Search

New study reveals people who do this daily make more money over their lifetimes

You’ve heard that regular exercise can help you live richly. Frequent movement, even in short bursts throughout the day, has been linked to lower all-cause mortality rates and reduced risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes and other age-related conditions, helping you age healthfully and stay independent. Now, new research suggests frequent exercise might help you live well in another meaningful way; in terms of income. In a recent study published in the journal Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, doctors from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), which is part of the National Institute of Health (NIH), investigated whether individuals who stayed active would earn more money as a result of their active lifestyle. The researchers’ findings revealed that staying active not only resulted in higher present earnings, but also predicted increased future income throughout one’s life. In essence, the science was clear: Getting more exercise could make you wealthier. <h2>How exercise predicted future earnings</h2> The researchers set out to explore three key correlations: How mobility affected income, how mobility influenced income over time, and whether exercise could help people maintain their mobility as they aged. The team analysed data from the US-federally-supported Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the largest study tracking changes over time in Americans aged 50 and above. This comprehensive study takes into account various life aspects, including work, socio-economic status, health, psychology and family matters, as individuals age. To assess the impact of current mobility on income, the researchers examined data from over 19,000 respondents to determine how well they could perform simple tasks, such as walking several blocks, climbing multiple flights of stairs, or moving around a room. Each person received a numerical score, with 5 indicating full mobility and 0 indicating difficulties with these tasks. <h2>What earnings over time revealed</h2> The researchers found that for each decrease in the mobility category, individuals lost out on an average of US$3000 in annual income compared to their peers. Those who were active were also significantly more likely to remain working for longer than the other group. It appeared that engaging in exercise enabled individuals to maintain mobility and engage in professional life for a longer period of time than those who were less active. Looking at earnings over time revealed even more substantial benefits for those who remained active throughout their lives. Active individuals showed an overall income level that was US$6500 higher, along with higher rates of employment. For the third part of the study, it’s not surprising that those who engaged in exercise continued to maintain their mobility after the age of 55 and had higher employment rates. Even exercising just one day a week showed improvements in mobility outcomes. <h2>Moving more benefits more than just health</h2> While this study doesn’t definitively prove that leading a healthy lifestyle directly leads to higher earnings, it strongly suggests that staying healthy and mobile brings benefits beyond just lower levels of disease (which is a type of wealth in and of itself). NIAMS Director Lindsey A. Criswell, M.D., M.P.H., underscores this point: “We have long understood that greater mobility is an important indicator of good health … The notion that mobility can have economic rewards further extends the evidence for the benefits of exercise and maintaining an active lifestyle.” If this science inspires you to make a healthy lifestyle change, speak with a licensed healthcare provider to determine the right exercise programme for you. Image credits: Shutterstock This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/food-home-garden/money/new-study-reveals-people-who-do-this-daily-make-more-money-over-their-lifetimes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Body

Can a daily multivitamin improve your memory?

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacques-raubenheimer-1144463">Jacques Raubenheimer</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/au/topics/research-check-25155">Research Checks</a> interrogate newly published studies and how they’re reported in the media. The analysis is undertaken by one or more academics not involved with the study, and reviewed by another, to make sure it’s accurate. <hr /> Don’t we all want to do what we can to reduce the impact of age-related decline on our memory? A new study suggests a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement is a simple and inexpensive way to help older adults slow the decline in some aspects of memory function. The <a href="https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)48904-6/fulltext">new study</a>, which comes from a <a href="https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02422745?term=NCT02422745&draw=2&rank=1">long-running clinical trial</a>, shows there may be a small benefit of taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement for one type of cognitive task (immediate word recall) among well-functioning elderly white people. At least in the short term. But that doesn’t mean we should all rush out and buy multivitamins. The results of the study don’t apply to the whole population, or to all types of memory function. Nor does the study show long-term benefits. <h2>How was the study conducted?</h2> The overarching COSMOS study is a well-designed double-blind randomised control trial. This means participants were randomly allocated to receive the intervention (a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement) or a placebo (dummy tablet), but neither the participants nor the researchers knew which one they were taking. This type of study is considered the <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5654877/">gold standard</a> and allows researchers to compare various outcomes. Participants (3,562) were older than 64 for women, and 59 for men, with no history of heart attack, invasive cancer, stroke or serious illness. They couldn’t use multivitamins or minerals (or <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2216932120">cocoa extract</a> which they also tested) during the trial. Participants completed a <a href="https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04582617?term=NCT04582617&draw=2&rank=1">battery of online cognitive tests</a> at the start of the study (known as baseline), then yearly for three years, of which only three were reported in this paper: <ul> <li> ModRey, measuring immediate recall. Participants were shown “a list of 20 words, one at a time, for three seconds each,” and then had to type the list from memory </li> <li> ModBent, measuring object recognition. Participants were given 20 prompts with a shape and then had to select the correct match from a pair of similar prompts. After this, they were prompted with 40 shapes in turn, and had to indicate whether each was included in the original 20 or not </li> <li> Flanker, measuring “executive control”. Participants had to select a coloured block that corresponded to an arrow in a matrix of arrows, which could have the same (or different) colour to the surrounding arrows, and the same (or different) direction as the prompt block. </li> </ul> <h2>What did the researchers find?</h2> Of all the tests the researchers performed, only immediate recall (ModRey) at one year showed a significant effect, meaning the result is unlikely to just be a result of chance. At two and three years, the effect was no longer significant (meaning it could be down to chance). However they added an “overall estimate” by averaging the results from all three years to arrive at another significant effect. All the effect sizes reported are very small. The largest effect is for the participants’ immediate recall at one year, which was 0.07 – a value that is <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jpepsy/article/34/9/917/939415">generally considered very small without justification</a>. Also of note is that both the multivitamin and placebo groups had higher immediate word recall scores at one year (compared to baseline), although the multivitamin group’s increase was significantly larger. <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/epdf/10.1073/pnas.2216932120">In the researchers’ prior study</a>, the increase in word recall scores was described as a “typical learning (practice) effect”. This means they attributed the higher scores at one year to familiarisation with the test. For some reason, this “learning effect” was not discussed in the current paper, where the treatment group showed a significantly larger increase compared to those who were given the placebo. <h2>What are the limitations of the study?</h2> The team used a suitable statistical analysis. However, it did not adjust for demographic characteristics such as age, gender, race, and level of education. The authors detail their study’s major limitation well: it is not very generalisable, as it used “mostly white participants” who had to be very computer literate, and, one could argue, would be quite well-functioning cognitively. <figure class="align-center "><figcaption></figcaption>Another unmentioned limitation is the advanced age of their sample, meaning long-term results for younger people can’t be assessed.</figure> Additionally, the baseline diet score for their sample was abysmal. The researchers say participants’ diet scores “were consistent with <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1899558">averages from the US population</a>” but the cited study noted “the overall dietary quality… [was] poor.” And they didn’t measure changes in diet over the three years, which could impact the results. <h2>How should we interpret the results?</h2> The poor dietary quality of the sample raises the question: can a better diet be the simple fix, rather than multivitamin and mineral supplements? Even for the effect they observed, which micronutrient from the supplement was the contributing factor? The researchers speculate about vitamins B12 and D. But you can find research on cognitive function for any arbitrarily chosen <a href="https://www.centrum.com/content/dam/cf-consumer-healthcare/bp-wellness-centrum/en_US/pdf/lbl-00000775-web-ready-centrum-silver-adults-tablets-(versio.pdf">ingredient</a>, including <a href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=selenium+cognitive+function">selenium</a>, which can be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969720378608">toxic at high levels</a>. <h2>So should I take a multivitamin?</h2> <a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2013/08/should-you-take-dietary-supplements">Health authorities advise</a> daily multivitamin use isn’t necessary, as you can get all the nutrients you need by eating a wide variety of healthy foods. However, supplementation may be appropriate to meet any specific nutrient gaps an individual has. Using a good quality multivitamin at the recommended dose shouldn’t do any harm, but at best, this study shows well-functioning elderly white people might show some additional benefit in one type of cognitive task from using a multivitamin supplement. The case for most of the rest of the population, and the long-term benefit for younger people, can’t be made. <hr /> <h2>Blind peer review</h2> Clare Collins writes: I agree with the reviewer’s assessment, which is a comprehensive critique of the study. The key result was a small effect size from taking a daily multivitamin and mineral (or “multinutrient”) supplement on memory recall at one year (but not later time points) and is equivalent to a training effect where you get better at taking a test the more times you do it. It’s also worth noting the study authors received support and funding from commercial companies to undertake the study. While the study authors state they don’t believe background diet quality impacted the results, they didn’t comprehensively assess this. They used a brief <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22513989/">diet quality assessment score</a> only at baseline. Participants may have changed their eating habits during the study, which could then impact the results. Given all participants reported low diet quality scores, an important question is whether giving participants the knowledge, skills and resources to eat more healthily would have a bigger impact on cognition than taking supplements. <img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/208114/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> Image credit: Shutterstock <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/jacques-raubenheimer-1144463">Jacques Raubenheimer</a>, Senior Research Fellow, Biostatistics, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/can-a-daily-multivitamin-improve-your-memory-208114">original article</a>.

