An expert has provided some advice for those looking to treat themselves to a cold water plunge on Boxing Day.
It has become something of a trend for people to take a dip into open water in fancy dress over the Christmas period, for whatever reason.
You can count me out, to be honest.
Now, a doctor has spoken about the health effects of dipping into icy cold waters, revealing whether it’s really the best idea or not.
Not to state the blatantly obvious, but a fair share of risks come with diving into open water in this freezing (occasionally Arctic, let’s be honest) weather.
More people are choosing to go for ‘winter swims’ (Getty Stock Photo)
GP Dr Nisa Aslam spoke to InYourArea about cold water swimming, noting that there are ‘health benefits’ which can help with the ‘release of feel good brain chemicals’, a positive for your mental health and cardiovascular system.
Diving into colder waters, known as ‘winter swimming’ or ‘ice swimming’, is for those who really enjoy it, though the health professional says that there is some preparation that people should take.
Recommending that people go in groups for safety, she added: “Don’t jump into cold water, rather wade in slowly up to your waist, dip your shoulders into the water then swim.”
So, what exactly happens to our bodies if we go for a cool, winter dip? Let’s go organ by organ for this extreme sport.
I don’t know how people do it either (Getty Stock Photo)
Lungs
There is a sensation when you jump into a cold pool and you feel like you can’t breathe – this is called ‘cold shock’, and it happens to even the most experienced swimmers.
This is because your lungs contract, which could be followed by hyperventilation and loss of breathing control if you’re not careful, Dr Aslam explains.
Though scary, all you need to do is focus on and control your breathing.
Heart
Dr Aslam explains: “Your heart rate, blood pressure and output of blood from the heart – cardiac output – increase rapidly.”
It isn’t anything to worry about if you’re healthy, but if you haven’t done something like this before, or have a full stomach or had some drinks prior, you may want to sit this one out.
Skin
The cold temperature can change your complexion ever so slightly, resulting in ‘swimmers tan’.
GP Dr Rhianna McClymont gave her expert opinion, explaining: “Due to the increased heart rate and blood flow, your skin will get a healthy glow for a short time after you’ve finished.”
Swimming on your own in colder waters may not be the best choice (Getty Stock Photo)
Brain
Swimming in cold water can result in your brain producing more endorphins, which helps us feel good and even relieve pain, as they kick in to fight against stressful feelings we may get.
Dr McClymont explains: “This kind of activity has also been shown to be beneficial for our mental health too. Regular cold water swimming can help us to cope better with different types of stress, as the body starts to learn how to regulate our stress hormones.”
She added that the ‘increase in adrenaline’ from being in colder water can ‘create a feeling of euphoria’, improving our overall mood.
Limbs
Dr Aslam, explains: “Blood vessels in the periphery – such as the skin, feet, toes, hands and fingers – constrict. It’s a response which is the result of the action of ‘cold receptors’ in the periphery peaking after 30 seconds, with adaptation taking a couple of minutes or so.”
So, what happens next?
After the first two minutes of exposure, you enter the second phase of short-term exposure.
Dr Aslam says: “During this phase, the muscle and nerve function is affected, particularly in the arms, head and neck.
“Biochemical activity in the body cells, muscles and nerves is interrupted. As the muscles cool further, there may be an increased sense of pain.”
There is a sweet spot which cold water fans look for, between immersion and the mind-numbing cold, which is said to feel freeing.
When you stop feeling cold, you should get out, walk around and rub yourself down, and have some warm clothes and a hot drink at the ready.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Photo Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Topics: Health, Lifestyle, Christmas, Mental Health, Sport
Joshua Nair
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Published 10:50 24 Dec 2024 GMT
Expert issues warning to those planning on using their air fryers on Christmas Day
A Michelin-trained chef has given Brits some useful advice to remember while using air fryers this Christmas
A professional chef, that’s Michelin-trained nonetheless, has issued a warning to Brits looking to cook their Christmas dinners up in their air fryers.
British culinary master Poppy O’Toole is, like many of us, a fan of the air fryer – it might be one of the best pieces of technology to come out of the 21st century (not to be dramatic or anything).
But, despite loving all the delicious meals it can cook up and one of her cookbooks being dedicated to making ‘delicious’ air fryer recipes that are easy to do, she wants everyone to be wary of one thing.
The Celeb Cooking School star is aware that people might rely on their kitchen appliances in general over the Christmas period, even admitting that she will be using hers on 25 December.
Poppy O’Toole has given some advice to Brits over using their air fryers on Christmas Day (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
It’s tough to fit a turkey and all the trimmings in the oven as it is, especially if you have more mouths than most to feed.
Speaking last year, O’Toole said that she would be feeding ‘a lot of people’ on Christmas, so the air fryer can play a part.
