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5 surprising factors damaging your heart

It’s important to maintain heart health at all stages of life, but it becomes particularly crucial as we age – after all, the older you get, the older your heart becomes, too. And even though you might be taking all the right precautions (e.g. quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly), you could be tarnishing your ticker without even realising it. Here are five things you didn’t know could negatively affect your heart health. 1. Damaged hearing – if you’ve spent much of your life working or living in noisy areas or regularly attending loud events (i.e. those rock concerts you frequented back in the day!), beware. A 2015 study found that people with high-frequency hearing loss in both years (most often due to prolonged exposure to high-decibel noise) were twice as prone to heart disease than those with normal hearing. 2. Air pollution – Have you been considering a sea or tree change? Now might be the time to do it. Researchers in 2011 discovered that exposure to traffic and air pollution is responsible for between 5 and 7 per cent of heart attacks around the world. Experts believe this may be due to an increase in arterial plaque build-up experienced by city-dwellers. 3. Sleep deprivation – A chronic lack of sleep increases production of adrenaline and cortisol (the stress hormone), which in turn increases your heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, one study found those who regularly had less than five hours of sleep were three times more at risk of heart attack than those who got between six and eight hours. 4. Excessive exercise – Believe it or not, but exercise could be putting you at risk of a heart attack – that is, if you’re doing too much vigorous exercise too often. Anything that causes strain can lead to dangerously high blood pressure – this means weightlifting and endurance sports (e.g. marathons) could be off the table. Stick to low-impact workouts like brisk walking, light weights and yoga. 5. Too much sitting – We’ve heard it all before – that sitting is bad for you – but you might not have realised just how bad it can be. According to a 2015 report, the average adult spends more than half of their waking hours sitting down, making them more likely to suffer or die from heart disease –even those who exercised an hour a day couldn’t combat this higher risk. Images: Getty

Body

Surprising facts about 5 classic TV shows

As well as offering some real television nostalgia, these classic shows are also regarded as some of the most iconic TV shows ever made. Here are some lesser-known facts about five of the most popular shows in TV history. 1. I Love Lucy I Love Lucy had a rather rocky start. Fraught with dilemmas and thought to maybe not move forward with the pilot, it came down to play it safe, or take a chance on the untried medium of television. Ball recounts that in a dream, Hollywood actress Carole Lombard appeared in a “very smart suit and she said, <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=uBWFgeCNAz4C&pg=PA26&lpg=PA26&dq=carole+lombard+Take+a+chance,+honey.+Give+it+a+whirl!&source=bl&ots=8jLdurHJI6&sig=lSqvQ7Uk-bHYFlraRdDppCxrj74&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjt8byl9LXRAhVmi1QKHS3-DB70Q6AEIPjAH#v=onepage&q=carole%20lombard%20Take%20a%20chance%2C%20honey.%20Give%20it%20a%20whirl!&f=false" target="_blank" rel="noopener">‘Go on, honey. Give it a whirl</a>!’” And they did exactly that and they show is one of the most loved of its kind to date. 2. The Flintstones The popular 1960s cartoon The Flintstones may have become a hit around the world but it was not well received by everyone. One of television’s most iconic actors of all time, Jackie Gleason, was not happy about the show’s inspiration. According to Alan Reed Jr. (son of Alan Reed, who voiced Fred Flintstone), The Flintstones was <a href="http://www.thespectrum.com/story/entertainment/2015/09/24/alan-reed-jr-remembers-flintstones/72626720/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">inspired by The Honeymooners</a>, taking on the short-tempered and overbearing characteristics of Gleason’s vociferous Ralph Kramden. 3. The Odd Couple After it first premiered in 1970, viewers had some questions about the sexuality of Felix and Oscar, as the two men living as roommates in New York City. Felix, played by Tony Randall, raised the most eyebrows for his flamboyant mannerisms and interest in the arts. Worried that viewers would be turned off due to the continuous speculation, ABC executives made it a point in the show’s intro to state that the roommates were “divorced men.” 4. The Ed Sullivan Show In 1953 when Broadway director Joshua Logan asked to speak about his struggles with mental illness, what ensued was one of Ed Sullivan’s proudest TV moments. Worries about CBS’s reaction, Sullivan hesitantly allowed Logan to change the running order of the show to address his mental breakdown, recovery, and the stigma surrounding mental illness. It was met with momentary silence followed by a very big applause. In the weeks that followed, CBS was sent oodles of letters of appreciation. 5. Hogan’s Heroes CBS’s Hogan’s Heroes, which ran from 1965 to 1971, was set in an actual German POW camp during World War II. Despite being successful, the sitcom was heavily criticised, given the actual atrocities that were committed during the war. Surprisingly, many of the actors portraying the dim-witted German Nazis were Jewish, too. Image credit: Shutterstock

