Coffee Talk Archives

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A new study by the World Health Organization found that working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of death from heart disease and stroke. According to the study, working 55 hours or more per week was associated with a 35% increase in the risk of stroke, and a 17% increase in the risk of dying from heart disease, compared to working 35 to 40 hours. (HuffPost)

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OK, so you’ve revived the “Rachel” haircut and re-watched every episode of Friends, so what’s the next step? Sleeping in the Friends apartment, of course. “The Friends Experience” – an immersive celebration of the show that launched in New York earlier this spring — has teamed up with travel company Booking.com to provide what it calls “The Ultimate Sleepover.” Diehard Friends fans will be able to spend the night in “Monica’s apartment” and even hang out at Joey and Chandler’s place. Guests will also be treated to a special tour, along with a late-night game of Phoebe’s Cab Escape Room, a Friends-themed scavenger hunt, and breakfast at Central Perk. The stays are available May 23 and May 24. Bookings start May 21 at 10 a.m. ET, and as you might imagine, they are quite pricey. (GMA)

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Road trippin’ … Are you ready to hit the road? 70% of people in a recent survey said they can’t wait to take a road trip this summer – especially to get away from their “quaranteam” – aka the people they have been quarantining with for the past year or more. And it seems Northeasterners want to hit the road the most – with 80% saying they are itchin’ to take a road trip. 30% of those planning to take a road trip said they are planning to go visit family and friends they haven’t seen in over a year. (SWNS)

TODAY IS:

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Does a salad a day keep the stress away? A new study from Australia found that vegetables and fruit can help reduce daily stress. Researchers from Edith Cowan University found that people who ate at least 470 grams (about 2 cups) of fruit and vegetables daily had 10% lower stress levels than those who ate less than 230 grams (less than 1 cup) of fruits and veggies every day. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends eating at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day.

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Another positive pandemic effect … We’re spending more time outdoors. A new study found that 75% of homeowners surveyed said their outdoor space was everything to them during the pandemic, with 73% saying spending more time outdoors has been therapeutic for them and 70% saying that improving their outdoor spaces became a new pastime. Those surveyed said they’re spending 14 hours a week outside – that’s an increase of three hours over pre-COVID days.

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How long does it take to find “the one” … pet, that is … New research from Royal Canin dog food found that it takes the average person looking for a pet four months and 20 days to find their furry friend. 50% said they went to three or more shelters while looking for a pet and spent six and a half hours a week scrolling through pet adoption sites. When they finally found the perfect pet, 60% said it was “love at first sight.” 63% said their pet is their four-legged soulmate.

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Do you have a secret stash of snacks? A new survey found that 48% of respondents said they have hidden their favorite snacks in secret paces around the house so they don’t have to share them with the people they live with. 46% said they just “don’t want to share,” while 53% said the people they live with would “eat them all” if they knew where the snacks were. 72% said their stash had been discovered and have had to change their hiding place. Partners and kids tied at 71% as the biggest culprits for finding the snack stashes.

TODAY IS:

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Did the pandemic change you? A new survey by Oracle found that 86% of respondents said the pandemic changed their personalities – for the better. Becoming more conscientious (40%) and open to new experiences (38%) were the most common personality changes, followed by being more agreeable (33%).

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Not sure they needed a study to prove this … but it turns out that booze is an ice breaker that brings peoples closer together. Researchers from the University of Illinois found that when people were drinking, they got closer in physical proximity to others – even strangers.

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Speaking of drinking … Now you can get your White Claw vacation going before you even get to your destination … Starting June 1st, United Airlines will offer White Claw hard seltzers for purchase on their flights over two hours. (Delish)

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Speaking of hard seltzer … If a pickle-flavored hard seltzer has been missing from your life, do we have a dill for you … BrüMate is introducing “Afternoon Dillight Hard Pickle Seltzer.” The seltzers will hit shelves this summer, but if you want to stay up-to-date, you can join the “VIPickle list” at www.crookedBru.com. (USA Today)

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I think we all KNOW it’s not a good way to start our day by hitting the snooze button a bunch of times.  But even hitting it twice could be a problem. According to a new study, if you stay in bed for just 14 minutes after your alarm goes off for the first time, it throws off your entire day. And since most snooze buttons give you nine minutes of peace until the alarm goes off again . . . that means if you hit it twice, you’ve already screwed up your day. The study also found the day when people hate waking up the most is Monday . . . and Tuesday came in second place.

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Does the color of your sports drink affect your performance? Researchers from the University of Westminster in England found that having pink drinks seems to help athletes run faster and farther. In fact, researchers say pink drinks boost performance by 4.4%, and the color pink increases the “feel good” effect, making working out seem easier. Why is this? Researchers aren’t sure yet, but believe it could be because the color pink is associated with sweetness, which gives those who consume it expectations of a sugar and carb rush – even if those things aren’t in the drink.

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Can your pets detect your perfect partner? A new survey found that 67% of respondents would end a relationship if their pet doesn’t approve of the person they’re dating. 68% say their pet has the final say of who they date. And 70% said they trust their dog’s judgment over their own and more than family and friends. Some signs that your dog doesn’t like your date: Not going near them (47%), clawing/biting them (41%), and growling/hissing at them (40%).

