JR Thorpe
Ireland
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DEATH ON ICE coming 13.02.25! Author of LEARWIFE, Observer Top 10 Debut Novelist '21, lyricist/librettist. Rep: @JanklowNesbit. Pubs: Faber & Canongate.
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Articles by JR Thorpe
What Happens To The Body Post Orgasm? How Women & Men Experience Post-Coital Bliss Differently, According To Science
What happens to the body during orgasm is a lot more famous than what happens afterwards. Just because movies and TV only generally show that latter part doesn't mean that most of our fascination isn't focused on the former. That famous scene from When Harry Met Sally? Come on, people! After all, we as a culture are almost entirely focused on getting to that point, and less.
How To Go Vegan Without Hurting Your Health, According To Doctors
If you're thinking of going vegan, you're not alone. A report by Forbes found that the percentage of Americans identifying as vegan rose from 1% in 2014 to 6% in 2017, and that percentage is only set to rise. The Economist called 2019 the "year of the vegan," noting that 25% of all Americans between 25 and 34 say they are either vegan or vegetarian.
7 Strange Ways Ovulation Affects Women, From Blushing To Our Sense Of Smell
For a long time, scientists thought that human women had concealed ovulation and menstrual cycles — in other words, that nobody (aside from ourselves and the people we buy our tampons from) could tell when we were ovulating or having our periods. This is in contrast to a lot of other animals, who display their fertility really openly, basically hanging an "open for business" sign over their own heads whenever the chance has come to conceive a puppy/kitten/baboon/whatever.
12 Things Your Farts Are Trying To Tell You About Your Body
Aren't you glad somebody else got roped into writing about your farts and what they mean for your body? There's lots to write about; farting isn't just a sign of antisocial behavior or a butt of jokes.
22 Budgeting Hacks For Millennials, According To Experts
If you're the type who always ends up with $5 in your account just before payday with no idea how that happened, it’s possible that your budgeting system — if you have one — hasn’t quite understood the assignment. For millennials, budgeting isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Experian’s 2020 State of Credit report says that members of the generation carry $87,448 worth of debt, on average — that’s an 11.5% increase over 2019.
6 Jaw Stretches To Try
Jaw stretches tend to target your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, which is the part that connects the bones of your jaw to your skull. It’s the most-used joint in the body, and the muscles around it can tense or get strained, which is a massive pain in — well, the neck, sort of.
How Taking CBD Affects Your Workouts, According To Experts
You’re looking for something to take your workouts to the next level, and your eyes fall on your CBD oil. CBD, aka cannabidiol, the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, is an omnipresent ingredient that’s reputed to deliver a slew of wellness benefits. So what’s the deal with CBD and working out? Dr. Sophie Vergnaud, M.D., a medical expert at prescription company GoodRx, tells Bustle that CBD’s links to pain and inflammation relief have made it popular among fitness enthusiasts.
The Lowdown On Transcendental Meditation, The Wildly Popular Mindfulness Practice
Meditation has become a staple practice in self-care, thanks to its de-stressing benefits. Within the mindfulness realm, there’s also something called transcendental meditation, a particular kind of meditation that involves stepping away from the conscious mind (and has some pretty famous devotees, including Kendall Jenner and director David Lynch).
4 Sneaky Signs You Might Need Braces, According To An Orthodontist
You got through all of high school without braces, but now you’re a full-blown adult and something about your teeth just doesn’t feel quite right. Fortunately, adult braces are pretty common these days: One in three people who go to an orthodontist in the U.S. is over 18, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. But how on earth do you know if you need braces, or if it’s just something your mouth can work out on its own? More like this Redefine your day with the Bustle newsletter.
Here's What It Means When You Dream About Rats, According To An Expert
Rats aren’t everybody’s favorite animal. For every person who insists they’re amazing pets or TikTok user extolling their adorable virtues as trainable geniuses, there’s a counterpoint from someone else that claims they’re dirty, unlucky, or carry illnesses. Though it’s now thought rats weren’t actually the culprits for the Black Plague — it turns out it was humans, whoops — old beliefs persist. But what does it mean when you dream about rats?
