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Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Doctor reveals horrifying reason why you should NEVER use your phone on the toilet - and the surprising implications the 'dirty' habit could have for your health
A top doctor has revealed why people should leave their phones behind when using the toilet. Dr Amir Khan, a GP and bestselling author from the UK, said there are three alarming reasons why scrolling on your phone while sitting on the loo could have 'dirty' repercussions. He said getting distracted by scrolling on social media can leave you sitting on the toilet for long periods of time, which increases the risk of piles or haemorrhoids. Dr Amir added that it can also lead to nasty bacteria ending up on your device, either via your hands or flushing without closing the toilet lid. 'While it might feel like you're just killing time scrolling through social media while you poop, there might be some really dirty consequences for your health,' he said in an Instagram video. Firstly, Dr Amir explained that it's best not to bring your phone with you to the bathroom as it leads to sitting there for longer than you need to. 'Prolonged sitting or straining, which can happen when you get absorbed into the contents of your phone while you poop, can increase your risk of piles or haemorrhoids,' he said. 'Research is still ongoing, but it's best not to spend any longer than you need to when you're on the loo and certainly don't strain too hard.' According to Science Alert, a recent survey of 125 colonoscopy patients found that the majority of the participants who suffered from haemorrhoids used their phone on the toilet at least once a week. While there are many causes of haemorrhoids, overstraining and extended periods on the toilet are major contributing factors. Doctors have recommended spending no more than 10 minutes on the loo, while others say to keep it to as little as three minutes. Dr Amir said another reason to leave your phone outside of the bathroom is so that it doesn't get contaminated with bacteria and faecal matter. 'Gross, isn't it? But it can happen if you get faecal matter on your hands and transfer it to your phone,' he said. 'In fact, one British study showed that many of our phones are dirtier than our toilet seats.' The NHS doctor said the risk of contaminating your phone with nasty germs is increased if you flush without closing the toilet lid. 'If you put your phone down and flush the toilet without putting the toilet lid down, then you're going to release a whole plume of toilet bacteria and other bugs that are catapulted into the air by that flush and can land on your phone,' he said. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Amir Khan GP (@doctoramirkhan) Dr Amir added that if you must have your phone to cure boredom on the loo, there are some measures you can take. 'My advice is don't spend any longer than you need to on the loo, remember to put the toilet lid down when you flush, wash your hands properly afterwards, and clean your phone daily,' he said. Fans of the TV doctor were horrified by the information and vowed to clean up their bathroom habits. 'Replayed this for my husband, who's constantly taking his phone into the bathroom!' one woman said. 'Great advice! Let's face it, we all do this if secretly. Remember to shut the lid, flush and clean your phone daily,' a second replied. 'Stopped taking my phone to the toilet a few weeks ago, total game changer. In and out much quicker and using less bog roll,' someone added. Dr Amir previously warned that constant multitasking, which is when you're doing multiple jobs or tasks simultaneously, can be potentially detrimental to our brain health. 'While we think we are being productive, jumping between tasks stresses the brain,' he revealed in a TikTok video which has been watched more than 33,700 times. Fans of the TV doctor were horrified by the information and vowed to clean up their bathroom habits Dr Khan also warned of four other common habits which could be harmful. He listed chronic sleep deprivation as his second most brain-ageing habit. 'Every one bad night, impacts memory and attention. Long term lack of sleep, particularly deep sleep, limits the brain's lymphatic system,' he said. 'That's the brains waste disposal system, increasing plaque formation on the brain, which is linked to Alzheimer's dementia.' In third place was doom-scrolling, which just last month was linked to higher rates of teenage anxiety and depression. He also warned against 'skipping meals, especially breakfast'. And lastly, he cited loneliness as a brain-killer. 'Social interaction is protective,' he said. 'Studies show loneliness is as harmful to cognitive health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How To Get Rich Even If You're Lazy, According to Ramit Sethi
