
Brits struggle with mental health due to cost of living crisis
People in Edinburgh, Leicester and Glasgow are struggling the most with their mental health - due to the cost of living crisis. A poll of 2,000 adults found 27 per cent have really taken a hit when it comes to their wellbeing, because of a lack of finances. Newcastle, London and Leeds are other key cities where people are most affected. Cutting down on socialising, gym memberships and nutritious food to save money are reasons why so many feel disheartened and worried about their mental wellbeing. And 40 per cent are dreading the winter as they are unsure if they will be able to afford energy bills to heat their home. The survey was commissioned by British Gas, which is working with Professor Green to raise awareness of the struggles so many are facing and highlight the free support available in the new phase of the British Gas Post Office Pop-Ups. The musician and mental health advocate said: “As a parent your first instinct is to protect and provide, and when you’re doing everything you can, and that’s still not enough, it has a profound impact on your mental health. “Shame, stigma and fear can keep people from speaking up for help, but it’s the best thing you can do – for yourself, your family and your community. “Stress and anxiety breed in uncertainty so I really encourage you to visit a British Gas Post Office Pop-Up or contact the British Gas Energy Trust to help you gain confidence in, and control of, your future.“ The research found 14 per cent of adults are cutting back on how often they shower to lower their bills, and 21 per cent aren’t buying birthday gifts for loved ones. One in 20 (five per cent) say their kids are missing out on new toys. Just over half (55 per cent) believe their mental health would definitely improve if they were more financially stable. People in Manchester were found to be most likely to skip using heat or electricity to keep their homes warm. But those in Edinburgh were most likely to report that they have had issues with money that have led to incurring additional debt, like credit cards. Only 27 per cent of all adults polled via OnePoll are confident they are accessing all the benefits they may be entitled to when it comes to support with their energy bills. One in 10 also believe the rising cost of energy has caused them a great deal of additional stress. And 25 per cent baldly state they are expecting to struggle to pay their energy bills through the rest of the year. Nearly the same amount (24 per cent) said the current cost of living crisis has been just as bad for their mental health as the Covid-19 pandemic. British Gas Energy Trust CEO Jessica Taplin said: “Debt and money stresses are debilitating, which is why we are delighted to be offering money and energy advisors funded by us in Post Offices across the country. “Working with an artist like Professor Green can really help raise awareness, and let people know it’s good to talk about the things that are worrying them.” Read More Voguewashing London Fashion Week won’t pay the wages of Britain’s young fashion designers What is happening to local government finances and why are councils struggling? ‘School staff seeing more students who do not have enough dinner money’ Nearly a fifth of parents fear children will ignore health issues while at university How often should you wash your pyjamas? ‘My baby’s blue eyes drew praise – but their colour was a warning sign’
2023-09-19 22:48

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Sam Bankman-Fried to argue for release from NY jail two weeks before trial
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Influencer Morgan Osman becomes the new Tiffany Gomas with 'Instagram famous' plane rant
An influencer has been publicly shamed for boasting about her dubious celebrity status during a furious rant. Morgan Osman, 35, from Miami Florida, was filmed in the midst of a heated exchange with fellow passengers on board an American Airlines flight when she touted her “star” credentials. The video shows Osman pulling a suitcase from an overhead locker as she tells a man off-camera “Call me a b***h again.” “I did nothing wrong,” she then argues before telling the man and “[his] b***h” to “shut the f**k up”. Walking down the aisle, she spots the flyer who’s recording her and fumes sarcastically: “Film me, I’m Instagram famous, you f**king bum.” Her behaviour was met with mocking laughs from onlookers and ridicule on social media after the video was uploaded to Reddit and Twitter/X. Viewers were quick to point out that they’d never heard of the fashionista who has some 967,000 Insta followers. However, at the time of writing, her account on the platform was “no longer available”. “Lmfao at Instagram famous,” one Twitter/X user wrote. “I’m going to start telling people I’m Monopoly rich.” “What’s great about this new plane lady discourse is that she says ‘STFU, I’m Instagram famous” while in Economy,” another pointed out. “Instagram isn’t Real Life. Oops.” The 35-year-old is perhaps best known for appearing on season 5 of the US reality TV show The Bad Girls Club. But, according to one fan site, she was swiftly booted off early on in the series for breaking into the producer’s room. She also caused a stir for claiming to have secretly dated Britney Spears’s now-ex-husband Sam Asghari shortly after they began their relationship in 2017. Osman shared and quickly deleted a photo showing her locking lips with a man who resembled Asghari and said he was “using Britney”, the New York Post reports. It’s not clear what prompted her viral plane altercation but it’s not the first time an American Airlines passenger has made headlines for jaw-dropping behaviour. A woman who was later identified as Tiffany Gomas shot to internet notoriety for a bizarre outburst in which she uttered the now immortal words “that motherf**ker is not real.” The 38-year-old marketing executive subsequently addressed her actions in a video statement, admitting that they were “completely unacceptable”. However, she has also urged viewers to appreciate that “we all have our bad moments” and has since rebranded herself as a motivational mental health guru. We’re all now waiting to see how Osman will respond now that she really is Instagram – and internet famous. 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.
2023-09-19 16:52

