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 9 juin 2017
Here's What Happens When a Registered Dietitian and Pro Athlete Evaluate Your Lifestyle
I consider myself healthy, since I'm a smart eater who prioritizes working out. I grew up in a household where organic produce was our guiding star and have been writing about health and fitness for 12 years. While I understand what my body needs in terms of exercise, by no means would I ever consider myself a fitness expert. And I'll be the first to admit that there's a ton I don't know about nutrition - but I would say I make good decisions when it comes to my own food.
Or, I used to say that. I recently enlisted the help of two experts. First, I had registered dietitian at Herbalife Nutrition, Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., C.S.O.W.M., F.A.N.D., evaluate my food journal for a week. While I agreed with her evaluation of what my diet was lacking (more on that below), I was also surprised by some of the feedback. Had I been living in my own little food bubble? Then I consulted former professional sprinter and fitness expert at Herbalife Nutrition, Samantha Clayton, to see if my go-to exercise routines were on track.
See what I learned and how I've since tweaked my eating and workouts.
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim
The first thing I did was take note of everything I consumed for an entire week and sent it off to Bowerman. Then I shared my workouts with Clayton. After a few days, I received extensive notes on how I could be making improvements throughout the day. Here are the biggest changes I made after reading through their advice:
Every morning for breakfast, I'd been eating a fat-free Greek yogurt with a handful of almonds. Prior to speaking with Bowerman, I would've given myself an A+ grade for that meal. But she saw it differently. "The almonds make up about 175 calories, which would be better spent on some whole fruit to boost fruit intake (80 calories or so)," Bowerman said. "And the remaining calories could be shifted to a midmorning snack, which is when you tend to get hungry."
So for the next week, I alternated between fat-free Greek yogurt with a handful of organic blueberries, and a protein shake – which was made with Herbalife Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix, Herbalife Personalized Protein Powder, almond milk, spinach leaves, and a few frozen strawberries. Because I was consuming fewer calories, I was able to then have more fruit later in the morning if I got hungry.
I wasn't surprised to hear Bowerman tell me this. Almost every item in my food journal was protein, dairy, or fat. "You are getting plenty of exercise, but I am not sure that your diet is providing adequate carbohydrate to support that." Bowerman said she wanted me to get some "good" carbs in before workouts and recommended I eat bananas beforehand. She also suggested that I add beans or lentils to my lunch (usually salad or a piece of chicken), which would supply some protein.
So for the next week, I followed both suggestions. I added spelt, green lentil, and long grain rice into salads and stir-frys for lunch. This kept me much fuller than my usual salad or protein-only lunches.
See an example of a new lunch dish below:
Source: POPSUGAR Photography/ Rebecca Brown
The fitness log I shared with Clayton included all of my exercise for the week. It consisted of two 30-minute jogs, two-and-a-half hours of indoor competitive volleyball, a reformer Pilates class, and a 50-minute spin class. This was pretty typical for me. She agreed with Bowerman that I needed more carbs to fuel my workouts, but my diet wasn't the only thing she wanted me to diversify. She felt a wider range of dynamic movements would benefit my body and my volleyball performance. "Your current routine is very linear in nature, and as volleyball involves lateral movements, training your body with some sideways movement may improve your game," Clayton said. "Cycling and running tend to focus on forward and backward movements, but for those moments when moving sideways is essential, you need to be ready by working on those small muscles and tendons that are responsible for stability." As someone who has had more athletic injuries than I can count, this resonated. It's information I knew, but I wasn't practicing. It was helpful to have someone call me out.
She suggested I integrate the following moves into my week as a way to strengthen key stabilizers: side steps, speed skaters, side hops, lateral lunges, and obstacle runs.
One of my routine habits after getting home from work was to fill up on cheese while I prepared dinner. My commute home is roughly 90 minutes, so by the time I get there, I'm starving. But since dinner isn't ready - I have to make it when I get home - I eat a lot of cheese as an immediate solution. Bowerman had a great suggestion, though. She encouraged me to eat a snack later in the afternoon that was packed with protein so that I wouldn't be so hungry when I got home.
For the following week, I had a protein bar around 3:00 p.m. I was still hungry by the time I got home, but far less than normal. I was able to really cut down on cheese because of this.
In my mind, I'd been getting tons of fruits and vegetables, but Bowerman saw this differently. "Although you say that your diet leans toward lean meats and vegetables, the first thing that jumped out at me was inadequate servings of fruits and vegetables every day." This really surprised me, but when I looked over my food diary, I couldn't argue with her. I was almost uncomfortable with how little fruit I'd been eating. As a goal, I should have been filling half of my plate with fruits and vegetables.
For the next week, I added in the blueberries for breakfast (as noted above) and made sure that I kept a close eye on lunches and dinners. In addition to my usual dinners (burger with no bun, or a chicken and cauliflower rice stir-fry), there had to be a bounty of spinach, broccoli, or other greens. One day I had a green juice, but Bowerman actually wasn't that big of a fan. "I would caution against drinking fruits and vegetables (apple juice and cold-pressed organic greens and kale) rather than eating them," she began. "For the same calories, you could be eating more servings of fruits and vegetables."
While I only had to abide by Bowerman and Clayton's suggestions for a week, I've definitely continued on their food and fitness plans. I find that I have much more sustained energy, and I'm allowing myself to eat more throughout the day. And by focusing on small muscle groups like Clayton said I should, I feel more confident knowing that I'm focusing on injury prevention.
More From Herbalife Nutrition
Follow Herbalife Nutrition on Facebook for more expert tips to help you lead a healthy, active life.
11 Books Written by or About Refugees to Add to Your Summer Reading List
While politicians continue to debate helping refugees while simultaneously refusing to allow them to resettle in the countries they lead, some 65 million people suffer worldwide.
The crisis in Syria has accentuated what harrowing circumstances refugees face, but it's not just happening there: people escaping war, famine, and extreme poverty across the Middle East have sought asylum across Europe in recent years.
Too often the plight of refugees is politicized, as is the case now, but one way to combat misrepresentations of refugees is simply by reading their stories. We asked Amazon book editor Sarah Smith to recommend a few books both about refugees and by refugees to enlighten readers of their stories. Ahead are her choices of poetry, short stories, and novels with a brief description about each selection.
Before and After Photos of California's Drought Are Staggering to See
California looks a bit unfamiliar to residents these days: following historic rainfall, the state's landscape has bloomed, bringing life to its formerly brown hills dogged by drought. On April 7, California Governor Jerry Brown officially lifted the state's emergency water provisions, thus declaring an end to a record-breaking drought.
Brown, who's been particularly critical of President Donald Trump's climate policies, declared an end to the water restrictions he imposed in January of 2014. "This drought emergency is over, but the next drought could be around the corner," Governor Brown's statement read. "Conservation must remain a way of life."
California's six-year drought had reached unprecedented levels by the Spring of 2015. According to the United States' drought monitor, more than 30 percent of California was experiencing exceptional drought; at its peak, between 2012 and 2015, the drought emptied groundwater reservoirs, which ultimately forced Brown to implement restrictions for farmers and citizens.
Now recovering, the Sierra Nevada mountain range has also witnessed a massive revival: its snowpack levels are currently 160 percent above average for this time of the year.
California's rainfall is certainly a reason to celebrate, but as Brown warned, it isn't evidence disproving the existence of climate change (as the new EPA director believes).
Ahead, see a series of images comparing the drought from 2014 and 2017; the photos on top are from the height of the drought and the ones right below are from present-day California.
Where Is the Asexual Representation in LGBTQ Pride?
June is Pride Month, a celebration of the history and contributions of the some nine million lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and generally queer people in America. Celebrations like this matter, as they raise awareness for minority communities. But for too long, activists say, one segment of the LGBTQ population has gone unrecognized: asexuals.
While groups like nonbinary people and pansexuals have received ample news coverage recently, some communities have yet to get their due. Asexuals - or those who sexually identify as not experiencing sexual attraction - say there are still barriers to their acceptance, not only in the mainstream but also within the LGBTQ community, where they feel they belong. Asexuals see themselves under the umbrella of sexual queerness but say they are often met with exclusion by members of the LGBTQ community, who may question their status as an oppressed group.
Sara Beth Brooks (pictured above) has an idea of why this gap in acceptance occurs. Brooks identifies as "ace" - a shorthand description for asexuals - and is an ace activist. She founded Asexual Awareness Week in 2010 as a yearly means to highlight her community; it occurs in late October. "Asexuality is an expansion of our understanding of sexuality rather than a limit," she explained. "We get a lot of pushback from the queer community on folks thinking that we're trying to set queer rights back by engaging in conversations about what it's like to not have sex in a relationship."
