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"Embarrassing" travel pillow frequent flyers swear by

<p>When it comes to travelling in economy, looking glamorous usually takes a back seat, with many people prioritising comfort over anything else. </p> <p>Travelling in cattle class presents its own issues with getting comfy on a plane, especially when sitting in the middle seat. </p> <p>However, a committed frequent flyer has discovered the "travel hack of the year" with an unusual looking travel pillow that means you can get comfy anywhere. </p> <p>“When you got the middle seat for a 13-hour plane ride,” wrote adventurer Annie Wright, 23, in the captions of a viral TikTok testimonial dedicated to the strange-looking, yet in-demand inflatable travel pillow.</p> <p>In the video, which has racked in a whopping 26.6 million views, Ms Wright, a law student in the US, shared footage of herself puffing into the plushy prop that’s offered by <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/inflatable-front-travel-pillow-43238989/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amazon</a>.</p> <p>For Aussies, you can snag the innovative travel pillow from <a href="https://www.kmart.com.au/product/inflatable-front-travel-pillow-43238989/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kmart</a> for a breezy $18.</p> <p>“I wasn’t sure if I’d like it and omg SO worth it!” cheered Ms Wright in the clip’s caption. “Total upgrade.”</p> <p>This new pillow puts the round-the-neck pillows to shame, as the expandable cushion, designed with an ergonomic 45-degree angle, offers support to the head and neck and inflates in just seconds. </p> <p>Once inflated, users are meant to position the pillow — created with a face cutout at its apex and two arm holes on its sides — on their passenger tray tables and lean forward into a relaxed position.</p> <p>The hot commodity’s details also noted that it can “help you stay away from injury and insomnia, make you rest more comfortable during the journey, easier to fall asleep, and sleep longer,” according to Amazon. </p> <p>According to the online Kmart reviews of the product, one traveller said it was “awkward looking” but “really comfortable” and perfect for long-haul flights.</p> <p>Folks under the #InflatableTravelPillow TikTok hashtag have hailed the headrest the “travel hack of the year.”</p> <p>However, haters of the portable bedding have deemed it an “embarrassment.” </p> <p>“My back just hurts watching this,” said one commenter beneath Ms Wright’s post. </p> <p>“Yeah I have social anxiety I would be too embarrassed to use it,” penned another.</p> <p>But in response to the criticisms, Ms Wright wrote, “People keep saying this [pillow] is embarrassing, but what’s more embarrassing is being caught with your mouth open just knocked out.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Try these 12 clever pillowcase hacks you’ll wish you knew sooner

<p><strong>Use a pillowcase as a laundry bag while travelling </strong></p> <p>When you travel, you always want to keep your dirty laundry separate from your clean clothes. Stick a pillowcase in your suitcase and toss in the dirty laundry as it accumulates. When you get home, just empty the pillowcase into the washer and throw in the pillowcase as well.</p> <p><strong>Use a pillowcase to dust ceiling fan blades</strong></p> <p>Have you ever seen dust bunnies careening off your ceiling fan when you turn it on for the first time in weeks? Grab an old pillowcase and place it over one of the ceiling fan blades. Slowly pull off the pillowcase. The blades get dusted and the dust bunnies stay in the pillowcase, instead of parachuting to the floor.</p> <p><strong>Turn a pillowcase into napkins </strong></p> <p>Who needs formal linen napkins that need to be pressed every time you use them? Pillowcases are available in a wide array of colours and designs. Pick a colour or design you like, and start cutting. Prevent fraying by sewing a hem on each side, or simply finish with iron-on hemming tape. You’ll have a new set of colourful napkins for a fraction of the cost of regular cloth napkins.</p> <p><strong>Use a pillowcase to keep matching bedding together </strong></p> <p>Your recently arrived overnight guests want to go to bed, but it’s not made. You run to the linen closet, but you can’t find a matched set of sheets. Next time, file away your linens. Place newly laundered and folded sheets in their matching pillowcase before putting them in the closet.</p> <p><strong>Prepare travel pillows</strong></p> <p>Family road trips can be a lot of fun, but they can also get a little grimy too. Your youngsters may want to bring their own pillows along for the ride, but after several days in the car, they’re likely to get dirty with candy, food and markers. Take their favourite pillows and layer several pillowcases on each. When the outside one gets dirty, remove it for a fresh start!</p> <p><strong>Use a pillowcase to wrap a present </strong></p> <p>Trying to wrap a basketball or an odd-shaped piece of art? Is your wrapping paper not doing the trick? Place the gift in a pillowcase and tie closed with a ribbon.</p> <p><strong>Use a pillowcase to store your jumpers</strong></p> <p>Stored in plastic, winter jumpers can get musty. But stored in a wardrobe, they’re prey to moths. The solution can be found among your linens. Put the sweaters in a pillowcase for seasonal storage. They will stay free from dust but the pillowcase fabric will allow them to breathe.</p> <p><strong>Use old pillowcases as garment bags </strong></p> <p>You’ve just laundered a favourite dress shirt or skirt and you know you won’t be wearing it again for a while. To protect the garment, cut a hole in the top of an old pillowcase and slip it over the hanger and clothing. Psst – you can also use this trick when you’re packing for a holiday.</p> <p><strong>Use pillowcases as dust bags </strong></p> <p>You reach up to pull a leather purse or suede shoes down from a shelf. Of course, the item is dusty and now you have to clean it. Save yourself the time and hassle next time by storing infrequently used items in a pillowcase. They’ll be clean and ready to use when the occasion arises.</p> <p><strong>Wash your delicates in a pillowcase </strong></p> <p>Jumpers and pantyhose can get pulled out of shape when they twist around in the washer. To protect these garments during washing, toss them into a pillowcase and close with string or rubber band. Set the machine on the delicate setting, add the soap, and worry not about knots.</p> <p><strong>Machine-wash stuffed animals in pillowcases</strong></p> <p>Your child’s favourite stuffed animal is cute, but mighty dusty. Time for a bath! Place it in a pillowcase and put it in the washer. The pillowcase will ensure it gets a gentle but thorough wash. If any parts fall off the stuffed animal, it’ll be caught in the pillowcase so you can reattach them after the washing machine bath.</p> <p><strong>Use a pillowcase to clear out cobwebs </strong></p> <p>There’s a cobweb way up high in the corner of your dining room. Before you take a broom to it, cover the broom with an old pillowcase. Now you can wipe away the cobweb without scratching the wall paint. It’s also easier to remove the cobweb from the pillow than to pull it out of the broom bristles.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/home-tips/12-clever-uses-for-pillowcases-youll-wish-you-knew-sooner?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