On the other hand, these are signs your pet like someone:

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If you’ve ever had a guy ghost you after three months of dating, don’t blame yourself, blame biology! According to psychotherapist Jack Worthy, all creatures are ruled by “evolutionary psychology” — a theory that divides romance into “short term mating” and “long term mating.” Humans are weird in that they can go either way at any given time. So with that in mind, men tend to feel emotions differently in the first three months from how women do, with guys having “an intuitive, animal draw” that’s more unconscious. Around the three-month mark, women start to drift into thoughts of the long term, but guys tend to let hormones rule — and if they’re cooling down, you get ghosted. Now, doesn’t that feel better? (Cosmo)

TODAY IS:

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It’s National Nurses Week and the Crocs footwear brand is honoring these hardworking heroes by offering 10,000 pairs of shoes to healthcare workers each day until Friday (until supplies run out). Medical professionals should log on daily at 12 p.m. ET on Crocs website to claim a pair. (Insider)

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Sure, guard dogs are cool, but now they’re going to have to share top billing with guard cats. An animal group in Chicago has recruited a thousand feral cats to help protect the Windy City against a growing rodent invasion. The feisty felines are part of the Tree House Humane Society’s Cats at Work program, which takes strays, spays or neuters them, and then releases them to do their stuff. Just in time, too. Chicago was recently named “America’s rattiest city” by Orkin pest control. (WGN)

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Italians are pizza purists, so I’m not sure how this will go, but apparently there’s a new vending machine in Rome that promises to fully cook a made-to-order pizza in just three minutes. The Mr. Go machine makes four different kinds of pizza — margherita, four cheese, spicy pizza alla diavola, and a pancetta pizza. The machine made its first pie on April 6th and has sold about 900 since. (Food & Wine)

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Do you have a bucket list for this summer? Seems lots of people do. 66% of people in a new survey by Outdoorsy said they had made a summer bucket list, and 60% said they want to try something new during their vacation this summer – like waterskiing, wakeboarding, and skydiving. 62% said they want to spend their summer vacation surrounded by nature.

It’s also National Eat What You Want Day.  So I guess that means some people haven’t treated every day since March last year as an unofficial eat whatever you want day?

A new survey found the top foods we’d eat every single day if, you know, we didn’t have to worry about all the consequences of eating them.  Check ’em out . . .

1.  Pizza.

2.  Pasta.

3.  Burgers.

4.  Ice cream.

5.  Tacos or burritos.

6.  Chocolate.

7.  Fries.

8.  Donuts.

9.  Cake.

10.  Chips.

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If you’ve ever wished you could applaud a tweet with more than just a “like,” you’re in luck … You can now send some cash to the person who wrote it. Twitter is introducing a “tip jar” that will allow users to put their money where their “likes” are by transferring cold hard cash via PayPal, Venmo or CashApp. Don’t get your hopes up about cashing in, though – right now, the tip jar is only available to so-called blue-check verified accounts, including athletes, entertainers and journalists. (BBC)

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Many of us have been living in loose clothing over the last year, but it seems as things are slowly getting back to normal, sales of Spanks and other shapewear are booming. “Normal life is slowly returning and as people venture out into the world, they are looking for a little hug,” Sara Blakely, founder and chief executive of Spanx, told The Washington Post. (Best Life)

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A study from Germany found that older adults who say they “feel younger” than their actual age are actually younger, health-wise – both mentally and physically – than adults who say they “feel old.” Adults who felt more youthful were mentally stronger, had less inflammation, were hospitalized less, and lived longer than adults who felt like their actual age (or older).

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How much money do you think you spend on your pet? New research found that the average pet owner spends about $111 a month on their furry friend – that adds up to $13, 320 over 10 years.

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Speaking of pets … A couple started a food truck … for dogs. Woofbowl, which operates in New York and New Jersey, sells burgers, fries, chicken nuggets, tacos, ice cream doughnuts, and nonalcoholic “beer” served in little red cups – just for dogs. (Insider)

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Asleep on the job … An online mattress and bedding company is looking for someone to get paid for sleeping on the job. EachNight.com says it is researching the “pros and cons of napping” and they’re looking for “nap reviewers” to take daily naps for 30 days and then document how they feel. The job pays $1,500. Applications are being accepted until May 31st.

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Did you know your taste buds can change to match your partner’s preferences? Yep, a study found that the longer you’re with someone, your taste in foods can change to match theirs.

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Now that almost 60% of adults in this country have gotten the Covid vaccine, is it cool to outright ask people if they’ve been vaccinated? According to a new survey, 24% of people say it’s RUDE to ask a friend whether or not they’ve gotten the vaccine.  68% say it’s not rude, and the rest aren’t sure. And this feels like kind of a surprise:  The younger you are, the more likely you are to say it’s rude to ask.

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Still don’t know what to get mom this year? Here’s an easy one – that she’ll definitely appreciate … check something off her to-do list. Let mom take a nap … or get a pedicure … or whatever she wants to do, while you take care of that errand or chore for her. (Washington Post)

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And, while you’re picking up a card, gift, and flowers for Mother’s Day, you may want to take a moment to reach out to those who may be struggling on this holiday. Whether it’s a single dad who plays the role of both parents, someone whose mother has passed away, or a hopeful mom-to-be who has experienced miscarriage or infertility, there is a sentiment for that. The Skimm has found several greeting cards that offer either heartfelt or tongue-in-cheek messages. Included among them are cards that remind the receiver that they aren’t alone, that wish a Happy Mother’s Day to Dad, and for your thicker-skinned friend, a card that apologizes for their uterus being a jerk.