I'm at the @WhiteHouse today with bi, pan, and ace leaders from around the country! #biweek #biwh15 #stillbisexual http://pic.twitter.com/nDaYWyFgPT
- Sara Beth Brooks (@sarabethbrooks) September 21, 2015
Despite years of work, activists like Brooks have been met with hesitance by organizations and the LGBTQ community. Stacey Long Simmons, director of advocacy and action at the National LGBTQ Task Force, sees this as a recurring theme in advocacy. "There's a tension between those who believe in conformity and those who embrace nonconformity," Simmons said. "That is something that happens in many movements, whether it's a women's movement or a civil rights movement or a racial justice movement."
Asexuals say they often experience isolation and stereotyping. A main assumption about asexuals is that there is something physically wrong with them. "Many people assume that not being interested in sexual attraction or experiencing sexual activity is a function of 'broken' genitalia, which isn't the case," Brooks explained. Recent studies have backed up the idea that asexuality is neither a symptom of sexual dysfunction, the product of low libido, nor a mental disorder. Asexual people simply lack sexual attraction.
Widespread misunderstanding often leads to attempts to correct or "teach" asexuals how to enjoy sex. The consequences can be serious. "This sometimes takes the form of, 'Have you seen a doctor about that?' or 'Couldn't you just take a pill to correct it?'" Brooks said. "This can go as far as corrective rape . . . [which] leads to a conversation about sexual violence and the way that sex is used as a form or tool of power to attempt to fix someone."
As Brooks explains, her work and Asexual Awareness Week were started specifically to lobby national LGBTQ organizations for inclusion. They've been successful, too, as the Task Force, GLAAD, and The Trevor Project have adopted their cause to help prevent their erasure - a problem that occurs when identities are left out of conversations and activism, and therefore forgotten.
This attitude represents the growing momentum for asexual people. Simmons says the Task Force has seen an increase in asexual identification: at its annual Creating Change conference, asexual representation has risen from 0.8 percent of attendees in 2015 to 1.2 percent in 2017. Paired with news of asexual politicians and media coverage (and criticism) of The CW's Riverdale, society is discussing ace lives more and more.
Yet Brooks says true success, in her eyes, will only be achieved when there's a mainstream, basic understanding of what it really means to be ace. "There are groups of people who identify as asexual who don't have access to information," she said. "It's a matter of having access to good information about sex and sexuality that leads us back to a conversation about better education in high school and in college."
"When you say the word 'gay' out loud, everyone knows that you're talking about a sexual orientation," Brooks said. "Everyone knows that you're talking about people who are attracted to the same gender. When you say the word 'asexual' out loud, people think you're talking about biology."
As activism goes, Brooks realizes these efforts take time but is hopeful asexual people will eventually get their due in the LGBTQ Pride Month spectrum. "This is an age-old conversation that won't go away," Simmons said. "When it's not the ace community, it will be another set of communities of people. It's probably something we will grapple with as long as we are a part of the human race."
Here's What Happens When a Registered Dietitian and Pro Athlete Evaluate Your Lifestyle
I consider myself healthy, since I'm a smart eater who prioritizes working out. I grew up in a household where organic produce was our guiding star and have been writing about health and fitness for 12 years. While I understand what my body needs in terms of exercise, by no means would I ever consider myself a fitness expert. And I'll be the first to admit that there's a ton I don't know about nutrition - but I would say I make good decisions when it comes to my own food.
Or, I used to say that. I recently enlisted the help of two experts. First, I had registered dietitian at Herbalife Nutrition, Susan Bowerman, M.S., R.D., C.S.S.D., C.S.O.W.M., F.A.N.D., evaluate my food journal for a week. While I agreed with her evaluation of what my diet was lacking (more on that below), I was also surprised by some of the feedback. Had I been living in my own little food bubble? Then I consulted former professional sprinter and fitness expert at Herbalife Nutrition, Samantha Clayton, to see if my go-to exercise routines were on track.
See what I learned and how I've since tweaked my eating and workouts.
Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sheila Gim
The first thing I did was take note of everything I consumed for an entire week and sent it off to Bowerman. Then I shared my workouts with Clayton. After a few days, I received extensive notes on how I could be making improvements throughout the day. Here are the biggest changes I made after reading through their advice:
Every morning for breakfast, I'd been eating a fat-free Greek yogurt with a handful of almonds. Prior to speaking with Bowerman, I would've given myself an A+ grade for that meal. But she saw it differently. "The almonds make up about 175 calories, which would be better spent on some whole fruit to boost fruit intake (80 calories or so)," Bowerman said. "And the remaining calories could be shifted to a midmorning snack, which is when you tend to get hungry."
So for the next week, I alternated between fat-free Greek yogurt with a handful of organic blueberries, and a protein shake – which was made with Herbalife Formula 1 Nutritional Shake Mix, Herbalife Personalized Protein Powder, almond milk, spinach leaves, and a few frozen strawberries. Because I was consuming fewer calories, I was able to then have more fruit later in the morning if I got hungry.
I wasn't surprised to hear Bowerman tell me this. Almost every item in my food journal was protein, dairy, or fat. "You are getting plenty of exercise, but I am not sure that your diet is providing adequate carbohydrate to support that." Bowerman said she wanted me to get some "good" carbs in before workouts and recommended I eat bananas beforehand. She also suggested that I add beans or lentils to my lunch (usually salad or a piece of chicken), which would supply some protein.
So for the next week, I followed both suggestions. I added spelt, green lentil, and long grain rice into salads and stir-frys for lunch. This kept me much fuller than my usual salad or protein-only lunches.
See an example of a new lunch dish below:
Source: POPSUGAR Photography/ Rebecca Brown
The fitness log I shared with Clayton included all of my exercise for the week. It consisted of two 30-minute jogs, two-and-a-half hours of indoor competitive volleyball, a reformer Pilates class, and a 50-minute spin class. This was pretty typical for me. She agreed with Bowerman that I needed more carbs to fuel my workouts, but my diet wasn't the only thing she wanted me to diversify. She felt a wider range of dynamic movements would benefit my body and my volleyball performance. "Your current routine is very linear in nature, and as volleyball involves lateral movements, training your body with some sideways movement may improve your game," Clayton said. "Cycling and running tend to focus on forward and backward movements, but for those moments when moving sideways is essential, you need to be ready by working on those small muscles and tendons that are responsible for stability." As someone who has had more athletic injuries than I can count, this resonated. It's information I knew, but I wasn't practicing. It was helpful to have someone call me out.
She suggested I integrate the following moves into my week as a way to strengthen key stabilizers: side steps, speed skaters, side hops, lateral lunges, and obstacle runs.
One of my routine habits after getting home from work was to fill up on cheese while I prepared dinner. My commute home is roughly 90 minutes, so by the time I get there, I'm starving. But since dinner isn't ready - I have to make it when I get home - I eat a lot of cheese as an immediate solution. Bowerman had a great suggestion, though. She encouraged me to eat a snack later in the afternoon that was packed with protein so that I wouldn't be so hungry when I got home.
For the following week, I had a protein bar around 3:00 p.m. I was still hungry by the time I got home, but far less than normal. I was able to really cut down on cheese because of this.
In my mind, I'd been getting tons of fruits and vegetables, but Bowerman saw this differently. "Although you say that your diet leans toward lean meats and vegetables, the first thing that jumped out at me was inadequate servings of fruits and vegetables every day." This really surprised me, but when I looked over my food diary, I couldn't argue with her. I was almost uncomfortable with how little fruit I'd been eating. As a goal, I should have been filling half of my plate with fruits and vegetables.
For the next week, I added in the blueberries for breakfast (as noted above) and made sure that I kept a close eye on lunches and dinners. In addition to my usual dinners (burger with no bun, or a chicken and cauliflower rice stir-fry), there had to be a bounty of spinach, broccoli, or other greens. One day I had a green juice, but Bowerman actually wasn't that big of a fan. "I would caution against drinking fruits and vegetables (apple juice and cold-pressed organic greens and kale) rather than eating them," she began. "For the same calories, you could be eating more servings of fruits and vegetables."
While I only had to abide by Bowerman and Clayton's suggestions for a week, I've definitely continued on their food and fitness plans. I find that I have much more sustained energy, and I'm allowing myself to eat more throughout the day. And by focusing on small muscle groups like Clayton said I should, I feel more confident knowing that I'm focusing on injury prevention.
More From Herbalife Nutrition
Follow Herbalife Nutrition on Facebook for more expert tips to help you lead a healthy, active life.
Build Serious Strength With This Badass Kettlebell Circuit Workout
Get stronger, tone up, break a sweat, and feel like a total badass: Diakadi personal trainer Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, created this strength-building workout for women, with both bodyweight and kettlebell moves for a seriously challenging circuit.
Complete these six moves, and then do it all over again - two more times - for three rounds total (feel free to take a break to get some water in between circuits!). You'll be dripping in sweat by the end (at the latest) and feeling more powerful than ever.
