You browse through your phone over lunch, pass it to friends to show them your photos, maybe even bring it with you into the restroom. The upshot? That phone ends up harbouring over 300 times the amount of bacteria as an office toilet handle, according to research from the UK! Problem is, regular household cleaners and cloth or paper towels can wear away the anti- smudge coating on the screen and leave little scratches in the glass, giving germs a new place to hide, warns Derek Meister, a tech pro for Best Buy’s Geek Squad. He suggests making your own disinfectant by mixing equal parts of distilled water (tap or filtered will leave mineral residue) and 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Every night, spritz a microfibre cloth with the solution and give your cell a quick wipe.
Your phone is gross
You browse through your phone over lunch, pass it to friends to show them your photos, maybe even bring it with you into the restroom. The upshot? That phone ends up harbouring over 300 times the amount of bacteria as an office toilet handle, according to research from the UK! Problem is, regular household cleaners and cloth or paper towels can wear away the anti- smudge coating on the screen and leave little scratches in the glass, giving germs a new place to hide, warns Derek Meister, a tech pro for Best Buy’s Geek Squad. He suggests making your own disinfectant by mixing equal parts of distilled water (tap or filtered will leave mineral residue) and 70 per cent isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. Every night, spritz a microfibre cloth with the solution and give your cell a quick wipe.
KEEP YOUR HEART HAPPY
As you work to keep your ticker at its peak, here’s one thing you can skip: fish oil pills. Though they’ve long been thought to boost heart health, thanks to the omega-3 fatty acids they contain, a recent review of 24 studies suggests that they may not be as helpful as we’ve been led to believe. You’re better off exercising regularly, keeping your weight in check, and staying away from cigarettes – all of which are proven to cut your risk of cardiovascular disease, says lead study author Andrew Grey, an associate professor of medicine at New Zealand’s University of Auckland.
Why make-up sex can be amazing University of Auckland.
THERE’S AN INTENSITY THAT JUST MIGHT BE WORTH THE FIGHT YOU HAD, EXPERTS SAY. HERE’S WHY.
You both want to get wilder After an argument, your emotions are running high, says Kimberly Sharky, a certified sex therapist in the US. That energy carries over into the bedroom. “During make-up sex, people tend to be more aggressive or passionate than usual, which can be very exciting,” she says.
You’re already primed for action Physiologically, anger is pretty close to desire. When you’re upset, your heart rate is up, your blood is pumping, and you’re in a heightened state of arousal, explains marriage therapist Neil Rosenthal, the author of Love, Sex and Staying Warm: Keeping the Flame Alive. “Then, when you have sex, you experience a huge release.”
Those bonding hormones kick in After sex, your brain is flooded with oxytocin, a hormone that promotes feelings of love and togetherness. This encourages you to move past lingering anger and resentment. “Sex helps people feel cared for, desired and connected,” Neil says. “With make-up sex, there’s a sense of relief and resolution. It’s like you’re both saying ‘Okay, we’re a couple again’.”
3 in 4
The number of people who use their handphones while taking a dump. Just… don’t.
ZEN OUT
You can actually transform a normal household chore into a relaxation exercise. Researchers from Florida State University in the US conducted a study on 51 students, splitting them into two groups, who were both asked to do dishes. One group was told to practise mindfulness while washing up – for example, focusing on the smell of soap and the sensation of water – and the other went ahead without any instructions. The first group had a 27 per cent decrease in nervousness and a 25 per cent increase in mental inspiration while the second didn’t.
TRIED & TESTED
Gently does it
One in five women has dry vaginal skin. As cleansing with shower foam can make it worse, try a feminine hygiene wash formulated to cleanse without dehydrating your delicate skin instead. Infused with a special blend of moisturisers, the new Vagisil ProHydrate Plus Wash ($15.90, selected personal care stores) is pH balanced and suitable for daily use.
MILK WITH BENEFITS
A tall, cold glass of MAGNOLIA Omega Plus is the perfect wellness drink with the nutrition you need to keep going and stay healthy.
Every woman wants to stay fit and healthy, and milk is the obvious choice for a nutritious drink. MAGNOLIA has made it even more beneficial by introducing the Omega Plus range, which contains omega-3 DHA.
Besides being neccessary for heart and joint health, as well as combating some skin conditions, omega-3 DHA fatty acids help to support eye function. They keep your brain focused and your mind sharp as well.
Of course, oily fish and nuts are fantastic sources of omega-3 DHA, but when life gets too busy, reaching for a quick, simple dose of goodness from the fridge works just as well.
With a massive 61 per cent less fat than normal milk, women watching their weight can drink MAGNOLIA Omega Plus Lo-Fat High-Cal Milk With omega-3 DHA every day. Enjoy a glass straight up or use it to make a foamy coffee or rich smoothie.
It contains 67 per cent more calcium than regular milk and Vitamin D for optimum calcium absorption, which makes it a lot easier to achieve the recommended
daily intake we all need to support the development of strong bones. Other great choices to have in your fridge, so you have something different to drink daily, are MAGNOLIA Omega Plus Chocolate Flavoured Lo-Fat High-Cal Milk and MAGNOLIA Oats Plus Lo-Fat High-Cal Milk with cholesterol-lowering oats.
DRINK FRESH, STAY SAFE
By applying these handy tips, you can achieve the best conditions to keep your milk fresh for as long as possible.
1. KEEP IT COLD Milk, along with other dairy products like yogurt, should go into a cooler bag upon purchase and then straight into the fridge when you get home.
2. CONSUME QUICKLY Once opened, finish it within three days to ensure freshness.
3. STORE PROPERLY Milk stays freshest and safest towards the back of the fridge shelves where it is cooler. Placing it in the doors can expose milk to harmful bacteria when you keep opening and closing them.
