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The unexpected health benefits of reading

Not only does reading expand your mind but it also comes with many health benefits. So next time you lose hours (or days) of your life chomping through a novel, don’t feel so bad because you’re doing yourself the following favours. It reduces stress According to a 2009 study from the University of Sussex, reading for just six minutes can reduce stress levels by up to 68 per cent. Researchers found that silently reading to yourself slows down heart rate and eases muscle tension, and it achieves this more effectively than other relaxing activities such as listening to music or having a cuppa. It refines brain function A 2014 study published in Brain Connectivity found reading fiction improves reader’s ability to flex the imagination and “puts the reader in the body of the protagonist”, increasing a person’s emotional intelligence and ability to be compassionate. It helps your memory In her landmark paper "What Reading Does For The Mind", psychologist Dr. Anne Cunningham concluded, “reading is a very rich and complex and cognitive act.” She found the benefits of reading become reciprocal – reading helps your brain retain information over time (as every time you read, you create a new memory), which in turns makes you read better, which in turn make you sharper and smarter. It enhances mental agility in old age The 2013 study from the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago measured memory and thinking in over 200 participants aged 55 and over, annually for six years until their deaths. The participants answered the same questions about whether they read books, wrote letters and took part in other mentally stimulating activities. The researchers found that those who kept their brain busy had a rate of cognitive decline estimated at 15 per cent slower than those who did not. “Based on this, we shouldn't underestimate the effects of everyday activities, such as reading and writing, on our children, ourselves and our parents or grandparents,” says study author Robert. S. Wilson, Ph.D. Image credits: Getty Images

Books

Our planet is burning in unexpected ways - here’s how we can protect people and nature

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luke-kelly-159658">Luke Kelly</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-bowman-4397">David Bowman</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ella-plumanns-pouton-1470045">Ella Plumanns Pouton</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/grant-williamson-109967">Grant Williamson</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-shawn-fletcher-99786">Michael-Shawn Fletcher</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> People have been using fire for millennia. It is a vital part of many ecosystems and cultures. Yet human activities in the current era, sometimes called the “<a href="https://theconversation.com/did-the-anthropocene-start-in-1950-or-much-earlier-heres-why-debate-over-our-world-changing-impact-matters-209869">Anthropocene</a>”, are reshaping patterns of fire across the planet. <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">In our new research</a>, published in the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, we used satellite data to create global maps of where and how fires are burning. We calculated about 3.98 million square kilometres of Earth’s land surface burns each year. We also examined research spanning archaeology, climatology, ecology, Indigenous knowledge and paleoecology, to better understand the causes and consequences of fires. Our international team found strong evidence fires are burning in unexpected places, at unusual times and in rarely observed ways. These changes in fire patterns are threatening human lives and modifying ecosystems. But the future does not have to be bleak. There are many opportunities to apply knowledge and practice of fire to benefit people and nature. <h2>Here’s how fire patterns are changing</h2> Exploring multiple approaches and scales enables a deeper understanding of where, when and how fires burn. Satellite data provide evidence of changes in fire patterns at a global scale. <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2020RG000726">Annual fire season length</a> increased by 14 days from 1979 to 2020 and <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-04325-1">night fires</a>, which indicate fires that cannot be quickly controlled, increased in intensity by 7.2% from 2003 to 2020. Other changes are apparent only when we look at data from particular regions. An increase in fire size and the frequency of large fires has recently been observed in <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.2103135118">forests and woodlands of the western United States</a>. Meanwhile fire-dependent grasslands and savannahs across <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gcb.14711">Africa</a> and <a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2019GL082327">Brazil</a> have experienced reductions in fire frequency. It’s also important to consider the timescale and type of fire when interpreting changes. In Australia, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-27225-4">satellite records show</a> the frequency of very large forest fires has increased over the past four decades. At longer time scales, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13280-020-01339-3">charcoal and pollen records</a> indicate the frequency of low-intensity fires <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2395">decreased in parts of southeastern Australia</a> following British colonisation in 1788. <h2>Changes in fire affect air, land and water</h2> Many animals and plants have evolved strategies that enable them to thrive under particular fire patterns. This means changes to fire characteristics can <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abb0355">harm populations and ecosystems</a>. <a href="https://conbio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/conl.12905">Large and intense fires</a> are reducing the available forest habitat preferred by the greater glider. But a <a href="https://theconversation.com/research-reveals-fire-is-pushing-88-of-australias-threatened-land-mammals-closer-to-extinction-185965">lack of fire can be problematic too</a>. Threatened species of native rodents can benefit from food resources and habitats that flourish shortly after fire. There is evidence that emissions from recent fires are already modifying the atmosphere. The historically exceptional 2019–20 Australian wildfires produced <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abe1415#:%7E:text=Intense%2C%20widespread%20bushfires%20in%20Australia,from%20a%20moderate%20volcanic%20eruption.">record-breaking levels of aerosols</a> over the Southern Hemisphere, as well as substantial carbon emissions. The <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-020-00610-5">wildfire smoke-related health costs</a> of the 2019–20 wildfires in Australia included an estimated 429 smoke-related premature deaths as well as 3,230 hospital admissions for cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Changes in fire patterns are modifying water cycles, too. In the western United States, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2009717118">fires are reaching higher elevations</a> and having strong impacts on <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2200333119">snow</a> and water availability. New studies are revealing how the air, land and water that support life on Earth are connected by fires. Smoke plumes from the 2019–20 Australian wildfires transported nutrients to the Southern Ocean, resulting in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03805-8">widespread phytoplankton blooms</a>. <h2>Humans are responsible for the changes</h2> Human drivers such as climate change, land use, fire use and suppression, and transportation and extinction of species <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">are causing shifts in fire patterns</a>. Increasing global temperatures and more frequent heatwaves and droughts increase the likelihood of fire by promoting hot, dry and windy conditions. A pattern of extreme fire weather outside of natural climate variation is already emerging in <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/gcb.15388">North America</a>, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10584-014-1183-3">southern Europe</a> and <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac1e3a/meta">the Amazon basin</a>. Humans modify fire regimes by changing land use for agricultural, forestry and urban purposes. Until recent decades, large fires in tropical forests were uncommon. But <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03876-7">deforestation fires</a> used to clear primary forest for agriculture often promotes more frequent and intense uncontrolled fires. Humans have transported plants and animals across the globe, resulting in novel mixes of species that modify fuels and fire regimes. In many parts of the world, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1073/pnas.1908253116">invasive grasses</a> have increased flammability and fire activity. Social and economic changes propel these drivers. Colonisation by Europeans and the displacement of Indigenous peoples and their skilful use of fire has been linked with fire changes in <a href="https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/fee.2395">Australia</a>, <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2116264119">North America</a> and <a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2015.0174">South America</a>. <h2>Using knowledge and practice of fire to achieve sustainability goals</h2> <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">The pace and scale of these changes</a> represent challenges to humanity, but knowledge and practice of fire can help to achieve sustainability goals. This includes: <ul> <li><a href="https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2015.0174">good health and wellbeing</a>, by supporting community-owned solutions and fire practices that increase social cohesion and health</li> <li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301479718314658">sustainable cities and communities</a>, by designing green firebreaks and mixed-use areas with low fuels, strategically located in the landscape</li> <li><a href="https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.aam7672">life on land</a>, by tailoring use of fire to promote and restore species and ecosystems</li> <li><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-021-00867-1">climate action</a>, by applying low-intensity fire to promote the stability of soil organic matter and increase carbon storage</li> <li><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/3921">reduced inequalities</a>, by allocating resources before, during, and after wildfires to at-risk communities and residents.</li> </ul> As the world changes, society as a whole needs to keep learning about the interplay between people and fire. A deep understanding of fire is essential for achieving a sustainable future – in other words, <a href="https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-120220-055357">a better Anthropocene</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/213215/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/luke-kelly-159658">Luke Kelly</a>, Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/david-bowman-4397">David Bowman</a>, Professor of Pyrogeography and Fire Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ella-plumanns-pouton-1470045">Ella Plumanns Pouton</a>, PhD candidate, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/grant-williamson-109967">Grant Williamson</a>, Research Fellow in Environmental Science, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-tasmania-888">University of Tasmania</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/michael-shawn-fletcher-99786">Michael-Shawn Fletcher</a>, Professor in Biogeography, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</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/our-planet-is-burning-in-unexpected-ways-heres-how-we-can-protect-people-and-nature-213215">original article</a>.