Find Relief From Springtime Allergies With These Natural Remedies
You wish you were psyched by this warmer Spring weather, but your itchy eyes and stuffy head make it impossible to enjoy. It's so cruel - you might as well buy stock in Kleenex because your never-ending runny nose keeps it in business. Of course, you can pop pills or use nasal sprays, but the not-so-fun side effects that include drowsiness, foggy head, and dry mouth make you want to throw them out the window (and quickly close it so pollen doesn't get inside!). But you can get relief without relying on a prescription. Here are some natural ways to relieve all your allergy symptoms.
Itchy Eyes
For contact lens wearers, you'll want to remove them and sport your glasses instead as your lenses can trap allergens in your eyes, making the itch and redness even worse. Run a washcloth under cold water, and apply that to your eyes to cool the burning sensation. Washing the eyes out with over-the-counter saline can also offer a world of difference.
Stuffiness and Runny Nose
Becoming as popular as brushing your teeth (and recommended by ear, nose, and throat doctors), nasal irrigation is an effective way to flush allergens from your nose and sinuses to relieve congestion and that constantly dripping nose. Buy a neti poti or this nifty bottle. Fill it with a warm salt and distilled or purified water solution (tap water isn't recommended). Place it in one nostril, lean your head forward over a sink, and allow the solution to flow up and out the other nostril. It may sound painful, but if you do it correctly, you won't feel a thing. The heat soothes irritated sinuses, and the water lubricates as well as loosens up mucus and washes allergens away. Purchase saline spray to keep in your purse or gym bag for on-the-go relief.
Severe Congestion and Sinus Pressure
This may be one of the worst allergy symptoms because the pain can be so debilitating, you won't be able to work, drive, or sleep. Decongestants often dry up the mucus, making symptoms even worse, so try a hot compress instead. Run a washcloth under hot water, and apply it directly to your face. Gently run your fingertips along your sinuses (above and below the eyes) to manually loosen up thick mucus. Microwavable rice pillows work well too since they'll stay hotter longer. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil below your nostrils, which can also help open up nasal passages. Another remedy is to do some heat-building cardio such as running, jumping rope, or a cardio class (indoor is best to avoid those treacherous allergens). Getting sweaty can help relieve blockages - just be sure to have a pack of tissues handy. Hot yoga is also beneficial because you'll not only get sweaty, but certain poses such as Headstand can also offer relief from persistent sinus pressure. Sipping hot beverages such as tea or broth can also give relief.
Congestion or Coughing at Night
Lying in bed is a trigger for some people, and the inability to breathe coupled with coughing attacks will make it downright impossible to get a good night's sleep. Always keep your bedroom window closed to keep pollen out, and invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter to clean allergens out of the air. Sleeping with a humidifier on your nightstand will moisten the air, loosening mucus and preventing a dry throat that can cause coughing.
All Allergy Symptoms
If you suffer from every allergy symptom under the pollen-filled sky, a simple hot shower can help tremendously. Take a shower anytime you come in from being outside to wash pollen out of your hair and off your skin (and throw your clothes straight into the washing machine). The heat and steam break up congestion, but you can even put your face into the hot spray for quicker, more effective results. This is perfect to do if you suffer from postnasal drip at night. Eating honey made locally can also reduce allergy symptoms - it contains small amounts of the pollen found in your area, so your body can build up an immunity to it, which can make symptoms less severe.
You may not find relief from one of these remedies alone, but rather a combination can do the trick. If you hate relying on prescription allergy meds, it's definitely worth a shot!
Build Serious Strength With This Badass Kettlebell Circuit Workout
Get stronger, tone up, break a sweat, and feel like a total badass: Diakadi personal trainer Liz Letchford, MS, ATC, created this strength-building workout for women, with both bodyweight and kettlebell moves for a seriously challenging circuit.
Complete these six moves, and then do it all over again - two more times - for three rounds total (feel free to take a break to get some water in between circuits!). You'll be dripping in sweat by the end (at the latest) and feeling more powerful than ever.
Selena Gomez Plays Trivia With a Fan - and Fails to Answer Questions About Herself
Selena Gomez had no idea what she was getting into when she agreed to play a game of Fan vs. Artist, a version of trivia to figure out how well she knows herself. The singer went against one of her biggest fans, Brooke, while iHeartRadio's Maxwell refereed.
All was going well in the beginning, when Selena got the first question right (about her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show appearance in 2015), and while she got a few answers mixed up after that, they were REALLY hard so we give her a pass. How is she supposed to know what time Alex changes the clock to in the opening of Wizards of Waverly Place? See what we mean? Watch the video above to hear the question that caused Selena's loss.
Find Relief From Springtime Allergies With These Natural Remedies
You wish you were psyched by this warmer Spring weather, but your itchy eyes and stuffy head make it impossible to enjoy. It's so cruel - you might as well buy stock in Kleenex because your never-ending runny nose keeps it in business. Of course, you can pop pills or use nasal sprays, but the not-so-fun side effects that include drowsiness, foggy head, and dry mouth make you want to throw them out the window (and quickly close it so pollen doesn't get inside!). But you can get relief without relying on a prescription. Here are some natural ways to relieve all your allergy symptoms.
Itchy Eyes
For contact lens wearers, you'll want to remove them and sport your glasses instead as your lenses can trap allergens in your eyes, making the itch and redness even worse. Run a washcloth under cold water, and apply that to your eyes to cool the burning sensation. Washing the eyes out with over-the-counter saline can also offer a world of difference.
Stuffiness and Runny Nose
Becoming as popular as brushing your teeth (and recommended by ear, nose, and throat doctors), nasal irrigation is an effective way to flush allergens from your nose and sinuses to relieve congestion and that constantly dripping nose. Buy a neti poti or this nifty bottle. Fill it with a warm salt and distilled or purified water solution (tap water isn't recommended). Place it in one nostril, lean your head forward over a sink, and allow the solution to flow up and out the other nostril. It may sound painful, but if you do it correctly, you won't feel a thing. The heat soothes irritated sinuses, and the water lubricates as well as loosens up mucus and washes allergens away. Purchase saline spray to keep in your purse or gym bag for on-the-go relief.
Severe Congestion and Sinus Pressure
This may be one of the worst allergy symptoms because the pain can be so debilitating, you won't be able to work, drive, or sleep. Decongestants often dry up the mucus, making symptoms even worse, so try a hot compress instead. Run a washcloth under hot water, and apply it directly to your face. Gently run your fingertips along your sinuses (above and below the eyes) to manually loosen up thick mucus. Microwavable rice pillows work well too since they'll stay hotter longer. Put a few drops of eucalyptus oil below your nostrils, which can also help open up nasal passages. Another remedy is to do some heat-building cardio such as running, jumping rope, or a cardio class (indoor is best to avoid those treacherous allergens). Getting sweaty can help relieve blockages - just be sure to have a pack of tissues handy. Hot yoga is also beneficial because you'll not only get sweaty, but certain poses such as Headstand can also offer relief from persistent sinus pressure. Sipping hot beverages such as tea or broth can also give relief.
Congestion or Coughing at Night
Lying in bed is a trigger for some people, and the inability to breathe coupled with coughing attacks will make it downright impossible to get a good night's sleep. Always keep your bedroom window closed to keep pollen out, and invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter to clean allergens out of the air. Sleeping with a humidifier on your nightstand will moisten the air, loosening mucus and preventing a dry throat that can cause coughing.
All Allergy Symptoms
If you suffer from every allergy symptom under the pollen-filled sky, a simple hot shower can help tremendously. Take a shower anytime you come in from being outside to wash pollen out of your hair and off your skin (and throw your clothes straight into the washing machine). The heat and steam break up congestion, but you can even put your face into the hot spray for quicker, more effective results. This is perfect to do if you suffer from postnasal drip at night. Eating honey made locally can also reduce allergy symptoms - it contains small amounts of the pollen found in your area, so your body can build up an immunity to it, which can make symptoms less severe.
You may not find relief from one of these remedies alone, but rather a combination can do the trick. If you hate relying on prescription allergy meds, it's definitely worth a shot!
2 of Your Favorite Characters From Wonder Woman Will Be Back For Justice League
Now that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Wonder Woman have both been released, Warner Bros. already has another superhero film lined up for us to get excited about. After much speculation, the company confirmed that the Justice League movies are officially a go, and a few key details (including the plot and some exciting cast members) have been revealed. Take a look at what we already know about the next movies below.
OITNB: Do You Remember Where Crazy Eyes Is at the End of Season 4?
Going into the fifth season of Orange Is the New Black, there's no denying where our focus will be. As you may recall, the fourth season devastated us with the death of Poussey, then left us hanging with the ultimate cliffhanger. Suffice it to say, we know where we'll be starting off. Despite the fact that most of the inmates are present for the whole gun debacle that will launch season five, there are a few stragglers who are elsewhere as the next chapter begins. Right now, we're focusing on Crazy Eyes and Maureen. Do you remember where they are as we make our return to Litchfield?
