Why anxious people tend to be smarter

December 11, 2015, 6:52 am

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Anxiety sucks. Seriously. It’s the worst.

But there might be one upside to being plagued by constant worries and the fear that everyone secretly hates you: intelligence.

As The Science of Us explains in their new video, anxiety might actually make people smarter – those who have been diagnosed with anxiety tend to have a higher level of intelligence.

They explain that in 2014 a group of scientists in Canada asked 125 undergraduate students to take surveys measuring their intelligence and their general tendencies to stress out.

The researchers found that there was a strong correlation between anxiety and verbal intelligence.

Another study… Read the full story

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9 best subscription services for Christmas gifts – from condoms to cake, coffee and chocolate

December 11, 2015, 7:20 am

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Christmas comes but once a year – and that fact makes us so sad.

But wait… what if you could make Christmas come every month for someone you really like?

What if you had the power to be the elf that could organise a monthly shot of Christmas throughout the year?

LOOK NO FURTHER PEOPLE.

Here’s 9 subscription services that will allow you (by proxy) to drop something delicious (chocolate), useful (socks, coffee, condoms), or downright frivolous and luxe (a surprise gift that may or may not be perfume, handmade salt shakers or bespoke napkins) into a nominated letterbox on a monthly basis.

Subscription gifts are the gifts that keep on giving – and you can get them right up to the wire if you are rubbish at getting organised. Just saying..

 

GIN

The Gin Crowd, £15 per month or £85 for six months, thegincrowd.co.uk

Need we say more? For the… Read the full story

11 grown-up Christmas pop-ups in London (that aren’t Winter Wonderland)

December 11, 2015, 7:31 am

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It’s time to eat, drink and be merry.

But there’s more to Christmas themed pop-ups than just Winter Wonderland. Dodge the excitable kids and make a beeline for one of these other festive pop-ups.

1. Winterville is East London’s answer to Winter Wonderland, but, you know, cooler. There’s an ice rink, proper comfort food and something called BAR HUMBUG. The Spiegeltent is serving up all kinds of entertainment, including cabaret, musical bingo and something called ‘Shitfaced Shakespeare’ – intriguing!

Backyard Cinema will also be taking up residence with an enchanted indoor wonderland, showing Christmas classics and family favourites (and… Read the full story

If they’d had Twitter in Roman times, it *might* have looked a lot like this

December 11, 2015, 7:42 am

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Believe it or not, there was a time when people lived without Twitter. True story.

There was even a time Before Netflix (BN).

But, imagine if the Romans had been on Twitter – assuming they had enough time to tweet in between invading countries and buying and selling at the slave market of course.

Well, Imgur user dobalob has imagined it for you. He posted a series of memes online yesterday with the caption: ‘Roman Twitter’.

As one person responded: ‘I rate this post a solid V/VII’.

Warning: it’s a little bit sweary.

When Bae wants you to come over.

Read the full story

17 igloos that will make you want to pack it all in and live in the snow

December 11, 2015, 8:10 am

≫ Next: 6 reasons why red wine is actually good for you

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If you’re tired of flat-sharing and can’t stop despairing over the cost of actually buying a house one day, these might be a little bit too tempting.

Who doesn’t want to pack it all in, move somewhere snowy, and build themselves a little hut? Because snow is magical. You can play in it, live in it, make a tiny table with it.

There’s genuinely nothing better. Let’s all just give up the day jobs and start making tiny homes out of snow. Forget walls and central heating – an igloo is so much better.

1. The honeymoon igloo – Alpeniglu Hotel at Hochbrixen, Austria

Read the full story

6 reasons why red wine is actually good for you

December 11, 2015, 8:21 am

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We always suspected wine was good for you.

After all it’s made from grapes so it’s basically one of your five a day, amirite?

Recently red wine (the best of all the wines) was shown to slow dementia, but there’s plenty more reasons why you should be guzzling the stuff.

Not only does it taste like the nectar of the gods, but it could be the key to staying slim, having great sex and living a long and fruitful life.

So pour yourself a glass of wine and settle in to read why it’s completely [read: if not drunk in excess] guilt free:

1. It’s good for your sex life

Read the full story

Donald Trump condoms are here to make sex great again

December 11, 2015, 8:36 am

≫ Next: These adorable real letters to Santa Claus written by children will make you cry

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Today in ways to ruin your sex life, someone’s made Donald Trump themed condoms. Of course.