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Opioids don’t relieve acute low back or neck pain – and can result in worse pain, new study finds

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christine-lin-346821">Christine Lin</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-mclachlan-255312">Andrew McLachlan</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caitlin-jones-1263090">Caitlin Jones</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-maher-826241">Christopher Maher</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p>Opioids are the one of the most prescribed pain-relief for people with low back and neck pain. In Australia, around <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-017-5178-4">40% of people</a> with low back and neck pain who present to their GP and <a href="https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/28/10/826">70% of people</a> with low back pain who visit a hospital emergency department are prescribed opioids such as oxycodone.</p> <p>But our <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)00404-X/fulltext">new study</a>, published today in the Lancet medical journal, found opioids do not relieve “acute” low back or neck pain (lasting up to 12 weeks) and can result in worse pain.</p> <p>Prescribing opioids for low back and neck pain can also cause <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/taking-opioid-medicines-safely">harms</a> ranging from common side effects – such as nausea, constipation and dizziness – to <a href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/illicit-use-of-drugs/opioid-harm-in-australia/summary">misuse, dependency, poisoning and death</a>.</p> <p>Our findings show opioids should <em>not</em> be recommended for acute low back pain or neck pain. A change in prescribing for low back pain and neck pain is urgently needed in <a href="https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/publications/addressing-prescription-opioid-use-and-misuse-australia">Australia</a> and <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/opioid-crisis">globally</a> to reduce opioid-related harms.</p> <h2>Comparing opioids to a placebo</h2> <p>In our trial, we randomly allocated 347 people with acute low back pain and neck pain to take either an opioid (oxycodone plus naloxone) or <a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/placebo-effect">placebo</a> (a tablet that looked the same but had no active ingredients).</p> <p>Oxycodone is an opioid pain medicine which can be given orally. <a href="https://www.nps.org.au/radar/articles/oxycodone-with-naloxone-controlled-release-tablets-targin-for-chronic-severe-pain">Naloxone</a>, an opioid-reversal drug, reduces the severity of constipation while not disrupting the pain relieving effects of oxycodone.</p> <p>Participants took the opioid or placebo for a maximum of six weeks.</p> <p>People in the both groups also received <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955321000941">education and advice</a> from their treating doctor. This could be, for example, advice on returning to their normal activities and avoiding bed rest.</p> <p>We assessed their outcomes over a one-year period.</p> <h2>What did we find?</h2> <p>After six weeks of treatment, taking opioids did not result in better pain relief compared to the placebo.</p> <p>Nor were there benefits to other outcomes such as physical function, quality of life, recovery time or work absenteeism.</p> <p>More people in the group treated with opioids experienced nausea, constipation and dizziness than in the placebo group.</p> <p>Results at one year highlight the potential long-term harm of opioids even with short-term use. Compared to the placebo group, people in the opioid group experienced slightly worse pain, and reported a higher risk of <a href="https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article/20/1/113/4728236#129780622">opioid misuse</a> (problems with their thinking, mood or behaviour, or using opioids differently from how the medicines were prescribed).</p> <p>More people in the opioid group reported pain at one year: 66 people compared to 50 in the placebo group.</p> <h2>What will this mean for opioid prescribing?</h2> <p>In recent years, international low back pain guidelines have shifted the focus of treatment from drug to non-drug treatment due to <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(18)30489-6/fulltext">evidence</a> of limited treatment benefits and concern of medication-related harm.</p> <p>For acute low back pain, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-018-5673-2">guidelines</a> recommend patient education and advice, and if required, anti-inflammatory pain medicines such as ibuprofen. Opioids are <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00586-018-5673-2">recommended only</a> when other treatments haven’t worked or aren’t appropriate.</p> <p>Guidelines for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33064878/">neck</a> pain similarly discourage the use of opioids.</p> <p>Our latest research clearly demonstrates the benefits of opioids do not outweigh possible harms in people with acute low back pain and neck pain.</p> <p>Instead of advising opioid use for these conditions in selected circumstances, opioids should be discouraged without qualification.</p> <h2>Change is possible</h2> <p>Complex problems such as opioid use need smart solutions, and another study we recently conducted provides convincing data opioid prescribing can be successfully reduced.</p> <p>The <a href="https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/30/10/825">study</a> involved four hospital emergency departments, 269 clinicians and 4,625 patients with low back pain. The intervention comprised of:</p> <ul> <li>clinician education about <a href="https://aci.health.nsw.gov.au/networks/musculoskeletal/resources/low-back-pain">evidence-based management</a> of low back pain</li> <li>patient education using posters and handouts to highlight the benefits and harms of opioids</li> <li>providing heat packs and anti-inflammatory pain medicines as alternative pain-management treatments</li> <li>fast-tracking referrals to outpatient clinics to avoid long waiting lists</li> <li>audits and feedback to clinicians on information about opioid prescribing rates.</li> </ul> <p>This intervention reduced opioid prescribing from <a href="https://qualitysafety.bmj.com/content/30/10/825">63% to 51% of low back pain presentations</a>. The <a href="https://emj.bmj.com/content/early/2023/04/02/emermed-2022-212874">reduction was sustained for 30 months</a>.</p> <p>Key to this successful approach is that we worked with clinicians to develop suitable pain-management treatments without opioids that were feasible in their setting.</p> <p>More work is needed to evaluate this and other interventions aimed at reducing opioid prescribing in other settings including GP clinics.</p> <p>A nuanced approach is often necessary to avoid causing <a href="https://theconversation.com/opioid-script-changes-mean-well-but-have-left-some-people-in-chronic-pain-156753">unintended consequences</a> in reducing opioid use.</p> <p>If people with low back pain or neck pain are using opioids, especially at higher doses over an extended period of time, it’s important they seek advice from their doctor or pharmacist before stopping these medicines to avoid <a href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/opioid-withdrawal-symptoms">unwanted effects when the medicines are abruptly stopped</a>.</p> <p>Our research provides compelling evidence opioids have a limited role in the management of acute low back and neck pain. The challenge is getting this new information to clinicians and the general public, and to implement this evidence into practice.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/203244/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christine-lin-346821">Christine Lin</a>, Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/andrew-mclachlan-255312">Andrew McLachlan</a>, Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>; <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caitlin-jones-1263090">Caitlin Jones</a>, Postdoctoral Research Associate in Musculoskeletal Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a>, and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/christopher-maher-826241">Christopher Maher</a>, Professor, Sydney School of Public Health, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/opioids-dont-relieve-acute-low-back-or-neck-pain-and-can-result-in-worse-pain-new-study-finds-203244">original article</a>.</em></p>

