Category: General Interest

A smile looks effortless, but its impact is anything but small. We instinctively enjoy being greeted with warmth, and we often try to offer the same comfort to others. Yet beyond these social niceties, research increasingly shows that smiling delivers a surprising range of real, measurable health benefits — from stress reduction to stronger immunity. The Body’s Built‑In Mood Booster The core takeaway: a smile triggers biochemical changes that improve your well‑being, even when the smile is intentional rather than spontaneous. When you smile, your brain releases dopamine, serotonin, and…

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Copenhagen has retained its title as the most liveable city in the world, according to the 2026 edition of the Global Liveability Index published by the British Economist Group. The Danish capital, already last year’s winner, continues to set the benchmark for urban quality of life in Europe and beyond. A European city leads the world The annual index evaluates 173 cities across 30 indicators, including political stability, healthcare, social security, education, culture, environment and infrastructure. Each city receives a score out of 100 points. Copenhagen defends its crown Copenhagen…

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Vienna — As temperatures climb across Europe, many athletes refuse to give up their daily training routines. Yet sports physicians are sounding the alarm: exercising in extreme heat can push the human body to its limits far faster than most people realize. Prof. Johannes Scherr, a leading sports medicine specialist, explains that heat places a double burden on the body. “The body must not only supply the muscles but also cool itself through sweating and increased skin blood flow,” he says. That dual demand strains the heart and circulatory system.…

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When temperatures soar and the air feels heavy, reaching for a drink becomes almost instinctive. But the debate resurfaces every summer: are cold drinks or warm drinks actually better for the body in extreme heat? Rising Temperatures, Rising Fluid Loss As the body heats up, it sweats more to regulate its internal temperature. That means fluid loss increases significantly. Health experts recommend drinking at least 1.5 to 2 liters a day during hot weather — ideally spread throughout the day rather than waiting until thirst kicks in. Too little fluid…

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Europe is experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, with new national and regional temperature records set across multiple countries. From Czechia to Denmark, Switzerland, Spain and Germany, meteorological agencies are reporting extreme values that surpass anything measured since the beginning of modern weather observations. Record-Breaking Heat Across Central and Northern Europe Czechia: 40.8°C in Doksany Czechia has already reached a new all-time national temperature record even before the peak of the heatwave. The national weather service CHMU reported 40.8°C in Doksany, north of Prague—exceeding the previous record of 40.4°C set in 2012.…

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Summer may not look like it in Vienna right now, but the heat is expected to return in the coming days — and with it, those restless, sweaty nights. When temperatures barely drop below 20°C, sleep quickly becomes a challenge. Urban apartments, especially in older buildings, absorb heat throughout the day and release it slowly well into the night. The good news: You don’t need an air conditioner to make your bedroom more comfortable. A few simple adjustments can noticeably cool your sleeping environment. 1. Ventilate the right way The…

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Vienna — Austria is heading into the most extreme phase of its ongoing heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach or even exceed 40°C on Sunday, particularly in the eastern regions, according to Geosphere Austria. The country has been under escalating heat alerts since Tuesday, and the coming days are set to push conditions to their limits. Heatwave Intensifies Across Austria Meteorologists warn that from Thursday onward, temperatures above 35°C will be widespread across the entire country, marking a continuation of a heatwave gripping much of Western Europe.Yellow and orange warnings…

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The summer of 2026 has only just begun, but astronomers and sky‑watchers across Europe are already calling it one of the most spectacular seasons in years. Despite the famously bright summer nights that often frustrate stargazers, the coming weeks offer an unusually rich lineup of celestial events — many of them visible without any equipment. A Sky That Never Sleeps Even when the nights barely grow dark, several summer classics remain easy to spot. The Summer Milky Way arches across the southeastern sky, glowing softly above the horizon. High in…

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A dip in the ocean, warm sun on the skin — and suddenly nature calls. Many holidaymakers know the dilemma. But is relieving oneself in the sea actually harmful to the environment? According to researchers, the answer is clear: in almost all cases, it poses virtually no ecological risk. Why the Ocean Can Handle It The key lies in the composition of human urine. About 95 percent of it is simply water. The remaining components — sodium, chloride, potassium — are substances already found in seawater, often in far higher…

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