Many people in the UK have wagered on a football match, tennis game, or a horse race. But have you ever placed a bet on a wife-carrying event, the Bog Snorkelling Championships, or the discovery of aliens? These are just some of the strange yet legal betting markets available at some bookmakers.

Although these wagering options seem downright bizarre now, they could be the next big thing. So take a look at five of the strangest betting markets in the world to see which ones you think have potential. The odds systems used for these bets are the same as traditional sports. Therefore, make sure you know how to calculate potential betting returns before backing your favorite bog snorkeller or wife carrier.

1. Wife carrying

This sport is a feat of strength like no other. Each competitor has to complete an obstacle course spanning 253.5 metres (277 yards) while carrying a woman over the age of 17 (not necessarily a wife). The pair that crosses the finish line first wins. At some wife-carrying competitions, obstacles include sandpits, ponds, and fences.

The Finnish sport of wife-carrying takes inspiration from the 19th-century legend “Ronkainen the Robber”. According to folklore, Ronkainen and his thieves stole food and wives from local villages by carrying the women away on their backs. The first event took place in 1992 in Finland. Since then, wife-carrying races have been held all over the world. Irish bookmaker Paddy Power jumped on the hype train in 2017 by sponsoring and taking bets on a race at Glenarm Castle in Northern Ireland.

2. Cheese rolling

The Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is held on Spring Bank Holiday weekend at Cooper’s Hill, Gloucestershire, England. Although it sounds relatively harmless, cheese rolling is not for the faint-hearted. Participants have to chase a wheel of Double Gloucester cheese down an incredibly steep 200-yard-long hill (182.88 metres). Just like wife carrying, the first to cross the finishing line is the winner.

Past injuries include plenty of sprained ankles, broken ribs, and bruise galore. But thankfully, no competitors have died while tumbling down the slope. Local bookmakers usually take bets on who will win the bizarre race. However, the last two cheese rolling events have been cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

3. Bog snorkelling

This quirky activity is undoubtedly the world’s dirtiest water sport. Competitors must swim two laps of a 180-foot water-filled lane carved into the Waen Rhydd peat bog in Wales. Although you can wear goggles, the water is so filthy that visibility is abysmal. Each bog snorkelling participant tries to beat the world speed record during the event. The current holder is Kirsty Johnson, who finished the two circuits in one minute and 22.56 seconds.

Organisers claim the origins of this event come from a bar bet in 1976. Since then, it has become famous and was even included in travel guide Lonely Planet’s list of top 50 things to do from around the world in 2014. The event sponsors usually take bets on who will win each year’s event.

4. Betting on the discovery of aliens

If you think we are not alone in the universe, you can now put your money where your mouth is. Yes, many online bookmakers accept wagers on the discovery of extraterrestrial life. For instance, Bovada lets its members bet on whether we find alien life before the end of the year. For now, the odds that humans confirm the existence of alien life before the end of 2022 are 14/1.

5. The Royal Family

Do you know what the future holds like for the next generation of Royals? Bookmakers have been accepting wagers on the Windsors and Co for years now. From the weight of royal children to whether or not Prince Andrew will lose his royal titles, you can wager on almost everything regarding the royal family. Yes, there are tonnes of royal prop bets for you to put your money on. However, there is one exception: you can’t bet on when Royal family members will die.

Something that each and every person can testify to is that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on our daily lives.

In a bid to curb the rapid spread of this novel respiratory disease, governments hastily imposed a range of restrictions that limited the ability of people to travel and socialize. One of the most severe measures imposed was mandatory quarantine for all people who were a ‘close contact’ of somebody who had COVID-19. The majority of people would dread the prospect of having to quarantine, thinking that it would be a period of intense boredom and loneliness.

However, with the right mindset, there are a number of things to do during quarantine that will ensure that the time doesn’t go to waste. Here are a few of my recommendations for how to make the most of your quarantine period.

Online Games

If you’re looking for some competitive fun to break the monotony of quarantine, then you can’t go wrong with playing online games. One of the great things about the modern high-tech world is that you no longer require an expensive game console to enjoy an immersive gaming experience. It’s highly likely that your regular smartphone, tablet, or laptop will be up to the task of entertaining you for hours on end. Your daily fix of competition, excitement and adrenaline is at hand.