Body

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17th-century Polish ‘vampire’ found buried with sickle across neck

<p dir="ltr">The remains of a woman found in a 17th-century graveyard in Poland are believed to be an example of an ‘anti-vampire’ burial after a sickle was also found placed across her neck to prevent her from rising from the dead.</p> <p dir="ltr">Dariusz Poliński, a professor at Nicholas Copernicus University, led the archaeological dig where the remains were uncovered, with the <em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11173505/Remains-VAMPIRE-pinned-ground-sickle-throat-Poland.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Daily Mail</a></em> reporting that the skeleton was found wearing a silk cap and with a protruding front tooth.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The sickle was not laid flat but placed on the neck in such a way that if the deceased had tried to get up… the head would have been cut off,” Professor Poliński told the outlet.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to the <em><a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/17th-century-poland-vampires-werent-boogeymen-out-town-girl-or-boy-next-door-180953476/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Smithsonian</a></em> magazine, Eastern Europeans reported fears of vampires and began treating their dead with anti-vampire rituals during the 11th century.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e1199576-7fff-cba7-8161-75f5e8ce3f2a">By the 17th century, these practices were common across Poland in response to reports of a vampire outbreak, per <em><a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/research-reveals-the-origin-of-poland-s-mysterious-vampires" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ScienceAlert</a></em>.</span></p> <p><img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/09/skeleton-lady1.jpg" alt="" width="1280" height="720" /></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>The skeletal remains, pictured from above. Image: Łukasz Czyżewski, NCU</em></p> <p dir="ltr">Professor Poliński told the New York Post that there were other forms of protection to prevent vampires from returning from the dead, including cutting off limbs and using fire.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Other ways to protect against the return of the dead include cutting off the head or legs, placing the deceased face down to bite into the ground, burning them, and smashing them with a stone,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The skeleton’s toe was also padlocked, which Professor Poliński said likely symbolised “the closing of a stage and the impossibility of returning”.</p> <p dir="ltr">This isn’t the first time a ‘vampire’ has been discovered by archaeologists either.</p> <p dir="ltr">Matteo Borrini, a lecturer at Liverpool John Moore University, discovered the remains of a woman who died in the 16th century and was buried with a stone in her mouth in a mass grave with plague victims.</p> <p dir="ltr">He explained that outbreaks of ‘vampires’ were often associated with periods where people were dying from unknown causes at the time - such as pandemics or mass poisoning.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These ‘vampires’ start to hunt and kill family members first, then the neighbours, and then all the other villages,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is the classical pattern of a disease that is contagious.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The most recent ‘vampire’ remains, which were dug up in August, are being further investigated by scientists.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c133c871-7fff-ea85-c6ce-820b4d4d2ba2"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Mirosław Blicharski</em></p>

International Travel

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Woman avoids baggage fees with genius neck pillow hack

