CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN

With the FIFA World Cup quickly approaching in November, football fans from all over the world are planning their trips to Qatar to join in with the celebrations. Although there is plenty of fun to be had, Qatar is an Islamic country and local traditions should be respected and abided by at all times.

VegasSlotsOnline has researched the laws most commonly broken by British visitors and has provided advice on how to remain compliant during your visit. Failure to comply can lead to an Administrative Deportation order, hefty fine or even jail time, so here are 10 tips to bear in mind at all times.

Stay Away From Drugs

Drug use is not tolerated in Qatar and punishments of any drug related offenses are severe, ranging from heavy fines all the way to lengthy custodial sentences. When you arrive in the country, the advanced security technology scans for any sign of illegal substances and even the smallest amounts can lead to an arrest. If you are bringing prescription medication along, it is worth checking that they are not considered controlled substances in Qatar as this will require an official document from your GP.

Don’t Drink Alcohol in Public

In Qatar, drinking alcohol or being drunk in public is a criminal offense and can result in being detained for disorderly or offensive behavior. If you are caught drinking in a public space, it could result in a prison sentence of up to 6 months and/or a fine of over £600 ($779). If you do plan on enjoying alcohol on your visit, this can be done so in licensed hotel restaurants and bars and you must be above 21 years of age.

Avoid Offensive Behavior

Although this should be common courtesy, especially when living among other cultures, offensive behavior can be seen as criminal in Qatar. Swearing and making rude gestures can actually lead to jail or deportation as they are considered obscene acts. This is especially important when dealing with the authorities as police officers and officials take offensive behavior very seriously.

Abide By Photography Rules

As much as we all love to snap photos to remember certain moments of our trip, many areas of Qatar are no photography zones and failure to comply may result in imprisonment. Common places which do not permit photography include religious areas, military sites and construction zones but if you are unsure, it is worth seeking permission. As you are out and about, be aware of cultural sensitivities when filming or photographing people and if you decide to post images online, ensure that it does not go against local privacy laws.

Don’t Import Illegal Goods

As well as the obvious of avoiding bringing drugs, alcohol and pornography into the country, it is also illegal to import pork products and religious material into Qatar. All luggage is thoroughly checked and any suspicious quantities will also be investigated. The sale of things like electronic cigarettes, liquids and electronic shisha pipes is prohibited so these may be seized if customs officials suspect misuse.

Comply With Dress Codes

Dressing modestly in Qatar is a necessity when you are in public as it is an Islamic country that follows traditional practices. Both men and women should avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless tops or you may be denied entry to healthcare facilities, shopping malls and official buildings. This is especially important during the month of Ramadan.

No Relationships Without Marriage

Sharing a moment with your partner can actually lead to an arrest if you are in a public space. Qatar is strict on unmarried couples and prevents sex and living with a partner unless you tie the knot. This is legally enforced, meaning perpetrators risk arrest, fines and deportation. The LGBT community also have to be particularly careful when visiting the country as any same sex intimacy is illegal and frowned upon in the culture.

Avoid Financial Crimes

Fraud is taken very seriously in Qatar and issues like failure to pay bills and bouncing cheques can result in imprisonment, a fine and deportation. On top of this, your bank account may get frozen which would leave you in a tricky situation overseas. If you try to leave the country without having paid off any debts or loans, you will be faced with a travel ban and prevented from leaving until it is settled.

No Phones at the Gym 

Although you may never normally question bringing your phone in the gym with you to play some music or message your friends, this is forbidden in Qatar and all devices with a camera are expected to be handed over at the door. In gyms which are used by women, they remove their veils and abayas and change into more practical exercise clothing so photography is not acceptable. You may even be screened to ensure you have no hidden cameras.

Place Your Bets in Advance

Gambling is considered offensive in the Islamic culture and any form of online gambling activity is strictly prohibited across the country. If you are somebody who likes to place bets, it is best to do this before traveling to Qatar and gambling within your own country where you are familiar with the regulations. More traditional forms of gambling are loosely accepted in Qatar and there are some flaws in the system which allow people to place bets without breaking the law but it is recommended to stay clear, especially if you are a visitor without a clear idea of the regulations.

