Sahar Ajjab

Why Do We Eat More With Other People?

With the holidays, we realize how much we do enjoy eating with company. The added pounds are not only from the extra-calories we gain through the holiday food. In fact, some of them have to do with the quantity of food we allow ourselves to eat. Therefore, if you were wondering about the reasons why we eat more with other people, then here is the scientific explanation.

This Study Reveals The Truth

In a case study back in 2006, an experiment gathered 132 people and gave them either 12 or 36 minutes to eat cookies and pizza. The main point was to show that the longer you take to eat, the more you end up eating.

The participants were seated alone, in pairs or in group of 4. However, the results of careful observation of behavior, found that the size of the group didn’t matter. Actually, regardless of the number of companions, eating with people increases your food intake.

Our Drive To Indulge Is Triggered By The Need to Behave

Eating with other people increases your consumption time, because you are also focused on social interactions as oppose to merely eating. According to another Japanese study, sharing food with others means also sharing your eating habits. Moreover, they explained that we get the need to ”behave” which usually affects how much we eat.

Furthermore, eating with familiar people triggers a different social facilitation than with strangers. Because in the latter, you tend to watch out for what you are eating, and people tend to go for smaller portions than desired.

Is It Good For You To Eat With Other People?

Finally, the answer to question is neither a yes nor a no. Being able to eat with other people increases our social interactions and allows us to eat slower, even if we eat too much. On the other hand, eating alone consists of one main focus, which is the act of eating. However, new emerging research argues that eating in front of a mirror is the best form of eating for you. Well, that explains why many restaurants have prominent mirrors everywhere.

Photos: Pixabay

The Best And Worst European Countries For Job Prospects

After years of studying to get a degree, you have to face the job market. Actually, job hunting is one of most stressful things you have to do. Nevertheless, certain countries offer better conditions for job prospects, and are relatively easier to settle in, than others. If you are a recent grad, check out the new revealed list of the best and worst European Countries to get a job.

Glassdoor’s Research Report Revealed

Glassdoor teamed up with Llewellyn Consulting to produce the report. This analysis included 17 countries in Europe, and was based on several factors. First, the change in the employment rate (employment gap) since global crisis. Also, it took a look at the unemployment rate, including for the young, as well as temporary employment rates. The report used the United states as their benchmark.

UK and Estonia Lead The Chart

Brexit and the crisis of 2008 didn’t seem to do much harm to the United Kingdom. Research show that the gradual recovery from the crisis enabled the UK to stay on top, in terms of job prospects.

On the other hand, Estonia also ranked high in strong job offers. In fact, both Estonia and Norway have ranked first and second, followed by the UK and Austria.

Spain, Greece and Portugal Rank The Worst

However, the poor labor market performance have placed Spain, Greece and Portugal as the hardest countries for job prospects. While Germany‘s complicated paper work has improved, the Spanish and Portuguese ones have gone to worst. The report also disclosed that the tough economic crisis that hit Spain and Greece is to blame for this result. Both countries have at least 25 per cent of the population suffering from unemployment.

In conclusion, Nordic countries offer stronger and better employment possibilities. On the contrary, Mediterranean countries have the worst economic dynamism in general. Although the reasons for this employment gap between European countries is yet to be explained, it may have something to do with the quality of life in general in the different areas of the continent.

Photos: Pixabay

Why Do We Always Feel Sleepy After Eating?

Have you ever went on your lunch break and comeback to the office with less energy than when you left? Actually, it is quite common to feel so. In fact, research proves there is a science behind feeling sleepy after eating. What are the causes and how can we boost our energy after food? Check this article out for answers.

Why Do We Feel Sleepy After Eating?

Feeling tired, deconcentrated and sleepy after a meal is relatively normal. Moreover, it depends on factors such as the type of food you eat, the food intake time and the quantity of the intake.

Food that is rich in carbohydrates and protein, tend to make the body feel more tired than other food. According to research, certain food makes you feel tired because they push the body to release serotonin. therefore, avoid packing lunch for the office with food containing poultry, pasta, rice, or eggs.

When Is The Right time To Eat?

In addition to what food you eat, you also need to pay attention to when you eat. Obviously, eating a large portion of food will trigger more blood sugar to rise, and a bigger dip in energy. Furthermore, eating at the right time may help you stay up at work. According to The National Sleep Foundation, people naturally have a down point in energy at 2 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. This explains why we feel like taking a nap after the midday meal.

How Can You Not Feel Sleepy After Eating?

In a study back in 2017, workers who had a late night shift and had a meal before, felt way more sleepy than those who didn’t eat. So, in order to make it through the whole day without a nap after food, here are few things you can do:

Eat little and often, because a snack every two hours will do nothing but boost your energy levels. A piece of fruit or a handful of nuts will do the work. Moreover, try to also get a good night sleep, with at least 8 hours of rest every night. When it’s time for your lunch break, take a walk after eating to release the tiredness.

Photos: Pixabay.

5 Ways To Survive Family Meals These Holidays

The holidays are the perfect chance to reunite with family. However, some family gatherings can get overwhelming, and might not end up being the funnest. Experts have come up with tips, to avoid the discomfort of being asked why you didn’t bring anyone this year either, or discussing conflicted political views and life choices. Here are 5 suggested ways to survive family meals these holidays.

