List of All Articles with Tag ''

Everyone has a theory about their dreams and the science or meaning behind them. And when the weather hots up, the more bizarre they tend to get. “Dreams are a fascinating and enigmatic phenomenon that occur during sleep, encompassing a vast realm of imaginative experiences,” says sleep expert and CEO of MattressNextDay, Martin Seeley. “They are a collection of thoughts, images, sensations, and emotions that unfold within the theatre of our minds.” Why do we dream? When we sleep, our brain enters a complex state where it engages in various cognitive processes, explains Seeley, including memory consolidation, problem-solving and emotional regulation. “Dreams are thought to emerge from these processes, weaving together fragments of memories, desires, fears, and subconscious thoughts into a narrative or non-linear sequence,” adds Seeley. “And they can be surreal, vivid, or mundane, blurring the boundaries between reality and fantasy.” While the precise purpose and meaning of dreams remains a subject of exploration and debate, Seeley says they can serve as a portal into the inner workings of our minds: “Providing a canvas for exploration, processing of emotions, and glimpses into the subconscious depths of our psyche.” Why do we dream more when it’s hot? Lisa Artis, deputy CEO of The Sleep Charity, says: “When the weather is hot, it can disrupt our sleeping patterns, making it difficult to fall asleep in the first place – and causes us to wake more often during the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep phase.” REM sleep is where we experience intense dreaming, explains Artis – so waking during or at the end of this cycle can mean we are more likely to remember our dreams. “Dreams happen regularly, but are often forgotten and our mind’s way of unpacking the day’s events, dealing with stress and sorting through our day-to-day thoughts,” notes Artis. Our body heat generally peaks in the afternoon then starts to drop over an evening to prepare us for sleep, says Artis. Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is produced when this happens.“An ideal temperature is around 16-18°C and anything around the 24°C mark can cause restlessness,” says Artis. “So, it’s no surprise that when we’re experiencing a heatwave with temperatures reaching over 30°C, it affects our sleep.”Can a heatwave really make dreams more surreal? The connection between heatwaves and the content or nature of dreams is not fully understood. However, there may be a few possible explanations if your dreams seem weirder when the weather heats up – although Seeley points out these are all speculative. First off, he agrees it may have a lot to do with the fact we’re less comfortable and waking more when it’s hot. “These frequent awakenings can interrupt the normal sleep cycle and result in a higher probability of remembering dreams, including the more unusual or vivid ones,” he notes. “So, during a heatwave, the increased frequency of waking up during the night might contribute to a greater recall of strange or funky dreams.” Secondly, the body’s physiological response to heat may influence brain activity, he adds: “Heat can affect neurotransmitter levels, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in regulating mood and emotions. These alterations in neurotransmitter activity might impact the content and emotional tone of dreams, potentially leading to more surreal or bizarre experiences.” Psychological factors could also play a role. Heatwaves can cause restlessness and increased stress levels in some individuals. Seeley adds: “Stress and emotional fluctuations can manifest in dreams as strange or unusual scenarios, as the mind processes and attempts to make sense of these experiences.” Can we stop strange heatwave dreams happening? While it’s probably not possible to completely control the content of our dreams, there are certain strategies you can try to promote better sleep – and potentially reduce the likelihood of experiencing a restless night and unusual dreams during hot weather. Create a cool sleep environment: “Use fans, air conditioning, or open windows to circulate cool air in your bedroom – and consider using lightweight, breathable bedding materials,” says Seeley. Stay hydrated: “Drink enough water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, especially during hot weather,” he continues. “Being adequately hydrated can help maintain a balanced sleep cycle.” Practice relaxation techniques: “Engage in activities that promote relaxation before bed, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or taking a warm bath,” suggests Seeley. “These practices can help calm your mind and promote a more restful sleep.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live What are the royals doing to mark the anniversary of the Queen’s death All the times Kate has channelled the late Queen’s style since her death YouTube begins verifying videos by UK doctors to tackle health misinformation

Severe rainstorms eased but floodwaters were still rising in parts of central Greece Friday, while fire department and military helicopters were plucking people from villages inundated by tons of water and mud that have left at least six dead, six missing and many people clinging to the roofs of their homes, appealing for rescue

By Iain Withers LONDON HSBC will halt commercial payments by business customers to and from Russia and Belarus,

Paige Spiranac said, 'I am having amazing and loyal supporters, followers, people who tune in every single week'

