One of the biggest advantages to setting up a smart home network is being able

Scientists have identified eight unhealthy lifestyle choices which, if changed, could see people live more than 20 years longer. Lack of exercise, opioid use and smoking have the biggest negative impact on lifespan and can lead to a 30-45 per cent higher risk of death, according to the study. Stress, binge drinking, poor diet, and poor sleep hygiene were each associated with around a 20 per cent increase in the risk of death. And a lack of positive social relationships was the eighth habit mentioned and is associated with a 5 per cent increased risk of dying. Meanwhile, a separate study suggests incorporating olive oil into your diet could help reduce the risk of dying from dementia. Consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day is linked to a 28 per cent lower risk of dying from the condition, compared with those who never or rarely eat the oil, researchers say. The findings from both studies were presented at Nutrition 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition being held in Boston, and may include more up-to-date figures than the data initially submitted for the meeting. The research that looked at lifestyle habits used data from medical records and questionnaires collected between 2011-2019 from 719,147 people enrolled in the Veterans Affairs Million Veteran Program. It found that men who have all eight healthy habits - including high physical activity and not smoking - at age 40 would be predicted to live an average of 24 years longer than men with none of these habits, and for women an additional 21 years. Xuan-Mai Nguyen, health science specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs and rising fourth-year medical student at Carle Illinois College of Medicine, USA, said: “We were really surprised by just how much could be gained with the adoption of one, two, three, or all eight lifestyle factors. “Our research findings suggest that adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for both public health and personal wellness. “The earlier the better, but even if you only make a small change in your 40s, 50s, or 60s, it still is beneficial.” The researchers say their findings, which have not been peer-reviewed, highlight the role of lifestyle factors in contributing to chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease that lead to premature disability and death. In the olive oil study, scientists analysed dietary questionnaires and death records collected from more than 90,000 Americans over three decades, during which 4,749 people died from dementia. It also found that replacing just one teaspoon of margarine and mayonnaise with the equivalent amount of olive oil per day was associated with around an eight to 14 per cent lower risk of dying from dementia. Anne-Julie Tessier, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health in the USA, said: “Our study reinforces dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil and suggests that these recommendations not only support heart health but potentially brain health, as well. “Opting for olive oil, a natural product, instead of fats such as margarine and commercial mayonnaise is a safe choice and may reduce the risk of fatal dementia.” Research suggests that people who regularly use olive oil instead of processed or animal fats tend to have healthier diets overall. However, Dr Tessier noted that the relationship between olive oil and the risk of dying from dementia in this study was independent of overall diet quality. She added that the research is observational and does not prove olive oil is the cause of the reduced risk of fatal dementia. However, Professor David Curtis, UCL, said it was difficult to assess whether the research adds much to the understanding of links between diet, health and dementia risk, as it has not been peer-reviewed. He added: “There are many, many differences between people who consume olive oil and those who do not and it is never possible to fully account for all possible confounding factors. “Another point to bear in mind is that about half of dementia is caused by vascular disease so that anything which improved cardiovascular health, such as not smoking, would be expected to reduce dementia risk. “It has been shown that olive oil consumption is associated with better cardiovascular health so one would expect that it would also be associated with lower dementia risk.” Dr Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston University, said: “The authors claim replacing margarine and mayonnaise with olive oil could reduce risk. “However, many people who did this would also change the food that it is being added to, which could increase vegetable, lentils, beans, peas, seeds and nut intake – all of which are linked to a healthy diet and reduced risk of conditions like dementia. “We also need to remember that it is not just what we eat that helps maintain our brain function, it is how we eat – and remaining sociable around meal times and eating with others can benefit our mental health in the short term and cognitive function as we age.” Read More The bowel cancer symptom George Alagiah wished he’d caught earlier Experts share 8 healthy habits to help you live longer Husband fired from family business after wife roleplayed with reborn dolls Cara Delevingne says her journey to sobriety has been worth ‘every second/ Bisexual people ‘experience worse health than other adults’ The bowel cancer symptom George Alagiah wished he’d caught earlier

