Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 5 mai 2017
Jennifer Lopez Is So Happy With Alex Rodriguez, She Just Can't Help but Gush
Jennifer Lopez is glowing and gushing about her love of Alex Rodriguez. The 47-year-old singer and actress went on The Late Late Show With James Corden and spoke all about her new man.
James grilled her about her new boyfriend, and even though she didn't say much, she said enough for us to want to hear more. "He's the best. You would love him," she said. "He's a great guy. He's fun. He's awesome."
J Lo and A Rod have put their budding romance on display a lot recently. The couple made their red carpet debut at the Met Gala, and J lo also confessed she was actually the one who approached Alex at a restaurant.
See what else she had to say about their romance and what they did on their first date in the video above.
This Glitter Maternity Shoot Is the Stuff of Sparkly Dreams
The whole glitter trend is a complicated one for parents: most of us loved all things glittery as kids, but the first time we naively let our kids do some arts-and-crafts project with the stuff, only to realize that the remnants will forever live on our floors, walls, clothes, and hands, well . . . the good relationship quickly comes to an end.
Thankfully, Australian photographer Lauren Biggs was willing to brush aside glitter's less favorable attributes for a maternity "bath" shoot with her pregnant pal Elise Apps.
"I am mesmerized with glitter and sparkly things, and I really wanted to give this idea a go," Biggs told POPSUGAR of her first attempt. "I loved the look of all-gold glitter or one color, but I just happened to have all this thick colorful glitter from another shoot, and it was perfect."
To create the effect, they used a black sheet so the glitter would stand out and let natural light from a nearby window hit the flecks in all the right spots.
"We loved it," she said. "The cleaning bit was easy – we just lifted it all out on the sheet, but Elise on the other hand could not get it off her skin!"
The gorgeous mom-to-be delivered her baby girl the very next day, so glitter might just have to be a part of this family's life for years to come.
This Unexpected Nail Look Is the Manicure Trend Everyone Will Be Wearing Next Fall
Just when you thought nail art might be waning, New York Fashion Week Fall 2017 has brought it back with a vengeance. We're only halfway through Fashion Week, and already we've seen nails featuring geometric shapes, negative space, and layered colors.
Perhaps one of our favorite looks so far is the pointer finger accent nail designed by Jin Soon for Tibi. At the show, models rocked a bright color on just the pointer finger nail. To recap: the ring finger has traditionally been the accent finger of choice.
"Tibi's collection was inspired by menswear – very clean and simple with unexpected details," says Jin Soon Choi of Jin Soon. "She used a lot of 1980s pop colors in the clothing, so we used that pop color on the models' nails. We didn't want to put those pop colors on every single nail because that's too predictable, so we decided to do only one finger."
Fortunately, you don't have to be a Picasso to pull this look chic look off. To re-create, apply a clear base on all your nails. Then, on the pointer finger, choose a bright hue a la the '80s.
Models at Tibi wore one of the following shades from the Jin Soon line: Heirloom, Pop Orange, Charme, Hope, or Cool Blue ($18, jinsoon.com).
11 Mermaid Embroidery Hoops That Will Make Waves in Your Home
Embroidery hoops are the latest trend we're seeing all over social media, and we can really get behind it. They're an adorable home accent whether you purchase one or make one yourself. There are some especially cute mermaid options that would be a perfect choice for giving your space a Summer update. Take a look at our favorites!
25+ Reasons to Fall in Love With Avocado Again
Once you've exhausted your takes on guacamole, avocado and eggs, and avocado toast, what more can be done with the fatty green fruit? The answer is a lot. Dressings, dips, even desserts (ice cream, brownies, pies) get a tad bit richer with the inclusion of avocado. Believe it when you see these 25+ insane avocado recipes.
10 Supercute Nike Must-Haves Under $40
We're gearing up for Summertime the best way we know how - by finding the cutest activewear and accessories for warmer temps, but on a budget. And of course we're combing through Nike.com, on the prowl for deals and steals on breezy colors and beautiful styles. Fortunately (and surprisingly!), there are quite a few to pick from in the under $40 range - here are 10 of our must-have picks for your active life.
100 Easy Outfit Ideas to Try This Spring
If every morning you find yourself standing in front of your closet, annoyed as you see time tick away but unable to do anything about it, we want you to know: you're not alone. We do exactly the same - no matter what and every single morning, even if we just went on a crazy shopping spree and have lots of new clothes with tags still attached hanging from the rack in front of us. There's just something about having to get dressed that sends us into a deep mental block that makes us suddenly forget how to put an outfit together.
It was just this predicament (and yet another tardy appearance at the office) that made us think we needed an inspirational list we could easily turn to every time we got stuck. So we collected 100 looks we can easily steal from some of our favorite street style stars and fashion bloggers. This Spring, we (that's you and I) will be able to snooze without trouble, because bookmarking this slideshow will make choosing an outfit no. freaking. big. deal.
This Is the Reason Pizza Makes You So Happy
DiGiorno conducted a pizza experiment, bringing in facial recognition and emotion-tracking software along with data scientists to discover what about pizza makes us happy. The study discovered something unexpected. Partygoers expressed the most happiness from the anticipation of pizza. The charts show a surge in happiness when the experimentees could smell the pizza baking in the oven and see the pizza coming out of the oven. In fact, they acted 20 percent more joyful than they did actually eating the pizza. This makes sense considering other studies have proved that anticipating experiences makes people happy. This sure does shed a whole new light on the term "delayed gratification."
This Glitter Maternity Shoot Is the Stuff of Sparkly Dreams
The whole glitter trend is a complicated one for parents: most of us loved all things glittery as kids, but the first time we naively let our kids do some arts-and-crafts project with the stuff, only to realize that the remnants will forever live on our floors, walls, clothes, and hands, well . . . the good relationship quickly comes to an end.
Thankfully, Australian photographer Lauren Biggs was willing to brush aside glitter's less favorable attributes for a maternity "bath" shoot with her pregnant pal Elise Apps.
"I am mesmerized with glitter and sparkly things, and I really wanted to give this idea a go," Biggs told POPSUGAR of her first attempt. "I loved the look of all-gold glitter or one color, but I just happened to have all this thick colorful glitter from another shoot, and it was perfect."
To create the effect, they used a black sheet so the glitter would stand out and let natural light from a nearby window hit the flecks in all the right spots.
"We loved it," she said. "The cleaning bit was easy – we just lifted it all out on the sheet, but Elise on the other hand could not get it off her skin!"
The gorgeous mom-to-be delivered her baby girl the very next day, so glitter might just have to be a part of this family's life for years to come.
If You Just Want to Spoil Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 For Yourself, Read This
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is loaded with a ton of stuff that you loved about the first film (laughing Drax, dancing Baby Groot, etc.), but there's a whole new plot to unfold. The spoiler-free synopsis is that Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is trying to uncover his true identity. When his father (Kurt Russell) unexpectedly comes flying into his life, he reluctantly seizes the opportunity to get to the bottom of his heritage. This just isn't a movie about a beautiful family reunion, so Peter and co. face some challenges along the way. If you're wondering exactly what goes down, read on.
Ego (Russell) tracks down Peter and his crew, telling them that he is overjoyed to have finally found his son. Peter is initially skeptical about Ego's intentions, but, at Gamora's (Zoe Saldana) urging, he agrees to go to Ego's home planet. Peter, Gamora, and Drax take off with Ego and his alien associate, Mantis (Pom Klementieff), and land on the most beautiful, lush planet you've ever seen. It turns out that Ego isn't a person at all - he is a planet. He has the power to create whatever he desires and appear in whatever form he dreams up. He explains to Peter than he's been searching everywhere for him, but something doesn't add up; Ego can't give a straight answer about why he never returned to Earth to visit Peter and his mother.