Body

11 simple daily habits of couples in healthy relationships

The secrets of happy relationships Do you expect your partner to take out the bins every week without ever being thanked? Can you recall the last time you paid your partner a compliment? Find out the secrets of people in a happy and healthy relationship. They Netflix and chill together There are many little ways to boost your marriage – and chief among them is simple companionship. Even if you’re couch surfing, do it together. Spending time with one another is one of the highlights of a healthy relationship. If he’s reading a book, grab one and cuddle up next to him. Bring him a drink while he’s mowing the lawn. Does washing the car bore you to tears? Then simply stand nearby and chat while he suds it up. “In the beginning, couples go out of their way to impress each other and create new ‘first memories’ together,” says Julie Spira, an online dating expert, CEO of Cyber-Dating Expert and author of The Perils of Cyber-Dating. “After a while, just being together rises to the top of the relationship totem pole.” And there’s nothing wrong with a good binge-watch. One study found a direct link between media consumption while together and relationship satisfaction. They compliment one another Here’s how to have a healthy relationship: Tell him how hot he is. Or that he smells delicious. Give her rear a smack in those jeans you adore. Happy couples know how to give a sincere compliment in the moment. In fact, a study found that receiving a compliment has the same positive effect as receiving cash. “Compliments are the quickest way to put a smile on your partner’s face,” says Spira. “Find something appealing about the other and never forget what attracted you to him in the first place. If it’s her ability to fill in the Sunday crossword puzzle or his ability to take charge when you need it, let each other know.” They say those three little words If you’re looking to build a stronger relationship, you’re going to need to say “I love you.” Happy couples say it throughout the day – when they wake up, when they’re eating lunch, when they go to sleep. “Saying I love you to your partner, whether it’s first thing in the morning or at bedtime, is important,” says Bonnie Winston, a celebrity matchmaker and relationship expert. “And saying it with a shared kiss makes it extra special.” She says for variation to try other meaningful three-word phrases like “You amaze me,” “You enthrall me,” “I adore you,” or “You’re my everything.” They slip it into conversation whenever they can. Just be sure that you say these words genuinely. “Those three little words are great to say, as long as you say them with intent and not just purely out of habit,” says Alexis Meads, a professional dating coach. They say thank you One of the best ways to make your spouse feel loved is to show graciousness – even for something as seemingly trivial as picking up the kids from a playdate or grabbing a carton of milk at the supermarket. “Appreciation for all the good your partner contributes to your life is vital,” says Gilda Carle, PhD, relationship expert and author of Ask for What You Want AND GET IT. “Thank-yous go a long way to continuing wedded bliss.” In fact, a study in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that gratitude increased an athlete’s self-esteem, which is a component of an optimal performance. For the sake of your relationship, it’s important to express your appreciation for what your significant other does for you. “No one wants to feel taken for granted,” says Antonia Hall, MA, a psychologist and relationship expert. “By finding things each day for which you’re grateful and expressing it to your sweetie, you foster positive connectivity with him. It will make him feel appreciated and often sparks his desire to want to please you all the more.” They show PDA Public displays of affection aren’t just for teenagers. Happy couples aren’t afraid to show their affection for one in another – even in public. “Intimacy and touch keeps you connected with your partner,” says Hall. “It fosters a connectedness that supports a strong and happy relationship.” Don’t worry, you don’t need to have a full-on make-out session in front of your in-laws. But you can keep your love alive by holding hands at the mall or snuggling at the kids’ sports game. A little PDA goes a long way. “Just touching your partner will help you feel more connected, both physically, emotionally and intellectually,” says Spira. “Plus, it’s a great form of foreplay.” Not to mention that it shows that you’re vulnerable. “When vulnerability is shown and nurtured, then trust in your relationship has the ability to grow,” says Kristie Overstreet, a licensed professional clinical counsellor, certified sex therapist and author of Fix Yourself First: 25 Tips to Stop Ruining Your Relationship. They check in with one another You don’t have to speak on the phone or text 24/7, but couples in healthy relationships call or text – to show the dog’s latest mess, a funny street sign, or for no reason at all. “Checking in with one another boosts feelings of ardour and security,” Winston says. Dr Carle adds, “People who check in with one another during their busy days are letting their partner know they’re thinking of them, despite all the other things going on.” They go to bed at the same time “This doesn’t mean that you both have to fall asleep. But at least wind the night down and get into the bed at the same time,” says Overstreet. “This gives you the opportunity to close the day together, which is very important.” Research shows that 75 percent of couples don’t go to bed at the same time, usually because one person is surfing the web, working or watching TV. Happy couples do their best not to stay up late cleaning the kitchen or folding laundry while the other catches some shuteye. Save the chores for another time. “In my experience as a relationship therapist, couples that go to bed at the same time have a more trusting relationship than those who don’t,” says Overstreet. Bedtime is an opportunity to talk about the day ahead and maybe have a quickie before you hit the hay too. They laugh together Soccer is at 4pm; doctor’s appointment is at 5:30pm.; remember to pick up a pizza on the way home. It’s easy to get into the habit of talking only about the logistics of life and kids. Healthy couples make it a habit to laugh together – often. It keeps the joy and spirit alive in your relationship. A new paper from US professor Jeffrey Hall gives data-backed validity to something you may have figured for yourself: couples who laugh together, stay together. “Find a way to make each other laugh,” says Spira. “Whether it’s watching a funny television show together or doing some playful teasing, laughter and happiness go hand-in-hand.” They share a hobby Tennis anyone? How about writing music? Happy couples take up a hobby that they can do together. Even if they don’t have common interests, happy couples will develop them. Maybe they try new restaurants together or volunteer at the local soup kitchen side by side once a week. “By no means do you need to do everything together,” says Meads. “However, couples who stay together have fun doing some of the same things.” When couples see their relationship as full of fun, they’re more likely to be happier over the long term. “Adding your mutual hobby to your schedule gives you something to look forward to and a memory to look back upon,” says Spira. And living a stimulating life outside the bedroom will lead to a stimulating life inside it. They ask for what they need Happy couples ask for what they need and listen to each other’s requests. “Healthy relationships encourage people to be authentic in their feelings so they can genuinely express themselves,” says Dr Carle. You’re doomed if you just hope that your partner will be a mind reader and “just know” what you’re thinking. Happy couples openly talk about their needs and understand their differences. “When your significant other does something you like, tell him so,” says Winston. “This will give him a feeling of validation and he’ll continue to want to please you.” They're a team “With a team mentality, couples lift each other up and are stronger together,” says Hall. “They make sacrifices to benefit the long-term partnership.” They make decisions together – one person doesn’t call all the shots. It can be small issues like deciding what to watch on the TV to bigger issues like figuring out where you want to raise a family. “Knowing your partner has your back and vice versa is a great source of comfort in the game of love,” says Spira. You function as a unit and think in terms of “we” instead of “I.” Remember that you’re on the same team, says relationship expert Andrea Syrtash, author of Cheat on Your Husband (with Your Husband). “It doesn’t make sense to have a winner and a loser in an argument,” Syrtash says. “You’re more likely to fight more fairly when you consider this.” Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/true-stories-lifestyle/relationships/11-daily-habits-of-couples-in-healthy-relationships?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Relationships