“There’s not enough space to do everything, but what it’s really good at is giving you the capability to do more stuff at the same time,” she said, as per The Independent.
“So you’re not just relying on the oven and the hob – you’ve also got this other piece of equipment, which is amazing at cooking things and it can be done quicker and more energy efficiently.”
But O’Toole warned that it is all too easy to ruin Christmas dinner if you take your eye off the ball.
The social media star has shared her top tips to securing a slap-up festive feast while using your air fryer.
Put a timer on
Firstly, even though it may seem obvious, make sure you put a timer on. When your knee deep in wrapping paper and still in your pjs, you’d be surprised how easily it slips your mind.
O’Toole said: “I’ve done that a few times, where I’ve gone, it comes out in 20 minutes or whatever and you go, ‘Yeah, I’ll come back in a few minutes, it’ll be fine’.
“And I’ve left it in there the whole time and it’s burned to a crisp.”
You might want to remember these points when using your air fryer this Christmas (Getty Stock Image)
Don’t overcrowd
And although you might be feeding the five thousand or in a bit of a rush, the chef urged Brits to not ‘overcrowd’ their air fryers.
O’Toole added: “It can be very easy to throw it all in, ‘it’ll be fine’. But it doesn’t work that way – the whole point is that the air circulation gets around everything, so it needs a gap where that can happen.”
Keep it clean
She also encouraged people to prepare their air fryers for a cooking marathon on Christmas Day with a spring clean.
“I don’t wash it enough, I don’t clean it enough,” O’Toole confessed.
“I end up getting these little dark bits on the rest of my food, which is fine when you’re cooking for yourself – that doesn’t matter.
“But when you’re cooking for other people, if you’ve got family coming over, you want to make sure it’s the best. So make sure in between each thing you cook, you give it a little wipe down.”Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Christmas, Food And Drink, Hacks, Technology, Air Fryers
Joshua Nair
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Updated 11:44 24 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 12:39 23 Dec 2024 GMT
Baby Guinness warning issued to millions of Brits this Christmas
A popular little tipple this time of year – but millions need to realise what they’re drinking
It’s one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the United Kingdom, with countless more set to be drank as Christmas finally arrives.
But it comes with a significant warning to millions of Brits who are partial to the odd micro glass of the black stuff.
Unless you have been living under a rock, no, Baby Guinness is not the same as the product made by Arthur Guinness way back in 1759.
It’s actually something you can easily make at home, unlike a creamy pint of the original drink it’s named after.
Millions cannot drink it if it’s made with a particular coffee liqueur (Getty Stock Images)
Created in a shot glass, it it made up primarily of coffee liqueur before being topped with Irish cream. And voila, you’ve got something looking a lot like a tiny glass of Guinness (if you can pour it correctly, anyway).
It’s incredibly fun and is god damn delicious, so it is no surprise it’s loved by millions across the country.
But for those saying slainte before knocking one back, better check what coffee liqueur is being used.
That’s only if you’re a vegetarian or vegan; of which there are around 5.6 million.
So many of them (Getty Stock Images)
Unfortunately for those who follow either of these lifestyles, one of the major coffee liqueur brands in the UK does not fit into said lifestyle.
You’re all good if you’re on the Tia Maria, which uses coffee beans, cane spirit, vanilla, and sugar alongside a ‘vegan-certified’ supply and manufacturing process.
Sorry if you’ve been having Kahlua, though; it doesn’t not hold either vegan or vegetarian status.
It’s not to do with the ingredients. Rather, the creation process.
“We can clarify that Kahlúa is not directly manufactured with any animal derivatives,” a spokesperson from Kahlúa’s parent company Pernod Ricard said this year.
“However, it’s important to note that a bone char filtration process, which does involve contact with animal derivatives, is employed by one of our sugar suppliers during refinement.
“This widely accepted practice in the sugar industry currently prevents us from categorising Kahlúa as suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.”
It’s also used to make espresso martinis (Getty Stock Images)
Kahlúa has in fact not been vegan since 2016; although it’s clear not everyone was aware going by reaction on social media.
In an additional statement from earlier this year, Kahlúa explained: “We can confirm that Kahlúa is NOT suitable for vegetarians or vegans. This is because of the sugar refinement.
“It appears there was some confusion as, prior to 2016, Kahlúa was deemed suitable. At this time, Kahlúa is not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.”
Kahlúa is also used by some in espresso martinis, so you better check next time you order one.Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Food And Drink, Alcohol, Christmas, Vegan, Vegetarian, Health, Lifestyle
Tom Earnshaw
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Published 17:38 17 Jun 2024 GMT+1
New study issues serious warning to anyone that regularly goes to sleep after 1am
Experts analysed sleep and health data from 73,888 people in the UK, and it’s worrying what they found
We all know that one person who goes to sleep way too late every single night.