Meanwhile, Rocket and Baby Groot are captured by Yondu's (Michael Rooker) crew. Yondu had been commissioned by an alien race to take out Peter and his pals, but when Yondu refuses to hurt Peter, his crew (headed by Taserface, LOL) turns on him. They imprison Yondu, Rocket, and Baby Groot aboard their ship. Anarchy reigns, until Kraglin (Sean Gunn) double-crosses Taserface and the good guys are able to destroy Yondu's old crew and depart from the fiery spacecraft in a smaller ship.
Back on Ego's planet, the real story is slowly revealed. Ego doesn't just want to be a father to Peter - he wants to use Peter's inherited powers to help him take over the universe. Ego has been slowly attempting to conquer millions of planets by burying tiny versions of himself into the ground on each planet. Once he gets enough energy (which he can only do with an heir), he can fuel the plants to grow and rapidly turn each planet into his own ecosystem. Because he is the planet, he will technically be everywhere. Does that make sense? It's confusing.
The worst part is that Peter isn't Ego's only son, not by a long shot. Gamora and Nebula (Karen Gillan) discover an entire cave full of bones, the bones of Ego's slain children. He's impregnated species all over the universe, and he had been employing Yondu to collect his kids and bring them back to his planet in hopes that they'll have inherited his power. They all failed him, so he just murdered them and kept looking. When Yondu realized that Ego was killing the kids, he stopped working for him and raised Peter as his own.
Poor Peter had finally allowed himself to feel happy about his biological planet of a father, and Ego is just one big fraud. Baby Groot, Rocket, and Yondu find Peter and his crew in the nick of time, and they're able to save the day. There's some mild interference from the secondary villains (a race of genetically perfect aliens), but Peter destroys Ego. Yondu dies saving Peter, and he gets the Ravager funeral he's always desired. In the end, Peter loses two fathers. Are you crying?
That's the meat of it - unless, of course, you want to know about the five end-credits scenes!
100 Easy Outfit Ideas to Try This Spring
If every morning you find yourself standing in front of your closet, annoyed as you see time tick away but unable to do anything about it, we want you to know: you're not alone. We do exactly the same - no matter what and every single morning, even if we just went on a crazy shopping spree and have lots of new clothes with tags still attached hanging from the rack in front of us. There's just something about having to get dressed that sends us into a deep mental block that makes us suddenly forget how to put an outfit together.
It was just this predicament (and yet another tardy appearance at the office) that made us think we needed an inspirational list we could easily turn to every time we got stuck. So we collected 100 looks we can easily steal from some of our favorite street style stars and fashion bloggers. This Spring, we (that's you and I) will be able to snooze without trouble, because bookmarking this slideshow will make choosing an outfit no. freaking. big. deal.
10 Supercute Nike Must-Haves Under $40
We're gearing up for Summertime the best way we know how - by finding the cutest activewear and accessories for warmer temps, but on a budget. And of course we're combing through Nike.com, on the prowl for deals and steals on breezy colors and beautiful styles. Fortunately (and surprisingly!), there are quite a few to pick from in the under $40 range - here are 10 of our must-have picks for your active life.
It Looks Like President Trump Is Selling His Aggressively Gold Caribbean Home
President Donald Trump is no stranger to grand real estate. And we're not just talking about 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. He has some lavish tropical properties in his portfolio, including the "Summer White House" Mar-a-Lago in Florida and Le Chateau des Palmiers in St. Martin. This latter palatial, 11-bedroom, waterfront Caribbean property is decorated with Louis XIV splendor, complete with an aggressive gold color scheme. Trump has been using the property as a high-end vacation rental through Sotheby's International Realty, starting at $6,000 a night. With its massive heated pool, fitness center, tennis court, billiards, and outdoor bar, we have no doubt it attracted some deep-pocketed clientele. Trump purchased Chateau des Palmiers in 2013 when it was listed at $19.7 million (although his final purchase price was never disclosed). Now, Point2Homes has discovered the property has just been listed for sale, yet again, with 7th Heaven Properties. This time the asking price is a whopping $28 million. Take a look inside the over-the-top property ahead.
This is Why You Crave Junk Food When You Have PMS
Our friends at YourTango investigated the real reason behind your PMS junk food cravings and how to stop them.
Plus, why your period makes you so dang cranky.
It's probably safe to say that we've all experienced (or continue to experience) the physical and emotional craziness that accompanies the week or two before a period.
We're familiar with that three- to five-pound water retention, the short fuse, the cravings for all things sweet and salty (for me it was Kit Kats and Kung Pao Chicken), and the urge to sob watching Sarah McLachlan narrate ASPCA commercials featuring homeless and abandoned dogs.
For some, premenstrual symptoms are only slightly noticeable, but for others the symptoms are debilitating, affecting school, work, relationshipsand life in general-it may seem as if you've being cast in a role for two weeks, 24/7, that doesn't feel at all like yourself.
When symptoms are that severe, we are talking about Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), which typically encompasses emotional changes such as drastic mood swings, depression, crying spells, irritability, and anxiety. Physically, PMS symptoms include bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, food cravings, and acne.
A perfect storm which can lead even the sanest woman to feel as though she's become victim to an Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The first thing to understand is why these changes happen in order to figure out a way to combat the symptoms of PMS. Fortunately, the majority of symptoms caused by PMS can be treated with diet, exercise, and the avoidance of certain key foods.
The irony being that most women suffering from PMS seek immediate comfort from their symptoms in all these wrong foods!
Why are we so hungry before our periods?
It's thought that the production and cyclical nature of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone have a strong effect on appetite. Researchers have pointed to the increase of progesterone production the week or so before a period, which is responsible for binge eating.
See, it not your fault!
Estrogen, on the other hand, which acts as an appetite suppressant, peaks before ovulation and drops in the time before your period, adding a double whammy to your inability to fight those damn cravings. But don't despair.
There is a way to eat in order to help your resolve as well as to resist those cravings.
FOODS TO LIMIT OR AVOID: dairy, salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, Chinese food, and any other especially salty foods.
- Do drink as much water as possible, ideally two to three liters a day.
- Do supplement your diet with vitamins such as calcium, vitamins E & D, thiamine, magnesium, and omega-3 fish oil.
- Do eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits and veggies, protein-rich fish and chicken, and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and brown rice.
- Do eat foods that are natural diuretics such as celery, cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, asparagus, lemon juice, garlic, melon, and lettuce. Doing this will greatly help reduce bloating and swelling any time of the month.
- Do reach for the green tea as a comforting beverage. It's a great natural diuretic and easier on the system than coffee.
- Do consider the herbal supplements dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper, all of which help alleviate water retention.
Aside from adjusting your food, liquid, and supplement intake, there are other ways to treat the symptoms of PMS, no matter the severity.
- Exercise. I know it's the last thing you want to consider when you're overwhelmed by PMS symptoms, but it really does help. Regular exercise four to six times a week, for a minimum of thirty minutes a session is a must.
- Acupuncture, Yoga, and Mindfulness. These practices can help in controlling the mood changes and other emotional effects of PMS.
- Medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as Advil and Motrin can help with cramps.
- Oral contraception. "The Pill" can help control your hormones, cramps and acne.
For those of you who have tried all or some combination of the aforementioned but are still finding that there's no relief in sight, other methods may be needed to get you through the intense symptoms of PMS.
If you're wondering: When do I decide that my depression and/or mood swings are bad enough to try something else? The answer is that if your emotional state is preventing you from your regular daily activities and it's causing you to lose sleep and/or feel helpless, then you may need an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.
