Latest news with #HolidayInn
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Health
- Perth Now
Expert reveals secrets to flawless sleep
A new report has revealed the extent of Australia's silent sleep epidemic, with one expert offering simple fixes for the nation's most common sleeping difficulties. The Great Aussie Wake-Up, commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, found that 91 per cent of Australians struggle to fall or stay asleep in a typical week, and 93 per cent regularly wake up too early. Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo said the research showed the issue had progressed from a problem to a crisis. But she said three core controllable elements could be implemented to form the foundation for good sleep. 'When you look at the biomechanics of the circadian rhythm, there are key factors which control it,' she said. An increase in stress hormone cortisol is a common side effect of sleep problems. Supplied Credit: Supplied 'Light is one, eating is another, and temperature is another. Before adding the nice-to-haves, you need to get the essentials right first.' In terms of food, Ms Arezzolo stressed the importance of having breakfast and warned against all too common late night snacking. 'I think a really big factor which is often overlooked, is there's this massive growth in intermittent fasting,' she said. 'It's one of the biggest trends of 2025 and this is meaning that a lot of Gen Z, but also just overall Aussies, are skipping breakfast. 'The stat from the Holiday Inn research was that 76 per cent of Aussies are losing part of their morning routine and one in four are not eating breakfast. 'Breakfast is absolutely critical for circadian rhythm alignment. I'm sure you've heard that term with reference to light and temperature, but eating is also a regulator of the circadian rhythm. 'It essentially anchors the body clock. So in order to fall asleep with ease in the evening, we need to be having breakfast within the first hour of being awake.' Ms Arezzolo says missing the first meal of the day can set you up for sleep failure. Supplied Credit: Supplied Ms Arezzolo said you ideally want three hours in between your last meal of the day and bedtime. For coffee it was a minimum of eight hours. 'I have a 2pm absolute latest cut-off time (for coffee), but ideally, you want nothing after 12 o'clock, especially if you're struggling to sleep.' For light Ms Arezzolo recommended getting 20 minutes of light within 30 minutes of waking and staying away from blue light producing screens close to bedtime. 'Like eating, light is a factor controlling the circadian rhythm. 'Essentially, if you're exposed to blue light in the evening, then you have the suppression of melatonin, which is your key sleep hormone to fall and stay asleep. 'This is akin to having a coffee before bed. As soon as you have that blue light enter your eyes, you have the biological signals to remain alert and awake.' Another key finding of the report was an overreliance on the snooze button with more than half (52 per cent) of Australians hitting snooze every morning. Gen Z were among the worst offenders, with a massive 70 per cent regularly hitting the button – and one in ten tapping snooze at least 120 times a month. Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo said light, food, temperature and exercise form the cornerstones of good sleep. Supplied Credit: Supplied 'When you're hitting the snooze button regularly, every time the alarm goes off, you get a spike in your stress hormone cortisol,' Ms Arezzolo said. 'Too much cortisol leads to chronic states of anxiety, burnout, having that 'wired but tired feeling', being unable to sleep, and particularly 3am wakings. 'You're essentially setting your nervous system up to be on overdrive from the moment you wake up simply by pressing the snooze button, not just once, but multiple times. So that one is definitely alarming. Pardon the pun.' Ms Arezzolo said in the course of her regular life, people are constantly asking her to fix their sleep however they tend to focus on alternative aids rather than focusing on the essentials. 'I'm like, 'okay, but tell me about your mornings and tell me about your evenings. What are you doing just before you're waking up and just before you're going to sleep? What are you doing just when you're waking up? Do you have the foundations right'? And nine times out of 10, they don't. 'You can't overlook these and then just pick and choose which sleep strategies you want to employ because you prefer that. It doesn't work like that. It's biology. 'Circadian rhythm is controlled by light, temperature and eating. So you have to get these things right.' Following the research, Holiday Inn are offering guests free hot breakfast across each of their locations.