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While many travellers love to take advantage of cheap airline seats, the deals often come hand in hand with hefty baggage fees.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One savvy TikTok user has devised a unique way to avoid the extra charges for luggage, using a travel neck pillow. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The traveller, who shares videos under the name @anayotothe on TikTok, uses the cheap neck pillow as a secret carry-on bag to get out of those pesky extra fees. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Trying the Spirit and Frontier pillow hack cuz I ain't tryna pay $60 for a carry on," the woman wrote on the video, referencing two American airlines.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She captioned the video, “My flight is in three hours let’s see how this goes!”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The woman picked up the travel pillow for just $9 from the US supermarket Walgreens, and proceeded to take the pillow stuffing out of the case. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She then stuffed all the clothes that wouldn’t fit in her backpack into the pillowcase, which could still be used to stay comfortable during her flight. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Everything fits except for this shirt!" the woman exclaimed, while showing followers her clever technique.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After sharing the video with her followers, the woman later confirmed that she boarded her flight successfully with her hidden carry-on luggage.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"On the way to Vegas and the way back, I didn't have to pay, with my travel pillow and my backpack," she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">While dozens of people commented to thank the savvy traveller for the tip, others also questioned if it was worth it to save money. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">When questioned about her methods, the woman responded, "It took five minutes, also it was an hour flight… there was no reason I should pay $300 for a flight if you can just take one of the budget airlines."</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image credits: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Travel Tips

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Wild elk finally gets tyre removed from around its neck after two years

<p dir="ltr">A wild elk in Colorado is free after a years-long ordeal to remove a rubber tyre from around its neck. Wildlife officers were<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/News-Release-Details.aspx?NewsID=7971" target="_blank">able to free it</a><span> </span>over the weekend after local residents alerted them to the creature’s location.</p> <p dir="ltr">The elk was a four-and-a-half year-old male weighing over 600 pounds, or over 270 kilograms. He had spent the past few years travelling between neighbouring counties, disappearing for long periods of time, particularly in the winter, and acting normally for a wild animal, not wanting to be around humans.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The saga of the bull elk with a tire around its neck is over. Thanks to the residents just south of Pine Junction on CR 126 for reporting its location, wildlife officers were able to free it of that tire Saturday.<br /><br />Story: <a href="https://t.co/WHfkfPuAck">https://t.co/WHfkfPuAck</a><br /><br />📸's courtesy of Pat Hemstreet <a href="https://t.co/OcnceuZrpk">pic.twitter.com/OcnceuZrpk</a></p> — CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) <a href="https://twitter.com/CPW_NE/status/1447601850878812161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Wildlife officers were first alerted to the elk’s plight in June 2019. While conducting a population survey for bighorn sheep and mountain goats, an officer saw the bull through a spotting scope. Wildlife officer Scott Murdoch said, “Being up in the wilderness, we didn’t really expect to be able to get our hands on the elk just because of the proximity or the distance away from civilization.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It is harder to get the further they are back in there and usually the further these elk are away from people, the wilder they act. That certainly played true the last couple of years, this elk was difficult to find, and harder to get close to.”</p> <p dir="ltr">In the past week alone, officers had made four attempts to try and tranquilise the animal. They were finally successful on Saturday evening, after wildlife officer Dawson Swanson found the elk amongst a larger group, and managed to tranquilise it, after which officer Murdoch arrived to aid in the removal of the tyre.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Why we cut the antlers off &amp; not the tire:<br /><br />1⃣ We tried, sawzall was slow going thru steel in the bead of the tire<br />2⃣ The animal was under anesthesia, time was limited<br />3⃣ Does not harm the elk, will grow back next year<br />4⃣ Reduces the chance the bull would be harvested this year <a href="https://t.co/C24rgd5krs">pic.twitter.com/C24rgd5krs</a></p> — CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) <a href="https://twitter.com/CPW_NE/status/1448023318590672896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2021</a></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Of the removal process, Murdoch said, “It was tight removing it,” even after cutting its antlers off. “It was not easy for sure, we had to move it just right to get it off because we weren’t able to cut the steel in the bead of the tire. Fortunately, the bull’s neck still had a little room to move.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We would have preferred to cut the tire and leave the antlers for his rutting activity, but the situation was dynamic and we had to just get the tire off in any way possible.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Once the tyre had been removed, the officers were surprised to see that the elk’s neck was in relatively good condition. “The hair was rubbed off a little bit, there was one small open wound maybe the size of a nickel or quarter, but other than that it looked really good,” Murdoch said. “I was actually quite shocked to see how good it looked.”</p> <div> <div class="reply-list-component"> <div class="reply-component"> <div class="reply-body-component"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply-body-wrapper"> <div class="reply-body-inner"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p dir="ltr">According to Colorado Parks &amp; Wildlife, "the elk would have gotten the tyre around its antlers either when it was very young, before it had antlers, or during the winter when it shed its antlers. It could have been a big stack of tires that the elk stuck its head in."</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <p dir="ltr">Removing its antlers does not hurt the elk, as they will grow back next year.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Twitter/@CPW_NE</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Woman necks bottle of red wine behind the wheel before smash