No Nikola Jokic, no problem

Jimmy Fallon has issued an apology after an investigation exposed a string of toxic allegations against the American host. In a report by Rolling Stone, 16 allegations were uncovered from past and present employees of his Tonight Show, with one calling the dressing rooms "crying rooms." They described Fallon's behaviour as "erratic," before suggesting he had "angry" outbursts and they never knew whether they'd have a "good Jimmy day" or a "bad Jimmy day". The claims reportedly led Fallon to issue an apology to staff, saying: "It's embarrassing and I feel so bad. Sorry if I embarrassed you and your family and friends." Now, one X/Twitter user has dug up a 2019 episode of The Tonight Show that featured Steve Martin and Martin Short, in which he says: "This is the greatest show on television because there is no host in late-night who pretends to care as much as you do." The viral post was soon flooded with comments, with one user writing: "At least some celebrities still stand up for what they believe in." Another said: "Jimmy said thank you with pride when Martin Short praised him being phony!! wow hahahaha." "He’s so brilliant," a third commented on Short. "He’s really mastered the art of well-received passive aggressiveness. He’s so diplomatic, but absolutely biting!" Some employees have since jumped to Fallon's defence, with one telling PEOPLE that Fallon is a "really, really positive guy". They continued: "He makes a point of commending you when you do a great job and when he's happy. I've never been belittled, yelled at, nothing like that." Another alleged staff member said they are "really happy to work there right now." In a statement, a spokesperson for NBC wrote: "We are incredibly proud of The Tonight Show, and providing a respectful working environment is a top priority... As in any workplace, we have had employees raise issues; those have been investigated and action has been taken where appropriate." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

By Yelin Mo and Brenda Goh BEIJING/SHANGHAI A new series of smartphones launched by China's Huawei Technologies has

Sophia Bush may have split from Grant Hughes, but she refuses to let one of her wedding dresses go to waste. Bush was one of the attendees at Beyoncé’s last shows as part of her Renaissance World Tour at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Monday 4 September. To abide by the silver dress code the singer set, Bush dug up the dress she wore at the afterparty of her wedding to Grant Hughes. The dress was an ombré paillette mini dress, courtesy of New York City bridal designer Cristina Ottaviano, and originally helped Bush channel the disco ball theme of her wedding afterparty, she told Vogue at the time. The outlet described it as a “wearable disco ball,” and Bush called the afterparty look “very country western glam”. For the concert, she paired the dress with tall black boots and an off-white cowboy hat. “Speaking of @beyonce…” Bush wrote in an Instagram post after she attended the concert. “The queen said ‘wear silver’ and we said ‘yes ma’am.” She continued: “She called her #Renaissance ‘a place to dream/escape/to feel free/adventurous/to create a safe space/without judgement/a place to be free/to scream/release/feel freedom/a beautiful journey/exploration.’ Can confirm.” The silver dress code came from Beyoncé’s request for fans to wear the colour in honour of her birthday on 4 September. The “Cuff It” singer turned 42 on Monday and had asked fans to wear the colour in honour of the zodiac period Virgo season for the final dates of her world tour, which began in May. “Virgo season is upon us,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “This tour has been such a joy and as we approach the last month, my birthday wish is to celebrate with you wearing your most fabulous silver fashions to the show 8.23 – 9.22.” “We’ll surround ourselves in a shimmering human disco ball each night. Everybody mirroring each other’s joy, Virgo season together in the House of Chrome. See you there!” Last month, Bush changed her name on Instagram to remove her married surname Hughes. The switch came amid reports that the two had split after 13 months of marriage. According to People, Bush filed for divorce on 4 August. A source told the outlet: “Sophia and Grant were friends for 10 years and bonded during Covid through their love of community service. They continue to run their nonprofit together and remain good friends.” Less than two months before the reported divorce, Bush had made a tribute post to Hughes in honour of their one-year anniversary. “Best decision of my life,” she wrote in a now-deleted post. “It still feels just like this. Ecstatic. Running toward the future, grinning and laughing, together. I love you, my favourite. Happy Anniversary.” Hughes had also made a post of his own for the special occasion on Instagram, which has since been taken down. “Happy first anniversary, my love,” he wrote. “What a full, beautiful, dynamic, exciting, growth-filled year we’ve had together. I truly love doing life with you!” “As the card I gave you this morning said: ‘There are seven billion people on this planet. You are my favourite.’” After sharing a passage by writer Rachel Signer, he added: “Ecstatically excited for all the adventures ahead!” Before Hughes, the actress had previously married her One Tree Hill co-star Chad Michael Murray in 2005. The couple divorced in 2006. Read More Sophia Bush called ‘TV prostitute’ at Chicago bar by man who told her she was ‘piece of meat’ One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush changes name after ‘filing for divorce’ from husband Sophia Bush pulls out of 2:22 A Ghost Story as replacement announced Sophia Bush repurposes wedding dress for Beyoncé concert after Grant Hughes split Kanye West’s ‘wife’ Bianca Censori sparks confusion after covering outfit with pillow Kanye West’s Italian summer – boat bans, ‘wedding crashing’ and questionable outfits

Sophie Turner's divorce from Joe Jonas is getting ugly, Joe Burrow got a massive new contract, the Lions beat the Chiefs and more in the Roundup.

Tristan Tate reveals he eats 10 raw eggs and smokes a cigarette for breakfast

Russia as a country has no place at the 2024 Paris Olympics and no Russian flag should be used at next year's Games, French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Fiji selected Teti Tela at flyhalf in place of the injured Caleb Muntz for its opening Rugby World Cup pool game against Wales on Sunday