Interesting Facts

Researchers from World Animal Protection have discovered how to tell if a cow is in a bad mood – by measuring the temperature of its nose. (They carried out the study by stroking the animals to put them in a calm and relaxed state before they took their temperature. How do they know the cows weren't just annoyed, and wanted to get back to the field?)

According to a survey run by Direct Line insurance, we need an extra 2 hours 45 minutes every day to do everything we want to do and have enough time to relax. (A basic need for most humans is to have seven hours of free time every day, but the average person nowadays (2013) only manages four hours, 14 minutes. In 1995, people had six hours and 57 minutes downtime, by 2000 that was reduced to six hours and 34 minutes. but nowadays it's a measly four hours, 14 minutes.  The culprit?  Technology.  So go on, switch off your computer and go and sit on the couch, or go and chill out in the garden, if you don't have a garden, take a walk in the park to feed the swans and get some fresh air.)  

According to scientists at the University of Roehampton men put under pressure performed better when they were scratching, lip biting and touching their face because it seemed to relax them. (But this doesn't work for women. The author of the stu dy, Professor Changiz Mohiyeddini , said: "It seems that men have an effective behavioural strategy – fidgeting - to combat their nervousness, but for women, the same behaviour actually makes things much worse." It's been so long since I was at an interview I can't really comment on whether I fidget or not, but I have the sneaking suspicion that I go tharn.) 

A piece of music called Weightless, by Marconi Union is meant to be the most relaxing music ever written. (It's meant to be so relaxing that you're not supposed to drive whilst listening to it. It's meant to be more relaxing than a massage, a walk or a cup of tea. Seemingly the band worked with sound therapists on how to make the most effective use of harmonies, rhythms and bass lines, and according to a study commissioned by bubble bath and shower gel firm Radox Spa, listening to it results in a slowing of the heart rate, reduced blood pressure and lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. It sounds perfect for the post Christmas / New Year period, or maybe I should have listened to it before Christmas. You can listen to it on Soundcloud . But if you suffer from low blood pressure, maybe you shouldn't.)

According to a study in the European Heart Journal, a stressful job has a direct biological impact on the body, raising the risk of heart disease. (Those who felt stressed not only had less time to exercise and eat well, they also showed signs of important biochemical changes. So, time to start practising those relaxation techniques.)