How Did It Develop?

Hair transplants date back to 1939 when the first one was completed. A surgeon in Japan transplanted individual scalp hairs from one part of a man’s head to another. The results were pretty good, but it did take some time before the new “plug” technique was invented. This surgical technique required surgeons to transplant larger groups or “tufts” of hair. Although it worked, it looked unnatural. Thankfully, the use of tiny grafts took over, and is now the preferred method today, because it’s both effective and natural-looking. No one will know that you had hair transplant surgery.

Do They Really Work?

The short answer here is yes – hair transplants really do work. In fact, in four months after the procedure, around 75% of the hair that has been moved from one part of the scalp to another will have grown back. Since this hair is yours and is now permanently in a new spot on the top of your head, it won’t fall out and it can be styled naturally. You don’t have to treat that transplanted hair any differently once your scalp has healed.

Do I Qualify For A Hair Transplant?

According to the experts at Sure Hair International, hair transplants won’t help people with certain conditions. For example, if you have a lot of scarring on your scalp, the grafts won’t take. In addition, if you lost all of your hair due to a medical condition or round of treatments, like chemotherapy, then it won’t really help your situation. On top of this, if you have lost too much hair and have more scalp showing that you have hair, then the transplant won’t work. You need to have some hair that can be transplanted in order for the surgery to work properly.

What About Other Treatment Methods?

There are plenty of other treatments out there that do work, but they have a massive downside – you need to continually take, use, or apply them. For example, if you use Rogaine and it helps restore some of your hair growth, you need to keep using it for the rest of your life, because the effects will stop once you quit. The same goes for all of the other non-surgical methods as well. When you add up their costs over a lifetime, it’s easy to see why a hair transplant, which is permanent, is the best solution.

The current situation

The general consensus appears to be the adults in the UK are overworked. Maintaining a healthy balance between home and work life seems to become more difficult as we get older, with statistics showing that the younger the employee, the less likely they are to identify work-life balance as an important part of their job. The task of juggling a family alongside a job is also difficult for many to manage with statistics revealing that 75% of working parents suffer stress and anxiety as a result of their work-life balance management.

Although some businesses aim to operate at maximum capacity, this can take its toll. Research found that as a person’s weekly hours increase, so do their feelings of unhappiness. Of course, this is no surprise. Even for those who don’t work long hours, there is still the issue of ‘switching off’ and disconnecting from what’s happened at the office. In fact, one third of European workers said that a bad day at work affected their personal life.

As we work more, we find that we have less time to spend with those we love, less time to focus on accomplishing goals that aren’t work-related and less time to pursue our hobbies and dreams. But, many of us feel as though there’s nothing we can do about it.

How do people manage in other countries?

In comparison to our western European counterparts, Britain has the worst work-life balance. What can we learn from our foreign neighbours?

It seems as though workers in other countries have more free time to spend outside of work. In Belgium, employees have an average of 8.6 hours of free time per day compared to their 7.4-hour work days, and Netherlands are enjoying the shortest working week at only 30.3 hours. Denmark only spend 6.6 hours at work each day with 8.8 hours each day to spend how they wish, and Austrians are encouraged to start the weekend early with 3pm finishes implemented around the country. Many Germans are able to relax on a Sunday too, as stores are regulated so that they close on Sundays. All of these extra hours add up it seems, with Britons working 325 hours more per year than workers in Germany.

Unlike UK workers who often work with only half an hour to an hour break per day, foreign employees are encouraged to take multiple breaks throughout the day. The Spanish are famous for their midday siestas which began as an effort to sleep through the hottest period of the day in warmer climates. Although new laws mean that shops have to remain open without a break for naps, some workers still follow the siesta tradition. Or, they take long coffee and lunch breaks with colleagues — something that is widely accepted by employers. Finland also take on the approach that long breaks are good for everyone, and their workers enjoy extra-long lunch breaks that are one to two hours long! If you visited Sweden on business, you’d probably be invited to join them for ‘fika’ — this is a late morning coffee that offices pause to enjoy at around 11am.

Other regulations that help maintain a healthy work-life balance include:

• Belgians are able to take a full month off work to coincide with school breaks.
• Spanish workers have a holiday allowance of 30 days.
• France introduced a law in 2017 that gave workers the ‘right to disconnect’ from after-work emails.
• Swedish workers enjoy 16 months of paid family leave

What can we do?

Although we can’t change the regulations of our workplace, there are some things that we can do to help manage our work-life balance.