Certainly the emotional symptoms of PMS are well documented, but extreme episodes of symptoms such as anxiety can cause panic attacks, manifesting in heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In this case, a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD) may be made, and medication treating depression and anxiety can be prescribed.
Fortunately, I have been successful in treating PMD and its debilitating monthly symptoms with a low dose anti-depressant (Prozac 10mg daily) and an oral contraceptive.
I might add that it also doesn't hurt to swear off Chinese Food during the second half of one's menstrual cycle. Fight that salt craving if you can!
If you find yourself Pretty Much Suffering the majority of each month, help is available. Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. Don't let half your life be disrupted by your menstrual cycle. There are treatments, and there's one that can be tailored specifically for your personal needs.
Sheryl A. Ross, M.D., "Dr. Sherry," is an award-winning OBG/YN, entrepreneur, women's health expert and author of the book, She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women's Intimate Health. Period. She is also the founder of Cycl, the first of its kind wellness brand for women by women based on her ground-breaking 7 Cycls™approach that tracks the 7 distinct and individualized cycles women experience in their lives.
Excerpt taken from She-ology: The Definitive Guide To Women's Intimate Health. Period. (Savio Republic, copyright 2017) by Dr. Sheryl Ross.
More from our friends at YourTango:
This is Why You Crave Junk Food When You Have PMS
Our friends at YourTango investigated the real reason behind your PMS junk food cravings and how to stop them.
Plus, why your period makes you so dang cranky.
It's probably safe to say that we've all experienced (or continue to experience) the physical and emotional craziness that accompanies the week or two before a period.
We're familiar with that three- to five-pound water retention, the short fuse, the cravings for all things sweet and salty (for me it was Kit Kats and Kung Pao Chicken), and the urge to sob watching Sarah McLachlan narrate ASPCA commercials featuring homeless and abandoned dogs.
For some, premenstrual symptoms are only slightly noticeable, but for others the symptoms are debilitating, affecting school, work, relationshipsand life in general-it may seem as if you've being cast in a role for two weeks, 24/7, that doesn't feel at all like yourself.
When symptoms are that severe, we are talking about Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), which typically encompasses emotional changes such as drastic mood swings, depression, crying spells, irritability, and anxiety. Physically, PMS symptoms include bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain, food cravings, and acne.
A perfect storm which can lead even the sanest woman to feel as though she's become victim to an Invasion of the Body Snatchers.
The first thing to understand is why these changes happen in order to figure out a way to combat the symptoms of PMS. Fortunately, the majority of symptoms caused by PMS can be treated with diet, exercise, and the avoidance of certain key foods.
The irony being that most women suffering from PMS seek immediate comfort from their symptoms in all these wrong foods!
Why are we so hungry before our periods?
It's thought that the production and cyclical nature of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone have a strong effect on appetite. Researchers have pointed to the increase of progesterone production the week or so before a period, which is responsible for binge eating.
See, it not your fault!
Estrogen, on the other hand, which acts as an appetite suppressant, peaks before ovulation and drops in the time before your period, adding a double whammy to your inability to fight those damn cravings. But don't despair.
There is a way to eat in order to help your resolve as well as to resist those cravings.
FOODS TO LIMIT OR AVOID: dairy, salt, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, Chinese food, and any other especially salty foods.
- Do drink as much water as possible, ideally two to three liters a day.
- Do supplement your diet with vitamins such as calcium, vitamins E & D, thiamine, magnesium, and omega-3 fish oil.
- Do eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits and veggies, protein-rich fish and chicken, and complex carbohydrates such as whole grains and brown rice.
- Do eat foods that are natural diuretics such as celery, cucumbers, watermelon, tomatoes, asparagus, lemon juice, garlic, melon, and lettuce. Doing this will greatly help reduce bloating and swelling any time of the month.
- Do reach for the green tea as a comforting beverage. It's a great natural diuretic and easier on the system than coffee.
- Do consider the herbal supplements dandelion, ginger, parsley, hawthorn and juniper, all of which help alleviate water retention.
Aside from adjusting your food, liquid, and supplement intake, there are other ways to treat the symptoms of PMS, no matter the severity.
- Exercise. I know it's the last thing you want to consider when you're overwhelmed by PMS symptoms, but it really does help. Regular exercise four to six times a week, for a minimum of thirty minutes a session is a must.
- Acupuncture, Yoga, and Mindfulness. These practices can help in controlling the mood changes and other emotional effects of PMS.
- Medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines such as Advil and Motrin can help with cramps.
- Oral contraception. "The Pill" can help control your hormones, cramps and acne.
For those of you who have tried all or some combination of the aforementioned but are still finding that there's no relief in sight, other methods may be needed to get you through the intense symptoms of PMS.
If you're wondering: When do I decide that my depression and/or mood swings are bad enough to try something else? The answer is that if your emotional state is preventing you from your regular daily activities and it's causing you to lose sleep and/or feel helpless, then you may need an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety medication.
Certainly the emotional symptoms of PMS are well documented, but extreme episodes of symptoms such as anxiety can cause panic attacks, manifesting in heart palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, and shortness of breath. In this case, a diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD) may be made, and medication treating depression and anxiety can be prescribed.
Fortunately, I have been successful in treating PMD and its debilitating monthly symptoms with a low dose anti-depressant (Prozac 10mg daily) and an oral contraceptive.
I might add that it also doesn't hurt to swear off Chinese Food during the second half of one's menstrual cycle. Fight that salt craving if you can!
If you find yourself Pretty Much Suffering the majority of each month, help is available. Discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. Don't let half your life be disrupted by your menstrual cycle. There are treatments, and there's one that can be tailored specifically for your personal needs.
Sheryl A. Ross, M.D., "Dr. Sherry," is an award-winning OBG/YN, entrepreneur, women's health expert and author of the book, She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women's Intimate Health. Period. She is also the founder of Cycl, the first of its kind wellness brand for women by women based on her ground-breaking 7 Cycls™approach that tracks the 7 distinct and individualized cycles women experience in their lives.
Excerpt taken from She-ology: The Definitive Guide To Women's Intimate Health. Period. (Savio Republic, copyright 2017) by Dr. Sheryl Ross.
More from our friends at YourTango:
It Was Britney, B*tch! Zoe Saldana Says Crossroads Costar Revealed Her Pregnancy
Zoe Saldana spilled all of the tea on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. The Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 actress confirmed the rumor that her Crossroads costar Britney Spears was the one to break the news that she was pregnant with twins.
"We were on the same flight from LA to New York, and we just talked for the duration of the flight," Zoe said. "She has two boys, I was having twins - and we had a beautiful talk. And I forgot - it never even occurred to me to not to say anything. We weren't trying to hide it, we were just trying to be discreet."
In an Entertainment Tonight interview just days after that flight, Britney was asked if Zoe and she would consider doing another film together. "Who knows? That's a very good idea. But she's pregnant with twins right now. So I'm sure she's got a huge future ahead of her," Britney said, spilling all of the beans.
Watch Zoe talk about how there's no hard feelings and say she was just being "Britney, b*tch!"
This Is the Reason Pizza Makes You So Happy
DiGiorno conducted a pizza experiment, bringing in facial recognition and emotion-tracking software along with data scientists to discover what about pizza makes us happy. The study discovered something unexpected. Partygoers expressed the most happiness from the anticipation of pizza. The charts show a surge in happiness when the experimentees could smell the pizza baking in the oven and see the pizza coming out of oven. In fact, they acted 20 percent more joyful than they did actually eating the pizza. This makes sense considering other studies have proved that anticipating experiences makes people happy. This sure does shed a whole new light on the term "delayed gratification."
