11 Calming Bedtime Snacks to Help You Fall Asleep

Before you hit the hay, sometimes you just wanna hit the fridge. You know what we’re talking about…that feeling when you simply *must* have something to snack on during the day’s last episode of Stranger Things. The good news? Turns out, reaching for certain foods before bedtime can actually help you fall asleep more easily. Since chronic insomnia has been linked to health conditions like GERD, heart disease, and Alzheimer's, this is good news (we'll take all the help we can get from natural sleep aids). Try these 11 bedtime snacks tonight to help you catch some ZZZs.

1. Almonds: Almonds are not only a rich source of healthy fats and proteins, but they also help the body produce melatonin, a hormone that tells the body it’s time to go to bed. Since the best time to take melatonin is 30 to 60 minutes before you go to sleep, almonds are great to eat an hour or two before bedtime.

2. Almond Butter, Berries, and Greek Yogurt: Speaking of almonds, this combination contains the melatonin-producing effects of almond butter alongside the healthy carbs and proteins found in berries and Greek yogurt. These low-glycemic foods keep blood sugar levels stable, as they are digested over a longer period of time than refined grains and sugars.

3. Golden Milk: Anti-inflammatory golden milk contains turmeric, almond or coconut milk, and cinnamon. This combination of nutrient-packed ingredients supports immune system health, and when served warm, it’s also extremely calming (like drinking warm milk before bed, but better!).

4. Rice: Did you know that a recent study found that eating rice decreased the risk of poor sleep by 46%? Plus, rice can help the production of melatonin as well as tryptophan, an amino acid that can help fall asleep easier.

5. Tart Cherry Juice: If you have trouble sleeping, tart cherry juice may be your surest bet toward a more restful night. Studies have indicated that tart cherry juice can dramatically impact melatonin production, signaling to your body that it’s time to go to bed.

6. Chamomile Tea: This herbal tea is one of the top choices for insomniacs everywhere. Chamomile has been known to induce sleepiness, and the warm, hot taste of tea is undeniably calming. Sip some an hour or two before bedtime to fall asleep easier.

7. Whole Wheat Bread With Butter and Walnuts: Walnuts, like almonds, can help your body produce melatonin. In addition, whole wheat bread contains tryptophan and is a slow-digesting healthy carb, minimizing blood sugar spikes.

8. Greek Yogurt With Granola, Almonds, and Berries: If you’re not really one for eating a hearty snack like bread before bedtime, you can always go with Greek yogurt instead. Top it with fruit, granola and almonds to give you all the sleep benefits of bread with nut butter, but lower carb.

9. Peppermint Tea: If you aren’t exactly a tea person but you want to experience the sleep benefits of herbal tea, give peppermint tea a try. It doesn’t taste at all tea-like, we promise — it’s a light, minty treat that can help soothe your senses and calm your mind.

10. Yogurt With Granola and Blueberries: Want another reason to eat protein before bed? If you’ve done a lot of working out over the course of the day, protein will help repair your muscles while you sleep.

11. Whole Wheat Bread With Bananas: Bananas and whole wheat bread are the ultimate healthy carbs. They’re packed with the carbohydrates that release tryptophan, and also give you a boost of serotonin, a calming, pleasure-inducing neurotransmitter.

Featured image: Pexels/Life of Pix

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are the first to admit how difficult parenting can be. The parents of four (James, Inez, Betty, and Olin) have talked about how "chaotic" their home is. "Our kids can’t even go to sleep unless they’re in our bed,” Reynolds told Amanda Hirsch during the July 30 episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast. “As much as I’d say I’d love to spread out and fall asleep normally," he adds, "I withhold that.”

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Co-sleeping, or sharing a bed with your kids, might be the talk of the town right now, but it's actually been around for centuries. "Families choose to [co-sleep] for multiple reasons, sometimes simply because they may only have one bed or one bedroom," says Dr. Chafen Hart, a fellowship-trained pediatric sleep specialist at National Jewish Health. "I think while co-sleeping has enjoyed increased discussion, which is important, it is likely the frequency of co-sleeping is the same as ever."

Co-sleeping is most common with younger children (which makes sense considering how strong separation anxiety is for children between 18 months and 3 years), and generally peters out as a child gets older. While some parents choose not to co-sleep because of the risk of SUIDs (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, which is more common in infants who share a bed with their parents), children can actually sleep better if they do so independently.

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"The parent provides a sleep association which prevents a younger child from effectively napping at daycare or an older child from attending camp or going to a sleepover," Dr. Hart says. "When the child wakes in the middle of the night, they require the parent nearby and touching them to fall back asleep because they have a strong sleep association with co-sleeping."