Daily aspirin doesn’t prevent strokes in older, healthy people after all

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839">Nial Wheate</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tina-hinton-329706">Tina Hinton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> The daily use of <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/drugs-in-secondary-stroke-prevention">low dose aspirin</a> has been a mainstay of preventing strokes for decades. While there has always been a risk of bleeding associated with aspirin use, the benefits were thought to outweigh the risk. Now <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.25803">new research</a> led by Monash University has shown daily, low-dose aspirin doesn’t prevent strokes in relatively healthy people aged over 70. And it increases their risk of bleeding on the brain after falls or other injuries. But if you’re taking aspirin, it doesn’t mean you should abruptly stop. It may still have a role to play in treating people at high risk of stroke. Or, after talking to your doctor, there might be better options available. <h2>Why has aspirin been used to prevent strokes?</h2> Aspirin is an anti-platelet medicine, which is commonly known as a blood-thinner. <a href="https://www.lifeblood.com.au/blood/learn-about-blood/platelets">Platelets</a> are the component of blood primarily responsible for its clotting action. They are what stop you from continuously bleeding any time you have a cut or scrape on your skin. A <a href="https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/what-is-a-stroke">stroke</a> is when oxygen can’t get into the brain because of a burst or blocked blood vessel. A blockage can occur when platelets in the bloodstream form a clot and it gets stuck in the artery. Because aspirin acts on platelets, it can help prevent the clots that can lead to a stroke. But because aspirin acts on platelets, it can also increase the risk of <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-disease/in-depth/daily-aspirin-therapy/art-20046797#:%7E:text=While%20daily%20aspirin%20can%20help,of%20developing%20a%20stomach%20ulcer.">unwanted bleeding</a>, usually in the stomach. It can also increase your risk of bleeding more when you have another injury, like hitting your head. Aspirin isn’t just used for the prevention of strokes. It is also the first aid treatment for someone undergoing a <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/acute-myocardial-infarction-early-treatment">heart attack</a>. <h2>Findings of the Monash trial</h2> New <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.25803">research from Australia and the United States</a> reports results from the Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. The researchers examined the protective use of daily low-dose aspirin (100 mg) in nearly 2,000 people who were aged 70 years and older and had no history of heart disease or stroke and whose blood pressure and cholesterol were well managed. When compared with placebo, aspirin didn’t reduce or increase the risk of stroke. Of the participants who took the aspirin, 195 or 4.6% had a stroke. Of those who took the placebo, 203 people or 4.7% had a stroke. But it did statistically increase the rate of non-stroke bleeding in the participants’ brains, for example when they injured their head. Those on aspirin showed a rate of bleeding in the brain of 1.1% (108 participants) compared with 0.8% (79 people) for those on placebo. This is a relatively, low but serious, risk. These findings are not entirely new. <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1800722?query=featured_home">Research</a> published five years ago based on the same ASPREE trial showed a similar result: a higher rate of bleeding among those taking low-dose aspirin compared with placebo. However as the study authors note, aspirin continues to be widely used for the prevention of stroke. <h2>What are the study’s limitations?</h2> The researchers examined aspirin in mostly people of white European heritage. So we don’t know whether the results are translatable to people with different ethnic backgrounds. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2594139/">Genetics and ethnicity</a> can significantly impact the efficacy and safety of some drugs. The clinical trial only included people who were not significantly at risk of a stroke, and had no history of heart disease. Younger age groups were not studied either, so we cannot make any conclusions about their use of low dose aspirin to prevent stroke. It’s also possible the potential benefits and risks are different for those who have underlying heart problems or who have previously had a stroke and are therefore at higher risk of another stroke. <h2>I’m taking aspirin, what should I do?</h2> If you’re taking daily low-dose aspirin and are concerned by the results of the study, it’s important you don’t just stop taking your medicine. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist. For people who are at high risk of having a stroke, or have previously had one, low-dose aspirin may remain their treatment of choice despite the slight bleeding risk. If you’re at high risk of bleeding, for example because of falls and other accidents due to advanced age, frailty, or another underlying condition, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of aspirin you take by adding in <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/dipyridamole">dipyridamole</a> or prescribing a different medicine completely, such as <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/clopidogrel">clopidogrel</a>.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/210388/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/nial-wheate-96839">Nial Wheate</a>, Associate Professor of the Sydney Pharmacy School, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/tina-hinton-329706">Tina Hinton</a>, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/daily-aspirin-doesnt-prevent-strokes-in-older-healthy-people-after-all-210388">original article</a>.

Body

Tina Turner’s 12 daily habits that helped her live 83 inspired years

<h3>How did Tina Turner live such a long and successful life?</h3> If you’ve ever seen Tina Turner perform live – which she last did on New Year’s Eve 2022 – you might have thought the music icon seemed ageless… immortal, even. From her powerhouse voice to electrifying stage presence and energetic dancing, you would never have known she was 83 years old. But earlier this year she became ill, with some sources reporting intestinal cancer and a stroke. On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Tina Turner’s family announced she died peacefully at her home in Switzerland. Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, Turner never had an easy life. In the 1960s and ’70s, she rose to fame as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, performing with her then-husband, before launching her decades-long solo career. Tina Turner was known just as much for her personal struggles and shared her experiences openly with her fans, earning a reputation for female strength. So how did Tina Turner live such a long and successful life despite her many struggles? The answer is that good genetics and chance likely played their roles, but a lot of the credit goes to her healthy lifestyle. Tina Turner had some famously great health habits and a resilient attitude. Ready to take notes from the Queen of Rock-n-roll? Following her lead won’t make you a famous singer (but who are we to crush your dreams?), but it will definitely make you happier and healthier. <h4>1. Tina Turner maintained a spiritual practice</h4> Turner grew up Southern Baptist but as her spirituality evolved, she eventually turned to Buddhism, crediting it for giving her a purpose in life – one of the best things you can do for your health and happiness. “After I began practicing Buddhism, I realised that my hardships could give me a mission – a purpose. I saw that by overcoming my obstacles, I could build indestructible happiness and inspire others to do the same,” she said in an interview with the Harvard Business Review. “I credit my spiritual practice with all the positive transformations – from the smallest to the largest – I’ve had in my career and personal life.” <h4>2. Getting 10 (!) hours of sleep each night</h4> Thanks to her rigorous touring schedule, Turner’s internal clock was set to ET (entertainment time, that is). “I am late to bed and late to rise, a habit of years of rock and roll touring,” she told Vogue in an interview. But, she admitted, she still prioritised getting enough shut-eye – “a good night’s sleep is the key,” she said, adding she aimed for about 10 hours each night. <h4>3. Tina Turner meditated daily</h4> Turner meditated daily and chanted a mantra when she felt anxious or stressed. One of her go-to mantras was change poison into medicine, to remind her to reframe negative situations or roadblocks and transform or remove them through positivity. “This allowed my true self to come out, and I became cheerful, confident, and resilient,” she wrote in her book Happiness Becomes You. “My approach to life and work became calmer and more thoughtful, and my reactions were more tempered.” <h4>4. Tina Turner Loved to move</h4> The key to making exercise a regular habit is to find something you genuinely love doing. For Turner that was clearly dancing, something she did with unabashed joy on stage. When Vogue asked what her exercise routine was to shape her famous legs, she replied, “Dancing! Any excuse and I will dance anywhere.” <h4>5. Tina Turner had a strong a creative outlet</h4> Songwriting was one of Turner’s greatest gifts, alongside her singing. But it wasn’t something that came easily to her and she dedicated countless hours to writing and composing. This creative outlet not only gave her a healthy outlet for her feelings but doing creative things, like writing, singing and painting have huge cognitive benefits. Not sure where to start to be creative? Write what you know: “I started with the topic I knew best: my own life. I wrote about my hometown of Nutbush in what became the 1973 hit ‘Nutbush City Limits,’” she said. <h4>6. Tina Turner had a sensible diet</h4> From Thai food to vegetarian to local delicacies, Turner was photographed enjoying a wide variety of delicious foods. So how did she keep her healthy muscular physique? Not by starving! “I knew a very long time ago that I always wanted to be as slender and attractive as I possibly could be,” she said in an interview with the Daily Mail. “But I hate all that calorie counting. I eat what I want and then if my weight starts to go up, I cut back.” <h4>7. Tina Turner made time for friends and family</h4> Fame can be isolating, as Turner found out when her ex-husband Ike used it as a way to abuse her. But as she got older Turner made it a point to spend time with her loved ones, including her four children. She also made friends wherever she went, recognising the joy and benefits of having a large social circle. “I do my best to see people as individuals and emphasise common ground,” she said. <h4>8. Following a self-care routine</h4> “I am blessed to have very good skin,” Turner told Vogue. But it wasn’t all genetics. No matter how tired she was after a show, she made it a point to practice self-care by washing off her makeup and using a deep moisture cream before bed. Clearly it worked: Tina Turner had glowy, supple skin well into her eighties! <h4>9. Tina Turner exited a toxic relationship</h4> Not all relationships are worth saving, especially those that are toxic or abusive. Staying with people who hurt you takes a terrible toll on your mental and physical health. Tina Turner’s escape from her abusive marriage was very public but, like many victims of domestic violence, it took the singer a long time to figure out how to leave. “For a long time I felt like I was stuck, with no way out of the unhealthy situation I was in,” she said. “Once I could see myself clearly, I began to change, opening the way to confidence and courage. It took a few years, but finally I was able to stand up for my life and start anew.” Not only did she save her own life, but she provided a powerful inspiration to other women in similar situations. <h4>10. Tina Turner spent time outdoors</h4> After retiring from the public eye, Turner and her husband Erwin moved their family to Switzerland – largely for the beautiful and relaxing scenery. “I love spending days in Switzerland with my husband driving into the mountains,” she said. “It’s relaxing and very spiritual to be surrounded by the lake and beautiful nature.” Are you a nature lover too? Being outdoors has powerful health benefits and is linked with a longer life in the research. It’s not just the exercise that boosts your health. Science has shown that simply being outdoors, in nature, lowers stress hormones, slows your heart rate, reduces blood pressure, and increases feelings of safety and well-being, according to a study on ‘forest bathing.’ <h4>11. Tina Turner embraced ageing</h4> Ageing in showbiz is seen as one of the worst things a woman can do (as if she has any other option!), and many stars fight it as long as they can with surgery, drugs and photoshop. Not Tina Turner, though! “Of course, I’ve aged a bit in the face, but not enough to worry about it. I have common sense enough to know that if I’m [ageing], something has to happen,” she said to the Daily Mail. “As time passes, a woman goes through changes with her body, her hormones and all of that, but I don’t have a problem with that. So I am fortunate.” This happy attitude toward ageing is revolutionary and sets a great example, especially because how we talk about ageing has a powerful effect on our health and happiness as we get older. <h4>12. Tina Turner chose happiness every day</h4> Experts agree: happiness is a choice, not a circumstance. No one knew this better than Tina Turner. After suffering a stroke and cancer, she shared, “My challenges can either make me a better version of myself or break me apart, and I have a choice as to which it will be. It’s so important to remember that you do have a choice, even when it feels as if you don’t. I choose to be hopeful and to honour each experience in my life, negative and positive, as a chance to increase my wisdom, courage, and compassion.” Images: Getty Written by: Charlotte Hilton Andersen This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/articles/backtips-advice/tina-turners-12-daily-habits-that-helped-her-live-83-inspired-years" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Body