Give Everyone Something To Do

When you haven’t been living at home for a while, you sometimes feel like a guest when you go back for the holidays. Most tensions rise initially from pressure. Your mom wants to be in control, your in-laws are not helping with anything, the kids are all over…etc. Furthermore, experts suggest that giving everyone a task during the meal preparation could help release a lot of these tensions. So, when it’s time to sit down together, you can at least enjoy your family meals without feud.

Create Activities For The Kids

Children should also be assigned something to do. Otherwise, they will be all over the place. Making kids feel valuable, responsible and a big part of the event will help them behave. According to clinical psychologist Anne Fishel, creating simple conversations with kids will raise their sense of responsibility, as well as interactions with grown ups. Ask questions like ”How was your day?” or ”Did you know where your name came from?” their active listening will keep them away from trouble.

Arrange The Seating

Just like in any big event, seating plays a key role in avoiding conflicts. if you aunt Susan doesn’t like dogs, don’t seat her next to your uncle Bob who owns 3 dogs. Actually, you can allow children to help with the seating, and that way they feel included in decision-making. Grown ups will tend to appreciate the young ones’ ”handiwork” and might even shift attention away from complicated conversations.

Avoid Getting Drunk

Alcohol during the holidays is like tradition. However, it’s always risky to have ”two much” to drink when with family. according to psychologist Marie Walker, if alcohol can’t be replaced by a non-alcoholic beverage, then you should do the math to have just enough for everyone. This will prevent chaos due to getting drunk.

Keep Some Topics Off The Table

Finally, nothing avoids problems like setting limits. don’t be afraid to set things straight. Make it clear that you each have different opinions and outlooks on life. Also, make sure not to take things personally, and remind yourself why you are there. After all, you may not get to see this people again until next year!

Photos: Pixabay, Unsplash

Would You Sleep In This Hotel In Japan For One Dollar?

Traveling is one of the best pleasures of life. However, being able to afford the trip is the hardest part. Housing, food, and transportation often make traveling a luxury. But what about if we tell you that, you can actually stay a night in a hotel in Japan for just 1$?

The One Dollar Hotel In Fukuoka

Tetsuya Inoue, a 27 years old man inherited the hotel Asahi Ryokan from his grand-mother. However, his search for more clients and business, led him to come up with a strange plan.

The One Dollar hotel in the Japanese city of Fukuoka, offers you the possibility to spend a night in for just ¥100, which is about 1$.

Wait, There Is A Counterpart

If while reading this you thought that it’s impossible to find a room this cheap, well, you are right. This hotel allows to stay in Room number 8 for cheap, if you are willing to accept being live streamed the whole night.

The idea behind this service, is to market the hotel through a youtube channel. However, there are few restrictions regarding the video streaming. According to the owner, the livestream has no sound, and the bathroom area is camera free, so guests can have some ”privacy.” Furthermore, the hotel only offers one room with this service, so you can still rent a regular room within the property.

The Owner Claims That Young People Don’t Care About Privacy

To many people out there, this might sound like a nightmare. Yet, since the owner resorted to this ”business model” he had received 4 visitors in just one month. He claims that young people nowadays just want to travel and spend less money, that they don’t care that much about their privacy.

The Room Number 8 youtube channel has over 1,000 subscribers, and recorded over 4,000 view hours. When this particular hotel room doesn’t receive guests, the owner streams himself working in both Japanese and English.

Photos: Asahi Ryokan Hotel

Japanese Law Forces Women To Wear Heels At Work

Dress codes are a common norm everywhere in the world. Society has been shaping up our social behavior for years. Although, we are wired not to wear party clothes to work and vise-versa, some societies have taken these dress codes to extreme levels.

You may have heard that Japanese women are not allowed to wear glasses at work, and that sounds absurd. Well, these women are also forced, by law, to wear heels on the job.

1 in 10 Companies in Japan Force women To Wear Heels And Make-Up

The Japanese Trade Union Confederation just conducted a survey with shocking results. Not only that companies force women to wear contacts, make up and heels, but 1 out of 10 Japanese companies have strict regulations even regarding the height of the heels.

In addition, several restaurants force their employees to avoid wearing glasses, because it gives them a ”rude, cold look’‘.

The Government Finds This Law ”Reasonable And Necessary”

On other hands, the public outbreak saw light when the Japanese government actually supported the companies. In fact, the ministry of health, claimed that such rules are completely ”reasonable”

Nevertheless, many women in Japan have joined the movement against dress code regulations at work.

Japanese Men Can Wear Whatever They Want

Although the Japanese labor laws are quite strict for both genders, women are the ones who take the greater hit. Companies require men to stick to the international business dress code standards. However, whilst it is mandatory for men to wear a suit and black shoes, central government are aiming to change that rule. In Tokyo, some companies have received guidelines allowing men to drop the tie, and replace the dark shoes with tennis shoes in the summer.

Japanese Women Have Started A Petition Against This Law

Women in Japan have received support and solidarity, revolting against discrimination laws with a worldwide hashtag #KuToo. The movement was started by Yumi Ishikawa, an actress who changed her career working in a hotel, because of this law. She then started a petition, which is signed by over 27,000 people already.

Photos: Pixabay