What Do Dreams About Spiders, Snakes, & Wolves Mean? Experts Decode Scary Animal Dreams
Though they're gross to look at and startling to encounter in the shower, spiders are no threat to us in our waking lives. (Well, unless they’re lethally poisonous, but those are rare.) So why are so many of us dealing with scary spider dreams as soon as we close our eyes?
Are Space Buns, '90s Hair Wraps, & Nose Cuffs Cultural Appropriation?
The term "cultural appropriation" is bandied about a lot these days — largely when a fashion line or a famous person plays into a look or accessory that had its origins in another culture and pays no attention to what it means or where it comes from. And that's one of the key problems with cultural appropriation: It uses other cultures as cute accessories, rather than real things with meaning to real people. More like this Redefine your day with the Bustle newsletter.
Exactly What To Text A New Friend To Get To Know Them Better
You’ve exchanged numbers with somebody who seems incredibly cool, and now you’re staring at the screen, wondering how to get past the “how are you/good, how are you/what’s happening/not much” bit of your friendship. If you’re not at the brunch date or in-person hangout level yet, how do you get to know someone over text? There’s a reason you might find developing texting connections a bit tricky.
This Genius TikTok Will Help You Build A Daily Routine That Doesn’t Suck
Ever feel like you have absolutely no sense of what day it is, or heck, what month it is? The past two years have done a number on people’s daily routines, whether you’re working from home or not. With few ways of distinguishing between Tuesday and Wednesday — or even Tuesday and Saturday — it’s easy to lose track. But one recently viral TikTok series offers a brilliant daily routine template for every day of the week.
Instagram Is Revamping How You Watch Videos On The App
It’s been a long week for Instagram. First, a multi-hour outage across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp due to a server configuration change error on Oct. 4 produced memes aplenty. On Oct. 5, Instagram announced the end of IGTV, its first foray into long-form video content. Or rather, the rebranding. Or the downsizing. Or — well, it’s complicated. IGTV was never really the star it was meant to be. Per The Verge, it was designed as a mobile app to rival YouTube, to host videos up to 60 minutes long.
Everything You Wanted To Know About Ouija Boards But Were Too Scared To Ask
There are plenty of horror movies that use Ouija boards, usually involving extremely attractive teenagers who unwittingly summon an unfriendly demon. (Sad!) But the history of the Ouija board itself is more complicated and fascinating than Hollywood makes it out to be. It involves ancient Roman sacrifices, coffin-makers, sister spiritualists, and a murder trial — and that's before you even touch its occult reputation.
Therapists Swear By This Weird Trick To Make Yourself Feel Better
It’s a classic move and TV trope: The protagonist, fresh off a fight or some bad news, splashes their face with cold water to calm down. Therapists tell Bustle that, while it may seem weird, the water-splashing technique is a reliable trick when you need to make yourself feel better, stat. It’s called the mammalian diving response, and even if you’re miles from a pool or the ocean, you can replicate it with your average bathroom sink.
11 Latinx Activists You Should Have Learned About In History Class Original
High school history classes can be very white- and male-centric. The accomplishments, contributions, and sacrifices of women, especially women of color, aren't always included as part of your average history curriculum. But there are so many Latinx activists who you didn't learn about in school who changed the cultural and political landscape in the U.S. and beyond. Yet, they tend to be omitted from standard textbooks.
The Do’s & Don’ts Of Brushing Your Tongue
You’ve got your nightly oral hygiene routine down pat — brushing, flossing, a bit of mouthwash, and a grin at the mirror as you flash your pearly whites. But experts tell Bustle that there may be a step missing in your evening ritual: cleaning your tongue. While it might seem a bit odd at first, there are real benefits to brushing your tongue, including reducing cavities and helping your breath stay fragrant. More like this Redefine your day with the Bustle newsletter.
15 Subtle Signs You’re Drinking Too Much, According To Experts
It was an average night at home eight months ago for Elizabeth*, 39, when she realized she was drinking too much. “I had my lightbulb moment when I was sitting at home alone and I'd drunk two bottles of wine while doing my emails,” she tells Bustle. “I drank at a pretty average level before the pandemic, I think, but being home all the time, it just escalated.” She called her best friend, asking what to do about the issue, and the two have been sober buddies ever since.
