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.
lundi 6 août 2018
How Do You Get on The Bachelor or Bachelorette? Follow These Steps
Admit it. At one time or another, you've thought about what it would be like to go on one of the shows we love to hate and hate to love - The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. After all, most of us want to find that forever partner (and ride off into the sunset, preferably in a helicopter overlooking a tropical island). But what does it really take to get from just a thought to actually appearing on the hit ABC show? Here's everything you need to know.
Make Sure You Meet the Eligibility Requirements
First off, anyone related or closely connected to employees of the show aren't allowed to apply to be the Bachelor or Bachelorette, or a contestant pining to be with one of them. You also can't currently be a candidate in any type of political office or become one from when you submit your application to one year after the first broadcast of the last episode. All applicants must be single, at least 21 years old, and a US citizen or resident or foreign alien without restrictions on coming in or out of the country. Make sure you also have a passport (hello, exotic trips!) and are clean of a felony conviction, misdemeanor conviction, or restraining order. Oh, and make sure you realize that you will be on television and your life will basically be an open book. Ready for the next step?
Send in an Application, Pictures, and Video
It's time to shine! You can submit an application through mail or online, and you can even submit one for someone else. Be prepared, because it's probably more in-depth than any application you're used to. It'll ask about your salary, if you've ever filed for bankruptcy, how your previous relationships ended, etc. You can also attach your social media accounts (so finally all those cute pictures you took at brunch have a real purpose).
Pictures are a must and a video is encouraged so you can show off your personality. They have seven suggested questions to answer in the video (from your ideal fantasy date to any special talents). However, they want you to have fun and be creative, so really get into it!
Attend a Casting Call
If you get this far (woo!), you'll probably be asked to come to a nearby major city for a casting call so the producers can get to know you in person. Depending on what happens there, you'll either move forward in the process as the casting directions narrow down the group or not be seen as a fit.
Good luck and cheers to many roses, one-on-one time, and an unbelievable journey.
All of the Harry Potter Films Are Magically Returning to Theaters! Here's the Deal
Can we panic now?! To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Cinemark has made a truly special announcement. All of the Harry Potter films are returning to theaters! Aspiring witches and wizards alike will be able to go to Cinemark locations all across the country to see the nine films set in the Wizarding World. That's right, you can watch all eight of the originals, plus 2016's Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The whole celebration will take place from Aug. 31 through Sept. 6 and will hit 141 different theater locations across the country. Fans can either pay $5 per film or buy a "festival pass" for $25. According to Cinemark, the pass comes with "a collectible keychain, a specially designed cup that is refillable for $3.50 through the end of the year, and a commemorative festival badge." Sounds like a bargain. Tickets go on sale Aug. 3, so you might want to have your wand at the ready to make sure you get in.
25 Celebrities Who Feel Your Middle Child Syndrome Pain
It's not easy being the middle child, having to grow up between the eldest kid (who likely got a lot of attention early on) and the youngest (who, for some reason, always seems to get their way). While recent studies are finding that middle children are a dwindling demo as couples decide to have smaller families, there are plenty of celebrities who grew up between older and younger siblings and have managed to come out on top (take that, middle child syndrome).
From supermodels to superheros, these famous faces may be the middle children in their families, but they made sure they made a name for themselves.
Tess and Randall's Flash-Forward Will Be This Is Us's "Ending Timeline" - We're Not Ready
Are you ready for the end of This Is Us? OK, so the series finale may be a long way away (hopefully multiple seasons away), but we do know when the series will end - at least, in the context of the show. While talking with Entertainment Weekly about the upcoming season, series creator Dan Fogelman revealed that the flash-forward in the season two finale will be the show's final timeline. "I don't imagine us going past this time period in the future, so in terms of a timeline, this is our ending timeline," he explained. "But we may have other past timelines we're going to introduce in the course of the series, and also other future storylines that we might introduce as well."