Getting rich doesn't have to mean grinding 80-hour weeks or obsessing over every penny you spend. According to bestselling author and finance expert Ramit Sethi, 'being lazy is a secret weapon if you set your systems up right.' Find Out: Read Next: In a recent video, Sethi outlined eight 'lazy wins' that can build serious wealth without the typical financial stress. His approach? Set it up once, then let your money work while you live your life. Here's his lazy person's guide to getting rich. Automate Everything: The Foundation of Lazy Wealth Building Sethi's first rule is simple: 'Setting up automation once and letting it run for the next 20 years' beats manually managing money every month. Here's how the system works: Before you even see your paycheck, a portion goes directly to your 401(k). Your direct deposit hits your checking account, then portions automatically flow to your Roth IRA and savings. Your bills — rent, utilities, credit cards — all get paid automatically. 'You do not have to think about money every day,' Sethi said. 'People who automate their finances actually save more because it's happening by default.' The psychology is brilliant. No more 'I don't feel like it this month' or finding excuses to skip saving. Your wealth builds whether you're motivated or not. Learn More: Use Target Date Funds: Investing for People Who Hate Research Forget reading financial news daily or researching individual stocks. Sethi recommended target date funds for hands-off investing success. 'All you have to do is choose one fund based on the year that you plan to retire and invest it,' he explained. 'No stock picking, no rebalancing, no guesswork.' Target date funds automatically shift from aggressive growth when you're young to conservative preservation as you near retirement. The best part? 'Target date funds consistently outperform active investors,' according to Sethi. His example: Investing $500 monthly starting at age 25 in a target date fund could result in over $1.2 million by retirement. Set it up once, then 'go live your life.' Send One Email to HR: Unlock Free Money at Work This might be the easiest money you'll ever make. Sethi suggested sending this exact email to your HR department: 'Hi [Name], I want to make sure I'm taking full advantage of our benefits. Can you send me the details on our 401(k), any 401(k) match, HSA or any stock purchase plans that we have available?' The results could be game-changing. You might discover your company matches 4% of your salary and you're not taking advantage. You could learn about tax-saving health savings accounts or employee stock discounts. 'You wanna be lazy and rich? Start by sending smarter emails,' Sethi said. The 1% December Rule: Retire With Six Figures More Than Your Peers Here's where Sethi's lazy approach gets powerful. Every December, increase your retirement contributions by just 1%. That's it. The math is staggering. Take a look at two people earning $80,000 annually starting at age 30: Person A contributes a flat 5% yearly ($4,000 annually) and retires with about $550,000. Person B starts at 5% but increases by 1% each December until reaching 15%, ending with almost $1.4 million. That's an $845,000 difference for 'logging into an account and clicking a button 10 times,' Sethi pointed out. Even lazier? Some 401(k) plans offer automatic escalation, so you can set this up once and forget it. Negotiate Your Salary Just Once: The Briefcase Technique Sethi's 'briefcase technique' can add tens of thousands to your annual income with one conversation. Six months before your review, meet with your manager and ask: 'It's really important to me that I am a top performer at work. Can you help me understand what that would look like?' Get specific measurable goals, document them, then spend six months tracking your results. At review time, present your accomplishments alongside market research on your role's salary range. 'Over the last six months, I hit the goals we set together. Based on that and my research of the market, I'd like to discuss a compensation adjustment,' Sethi suggested saying. Students using this technique have earned $10,000 to $80,000 raises. The beauty? That extra income compounds for years. Create Simple Money Rules: Eliminate Decision Fatigue Wealthy people don't wake up wondering what to do with their money, Sethi observed. They use simple personal guidelines that remove constant decision-making. His money rules include: If buying something nice like a car, keep it as long as possible. Always buy books without checking the price. Never put major purchases on debt. Your rules might be different: 'I'll eat out guilt-free three times a week' or 'I always comparison shop for purchases over $200.' 'These rules eliminate angst and drama,' Sethi explained. 'You already made a decision that aligns with your rich life.' Say No to Financial Busy Work That Doesn't Matter Sethi gives lazy people permission to stop obsessing over things that won't make them rich: Checking credit scores monthly (unless applying for a loan) Budgeting every single dollar Optimizing credit card rewards for tiny differences Working weekend gigs for small amounts Stressing about coffee and tip prices Instead, focus on big wins: Don't overspend on housing (keep it under 28% of gross income), don't buy vehicles costing more than half your annual income, and prioritize earning more over cutting small expenses. 'The wealthiest people I know are not chasing trends. They're building boring systems,' Sethi shared. Define Your Rich Life: The Most Important Step Before implementing any strategy, Sethi asked the crucial question: 'What would your life look like if your money was handled?' He shared the example of podcast guest Sarah, whose rich life was simple: Eat sushi weekly, take one international trip annually and never worry about car repairs. Once defined, they built a money system supporting that vision. 'Accumulating money is not the point. The point is to live a rich life,' Sethi emphasized. Why This Lazy Approach Actually Works Sethi's system succeeds because it acknowledges human psychology. Most people fail at money management because they rely on motivation and willpower, which are unreliable. Automation removes the need for daily discipline. Target date funds eliminate analysis paralysis. Simple rules prevent decision fatigue. The 1% annual increase feels manageable but compounds dramatically. 