Custom condom makers SayItWithACondom.com have just unveiled their very own Donald Trump themed condoms.

Because nothing says ‘sexy’ like an incredibly controversial man with terrible hair intent on running for president. Right?

The actual condom isn’t too exciting – no fancy combover or lies printed on the latex – but the packaging features Donald’s grumpy face to get you in the mood. Plus the slogan: ‘I’m HUUUUGE!’ Sensual.

SayItWithACondom describes the condoms as ‘tremendous’, and ‘built like a… Read the full story

These adorable real letters to Santa Claus written by children will make you cry

December 11, 2015, 9:23 am

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*Warning: Contains spoilers for the young*

Letters to Santa are a well-loved tradition across the world. And it’s happily showing no signs of dying out.

Every year children post their letters addressed to the North Pole with pure Christmas hopes of Santa Claus bringing them the presents of their dreams this winter.

Royal Mail even has a scheme where children can send their letters to Santa’s actual address.

They’re just the most adorable things we’ve ever seen.

Anya just wants the homely pleasures in life

No iPads or expensive technology for Anya. A Playmobil school bus, some games, a sticker book, chocolate and biscuits are just fine with her.

Oh,… Read the full story

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#DearDaddy video makes a powerful point about rape culture and sexual violence

December 11, 2015, 9:37 am

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Rape culture starts in the smallest actions.

A ‘joke’ made to your friends. Staring at a woman until she uncomfortably tugs down her skirt. Letting it slide when someone at work says something sexist.

It’s also in inaction. Not calling people out. Ignoring the problem. Failing to support a victim when she comes forward.

As a new video from CARE Norway shows, each tiny thing can contribute to a society where rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence happen on a daily basis.

To hammer that idea home, the #DearDaddy video shows the consequences of those tiny actions and inactions, all happening to one man’s… Read the full story

15 things we wish we could ask our pets

December 11, 2015, 11:06 am

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We love our pets. Cats, dogs, birds, lizards… our non-human family members are beloved and special to us.

Since we’re hopelessly devoted to them, we’d like to think our affection was reciprocated. Alas though, that doesn’t always happen. At least, we can’t be sure of it.

Let’s face it, it’s particularly hard to figure out how animals are feeling, seeing as they can’t talk.

Ultimately, they’re a bit a mystery.

It’s no wonder we devote so much… Read the full story

5 myths about alcohol debunked

December 11, 2015, 11:15 am

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A lot of us enjoy booze. But we also know it can be bad for us. Heavy drinking sessions can leave us feeling worse for wear and full of regrets the next day.

Our weird love/hate relationship with alcohol has perhaps led us to come up with strategies and things we tell ourselves either to justify our drinking habits or convince us to stay away from the sauce.

Not all of them are true. Here are six of the most common false ones we’ve all heard before.

1) Beer gives you a beer belly

Read the full story

This video may make you uncomfortable but it’ll also open your eyes to the realities of Autism

December 11, 2015, 2:55 pm

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Would the sound of a dripping tap bother you? The tapping of a foot or the meowing of a cat?

How about all of these of these sounds combined together? How would you deal with such a loud combination of repetitive noises?

Sure, you may not have to deal with this regularly. But for many people living with Autism, they have to learn to live with it.

And the realities of the symptoms we don’t see in Autism, have been beautifully depicted in this video by The National Autistic Society, titled ‘Autism and sensory sensitivity’.

According to The NAS ‘Many… Read the full story

17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve worked in a gift shop over Christmas

December 12, 2015, 12:00 am

≫ Next: Eye-opening video shows what it meant to ‘be a man’ in 2015

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It’s the time of year all gift shops wait for.

The opportunity to make some serious cash as consumers empty their wallets on anything they can get their hands on.

It’s Christmas, yay.

The internet hasn’t won just yet. Traditional shoppers are still out in their masses, perusing and choosing the gifts that their family and friends will receive on Christmas morning.

Who will be there to help them complete this task? The humble gift shop of course.

Here are 17 things you’ll only understand if you’ve worked in a gift shop over Christmas…

1. The Christmas Eve panic… Read the full story

Eye-opening video shows what it meant to ‘be a man’ in 2015

December 12, 2015, 12:39 am

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2015 was the year of gender identity. Caitlyn Jenner appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair. The general public learned terms like cisgender. Pantone’s colour of the year paid tribute to the fluidity of gender.

