WHETHER you’ve seen her as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing or Britain’s Got Talent, there’s no doubt that Alesha Dixon always looks fabulous.

But the other thing that is pretty much guaranteed is that she’ll often have you asking the question – ‘how does she look younger than ever before?’
Some of us may know Alesha Dixon, 45
Alesha told Fabulous: “There’s absolutely nothing you can do about getting older, so I’m embracing it. I am happy in my skin. I actually prefer the way I look now to when I was in my 20s.

“I like myself more as a person now than I did back then, too. My 20s were horrific. You couldn’t pay me to go back there.”

Discussing her beauty evolution, the stylish mother explained: “I was a tomboy in school – I always had my hair back and never wore make-up. I started experimenting more when I was in Mis-Teeq.

“But I’m a disgrace to womanhood as I cannot put on fake eyelashes! I still don’t wear a lot of make-up. I haven’t got the patience to be sitting for an hour doing it.” , for hitting the big time with girl band Mis-Teeq, her role as a judge on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent or for her winning turn on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, and chances are, you will have admired her glowing skin and glossy hair many times before.

Despite being in showbiz for two decades, the singer, dancer, author and presenter, has managed to completely defy her age.

So just how does the glossy-haired mum-of-two, do it?

The down-to-earth star has been very open throughout her career about embracing ageing and has revealed how she transformed from a plain tomboy to a supplement-loving skincare addict.

According to German psychiatrist Prof Matthias C Angermeyer and colleagues – writing in the ‘Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health’ (1987) – Plato is supposed to have born and died on the same date; so too, the Buddha; and the ragtime pianist “Eubie” Blake died just five days after his 100th birthday.

Is there an association between our dates of birth and death?

Angermeyer et al suggested that either approaching birthdays promote an emotional reaction that motivates individuals to somehow initiate a mechanism that delays their death – “death postponement” – or birthdays represent stressful events, provoking a rise in mortality: a “birthday blues” effect.

But following their study of 5,000 well-known people from Switzerland and around the world, their conclusion was that “a real relation between birthday and date of death does not seem to exist”.
By contrast, in 2001, American researchers, writing in the ‘British Medical Journal’, noted that the number four is regarded by many Chinese and Japanese as unlucky. “If so,” they speculated, “deaths from chronic heart disease should show a particularly large peak on the fourth day of the month.”

Accordingly, they studied the death certificates of 210,000 Chinese and Japanese Americans and 47 million white Americans and reported: “Cardiac mortality in Chinese and Japanese Americans peaks on the fourth day of the month . . .”

In 2012, a Swiss group reported their analysis of the mortality statistics of more than two million individuals in the journal ‘Annals of Epidemiology’, stating: “The overall death excess on the day of birth was 13.8 per cent, mainly because of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (more in women than in men) as well as suicides and accidents (in particular, falls in men).”

Their results supported “the hypothesis of an ‘anniversary reaction’ or the ‘birthday blues’ in certain causes of death, but not the death postponement hypothesis”.

And in a recent development, in 2018, two Irish professors at University College Dublin further probed the birthday/deathday relationship. The findings of Prof Gabrielle E Kelly and Prof Cecily C Kelleher, published in the ‘Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health’, arise from their investigation of the birthdays and deathdays of famous people in eight different categories: 49 British prime ministers, 34 US presidents, 34 Wimbledon men and 23 ladies singles winners, 49 male Academy Award actors, 32 Academy Award actresses, 39 Academy Award directors and 583 Nobel Prize winners.

Directional statistics
Kelly explained to The Irish Times that they had used methods derived from a statistical sub-discipline called directional statistics: “The data are circular in the sense that a difference between a deathday and birthday of 0 days is the same as a difference of 365 days. Similarly, a difference of 1 is the same as a difference of 364. Therefore, statistics for circular data were employed in the analysis, also known as directional statistics. Different types of departure of the differences in each group from a uniform distribution on a circle were investigated.”

For each of the eight groups, Kelly and Kelleher calculated the difference in days between the birthday and deathday. If there was no association between the two, the difference in days should have been uniformly distributed around the “statistical circle”. But this did not happen: “All groups showed some departure from the uniform and it occurred around the birthday in all groups.”

Did the departure from the uniform conform to the “death postponement” hypothesis or “birthday blues”?

For most of the groups it was the former, with “a death dip prior to the birthday and a rise thereafter”. But, interestingly, in the all-female Wimbledon ladies and Academy Award actresses, the “birthday blues” hypothesis appeared to prevail.