10 things we sort of miss because of technological advances

The world has certainly changed in the last few decades – great technological advancements has meant many things we did in the past are all but a memory (or they are on their way out.) Let’s look back on ten things we sort of miss even though they’ve been replaced by new technology. 1. Buying disposable cameras, only taking picture that were worth the cost of film and having to go all the way to the chemist to develop and print photographs. Then you had to decide how to arrange them in an album. 2. Recording your favourite television programs using a video tape. Nowadays people are downloading movies and TV shows straight to their computer. 3. Saving all your loose change just in case you needed to use the pay phone when you were out. And having to remember numbers. 4. Spending hours over a road map and writing down your own directions so you wouldn’t get lost before a holiday road trip or just going somewhere new. Nobody needs to remember how to get anywhere now because most have GPS. 5. Physically visiting institutions like banks, post office and the newsagents. We don’t miss the long lines but at least it was personal. 6. Hand-writing essays, letters and notes, which meant knowing how to hand-write. Now it’s about how fast you type not how legible your handwriting is! 7. Looking up information in big encyclopaedias and definitions in the dictionary. Not just consulting the internet. 8. Receiving mail in your letterbox not your inbox. Unluckily, there is more “junk mail” and spam now than ever. 9. Advertising or looking for finds in classified section of the newspaper. 10. Packing your friends in the backseats of the car to go to the drive-in movies because it was the only one around. While we do love the comfy seats in air-conditioned cinemas, you can’t beat the fun and romantic possibilities of drive-in cinemas. Images: Getty

Technology

5 daily habits to improve heart, brain and eye health

Blackmores Naturopath Rebekah Russell shares her top five tips for boosting heart, brain and eye health. 1. Stand up for your health Sitting is the new smoking. Sitting for hours on end, like most office workers do, increases the risk of heart attack and stroke – even if you are a regular exerciser. Unfortunately, a morning run or afternoon swim can’t negate the damage of sitting for eight hours or more a day. Try setting a diary reminder on your computer to stand up and walk around or try to stand during phone calls. 2. De-stress Despite modern technologies that are designed to make life easier, we’re all more stressed than ever. Long-term stress can spike levels of cortisol – a stress hormone which can affect the short-term memory regions of the brain. Meditation, spending time with friends and family, switching off from the Internet and social media, are all ways you can minimise stress and maintain long-term brain health. 3. Be a floss boss Not only can regular flossing prevent bad breath, it may prevent heart attack. While there is currently no definitive proof periodontal disease actually causes heart disease, there is proof that bacteria in the mouth can be released into the bloodstream and cause a hardening of the arteries. This can then lead to heart attack and stroke – reason enough to include flossing in your daily routine! 4. Good food Good eye, brain and heart health all starts with the food on your fork. Try to include two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables in your diet each day. Lutein (often referred to as the “eye vitamin”) and zeaxanthin, nutrients commonly found in vegetables, are disease-fighting antioxidants that are important for eyes, brain, and heart. Both nutrients are commonly found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, turnips and lettuce as well as broccoli, zucchini and brussels sprouts and eggs. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish and fish oil, may also help fight off macular degeneration and cataracts, while also maintaining good heart and brain health. 5. Get social If you need another excuse to catch up with friends, or hang out with family, it’s this one! Socialising stimulates the brain and can also help to encourage healthy behaviours such as exercising. Daily social interaction has also been suggested to protect the brain against diseases including dementia and Alzheimer’s. Images: Getty

Body

8 spots to declutter on a daily basis

Many people who are naturally tidy will say that orderliness is merely a habit. So get into the groove of doing a little bit of decluttering every day, and you're sure to live a (somewhat) more streamlined life. Here are eight areas in your home that could do with a tidy on-the-daily. 1. The mailbox Start setting your home life in order before you even walk in the door by making sure to clear your mailbox. Any junk mail can go straight in the recycling bin outside and you can deal with mail and bills immediately. 2. Your handbag The busier a woman is, the more likely she is to accumulate fodder in her handbag. Receipts, toiletries, charger cables, hair clips, mail, snacks, and more will get lumped into the bag. Take a couple of minutes at the end of each day to clear what's arrived there into the relevant places, and make sure you have what you need for tomorrow. 3. The kitchen sink Does anyone really enjoy doing the dishes? Washing dirty pots and pans is an activity that only becomes less attractive the longer you leave it. Do yourself a favour and the air in your home a favour - don't leave unwashed dishes in the sink overnight. 4. Your clothes pile Let's be real - we all have one of these. Whether it's your chair, a corner of your bed or in a hamper, unworn clothes just seem to gather. Make it your practice to return clothes to the wardrobe before bed for a more relaxing bedroom (and maybe even a better night's sleep). 5. The car Don't treat your car like an open-plan filing system, a trash can or a laundry basket. Make a rule - when you get out of the car, all new additions - like coffee cups or the drycleaning you just retrieved - come out with you. 6. The kitchen bench The counter in your kitchen is a waypoint in the home where clutter easily accumulates. It might be tempting to decorate this space with a tray for odds and ends, but by doing this, you're simply allowing yourself to procrastinate. Instead, create a pinboard somewhere in your kitchen. Reminders and important documents can be pinned, everything else can go back where it belongs. 7. Your desk Maintaining a tidy home office is important for morale and productivity. Plus, you deserve to work in well ordered environment. It's easy to bring things from around the house onto your desk (e.g. scissors, charging cables) and then be frantically wondering where they are later. When you finish your work for the day, make a ritual of putting everything away. 8. Your wallet File receipts, remove excess coins, keep an eye on your loyalty cards (you might have a nice surprise) and make sure you have all your cards. Image credits: Getty Images Written by Anabela Rea. Republished with permission on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Home Hints & Tips

How on-demand buses can transform travel and daily life for people with disabilities