What’s more, if you really feel like spicing things up, you could throw the possibility of earning some money into the mix. A variety of $5 minimum deposit online casino games can be easily found online. An authentic and comprehensive casino experience can now be enjoyed by everybody from the comfort of their own homes.

Read a Book

Whilst this isn’t a particularly original recommendation, it’s worth pointing out that the simplest things in life are often the best. I could devote an entire article to why reading is such a fantastic hobby, but I’ll try to contain my enthusiasm. First and foremost, reading is a form of escapism that will transport you away from your reality of being confined indoors. There really is nothing quite like getting lost in a book that you can’t bring yourself to put down.

In addition, aside from the mental benefits of reading regularly, it has been proven that there is a range of physical benefits associated with reading regularly.  Those who commit to their reading habit will help themselves to reduce their stress levels and blood pressure, whilst delaying the symptoms of cognitive decline. All in all, I would say reading is one of the best things to do during quarantine.

Download Duolingo

For many people, discussions about whether or not they can speak a second language can be a real sore point. More often than not, it tends to be the same old story that ends up being told. We all reached a fairly high level of competence in our second language, then we left school and never used it again. When you think about it, that’s a bit of a shame.

In times gone by, the only way to start/restart learning a language was to enroll in an expensive course in a language school. Thankfully, those days are gone, as Duolingo has come to the rescue. This revolutionary interactive app allows you to learn your chosen language at your own pace. Your progress is continually assessed to ensure that you are getting the optimal learning experience. And the best part? It’s completely free! In my opinion, this is absolutely one of the best things to do during quarantine by yourself.

Meditate

I’m convinced that many of you will be rolling your eyes at this suggestion, but I would urge the cynics to not dismiss this suggestion immediately. Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, bringing a multitude of benefits to the people who set aside the time to do it. The benefits offered by meditating are almost too extensive to list, but they include stress reduction, stimulating creativity, and obtaining a more positive outlook on life.

However, if the potential mental benefits aren’t enough to tempt you, meditation has also been shown to play a role in reducing the symptoms of migraines, anxiety and depression. But don’t take my word for it, take the word of the countless celebrities who have embedded meditation within their daily lives, including Oprah, LeBron James and Hugh Jackman. I would highly recommend that you place meditation near the top of your list of things to do during quarantine.

There you have it. Whilst nobody wants to be told that they must quarantine, there are plenty of reasons to remain cheerful. From education to relaxation and meditation or online gaming, there are a variety of different activities to keep you occupied and satisfied.

Are you feeling a little down or under the weather recently? You’re not alone. Sure, the world is a wonderful place but these are weird and stressful times, which is why it’s incredibly important to prioritize your mental health above everything else.

As a helping hand, here are some tips and tricks you can use to boost your happiness today.

Play card games

These days, everywhere you turn you encounter a screen. Smartphones, televisions, computers – they’ve taken over modern life.

That’s why, sometimes, it’s good to strip back the technology and play some card games, instead. Card games have been around for centuries, and are still as fun today as they were before technology took over!

The best part about card games is that you can play them solo or with friends. If you would rather play with friends, view now to learn the best card games to play in groups.

Improve your sleeping pattern

A lot of people feel down and haggard because of the simple fact that their sleeping pattern is all over the place. One night, they go to bed at midnight, the next night, they go to bed at 2 AM. Inconsistency is always a bad idea when it comes to sleeping patterns, which is why it’s so important to have yours in order.

Try your best to go to sleep at roughly the same time each night (choose a time that enables you to get 8 hours of sleep). Also, try to avoid too much screen time prior to sleeping, as this can strain your eyes and make it harder to fall asleep.

Unfollow negative people and pages on social media

There’s no time for negative people, anymore. Instead, the world needs some positivity, especially on social media. So, if you’re following negative people or pages, you should consider unfollowing them to give yourself a boost of happiness. As soon as your Twitter and Instagram newsfeeds become happier, you will too!

Make the most of your weekends

During the week, you probably spend a lot of time working, whether it’s in an office or outside. Thankfully, weekends exist as an opportunity to unwind, relax, and have fun before the working week comes around again. So, if you’re spending every weekend binge-watching Netflix, it’s time to shake up your routine a little!

Go hiking, visit bars with your friends, join a gym, try your hand at gardening – there are so many fun activities that you can try. Be creative and make the most of your time off, you’ll feel a lot better for it.