However, your sleeping arrangements will likely look different from your best friends' or your extended family's because all of your children are different — as are their needs. Sleep issues or significant health issues are just two instances where co-sleeping can actually be beneficial for a child. And if co-sleeping doesn't affect your child at all? Dr. Hart recommends just enjoying the snuggles.

"For families who are content with their arrangement and the child is doing well during the day and has managed to learn the skill of falling asleep independently, I absolutely think they should continue to co-sleep," she says.

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If you're worried your child has become too dependent on co-sleeping as they've aged, or if they can't sleep in their own bed at all, Dr. Hart recommends visiting a sleep doctor, therapist, or psychologist.

"In general, treatment should be personalized for the family and my recommendations change based on the age of the child," she says. "For older children who are neurodevelopmentally typical, rewards and gradual extinction of parental presence can work. For younger children, we employ additional strategies like delayed bedtimes [and] sibling co-sleeping."

I slept in the same bed as my sister growing up, and I remember our late night conversations so fondly. Getting to know each other's personalities, fears, and senses of humor at such a young age only ended up strengthening our relationship!

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Teaching your child to sleep well is vital for their brain and bodily health, but it's also important for parents to get sleep too! And if you're feeling overwhelmed and under-rested, know you're not alone. "Parents should know they are not alone and that co-sleeping should be a part of the conversation with their doctors," Dr. Hart says. "Pediatricians have heard it all! And some children naturally have a MUCH harder time than others learning the skill of sleeping."

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Setting expectations, habits, and boundaries early (should you choose to do so) will take time and commitment on your part, but it'll teach your kids "the serious skill of falling asleep with confidence."

"Long term good sleep habits and skills mean the school-aged child will be confident, traveling without anxiety around sleep, falling asleep without serious power struggles which stress the whole family and allowing the parents much needed rest time as well," Dr. Hart says. All this talk is making me sleepy — I gotta try our 5 Best Ways To Beat Fatigue!

Read up on 14 Hilarious And True Quotes About Parenting Teens for some laughs.

Read the AAP's 2022 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment for more.

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One Tree Hill fans know every little detail about Nathan Scottand Haley James Scott. How old Nathan and Haley were when they got married, Haley James Scott's birthday, and the fact that actress Bethany Joy Lenz was really pregnant when Haley got pregnant in season 8. But there's one behind-the-scenes detail OTH lovers might not have known about Lenz's life at the time: she was in a cult.

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The actress, who's currently promoting her book Dinner for Vampires Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!), recently revealed that her cast mates on One Tree Hill (which she auditioned for while already a part of the Big House Family Cult) could tell something fishy was going on — and that Craig Sheffer, who played Uncle Keith until season 3, even said something to her.

"I could see it on their faces," she tells People. "But I'd justify it, like, 'I couldn't possibly be in a cult. It's just that I've got access to a relationship with God and people in a way that everybody else wants, but they don't know how to get it.'"

At first, the group had a lot of aspects that fans have loved about One Tree Hill for years, like connection, emotional intimacy, and "the idea that someone out there says, 'No matter what you do or how badly you might behave or what dumb choices you make, I still love you, and I'm here for you.'”

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She met the pastor at 20 years old, when she joined a Saturday night Bible study in LA. At first, it was "nothing to be suspicious about," she says in an episode of Alex Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast, because it was just like other church gatherings she'd been a part of. But before long she was sucked in, and basically "disappeared for ten years."

The loving environment morphed into one that Lenz says villainized independence, and her One Tree Hill costars quickly realized where she was at. The cult's control continued to expand as they told her not to trust her cast mates (and to isolate herself instead), caused her to stop communication with her father for six years, and led her to turn down major movies. Oh, they also took upwards of $2 million from her.

Amazon

Bethany Joy Lenz ended up marrying the son of the cult leader around 2005, and despite the fact she'd always had "crazy sex drive," she didn't desire sex with him, and it got to the point the couple was put on a literal schedule. Even though she hated it, she believed her duty as a wife was to have sex, so she agreed. “I take marriage seriously, and I made a promise before God. This is something I really want to figure out how to make it work."

But when her husband came to town, her "stomach dropped every single time." The schedule affected her so deeply that it gave her PTSD in future relationships. However, it was still too risky to leave. "The stakes were so high," she tells People. "They were my only friends. I was married into this group. I had built my entire life around it. If I admitted that I was wrong...everything else would come crumbling down."

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During the period of filming the show, she used the role of Haley James Scott as a sort of escapism. She'd lean into her onscreen relationship with James Lafferty while filming, but clarifies she "never had to worry" about developing feelings for him off camera: “I always sort of saw him in real life as a brotherly figure and he was lovely.”