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>A Gold Coast man has apologised after sharing shocking footage of a woman drinking a bottle of wine in the driver's seat of her car.</p> <p>“She actually pulled out a full bottle of wine, sat back and drank the entire bottle in one go,” Sam Mangan, who took the video, told 9 News Gold Coast.</p> <p>“It was unbelievable.”</p> <p>Soon after the video was taken, the woman allegedly caused a three-car pile up and returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.276, more than five times the legal limit.</p> <p>People were quick to slam the footage, saying people had no idea what she was going through.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLbR_lIHybI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CLbR_lIHybI/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by SAM MANGAN (@sammangan)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“Ever asked what she was going through and what drove her to do that?” Asked one person.</p> <p>“You posted about her without knowing any history … agreed she should not be drunk driving [but] you know nothing of what that woman has gone through that day,” the person said of the video, in which Mr Mangan doesn’t identify the woman or show her face.</p> <p>Despite Mangan initially saying that he didn't agree with the critics, he has changed his tune.</p> <p>“If you’re going to drink enough to (allegedly) be five-and-a-half times the legal limit and get behind the wheel of a car it becomes anyone’s business that’s going to stop you,” Mr Mangan said.</p> <p>“If you’re stupid enough to drink drive you deserve to be caught.”</p> <p>He later posted the video footage on his Instagram, saying that he was glad "this all ended with no one getting hurt".</p> </div> </div> </div>

News

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The potato trick to help get rid of neck pain and migraines

<p>An expert has revealed an unlikely item that serves to relieve neck pain and migraines.</p> <p>Those dealing with neck stiffness could use humble potatoes to treat themselves, said Stephen Makinde, the clinical director of Perfect Balance Clinic in London.</p> <p>“We’ve seen an increase in the number of clients with neck problems and migraines associated with neck stiffness since the start of the coronavirus lockdown,” Makinde told the <em><a href="https://www.dailystar.co.uk/health/bizarre-baking-potato-trick-could-22096583">Daily Star</a></em>.</p> <p>The problem could be attributed to increased use of electronic devices during the pandemic, which affects the upper back, he said.</p> <p>“If you are looking down, which you do when working on a laptop, what tends to happen is the head starts to hang forward and that puts a lot of strain on the upper back,” he said.</p> <p>“This can often cause a burning sensation in the trapezius muscles and affects other muscles in the neck, the spine and the nerves.”</p> <p>Makinde said lying down with tennis balls placed underneath the back of the head can help loosen muscles, release tension and help “reset the neck position”.</p> <p>“Tennis balls are really useful for this, but most people don’t have tennis balls at home,” he said.</p> <p>“So baking potatoes work well, too. You just sellotape them together and lie down flat, with the potatoes placed underneath the back of your head.</p> <p>“This is a really easy and useful thing people can do at home to release their neck tension and the pressure around there themselves.”</p> <p>In an interview with <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/coronavirus-australia-how-to-prevent-back-and-neck-pain-when-working-from-home-c-1059473">Sunrise</a></em>, Australian Chiropractors Association President Dr Anthony Coxon also recommended getting up and moving every half an hour as well as increasing the height of the screens we are using.</p>

Body

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Research has revealed that technology is a literal pain in the neck

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers have revealed that technology is changing the bones in our necks and skulls, which is setting people up for a lifetime of pain.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This comes from device overuse, as it can cause posture problems.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers at the University of the Sunshine Coast have found something unusual that tends to go unnoticed.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They used a sample of more than 1,200 people aged between 18 and 30. They discovered that 41 percent of the participants had grown a bony lump on the back of their skull.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The horn-like spurs were between 10 to 30 millimetres thick.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We suspect the reason for this bone spur formation is because they carry their head forward,” University of the Sunshine Coast’s David Shahar said to </span><a href="https://thewest.com.au/news/health/researchers-reveal-technology-is-proving-a-pain-in-the-neck-ng-b881234805z"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The West.</span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The sustained stress on the skull is creating bone de-position which usually takes years.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The simple solution? Lift your head.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Bringing the weight of the head back to rest on the bones and not on the muscles,” Dr Shahar said. </span></p>

Technology

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Australian cricket legend Matthew Hayden rushed to hospital after freak accident

<p>Former Australian Test cricketer Matthew Hayden was rushed to hospital after a nasty surfing accident last week, which caused the fracturing of his neck and head lacerations.</p> <p>In a post on his Instagram account, the former opening batsman was almost unrecognisable due to his injuries, as he lay pictured in a neck brace, and revealing his neck and head injuries, as well as a black eye. </p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BooQT4wgIz4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BooQT4wgIz4/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank">Ok. Last attention seeking post I promise. Just wanted to say a big thank you to all our mates on Straddie who have been so supportive.✅🏄🏽‍♂️🙏 Especially Ben &amp; Sue Kelley for the fast diagnosis with MRI, CT scan. Fractured C6, torn C5,C4 ligaments safe to say I truly have dodged a bullet. Thank you everyone ❤️ On the road to recovery 🏄🏽‍♂️🎣</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/haydos359/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_medium=loading" target="_blank"> Matthew Hayden</a> (@haydos359) on Oct 7, 2018 at 3:44am PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Hayden said he had hit his head on a sandbank while surfing with his son Josh on a family holiday in Stradbroke Island in Queensland on Friday.</p> <p>“Took on Straddie back bank yesterday with @josh_hayden28 and lost!!! Game over for a few days,” he wrote.</p> <p>The cricket legend acknowledged he “truly dodged a bullet” with the freak accident, referring to a brush with breaking his neck, and thanked everyone who had come to his rescue.</p> <p>“Ok. Last attention seeking post I promise. Just wanted to say a big thank you to all our mates on Straddie who have been so supportive,” he wrote. “Especially Ben &amp; Sue Kelley for the fast diagnosis with MRI, CT scan. Fractured C6, torn C5, C4 ligaments. Safe to say I truly have dodged a bullet. Thank you everyone. On the road to recovery.”</p> <p>During his 15-year cricket career, <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.matthewhayden.com/the-cricketer/" target="_blank">Hayden </a>racked up 103 matches, 8600 runs and 30 centuries in Test cricket. He retired from Test cricket in 2009.</p>

