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  • How screens can harm your neck and back

    ByJustpaste.in

    In today’s digital world many people spend hours looking down at their phones working on computers or watching videos. While screens are now an important part of daily life spending too much time in the wrong position can put extra pressure on the neck shoulders and back. This can lead to more than tired eyes. Sitting with your head bent forward for long periods may cause neck pain, stiffness muscle tension and back problems. Why does looking down cause pain? An adult’s head weighs around 10 to 12 pounds. When you bend your head forward for a long time the muscles in your neck and upper back have to work harder to support it. Over time this extra pressure can cause pain stiffness and muscle fatigue. Poor sitting posture can also affect your movement and balance and may contribute to headaches.  People who spend many hours at a desk attend online meetings or frequently use laptops and phones may be more likely to experience these problems. Common warning signs Some common symptoms include. •Neck and shoulder stiffness •Tired or sore muscles •Frequent headaches •Ongoing neck or back pain •Pain spreading into the arms •Numbness or a pins and needles feeling •Weakness in the hands or arms If these symptoms continue or become worse it is important to speak with a healthcare professional. Keep your screen at eye level When working on a laptop try to keep the screen close to eye level.  This can reduce the need to bend your neck downward. A laptop stand along with a separate keyboard and mouse can make this easier. The same idea applies to smartphones. Instead of constantly looking down hold your phone closer to eye level to reduce strain on your neck. Improve your sitting posture Try to sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed and slightly back. Avoid pushing your head forward while using a phone or computer. Small changes in posture can make a big difference when you spend many hours in front of a screen. Follow the 20-20-20 Rule For screen users the 20-20-20 rule can be helpful every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This mainly helps reduce eye strain and also gives you a short break from your usual sitting position. Keep your body moving Avoid staying in the same position for hours. Stand up walk around and stretch regularly. Regular exercise and activities such as yoga can also help improve flexibility strength and overall body movement. Don’t ignore persistent pain Technology is difficult to avoid in modern life but using it in a healthier way can help reduce unnecessary strain on your neck and back. If pain keeps returning becomes severe or is accompanied by numbness or weakness do not simply ignore it.  Consider getting checked by a qualified healthcare professional.

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    Android 17 feature may help reduce motion sickness 

    ByJustpaste.in

    Some people may suddenly experience nausea and dizziness while travelling by plane, train, ship or car. This condition is medically known as motion sickness and people affected by it may experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other symptoms. If you are also one of those people who experience dizziness or nausea while travelling in a moving vehicle, you are not alone. Many people around the world experience this problem. Generally, experts advise people suffering from motion sickness to avoid using their phones. However, Google has now introduced a new feature called Motion Assist for Android smartphone users. According to a report by Android Authority, Google has started gradually rolling out this feature. It is part of the Android 17 operating system and is being introduced first for Google Pixel phones. The feature is designed to help reduce the severity of motion sickness while travelling in a vehicle. What causes motion sickness? Motion sickness is a somewhat mysterious condition and its exact cause is not fully understood. However, experts have identified several possible reasons. One thing is clear: motion sickness can occur when our senses send conflicting signals to the brain. For example, if you are sitting on a swing that is moving up and down, your eyes may see one thing, your muscles may sense something else while your inner ear experiences something completely different. The brain may struggle to process these conflicting signals resulting in dizziness or nausea. Experts believe that the inner ear plays an important role in motion sickness because it helps control our sense of balance. The inner ear is part of a network known as the vestibular system which sends information about the body’s movement and surroundings to the brain. The brain combines information from different parts of the body to make sense of what is happening but sometimes these signals can become confusing. For example, while traveling on an airplane, you may feel movement but your eyes may tell your brain that you are sitting still. A similar situation can occur while travelling on a river or at sea. You may be sitting or standing on a stable surface while still experiencing a sensation of movement. Some passengers particularly those sitting away from the driver’s seat in a car can experience the same thing. All of these situations can result in motion sickness. What is Google’s new feature and how does it work? Google has been working on this feature for quite some time. The code for the feature was first spotted in December 2024 and development has continued since then. It has now become part of Android 17. Once the feature becomes available, users will be able to find it by going to Settings then Your Profiles and All Services. From there, users can access the Personal and Device Safety section and enable the feature. Once enabled, Motion Assist will automatically activate when the phone detects that it is inside a moving vehicle. Google will also provide a Motion Assist option in Quick Settings allowing users to manually turn the feature on or off. When the feature is active, users will have several customization options. They will be able to change the colour, appearance and other aspects of the motion indicators. During a journey, motion dots will appear on the screen to help reduce the feeling of nausea. It should be noted that the feature does not guarantee complete relief from motion sickness but it may still prove helpful. Are there other simple ways to prevent motion sickness? According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), several simple measures may help reduce or prevent motion sickness. These include: Prefer sitting in the front seat of a car or bus. Choose a window seat on an airplane or train. If possible, lie down and close your eyes. Drink plenty of water and avoid tea or coffee. Avoid eating large meals before travelling. Avoid smoking. Distract yourself with activities such as listening to music but avoid reading. Take deep breaths to stay calm or close your eyes and count backward from 100. Look at a stationary object such as looking at the sky while traveling in a vehicle. If available, chewing a small amount of ginger may also help. The smell of mint or using mint candies may also provide some relief.

