Erin Lawrence

Erin is a seasoned author and editor who has spent her career creating content in the wellness spaces. Before joining The Opinist, Erin was the trending news editor at Wellness Mom.

Study: Poor Sleep and Eating Junk Food Habit Linked to Slow Brain

There are two simple steps that turn out to have a very powerful impact on our brain power:

  1. Avoid staying up late and lack of sleep.
  2. Avoid a variety of junk food and drinks.

Lack of Quality Sleep Can Weaken Your Brain

According to the book; The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time (2017) writes various studies on the effects of sleep on the health of our bodies and minds. One of them is the lack of quality sleep will actually weaken the power of focus and attention span that we have.

When you are deprived of quality sleep, your brain ability to do things in a focused and long-lasting manner is really getting lost gradually.

We may have experienced it on the firsthand. When we are too late at night to go to bed and have to get up before morning, then our bodies really feel weak, not fit, sleepy, and feel uncomfortable. When we then work in conditions like this, our concentration and focus power will automatically drop.

Tips to Get Into Good Sleeping Habit

That’s why maintaining quality sleep for an adequate duration is very important to maintain our brain power. Experts on the science of sleep suggest that we can sleep soundly between 7-8 hours each night. Do not let it be less than this duration, especially if we only sleep 5 hours every night (eg sleep at 12 pm and wake up at 5 am).

Get into the habit of going to bed early (for example, up to 10 p.m.), and then sleep duration for at least 7 hours. We will tend to be able to sleep faster if we stop using cellphones at least 30 minutes before bedtime (which is why we have to reduce the amount of time we use cellphones each day).

In addition, we can sleep better if we are diligent in exercising every day (this is in line with the previous strategy, where we are advised to start building exercise habits in our daily lives).

In addition to undergoing quality sleep for an adequate duration, our brain power must also be maintained through healthy nutritional intake.

Eating pizza and social networking with a laptop.

Based on the research, a bad diet (eg diligently eating junk food and drinking junk drinks) will literally make our brain power weaker.

In other words, the cognitive power or intelligence of our brain will be more sterile and deaf if we are too often undergo an unhealthy diet. Another study shows that eating junk food habits will also make it more difficult for a person to build deep focus and concentration for a long time, while doing something that requires extra perseverance (Ireland, 2020).

That is why we must gradually start building healthy eating habits.

Rules of Healthier Eating Habit

Here are two simple tips to help us live healthier eating habits. The first tip is very simple: keep healthy foods and drinks within the reach of your eyes and hands. Instead, keep or hide a variety of foods, snacks and drinks that are not healthy from the reach of your eyes and hands.

In his phenomenal book, Mindless Eating – Why We Eat More than We Think (2010), eating expert Professor Brian Wansink writes interesting findings. It turns out that we always eat without thinking, so whatever is within reach of our eyes and hands, that is what we will annex

This is called as Mindless Eating or Eat without thinking.

Miraculously, Brian Wansik’s research shows, when various fruits and mineral water are brought near to the respondents’ work desks (so that they are easily accessible to the eyes and hands), the consumption of various healthy foods and drinks increases drastically.

The implication is simple but powerful. If we want to start building healthy eating habits, always bring one liter of mineral water near your desk. Also bring various fruits such as apples, oranges, star fruit or barking near the office employee meeting table; or at the dining table in our homes. Then keep a variety of cakes, donuts, and sugary snacks and drinks that are less healthy than the eyes and hands of people in the office and also at home.

Brian Wansik said change our eating behavior can be done in a simple way as above, because the effect is very powerful. Our diet is shaped by the situation around us, and not by our own motivation.

During this time we become fat, because the situation around us always encourages us to eat a variety of junk food.

Build Healthy Eating Habit

The second tip is to build healthy eating habits: if we work regularly at the office, then start living the Weekly Meal Plan. This means that every week, we have prepared a lunch menu for a week, and if we can bring lunch from home. Or if you can’t, then order a weekly meal plan through a healthy lunch catering service provider.

