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Creative Hobbies to Boost Your Mental Wellbeing

Engaging in creative hobbies can be a powerful way to improve your mental health. These activities provide an outlet for stress, enhance your mood, and can even improve cognitive function. Here are some creative hobbies that can boost your mental wellbeing.

Playing Strategic Games

Strategic games are a fantastic way to stimulate your brain and enhance your problem-solving skills. Chess is a classic example, requiring you to think several moves ahead, enhancing your strategic thinking. Other games like Sudoku and crossword puzzles also keep your mind sharp by challenging your memory and logic skills.

Card games such as poker, bridge, and blackjack are not only entertaining but also demand strategic planning and quick thinking. Reputable online platforms like Unibet casino offer a variety of these types of games, allowing you to play and enhance your mental agility from the comfort of your home. However, it’s important to remember that gambling can be addictive, so it should be approached responsibly, and always ensure it is legal in your jurisdiction. Board games like Risk and Settlers of Catan also provide a fun way to develop strategic thinking while enjoying time with friends and family.

Painting and Drawing

Painting and drawing are excellent ways to express your emotions and unleash your creativity. These activities help you focus on the present moment, which can be very therapeutic. Whether you prefer watercolors, acrylics, or pencils, there are endless possibilities to explore.

Joining a local art class or following online tutorials can help you learn new techniques and improve your skills. You don’t have to be a professional artist to benefit from these activities, the process of creating art itself can be incredibly rewarding and relaxing. Experimenting with different styles and mediums can also keep your mind engaged and stimulated.

Gardening

Gardening is another hobby that offers numerous mental health benefits. The act of nurturing plants can be very calming and provides a sense of accomplishment. Spending time outdoors and connecting with nature has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety levels.

You can begin with a handful of potted plants or expand to a more extensive garden area. Growing your own vegetables and herbs can also provide you with a fresh supply of healthy ingredients, further boosting your wellbeing. Gardening also encourages physical activity, which is another important factor in maintaining good mental health.

Crafting and DIY Projects

Crafting and DIY projects can be incredibly satisfying and offer a great way to use your hands and creativity. Whether it’s scrapbooking, knitting, pottery, sewing, or woodwork, these activities allow you to focus on the task at hand, which can be a great way to relieve stress.

Trying out new projects and techniques can keep your mind active and engaged. You can find inspiration and tutorials online on platforms like Pinterest, join local crafting groups, or even take classes to improve your skills. Completing a project gives you a tangible result that you can be proud of, boosting your sense of achievement and self-worth.

Why Are Digital Wallets Considered the Future of Transactions?

Digital wallets, once considered a novel convenience, are now emerging as a key element of modern financial services. These tools are central to a revolution that promises to reshape how we manage money and execute transactions. With their ability to simplify the payment process and enhance user security, digital wallets are becoming indispensable in a world that values efficiency and connectivity.

The Convenience of Digital Wallets

Digital wallets greatly simplify how we manage and use our money. By bringing together many different payment options and personal details into one secure place, they make buying things faster and easier. Let us explore how these tools are making transactions smoother and why they are becoming a key part of our financial routines.

Keeping More Than Money

Beyond conventional payment methods, digital wallets also accommodate loyalty cards, membership passes, and discount coupons. By digitizing these assets, users can redeem offers without physically carrying dozens of cards or worrying about leaving them behind.

Better ID and Security

The integration of identification documents (driver’s licenses and ID cards) into digital wallets introduces a level of security and verification that is hard to match with physical documents. This feature is particularly useful in scenarios that require age verification or identity checks.

Faster Transactions

The ability to complete transactions with a single tap or click, whether online or at physical points of sale, represents a major leap in transaction efficiency. Technologies like Near Field Communication (NFC) enable users to pay by simply holding their smartphone close to a payment terminal, reducing the time spent at checkout.

Integration with Various Industries

In the retail sector, digital wallets have revolutionized the shopping experience. Consumers can now complete purchases with a few taps on their smartphones, avoiding the traditional hassles of cash or card payments. For example, a shopper at a department store can use their digital wallet to apply discounts automatically, earn loyalty points, and make payments without ever reaching for their physical wallet.