Let's take things back to one of the most disturbing moments of season four. In the final episodes of the season, the new and totally f*cked up COs start to pick on Crazy Eyes in a very real way. In fact, they want one of the other inmates to brawl with her. Maureen eventually volunteers to be this person, in what we hope is a heroic move to go easy on Crazy Eyes. The two actually do fight, and Crazy Eyes beats up Maureen pretty badly, sending her to the infirmary.
Later on is the whole ordeal with Poussey. During a peaceful protest gone wrong in the cafeteria, Crazy Eyes is struck with sudden guilt after her fight with Maureen. She experiences a mental snap and begins to chant "I did a bad thing!" over and over again. Because she can't control herself, she inadvertently causes Poussey's death.
In the final episode, Crazy Eyes spends time putting heavy objects on top of herself. She's hoping to feel what Poussey felt in those final moments when she was suffocated. Crazy Eyes ends up pulling a whole bookshelf onto herself in the library, and finally she gets sent to the medical ward. As luck would have it, she's right next to Maureen. Whether the two will fully recover (and still involve themselves with each other) remains to be seen. But now that season five is up on Netflix, the answers await!
Birth Control Recall: Packaging Mistake Could Cause "Unintended" Pregnancies
If there's one thing you want to work like it should, it's your birth control. But a packaging mistake is sending fear down women's spines after Lupin Pharmaceuticals issued a birth control recall.
All Mibelas 24 FE birth control packets have been recalled because of a packaging mistake that could cause women to take the wrong pills. Due to the error, the plastic covering on the blister packs are rotated 180 degrees, which reverses the weekly tablet order. This means that women could accidentally take placebo pills during the first four days of the month instead of active tablets.
"As a result of this packaging error, oral contraceptive tablets that are taken out of sequence may place the user at risk for contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy," a statement about the recall noted.
Due to the packaging mix-up, the lot numbers might not be visible, but the effected pills are labeled lot no. L600518. If you take Mibelas and aren't interested in having a baby, return your pills to the pharmacy immediately.
The 1 Car Seat Rule Even the Most Safety-Conscious Parent Doesn't Know
Most newer car and car seat models use the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), but even the most safety-conscious of parents may be misusing the simple car seat installation method. The LATCH system attaches the car seat to the vehicle through anchor points installed in the car and connectors on the car seat, which makes for easy installation and can eliminate potential errors resulting from installing a car seat with a seat belt. However, many parents don't know that the 65-pound weight limit for using the LATCH system includes the weight of your child as well as the weight of the car seat itself (most average between 20-25 pounds).
We spoke with Sarah Tilton, Britax's Child Passenger Safety Technician and Chair of the National Child Passenger Safety Board, who confirmed LATCH weight limit guidelines for us. "Very often we see a misuse with LATCH systems as families don't know that they have a total weight capacity," she told POPSUGAR. "Your car seat plus your child cannot weight more than 65 pounds. There's a label on the side of every car seat manufactured since 2014 that tells you what that child's weight capacity is for lower anchors."
Kate Koch-Sundquist, mom and Parent.co editor, is a self-proclaimed "car-seat safety fanatic," but even she was unaware of this common and dangerous mistake.
If there's one thing I'm crazy about, it's my kids' safety. That's why I was surprised – no, shocked – to discover that a car seat safety rule exists that I didn't know about. As a result, I was unknowingly putting my son in an unsafe position. . . . At 45 pounds, my 5-year-old is still in a five-point harness car seat, which he will probably be in until he gets his driver's license. (Is there a rule about driving from a car seat?) Up until today, his car seat was secured using the LATCH system. I had never even noticed the sticker on the side which specifies that the LATCH system is for use up to 40 pounds only. I guess I'm not perfect after all.
If you, too, find you're making this error - or want to avoid doing so in the future - be sure to check the sticker on your child's car seat to find the maximum weight limit for installing that car seat with LATCH. Once your child has reached capacity, consult your vehicle owner's manual and car seat user guide to ensure you're correctly installing your child's seat using a seat belt and tether.
OITNB: Do You Remember Where Crazy Eyes Is at the End of Season 4?
Going into the fifth season of Orange Is the New Black, there's no denying where our focus will be. As you may recall, the fourth season devastated us with the death of Poussey, then left us hanging with the ultimate cliffhanger. Suffice it to say, we know where we'll be starting off. Despite the fact that most of the inmates are present for the whole gun debacle that will launch season five, there are a few stragglers who are elsewhere as the next chapter begins. Right now, we're focusing on Crazy Eyes and Maureen. Do you remember where they are as we make our return to Litchfield?
Let's take things back to one of the most disturbing moments of season four. In the final episodes of the season, the new and totally f*cked up COs start to pick on Crazy Eyes in a very real way. In fact, they want one of the other inmates to brawl with her. Maureen eventually volunteers to be this person, in what we hope is a heroic move to go easy on Crazy Eyes. The two actually do fight, and Crazy Eyes beats up Maureen pretty badly, sending her to the infirmary.
Later on is the whole ordeal with Poussey. During a peaceful protest gone wrong in the cafeteria, Crazy Eyes is struck with sudden guilt after her fight with Maureen. She experiences a mental snap and begins to chant "I did a bad thing!" over and over again. Because she can't control herself, she inadvertently causes Poussey's death.
In the final episode, Crazy Eyes spends time putting heavy objects on top of herself. She's hoping to feel what Poussey felt in those final moments when she was suffocated. Crazy Eyes ends up pulling a whole bookshelf onto herself in the library, and finally she gets sent to the medical ward. As luck would have it, she's right next to Maureen. Whether the two will fully recover (and still involve themselves with each other) remains to be seen. But now that season five is up on Netflix, the answers await!
Selena Gomez Plays Trivia With a Fan - and Fails to Answer Questions About Herself
Selena Gomez had no idea what she was getting into when she agreed to play a game of Fan vs. Artist, a version of trivia to figure out how well she knows herself. The singer went against one of her biggest fans, Brooke, while iHeartRadio's Maxwell refereed.
All was going well in the beginning, when Selena got the first question right (about her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show appearance in 2015), and while she got a few answers mixed up after that, they were REALLY hard so we give her a pass. How is she supposed to know what time Alex changes the clock to in the opening of Wizards of Waverly Place? See what we mean? Watch the video above to hear the question that caused Selena's loss.
11 Books Written by or About Refugees to Add to Your Summer Reading List
While politicians continue to debate helping refugees while simultaneously refusing to allow them to resettle in the countries they lead, some 65 million people suffer worldwide.
The crisis in Syria has accentuated what harrowing circumstances refugees face, but it's not just happening there: people escaping war, famine, and extreme poverty across the Middle East have sought asylum across Europe in recent years.
Too often the plight of refugees is politicized, as is the case now, but one way to combat misrepresentations of refugees is simply by reading their stories. We asked Amazon book editor Sarah Smith to recommend a few books both about refugees and by refugees to enlighten readers of their stories. Ahead are her choices of poetry, short stories, and novels with a brief description about each selection.
Before and After Photos of California's Drought Are Staggering to See
California looks a bit unfamiliar to residents these days: following historic rainfall, the state's landscape has bloomed, bringing life to its formerly brown hills dogged by drought. On April 7, California Governor Jerry Brown officially lifted the state's emergency water provisions, thus declaring an end to a record-breaking drought.
Brown, who's been particularly critical of President Donald Trump's climate policies, declared an end to the water restrictions he imposed in January of 2014. "This drought emergency is over, but the next drought could be around the corner," Governor Brown's statement read. "Conservation must remain a way of life."
California's six-year drought had reached unprecedented levels by the Spring of 2015. According to the United States' drought monitor, more than 30 percent of California was experiencing exceptional drought; at its peak, between 2012 and 2015, the drought emptied groundwater reservoirs, which ultimately forced Brown to implement restrictions for farmers and citizens.
Now recovering, the Sierra Nevada mountain range has also witnessed a massive revival: its snowpack levels are currently 160 percent above average for this time of the year.
California's rainfall is certainly a reason to celebrate, but as Brown warned, it isn't evidence disproving the existence of climate change (as the new EPA director believes).
Ahead, see a series of images comparing the drought from 2014 and 2017; the photos on top are from the height of the drought and the ones right below are from present-day California.
Where Is the Asexual Representation in LGBTQ Pride?
June is Pride Month, a celebration of the history and contributions of the some nine million lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and generally queer people in America. Celebrations like this matter, as they raise awareness for minority communities. But for too long, activists say, one segment of the LGBTQ population has gone unrecognized: asexuals.