  • Why your brain may need a phone break

    ByJustpaste.in

    Smartphones have become a major part of everyday life. Many people check their phones as soon as they wake up and continue using them until bedtime. But have you ever wondered how constant phone use may affect your brain? A new study suggests that limiting smartphone use for just 72 hours may lead to changes in brain activity. What did the study find? Researchers from Heidelberg University and the University of Cologne in Germany studied 25 young adults between the ages of 18 and 30. The participants were asked to reduce their smartphone use for three days. They could still use their phones for essential tasks and important communication. Before and after the three-day period the participants underwent MRI brain scans and psychological tests. The researchers noticed changes in brain areas linked to the brain’s reward system and addictive behaviors. How did smartphones affect brain activity? During the brain scans participants were shown different pictures, including smartphones as well as everyday objects such as boats and flowers. After just three days of limited smartphone use researchers observed changes in how certain areas of the brain responded to these images. The findings suggest that our relationship with smartphones may involve more than simple communication.  The desire to check a phone can also be connected to social interaction and the brain’s reward system. Should you take a break from your phone? The study raises an interesting question about how regular smartphone use may affect the brain over time. If reducing phone use for only 72 hours can be linked to changes in brain activity researchers say it is worth exploring what might happen when people reduce their screen time for longer periods. Could a digital detox help? Taking regular breaks from smartphones may be a useful habit. Spending less time on your phone can give you more opportunities to focus on other activities spend time with people and take a break from constant notifications. A simple digital detox may also help you create healthier phone habits and give your mind some much needed time away from the screen. The bottom line Smartphones are useful tools but using them constantly may not be ideal.  Taking short regular breaks from your phone could be a simple way to build a healthier relationship with technology.