So, what is going on?

Connection
Kelly and Kelleher are cautious in their interpretation of their findings. They acknowledge that “while the empirical data imply there is a connection between birthday and deathday and that there is some variability across cohorts and by gender, it must be speculative as to whether this is an inherently biological or a sociocultural phenomenon or an interaction between these, in turn related to processes promoting longevity, including advantages of social position.”

The possibility that some sort of psychophysiological mechanism enables the postponement or hastening of death is a question, say Kelly and Kelleher, that might be answered by undertaking more studies into how much significance people attach to their birthdays.

“Future research on this topic,” says Kelly, “will develop new statistical methods that are more powerful in detecting changes from uniformity of differences around 0 and that will enable groups to be compared in an efficient way.”

The authors of the 2012 Swiss study (above) suggest that “[A]lthough the excess of deaths on birthdays has a similar magnitude in different causes of death, the underlying mechanisms may not be similar. In vascular events, such as acute myocardial infarctions and strokes, it seems more promising to hypothesize the devastating consequences of stress.”

This Irish research highlights a refined statistical approach to the investigation of a relationship between birthdays and deathdays, inviting the inference that the mind may have more of a role to play in the body’s physiology than we might care to admit.

Placing a towel under the door in a hotel room is a common practice that some guests use as a DIY method to block out light or noise from the hallway. Here are a few reasons why hotel guests might put a towel under their door:

1. Light Blocker: Sometimes the gap under the door can allow light from the hallway to seep into the room, especially if the hallway lights are left on all night. By placing a towel at the bottom of the door, guests can create a makeshift light blocker to make the room darker for sleeping.
2. Noise Reduction: Similarly, the gap under the door can also allow noise from the hallway to filter into the room. Placing a towel can help reduce the amount of noise that enters the room, providing a quieter and more peaceful environment for the guest.
3. Privacy: Some guests may use a towel under the door as an additional measure to enhance their privacy. While most hotel room doors have a peephole and a locking mechanism, the towel can provide an added sense of security and privacy.
4. Draft Blocker: In some cases, guests may feel a draft coming in from under the door, especially if the weather is cold outside or the room is too air-conditioned. Placing a towel at the base of the door can help block drafts and maintain a more comfortable room temperature.

While placing a towel under the door can offer some benefits, it’s important to note that it is not a foolproof method for blocking out light, noise, or drafts. Hotels are designed to provide a certain level of comfort and privacy, and if guests have specific concerns about these issues, they can always reach out to the hotel staff for assistance or request a room change.

It comes with a massive disadvantage

Many of us live in countries where having an AC in the house is not standard. Cars on the other hand are almost always made with an air-conditioning system in them. This is something people are usually really grateful for on hot summer days. It is nice and cool alright, but there is one major disadvantage. 

The air conditioning guzzles gasoline.

Fuel

Are you trying to save money on gasoline or do you want to drive for as long as you possibly can without having to go for gas again? Please leave the air conditioning off! Libelle tells us about research that shows that a manual AC uses more gas on warm days than on normal days. On a warm day, the AC could use up to 12.5 percent of your fuel. If we make a quick calculation, it means that out of the 70 litres of gasoline that you put in your car, about 8.75 litres are being used by the AC. If you have an automatic AC though, the number of litres that it takes from your full fuel tank is halved.

Open the windows

A manual AC has even more disadvantages for your gasoline levels. The AC takes up much more gasoline inside an urban area than outside of it. Given the fact that you don’t drive very fast in those areas anyway, you could open up a window instead if you want some cool air. However, when you’re driving on a highway, it is best to use the AC in your car. Opening your windows when you’re driving very fast will cause your car to slow down, which takes up more fuel. It is essentially making a choice between two evils, but it is better for your fuel levels to use the air conditioning when you’re driving down the highway. As a gasoline guzzler, your AC is bad for your car and bad for your wallet.

Bad for your car, bad for you

However, next to your wallet, the AC can also be bad for your health. Air conditioning makes it very cool in your car and that is great in the summer, but it could make you sick. The temperature inside and outside of the car differs so much that the change in temperature can make you sick. This does, however, have a very simple solution: turn the AC off five minutes before you arrive at your destination. That way you can gradually get used to the outside temperature again before you get out of the car. You can, of course, also leave the AC off when you drive to save you both illness and fuel.