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How Often Are You Showering These Days? COVID changed a lot of things – including how often we shower, apparently. Before the pandemic, Robin Harper, who works at a preschool on Martha’s Vineyard, showered every day. But when coronavirus kept her inside and away from others, she started showering once a week. And even though she is back at work, she is not back to her regular showering schedule. “Don’t get me wrong,” Robin said. “I like showers. But it’s one thing off my plate. I’m a mom. I work full-time, and it’s one less thing I have to do.”

She is not alone. Heather Whaley, a writer in Redding, Connecticut, told the New York Times that she started showering less when she went into lockdown. “Do I need to? Do I want to?” she said. “The act of taking a shower became less a matter of function and more of a matter of doing something for myself that I enjoyed.”

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According to a new study out of Germany, being touched by a humanoid robot makes people happier. Researchers found that touching is so important and powerful that people aren’t terribly picky about who’s doing the touching. Stress, depression and anxiety can be reduced with simple physical interactions with machines. And, looking forward, there might be a way to create robots that fulfill the roles of therapists, personal trainers, and even life coaches. (AZORobotics)

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Couples have definitely spent a lot more time together in the last year – and it seems the majority really liked it. In fact, a recent survey found that 68% said they have “adored” spending more time with their partner over the last year. Even more interesting — 24% said they are worried about getting separation anxiety from their partner when things get back to normal. And it seems that spending all that time together has strengthened relationships – with 60% of couples saying it has confirmed that they are perfect for each other.

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A new survey found that we think really highly of ourselves. 46% of respondents said they are the best person they know. Men were more likely to think highly of themselves than women (86% vs. 67%).

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If you’ve wanted to celebrate getting your COVID vaccine jab by going out for a celebratory drink, go ahead – it’s actually good for you. A survey published in the New York Times says that moderate drinking post-jab isn’t likely to hurt. In fact, some studies have even found that over the longer term, small or moderate amounts of alcohol might actually benefit the immune system by reducing inflammation.

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The American Society of Plastic Surgeons released data that showed, of course, that there were big drops in cosmetic procedures in 2020 due to COVID. Their findings found that despite the drop, procedures like Botox and fillers remained popular. But this is surprising … Seems the biggest increase in cosmetic surgery in the last year was for butt implants. Apparently working from home and spending so much time sitting left people with the dreaded “pancake butt” and wanting a little lift in their behinds. (Bloomberg)

It’s also Cinco de Mayo . . . and it’s really the first party holiday since huge numbers of people got the vaccine.  So I’m thinking LOTS of people are going to want to live it up today . . . even if they don’t know WHY they’re living it up.

A survey just asked people what Cinco de Mayo is actually about.  And only 10% of people knew the correct answer:  Celebrating a major Mexican battle win.  The victory was over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862.

39% of people thought Cinco de Mayo was Mexico’s Independence Day . . . 26% thought it was just a general celebration of Mexican-American culture . . . 13% admitted they had no idea . . . and 13% said it’s, quote, “an excuse to drink.”

The survey also found almost three-quarters of Americans said they planned to do something to celebrate.

59% will eat Mexican food . . . 32% will drink margaritas . . . 17% will drink Mexican beer . . . 14% will go to a party . . . and 8% will go to a bar.

And finally, 8% of people say they’re going to use today to read up on Mexican history.

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Do you pets have more friends than you do? A new survey of pet owners found that more than 50% say their dog has more friends than they do — and 66% believe their dog has a “better social life” than they do. 57% said that their friends and family are more excited to see their dog than them. And your dog is definitely more popular with your co-workers. 63% of those surveyed said their pup is the “uncontested star” of their Zoom calls.

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There’s no question that streaming services like Netflix helped us get through the last year. What would we have done with all those shows to watch and characters to care about? But what happens when you finish binge-ing a series you really loved? Do you get a little sad that it’s over? How about when you loved a season of a show and were anxiously awaiting the next season, only to find out the show has been canceled?

There’s even a name for it: PSD (Post-Series Depression). It’s defined as “the sadness felt after reading or watching a really long series or story. The bitter feeling when you know the journey is over, but you don’t want it to end. (Urban Dictionary)

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Tired of being rushed out of restaurants before you’re ready? That might be a thing of the past, thanks to one New York City place that’s encouraging people to stay all day – and bring their laptops, too! Kindred, in Manhattan’s East Village, cooked up a plan to bring back customers after the pandemic lull. For $25-per day, per person, you get an all-day table reservation and WiFi — plus unlimited coffee, cold brew and tea. Food is extra, and you can even stick around for happy hour – if you buy a beverage. (New York Post)

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Not all pets can be taken outside for a walk or a drive in the car, but one Japanese company has created a new carrier that will allow fish-owners to do just that. The Ma Corporation has designed the “katsugyo bag.”  It’s a portable, tube-shaped fish tank with a handle so you can carry your fish on a walk through the park. Or, you can take your fresh catch home alive from the lake. The carrier is more than just a portable fish tank. It also has an oxygen gauge and a device that delivers food to the little swimmer. The katsugyo bag isn’t available for sale yet, but it’s already gaining a lot of interest in Japan. (Oddity Central)

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Well, this is … gross. A new survey out of the UK found that 30% of respondents said they only washed their sheets … once or twice a year. No joke. FYI: You’re supposed to wash them at least once a week. (Best Life)

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When you see someone yawn, it tends to make YOU want to yawn, right? Well, a new study found the same thing also happens with our PHONES. Researchers in Italy wanted to see how many people would check their phone if they saw someone else check theirs.  So they tried it with 184 people who didn’t know they were being watched. And HALF of them picked up their own phone within 30 seconds. My first question was . . . well, don’t a lot of us check our phone every 30 seconds now anyway?  But when people in the study didn’t see someone check their phone, less than 1% picked their own phone up. It’s a phenomenon called the “chameleon effect.”