While groups like nonbinary people and pansexuals have received ample news coverage recently, some communities have yet to get their due. Asexuals - or those who sexually identify as not experiencing sexual attraction - say there are still barriers to their acceptance, not only in the mainstream but also within the LGBTQ community, where they feel they belong. Asexuals see themselves under the umbrella of sexual queerness but say they are often met with exclusion by members of the LGBTQ community, who may question their status as an oppressed group.
Sara Beth Brooks (pictured above) has an idea of why this gap in acceptance occurs. Brooks identifies as "ace" - a shorthand description for asexuals - and is an ace activist. She founded Asexual Awareness Week in 2010 as a yearly means to highlight her community; it occurs in late October. "Asexuality is an expansion of our understanding of sexuality rather than a limit," she explained. "We get a lot of pushback from the queer community on folks thinking that we're trying to set queer rights back by engaging in conversations about what it's like to not have sex in a relationship."
I'm at the @WhiteHouse today with bi, pan, and ace leaders from around the country! #biweek #biwh15 #stillbisexual http://pic.twitter.com/nDaYWyFgPT
- Sara Beth Brooks (@sarabethbrooks) September 21, 2015
Despite years of work, activists like Brooks have been met with hesitance by organizations and the LGBTQ community. Stacey Long Simmons, director of advocacy and action at the National LGBTQ Task Force, sees this as a recurring theme in advocacy. "There's a tension between those who believe in conformity and those who embrace nonconformity," Simmons said. "That is something that happens in many movements, whether it's a women's movement or a civil rights movement or a racial justice movement."
Asexuals say they often experience isolation and stereotyping. A main assumption about asexuals is that there is something physically wrong with them. "Many people assume that not being interested in sexual attraction or experiencing sexual activity is a function of 'broken' genitalia, which isn't the case," Brooks explained. Recent studies have backed up the idea that asexuality is neither a symptom of sexual dysfunction, the product of low libido, nor a mental disorder. Asexual people simply lack sexual attraction.
Widespread misunderstanding often leads to attempts to correct or "teach" asexuals how to enjoy sex. The consequences can be serious. "This sometimes takes the form of, 'Have you seen a doctor about that?' or 'Couldn't you just take a pill to correct it?'" Brooks said. "This can go as far as corrective rape . . . [which] leads to a conversation about sexual violence and the way that sex is used as a form or tool of power to attempt to fix someone."
As Brooks explains, her work and Asexual Awareness Week were started specifically to lobby national LGBTQ organizations for inclusion. They've been successful, too, as the Task Force, GLAAD, and The Trevor Project have adopted their cause to help prevent their erasure - a problem that occurs when identities are left out of conversations and activism, and therefore forgotten.
This attitude represents the growing momentum for asexual people. Simmons says the Task Force has seen an increase in asexual identification: at its annual Creating Change conference, asexual representation has risen from 0.8 percent of attendees in 2015 to 1.2 percent in 2017. Paired with news of asexual politicians and media coverage (and criticism) of The CW's Riverdale, society is discussing ace lives more and more.
Yet Brooks says true success, in her eyes, will only be achieved when there's a mainstream, basic understanding of what it really means to be ace. "There are groups of people who identify as asexual who don't have access to information," she said. "It's a matter of having access to good information about sex and sexuality that leads us back to a conversation about better education in high school and in college."
"When you say the word 'gay' out loud, everyone knows that you're talking about a sexual orientation," Brooks said. "Everyone knows that you're talking about people who are attracted to the same gender. When you say the word 'asexual' out loud, people think you're talking about biology."
As activism goes, Brooks realizes these efforts take time but is hopeful asexual people will eventually get their due in the LGBTQ Pride Month spectrum. "This is an age-old conversation that won't go away," Simmons said. "When it's not the ace community, it will be another set of communities of people. It's probably something we will grapple with as long as we are a part of the human race."
Birth Control Recall: Packaging Mistake Could Cause "Unintended" Pregnancies
If there's one thing you want to work like it should, it's your birth control. But a packaging mistake is sending fear down women's spines after Lupin Pharmaceuticals issued a birth control recall.
All Mibelas 24 FE birth control packets have been recalled because of a packaging mistake that could cause women to take the wrong pills. Due to the error, the plastic covering on the blister packs are rotated 180 degrees, which reverses the weekly tablet order. This means that women could accidentally take placebo pills during the first four days of the month instead of active tablets.
"As a result of this packaging error, oral contraceptive tablets that are taken out of sequence may place the user at risk for contraceptive failure and unintended pregnancy," a statement about the recall noted.
Due to the packaging mix-up, the lot numbers might not be visible, but the effected pills are labeled lot no. L600518. If you take Mibelas and aren't interested in having a baby, return your pills to the pharmacy immediately.
The 1 Car Seat Rule Even the Most Safety-Conscious Parent Doesn't Know
Most newer car and car seat models use the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children), but even the most safety-conscious of parents may be misusing the simple car seat installation method. The LATCH system attaches the car seat to the vehicle through anchor points installed in the car and connectors on the car seat, which makes for easy installation and can eliminate potential errors resulting from installing a car seat with a seat belt. However, many parents don't know that the 65-pound weight limit for using the LATCH system includes the weight of your child as well as the weight of the car seat itself (most average between 20-25 pounds).
We spoke with Sarah Tilton, Britax's Child Passenger Safety Technician and Chair of the National Child Passenger Safety Board, who confirmed LATCH weight limit guidelines for us. "Very often we see a misuse with LATCH systems as families don't know that they have a total weight capacity," she told POPSUGAR. "Your car seat plus your child cannot weight more than 65 pounds. There's a label on the side of every car seat manufactured since 2014 that tells you what that child's weight capacity is for lower anchors."
Kate Koch-Sundquist, mom and Parent.co editor, is a self-proclaimed "car-seat safety fanatic," but even she was unaware of this common and dangerous mistake.
If there's one thing I'm crazy about, it's my kids' safety. That's why I was surprised – no, shocked – to discover that a car seat safety rule exists that I didn't know about. As a result, I was unknowingly putting my son in an unsafe position. . . . At 45 pounds, my 5-year-old is still in a five-point harness car seat, which he will probably be in until he gets his driver's license. (Is there a rule about driving from a car seat?) Up until today, his car seat was secured using the LATCH system. I had never even noticed the sticker on the side which specifies that the LATCH system is for use up to 40 pounds only. I guess I'm not perfect after all.
If you, too, find you're making this error - or want to avoid doing so in the future - be sure to check the sticker on your child's car seat to find the maximum weight limit for installing that car seat with LATCH. Once your child has reached capacity, consult your vehicle owner's manual and car seat user guide to ensure you're correctly installing your child's seat using a seat belt and tether.
Newborns sickened with Legionnaire's disease in home water births
Two infants born in birthing tubs last year in the U.S. were infected with Legionnaire's disease, say health officials warning people of the risk.
Uber's 4 New Controversies Show How Much More It Needs to Change
If some companies had the week Uber just had, it might be time for executives to reassess their strategy and company leadership. For Uber, however, it was simply another week in what's shaping up to be a year of company missteps that have raised questions as to whether the company's CEO, Travis Kalanick, is fit to keep leading. Though the company fired more than 20 people after investigating claims of sexual harassment, it still had a series of PR nightmares that prove nothing has been fixed when it comes to its broader cultural issues. In one week, Uber faced a flurry of negative news including firing a top executive who reportedly obtained the medical records of a customer who was raped in an Uber ride, reportedly using an algorithm to pay new employees less, and the CEO using a lactation room to meditate and also sending employees a letter in 2013 instructing them "not [to] have sex with another employee."
An Uber executive was fired after he carried around the medical records of a rape victim for a year.
In 2014, a woman was raped by the driver in an Uber ride in New Delhi, India. The driver was later arrested and is serving a life sentence in prison. However, Uber's president of business in Asia, Eric Alexander, reportedly didn't believe the rape occurred and obtained the medical records of the rape victim, reports Recode. Alexander shared the records with Kalanick and Senior Vice President Emil Michael, and the three started to wonder if a competitor intentionally planted the story. Alexander then carried around the report for a year. Recode asked Uber on June 7 whether Alexander was still with the company following the June 6 firings; he was then fired once more reporters started asking the same question.
Uber used an algorithm to figure out pay for new hires and ultimately reinforced gender pay gaps.
To save money, Uber started to use a new algorithm in 2015 to come up with "lower compensations offers for many new recruits," reports The Information. The algorithm ended up doing two things: it kept up gender pay gaps and people were paid differently for the same role. The company is now fixing the algorithm.
Uber's CEO used a lactation room to meditate.
Arianna Huffington, an Uber board member, spoke at the iCONIC Conference on June 7 in New York City and tried to soften Kalanick's image. She failed when she instead told a story about how Kalanick went into a lactation room to meditate, since Uber doesn't have meditation rooms.