However, while she treasures her relationship with Lafferty, fans have theorized a feud between Lenz and Hilarie Burton (who played Peyton Sawyer until season 6), a rumor that first started when fans realized they weren't following each other on social media. “I love Hilarie,” she tells Alex Cooper. “I have always and will always and I don’t have any problem with her...There have been some bizarre misunderstandings that I really hope we can figure out one day, but I love that girl."

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When One Tree Hill wrapped, and Bethany Joy Lenz started therapy, she had the breakthrough that would change everything. Her therapist pushed her to set boundaries, and helped her leave her physically abusive relationship. But having to start a new life was far from easy.

"To leave a TV show after nine seasons, to leave all my friends that I had known for the last 10 years, to leave my marriage, to leave the state, all at the same time," she says. "Not knowing how I was going to make rent because all the money was gone...I had many, many weeping-on-the-floor nights, just trying to figure out how to manage and what I was going to do and what to do with my emotions, the anger, the injustice, all those things."

So why talk about the experience now? "I don't think of [opening up] as brave," she says. "I think of it as important. Living silently in the suffering I experienced, I don't know if that helps anyone...I think of this more as the right thing to do."

Dinner for Vampires Life on a Cult TV Show (While also in an Actual Cult!) is available to purchase starting October 22. Pre-order it now!

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The Wellnesss Girlies™ on the internet are at it again – this time with a sip known as the Sleepy Girl Mocktail. The mocktaildrink is made with only three ingredients, and is said to facilitate deep, high-quality sleep when sipped right before bedtime. I put this trending nighttime Sleepy Girl Mocktail recipe to the test so you can feel it out for yourself.

Scroll along for the Sleepy Girl Mocktail recipe and how it can help you get in some good shut-eye!

What is the Sleepy Girl Mocktail?

Image via Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist / PEXELS

The Sleepy Girl Mocktail is a tart cherry juice mocktail that originates from TikTok. Holistic health influencers and athletes have been praising the concoction for its benefits in aiding restful sleep and healthy digestion.

“The wellness world is obsessing over finding ways to get better and more regular sleep,” says Lainie from @lainiecooks on TikTok. “I think this trend will start moving into daily habits you can change for optimal sleep, and what foods you can eat that contain natural melatonin or high levels of magnesium to help you unwind, relax, and lower cortisol levels."

Why is the Sleepy Girl Mocktail good for sleep?

The traditional recipe for the Sleepy Girl Mocktail is tart cherry juice, magnesium glycinate powder, and Olipop (or any sparkling drink – but I personally love Olipop for its gut health benefits). The drink promotes the body’s melatonin production to support sleep, says Dr. Renee Korczak, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, LD.

“Tart cherries, which as most people don’t know, are filled with a lot of nutrients, like antioxidants, anthocyanins, and notably for this use case, melatonin,” says Dr. Korczak. “Melatonin strongly affects the human sleep-wake cycle to help support sleep.”

When combined with magnesium glycinate, the drink’s effects are, well, more effective for sleep.

“Magnesium is a mineral with several functions, as it assists with hundreds of enzymatic bodily reactions like energy production, protein synthesis, muscle contractions, and more,” says Dr. Korczak. “In terms of sleep, magnesium can help regulate certain neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers that relay messages between nerve cells in your brain.”

Before taking a sip, it’s important to evaluate your needs for supplemental magnesium. It’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about any intake concerns, especially since magnesium can impact other medications you may be taking. Further, you can get in magnesium organically by snacking on fruits, nuts, chia seeds, and even dark chocolate!

How can I get better sleep?

Photo by SHVETS production / PEXELS

According to Dr. Korczak, insufficient sleep and poor sleep quality are common issues amongst many Americans. She shared a few tips to consider before reaching for that tart cherry juice to make the mocktail:

  1. Establish a regular bedtime.
  2. Create a restful environment, and limit the use of devices and TV watching before bed.
  3. Don’t overeat before you go to bed. Also, don't go to bed hungry, and avoid alcohol and / or caffeine prior to bed, as these can interfere with sleep.

The Viral Sleepy Girl Mocktail Recipe

What you'll need:
How to make the Sleepy Girl Mocktail:
  1. Pour the tart cherry juice in a glass over ice.
  2. Add the magnesium glycinate powder, and stir until fully dissolved.
  3. Top your Sleepy Girl Mocktail off with Olipop for added digestive benefits, and sip your way to good sleep!

Did the magnesium-filled Sleepy Girl Mocktail actually help me sleep?

