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Everything You Need To Watch On Netflix This Autumn

9th October 2020

Community Custom_connection Life

9th October 2020

By Robyn Schaffer

Since we’re now firmly in the grips of the colder autumn months, lightyears away from summer heatwaves (remember that?), we could all do with a little pick-me-up to get through the shorter days of seemingly endless cloud and drizzle. And what better way to laze away the time than with a marathon of Netflix’s latest and best offerings? Whether it’s mindless reality TV, a thought-provoking documentary or an addictive comedy series, the mountain of options means there’s something for any taste or occasion. These are a few that we’ve been loving so far this autumn.

Chewing Gum


Created and written by Michaela Coel, the star of this year’s smash-hit BBC series I May Destroy You, Chewing Gum first debuted on E4 in 2015 and but is also available on Netflix to binge to your heart’s content. Over the course of two six-episode series, the sitcom follows Coel’s character, Tracey, as she navigates life as a naïve, childlike 20-something living on a London council estate. The series tackles issues of sex, religion, money and relationships through a lens of comedy and satire, and with episodes around 25 minutes each, it’s perfect for a quick fix on your lunchbreak or a binge-watch marathon on the weekend. It’s no surprise that Chewing Gum is responsible for shooting Coel to superstardom, making her one of today’s most lauded actors on television for both her screenwriting and acting talents.

David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet


It goes without saying that David Attenborough is a national treasure and one of the UK’s greatest sources of pride and joy. The internet went into overdrive recently when Attenborough joined Instagram for the first time (breaking the record for gaining more than 1 million followers in less than four hours) and equally so upon on the release of his Netflix documentary, A Life On Our Planet. The documentary has left viewers across the country in tears as it reveals the destruction of the natural world that has occurred throughout Attenborough’s lifetime. Featuring both archive footage of Attenborough’s older work as well modern scenes from more recent projects, the documentary presents a less optimistic outlook on the issues our planet faces compared with Attenborough’s other programmes, forcing viewers to seriously consider the impact we all have on the world around us. Not to be missed.

Million Dollar Beach House


If you raced your way through Selling Sunset earlier this summer but you’re still craving some of that real estate fantasy and reality TV drama, then look no further than Million Dollar Beach House. Essentially an East Coast version of Selling Sunset, this six-episode series follows a group of five young, ambitious real estate agents from Nest Seekers International, based in the affluent, upper-middle class area of The Hamptons. Expect multi-million-dollar properties with stunning views, intense competition, and almost enough drama to rival the women of the Oppenheim Group. But be warned: this one is definitely more guilty pleasure than blockbuster material.

The Social Dilemma


This eye-opening documentary explores the dark side of social media and the technology industry at large. Are we in control, or even aware, of the direction in which such technologies are heading? Do we truly understand the damaging effects that social media has on us as individuals and on society? Can we trust the largest companies in the world to remain ethical? The film focuses mainly on how social media exploits its users for financial gain through surveillance capitalism and data mining, and by making it extremely addictive with huge implications and effects on our mental health. Featuring interviews from former Google designers, social media founders and presidents, and specialist academics, this one is a more serious watch, but a must-watch nonetheless.

Emily In Paris


If you’ve been on the internet in the last week, then you’ve probably seen or heard people talking about Emily in Paris. Starring American actress Lily Collins, this ten-episode series created by Sex and the City’s Darren Starr follows the titular Emily as she moves from Chicago to Paris to work for a big-time marketing agency in a social media strategy job. After breaking up with her Chicago boyfriend shortly after arriving in Paris, Emily, who has hitherto lived a small-town, sheltered life, embarks on a journey of self-discovery, embracing all the magic that Paris has to offer. Although Emily’s unrealistic outlook on life and inability to learn French earns her some stick from her stereotypically Parisian colleagues, she nonetheless manages to overcome the obstacles thrown her way. The series has earned some seriously mixed reviews, so expect plenty of clichés, a number of cringeworthy moments, but lots of fabulous fashion and escapism for anyone in need.

Enola Holmes


Starring Stranger Things Millie Bobby Brown, as well as the likes of Henry Cavill (Superman), Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games) and British acting royalty Helena Bonham-Carter, this made-for-Netflix film follows the teenage sister of the famous detective as she tries to solve the mystery of her missing mother, Eudoria. Brown is brilliant as the free-spirited, rebellious youngest sibling of the Holmes family, escaping the clutches of eldest brother Mycroft who insists she be sent away to a finishing school, while Sherlock quietly supports her investigation of their mother’s disappearance. If you’re looking for something light-hearted and full of fun, don’t miss this one out.

Gogglebox


The only thing better than a night in on the sofa watching TV is watching other people have a night in on the sofa watching TV, right? If that sounds like your cup of tea then you’re in luck as Gogglebox seasons 9-12 are now available on Netflix for you to sink your teeth into, with all your favourite families making appearances. At first, many of us found the prospect of watching other people watching TV a little odd, but the show’s millions of viewers each week have proved that it’s the nation’s guilty pleasure, bringing us a healthy dose of laughter whenever we need it (and what better time than now for some distraction?)