"Literally, it was an amazing moment last week when we were in the office and he said, 'I really need to go meditate in order to be in a place to make good decisions right now,'" Huffington said. "And literally [he] went into a lactation room that happened to be open, because they don't have meditation rooms yet. This is part of the change coming." While Huffington applauds the move and believes meditation helps Kalanick make decisions, lactation rooms should probably be kept to the women who need them.
In 2013, Kalanick wrote an obnoxious email explaining to employees how to act at a company offsite in Miami.
According to Recode, Kalanick sent out a email in 2013 to the company's 400 employees (at the time) that detailed how to act, including not having sex with another employee. The letter, which Record reports some thought Kalanick should have never sent, states "you better read this or I'll kick your ass." It goes on to ask employees not to end up in jail, "not [to] throw large kegs off of tall buildings," "do not have sex with another employee," and other dos and don'ts.
Each of these new reports was revealed in one week, and it's unbelievable that Kalanick is still CEO.
My Room Is a Mess but I Still Have OCD
"Sorry, can you take your shoes off? I'm just like super OCD."
"Dan is seriously OCD. Literally everything in his house is labeled."
"When I was little, if my crayons weren't in rainbow order, I would freak out. That's how OCD I was."
I heard a lot of people say things like that throughout my life. For a long time, my brain associated wanting things clean and organized with having obsessive-compulsive disorder. I was (and still am) a slob. I'd long forgotten what my bedroom floor looked like because it was perpetually covered in crumpled-up clothing. The contents of every purse I ever used was gum wrappers and receipts and spare change and hardened fruit snacks and partially spent gift cards and more receipts and excess Cheez-It dust and more g*ddamn receipts. So no, there was no way I had OCD. It was that simple. But I knew I wasn't "normal." I was neurotic and anxious and overwhelmingly sad. This inexplicable feeling of guilt and shame devoured me from the inside out.
It was a Tuesday night in February of 2010 when I thought this darkness might just kill me. I sat in my bedroom of my off-campus apartment. My boyfriend at the time sat at the foot of my bed and begged me to tell him what was wrong. In between guttural screams and sobs I told him that I didn't want to live anymore. He scooped up what was left of me, put me in his car and drove the two hours to my parents' house because that's what you do when you're a 21-year-old kid and your girlfriend tells you that she wants to die.
My parents took me to see a therapist the next day. I sat in a modestly decorated office across from a man I didn't know, my knees tucked to my chest, my hair matted to my head, my face stung by tears and mucus. I was so scared he'd diagnose me with something but even more scared that he wouldn't. "Fix me," my bloodshot eyes screamed to him. "Fix me before I break for good."
I told this stranger everything. I told him how I felt paralyzed by anxiety, how disturbing thoughts swirled in my head every hour of every day, how I questioned absolutely everything. Am I actually a good person? What if I have everyone fooled and I'm actually a deviant sociopath? Do I really love my family? Would I even care if they died? Do I even deserve love from them? From anyone at all? Am I definitely straight? Maybe I'm gay and I've just been in denial all of these years. Why would I be in denial about being a lesbian? Does that make me homophobic? Do I have to boycott cereal commercials featuring happy gay couples now? What if I drive on the highway and get into an accident? What if I kill someone? What if it's an adorable little boy named Charlie? What if I'm convicted of vehicular manslaughter and Charlie's mom, through her gut-wrenching sobs during her victim's impact statement, tells me to burn in hell? What if I go to prison and other inmates misconstrue my resting b*tch face for superiority? What if they try to fight me? Jesus Christ, do I have to learn how to fight? Do I really want to put my family through prison visits? Is orange really the new black? Do people even like me? Do I even like me? What if I didn't wake up tomorrow? Would that be so bad?
I talked until I ran out of breath. The man who suddenly knew all of my secrets paused for a moment. He then proceeded to tell me that I likely suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder.
"I think you misunderstood me. I can't have OCD. My room is a mess," I said to the man with a bunch of degrees hanging on his wall.
He didn't shake his head, scribble down a prescription, and send me on my not-so-merry way. He educated me. He told me about the complexities of obsessive-compulsive disorder, how obsessions can take form in hundreds of ways, how a cleanliness compulsion isn't the only form of the disorder, how I likely had the kind of OCD that wasn't as detectable. It dealt with intrusive thoughts and dwelling on life's uncertainties and doubting the things you know in your gut to be true.
Maybe this guy who devoted his life to helping people with mental health disorders did know what he was talking about after all. I felt like I might collapse from the relief. Every word he said made perfect sense. A montage of every obsessive episode I'd ever had played in my head like a movie I never wanted to see:
Nine years old. My mom goes to the store for me because I'm sick and asked for soup and pink lemonade. She's gone for five minutes, 10 minutes, 12 minutes. Why isn't she back yet? Did she get in a car accident? Is she dead? If she dies, her blood is on my hands. I'm the whole reason she went to the store in the first place. How could I have been so selfish? How will I explain this to my family? How could they ever forgive me? Five minutes later, Mom walks through the door and I fall into her embrace. She's OK. I'm OK too, until she has to leave the house again.
Twelve years old. I'm at basketball camp and I utter my first curse word. "Sh*t," I said when I missed a foul shot. I am paralyzed with guilt. My heart beats out of my chest. I can't sleep that night. That's a bad word. I know it's a bad word so why did I say it? I must be a bad person. My parents didn't raise me to be a bad person. What will they think of me now? I tell my mom the next morning, hands shaking and lips quivering, that I said a curse word yesterday. She wraps me up in her arms and strokes my hair and tells me it's only a word, it doesn't make me bad. I nod even though I don't believe her.
Fourteen years old. I abruptly leave every conversation my friends have about their periods because I haven't gotten mine yet and I'm convinced it's because God has put a hex on my vagina. I'm a bad person and bad people shouldn't have children so God obviously made be barren to save the world from my demon spawn.
One of the scariest parts about OCD is the way it warps your mind into believing that you will be responsible for the pain of other people, that your thoughts are equivalent to actions, that you have any kind of control.
The man I'd later refer to as "the guy who saved my life" explained obsessive-compulsive disorder in a way that I'll never forget. He told me that one of the scariest parts about OCD is the way it warps your mind into believing that you will be responsible for the pain of other people, that your thoughts are equivalent to actions, that you have any kind of control. People with cleaning or touching compulsions will touch a doorknob or tirelessly scrub their sink because they genuinely believe they are preventing something awful from happening. My compulsion was obsessive thoughts. Both are painful. Both are hard to explain. Neither means you are crazy.
I erupted into tears. I was finally being told what I needed to hear for so long: You are not alone. You are not broken. You will be OK.
That was seven years ago. Looking back, I'd say the most frustrating part about obsessive-compulsive disorder is its invisibility. It's not a bruise on my arm or a scar on my back. It's always there in the depths of my mind and therein lies its danger. It causes all of this pain, all of this emotional turmoil, but I can't prove to anyone that it's even there. But through a combination of therapy, medication, an incredible support system and comedy, I am at a point where I don't need to prove anything to anyone. Obsessions still slither their way into my life, but I no longer feel like a hostage in my own head. I am tough. I am strong. I am flawed. I am anxious. I am obsessive. I am emotional. I am good. I have OCD. I am not alone. I am not broken. I will be OK.
Alert: Kylie Jenner's New "Camo" Collection Is Live and Ready For Shopping
Picture this: You're getting ready for a night out, putting on your makeup with the help of a Kylie Jenner Lip Kit. But you're also wearing a sports bra and matching booty shorts that read "Kylie" on the butt. Now you're a true Kylie Jenner fan.
It has been a while since the star first started her clothing shop on Instagram, but it seems like customers are still eager to get their hands on the merch. After her successful "Thick" collection, Kylie's back with a new apparel line called "Camo." Since its release, Kylie has come under fire and is being accused of cultural appropriation. Many people are claiming Kylie stole the look from the Destiny Child's music video Survivor. Scroll ahead to see the collection.
- Additional reporting by Nikita Ramsinghani
You Won't Believe Amazon's Bestselling Sleeping Bags All Weigh 3 Pounds or Less
Hiking up a giant hill on vacation while wearing camping gear is a total vibe killer. It's happened to the best of us. Packing light when you want all the luxuries of home isn't always easy, especially when it comes to camping. Save the weight for your other items and invest in lightweight sleeping gear. We found sleeping bags to solve all your problems and some. Up ahead, the best rated options on Amazon.
Uber's 4 New Controversies Show How Much More It Needs to Change
If some companies had the week Uber just had, it might be time for executives to reassess their strategy and company leadership. For Uber, however, it was simply another week in what's shaping up to be a year of company missteps that have raised questions as to whether the company's CEO, Travis Kalanick, is fit to keep leading. Though the company fired more than 20 people after investigating claims of sexual harassment, it still had a series of PR nightmares that prove nothing has been fixed when it comes to its broader cultural issues. In one week, Uber faced a flurry of negative news including firing a top executive who reportedly obtained the medical records of a customer who was raped in an Uber ride, reportedly using an algorithm to pay new employees less, and the CEO using a lactation room to meditate and also sending employees a letter in 2013 instructing them "not [to] have sex with another employee."
