Trump is expected to get Noem endorsement while headlining rally in South Dakota
President Donald Trump heads to South Dakota on Friday for a campaign rally, where he is expected to receive the endorsement of South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem.
2023-09-08 18:18
Factbox-Nikki Haley: Who is the Republican 2024 presidential hopeful?
Republican presidential contender Nikki Haley, the former U.S. ambassador to the UN, has received a bump in opinion
2023-09-08 18:17
Georgia grand jury report on Trump election interference to be released Friday
By Joseph Ax The final report from a special grand jury that investigated Donald Trump's attempts to overturn
2023-09-08 18:15
This is why you have weird dreams in the heatwave
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 All the times Kate has channelled the late Queen’s style since her death It’s not just dry skin: 5 things everyone needs to know about eczema YouTube begins verifying videos by UK doctors to tackle health misinformation
2023-09-08 17:45
Hulk Hogan shares with Joe Rogan 'never-admitted' truth about legendary surfer Laird Hamilton
'Could you imagine riding one of those waves, bro? The rush?' Hulk Hogan asked
2023-09-08 17:29
'I don't think you're ever the first choice': Sir Ian McKellen almost missed out on The Lord of the Rings
Sir Ian McKellen has revealed that he wasn't the first choice to play Gandalf in 'The Lord of the Rings' franchise and got the part after Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Sean Connery turned it down.
2023-09-08 17:28
'Just respect for a master': Guillermo del Toro wants cinema release for William Friedkin's last film
Guillermo del Toro has called for the 'The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial' to be released in cinemas as a tribute to director William Friedkin - who passed away aged 87 last month.
2023-09-08 17:22
Hurricane Lee strengthens to Category 5 storm in Atlantic as East Coast impact still uncertain
Hurricane Lee is expected to continue strengthening Friday after quickly morphing into a powerful Category 5 storm that is now packing destructive maximum sustained winds of 165 mph as it spins hundreds of miles east of the Caribbean, the National Hurricane Center said in its 5 a.m. ET advisory.
2023-09-08 17:22
Exclusive: How the Supreme Court's conservatives rebuffed Alabama
When the Supreme Court considered the challenge to an Alabama congressional map that shortchanged the state's Black voters, liberal justices expected the conservative majority to side with Alabama -- if not gut the 1965 Voting Rights Act altogether.
2023-09-08 17:17
Dave Portnoy brands Larry Sinclair one of 'least trustworthy humans ever' after Tucker Carlson interview
Larry Sinclair, the convicted criminal who claimed to have had drug fuelled sex with Barack Obama in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, has been slammed by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy. Blogger and businessman Portnoy, whose website has become one of the best read sports news sources in the US, said he met Sinclair at Carlson’s studio when he was filming his own interview with the fired Fox News host. He said: “I would trust Anna Delvey before I trusted anything Larry Sinclair said,” referring to the famous con artist on whose life the recent TV show Inventing Anna was based. “Top to bottom maybe the least trustworthy human I've ever laid eyes on. I’d say his story has 0.0% of being true and that’s generous.” Carlson’s interview with Sinclair aired on Wednesday, in which Sinclair repeated longstanding, unfounded claims that he used cocaine and had sex with the former President twice. Sinclair’s claims refer to supposed incidents in 1999, when the politician was working in the Illinois government and already had a public profile, just before his meteoric rise in the 2000s. The claims have never been verified, despite Sinclair repeating them since 2008, when Obama was running for his first term as president. They are compounded by the fact Sinclair has a long criminal record dating back to the 1980s. Convictions include counts of forgery, fraud and larceny. He has served time in prison in Arizona, Florida and Colorado. Despite all of this, Carlson has described Sinclair’s claims as “credible information that [Obama is] smoking crack and having sex with dudes”. Even Elon Musk, the X/Twitter owner whose platform has given Carlson a new lease of life since he was fired from Fox News earlier this year, seemed thrown by the bizarre interview. He tweeted: “Of course, the probability that [Sinclair’s] claims are true would have to rest on objective evidence, rather than claims made by someone with a dubious history.” Sign up to 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.
2023-09-08 16:58
Colorado Rapids president reveals next steps after Robin Fraser sacking
Colorado Rapids club president Padraig Smith is on the search for a new head coach.
2023-09-08 16:53
'Today’ host Hoda Kotb leaves Jenna Bush Hager and NBC producers red-faced with off-script NSFW question
Christopher Meloni recently paid a visit to 'Today With Hoda & Jenna', where the co-hosts asked the actor about the wild Peloton ad he did last year
2023-09-08 16:51
