Sounds that can help you fall asleep better
A sleep expert has revealed which sounds help you get to sleep – and which ones are the best to wake up to. Sleep expert Hannah Shore claims ocean waves, a crackling fire and the distant buzzing of a fan are among the top ten sounds that help people fall asleep. Whereas hearing a piece of toast being cut or a kettle boiling is most likely to make them rise and shine gently. It comes after a poll which looked at 2,000 adults, found half enjoy listening to white noise to go to sleep or wake them up. The study, commissioned by Premier Inn, found 26 per cent listen to it every night, with rainfall sounds (40 per cent), music (34 per cent) and the sound of a fan (24 per cent) among the top choices. The hotel chain has launched Nod-Flix: an ASMR channel where guests can have their optimal video and soundscape play as they drift off. Hannah Shore, who is working with the hotel brand in partnership with Silentnight, said: “Depending on the individual, watching or listening to something calming before bed can be part of our sleep process. “Different sounds generate different responses from our subconscious when we’re asleep, so what might be soothing to one, might not be for another. “If you’re sharing a bed or a room, be considerate and invest in a pair of headphones or why not try finding a sound that you both find soothing?” The study also found that if they are sharing a room with other people and unable to listen to their white noise, 27 per cent wouldn’t be able to sleep properly as a result. More than half (58 per cent) normally listen to these sounds or noises on their phone, while 34 per cent tune in via an app. But 15 per cent even have a sound machine. Wind sounds (21 per cent), audiobooks (16 per cent) and a cat purring (seven per cent) also made the list of sounds and noises people like to fall asleep to. It also emerged half of the adults polled feel their sleep varies depending on the season we’re in. And 57 per cent reckon they sleep the best during autumn or winter, compared to only seven per cent who get the best shut-eye over the summer months. Respondents were shown a number of hotel-inspired ASMR type videos from the Nod-Flix channel, from the kettle boiling to a suitcase being pulled along hard floor. It found the sound of sizzling bacon was found to be most relaxing, followed by the trickle of running water from the shower. The study carried out via OnePoll.com, also revealed the sound of a vacuum was surprisingly least calming. Hannah Shore, for Premier Inn, added: “Switching off does not come as easy to some people as it does others and sounds are a great way to help with this. “Some people prefer complete silence whereas to others the silence means they listen out for all the little sounds, in a hotel this can be people walking down the hall, doors closing, the lift. “Others may find they need their brain to concentrate on something else, in these cases there needs to be something in the sounds they can focus on like the slow rhythm of calming music, the repetitiveness of waves lapping on the beach or even the noise of the TV. “This can allow the mind to switch off from the day and therefore allowing you to fall asleep, which we hope the Nod-Flix channel will accomplish for many.” Some noises that help Brits sleep better: Rainfall sounds Music Ocean sounds The sound of a fan The sound of favourite TV show/ streaming service Wind sounds Podcasts Audio Books Jungle/forest/woodland sounds Fireplace sounds Static sounds City ambience Animal sounds A cat purring The sound of a vacuum cleaner Here are some tips for a restful sleep: If you’re going to watch something before bed, make sure it’s calming content Keep the space you’re sleeping in tidy Don’t eat a heavy meal before bed Invest in some bed socks – they help increase blood circulation Make sure your pillow supports your sleeping position Dim the lights – it helps our bodies to produce sleep hormones like melatonin Get some black out blinds or curtains to block out bright lights White noise such as fans, hairdryers, hoovers are great for blocking out sound. If you want to go to sleep in a calmer way, pink noise is also good - think of wind, steady rain and reselling leaves. Green noise is similar to pink but will have an undertone of more constant hissing noise but still nature led such as running streams. To help you focus throughout the day, brown noises such as the crack of thunder which have deeper tones works really well. Read More Sleep expert reveals the simple secret to a good night’s rest Irregular sleep patterns linked to harmful gut bacteria, study suggests What is the 10-3-2-1-0 sleep method? How to spend the perfect healthy Super Saturday – according to science Holidays to the homeland could help children hold onto family’s original language The cure for smelly garlic breath? Turns out, it’s simpler than you think
2023-09-26 20:22