  • Why do people talk in their sleep

    ByJustpaste.in

    Sleep talking is quite common. People who talk while sleeping usually do not know what they are saying.  Their words may sound unclear or random making it difficult for others to understand them. Some people only mumble a few words while others may speak in full sentences.  It can sometimes be confusing or surprising for anyone sleeping nearby. What is sleep talking? Sleep talking also known as somniloquy is a type of sleep behavior called a parasomnia. Parasomnias are unusual actions that can happen while we are asleep such as walking moving around or talking. Sleep talking can happen during different stages of sleep including deep sleep and REM sleep. It may also occur when the brain is moving from one sleep stage to another. This means that what a person says while sleeping may not always have a clear connection to their dreams or real life thoughts. Why do people talk in their sleep? Experts believe that sleep talking can sometimes run in families. However several other factors may also play a role. Stress anxiety emotional experiences and certain mental health conditions may increase the chances of sleep talking.  In some cases poor sleep or major changes in a person’s routine may also contribute. Can sleep talking be linked to dreams? Sometimes a person may suddenly speak while sleeping and say something that seems related to what they were thinking about during the day. The brain continues to process information while we sleep. It may replay memories emotions and events from the day. As a result, some sleep talking may sound like random pieces of thoughts or conversations. However sleep talk does not always tell us exactly what someone is dreaming about.  The words may be unclear incomplete or completely unrelated to what the person remembers after waking up. For most people occasional sleep talking is harmless. However if it happens very often or comes with other unusual sleep behaviors it may be worth discussing with a sleep specialist.

  • Why your brain stays alert in a new place

    ByJustpaste.in

    Have you ever slept easily in your own bed but struggled to sleep in a hotel, at a relative’s house or in a completely new place?  Even when the bed is comfortable and you are tired from traveling, you may wake up several times during the night. This is quite common and is known as the “First Night Effect.” Experts say that when we sleep somewhere unfamiliar the brain may not fully relax. Instead part of it stays more alert and keeps checking the new surroundings. Why does the brain stay alert? When you enter a new environment your brain needs time to get used to unfamiliar sounds lights temperature and movements. During the first night one part of the brain may remain more active and respond quickly to unusual sounds or possible disturbances. This is believed to be a natural way for the brain to adapt to a new environment. How much can sleep be affected? The First Night Effect does not affect everyone in the same way. Some people may sleep for around 20 to 30 minutes less than usual while others may mainly experience lighter or more interrupted sleep. This can leave you feeling tired or less refreshed the next morning even if you actually slept for several hours. Children and older adults may notice it more Age can also play a role. Children and teenagers may be more sensitive to changes in their sleeping environment. Older adults may also notice changes in their sleep while younger adults may experience fewer effects. From an evolutionary point of view staying alert in an unfamiliar place may have helped humans remain aware of possible dangers. It is not always the brain Poor sleep in a new place can have many other causes. Travel fatigue, a different schedule room temperature bright lights outside noise an unfamiliar bed or pillow and other people nearby can all disturb sleep. Some people sleep better away from home Interestingly the First Night Effect does not happen to everyone. Some people actually sleep better in a new place. Someone who is extremely tired after a long journey may sleep deeply despite being in unfamiliar surroundings. Similarly people who experience stress or poor sleep at home may find a new environment relaxing and sleep better. Worrying about sleep can make it worse Sometimes the biggest problem is not the new place but the fear of not being able to sleep. If you go to bed thinking, “I won’t sleep tonight” you may become more anxious and make it harder for your brain to relax. People who worry a lot about sleep may be more sensitive to the First Night Effect. How to sleep better in a new place A few simple habits may help your body and brain adjust. Keep your usual sleeping and waking times as much as possible. Make the room quiet dark and comfortably cool. Reduce phone and laptop use before bedtime. Give yourself some time to relax after arriving instead of going straight to bed. Take a familiar pillow blanket or other comforting item if possible. Read a book listen to soft music or follow another relaxing bedtime routine. Most importantly do not panic after one bad night of sleep. In many cases the brain becomes familiar with the new surroundings and sleep improves naturally. So, if you wake up several times during your first night in a hotel or another unfamiliar place. it does not necessarily mean something is wrong. Your brain may simply be taking time to decide that the new environment is safe.