13 surprising things that could explain your sleep woes

Something wrecking your sleep? There could be a very simple yet surprising reason. 1. You’re taking your multivitamin at night You probably know that many medications – from allergy medications to statins to antidepressants – can disrupt your sleep. But some vitamins can, too. In particular, B vitamins can interfere with your nightly rest. There’s evidence suggesting vitamin B6 may trigger <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/sleep/13-things-your-dreams-reveal-about-you">vivid and bizarre dreaming</a>, which is more likely to wake you during the night. And research shows vitamin B12 may increase your sensitivity to light, inhibiting the sleep hormone melatonin and disrupting normal sleep-wake rhythms. The best time to take a multivitamin? In the morning after breakfast. 2. You eat chocolate at night I love a square or two of dark chocolate as a treat. But I avoid eating chocolate before bed, and I suggest my patients do the same. <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/mental-health/researchers-confirm-chocolate-good-your-brain">Chocolate has several health benefits</a> but it’s not a sleep-promoter. Chocolate is an often-overlooked source of caffeine. The greater the cocoa content, the higher the caffeine level in chocolate. If you’re making the <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/diet/facts-dark-chocolate">healthier choice by opting for dark chocolate</a>, and having it as a before-bed snack, you’re getting an extra, unwelcome jolt of caffeine when you least need it. Plan to get your chocolate fix earlier in the day and try more sleep-friendly night-time snacks such as a banana, toast with nut butter, or a small bowl of whole-grain, low-sugar cereal. 3. Sugary snacks before bed are your thing It’s not only chocolate that can be problematic for sleep – other sugary foods can disrupt sleep, too. Most people love a sweet treat at the end of the day but feeding those cravings for sweet food before bed elevates blood sugar. A jump in blood sugar – and the crash that follows – can have negative effects on sleep. 4. Your bedroom is too quiet As a sleep specialist, I spend plenty of time talking to patients about reducing noise in their sleep environment. But sometimes the problem isn’t too much noise, it’s too much silence. In a perfectly quiet bedroom, every little random sound can trigger your brain to attention. For people who need to calm a racing mind at night in order to drift off, a silent bedroom can get in the way of sleep. The best sounds for sleep? They vary from person to person but are often rhythmic sounds that mimic nature or mixed-frequency sounds such as white noise and pink noise. 5. Peppermint is part of your nightly routine Whether it’s in your toothpaste or your nightly cup of herbal tea, peppermint can have a stimulating effect. A 2005 study found people exposed to peppermint oil (in a darkened room, no less) experienced a decrease in their sleepiness. Citrus, eucalyptus and rosemary are other scents that energise and wake the mind. If you’re struggling to nod off at night, swap out your mint tea for a more relaxing brew, such as chamomile or jasmine, and consider switching to a less minty toothpaste. 6. You don't wash your pillows Bed pillows collect a lot of pretty gross stuff: dirt, dead skin, hair, mould, fungus, pet dander, dust mites ... you get the picture. These substances can cause allergy symptoms (think sneezing, coughing, runny and itchy nose and eyes) that interfere with sleep. Allergies are also linked to sleep disorders. A 2005 study found people with allergies are nearly twice as likely to have insomnia. And allergies are also a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnoea, according to research. Washing your pillows a couple of times a year is a smart move from a hygiene perspective, and can ensure they last for a good few years. (And here's why you should <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/home-tips/dont-even-think-about-sitting-your-bed-outside-clothes">never sit on your bed in your outside clothes</a>.) 7. The moon is full It’s not just daylight and darkness that affect sleep cycles. <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/10-biggest-unsolved-mysteries-about-earth">The phases of the moon</a> can also have a significant impact on sleep. In a 2013 study published in the journal Current Biology, Swiss scientists found that around the time of a full moon, people sleep less (an average of 20 minutes), take longer to fall asleep, and sleep less soundly. They also found our bodies produce less melatonin and spend less time in deep, slow-wave sleep. Social media is another big cause of sleeplessness. 8. Dinner is the biggest meal of your day During sleep, your metabolic system repairs and restores itself, and your digestive system gets a welcome, important rest. If you eat a big meal at the end of the day, especially if you eat a late dinner very close to bedtime, your digestive system is kicking into action right when you’re headed for bed. That’s not good for your metabolic health. A 2017 study found that shifting eating to later in the day contributes to weight gain, higher cholesterol and insulin levels, and increased risks for heart disease and diabetes. It also can be disruptive to sleep. (That's why you need to change not what you eat, but <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/diet/why-changing-when-you-eat-can-produce-immediate-results">WHEN you eat</a>.) 9. Your dinner is extra spicy Plenty of heat and spice can make for a great meal, but it might wreck your slumber. The chemical capsaicin, found in capsicum and chilli peppers, triggers a process known as thermogenesis – that’s when the body converts energy into heat. Eating a lot of spicy food may raise body temperature slightly. Why does that matter to sleep? Body temperature naturally lowers at night as part of the body’s preparation for sleep, so spicy food may send your body temperature in the wrong direction. Spicy food can also trigger heartburn, which can become worse when you lie down, making it tough to fall asleep. And when you’re sleep deprived you actually end up overeating, which could lead to weight gain. 10. You love a twisty mystery Plenty of heat and spice can make for a great meal, but it might wreck your slumber. The chemical capsaicin, found in capsicum and chilli peppers, triggers a process known as thermogenesis – that’s when the body converts energy into heat. Eating a lot of spicy food may raise body temperature slightly. Why does that matter to sleep? Body temperature naturally lowers at night as part of the body’s preparation for sleep, so spicy food may send your body temperature in the wrong direction. Spicy food can also trigger heartburn, which can become worse when you lie down, making it tough to fall asleep. And when you’re sleep deprived you actually end up overeating, which could lead to weight gain. 11. You love a twisty mystery Landed a promotion at work? Planning your wedding or a move to your dream home? New grandchild on the way? Happy and exciting life events can disrupt sleep, just as stressful and difficult ones can. Acute insomnia – short periods of trouble sleeping that last from a few days to a few weeks – is often triggered by significant or unexpected developments in life, both positive and negative. If your life is coming up roses these days, you still need to pay attention to your sleep – and you may need to give your sleep routine some extra TLC. 12. You do work in bed It’s a mantra of sleep specialists like me: your bed is for sleep (and sex), only. <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/work/do-you-have-what-it-takes-work-home">When you need to work at home</a>, it can be tempting to set yourself up in this most comfortable of places. But if you’re working in bed – during the day or at night before sleep – you’re creating associations with your sleep space that you can’t just undo. Pressure and productivity, stress and deadlines, and focus and alertness are some of the work-related realities that are best kept far from your bedroom. 13. You have a thyroid disorder This small gland located at the base of your throat produces hormones that regulate metabolism and brain activity. And when it isn’t functioning properly, it can cause problems for sleep. An overactive thyroid stimulates the nervous system, causing you to feel wired, restless and alert – making it difficult to fall asleep. When the thyroid is underactive, you tend to feel sleepy and fatigued all the time, which can lead you to sleep at the wrong times, disrupting a normal routine of nightly rest. Another symptom of an underactive thyroid? Feeling cold all the time, which also can interfere with sleep. <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/thyroid/9-Silent-Signs-of-a-Thyroid-Problem">Thyroid conditions often go undiagnosed</a> – but a simple blood test can determine if you have a thyroid issue that’s disrupting your sleep. Written by Dr Michael J Breus. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/conditions/sleep/13-surprising-things-could-explain-your-sleep-woes?items_per_page=All">Reader’s Digest.</a> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, here’s our best subscription <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestsubscribe?utm_source=readersdigest&utm_campaign=RDSUB&utm_medium=display&keycode=WRA85S">offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