Today is National Paranormal Day, so if your walls start bleeding or your kid starts saying things in a flat, creepy voice, don’t say I didn’t warn you. In a new survey in honor of the holiday . . .

1.  80% of Americans say they believe in ghosts.  That includes 45% who believe but have never seen one . . . and 35% who believe BECAUSE they’ve seen one.

2.  90% of people say they’re scared of paranormal activities.

3.  12% think the U.S. government knows more about aliens than it’s revealing.

4.  And 4% think they live in a haunted house.  (National Today) 

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A lot of people got green thumbs during the pandemic … A new survey found that 52% of respondents invested in new plants and garden upgrades over the last year. I was definitely one of those people. I think I’ve purchased at least one new plant a week in April…

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A hard seltzer brand wants to make lemonade – out of your lemon of a car. Vizzy Lemonade Hard Seltzer wants you to send them pics of your lemon of a car. The person with the worst lemon could win $25,000 to put toward a new car – as well as a year’s worth of Vizzy Lemonade Hard Seltzer. Check out the Vizzy website for more details. (Delish)

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Red Lobster wants to make students’ prom extra cheesy this year … by turning their Cheddar Bay biscuits into a matching Cheddar Bay biscuit corsage and boutonniere. No joke. They even have instructions on Twitter for how to do it, in case you’re realllly interested. (Food & Wine)

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Have you been thinking about a social media detox? How about if you got paid to do it? According to research by HowNow, a learning platform, the average person spends 58 minutes a day on Instagram. Well, they want people to use that time to learn something new instead. The company is recruiting three people to replace their social media time with learning a new skill of their choosing. And they’ll pay the people selected $692 a month for three months to do it. “Instead of scrolling, the successful candidates will dedicate that time to their new chosen skill, in an attempt to find out what can be learned when social media use is reduced or replaced,” HowNow said a statement. Find out more here. (Travel & Leisure)

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Today is National Honesty Day.  And we’re gonna celebrate it the right way:  With a survey where clearly a ton of people lied.  The survey asked people how often they tell lies. And the top answer is . . . NEVER.  27% of people say they never lie.  That is a lie. 18% of people say they lie once a year or less.  That’s also a lie.  And another 18% say they lie a couple of times a month. On the other end of things, 6% of people say they tell around one lie a day, and 6% say they tell a bunch of lies every day. The survey also found 3% of people say they’re compulsive liars.

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Listen up smokers, you’re about to have one less option. The feds made it official…moving to ban menthol cigarettes today. They’re also planning to scrap flavored cigars. They’re trying to make smoking less appealing to kids – besides, the stuff in menthols is basically poison. Shelves won’t be empty for a while; the rule change could take years to kick in.

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It’s amazing most of us go half our life stressing about this stuff:  Someone asked 2,000 people aged 55 and up when they finally stopped worrying about what other people think of them.  And the average is 46 years old.

They also asked about work, relationships, and looks.  Here’s what people said . . .

1.  We finally feel okay about our appearance in our mid-30’s.  For men, it’s 34.  For women, 36.

2.  The average person feels settled in and okay about their relationship at 37.

3.  We don’t truly feel good about our career until we hit 40.

4.  In general, we feel comfortable in our own skin at age 42.

5.  We don’t feel like we can really speak our mind until our early-to-mid 40’s.  For men, it’s 40.  For women, 45.

6.  We finally start to relax about finances at age 50.

They also asked about life events that make your more confident.  The top five are becoming a parent . . . getting married . . . retiring . . . traveling . . . and getting your driver’s license.

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Hey, guys, it’s time to ditch the large logo t-shirt – in particular, the designer brand large logo shirt from fashion designers like Gucci and Ralph Lauren. A new study from the University of Michigan found that guys wearing those kind of shirts were perceived as more likely to cheat, less interested in long-term relationships, and less interested in becoming a parent. Small logo shirts – think that tiny polo player in the corner — had the opposite effect. Guys wearing those were seen as more trustworthy and reliable. (Best Life)

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The hottest new fashion trend on TikTok is infinity jewelry. If you’ve never heard of it, getting “zapped,” as infinity jewelers call it, is basically having a necklace, bracelet, or anklet, literally welded onto you so that it has no clasp — making it impossible to take off unless you break it or cut it off. Usually the pieces are delicate, thin chains — subtle enough to be worn or layered with the rest of your jewelry. It’s definitely a cool idea to mark a significant milestone, or just because. The problem is, not many jewelers do it so it requires research and possibly travel, and it will definitely cost you. (Pop Sugar)

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Have you missed your Hallmark Christmas movies? Never fear – they’ll be back soon. Hallmark has decided to start running holiday movies year-round starting in May. Every Thursday and Friday night on both Hallmark and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, you can watch a Christmas movie. In case you need some pre-Christmas spirit in July. (BHG)

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There’s no amount of social distancing that can keep us from our one true love:  Talking about other people when they’re not around.