Enquire with your employer about splitting up your break. Research has proven that taking regular breaks can improve your productivity, and it therefore could be something that they will support. Split your hour break up into half an hour and two 15-minute breaks to decrease the amount of time spent at your desk at one time. Get some fresh air or spend time talking to family on the phone, taking a small action like this could reduce your stress levels.

A long commute can lead to stress and depression according to one study. This is one reason to propose flexi-time at your office, where you can skip the traffic at each side of your day and do something more productive. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone. You could make your commute feel more productive though, by listening to a podcast or audio book that can reduce the stress of rush-hour traffic. Alternatively, going to a gym class near to your work can mean that you miss the bulk of the busy traffic and allows you to fit some exercise into your day as well!

Although it can be difficult, restrict yourself on checking emails when you’ve finished work. Think of the long-term issues that mixing home and work life can have and aim to check your emails only for ten minutes on an evening instead of an hour. This is the same for working overtime, unless entirely necessary, make sure you are sticking to the number of hours that you’re contracted to. This can not only affect your mental health but can lead to employers expecting this behaviour at all times.

Make sure you’re using your annual holidays to recharge and spend time with family. We’re all guilty of using our holidays to run errands or do something that we’ve been putting off, but this isn’t always helpful for our work-life balance. Although we need to do this now and then, annual leave should be used to recuperate, relax and enjoy time away from the office so try to focus on this.

As we can see, the current situation is not great for UK workers. But, there are some small changes that you can make. From splitting up your break to making the most of your holidays, being conscious of finding a good split between the office and spare time is the first step to improving your work-life balance.

This article was brought to you by CT Shirts, retailers of fitted men’s shirts.

Here are some reasons why you should keep learning as you age:

For the emotional boost

When we learn something new, we have a nice little boost to our self-esteem. We naturally feel more confident, stronger, and proud of ourselves. These new skills can help you feel more independent- especially if you’re forced to rely on others for help to get around or to complete day-to-day tasks.

Now you have time

When you’re working full-time, raising kids, and dealing with all of life’s ups and downs, you often don’t have time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. Once you’re retired, you’re blessed with more than enough time to learn more skills. If you’ve always wanted to pick up a new hobby, now is the perfect time to get started.

It’s good for your brain

The saying ‘use it or lose it’ couldn’t be more on point when it comes to your brain function. And seniors who keep learning are able to stay mentally sharp for longer. When you choose an activity that requires you to be mentally engaged, you’re rewarded with better long-term memory and increased cognitive ability.

It improves your social health

While keeping your mind sharp and active is key for cognitive functions, it can also positively impact your social life. When you’re constantly learning, you’ll feel more capable, you’ll often meet new, like-minded people, and you’ll feel more connected with your community.

It safeguards your mind

Studies have shown that people who prioritize learning at all ages are less likely to be impacted by dementia- and it can even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s. From learning a language to learning an instrument, or even taking an art or cooking class, there are many enjoyable ways to ensure you’re continually learning as you grow older.

It prevents boredom

Let’s face it: The more time on our hands, the more likely we are to suffer from boredom. If you’re hoping to keep boredom at bay, choosing to keep learning is a great way to do this.

People who buy mattresses online tend to have a better experience. They don’t feel cornered into a corner by pushy sales staff, and they’re able to do more research for a mattress that better suits their needs. It leads to a more enjoyable experience, and online buyers even say that the mattresses they buy online are more durable and comfortable than store bought ones.

So as you’re looking for that new mattress online, here are some things to keep in mind:

Reviews

People who buy an average product online usually don’t take the time to write a review. It’s mostly only people who have bad or good things to say. Look for patterns with their comments because it will usually highlight flaws with the mattresses. Of course, it’s very important to already know the specifications of the best mattress for your own needs.

Third-party certifiers

Not all online reviews are written with good intentions. Many can be edited by the company, or are written by people–or even bots, hired to leave glowing reviews. Look for a company that verifies reviews by third-party certifiers. That way reviews can’t be tampered with after they’re posted, nor can reviews be posted en mass by hired writers. We recommend sites like Sleep Junkie for trustworthy reviews and advice for buying online.

Warranty

Like any product, ensure to pay attention to the warranty. It’s a good idea to know some background on the company you’re interested in buying a mattress from. Many mattress manufacturers are new on the market. Not all will last long enough to fulfil the terms of their warranty.

Return policy

What sets online retailers and manufacturers apart from physical stores, is their return policy. Online stores that sell mattresses have made their success by offering return policies that are free and easy. Reviewers who have bought mattresses online but aren’t pleased with the product are overwhelmingly pleased with how easy it is to return them.