Failure To Comply:

If you visit the country and go against their laws, they take their punishments very seriously and you can find yourself facing serious consequences. From expensive fines to long term prison sentences and death sentences, here are some of the penalties enforced from breaking the main rules:

Drugs

Drug use is heavily prohibited in Qatar and if you are caught in possession, you face some severe penalties. Offenders are met with heavy fines which can cost over £42,000 ($54,000) which will be followed by deportation or potentially even long-term imprisonment. The trafficking of illegal drugs is an even more serious criminal offense and could even carry a possible death sentence.

Alcohol

If you are caught drinking alcohol in a public space, authorities do not take the offense lightly and you will be met with a fine of up to £630 ($800). Breaking the law further and attempting to open a store or sell alcohol from your home can lead to imprisonment for up to six months plus an additional fine.

Photography/media

Although genuine mistakes are common, intentionally taking photographs or video clips in a public place with the intention of offending or defaming is taken very seriously and is covered by the law. The offense is punishable by up to two years of imprisonment and a fine which can cost you up to £2,100 ($2,700).

Dress code

Being a highly religious country, the dress-code law is taken very seriously and not abiding by the rules can result in punishments predicted by the penal code. With so many tourists arriving to the country without prior research, a campaign was launched back in 2012 to warn foreign travelers about the public decency laws so they can pack accordingly.

We now live in a world where self-care, health and wellbeing are being prioritised, and actually, are actively encouraged – which is something that we haven’t seen until recent years. 

And one of the very best ways to practise self-care is through yoga and meditation. 

Here, Victoria Cranmer, founder of health and wellbeing travel firm Mindful Escapes, shares her thoughts on why yoga should be added to our everyday routine.

There is a global increase in people battling burnout, and time is of the essence, therefore practising as little as 10 minutes of yoga as part of your daily routine can be a beneficial addition. 

People have never been as busy as they are today. Whether it’s juggling work and business with family life or struggling to find the time to relax and unwind, people are continuing to battle the feeling of burnout. 

Yoga enables and releases feelings of anxiety, stress, worry, self-doubt, fatigue and the feeling of burnout with each and every breath. 

Much more than deep breathing and stretching, yoga is an act of healing – both physically and mentally. 

Benefits of yoga 

As a great source of healing, yoga has many benefits and can work to support everybody in an entirely unique and different way. 

Whilst not medicinal, yoga is the ideal way to incorporate gentle movement to your day and improve mental and physical wellbeing. 

 1) Improves strength, balance and flexibility

The regular movements and breathing techniques of yoga can aid the improvement of your strength, balance and flexibility by increasing blood flow and warming up the muscles. As well as this, yoga can improve posture, which in turn, reduces back pain and enhances comfort. 

2) Reduces aches and pains 

For people with illnesses such as arthritis, or those that suffer from aches and pains, yoga makes for the perfect form of gentle exercise. The stretching and breathing of yoga eases pain and discomfort and is a great way to manage bodily aches and pains without medicinal intervention. 

 3) Reduces stress and benefits heart health

When practised regularly, yoga can help people to feel less stressed, thus reducing inflammation and contributing to a healthier heart. 

4) Relaxes to aid sleep and boosts mood    With yoga comes a sense of calm and can therefore be a great way to end your day and wind down before going to bed. For a better night’s sleep, alter your exercises to encourage relaxation, but to kickstart your day, yoga can make for the perfect mood booster – simply select exercises that require a little more energy and that make you feel awake and raring to go. 

 5) The ultimate self-care tool 

Yoga is the ideal way to take care of yourself. Whether it’s 10 minutes, 30 minutes or an hour – yoga can be practised in such a way that works around your day, providing you with some well-deserved ‘me time’ whilst supporting stress management and encouraging mindfulness.  

Getting started 

It’s important that people practise yoga in a way that suits them – after all, we all have entirely different needs.  

Whilst you will receive maximum benefits from adding yoga to your everyday routine, some people prefer yoga retreats to fully immerse themselves and to create the ultimate experience. 

A retreat is the perfect way to prioritise yoga and its healing benefits without any distractions from the outside world. 