A new study out of Dartmouth College in New Hampshire found that about 14% of our conversations every day are gossip . . . even today, with lots of conversations happening over Zoom.  That means one out of every seven things you say is gossip.

But . . . the research found not all gossip is necessarily BAD.  Most of our gossip isn’t negative . . . it’s neutral.  And that’s because most of the time, our goal with gossip isn’t to put someone down, it’s just to bond and connect with other people.

The researchers say, quote, “By exchanging information with others, gossip is a way of forming relationships.  It involves trust and facilitates a social bond.”  (EurekAlert) 

TODAY IS: National Tell a Story Day

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Social media users sharing their worst tattoos is nothing new, but a new TikTok trend has users sharing their “most meaningless” tats. A mom’s response immediately went viral. The mom, whose username is @th3victorygarden had a drawing done by her 6-year-old son inked on her bicep. She found the crayon drawing — of a creature with a big mouth and a lot of teeth standing next to a palm tree — and thought it would be cute to have it tattooed on her arm. Well … it turns out the drawing was not done by her son … but by his 6-year-old friend Kevin. And it seems she didn’t find out the truth for a long time. “My son broke the news at the dinner table years later,” she said. (In the Know)

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When tourism went away in Hawaii during COVID lockdowns, rental car companies had to sell off a lot of their fleet to stay afloat. Now, as people are traveling again, it seems no one can rent a car on the islands because they are either all rented out or the prices are ridiculously high because of demand. So, according to Hawaii News Now, tourists have started renting U-Haul vans, trucks, and pickups for $20 per day instead of even attempting to rent a car at a premium of between $200 and $700 a day.

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Do your friends and co-workers influence your eating habits? A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital found that people tend to mirror the eating habits of those in their social circle. Basically, if you’re out to eat with friends or co-workers and they order healthy food, you do too. And if your friends are ordering a bunch of junk food, you tend to eat that instead. “We found that individuals tend to mirror the food choices of others in their social circles, which may explain one way obesity spreads through social networks,” says Douglas Levy, PhD.

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Is there a person in your life who is always late? Are you that person? A new survey found that 70% of people say there is a person in their group of friends who is known for always being late – but less than 25% admitted they were that person. 47% said they have lied about the actual time they were meeting so their always-late friend would get there on time. (SWNS)

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What’s your biggest worry on a first date? According to a new survey, people are most concerned about awkward conversations. 39% said that was their biggest worry on a first date – more than lack of chemistry (25%) and rejection (15%). (Health Digest)

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Got old socks you don’t wear anymore? Don’t throw them away. Apparently while 80% of people donate their old clothes, 91% simply throw away their socks. Well, Colorado-based company Smartwool wants your old socks to turn into dog beds. You can drop off your unwanted socks in collection bins at select retailers in 42 different states till May 2nd. You can also mail your socks directly to Smartwool, but you’ll need to order something and then they’ll send you a bag to mail them in. (Martha Stewart).

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Is looking in the mirror your friend or your foe? While some people enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror, we would wager that the majority don’t. If you’re one of those that don’t, maybe you should start. According to a new study from Japan, seeing your face in the mirror or even in a selfie, triggers feelings of pleasure in your brain.

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Has COVID made you crowd averse? Seems one of the effects of the pandemic is that people can’t deal with crowds anymore. A new survey found that more than 65% of respondents said because of the pandemic they can no longer stand being around crowds of people and will do everything to avoid crowded spaces and standing in line, especially at the airport.

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Speaking of post-COVID stress … While we’re all anxious for the pandemic to be over, lots of people are also dealing with the anxiety of getting back to real life. There’s even a name for it – “re-entry anxiety.” Whether it’s stressing about going back to an office instead of working from the comfort of your home, or having to commute again, or just having to deal with attending social events and gatherings again, “re-entry” anxiety is very real. (Self)

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Life is slowly starting to get back to normal … but people still want to keep working from home. A brand-new survey has found that attitudes about remote work haven’t changed – even after more and more people are getting vaccinated. 65% of those surveyed said they wanted to keep working from home, even after COVID ends. 11% said they want a flexible arrangement with some days working remotely and some days at the office. Only 2% said they were looking forward to going back into an office full-time.

Why do people want to keep working from home? 49% said they still had fears about COVID-19, 46% worry that they will lose their flexibility, and 43% think it will negatively affect their work-life balance.

Another big reason people want to keep working from home is that it is saving them money. 38% say working from home is saving them more than $5,000 a year and 20% said they are saving as much as $10,000 a year. The savings are coming from things like not eating out, not buying as much gas, and not needing dry cleaning.

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You’ve probably heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder. It’s when people get depressed in the winter months due to lack of sunshine. Some people who suffer from SAD even get special lights to simulate sunlight. Well, it turns out there is such a thing as reverse SAD. It’s when people get the blues because of all the sunlight. Apparently about 10% of those affected by SAD experience it during the summer months. (Health Digest)

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How seriously do Italians take their gelato? This gives you an idea … Some legislators in Italy want to make it illegal to sell bad gelato. Yep, they want to fine cream makers who add air to gelato to make it a fluffier texture, or who use artificial flavors or ingredients. Gelato makers would only be allowed to use “milk and its derivatives,” eggs, and fresh fruit – or face fines of up to $12,000. (Food & Wine)

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Seems real estate envy is powerful … A new survey found that 50% of respondents would rather browse the Zillow real estate website than have sex. (Best Life)

Some more findings from the survey:

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Speaking of sex … Here’s a good reason to make good sleep a priority … A new study found that good sleep leads to a better sex life for women. Poor sleep, on the other hand, is linked to a worse sex life.

