Bet you never thought your weekends of debauchery and one night stands followed by wasted days of napping were actually contributing to a longer life, but they could be helping, according to some of the oldest (and healthiest) people in the world.

According to nutritionist Louise Cavanough, ‘Blue Zones’ are geographical areas of the world where people live measurably longer, happier and healthier lives than the rest of us. There are Blue Zones all over the world, but the lifestyle traits that lead these cultures to lead long, healthy and happy lives remain the same.

#1 Minimal Stress

Apparently stress causes inflammation, which is at the route of most chronic diseases. To combat this, Blue Zone residents employ practices to minimise stress. The Ikarians of Greece boast a healthy sex life and take daily naps, while Sardinians enjoy a wine at sunset and the Seventh Day Adventists of Loma Linda, California pray daily and keep their Saturdays free for a full day of rest.

#2 Moderate Eating

There’s no doubt that overeating is not conducive to a long life. Blue Zone residents like the Ikarians fast regularly according to their religious calendar, whilst people living in Nicoya, Costa Rica and Loma Linda eat a light dinner in the early evening.

#3 Incidental Exercise

‘Incidental’ exercise is the exercise we get during daily activities and can be done in little bite-size chunks throughout the day. It’s also one of the many secrets to a longer life. Ikarians, residents of Loma Linda and Japanese Okinawans live in environments that encourage them into activity, spending time tending to their gardens and taking long daily walks.

#4 Family

Family comes first – or at least it does to Blue Zone residents. Nicoyan centenarians live with their families, Sardinian elders are celebrated and play a pivotal role in raising their grandchildren, while older Okinawans spend time in the company of younger generations to preserve a youthful attitude.

#5 Purpose

Having a purpose in life is apparently the key to a longer life. People living in Nicoya live by a ‘plan de vida’ or ‘sense of purpose’ – an essential part of feeling needed by their community. Okinawans, on the other hand, talk about their ‘ikigai’ or ‘reason for being’, giving their life strong meaning.

#6 Networks

Similar to the fact that strong family ties can lead to a longer life, spending time within your community or belonging to a network of likeminded people can enrich your wellbeing. Okinawans maintain a ‘moai’, or safety net of support and security in times of hardship, while Sardinian men often gather in the street every afternoon to socialise and have a laugh.

#7 Healthy Eating

Everyone knows that eating a healthy and balanced diet will lead to a longer life, but apparently, eating more plants will help your cause even more. Nicoyans enjoy a traditional diet of fibre-loaded maise and beans, Sardinians eat plenty of whole-grains, fruit, vegetables, grass-fed pecorino sheep cheese and goats milk, the Okinawan diet is mostly vegetable and plant-based protein from tofu while Seventh Day Adventists go for a vegetarian diet of nuts and legumes for protein and fibre.

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If you’re someone who doesn’t taste (or care about) the difference between a $10 drop of red from the Bottle-O’s bargain barrel and an $800 bottle of Grange, then we have some good news for you. A $6 bottle of Wal-Mart wine has been named one of the best in the world.

Yes, that’s right. One of Wal-Mart’s budget-friendly reds, Asda, has just won the prestigious Platinum Best in Show in the ‘single varietal red’ category at the Decanter World Wine Awards. A panel of 240 global wine experts tasted Asda’s La Moneda Reserva Malbec and reported it to be “an absolute crowd-pleaser” with a strong “succulent juicy berry” flavour.

La Moneda Reserva, from Central Valley in Chile, was also praised for its “freshly crushed black fruit, creamy vanilla yoghurt and pepper spice flavour”, and apparently comes highly recommended by Asda’s wine buying Manager Ed Betts as an accompanying tipple to barbecued meats.

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The Olympics in Brazil are nearly over. But, our fascination with the South American nation — and its boisterous and bright Rio de Janeiro — has us searching for other hot things to come out the mega city. Namely, men’s fashion brands and designers.