Travel Trouble

Annoying chores with unexpected scientific health benefits

Wash dishes: Reduce anxiety People who cleaned their plates mindfully (they focused on smelling the soap, feeling the water temperature, and touching the dishes) lowered their nervousness levels by 27%, found a recent study of 51 people out of Florida State University’s psychology department. People who didn’t take as thoughtful approach to their dish washing did not experience a similar calming benefit. Clean with a lemon scented cleaner: Be happier A citrusy scent is a potent mood booster, according to a 2014 Japanese study. When participants spent as little as ten minutes inhaling yuzu (a super-tart and citrusy Japanese fruit), they saw a significant decrease in their overall mood disturbance, a measure of tension, anxiety, depression, confusion, fatigue and anger, PureWow recently reported. Make your bed every morning: Boost productivity Your nagging mum was right: starting your day with a freshly made bed is what Charles Duhigg, author of The Power of Habit, calls a “keystone habit”; one that has a ripple effect to create other good behaviour. In his book, Duhigg notes that making your bed every morning is linked to better productivity, a greater sense of wellbeing, and stronger skills at sticking to a budget. Bedmakers also report getting a better night’s sleep than those who leave their covers messy in the morning, per a National Sleep Foundation poll reported by WebMD. Clean up your yard: Prevent a heart attack Need motivation to clean up? People who did the most yard work, housecleaning, and DIY projects had a nearly 30% lower risk of a first-time cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke compared with those who were the most sedentary, according to a new Swedish study of 3800 older adults. Banish kitchen clutter: Lose weight A recent study showed that people with super-cluttered homes were 77% more likely to be overweight or obese. The likely reason: it’s harder to make healthy food choices in a chaotic kitchen. Organising guru Peter Walsh, author of Cut the Clutter, Drop the Pounds, has been inside of hundreds of people’s homes. He says once people finally get organised, they tend to experience a number of other unexpected perks, including weight loss, without strict dieting. Mow the lawn: Feel more joyful There’s something to that grassy scent. Australian researchers discovered that a chemical released by freshly cut grass makes people feel more relaxed and more joyful. Grow flowers and vegetables: Lower depression risk In a study out of Norway, people diagnosed with different forms of depression spent six hours a week gardening; after a few months, they experienced a notable improvement in their depression symptoms, and their good moods continued for months after the study ended. Doing a new activity and being outside in nature can certainly help, but some experts believe that dirt itself might be a depression fighter, according to Health.com. Christopher Lowry, PhD, a professor at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has been injected mice with a common, harmless bacteria found in the soil. He’s found that they experience an increase in the “release and metabolism of serotonin in parts of the brain that control cognitive function and mood, much like serotonin-boosting antidepressant drugs do,” the site reported. Share chores with your spouse: Have a better sex life When men perceived their contribution to household chores as fair, couples have more frequent and satisfying sex, according to a 2015 study from the University of Alberta. “If a partner isn’t pulling their weight in housework, either one will have to pick up the slack, or the chores will remain undone. This will develop tension and bitterness in the relationship, which will transfer into the bedroom,” according to MedicalDaily. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/8-annoying-chores-with-unexpected-scientific-health-benefits" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Body

"My unexpected $223,000 overseas bill"

