Monday misery all in the mind
Lifestyle Zone. Monday morning blues are a figment of the imagination, according to new research that reveals we are just as happy at the start of the week as at the end. Studies by University of Sydney psychologists have found that with foresight and hindsight people dread Monday mornings the most and love Friday evenings more than any other time.But a closer look at daily mood shows there is actually very little variation in our happiness levels over a week.
"We found that the Monday morning blues and Thank God It's Friday are largely inaccurate theories of how moods vary when they actually don't," said lead researcher Professor Charles Areni.
"Mondays are not actually blue at all, but we persist in the belief that they are."
The research team collected mood information from hundreds of Sydneysiders, asking them for their worst and best morning and evening of the week.
Another study tracked their actual mood day by day, with the results compared in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology.
"As it turned out, the real low point of the week we found was Wednesday, not Monday, and that mood change was only slight," Prof Areni said.
He said the day-of-the-week stereotypes stemmed from a cultural belief that people were generally happier when they were free to choose their activities compared to when they were sitting at a desk.
"Monday morning is remembered and predicted to be the worst part of the week because it is the first work day after two days of free time, and because four work days follow before the next period of free time," he said.
"Likewise, Friday evening is the best part of the week because it marks the beginning of an extended period of free time."
He said the finding was linked to a growing body of research that said humans may overvalue choice.
"The freedom to choose is a foundation of Western ideology. We value it hugely and the idea of it being taken away, as it is at work, is terrible," Prof Areni said.
"But in reality it's not so bad, so maybe choice is not all it's cracked up to be."
Professor Bill von Hippel, a social psychologist at the University of Queensland, said the findings supported other research showing humans were very poor at predicting or reflecting on mood.
"It makes perfect sense to be excited about the concept of Friday night and to think Monday mornings are awful," Prof von Hippel siad.
"But the truth is when these times roll around there's so many other things happening our lives that these predicted ups and downs tend to even out."
Gays opt for rent-a-womb babies
Lifestyle. More than 100 gay Australian couples have paid $80,000 to create a baby using rent-a-womb women in the United States, a fertility clinic has revealed.The controversial scheme, branded as "one-stop baby shopping", is becoming increasingly popular among professional gay men in Sydney and Melbourne, according to The Fertility Institutes based in Los Angeles.
"We've seen more than 125 gay couples from Australia who have gone home with a baby," said the clinic's medical director, Dr Jeffrey Steinberg.
"We're up to six to eight a month now, which is a four-fold increase over two years ago.
"That makes Australia one of our biggest markets, neck-and-neck with Britain."
The specialist program, the first dedicated to two-father families, allows gay men to pay for surrogate children, a practice which is illegal in Australia.
Couples pick a donor from a list of 400 university students and her eggs are then implanted in a different woman who bears the child.
The process allows sex selection and complete anonymity between the male parents and the donor.
"They are almost all professional, working men who obviously have a bit of money and desperately want a child," Dr Steinberg said.
"They've got busy lives and obviously a lot of restrictions on them down in Australia so it's something we can sort out for them for between $US75,000 and US$80,000."
Surrogacy laws in Australia vary from state to state, with altruistic surrogacy, in which the woman who carries the child is not paid, allowed in some jurisdictions.
State and federal governments are moving to consider nationally consistent law on the practice, however, this is unlikely to be extended to gay couples.
Britain, Canada and many Asian nations are similar, while the US has legalised paid surrogacy for all couples.
One Melbourne couple going through the process, Simon and Tony, say the US situation offered "huge hope" for their wish to be parents.
"We were simply unable to do that here unless we wanted to take the turkey baster option, and that wasn't available to us," said Simon, who requested anonymity.
The couple, whose surrogate is yet to conceive, know of six other Australian couples who have baby through the scheme.
Rod Goodbun, a spokesman for Action Reform Change Queensland, said it was important gay couples had such options available to them in Australia, ideally under an altruistic arrangement.
But Professor Michael Chapman from Sydney IVF said the nation was not ready for such a step, especially if those involved were paid.
"If a service is provided overseas then so be it but community norms at this point in time would not support it here."
Absolutely the best lovemaking positions for your pleasure!
Lifestyle. One of the most important aspects to a great sex life is the use of various positions for sexual intercourse. Surprisingly, many people only practice one or two positions, but after years of repetition, sex can become monotonous. So here you are, finally ready to experiment with some new and sometimes wild positions in order to enhance both you and your partner’s sexual pleasure. Some of the best lovemaking positions are listed below to offer you a whole new world of erotic and sensual excitement in the bedroom. Remember, these positions are basic starting points; it is up to you to add your personal sensuous flair to your love sessions!Best Lovemaking PositionsUpdated Missionary: Here is a new twist to a common position. The woman lies flat on her back with her legs straight up in the air, or resting against the man’s chest, while the man is above her to enter her in the kneeling position, or with his legs extended behind him. It allows for deep penetration, and the woman’s hands are free to explore and caress her partner. For increased erotic stimulation, help him manipulate your clitoris or touch his penis as he is thrusting into you.
Side by Side or ‘Doggie Style’: With the woman bent on all fours, the man enters her from behind. It allows deep penetration and full control for the man, evoking carnal desires and intense orgasms for both of you - one of the best lovemaking positions.
Leapfrog: Much like the side by side position, except that the woman falls forward against her knees while the man enters her from behind. This position is ideal for those who wish less penetration due to discomfort. The man is able to caress the woman’s back and buttocks with his hands.
Astride or ‘Woman on Top’: As one of the best lovemaking positions, it is very effective for both deep and shallow penetration. In this almost reverse missionary position, the woman sits on the man’s erect penis with her knees bent, or her feet flat at the man’s sides, while he is lying on his back. This position allows the woman complete movement control. Experiment with your hands or turn around and face his feet. It is guaranteed to drive him wild!
Scissors or ‘Cuissade’: As the man is lying on his side with his bottom leg slightly bent, the penis is inserted while one of the woman’s leg lies over and against the side of his waist, and the other is under his leg to create a scissor-like picture. Though initially tricky to master, many people choose this position as the best way to achieve intense orgasm, possibly even multiple orgasms. Once the man finds that ever-so-sensitive spot, it will surely become one of your favorite lovemaking positions!
When trying any or all of these best lovemaking positions, communication with your partner is not only important, but also an erotic experience. Listen and learn from each other as to what turns you on, and reap the benefits of a satisfying and joyful sex life!