It could be because of a hectic work life, or perhaps your newborn just won’t allow you to take a proper rest.
Whatever the reason is though, waiting till beyond 1am to go to sleep really isn’t good for you, according to a new study.
A sample size of 73,888 people in the UK was used, as experts looked at the trend in overall sleep and health quality from that data.
Many of us are guilty of doing this late at night. (Getty Stock Image)
Study limitations
The people who were used in the study were mostly of white ethnicity, and middle-aged or older, says Dr. Indira Gurubhagavatula, a professor of medicine in the division of Sleep Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, US, who was not involved in the study in any way.
“And the way they decided which chronotype you are came from a single question, although they did use one that has been validated,” Gurubhagavatula told HuffPost.
“But typically how we assess morningness or eveningness is with a much more thorough questionnaire that has a lot more detailed questions.”
The dangers of sleeping after 1am
Results from the study showed that people who go to bed after 1am are more likely to experience mental health issues – such as anxiety and depression – than those who go to bed before that time.
“So, for example, maybe you can chew gum, you can talk, you can walk, but the frontal lobe of the brain is very vulnerable to sleep deprivation,” explained Dr. Gurubhagavatula.
Scrolling through TikTok at 1am… yep, we’ve all been there. (Getty Stock Image)
“So, our ability to not swing wildly from one emotion to the other ― that ability to inhibit ourselves ― becomes impaired under conditions of sleep deprivation or staying up very late at night.
“Then it can lead to more negativity, more anxiety … because the higher brain functions that would regulate those emotions are more dulled.”
What to do if you work a late shift
Dr. Gurubhagavatula claims that napping is very important and can be very useful – as long as you keep your naps between 20 – 30 minutes.
“One type of nap is called a strategic nap, which happens during the shift when you know that you have a slump period where it’s so hard to stay awake, your eyes are just going to close,” Dr. Gurubhagavatula said.
“It will be very efficient to use that time to grab a nap if you can. And then the other thing is what’s called a preemptive nap.
“So before the shift even starts, you go into the shift as well rested as you can be.”
Click on the following link if you would like to take a look at the full study – Perils of the nighttime: Impact of behavioral timing and preference on mental health in 73,888 community-dwelling adultsFeatured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Sleep, Health, Mental Health
Anish Vij
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Updated 15:38 17 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 15:31 17 Dec 2024 GMT
Expert issues warning to people who try to ‘split the G’ in Guinness challenge
If you want to ‘split the G’ this Christmas, there’s a warning…
Dublin has opened a hidden bar where you can drink Guinness with a special twist.
Located on the fourth floor of The Guinness Storehouse, a hidden bar has been set up next door to the famous STOUTie experience, allowing visitors to enjoy a pint of the black stuff with their own face on it.
Colm O’Connor, beer expert at the Storehouse, explained what makes this experience so special: “We call it Snug Nollaig and ‘Nollaig’ is the Irish word for Christmas. It’s cosy, inviting and representative of what Irish pubs are all about.
Ever tried the famous STOUTie experience? (Guinness Storehouse)
“It’s a hidden gem – somewhere where you can sit away from the hoards and have a nice conversation with your friends.”
You can continue the festive fun across seven floors, including a highlight for many – the famous Gravity Bar, with panoramic 360⁰ views of Dublin city.
With Christmas just around the corner, Colm shared some tips for enjoying a Guinness during the holidays and pointed out two common mistakes people make.
“Number one would be not waiting for those 300 million bubbles to settle,” he explained.
A ‘hidden gem’ of a bar can be found on the fourth floor of The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin (Guinness Storehouse)
“People might drink it mid-flow and you’re short changing yourself because you are going to be tasting those nitrated bubbles which in terms of flavour are to be avoided.
“Mistake number two that we might see from time to time is that people are not taking a big mouthful. It’s very important to get past the white part and into the dark body of the beer. The white part is not where the flavour is.
“To access that, you’re going to have to leave that trace of white on your upper lip in the form of a fetching moustache and have those core flavours where they should be – down the hatch!”
It’s everything you could possibly want from a pub (Guinness Storehouse)
Colm also weighed in on the Guinness challenge, and issued a warning to people who try to ‘split the G’.
“You’ve got to drink our beer responsibly. Enjoy it in moderation. Drinking and enjoying Guinness should not be a competition. It’s there for everybody to enjoy. Enjoy it at your own pace but certainly take a big mouthful!”
The Guinness Storehouse’s Christmas Experience runs until January 5. For more information or to book exclusive tours and experiences, click here to buy tickets.