Jeffrey Yates had just embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday with his wife to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Instead, he ended up racking up a whopping $223,255 bill, the biggest claim his insurance company had seen during 2017. The 71-year-old from Western Australia said the pair’s much-anticipated trip had started off well. “The trip was a particularly special one as it was our 50th wedding anniversary, so it was something we’d been looking forward to for quite some time,” Mr Yates told <a href="http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-advice/health-safety/my-unexpected-223000-overseas-bill/news-story/94cd850899f9e1367bf6f3fb49621307">news.com.au.</a> “We started in Dubai, and then went over to Athens. From there, we jumped on a cruise from Athens to Barcelona.” But things soon took a turn when Jeffrey was struck with a series of illnesses while in Italy. “We were only a week in when my health started to deteriorate,” he said. “I contracted legionnaires’ disease and pneumonia which led to me discovering that I had emphysema on the trip. “The experience was quite scary and my wife and our two friends had to leave the cruise early to assist during my recovery.” He ended up in hospital for more than a month. “Within three days they’d dropped us off in Naples to see a specialist hospital, which led to 16 days in intensive care. This was followed by an extended stay in hospital. “All up, I was out of action for 47 days. After all was said and done, the total came to well over $220,000 … It was an extremely difficult situation.” Jeff says that while the couple always take out travel insurance, it was more for his wife who has ongoing health issues. He hadn’t anticipated he would need it. “It’s not something you think about, especially given how quickly those transportation and hospital bills can add up,” he said. “Of course, we were disappointed that such a long-awaited trip had been cut short, but we are grateful that it wasn’t worse and that we weren’t left out of pocket.” He says his experience show that all travellers need to protect themselves when travelling – as you really never know what could happen. Jeff still has ongoing health issues that he is being monitored for, including breathing issues for which he still requires oxygen. Images: Getty

Travel Trouble

Camilla's unexpected coronation guest

As the royal family prepares for the highly-anticipated coronation of King Charles, an unexpected guest has been revealed to be attending. Camilla's ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, will be present for the coronation in Westminster Abbey in May, as he remains “joined at the hip” with his ex-wife. Andrew and Camilla were married for 22 years before they divorced in 1995. Andrew went on to marry Rosemary Pitman the following year, who died from breast cancer in 2010, while Camilla married the then-Prince of Wales in 2005. Ever since their divorce, the couple have remained close. A friend of Parker Bowles told <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/camillas-naughty-ex-andrew-parker-bowles-is-coming-to-the-coronation-blwlqc9dv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Sunday Times</a>, “He arranges so much for her. They have lunch together the whole time. He’s right in there. He was always, and still is, Camilla’s co-conspirator.” One of Camilla’s Queen Companions, the Marchioness of Lansdowne said everyone “loves Andrew” and that he’s a “real charmer but he’s always terribly misbehaving”. She added, “Through adversity they’ve kept a really good family ethic. It helps with their children and grandchildren.” Parker Bowles was unfaithful to Camilla during their marriage, and their friends describe the retired army officer as “a bit of a rogue” and “very naughty”. He remains close, however, with several members of the royal family, including Princess Anne with whom he had a brief romance. Parker Bowles has attended both of Charles’ weddings, including to Princess Diana in July 1981 when he accompanied the then-Prince and Princess of Wales’s carriages on horseback after the ceremony. Parker Bowles was also present at Charles and Camilla’s wedding in 2005, attending the ceremony with Pitman. Camilla and Andrew have two children together, Tom Parker Bowles, who is King Charles' godson, and Laura Lopes, who have given the former couple five grandchildren. Image credits: Getty Images

Relationships

Bindi Irwin’s unexpected wedding news

Bindi Irwin has opened up about the future of her relationship with husband Chandler Powell, sharing that the two have every intention of renewing their vows. The beloved Australian conservationist wed Chandler in March 2020, just before Australia’s COVID-19 restrictions saw weddings restricted to include no more than five people. This meant, of course, that the happy couple could not have some of their nearest and dearest share in their happy day. “Personally, I'd love to renew our vows one day when Grace is older,” Bindi explained in a candid interview with Hello! Magazine. “It would be lovely to have our closest friends and family with us to celebrate.” And while there may have been no small number of absences at the ceremony, Bindi and Chandler were far from alone, with Bindi adding that “our animals are part of our family. Even though we couldn't have all the human guests we wanted at our wedding, we were grateful to spend the day with the wildlife we love so dearly. “Getting married during the pandemic was certainly a strange experience, but an important reminder that love always wins.” In 2020, Bindi had shared a post to social media about the “very difficult decision” to go ahead with their wedding with the reduced guest list, and wrote of how they were “encouraging the world to hold onto hope and love, which will carry us forward.” Now, it seems, the wildlife warrior is ready to take that hope and to move forward, especially as “we have our gorgeous daughter which makes persevering with our wedding even sweeter.” She didn’t have any specifics to share about the next ceremony, but Bindi did spend some time in her interview reflecting on the 2020 event, sharing everything from the story of her dress to the emotion of her brother walking her down the aisle. “Ever since I was a little girl I've known that I wanted a wedding dress similar to my mum's gorgeous gown,” Bindi confessed, going on to note that the gown in question had been in the family for almost 60 years. She went on to reveal that her dress, one created by an Australian boutique, was “even more perfect than I had imagined.” The family’s day wasn’t only a tribute to Bindi and Chandler’s love, with the Irwins making sure to include the late Steve in their celebration - as well as the family’s furry friend. “On the day we had a candle-lighting ceremony in honour of Dad,” Bindi said, “alongside my favourite photo of him and our family dog, Sui.” She noted that it had “meant the world” to be able to pay tribute to her dad on a day that meant so much to her, and for her brother to have accepted the momentous honour of escorting her down the aisle to her future husband. “I’m forever thankful,” she shared, “for his friendship and support.” Images: Instagram