In addition to talking about the show's ending, he also teased what's in store for season three, including the mysterious "her" Randall and adult Tess mention in the flash-forward. "It's a mystery that won't play out over seasons," he said. "There will be answers given in the course of the season. Part of the fun of any family is looking at somebody in certain time frame or a family in a present-day time frame and hypothetically jumping forward 15 years and [seeing] who's still in the picture, who's not in the picture anymore, who has become ill or other. We'll be slowly getting pieces by process of elimination or more questions . . . until we get to the answer - and not string it out too long."
He reiterated that the storyline is "not just a mystery for mystery's sake," but has a distinct purpose. "The mystery is actually informing a lot of stuff that has happening in the present day as well," he added. "The interesting part is in the course of the season, as we mention this mystery, we're going to be putting a lot of those things in the stories that it's not. So it's not just one - estrangement, death, love, marriage - all those things are part of jumping a family [deep] into the future. The question isn't just who's estranged, or who's in prison, or any of the other theories that I've heard from people; it's about where are all the other characters at that point in their lives? And that's going to be also spoken to by what their stories are in the present day. So that's really exciting for us as well."
Fogelman's revelation comes after Mandy Moore revealed she knows how the series will end. In fact, a few cast members have already filmed the finale scene. Ahh! We need This Is Us to return for season three ASAP.
18 Inflatable Halloween Decorations That Will Transform Your Yard Into the Spookiest Spot on the Block
Getting ready for Halloween isn't exactly for the faint of heart as far as kids are concerned. Whether you're going round and round with your little ones about settling on one - and only one! - costume or you're busy trying to make your child's class a sweet treat to celebrate, there's never a shortage of activities inspired by All Hallows' Eve. Getting the house ready is arguably one of the most fun parts of the holiday itself, though.
While there are dozens of eye-catching Halloween decorations to choose from, there's no denying that the blow-up variety has that certain wow factor most other ghoulish tchotchkes don't. Not sure where to start? Scroll through to catch a glimpse of the biggest - and spookiest - inflatable decorations that your mini mes will no doubt be begging you for.
You Heard It Here: These Are the Top Kids Halloween Costumes This Year
As a parent, the last thing you want to do is wait until the third week in October to bring your excited child to the costume store to peruse the shelves - chances are, there won't be much left. Avoid this Halloween hang-up entirely by getting ahead of the game now. Whether your kid is obsessed with all things Star Wars or likes to stick to the classics, we found 39 options that you're going to see all over this year.
There's a New Cool-Looking Snack at Malls Called Dragon's Breath - But Is It Safe?
Growing up in New Jersey, it was pretty common for us kids to get dropped off at the malls (despite not having much money to our names) and wander from store to store and hang out in the food court. Parents didn't worry much then. But now, thanks to a new dessert fad lurking in shopping centers, the mall is up for debate. Dragon's Breath, a liquid-nitrogen-infused cereal treat that makes it look like a person is breathing fire, is a cause for concern.
Although we understand how the snack can easily appeal to kids at first, it might not be the safest treat, especially if your child has asthma.
Racheal Richard McKenny, a mom of two from Florida, learned this first-hand when her son, Johnny, had a near-fatal asthma attack shortly after ingesting Dragon's Breath he bought from a mall kiosk. And while Racheal did her due diligence by warning other parents about the snack that almost cost her son his life, you can never be too safe. Thankfully, the particular vendor in question was quick to update the asthma notice to prevent another incident from happening.
According to Today, Johnny wasn't the first child who needed to be hospitalized after eating Dragon's Breath. Back in 2017, a 14-year-old girl severely burned her hand while trying to eat the dessert at the Pensacola State Fair.
"I would urge caution for anybody around liquid nitrogen, particularly children."
"The ER doctor had to cut it open, cut away the dead skin and get the infection out," Tina McArthur, the victim's grandmother, told Today. "[The doctors] said had we not come in and got her finger treated she could have possibly lost her thumb."