Caring

The surprising health benefit of being married

Lonely singles have twice as many heart attacks and are four times less likely to survive them than people in happy relationships. Cancer, strokes and other diseases are also more common. It's why Kiwi-born professor of medicine at Monash University Merlin Thomas picks being in a relationship as the most important health tip when it comes to living to a long age. He's the author of <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fthe-longevity-list-merlin-thomas%2Fprod9781921966736.html" target="_blank">The Longevity List</a>, a new book on the science behind living a long life. He calls his last chapter Do I really have to find love? the most important. Thomas says love is critical when it comes to longevity. "At every stage of our adult lives, it seems that those people in a stable relationship are less likely to die than those who are out on their own. "Despite it's obvious limitations, marriage remains one of society's most useful health-giving institutions, chiefly through its capacity to enhance and sustain relationships." Thomas says when people feel connected and in a relationship it creates a magical chemistry. "How do you put that in a pill or in a diet? But it really matters." Elsewhere in the book, Thomas deconstructs popular thoughts and understandings around health. He uses the battle between margarine and butter as an example of how ideas on what's good for us can change. Up to 1972, it was illegal for ordinary Kiwis to buy margarine. It had to be got it from a pharmacy with a prescription. When it was opened up to all, farmers pushed for all margarine to be coloured blue so it couldn't be mistaken for butter. That failed and "marg" ended up in our fridges. But the battle between the spreads continued. The early margarine turned out to be much more unhealthy than butter because it was full of dangerous trans fats created by the way it was made solid through heat, while butter coagulated naturally. Both were equally fattening, but butter got caught up in the anti-saturated fats movement, which blamed it for causing heart disease by raising cholesterol. But again that has been largely disapproved, and margarine has become much healthier. We have also discovered there are important good things that also come from saturated fats. Thomas sums it up by saying the fat we eat is not intrinsically good or bad, it comes down to how we use it. As with most of his advice, the best path is through moderation. "You don't have to give up butter, but you don't need have to have butter all the time. You don't have to give up red wine, but you need self control and awareness around intoxication. You don't have to give up chocolate, but for God's sake eat the good stuff." Written by Ewan Sargent. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