With all the access teenagers today have to the internet and social media, they may see more distressing news stories than even their parents. Palestinian militant group Hamas – deemed a terrorist group by the UK Government – invaded Israel on Saturday from Gaza, with rocket attacks by air as well as military in boats. Since then, Israel has sealed the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip off from food, fuel, medicine and other supplies, while launching retaliatory air strikes on the territory, which is home to 2.3 million people. The most recent numbers suggest 900 people have been killed in Israel, 700 in the Gaza territory and the West Bank, and many hostages have been taken. Hamas has pledged to kill captured Israeli hostages if attacks target civilians in Gaza. The conflict has sparked protests by pro-Palastine and pro-Israel groups in the UK and prompted political division on social media. Teenagers are likely to be exposed to a lot of the news, internet discussion and perhaps distressing images of conflict. So how should parents approach this? Talk about it at home Dr Jeri Tikare, clinical psychologist at Kooth, a digital mental health platform, believes parents should be as truthful as they can with their teenagers. “This means that it is important for us to not to hide things away from them. It is better for them to hear it from us (their people of safety) as opposed to reading it or hearing it from others,” he says. “Also bearing in mind the curious nature of the mind. It is inevitable that for things that they do not understand, they might research and look for answers. “It can be helpful if they get their information from a reliable source which can feel contained and reassuring. But share information at a level that is developmentally right and just enough to help the young person feel contained and safe.” Check yourself As the parent, learn the basics of what is going in the conflict yourself from reputable sources so you can have balanced, informed conversations with your child. “It can also be useful to be aware of our own reactions as parents or primary caregivers,” he says. “One of the ways young people learn and develop is via observing and then modelling adult behaviour. Hence, they can pick up anxieties or worries displayed by parents.” Validate and normalise expressing emotion If your teen is particularly affected by distressing news stories about war and conflict, Tikare encourages parents to give their teenagers the opportunity to express how they are feeling in different ways – such as writing, drawing, stories, songs, and things that feel helpful for the young person. “Some find a feelings box helpful,” he adds. “It might also be helpful to introduce them to some simple relaxation techniques such as taking three deep, slow breaths, breathing in for a count of three and out for three.” Be there for them Giving your teenager the space, time and encouragement to open up about how they feel on any subject – world news or otherwise – is key. “I know that life can be hard, busy and sometimes young people are aware of this and might not want to disturb you,” Tikare says. “Therefore, it might be helpful to make a conscious effort to let them know that you are mindful of how difficult it can be and reassure them that you are available to talk about things. “Giving them extra love and attention at this time can be helpful, especially at difficult times like this.” Discuss social media Tikare acknowledges that television, social media and other platforms “can be very distressing and exacerbating” for teenagers. But you may not be able to prise your child away from posting on their social media accounts altogether. “It would depend on the motivation behind posting and where they are posting,” Tikare says. “Posting about the feelings experienced around the conflict in a supportive and possibly moderated space, with people sharing similar feelings associated with the conflict, can help normalise the experience and leave them feeling less alone. “On the other hand, it could also expose them to content and comments that could potentially trigger distress.” So be sure to make them aware of the content they may come across online. Read More Autumn décor ideas for a seasonal refresh Why you shouldn’t tidy your garden too much in autumn World Mental Health Day: 5 ways to beat anxiety and change your life Alternative veg to grow for next season How to spot if your child is struggling with their mental health – and what to do next Does your pillowcase make a difference to your skin and hair health?

After 25 years of keeping the internet strong and stable, the nonprofit ICANN -- responsible for its technical infrastructure -- is warning that increasingly polarized geopolitics could start cracking...

In 2023, women are mother, charisma is rizz, and everyone serves cunt. If you don't

Five Israeli tourists were remanded in Cyprus police custody on Monday in connection with an alleged gang rape of a young British woman in the popular...