People with disabilities arguably stand to gain the most from good public transport, but are continually excluded by transport systems that still aren’t adapted to their needs as the law requires. <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/ee5ee3c2-152d-4b5f-9901-71d483b47f03/aihw-dis-72.pdf.aspx?inline=true">One in six people</a> aged 15 and over with disability have difficulty using some or all forms of public transport. One in seven are not able to use public transport at all. Under the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2018C00125">Disability Discrimination Act 1992</a>, Australia’s public transport systems were expected to be fully compliant with the 2002 <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility">Transport Standards</a> by December 31 2022. Not only have many of our bus, train and tram systems <a href="https://www.disabilitysupportguide.com.au/talking-disability/public-transport-remains-inaccessible-as-20-year-targets-are-not-met">failed to meet these targets</a>, but the standards themselves are outdated. The standards are <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility/2022-review-transport-standards">under review</a> and public consultation has begun. For buses, the standards <a href="https://www.mcw.com.au/why-public-transport-operators-must-review-their-vehicles-in-2022/">largely focus on the vehicles themselves</a>: low-floor buses, wheelchair ramps, priority seating, handrails and enough room to manoeuvre. But just because a vehicle is accessible doesn’t necessarily mean a bus journey is accessible. There are difficulties getting to and from the bus, limited frequency of accessible services, <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17450101.2022.2126794">poor driver training, passenger conflict</a>, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2021/02/17/for-disabled-people-inclusive-transportation-is-about-much-more-than-lifts-and-ramps/?sh=322fc9c62b08">travel anxiety</a> and a lack of <a href="https://www.inclusivecitymaker.com/transport-accessibility-intellectual-disability/">planning for diversity</a>. In all these ways, bus travel excludes people with disabilities. <div data-id="17"> </div> Infrastructure alone cannot overcomes these issues. <a href="https://translink.com.au/travel-with-us/on-demand">On-demand transport</a>, which enables users to travel between any two points within a service zone whenever they want, offers potential solutions to some of these issues. It’s already <a href="https://sifted.eu/articles/viavan-on-demand-transport/">operating</a> in <a href="https://ringandride.org/">cities</a><a href="https://www.bcgomi.com/">overseas</a> and is being <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-million-rides-and-counting-on-demand-services-bring-public-transport-to-the-suburbs-132355">trialled in Australia</a>. <h2>Accessible vehicles are just the start</h2> Making vehicles accessible is really only the tip of the iceberg. Focusing only on infrastructure misses two key points: <ol> <li> our public transport journeys begin before we board the service and continue after we’ve left it </li> <li> accessibility means providing people with quality transport experiences, not just access to resources. </li> </ol> Let’s imagine a typical suburban bus journey. It is industry accepted that passengers are <a href="https://australasiantransportresearchforum.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/2013_rose_mulley_tsai_hensher.pdf">generally willing to walk about 400 metres</a> to a bus stop. That is based, of course, on the assumption that passengers are able-bodied. Long distances, steep hills, neglected pathways, few kerb cuts and poorly designed bus shelters all hinder individuals with disabilities from getting to the bus in the first place. This issue resurfaced in the 2020 report <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/ee5ee3c2-152d-4b5f-9901-71d483b47f03/aihw-dis-72.pdf.aspx?inline=true">People with Disability in Australia</a>, by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. More than one in four respondents with disabilities said getting “to and from stops” was a major obstacle to using public transport. But other barriers to making services inclusive are even more difficult to see. People with disabilities are forced to plan extensively when to travel, how to travel, who to travel with and what resources they need to complete the journey. Even the best-laid plans involve <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/gusalexiou/2021/02/17/for-disabled-people-inclusive-transportation-is-about-much-more-than-lifts-and-ramps/?sh=322fc9c62b08">added emotional energy or “travel anxiety”</a>. <h2>What solutions are there?</h2> <a href="https://theconversation.com/1-million-rides-and-counting-on-demand-services-bring-public-transport-to-the-suburbs-132355">On-demand transport</a> offers potential solutions to some of these issues. Its key feature is flexibility: users can travel between any two points within a service zone, whenever they want. This flexibility can be harnessed to design more inclusive bus services. Without a fixed route or timetable, on-demand services can pick up passengers at their home and drop them directly at their destination. This door-to-door service eliminates the stressful journey to and from a bus stop and their destinations. And with services available on demand, users can plan their travel to complement their daily activities instead of the availability of transport dictating their daily activities. The technology behind on-demand transport also helps reduce the need for customers to consistently restate their mobility needs. Once a customer creates a profile, extra boarding and alighting time is automatically applied to all future bookings. This eliminates the exhaustive process of added planning, and enables drivers to deliver a better experience for all of their passengers. <h2>Examples of on-demand services</h2> Cities around the globe are already using on-demand services to overcome transport disadvantage for people with disabilities. BCGo is one such service in Calhoun County, Michigan. A recent yet-to-be-published survey of BCGo users shows 51% of respondents face mobility challenges that affect their ability to travel. Some 30% have “conditions which make it difficult to walk more than 200 feet” (61m). That means the industry’s assumed walkable distance (400m) is 6.5 times the distance that’s realistically possible for many users of the service. Ring & Ride West Midlands is the UK’s largest on-demand project. It operates across seven zones with over 80 vehicles. The service, recently digitised using <a href="https://www.liftango.com/">Liftango</a>’s technology, is designed to provide low-cost, accessible transport. It can be used for commuting, visiting friends, shopping and leisure activities. Ring & Ride serves as an example of how on-demand service can provide sustainable and equitable transport at scale. It’s completing over 12,000 trips per month. <h2>A call to action for Australian governments</h2> Government policy needs to address not only inadequate bus infrastructure, but those invisible barriers that continue to exclude many people from bus travel. We need a cognitive shift to recognise accessibility is about creating quality experiences from door to destination for everyone. This needs to be paired with a willingness to explore solutions like on-demand transport. Transport authorities worldwide are already embracing these solutions. We cannot continue to rely on the community transport sector to absorb the responsibility of providing transport for people with disabilities, particularly as <a href="https://theconversation.com/eight-simple-changes-to-our-neighbourhoods-can-help-us-age-well-83962">our populations age</a>. Now is the time to have your say. The Transport Standards are <a href="https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/transport-accessibility/2022-review-transport-standards">open for public consultation</a> until June 2023. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-on-demand-buses-can-transform-travel-and-daily-life-for-people-with-disabilities-199988" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Travel Tips

"The opposite of wellness": Gwyneth Paltrow slammed over "toxic" daily routine

Gwyneth Paltrow has been slammed online for sharing her "detox" wellness routine, making people question her definition of "wellness". The Goop founder appeared on the The Art of Being Well podcast with Dr. Will Cole, where she shared her insanely strict daily regime. The 50-year-old touched on a series of topics, including keyboard warriors and "conscious uncoupling", but it was her comments about her routine and diet that caused the biggest upset. A 40 second clip of the hour long interview has gone viral on TikTok, as Paltrow answered Dr. Cole's question: "What does your wellness routine look like right now?" <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7210104654460521774&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40dearmedia%2Fvideo%2F7210104654460521774&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F17cff0a159f0493eaee1639d24531142%3Fx-expires%3D1678921200%26x-signature%3D2lWmwOFgi5LyMZXZha769GLwnG4%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> The actress says, "I eat dinner early in the evening. I do a nice intermittent fast." "I usually eat something about 12 and in the morning I have things that won't spike my blood sugar so I have coffee." "But I really like soup for lunch. I have bone broth for lunch a lot of the days. Try to do one hour of movement, so I'll either take a walk or I'll do Pilates or I'll do my Tracy Anderson." "And then I dry brush and I get in the sauna. So I do my infrared sauna for 30 minutes and then for dinner I try to eat according to paleo - so lots of vegetables." She concluded, "It's really important for me to support my detox." The strict regime welcomed a flood of criticism online, as many questioned Paltrow's definition of the word "wellness". One shocked user wrote, "Is starving wellness?" while another added, "I feel light headed just listening to this." A third person simply said, "I relate to nothing in this video", while another outraged viewer wrote, "Is this wellness? Or is this punishment?" However, the criticism did not stop there as professional dietitians also weighed in with their own thoughts. Expert Lauren Cadillac created a duet with the clip on the video sharing platform to share her reaction to Gwyneth's revelations. In it, the nutritionist repeatedly rolls her eyes, shakes her head, and gasps before claiming "bone broth is not a meal." She concludes, "This is not enough food. Support you detox from WHAT?! You're not eating anything." Another nutritionist weighed in on her routine, simply stating, "This is not wellness. This is not health. This is clinically concerning and toxic behaviour, and it's horrific that it's packaged as new age wellness." Image credits: TikTok / Instagram