The healthcare industry benefits significantly from the adoption of digital wallets, particularly in administrative processes. Patients can use digital wallets to settle bills, store insurance details, and manage medical records.

Digital wallets have also made a substantial impact in the entertainment industry. They simplify the process of purchasing tickets for movies, concerts, and sports events, often allowing users to select seats and pay within minutes via dedicated apps. In the online casino industry, which depends on fast transactions, the introduction of digital wallets in the payment options has contributed to the popularization of the industry and provided players with more convenience.

The Best Digital Wallets in 2024

As we progress through 2024, digital wallets continue to redefine convenience and security. Among a wide array of options, certain digital wallets stand out due to their enhanced features, user-friendly interfaces, and advanced security measures:

  • Apple Pay: Known for its integration with Apple devices, Apple Pay remains a top choice for iOS users.
  • Google Pay: This digital wallet is favored for its versatility across Android and iOS devices, allowing users to store debit, credit, loyalty, and gift cards.
  • Samsung Pay: Unique for its Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) technology, Samsung Pay can be used at almost any payment terminal that accepts credit cards, not just those with NFC technology.
  • PayPal: Renowned for its longstanding reputation in digital payments, PayPal offers a digital wallet that is highly flexible, allowing users to make online purchases securely across numerous platforms and send money to almost anyone.

How Virtual Reality is Redefining Entertainment Beyond the Screen

Virtual Reality (VR) has transformed gaming from mere screen interaction to immersive experiences that blur the lines between reality and the digital realm. With VR, players dive into the game world, engaging with environments and characters in a way that was once unimaginable. This technological leap extends beyond gaming, enhancing entertainment and education, reshaping how we experience digital content.

The Evolution of Gaming: Embracing Virtual Reality

Video games have come a long way since 1968, when Ivan Sutherland created the first VR headset, known as The Sword of Damocles. This was only the beginning. During the 80s and 90s, big names like Sega and Nintendo tried their hand at VR gaming without much success. However, everything changed in the 2010s with the arrival of Oculus and HTC Vive, introducing high-quality VR that was a game-changer.

Today, games like “Beat Saber” and “Half-Life: Alyx” make you feel like you’re actually inside the game world. But the use of VR goes beyond just gaming. It’s making a difference in education, healthcare, and architecture too. Surgeons can now practise operations in a virtual space, and students can explore historical sites without leaving their classrooms. Watching how far VR technology has advanced is truly exciting, and it’s anyone’s guess what the future holds.

Breaking Boundaries: VR’s Impact on Entertainment

The impact of VR on entertainment extends far beyond traditional gaming. It’s not just about the games themselves but how we engage with digital worlds. VR offers a level of immersion that 2D screens simply can’t match. Take, for example, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, where players can explore an open world in first-person, truly stepping into the shoes of their character. Or VRChat, where communities form in virtual spaces, allowing people to interact as if they were in the same room.

These experiences break down the boundaries between reality and the digital, offering a new form of escapism that is more engaging and interactive. The potential of VR to redefine entertainment lies in its ability to draw players into its world completely. Imagine feeling the tension of a horror game not just through your screen but all around you, or the thrill of a racing game as if you were actually behind the wheel.

Beyond Gaming: The New Frontier of Digital Experience

Virtual Reality’s reach extends beyond gaming into various aspects of digital entertainment and education. One innovative application is in the online casino realm. VR technology allows users to walk through a virtual casino, sit at a table, and interact with other players in real-time, offering an experience that mirrors the excitement and atmosphere of a physical casino without leaving home. It’s a glimpse into the future of online gambling, where the lines between the virtual and the real continue to blur.

But it’s not just about entertainment. VR has the potential to transform educational tools, offering immersive experiences that can enhance learning in fields like history, where students can virtually visit ancient civilizations through apps like TimeLooper, or medicine, where surgeons can practise procedures in a risk-free environment using platforms like Osso VR.

Virtual concerts, too, are gaining popularity, allowing fans to experience live performances from the comfort of their homes, complete with the feeling of being in the crowd. These applications showcase the versatility of VR, highlighting its ability to enrich our digital lives in many different ways.