Relationships

Surprising item in your handbag to avoid tangled charger cables

Arriving at your destination with phone charger cables that are tangled, frayed, damaged or worse is as much a part of the modern travel experience as taking a photo with a selfie stick, or skimming a few bars of wifi from the nearest Starbucks. But the good news it doesn’t have to be this way. With a bit of ingenuity, you can repurpose a common household item into the perfect charger cable storage device. And that common household item is your used sunglasses case. <img width="500" height="293" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/41198/frayed-cords_500x293.jpg" alt="Frayed Cords"/> Image credit: Snelgrove Travel Travel blog <a href="https://www.snelgrovetravel.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Snelgrove Travel</a> published this tip as part of its quirky travel tips collection, but as you can see from the image above it looks to be the perfect solution. What are your thoughts? Think you’ll give it a try?

Travel Tips

10 surprising facts about Gone with the Wind

Gone with the Wind, published 81 years ago today, has to be one of the most epic, classic books in history. Running for close to four-hours long, the movie adaptation was released in 1939 and has been capturing hearts (over and over) ever since. Here are 10 lesser-known facts about Gone with the Wind. 1. Scarlett wasn’t cast until after filming started With many leading actresses at his disposal, producer David Selznick still hadn’t decided who was best to play Scarlett when filming commenced. He used a stand-in to start shooting the “Burning of Atlanta” scene. It wasn't until after the fire blazed in the background on the scene that Vivien Leigh wangled an introduction to Selznick from the director’s brother. As legend has it, she was called in for a screen test immediately. 2. Groucho Marx was the author’s preferred choice to play Rhett The Rhett Butler that author Margaret Mitchell described in her book by the same name was darker and more nefarious than the one portrayed by Clark Gable. Mitchell said Groucho Marx best inhabited the qualities she’d given Rhett. 3. Leigh almost lost the part after her first test reading As a popular actress on the London stage, during her first informal reading Leigh didn't change her accent from her native English. Director Cukor said, “She began reading this thing very sweetly, and very, very clipped.... So, I struck her across the face with the rudest thing I could say. She screamed with laughter. That was the beginning of our most tender, wonderful friendship." 4. The Daughters of the Confederacy campaigned against Vivien Leigh The fact that Vivien wasn't a southern American girl ruffled many feathers. The Ocala, which is the Florida chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, was expressed that they were offended and tried to stop her playing the part. When they were found that the role could go to Katharine Hepburn, however, they stopped their protest as they though better an English woman than a Yankee. 5. Leslie Howard despised playing Ashley. After playing many roles of weak men before Gone with the Wind, a thin Howard only agreed to portray the handsome, 21-year-old, Ashley Wilkes, because Selznick offered him a producer credit in an upcoming film. 6. Vivien Leigh brought a copy of the book to set every day to annoy director Fleming When Cukor was replaced by the boorish Fleming, Vivien disagreed with much of his direction and was very unhappy. In protest, she carried a copy of the book to the set each day, reading each scene, to remind Fleming that she found the original source far superior to his interpretation. 7. Gable begged not to be shown crying on camera There’s a scene near the end of the film where Melanie tells Rhett that Scarlett has miscarried after Scarlett fell down the stairs. The scene is written with Rhett crying but afraid it would ruin in image, Gable threatened to walk off set at having to cry. Known for working well with male leads, Fleming shot two versions - one with Rhett crying and one with him not crying. Fleming was able to then convince Gable that the version with tears would actually endear him to the audience rather make him appear weak. 8. There weren’t enough extras in the entire Screen Actors Guild to shoot the Confederate Wounded scene To portray the dead and wounded Confederate soldiers toward the end of the war, Selznick insisted that no less than 2500 extras were needed to lie in the dirt. At the time, however, the Screen Actors Guild only had 1500 to offer. Selznick saved money by ordering 1000 dummies to round out the epic suffering he wanted to portray. 9. Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Oscar, but was banned from the premiere Sadly none of Gone with the Wind’s African-American actors were allowed to attend the premiere in Atlanta. Hattie McDaniel, who plays Mammy, won a Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance. Not only is it said that her speech - which contains a cringe-worthy reference to being “a credit to her race” - was written by the studio, it’s also reported that she sat at a segregated table at the back of the venue before and after her acceptance. 10. One of the most beautiful shots in the film came down to advanced mathematics In an early shot in the film, Scarlett and her father stand before a fading sun, surveying the beauty of Tara. Interestingly, though, nobody could figure out how to capture the shot. Back in those days technology wasn't advance enough to synch the actors, the sunset effect and two different matte paintings. The Math Department at UCLA were consulted and they came up with a way to fit everything together using advanced calculus.