Relationships

Flow state, exercise and healthy ageing: 5 unexpected benefits of singing

Singing with others feels amazing. Group singing <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-020-00549-0">promotes social bonding</a> and has been <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/03057356211042668">shown to</a> raise oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”) and decrease cortisol (the “stress hormone”). But it’s not just about singing in groups. There are many unexpected ways singing is good for you, even if you’re on your own. Singing is a free and accessible activity which can help us live happier, healthier and more fulfilling lives. And before you protest you are “<a href="https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1360.018">tone deaf</a>” and “can’t sing”, research shows <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/0022429420951630">most people</a> can sing accurately in tune, so let’s warm up those voices and get singing. <h2>1. Singing gets you in the zone</h2> If you’ve ever lost track of time while doing something slightly challenging but enjoyable, you’ve likely experienced <a href="https://www.headspace.com/articles/flow-state">the flow state</a>. Some people refer to this feeling as being “in the zone”. According to <a href="https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/">positive psychology</a>, flow, or deep engagement in a task, is considered one of the key elements of well-being. Research has shown singing can induce the flow state in <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0305735619899137">expert singers</a> and <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2015.00518/full">group singing</a>. One way to get into this flow state is through improvisation. Try your hand at some <a href="https://psyche.co/ideas/the-jazz-singers-mind-shows-us-how-to-improvise-through-life-itself">vocal improvisation</a> by picking one phrase in a song you know well and playing around with it. You can improvise by slightly changing the melody, rhythm, even the lyrics. You may well find yourself lost in your task – if you don’t realise this until afterwards, it is a sign you’ve been in flow. <h2>2. Singing gets you in touch with your body</h2> Singers make music with the body. Unlike instrumentalists, singers have no buttons to push, no keys to press and no strings to pluck. Singing is a deeply <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/10298649211062730">embodied activity</a>: it reminds us to get in touch with our whole selves. When you’re feeling stuck in your head, try singing your favourite song to reconnect with your body. Focus on your breathing and the physical sensations you can feel in your throat and chest. Singing is also a great way to raise your awareness of any physical tensions you may be holding in your body, and there is increasing interest in the intersection between <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0305735617729452">singing and mindfulness</a>. <h2>3. Singing as exercise</h2> We often forget singing is a fundamentally physical task which most of us can do reasonably well. When we sing, we are making music with the larynx, the vocal tract and other articulators (including your tongue, lips, soft and hard palates and teeth) and the respiratory system. Just as we might jog to improve our cardiovascular fitness, we can exercise the voice to improve our singing. <a href="http://thevoiceworkshop.com/somatic-voicework/">Functional voice training</a> helps singers understand and use their voice according to optimal physical function. Singing is increasingly being used to help improve <a href="https://www.jvoice.org/article/S0892-1997(16)30442-8/fulltext">respiratory health</a> for a wide range of health conditions, including those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson’s, asthma and cancer. Because singing provides such a great workout for the respiratory system, it is even being used <a href="https://www.eno.org/eno-breathe/about-the-eno-breathe-programme/">to help people</a> suffering from long COVID. <h2>4. Singing builds psychological resources</h2> Group singing can help combat social isolation and <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0733464815577141">create new social connections</a>, help people <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0305735620944230">cope with caring burdens</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2019.1624584">enhance mental health</a>. Studies show these psychological benefits flow because group singing promotes new social identities. When we sing with others we identify with, we build inner resources like belonging, meaning and purpose, social support, efficacy and agency. <h2>5. Singing for “super-ageing”</h2> “<a href="https://ana-neurosurgery.com/want-to-be-a-superager/">Super-agers</a>” are people around retirement age and older whose cognitive abilities (such as memory and attention span) <a href="https://www.jneurosci.org/content/36/37/9659">remain youthful</a>. Research conducted by distinguished psychologist and neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett and her lab suggest the best-known way to become a superager is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/31/opinion/sunday/how-to-become-a-superager.html?referringSource=articleShare">to work hard at something</a>. Singing requires the complex coordination of various physical components — and that’s just to make a sound! The artistic dimension of singing includes memorisation and interpretation of lyrics and melodies, understanding and being able to hear the underlying musical harmony, sensing rhythm and much more. These characteristics of singing make it an ideal candidate as a super-ageing activity. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/flow-state-exercise-and-healthy-ageing-5-unexpected-benefits-of-singing-180415" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Music

Bradley Cooper's unexpected new partner

Bradley Cooper is dating Huma Abedin. Huma is Hillary Clinton’s top aide and the ex-wife of disgraced politician Anthony Weiner who was sentenced in 2017 to 21 months in prison for sexting with a minor. The Hollwood actor and Huma were introduced by mutual friend Vogue editor Anna Wintour and have been “quietly” seeing each other, <a href="https://pagesix.com/2022/07/12/bradley-cooper-dating-huma-abedin-thanks-to-anna-wintour-sources/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Page Six</a> reported. “Bradley has been quietly dating Huma for a few months now, [and] they’ve been keeping it really quiet,” a Hollywood insider told the publication. “Bradley broke up with [actor] Dianna Agron and started dating Huma.” The insider is also saying that Huma has told close friends that she is seeing someone new but did not disclose who it was. “They are perfect for each other. They’re both into power and politics and human affairs.” Page Six reports that the pair arrived at the Met Gala together on May 2 before parting for the red carpet to not make their relationship obvious. Huma is currently in the final stages of her divorce from Weiner who she shares a 10-year-old son with. “I had my heart broken, dragged out, stomped on, humiliated. I lived with shame, in shame, for so long,” she previously told The Cut. “In hindsight, I was in extreme trauma.” Bradley was dating actress Dianna Agron before Huma. Images: Getty

Relationships

5 unexpected things that can happen to your body during pregnancy

If swelling ankles, fatigue, and weird cravings weren’t enough, apparently there are even more unusual things that no one tells you about pregnancy. While chapped lips, swollen fingers, skin tags, pigmentation and snoring are also on the cards, changes in your hormones during pregnancy can result in unusual side effects that you should really know about. Here are seven unexpected things that can happen to your body while pregnant. 1 Bleeding gums As scary as this might sound, this symptom is surprisingly common. If you experience this, it will most likely be when you brush your teeth. The culprit? Changing levels of the hormone progesterone, <a href="https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/oral-care-during-pregnancy/bleeding-gums-pregnancy-should-you-worry">which can cause</a> a build-up of bacteria in your mouth that can leave your gums inflamed and showing signs of gingivitis. Don’t despair though, this usually reduces once you have given birth and your hormones return to normal levels. In the meantime, it’s important to keep up with your oral health to minimise the amount of plaque and food on your teeth. 2 Tooth wear and decay Speaking of teeth problems, tooth decay is another that can occur during pregnancy. There is a higher risk of tooth wear and decay during pregnancy as a result of gastric acid from morning sickness, combined with cravings for sugar. Again, brushing and flossing regularly can help you keep your teeth as healthy as they can be. 3 Excess saliva Feeling like you have extra saliva is another common one. Ptyalism, the condition describing excess saliva, can strike during pregnancy and commonly affects those who also suffer from extreme nausea and morning sickness. While the culprit isn’t clear, it is thought that hormones are the main reason behind this symptom. Sufferers from ptyalism deal with a large amount of saliva too, with <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30221872/">research</a> finding that symptoms of ptyalism can include saliva volumes of up to two litres a day. 4 Incredibly realistic dreams The symptoms don’t just affect you while you’re awake. Experiencing vivid dreams and nightmares is common during pregnancy, even for those who don’t usually remember their dreams. <a href="https://www.sleepfoundation.org/pregnancy/how-pregnancy-affects-dreams#:~:text=Many%20women%20also%20report%20greater,are%20currently%20on%20our%20mind.">Researchers</a> think that dreaming is how our subconscious works through issues. During pregnancy, a time of excitement and stress, the hormonal changes that make you more emotional during the day are still there while you sleep, making your dreams more vivid and often pregnancy-related. 5 Bigger feet As crazy as it sounds, some people find their feet grow during pregnancy. <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257151#1">Some research</a> suggests this is due to the production of relaxin, a hormone that loosens your pelvic joints and the ligaments in your feet, which could allow them to stretch. Other research has found a permanent loss of arch height because of additional pressure on your foot arches. According to a study conducted by the <a href="https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/257151#1">American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation</a>, between 60 and 70 per cent of pregnant women found their feet became wider and longer.

