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These Antique Heirlooms Could Be Slowly Killing Their Owners

In the early 20th century, glow-in-the-dark watches and clocks were popular and commonplace. They were often given as gifts to British and American servicemen, as well. The unique glow was created by painting radium on the dials, a compound which breaks down into radon – a colorless, odorless gas that remains present in the environment. It’s considered safe at certain levels, but a recent study out of the University of Northampton and Kingston University has discovered that the watches and clocks can emit the carcinogenic, radioactive gas at a rate up to 12 times higher than the maximum “safe” level.

Photo Credit: Cenblog

Researchers looked at 30 different specimens as part of an international report on radon exposure, and used radiation detectors to test the samples. They found the watches produced 13,400 becquerels per meter cubed – public health organizations have determined that indoor spaces should aim for no more than 100 becquerels per meter cubed to be safe.

“These results show that the radon emitted from individual watches can potentially pose a serious cancer risk,” one of the researches said in a statement. “This is of concern because, in addition to military watches being particularly prized by collectors, many individual radium-dial watches are kept as mementos by ex-servicemen and their descendants.”

Photo Credit: EPA.gov

There is an established link between radon and lung cancer.

If you or someone in your family has one of these watches, make sure to research and practice proper handling and storage techniques. And if you need more convincing, check out what happened to the poor girls who helped manufacture the things back in the day – it’s not pretty.

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Here’s How You Can Beat Insomnia

Around 15% of the population suffers from insomnia, and 100% of those people can confirm that it totally stinks. The human brain needs a good amount of solid sack time every night to function at capacity, so if you’re someone who struggles to fall (or stay) asleep, check out these tips for giving your insomnia the boot for good.

#5. Try light therapy.

Photo Credit: East News

It’s not a new concept, but research out of the University of Buffalo concludes that light plays a major role in keeping our circadian rhythms in sync. Too much or too little light can affect your sleeping cycle, and some recommend glasses with built-in lamps to pick up the slack.

#4. Drink cherry juice.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Research out of Louisiana State University claims that if you drink cherry juice every morning and night for 2 weeks, your sleep time will increase by up to 90 minutes. Cherries are a natural source of melatonin.

#3. Practice yoga and meditation.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Studies suggest that both yoga and meditation, when practiced regularly over a period of time, can help relieve insomnia and promote better quality sleep.

#2. Check out alternative herbal options.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

What we eat can positively and negatively impact our bodies – for example, you’ll be more likely to get better sleep if you avoid spicy foods late in the day (or better yet, altogether). Other herbs, like valerian, hops, chamomile, and wort are well-known for helping a person drift off to dreamland.

#1. Get comfortable.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Some sleep positions are better than others as far as promoting good sleep, so even if you prefer your stomach or back, sleeping on your left side may increase the length and quality of your sleep. It facilitates lymphatic drainage from your brain, encourages digestion, and supports healthy spleen function.

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7 Life Changing Things to Try This Month

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes, and the hot, heavy days of midsummer are a prime time for choosing to lay around and be lazy instead of challenging ourselves with something new and different. If you choose to do the latter, though, you just might change your life – and these 7 things can help give you a much-needed boost.

#7. Swap your hat or sunglasses for a visor.

Photo Credit: Amazon

I know, a visor? But seriously, consider these pros: it not only keeps the sun off your face (and more), but you won’t get sunglass tan lines, you won’t have to squint, and it may even discourage street harassment, since it hides most of your face.

Seriously, give it a try.

#6. A thought-provoking book.

Photo Credit: Amazon

May I recommend The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Priya Parker. It’s a smart, interesting nonfiction that looks at why and how human beings get together, and why most of the time the meetups are uninspiring at best. It gives you practical tips and new ways to think about our gatherings that can really make a difference in the quality of the relationships in your life.

#5. A magical headache cure.

Photo Credit: Amazon

Headaches are the literally worst pain in the neck, and even worse is when you can’t find a way to shake a particularly bad one. Enter the Migrastil Migraine Stick. It includes 3 oil scents -peppermint, spearmint, and lavender – and rolls right on to your forehead, temples, or the back of your neck. People say they get relief in as little as 30 seconds, and if you catch it early enough, their headaches disappear entirely.