Your Ultimate Inspiration For a Delicious Cinco de Mayo
It's no secret that we're big fans of Mexican food. So when Cinco de Mayo rolls around each year, we inevitably get really excited (and hungry). Over the years, we've managed to whip up a whole bunch of flavorful dishes and drinks, from tacos to tequila-infused cocktails, all of which would be festive and delicious for your Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend. Prepare to hear your stomach growl. ¡Buen provecho!
Jump ahead to the following sections:
12 Brides Went Ombré on Their Wedding Dresses - and With Stunning Results
White wedding gowns are traditional and beautiful, but for ladies seeking that unexpected WOW factor, they'll want to go ombré. Many brides have worn colored dresses before, but ombré, or dip-dye as Pinterest calls it, is slightly different. Instead of the entire dress being one color, only the bottom portion of it is dyed. The color intensity ranges from light (we dubbed it the watercolor effect) to dark, though blue and pink seem to be among the most popular shades.
Given that color was big on the runway for Fall 2017, designers will be quick to adopt the trends for their bridal collections. In fact, dip-dye dresses are plentiful now. Read on to see women who have worn them IRL in stunning snaps. They might convince you to ditch that white wedding dress for good.
Michael Fassbender Doesn't Just Believe in Aliens - He Thinks They're Here
This week marked the world premiere of Alien: Covenant, the latest installment in the iconic Alien franchise and a sequel of sorts to 2012's Prometheus. On Thursday night, POPSUGAR was lucky enough to land at the film's world premiere in London, where we popped onto the red carpet and even saw the full film in all its terrifying glory. Before we got all the blood and scares, though, we spoke to Michael Fassbender about his character(s), his personal beliefs, and one of the most terrifying movie monsters of all time.
In Covenant, Fassbender's on double duty, playing the part of not one but two different and unique androids. "I mean, David we already know," Fassbender told us, referring to the creepy and calculating character he played in Prometheus. "It's the same guy. His head is attached to his body again." David is more horrifying and villainous than ever in the new film, and now, he has the perfect counterpart. "Walter is the new character. He's on the Covenant," he revealed, referring to the titular spaceship that brings the latest round of alien horror. Walter is an updated version of David. He's much more dutiful and more like a robot, because it's noted that David's almost-human idiosyncrasies made the previous crew too uncomfortable.
Of course, we couldn't resist asking Fassbender why he thinks Covenant (and the monsters therein) is the most horrifying edition to date. All the terror, he explained, lies in the iconic Xenomorph (the giant-foreheaded alien you associate with these films) that first appeared in Alien, the original 1979 film. As we learned from the gory trailers, this version of the creature is set to make a terrifying return. "I think the Xenomorph itself is something that's a very provocative figure," Fassbender mused. "I think it's beautiful. It's repulsive. There's no eyes to it. I think that's terrifying in itself. And that it's a parasite of sorts, it uses us as hosts. I think that, again, is quite an unsettling thought." Having seen the film, if you think the Xenomorph looks scary, wait until you see some of the horrifying sh*t it does in Covenant.
"I think they're among us already."
All things considered, you have to wonder if Fassbender believes in aliens himself. Naturally, he has an equally unsettling answer: "I think they're among us already . . . I just believe that." Um, did we just get a pitch for season eight of American Horror Story?
Alien: Covenant hits theaters on May 19.
A Boudoir Shoot Transformed This Woman's Self-Confidence After Her Abusive Relationship
Many women shoot boudoir photo sessions as a gift for their significant others, but this 26-year-old decided to take the photos for herself. After getting out of two consecutive abusive relationships - one mentally damaging, the other emotionally and physically - she began to believe the horrible things about herself that were fed to her by former partners. She shared that she didn't always have the ideal body type, and growing up in Southern California didn't make body confidence come easy. She had previously tried therapy before for family reasons and her own body image, but unfortunately, it didn't have the lasting impact she needed.
She had seen all the loving comments on the works of photographer Alyssa Michelle, who specializes in intimate portraits for women, and wondered what it would be like to be the one getting photographed. "I trolled the page for a year or so and thought 'one day, one day' and then finally in September 2016, I had had enough of the lies I was hearing from myself and from past people and thought 'No, I refuse to turn 26 in March without erasing this BS,'" she said. So she finally took the leap and booked a session with Alyssa.
Many thoughts flooded her head leading up to the day, from what would everyone think of her stretch marks to what if people didn't think she was pretty or small enough. "But because of the need for the truth of myself, I dug really deep to find the confidence to eventually not care what other people think," she said. "I was doing this for me and that's all that mattered at the end of it."
The shoot ended up being a positive and eye-opening experience from start to end. She looked and felt incredible and was surprised at how empowered she felt through it all. "I didn't know I was capable of looking that way," she said. "And as the girls reminded me, even if I'm not made up every day like I am for the shoot, that's still me. That girl in those photos is still me and is in me every day. I'm sexy, fierce, sassy, playful, lioness, powerful."
She recommends all women try a boudoir shoot for themselves for a boost of confidence and promises you won't have any regrets. She left the shoot feeling completely transformed and doesn't plan on ever looking back.
"EVERYTHING CHANGED," she said. "I have so much confidence in myself now, I strut instead of stroll, I check myself out instead of judge myself. I talk to myself in such a positive way now and can't believe someone could ever tell me that I am any other than the gorgeous sexy woman that I am. F the haters."
See her gorgeous photos!
12 Brides Went Ombré on Their Wedding Dresses - and With Stunning Results
White wedding gowns are traditional and beautiful, but for ladies seeking that unexpected WOW factor, they'll want to go ombré. Many brides have worn colored dresses before, but ombré, or dip-dye as Pinterest calls it, is slightly different. Instead of the entire dress being one color, only the bottom portion of it is dyed. The color intensity ranges from light (we dubbed it the watercolor effect) to dark, though blue and pink seem to be among the most popular shades.
Given that color was big on the runway for Fall 2017, designers will be quick to adopt the trends for their bridal collections. In fact, dip-dye dresses are plentiful now. Read on to see women who have worn them IRL in stunning snaps. They might convince you to ditch that white wedding dress for good.
Why I Quit My Job in New York City to Backpack Across Europe
I can still remember the look on my husband's face when I asked him the question. It was a thought that had been brewing in my mind for quite some time, and suddenly, as we squeezed into the already-crammed F train, the words spilled out of my mouth.
"Do you want to quit our jobs and backpack across Europe?"
While I was expecting a hysterical are-you-serious laugh in return, he looked around at the sardine can we were currently packed into, smiled, and said, "Let's do it."
And so, the planning began. It took 15 months of shoving every cent we had into savings, but before we knew it, we were buying backpacks, selling what belongings we had in our 400-square-foot Brooklyn apartment, and giving our two-week notices at work. The time had come to pop the comfort bubble we had formed in a city we were head over heels in love with to embark on a new adventure.
While we were fortunate to have the encouragement from our family and friends, not everyone understood our decision. For some people, they digested our plan like this: here we were, in our mid-20s, living in the "city of dreams" with well-paying jobs, about to willingly throw it all away. Crazy, right? Yet what they may not have realized was how we had long contemplated over this decision. It was a decision that felt right and one we were confident in making.
As I reflect on the 71 days spent backpacking across Europe, I smile knowing I have no regrets. While quitting a job to travel isn't for everyone, it was right for us. Those 10 weeks were by no means glamorous, but they were filled to the brim with inspiration, which made any obstacle encountered well worth it.
For those of you with thoughts of taking a big leap on a similar adventure but still clinging onto fear and hesitation, I am here to shine a light on why you should take the jump, why you will become a better person because of it, and tips on how your dream can be affordable. Here are four lessons I learned from stepping outside my comfort zone and giving up stability.