This is an annoying little thought process, and it has a big impact on our diet. Brian Wansik writes, during an afternoon break, and you are thinking about what to eat for lunch, then most likely your brain is tired because it has been spent thinking about various work in the office that never ends.

Well, just when your brain starts to get tired, then the decision what to have for lunch, often can’t be done optimally since your brain is tired. In the end the decision for lunch, just choose. And often the choice falls to a variety of junk food lunches and various menus that are not so healthy. Repeat this ritual every day, and do not be surprised if more and more people are overweight.

Make a Weekly Meal Plan

In order to avoid the trap above, Brian Wansik suggests: make a Weekly Meal Plan, or a Weekly Lunch Plan from Monday to Friday. Ask a healthy catering provider or person at home to arrange and prepare it. Planning is the key to building healthy eating habits. This is because we no longer have to think about what to eat for lunch when our brains are tired – and eventually trap us in eating a variety of junk food.

Weekly Meal Plan will make us have a definite lunch plan, and make us save the burden of thought. More importantly: this lunch plan is definitely healthier because the menu is carefully arranged. And if the people at home can provide it, then the cost will definitely be more efficient.

Sleep well x Eat well will keep our brains fresh and bright.

Top 10 Prettiest Actress in The World

The world of Hollywood celebrities is filled with many beautiful and sexy women. The beauty of their faces makes anyone definitely get stunned. Here are the top 10 prettiest actress in the world:

1. Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas

If you are a fan of James Bond sequel, you’ll definitely aware that they always have beautiful and attractive actresses. In the last James Bond sequel, No Time to Die, aired in 2021, starring a series of beautiful actresses. There is one small character named Paloma, played by Ana de Armas.

Even though she got a small role, Ana de Armas was immediately idolized by many men. Ana de Armas has put her name on the list of the prettiest female actress in the world. Rumor has it that Ana de Armas will be the star in a biopic as Marilyn Monroe.

2. Dakota Johnson

Dakota Johnson

Have you watched Fifthy Shades of Gray? The romantic story between Christian Gray and Anastasia Steele. These two characters are played by the right actor and actress: Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson. Dakota Johnson is then known by many good people because of her acting and beauty.

Besides being an actress, Dakota is also known as a producer and model from the United States. She is considered the most beautiful and hot woman in the world. Dakota Johnson made her film debut with her mother who is also an actress in the dark comedy film Crazy in Alabama when she was only 10 years old. Dakota Johnson has also played alongside Justin Timberlake on The Social Network.

3. Emily Ratajkowski

Emily Ratajkowski

This beautiful and sexy woman, Emily Ratajkowski is one of the world famous and prettiest model and actress. She was born in London and then moved to America afterwards. Ratajkowski then became the cover of an adult magazine in 2012.

Emily Ratajkowski is already the wife of Sebastian Bear-McClard. They got married in 2018 and have a child together. After getting pregnant, Emily Ratajkowski’s body shape immediately returned to the time before she was pregnant. 

4. Kate Upton

Kate Upton

When a woman is chosen to be a model, they should’ve qualified with all the criteria’s. It is Kate Upton who became one of the world’s famous models whose beauty and sexiness made her name included in the list of the world’s most beautiful women in 2022. Not just an ordinary model but a supermodel.

Kate Upton’s sexiness is evident in Sports Illustrated magazine. Not just one but several times Kate Upton became the cover of the magazine. Kate Upton’s face first appeared in a magazine in 2011 and has also been featured on Vanity Fair as a magazine cover. 

5. Alexandra Daddario

Alexandra Daddario

Many man claims that it is impossible not to fall in love with the eyes of Alexandra Daddario.  These slightly grayish eyes can truly bewitch any men.

Her popularity significantly rise when she get an offer to play in the movie Baywatch along with Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron. She broke into the world of acting by playing Annabeth Chase in the Percy Jackson movie. Furthermore, she has played in the films Hall Pass, Texas Chainsaw 3D, San Andreas, and We Summon the Darkness.

6. Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie

An Australian born actress, Margot Robbie has being spotted as one of the prettiest actress in the world. As an actress, Margot Robbie has been nominated for 2 Logie Awards. It turned out that her acting in the soap drama Neighbors managed to get her the nomination. Looking for more experiences, Margot Robbie then went to America.

Margot Robbie’s long journey to where she is now. Having played in the Pan Am series, Margot Robbie had the opportunity to play in a feature film in 2013. Margot Robbie played in a film called About Tinr. This beautiful woman became increasingly popular when she co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie Wolf of Wall Street. She became known again when she got the role of Harley Quinn and she was immediately liked by many DC comics fans.

7. Amber Heard

Amber Heard - The prettiest actress in the world

Mentioning Amber Heard’s name will remind many people of her case with the actor
Johnny Depp. It is suspected that Amber Heard committed violence and blackmail against her ex-husband. That’s why their marriage relationship foundered and separated. But like it or not, we have to be able to separate personal problems from stardom.

Amber Heard’s debut was made by starring in the sports drama Friday Night Lights in 2004. After that, Amber Heard was given the opportunity to prove her acting skills in a number of dramas and films with small roles. He was only recognized for his acting after playing in the films Never Back Down, Rum Diary, Informers, and Zombielands.

8. Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke - The prettiest actress in the world

There are many actresses who before becoming a famous actress, started her career in acting in soap operas. In England, there is one actress who has played in soap operas who has now become a good actress named Emilia Clarke. Emilia Clarke debuted in the BBC soap opera Doctors as a guest star.

There is no doubt that Emilia Clarke is a charming woman. With her small body and cute face, it turns out that Emilia Clarke is already 35 years old. The drama Triassic Attack was the first television drama starring Emilia Clarke. Talking about acting skills, Emilia Clarke trains her acting skills by studying at the Drama Center London.

9. Emma Watson

Emma Watson - The prettiest actress in the world

“Smart is the new sexy”, maybe this assumption is very appropriate given to Emma Watson. Indeed, there is a reason why Emma Watson is associated with this assumption. Not only having a beautiful face but she is also a smart woman. She can divide her time as an actress and also study. He graduated from Brown University with a degree in English Literature.

If you’re from the 90s generation, you might remember her as Hermione Granger from the famous sequel Harry Potter. She played in the Harry Potter films at the young age of 12 years. Slowly but surely, Emma Watson transformed into a smart and elegant adult woman.

10. Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot

Have you watched Wonder Woman yet? While married to a husband and has 3 children, Gal Gadot still appeared beautiful like a woman in her 20s.

Gal Gadot is a woman who comes from Israel. She has a military background and is certainly good at martial arts. Before becoming an actress, she started her career in modeling in the late 2000s and became a top model in Israel. Her debut as Gisele in Fast and Furious really skyrocketed her name. Until finally he got a golden opportunity to play the superhero Wonder Woman in 2013.

The Art to be Single and Happy in Your 30s

Whether you’ve just gone through a break up and are newly single, or are just feeling frustrated by the fact that you’re still single, flying solo doesn’t have to equal unhappiness.

Check out these tips to shift this chapter of single-hood into being one of the happiest times of your life:

1. Focus on Improving Your Weakness

Every human certainly have strengths and weaknesses. While strengths must still be trained and improved, weaknesses must be pursued as possible so that weaknesses can turn into strengths. It’s just a matter of how you admit and do something with that weaknesses.

By living alone without a partner, you will have more free time to do other thing. You can use this free time for self-introspection. If there are weaknesses, think of what should be done to eliminate these weaknesses. This is the moment you have to do when you are alone and there is more time. By turning your weaknesses into strengths, you will become a new and different individual.

2. Practice Loving Yourself

Don’t have someone to love? Are you sure about that statement? If you don’t have a partner, that doesn’t mean there aren’t people you can’t love. You can love yourself. The term that is often used or popular is self-love or self-love. You can give yourself a lot of love. You can appreciate everything you have done. Taking care of yourself is also a form of self-love.