Caring

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Gentle yoga moves to help ease neck and shoulder tension

<p><strong><em>Tracy Adshead is a yoga teacher specialising in yoga for seniors. She is passionate about bringing healing and healthy ageing to the community.</em></strong></p> <p>This is a gentle yoga practice for improving neck, upper back and shoulder mobility and for relieving mental tension that sometimes causes shoulder discomfort. It should be practiced from a seated position. Move slowly with awareness.</p> <p class="embed-responsive embed-responsive-16by9">              <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N1i0OcG52Ro" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><em>Follow Tracy on Facebook </em><strong><u><a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/%20https:/www.facebook.com/TracyChairYoga/?hc_ref=SEARCH&amp;fref=nf">here</a></u></strong><em>.</em></p>

Body

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Should you take your own pillow on a cruise?

<p>Going on a cruise, no matter how long your journey may be, requires you to pack some essential items to make it through the trip.</p> <p>One cruiser has asked other travellers on <a href="https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=833016" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cruise Critic</strong></em></span></a> if it is necessary to pack his pillow for his sea adventure.</p> <p>“I was wondering if anybody every brings their own pillows. If the pillows are good, I won't worry about it. I just don't want to have neck cramps all week,” he asked.</p> <p>Here are the responses he received from a community of avid cruisers.</p> <p>CruiseDude_83 said: “Yes every cruise. It is not because I feel that the ones on the cruise are dirty i just sleep on my own better…”</p> <p>ChristieNJ wrote” “Never! It's sad that the cruise pillows are WAYYY more comfortable than my own!”</p> <p>CL-JW agreed: “We’ve found the pillows to be good on board.”</p> <p>Tika shared: “I always take my little travel pillow with me when I travel. It is about half the size of a standard pillow and scrunches real small so easy to pack. I know some folks have asked their cabin stewards for different pillows and they always accommodate their requests. One line we cruised on actually asked us in a pre-cruise questionnaire what type of pillows we wanted and bed duvet or standard spread.”</p> <p>Retiredawacs said: “I’ve travelled all over the world and I don't leave home without my pillow. I always find a way to make room for it. I've been told though that on our cruise in three weeks that there is a pillow menu to select from. We are staying in a GS. I still think I will take my own.”</p> <p>Cruiser starlake shared his tricks to travelling with his pillow.</p> <p>“I always take my own pillow. I don't have any problem with the ship's pillows, I just like my own,” he wrote. <br /> “I have a standard size pillow and either make room for it in my checked luggage, or if there is no room there I have simply tied it to my carry-on and go through airport security. I have never been asked to find room inside the carry-on and have never had anyone even say anything about it. It is amazing if you look around airports and see how many people carry their own pillow.”</p> <p>Do you pack your pillow when you go on a cruise? Let us know in the comments below.</p>

Cruising

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4 ways to reduce the signs of ageing on your neck

<p>If you’re like many of us, you seen a lot of time using beauty products on your face. But what about the skin exposed just a few centimetres below the face?</p> <p>The neck is just as visible as the face, yet it is often very much neglected in the beauty routines of women around the world.</p> <p>Try these simple tips to keep the skin on your neck in good shape (to match your gorgeous face).</p> <p><strong>1. Use your cleansers, moisturiser and anti-ageing creams on your neck</strong></p> <p>Don’t stop your creams and cleansers at your jaw line; go all the way down to your neck, where the skin is thinner and more prone to showing the signs of ageing.</p> <p><strong>2. Choose natural fibres for jumpers and scarves</strong></p> <p>If you’re wrapping up with a scarf or wearing a jumper that goes onto your neck, be sure to avoid synthetic fibres that can irritate the sensitive skin there. They’re also more likely to pull moisture from the skin if they’re not natural wool or cotton.</p> <p><strong>3. Keep perfume to a minimum</strong></p> <p>There’s no need to just spray your fragrance on the neck area only, as this can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight. Instead, dab a little perfume on the neck, wrists and behind the ears where it’s less likely to cause issue. </p> <p><strong>4. Avoid irritants like sun and cigarette smoke</strong></p> <p>Skin damage from the sun can quickly age you, and smoking can cause more wrinkles on the face and neck. Be sure to cover up with a good quality sunscreen on your face and neck, and steer clear of smoke if at all possible. </p> <p>Have you got any further advice that we might have missed that you’d like to share in the comments?</p>

Beauty & Style

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Why you should never travel without a pillow case

<p>An empty pillow case is probably the last thing you’re thinking about bringing on your next overseas trip, particularly if you’re planning to stay at a hotel that offers a turndown service.</p> <p>But, with a bit of creativity, they can be quite useful.</p> <p>If you’ve ever bemoaned the way dirty clothes become entangled with clean ones on a long journey, an empty pillow case is the answer you’ve been looking for, providing a makeshift dirty-laundry bag that takes up no extra space. </p> <p>Not worried about dirty clothes? Well an empty pillow case is also a handy way to keep socks and underwear organised, and separate from the rest of your items.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/axIwbpMdqZk" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p>And what’s more, an empty pillow case can also come in handy if you’ve been shopping overseas. If you’ve purchased any breakable souvenirs on your travels, and empty pillow case is the perfect way to wrap and protect them on the trip home.</p> <p>So, do you think you’ll bring an empty pillow case on your travels? Do you have any tips you would like to share? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear from you. </p>

Travel Tips

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How many pillows is too many?