Your Ultimate Inspiration For a Delicious Cinco de Mayo
It's no secret that we're big fans of Mexican food. So when Cinco de Mayo rolls around each year, we inevitably get really excited (and hungry). Over the years, we've managed to whip up a whole bunch of flavorful dishes and drinks, from tacos to tequila-infused cocktails, all of which would be festive and delicious for your Cinco de Mayo celebration this weekend. Prepare to hear your stomach growl. ¡Buen provecho!
Jump ahead to the following sections:
39 Epic Mother's Day Gifts For Moms Who Love Wine
For all of the mamas who appreciate a nice glass of wine (or who would Rosé all day if she could), treat her to something she'll more than love this Mother's Day. Not only do these hardworking ladies deserve some wine for all of the whining that they put up with, but they'll also love a thoughtful surprise that shows you get it. From hysterical glasses, towels, and tees to personalized gifts dedicated to mommy juice, these are the ultimate Mother's Day gift ideas for any wine-loving mom.
The Riverdale Cast Dishes on Who's the "Most Daddy"
At a screening of Riverdale with the cast at LA's Paley Center, we wanted to get to the bottom of a very important question. No, not who is Jason Blossom's killer - the murderer was finally revealed in episode 12! The burning question on everyone's mind: who is "most daddy" of the cast?
Sure, Cole Sprouse was the crowned champion of the Twitter poll, though some might say he had an unfair advantage by posting from his own account. When asked who he'd choose if he couldn't choose himself, he was quick to answer: Lili. She did come in second place in the Twitter poll.
"It's 'cause I voted for her 13,000 times on all my spam accounts," Cole said. Would he consider himself the biggest Lili "stan"? "Right, exactly," he said.
When polling the entire cast, there was one clear winner, and she is ready to own the title for good.
"To be honest, I'm pretty done with this whole 'daddy' thing," Lili said after learning most of her castmates voted for her. "I know I'm daddy, I don't need a competition."
Honorable mentions go to Skeet "FP Jones" Ulrich, whom Madelaine Petsch voted for, and Luke Perry, who hilariously had no idea what the term even meant. We're here for you, Luke.
Check out the full "daddy" discussion featuring Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Ashleigh Murray, Madelaine Petsch, and more above!
These Illustrations of Disney Princesses Going to the Doctor Without Obamacare Are Too Real
Belle, Ariel, and Elena of Avalor are all dealing with the effects of a world without Obamacare in these illustrations created by a duo of creative Latinas, illustrator Maritza Lugo and writer Danielle Sepulveres.
With the fate of the Affordable Care Act (popularly known as Obamacare) still up in the air, Maritza and Danielle decided to use everyone's favorite princesses to show off the devastating implications that the repeal will have for millions of Americans - specifically women.
"At the end of 2015, I contacted Maritza and asked if she'd be interested in drawing re-imagined Disney princesses to bring awareness for cervical cancer awareness month," Danielle told us via email. "This year, we decided to revamp that project and brainstormed how we could be most effective in showing the consequences of the repeal of ACA, looming ominously over essential healthcare for women." The results: Pocahontas being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, Belle having to pay for a new birth control prescription, and Elena facing protestors outside of Planned Parenthood. Scroll ahead to see the poignant illustrations and read what Maritza said about each of them on Instagram.
It Was Britney, B*tch! Zoe Saldana Says Crossroads Costar Revealed Her Pregnancy
Zoe Saldana spilled all of the tea on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen. The Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 actress confirmed the rumor that her Crossroads costar Britney Spears was the one to break the news that she was pregnant with twins.
"We were on the same flight from LA to New York, and we just talked for the duration of the flight," Zoe said. "She has two boys, I was having twins - and we had a beautiful talk. And I forgot - it never even occurred to me to not to say anything. We weren't trying to hide it, we were just trying to be discreet."
In an Entertainment Tonight interview just days after that flight, Britney was asked if Zoe and she would consider doing another film together. "Who knows? That's a very good idea. But she's pregnant with twins right now. So I'm sure she's got a huge future ahead of her," Britney said, spilling all of the beans.
Watch Zoe talk about how there's no hard feelings and say she was just being "Britney, b*tch!"
The Riverdale Cast Dishes on Who's the "Most Daddy"
At a screening of Riverdale with the cast at LA's Paley Center, we wanted to get to the bottom of a very important question. No, not who is Jason Blossom's killer - the murderer was finally revealed in episode 12! The burning question on everyone's mind: who is "most daddy" of the cast?
Sure, Cole Sprouse was the crowned champion of the Twitter poll, though some might say he had an unfair advantage by posting from his own account. When asked who he'd choose if he couldn't choose himself, he was quick to answer: Lili. She did come in second place in the Twitter poll.
"It's 'cause I voted for her 13,000 times on all my spam accounts," Cole said. Would he consider himself the biggest Lili "stan"? "Right, exactly," he said.
When polling the entire cast, there was one clear winner, and she is ready to own the title for good.
"To be honest, I'm pretty done with this whole 'daddy' thing," Lili said after learning most of her castmates voted for her. "I know I'm daddy, I don't need a competition."
Honorable mentions go to Skeet "FP Jones" Ulrich, whom Madelaine Petsch voted for, and Luke Perry, who hilariously had no idea what the term even meant. We're here for you, Luke.
Check out the full "daddy" discussion featuring Lili Reinhart, Camila Mendes, Ashleigh Murray, Madelaine Petsch, and more above!
39 Epic Mother's Day Gifts For Moms Who Love Wine
For all of the mamas who appreciate a nice glass of wine (or who would Rosé all day if she could), treat her to something she'll more than love this Mother's Day. Not only do these hardworking ladies deserve some wine for all of the whining that they put up with, but they'll also love a thoughtful surprise that shows you get it. From hysterical glasses, towels, and tees to personalized gifts dedicated to mommy juice, these are the ultimate Mother's Day gift ideas for any wine-loving mom.
Looking at Darren Criss Showering in a Speedo Should Be Your No. 1 Priority
Darren Criss did the world a lovely service on Wednesday when he stepped out in a Speedo to film scenes for the upcoming season of American Crime Story. The former Glee star showed off his body in the tiny pink number while showering on the beach in Miami. While season one of the show focused on the O.J. Simpson murder trial, season two will deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and season three (which Darren is currently filming) focuses on the 1997 death of Gianni Versace. Darren plays Andrew Cunanan, the serial killer who murdered the fashion designer on the front steps of his Miami home. While the actor is portraying a horrific character on the small screen, we can still stare at these pictures of Darren in a tiny Speedo for as long as we want (which is a very long time).
Why Millennial Women Are Embracing Atheism
Danielle Schacter never thought she would become an un-Christian. "I slowly became more and more disgusted by the way I saw people treating others," says the 32-year-old, who was raised Baptist. "I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."
Danielle Schacter, who identifies as agnostic, and one of a growing number of people who identify with no religion. Photo courtesy of Danielle Schacter.
Schacter, like so many millennials, has chosen a secular life, and she's not alone: according to the Pew Research Center, only four in ten millennials say that religion is very important to them, compared with six in ten Baby Boomers.
The numbers of religiously unaffiliated support this too: 23 percent of the population identifies with no religion. This number is up from 2007, when it was only 16%. Of older millennials, 35% are religiously unaffiliated - and they're driving the overall growth of the non-religiously affiliated in America.
"I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."This is a big deal. To be religiously unaffiliated means you not only avoid identifying as a Christian or Jew or Muslim, but that you eschew organized faith all together. From there, "non-religious" can be broken down into four categories: secularism (the belief in separation of church and state and that all beliefs are equal), agnosticism (the belief that it's impossible to know if there is a god), humanism (the idea that human reason drives us, not higher powers), and atheism (the belief that there is no god). This last group, the atheists, have become increasingly vocal in recent years. They are fighting to keep religion separated from laws that affect them and to shift society away from religious trappings.