Got any other suggestions for things to watch this autumn? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

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How to Beat Imposter Syndrome, According to Experts

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On the other hand, thanks to neuroplasticity, you can reprogram your brain to embrace more positive thoughts and, in turn, boost your confidence.” Shift to a growth mindset Beating imposter syndrome is all about shifting your mindset from striving for perfectionism to embracing growth. “If you are ready to stop self-sabotaging and stop letting your internal dialogue make you feel like an imposter you are going to have to let yourself be imperfect,” says Chrsitna. She adds: “Understand that mistakes and failures are part of life and a fundamental part of the learning process. Remember, courage comes first, confidence follows.”
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From the Bedroom to the Gym: Is Your Sex Life Affecting Your Workout Performance?

From the Bedroom to the Gym: Is Your Sex Life Affecting Your Workout Performance?

The relationship between sex and workout performance is one that’s long been debated by scientists and fitness fanatics alike. It’s complicated and multifaceted, so answering the question of whether your sex life is affecting your training is difficult. That said, today we’re going to take a look at a variety of evidence, both academic and anecdotal, as well as several different scenarios and at least try to reduce some of the mystery around the subject. First, it helps to understand what’s actually happening to the body, both physically and psychologically, during both activities.   The Effects of Sex on the Body Sexual activity causes several changes to occur in the body:   Physical Changes That Occur During Sex During sexual activity and the lead up to it, the human body undergoes a process known as the sexual response cycle. This is the case for both males and females, though the cycle can be highly individual and may not be the same each time for each person. 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So, whilst it is unclear whether sex itself affects workout performance, the reduction in stress levels it may bring is definitely beneficial for preserving our results!   The Effects of Exercise and Training on the Body Exercise and training also cause the body to undergo a number of changes. These occur both during and after the physical activity. There are in fact a number of similarities in changes that happen during exercise and sex:   Physical Changes That Occur During Exercise The physical changes that happen in the body vary based on the type of exercise being undertaken, however, there are some that are common to exercise in general: Increased heart rate Increased blood flow, especially to the muscles Faster, deeper breathing due to additional oxygen needs Heightened activity within the circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems A full summary of the changes that occur within these systems can be found here. More aerobically demanding exercise will, of course, place greater emphasis on the circulatory and respiratory systems as well as causing fat to be metabolised as an energy source. Resistance training, which often relies more heavily on the lactate and creatine phosphate energy systems, instead promotes greater muscular and endocrine (hormone) activity. Note the common physical changes between sex and exercise here, as they do crossover!   Psychological Changes That Occur During Exercise The psychological changes that occur during exercise are similar to those experienced during sexual activity and are mostly related to the release of endorphins and other ‘feelgood’ hormones. These help to regulate mood, and it is common knowledge that frequent exercise and leading an active, healthy lifestyle promotes a feeling of wellbeing.   Does Sex Affect Our Workouts? This is where things become complicated. Though extensive studies have been done on the subject, the results of these have varied massively. We must also take into account the experience of individuals, and this anecdotal evidence again has huge variance. Let’s look at both:   Sex and Training: What the Science Says Scientific studies on the relationship between sex and training are contradictory at best. There’s no denying the positive benefits of both activities, particularly from a psychological perspective, but as for the effect of sex on actual performance in the gym the results are inconclusive. A study, published in April 2021, by Kirecci, Albayrak and co. examined the effects of sexual activity of 50 men in the 24 hours prior to training on lower body strength. The study measured effects by having the men perform 3 separate squat sessions, each at the same time of day. Each of these sessions occurred after participating in or abstaining from sexual activity the night before. The men performed 5 sets of 5 repetitions of their maximum squat weight during these sessions and the difference in weight lifted was observed. The study concluded that ‘sexual intercourse within 24 hours before exercise [has a] detrimental effect on lower extremity muscle force, which suggests that restricting sexual activity before a short-term activity may be necessary.’ Aside from this study, most others found either no notable relationship between sex and athletic performance. A meta-analysis of 9 crossover studies, conducted by Zavorsky and Brooks and published on 16 September 2022, confirms this. The analysis concluded that ‘The results demonstrate that sexual activity within 30 min to 24 h before exercise does not appear to affect aerobic fitness, musculoskeletal endurance, or strength/power.’ This is perhaps more notable, because these studies incorporated different types of exercise and were not restricted purely to a strength/power based activity like squats.   Anecdotal Evidence: What About the Experiences of Real Gym Goers? The anecdotal evidence is, as expected, highly individualised. However, there tends to be a bias against the results of most studies, particularly in those participating in sports involving strength and aggression. For example, many fighters claim that they perform better when they abstain from sex in the days leading up to a contest. Similarly, bodybuilding forums are full of debate on this topic and many claim they note a significant decrease in motivation to train at maximum intensity after sexual activity. It has been hypothesised that this may be due to a downregulation in testosterone production after sex; during orgasm the mineral zinc is released in the body and this is also a precursor for natural testosterone production in the body and may, therefore, provide some reasoning as to the experience of many trainees.   Key Takeaways The relationship between sex and workout performance will always be a complicated one. The effects of one on the other in terms of physical fitness and, in particular, mental wellbeing, are clear, but when it comes to actual performance this appears to be highly individual. We’d advise doing what feels best for you but not worrying too much about it. Instead, prioritise your nutrition and make sure you’re fuelling your workouts properly. While you’re here, why not take a look at the Innermost range? We’re proud to be completely transparent about the ingredients in our products and we always ensure they’re of the highest quality. Check us out, and be sure to get in touch if you have any questions!
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