<p class="first-para">During our two seasons on <em>The Block</em>, I was given the illustrious title of “bedroom queen” as we had lots of positive feedback from the judges about the styling of our beds.</p> <p>Since then, the question of how many pillows should be used on a bed is one that I am most frequently asked. So how many is too many? When are you at risk of looking cushion crazy?</p> <p>Here are my tips for getting the balance just right.</p> <p><strong>Style</strong></p> <p>Decide what style you want for your bed. A casual, slightly undone bed looks better with less pillows and little to no decorative cushions. Think three or four standard pillows in natural linen with a throw loosely draped over the end of the bed.</p> <p>The next level up would be a more dressed bed that includes European pillows and decorative cushions. This style is an everyday look that requires a little bit more effort for a more finished result.</p> <p>Finally, the formal bed goes all out with layers of European pillows, multiple standard pillows and at least three decorative cushions to finish it off. The result is dramatic, plush and polished. This option is every significant other’s worst nightmare as it takes considerable time, and many laps of the bed, to remove all of those pillows each night.</p> <p><strong>Size</strong></p> <p>The obvious rule of thumb is the smaller the bed, the fewer pillows it needs. I have gone one step further and created a basic guide.</p> <p>Single bed: one European pillow plus one standard pillow or two standard pillows. One or two decorative cushions at the most.</p> <p>Double/Queen bed: Two European pillows plus two to four standard pillows. A maximum of three decorative cushions.</p> <p>King size bed: Three European pillows plus two to four standard pillows. A maximum of three decorative cushions.</p> <p><strong>Pillow arrangement</strong></p> <p>There are many ways to arrange pillows, some more formal than others. Decide whether you prefer the pillows to be the same on both sides of the bed or slightly different for an interesting twist.</p> <p>A classic option for double and queen beds is to start with two European pillows at the back, followed by two standards on both sides and one large decorative cushion in the centre. Alternatively, you can have two decorative cushions that sit on either side or three layered across the middle.</p> <p>Another option is two European pillows at the back with two standard pillows stacked on top of each other on one side and two standard pillows sitting one in front of each other on the opposite side to throw the symmetry off. Both of these work well on a king sized bed with an extra European pillow to fill in the gaps along the back.</p> <p>For a king-sized bed, a clean and simple arrangement is to stack two standard pillows on each side and then stand one European pillow in front on both sides and a third European in the middle. European pillows are a must for any beautifully made bed as they add all important height.</p> <p>The combinations really are endless so don’t be scared of your pillows. Have fun playing with different arrangements until you find the one that feels right.</p> <p><em>Written by Dea Jolly. Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.domain.com.au" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Domain.com.au.</span></strong></a></em></p>

Home & Garden

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This might be Australia’s most remarkable natural formation

<p>Visit one of Australia’s most remarkable natural formations.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>Eaglehawk Neck Tessellated Pavement in Tasmania is one of the world’s most spectacular geological phenomena. A tessellated pavement is an incredibly rare rock formation that is only found in a few places on earth. Over thousands of years, a section of flat sedimentary rock that sits close to the ocean gets broken up into a series of regular blocks through cracking and erosion. There are two potential results: a series of small rectangular pools that fill and empty with the tides or rounded rocks that bulge upwards in a ‘loaf’ formation. Though it looks manmade, the formations are entirely natural. The rock comes to resemble a traditional Roman mosaic floor, which is where the name ‘tessellated pavement’ comes from.</p> <p><strong>Where is it?</strong></p> <p>Eaglehawk Neck is the thin strip of land that separated the Tasman Peninsula to the Forestier Peninsula, on the southeast coast of the island of Tasmania. It is around 400 metres long and 30 metres wide. The Port Arthur prison was opened on the Tasman Peninsula in the 1830s and the narrow isthmus formed a natural barrier to prevent convicts escaping to the main island. To add an extra degree of difficulty, the entrance to the peninsula was guarded by a line of fearsome dogs chained together.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3W8nS0wyQzs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p><strong>How can I visit?</strong></p> <p>The Tessellated Pavement is a one-hour drive from Hobart along a pretty coastal route. You can stop at the lookout on the sea cliffs above to get a birds’ eye view of the entire formation. At low tide, you can walk across the rocks and out to Clydes Island. The rocks can be uneven and slippery, so take care and wear appropriate footwear.</p> <p>Have you ever visited this incredible attraction?</p>

International Travel

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How to tell if your pillow is helping or hurting you

