Content for Monday, July 19
Far More Adults Don’t Want Children Than Previously Thought
Fertility rates in the United States have dropped to record lows, and this could be related to the fact that more people are choosing not to have children. People who are child-free make the conscious decision not to have kids. They're distinct from childless individuals, adults who want children but can't have them, and from people who plan to have children in the future. A recent study found that over 1 in 4 Michigan adults did not want biological or adopted children and were child-free. This number was much higher than those reported in the few past national studies that have attempted to identify child-free people, which placed the percentage between 2% and 9%. The study found that child-free people were just as satisfied with their lives as others, and there were few personality differences. However, child-free people were more liberal than parents. This study suggests that the number of people who choose not to have children may be larger than previously thought.
Here's One Doctor's 6-Step Routine for an Awesome Day
Ali Abdaal is a junior doctor in the UK who shares tips and life hacks on YouTube and his podcast, and in one recent video with more than half a million views, he explains why he's "never tired." The secret is a six-step routine meant to get him the best sleep possible: No caffeine after 2pm: It simply takes too long to leave your bloodstream and can impact your quality of sleep, he says. Mayo Clinic, in its own list of six tips for better sleep, says it's also important to include physical activity during the day and, if possible, spend time outside. Make sure you're not doing anything too physically taxing right before bedtime, however. Also, per the clinic: no naps, or only very short ones, unless you work nights, and steer clear from alcohol, nicotine, and large meals late in the day. (Although, it warns, you also shouldn't go to sleep hungry.) No phone before bed: Abdaal leaves it all the way across his room, charging, and reads instead for the 20 minutes before going to sleep. Mayo Clinic suggests a calming atmosphere in the bedroom, like ear plugs—or a fan for white noise, depending on your preference—and notes that restful activities like a bath or meditation can also be helpful before bed. Fall asleep in two minutes: Abdaal has a process for doing this, in which he relaxes all of his facial muscles, then leg muscles, and on and on as needed (but he says he's usually asleep by the time he gets to his legs). Not working? Mayo Clinic says that if you have worries on your mind, it's best to write them down to get them off your mind before trying to fall asleep. Blackout curtains: Abdaal says they are "one of the most bang-for-your-buck things you can do to massively increase the quality of your sleep." Optimal temperature: Studies have shown the best temperature for sleep is far below room temperature at 66.2 degrees Fahrenheit, due to the body's core temperature dropping as we sleep, so Abdaal makes sure his bedroom is at that temperature. Physical alarm clock: This makes it harder for him to snooze or turn off the alarm he used to have set on his phone when he wakes up in the morning. Mayo Clinic also notes it's helpful to keep a routine sleep schedule, rather than going to bed and waking up at random times.
Signs You’re Old, According to Millennials
The millennial generation is said to be between 25 and 40-years-old right now. According to new research (from energy retailer Love Energy Savings), the two biggest signs you're old, according to millennials were putting a hankie up your sleeve and using cash – which tied at # 1 – with 28% of the vote. The "research shows how today’s millennials are left scratching their heads by behavior that was once entirely par for the course – like watching conventional, broadcast TV and actually using your mobile phone to talk to people – rather than for messaging.’ Check out the top 20 things that millennials think make you old, as well as the percentage of respondents who agreed. 1. Using cash – 28% 1. Putting a hankie up your sleeve – 28% 3. Getting bills through the post office/snail mail – 25% 4. Having posh cutlery for special occasions – 24% 5. Writing lists with pen and paper – 23% 5. Smoking – 23% 7. Describing a tune as ‘banging’ – 22% 7. Calling for a taxi instead of using an app – 22% 9. Voting Leave – 20% 9. Watching actual TV – 20% 11. Still being on Facebook – 18% 11. Reading books – 18% 13. Going to church – 15% 13. Talking on the phone – 15% 15. Wearing skinny jeans – 14% 16. Using a camera – 13% 17. Dating in real life – 12% 18. Not having pronouns in your instagram bio – 11% 19. Using a Satnav – 10% 20. Eating Dairy – 9%
Three Women With Same Boyfriend Dump Him and Go on Road Trip
Three women who found out they were dating the same guy at the same time, decided to fulfill a dream their ex had and are traveling around the US together. One of the women revealed she had been with the man on and off for a few years when she started getting a weird feeling in December about some of his comments to other women on social media. When she looked at one of those women's Instagram pages, she made a shocking discovery of lots of photos of her boyfriend with that other woman. Once she started to dig more, she found out he had been dating at least 6 others, including one woman from Boise and another woman from Salt Lake City. After the three swapped stories, they dumped their boyfriend, starting talking and texting, and hit it off. That's when they decided to fulfill a dream their ex had to travel around the US. The women bought a 30-year-old school bus, and spent months converting it for their trip. They headed out of Boise in mid-June; as of Friday, they were somewhere near Yellowstone.