Album Review: Jamie xx, ‘In Waves’

Jamie xx has hardly been inactive over the last decade. The DJ and producer, whose real name is Jamie Smith, composed the score for a ballet and scored Roman Gavras’ film The World Is Yours before resurfacing in April 2020 with ‘Idontknow’, the first in a series of one-off singles. In 2017, he reunited with Sim and Madley Croft for the xx’s third LP, I See You, and helped produce both of their debut solo albums. He kept testing out new material in his various and increasingly high-profile DJ sets, as well as in his Essential Mix for BBC Radio 1 show during the first weeks of the pandemic. Outside of music, he traveled across the world and took up surfing, which informs the title of his new album, In Waves. One of the standalone tracks, ‘KILL DEM’, was inspired by London’s Notting Hill Carnival, where he DJed for the first time in 2022 but has attended since he was a teenager. The restlessness that’s defined Smith’s career, though, nearly drained the life out of him. “I don’t remember anything pretty much from when I was 18 until I was 30,” Smith said in a recent interview. “It’s all just a blur of being in a different city every day.”

In retrospect, it’s hard not to see some of that blurriness seeping through 2015’s In Colour. As backward-facing and nostalgic as it was perceived at the time – qualities that did little to detract from its widespread acclaim – the record has clearly stood the test of time, and not just because its brand of introspective, feelings-forward club music (a prospect one outlet then deemed “ridiculous”) is particularly fashionable right now. The album may have served as the average indie fan’s entry point to electronic music, but it was also nuanced and expansive enough for any listener to revel in the tiniest details for a long time. Buoying the hushed vulnerability, even modesty, of the record was a revolving door of emotions, but also a sense that melancholy and euphoric abandon could exist within the same breath, the same way moments lost their individual timestamp in the vastness of it all.

Though just as layered and naturally in conversation with past sounds, In Waves is primed for, and actively aware of, the present moment – and not just in the way that late-album cut ‘Breather’ intersects Smith’s love of dance music with transcendental meditation (“The past is gone/ And the future is uncertain/ But what we know right now is this moment”). Take how that song recalls ‘Anadlu’ by Kelly Lee Owens, an artist Smith played on that Essential Mix, and who has recently been steering her music in a less introverted, more dancefloor-ready direction – as Smith does here. The Floor, a pop-up club Smith built inside the Bermondsey venue MOT, has welcomed guests ranging from Daphni and Axel Boman to Charli XCX and the 1975’s George Daniel (whose label dh2 is releasing Owens’ new album). The long wait between records guarantees the new one will be hailed as timeless, but there’s something refreshingly tapped-in and of-the-moment about In Waves, even if, with its autumn release, it would seem to arrive just a tad too late.

Feel-good mantras like “All we gotta do is treat each other right” and “You’re giving me life” are laced all over the record. But it’s precisely because of Smith’s attunement to contemporary dance music trends that In Waves, as a whole, avoids veering into cliché. With simmering exhaustion around both the “return to the club” narrative that culminated with BRAT and the kind of sentimental, tasteful electronic music that could only, as Shaad D’Souza wrote in his review of Fred again..’s ten days (for a publication that notably panned In Colour), “soundtrack forlorn glances, abject tragedies and single tears dribbling from perfectly glossed eyes,” In Waves could go wrong either way. Instead, it reminds us that Smith is a master at both of these modes, capable of infusing the album’s snappy, frenetic dance music with woozy, communal emotion. To Jamie xx, focusing on the present practically translates to finding ways not to conform but condense the genre’s familiar thrills, even if it means cutting intros short and part of the subtlety out.

Yet even as a more robust, crowd-pleasing endeavour, In Waves keeps the pulse going in ways both surprising and enveloping. The meditative sprawl of ‘Breathe’, for example, turns out to be one of the weirder and more fractured stretches of the whole LP. The life-affirming directness of ‘Treat Each Other Right’ bleeds into ‘Waited All Night’, which benefits from the very distinct intimacy harnessed by the xx members, flirting with that hazy territory while delivering one of the album’s most immediate choruses. And ‘Dafodil’, its biggest oddity and standout, comes right after the particularly in-your-face ‘Baddy on the Floor’, a song that delights in its repetitiveness as much as the tinier interplay between the bass and horn sample. The more crowded it becomes, the more In Waves distinguishes itself from the insular (however collaborative still) process behind In Colour, whether it’s in the form of Robyn’s playful giddiness, the Avalanches’ eccentric production touches, or the array of voices – Panda Bear, Kelsey Lu, John Glacier – mystically corroding the “lovely sweetness” in the air that fills ‘Dafodil’.