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Have you ever broken up … with your best friend? It may be hard to imagine life without your BFF, but if the relationship is more stressful than supportive and fun – it may be time to cut ties. Therapist Shani Tran says these are some of the reasons to re-examine your relationship with your BFF:

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Ready to get away this summer? A new survey finds half of us will take at least one vacation between June and September. For those going, more than 40 percent say they will drop over a thousand bucks to make it happen. Nearly half say they’re planning a road trip.

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TikTok users aren’t shy about touting their favorite products – and Amazon has taken notice. To make shopping for these products easier, they’ve actually created a virtual storefront called, Internet Famous where you can shop all these products in one place. (Glamour)

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The Daily Star says men are buying muscular bodysuits so they can look ripped and buff without going to the gym. The suits are made from silicone. People can buy a full torso, an upper body or a lower body suit. They cost $270. The suits make it appear as though men have a six pack of abs, and are made to fit under clothing easily.

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With allergy season now here, more of us are coughing, sneezing and having asthma attacks. Question is, could a bad thunderstorm bring on asthma for thousands? Researchers call it “thunderstorm asthma” and say it’s rare but does happen. Scientists looked at one particular storm five years ago in Melbourne, Australia. When the thunder came it didn’t bring much rain, but did drop a wave of humidity during the height of hay fever season. Hospitals saw a nearly 700-percent increase in patients with respiratory problems. Doctors and pharmacies were also inundated with calls. Asthma symptoms contributed to at least 10 people dying.

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Have you tried popcorn salad? It’s been around for a while apparently, but it’s been trending on Twitter lately. It’s basically white cheddar popcorn mixed with carrots, celery, snap peas and a sauce made of mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, shallots and Dijon mustard. Something to bring to the next BBQ? (In the Know)

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How about some peanut butter with your lipstick? The Reese’s candy brand has teamed up with HipDot to create a limited edition line of makeup. The collection, on sale now, includes eye shadow palettes in ‘milk chocolate’ and ‘white chocolate,’ two lip balms, and two makeup brushes. Reese’s is the latest food brand to jump into the beauty space, following recent announcements by Chipotle and Peeps.

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Get your vacuums ready to roll because household chores can be good for you! A new Canadian study found that older adults who spent more time on chores like dusting, cleaning, and gardening, have bigger brains – and bigger brains can help prevent dementia. The scientists suggest that the low-risk physical activity of chores can help boost brain volume, which is a strong predictor of cognitive health.

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This is really cool — literally … Scientists at Purdue University have created the whitest paint in the world, and they think it could eliminate the need for air conditioning! The paint is so white that it reflects more than 98% of sunlight that hits it, which means it also reflects heat. Scientists say painting the roof of apartment buildings or the roof of a house could eliminate the need for running the AC all day. On top of that, they think painting a rocky surface of the earth where no one lives could help prevent global warming. They think the paint will be available to buy in about two years. (Newser)

Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day: Well, that shouldn’t be hard for a lot of us.

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If there’s anything the pandemic has taught us, it’s to appreciate the simple things in life … A new survey asked people to name their favorite simple pleasures. The number one thing? Listening to their favorite songs. Here are some other favorite simple pleasures, according to the survey: a nice dinner, watching a favorite movie, exercising, cooking a great meal, having a great meal cooked for you, going to the beach, finishing a good book, sleeping in, taking a long walk or hike. (SWNS)

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Speaking of listening to your favorite songs … An Australian study found that waking up to your favorite music helps you feel less groggy. It also makes you sharper first thing in the morning. Think of it as musical caffeine.

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Good news, Pinot lovers … Pinot Noir may be the healthiest wine to drink. That’s because it has higher levels of the antioxidant resveratrol than other types of wine. (Martha Stewart)

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Recently, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, figured out that there were about 2.5 billion Tyrannosaurus rex dinosaurs roaming the planet. Now, they weren’t all running around at the same time. Instead, there were — supposedly — about 20,000 of them at any given time … over the course of a couple million years or so. If these researchers are right, the T-Rex hung around for 127,000 generations. The researchers figured all this out, despite the fact that only about 100 T-Rex fossils have actually been discovered around the world. (Mercury News)

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And, a burger chain in California is looking for people who love burgers and tattoos — so they can turn them into human billboards. Farmer Boys, which has 90 locations in California, Arizona, and Nevada, is celebrating its 40th anniversary by offering people free burgers for a year if they get the restaurant chain’s name and a burger tattooed on their body. They’re partnering with a tattoo shop in West Hollywood, which is offering three different two-by-two-inch designs.

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This might make you cringe a bit. A new study finds that the average woman pops 65 pimples a year – that makes about 4,153 zits popped in a lifetime. 81% of women surveyed admit they pop their pimples, with more than 75% saying they know it’s bad for their skin, but the urge to pop those zits is just too strong. 52% said they are impulsive face pickers and they often pick at the skin on their face without realizing it.

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Do you have a “cool mom”? Are you a “cool mom”? A survey found that nearly 70% of respondents said they had a “cool mom.” So, what exactly makes a mom cool? According to the people surveyed, talking to your kids about everything and anything, and letting your kids get away with things a “normal” mom wouldn’t make up the “cool mom” designation.