Books

The surprising reason why you love the smell of old books

If you’ve been known to breathe in the well-worn pages of an old book and find it so intoxicating that you can’t stop, you’re not alone. Chances are that the scent reminds you of something familiar and comforting. Well, science tells us that familiar smell is chocolate and coffee. According to a <a href="https://heritagesciencejournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40494-016-0114-1" target="_blank">study published in Heritage Science</a>, two scientists conducted an experiment performed at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. According to their findings, the majority of the 79 test subjects found the old-book smell to be similar to chocolate and coffee. So, how does it work? Well, materials like chocolates and books can release small amounts of <a href="http://hellogiggles.com/finally-know-old-books-smell-amazing/" target="_blank">volatile organic compounds</a> (VOC) into the air. Our noses pick these up and then our brains interpret them. Researchers were able to take these compounds and run them through scientific equipment (think sensors and a combination of the ‘ole gas chromatograph and mass spectrometer) where they identified various smell components. So, what does this mean? Stemming from their study, the same researchers are hoping to find a way to preserve smell in the same way society preserves old buildings so that future generations can enjoy them. They believe that smell plays an important role in shaping a person’s memories since it is so closely tied to the memory center in the brain.

Books

The surprising reason pop music all sounds the same these days

Do you ever turn on the radio to listen to some tunes, and feel like you’ve heard the same song on repeat every few minutes? Well, you’re not exactly crazy, though you might want to pay a little more attention. No, radios aren’t playing the exact same songs over and over – it just sounds that way because pop songs have become increasingly similar over time. A 2012 <a href="http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/07/31/scientists-modern-pop-music-all-sounds-the-same/" target="_blank">study</a> conducted by the Spanish National Research Council and led by Joan Serra found that in the past 50 years, “the diversity of transitions between note combinations – roughly speaking chords plus melodies – has consistently diminished”. The study also showed that timbre palette, which differentiates two instruments playing the same note at the same volume, is decreasing. Basically, this means that fewer sounds are being used in music, leading to a sameness of sound. Aussie musical comedy trio The Axis of Awesome famously skewered pop music sameness in their “Four Chord Song”, which shows how countless hits (leading all the way back to The Beatles) have used the same progression of four chords. Check the video out for a catchy chuckle (bit of a language warning, though). <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5pidokakU4I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> So why is pop music so similar, and becoming more so? Derek Thompson of The Atlantic <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/12/the-shazam-effect/382237/" target="_blank">writes</a> about “The Shazam Effect” – named after the app that can identify any song from just a few seconds of playtime. Shazam has been used by music labels for years to identify emerging artists based on maps showing when and where people are discovering their music. Now, with streaming services like Spotify being used by music listeners on a daily basis, music labels have teams of scouts keeping an eye on streams of songs, as well as views of videos on Facebook and YouTube, to determine which songs will be the most popular. In short, Thompson says, if pop music sounds the same to us, it’s because that’s exactly how we like it. Recently, Harry Styles (formerly of One Direction) came to the defence of pop music and the audience most often associated with it – teenage girls. He astutely <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/harry-styles-opens-up-about-famous-flings-honest-new-lp-w476928" target="_blank">argued</a>: “Music is something that’s always changing. There’s no goal posts. Young girls like The Beatles. You gonna tell me they’re not serious? How can you say young girls don’t get it? They’re our future. Our future doctors, lawyers, mothers, presidents”.<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/harry-styles-opens-up-about-famous-flings-honest-new-lp-w476928)"> </a> So if you don’t like what you hear on the radio – listen to something else. There’s no point complaining about it – if you want a new sound, you’ll have to go out there and find it. And make sure to share it on Facebook so you can one day hear it on the radio. What’s your favourite pop song from this year?

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