Body

7 amazing benefits of daily reading

If you haven’t picked up a book in a while, here are seven reasons why you should. 1. It reduces stress – There’s nothing like a good novel to distract yourself from whatever worries you have in your life. Reading allows you to exit your own conscious stream and enter the mind of the narrator – because doesn’t want a break from their own head once in a while? 2. It stimulates your mind – You know the old saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it” and this also applies to our minds. Reading keeps the brain engaged, which in turn can help to deter the onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia. As you read, you also gain knowledge and indirect experience which can aid a reader in the future. 3. It increases empathy – Reading helps to increase one’s empathetic capacity for the same reason it reduces stress: it allows you to exit your mind and experience the emotions of others. This allows a frequent reader to understand the motives and thoughts of others, making them more empathetic in every day social interactions. 4. It helps your memory – When you read, the mind is made to remember new information in the form of plots, names, and characters. In remembering these facts, we strengthen the brain’s short-term memory and reinforce our existing recollections. 5. It can help you sleep – While staring at your lit phone screen can actually make it harder to go to sleep, reading can help. Nightly reading creates a routine that indicates to the body that it’s soon time to go to bed. In addition, reading’s de-stressing abilities can help to quiet the mind for an easier time dozing off. 6. It improves your vocabulary – When you read regularly, you vastly increase the words that your mind is exposed to. In this way, you improve your vocabulary, which in turn can improve eloquence, and, as such, can even help to improve your self-confidence. 7. It improves your writing skills – When you are exposed to any author’s literature for a prolonged period of time, their writing style will inevitably influence your own writing skills. Add to this the induction of new vocabulary, and it’s no stretch that frequent readers make better writers. Image credits: Getty Images

Books

Prince Harry, Elizabeth Hurley and Elton John suing Daily Mail

Prince Harry, Elton John and Elizabeth Hurley are leading a charge of celebrities and other individuals who have launched legal action against the publisher of the British Daily Mail newspaper over alleged phone-tapping and other breaches of privacy. The group includes the actresses Elizabeth Hurley and Sadie Frost, Elton John’s partner and filmmaker David Furnish, and Doreen Lawrence, the mother of Black teenager Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993. The individuals are aware of evidence pointing to breaches of privacy by Associated Newspapers, who publish the Daily Mail newspaper, Mail on Sunday and Mail online. The evidence gathered includes recovered listening devices that were placed inside people’s cars and homes as well as commissioning the bugging of live, private telephone calls, law firm Hamlins said in a statement. Prince Harry is just one of the celebrities in question who have a turbulent past with the British tabloids, with Harry and Meghan previously saying they would have “zero engagement” with four major British papers, including the Daily Mail, accusing them of false and invasive coverage. The couple also cited media intrusion as a major factor in their decision to step down from royal duties and move to the United States. Associated Newspapers have refuted any and all allegations against illegal phone-tapping, as a spokesperson said the publisher “utterly and unambiguously” refuted the “preposterous smears”. They said, “These unsubstantiated and highly defamatory claims - based on no credible evidence - appear to be simply a fishing expedition by claimants and their lawyers.” Image credits: Getty Images

Legal

Trevor Noah brought a new perspective to TV satire - as well as a whole new audience

After seven years of hosting <a href="https://www.cc.com/shows/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Daily Show on Comedy Central</a>, a hit comedy show produced in the US but with global reach, South African born comedian Trevor Noah has announced <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/29/entertainment/trevor-noah-daily-show/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans to leave</a> and focus on his stand-up comedy. During his tenure as host of the political satire series, which he took over from the revered <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/jon-stewart/?sh=35f2ad793fbc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jon Stewart</a>, Noah has offered important takes on issues in the US – and the world. Considering that the late-night television satire scene in the US remains <a href="https://theconversation.com/trevor-noah-is-leaving-the-daily-show-how-did-he-fare-191699" target="_blank" rel="noopener">populated by white men</a>, Noah has offered unique “black” African insights into issues that affect black Americans. He has also been lucid in talking about issues that have an effect on Africa and Africans. Noah’s knowledge of Africa and African politics has helped him demonstrate that there are few differences between America, lauded as one of the greatest democracies in the world, and global south countries that Trump once called “<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcMFmoTCdcU" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shithole</a>” states. Noah’s approach attracted more African Americans than was the case during Stewart’s tenure. A 2017 study <a href="https://decider.com/2017/10/16/trevor-noah-tds-nielsen-ratings-analysis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">by Nielsen Media Research</a> showed that during Stewart’s final season, 84.5% of the viewers were white. Noah lost 40% of the white viewers and gained 16% more black viewers than his predecessor. He spoke with great clarity on issues such as the <a href="https://theconversation.com/black-lives-matter-protests-are-shaping-how-people-understand-racial-inequality-178254" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Black Lives Matter</a> protests against racism, discrimination and racial inequity experienced by black people, the turbulent Trump presidency, the rise in white supremacy and the global COVID pandemic. By commenting on these different issues, he was able to bring home the inequalities that continue to be seen and experienced in the US. Noah has defied the odds, offered a youthful, “black” perspective and drawn in a new audience. He will be a hard act to follow - which is what people said of his predecessor. <h2>Noah’s particular past</h2> Growing up and coming of age in South Africa has undoubtedly shaped Noah’s worldview. In his book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29780253-born-a-crime" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Born a Crime</a> (2016), and in his numerous stand-up comedy shows, he set out what it meant growing up in apartheid South Africa, with its white-minority rule and policies of racial segregation. Because his father was white and his mother black, he could not have a normal childhood in which he could grow up in the same home as both his parents. It was legally impossible. the <a href="https://omalley.nelsonmandela.org/omalley/index.php/site/q/03lv01538/04lv01828/05lv01829/06lv01884.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Immorality Act</a> prohibited sex between people of different races. Noah drew on his experiences in South Africa in his role as chief anchor of The Daily Show. In particular he was able to show the striking parallels between present day America and apartheid-era South Africa. He explains this reality in one of the <a href="https://www.ccn.com/trevor-noah-frightening-us-south-africa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">episodes</a> of the show at the height of the global coronavirus pandemic: <blockquote> Living in this period in America, as much as I hate to say it, a lot of the things that I’m seeing are similar to what we experienced in South Africa. Mass unemployment, a government that doesn’t seem to have the best interests of the people at heart. People who are getting angrier and angrier. </blockquote> He explained in another <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FPrJxTvgdQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener">episode</a> of the show during the run-up to the 2016 US elections that <blockquote> as an African, there’s just something familiar about Trump that makes me feel at home. </blockquote> He went on to talk about striking resemblances between former US president Donald Trump and several former African presidents such as Jacob Zuma of South Africa, Idi Amin of Uganda and Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. <h2>Comedy and political satire</h2> I argue in a <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-81969-9_3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">book chapter</a> on political satire that the comic offers important ways of criticising those in power. During his tenure at The Daily Show, Noah has used comedy and satire to discuss diverse pressing contemporary issues, in the US and globally. As he has <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-27/daily-show-trevor-noah-emmys-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener">explained</a>: <blockquote> I believe in the importance of jokes. I will never lose that. I always tell people, ‘Jokes are what made me’. That’s how I see the world. </blockquote> Before joining The Daily Show, Noah was an established stand-up comedian. In South Africa, he was known for satirising Jacob Zuma during his presidency for corruption and his role in state capture. Comedy has allowed him to deal with difficult subjects in a lighthearted way. He has <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/09/29/entertainment/trevor-noah-daily-show/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stated</a> that: <blockquote> I’ve loved trying to find a way to make people laugh, even when the stories are particularly s—, even on the worst days. </blockquote> Noah has infused the comic into his anchoring of The Daily Show and managed to tackle controversial topics in a cheerful yet hard-hitting way. <h2>Poking holes in American exceptionalism</h2> Being a foreigner in the US, Noah has the necessary distance to offer sobering analyses of current affairs in that country. Through his examination of the Trump presidency and the Black Lives Matter movement, he has shown that the idea of America being “exceptional” is an illusion. At the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in the US, he took to The Daily Show to give a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb4Bg8mu2aM" target="_blank" rel="noopener">grim yet poignant monologue</a> about race in the US. Noah traced the chain of events that went beyond the killing of George Floyd, a black man who was suffocated to death on the side of a road by a group of white policemen, to show the precarity of black lives in contemporary America. The monologue is sharp, knowledgeable and nuanced in its explanation of what was happening in the US. He grounded it on historical events to show that nothing was new. The US was not exceptional. The US democracy was as imperfect as that of the many countries that it had preached to for many years. It has taken a late-night host from outside the US to point to the failings of the US and its democracy. <h2>Late night TV without Noah</h2> The late-night circuit will be different without Noah, the only black and African host of a late-night show in the US. Because of his intimate knowledge of global popular culture, he has had a youthful viewership. His peers do not have the same perspective or viewership. If Noah replacing Stewart was seen as a daunting exercise, filling the shoes of Noah might prove to be even more challenging. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/trevor-noah-brought-a-new-perspective-to-tv-satire-as-well-as-a-whole-new-audience-191800" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>. Image: Facebook