An Uber executive was fired after he carried around the medical records of a rape victim for a year.
In 2014, a woman was raped by the driver in an Uber ride in New Delhi, India. The driver was later arrested and is serving a life sentence in prison. However, Uber's president of business in Asia, Eric Alexander, reportedly didn't believe the rape occurred and obtained the medical records of the rape victim, reports Recode. Alexander shared the records with Kalanick and Senior Vice President Emil Michael, and the three started to wonder if a competitor intentionally planted the story. Alexander then carried around the report for a year. Recode asked Uber on June 7 whether Alexander was still with the company following the June 6 firings; he was then fired once more reporters started asking the same question.
Uber used an algorithm to figure out pay for new hires and ultimately reinforced gender pay gaps.
To save money, Uber started to use a new algorithm in 2015 to come up with "lower compensations offers for many new recruits," reports The Information. The algorithm ended up doing two things: it kept up gender pay gaps and people were paid differently for the same role. The company is now fixing the algorithm.
Uber's CEO used a lactation room to meditate.
Arianna Huffington, an Uber board member, spoke at the iCONIC Conference on June 7 in New York City and tried to soften Kalanick's image. She failed when she instead told a story about how Kalanick went into a lactation room to meditate, since Uber doesn't have meditation rooms.
"Literally, it was an amazing moment last week when we were in the office and he said, 'I really need to go meditate in order to be in a place to make good decisions right now,'" Huffington said. "And literally [he] went into a lactation room that happened to be open, because they don't have meditation rooms yet. This is part of the change coming." While Huffington applauds the move and believes meditation helps Kalanick make decisions, lactation rooms should probably be kept to the women who need them.
In 2013, Kalanick wrote an obnoxious email explaining to employees how to act at a company offsite in Miami.
According to Recode, Kalanick sent out a email in 2013 to the company's 400 employees (at the time) that detailed how to act, including not having sex with another employee. The letter, which Record reports some thought Kalanick should have never sent, states "you better read this or I'll kick your ass." It goes on to ask employees not to end up in jail, "not [to] throw large kegs off of tall buildings," "do not have sex with another employee," and other dos and don'ts.
Each of these new reports was revealed in one week, and it's unbelievable that Kalanick is still CEO.
6 Documentaries That Will Shut Down Any Climate-Change Denier
Given President Donald Trump's denial of climate change and his recent action of pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Accord, now is probably an apt time to educate yourself on the environment. It's even more important when you realize that the present Environmental Protection Agency director is a climate science denier - and he's quite open about it.
Global warming is neither an engineered fallacy nor really even debated at this point. There is a broad consensus in the scientific community that climate change is occurring and heavily accelerated by humans.
An easy way to get educated on the matter? By watching a documentary, of course. We've compiled a list of environmental documentaries you can learn a lot from. Read on to see.
A Political Adviser Said Trump Jr. Criticizing Comey Is "Rich at Best and Pathetic at Worst"
A political commentator and former communications chief during the George W. Bush presidency had some harsh words for Donald Trump Jr. following James Comey's pivotal testimony. While appearing on MSNBC following the hearing, Nicolle Wallace said that Trump Jr. did not have the right to criticize the former FBI director when he himself is so morally corrupt.
Following the Senate intelligence hearing, Trump Jr. sent a series of tweets criticizing Comey and even blamed him for causing "10 months of nonsense."
Wallace, however, was inspired to call out the hypocrisy of Trump Jr.'s comments. "This idea, though, of the son as the only person sort of channeling his president and attacking the character of Comey I think speaks for itself," she said. "This is a president without a lot of defenders in Congress and without a lot of defenders in the law enforcement community. A normal White House on a day like today would have former attorney generals and former people in law enforcement sort of making legal arguments."
Wallace then delivered a serious diss when she said, "For a guy who kills baby elephants for kicks, to be giving James Comey a lesson in strength of character is rich at best and pathetic at worst."
The president, on the other hand, was noticeably quiet on Twitter until June 9, when Trump shared his first tweet since the hearing, shown below.
Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2017
Wallace hasn't said anything (yet) about the president's tweet, but watch her entire takedown of Trump Jr. in the video above - it's pretty thrilling to watch.
House of Cards: Let's Talk About Those 3 Shocking Deaths
Warning: Major spoilers for the fifth season of House of Cards below!
House of Cards has never been afraid to brutally dispose of some of its biggest characters. From the shocking moment Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) pushes Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) in front of a speeding train to the sad (but inevitable) murder of Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan) at the hands of Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly), Netflix's political thriller makes it clear from the get-go that it isn't afraid to get blood on its hands. Season five similarly has no reservations, and by the end of its 13 episodes, three characters have bitten the dust in pretty cruel ways.
6 Documentaries That Will Shut Down Any Climate-Change Denier
Given President Donald Trump's denial of climate change and his recent action of pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Accord, now is probably an apt time to educate yourself on the environment. It's even more important when you realize that the present Environmental Protection Agency director is a climate science denier - and he's quite open about it.
Global warming is neither an engineered fallacy nor really even debated at this point. There is a broad consensus in the scientific community that climate change is occurring and heavily accelerated by humans.
An easy way to get educated on the matter? By watching a documentary, of course. We've compiled a list of environmental documentaries you can learn a lot from. Read on to see.
A Political Adviser Said Trump Jr. Criticizing Comey Is "Rich at Best and Pathetic at Worst"
A political commentator and former communications chief during the George W. Bush presidency had some harsh words for Donald Trump Jr. following James Comey's pivotal testimony. While appearing on MSNBC following the hearing, Nicolle Wallace said that Trump Jr. did not have the right to criticize the former FBI director when he himself is so morally corrupt.
Following the Senate intelligence hearing, Trump Jr. sent a series of tweets criticizing Comey and even blamed him for causing "10 months of nonsense."
Wallace, however, was inspired to call out the hypocrisy of Trump Jr.'s comments. "This idea, though, of the son as the only person sort of channeling his president and attacking the character of Comey I think speaks for itself," she said. "This is a president without a lot of defenders in Congress and without a lot of defenders in the law enforcement community. A normal White House on a day like today would have former attorney generals and former people in law enforcement sort of making legal arguments."
Wallace then delivered a serious diss when she said, "For a guy who kills baby elephants for kicks, to be giving James Comey a lesson in strength of character is rich at best and pathetic at worst."
The president, on the other hand, was noticeably quiet on Twitter until June 9, when Trump shared his first tweet since the hearing, shown below.
Despite so many false statements and lies, total and complete vindication...and WOW, Comey is a leaker!
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2017
Wallace hasn't said anything (yet) about the president's tweet, but watch her entire takedown of Trump Jr. in the video above - it's pretty thrilling to watch.
House of Cards: Let's Talk About Those 3 Shocking Deaths
Warning: Major spoilers for the fifth season of House of Cards below!
House of Cards has never been afraid to brutally dispose of some of its biggest characters. From the shocking moment Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) pushes Zoe Barnes (Kate Mara) in front of a speeding train to the sad (but inevitable) murder of Rachel Posner (Rachel Brosnahan) at the hands of Doug Stamper (Michael Kelly), Netflix's political thriller makes it clear from the get-go that it isn't afraid to get blood on its hands. Season five similarly has no reservations, and by the end of its 13 episodes, three characters have bitten the dust in pretty cruel ways.
Find Out Why Kate and Will Took Over Princess Diana's Former Apartment
Image Source: Getty / Jeff Spicer
Prince William and Kate Middleton may currently call their country house, Anmer Hall, home, but their official residence is apartment 1A inside London's Kensington Palace, where Prince Harry also resides. The trio has even more claim in the historic royal residence, though, since they also use apartment 8 as their headquarters for official duties and charitable work. The renovated space, which has ample room for meetings and plenty of areas for entertaining, was Princess Diana's home until her death in 1997.
The working apartments are situated on the opposite side of the palace from apartment 1A, which was formerly Princess Margaret's living quarters. (We got a rare glimpse inside their private space when President Barack Obama and the first lady visited.) The location is ideally suited for Kate and Will, who will make the London apartment their primary residence in 2017, when Prince George attends Thomas's Battersea School in September. And of course for Harry, who conveniently lives just steps away.
Image Source: Shutterstock
15 Things Depression Will Tell You That Are Actually Horrible Lies
For those suffering from depression, it can often feel like nothing will ever get better and nobody will ever understand. My personal bouts consist of oversleeping, undereating, shutting down at inappropriate times, disconnecting or isolating myself from the people I care about in an effort "not to burden them," and generally being a challenging person to deal with and get through to.