What Does It Feel Like To Die? Here's What Real Accounts Say
Humans are fascinated by death - and a lot of that fascination may stem from the fact that most of us just can't comprehend death in its entirety. Indeed, the answer to the question "What does it feel like to die?" is largely, we don't really know - mostly because (for what are perhaps obvious reasons) there aren't a lot of ways to gather this information.
18 Signs Your Friends Are Jealous Of You
You’ve scored something truly amazing — your dream job, the apartment with the exposed brick kitchen, a DM exchange with Phoebe Bridgers — and while most of your friends are dancing around in delight, one is sulking in the corner, giving you green-eyed side-eye. Making other people jealous of your stellar achievements may seem pretty harmless, but if your friends are jealous of you, it can get in the way of a healthy relationship — and feels pretty cruddy, to boot. “I got a book deal. It was great.
11 Culturally Appropriative Halloween Costumes You Should Never Wear
Cady Heron once remarked that “In the real world, Halloween is when kids dress up and beg for candy.” The Mean Girls protagonist had slightly more disparaging things to say about what Halloween means in girl world, but she neglected to mention that the holiday has also become a minefield for cultural appropriation. Every year, costume retailers sell get-ups based on cultural stereotypes, and every year, people erroneously think it’s appropriate to wear them to their neighbor’s house party.
All The Reasons Why You Should Never Skip Your Mouthwash
You brush religiously and floss like you’re cleaning for a gold medal — but mouthwash has somehow never ended up on your sink counter. You just spit it out anyway, right? Dentists say that actually, mouthwash’s benefits make it an excellent complement to brushing and flossing. “Mouthwash gives your mouth a clean, fresh feeling, but it also has benefits for your overall oral health,” Dr. Lauren McDonough, DMD, the vice president of practice support at Aspen Dental, tells Bustle.
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Charcoal Toothpaste
The internet is great for popularizing extremely visual, but dubiously effective trends. Case in point: Charcoal toothpaste videos now have millions of views on TikTok, complete with eerie black foam. While it makes a real mess in your pristine white sink, manufacturers call it the new natural tooth whitener. But does charcoal toothpaste actually work?
9 Actions You Can Take To Combat Climate Change That Are Actually Helpful
Changing to reusable grocery bags, recycling, biking rather than taking a car — you’re probably well-versed in the little ways you can help the environment. But the release of the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s report on Aug. 9 showed that the impact climate change is getting worse — and it’s on governments and corporations to make sweeping changes. Now. More like this Redefine your day with the Bustle newsletter.
7 Places To Donate To Help Haiti After This Weekend’s Earthquake
On Saturday, Aug. 14, Haiti was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, particularly in the southwest of the country. The death toll rose to 1,300 by Aug. 16, per Reuters, and nearly 6,000 people have been injured. The country is now which will complicate search and rescue operations. More like this This is the second massive earthquake in 11 years for Haiti, which was devastated by another powerful quake in 2010 that killed tens of thousands of people.
What Is Explant Surgery? Removing Breast Implants Is Becoming More Common
Clare Crawley, a former Bachelorette, revealed in July that she would remove her breast implants after they were revealed to be the root of a mysterious health condition. In a video posted to Instagram on July 3, she explained that she’d had an elevated white blood cell count, eczema, and other unexplained symptoms for five years. After three mammograms and an ultrasound in early 2021, doctors had found fluid sacs behind her implants. “My body is fighting them,” she said.
7 Self-Massage Techniques, According To TikTok
Wellness 7 Self-Massage Tips, Straight From TikTok Including one for when your stomach’s out of sorts. by JR Thorpe Updated: Feb. 20, 2024 Originally Published: Aug. 5, 2021 JGI/Jamie Grill/Tetra images/Getty Images There are lots of time in life where a professional massage seems like heaven. But if you can’t get to a massage therapist, TikTok’s got you covered, with a host of self-massage techniques to soothe your aching muscles.
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Going Live On TikTok
You turn on TikTok, full of ambitions about going Live to share your thoughts on the new Sally Rooney book — but you can’t find the Live button, or tapping it doesn’t do anything. TikTok’s ruining your ambitions for viral stardom! Why the D’Amelios but not you? Going Live on TikTok has become so popular — thanks, naturally, to quarantine — that audiences on livestreams can be mind-bogglingly big.