How long is the trial

Keep in mind that one big difference between online and physical stores is the trial period that you’re allowed to use the mattress for. Many physical stores have a 100-day return policy, while online stores only offer 30 day periods. Realistically though, your back and perhaps those bags under your eyes will be able to tell after just a few days if it’s a good mattress or not. You won’t lose any sleep over returning it.

So if you’re online looking for that perfect new mattress right now, enjoy the peace of mind knowing that a pushy salesperson isn’t going to burst in and force a purchase on you that you’ll regret. Remember to look for reviews that are third-party certified to fully understand what you’re getting.

To navigate the turbulent world that is the beauty industry with its endless supply of makeup and skin care products, you’ll need all the help you can get! Discover the latest trends, understand what to look for and find the perfect gift for your friends, loved ones or that special someone.

More is More

Go big or go home this holiday season! Christmas comes around once a year and is the perfect excuse to be extravagant, spoiling those you love with the most luxurious gifts you can find.

Dazzle them with a limited edition fragrance, a cologne, the perfect addition to their beauty repertoire and just what they’ll need to gain the extra boost of confidence that they’ll truly treasure during the festive season.

Discover too a range of warm, exotic or bright and sparkly scents. And don’t forget to go the distance and explore some deluxe candles and home fragrances which will be a sure delightful surprise.

Explore Renewal

It’s unpredictable the effects that the weather can have on your skin, hair and whole holiday season experience. While prevention may be the best option you have to protect yourself against nature, there may come a time when renewal and an uplift are much needed before your natural barriers can again be reinforced.

A gift to nurture the hair will without a doubt be appreciated. Look for natural shampoo and conditioners that have repair and protection capabilities. With this, you’ll be gifting more than just the products, you’ll be providing the gift of stronger, healthier hair.

Top it off with some lavish skin care products. From moisturisers to serums, lotions and creams, the options are endless. Find the right product, tailored to the needs of each individual.

Gorgeous Little Luxuries

While going all out and splurging on your gift purchases may be exactly your style, a smaller budget might dictate that this isn’t possible or responsible. In this case, shoot for some smaller price tags on items that are just as wonderful.

From mascaras to eyeshadows, eyeliners, foundations and more, an individual makeup item for everyone on your list can go a long way. Don’t be afraid to give small gifts, and remember that it’s the thought that counts.

Limited Edition Favourites

What about for those with a medium level budget you ask? We’ve got you covered too. Maybe a luxury gift is a little too high and out of your ability to obtain and maybe a smaller gift just won’t do it.

Enter, the limited edition holiday makeup collections. Often filled with a range of cosmetic sets, palettes and an assortment of items, you can’t go wrong venturing into the land of limited collections. It’s the perfect way to make someone feel special and unique.

Don’t Forget the Classics

Finally if you’re still struggling, the safest route for you to take is to pursue the classics. Whether it’s a retro matte lipstick you’re after or a luxury moisturiser has piqued your interest, these are the items that definitely won’t fail you.

Look to the established brands and their best selling products for some inspiration.

Bridalwear

Have you ever wondered how the traditional white dress compares to the outfit worn by brides in India, Japan and China?

India

When it comes to what the bride is wearing in India, it often depends on which region of the country they’re from. In some regions, the bride wears a saree which is a garment that looks like a long drape, in others she wears a lehenga which is a long skirt. Often the bride is dressed in red or another vibrant colour, her garments will be carefully embroidered with an impressive design.

Both the bride and her bridal party also are painted with henna on their palms, hands, forearms and legs.

Japan

A Japanese wedding is known for being very elaborate. In fact, it is acceptable for families to spend close to £75,000 on a wedding day. It is often the parents of the couple who organise the wedding, and they are willing to spend excessive amounts to save face. Because of the large scale of the weddings, the bride can have as many as 5 costume changes!

For a traditional (Shinto) wedding, the bride wears a white kimono, but more recently Japanese brides wear a dress that has a traditional print.

China

You can expect the bride to be wearing the colour red. This is considered a sign of good luck that can warn off evil spirits. In some regions, typically in northern China, the traditional attire for a bride is a one-piece dress that is embroidered with gold and silver designs. In southern China, the typical wear is a two-piece frock.

Another part of the wedding costume is the bridal crown, it is worn for photography or for show at a grand occasion. For footwear, a special pair of shoes are often worn that are embroidered with a symbol — for example, a turtle or a deer which symbolises happiness and longevity.

Groomswear

The main males of the wedding often have to follow traditional dress codes. However, many of them are opting for a smart suit similar to how a groom in the UK would dress.