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So, Dogcuteries are a thing. Thanks to Instagram we now have Dogcuterie, aka Barkcuterie. It’s exactly what you think it is — charcuterie boards filled with dog-friendly treats. Picture fancy dog biscuits surrounded by carrots, apple slices, and more — all arranged in a way that clearly took a lot of time … for no reason other than to post it on social media. (Pure Wow)

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Speaking of dogs … Busch Beer wants to hire a pup to the be the official taster for their non-alcoholic beer for dogs called Dog Beer. Busch released their Dog Beer last August – and it immediately sold out. Now, they are going to be testing out new flavors and are looking for a pup with the right palate. If chosen, your pup will not only get plenty of dog-friendly beer, but a salary of 20 grand and pet insurance. If you want to apply for your dog, just post photos and videos of your dog on social media with the hashtag #BuschCTOcontest with a caption that includes the word “entry.” You have till April 28th. You can go to Busch Beer’s Twitter page for more info. (Delish)

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Are you still in touch with friends from grade school? Earlier? How many friends do you still have from your early childhood?

According to an MSN poll, most of us haven’t kept in touch with friends from our earlier childhood. Just 8% said they had kept in touch with many friends from when they were younger. 22% said they kept in touch with a few, 31% said one or two, and 39% said they weren’t in touch with any friends from early childhood.

How about high school? According to those polled, the answers weren’t much different. 8% said they were in touch with many friends from high school, while 26% said they were in touch with a small group, 32% said one or two, and 34% said they didn’t stay in touch with anyone from high school.

College was even worse. Of the more than 200,000 people surveyed, just 2% said they were still friends with many people from college. 10% said they stayed in touch with a few college friends, 18% said one or two, and 42% said they didn’t stay in touch with anyone from college. 28% responded that they didn’t go to college.

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Guys, you might have a new engagement standard to live up to thanks to this guy. William Hunn went viral last week for proposing to his girlfriend, Brittney Miller, with not one, but five engagement rings — giving her the option to select her fave. His post shows a range of ring styles featuring different cut stones and varying band designs. The video has been viewed close to 40,000 times, shared all over social media, and even got the attention of celebs like Gayle King.

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Work from home … in West Virginia. If working from home with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River outside your window sounds almost like heaven, you can make it happen — and get $12,000 at the same time. The state of West Virginia is offering remote workers $12,000 to relocate to the Mountain State and reside there for at least two years. Transplants will also receive free annual passes to outdoor recreational activities and access to continuing education programs at West Virginia University. The program is being funded by financial software company Intuit. (Fox Business)

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Can you guess what the most popular drink in America is? Here’s a hint: You probably don’t start your day without it. Yep, according to a new survey, 60% of people say coffee is their most necessary daily drink … even more than water. And the majority of people have at least two cups a day. (Eat This, Not That)

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A pitcher for the University of North Texas softball team tossed the most perfect game imaginable on Sunday, striking out every single batter she faced. Hope Trautwein faced 21 batters in the seven-inning game and mowed them all down on the way to a 3-0 win over University of Arkansas – Pine Bluff. It is believed to be the first perfect game in NCAA Division 1 history in which every out recorded was a strikeout. (Yahoo Sports)

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If you own a dog and have come home to your pup smelling like another dog, chances are your furry friend will give you the cold shoulder out of jealousy. Think dogs can’t get jealous? Think again. A new study found that dogs don’t just get jealous when they are around a rival for their favorite person’s attention, they can actually dream up scenarios that make them feel jealousy even if it’s not happening in front of them. The research is significant because jealousy as an emotion is linked to being “self-aware,” something most people think distinguishes humans from animals. It might be time to stop joking around about your dog “thinking” he’s human because, as most owners already know, dogs might actually be smarter than we are — and science is finally catching on.

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Michio Kaku is a famous physicist with degrees from Harvard and the University of California, Berkeley. During a recent interview, Kaku said he believes that humans will make contact with aliens within the next century because we’ll soon have a telescope with the power to see thousands of new planets.

But, he thinks contacting aliens would be a “terrible idea.” While Kaku thinks that aliens out there would be friendly, he doesn’t advise that we gamble on it. (The Guardian)

Today is National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day. According to a survey in honor of the holiday, 87% of Americans say they like grilled cheese. The top five cheeses we want in our sandwiches are:  Cheddar . . . American . . . Swiss . . . provolone . . . and pepper jack. And finally, grilled cheeses are our SECOND favorite melted cheese food.  Pizza came in first . . . grilled cheese and mac and cheese tied for second . . . and cheeseburgers came in fourth.  That’s some incredibly stiff competition.

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Did you let yourself go during the pandemic? A new survey found that 46% said they were definitely not the best version of themselves over the last year. Of those, 60% said they gained weight, 53% said they ate unhealthy foods, 49% said they drank too much, 49% said they lost touch with family and friends, 46% said they stopped wearing makeup or shaving, 43% said they stopped grooming themselves on a daily basis, and 38% started smoking again.

Maybe that’s why the same survey found that 68% said they plan to improve themselves (both mentally and physically) when the pandemic finally ends.

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Do you and your partner sleep in separate beds? A YouGov poll found that while 66% said sleeping in the same bed with their significant other was the ideal situation, 7% said that if it didn’t affect their relationship, they would rather sleep in their own bed in the same room, while 9% said their ideal sleeping situation would be sleeping in their own bed in a separate room. Women were more likely than men to say they wanted to sleep in their own beds, but this may be why: a previous YouGov poll found that 56% of women said they did not get enough sleep at night compared to 48% of men.

