Science

Tips To Help You Reduce Your Smartphone Addiction

In a pure technological era, not having a cell phone is absolutely rare. However, since the outbreak of social media, and the emergence of mobile internet, smartphones are some of the most sold items worldwide.

Several research and studies have warned against the harms of smartphone addiction. In fact, they have several serious consequences such as insomnia, brain and eye damage, and endless psychological troubles. Here are some tips from us, in order to help you reduce your smartphone addiction.

Track Your Usage

Most smartphones now allow the feature of tracking your usage. This way, you know how much time you spend, and where you spend it. Our dependence on social media has side effects that we are often not even aware of. Research backed up the theory that social media creates an urge of creating content to feel worthy.

Calm Your Mind

It is absolutely important to sometimes just push the button off. Basically, dependence on social media has wired the brain to release dopamine when someone likes your picture, or talks to you. In fact, you can replace the creation of this temporary pleasure, through natural ways such as meditation.

Stick To Your Plan

If you tell yourself that you will only use your phone for few hours a day, then stick to it. You can try to schedule your hours to check your phone, instead of being on it all day. For example, you can turn the wifi off once at work, so you can focus on doing one task at a time.

Read Before Bed

Replacing social media with books is a genius idea. Not only that it simulates your brain, it also help you fall asleep faster. Rays coming out from your phone screen and significantly more harmful at night. Research have also found a correlation between smartphone usage and insomnia.

Turn Off Notifications

Turn off your notifications at night for a peaceful night rest. Even though you are thinking about that special person, or waiting for a special text, just allow yourself to take a break. Relax, the messages will still be there tomorrow, and you’ll have gained a good night sleep with no disturbance.

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Study Reveals Men Don’t Consider Kissing As Cheating

Do you consider kissing another person while in a relationship as cheating? While the typical answer might be yes, you need to think again. This British study revealed that a big portion of men do not consider kissing as cheating. In fact, the results varied significantly between men and women, to show to what extent each gender has its own different vision.

The Study Included 5000 People

5000 people participated in the study case. It was conducted by Charities Relate and Relationships Scotland, and found out that 19% of men believe that ”passionately kissing someone other than their partner is acceptable.”

Although cheating could be a relative concept, the study focused on both young and older generations. The first group being participants between 16-24 years old, and the second category targeted those who are over 25 years old.

Shocking Research Results

the research classified the ‘‘tinder generation” as the most possessive. Actually, 45 per cent of women admitted that they consider even flirting as cheating. As oppose to only 30% of older age range women considered splitting up with their partner over flirting.

Results of this study were a bit shocking, as half the men said that kissing is not cheating for them. on the other hand, women showed the contrary. If anything, this illustrates the gap between the way men and women perceive certain things.

Results Were Different Between Men and Women

Only 9% of the women who participated in the study revealed that they didn’t consider kissing as cheating. However, over 73% actually did.

Charities Relate and Relationships Scotland blamed the British system for the lack of quality sex education. BBC Radio 5 reported that ignorance is what’s leading to higher cheating and divorce rates lately. They suggested couple counseling as an effective method to increase communication in relationships, and eventually avoid clashing point of views.

Photos: Pixabay

Home Remedies to Eliminate Bad Breath

Although it is very hard to smell our own breath, we are always self-conscious about the smell of our mouths. In fact, sometimes we even have to resort to a friend in order to reassure us that we don’t have bad breath.

The mouth is an area which creates a perfect atmosphere for bacteria. Therefore, everyone has a stinky breath once in a while. However, this condition could affect certain people more than others. Here is a list of home remedies for you, in order to eliminate bad breath.

Good Dental Hygiene

Undoubtedly, the main reason behind having bad breath is poor dental hygiene. Plaque buildup increases the chances of accumulating bacteria. Always choose a toothpaste high on fluoride, and brush your teeth correctly 2-3 times a day.

In addition, and to prevent tooth decay and bad breaths from food stuck between teeth, try to floss at least once per day. Also, do not forget to scrape your tongue as it gathers a huge amount of bacteria daily.

Chlorophyll

Furthermore, to make sure that you eliminate bad breath once and for all, you should stick to a cleaning routine. Studies have been arguing that chlorophyll is quite efficient to get rid of bad breath.

Chlorophyll is the chemoprotein that gives plants their green color. Apparently, they are responsible for a major part of the good health benefits of leafy veggies on our well-being. Although it hasn’t been tested on human breath, some researchers recommend chewing on Parsley few times a day, in order to eliminate bad breath.

Homemade Mouth Wash

Mouth wash is easily obtainable at the grocery store, but you can also easily create your own at home. Medical research showed that high concentrations of baking soda effectively reduce bad breath. Therefore, you can mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of warm water and use it to rinse your mouth after brushing.

In addition, you can also try making a mouthwash from 2tablespoons of white vinegar and warm water. Since vinegar is very acidic and bacteria hate growing in acidic environment. This homemade solutions could help eliminate bad breath from your mouth.

Photos: Pixabay

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

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.

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