West Australian
20 hours ago
- Health
- West Australian
‘Crisis': Expert reveals secrets to how to get a flawless sleep
A new report has revealed the extent of Australia's silent sleep epidemic, with one expert offering simple fixes for the nation's most common sleeping difficulties. The Great Aussie Wake-Up, commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, found that 91 per cent of Australians struggle to fall or stay asleep in a typical week, and 93 per cent regularly wake up too early. Sleep expert Olivia Arezzolo said the research showed the issue had progressed from a problem to a crisis. But she said three core controllable elements could be implemented to form the foundation for good sleep. 'When you look at the biomechanics of the circadian rhythm, there are key factors which control it,' she said. 'Light is one, eating is another, and temperature is another. Before adding the nice-to-haves, you need to get the essentials right first.' In terms of food, Ms Arezzolo stressed the importance of having breakfast and warned against all too common late night snacking. 'I think a really big factor which is often overlooked, is there's this massive growth in intermittent fasting,' she said. 'It's one of the biggest trends of 2025 and this is meaning that a lot of Gen Z, but also just overall Aussies, are skipping breakfast. 'The stat from the Holiday Inn research was that 76 per cent of Aussies are losing part of their morning routine and one in four are not eating breakfast. 'Breakfast is absolutely critical for circadian rhythm alignment. I'm sure you've heard that term with reference to light and temperature, but eating is also a regulator of the circadian rhythm. 'It essentially anchors the body clock. So in order to fall asleep with ease in the evening, we need to be having breakfast within the first hour of being awake.' Ms Arezzolo said you ideally want three hours in between your last meal of the day and bedtime. For coffee it was a minimum of eight hours. 'I have a 2pm absolute latest cut-off time (for coffee), but ideally, you want nothing after 12 o'clock, especially if you're struggling to sleep.' For light Ms Arezzolo recommended getting 20 minutes of light within 30 minutes of waking and staying away from blue light producing screens close to bedtime. 'Like eating, light is a factor controlling the circadian rhythm. 'Essentially, if you're exposed to blue light in the evening, then you have the suppression of melatonin, which is your key sleep hormone to fall and stay asleep. 'This is akin to having a coffee before bed. As soon as you have that blue light enter your eyes, you have the biological signals to remain alert and awake.' Another key finding of the report was an overreliance on the snooze button with more than half (52 per cent) of Australians hitting snooze every morning. Gen Z were among the worst offenders, with a massive 70 per cent regularly hitting the button – and one in ten tapping snooze at least 120 times a month. 'When you're hitting the snooze button regularly, every time the alarm goes off, you get a spike in your stress hormone cortisol,' Ms Arezzolo said. 'Too much cortisol leads to chronic states of anxiety, burnout, having that 'wired but tired feeling', being unable to sleep, and particularly 3am wakings. 'You're essentially setting your nervous system up to be on overdrive from the moment you wake up simply by pressing the snooze button, not just once, but multiple times. So that one is definitely alarming. Pardon the pun.' Ms Arezzolo said in the course of her regular life, people are constantly asking her to fix their sleep however they tend to focus on alternative aids rather than focusing on the essentials. 'I'm like, 'okay, but tell me about your mornings and tell me about your evenings. What are you doing just before you're waking up and just before you're going to sleep? What are you doing just when you're waking up? Do you have the foundations right'? And nine times out of 10, they don't. 'You can't overlook these and then just pick and choose which sleep strategies you want to employ because you prefer that. It doesn't work like that. It's biology. 'Circadian rhythm is controlled by light, temperature and eating. So you have to get these things right.' Following the research, Holiday Inn are offering guests free hot breakfast across each of their locations.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Daily Mail
Channel migrant who sexually assaulted teenage girl with special needs in broad daylight is jailed for 14 months
A channel migrant has been handed a 14-month prison sentence after he sexually assaulted an 'extremely vulnerable' teenage girl who has learning difficulties in a park in broad daylight. Aron Hadsh, 27, from Eritrea, who was living at a taxpayer-funded Holiday Inn near Heathrow, attacked the 19-year-old in June last year after she had been sent by her mother to pick up fruit from a food bank. A court heard on Friday how he pursued her to a park in Fulham, west London, where he pinned her on his lap, grabbed her breasts and touched her crotch for several minutes before she escaped. She said he was laughing as she ran away. Hadsh, who illegally entered the UK around three years ago after crossing the Channel, was caught five weeks later after the teenager spotted him while out shopping with her mother. Members of the public detained him until the police arrived. Prosecutor Sam Barker told Isleworth Crown Court the victim has a number of learning difficulties, which means she presents as 'very childlike' and has an 'extreme vulnerability'. Hadsh was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment and a five-year restraining order after being convicted of one count of sexual assault and acquitted of one count of kidnapping in May this year. Shockingly, as he has already spent nearly a year in custody, Hadsh will not spend any more time in prison, despite the judge saying he poses a 'high risk of serious harm to the public'. Whether he will be released into the public or sent to an