What Does The Weeknd Mean When He Says He’s “Sober Lite”?
In an interview in GQ published in the magazine’s September 2021 issue, The Weeknd said that he now considers himself “sober lite,” meaning he drinks alcohol occasionally and smokes weed, but avoids hard drugs. “I’m not a heavy drinker, as much as I used to be. The romance of drinking isn’t there,” the singer, born Abel Tesfaye, told the magazine. “Drugs were a crutch. It was me thinking that I needed it.
Simone Biles’ “Twisties,” Explained
When Simone Biles made the decision to pull out of the team and all-around finals in the 2021 Olympics on July 27, citing her mental health, the world applauded her decision to put her emotional well-being first. And two days afterwards, when she elaborated that she had been dealing with the “twisties,” a problem affecting her sense of midair orientation, gymnasts everywhere flooded social media with support. The cutesy name sounds innocuous, but elite gymnasts say the condition is deadly serious.
This Naomi Osaka Quote Shows How Simple Boosting Resilience Can Be
Getting rejected for a job — after five rounds of interviews, no less — unquestionably sucks, but you’re back out there sending your résumé all over town. That ability to dust yourself off after setbacks is known as resilience, and it’s linked to higher self-esteem and a strong sense of self. Science suggests that there’s a simple trick to building resilience: It involves going back to a time when you absolutely aced something and visualizing it.
How Do You Get The Sensitive Content Filter On Instagram? The Content Control Setting Is Live
Tech Tired of doing double-takes while scrolling? This feature’s for you. If you’re really not a fan of NSFW or gross-out videos appearing on your Instagram, there’s a new Instagram feature that might stop you from doing a double-take or spitting out your morning coffee while you scroll. Sensitive Content Control is designed to help you filter the images or videos that appear on your Explore feed.
9 Easy Steps To Get Back In Touch With Someone — Even If It's Been A While
Even though in the age of social media, it feels like it's easy to know where your friends are and what they're up to, your 20s are still a prime time to fall out of the loop. With all the milestones and career changes and moving to different cities, it can creep up on you that someone who was once there every day hasn't texted you in over a year.
No, That Sinus-Clearing Garlic Hack On TikTok Doesn’t Actually Work — Here's Why
Recent viral TikToks show the unfathomable: the poster plucking cloves from a bulb of garlic, peeling them, then putting the cloves up their nose. Cut to 15 minutes later, and the contents of their sinuses — what seems like a gallon of mucus — drip out into the sink below.
How Much Are Olympic Medals Worth? Here’s The Value Of Gold, Silver, & Bronze
Standing on an Olympic podium, a shiny medal gleaming in the sun, a national anthem playing in the background: winning an Olympic medal looks, unquestionably, cool as hell. And with Team USA expected to take a substantial haul of medals at the 2021 Olympics, those pretty circles of metal — and their value — are coming under the spotlight. What’s an Olympic medal really worth, particularly when the stadium’s emptied and the crowds have gone home?
Are Olympic Athletes Allowed To Drink Alcohol? The Rules Are Complicated
Olympics 2021 Olympic athletes can technically drink, but they’ll have to get creative to find booze. David Madison/Getty Images Sport/Getty Images By Jessica Learish and JR Thorpe Updated: July 12, 2021 Originally Published: Aug. 11, 2016 Training for the Olympics is rigorous work. Years of effort, specially tailored diets, and a strict schedule might seem like all work and no play.
Here’s How Your Nightly TikTok Scroll Affects Your Dreams
Your nightly routine is honed to a tee: brush teeth, cleanse, tone, moisturize, put on your fave pajamas, lie in bed and watch TikToks till your eyes start to close involuntarily. Then, naturally, you spend the next eight hours with dreams that feel suspiciously influenced by the TikToks you just watched.
11 Meditation Podcasts To Listen To Before Bed
Even if you’ve tired yourself out with a full day of work, an hour of yoga, and 45 minutes of tearing the house apart looking for your cat, you might not be ready to drift off when your head hits the pillow. Maybe you’re thinking about that promotion, or you’re so stressed about a fight with a friend that dropping off feels impossible. Putting into a more relaxed state with meditation can really help. Enter: meditation podcasts for sleep.