It was a year that threw questions of what gender is, exactly, into the global conversation. And within that, people discussed – more than ever – what it means to be a woman or a man.

The messages for what a man should be have remained pretty mixed.

Sure, we’re talking more about male feminists, why it’s okay for men to cry, and the acceptability of men embracing their stereotypically ‘feminine’ side, but –… Read the full story

11 good reasons not to take a toddler Christmas shopping

December 12, 2015, 1:00 am

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Shopping can be stressful at the best of times – throw Christmas into the mix and it becomes even more frenzied.

But shopping with a toddler in tow is a whole new ball game.

Here’s 11 reasons not to take a toddler Christmas shopping.

Only 11 I hear you cry?!

Well, I’m sure there are more, but here are the main ones.

1. Breakables

These are everywhere.

Whether your little one is strapped in or not, toddlers will suddenly develop arms as long as Mr Tickle’s, ready to reach out and knock all those priceless pieces of glitzy crystal onto the floor.

You have been warned.

2. You will not get to look at anything you want

You will be… Read the full story

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20 totally gorgeous gingerbread houses

December 12, 2015, 1:06 am

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Today is National Gingerbread House Day, proving once and for all that there really is a day for everything.

The only time I tried to make a gingerbread house it fell apart.

I’ve never been brave enough to try again but looks like many people have more success than me – and some of them are children!

Here are 20 stunning gingerbread houses to inspire you.

1. The How to Cake it one

See the tutorial on YouTube.

2. The Gingerbread House decorating party one

Get some tips on how to throw a perfect decorating party on the Draper James blog.

3. Gingerbread Empire State Building!

4. Time for something different? Try a gingerbread VW van.

5. Cookie bakery complete with lighting

6. Fancy a stay in this… Read the full story

Finally, there’s a spray to make everything you own smell like cats

December 12, 2015, 1:14 am

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Ignoring the cat food smell and occasional ‘ew, you’ve been out in the rain aroma’, all cat-owners know that cats smell pretty amazing.

A bit like baked bread, we think. But it’s more than just smelling nice. The scent of a cat is pure comfort. You smell it, and you’re relaxing on the sofa with a cat on your lap.

If you lose your cat and can’t get another (damn you, landlords), that smell is something you’ll definitely miss.

But thankfully, a Japanese store has come to the rescue, creating a magical spray that smells like cats. Yes, really.

Read the full story

One quarter of people have regrets about their behaviour at an office Christmas party

December 12, 2015, 1:57 am

≫ Next: The 27 things to expect if you’re expecting a baby over Christmas

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Office Christmas parties: a time to get inappropriately drunk, consider telling your office crush your true feelings (only to back out at after three hours of dithering/creepy staring), and wear a bunch of uncomfortable sequins in an attempt to look festive.

Oh, and a time to observe your coworkers getting totally hammered and embarrassing themselves. There’s always one. Or, as a new survey suggests, many.

Opinion Matters surveyed more than 2,000 people aged 25 to 55 for Drink Aware, and discovered that 26% had regretted something they’d done at a Christmas party.

Read the full story

The 27 things to expect if you’re expecting a baby over Christmas

December 12, 2015, 2:00 am

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It’s the most magical time of the year… but add on a pregnancy and woah does that mean double the magic?

Well the same as every Christmas there are ups and downs, it’s just that if you’re expecting a baby as well you can expect at least one or two of the following things to happen during the festivities:

1.You’ve thought about how amazing, disastrous, exciting it would be to actually go into labour on the big day… would Holly, Robin, Eve or Tinsel be suitable names? 

2. And then you get all teary thinking of midwives wearing antlers.

3. You’ll be tempted to paint… Read the full story

Genius man creates child-proof Christmas tree

December 12, 2015, 2:22 am

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We know Christmas is for the kids, and the only reason most of us even bother putting up a Christmas tree is so people under 10 can enjoy all the Christmassy feelings.

But let’s be real. Once we’ve painstakingly arranged the tinsel, untangled the lights, and perfectly arranged the baubles, we secretly want all children and clumsy people to stay far, far away.

We want that tree to stay pristine and beautiful. It’s our new child.

Sadly, keeping kids and animals away from shiny sparkly things is a little trickier than telling them to keep their hands and paws to themselves. So one man has… Read the full story