Two amazing new stamps for QEII's jubilee

To celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's historic platinum Jubilee, two new postage stamps featuring Her Majesty have been released in Australia to honour the longevity of her extraordinary 70-year reign. The designs feature the colour platinum, in recognition of the Jubilee. The first of the two stamps will feature a portrait of the Queen from 1962 and costs $1.10. The photo was taken by Dorothy Wilding, the first woman appointed as official royal photographer. Images from the photo shoot helped to create the Queen's likeness on new coins, banknotes and stamps, including in Australia, to mark her Coronation. The Queen is wearing the St Edwards Crown, the most important and sacred of all crowns. It was worn at the Queen's coronation on the 2nd of June, 1953 and the next person who will wear the crown is Prince Charles, as heir to the throne. A photograph of the Queen from 2019 is the design for the second postage stamp, taken during an event to mark the centenary of British Airways in London. This one is $3.50 and will be used for international mail. The Queen wears blue and a diamond and turquoise brooch, once owned by the Queen's grandmother, Queen Mary. The brooch was a wedding gift from Queen Mary's in-laws, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the most featured person on Australian stamps, and we were the first postal authority in the Commonwealth to produce a stamp for the Queen's Birthday each year," Australia Post Group Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said in a statement. Australia Post have previously released stamps to commemorate the Queen's golden and diamond jubilees. Images: Australia Post

Beauty & Style

Regular daily alcohol intake could be best for the heart

Giving up the booze – even temporarily – results in an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD), a review of six long-term studies has found. <a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-018-1123-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">In a paper</a> published in the journal BMC Medicine, researchers led by Dara O’Neill from University College London in the UK found that variations in moderate alcohol intake heightened the likelihood of heart disease. Lifelong non-drinkers and people who gave up drinking permanently also showed higher incidences of CHD than those who maintained regular moderate alcohol intake. The study reviewed six longitudinal alcohol drinking studies, five from the UK and one from France, involving a total of 35,132 people. Over an approximate 10-year period, 4.9% of participants experienced a CHD event, some of them fatal. Analysing the figures, O’Neill and colleagues found that the lowest risk of coronary illness occurred in “consistently moderate drinkers”, defined as males who consumed up to 168 grams of ethanol, and women who consumed up to 112 grams, each week. A half-pint of beer, single glass of wine or single shot of spirits was estimated to contain eight grams of ethanol. People who drank alcohol, but at levels that varied over time between none and too much, experienced “a significantly greater risk” of CHD. Increased risk was also detected among people who gave up alcohol, and among those who were lifelong abstainers. In the latter category, however, the boost applied only to women. Perhaps surprisingly, no evidence of increased CHD risk was found among heavy drinkers – but the researchers suggest this result should be regarded as potentially suspect. “Given that heavy drinkers are known to be under sampled in population level surveys, interpretation of the absence of effect amongst heavy drinkers in the current study should be done very cautiously, particularly in light of the known wider health impact of heavy alcohol intake levels,” says O’Neill. The researchers also caution that the elevated CHD risk among inconsistent moderate tipplers might not relate directly to alcohol intake itself. Instead, it may reflect other factors, such as periods of illness or life stress, which result in a change to drinking patterns. “When we split the sample by age, we found that the elevated risk of incident CHD amongst inconsistently moderate drinkers was observed in participants aged over 55, but not those aged below,” notes O’Neill. “It may be that the older group experienced lifestyle changes, such as retirement, which are known to co-occur with increases in alcohol intake and that these could have played a role in the differing risk.” The study was observational in nature, so offers no insight into cause and effect. However, the researchers suggest that the results imply that many current public health messages around alcohol consumption – particularly those that encourage an annual month of sobriety – may be off target. “This finding suggests that policies and interventions specifically encouraging consistency in adherence to lower-risk drinking guidelines could have public health benefits in reducing the population burden of CHD,” they conclude. This article originally appeared in <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/regular-daily-alcohol-intake-is-best-for-heart-health-study-finds/">Cosmos Magazine</a>.

Body

For the over-70s, 20 minutes of daily exercise can stave off heart disease

Moderate to vigorous exercise for 20 minutes a day could lower the long-term risk of heart disease, according to a new <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/heartjnl-2021-320013" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">paper</a> in the journal Heart. The study finds that people aged between 70-75 who exercise more have lower chances of developing heart disease well past 80. The study relies on data from a long-term survey of 3,099 Italians, all aged 65 and older. The cohort first had their health examined from 1995-1997, with follow-ups four and seven years afterwards. Each assessment included surveys on their physical activity, as well as social and demographic data. Participants also had their medical histories taken, blood tests, and a range of other physical assessments. The researchers linked this data to hospital and mortality records, up until 2018. The final cohort included 2,754 participants, with 1,037 diagnoses of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke between them. <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p182324-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form init mailchimp-ext-0.5.56" action="/health/body-and-mind/daily-exercise-for-over-70s-cardiovascular-health/#wpcf7-f6-p182324-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> <input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/" data-value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/" aria-invalid="false" /> </form> </div> </div> While the researchers couldn’t find any patterns related to stroke, those who did at least 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily had a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The pattern was most significant in those who were exercising at this level at 70-75 years of age. Above 75, and particularly above 80, beginning more regular exercise was less beneficial. The researchers emphasise that since the study is observational, it can’t show that exercise is causing better heart health. There may be a separate cause linking the two things, or possibly people with better cardiovascular health do more exercise. It also relies on self-reported data, and so may not be as reliable as other measures. However, they say that the link they’ve found is very strong, and takes into account a range of medical and social factors. “Consistency of results across all sensitivity analyses further suggests the robustness of the main results,” write the researchers.  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=182324&title=For+the+over-70s%2C+20+minutes+of+daily+exercise+can+stave+off+heart+disease" width="1" height="1" data-spai-target="src" data-spai-orig="" data-spai-exclude="nocdn" />  <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/body-and-mind/daily-exercise-for-over-70s-cardiovascular-health/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/ellen-phiddian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ellen Phiddian</a>. Ellen Phiddian is a science journalist at Cosmos. She has a BSc (Honours) in chemistry and science communication, and an MSc in science communication, both from the Australian National University. Image: Getty Images </div>