  • How to keep curly hair healthy and frizz free

    ByJustpaste.in

    Keeping curly hair looking fresh can sometimes feel difficult. The wrong products or styling habits can make curls dry, frizzy or lose their shape.  The good news is that with simple care, you can keep your curls soft healthy and well defined. Keep your curls hydrated Moisture is one of the most important things for curly hair. Curls usually become dry faster than straight hair so use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner made for curly hair. Look for products with hydrating ingredients such as coconut oil argan oil or natural butters to help keep your hair soft. Avoid washing too often Washing curly hair too frequently can remove its natural oils and leave it dry and rough. Try washing your hair around two or three times a week depending on your hair type and lifestyle. Between washes you can refresh your curls with a light water based spray. Use a microfiber towel or T-shirt Regular towels can create friction increase frizz and cause hair breakage. Instead gently squeeze excess water from your curls using a microfiber towel or a soft old T-shirt. Avoid rubbing your hair because it can disturb the natural curl pattern. Use the right styling products After gently drying your hair apply a styling product designed for curly hair. Curl creams gels and mousses can help keep curls in shape. Apply the product gently with your fingers working from the roots toward the ends. Protect your curls while sleeping A silk or satin pillowcase can reduce friction while you sleep. This may help keep your curls smoother and reduce frizz and breakage. Get regular trims Regular trims can help remove split ends and keep curls looking neat and healthy. Consider trimming your hair every 8 to 12 weeks depending on its condition and growth. Protect curls from heat Too much heat from straighteners curling tools or blow dryers can make curly hair dry and damage its natural shape. Whenever possible choose heat free styling methods such as air drying foam rollers or other gentle techniques. With proper moisture gentle handling and regular care your curls can stay soft healthy and beautifully defined.

  • Henna hair dye benefits and possible risks

    ByJustpaste.in

    Henna, also known as mehndi has been used for centuries as a natural hair dye and conditioner.  It can give hair a beautiful reddish brown color while making it feel conditioned. However like any hair treatment henna can cause problems if it is used incorrectly or if someone is sensitive to it.  Knowing the possible side effects can help you use it more safely. Allergic reactions Some people may develop an allergic reaction after using henna. Possible signs include itching burning redness swelling or skin rashes. To reduce the risk do a small patch test before applying henna to your entire scalp.  Wait and check for any reaction before using it more widely. Dry and dull hair Henna can sometimes make hair feel dry especially when it is used too often or left on for too long. If your hair tends to be dry, consider following your henna treatment with a good conditioner or using a suitable moisturizing hair product. Changes in hair color The final color from henna can vary depending on the quality of the powder how long it stays on the hair and your natural hair color. Using henna repeatedly can make the color darker over time. This may not always give the shade you want so avoid applying it too frequently. Burning or Irritation Some people may experience burning itching or redness after applying henna.  This could be a sign of irritation or an allergic reaction. Follow the instructions provided with the product and avoid leaving henna on your scalp longer than recommended. After the treatment rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly. Changes in hair texture Although henna is often used as a natural conditioner frequent use may make some people’s hair feel rough or stiff. To keep your hair healthy balance henna treatments with regular conditioning and moisturizing. If you notice ongoing irritation dryness or other unusual changes stop using the product and consider speaking with a dermatologist.

  • 5 Makeup secrets used by pro artists

    ByJustpaste.in

    Professional makeup artists know how to bring out natural beauty and create a polished look. Their techniques can make makeup look smoother brighter and last longer. Here are five easy makeup tips you can try at home. Never skip primer Makeup artists often use primer before foundation. It creates a smooth base by helping blur the look of pores and fine lines. Choose a primer according to your skin type. For example, an oil-control primer can be useful for oily skin. Use concealer smartly Concealer is great for covering dark circles spots and uneven areas. But it can also be used to brighten and shape the face. Apply a small amount under the eyes along the bridge of the nose and on other high points of the face for a fresh brighter look.  Master your blending Good blending can make a big difference. Makeup artists carefully blend different shades and textures so there are no harsh lines. Whether you are blending eyeshadow or smoothing out foundation take your time for a more natural and professional finish. Try multi use products Makeup artists often choose products that can do more than one job. For example a cream blush can sometimes be used on the cheeks and lips. Using multi purpose products can save time reduce the number of products you need and make your makeup routine easier. Set your makeup properly Setting your makeup helps it stay in place for longer. Makeup artists may use setting powder setting spray or both depending on the look. For extra staying power lightly apply powder under the eyes and leave it for a few minutes before gently brushing away the excess. With these simple techniques you can make your everyday makeup look smoother fresher and more polished.

