Do you really know?

Marketing technique shrinkflation is becoming more and more common in large retail stores, in particular down to the ongoing war in Ukraine. It sees manufacturers quietly reducing the size of their products, but maintaining prices at the same level. Shrinkflation is often a result of an increase in raw material prices and other production costs, but is seen as a form of hidden inflation and has be...

On September 6th, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres released a 96-word statement in which he referred to “climate breakdown” having begun. It was in response to a report from the World Meteorological Organization, which highlighted the impact of record-breaking heatwaves across the globe this summer. June, July, and August 2023 are the hottest three-month period ever recorded. The WMO says tha...

According to the American Academy of Sleep medicine, 50% to 85% of adults experience occasional nightmares, with 2% to 8% of people having nightmares that cause sleep problems. No one likes having nightmares, do they? These vivid, distressing bad dreams often cause us to jolt awake, heart pounding, in fear or anxiety. They can feature threatening scenarios, monsters, or deeply unsettling experienc...

A frenemy is a person who is both a friend and an enemy. In fact the term is a blend of the words “friend” and “enemy”, and it was first used in print by the American journalist Walter Winchell in 1953. Although Jessica Mitford, of the infamous Mitford sisters also claimed in 1977 that the word was invented by one of her sisters: "... an incredibly useful word…coined by one of my sisters when she...

It's often said that colour preferences are simply a matter of personal taste, but actually some have been backed up by science, especially in the field of art history. For the last two centuries, it has been customary in art and design to come up with colour combinations based on what is known the colour wheel. It’s a visual representation of the spectrum of colors, organized in a circular format...

When sitting, some of us cross our legs at the knee, while others do so at the ankle. According to a study published in Neuropsychologia in 1994, 62% of people cross their right leg over the left, 26% do the opposite, and 12% have no preference. Sitting with your legs crossed can be comfortable as it helps relieve weight on the buttocks and reduces excessive arching of the back. Doing it occasiona...

It's not uncommon for sparks to fly in unexpected ways during intimate moments; sometimes literally! You’ve most likely gone in to kiss someone only to get a small shock when your lips touch. You may have also noticed it tends to happen more often in winter. Have you ever wondered what actually causes these jolts of electricity between couples? Let’s unravel the science behind the mystery. Isn’t i...

Friendship is often said to be eternal, to withstand the test of time and distance. We expect friends to accept everything about us, but it's not always that simple. Just like any relationship, they can become complicated and sometimes toxic. Not all friendships are always worth keeping, and certain signs can indicate when one is nearing its end. Friendships should be a source of joy, support, and...

You’ve probably heard of jetlag, the feeling of fatigue and disorientation that occurs when you travel across different time zones, but did you know that you can experience a similar phenomenon without leaving your home?  It’s called social jetlag and is caused by changing your sleep patterns. It happens when you change your sleep schedule on the weekends to fit your social life. Why is social jet...

Even during the summer, the mere idea of taking an ice cold shower may well be enough to give you the shivers. After all, the soothing feeling of warm water running over skin is what most people prefer. But a lot of social media content creators claim to have reaped health benefits from taking cold showers. They tend to talk about blood circulation, skin quality and the immune system. So do their...

Affectionately known as Nessie, the mythical Loch Ness Monster has been a source of fascination and terror for many centuries. Many sightings have been reported over the years, but no conclusive evidence of its existence has ever been unearthed. Still, there are many believers out there. In late August 2023, the largest Nessie hunt in 50 years took place, organised by the local Loch Ness Explorati...

Girl Dinner is a TikTok phenomena though you would be hard pressed to find any recipes as it is more of a style of eating than anything specific. It’s a term used to describe a meal that consists of random snacks or leftovers, for example, you might have some cheese and crackers, a handful of grapes, a glass of wine and a few pickles for your ‘girl dinner’. Or maybe you just have some popcorn and...