Dr. Reed Caldwell, an assistant professor at Ronald O. Perelman Department of Emergency Medicine at NYU Langone Health, agrees that any food with liquid nitrogen poses a threat to consumers.
"First is rapid significant damage to the skin and body if swallowed," said Dr. Caldwell. "Liquid nitrogen is what's used by dermatologists to burn things off skin so we know it can be destructive to tissue."
He also explained that liquid nitrogen displaces oxygen, which can lead to suffocation and even death, not to mention permanent cornea damage if it splashes in your eye. "I would urge caution for anybody around liquid nitrogen, particularly children," he warned.
And keep in mind that kids aren't the only ones in danger when it comes to liquid nitrogen. Just last year a man in India developed a hole in his stomach after drinking a beverage with the substance in it.
The verdict? Steer very clear of Dragon's Breath - or really anything that contains liquid nitrogen - because no one likes an impromptu trip to the hospital.
10 Back-to-School Traditions to Start With Your Kids That They'll Remember Forever
Getting your kids ready to go back to school can take some serious work, even for the most organized moms. There are backpacks, lunch boxes, and school supplies to buy, early rising schedules to adjust to, forms to fill out, and school functions to attend, all of which can feel like a lot after a few months when the biggest thing on your to-do list was deciding which pool you'd visit.
After you get the serious stuff out of the way (check out these tips to ease the back-to-school struggle), refocus on the fun by incorporating one or more of these awesome back-to-school traditions into your family life. Not only will they help you celebrate another Summer conquered, but they'll give your child a little extra encouragement for the year ahead and remind them that school is something to be celebrated, too.
15 East Coast Family Vacations You Should Take at Least Once in Your Life
Whether you live on the East Coast and are looking for a nearby family getaway or you're looking to visit from another part of the country, there are so many amazing spots to choose from! From big cities to quaint villages to beach vacations, your kids, both big and small, are guaranteed to have a great time. And since each family has different needs, our list runs the gamut from action-packed places to spots ideal for shutting off (see ya, screen time!). Keep reading to see them all, but we're sure that, no matter what, being with your family is going to be the real adventure of a lifetime.
10 Quick (but Seriously Fun) Family Getaways to Take This Fall
Fall family getaways are the perfect excuse to take a break from the rush of back-to-school activities. It's also the perfect time to have a little fun before the stress of the holidays begin. While some destinations require long travel times and extended periods away from work and school, these 10 spots can be done in a long weekend (if that!). And the best part? Since school will be back in session, you probably won't have to battle such huge crowds as you would in the Summer. Keep reading for the best Fall travel spots to start planning your next adventure!
How Having a (Much) Younger Sibling Changed My Life
When we were kids, my little sister Madison and I were the M&Ms - my parents' duo of daughters. We were the only kids among friends and family since my parents got married and had the two of us before age 30. As sisters we received a lot of attention, and we liked it that way. So it was quite a surprise when my mom and dad sat us down to let us know that baby number three was on the way; I was 10 years old. To say the least, my sister and I were a little perplexed at the thought of some new baby coming to town and turning our world upside down. Little did I know that this new baby would change my life forever.
As soon as my brother Mac was born, he completely stole my heart. Even at almost 11 years old, I created a bond with this tiny little baby that most people don't get to experience until they are much older. It's been 15 years since Mac was born, so I've learned a few things from having a young brother. Here's my case for spread-out siblings:
- You learn about responsibility early on. Having an infant in your life means watching your parents endlessly change diapers, make bottles, and wipe spit-up. Every once in awhile, I was allowed to do those things (under parental supervision), and I learned just how important it was to take care of this little life before I even hit middle school. Needless to say, I was an excellent babysitter.
- You watch a child grow up. I remember the first time Mac crawled, walked, and said my name. I remember how excited my family was when we discovered how fast of a reader he was in kindergarten. I'll never forget telling him bedtime stories before he went to sleep at night, and I especially won't forget when he told me about his first "girlfriend" when he started middle school. I'm watching this kid grow up into a man - well, more like a pubescent teen - but you get the picture. It's cool to think about the entirety of his life and how far he has come. I have been able to experience that.