#4. A new (boozy) beverage.

Photo Credit: Truly

A drink never made anyone’s month worse, and if you’re over beer, liquor, and sweet cocktails, you’ve got to try alcoholic seltzer. Truly contains only 1g of sugar and 5% alcohol per can, which pretty much makes it the perfect midsummer, poolside drink. They’ve also got tons of delicious flavors to choose from, so dive in!

#3. A bra that transitions from day to night.

Photo Credit: Walmart

You can sleep in this bra from Walmart (if that’s your thing) without skipping a beat, and better yet – it’s super cheap. Game. Changer.

#2. A Potterhead Podcast

Photo Credit: Binge Mode

If you find yourself missing Harry Potter but don’t have time for a tenth (or twentieth) reread, check out Binge Mode, a Spotify podcast with hosts Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion. Each episode does a deep dive into 5 chapters of a book (in order) and then each week ends with an episode recapping the movie version and a bonus episode about a specific topic in the HP universe.

You’re welcome.

#1.  A happy sponge.

Photo Credit: Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Sure, dishes suck, but they suck less with a happy face smiling back at you from the bottom of the sink. Maybe it won’t change your life, per se, but it certainly isn’t going to hurt!

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15 Tumblr Posts Woman Are Going To Love

Listen up ladies, this is something you need to pay attention to.

These 15 post by women on Tumblr you’ll be nodding your head in agreement to.

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This Couple Found a Secret Message While Renovating Their Bathroom and Everyone Loves It

Renovations are no fun. At all. Like, ever. But for Alex and Jess Monney of California, the surprise message they found while renovating their bathroom almost made everything worth it.

Photo Credit: Twitter

They found this note from the Shinseki’s (and their bunny!) behind one of the walls. It’s cheeky and adorable, but they didn’t leave any way for the current owners to follow up on the clever little time capsule.

Photo Credit: Twitter

If they find them, they’ve got a message of their own.

Photo Credit: Twitter

Not only that, but their tweet went viral, and it turns out they’re not the only ones who have found fun messages while tearing down walls. Check these out!

Photo Credit: Reddit

Photo Credit: Twitter

Along with this personal fav…

I’ve never heard of this before, but if I ever do a renovation and then move, you can bet I’ll be writing on the walls!

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6 Haircare Mistakes That Are Ruining Your ‘Do

I’ll be honest – I’m pretty vain about my hair. Based on the amount of money people spend on products and at salons on a yearly basis, it’s pretty clear I’m not the only one, though. After all of that money and time spent, it will probably make you mad to realize there are simple mistakes you’re making at home that negate all of your efforts.

Knowledge is power, my friends, so read on!

#6. Forgoing a deep clean.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Depending on your hair type, a deep cleaning shampoo could be a must. If you have an oily scalp or often use silicone shampoos or gels, then it’s a must – but you should always use a balm or mask afterward.

#5. Choosing the wrong product.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

You’ll need to be familiar with your skin type, hair type, and hair structure before picking a shampoo and conditioner. For example, if you have an oily scalp, don’t buy a heavy shampoo that will leave residue behind – just read the labels and reviews!

#4. You leave it out in the sun.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Hair needs UV protection just like skin, especially in harsh summer heat. The UV rays make hair dry, fragile, and dull, so make sure to grab a spray or mask that contains SPF.

#3. Using products interchangeably.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Make sure you understand what each product is capable of doing – and what it’s not. A mask and a balm can’t be swapped out, for example, because the balm covers the cuticle while a mask simply nurtures hair. Using the mask when you don’t need it can weigh down your hair and make it appear dirtier.

#2. Using your mask or balm on soaking wet hair.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

For maximum effect, you should use a towel to remove excess moisture from you hair – it can form a barrier between your hair and the product.

#1. You don’t use thermal protection.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If you use heat to style your hair, you need to use a product to protect it from the heat. End of story. Creams are best for irons and curling while spray protections are good only for dryers.

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11 Facts About India That Will Make You Want to Book a Flight

When you think of India, it’s possible that certain stereotypes come to mind. Maybe you think its dirty, or crowded, or that little kids will steal your shoes while you sightsee (thanks, Slumdog Millionaire). But here’s the truth: there are dozens of reasons to love and want to visit this beautiful, intriguing country.

