If You Hit The Snooze Button, You Might Be Mentally Sharper

Oct 20 2023

A study published in the Journal of Sleep Research suggests that hitting the snooze button in the morning might not be as ‘lazy’ as it seems.

Among 31 habitual snoozers, researchers found that 30 minutes of snoozing did not negatively impact cognitive performance compared to waking up without snoozing.

While it resulted in about six minutes of lost sleep, it prevented abrupt awakening from deep slow-wave sleep, which can be difficult to shake off quickly. Additionally, there were no apparent effects on stress hormone levels, mood, or overnight sleep patterns.

Lead author Tina Sundelin, from Stockholm University, stated that there is no reason to stop snoozing in the morning, especially for snooze times around 30 minutes.

In fact, it might even help those with morning drowsiness be more alert upon waking.

The study found that nearly 70% of roughly 1,700 surveyed adults used the snooze function or set multiple alarms, gaining an average of 22 more minutes of sleep per morning. It was also noted that those who tended to snooze were generally younger, more likely to be night owls, and slept less than non-snoozers.

Experts suggest that the decision to go back to bed or start the day depends on various factors, primarily whether one has gotten the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep. If not, it’s advised to head back to bed, except when the alarm is set to wake you in 90 minutes or less, as a complete sleep cycle takes around 90 minutes.

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People Who Put Up Christmas Decorations Early Are Happier, Friendlier

Oct 20 2023

The world can be divided into two camps when it comes to Christmas: those who disdain the holiday and its associated decorations, and those who revel in the festive spirit.

The latter often face criticism for their early decorating habits, scolded by housemates or shamed by family for transforming their living spaces shortly after Halloween.

Surprisingly, experts suggest that these early Christmas enthusiasts may be onto something. Psychoanalyst Steve McKeown and psychotherapist Amy Morin both contend that Christmas decorations evoke a potent sense of nostalgia, providing a sanctuary from the pressures of a stressful world.

Decorating early is often driven by a desire to relive magical childhood moments or to compensate for past neglect. It can also serve as a poignant reminder of lost loved ones, making the holiday season a bittersweet yet cherished time.

Research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology further supports this notion, showing that homes adorned with decorations are perceived as more welcoming and harmonious. This insight underscores the potential benefits of embracing the tradition of early decoration, suggesting it may hold deeper meaning and emotional significance for many.

How early do you put up decorations?

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Ed Sheeran is Coming To Malta!

Oct 20 2023

Yes, you read that right! Grammy Award-winning singer & songwriter ED SHEERAN is coming to our sunny Mediterranean island for the first time ever!

The news was made public after the ‘Shape of You’ singer announced the latest set of dates for his ‘Mathematics’ tour. Sheeran will be gracing the island in June!

With selected dates in major festivals across Europe during summer 2024, Sheeran’s announcement comes as a shocking, but very welcome surprise for Maltese fans, with the prolific artist sitting at #6 most listened to in the world on Spotify.

With a plethora of hits like ‘Perfect’, ‘Shivers’, ‘A-Team’, ‘Castle On The Hill’ and so many more, we can’t wait to see what magnificent musical moments will go down when Ed Sheeran comes to Malta!

What’s your favourite Ed Sheeran song?

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‘Rental E-Scooter Ban = Lack Of Political Vision’, Say Rota.mt

Oct 20 2023

NGO Rota.mt have slammed the recently announced governmental decision to ban rental e-scooters, stating that it shows a lack of political vision.

In an official statement, Rota.mt expressed its disappointment at the ‘ outright ban and attribute these flaws to a lack of political vision and unwillingness to regulate shared micro mobility. Without safe infrastructure, such as segregated lanes and dedicated drop-off points, most e-scooter users had no choice but to share pavements with pedestrians.’

Acknowledging that the current rental e-scooter system was not perfect, the NGO highlighted that the ban reflects fundamental deficiencies in the local infrastructure.

Cars have historically always been prioritised at the expense of all other modes of transport, the NGO said.

‘As a country we should be democratising and making better use of our limited public spaces. Initially, authorities promised dedicated e-scooter parking spots but these never actually materialised. This is a tried and tested solution used in cities all over the world, which could have tackled the erratic parking problem straight away.’

Due to a lack of political will to implement the solution, the NGO continued, the issues of accessibility of pavements was exacerbated, with the vehicles’ use becoming a public nuisance. This in turn affected the public’s perception of micro-mobility.

‘By banning these convenient and clean modes of transportation, we believe that this a step in the wrong direction as this will come at the cost of many citizens who wish to diversify their travel beyond their private car and will greatly impact the country’s ability to encourage alternative and sustainable mobility.’

What do you think?

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