3. Make Time For Family

There is no reason to be sad about being single because there are people who still care about us. An example is family. A normal family will certainly care about their family members. They will not leave any family members sad.

Instead of thinking about why you are still single, take advantage of this time to spend it with your family. You can do simple things such as eating together or gathering in the family room and talking. Make your own family happy as long as they live instead of regretting it later.

4. Trying New Things

As long as you are single, this is a golden opportunity to try new things. Besides being able to be an exercise, who knows, you might even find something new that can be your favorite. It can also give you new abilities that might be useful in the future.

5. Make a Plan

Not all things have to be done with a partner. In fact, there are many things that can be done alone with no less excitement and freedom. What you need to do is to make a plan about what you want to do. For instance, do you want to go shopping, exercise, travel or vacation abroad?

You just need to make a careful plan to make your activities can be carried out smoothly. You can either invite friends or family, you just have to match the schedule that suits you. If you need time off from work, just take the time off.

6. Focus on Work

Sometimes having 24 hours in a day is not enough. Especially for those who are super busy. Time should be divided for family, me time, hobbies, and work. Instead of being left empty and do nothing, why not use it to do something useful?

For example; work. You can focus on pursuing your dream career. Just focus and enjoy your career journey, maybe later you can meet your soul mate later.

7. Gathering With Friends

Actually, even though you don’t have a partner, that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Besides being able to have fun yourself, why not invite friends to join in the fun? It’s better to spend time with close friends. Do fun activities together.

Call one by one the friends you have and plan to do something. It can be sightseeing, shopping, vacation together, or other things that are no less exciting. In addition to having fun together, friends can also be an encouragement when we are sad. So it’s not only your partner who can cheer you up, but friends too.

8. Single Means Safer Financials

Having a romantic relationship with a lover not only takes time but also money. Dating, eating, drinking, traveling, giving gifts, even buying internet quota to chat with him also cost money. By not having a partner, of course there are no expenses. Use this opportunity to raise money to face whatever in the future may cost money.

9. Take Some Time Off From Social Media

Social media can bring benefits as well as the negative effects. The positive benefits can make us connect with those who are far away, but on the other hand it can also make us jealous. Especially if when we are alone, we see quotes about love and photos of our friends and their loved ones.

In order not to be influenced by posts from friends about how romantic their relationship is, it’s better to get rid of social media. If there is no important business, it is better to do a social media detox or take a hiatus from social media. Except for those whose work is related to social media, it will be difficult to shut themselves off from social media. But it can be tricked by not needing to see people’s posts.

10. Buy Something That Can Make You Happy

Being single doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life. There are many things that can be done to make you happy and you should do it. When we’re sad, we don’t have anyone else to cheer for us, so we have to cheer ourselves up.

For example, shop for things that really make you happy. Of course, there must still be self-control so it won’t lead to the shopaholic habit.

Here are The Most Common Problems in a Marriage According to Survey

Getting married is not an easy thing. There will be many problems that are present when a person is married or has a family. If it is not addressed quickly, it can become a ticking time bomb. One day these problems will arise and the impact can damage the husband and wife relationship. Therefore, it is important for couples who are not married, about to get married, or who are already married, to talk about a number of things so that it doesn’t become a problem in the future. Here are the top most common problems in a marriage according to the survey:

1. Different Interests

Everyone has different interests. For instance, the husband’s interest does not have to be the same as the wife’s. With communication and openness from both parties, this difference of interest will not be a problem. But for those who can’t accept this difference, debate can happen at any time.

There needs to be remembered that everyone has different interests. Forcing one side’s attraction to the other is not wise. As long as the attraction doesn’t interfere with married life, it shouldn’t be a problem. Unless your husband’s or wife’s preferences can annoy your partner, it’s best to talk about it nicely.

2. Differences of Opinion and Vision

When hearing the news of divorce, there are couples who divorce because of differences of opinion and vision. Not one but many couples divorce for this reason. Even though this can be avoided if before marriage there has been communication about the differences of opinion and vision of each party.