India

Traditions are similar to the women’s as it depends on what region of India the groom is from as to what they wear. Some husbands-to-be wear traditional dress, such as a dhoti which is a rectangular cloth ties around the waist. In other regions, they wear a sherwani (a long coat), a kurta (loose falling shirt that hangs below the knee), or a Western suit.

The men of the wedding often have henna on their bodies too, but it is less elaborate.

Japan

What does a traditional Japanese groom wear? They wear a wedding kimono for the ceremony and then changes into a tuxedo. The formal kimono that he wears is called a montsuki, and often displays the family crest. More recently, younger grooms start the ceremony in a tuxedo too.

China

The groom in China is traditionally dressed in a black silk coat and embroidered robe. Often, in the modern day, the overcoat is not worn.

Headwear is also an important part of a groom’s outfit. This is usually a black hat with a red tassel. Some younger generations are not following the traditional dress code and simply wear a tuxedo or a Western-style business suit.

The guests’ outfits

You mightn’t be aware, but there are many traditions and symbols that you should learn about before you choose what to wear.

India

Don’t be afraid to go bold and bright to an Indian wedding. Wearing vibrant colours will mean you fit in with the Indian guests. Guests should avoid white or black as these are colours worn for funerals and mourning in India. It is also advised that red is not worn either as the bride will probably be dressed in this colour.

The female guests should avoid baring their shoulders or wearing low cut tops. This can be seen as disrespectful — a jewel-tone dress with a shawl is one appropriate outfit. The Indian female guests will most likely be dressed in colourful sarees or anarkali suits. Jewellery is important for women too, choose a statement piece for around your neck with matching earrings and bangles.

What do the male guests wear? They often wear a tailored kurta with a pyjama and a dupatta (shawl) can be added over the kurta. For their feet, sandals, jootis or chappals are often worn as these are comfortable and prevent overheating.

You might find that guests are required to cover their heads too if the wedding is held in a temple. For this, women can wear a long scarf or pashmina over their heads and men are usually provided with a head cover such as a large handkerchief.

Did you know that an Indian wedding is often a drawn-out event? It can be three days long! Make sure you are wearing something loose and comfortable.

Japan

When attending a traditional Japanese wedding, men were once expected to be dressed very formally with a black suit and white tie. Now however, the dress code is more flexible and it is accepted for men to come dressed in suits other than black with various coloured ties. However, it is advised to avoid white clothes with black ties.

What do women guests wear? They often wear dresses that are knee length or a coloured kimono to take on a traditional look. It is best to avoid showing any shoulder as this can be deemed a disrespectful.

China

If you’re deciding what to wear to a Chinese wedding, avoid wearing red as this can be seen as trying to steal the limelight from the bride. It’s best to wear pink, peach or purple as these are all symbols of new life and happiness. A formal dress is suitable for a Chinese wedding.

Avoid wearing black and white, as these symbolise mourning and black is considered to be the colour of bad luck.

Threes

It’s a simple premise that sucks you into something you will struggle to put down. You are presented with a grid of numbers that you have to pair – you start by pushing the ones and twos together to make threes, and then you have to push matching pairs together until you make 6144. It’s not as easy as it sounds!

Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector

This is for those cat people that can’t have a cat, due to allergic spouse or landlord rules. You place snacks and playthings in your little garden and wait for the cats to come rolling in. Different cats are enticed by different things and when one comes in, it will be logged in your cat book. Think of it like Pokémon but with really lazy trainers.

PUBG Mobile

Amazingly, they managed to take the experience of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and make it work on smartphones. It’s a multiplayer shooter where you parachute onto an island with 99 other players and then battle it out to see who survives. Once you’re dead, you’re out.

Desert Golfing

It’s a basic, 2D side-scrolling golf game where you just have to get the ball in the hole, forever. Each time you get the ball in, the screen moves onto a new hole. Levels are randomly generated, so you’ll never see the same hole twice and the only things counted are the number of the hole you’re on and a running total of all of the shots you’ve taken.

Monument Valley

A calming, beautifully presented puzzle game that makes you use your understanding of spaces and spatial awareness. You take control of Princess Ida and you must navigate her through non-Euclidean levels with only hostile birds for company.

Plague, Inc.

In this game, you play as an epidemic and your objective is to kill the entire population of the world. You do that by choosing upgrades for your disease, including methods of communicability and resistances. The disease can even mutate on its own sometimes, adding an element of chance. Good luck getting Madagascar, though.