Athletes to Sleep on ‘Anti-Sex’ Cardboard Beds at Olympic Games
The world’s best sports competitors are set to spend their nights on cardboard beds — allegedly designed to collapse under the weight of two people to discourage sex amid COVID-19. Olympic officials have set up 18,000 of the cardboard beds in the athletes’ village.
American distance runner Paul Chelimo tweeted, "Beds to be installed in Tokyo Olympic Village will be made of cardboard, this is aimed at avoiding intimacy among athletes." "Beds will be able to withstand the weight of a single person to avoid situations beyond sports..." The 100 percent recyclable cardboard beds were designed by the Japanese company Airweave. Still, officials are distributing a cache of condoms to the athletes, as they have at every Olympic Games since 1988. This year, the condom tally is 160,000. Still, that’s a far cry from the 450,000 doled out for the last summer Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016. This year, Olympic officials insist the rubber is for athletes to bring home to spread the message of safe sex. At least two athletes have already tested positive for the coronavirus at the Tokyo Olympic Village. Another resident of the Village, a visitor from abroad involved in the Games’ planning, was reported as having tested positive a day earlier.
World Cruise With $73K Base Fare Sells Out in 3 Hours
A 4 month cruise went on sale last week and sold out within 3 hours. The Regent Seven Seas Cruises world cruise started at $73,000 and tickets went up from there. For a master suite, the price went as high as $199,999 per guest. The cruise does include luxe, hotel-like living quarters that will serve as guest’s home for the 132-day duration of the cruise starting January 2024. The Seven Seas Mariner will depart Miami and will stop 66 times in 31 countries in South Asia, the Mediterranean, Middle East, Oceania, and elsewhere before returning to Miami. The cruise will put on a total of 34,500 nautical miles.
Southern States Crowned the Champs of Spicy Food
A new survey reveals New Mexico residents believe they are the champions when it comes to their tolerance for eating spicy foods. The poll of 5,000 Americans, surveying 100 people from each of the 50 states, asked respondents about their ability to handle spicy foods. Researchers found New Mexicans are the most likely to boast that their state has a higher-than-average tolerance for spice. Americans from Louisiana and Texas followed closely behind. Results also show Louisiana is the clear winner with 42% of respondents picking that state’s cuisine as the spiciest. Among the craziest spicy food respondents have ever tried are chili-covered ants, chicken during a “spice challenge” at a restaurant, and the infamous ghost pepper. Six in 10 respondents would consider themselves to be an adventurous eater who enjoys trying new and interesting foods. Almost half of the respondents add, when it comes to eating spicy food, they’re more adventurous when eating with others than when eating alone.
No Sex, No Cheering, Masks On The Podium And Eating Alone... Welcome To The Joyless Olympic Games!
Athletes will be under extreme restrictions a the Olympics in Tokyo because of the coronavirus including no sex and no cheering. The latest “Playbook” of rules for the 11,500 athletes plus 79,000 coaches, support staff and officials include no physical contact like hugs and handshakes and no eating together. Those who win medals must also wear masks on the podium. And all attendees are obliged to own a smartphone, on which it is mandatory to install two Apps, one of which is daily health checker, the other to track and trace. Those who don’t follow the rules face penalties which range from warnings to fines to exclusion from the Games, to disqualification if an offense happens after an individual’s competition is finished.
Colin Kaepernick Writing Children's Book Inspired By His Upbringing
Former football player Colin Kaepernick is writing a children’s book based loosely on his own life story. The book, “I Color Myself Different,” takes its name from one of his childhood experiences growing up as an adopted black child of white parents and will be “deeply personal." The book will be published by Scholastic in April and is part of a multi-book publishing deal Kaepernick struck with the company. Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, became a divisive name in 2016 after kneeling during the national anthem to protest police violence and racism in the United States. He left the NFL that same year and has not been signed with a team since.
Suspect in Murder Arrested After She Comments on a Police Department Facebook Post.... About Her
An Oklahoma woman who was wanted for accessory to murder was arrested after commenting on a police department’s social media post. The Tulsa Police Department posted went on Facebook to ask the public for information on Lorraine Graves, who detectives say was involved in a homicide investigation. To the police department’s surprise, Graves commented on the post, asking about reward money. A day later, Graves was in handcuffs. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to 45 years in prison.
Woman Claims She Caught Man Sitting Next To Her On A Plane Calling Her A 'FAT A**' In A Text Message To His Girlfriend
A woman from Texas was busted the man sitting next to her on a plane complaining about how 'fat' she was to his girlfriend via text message. The woman was flying home from Nashville when she glanced over at the phone screen of the man sitting next to her. She saw that he was moaning about the “fat a**” sitting next to him, going so far as to joke that she was so heavy that the plane wouldn't even get off the ground. The woman, who has showed off her tiny waist in crop tops on Instagram, was shocked by the rude text messages and took to TikTok to share the story.