From swimwear labels to on point tailoring to luxury streetwear, Brazilian men’s brands are experiencing some medal-winning moments. Here are the golden ones.

#1 Alexandre Herchcovitch

Best known for his skull motifs, use of moulded rubber and religious iconography, Alexandre Herchcovitch is a major favourite among Brazil’s young, fashion crowd. Eclectic prints and experimenting with fabrics are his forte. As is his less talked about understanding of tailoring (his mother taught him how to sew, aged 10).

Contemporary and cool, Herchcovitch’s suiting is certainly worth having on your style radar. As well as being online, the major Alexandre Herchcovitch store in Tokyo and in his native Brazil. Herchcovitch’s is also sold in the USA, Canada, England, France, Spain and Australia.

#2 Frescobol Carioca

“Frescobol Carioca embodies the true spirit and style of Rio de Janeiro,” explains the luxury beachwear brand on its website. Frescobol beach bats – the iconic summer ballgame – were the first item to be launched in 2009 by the brand, sparking a whole range of luxury swimwear and beach accessories inspired by the vibrancy of the Olympic host city. From swim trunks to linen shirts – and handcrafted surfboards and skate boards now, too – Frescobol Carioca is colourful and big on prints. Trademark patterns include Copacabana and Ipanema, which can be picked up in London,

#3 Piet by Pedro Andrade

Brazil might not be the first place you think of when it comes to upcoming streetwear talent. But here’s a front runner from designer Pedro Andrade and his urban gear label, Piet. Inspired by renegade youth, Andrade likes to reference important social and musical movements in his collections, offering a kind of cut-and-paste motif. Still a very new label, Piet’s technique takes on distressed knits and high-tech prints, which are produced via photo transfer developed by Andrade himself. Reckless, but well-made, bring on more streetwear exports from Brazil like this one in the future.

#4 Luis Morais

Brazilian jeweller Luis Morais has been known since 2001 for his stylish beaded men’s jewellery. It all started on a Miami, Florida beach where the Brazilian noticed a bracelet in a magazine that he liked, but couldn’t purchase one like it. So, he made a variant of it himself, DIY-style. Resembling craftsmanship and a gothic edge, Morais’ bracelets can be spotted by the designer’s signature skulls. And their dazzling beadmanship. Each piece is immaculately threaded and constructed from fine materials, including ebony, sandalwood and gold. Accessories-game win.

#5 Joao Pimenta

Sao Paolo designer Joao Pimenta is a luxury menswear designer who likes to reference Brazil’s social contrast, specifically rich and poor, in his clothing. Coming from a poor childhood himself, Pimenta also likes to riff on the female wardrobe (let us explain) in his strikingly tailored men’s collections: front dart jackets, round silhouettes, fluid fabrics, and even embroidery lighting up his neutral colour palette.

Experimenting with fabrics is another traditional characteristic of his tailoring, as well as hooking up with graffiti artists from the local creative scene to make design magic happen. Joao Pimenta has a flagship store in Sao Paolo’s Vila Madalena neighbourhood, which is certainly worth a visit when in Sao Paolo.

#6 Osklen

A big name in Brazil’s fashion scene, Osklen is a luxury label that offers tailoring, smart casual pieces and more recently, streetwear. For the sportier side, skating, snowboarding and surf are activities of inspiration, offering kicking sneakers that are a point of difference among your average Nike and adidas. But the urban fashion brand, helmed by designer Oskar Metsavaht is essentially about fuss-free fashion, crafting cool, contemporary pieces that are big on minimalism. Oh, and Metsavaht even sells a line of furniture. Now, you can have a fully-fledge taste of Brazil in your wardrobe and throughout your home.

#7 League Goods

You can never have too many basics. Newcomer League Goods is one for the stylish gym junkie or the comfort clothes seeker. The limited collection offers jersey cotton shorts with an easy-go elasticated waist and cotton tees cut in a relaxed fit, as well as snapback caps to top of the sports vibe. League Goods is very much vintage inspired, taking the best from the Seventies-sport scene in colour and print, and reworking basics into modern fits. These are pieces that will slick into your casual wardrobe with ease.