- You stay in the know. Most 20-somethings don't know what the heck Minecraft is. I didn't, either, until my hip, tech-savvy brother told me about the video game. And that's not the first thing he's told me about. I work in a trend-driven editorial environment, and my brother still manages to find out things before me. Good thing he has no problem telling me that I actually don't know about anything cool at all.
- You teach your sibling life lessons. From a young age, my brother watched my sister and me overcome personal challenges, go to high school, and, worst of all, get our hearts broken. Nothing makes Mac more upset than a mean guy who hurts a girl's feelings. We joke that Mac is going to be the best husband ever when he grows up, but he really will be. Watching his sisters go through life's tribulations has taught him how he should act when he gets older.
- You create an incredible bond. I have no shame in telling people that one of my best friends is a 15-year-old boy. Now that I don't live with my family anymore, I feel this incredible guilt if I go too long without seeing my siblings. When the three of us are together, it's pretty much the best time ever. Even though Mac and I are aged so far apart, we have this assurance of trust and understanding between us. He looks up to me and knows he can tell me everything; I look to him for comic relief and a really good hug when I arrive back home.
So if that doesn't convince you that siblings with big age gaps are a good thing, I don't know what will. All I can say is that my family wouldn't be the same without Mac. In fact, our family without him is unimaginable. So thanks, Mom and Dad, for turning the M&Ms into the Three Musketeers.
I Splurged on This $175 Baby Lounger, and It Saved Me Hours Each Day
As I approached the end of my pregnancy, I wanted to know from friends - from mom friends, specifically - what item they just couldn't live without. Not what was the most Instagrammable or the cheapest (certainly those things are important, no doubt) but what single thing made their life easier . . . made Earth keep rotating. There was no hesitation in their voices, no moment of uncertainty when they had to think it through. The answer poured right out of their mouths like syrup: The DockaTot ($175).
I did some research of my own, which left me reading both good and bad articles (I'll get to more of that later), but decided that though it was pricey, it was something I wanted to try. It was available in a smattering of different shades and prints, but I went with the cheapest one because I wasn't planning on Instagramming it.
Why the Store Employee Refused to Pierce My 8-Year-Old Daughter's Ears
I decided long ago that I wouldn't pierce my daughter's ears without her consent. The way I felt about it was it's her body, so it should be her choice. For years, my 8-year-old has said she wasn't ready, which was perfectly fine with me. There's no rush. But after her little sister proudly announced she wanted to get her ears pierced for her sixth birthday, my 8-year-old said she wanted hers done, too.
The piercer looked at me and said my daughter wasn't mature enough to get her ears pierced. She told her she was not going to pierce her ears and to get off the chair.
I made an appointment at a well-established body piercing shop for my daughters. Although a bit scary to see a needle slowly piercing my little girls' tiny ears, I felt a lot more comfortable knowing a trained piercer would be taking care of them in a sterile and clean environment. I did a lot of research and found that it's much safer and more hygienic than having it done with a piercing gun at a mall. Before we arrived at the piercing shop, I gathered up fidget toys, lollipops, and even a calm down jar for my daughters to use in case they had jitters. I was much more worried about my 8-year-old, because she has anxiety. I knew she wanted to get her ears pierced very badly, but I also knew there was a high chance her anxiety would get the best of her - and boy, did it ever.
Although she watched her little sister get her ears pierced like a champ, my 8-year-old started crying once it was her turn. I tried my best to calm her down with the items I had packed, but it wasn't working. The piercer advised my daughter that she wouldn't pierce her ears unless she calmed down, but simply telling someone to calm down usually never works. I tried doing breathing techniques with my daughter, wrapping my arms around her, and letting her watch Tsum Tsum videos on my phone. None of it was working, and the piercer was getting more and more impatient.