Aluminium foil can save you a lot of trouble

We’re sure you’re familiar with aluminum foil. Many people use it in the kitchen, but not many would think of using it to protect their belongings. It may sound like a strange idea, but it turns out that aluminum foil is a great product to protect your belongings.

Benefits

Wrapping body parts in aluminum foil can bring many advantages and benefits. For instance, it is great against fatigue, it alleviates painful joints, it softens the pain from burns and it can even be used to help cure you of a cold.

Aluminium foil has an amazing amount of useful applications you might never have thought of before.

• Need a funnel but don’t have one around the house? Not to worry; by folding a bit of aluminium foil you can very easily make yourself a funnel that won’t leak. Ideal!
• If you need to iron some clothes but don’t have enough time to do it, aluminium foil is the ideal solution. Fold an item of clothing around a piece of foil and then iron it. Because of the foil, the item of clothing will be ironed at both sides at the same time. You’ll be done much more quickly!
• Blunt scissors? Not a problem. If you use aluminium foil the scissors will be nice and sharp before you know it. All you need to do is take a piece of foil and then cut it into tinier pieces. That’s all!
• Static cling on clothes can be very frustrating. Luckily, there’s a quick and simple trick to fix this. All you need to do is scrunch up some foil into a ball and use it to rub the clothes with. The static cling will be gone.
• Do you have a weak WiFi signal at your home? Make a screen out of aluminium foil and put it against a wall in the spot you want to increase the signal. The signal will be increased in the direction of the screen.

Many new car models have an amazing new feature: a keyless start system. With this feature you can open your car without sticking the key in the lock or pressing a button. The car uses sensors to connect to the car key and open the door. Once you’re sitting down, you can start the car by pressing a button. This sounds ideal, but clever car thieves have found a way to abuse the feature.

Car keys

Car keys that have the keyless start system work via a wireless connection. This signal only works when you’re within about two meters of your car; otherwise, it won’t connect. Unfortunately, clever thieves have found a way to hack this signal and enhance it. They don’t need any complicated technology for this these days: the devices needed to hack the signal can simply be bought at the store and they’re not that expensive.

Definitely worth trying!

If there’s one thing we hate doing, it’s the dishes. That’s why we love dishwashers. Want to get the most out of your dishwasher? Throw a ball of aluminum foil in there!

Life hacks

Aluminum foil is one of those things that’s got lots of great uses. Not just for covering things up or using when you’re preparing food in the oven. And foil can be used for some of the best life hacks. For example, wrap your keys or feet in aluminum foil. And don’t forget, put a ball of aluminum foil in the dishwasher. Uh, what?

In the dishwasher

Rinsing dishes off before putting them in the dishwasher is something some people do and others don’t. This has caused quite a discussion. Because why would you rinse them off if you’ve got a dishwasher to do all the dirty work? Or will it not come out clean enough otherwise? Whatever the case may be, sometimes you just get those pesky bits of food left on your silverware or dishes after putting them through the dishwasher. Is this something you deal with often? A ball of aluminum foil could definitely do the trick.

TikTok Hack

On the video platform TikTok we see lots and lots of brilliant housekeeping hacks. This is how we learned about the pros of using a ball of aluminum foil in the dishwasher. This life hack is so easy that we’re definitely going to try it. Everyone has a roll of aluminum foil at home and we all want clean dishes without too much hassle!

Shiny Silverware

Forks, spoons, and especially knives often come out of the dishwasher still looking dirty. The ball of aluminum foil makes sure that it comes out extra clean according to the Australian Caroline McCauley on TikTok. Your silverware will look as clean as the day you bought it. And it’s not because the foil scrubs the filth off of your silverware, it has to do with a chemical reaction between the aluminum and the ingredients in your dishwasher pods.

This is how you do it

Even a kid can do the dishes! Make a ball from a piece of aluminum foil and place it in the silverware basket of the dishwasher. Then run it on the standard setting and don’t forget the dishwasher pad. Your cutlery will now come out of the machine looking radiant! You can see it in the video below:

People are seriously putting toilet paper in their fridge

What if we told you that there is a simple trick that can make your fridge smell better, keep your food fresher, and save you money? And all you need is something you already have in your bathroom: toilet paper. Yes, you heard that right. Putting toilet paper in your fridge can do wonders for your kitchen. We’ll reveal why you should try this hack as soon as possible!

