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Raghad Qassem searched all over Iraq's capital Baghdad for a psychologist she could talk to about her problems, before finally...

Teachers are leaving jobs in growing numbers, state reports show

Big Brother has returned to British TV for the first time in five years. Hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the ITV reality show has kicked off with 16 housemates living together in a custom-built home without access to the outside world – all in a bid to win £100,000. Since Big Brother first aired on Channel 4 in 2000, it’s become known as the ultimate social experiment. Here are a few tips from psychologists on how the new contestants can survive being cooped up in a house with a group of strangers, under the continuous monitoring of Big Brother… The psychology of Big Brother For Dr Rachael Molitor, a psychologist and lecturer at Coventry University, the psychology behind Big Brother involves “the intricate interplay of 24/7 surveillance on human behaviour, participant isolation from the outside world, and psychological challenges around newly formed and integral social friendships and group dynamics”. Although it may be deemed similar to other TV programmes, such as Love Island or The Traitors, where contestants also live together in a new home, Big Brother is different. “It has a unique stance, in that the contestants are not a cookie cutter of a particular type of person needed for the show’s storyline,” Molitor said. “With Love Island and My Mum Your Dad, the contestants needed to be single and of a certain age or criteria. With Big Brother, we can see a number of varying contestants, all with different backgrounds and personalities.” However, Molitor notes that Big Brother is “less of a psychological observational experiment” and “more of a TV entertainment viewing opportunity – and edited as such”. She said: “The environment provides a rich opportunity for the study of human behaviour, social dynamics, and the psychological effects of living in a controlled, highly competitive and monitored setting.” How can contestants survive in the Big Brother house? For Molitor, the key to survival is for contestants to be themselves. “Due to the length of time contestants will be on the show, it’s important to build strong genuine relationships. Effective communication supports the positive experience of all housemates,” Molitor added. Dr Sarita Robinson, associate dean of psychology and humanities at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) agrees, and said: “Like with any group of people in an enclosed space, inter-group conflict is likely to occur. “Rather than reacting immediately to something that has annoyed you, it is best to walk away and wait for 15 minutes. It’s amazing how a little bit of time can take the heat out of a situation for the contestants.” How can they protect their mental health? Taking care of your mental health isn’t always the easiest thing to do on a reality TV show, Robinson suggested. “Due to social evaluative stress that relates to what people think of us, this can have a marked impact on our physiological stress levels if we think people are making negative judgements about us.” But things have changed since the show first aired. “With the new care of duty plan, contestants can ask for help when needed and get mental health and wellbeing support prior to, during and after the show has ended,” Molitor said. Whilst in the house, there are a few “small health-enhancing behaviours” contestants can do. These include “getting enough sleep, exercise and healthy eating to support their health and wellbeing throughout”, Molitor advised. Robinson also warned against behaviours that might impact your state of mind. “If people start to stress their brains by drinking alcohol, having poor quality sleep, restricting their food intake or changing their normal use of things like nicotine, caffeine or medication like antidepressants, it can have an impact on the brain,” Robinson said. “For example, if you don’t get a good night’s sleep your brain will struggle to work as well as it usually does, which can cause problems with emotion regulation. The knock-on effect of this might make you more likely to be grumpy and have a row with someone.” Big Brother airs nightly on ITV2 and ITVX, excluding Saturdays. Read More How to support someone coming out in their 30s and beyond Israel-Hamas conflict: How to talk to teenagers about distressing news stories 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

Lottery officials in Florida say the winner of the $1.6 billion Mega Millions jackpot from August has come forward to claim the prize

Summer holidays are in full swing – and it’s very hot in Europe. Returning with a sun-kissed glow is always a bonus, but is lounging around on sunbeds ever truly safe? “As UV rays from the sun reach our skin, they stimulate the production of melanin, a pigment responsible for giving our skin its colour. Melanin acts as a natural defence mechanism, as it absorbs UV radiation and helps protect the skin from damage,” says Dr Tim Clayton, consultant dermatologist at Pall Mall Medical in Manchester. “Increased melanin production leads to tanning of the skin, which is the body’s way of trying to shield itself from further UV exposure.” So, if we are sunbathing to tan, our skin is always defending itself. Is it OK to sunbathe for a short amount of time? The longer you’re exposed to the sun, the worse the impact and damage may be. “Excessive and unprotected sun exposure, especially with frequent sunburns, increases the likelihood of developing skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma,” says Clayton. Even if a tan develops without any visible signs of sunburn over a shorter period of time, the DNA in your skin cells can still be damaged, notes Clayton. “The DNA damage caused by UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancer, including the most dangerous form, melanoma.” What about SPF? “Sunbathing, even with the use of sunscreen, still carries some risks. While sunscreen can provide some level of protection, it is not foolproof, and other factors should be taken into consideration,” he explains. While sunscreen can help reduce the amount of UV radiation that penetrates the skin, it does not completely block it. “Some UV radiation can still reach the skin, increasing the risk of DNA damage, premature ageing, and skin cancer.” A lot of the time, the protection we use does not actually work as it should. “Sunscreens are designed to reduce the amount of UV radiation that reaches the skin, but they are not perfect barriers. Factors such as inadequate application, insufficient SPF, and not reapplying sunscreen regularly can compromise its effectiveness. Additionally, some areas of the body, like the eyes and lips, may not be adequately protected by sunscreen alone,” Clayton continues. Equally, we may expose ourselves to too much sun, because we think it will be safe. “Wearing sunscreen may give a false sense of security, leading individuals to stay in the sun for longer periods, or neglect other sun-safe practices, such as seeking shade or wearing protective clothing. Sunscreen should be used as part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy, rather than relying on it as the sole means of protection.” We are not always the best at applying it, either. Sunscreen application requires proper technique and thorough coverage to be effective. Many of us don’t apply enough sunscreen, miss certain areas, or fail to reapply it when needed. “These application errors can reduce the sunscreen’s effectiveness and leave the skin vulnerable to UV damage,” he says. Is a tan always bad for my skin? However much you may want to look bronzed, it is not safe. “While a tan is often seen as a desirable aesthetic for some individuals, it is important to understand that any change in skin colour, due to sun exposure, indicates damage to the skin.” How can I get a tan instead? A fake tan may have to be the answer if you want to protect your skin and get a glow. As Clayton says: “Self-tanning products or spray tans can provide a safer alternative to achieve a tanned appearance without subjecting the skin to harmful UV radiation.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live A beginner’s guide to pickling your homegrown fruit and veg Messages urging smokers to quit could be placed inside cigarette packs King and Queen ‘utterly horrified’ by Hawaii wildfires in letter to Joe Biden

TROY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2023--

Here’s a hint: It’s not by sweating through their paws.