Body

Unexpected Prince Harry cameo in Biden's inauguration leaves fans stunned

While people around the world tuned in to watch Joe Biden and Kamala Harris' historic inauguration, eagle-eyed royal fans spotted a sneaky appearance by Prince Harry. A large portrait of Prince Harry was spotted in the background of photos taken during President Biden's official visit to Arlington Cemetery. Royal reporter Omid Scobie shared the photo. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo by a royal at President Biden’s <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InaugurationDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InaugurationDay</a> visit to Arlington Cemetery. Well, kinda. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a giant photo from Prince Harry’s 2013 visit hanging in the background while <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> caught up with the Clintons. <a href="https://t.co/qWtJrFwRrL">pic.twitter.com/qWtJrFwRrL</a> — Omid Scobie (@scobie) <a href="https://twitter.com/scobie/status/1352023086263132163?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2021</a></blockquote> "A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo by a royal at President Biden’s #InaugurationDay visit to Arlington Cemetery. Well, kinda. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot a giant photo from Prince Harry’s 2013 visit hanging in the background while @JoeBiden caught up with the Clintons," he joked. Prince Harry has close ties to the Biden family after working closely with Dr Jill Biden after the pair met during a reception for wounded soldiers at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington. Jill then travelled to London to attend Prince Harry's Invictus Games in 2014 and was joined by her husband at the 2016 games in Orlando. Biden has joked that he was a "little worried" about the pair's friendship, stating: "Jill went to London for the last Games. She spent too much damn time with Prince Harry." An insider close to Prince Harry's wife Meghan Markle told <a rel="noopener" href="https://hollywoodlife.com/2021/01/20/meghan-markle-prince-harry-inauguration-emotional-joe-biden-kamala-harris/" target="_blank">HollywoodLife</a> that the inauguration was "very personal" for the couple. "Harry's been friends with Joe and [wife] Jill [Biden] for years and Meghan has a huge amount of respect and admiration for them and for Kamala Harris," the source claimed. "It's just a monumental moment in history — watching the first female VP being sworn in will for sure be emotional for Meghan."

Beauty & Style

COVID-19 has offered us an unexpected opportunity to help more people quit smoking

Smokers are worried. A respiratory disease is running rampant across the globe and people with unhealthy lifestyle habits appear to be especially vulnerable. We know smokers hospitalised with COVID-19 are more likely to become <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/smoking-and-covid-19">severely unwell and die</a> than non-smokers with the disease. At any point in time, most smokers <a href="https://www.quit.org.au/news/8-10-victorian-smokers-want-quit-survey/">want to quit</a>. But COVID-19 provides the impetus to do it sooner rather than later. In our <a href="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/Abstract/9000/Preferences_for_Tobacco_Cessation_Information_and.99161.aspx">new study</a>, we surveyed 1,204 adult smokers across Australia and the United Kingdom. We found the proportion intending to quit within the next two weeks almost tripled from around 10% of smokers before COVID-19 to 29% in April. Many more were thinking about quitting some time soon, and most wanted help to do so. Our research shows many people who smoke understand they can reduce their COVID-19 related risk by addressing their smoking. Given this, and the broader health gains associated with stopping smoking, we must ensure people who want to quit in the face of COVID-19 are supported. Information and support When asked whether they’d like to receive information about the risks of COVID-19 for smokers, almost half (45%) of our respondents said they would. This was especially the case among those wanting to quit very soon. As for where they wanted to get this information, participants most commonly chose government representatives (59%) and doctors (47%) as their preferred sources. Television news was the most favoured information delivery channel (61%), followed by online news (36%), social media (31%) and email (31%). As well as being receptive to information, our participants were keen for support to help them quit. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/2020-smoking-cessation/index.html">Evidence-based</a> forms of smoking cessation assistance include nicotine replacement therapy (for example, gum, patches and inhalers) and counselling. Almost two-thirds (61%) of our respondents expressed an interest in receiving nicotine replacement therapy to help them quit, which rose to more than three-quarters (77%) if it could be home-delivered and provided free of charge. Half (51%) wanted access to personal advice and support, such as that provided by <a href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/quitline">Quitline</a>. A similar number (49%) were receptive to being part of a text support program for smokers. These results show us smokers are interested in forms of quitting assistance that can be delivered remotely. Making sure smokers know these sorts of things are available in lockdown could increase uptake, and in turn reduce smoking rates. It’s also important to note the <a href="https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M20-1212">social isolation</a> associated with the pandemic may make people more vulnerable to the addictive effects of nicotine. So they may need extra support during this time. Two big risks to our health Strong groundwork in the form of anti-smoking campaigns, tobacco taxes, and smoke-free environment legislation has reduced smoking levels in Australia to a record low of <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/national-drug-strategy-household-survey-2019/contents/summary">11%</a>. But even at this rate, smoking remains Australia’s <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/953dcb20-b369-4c6b-b20f-526bdead14cb/aihw-bod-20.pdf.aspx?inline=true">number-one avoidable killer</a>. Smoking eventually kills up to <a href="https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-015-0281-z">two-thirds of regular users</a>, and the number of people dying from smoking-related diseases still dwarfs COVID-19 deaths. Roughly <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco">eight million people</a> around the world die each year from tobacco-related diseases (such as cancer, stroke and heart disease), compared to the almost <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/">one million</a> deaths attributed to COVID-19 so far. Of course, the infectious nature of COVID-19 brings its own set of challenges. But combined, we have a potent reason to prioritise encouraging and helping smokers to quit as soon as possible. There has been <a href="https://theconversation.com/does-nicotine-protect-us-against-coronavirus-137488">speculation</a> about whether smoking increases the risk of contracting COVID-19, or whether nicotine might actually protect against the disease. The evidence remains unclear. Regardless of whether smoking affects the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the first place, we know it increases the risk of dying from it. Providing intensive quit support during the pandemic could facilitate a substantial boost to cessation rates and bring us closer to the day when smoking becomes history. Capitalising on this opportunity Smokers’ increased risk from COVID-19 and the importance of encouraging smokers to quit to reduce their risk of a range of non-communicable diseases means <a href="https://infogram.com/ama-covid-19-factsheet-tobacco-1hd12y0rovwm6km?live">health agencies</a> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/smokers-at-greater-risk-of-severe-respiratory-disease-from-covid-19">around the world</a> are sending messages about the importance of quitting now. Our results suggest these statements should ideally be accompanied by explicit offers of help to quit in the form of nicotine replacement therapy and counselling. Investment in these is <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26031929/">cost-effective</a>, and now is an ideal time to make them as widely available and affordable as possible. Many smokers would also likely benefit from the use of mass media to provide more information about their greater risk if infected with COVID-19. This heightened interest in quitting in the face of COVID-19 — reflected not only in our research, <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/number-of-people-quitting-smoking-at-ten-year-high-thanks-to-change-in-attitudes-during-covid-19-pandemic-12077840">but elsewhere</a> — represents a unique opportunity for governments and health agencies to help smokers quit, and stay off smoking for good. Written by Simone Pettigrew, George Institute for Global Health. Republished with permission of <a href="https://theconversation.com/search/result?sg=5c52bba7-3930-40c3-ac55-adfb03be59ed&sp=1&sr=1&url=%2Fcovid-19-has-offered-us-an-unexpected-opportunity-to-help-more-people-quit-smoking-146747">The Conversation.</a>

