families are encouraged to share their stories with others. People can also help spread awareness by encouraging people to schedule their annual doctor's appointments and learn about the early signs of lung cancer. 

To learn more about lung cancer or this special month, visit lcam.org. 

People in the Denver area are no strangers to cold weather, and we're facing a pretty severe drop in temperatures this weekend. The question is, how cold is too cold for dogs and cats during the winter? 

The answer to this question typically depends on a handful of factors: 

• What type of breed is your dog or cat? Some animal breeds are more comfortable in cold weather than others. If you're not sure what climate your pet is best suited for, do some research online to find out how cold is too cold for their particular coat and body type. 
  
  
• How old is your pet? Elderly, fragile pets are often more susceptible to cold-based illnesses and should be kept warm during the winters. Plus, old animals with conditions such as arthritis may experience more discomfort during cold weather. 
  
  
• What kind of weather are you dealing with? Snow, hail, sleet? Although low temperatures alone can be dangerous, wet weather can pose more serious threats and prevent some breeds from acclimating to the cold. 
  
  

The American Veterinary Medical Association advises people to assume that cats and dogs are as susceptible to cold-based illnesses as we are. Therefore, if it's dangerously cold outside for you and your family, then it's too cold for pets to be left outside, too. Temperatures above 55 degrees shouldn't be a problem, but 40 degrees and under (especially for small or medium-size dogs) could be risky. When cold fronts bring temperatures like 25 degrees, it's smart to keep dogs and cats inside for the majority of the time, just to play it safe. 

If you do let your pet outside during freezing temperatures, keep an eye out for signs of hypothermia. These can include shivering, anxious behaviors, lethargy, and/or whining. You should also check their paws for signs of injury, like cracked paw pads or bleeding, after especially cold walks. 

To learn more about how different sizes of pets are endangered by the cold, check out this link from the Tufts Animal Condition and Care. 

We also want to remind you that stray animals suffer when temperatures drop, and many local animal organizations are doing their best to provide warm housing for animals without safe homes. Now is the time to support organizations like The Colorado Humane Society & SPCA and the Denver Animal Shelter as they care for thousands of helpless animals during the holiday season. 


*Article sourced from Dallas News