Photo by Meredith Holser

I am truly a Sleepy Girl by nature. I think I could fall asleep just about anywhere if I was tired enough, but figured I would try the mocktail recipe to see if it really could boost my tiredness and send me off into a peaceful night’s sleep.

Making the tart cherry mocktail was terribly easy. I slowly sipped it about an hour before bedtime, when I already felt the sleepies kicking in. The taste was super tart, thanks to the cherry juice, but it wasn’t painfully sour. I definitely plan to play around with the juice-to-Olipop ratio next time I make it!

Upon waking the next morning, I didn’t feel like my sleep was wildly transformed – but I did sleep good. I can likely attribute that to the regular sleep schedule I’ve been on for months now, so I can’t speak on the mocktail’s effects too strongly. It was delicious, though, and I could see myself sipping it whenever I’m craving a yummy nighttime drink.

I’m no expert, but I imagine this drink is super beneficial for those struggling with sleep already. If you’re having issues maintaining a regular sleep schedule, the Sleepy Girl Mocktail is perfect for you!

Overall, the Sleepy Girl Mocktail earns an 8/10 for me.

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Lead image via Meredith Holser.

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This post has been updated.

Tyra Banks' modeling days aren't over — after 20 years away from the catwalk, she commanded the runway yet again during last night's highly anticipated Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. Not only is Tyra one of THE '90s It Girls, but she had us all "smizing" and practicing our own modeling skills for years with America's Next Top Model.

Thankfully, Tyra's back on the runway after her two decade hiatus, helping to revamp the highly controversial lingerie show alongside some other incredible models. And she's not the only big name helping to revitalize the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show — an iconic diva for the ages is took the stage, and let's just say you'll want to "turn back time" to watch her performance again and again.

Here are all the exciting details you need to know!

The BEST Moments From The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Bella Hadid

The Model Lineup Was Impressive

We held our breaths at the beginning of the show because we genuinely wanted to believe Victoria's Secret would have the best models for the show. It seems like they've been listening to customers because some of favorite faces made an appearance. It was hard to keep up with the names of everyone we say, but E! News made our day with their breakdown of names we may have missed:

  • Bella Hadid
  • Gigi Hadid
  • Ashley Graham
  • Paloma Elsesser
  • Kate Moss
  • Lila Moss (Kate's daughter)
  • Jasmine Tookes (We were bummed she didn't get more screen time)
  • Candice Swanepoel
  • Irina Shayk (Super interesting because Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper are an item)
  • Behati Prinsloo
  • Adriana Lima
  • Alessandra Ambrosio
  • Barbara Palvin (Dylan Sprouse's wife)
  • Joan Smalls
  • Liu Wen
  • Doutzen Kroes
  • Taylor Hill
  • Awar Odiang
  • Vittoria Ceretti
  • Mika Schneider
  • Valentina Sampaio
  • Maty Fall
  • Alex Consai
  • Mayowa Nicholas
  • Grace Elizabeth
  • Anok Yai
  • Imaan Hamman
  • Blesnya Minher
  • Devyn Garcia

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Ashley Graham

Body Positivity Was On Display

From Paloma Elsesser to Ashley Graham, we were genuinely excited to see more diverse bodies on the runway. It's our belief that all bodies should be celebrated, not just those with slender frames. As we know, bodies come in all shapes and sizes, complete with stretch marks, thigh dimples, and more!

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Gigi Hadid

Angel Wings Made Their Memorable Return

We were wondering if we'd see the famous angel wings on display during the Victoria's Secret fashion show and we were not disappointed. Our favorite pair was the soft feathery design worn by Gigi Hadid. She wore a sexy satin romper that gave way to a little peek-a-boo underwear action that gives us some ideas for our next sleepwear spree!

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadioGettyImages

Cher

Cher's Performance

One of the best moments from the show was watching Cher give an electric performance that made us forget she's almost 80 years old. She wore a monochromatic outfit that featured silver hardware and wore her signature jet black, middle-part hairstyle that flowed each time she moved.

She sang "Strong Enough" and "Believe" as the audience swayed to the beat. It seems like these were fitting choices for the night because the models seemed to gain an extra dose of confidence in their walks.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Tyra Banks

Tyra's Major Comeback

Just like we predicted, Tyra's comeback at the end of the night wowed us. She wore a stunning sparkly corset that accentuated her cleavage and let us know she still hasn't lost the 'smize' we've always adored. We can tell she genuinely enjoyed being on the runway again because she held both hands up at the end of the show and was smiling from ear to ear as pink confetti flowed down.

When did Victoria's Secret announce the 2024 Fashion Show?