Beauty & Style

Fit and healthy Melbourne nurse shares unexpected COVID-19 symptom

A young and health nurse who works in the emergency department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital has revealed that she suffered from an unusual symptom before testing positive for coronavirus. Emily Morris, 32, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-27/more-than-700-victorian-healthcare-workers-with-covid19/12494330" target="_blank" class="_e75a791d-denali-editor-page-rtflink">ABC's 7:30 Report</a> that she felt a strange pain in her lower legs a week and a half ago. She knew it was different from anything she ever experienced as she was used to being on her feet for hours on end. "I was at work when I developed some aching to my lower legs and I spoke to my manager and she got me tested straight away," she said. She said she self-isolated herself until she got her results 24 hours, which confirmed she had coronavirus. Other common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, dry cough and tiredness. "I was absolutely devastated. I think that as a health care worker, there is a little bit of shame and stigma around being diagnosed as COVID positive," she said. "I'm young, I'm fit, I'm healthy. I was doing the right things and I got coronavirus." She is now isolating in a government apartment so she doesn't risk exposing her housemates to coronavirus. "I feel terrible. I haven't felt like eating and have difficulty keeping down fluids," she said. Morris suspects she contracted the virus within the community. "I work in the respiratory emergency department, which means that I wear an N95 mask. Then on top of that, I wear a face shield, hair coverings as well as a full length gown," she said. "Considering the high quality of the PPE that we have and the procedures that we have in place, I am very certain that this was a community acquired transmission." Morris is sharing her story and is urging others to follow social distancing measures as well as wearing a mask. "The discomfort that you think you feel wearing [a mask] does not compare to the discomfort that you will experience if you test COVID-positive," Ms Morris warned in a video posted on social media. "[To] become short of breath that even walking from the couch to the toilet is a mammoth effort. "Wear a mask, wash your hands, engage in social distancing. There is nothing more inconvenient and uncomfortable than catching corona. "I can tell you. I know from experience."

Body

What should you do with unexpected money?

Perhaps you just won a lottery, landed a big client in your business, or simply received your tax refund. Either way, a sudden influx of cash is always welcome. But how can you best manage the incoming cash? Here are a few things you should consider. Put it towards your top financial goal(s) If you are working on paying off debt, saving up for a down payment or upgrading your car, the windfall may put you on the fast track or at least provide some shortcuts. If you have no specific goal in mind, putting a good chunk of the money aside as a fallback or emergency fund is a good idea in case of a rainy day. Save it up Park your cash in a savings account with your bank or financial institution. The interest rates may help your money grow, even at a modest pace. Invest Put your money to work by investing. There are a lot of options today, from shares and property to cryptocurrencies. Don’t forget to evaluate the risks and read the fine print. Treat yourself Budgeting does not always have to be dull and restrictive – if you feel like indulging yourself, set aside a small part of the extra cash for hobbies, trips, beauty treatments or other fun activities you’ve always wanted to do. You can also use this to buy more time for yourself – for example, instead of doing chores, outsource the task and allow yourself some relaxing downtime. Alternatively, depending on the size of your windfall, you can invest in a new car or white goods that will let you <a href="https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/07/what-to-do-with-unexpected-money/">complete tasks faster</a>.

Retirement Income

Unexpected royal style icon turns heads with stunning dress

Forget Duchess Kate and Duchess Meghan setting the new fashion trends, the Queen of Spain is here to turn heads. Her latest public outing shows that she is well on her way to becoming a fashion icon. Queen Letizia of Spain, who is the wife of King Felipe VI, has turned heads with not one but two incredible outfits. The former journalist and current mum-of-two stepped out in Madrid wearing a neon fuchsia mid-length dress. She finished the look with a pair of pastel pink stilettos, a matching pink clutch and pink and green jewel drop earrings. The dress was designed by American designer Carolina Herrera, and the Queen of Spain was attending a meeting of the Council of the Royal Board on Disability at Corral de Comedias Theatre in Madrid. She also presented the “Reina Letizia 2019 Award”. The second outfit that turned heads was when the Queen joined her husband for an official military event, which is known as the Delivery of the Real Employment Dispatches. This is where members of the force at the General military Academy were promoted. For the formal event, the Queen of Spain wore a white wrap blouse and a blue-and-white striped skirt. She accessorised her look with navy blue suede pumps and a white clutch while having her hair tied back in a bun. Scroll through the gallery above to see the to see the Queen of Spain's two glamorous looks.