Body

"I can't help you pal": Postie FIRED after leaving helpless woman

A UK postman has been sacked by the Royal Mail after being caught on camera leaving a 72-year-old woman lying on the ground, telling her, “I can’t help you, pal”. Thomas McCafferty, 51, was filmed on a neighbour’s Ring doorbell delivering a package to Patricia Stewart’s home in Falkirk, Scotland. Unfortunately, while answering the door, Stewart slipped and fell in the icy conditions, and instead of offering assistance, McCafferty told her he was “knackered” because of how long he’d been working in poor weather, and walked away, leaving her on the ground. At the time the incident occurred in February, the Royal Mail apologised for his behaviour and suspended him, but they have now confirmed that he has been sacked. A spokesperson said, “Royal Mail expects the highest standards of behaviour from our people while out on deliveries and collections at all times. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> 'I can't help. I'm knackered': Moment Royal Mail postman LEAVES pensioner lying in the snow amid freezing conditions in Falkirk as vulnerable 72-year-old's family blast 'disgusting' footage <a href="https://twitter.com/Iromg?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Iromg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/cristo_radio?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cristo_radio</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/THEJamesWhale?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@THEJamesWhale</a> <a href="https://t.co/CoExHFrI06">pic.twitter.com/CoExHFrI06</a> — Scott (@scott180142) <a href="https://twitter.com/scott180142/status/1360175909320409093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2021</a></blockquote> “We regularly remind our postmen and postwomen of the important role they play in their local communities. We can confirm that the individual concerned has left the business.” Stewart, who suffers from osteoporosis and injured her head in the fall, said at the time, “I was really upset, the postman had left me there lying on the ground in the snow and ice. You just wouldn't leave anyone like that. “If it hadn't been for the people who helped I would have been lying there for hours. I just can't get over the postman doing that to me. I had a head injury and he just left me, I couldn't believe it.” She explained that she had felt ‘a bit dizzy’, having received her COVID-19 jab the day before, and upon answering the door to Mr McCafferty, fell from the top step to the ground. Fortunately, she was found 20 minutes later by Hermes worker Karolina Domska, who alerted Stewart’s neighbours and her niece. Neighbours called an ambulance because of the bird egg-sized lump on her head. Speaking about the incident, Stewart’s niece Sheryl Harkins said, “you wouldn’t treat a dog like that. He left her really upset and feeling worthless. It is unbelievable. “When I got told about it I thought there was some kind of misunderstanding. I care for my aunt and I visit her four times a day, but she could have been lying there for three hours and caught hypothermia. He could have told someone down the street, all our neighbours are fantastic, they would do anything to help anyone. “It is just really so disgusting, the neighbours would have gone to help but nobody heard her shouting. It was the coldest night in the UK for 26 years and he left my aunt lying on the ground.”

Travel Trouble

Piers Morgan publishes another rant about Meghan Markle

Disgraced ex-TV host Piers Morgan has come out swinging once again at Meghan Markle, in the wake of her victory in court against the Mail on Sunday. Piers, who currently writes for the Daily Mail, took to Twitter to call Meghan "Princess Pinocchio", and blast her of being "two-faced". Meghan sued the Mail on Sunday over the publication of a "personal and private" letter she sent her father Thomas Markle in 2018. Publishers Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) launched an appeal against a decision to grant a summary judgment - meaning The Duchess didn't need to face a high-profile trial. The judges at the Court of Appeal ruled in Markle's favour, and dismissed new claims of that threatened her credibility. Within hours of the ruling, Piers lashed out at the Meghan once again, while also promoting his Daily Mail opinion column. Piers tweeted, "A responsive statement from Piers, The Earl of Exposing Princess Pinocchio Bullsh*t, will be published shortly." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A responsive statement from Piers, The Earl of Exposing Princess Pinocchio Bullsh*t, will be published shortly. <a href="https://t.co/biTPSirxvY">pic.twitter.com/biTPSirxvY</a> — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) <a href="https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1466379930804146184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2021</a></blockquote> In a statement from Meghan Markle, she said that her win in court would transcend her personal experience, and would help anyone slated by the press. She said, "This is a victory not just for me, but for anyone who has ever felt scared to stand up for what's right." Morgan argued with Markle's statement saying that the case was "beyond parody". In his Daily Mail column, he wrote, "She can claim 'victory' all she likes after this court case, but all it really did was expose her real character to the world and the cold hard two-faced reality at the heart of Meghan and Harry's attitude to privacy." When sharing his column to his following on Twitter, he added, "Put your gloating champagne away, Princess Pinocchio - the court of public opinion now knows you're a fork-tongued devious manipulative piece of work who only wants to protect your privacy so you can sell it." Image credits: Getty Images

News

How Noodle the pug decides the daily outlook for millions of people

Is it a bones day or a no bones day? One small pug knows the answer, and is using his knowledge to help millions of people on TikTok dictate what kind of day they will have. Noodle, who is a 13-year-old rescue dog belonging to Jonathan Graziano, wakes up each morning and has his morning routine filmed. Jonathan, who is a social media manager in New York City, sits Noodle upright so he can see if Noodle stands up on his own. If Noodle can stand up, then it's a “bones day”, but if he flops back over in his bed, it's a “no bones day”. Jonathan says that if it’s a bones day, you should get up and make the most of your day and do the thing you’ve been putting off. If it’s a no bones day, Noodle’s prophecy is the perfect opportunity to implement self-care and take a day off from any strenuous activities. With over four million followers on TikTok and each “daily reading” racking up millions of views, Noodle has quickly become an online sensation. “I had absolutely no idea this would become the barometer in which the nation foretold how their day was going to go,” Jonathan said. Many followers have reached out to Jonathan to let him know how they have lived their lives according to Noodle, such as proposing to a girlfriend or asking for a raise at work. “People have told me it’s a reason they buy lottery tickets and they’ve won a ton of money,” Graziano said. According to Neil Dagnall, a reader in applied cognitive psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University in England, Noodle’s readings are providing people with a sense of routine. He said, “Life is full of uncertainty and Noodle’s actions provide a form of guidance and reassurance to some people.” Image credits: TikTok @jongraz

Family & Pets

Woman documents her daily struggles as the “most attractive person”

In a world inundated with media perceptions of beauty, plastic surgery and many people on the constant search for superficial validation, a lot of people are striving for beauty. But, as Ariana will tell you, being beautiful is a constant struggle. The 21-year-old American college student posted a video to her TikTok account, saying she often feels that other girls exclude her because they are so jealous of her looks. In posting the video, a hesitant Ariana said she was worried about posting the confession in case she got “attacked”. While applying her makeup, she spoke candidly to the camera saying, “So there‘s a topic I really want to talk about, and I wanna talk about it often but I have a hard time doing it because I know I’m going to get attacked.” “It goes along with pretty privilege. Obviously, pretty privilege is a thing, we know this, we know there‘s a lot of pros to that.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTXrmwzpNfb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTXrmwzpNfb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by ari;) (@arianasavannahh)</a> </div> </blockquote> She goes on to say that there are a lot of “downsides” to being good looking, and she wanted to share her “experience as a woman”. “As I said, this topic is very difficult to talk about, because if you know you know, and if you don‘t know, you’re probably going to attack me, my personality, which I am expecting,” she said. “This is why I don‘t talk about it often.” Ariana explains that she was often excluded by women, and always wondered why. “College was really the hardest point for me. Girls will always be like oh my gosh, I love you so much, you‘re so gorgeous, we’re gonna hang out,” she said. “The time comes around and I always am left out, and talked about poorly behind my back, and it never makes sense because I am always being so kind and genuine.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDHfpbJ9NP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTDHfpbJ9NP/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by ari;) (@arianasavannahh)</a> </div> </blockquote> Ariana assures her viewers that it was not her personality turning people away from her, but rather her blindingly good looks. “I was super outgoing, especially around girls, and loved empowering women and just being a b**ch, you know we love being b**ches, in a good way,” she said. “So I would come home from college on the weekends because I had nothing to do and I would cry to my mum.” Her mum backed her up as a teenager, saying all the girls were just jealous and that was why she found it hard to socialise with other women. Ending the video that has been viewed over 350,000 times she said, “If you know me, you know I don‘t carry myself that way, I was so confused and thought this probably is not true, my whole life that this is the reason I can’t make girlfriends.” The post has racked up thousands of comments from fellow beautiful people, saying they empathise with Ariana and her difficult situation, as they have all banded together online to create a pretty privileged group of people. Image credits: Instagram @arianasavannahh

Beauty & Style

Over 60

News

Shop

Catalogues

Travel

Health

Lifestyle

Finance

Entertainment

Property

Information

Keep up to date

Search

New study reveals people who do this daily make more money over their lifetimes

Can a daily multivitamin improve your memory?

11 simple daily habits of couples in healthy relationships

Daily aspirin doesn’t prevent strokes in older, healthy people after all

Tina Turner’s 12 daily habits that helped her live 83 inspired years

10 things we sort of miss because of technological advances

5 daily habits to improve heart, brain and eye health

8 spots to declutter on a daily basis

How on-demand buses can transform travel and daily life for people with disabilities

"The opposite of wellness": Gwyneth Paltrow slammed over "toxic" daily routine

7 amazing benefits of daily reading

Prince Harry, Elizabeth Hurley and Elton John suing Daily Mail

Trevor Noah brought a new perspective to TV satire - as well as a whole new audience

Two amazing new stamps for QEII's jubilee

Regular daily alcohol intake could be best for the heart

For the over-70s, 20 minutes of daily exercise can stave off heart disease

"I can't help you pal": Postie FIRED after leaving helpless woman

Piers Morgan publishes another rant about Meghan Markle

How Noodle the pug decides the daily outlook for millions of people

Woman documents her daily struggles as the “most attractive person”