Playing the songs live may have helped perfect the flow of the album, but the more a thing vacillates, the harder it is to find the right ending. In Waves lands on ‘Falling Together’, a shamelessly grand and sincere piece narrated by Irish dancer Oona Doherty, who directed the video for ‘Idontknow’. Because they’re not repurposed in the form of a sample, her words are less ambivalent in their cosmic wonder, but also more human: “Look again at that dancer,” she instructs, “What the fuck/ That’s it/ That’s all there is.” That’s us. In Kafka on the Shore, Haruki Murakami described surfing as “a more profound kind of sport than it looks,” which reminds me of something I recently read in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Malibu Rising: “That’s what makes surfing feel like more than sport: It requires destiny to be on your side, the ocean must favor you.” Jamie Smith may have gotten a taste of this since he picked up a board, but he clearly also understands it’s a lot like being at the mercy of music – something so rare, and to quote’ The Feeling I Get From You’, “a little stronger than beautiful.” Regardless of setting – but preferably in a dark one – that’s where In Waves takes you.

Iceage’s Elias Rønnenfelt Shares New Single ‘Worm Grew a Spine’

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Iceage leader Elias Rønnenfelt has dropped another single from his debut album, Heavy Glory. ‘Worm Grew a Spine’ arrives on the heels of previous cuts ‘Like Lovers Do’ and ‘No One Else’, and it’s accompanied by a music video from director Jonas Bang. Check it out below.

Heavy Glory is set to land on October 25 via Escho.

Greg Mendez Signs to Dead Oceans, Announces New EP

Greg Mendez has signed to Dead Oceans, which will put out the Philadelphia singer-songwriter’s new EP, First Time / Alone, on October 18. The collection’s first single, ‘First Time’, is out today. Check out a video for it below.

First Time / Alone came together during the late summer and early autumn of 2023, following the release of Greg Mendez’s self-titled album, which is also being reissued by Dead Oceans.

Bon Iver to Release New Song and Video on Friday

Following a series of teasers on Instagram, Bon Iver have announced a new song titled ‘S P E Y S I D E’, which will arrive on Friday (September 20) alongside a music video directed by Erinn Springer. Justin Vernon produced the song with Jim-E Stack and co-wrote it with Ryan Olson and BJ Burton. It features Vernon on guitar and vocals and longtime collaborator Rob Moose on viola.

Bon Iver debuted ‘S P E Y S I D E’ three years ago at a show in Vernon’s hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It follows the one-singles ‘PDLIF’, ‘AUTC’, and ‘Second Nature’, as well as collaborations with Taylor Swift, Zach Bryan, Ethan Gruska, the National, Lonnie Holley, Japanese House, and more. The band’s most recent album was 2019’s i,i.

The Armed Announce New EP, Share Video for New Song ‘NEW! Christianity’

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The Armed have announced EVERLASTING GLAZE, a six-track EP that’s set to arrive on October 18. Some fans may have already heard its first three songs – ‘Puzzler’, ‘NEW! Christianity’, and ‘Martyr Song’ – which were hidden via a URL printed within the record jacket for the band’s 2023 LP PERFECT SAVIORS. The EP also features remixes of the album’s lead single, ‘Sport of Form’, courtesy of IDLES, Water From Your Eyes, and Model/Actriz. Check out a new video for ‘NEW! Christianity’ below.

“‘NEW! Christianity’ was originally conceived as the first single for PERFECT SAVIORS—but when it was apparent that we had too much material for a single LP, this track became more of a summary statement appropriate for the finale Side C record and epilogue to the ONLY LOVE / ULTRAPOP / PERFECT SAVIORS trilogy,” the band’s Dan Greene explained in a statement. “In regards to its name – it’s less about specific, actual religion as it is about the culture thirsting for an avatar for it. The moralization of the amoral. A more overt repudiation of the concept of the ‘Perfect Savior’ than a mere reflection on it.”

