Science

Daily Interactions That You Didn’t Know Are Disgusting

The majority of us try to maintain a clean lifestyle and avoid interactions that are, well, disgusting. No one likes to wake up Monday morning with a fever and flu because their neighbor on the metro was sneezing up a storm. However, there are several common daily interactions that we have that you would be shocked to know are bacteria cesspools.

man, grossed out, providing a tissue to a sneezing woman.

Your Rideshare Is Dirtier Than A Taxi

Many people prefer to use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft over Taxis due to the convenience, price, and comfort. When we enter, the car typically LOOKS clean, however a study estimated that the backseat of your rideshare has 219 times more bacteria than a taxi. This is due to the fact Taxis are required to regularly clean their car, whereas Uber rideshare cars only need to pass an initial inspection.

man touching a disgusting seatbelt in a rideshare.

The biggest hot spots for the bacteria are the window buttons and seatbelt. In order to stay safe and not break seatbelt laws, it is recommend to bring some antibacterial wipes to clean off any disgusting germs that were left behind by a previous passenger.

A Disgusting Beach Vacation Dilemma

When planning a beach vacation, most of us look forward to the refreshing feeling of a nice dip in the ocean. This study might make you think otherwise, which found that just ten minutes in the ocean can make bacteria stick to your skin for hours afterwards. As a result, your chances of infection increase, particularly respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. This is exacerbated by the fact that many beaches have poor water quality thanks to trash left behind by visitors.

two girls entering the ocean, full of disgusting bacteria.

Rather than sob as you write off the beach from all your future vacations, this simply means it is crucial you rinse off after swimming. It is also advisable to not enter the ocean if you have any open wounds, as these sites are more susceptible to infection.

Airport Security Bins Are Anything But Safe

Airport Security is designed to keep us safe, however the bacteria laden bins are a disgusting required interaction that could leave you very ill. One study found many bins contain the same bacteria that cause various respiratory infections. In fact, researchers detected more bacteria on airport security bins than on the toilets at the airports! This can be attributed to the fact that most airports do have measures to keep the bathrooms clean and sanitary, but the bins? Nothing.

It turns out germs REALLY love those airport security bins https://t.co/elKCwJxG93 pic.twitter.com/GliV7T2ojF
— MotherNatureNetwork (@MotherNatureNet) September 10, 2018

Next time you pass through security, just remember to wash your hands ASAP afterwards.

Photos: Freepik, Pixabay

Stressed Out? Relax With These Simple Solutions

If you have been feeling uptight and stressed the last month, you’re not alone. The American Psychological Association reported that 75% of Americans have symptoms of stress monthly, and we can only imagine what the global average must be. That said, there are ways of controlling and reducing stress that are both simple and affordable to fit into your daily life.

Chewing Gum

girl blowing a bubble gum to reduce stress.

Beyond giving your mouth a fresh flavor, chewing gum can actually help to improve your mood and reduce cortisol levels. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone,” so when this is lowered you will feel all around less stress in your life.

Filling Your Room With Plants

Spending time in the outdoors can make you feel instantly refreshed and calmer. To achieve these same benefits while inside of your home or office space, you can fill your room with plants, which has been proven to lower blood pressure associated with high stress environments. It also has been shown to help with your productivity and breathing. Plus, your room will be a sight for sore eyes with beautiful plants as decorations!

Biting Down On Some Chocolate

several bars of chocolate surrounded by cocoa powder.

Chocolate doesn’t just taste amazing– it actually makes us FEEL better too! Dark chocolate in particular has been proven to reduce stress levels when eaten daily, even in small amounts. Time to give yourself the sweet treat you deserve!

Mowing The Lawn

a man the mowing lawn, which is a unique way to feel less stressed.

This is probably the most shocking on the list… But a chemical that is released from the grass after it is freshly cut has the ability to make people feel happier and calmer. Some research found it even helps to reduce mental deterioration! You will also feel less stressed thanks to completing another chore. Another check off the to-do list!

Sipping On Some Tea

a glass of tea for when you are feeling stressed.

The British may be on to something with their love of tea. Scientists found that drinking just one cup of tea can help to lower one’s stress by up to 25 percent! The best tea for the job is green tea, which has the stress-reducing ingredient L-theanine. Wind down right before bed with a cup and you are sure to sleep soundly.