These Are the 20 Tallest Skylines on Earth
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2023-09-26 20:18
Naomi Campbell and Gigi Hadid lead first Victoria’s Secret runway show in five years
Naomi Campbell, Gigi Hadid and Emily Ratajkowski stormed the runway as the Victoria’s Secret fashion show returned for the first time in five years. On Monday (25 September), the lingerie company broadcast Victoria’s Secret: The Tour ‘23 on Prime Video. Part fashion show, part documentary, it marked the brand’s first televised catwalk show since 2018. It also follows a major rebrand for Victoria’s Secret, after the company was accused of promoting unrealistic body image and failing to protect its models against sexual misconduct. The Tour ‘23 – described as a “reimagined fashion show with a new generation of women from around the world” – is narrated by Hadid, who also appears on the catwalk. Doja Cat provides the musical accompaniment for the show. The feature-length film began with a black screen, before a statement said: “In 2021, Victoria’s Secret began a journey. The goal was to give a new generation of creatives from around the world the opportunity to tell their stories and see their creations brought to life on the world stage. The platform? The VS Show.’ Hadid then appeared barefoot in a nude tasselled dress, walking alongside other models around Barcelona. Campbell, meanwhile, donned a black leather trouser suit and corset-style top as she stood beside Hadid. In a later clip, Hadid was shown in a gold jewelled bustier and matching shorts, teasing in the voiceover: “I mean, come on. We had to bring back a little of the old show.” Also taking part in the show were Hailey Bieber and Emily Ratajkowski, who wore a crystal-encrusted strapless top and a crocheted bikini, respectively. Julia Fox, meanwhile, showed off a vibrant yellow dress, while Winnie Harlow appeared in a gold sequin crocheted outfit. Also modelling the collection were Amelia Hamlin, Abby Champion, and Ziwe Fumudoh. Several former Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima and Lily Aldridge, also returned for the fashion show. Following criticism, Victoria’s Secret got rid of its team of Angels in 2021. Over the years, Tyra Banks, Rosie Huntington-Whitley, Chanel Iman, Heidi Klum, and Lily Aldridge were all part of the group. The Angels were replaced by the VS Collective, a group of seven successful women. The group now includes models Adut Akech, Paloma Elsesser and Valentina Sampaio, as well as journalist Amanda de Cadenet, athlete Eileen Gu, footballer Megan Rapinoe, and actor Priyanka Chopra Jones. Members of the VS Collective and some classic Angels, as well as models Campbell and Gisele Bundchen, recently appeared in the brand’s Icons campaign. Last year, the brand faced further criticism after it was the subject of Hulu documentary series Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons. The documentary delved into the brand’s “misogynistic culture” under former chief marketing officer Ed Razek, who had previously been accused of multiple incidents of inappropriate contact with models. Razek previously denied the allegations, calling them “categorically untrue, misconstrued or taken out of context”. Read More Naomi Campbell wears black lingerie on Dolce and Gabbana catwalk Cindy Crawford reflects on ‘traumatising’ haircut in her early career Fans convinced that Linda Evangelista and Naomi Campbell are ‘feuding’ after Instagram snub Kim Kardashian unveils ‘iconic’ new look for magazine cover Travis Kelce wears ‘1989’ inspired outfit after leaving NFL game with Taylor Swift See Cate Blanchett champion sustainable fashion at glamorous Giorgio Armani show
2023-09-26 18:19
Kim Kardashian buzzes her head and thins her eyebrows for magazine cover: ‘Iconic’
From finely cut bangs to platinum tresses, Kim Kardashian isn’t anything if not daring when it comes to experimenting with her hair. The 42-year-old style muse may have just pulled off her most jaw-dropping transformation yet as she posed for the CR Fashion Book 2023 cover with a buzzed head and thinly arched brows. Creative director Youssef Marquis reimagined Kardashian’s long dark locks more frayed and short-ended. The reality star’s predictable sleek, fine appearance was replaced by a rugged and bare style, juxtaposing the very image Kardashian has created for herself. In the photo shoot, Kardashian can be seen stripped of colour and accessories, with only her barely-there brows and almost gone head of hair giving her a bit of edge. Smears of dirt wrapped the lauded A-lister’s arms, chest, and white tank top. Other images displayed the businesswoman with angeled readers, a thick stroke of black eyeshadow under her waterline, a C-cut of makeup drooping down her cheek to the edge of her mouth, and dangling a cigarette by her teeth as she focused on a camera ahead. Her clothing switched from a fitted tank to an oversized sweater and a thin