#8 Cotton Project

The Cotton Project aims to convey the cool, Sunday-by-the-sea vibes associated with the brand’s beach loving Sao Paolo in its clothes. It’s about creating quality pieces for a group of individuals who share the same lifestyle. The casual sophisticated style of dress typifies a tropical country like Brazil, mixing the haze of summer days with the urban jungle, riffing on subcultures in music, art, photography and fashion.

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Los Angeles is loved for its year-round beach weather, diverse culture, world-class food, picture-perfect palm trees, and glittery Tinseltown glamour. But even locals need to flee the smog and gridlocked traffic on occasion, and when they do, Southern California offers a wealth of appealing options.

Ojai

The small town of Ojai has become something of a hipster hotspot in recent years, but celebrities and artists were onto it long before the mustachioed lovers of mason jars moved in. The creative community continues to thrive here, alongside a wellness scene perfect for spa and fitness fanatics. Try the historic Ojai Valley Inn and Spa if you’re looking for luxury and Meditation Mount if you seek spiritual awakening, and don’t miss the “Pink Moment” – the local name for Ojai’s spectacularly colourful sunsets.

San Diego

Sunshine, superlative surfing, and some of California’s finest Mexican food await in San Diego. Big-name spots like SeaWorld and Legoland draw touristy types, while luxury travellers prefer the sophisticated suburb of La Jolla. A trip to Black’s Beach is essential if riding waves is your aim. Not only is it a top surfing spot in the country, it’s also one of the best in the world. For an ultra-exclusive experience, check into the sprawling Hotel del Coronado, which has hosted numerous presidents, royalty, and celebrities over the years.

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake is primarily known as a winter retreat, when SoCal’s powderhounds flock to Snow Summit and Bear Mountain for skiing and snowboarding. As the weather warms up, the adventures continue. Outdoor enthusiasts indulge in hiking, fishing, swimming, biking, horseback riding, boating, ziplines and more, with occasional trips into The Village for comfort food, craft beer, and live music. For the full experience, stay in a rustic inn or a country cabin.

Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a classic getaway for Californians. The rugged strip of land, most of which is undeveloped and protected by the Catalina Island Conservancy, is accessible by ferry from the mainland. Catalina is known for its abundant wildlife (including a herd of bison left over from filming a movie), excellent scuba diving, Descanso Beach, and the art deco Catalina Casino. The truly intrepid can trek the challenging, 37-mile Trans-Catalina Trail that traverses the entire island.

Palm Springs

When not overrun with Coachella-goers in flower crowns, Palm Springs is a serene and stylish place to be. The desert oasis embodies an odd combination of vintage Hollywood glamour and extravagant, outlandish pool parties – a vibe that shouldn’t work, yet inexplicably does. Angelenos come to Palm Springs for both of the above, as well as luxurious spas and boutique hotels, antiquing, golf, hiking, stiff drinks, and endless hours of poolside lounging.

Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree offers a two-part escape from the urban intensity of LA. The town of Joshua Tree caters to artists, hippies, and anyone looking to unplug. Joshua Tree National Park boasts an array of outdoor activities, from camping and hiking to horseback riding and rock climbing. Stargazing is particularly popular in the park’s otherworldly desert landscape, thanks to skies that are largely free from light pollution. Taken together, Joshua Tree is a literal breath of fresh air that will leave you feeling refocused and re-energised.

Santa Barbara

The quintessential California beach town, Santa Barbara has long been a beloved destination for Angelenos seeking R&R amongst historic Spanish colonial architecture and terra-cotta paved streets. City-slickers can sample the city’s lively dining scene or shop in its pedestrian-friendly downtown. Nature lovers gravitate to the exquisite beaches and the nearby Santa Ynez Mountains. For culture hounds, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, eclectic Funk Zone, and Spanish mission are musts.