'I could be dead right now,' Sethi joked about automation. 'For the next six months, my money is automatically being transferred. It's being saved. It's being invested. I'm freaking becoming wealthier as I'm dead.' Getting Started: Your Lazy Action Plan Pick three strategies that resonate most and implement them this month: Set up automation for savings and bill payments. Email HR about benefits you're missing. Choose a target date fund for retirement accounts. Schedule December reminder to increase contributions by 1%. Define three money rules that align with your values. The goal isn't to become a financial expert. It's to build systems that create wealth while you focus on living the life you actually want. As Sethi put it: 'You don't need to check the news every day to see what's going on with the market. Set it up once, automatically put money in and then go live your life.' That's the lazy person's path to wealth — and it just might be the smartest approach of all. More From GOBankingRates The 5 Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025 This article originally appeared on How To Get Rich Even If You're Lazy, According to Ramit Sethi
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dan Martell Shares His Top 3 Tips for Starting Your First Side Hustle This Year
Starting your first side gig can feel like standing at the edge of a cliff. You've got the idea, maybe a little passion, but you're unsure when (or how) to jump. According to entrepreneur, coach and bestselling author Dan Martell, the answer is simple: Jump now, figure it out as you go and don't wait for perfection. Learn More: Read Next: In a recent video, Martell shared the top three pieces of advice he offers to anyone starting their very first business. His insights are direct, refreshing and perfect for side hustlers who are ready to make 2025 the year they finally start. Get Paid — and Fast! 'The business starts the moment you sell something to somebody, Martell said. The entrepreneur doesn't waste time with business plans, branding or perfect packaging, because none of that matters if no one is willing to buy. His first tip is all about action: Sell something. Anything. Right now. You don't even need the final product in hand. You just need someone to believe in what you're offering enough to pay for it. It's a mindset shift. Instead of overthinking, start validating. Let's say you're thinking about launching a digital course or handmade product — pre-sell it. Offer it to a small audience or even friends. If someone pulls out their wallet, you've got something worth building. If not, you've saved yourself time and energy. Selling early forces clarity, builds confidence and gets you in motion. And in side hustling, momentum matters more than polish. For You: Work Harder on Yourself Than the Business This one might catch you off guard, but it's a game-changer. Martell challenges new entrepreneurs to 'work harder on yourself than you do on your business.' At first, it sounds backwards. Shouldn't your time and energy go into the hustle itself? Not exactly. Your business can only grow as much as you do. When you invest in yourself, whether that's reading, taking care of your health, learning new skills or improving your mindset, you show up better for every decision, every conversation and every opportunity. Martell tells his team to be 'selfish about developing yourself' because that kind of growth lifts the whole ship. For first-time side hustlers, this means not just grinding at midnight, it means building the habits, confidence and emotional resilience to sustain the journey in the long term. Learn From People Who've Already Done It Martell's third tip is simple: Don't try to figure it out alone. Find people who've already walked the path. Whether that's joining a mastermind group, asking a mentor for coffee, or even following the right creators online, proximity to experience is a shortcut. Learning from those ahead of you helps you avoid rookie mistakes, stay grounded and accelerate your growth. You'll gain not just knowledge but a mindset. The kind of confidence that only comes from seeing what's actually possible. More From GOBankingRates 6 Popular SUVs That Aren't Worth the Cost -- and 6 Affordable Alternatives This article originally appeared on Dan Martell Shares His Top 3 Tips for Starting Your First Side Hustle This Year Solve the daily Crossword
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Likeability Vs. Authority: Finding The Balance In Leadership
Somdutta Singh, founder and CEO of Assiduus Global, is a serial entrepreneur, investor and bestselling author. When I first stepped into a leadership role, I assumed I had to pick a side. Either be the firm, decisive leader who commands authority or the warm, approachable one who's easy to talk to. It felt like a trade-off: If you leaned too hard into being likeable, people might not take you seriously. But if you asserted authority too strongly, you risked coming across as unapproachable or cold. Over the years, I've learned that this isn't a binary choice. In fact, I've noticed the most effective leaders aren't the ones who swing entirely to one side. They're the ones who learn how to hold both. Likeability and authority aren't opposing forces. They're two different forms of influence, and the best leaders know when to lean into each. The Power Of Being Likeable, When It's Real Likeability isn't trying to please everyone. It's about trust. When people feel like they can talk to you openly, without fear of judgment or dismissal, they often bring you better