button-down jumper. In the world of CR, Kardashian is both the spectacle and the seer. A soft shimmery gloss coated her eyelids as the only apparent makeup on her face. The cover said, “Kim Kardashian by Nadia Lee Cohen.” On social media, the new look has proven to be a hit among Kardashian’s fans. “Umm, this is iconic,” one fan wrote in the comments under Kardashian’s Instagram post, while another said: “Sooo cool, I love this look on you.” The Skims founder also reflected on her first encounter with the magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, Carine Roitfeld. “I had always heard you were the most stylish person on the planet, and I had your books at my house. We met when I was pregnant with North, and you asked to do my first fashion cover,” she remarked. “I was freaking out. Karl [Lagerfeld] shot it, Riccardo [Tisci] art directed it, and you styled it. I was so nervous and so excited all at the same time.” Kardashian allowed her cover feature for CR Fashion Book to play out exactly as the team had envisioned. “I show up on set and the makeup artist only had two products,” the entrepreneur confessed. “And I was low-key freaking out but obviously trusted your plan.” Labelled as “the muse of our generation,” the Skkn creator’s account on parenting, social justice, and internal reflection was analysed in her exclusive sit down with Roitfeld. “If there was a goddess who presided over social media, reality television, fashion, or entrepreneurship, Kim Kardashian could arguably hold any and all of those titles,” her feature read. The fashion fanatic first posed for the cover of CR with their Fall/Winter 2013 Issue 3. Here, her spirit was pictured differently. Kardashian’s fluffy eyebrows remained as they were, and her satiny straight hair stayed. Read More Kim Kardashian wears Chanel Barbie necklace in new Super Bowl ad with Usher Kim Kardashian makes her scripted TV debut in American Horror Story. Here’s how to watch and stream online Kim Kardashian faces backlash for posing in Balenciaga after condemning brand over child scandal Kim Kardashian wears Chanel Barbie necklace in new Super Bowl ad with Usher Caitlyn Jenner claims Kim Kardashian ‘calculated how to be famous’ in early career Kim Kardashian faces backlash for posing in Balenciaga a year after campaign scandal
2023-09-26 05:26
10 Wonderfully Weird Muppet Duets
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2023-09-26 04:27
Death & Horror: How BBC’s Controversial Sound Effects Album Became a Surprise Hit
The campaign to ban “Sound Effects No. 13 – Death & Horror” didn’t stop it from becoming the first sound effects album to break the UK Top 100 charts in the 1970s.
2023-09-26 01:29
Fans spot Travis Kelce’s ‘1989’ inspired denim suit after he leaves Chiefs game with Taylor Swift
It appears that Travis Kelce is supporting Taylor Swift’s upcoming 1989 album re-release with a very fitting outfit. The Kansas City Chiefs star was seen leaving with the Grammy-winning musician on Sunday 24 September, after Swift was spotted cheering for Kelce at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Following the game, which saw the Chiefs beat the Chicago Bears 41-10, the rumoured couple were filmed leaving Arrowhead Stadium together by sports anchor Jarred Payton. In the clip, which has been viewed more than 12m times, Kelce is spotted wearing a blue and white splatter paint denim suit by the brand KidSuper Studios. However, eagle-eyed fans noticed that the name for the denim suit seemed to pay homage to Swift’s forthcoming album, 1989 (Taylor’s Version), which is due for re-release on 27 October. “Travis Kelce wore a ‘1989 Bedroom Painting’ matching set piece tonight leaving Arrowhead Stadium with Taylor Swift, very timely for #1989TaylorsVersion,” wrote one fan on X, formerly known as Twitter. The cream denim suit jacket, which retails for $295, and the matching denim pants, which cost $285, appeared to be labelled on the KidSuper website as “1989 Bedroom Painting Denim Jacket” and “1989 Bedroom Painting Denim Pants”. The Brooklyn-based menswear label seemed to have made the change from “Bedroom Painting” to “1989 Bedroom Painting” after the NFL star was spotted with the 1989 musician at Sunday’s game. On X, the brand wrote: “Look at the name change haha”. The rumoured couple were then seen leaving the stadium in Kelce’s convertible in photos and videos posted on social media. What’s more, fans couldn’t help but notice that Kelce, much like Swift, was also born in 1989. Throughout the game, the “Shake It Off” singer was often seen enthusiastically cheering on the tight end in the Arrowhead Stadium box seats. Swift sat next to Kelce’s mother, Donna, as she appeared to yell “let’s f***ing go” in response to Kelce’s third-quarter touchdown reception. Her appearance at the NFL game comes amidst much speculation that Swift and Kelce are dating. Romance rumours first circulated when the NFL star admitted