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Adriana Lima

Victoria's Secret shared a cute reel on Instagram in May about the return of the fashion show. It wrote, "We've read the comments and heard you. The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is ✨ BACK ✨ and will reflect who we are today, plus everything you know and love—the glamour, runway, wings, musical entertainment, and more! Stay tuned…it only gets more iconic from here. 🪽#VSFashionShow," in the caption. For the most part, fans seemed eager to see the models, lingerie, and energy of the show on their TV screens again.

What is the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show?

Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

Once known as one of the United State's most popular lingerie brands, Victoria's Secret created a fashion show to showcase popular lingerie designs with the help of gorgeous models, reimagined angel wings, and an amazing musical score to boot!

Debuting in 1995, this show highlighted lingerie in a way that was previously unheard of, and it really caught the attention of the fashion industry (via Fashionista). However, it wasn't until 1997 that the well known "Angel" collection for the brand was introduced to the public. According to Fashionista, Tyra Banks was actually the first person to wear the famous 'wings' onstage, starting a lasting legacy.

Why was the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show considered controversial?

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret

Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss

This was the first Victoria's Secret fashion show to premiere on TV since 2019, and that's sadly due to controversy that plagued the brand. While they attempted to bring the show back in 2023, people weren't showing as much interest in watching, so the brand made the difficult decision to cancel, according to NBC News. This is probably due to the horrific comments it's parent company's former chief marketing officer, Ed Razek, made in 2018.

He didn't see the need to include transgender models that were usually seen on the runway "because the show is a fantasy," (via NBC News). Razek later tried to clean up his original statement by saying, "We've had transgender models come to the castings ... And like many others, they didn't make it ... But it was never about gender," but the damage was done.

Things continued to go downhill for the brand when its models penned and signed a call-to-action letter to CEO John Mehas. It made a connection to L Brands' CEO Leslie Wexner's friendship with the disgraced and deceased Jeffrey Epstein along with rampant sexual misdeeds in the entire fashion industry (via NBC News). Yikes...

Plus, many people didn't feel like these shows embodied body positivity, only showcasing traditionally thin women on the runway. As of this year, it seems like the brand is committed to change, though.

The Victoria's Secret fashion show is available to watch on Amazon Prime! You can also relive your favorite moments by heading over to YouTube!

Are you excited to watch the Victoria's Secret fashion show? Let us know & follow us on Facebook!

This post has been updated.

The holidays at Starbucks are creeping up on us, people! Per menu leaks, Peppermint Mocha season will return on November 7. If you’re a die-hard Starbucks fan, you know Red Cup Day is a whole holiday in itself – the frenzy for a free reusable cup is truly no joke. There’s even an entire website dedicated to counting down the madness! Even though there’s no official word on when Red Cup Day 2024 will be, there are several clues that cue us into the annual event. Scroll on for details!

What is Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day is Starbucks’ highly-awaited annual event that marks the start of holiday beverage season at the coffee chain. For one day only (and while supplies last), customers who order any of Starbucks’ holiday drinks receive a reusable red cup that features a bespoke design for the respective year.

Starbucks

Here’s a list of all the drinks rumored to be available on the Starbucks holiday menu starting November 7:

  • Peppermint Mocha
  • Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha
  • Caramel Brûlée Latte
  • Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte
  • Chestnut Praline Latte
  • Salted Pecan Crunch Cold Brew
  • Iced Gingerbread Oatmilk Chai

What do the red cups look like for 2024?

Starbucks

Starbucks hasn’t officially announced when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, let alone what the famed red cups will look like this go-around. The one obvious point is that the cups will be red! They’ll also likely feature some festive motifs that echo the holiday season. Last year’s red cups boasted playful white and green stars and ornament-like shapes.

Why should I participate in Red Cup Day?

Starbucks

Red Cup Day = freebies, which can feel really rewarding if you’re really into receiving free goodies. Plus, it’s just a fun way to lean into the holiday spirit. The red reusable cup keeps giving beyond Red Cup Day, though! Every time you use the reusable cup for future Starbucks orders, you get a 10-cent discount as well as 25 bonus stars toward your Starbucks Rewards account to save up for more discounts on drinks, food, and merchandise.

When is Starbucks' Red Cup Day 2024?

Starbucks

Again, Starbucks hasn’t alerted us on when Red Cup Day will be for 2024, but based on previous Red Cup Days, we can infer it’ll land on the third Thursday of November. In 2022, Red Cup Day happened on November 17, and for 2023, it was November 16. The third Thursday of November in 2024 hits on November 21, so mark your calendars, everyone!

Additionally, check back here for official info as Red Cup Day approaches.

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