information. They speak more honestly. They're more willing to challenge ideas or flag issues early, before those issues become real problems. Some of the most important breakthroughs I've seen came from informal conversations, not structured reviews. People shared ideas because they felt heard. They took ownership because they felt safe. Likeability, when it's rooted in authenticity, creates the kind of psychological safety where creativity and accountability can coexist. One of the best things a leader can do, especially early in a relationship, is to invite challenge. Ask, 'What am I not seeing here?' And then listen. That one question can unlock more honest feedback than an entire strategy session. Authority Matters, Especially When Things Get Hard There are moments in leadership when clarity matters more than comfort. Moments when being liked can't come at the cost of what's right for the company. I've had to make tough decisions, on hiring, on letting go of deals that didn't align with our long-term goals, on saying 'no' when 'yes' would have been easier in the short term. Those decisions weren't always popular. But they created clarity. And in leadership, I've noticed clarity builds trust faster than charm ever will. Authority isn't about raising your voice or controlling every outcome. It's about making clear decisions and owning them, especially when they're uncomfortable. Saying 'no' isn't negative if it's well-reasoned. I've found that people don't need you to agree with them. They just need to understand where you stand and why. Where The Two Meet: Leading With Both Clarity And Care Likeability and authority aren't in conflict. They just operate at different layers. Likeability gets people in the room. Authority earns their respect once they're there. You can't lead well without both. In my experience, people respond best when they know two things: that you care and that you won't hesitate to act. If either is missing, things start to slip. Communication breaks down, performance gets vague and your own credibility takes a hit. For example, during a period of rapid hiring, I made it a point to be involved in onboarding. I wanted not just to welcome new talent, but to personally set expectations. That early connection made it easier for them to ask questions—and made it just as easy for me to hold the line later if targets weren't met. Being warm didn't dilute accountability. It made it stick. What Helped Me Find The Balance Looking back, here are a few things that kept me anchored when the line between likeability and authority got blurry: Be direct early. Often people don't remember if feedback was tough. They remember if it was late. I've learned to say the hard thing while it's still small, before it turns into resentment or rework. Say 'no' with context. Authority doesn't mean saying 'yes' to everything. Some of the best decisions I've made came from turning down opportunities that looked great on paper. The key is explaining why, so your team learns your thought process, not just the outcome. Don't default to tone. Default to truth. You don't have to overthink how you'll come across if you're being honest and fair. Likeability follows integrity. I've also found that consistency matters more than style. You can be a quiet leader or an outspoken one. What people usually respond to is whether your actions align with your values, especially under pressure. For Women Leaders, The Stakes Are Different Let's be honest. When you're a woman in leadership, people often watch how you speak, not just what you say. Be too firm, and you risk being labelled aggressive. Be too open, and you're seen as inexperienced. I've experienced this firsthand. There were times when I toned down my opinion in meetings just to avoid being the strong voice in the room. But over time, I learned that being clear, prepared and calm under pressure was enough. I found we don't have to fight the stereotype; we just have to outlast it. The goal isn't to be liked by everyone. It's to be respected by the right people, for the right reasons. What It Comes Down To Balancing likeability and authority isn't about having the perfect leadership style. It's about knowing what your team needs, when to create space and when to step in with clarity. What's helped me is not trying to perform leadership, but to practice it. That means being okay with moments when decisions are unpopular, as long as they're principled. It means creating room for feedback, but also being ready to move forward. And it means knowing your tone matters, but your consistency matters more. One habit I've built over the years is this: Before any meeting, I ask myself two things. What's the most honest version of what I need to say? What's the most respectful way to say it? That check-in keeps me steady. It helps me lead with clarity without losing connection. Because in the end, leadership isn't about choosing between being liked and respected. It's about showing up in a way that earns both, slowly, consistently and on your terms. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Forbes
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
How Iceland's Former First Lady Eliza Reid Champions Women Voices