Toilet paper is one of those things that we use every day without giving it much thought. We go through about 100 rolls of toilet paper per person per year, which is about 20,000 sheets of paper! That’s a lot of paper, but it’s also a lot of potential uses. Toilet paper is not just for the toilet. It can be used for many other purposes, such as cleaning up spills, removing makeup, or blowing your nose. But did you know that there is one more use for toilet paper that you probably never thought of? You should definitely put some toilet paper in your fridge!

Toilet paper in the fridge

Toilet paper is a great ally in the household. It may seem strange to use toilet paper in the kitchen, but it has some amazing properties that can improve your fridge. Sometimes, ordinary products like toilet paper have extraordinary uses that most people don’t know about. Until now! Putting toilet paper in your fridge is a new trend on the internet, where some people swear by it. It may sound weird, but if you know the benefits, you’ll want to do it too!

So, why toilet paper in your fridge

There is nothing worse than opening your fridge and being hit by a nasty, sour smell. A smelly fridge can ruin your appetite and your mood. But it can be hard to keep your fridge fresh and odor-free. Have you ever tried to scrub your fridge and get rid of the smell, but it still lingered? Usually, the source of the smell is a forgotten piece of fruit, a leaky juice carton, or some old deli meat. Of course, smells can also come from too much humidity and dripping beverages. For all these problems, a simple roll of toilet paper is the answer!

Just place a roll of toilet paper in the back of your fridge. It may sound crazy, but the absorbent properties of toilet paper can help to eliminate odors! Toilet paper can soak up unwanted smells and excess moisture, preventing them from spreading and spoiling your food. You can even use toilet paper in the freezer to absorb moisture or help thaw food.

But that’s not all! Toilet paper can also help you keep your food fresh longer! How? Well, by wrapping your fruits and vegetables in toilet paper, you can prevent them from going bad too quickly. Toilet paper acts as a barrier that protects your produce from bacteria and fungi, while also letting them breathe. This way, you can enjoy your fruits and vegetables for longer and save money on groceries!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a roll of toilet paper and put it in your fridge today! You’ll be amazed by the difference it makes

Is Your Vehicle Secure? The Covert Connection Between Plastic Bottles and Your Car’s Safety

Lately, a peculiar warning has been making rounds on social media, advising drivers to stay cautious if they spot a plastic bottle positioned near their car’s wheel well. Although the rationale might not be immediately apparent, there’s more to this seemingly innocuous discovery than meets the eye.

Picture this: you come back to your vehicle after a day out, only to notice a plastic bottle nestled near your tire. It appears harmless at first glance, but could there be an underlying danger lurking within? Reports suggest that this apparently innocent occurrence might be part of a larger, more covert scheme.

Preliminary investigations into this peculiar phenomenon have unearthed some surprising findings. Speculations abound regarding the true intent behind these strategically placed bottles. Could they serve as markers for something more sinister, or perhaps as signals for illicit activities?

Keep following as we delve deeper into this puzzle. What lies behind the positioning of these seemingly harmless bottles? Is there a darker agenda at play, or is it merely a harmless coincidence? Join us on the next page as we unveil the truth behind this unsettling trend.

Exposing the Purpose

As we peel away the layers of this perplexing phenomenon, a disturbing reality begins to surface. While the presence of plastic bottles near car tires may initially seem benign, the truth is far more insidious.

Behind the seemingly innocuous placement of plastic bottles near car tires lies a calculated motive: theft. Thieves may use these bottles as markers to identify potential targets for car theft or burglary. If you spot a plastic bottle near your tire, it’s a signal that your vehicle could be at risk. Remove the bottle immediately and report the incident to the police. Your quick action could prevent a theft or break-in from occurring. Stay vigilant for any suspicious activity around your vehicle, especially if you notice a plastic bottle nearby. Trust your instincts and report anything unusual to law enforcement. By staying informed and proactive, you can protect yourself and your vehicle from potential harm.

For further insight, you can also watch the embedded video: “If someone puts a PLASTIC BOTTLE on your TIRE, call the police IMMEDIATELY!” from the Smart Fox channel.

It’s happening so fast and it’s already happened. A stain got on your shirt during dinner and you want to get rid of it immediately. We have a brilliant hack for this. How about washing your hands in your hotel room? But what to do without a drain plug? It’s best to simply cover it with plastic wrap and secure it with a few coins. This means that water can no longer drain.

This trick can be easily removed after a successful wash and you will be left with a normal sink again.