Paso Robles

Did someone say wine country? Northern California contains the state’s most famous grape-growing regions, but Paso Robles holds its own down south. The city is known for its wineries, along with its hot springs, almond orchards, and production of olive oil. If you’re looking for something less stuffy, Paso Robles has its fair share of funky art galleries and old-school cowboy bars. For the city’s quirkiest side, summon the s’mores butler at Hotel Cheval or play super-sized beer pong with red trash cans at BarrelHouse Brewing Company.

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Stepping up to the ‘twenty-kay’ club allows for a bit more freedom when it comes to finding the perfect driver’s car that will put a smile on that pretty mug. Caution is still necessary though as some of these cars are well over twenty years old with serious mileage on the clock alongside expected wear and tear.

Toyota MR2 AW11

Enthusiasts have long labelled this little Toyota the ‘poor man’s Lotus’, and for very good reason too. The AW11 was the first generation MR2, a name given to Toyota’s first foray into midship territory from 1984 which saw a high-revving 1.6-litre engine slotted behind the driver. 128hp was sent to the rear wheels whilst the setup allowed for supreme handling in the dry with rapid acceleration out of corners helped along by the car’s 1,131kg weight.

Renault Megane R.S. 250

The newest car on the list proves that it doesn’t have to break the bank when chasing performance points. Thanks to the French, the Megane R.S. 250 is one of the most versatile modern hot hatches made for spirited driving as well as everyday traffic duties. It’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine which develops a spritely 240hp and 340Nm of torque going to the front wheels. For peace of mind Renault have thrown in Brembo stoppers and a limited slip differential to ensure power is distributed effectively. The 6.1s 0-100km/h time and aggressive styling is a bonus.

Porsche Boxster

Credited as the car that saved Porsche from acquisition during the early nineties, the Porsche Boxster is today one of the Stuttgart company’s most iconic names alongside the famed 911 moniker. The Boxster is unique in that it boasts a mid-engined layout like the aforementioned Toyota which provided a lower centre of gravity, near-perfect weight distribution and sharp handling. It was this very design that made the car a pleasure to drive along with its 3.6-litre flat six engine which afforded 250hp to the rear wheels. Easily the most fun a man can have with his top off.

Nissan R32 GTR

The 1989 Nissan R32 GTR is widely regarded as the giant slaying coupe which put Japan’s performance car scene on the global map. Revived as the third generation Skyline after the last model released way back in 1973, the R32 Skyline GTR variant was an entirely different beast which utilised advanced AWD technology of its time and paired it with a bulletproof 2.6-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. With a weight of just under 1.5 tonnes, the car with mountains of tuning potential and intelligent AWD traction decimated most of its exotic competition. In Australian folklore, it forced racing driver Jim Richards to call unhappy Holden and Ford fans a pack of “arseholes” after he took out the Bathurst 1000 in a R32 GTR back in 1992.

1991 Mercedes-Benz 500SL

Having a rewarding drive doesn’t necessarily mean going fast. The Mercedes-Benz 500SL is no slug but it certainly takes the bacon as an awesome looking Miami Vice-style cruiser that oozes 80s cool. Besides looking the part, the 500SL also makes for one pleasurable drive with a 5.0-litre V8 doing the grunt work and modern luxuries such as power windows, power memory seats, air-conditioning, electric soft top and a removable hardtop coming in as standard features.

1998 Land Rover Defender XS

Taking the same route that slower is often better (how else would you enjoy the scenery), the older Defender XS from Land Rover is easily one of the most unrefined cars on this list that forces a driver to work for the smiles. It bears the same iconic Defender look born from the 60s complete with panel gaps, exposed door hinges, rivets, high roofline and a short wheelbase – basically all the imperfections of a hand-built body. And it’s these very points that make it extremely cool. The true 4×4 off-roader is powered by a 5-cylinder 2.5-litre turbo-diesel developing 122hp.