I think about all the ways depression (and its sh*tty second cousin, anxiety) have made a home in me; like a devil on either shoulder, telling me I don't deserve the things I want, the people I love don't love me back, and the roads to healthy relationships and self-confidence will always be closed for construction. But one of the things I can bring to my decades-long odyssey with mental illness (besides, you know, medication and therapy) is a wry, malapropos sense of humor - because sometimes, it really does seem like there is nothing else. That being said, here are some text messages I just know I'd get from my depression if it could fit its grubby little hands around a cell phone (and if I actually gave it my number).
- It's honestly so crazy to me that you have friends. Isn't that crazy to you?
- You realize nobody like, actually likes you, right? Try looking up "tolerate" in the dictionary, hun.
- They "just want you to be happy?" LOL, you don't really believe that, do you?
- Yeah, that dude is WAY out of your league. Cute that you thought he'd be into you, though.
- Don't you think you're being a little too . . . I dunno . . . happy right now? Snap out of it, girl. It's not always about you!
- Isn't Pinterest so inspiring? It's like, all the things you'll never have and don't deserve, but in one handy place. You should check it multiple times a day!
- You really are better off just keeping your head down, getting your work done, and going home. Nobody will notice because nobody cares!
- You really are better off just saying you're tired, turning down the invite, and staying home. Nobody will notice because nobody cares!
- Wait, you tried to explain our relationship to someone?! I bet you cried! Way to go. Have fun looking insane.
- OMG, my vacay was amazing. Looks like you had a fun couple of weeks without me but I'm so glad to be back - aren't you so glad I'm back?
- Did that doctor just call me "severe?" Way harsh, Tai.
- Hey, we have that 11 hours of sleep that we really need to get to. So what the sun's still out? Seems like the sun's problem.
- Um, Anxiety just told me you were awake half the night thinking about how f*cked up your life is and didn't get the 11 hours of sleep we need to function. Care to explain?
- Wait, who told you your life was f*cked up? Not me, I hope.
- Dude, you're so dramatic. You'll be fiiiine. When have I ever lied to you?
Ellen Pompeo's Sweet Family Photos Will Make You Feel Anything but Grey
When she's not running Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital on ABC's hit medical drama Grey's Anatomy, Ellen Pompeo (who plays Meredith Grey) is a full-time mom. The actress and her husband Chris Ivery, whom she married in 2007, are loving parents to three adorable children; daughters Stella, who was born in 2009; and Sienna, who arrived via surrogate in 2014; and their 5-month-old son, Eli Christopher. Over the years, Ellen has given us tiny glimpses of her adorable family by posting pictures (and a few sweet videos) on social media. See some of her best mom moments here.
5 Reasons Trader Joe's Chips Are Superior to All Other Chips
I try hundreds of new snacks every year, but have failed to mention the exalted of all potato chips: good ol' TJ's. While I don't want to call out other chip brands directly . . . let's just say, there's no reason to buy greasy, flat chip crumbs other than to get a hefty dose of addictive MSG and sugar. After trying just about every potato chip that Trader Joe's offers, I'm convinced it's the best chip brand on the market. Here's why:
- The MASSIVE chip size. You'll wonder why you ever settled for small shards when you bust open a bag of TJ's chips and discover that each one is about the size of a potato. Whether ridged, as pictured or traditionally cut, Trader Joe's chips come in one size: russet potato length.
- The sturdiest on the market. The chips are thicker than anything we've seen - like 1/8-inch. This makes for quite possibly the most satisfying crunchy snack, plus TJ's chips do not crack under pressure when dipped.
- The cost per bag. The chips are cheap. $3 for a giant bag stuffed to the gills. You aren't paying for air, folks, like you do with some competitor brands.
- The honest ingredients. There's no weird, unpronounceable list of "ingredients." Potatoes, sunflower oil, and sea salt are the only items listed in these preservative-free chips. You're paying for "handcrafted" potatoes fried and seasoned in "small batches." Thank you TJ's for making me feel a little less bad about eating the whole bag. At least, it wasn't a whole bag of chemicals.
- Every damn flavor is good. I have yet to meet a TJ's potato chip I didn't like, I mean LOVE, even the weird flavors like honey butter and spicy dill pickle.
What's your all-time favorite Trader Joe's potato chip? Let me know so I can proceed to follow up this story with the definitive ranking of the best potato chips at TJ's.
11 Times Property Brothers Drew Scott and His Fiancée Linda Phan Were #RelationshipGoals
Property Brothers star Drew Scott and his fiancée Linda Phan have been making us double tap our phone screens while perusing Instagram for years now - but recently their posts have taken #relationship goals to a new level. The couple, who met at a Toronto Fashion Week event in 2010 and got engaged in December 2016, have been busy preparing for their nuptials. And while planning a wedding can put a strain on some relationships, it seems these lovebirds are more devoted to each other than ever. They've been sharing sweet snaps of themselves traveling, working, and generally being adorable leading up to their big day. We think it's safe to say that this this nearly-wed couple is on the road to marital bliss. You'll understand why when you see the images ahead.
There's a Star Wars Bar in LA, and Yes, You Definitely Want to Go There
If you ever wanted to escape to a galaxy far, far away and sip drinks at Mos Eisley Cantina, now's your chance. Scum and Villainy Cantina is a Los Angeles pop-up bar inspired by the classic Star Wars joint, and while some themed bars don't always live up to the hype, it looks like this one truly goes above and beyond. Fans have been flocking to the bar dressed in their best paraphernalia, from full-on Greedos and Han Solos (shooting first, of course) to Princess Leias donning her infamous bikini look.
According to the site, the Scum and Villainy Cantina is "nestled in the black hole of Hollywood, CA." It's a temporary pop-up experience that promises to transport you into an "immersive environment where you drink, eat, and hang out as if you were in another galaxy." Costumes are encouraged, and based on the photos of the bar, fans have truly risen to the occasion.
The bar requires reservations and is only open until the end of June, but they do offer walk-ins - you just need to check their Facebook daily to see if you can get squeezed in. Here's hoping more bars like this one pop up nearby soon, perhaps in celebration of The Last Jedi's release in December? Check out the photos ahead.
19 Breezy Outfits For When the Weather Is Just Too Hot to Handle
When the temperature outside has reached the high 90s, all you want to do is change into a swimsuit and head to the beach. Unfortunately, we can't always get our way which means we end up spending hours rifling through our closets trying to find an outfit that will help make the heat feel a teensy bit more bearable.
Rather than changing into the usual combination of cut-offs and a cotton tee, why not try something a little different this season? Ahead, we've turned to your favorite bloggers to gather some much-needed outfit inspiration to combat the Summer's sweltering heat. Scroll on to see their looks and shop similar pieces too.
17 Ways to Do National Rosé Day Right
National Rosé Day is on June 12 - get pumped! It doesn't matter if you're celebrating solo or sipping the good stuff with a group of friends - we've got you covered. From a bevy of bottles to a fun pool float to hold them all, scroll through to get started on your National Rosé Day parté.
5 Reasons Trader Joe's Chips Are Superior to All Other Chips
I try hundreds of new snacks every year, but have failed to mention the exalted of all potato chips: good ol' TJ's. While I don't want to call out other chip brands directly . . . let's just say, there's no reason to buy greasy, flat chip crumbs other than to get a hefty dose of addictive MSG and sugar. After trying just about every potato chip that Trader Joe's offers, I'm convinced it's the best chip brand on the market. Here's why:
- The MASSIVE chip size. You'll wonder why you ever settled for small shards when you bust open a bag of TJ's chips and discover that each one is about the size of a potato. Whether ridged, as pictured or traditionally cut, Trader Joe's chips come in one size: russet potato length.
- The sturdiest on the market. The chips are thicker than anything we've seen - like 1/8-inch. This makes for quite possibly the most satisfying crunchy snack, plus TJ's chips do not crack under pressure when dipped.
- The cost per bag. The chips are cheap. $3 for a giant bag stuffed to the gills. You aren't paying for air, folks, like you do with some competitor brands.
- The honest ingredients. There's no weird, unpronounceable list of "ingredients." Potatoes, sunflower oil, and sea salt are the only items listed in these preservative-free chips. You're paying for "handcrafted" potatoes fried and seasoned in "small batches." Thank you TJ's for making me feel a little less bad about eating the whole bag. At least, it wasn't a whole bag of chemicals.
- Every damn flavor is good. I have yet to meet a TJ's potato chip I didn't like, I mean LOVE, even the weird flavors like honey butter and spicy dill pickle.
What's your all-time favorite Trader Joe's potato chip? Let me know so I can proceed to follow up this story with the definitive ranking of the best potato chips at TJ's.
17 Ways to Do National Rosé Day Right
National Rosé Day is on June 12 - get pumped! It doesn't matter if you're celebrating solo or sipping the good stuff with a group of friends - we've got you covered. From a bevy of bottles to a fun pool float to hold them all, scroll through to get started on your National Rosé Day parté.
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