More than a dozen Black models are boycotting Melbourne Fashion Week in response to what they claim is industry-wide racism. The group of 13 performers are refusing to walk for runway shows or participate in casting calls in order to shine a light on the discrimination they face in Australia, which they say wouldn’t be allowed in Europe or the US. They say the discrimination includes being paid significantly less than their white counterparts, the alleged use of racial slurs, as well as hairdressers talking derogatively about African hair. “Black models doing Australian fashion is a form of self-destruction”, said Sydney-based Awar Malek, 24, told The Sydney Morning Herald. “It is absolutely the most traumatising, and dehumanising, underpaying, and overall mentally draining week and I have no desire to continue to participate.” South Sudanese-born model Nylow Ajing added: “In London, New York and Paris, you could not get away with what the fashion industry is doing here and how it treats black models, but they don’t seem to care or want to change.” The idea for a boycott came after a group of 13 models formed a private group chat to exchange stories and support each other earlier this year. “We never wanted to resort to this but there is only so much we can take,” 30-year-old Jeffrey Kissubi told the newspaper. “Maybe the industry will care about our experiences when it comes from a group rather than one individual that they can quickly silence or just ignore.” They accused brands of “tokenism”, alleging they hire “plenty of Black models” during fashion weeks when they can pay them less. “It’s the only time they hire black models in numbers, and honestly, it’s because we are the cheapest at this time. It’s good PR for them. It looks like ‘wow, these campaigns are really inclusive’, but the next week and the next month, we have no work, and they go back to whitewashing fashion,” Malek added. The casting of models at fashion weeks is decided by exhibiting label, and not festival organisers. A spokesperson for the City of Melbourne said all models participating in the fashion week receive equal pay “with the exception of some higher profile models – including those from diverse backgrounds”. “We were not aware of any concerns relating to diversity or race involving Melbourne Fashion Week. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated,” a statement to the BBC read. Other grievances raised include a lack of diversity across hair and makeup artists, casting agencies, and photographers. Nyaluak Leth, who relocated to the UK where “Black models are celebrated and valued”, said: “In 2019 behind the scenes at Sydney Fashion Week, one of the black models approached me and asked me to braid her hair and I said ‘but darling, there are so many empty seats in the hair section’, but I could tell that she was really reluctant to even ask for help... because she didn’t trust that anyone knew how to do her hair and she was definitely right.” The models boycotting not just MFW, but the larger industry, have said they’re speaking out despite fears for their career in a bid to bring reform. “I don’t want to speak out, but I have to, or nothing will change,” Kissubi said. The chief executive of the Australian Fashion Council, Leila Naja Hibri told the Sydney Morning Herald: “The Australian fashion industry is uniquely placed to actively engage in equitable, diverse and inclusive responsible practice. The Australian Fashion Council is not involved in the running of fashion weeks or brand marketing events, but we do require all AFC Members to abide by our code of conduct. “This stipulates that we do not tolerate any form of discrimination or inappropriate conduct towards others based on gender, race, or national or ethnic origin. ” The Independent has contacted representatives for the City of Melbourne for comment. Read More Hailey Bieber addresses her and husband Justin Bieber’s wildly different styles Britney Spears tells story behind matching double-denim moment with Justin Timberlake How to do Halloween make up and still take care of your skin Hailey Bieber addresses her and husband Justin Bieber’s wildly different styles Britney Spears tells story behind matching double-denim moment with Justin Timberlake How to do Halloween make up and still take care of your skin

The 'Fast & Furious' franchise is gaining a new film this month. Here's how to

A 9-mile stretch of Florida sugar-white sand in an unspoiled natural setting alongside the Gulf of Mexico is the nation’s best beach for 2023

Hundreds of thousands of Muslim pilgrims crowded Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat on Tuesday, the climax of a potentially record-breaking hajj pilgrimage...

Former U.S. president Donald Trump has been indicted again, and is insisting he's innocent again.

"You want to get nuts? Come on! Let's get nuts." A memorable line from 1989's