Beauty & Style

Surprising new frontrunner: The unexpected name for Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's baby

The first child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex is arriving anytime now, and the speculation surrounding the royal baby’s name has been heating up as an unexpected candidate emerges as a frontrunner. In recent weeks, names such as Diana, Elizabeth and Alice (after Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Alice) have dominated betting lists around the world. However, a new unexpected name has quickly climbed up to the top: Grace. The name is popularised by the late Princess of Monaco and former actress Grace Kelly, whose journey to royalty mirrored that of Duchess Meghan. While the gender of the baby is yet to be confirmed, betting sites such as Sportsbet.com.au have seen more gamblers backing girls’ names than boys’ names. Another unconventional name among the frontrunners is Allegra, which is Italian for “cheerful” or “joyous”. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes told <a rel="noopener" href="https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-prince-harry-royal-baby-name-allegra/?did=372870-20190430&utm_campaign=people-news_newsletter&utm_source=people.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=043019&cid=372870&mid=20606968105" target="_blank">PEOPLE</a> that he also found the rising popularity of the name to be unexpected. “We’re scratching our heads as to why we’ve seen so much interest in Allegra, but the bets are coming in thick and fast and it’s been by far the most popular pick of the month with punters,” he said. According to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6972341/Meghan-Harry-baby-Italian-Allegra.html" target="_blank">Daily Mail</a>, Allegra was a favourite of the late Princess Diana, who wanted to use the name on her own child if she had given birth to a girl. However, Diana remains the most popular choice among bookers with the odds being as low as 4-1. For the most popular boys’ name, Arthur takes the top spot, followed by Edward, James and Charles. While observers expect Baby Sussex to arrive soon, the birth plans have been kept private. “Their Royal Highnesses have taken a personal decision to keep the plans around the arrival of their baby private,” a statement released by Buckingham Palace read. “The Duke and Duchess look forward to sharing the exciting news with everyone once they have had an opportunity to celebrate privately as a new family.”

Family & Pets

The unexpected risks you should prepare for in retirement

When it comes to planning your retirement, it is natural we focus on the risks that we’re most aware of. However, most future retirees or those already in the midst of their golden years are not prepared for the risks they haven’t thought about already. Here are the risks that may not be at the top of your retirement planning but should still be on your radar. Complacency risk Perhaps your savings were depleted when you were younger and you have kept a relatively low budget ever since to make ends meet in your everyday life – or even decided to keep a tight budget when you were younger and haven’t raised it since. Perhaps it seems your retirement account balances appear to be growing nicely so you never made sure if you were actually on the way to building a comfortable nest egg. You have fallen for complacency risk. While you’re on the road to secure retirement, don’t lull yourself into a false sense of security. You may be short of your ideal savings for retirement and it is important to protect against the risk by giving yourself a retirement check up every 6-12 months. Look for a retirement income calculator and write in your information including your income, the current value of your retirement accounts, how much you’re putting into savings each year and the age you plan to retire. This tool helps you calculate the probability of you achieving your goals. Emotional risk Marketing extremes and the impulse to buy are more likely to affect our investing decisions. This could mean we get too excited in the moments when stocks are on the rise or pessimistic when the market is falling short from your expectations. However, either way, letting your emotions take sway as your investing strategy can result in real damage to your finances and your retirement prospects. Perhaps to combat the risk of emotional investing, set up an asset allocation strategy so it will increase your chance of riding out stocks through their ups and downs without having an adverse reaction to them. An asset allocation tool can help you come with an asset mix that suits you best – one that is risk-free. Longevity risk There is a possibility that perhaps you have underestimated how much longer you will live. This can result in an individual overspending during their retirement and being under-prepared when the unexpected comes to fruition. It is impossible to know when you’re going to reach the other side but being realistic with your spending and your retirement plan is crucial to a consistent lifestyle that doesn’t leave you looking for scraps near the end. Seek a professional or use an Actuaries Longevity Illustrator that estimates how much you should be saving while you’re working, and how much you can safely afford to spend during retirement. Although this won’t eliminate the risk of longevity – it will equip you much better, so you know how to deal with it if or when the time comes. How are you planning for retirement? Tell us in the comments below.

Retirement Life

Michelle Obama’s unexpected words of advice for Duchess Meghan

The former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, has offered up some pearls of wisdom for 37-year-old Duchess Meghan. As the Duchess of Sussex continues to support various initiatives as part of her royal work, Mrs Obama has warned the wife of Prince Harry to do one thing. Michelle, who has just released her memoir Becoming, urged Meghan to slow down and not do things too quickly. “Like me, Meghan probably never dreamt that she’d have a life like this, and the pressure you feel – from yourself and from others – can sometimes feel like a lot,” she told Good Housekeeping magazine. Mrs Obama advised the mum-to-be to not be afraid to take the necessary time to settle in before jumping into different projects. “So my biggest pieces of advice would be to take some time and don’t be in a hurry to do anything. I spent the first few months in the White House mainly worrying about my daughters, making sure they were off to a good start at school and making new friends, before I launched into any more ambitious work.” As a senior member of the royal family, Meghan has the opportunity to make a major impact on issues that are close to her. “There’s so much opportunity to do good with a platform like that – and I think Meghan can maximise her impact for others, as well as her own happiness, if she’s doing something that resonates with her personally,” she told the magazine. Michelle is currently in the United Kingdom promoting her book but has cut her European tour short to return to the US for the funeral of former President George H W Bush. Former US President Barack and Michelle have been close friends with Prince Harry for several years.