immigration detention centre is not known. In a statement read out in court, the victim said: 'On the day it happened it made me feel very nervous and scared. I felt that my body shut down.' She added: 'All my life it has been hard to make friends, and this has put me back in my own bubble. I was scared to see him again, in case he would kill me, because he was laughing after he ran off and sexually assaulted me.' Mr Barker said the victim's mother felt 'frustrated' and 'angry' for sending her daughter to collect fruit from the food bank. He said: 'The victim's mother finds herself on edge, which has affected her volunteering at the same food bank.' Wearing a grey T-shirt and a beaded necklace, Hadsh showed no remorse and continued to plead his innocence from the dock during sentencing. Judge Alastair Rolf Hammerton told him: 'I understand your conditions in prison are more challenging because English is not your first language.' He explained that Hadsh was intoxicated at the time of the offence and said he posed 'a high risk of sexual reoffending', adding: 'Your victim was an extremely vulnerable person. She felt scared and vulnerable.' He said the court had to proceed on the assumption Hadsh was a man of good character, given there are no criminal records available from before he entered the UK. Mr Barker said it was impossible to know whether Hadsh, who was granted asylum before the offence, had any convictions before coming to the UK. He added: 'We haven't done the checks, because we can't.' Hadsh was unrepresented at his sentencing after he sacked his defence counsel during the trial.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Migrant father pleads guilty to rape after teen daughter's pregnancy
A Haitian migrant pleaded guilty to a rape charge after a DNA test proved that he was the father of his teenage daughter's baby, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan's office said. The man, who MassLive is not identifying so as not to identify his daughter, pleaded guilty to aggravated rape of a child for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old female victim who was known to him. On Friday, July 11, Judge Kenneth Salinger sentenced the man to 12 to 15 years committed to the Massachusetts Department of Correction. Between September 2023 and May 2024, the man and his daughter were at Marlborough Holiday Inn operating as a migrant shelter in the city, according to meeting minutes for the city's Board of Health. On April 30, 2024, when a school resource officer at the Whitcomb School in Marlborough learned of the 14-year-old girl's pregnancy, she told the school that she had dated a 17-year-old boy and they had had sex. Her pregnancy was confirmed by personnel at a hospital, according to a police report filed in court. The girl was removed from the shelter as the investigation continued, Ryan's office said in a statement. An ultrasound during the investigation found that the time of conception was while the girl and the man were living together in Marlborough, Ryan's office said. After the baby's birth, buccal swabs were done on the girl, the baby and the father and sent to a laboratory. On Jan. 24, the lab determined that the man was not only the girl's father, 'it was also twenty-three trillion times more likely than not that he was the biological father of the victim's baby,' Ryan's office said. The man was arrested one week later and was held without bail before he was indicted on Feb. 19. More local crime stories Idaho man cyberstalked Mass. professor with online messages, emails, feds say Ex-Stoughton town employee sentenced to prison for tampering drinking water Bridgewater women to face charges after leaving dogs in hot car, police say Mass. man drunken drove, sped at over 100 mph prior to crash in N.H., police say Two women charged with animal cruelty after dogs die in hot car in Bridgewater Read the original article on MassLive.
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
West coast, best coast? Chase sunsets, marine life and circus vibes on Florida's Gulf coast
It doesn't take much prodding to get me to visit the west coast of Florida — not with its photo-worthy sunsets, daily dolphin cameos, calm Gulf waters and powdery white sand. Now there are new reasons to visit, from a circus-themed hotel in Sarasota to an all-suite hotel that thrives on roomy suites and luxe perks in Clearwater Beach. Peek Behind the Curtain of Cirque St. Armands Beachside, Sarasota Ever wanted to run away with the circus? Escape the doldrums of everyday life with a stay at the new Cirque St. Armands Beachside in Sarasota. At this circus-themed hotel, which fronts the powdery sands of Lido Beach and is within walking distance to the Italian-inspired shopping and dining area of St. Armands Circle, guests are immersed in Sarasota's rich circus legacy — without the kitsch. In the heyday of the 1920s, John Ringling moved the circus' winter quarters to Sarasota, forever changing the city's cultural core — and this hotel is an imaginative tribute to that legacy. Why Stay Like a magic trick, the boutique hotel was transformed from a former Holiday Inn. Circus magic grabs your attention upon arrival: Green lion topiaries that stand guard at the front doors, sophisticated Art Deco touches like animal throw pillows on velvety furniture, ostrich feather chandeliers, black and white-striped columns, and oversized artwork featuring scenes from circus life. Grab the welcome cocktail — prosecco anchored with a popsicle — and walk around the property to soak up all of the whimsical details. Every day, I discovered something new. While the communal spaces are doused in personality and bold patterns and colors, rooms are kept quiet for a relaxed vibe, with subtle nods to the circus, including artwork and coffee table books. All rooms come with balconies, many of which showcase beach views; and while rooms are spacious, we suggest booking a one-bedroom suite that offers an apartment-type feel. There's a kitchen and a large island for dining or working, a living room with a