Kayley Whalen, a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." Photo courtesty of Kayley Whalen.
What's fascinating is that while millennials are moving away from religion, they are moving toward spirituality. This demographic considers itself just as spiritual as older demographics, even as they represent an exodus out of organized religion and into the throes of secularism. When you consider the issues facing young people today, the reasons for the exodus are easy to understand. In rejecting religion, millennials are asserting their progressive attitudes and passion for social justice. They're committed to the idea that they don't need religion to know the difference between right and wrong.
Perhaps no one represents this cultural shift better than millennial atheist women. While they may sit at the most extreme side of the non-religious spectrum, atheist women are fueled by the same concerns plaguing millennials in general: a quest for independence and a rejection of the status quo.
The Atheism and Feminism Connection
Lauryn Seering, 27, has never been religious, but she found atheism in high school in reaction to mainstream fundamentalist Christian ideas that condemn her lesbian mother."Millennial women want autonomy over their own bodies," says Seering, Communications Coordinator for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the separation of church and state.
"They recognize that all the arguments against this autonomy (contraception, birth control, marriage) are religiously fueled," Seering continued. "Women aren't being pressured by society anymore to get married at a young age, have children right away, and tend house while their husbands work."
Lauren Seering, an atheist who works for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Photo courtesy of Lauren Seering.
Schacter identifies as agnostic. She's based in Kansas City, MO, where she founded a digital marketing agency called Boxer & Mutt. To her, growing secularism is a sign of independent women. "It's becoming more socially acceptable for women to think for themselves and really question why things are the way they are, rather than blindly accepting them," she says.
Kayley Whalen, 31, is a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." These different identities certainly influence how she approaches the world. "We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural," Whalen says. "We believe in social justice, that we can live a life with meaning, purpose, and dedication to social justice without the need for supernatural guidance." Unsurprisingly, Whalen's beliefs are tied up in her activist work: she's the digital strategy and social media manager for the National LGBT Task Force and is on the board of directors for both the Secular Student Alliance and the Trans United Fund.
As Whalen epitomizes, many young women who do not believe in god share a point of view that goes beyond just being atheist or just being a woman. The two are intertwined identities oppressed similarly in the United States.
"We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural.Lee Blackwolf, who runs the popular Facebook page Black Atheists, constantly copes with this intersection. "It's important to me because, as a black bisexual woman, there's not many of us who are atheist," explains Blackwolf, a 29-year-old stay-at-home mother in Twinsburg, OH. "We're not welcomed in most spaces that are atheists. We already have a lot of hurdles to jump through in life so it takes a lot of strength. I lost an entire family because of it. I actually have the luxury to say that I'm better off without them. It's not the same for most."
Blackwolf's concerns hint at societal assumptions about atheist women, which every women we spoke with touched on: being a woman who isn't religious breaks away from the social norms that frame womanness. Emily Greene, an artist and activist working in promotional marketing in Augusta, GA, summed it up best. "You're probably seen as less feminine," the 32 year old said. "You're definitely judged, looked at more harshly. It's an assumption that it's a negative thing."
Ironically, being atheist can mirror being religious, as it plays a role in many aspects of young life. "That was very important to me in choosing a partner," says Katherine, a 32-year-old HR manager in California. "I have gotten into some debate with friends before where they're like, 'If you're an atheist, why do you care if the other person is of faith?' I'm like, 'You - as, say, a Christian person - would not want to marry a non-Christian person."
Why Are Young Women Interested In Atheism?
Phil Zuckerman, professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College, believes that young people are turning away from religion as a result of how closed-minded and conservative many congregations can be, particularly when they are responsible for enabling xenophobic and queerphobic mindsets. For instance, many churches reject the idea of same-sex marriage, while 71% of millennials support it (in comparison with only 46% of Baby Boomers).
"A lot of young people are being turned off of by that brand of Christianity," he explains. "They're just seeing religion as an institution and saying, 'Ah, screw it.' Even though that brand of Christianity is not the majority - most christians are decent, kind people who aren't anti-gay and aren't racist and aren't anti-Islamic. But they don't make the headlines. They're not dominating the news."
Molly Hanson, who grow up Catholic but is now an atheist. Photo courtesy of Molly Hanson.
The Internet is also serving as a conduit for less religion. As technology occupies more of our time, says Zuckerman, it chips away at "religion's ability to maintain a monopoly on truth...it's really corroding religion's ability to dominate our culture and dominate people's lives."
While there have always been religious skeptics - the farthest back is believed to be the Charvaka movement in 7th century, BC - the present shift away from religion is notable because the numbers of religiously unaffiliated and atheists are way up. Although the movement is still predominately male and white, more women are stepping forward as religion reveals itself to be optional in their lives - and sometimes to stand in the way of their independence.
Zuckerman believes this has to do with traditional organized religions' male-centrism: teaching women that they're second class, must remain virginal, and must stay out of leadership positions. Pair this with the amount of women in the workplace rivaling men, and the group doesn't need to turn to a church for social or financial support that churches typically offer.
Being an Atheist Is a Political Act
Molly Hanson grew up in a Catholic household but has always been skeptical of the "invisible man in the sky" who tells people what to do. The 23-year-old Hanson, like many atheists, finds that questioning faith and religion makes people wonder if something is wrong with her womanness.
"If a woman doesn't bow down to this god and lord, she must have an issue with that god or lord," says Hanson, an editorial assistant at the Freedom For Religion Foundation. "She must have been damaged. There's a reason why she decided to leave that god. She might have been morally corrupted by another man or might have - I don't know - been wronged."
This issue isn't confined to religious communities. One woman - a 30-year-old Indian American writer in New York who declined to give her name - finds this flaw in atheist leaders, too.
"The movement itself is really alienating toward women," she says. "Leaders like Richard Dawkins are pretty sexist and condescending and talk down to women. Women have been left out in those major discussions of atheism."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved.Whalen agrees: "It's really difficult that one person like a Richard Dawkins or a Bill Maher can be seen as the face of atheism. The difference between a woman who is an atheist, and a male, cisgender atheist is that a woman doesn't have the choice to be a single issue. She can't say, 'Oh, religious discrimination is the most important thing - and being a woman comes second.'"
For women who are atheists, discrimination is complicated further by the many ways their identities intersect. Gender as it relates to religious affiliation is complex, and it's even more complicated as it relates to black female atheists, as Blackwolf can attest. "A lot of black atheist men are often heard saying, 'Black women sure do love them some church!'" she says. "When we start having a discussion, there are implications about where my place in the community should be, and that's behind the man.'"
Atheist Women Want a Future of Equality
In speaking with young atheist and secular women, some throughlines appear, among them a hope for equality that could be stymied by religion's grasp on society. There is a desire to normalize differing points of view, from LGBTQ people to atheists.
Katherine sees public events like the inauguration of President Donald Trump as a perfect example. "I was really struck by so much praying happening," she says. "I'd like to see us move kind of away from that and use logic and science and that holistic definition of freedom."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved. Hansen believes these roadblocks arise as the result of unequal representation. "Women understand what it's like to be oppressed by laws that are rooted in religious ideas that oppress women and their sexuality," she explains. "To get more women in government positions is going to be a challenge, especially right now."
When women hold elected office, it inspires more women to run - and more women in government has a powerful trickle down effect on women as a whole.
But what if these women leaders were atheists? Would they still succeed?
Surveys have shown that atheism is one of the traits in a leader that Americans are most biased against. "I cannot imagine a president who identifies as an atheist," says the Indian-American writer in New York. "I'm a woman and a person of color: a female, person of color who is an atheist could never be the president of the United States. It feels like another barrier."