Honda S2000

Developed for the driving purist and hairdressers according to some, the Honda S2000 first landed in 1999 to world-wide acclaim for its immense handling capabilities brought upon by its engineering prowess. The car borrowed from the Japanese automaker’s rich experience in Formula One with a high revving 2.0-litre engine that was paired with the roadster body that weighed just 1,274kg. More importantly, Honda pushed the engine as far back into the firewall as possible to achieve a perfect 50:50 weight distribution leading to one of the most sublime handling cars the company has ever created. The final S2000 rolled off the production line in 2009 and the older models are now more affordable than ever.

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If you’ve been struggling to get some well-deserved shuteye at the end of a long day’s work, a new book suggests there might be more to it than your daily coffee hit or late night Netflix binge.

Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, a physiologist who has dealt with countless cranky and sleep-deprived professionals over the past 2 decades and runs sleep, energy and health programmes in London, concludes that how many hours of sleep we get per night is dependent on our daytime habits.

So, according to Dr Ramlakhan these are the things you’re probably doing during the day that’ll keep you tossing and turning in the middle of the night:

#1 Thinking Like An Insomniac

The mind is a powerful thing. Apparently, people with sleep issues more often than not have unhealthy beliefs about sleep. They’ll tell themselves how much they’ll suffer the next day without a proper night’s sleep or think that anything less than 7 or 8 hours sleep is a failure. This puts them in a state of anxiety, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and in turn, making sleep less likely.

Dr Ramlakhan suggests worrying less by turning your alarm clock away so it’s not the first thing you see when you open your eyes.

#2 Skipping Meals

Didn’t your mother ever tell you to eat 3 good meals a day? Well, when you skip breakfast, for example, your blood sugar control is affected, putting you into a ‘survival’ state in which your sympathetic nervous system is in overdrive. Your brain will be trying to deal with high-stress situations, and your body will be running on stress hormones instead of nourishing food. This means, come nighttime, your system will think it’s unsafe to produce melatonin – an essential sleep hormone.

Eating breakfast within 30-45 minutes of rising, and making sure it’s a combination of carbs, protein and fat will keep your blood sugar stable for the rest of the day and your body in safety mode.

#3 Getting Digital Before Bed

It’s a given that getting stuck into your Facebook or Instagram feed before bed is a no-no. Apparently, when you’re binging on the blue light, the ‘reward’ chemical dopamine is produced, which makes you alert and switched on – obviously equally zero sleep. But it gets even worse.

#4 Netflix & Sleeping

After a particularly shitty day of work, there’s nothing more comforting than dozing in front of Game of Thrones, but it could be making falling asleep even harder. Snoozing in front of the telly can put you into what’s called a ‘hypnagogic trance’, which is the transition phase between wakefulness and sleep. If you take enough breaks during the day, your brain will be rested enough to withstand before-bed TV time. Sitting upright, reading or doing simple stretches pre-sleep is also a good way to conk out the right way.

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The rumour mill is in full swing with the impending release of Apple‘s iPhone 7 and its purported array of groundbreaking new features.

One of the latest rumours to pop up? Complete waterproofing. Quartz reports that the the tech giant was this week awarded a new patent which outlines a system for colour-balancing photos that are taken under water.

If this is true then it could mean one of two things: They’re making a waterproof case and charging a premium for it or they’re making the actual phone waterproof. What’s still up in the air however is whether this practical new feature will be coming with the iPhone 7 or a later model down the track.

Most pundits are pointing towards it being included in the iPhone 7 since Samsung have already included waterproofing capabilities in their latest Galaxy S7 anf Note7. A closer look at the patent file doesn’t reveal the device specifically but it highlight that the technology could “operate on mobile devices” such as iPhones and iPads.

Playing into the rumoured feature even more is the fact that Apple will be abandoning the 3.5mm headphone jack, a place where water would have once been able to get inside the device.

Now to get rid of the drop and break issue.

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It doesn’t get much more ‘straya than a brew made from your Aussie pantry staple, Vegemite. It might seem like an urban myth but apparently, it’s now a reality, according to scientists.