Photos: Freepik, Pixabay

Area 51 Facts To Fuel Your Extraterrestrial Fantasies

Recently Area 51 came to the spotlight once again as people on Facebook decided to create events to “storm” the Nevada-based flight testing facility (with over 2 million people accepting the event, too). This area has been linked to alien sightings and other-world conspiracy theories, yet there seems to be very little truthfully known about this location. Here to share some facts that will fuel your extraterrestrial fantasies.

No One Knows Why It’s Called Area 51

While there are plenty of theories about the name, there are no true origins to trace. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, it is not known how Area 51 got its name nor what it stands for! Some have theorized that the name comes from the fact the location is very close to nuclear testing sites, which typically each have their own number.

The Fake Moon Landing Conspiracies Were Believed To Be Filmed Here

One of the biggest cultural events during the Cold War and ingrained into US history is the 1969 moon landing. However, despite the video footage and moon rocks as evidence, many people don’t believe that the moon landing actually happened. This lunar conspiracy theory began by Bill Kaysing, who thinks that NASA officials faked the landing by filming it at Area 51, and took rocks from Antarctica as moon rocks.

Area 51 Workers Commute By Flight

Although most aspects of working at Area 51 are kept top secret, there is news that employees commute to work via an unmarked government aircraft. The airline for these secret aircrafts is called “Janet,” which some believe stands for Just Another Non-Existent Terminal. However, no one truly knows where they land. Nor is it verified where these flights specifically take off from.

"self parking" sign for aliens at Area 51.

The Best UFO Spotting Is By A Mailbox

Although workers are sworn to secrecy, some former employees have opened up about their prior work at the location. One man named Bob Lazar became famous for claiming to work at Area 51 and spotting UFOs. He said the best place to see aliens there was by the Black Mailbox. In reality it is two mailboxes, one for owner Steve Medlin and the second one for aliens. Medlin added the second mailbox to prevent all visitors from tampering with his own mail. Whether it’s your dream (or nightmare) to get in contact with aliens, this spot 12 miles away from the extraterrestrial hub is where to go!

The Black Mailbox near Area 51 for alien sightings.

Photos: Facebook Event: Storm Area 51 , Pixabay

The Brain Boosting Reasons You Should Play Sports

Movies and TV series love to play upon the classic trope of the “dumb jock.” Nevertheless, playing sports actually provides more benefits for your body than physical improvements. It also helps to make you mentally fitter and happier. The following are the brain boosting benefits (and reasons) you should be playing a sport!

woman and man biking and smiling enjoying sports.

Playing Sports Improves Your Concentration

Playing sports helps to keep you mentally fit as we grow older. In particular, including a mix of aerobic and strength training into your weekly routine has been proven to increase one’s critical thinking and learning skills. Just thirty minutes of physical activity several times a week is enough to improve your concentration!

man playing baseball, batting and focused.

Boosts Your Mood

The most widely known mental benefit of physical activity is that it can boost your mood. When we are active, the chemical endorphin is released from the brain, which helps to make us feel happier and more positive. Team sports additionally provide a social advantage, so you can make new friends and connect with others.

woman and man smiling holding a soccer ball.

Playing Sports Fights Off Stress

Just as physical activity helps the brain to release mood-boosting chemicals, it also helps to decrease the stress hormones in our body. Additionally, playing sports can help to take our minds off of the daily stressors and problems in our lives, so we don’t feel so clouded by negative energy and thoughts. This in turn helps people to be more relaxed, and possibly reduce the chances of depression.

man and women playing tennis, clearly happy.

Increase Your Self-Esteem

Trying out a new sport or activity can be nerve-wracking. We often lack confidence if we are unsure how to do new skills. However, with regular practice, you are bound to improve your skills, strength, and self-esteem. Playing on a team also helps to create group dynamics that encourage support and reliance, meaning your confidence shoots up. This esteem-boost has been shown have an impact outside the gym as well, by improving how we view ourselves in our everyday lives. Who knew that hitting the basketball court a few days a week could end up helping you with that new promotion!