Others, like Whalen, see these many layers as vital to change: "I want a woman politician to run and say that she's an atheist and that she's for reproductive justice, that she's for transgender rights, and win. I want a transgender woman to be able to do that."
Ultimately, for atheist women (and atheists in general) to succeed at changing society, they need to continue on the path they are on and not settle for being silenced. Zuckerman draws parallels to the LGBT community. "Coming out does have an effect," he says. "More and more people feeling comfortable saying 'I'm not that religious' has an effect." Atheists just want to be seen as starting from the same place as any other decent American.
Greene sums it up nicely: "We want to get up, go to work, and enjoy our friends and families and our lifestyles just the same way as the person who gets up on Sunday and goes to church. We have our own ways of self-care. A lot of people find religion and that's how they take care of themselves - and that's great. We just do things a different way and that's OK."
Looking at Darren Criss Showering in a Speedo Should Be Your No. 1 Priority
Darren Criss did the world a lovely service on Wednesday when he stepped out in a Speedo to film scenes for the upcoming season of American Crime Story. The former Glee star showed off his body in the tiny pink number while showering on the beach in Miami. While season one of the show focused on the O.J. Simpson murder trial, season two will deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and season three (which Darren is currently filming) focuses on the 1997 death of Gianni Versace. Darren plays Andrew Cunanan, the serial killer who murdered the fashion designer on the front steps of his Miami home. While the actor is portraying a horrific character on the small screen, we can still stare at these pictures of Darren in a tiny Speedo for as long as we want (which is a very long time).
In Defense of "Wasting Time" - and Why It Actually Makes You a Better Worker
Call it whatever you'd like - zoning out, lollygagging, daydreaming - the fact remains that spending time focusing on anything but work is typically seen as an embarrassing lack of productivity. There's a grueling prevailing belief in the American workplace that the more hours you log working, the better you are at your job, when the reality is that all work and no play really does make you a dull (or anxious/exhausted/resentful/depressed/sick) person.
What will make you a better worker? Zoning out and giving your brain some much-needed downtime. As Olivia Goldhill writes in a piece for Quartz, we live in "a culture of relentless productivity" to the point where we actually feel guilty for taking necessary work breaks or working fewer hours per day. If we do allow ourselves a break, we furtively spend it doing something joyless and unfulfilling: "Sitting at our desk, in front of our computer, browsing websites and contributing to neither our happiness nor our productivity."
Instead, we should truly "waste time" by going for a walk, lounging in a park, or just staring out the window and thinking about nothing in particular. Even binge-watching TV shows (as long as you really enjoy it and don't berate yourself for being "lazy") can have a psychologically relieving effect. Goldhill quotes psychologist Michael Guttridge, who says, "Wasting time is about recharging your battery and de-cluttering," which frees up precious space in your brain, allowing you to perform more efficiently at work.
The bottom line is that worshiping productivity and downplaying relaxation is not only unhealthy, it's also totally unnecessary. As Goldhill points out, "work expands to fill the time it's given and for most of us, we could spend considerably fewer hours at the office and still get the same amount done." So it's worth experimenting with this idea - adjusting the balance of time spent working and time spent "lounging around." Most likely your productivity level won't change, but your sense of calm and fulfillment just might.
Michael Fassbender Doesn't Just Believe in Aliens - He Thinks They're Here
This week marked the world premiere of Alien: Covenant, the latest installment in the iconic Alien franchise and a sequel of sorts to 2012's Prometheus. On Thursday night, POPSUGAR was lucky enough to land at the film's world premiere in London, where we popped onto the red carpet and even saw the full film in all its terrifying glory. Before we got all the blood and scares, though, we spoke to Michael Fassbender about his character(s), his personal beliefs, and one of the most terrifying movie monsters of all time.
In Covenant, Fassbender's on double duty, playing the part of not one but two different and unique androids. "I mean, David we already know," Fassbender told us, referring to the creepy and calculating character he played in Prometheus. "It's the same guy. His head is attached to his body again." David is more horrifying and villainous than ever in the new film, and now, he has the perfect counterpart. "Walter is the new character. He's on the Covenant," he revealed, referring to the titular spaceship that brings the latest round of alien horror. Walter is an updated version of David. He's much more dutiful and more like a robot, because it's noted that David's almost-human idiosyncrasies made the previous crew too uncomfortable.
Of course, we couldn't resist asking Fassbender why he thinks Covenant (and the monsters therein) is the most horrifying edition to date. All the terror, he explained, lies in the iconic Xenomorph (the giant-foreheaded alien you associate with these films) that first appeared in Alien, the original 1979 film. As we learned from the gory trailers, this version of the creature is set to make a terrifying return. "I think the Xenomorph itself is something that's a very provocative figure," Fassbender mused. "I think it's beautiful. It's repulsive. There's no eyes to it. I think that's terrifying in itself. And that it's a parasite of sorts, it uses us as hosts. I think that, again, is quite an unsettling thought." Having seen the film, if you think the Xenomorph looks scary, wait until you see some of the horrifying sh*t it does in Covenant.
"I think they're among us already."
All things considered, you have to wonder if Fassbender believes in aliens himself. Naturally, he has an equally unsettling answer: "I think they're among us already . . . I just believe that." Um, did we just get a pitch for season eight of American Horror Story?
Alien: Covenant hits theaters on May 19.
Why Millennial Women Are Embracing Atheism
Danielle Schacter never thought she would become an un-Christian. "I slowly became more and more disgusted by the way I saw people treating others," says the 32-year-old, who was raised Baptist. "I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."
Danielle Schacter, who identifies as agnostic, and one of a growing number of people who identify with no religion. Photo courtesy of Danielle Schacter.
Schacter, like so many millennials, has chosen a secular life, and she's not alone: according to the Pew Research Center, only four in ten millennials say that religion is very important to them, compared with six in ten Baby Boomers.
The numbers of religiously unaffiliated support this too: 23 percent of the population identifies with no religion. This number is up from 2007, when it was only 16%. Of older millennials, 35% are religiously unaffiliated - and they're driving the overall growth of the non-religiously affiliated in America.
"I didn't want to be associated with a religion that preached so much hate."This is a big deal. To be religiously unaffiliated means you not only avoid identifying as a Christian or Jew or Muslim, but that you eschew organized faith all together. From there, "non-religious" can be broken down into four categories: secularism (the belief in separation of church and state and that all beliefs are equal), agnosticism (the belief that it's impossible to know if there is a god), humanism (the idea that human reason drives us, not higher powers), and atheism (the belief that there is no god). This last group, the atheists, have become increasingly vocal in recent years. They are fighting to keep religion separated from laws that affect them and to shift society away from religious trappings.
Kayley Whalen, a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." Photo courtesty of Kayley Whalen.
What's fascinating is that while millennials are moving away from religion, they are moving toward spirituality. This demographic considers itself just as spiritual as older demographics, even as they represent an exodus out of organized religion and into the throes of secularism. When you consider the issues facing young people today, the reasons for the exodus are easy to understand. In rejecting religion, millennials are asserting their progressive attitudes and passion for social justice. They're committed to the idea that they don't need religion to know the difference between right and wrong.
Perhaps no one represents this cultural shift better than millennial atheist women. While they may sit at the most extreme side of the non-religious spectrum, atheist women are fueled by the same concerns plaguing millennials in general: a quest for independence and a rejection of the status quo.
The Atheism and Feminism Connection
Lauryn Seering, 27, has never been religious, but she found atheism in high school in reaction to mainstream fundamentalist Christian ideas that condemn her lesbian mother."Millennial women want autonomy over their own bodies," says Seering, Communications Coordinator for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is dedicated to protecting the separation of church and state.