Eliza Jean Reid speaks onstage during the Clinton Global Initiative September 2023 Meeting at New ... More York Hilton Midtown on September 18, 2023 in New York City. (Photo byfor Clinton Global Initiative) Gabriele Hartshorne-Mehl contributed to this story. 'Að ganga með bók í maganum,' – 'to walk with a book in your belly' – is a favorite expression among Icelanders. It suggests that everyone carries a story inside them, waiting to be told. Former First Lady and bestselling author Eliza Reid has taken this phrase to heart. For her, storytelling is both personal and political. Throughout her career, both as a skilled writer and wielder of soft power politics, Reid has adopted this philosophy. Whether addressing international audiences, elevating women's voices, or crafting fictional murder mysteries, she uses narrative not only to express herself but also to normalize ideas which might challenge the status quo. Originally from Canada, Reid was raised on her parents' hobby farm just outside of Ottawa. However, she is fluent in Icelandic and has immersed herself in the country's culture since moving there with her husband, former President Guðni Jóhannesson, in 2003. The couple met at Oxford when she won a date with him in a raffle. With characteristic wit and candour, Reid admits she contributed to her luck by adding her name to the cup several times: 'It was giving fate a little bit of a push. And who knew the long-term repercussions of that one moment of spontaneity!' From Ottawa to Iceland's Presidential Residence The couple lived in England for five years, completing their postgraduate studies – Reid in Modern History, and Jóhannesson in Icelandic political history. In 2003, they moved to Iceland, and Reid began the process of immersing herself into Icelandic culture: mastering the complex language structures, learning the stories of the people, and engaging with and honouring local traditions. These experiences would later form the foundation of her bestselling book, Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland's Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World, which explores how Iceland's progress on gender equality is rooted in cultural and historical influences. Reid's public profile changed dramatically when her husband was elected President of Iceland following a political scandal tied to the Panama Papers in 2016. The country greatly appreciated Jóhannesson's grasp of the context and his insightful and entertaining commentary. He ended up winning the election on a platform defined by integrity, transparency, and impartiality – a fresh alternative to Iceland's political elite. The Storytelling Instinct There is no official role for the spouse of the President in Iceland. However, despite any formal definition, the inherent nature of the position carries some gendered social expectations. 'It is almost an anti-feminist role in a sense, even though we have some men serving as spouses of heads of state,' she says, because it traditionally assumes a passive, supportive figure. Rather than accept that framework, Reid redefined it. It was an opportunity to use her unique voice, stand up for what she believed in, and 'shift the expectations that first ladies are some sort of well-dressed muse for their husband's genius.' Early on, Reid learned that the media paid more attention to what she wore than to the attire of her husband. Rather than conforming to the one-dimensional decorative aspects associated with First Ladies, she decided to use her wardrobe as a tool for cultural and political advocacy. Dressing for Advocacy She strategically selected outfits that spotlight local designers and support values she believed in, such as sustainability. 'I bought something at the Red Cross charity shop once. I wore it to an Icelandic awards show, and it ended up being on the BBC that the First Lady had worn a $15 used jacket,' says Reid. She also wore secondhand clothing during her husband's re-election and several other high-profile events to continue to challenge the expectations set for her on what she might wear. 'It's supporting a good cause. So I did that quite often for bigger events,' she recalls. Reid proudly identifies as a feminist, using her platform to normalize the term in public discourse and deter misconceptions surrounding gender equality. The Language of Power 'Women tend to be socialized not to take up space,' she says. 'We are taught that we are physically too big for everything, we are too loud, too bossy, too ambitious.' Women also minimize themselves through language – 'I just wanted to say, I only wanted to contribute this, sorry to interrupt you,' she mimics. These phrases diminish the power of the contributor's initial statement. As an author, Reid is mindful of the harm these rhetorical and linguistic choices cause, weakening the message's delivery and reflecting deeper conditions around who feels most entitled to speak. She also understands the value and importance of using one's unique voice. 'It is very empowering to point out to people that you don't have to have climbed Everest or founded a company or have been the first to do something to be able to tell your story and to use details from your life to inspire other people,' Reid says. 'We are all role models, we all have an influence, and we all have something important to say,' she continues. From Nonfiction to Nordic Noir Reid's writing reflects this ethos. Her latest project, a murder mystery novel titled Death on the Island, blends her love of British-style crime fiction with her deep appreciation for Icelandic culture. In many ways, the pivot to fiction-writing is another extension of her enduring guiding principle: telling stories which are grounded and expansive, personal and political. The Importance of Owning Your Voice Whether through fashion, fiction, or feminist advocacy, Reid remains committed to reshaping narratives — her own and others'. She reminds us that we all carry a story inside us. The only question is whether we choose to tell it.