According to a 2016 WHO study, 25% of the global population is likely to develop a mental disorder during their lifetime. But of course there are certain habits that we can adopt to diminish that risk, or treat the situation. These include getting counselling, regular physical activity and a proper sleep routine. Another beneficial habit is journaling, or "therapeutic writing”, as it’s also known....

After enjoying a period of relaxation during the summer, many of us return to studies or work with a desire to develop good habits and a better routine than the previous year. It might be taking up a new sport, cooking healthy meals instead of ordering in or going to bed earlier for example. Just like with New Year’s resolutions, we often stick to them to start with, but let them slip after a few...

From 27th August to 4th September 2023, Burning Man is set to return to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada for the first time since 2019, with an authorised population of 87,000 people. This event sees artists, creators and community-makers gather to celebrate self-expression. Every August, a temporary real city is set up to accommodate the festival. It actually becomes one of the most populated citi...

We've all been there, haven't we? That moment when a holiday comes to a close and the reality of everyday life sets in. The post-holiday blues, that feeling of melancholy after returning from a relaxing escape, can cast a shadow on our moods. According to a 2017 articles from Mirror.co.uk, 57% of Brits are affected. Many of you may be experiencing these blues right now, so today we’re exploring ju...

As the summer holiday season draws to a close, ask yourself this. Did you manage to get as much rest as you would have liked? A lot of people out there would say no. Perhaps their holiday wasn’t actually restful at all, or they didn’t even get a chance to go away. American internal medicine physician Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith has dedicated a lot of research towards the issue of chronic fatigue. In...

You might have seen this term on TikTok, Instagram or Pinterest, but do you really know what it means? ‘A Tomato Girl Summer’ is a retro trend inspired by Mediterranean living rather than actual tomatoes. It's about projecting the style and lifestyle of the region, wearing clothes that are comfortable and colourful, eating fresh and seasonal food, exploring new places, and having fun. What is the...

Have you ever noticed how certain people just seem to drain your emotional energy any time you see or speak to them? It could be a work colleague, a friend, a neighbour or even your partner. Maybe you’ve shrugged it off, telling yourself that’s just how that person is and that they need to lean on you for support. The chances are you could be dealing with an energy vampire without knowing. What do...

If you use Tiktok, you may well have come across videos of young content creators stopping passers by to ask them the following simple question: what’s your bodycount? Now thankfully we’re not talking about serial killers, but the real meaning of the question is hardly cause for celebration either. In this context, it actually means the number of sexual partners a person has had, whether that’s in...

Buccal fat removal is a type of plastic surgery that involves removing the buccal fat pads from your cheeks. These are rounded pads of fat that are located between your facial muscles, in the hollow area beneath your cheekbones. Their size affects your face shape; the larger they are the rounder or fuller your face appears. Why has it become more popular recently? How is the procedure done? What a...

You may well have experienced motion sickness or travel sickness in the past. Well, cyber sickness is a modern ailment that follows a similar kind of logic, or rather the opposite logic. Instead of moving while feeling still, like when you’re on a boat or in a car, with cyber sickness you perceive movement while you’re actually still. But the result is the same: your brain fails to adapt to this d...

Not long ago we talked about the Pygmalion effect in an episode of Do You Really Know? Well today’s subject is pretty much the exact opposite! The Golem effect is the idea that negative words or assumptions can influence behaviours and transform those assumptions into reality. It’s another type of self-fulfilling prophecy, which sees lower expectations lead to poorer performance and behaviour in i...

Ageing is part of the natural cycle of life, and there’s no such thing as a miracle pill to prevent it. At least not yet ! Nevertheless, it is still possible to delay the effects of this process through a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition. No doubt you’ve already heard of the benefits of regular physical activity, getting enough sleep and giving up cigarettes or alcohol. But generally speaking,...

"Irrational”, “overdramatic”, “hysterical”, “sensitive” - if you’re a woman you have most likely been described using one of these words or similar in the past. That’s because there’s a common belief that women are more emotional than men, which still persists to this day. It can sometimes be framed in a positive way, saying that women show more empathy. But all too often it’s used as a weapon to...