Author

Oliver Smith

How to choose bed linen for a sweeter sleep

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

Before you go shopping for bed linen, it’s worth taking measurements. Measure your bed to see how big a sheet you need. It should be bigger than the mattress so that it can be tucked in. After that, examine the bedding: pillowcases and duvets. It will be a shame to buy a beautiful set of bed linen and find that instead of square pillowcases there are rectangular. Once all the measurements have been taken, check the labelling system.

Choose the right material
Just like with choosing a cream – it’s important to look at the composition. Natural materials will make sleeping much more comfortable. At the very least, they are not as hot to sleep with, because natural materials allow air to pass through. Moreover, synthetic bed linen can aggravate symptoms of asthma, allergies and eczema. Next, you should take into account your own tactile sensations and budget. Some people like expensive silk, which creates a cool feeling. Some people like budget-friendly, rough cotton.

Useful tips

What to remember when cleaning grease from kitchen furniture

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

If you decide to clean the cabinets with household chemicals, give preference to gentle cleaning agents that do not contain chlorine and other aggressive components.
Use soft sponges, microfibre cloths and brushes with soft bristles to wash kitchen furniture. Harsh abrasives can not only ruin the appearance of the coatings, but also leave scratches and micro-cracks where dirt will accumulate.
When you are apprehensive about using a product, conduct a test. Apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area of the furniture and look at the reaction: if the coating is fine, feel free to clean the furniture.
If the chosen product didn’t remove the grease the first time (and this can happen with stubborn stains), use it again or try another product.

Useful tips

Laundry powder or gel: which is better

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

Laundry detergent comes in handy

for getting out difficult or stale stains and heavy soiling;
for washing at high temperatures (from 60 degrees Celsius);
for people who are not prone to allergies.
Laundry gel is suitable:

for daily washing of clothes with light soiling;
for washing delicate fabrics such as wool, silk and lace;
for cleaning dark and coloured items to preserve colour and avoid streaks;
for people prone to allergies.

Useful tips

Does magnesium help with sleep

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

Magnesium is thought to work as an antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate and gamma-aminobutyric acid, which helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle and thus promotes a healthy night’s rest. And there’s also some evidence that a deficiency of the mineral may be linked to sleep disorders.

A small study involving elderly people suffering from insomnia found that magnesium supplementation reduced the time it took to fall asleep by 17 minutes compared to a placebo. But at the same time, the supplement had no effect on the quality of night’s rest.

Useful tips

How to remove wool from clothes without a roller

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

Use a dishwashing sponge

You can first clean the garment with a dry sponge. Run the soft side of the sponge over the fabric and then remove the adhering wool. Sponge the entire garment in this way.

Replace the roller with adhesive tape
For this method, it is better to use a wide adhesive tape so that the cleaning process goes faster. Cut a piece of tape and wrap it around your fingers.

Health

Does water help relieve headaches

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

The authors of a randomised trial studied the effect of regular water intake on patients with recurrent headaches. They divided the experiment participants into two groups. The first group drank the same amount of water as usual. And patients from the second group increased their daily intake by 1.5 litres. At the same time, all received recommendations to improve sleep and reduce stress.

After three months, 47 per cent of participants in the group who drank more water reported a significant reduction in headache severity. But its duration and frequency had not changed. In the control group, only 25% of patients reported improvements in their condition.

Health

Hugs heal: scientists have confirmed the health benefits of touching

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

You’ve probably guessed that hugging is good for your health. Now there’s a scientific basis for that claim. In a new study, scientists from the Ruhr University Bochum and the Netherlands Institute of Neuroscience not only confirmed the benefits of touching, but were also able to point out some features of tactile interaction.

The review showed that touch can relieve pain and reduce anxiety. And the positive effects are the same for both children and adults. Although the type of touch (from a hug to a massage) is not important, it is touches in the head area, such as stroking, that work best. Short and frequent touches have also been shown to have a greater effect.

Health

If deadlines are creeping you out: how to recognise neurosis and what to do about it

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

Many different disorders can be called neurosis, and their symptoms are just as varied. As most of them involve anxiety in some degree, the following signs may indicate neurosis:

tension, restlessness;
a sense of impending disaster, panic and despair;
rapid breathing and heartbeat;
increased sweating;
trembling;
feelings of weakness and fatigue;
trouble concentrating, inability to take your mind off what is troubling you;
trouble sleeping;
digestive problems;
difficulty controlling your anxiety;
an attempt to avoid things and events that trigger anxiety.

Health

How air pollution affects your skin

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

More often than not, pollutants do not affect the skin individually, but in a complex way. Harmful substances come into direct contact with the skin and are absorbed into it. The skin can also be affected because people inhale or ingest airborne particles.

But it is worth remembering that air pollution is only one of the factors that affect the skin. Its condition depends a lot on genetics, lifestyle and diseases.

Pollutants are linked to skin ageing. Scientists point out that harmful particles from road traffic cause wrinkles in the nasolabial folds, as well as pigment spots on the forehead and cheeks. And such changes are much more common among city dwellers than among those who live in villages.

Health

Does a chef have to cook with gloves on?

by Oliver Smith June 11, 2024

The first situation is staff preparing salads, assembling sandwiches, canapés and cakes. The second is serving the finished dish. Carefully placing pasta on a plate, laying out egg halves in ramen or decorating with microgreens – all this has to be done in protective equipment.

Why a chef doesn’t have to always wear gloves
Even visually clean palms have bacteria on them. And on disposable gloves, too, because they are not sterile. However, thorough hand washing with soap and water removes most germs from the surface of the skin. Protective equipment only gives the illusion of cleanliness. Nobody washes gloves – they just put them on and go to cook. As a result, germs and talcum powder are left on them to make them easier to pull on.

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