Because each person have a different opinion and vision, you must look for people who have the same opinion and vision. Even if they are not the same, at least they can understand and accept the differences and live married life with an open mind. If you really can’t accept it, at least it happens before marriage, not after marriage.

3. Ignorant of Limits

Marriage does unite two individuals into one, but this does not mean that all things can be done or violated. There must still be boundaries made and adhered to by both parties. Every party, whether wife or husband, must have boundaries that their partner should not violate and must be discussed.

It is necessary to talk about boundaries to make it clear what should not be violated. Not a few newly married couples encounter this problem. They feel they are married, living together, so they are free to do whatever they want. It’s like looking for trouble on your own. If there is a fuss because there are parties who are indifferent to the boundaries, this is no longer surprising.

4. Different Customs

Marriage does not always only focus on the relationship between husband and wife. There are also families who are definitely involved. Uniting the mindset of two people is already a hassle, especially if it involves more parties. And of course there are customs that must be done.

We live in the world that consist of various ethnic groups and religions, there are also various kinds of customs which of course differ from one family to another. We must have heard of a husband and wife who were noisy because of different customs issues. At first, a married couple lived peacefully, but because they have parents who have strong customs, it creates friction in married life.

5. Changes in Body Shape

The body shape change from time to time. For instance, the men had a muscular body while the women had a slim body at first. Then, a decade after getting married, their body shape immediately changed drastically. The men became fat and distended, the women were also not as slim as before.

Indeed, there are those couple who experience this and can still live peacefully without any fuss, but there are also couples who are noisy because they see their partner’s extreme body changes. Every party, both men and women, of course there are those who care about their partner’s body shape. If the partner’s body shape is attractive, it is a sign that they’re taking care of their physical well. 

6. Intimacy Problem

When you are married, there will be many problems that come and go. The problem of intimacy can also be a big problem if it can’t be handled. Intimacy is not only about physical relationships but also emotional problems. There is less physical relationship, less emotion between the two parties, doubt that the marriage can last long.

Intimacy is the bond between two individuals in a relationship. Sharing feelings, supporting one another, establishing warmth are some of the things that are included in intimacy. It takes time and effort on both sides to keep intimacy at the highest level.

7. Hygiene Issues

Marriage is not an easy matter. If you want to get married, there are many problems that must be faced, after marriage there will also be problems that are ready to come. Problems that come up can be more difficult and complicated considering the problems faced by the couple will become a common problem. Of the many problems that can arise, one of which is cleanliness.

Everyone also knows that hygiene issue is the main thing. Cleanliness determines health, and because they live together, it is also a shared obligation to maintain cleanliness. But each party has different hygiene criteria. This difference in cleanliness can cause problems. One feels that the house is clean, but the other feels that it is still not clean.

8. Household Task

Have you ever had a fight with your partner? Even though it’s just the beginning of marriage, if there is a problem and can’t find a solution, it could be a fight. There are many things that can lead to contention and one of them is over who should do what.

The problem of household task is a common problem that must be discussed. It must be determined who should do what. Make a schedule for the division of household tasks that must be done by both husband and wife. Also make punishments for those who violate. If a husband and wife live together, then everything must be done together.

9. Time Management

Poor time management can lead to problems. Coming late to the office, coming late to pick up your spouse can also be a problem. Since this time issue is very important, everyone should be able to manage their time well. Especially if you are married, this time management really needs to be managed properly.

Because you already have a life partner, it can’t be good for that person to do things as freely as when you are still dating or single. There must be time provided for the family. Of course there must be a discussion to discuss the issue of time distribution. Regarding working hours, alone time, me time, and so on.

10. Finance

After marriage, all the problems of the couple will become mutual problems. Financial problems are also a common problem. How to manage household finances can be a determinant of whether or not a marriage relationship lasts. Even though it is still new, if financial problems are not taken care of, divorce is not a surprising thing.

Because this financial problem is one of the complicated problems, it is better if this finance has been discussed before even getting married. Each party must work together in managing household finances. Don’t be too extravagant, you have to remember that there are savings as a precaution if something unexpected happens.