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Counting sheep: 7 tips for better sleep
Sleep disturbance is one of the symptoms of jet lag, the infamous physiological condition that occurs after long-haul flights, usually when traveling east. Jet lag is caused by the de-synchronization of our body clock (or our circadian rhythm, to use the medical term). Symptoms may also include reduced concentration, irritability, headaches, problems with digestion, and fatigue. However, it is not always jet lag to blame when our sleep gets disrupted. In fact, a lot of people may find it difficult to fall asleep, have frequent awakenings and difficulty to get back to sleep, wake up early, have a restless sleep, or even sleep too much. There are many potential reasons…
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5 ways to recover from travel fatigue
You must have probably heard of jet lag, a physiological condition that occurs after long-haul flights, usually when traveling east. Jet lag is caused by the de-synchronization of our body clock (or our circadian rhythm, to use the medical term). Symptoms may include sleep disturbance, reduced concentration, irritability, headaches, problems with digestion, and fatigue. Perhaps the term ‘travel fatigue’ is not as familiar; yet, you may be more likely to experience this less specific concept. Travel fatigue can, of course, occur after long-haul flights; however, it can also follow a short-haul one, or a long train or car journey. It can essentially occur during or after any journey or holiday,…
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10 tips to beat those post-holiday blues
The summer has now officially come to an end, and for most of us the holidays are over. Every time I return home (and back to work) from holidays (no matter how short or long), my mood and energy levels take a dip. Here are 10 tips that help me lift up my mood, beat those post-holiday blues, and get back on track as soon as possible: Tip 1: Routines and structure As a Psychiatrist, I cannot overemphasize the importance of having routines and a structure to one’s life. For this reason, I always encourage people to have routines and a structure to their days and weeks. Routines and…
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Sweden: Behind the myth of the lagom utopia
Sweden is considered one of the most progressive and liberal countries in the world. It is considered one of the happiest. A number of reports, statistics and lists support this. Sweden tops the lists of the most progressive countries According to the Freedom in the World 2017 report, the Freedom House’s annual report on political rights and civil liberties, Sweden received the maximum score and topped the list. When MoveHub compiled a list of the most liberal countries, Sweden ranked 3rd. This list was based on data from three sources: the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2016, the 2016 Social Progress Index report and Yale’s…
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Kefir smoothies: easy-to-make, nutritious & delicious
I was first introduced to kefir a few years ago, while on holidays in Greece. This fermented milk drink is not only rich in nutrients, such as protein, calcium and vitamins, but it also contains probiotics. These live micro-organisms (bacteria and yeasts), often described as ‘good’ or ‘friendly’ bacteria, can have various health benefits. For example, they may help sufferers with indigestion, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and (rather surprisingly) lactose intolerance. Since kefir has recently become widely available in the UK, I’ve started using it in my recipes as a substitute for yogurt or even milk. Inspired by the fresh fruit I had whilst island-hopping in the Cyclades…
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Watermelon & Feta: Mykonos-inspired recipes
In Greece, the flavor combination of watermelon with feta cheese has always been there, so it would hardly be considered a ‘best-kept secret’. One of my childhood memories is my grandmother’s idea of an afternoon snack: a slice of watermelon served with some feta cheese. As a child, however, I never liked the latter, so I would always eat just the watermelon (and leave the feta on the plate). I had my first taste of a watermelon and feta salad a few years ago, when I visited the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos and had dinner at the restaurant ‘Lucky Fish’. It simply tasted of summer. The sweetness of the…
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Mykonos: Top 7 tips by an (almost) local
I have to admit that I had always thought Mykonos as little more than a party island destination and a celebrity-magnet. However, the first time I set foot on this Cycladic island, Hora, the capital and main settlement, simply took me by surprise. I remember wandering around the narrow, labyrinthine alleyways, taking pictures of cats napping, or of the blushing bougainvillaeas climbing up the walls of the whitewashed houses, churches and chapels. Even though I am not religious, I was mesmerized by the Church of Panagia Paraportiani and the Life Giving Spring Orthodox Metropolitan Church. Tip 1: Stroll around Hora Start your day with a coffee at Passo…
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Koufonisia: Top 9 tips by an (almost) local
I have to admit that I had never heard of Koufonisia until a couple of years ago. Perhaps, this is because these three Cycladic islands are really really small. Actually, only one is inhabited: Ano (or Pano) Koufonisi (‘Upper Hollow Island’). Au contraire, Kato Koufonisi (‘Lower Hollow Island’) and Keros are not. Interestingly, when Greeks say ‘Koufonisia’, they usually refer to Ano Koufonisi, rather than all three. Despite their close proximity to Amorgos and Naxos, these tiny islands are considered remote and often described as ‘hidden gems’, ‘off the beaten track’ or ‘undiscovered paradise’, even for Greeks and Italians, who are the main visitors. Tip 1: Wander around Hora…
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Recipe: Alex’s portokalopita (orange pie)
Amorgos is one of the Greek islands I’ve recently visited, as well as one of my favorites. Hora, the capital of the island, welcomed me with a palette of colors: blushing bougainvillaeas climbing the walls of white-washed houses and blue-domed churches and chapels, with their doors and window shutters painted blue, red or green, matching the chairs and tables scattered around the cobblestone alleys. Lost in the snarl of these very alleys, I came across Kallisto, an inviting little café-patisserie. I had a slice of portokalopita (orange pie), which was indulgently served with vanilla ice-cream. Returning home, I set to re-create Kallisto’s portokalopita. A quick Google search brought me…
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Amorgos: Top 9 tips by an (almost) local
If you asked me which my favorite Greek island is, I would struggle to come up with an answer. Yet, Amorgos would be among the first to spring to my mind. The easternmost of the Cyclades islands may not be as popular as its famous neighbor Santorini, but, cliché as it may sound, it is one of the most beautiful and charming Greek islands. In the last few years, however, it has been popular with the French, since it featured in Luc Besson’s film ‘Le Grand Bleu’ (‘The Big Blue’). It is a medium-sized island (for the Greek standards) with a population of 1,973; it is 18 miles long and…