that he tried to give the “Bad Blood” singer his number at a recent Eras Tour concert. Kelce’s brother, fellow football star Jason Kelce, later fueled speculation when he claimed that rumours the pair are dating are “100 per cent true”. While Kelce encouraged fans to stop asking his “brother about [his] dating life,” he did reveal that he reached out to Swift and asked if she’d want to attend one of his football games. “I threw it out there, I threw the ball in her court,” Kelce said on the The Pat McAfee Show last week. “I told her, you know, I’ve seen you rock the stage in Arrowhead [Stadium], you might have to come see me rock the stage in Arrowhead and see which one’s a little more lit. So, we’ll see what happens in the near future.” Most recently, Swift was linked to The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. Prior to their short-lived romance, which came to an end in June, she and British actor Joe Alwyn called it quits after six years of dating. Meanwhile, Kelce was previously in an on-again, off-again relationship with ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole for five years. The former couple reportedly ended their long-term relationship in 2022. Read More Witness claims Taylor Swift paid for entire restaurant to eat and leave for her and Travis Kelce Taylor Swift fans giddy as pop star cheers on ‘new boyfriend’ Travis Kelce at Kansas City game Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce seen together for first time leaving NFL game Witness claims Taylor Swift bought out restaurant for her and Travis Kelce Taylor Swift spotted alongside Kansas City star’s mother amid dating rumours Taylor Swift fans giddy as pop star spotted enthusiastically cheering on Travis Kelce
2023-09-26 00:23
10 Haunting Dark Tourism Destinations From Around the World
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2023-09-26 00:17
How Do Rocks, Metal, and Other Foreign Materials Get Into Our Food?
A bacteria-related food recall is troubling but understandable. It’s a little weirder when one involves golf balls.
2023-09-25 21:18
Christy Turlington 'didn't know the words' to George Michael's Freedom!
Christy Turlington has revealed that she had a last-minute panic before she shot the 'Freedom!' music video.
2023-09-25 19:21
The cure for smelly garlic breath? Turns out, it’s simpler than you think
It’s hard to resist garlic sometimes, but its pungent smell can often last long on the tongue. So what causes it, and how can we get rid of it? Garlic contains a compound called sulfur volatiles that can cause a bad odour after being eaten. Researchers wanted to better understand how yoghurt and its components can eliminate or reduce such strong odours. For the study, researchers from the Department of Food Science and Technology at Ohio State University, Columbus tested the garlic deodourising capabilities of yoghurt and its individual components of water, fat and protein to see how each stood up to the smell. As a result, the team found both fast and protein were effective at trapping garlic odours, leading the scientists to suggest high-protein foods may one day be formulated specifically to fight garlic breath. “High protein is a very hot thing right now – generally, people want to eat more protein,” said senior study author Sheryl Barringer, professor of food science and technology at the university. “An unintended side benefit may be a high-protein formulation that could be advertised as a breath deodorizer in addition to its nutritional claims,” she said. “I was more excited about the protein’s effectiveness because consumer advice to eat a high-fat food is not going to go over well.” In the lab experiment, researchers placed equal amounts of raw garlic in glass bottles and confirmed the smell of the garlic was released in concentrations that would be detected by the human nose. Scientists measured the levels of volatile molecules in gaseous form present before and after each treatment. It was revealed that garlic alone reduced 99 per cent of the major odour-producing raw garlic volatiles. When introduced separately, the fat, water and protein components of yoghurt also had a deodorising effect on raw garlic, but results showed fat and protein performed better than water. Looking at fat’s performance, a higher quantity of butter fat was more effective at deodorisation. The proteins which were studied included different forms of whey, casein and milk proteins, all of which were effective at deodorising garlic. This may be because of their ability to trap the volatile molecules before they are emitted into the air. A casein micelle-whey protein complex performed the best. “We know proteins bind flavour – a lot of times that’s considered a negative, especially if a food with high protein has less flavour. In this case, it could be a positive,” Barringer said. Additional experiments that involved changing the pH of the yoghurt to make it less acidic (4.4 pH to 7 pH) actually appeared to lower the yoghurt’s deodorisation effect on the garlic. However, changing the pH of water did not seem to make any difference on the water’s deodorization effect. “That’s telling me it goes back to those proteins because as you change pH you change the configuration of proteins and their ability to bind. That said we definitely should be looking at these proteins,” Barringer said. “It probably depends on the protein, as well, because different proteins react differently to pH. So that may be an important thing as we look at other proteins for their garlic deodorization effect.” The team also tested the deodorising effect of yoghurt and its components on fried garlic, in the process they found that drying garlic alone can significantly reduce garlic odour. Yoghurt and its individual ingredients neutralised a lower percentage of volatile compounds of fried garlic compared to raw garlic. Study authors think this may be because there were fewer volatiles to trap than were present in the raw cloves. The findings have provided a foundation for future studies on proteins that might help fight the garlic breath. In the meantime, Barringer predicts that Greek yoghurt, with a higher protein profile than the whole milk plain yoghurt used in the study, may be particularly effective at getting rid of garlic breath. Fruit-flavoured yoghurts will probably work, too, she said – and whatever is used, it must quickly follow ingestion of raw garlic. “With apples, we have always said to eat them immediately,” she added. “The same with yoghurt is presumed to be the case – have your garlic and eat the yoghurt right away.” The study was published in the journal Molecules. Read More 11 best mouthwashes that will keep your mouth minty fresh Women less likely than men to receive CPR from strangers, study finds Study finds toxic ‘forever chemicals’ may be ‘intentionally added’ to some period products Teenager’s death after drinking too much water was ‘preventable’ Could bats hold the secret to beating Covid and cancer? Groundbreaking migraine treatment offers ‘new hope’ for patients
2023-09-25 18:49
See Cate Blanchett champion sustainable fashion at glamorous Giorgio Armani show
Giorgio Armani closed Milan Fashion Week with good vibes and a front row that included Cate Blanchett, Juliette Binoche and Lily Allen. Australian actor Blanchett – a global ambassador for Armani Beauty – championed sustainable fashion by wearing an embellished black jumpsuit with a plunging neckline. The outfit comes from Armani Prive’s autumn/winter 2009 couture collection, and Blanchett is obviously a fan – she previously wore it to the Palm Springs Film Festival in January. Blanchett sat next to Chocolat actor Binoche, who kept things simple in a black leather jacket and black wide-legged trousers. Singer Lily Allen was also on the front row, sporting a sleek blunt cut bob and a pink and black ensemble. Armani’s spring-summer 2024 collection mirrored a sky’s shifting colours and light at dusk – an idea conveyed with changing colours on the back wall of the showroom in his historic, central Milan headquarters. The 89-year-old designer employed translucent, diaphanous fabrics alongside silks and satin to create lightness and movement. The palette captured the mood, moving from bronze on silvery grey to jewel blue, green and purples which bled together, and back to dusky shades of grey and silver which faded to white. “No beige,” Armani joked after the show. The collection conveyed elegance but also practicality: clothes that put the wearer at ease in any context and without prodding toward overt, revealing sexiness. Satiny trousers anchored many of the looks — jackets, transparent blouson layers, shimmering tops and off-shoulder chiffon dresses. “Vibrations, that means colours, that means movement, that means a structure that moves on the body,” Armani said. To demonstrate his vision, a model in a shimmering long dress and a diaphanous cape danced down the runway. Flat shoes finished all of the looks. “Women should not be enslaved to height or to a feline nature, being sexy at all costs,” the designer said. “There can be also a normal woman but who hopefully has a twinkle in the eye.” Armani for years has lamented a Milan fashion scene that tries too hard, focusing on novelty instead of what he sees as the essence of fashion: dressing women to express themselves. The designer said he sensed a change in this season’s Fashion Week, which ended on Sunday, with less frivolity. “Finally, I saw collections, from the photos, with a lot of normality. There is also a little research, which has to be part of this craft.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live 7 gardening books you shouldn’t be without this autumn Kate Moss shares her wellness practices ahead of reaching milestone 50th birthday Naomi Campbell wears black lingerie on Dolce and Gabbana catwalk
2023-09-25 17:25