EVERLASTING GAZE EP Cover Artwork:

EVERLASTING GAZE EP Trackllist:

1. Puzzler
2. NEW! Christianity
3. Martyr Song
4. Sport of Form (Water From Your Eyes Remix)
5. Sport of Form (Model/Actriz Remix)
6. Sport of Form (IDLES Remix)

11 Tips on How to Be Classy and Elegant Without Money?

Every young woman knows that spending money on clothes, especially those you really like, is the most pleasant process ever. While your man may wear the same shirt every day, you want to be classy and change your clothes regularly.

Many people believe that spending huge sums in shops is the only way to look stylish. Those stereotypes prevent a lot of girls from working on their personal style and becoming elegant women.

The goal of my article is to share with you my 11 tips on how to be classy and elegant without money. I will give you some helpful tips that will help you look like a million bucks even if you don’t have a budget for sophisticated clothes.

How to Dress Classy on a Budget?

A lot of individuals, especially young adults, are mistaken in thinking that they need to wear clothes whose price is like their monthly budget. However, you still may purchase flashy bags and jewelry and look cheap if you have poor taste. At the same time, creating quality outfits does not require large investments. Your fashionable sense may help you find good clothes and accessories at a really low price.

Follow my eleven tips below and create your unique style with no money.

#1. Avoid Logos

The experience shows that brands with high-quality production don’t crest huge logos on their clothes. They have their custom and unique style people recognize without large logos. So, we recommend you purchase brands with a custom style, which will look wealthier and be of higher quality than those with flashy inscriptions.

Although good clothes are often more expensive than low-quality ones, they are definitely worth investing in. You can get a 400 dollar loan from a direct lender to acquire the outfits you want if you can’t wait for your next paycheck. This small loan is enough to refresh your wardrobe and add some classy outfits to your daily routine. You don’t need a good credit score to borrow cash online. You just send a loan request with documents about your income, and the money may be in your bank account as soon as the next business day.

#2. Take Care of Your Clothes

Taking care of the clothes you wear is a great answer to the question of “How to stop spending money on clothes?” You just need to buy new outfits when your current ones are in good condition. This is also the basic step to looking rich. Even if your wardrobe consists only of affordable second-hand clothes, you will look much more classy and presentable when they are clean and neat.

You should remember that there is no excuse for dirty outfits. You will not look wealthy in crumpled and rough shirts, so always wash your clothes with detergents that’ll ensure the colors are not washed away. Don’t forget about ironing! Neatly iron shirts, dresses, and trousers add more wealth and elegance.

Do not allow yourself to leave the house in dirty shoes. Investing in shoe-shining kits is the best way to make your boots look stylish.

After purchasing and taking care of your shoes and clothes, prepare the proper place for their storage. Make sure this place has the right temperature, as it significantly impacts their look and condition.

#3. Tailor Your Clothes

While finding clothes that exactly match your parameters is often challenging, more people are choosing to tailor clothes instead. Take into account that wearing outfits that are too small or big negatively affects your overall appearance. So, if you understand your expectations of a dress, shirt, or any other type of clothing, share your idea with a tailor who will have your measurements and help you create the outfit of your dreams.

#4. Focus on Classic Styles

When you don’t have an opportunity to regularly change your outfits, focus on purchasing timeless clothes instead of trends. The desire to keep up with all the trends can only lead to buying things you will get rid of in several months. Classic outfits are the must-have in your wardrobe. They will be relevant regardless of the current trends.

#5. Know Your Fabrics

There are a lot of various types of fabrics today with their own types of maintenance, usage, and styling, so understanding their differences becomes more and more difficult. At the same time, choosing the wrong fiber can easily turn you from an elegant woman to a simpleton. Even if you buy your clothes in thrift stores or sales, it is crucial to pay attention to the quality of fabrics.

Polyester, rayon, nylon, and other man-made fibers will not hang properly on your body. Therefore, it is better to choose natural wool or cotton fabrics, which will not only emphasize your natural beauty but will also be comfortable and pleasant to the body.

#6. Work on Your First Impression

Although people always pay attention to your appearance, you should not forget that the first impression also depends on your manners. Good posture, body language, politeness, and erudition can make you look much more classy.