  • Ukraine moves against Russian Kids’ cartoon

    ByJustpaste.in

    Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the producers and distributors of the popular Russian children’s cartoon “Masha and the Bear.” Ukrainian officials say the show may help spread a positive image of Russia and could pose a risk to the country’s national security. According to Al Jazeera, Ukraine’s Culture Minister Tatiana Berezhna announced the decision on social media.  She said the sanctions could allow legal steps to limit the cartoon’s content and restrict its distribution and earnings on global platforms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the related decree on Thursday.  The measures include Animaccord the studio behind the cartoon along with other people and organizations connected to the series. A Worldwide Children’s hit “Masha and the Bear” follows the adventures of a playful young girl named Masha and her friend a retired circus bear. The show has become hugely popular around the world. Its YouTube videos have received more than 37 billion views while some individual episodes have been watched more than four billion times.  The cartoon is shown in around 100 countries. Ukraine raises concerns Ukraine and some of its allies, including the UK and Estonia have criticized the show. They argue that it presents Russia in a positive way and could be used as a form of soft power to increase Russian cultural influence. Ukraine’s culture minister said children’s programs should not be used to promote Russian propaganda.  The government wants to reduce the cartoon’s reach inside Ukraine and also limit its income and distribution through international platforms. Still popular in Ukraine Despite the war and restrictions on Russian cultural content, “Masha and the Bear” remains popular among Ukrainian children. According to Ukrainska Pravda, the cartoon’s Ukrainian YouTube channel became the country’s most popular children’s channel in August last year. It now has more than 18 million followers. Russia rejects the claims Russia has rejected Ukraine’s accusations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended the cartoon saying it has become popular worldwide and promotes positive human values. Ukraine had also raised concerns in June when Netflix reportedly sought rights to stream new seasons of the show. Following the latest sanctions Ukrainian authorities may take further steps to restrict the cartoon’s content and distribution in the country.

  • Discover the beauty of Shah Jahan Mosque

    ByJustpaste.in

    Located in the historic city of Thatta, Sindh, the Shah Jahan Mosque is one of South Asia’s most impressive examples of Mughal architecture. Its unique design beautiful tiles and remarkable sound system continue to attract visitors. The mosque was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1647 as a gift to the people of Sindh.  The nearly 400-year old building is known for its large number of domes and unusual architectural style. Unlike many other Mughal mosques the Shah Jahan Mosque does not have traditional tall minarets. It is famous for its many domes with local traditions often saying that the mosque has 99 domes.  Interestingly some people claim that the number can appear to be 100 when counted from certain points. One of the mosque’s most fascinating features is its natural acoustics. A person can reportedly speak softly near the prayer area and have their voice heard clearly in another part of the mosque. This is possible because of the way the walls domes and other structures were designed to reflect sound. The mosque was built long before modern speakers and sound systems yet its clever design allows sound to travel across large sections of the building. Over the centuries the historic mosque has gone through different stages of repair and preservation. During the era of former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, efforts were also made to improve and protect the historic site. The mosque is also known for its huge capacity. It is believed that around 40,000 to 50,000 people can gather there for Friday prayers. Its decoration is another major attraction. While many famous Mughal buildings are known for red stone and white marble the Shah Jahan Mosque features beautiful blue and white glazed tiles.  The detailed tilework reflects the artistic traditions of Iran and Hala a historic city in Sindh known for its crafts. With its centuries old history striking domes, colorful tiles and remarkable acoustics the Shah Jahan Mosque remains a remarkable symbol of Sindh’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.