Limbo

A creepy, horror side-scroller that drops you right into a dark fairy tale full of nightmarish threats to your little life. The little life in question is a boy you have to navigate through this horrifying, monochromatic world. This game pulls no punches.

Bowmasters

Two characters stand facing each other some distance apart. You play as one of them and you must fire/throw/release a variety of weapons at the other, taking turns, in order to kill them. The crisp, cartoony art style is combined with some quite gory kills.

PAKO 2

You play as a getaway driver for robbers and your objective is to escape the cops for as long as possible, helping your crew complete jobs, which pay for upgrades and better cars for you, to let you escape for longer until the cops get you.

That’s truly the most comfortable thing to do – but it’s not always the best for your health and for your finances.

For example, have you ever considered cycling to work? If you live in cycling distance of your workplace, this is totally feasible and it can bring a lot of benefits. Some countries encourage people to do this on a regular basis, and up to now, it’s been going very, very well for them (see Netherlands, for example).

What exactly are the benefits of cycling to work? We have gathered them right below – so read on and find out more.

It’s (Obviously!) the Healthier Way

Cycling to work will put your body on the move. It will help you regulate your heart rate and blood flow. It will tone your muscles. It will make you feel better about your body – and, consequently, it will improve your mood as well.

Depending on how much you need to cycle, you can burn as much as several hundreds of calories every day, just by doing something you would have done anyway – going to work. This will help you keep your body weight under control and it will also help you stay lean, healthy, and happy.

It will give you more energy

Some work days are just forged in Hell – but cycling to work can actually make them better. Contrary to some people believe, cycling to work may make you feel a bit more physically tired (or at least until you get used to it), but it will improve your energy on the long run.

Can you even imagine going to work, getting off your bike and feeling full of energy looking at the day ahead of you? Because that’s exactly what will happen!

It will make you feel happier

It’s a known fact that exercising helps keeping stress, anxiety, and depression under control. When you work out, your body releases endorphins – and that’s pretty much like eating an entire chocolate bar (without all the calories and sugar that would ensue with that).

Yes, cycling to work can actually make you feel happier!

It will save you a ton of money

How much are you spending on gas every week? How about every month? Every year?

We bet that it’s a considerable sum of money – maybe even something you could use to take a well-deserved vacation and travel to a nice place.

Buying a bicycle doesn’t cost a lot of money – but using it to get to and from work every day can SAVE plenty. Do your math and you will definitely reach the same conclusion!

Regardless of the reasons that convinced you, you will soon find out that cycling to work is pretty much the best thing you can do to improve your life, your health, and your finances!

The great news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune on your exercise. You really don’t have to spend a lot of money to go to the gym, or take work out classes (Yoga, Tae-Bo, or whatever else may be trending at the moment).

There are a lot of exercises you can do at home for free, and still reap all the benefits working out will bring into your life. What are they? We have gathered some of the most popular ones below – so read on and find out more.

Running

Technically, you don’t do this at home, but around it. However, it’s one of the BEST exercises you can ever get (free or not). Running will help your body get the sweat it needs to function properly, it will release happiness hormones in your body, it will help your muscles stay healthy, it will improve your heart health, and, overall, it will make you feel good about yourself.

You don’t need more than comfortable shoes, a T-shirt and a pair of pants you can actually move around in. Put on your favorite music and take a run around the block (or house) – it will be life-changing!

YouTube

Thanks to modern technology, you can actually watch fitness pros and their workout sessions at home, for free. OK, you need to be connected to the Internet to do it – but other than that, there’s a workout on YouTube for pretty much everyone in the world, regardless of what you like doing. From belly dancing sessions to Pilates, Yoga, and Tae-Bo, you can actually get access to professional workouts without moving from home.

Cool, right? This is an awesome opportunity to find what type of workouts suit you best, so that you can alternate them. Plus, with the huge variety of fitness videos available on the Internet, it’s pretty much impossible to get bored during one routine over and over again.

Dancing

You don’t have to put on the high heels and the mini dress, neither do you have to pay a fortune for a Shirley Temple at the club.

You can just put on your favorite Spotify playlist and…dance around. Do it like nobody’s watching – because, well, nobody is. Do it in your sweatpants and ugly T-shirt – or, if it makes you feel good, do it on your favorite high-heels without fearing someone will laugh at the way you (don’t) handle them.

Whatever type of exercise you may choose, make sure it’s something you actually enjoy. Part of what helps people stick to working out is the fact that they actually enjoy it. So if you don’t like running, don’t worry, there are plenty of other ways to sweat up and help your body stay healthy and active. And yes, many of them are completely free!