11 Therapist-Approved Texts For Keeping In Touch With Family
You’ve got a family WhatsApp going, but it seems to drift off into silence whenever no one’s graduating from college or getting a new job. Maybe there was an argument that didn’t really get resolved, or nobody is a champion communicator, or you’re all in different states and there’s a Lot Going On. If you’re looking for ways to keep in touch with family members without having to pick up the phone, experts say a well-placed text can work wonders.
Experts Explain How Your Vagina Gets Wet
Getting wet is not only an essential part of sex— it's also one of the most fun elements. People with vaginas know (and feel) when it's happening, but the process itself can feel a bit mysterious. If you've ever wondered “Why do I get wet when I’m turned on?” or how you can help get the pipes flowing, then it's time to take a closer look at anatomy.
10 Pride Flags Whose Symbolism Everyone Should Know
It's officially Pride Month, which means you're probably going to spend the next 29 days surrounded by all things rainbow. The rainbow pride flag, created in 1978 by gay activist Gilbert Baker, has gone through some cosmetic changes over the years — including a petition to add black and brown to the flag to uplift queer people of color — but it is still the single most unifying and identifiable symbol of the LGBTQ+ community. The rainbow flag, however, is not the only queer pride flag around.
5 Negative Side Effects Of Anal Sex
When it comes to the negative side effects of anal sex, it's hard to get a straight answer. Because the act of anal sex is still relatively taboo, it’s now easier than ever to get helpful information about all its aspects, including how to do it safely. For people who like it (and who use lots of lube), there are some benefits of anal sex, like the possibility of anal orgasms and feeling closer to your partner.
Why Doesn’t Caffeine Wake Me Up? Experts Explain
You’re consistently ready to go for 8 a.m. yoga with nothing but OJ in your system, but your bestie can’t speak to anyone until she’s downed 20 ounces of cold brew. “Caffeine doesn’t wake me up,” you insist, but then why does the rest of the world need it to function? The answer could be in your sleep habits — or in the fact that coffee isn’t the ultimate wake-up call you assume it is.
11 Responses For When Someone Checks In On You
It’s so tempting to just say “Fine!” when somebody asks how you are. After all, they don’t really want a rundown of everything that’s stressing you out in alphabetical order, do they? It’s so much easier to be polite and pretend everything’s all right (even though, obviously, it’s not).
11 Ways To See How A Friend Is Doing Without Saying “Just Checking In”
Your sister’s been super distant since she lost her job, and you want to make sure she’s OK, but there’s something about the phrase “checking in” that makes you cringe. (No matter what context it’s used in, it’ll always kind of sound like your boss is chasing down a report 20 minutes before the deadline.) Asking about a person’s wellbeing can feel awkward; you want to strike the right mix of caring and relaxed, so they don’t feel they’re being grilled.
How To Ask What Someone Is Comfortable With In Post-COVID Socializing
You’re fully vaccinated, but the prospect of an unmasked indoor coffee date makes you want to hide in your bathroom for the rest of your life. With over 50% of American adults having gotten their last shots, an abrupt return to social interaction has meant people are muddling their way through their hangout boundaries in a post-COVID world. “A vaccinated relative got over-enthusiastic and went in for a hug,” Amanda, 30, tells Bustle. “I’m not vaccinated yet, and I’m pregnant.
7 Signs Your Parents Are Emotionally Abusive, According To Experts
That awkward moment when you’re telling a funny story from your childhood and no one laughs? It’s even more uncomfortable when your best friend leans forward, puts their hand on your knee, and says, “Oh honey, that sounds really traumatic. You alright?” The signs and symptoms of emotional abuse from parents can be a lot more difficult to detect by an outside observer — even though the consequences are just as damaging for the kids as they grow to adulthood.
5 AAPI Women From History Whose Names You Should Know
Anna May Wong standing serenely in front of a camera, eyebrows arched, face perfectly poised. Kazu Iijima on a park bench with her friend Minn Masuda in 1968, wondering how to give their children a place to feel proud about their identities. sketching out plans for a demonstration to help two wrongly accused Filipino nurses find justice.
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