News

The Queen’s unexpected comment about Prince Charles in emotional speech

With Prince Charles turning 70, no one could be prouder of his achievements than his own mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Hosting a party on Wednesday night at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the monumental occasion, the Queen gave a heartfelt tribute to her eldest son and the heir to the throne. In what was considered a rare occasion of public affection, the Queen spoke fondly of her son and said it was a “privilege” to be able to celebrate the milestone with Prince Charles. <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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLN9gFnwGq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLN9gFnwGq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">“My mother saw me turn 70, of course. And she was heard to observe that 70 is exactly the age when the number of candles on your cake finally exceeds the amount of breath you have to blow them out.” Her Majesty described The Prince as “passionate”, “creative” and as “a duchy original”. Read the full speech by clicking our link in bio. This photograph was taken in the grounds of Windlesham Moor, country home in Surrey, in 1949 when Prince Charles was around 8 months old and in this second photograph The Queen and The Prince of Wales are pictured together at the Braemar Games in Scotland last year.</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/theroyalfamily/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> The Royal Family</a> (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 14, 2018 at 1:08pm PST </div> </blockquote> “It is a privilege for any mother to be able to propose a toast to her son on his 70th birthday. It means that you have lived long enough to see your child grow up. It is rather like – to use an analogy I am certain will find favour – planting a tree and being able to watch it grow,” she said. “My mother saw me turn 70, of course. And she was heard to observe that 70 is exactly the age when the number of candles on your cake finally exceeds the amount of breath you have to blow them out. Over his 70 years, Philip and I have seen Charles become a champion of conservation and the arts, a great charitable leader – a dedicated and respected heir to the throne to stand comparison with any in history – and a wonderful father,” she continued. <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-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLNy9nHtZb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <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> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BqLNy9nHtZb/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">“It is a privilege for any mother to be able to propose a toast to her son on his 70th birthday. It means that you have lived long enough to see your child grow up,” The Queen has said in a speech at the Prince of Wales’ 70th Birthday Party this evening. “It is rather like —to use an analogy I am certain will find favour — planting a tree and being able to watch it grow,” Her Majesty said. Read the full toast by clicking our link in bio. This first photograph was taken at Buckingham Palace on The Prince of Wales’ fourth birthday and the second on The Queen’s 90th birthday in Windsor in 2016. 📷 PA Images</a> <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 post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/theroyalfamily/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> The Royal Family</a> (@theroyalfamily) on Nov 14, 2018 at 1:07pm PST </div> </blockquote> “Most of all, sustained by his wife Camilla, he is his own man, passionate and creative. So, this toast is to wish a happy birthday to my son, in every respect a duchy original. To you Charles. To the Prince of Wales,” she concluded. Many were surprised to hear the Queen mention the Duchess of Cornwall in her speech, as it is said that the pair don’t get along after author Tom Bower mentioned an argument between the two in his unauthorised biography Rebel Prince: The Power, Passion and Defiance of Prince Charles. But after giving an emotional toast, it seems as if there is no bad blood between the Queen and her daughter-in-law. The Queen’s tribute to Prince Charles was posted across official royal Instagram accounts and other social media platforms, along with photographs of the pair throughout the years.

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The unexpected effect of The Crown’s popularity

The Queen has many unique characteristics that the public appreciate about her – her love for her family and country, her fascination with horses, her stylish hat collection and of course her admiration for Corgis. However, despite the breed receiving the affection of Her Royal Highness, the rest of the English population have not reciprocated her feelings. According to The Telegraph, the Queen is even partly responsible for their unpopularity as they have “long been regarded as a breed for the elderly and the genteel upper middle class.” The situation was so dire that in 2009, Corgis were added to the UK Kennel Club’s list of native breeds that were at risk of extinction. Thankfully, the dogs have received an unlikely saving grace – Netflix’s The Crown series. After the second season of the series was released, and the Queen’s inspiring experiences were documented, her beloved breed reaped the benefits. The Kennel Club have seen such a rise in interest for Corgis that the breed has been taken off the endangered list. “The Crown has certainly been important in the resurgence of the corgi breed,” Kennel Club public relations manager David Robson <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/09/corgis-saved-crown-queens-favourite-dog-taken-risk-list-boost/" target="_blank">said</a>. “It has increased interest in the breed. Following the transmission of the second series, searches for the breed puppies on our website went up by 22 percent.” Actress Claire Foy, who portrayed the Queen in the series, admitted that she believes the Corgis steal the spotlight in the show. “When we’re with the corgis, then all the shots are about the corgis and you have to fit your acting around what the corgis are doing,” Foy explained in an interview with Off Set. “Which is absolutely … fine. And is the way it should be quite frankly.” Have you watched The Crown? If so, share your thoughts on it in the comments below.

3 very unexpected musical collaborations

Sometimes, musicians forge friendships with others because they run in the same circles, or have similar sounds and successes. Other times, however, we hear that famous musicians have met or become friends, and it’s a struggle to figure out how that happened. 1. David Bowie and Nina Simone In 1974, at a private New York club called the Hippopotamus, Nina Simone bumped into David Bowie shortly after seeing him perform live. Miss Simone had not been performing around that time, and was experiencing tax problems. When she ran into Bowie, he invited her to join his table, and the two exchanged phone numbers. At 3am the next day, Bowie called Simone, kicking off a nightly ritual that would last a month. Bowie’s encouragement, and his insistence that Simone wasn’t crazy was what helped her resume performing. Of Bowie, Simone said, “He’s got more sense than anybody I’ve ever known. It’s not human – David ain’t from here.” 2. Beyoncé meets the Dixie Chicks When Beyoncé’s 2016 studio album Lemonade was released, the song “Daddy Lessons” was noticed by some for its distinctive bluegrass sound. The biggest-selling all-female group of modern times, the Dixie Chicks, certainly took notice of the song, and took to performing it at their live shows. During the Country Music Awards (CMA) show in 2016, the Dixie Chicks teamed up with Beyoncé <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6NmaWJZFqA" target="_blank">to perform “Daddy Lessons” together</a> in what was a show-stopping moment. While many conservative (read: bigoted) country music fans took to social media to decry the performance, we would not object to more collaborations from these record-shattering women in the future. 3. Kate Bush collaborates with Prince In 1990, Kate Bush made her way backstage at one of Prince’s concerts. The pair had been mutual fans of one another’s work for many years, so it was no surprise that Bush proposed a collaboration as soon as she met Prince. Her track, “Why Should I Love You” was, in her eyes, just about finished, but was in need of some backing vocals that Prince would be perfect for. Prince took the recording, and, instead of singing the requested backing track, he added guitars, piano, and bass, completely changing the original sound of the track. Before returning the song to Bush, he added some harmonies to the vocals, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3j4pgqdwNA" target="_blank">the finished product</a> is, well, wonderful. What is your favourite unexpected musical collaboration?

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