"They recognize that all the arguments against this autonomy (contraception, birth control, marriage) are religiously fueled," Seering continued. "Women aren't being pressured by society anymore to get married at a young age, have children right away, and tend house while their husbands work."
Lauren Seering, an atheist who works for the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Photo courtesy of Lauren Seering.
Schacter identifies as agnostic. She's based in Kansas City, MO, where she founded a digital marketing agency called Boxer & Mutt. To her, growing secularism is a sign of independent women. "It's becoming more socially acceptable for women to think for themselves and really question why things are the way they are, rather than blindly accepting them," she says.
Kayley Whalen, 31, is a queer transgender Latinx woman who identifies as "a humanist and an existentialist and an atheist." These different identities certainly influence how she approaches the world. "We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural," Whalen says. "We believe in social justice, that we can live a life with meaning, purpose, and dedication to social justice without the need for supernatural guidance." Unsurprisingly, Whalen's beliefs are tied up in her activist work: she's the digital strategy and social media manager for the National LGBT Task Force and is on the board of directors for both the Secular Student Alliance and the Trans United Fund.
As Whalen epitomizes, many young women who do not believe in god share a point of view that goes beyond just being atheist or just being a woman. The two are intertwined identities oppressed similarly in the United States.
"We have ethical values without the need for the supernatural.Lee Blackwolf, who runs the popular Facebook page Black Atheists, constantly copes with this intersection. "It's important to me because, as a black bisexual woman, there's not many of us who are atheist," explains Blackwolf, a 29-year-old stay-at-home mother in Twinsburg, OH. "We're not welcomed in most spaces that are atheists. We already have a lot of hurdles to jump through in life so it takes a lot of strength. I lost an entire family because of it. I actually have the luxury to say that I'm better off without them. It's not the same for most."
Blackwolf's concerns hint at societal assumptions about atheist women, which every women we spoke with touched on: being a woman who isn't religious breaks away from the social norms that frame womanness. Emily Greene, an artist and activist working in promotional marketing in Augusta, GA, summed it up best. "You're probably seen as less feminine," the 32 year old said. "You're definitely judged, looked at more harshly. It's an assumption that it's a negative thing."
Ironically, being atheist can mirror being religious, as it plays a role in many aspects of young life. "That was very important to me in choosing a partner," says Katherine, a 32-year-old HR manager in California. "I have gotten into some debate with friends before where they're like, 'If you're an atheist, why do you care if the other person is of faith?' I'm like, 'You - as, say, a Christian person - would not want to marry a non-Christian person."
Why Are Young Women Interested In Atheism?
Phil Zuckerman, professor of sociology and secular studies at Pitzer College, believes that young people are turning away from religion as a result of how closed-minded and conservative many congregations can be, particularly when they are responsible for enabling xenophobic and queerphobic mindsets. For instance, many churches reject the idea of same-sex marriage, while 71% of millennials support it (in comparison with only 46% of Baby Boomers).
"A lot of young people are being turned off of by that brand of Christianity," he explains. "They're just seeing religion as an institution and saying, 'Ah, screw it.' Even though that brand of Christianity is not the majority - most christians are decent, kind people who aren't anti-gay and aren't racist and aren't anti-Islamic. But they don't make the headlines. They're not dominating the news."
Molly Hanson, who grow up Catholic but is now an atheist. Photo courtesy of Molly Hanson.
The Internet is also serving as a conduit for less religion. As technology occupies more of our time, says Zuckerman, it chips away at "religion's ability to maintain a monopoly on truth...it's really corroding religion's ability to dominate our culture and dominate people's lives."
While there have always been religious skeptics - the farthest back is believed to be the Charvaka movement in 7th century, BC - the present shift away from religion is notable because the numbers of religiously unaffiliated and atheists are way up. Although the movement is still predominately male and white, more women are stepping forward as religion reveals itself to be optional in their lives - and sometimes to stand in the way of their independence.
Zuckerman believes this has to do with traditional organized religions' male-centrism: teaching women that they're second class, must remain virginal, and must stay out of leadership positions. Pair this with the amount of women in the workplace rivaling men, and the group doesn't need to turn to a church for social or financial support that churches typically offer.
Being an Atheist Is a Political Act
Molly Hanson grew up in a Catholic household but has always been skeptical of the "invisible man in the sky" who tells people what to do. The 23-year-old Hanson, like many atheists, finds that questioning faith and religion makes people wonder if something is wrong with her womanness.
"If a woman doesn't bow down to this god and lord, she must have an issue with that god or lord," says Hanson, an editorial assistant at the Freedom For Religion Foundation. "She must have been damaged. There's a reason why she decided to leave that god. She might have been morally corrupted by another man or might have - I don't know - been wronged."
This issue isn't confined to religious communities. One woman - a 30-year-old Indian American writer in New York who declined to give her name - finds this flaw in atheist leaders, too.
"The movement itself is really alienating toward women," she says. "Leaders like Richard Dawkins are pretty sexist and condescending and talk down to women. Women have been left out in those major discussions of atheism."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved.Whalen agrees: "It's really difficult that one person like a Richard Dawkins or a Bill Maher can be seen as the face of atheism. The difference between a woman who is an atheist, and a male, cisgender atheist is that a woman doesn't have the choice to be a single issue. She can't say, 'Oh, religious discrimination is the most important thing - and being a woman comes second.'"
For women who are atheists, discrimination is complicated further by the many ways their identities intersect. Gender as it relates to religious affiliation is complex, and it's even more complicated as it relates to black female atheists, as Blackwolf can attest. "A lot of black atheist men are often heard saying, 'Black women sure do love them some church!'" she says. "When we start having a discussion, there are implications about where my place in the community should be, and that's behind the man.'"
Atheist Women Want a Future of Equality
In speaking with young atheist and secular women, some throughlines appear, among them a hope for equality that could be stymied by religion's grasp on society. There is a desire to normalize differing points of view, from LGBTQ people to atheists.
Katherine sees public events like the inauguration of President Donald Trump as a perfect example. "I was really struck by so much praying happening," she says. "I'd like to see us move kind of away from that and use logic and science and that holistic definition of freedom."
The non-religious believe that, once the church is taken out of the state, equality can be achieved. Hansen believes these roadblocks arise as the result of unequal representation. "Women understand what it's like to be oppressed by laws that are rooted in religious ideas that oppress women and their sexuality," she explains. "To get more women in government positions is going to be a challenge, especially right now."
When women hold elected office, it inspires more women to run - and more women in government has a powerful trickle down effect on women as a whole.
But what if these women leaders were atheists? Would they still succeed?
Surveys have shown that atheism is one of the traits in a leader that Americans are most biased against. "I cannot imagine a president who identifies as an atheist," says the Indian-American writer in New York. "I'm a woman and a person of color: a female, person of color who is an atheist could never be the president of the United States. It feels like another barrier."
Others, like Whalen, see these many layers as vital to change: "I want a woman politician to run and say that she's an atheist and that she's for reproductive justice, that she's for transgender rights, and win. I want a transgender woman to be able to do that."
Ultimately, for atheist women (and atheists in general) to succeed at changing society, they need to continue on the path they are on and not settle for being silenced. Zuckerman draws parallels to the LGBT community. "Coming out does have an effect," he says. "More and more people feeling comfortable saying 'I'm not that religious' has an effect." Atheists just want to be seen as starting from the same place as any other decent American.
Greene sums it up nicely: "We want to get up, go to work, and enjoy our friends and families and our lifestyles just the same way as the person who gets up on Sunday and goes to church. We have our own ways of self-care. A lot of people find religion and that's how they take care of themselves - and that's great. We just do things a different way and that's OK."
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