Treat yourself to a luxury item

Is there a luxury item you’ve wanted for ages but haven’t purchased yet? Maybe there’s a pair of shoes you’ve had your eyes on, or a brand-new MacBook you want for work? Whatever the case may be, provided it’s financially possible, you should treat yourself to this item. After all, life is short, and it’s important to enjoy the finer things from time to time!

Actively enjoying the great outdoors is an excellent way to stay healthy, and there are so many amazing ways you can take advantage of fresh air and sunshine. Often overlooked is gardening, a pastime that is both physically and mentally stimulating, and provides outdoor enjoyment for a wide range of abilities – not to mention that fresh produce and flowers are a secondary perk to the hobby.

What also isn’t mentioned is how amazing gardeners truly are, and why being romantically involved with one is truly a benefit you may be missing out on! Looking for a partner that is independent and pays attention to detail? Look no further and see why gardening enthusiasts make great lovers.

What Supports Healthy Relationships

Relationships are often full of highs and lows, bumps and twists, and confusion, but healthy relationships manage to find their way out of these moments due to the building of communication skills and honesty.

Supporting your partner in their endeavors and committing yourself to respecting what they enjoy and feel passionate about is a foundation of trust even when you don’t always see eye to eye. This openness provides communication skills you can build upon, so when your road does become rocky, you can see the reasons why – and work together to get through them.

Supporting a partner doesn’t mean you accept personal responsibility for their actions either. Nothing is wrong with supportive aid, discussion, and help in making decisions, but in the end,  you need to be comfortable with allowing them to decide what is best for them and let them take their own responsibilities. Encouragement in all this is also a highly supportive endeavor!

So, what does this have to do with the awesomeness of being involved with a gardener? Lots actually!

Reasons Why Gardeners Make Good Lovers

Gardeners come from all spectrums of beliefs, cultures, and backgrounds and you don’t have to line up your stars to determine if your Sagittarius sign is compatible with a Libra.

Gardeners are an organized bunch who appreciate the efforts of their toil with the earth and are used to making independent decisions with their time. They have learned through trial and error in their efforts with their gardening and apply it to their everyday lives. This makes for an excellent foundation for a couple to grow upon!

They Know the Value of Patience

Gardeners know the value of patience as they work with natural processes concerning the care of the planting environment, seeding and fostering plant growth, health of mature plants, and harvest where appropriate. This care often reflects well in their relationships with others.

They Make Deep Connections

The time and effort it takes to foster plants and gardens creates connections with efforts of care, and with the living plants. Gardeners respect this relationship with the products of their time and know that it can be applicable to human relationships as well.

They Understand Personal Responsibility

Because their decisions concerning the gardening process are directly related to the health and success of the garden, they know well how their own actions influence results. This is as true in human relationships as with the things they care for.

They Share the Love of The Outdoors

Since most of gardening is done outdoors, they are often found out in the elements no matter what the weather is. They appreciate those who toil alongside them and will influence healthier decisions in relation to nature.

They Know How to Foster Growth

The time and effort it takes to foster a garden is much the same as in a relationship. Gardeners are masters at this skill and realize the patience and care growth in any aspect requires.

They Foster Good Mental and Physical Health

All of this patience and effort lends itself well to healthy approaches to both mental and physical health. Just being outdoors works wonders on physical activity through walking, bending, lifting – and in general moving about. The fresh air and sunlight is also incredibly beneficial.

They Don’t Mind Getting Dirty

Gardening is not a clean sport, and who wants to be with somebody who isn’t willing to do what it takes to foster growth in any aspect. Relationships can be dirty and difficult as well, but the focus of the end goal is worth the effort.

They Understand How Their Actions Affect Others

Because of the personal responsibility they make to their garden, gardeners are well aware of how every action they take can affect the end result of their goals. Thinking before they act is part of the process they have learned in helping things grow and it is a great reflection on life in general as well.

They Appreciate the Small Things

Gardener’s, probably more than anyone, see the value of the small things – and know how much potential even the smallest of seeds can offer. Just like a small action can grow to encompass so much larger, this awareness can help foster and grow a relationship as well.

Conclusion

When you are looking for an honest relationship that is based on the values of hard work and responsibility, becoming involved with a gardener may be the answer you have been looking for. Their love of the outdoors and understanding of the effort fostering growth in all aspects of life will serve the two of you well.