University of Queensland researcher Dr Ben Schulz and his team set out to investigate claims that the black yeast extract from Vegemite was once used to brew beer in Indigenous communities where alcohol was banned.

Combined with other products, Schulz and his team found it particularly easy to make an alcoholic drink safe for human consumption from Vegemite. “Our data showed that home-brewed Vegemite beer could be easily made from sugar, Vegemite and yeast but not from just Vegemite and sugar, or sugar and yeast,” he said.

The drink, which resembles a cloudy ginger beer, is apparently bland-tasting but has that distinct Vegemite after-taste Aussies around the country know and love. “The Vegemite added the nutrients necessary for the fermentation process, but there are also many other sorts of food apart from Vegemite – such as fruits or ginger – that could provide those additional nutrients.”

What’s more? Vegemite beer is ridiculously cheap to make. In fact, Schulz estimated the real-world cost of the beer would be about 9 cents per 375 millilitres, compared to the retail cost of bulk commercial beer – which is about $1.60 for the same volume. Get brewing, kids.

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You’re serious about your health goals, so you’ve made major lifestyle changes. You said sayonara to sugar. You moderate your caffeine intake. You don’t skip meals. You’ve loaded the fridge with healthy foods and started your clean eating regimen.

It’s all smooth sailing from there, right?

Press pause. “Too much of a good thing” is a very real problem when it comes to healthy eating. That protein-packed fish, those dark leafy greens, the complex carbs – all of these famously “good” foods can have negative side effects if you overdo it. Here are nine healthy foods that can turn toxic if you overeat.

#1 Brazil Nuts

A single Brazil nut can deliver up to 90 micrograms of selenium, an element that plays essential roles in reproduction and staving off infection. Up your serving to six to eight nuts, and your intake leaps to a whopping 777 percent of your daily selenium needs. Eating too many brazil nuts puts you at risk for selenium toxicity, which can cause hair loss, gastrointestinal and neurologic problems, lightheadedness, heart attacks, and kidney failure. Registered dietitian Jessica Cording recommends you “keep it to one weekly serving, or just have one or two nuts a few times a week.”

#2-4 Spinach, Beets, Swiss Chard

These veggies are nutritional goldmines, but they’re also high in compounds called oxalates. Oxalates have positive effects on healthy gut bacteria, one of the many reasons spinach, beets, and swiss chard typically make the Good Foods list. However, if you’re prone to kidney stones, a diet rich in oxalate foods can make your kidney stones worse. Lower-oxalate alternatives include cabbage and cauliflower.

#5 Canned Tuna

There are plenty of reasons to love canned tuna. It’s cheap, convenient, and full of healthy protein and omega-3s. But the downside is one you’re probably already familiar with: canned tuna contains mercury, which can be poisonous when ingested in significant amounts. The exact amount you can safely eat depends on your weight. It’s also important to note that white albacore tuna contains more mercury than light tuna. Try to avoid consuming more than six ounces of albacore tuna per week.

#6-8 Red Meat, Oysters, White Beans

Oysters, white beans, and red meat are prime sources of iron, an essential mineral that helps deliver oxygen to your muscles. An iron deficiency will leave you feeling weak and tried, but overeating iron can lead to liver failure. Cording says iron overload is rare if your only source of iron is food, but if you’re taking an iron supplement, you may want to talk to a doctor about achieving a healthy balance.

#9 Brown Rice

Many nutrition authorities recommend swapping white rice for its healthier brown cousin. Here’s the downside: rice absorbs arsenic that naturally occurs in soil and water, and brown rice tends to absorb more than white. Though arsenic is a known human carcinogen, there’s currently no safety threshold for the amount of arsenic in food. Fortunately, experts agree that brown rice doesn’t need to be cut completely from your diet. Instead, make an effort to eat a variety of whole grains along with it – Including quinoa, farro, and millet – and keep an eye out for packaged foods that contain rice or rice-based ingredients.

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