The Know Daily - Monday 24 March 2025

_{Read in 4m 35s ∙ Listening to Ravyn Lenae ∙}

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Women writers over 50 are being celebrated with a new UK festival this month 🖋️ The Forthwrite festival’s workshops and panel discussions aim to change perceptions around older women and show their stories are more important than ever, said one author.

🥵 Sweaty socialising

A growing number of Brits are heading to saunas to boost both physical and mental wellbeing.

Tell me more.
The number of public saunas in the UK has jumped from 45 in 2023 to nearly 150 so far this year, according to the British Sauna Society. There’s tons of health benefits associated with them. For one, the heat unlocks feelings of relaxation, with “the release of stress-relieving and feel-good hormones”, said one expert. What’s more, individuals who use saunas at least once a month sleep better, have more energy and “rate their mental and physical health better” than those who don’t, according to a recent study. That being said, saunas might not be for everyone and those with health conditions like high blood pressure should check in with their doctors.

Sounds great – but why the interest now?
There’s a lack of ‘third spaces’ in the UK – places outside of home and work, beyond restaurants and pubs, where people can gather and socialise. Saunas are filling this gap. They’re resurging as community spaces where you can meet friends, similar to the Roman baths of ancient Britain, according to a spokesperson from The British Sauna Society.

Plus, given that younger generations are curbing their alcohol intake, saunas are becoming a popular alcohol-free alternative for socialising. They provide “a similar function to alcohol” in making people feel comfortable and chatty, according to a spokesperson from a community sauna chain in London.

Anything else I should know?
Similarly, other wellbeing activities – like open water swimming – are also enjoying a rise in popularity, thanks to the social connection they can provide. The practice gives participants the opportunity to not only bond over a shared interest, but also create a sense of community and support that extends beyond the swim.

💰 Money Monday: Subscriptions can be difficult to manage (and even harder to cancel!), but there are plenty of ways to stay on top of them. If you’re looking to do a little subscription spring cleaning, check out some helpful tips here.

🐙 Seafloor findings: Scientists have discovered a never-before-seen “thriving ecosystem” after an iceberg broke away in Antarctica.

📱 Social media settlement: Meta will stop targeting UK citizens with personalised ads following a “landmark privacy case”.

🚌 Tap-in travel: Manchester’s transportation network now offers contactless tap-in fares, making travel more “affordable and easier to pay for”.

🚘 Support scheme: Uber is set to offer 20 hours of free childcare to encourage more women drivers, but some have said the move is not enough.

👂 For your ears only: Scientists have created “audible enclaves”, areas in which sound can reach just one person in a crowd – no headphones required. 

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: The end of one of the BBC’s longest-running soaps, the sushi roll duvet method and the World Happiness Report.

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Trivia answer: C) France is giving every household a survival manual – here’s what’s covered. 

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