For more information on yoga retreats and its benefits, visit: https://mindfulescapes.uk/ 

Do you know the difference between a deodorant and an antiperspirant? Well, Deodorants offer two forms of protection against odour. The first is antimicrobial properties that reduce the number of odour producing bacteria. The second is a fragrance that masks odours that are produced. Antiperspirants, meanwhile, block your body’s eccrine glands which make you sweat. This is usually done with an aluminium-based ingredient. Both deodorants and antiperspirants are approved as products safe for everyday use without posing the risk of harmful side effects. Still, with questionable ingredients like aluminium salts and parabens, there has been a rise in offering more natural ingredient alternatives.

Our underarms are perhaps the most sensitive, but least cared part of our body, but with summer well and truly upon us, it’s now time that we pay some attention to them.

Whilst the theatre industry remained shut back in 2020, two West End performers took AKT-ion by launching their very own (now award-winning) natural deodorant brand.

Back in 2015 where AKT London’s story began, co-founders Andy Coxon and Ed Currie met whilst rehearsing for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical in London’s West End. Both with hectic schedules, performing eight shows a week and under hot blazing theatre lights, Andy and Ed both struggled to find a sufficient deodorant, especially one that would be effective in masquerading their smell of hard work and active lifestyles.

Starting from Ed’s kitchen, the pair decided to take AKT-ion and begin their journey to create a deodorant balm that works for all. Dedicating three years to research, development and formulation, collaborating with leading experts in fragrance and cosmetic science, with exacting standards and a whole heap of creativity, Andy and Ed immersed themselves into the sweet smelling world of deodorant.

Officially launching in May 2020 at the start of the pandemic and when the theatre industry had recently been shutdown, The Deodorant Balm was born to perform, being the most effective solution to the continuous failing antiperspirants. With even the brands’ typography being inspired by iconic theatre billboards, AKT is a collaboration of theatre, personal hygiene and self-care.

Helping to inspire the brand, a vast amount of West End cast members in London were given a sample of The Deodorant Balm to test its efficacy and comfort, with an overwhelming response of positivity and support. The community’s feedback and support have been crucial to AKT for its existing success and continuation of growth.

The diligent duo knew from the outset that their ethics would play a key role in the product development. Both knew it was inevitable that AKT had to be an all-vegan, gender-neutral, natural, plastic-free deodorant brand – that is tested on performers, not animals. With strong environmental ethics, they knew that developing plastic-free packaging with aluminium would be crucial for durability, portability and recyclability. The business partners, but also friends, also purposely created bespoke, premium fragrances that were inspired by some of their happiest memories in the natural world.

PUBLIC SERV-CE is an eco-conscious, visionary bio-sportswear company with societal relevance and environmental values.

If Raphael Young’s past work at F_WD and OFF-WHITE is anything to go by his newest launch PUBLIC SERV-CE – the ‘well feeling’ fashion of the future, will most certainly be the new big thing.   PUBLIC SERV-CE is an eco-conscious, visionary bio-sportswear company with societal relevance and environmental values.  Precursor of the well-feeling movement, they elevate athleisure into a performance lifestyle revolution.  Rooted in virtuous design, they provoke meaningful change in the sports & apparel industry to create great products while preserving our planet and all beings.   “Design is very important to us. It must be simple, genderless, not following any season or trends and be ahead of the curve.”

Lightweight, breathable and quick drying, their Bio Comfort wear is made of an extra-soft organic, biodegradable cotton for maximum comfort and well-feeling. Enhanced with PUBLIC SERV-CE bio-tiful Peppermint Fresh technology, this apparel features a natural antimicrobial property to keep them fresh longer, so you won’t need to wash them as much, saving at-home water and energy consumption.

Words by Sara Terrell

Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, Colin Firth and Idris Elba…these are just a few examples of men who are ageing well.

But what’s their secret? It’s not just good genes and lighting, these men all have one thing in common. They keep fit. You won’t see a flabby Daniel Craig or Idris Elba sporting a wobbly double chin.

If you want to age well, you may need to make a few lifestyle changes. Here’s how you can stay fit even when you’ve got a lot of candles on your birthday cake.

1. Stay Physically Active

Getting off that couch and staying physically active is a good all-rounder in the anti-ageing department. While not suggesting you take up marathon running, staying physically active can be as simple as doing an hour’s work in the garden or going for a brisk walk three times a week.

Exercise helps circulation. It’s good for your heart and bone health and it eases stress and releases endorphins—those feel-good hormones that give us extra energy. Plus, it keeps the inevitable middle-age spread at bay.