Regardless of your humor, always show respect for others. Don’t talk too much, use uplifting words, and avoid cursing. Remember that the way you speak can tell people a lot about you and your wealth.

#7. Quality over Quantity

If you suddenly realize you have no clothes in your wardrobe and are planning to go shopping, you are at a high risk of buying many low-quality outfits. Therefore, it is crucial to choose your clothes carefully and prioritize purchasing good items. You don’t have to buy so many outfits at once, as you may need 4-5 quality clothes you can combine with each other.

#8. Prioritize Details

The idea of how to look rich essentially hinges on how much you pay attention to accessories. Even the same outfit you usually wear can look much more stylish and interesting by adding rings, necklaces, bracelets, and so on. At the same time, be careful and avoid adding too many accessories, as they will only demonstrate poor taste.

#8. Maintain Good Hygiene

Even the most expensive outfits will not make you an elegant lady if you don’t take a shower on a daily basis and don’t brush your teeth. Therefore, make maintaining good overall hygiene your first priority.

You should also invest in the look and condition of your skin and hair, replace defiant make-up with a minimal one, and, of course, remember about your hands. You can’t look rich walking around with chipped nail polish. Following those simple tips can significantly improve your appearance in the eyes of others.

#9. Learn More about Different Topics

Rich people invest much in education and spend a lot of time on self-development. As a result, they are able to keep up meaningful conversations and be interesting interlocutors. Find topics that are exciting for you and read or watch videos about them in your free time. The more areas you can discuss, the better you look in the eyes of others.

#10. Use Perfume

A perfume is an important element affecting how people perceive you. It can both make you look richer and irritate others. So, we recommend you choose pleasant and subtle smelling scents instead of harsh ones.

#11. Pay Attention to Your Skin Care

One of the things rich people invest in is their skin. This is not only about cosmetics and make-up, which demonstrate your creativity to the world and highlight your beauty. Even the most expensive foundation will not give a healthy appearance to problem skin without proper care.

Don’t save money on a good cosmetologist and dermatologist to treat your skin and choose facial care based on your personal needs.

The Bottom Line: How to Dress Like You Have Money?

Being on a budget is not a barrier to looking stylish and wearing classy outfits. The most important thing here is to choose your clothes properly without forgetting other details of a rich appearance, like accessories, shoes, vocabulary, and good manners. All the tips mentioned as well as curating a well-thought wardrobe will help you in achieving a more lavish lifestyle. While you can find good outfits in second hand and thrift stores, your fashionable sense, erudition and politeness are things you need to work on.

Japandroids Release New Single ‘All Bets Are Off’

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Japandroids have previewed their fourth and final album Fate & Alcohol with a new single, ‘All Bets Are Off’. The track, which closes the LP, follows previous offerings ‘D&T’ and ‘Chicago’. Check it out below.

In a press release, the band’s Brian King shared an excerpt of his personal journals from the night that inspired the song:

Night off. I could have rested though (of course) I didn’t. The crew were on one and the party was well underway when I arrived. The other patrons didn’t seem to appreciate our noisy and colourful presence (squares), but the boys were blissfully unaware, hurling hot words at one another and making absurd bets with their per diems, like whether it was possible to light a cigarette with a pistol shot. I knew where this was going and wanted no part of it.

I slunk to a shadowy corner and ordered a cocktail, spur to my jaded spirits. I was gathering material for a book on bar life and it was the perfect place to watch the hungry hearts of Saturday twist towards the blue emptiness of Sunday morning. Poolroom tigers and nightclub kittens, on the prowl for a piece of anything. Cups and lips, quips and quirks, I frantically jotted it all down sparing no detail. Another cocktail? Don’t mind if I do! The night was primed and I felt punk.

Seeing her immediately stripped me of my powers. A thousand thoughts, frozen and kept in cold storage, thawed all at once. She was not the same woman I had known, exuding a subtle elegance and sensuality I had never seen before; she looked breathtaking. Every exquisite nuance like salt on old love-cuts. Chicly dressed too, which added to my agony. The imbalance between us was obvious, making me self-conscious. Still, I decided to let it play out. Cue the music.

Fate and Alcohol will be released on October 18 via ANTI-.