Here are 11.

#11. The food.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Indian food is super spicy, which most Americans know, but you might not be aware that a large part of the population are vegetarians. Consequently, there are many places to buy vegetables, and the variety is amazing.

You’ll also be delighted by the clay and leaf ad banana leaf bowls that take the place of basic serving pieces – eco-friendly!

#10. Scuba

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The 8 islands off the Goa coast attract divers from around the world, and under the water, you can find a host of shipwrecks to explore. India also has amazing beaches that can compete with Rio, Ibiza, and Australia and the warm water is sure to draw you in.

#9. It’s young, diverse, and fun.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

India is home to 400 co-existing ethnic groups and a young population – over half of them are under 25 and 2/3 are under 35. You’llheare 21 official languages being spoken on your travels, which is bound to make you feel less out of place – and ready to step out of your comfort zone!

#8. Alternative medicine.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

If holistic healing calls to you, then Ayurveda – a treatment method and philosophy native to India that uses oils, herbs, juices, massages, and herbal pills as opposed to modern medicine – should be right up your alley.

#7. History

Photo Credit: Pixabay

India is one of the oldest places on earth, and in Hampi you’ll find the remains of ancient cities, palaces, temples, and other architecture that represents the entire history of humanity.

#6. Wildlife galore!

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Most people want to see elephants, but you can also check out camels, cows, and a bunch of other rare plants and animals around the country – over 1/3 of the local flora is completely unique to the country.

#5. Dance

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The traditional dances of India represent people, animals, plants, nature, and emotions, and some are over 5,000 years old. That, combined with the costumes and makeup, mean you’ve got culture at your fingertips anywhere you go.

#4. Bollywood

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Indians are talented people and produce over 1600 original films a year. If you’re a movie lover, there’s no better place to be.

#3. Transportation

Photo Credit: Pixabay

There are really no road rules – which can be an upside or downside, depending on your personality – and you can travel on public transit from 30 cents per ride to the Maharajas’ Express train, which is the best train in all of Asia. Long story short, you’ve got lots of choices depending on budget, but you’ll be able to see the country in style.

#2. Find the meaning of life.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

It may sound cheesy, but millions of people head to India looking for the meaning of life – the people there seem to have a lock on living in harmony with the world and each other. If spiritual enlightenment is on your to-do list, visit ashrams, where you’ll find gurus and places to meditate, recite mantras, attend lectures, etc.

#1. There’s always something new to see.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

From Mumbai to the temples, caves, and mosques to the Taj Mahal, you’ll never be without something to see.

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Waking up on the Wrong Side of the Bed Is a Real Thing, According to Science

Not only is waking up on the wrong side of the bed a real thing, but according to recent studies, the phenomenon also has the potential to significantly impact the rest of your day. The reason?

Stress.

According to a study published in the Journal of Gerontology, experiencing stress first thing in the morning can and does impair your working memory, which is the short-term memory that allows us to complete tasks and juggle relevant information in the coming day. Lead author Jinshil Hyuan explains further:

“Humans can think about and anticipate things before they happen, which can help us prepare for and even prevent certain events. But this study suggests that this ability can also be harmful to your daily memory function, independent of whether the stressful events actually happen or not.”

Photo Credit: Pixabay

This is far from the first study to suggest that anxiety over events that have not (and may not ever) happened can reduce our brains’ ability to make decisions, maintain attention, hold on to information, and make moral judgements – in short, waking up grumpy and dreading the day ahead can turn you into a hot mess until you can find a way to reset.

This study used cutting edge app technology to be able to take a closer look at how stress-upon-waking affects the rest of our day, however, and found that it had strong associations with more errors attributed to working memory.

“Importantly, the effect of stress anticipation was over and above the effect of stressful events reported to have occurred, indicating that anticipatory processes can produce effects on functioning independent of the presence of an external stressor.”

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The studies’ authors believe that once a person understands how waking up with dread can impact their day, implementing some deep breathing, mindfulness, or other centering exercises, people will be able to overcome the effects of waking up “wrong.”

Here’s hoping!

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