2. Pick Exercise Types To Match Your Age

In their 40s, many men gain a little weight as they age. Resistance training is a good way to burn calories, prevent fat accumulation and reverse that bane of ageing—losing muscle mass.

Try dumbbells and kettlebells and consider taking pilates classes as they’re great for strengthening your core and preventing back pain.

In your 50s, chronic conditions often raise their heads such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and sometimes, type 2 diabetes. If you’ve hit the big 5-0, consider doing strength training 2-3 times a week.

In your 60s, the incidence of serious diseases such as cancers increases markedly. In this decade, you want to maintain your exercise regime at a fairly high level. You can do this by working out combinations of the exercise types described above.

In your 70s and beyond, exercise helps to reduce cognitive declineand will definitely help with reducing frailty.

3. Keep Moving

The important thing is to keep moving. A sedentary lifestyle is to be avoided at all costs. Sustained exercise should become a lifestyle choice you make over and over again.

And of course, walking is a great way of doing weight-bearing exercise. Walk briskly so that you just break a sweat. It will keep your bone density at a good level and is good for all round fitness.

Don’t forget to stretch, it’s a brilliant way to keep flexible and ease away aches and stiff joints.

4. Varying Your Exercise

Why not try a boxing class, resistance training with rubber bands or bodyweight workouts? By varying the type of exercise that you do your whole body will get a workout and you won’t get bored. You may find that as you get older some types of exercises are easier than others, so don’t be afraid to try new things.

5. You Are What You Eat

Watching your diet is another important investment you can make in your anti-ageing fitness journey. Eating a balanced diet made up of a little protein (lean meats, fish and chicken), vegetables of all colours and fruit is the best way to boost your health.

Simple eating choices such as a diet of plenty of fish, olive oil, fruit, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids is super nourishing, benefiting not only your body but your brain too. 

Oh, and watch those portions. Remember your stomach is only as big as your clenched fist, most of us eat far too much at a sitting. Start cutting down on your portion size. Your gut will be much happier for it.

6. Lower Your Stress Levels

Exercising to relax may sound like a contradiction, but it’s not. Keeping your stress levels under control is another important factor in keeping fit.

Scientific research has shown that aerobic exercise has mental benefits and has a neurochemical basis, according to Harvard University. Having high levels of the stress hormones of adrenaline and cortisol is not good for the body and you need to avoid this as much as possible.

Keeping yourself fit with moderate exercise is one of the best stress relievers around. Achieving this may be as simple as walking the dog.

7. Ditch The Vices

If you still smoke, stop. Smoking is one of the fastest ageing accelerators around and it won’t help you stay fit if you’re coughing after just a few minutes of exercise.

A couple of pints at the pub are fine, and a glass of wine with dinner won’t hurt, but it’s a good idea to stick to the unit guidelines for alcohol consumption of no more than 14 units a week. Alcohol is laden with sugar and won’t help you on your fitness journey.

8. Get Enough Sleep

As you age, your sleep patterns change and it’s vital that you get enough rest. Sleep affects all the tissues in your body, including growth and stress hormones, your immune system, appetite, breathing, blood pressure and cardiovascular health. These are essential for staying fit and healthy.

Getting enough sleep is also important for maintaining your energy levels. It’s difficult to exercise when you’re exhausted, and if you’re well rested, you’ll put a lot more effort in.

9. Take Care Of Your Feet

Feet are not the first thing we think of when talking about fitness. But as you age, the circulation in your lower extremities decreases, so any injury, bunion, infection or small cut will take longer to heal.

Keep an eye on your feet, and address any nicks, cuts or dry patches quickly.

10. See Your Doctor Regularly

Staying fit isn’t just about exercising, it’s about looking after your body, too. Regular scheduled checkups with your GP will help to detect any serious problems, most of which can be treated if caught early enough.

Fit Is A State Of Mind

Staying fit as you age is an ongoing journey and a conscious decision you need to make. Your metabolism will slow down and you won’t find it as easy to run up that flight of stairs or lift that heavy box.

Put the effort in and it will pay off. Just remember to listen to your body and know your limits. You can push yourself a little, but remember, you’re no longer in your 20s and have nothing to prove.