How often should you wash your pyjamas?
We all have our favourite pair of PJs we come back to – time after time. Some of us may even have special pyjamas for lounging around in and feeling comfy when snuggled up with Netflix on the sofa. But because they’re only worn inside the house and for sleeping (well, most of the time), the rules can seem different when it comes to PJ maintenance. So, how often should we be washing them and switching to a clean pair? Do you need to wash your pyjamas daily? “You might be surprised to know the answer is no!” says cleaning and laundry expert Laura Mountford, author of Live, Laugh, Laundry. “Like all of our clothing, many of us may be guilty of washing our pyjamas too frequently, or perhaps not enough. But in reality, pyjamas should be washed after every two or three wears. Washing them after every wear, unless they are actually stained, smelly or sweaty, is unnecessary – a waste of money, water and energy,” Mountford adds. She suggests pyjamas can be left to air between wears, and this should be sufficient for them to freshen up ready for the next night – so putting them under your pillow probably isn’t the best idea. Should you wash them more in the summer? “I wash my pyjamas more in the summer when the nights are hot,” says Mountford, “as sweat can cause bacteria growth, which will make them smell. And nobody wants to snuggle into bed in sweaty pyjamas, do they?” What’s the most hygienic way to wash your pyjamas? Sophie Lane, product training manager at Miele GB, says: “Wash pyjamas at the highest temperature the fabric can cope with – check the garment care label. This will deliver the most hygienic clean. Detergent is also important to achieving good results.” Are different materials more or less hygienic? Natural fabrics like cotton are the most hygienic, suggests Mountford, as they are breathable, so bacteria and sweat builds up less quickly compared to manmade fabrics like polyester. Lane agrees, adding: “Cotton is also extremely durable and can withstand high temperature washes. Bamboo is another good fabric option for pyjamas. It’s very breathable whilst being effective at thermal regulating, to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It’s also anti-bacterial, hypo-allergenic and odour-resistant.” What happens if you don’t wash pyjamas regularly? Mountford says: “Most of us wear our pyjamas for eight hours each night, so not washing them frequently enough can cause bacteria to grow, making them smelly and unhygienic… not very cosy at all. This may reduce the quality of your sleep,” she adds – noting it could result in “skin irritation” too. Does it make a difference if you shower before bed or in the morning? “Showering before bed keeps your pyjamas and bedding fresher for longer, as you are jumping into bed with a clean body, having already removed the dirt, bacteria and allergens from the day,” says Mountford. “Not showering before bed will cause these particles to be transferred onto your nightwear and bedding, which will cause them to get dirty and smelly more quickly.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Beginner’s guide to buying second-hand furniture These are the best shorter daffodils to plant now for spring – according to RHS trials Do I need to treat my garden furniture before storing it for winter?
2023-09-19 15:52

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