comfy wraparound couch, and the king bedroom features a bathroom with a gorgeous soaking tub. Slip behind the red velvet curtains to dine at Ringside restaurant, where the beach and evening sunset show glimmer through floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant also pays homage to the circus, with curtained nooks that are reminiscent of rail cars for private dining (perfect for date night). Sip on theatrical cocktails and order from the seafood-centric menu that stars crab-stuffed mushrooms, char-grilled octopus, a pan-seared local grouper and a gorgonzola-encrusted New York strip. The on-property pool is small but deliciously quiet, and includes a separate lawn for sunbathing, but guests seeking a resort experience can hop on a shuttle to Cirque's sister property, Lido Beach Resort, to use its pool and beach amenities. One afternoon, I ordered an early dinner by Lido's pool, walked the beach at sunset to hunt for shells (and scored sand dollars) and swam in the pool until after dark. To me, that's vacation magic. What To Do For better insight into Sarasota's circus heritage, spend a day at The Ringling, which is arguably one of the best museums in Florida. The estate grounds are massive and there is so much to see, from circus memorabilia to a rose garden and bayside winter mansion. Start at the Circus Museum to take in the impressive mini-model of the tented Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus which authentically details every aspect of circus life, to restored original wagons and costumes, and even the Ringlings' private rail car. Make time for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, where the diverse range of artwork and the grounds blew me away. It feels like a slice of Italy with Renaissance-style gardens and statues, and its arching pink architecture is worthy of photos. At Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in downtown Sarasota — the world's first net-positive energy botanical garden complex — you'll bliss out on the garden's tree-canopied paths that wind past Sarasota Bay and its natural spaces that showcase serene waterfalls, towering banyan trees and perfectly crafted topiaries, and swinging bridges that adults will enjoy as much as children. The garden is beloved for its orchid collection, air plants and rare plants. It's worth having lunch at The Green Orchid, where ingredients are often sourced from the on-site garden. A Suite Stay At Opal Sol On Clearwater Beach Another newcomer on Florida's west coast is Opal Sol in Clearwater Beach. This resort is connected to its sister property, Opal Sands, which means guests have access to amenities at both properties. In the lobby, towering trees grandly sprout from water features and luxe coastal vibes abound, and the guest rooms showcase Clearwater's prime assets like the beach and clear waters, where dolphins and manatees make regular appearances. Why Stay What sets this hotel apart from others in the area: All guests get a roomy suite and are guaranteed a Gulf view from huge, glassy balconies — which means you have a front-row seat to Clearwater's nightly sunset extravaganza and the beach. The moment I stepped outside on my balcony, I spotted a manatee swimming near the shoreline, coming close to giddy swimmers. That's just how clear the water is and how good the views are from Opal Sol. Families or big groups will appreciate the range of room layouts, from studios to three bedrooms, and amenities such as kitchenettes and soaking tubs. All suites can be connected (so you can be with your kids or friends, while having your own space too). Pro tip: Choose a corner unit that comes with an outdoor shower and a hot tub, where you can watch the sunset from your balcony and then soak in the bubbling warm water as the sun goes down. Drift restaurant is elevating the dining scene in Clearwater, not only in ambience but with a menu that focuses on local produce — do not miss the whipped feta served on a board with a medley of baby veggies, along with a velvety lobster bisque, a whole branzino topped with crispy onions, and locally caught fish dishes. You can also order a pizza blistered in the wood-fired oven. When you're done dining and sunbathing at Opal Sol's three pools, take the skyway bridge to neighboring Opal Sands for more dining options, a Gulf-front pool and easy access to the beach. Altogether, guests have access to four pools, 10 dining outlets and two Opal spas, including one with a salt cave. What To Do Clearwater Beach regularly wins awards for its beaches, and a typical day should revolve around dips in the Gulf and walks along the beachside boardwalk. You're also in walking distance to Pier 60 and its nightly sunset celebrations. Make a dinner reservation at nearby Crabby's Dockside, a three-story restaurant with panoramic views of the beach and neighboring marina. A coastal breeze and live music flow through the open-air spaces, making it easy to sink into relaxation. Grab a frozen cocktail and lock in an order of warm royal red shrimp doused with Old Bay seasoning, fire-roasted Alaskan snow crab legs, and local grouper cooked your way. From there, head to the neighboring marina for a sunset cruise. While you can jet off on boats shaped like chomping sharks and tiki huts, adults looking for a serene sunset experience should book a trip with Schooner Clearwater. They cap the guest list at 20 people on the 52-foot sailboat, so everyone has room and an intimate experience. The captain sets the tone with a chill playlist, and if the winds are right, guests can help hoist the sails. You'll look for dolphins as you sail around the beachfront waiting on the sun to set. The night I was aboard, clouds hindered an epic sunset the area is known for — but in typical Clearwater style, on the return back to the marina, the sky turned a brilliant pink and put on an incredible sky show that I'll never forget. That's the thing about Florida's west coast — from marine sightings to sunsets that always outdo the night before, you never know what nature has in store.