Man going up to shoot a basketball, one of the sports requiring lots of skills to help increase your esteem.

Photos: Pixabay, Freepik

5 Reasons You Should Be Reading Daily

Reading traditional print books seems to be the form of entertainment that is dying off with the social media age. Nevertheless, enjoying a good book every day can actually provide many benefits on an intellectual, emotional and social level. By adding even just a few minutes of reading each day, you will reap some of these results!

Reading Increases Your Intelligence

a child reading while wearing adult work clothes.

A study published in 2014 found that people who learned strong reading skills from a young age were more likely to grow up to be intelligent as adults. The study investigated 1,890 sets of identical twins, and reading was the factor that appeared to most influence which twin would score better in verbal and reasoning tests. This concludes that children should be exposed to and taught how to read at a young age in order to reap the benefits for the rest of their adult life.

Reading Reduces Stress

a woman reading, relaxed holding a cup of coffee.

After a long day at work, you might be feeling very pressed and negative. A good way to unwind is by reading for half an hour. One study found this helped individuals reduce stress as well as completing 30 minutes of meditation or yoga.

Improve Your Sleep At Night

How many of us are guilty of scrolling through our phones and social media feeds right before bed? (Answer: almost all of us). That said, the light from our phone screens can keep our brains wired into the night, preventing us from being able to fall asleep. Picking up a physical book (not electronic) before bed allows us to both avoid the blue light and helps us relax into a better sleep.

Literary Fiction Enhances Your Empathy

students and friends all with books and smiling together.

Reading fiction literature has been shown to enhance readers’ ability to empathize with others. The thinking behind the results of a 2013 study was that fiction is written to make readers be able to step outside of their own world to relating to fictitious characters. These skills then transfer into the real world, where fiction readers can better understand how others are thinking and feeling.

Reading Strengthens Family Bonds

Although we typically think of reading as a solitary activity, it can also be a perfect bonding experience for parents with their children. Specifically, reading print books (not e-books) with children creates more meaningful conversations and connections among family members. It also has the advantage of encouraging children to read from a young age to gain a love for books to last a lifetime.

Photos: Freepik

Six Unusual Animal Facts You Never Knew

We all have our own hidden talent or habits, so why would it be any different with animals? With over 8.7 million species living on planet earth, it seems only natural that some have their own special body compositions and unique quirks (so we recommend you know how to act around them). We guarantee you never knew some of these unusual animal facts!

A Grizzly Bear’s Powerful Jaw

We know better than to mess with a giant grizzly bear in the wild, but this fact might make you even leerier of even getting close to the animal. Turns out, a grizzly bear’s bite is strong enough to break a bowling ball!

A Food-Fueled Flamingo’s Coat

two pink flamingos in front of white flamingos

For those that have never seen a flamingo in the wild, typically one pictures the animal as a bright pink. In reality, flamingos are white! The reason they appear pink is due to their diet. A flamingo’s coat will change to a pink hue if they eat large amounts of brine shrimp and algae.

The Feline Form Of Communication

a cat meowing, the way the animal communicates with humans.

Everyone from a young age learns that cats say “meow,” and yet… meowing isn’t actually a cat’s way of communicating with one another! Scientists have concluded that meowing is in reality just a cat’s way of getting human attention, nothing more.

The Not-So-Mighty Cry Of A Bald Eagle

Typically we associate bald eagles with power, strength, and a piercing cry. However, the national symbol of America really has a pipsqueak voice, that sounds more like yips. The sound is so meek and mild, that Hollywood producers actually dub the voice of bald eagles in movies with the sound of a red tailed hawk.

A Criminally Confusing Koala

The cute animal koala clinging to a tree

The cute and fuzzy koalas from Australia actually have fingerprint formations that are almost identical to that of a human. As a result, koala fingerprints have sometimes been accidentally confused for a human’s at crime scenes of various criminal investigations.

A Snail Snooze Fest

a snail out of its shell, a slimy animal.

Snails are slimy by nature and will die if they dry out and are exposed to too much heat. As a result, snails have developed hibernation tactics for when they detect the air is dry. They burrow underground or curl in their shells and sleep– sometimes up to three years! Talk about a real power napper!

Photos: Pixabay, Unsplash