<p>Living in a society that is constantly looking down at smartphones or computers definitely takes a toll on the body. To make sure you are not worsening your stiff neck, make sure you keep your neck parallel to the mattress, rather than having your neck bent down or up. Your pillow is an essential item that can either help your pain or be the cause of it. Here are the factors that can help you find a good quality pillow.</p> <p><strong>Pillow fill</strong></p> <p>The most commonly used pillow fills are down feathers, synthetic/polyester fibres and foam. Memory foam and latex pillows have become popular for those looking for additional neck support.</p> <p>Dr Bang believes that feather pillows cause the most next pain as they don’t provide much stability. “They feel super comfy when you first settle in. But the feathers move when you do, so you wind up with no support, causing you pain,” said Dr Bang. <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom/products/linen-house-exceed-soft-pillow?utm_source=Over60&amp;utm_medium=in-article-link-bedroom-exceed-soft-pillow&amp;utm_campaign=Over60Shop&amp;utm_content=exceed-soft-pillow" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Down pillows</span></strong></a> provide more support and retain their shape. </p> <p><strong>Sleeping position</strong></p> <p>How you position your body and head when you sleep can determine what kind of pillow you need. If you sleep on your neck, get a fluffier pillow that can lift your head and chin to help breathing and snoring. If you sleep on your side, consider a firmer pillow to support the distance between your ear and outside shoulder. If you sleep on your stomach, look for a thin pillow to minimize your neck stretching.</p> <p><strong>Fluff factor</strong></p> <p>A fluffy pillow is a great investment because it means that fresh air is able to travel through it. It provides a greater level of cushioning and lasts longer. If you get a pillow that is deflated, it shows that the pillow can no longer trap air and is not ideal to provide support. It is important to do the fluffiness test by folding a pillow in half to see if it unfolds on its own. If it doesn’t, you might have to look around for a new pillow.</p> <p><strong>Thread count</strong></p> <p>The higher the thread count in a pillow, the more plush it will feel. Higher thread counts come with a hefty price tag so for a standard size pillow a 300-thread count is not too expensive but provides optimum comfort to your neck and head.</p> <p>What do you look for when you are buying a pillow? Let us know in the comments below.</p> <p><em><strong>To find your home essentials, including pillows, <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom?utm_source=Over60&amp;utm_medium=in-article-link-bedroom&amp;utm_campaign=Over60Shop&amp;utm_content=over60-shop" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the Over60 Shop</span></a> for high-quality offerings.</strong></em></p> <p><a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom?utm_source=Over60&amp;utm_medium=in-article-banner-bedroom&amp;utm_campaign=Over60Shop&amp;utm_content=over60-shop" target="_blank"><img src="http://media.oversixty.com.au/images/EditorialAddon/201706_Shopnow_EditorialAddon_468x60_Bedroom.jpg" alt="Over60 Shop - Bedroom Range"/></a></p>

Home & Garden

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The three most comfortable pillow shapes

<p>Pillows are much more than just something that you lay your head on at night. By choosing a pillow that provides you with comfort and keeps your neck and head aligned, you can ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Whether you prefer to fill your pillows with natural or synthetic filling, these three pillow shapes will provide you with the comfort you need to sleep soundly.</p> <p><strong>1. The U-shape pillow</strong></p> <p>Not only is the <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom/products/linen-house-exceed-u-shape-pillow-900gsm" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>pillow</strong></span></a> shape comfortable for when you sleep but the shape provides a good neck rest for when you are sitting upright and reading or looking at a device. As this pillow relieves pressure to many parts of the body, the need to toss and turn in the night is reduced. The U-shape creates the perfect resting spot for your neck and is best for people who suffer from back, neck and shoulder pan. If you are looking to purchase a U-shape pillow we recommend looking around to find a length that is suitable for your body type. The pillowcase fabric that Over60 love on this pillow shape is <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bed-essentials/products/linen-house-remo-u-shape-pillowcase" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">cotton</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>2. The European pillow</strong></p> <p>This <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom/products/linen-house-exceed-european-pillow" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>pillow</strong></span></a> provides the perfect comfort for doing daily tasks such as watching TV and sitting in the loungeroom. Although this pillow isn’t generally used to support your head while sleeping, it is definitely worth considering investing in a European pillow to have on your bed if you enjoy extra pillows. If you need to elevate a certain body part due to swelling or you back requires extra support while you rest, this pillow is the perfect size to support your body even further. As this is a multi-purpose pillow be sure to regularly clean the pillowcase for best use.</p> <p><strong>3. The standard medium pillow</strong></p> <p>There is a reason that this <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom/products/linen-house-exceed-standard-medium-pillow-900gsm" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>pillow</strong></span></a> is the popular option when purchasing a night pillow. Although it is a standard pillow it is still important to purchase the size and filling that is best for your body. Pillows should adjust to fit your shape, curves and sleeping position and to also alleviate any pressure points.</p> <p>Most pillows last for roughly two years so be sure to replace your pillow if it doesn’t bounce back to its original shape when you fold it in half.</p> <p><strong><em>To find your bed essentials, including the pillows mentioned above, head to the <a href="https://shop.oversixty.com.au/collections/bedroom" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Over60 Shop</span></a> for high-quality offerings.</em></strong></p>

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The easy trick to whiten old pillows

<p>We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s natural that our pillows will turn yellow because sweat – even in winter. We try to cover those nasty stains with white pillowcases, but if the stain is really bad, it can still be seen through the case. Thankfully, there’s a simple way to banish those yellow marks once and for all.</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You will need:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>Very hot water</li> <li>1 cup laundry detergent</li> <li>1 cup dishwasher detergent (powder)</li> <li>1 cup bleach</li> <li>½ cup borax</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">How to:</span></strong></p> <p>Now that you have the essentials, follow the steps in the video above to get your pillows looking brand new.</p> <p><em>Source: Onegoodthingbyjillee.com</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/cleaning-secrets-your-mother-taught-you/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>13 cleaning secrets your mother taught you</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/why-you-should-never-make-your-bed/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Why you should never make your bed</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/home-garden/2016/07/5-very-dirty-things-in-bedrooms-people-arent-aware-of/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">5 very dirty things in bedrooms people aren’t aware of</span></em></strong></a></p>

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