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Do you sit down and eat dinner at night as a family? Do you do it without phones? A new study out of Spain has found that sitting around the dinner table without phones could prevent childhood obesity. Why? Conversation and slower eating help you realize when you’re full. Basically, eating in front of a screen leads to mindless eating and over-eating.

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I feel like we all already know this, but a new study found and proved that music is addictive. According to researchers at McGill University in Montreal, music makes us feel good because it triggers the reward center of our brains. Because of that, researchers say music can be as addictive as fast food, money, and alcohol.

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Pot is popular … A new Economist/YouGov poll found that 61% of American adults believe marijuana should be legalized nationwide. Despite more and more states legalizing the use of recreational and/or medical marijuana, including here in the state of Michigan, pot is still criminalized on the federal level.

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Can you guess the number one thing most people dislike about themselves? A YouGov personality survey found that the overwhelming majority of people share this insecurity about themselves: their weight. 51% said their weight was the number one thing they disliked about themselves. Far behind in second, according to respondents, was the way their sometimes treat their family (14%), followed by the way they sometimes treat their partner (13%). 11% said the way they make a first impression was the thing they disliked most about themselves, followed by the way they dress (10%). (Best Life)

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Sora News says a group of high school students from Japan recently built a perfect replica of the DeLorean time machine from the “Back to the Future” movies. They created the car from scratch using sheets of steel and aluminum. The project originally began in 2016 and was passed on to future students to complete. More than 500 students worked on the DeLorean by the time it was finished.

The principal of the school later received permission from Universal Pictures to display the car as a monument in front of the school. The DeLorean lights up, rotates, and plays music from the “Back to the Future” trilogy every three hours.

TODAY IS: National All Is Ours Day: It’s a day to stop and appreciate all you have.

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Do you feel closer to your co-workers, even if you’ve been working remotely? A new survey found that 53% of workers say they have grown closer to their colleagues during the pandemic – even though they are all working at home. And 43% said it’s been easier to connect with their colleagues on a personal level than it was when they were in the office together. This has everything to do with people getting a glimpse into their co-workers’ lives during video calls – meeting spouses, kids, and pets and getting to see their real lives.

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Do you have a leftover problem? A new survey found that 61% of respondents said they always put their leftovers in the fridge – but never get around to eating them. 66% said even when they’re just cooking for themselves, they end up making enough food to feed a family.

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What is the very best surprise you can get in life? How about the worst? Here’s a hint: They both have to do with money. A new survey found that 49% of those polled said randomly finding money (on the street, in a pocket, in a drawer, etc.) was the very best surprise they could get. The worst? Getting an unexpected bill.

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What’s the best part of your day? If you said eating, you’re in good company. A new survey found that 68% of respondents said that with the stress of work and life in general these days, that sitting down to eat is the best part of the day. What meals do people look forward to the most? Pizza (51%), burgers (38%), and pasta (38%). And it seems that cheat days have become cheat weekends – with people especially splurging on weekends. (SWNS)

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Scientists think they’ve figured out why redheads have a higher tolerance for pain…and it has something to why they’re so vulnerable to sunburns. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital found the cells that determine hair and skin color (melanocytes) also change how we process pain. A cell mutation that makes redheads ‘red’ and causes them to sunburn quickly also boosts their threshold for pain.

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Speaking of eating … our dogs got bigger in quarantine too. A new UK study found that the average dog has put on a whopping 7 pounds since the beginning of the pandemic. Seems dogs have been getting more treats with their owners home during the day. And apparently guys are more generous with the treats. Pets with male owners gained an average of nine pounds each over the year, compared to six pounds for pups with female owners. (Metro)

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Has coronavirus caused a ketchup shortage? Don’t start hoarding ketchup from the store just yet. It seems the shortage is in ketchup packets – Heinz in particular — due to so many people hitting up fast food restaurants and ordering takeout and delivery during the pandemic. Heinz told USA Today that it’s working to increase production to solve the problem.

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Get ready for a hot summer … According to The Weather Channel, we’re in for a scorching summer throughout the country —  particularly in the western and central states. “A hotter than average June through August is expected from the West Coast to the Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes,” The Weather Channel revealed. “The northern and central Rockies into the northern and central Plains have the best chance for a hot summer.” (Travel & Leisure)

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We’re hula hooping … Thanks to TikTok, the latest adult craze for both exercise — and out of sheer boredom — is hula hooping. There are even weighted versions of the toys that connect to apps for charting exercise and overall improvement. (Wall Street Journal)

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Do you have any idea how many recurring subscriptions you have — or how much money you spend on them? If you don’t, you’re not alone. 78% of respondents in a recent survey by Chase say they have at least one recurring payment to a subscription service like Netflix or BarkBox, and 58% of those say they’ve forgotten about at least one of those subscriptions. 55% admit they don’t even know how much money they’re being charged monthly for these accounts. But it seems that a lot of people just don’t want to deal with the hassle of figuring out what recurring payments they have or trying to cancel them. (SWNS)

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It might be time to stop obsessively sanitizing everything.  As we’ve learned more about Covid, we’ve found that the chances of getting it from a surface are WAY lower than we originally thought.

The CDC says the chances of catching Covid from a surface are less than one in 10,000.  And one chemist in Colorado says, quote, “If we took half the effort that’s being given to disinfection and put it on ventilation, that will be huge.”