The piercer looked at me and said my daughter wasn't ready or mature enough to get her ears pierced. She told her she was not going to pierce her ears and to get off the chair. This, of course, turned my daughter's tears into a full-blown emotional meltdown. My daughter has ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), and a part of ADHD is not only having heightened emotions, but emotional dysregulation. Through her tears, my daughter yelled at the piercer that she was ready and that she wanted to get her ears pierced, but she was just scared of the pain. Although my daughter could have used more of an inside voice when she said this, I was so proud of her for standing her ground. At this point, the piercer was fuming. I apologized and said we'd be back when my daughter was calmer.
We left the shop, and my heart broke for my daughter. What I had envisioned to be a special day in her life was turning into an absolute nightmare because of her anxiety. It was obvious that no fidget toy or lollipop was going to help her. What she needed was an honest reality check from her mom. As we stood outside the shop, I told her that piercing her ears will hurt, but just for a bit. I told her it's OK to feel nervous, but that she's completely safe. I would be with her every step of the way. She just needs to be brave for a few seconds, trying her best not to yell or cry. And after a few breathing exercises, she was finally calm. She looked me confidently in the eye and told me she was ready.
We walked back into the shop and I told the piercer my daughter was ready. She quickly shot me a look that said "Yeah right," but proceeded to get her materials ready. (We all could have done without that piercer's attitude and lack of compassion, but at this point, my determined daughter was on a mission and nothing was going to stop her.) My daughter quietly sat on the chair. I could tell she was directing all of her focus to breathing. I was so proud of her, because I knew how much strength and focus that took for her. I held her hand as the piercer pierced her ears. Yes! She did it! She proudly walked out of that piercing shop with the new earrings she'd so desperately wanted, and I wanted to shout it to the world. My daughter was - or should I say is - a rock star.
I'm certain that there will be plenty more instances when my daughter's anxiety will take over and wreak havoc. There will always be people doubting her, including herself, but there will also be opportunities for her to prove them all wrong. And I'll be there cheering her on every single time.
Walmart’s New Commercial About the Insanity of Motherhood Is 100% Accurate
In the age of Instagrams and 140 character-or-less tweets, the idea of spending more than 60 seconds watching a viral video on the internet is akin to binge-watching an entire Netflix series on your couch. So, when I saw that Walmart released a commercial that was a whopping three minutes long (remember, most ads are 15 to 30 seconds, tops), I was ready to click on by to something a bit more digestible.
But, then I saw that they titled it "Ode to Motherhood," and I decided to give it a shot.
I'm glad I did. This ad, more like a short film, is the ultimate so-funny-it-hurts rendition of parenthood - from the days of puréeing baby food to the moment you realize your kid has 7,493 pairs of shoes that you don't remember ever even buying.
The pacing of the video, which follows around a mom named Stacy, is quite like the chaotic pacing of life - calm and still, then frenetic and overwhelming until, poof, you had one too many glasses of wine with your husband and got pregnant again.
It ends like a typical, more predictable Walmart commercial, with a mom running through the aisles, collecting a cartful of merchandise to create a Pinterest-level kid's birthday party without going broke in the process. Which, let's be honest, is also a pretty realistic take on motherhood, right?
15 East Coast Family Vacations You Should Take at Least Once in Your Life
Whether you live on the East Coast and are looking for a nearby family getaway or you're looking to visit from another part of the country, there are so many amazing spots to choose from! From big cities to quaint villages to beach vacations, your kids, both big and small, are guaranteed to have a great time. And since each family has different needs, our list runs the gamut from action-packed places to spots ideal for shutting off (see ya, screen time!). Keep reading to see them all, but we're sure that, no matter what, being with your family is going to be the real adventure of a lifetime.
10 Quick (but Seriously Fun) Family Getaways to Take This Fall
Fall family getaways are the perfect excuse to take a break from the rush of back-to-school activities. It's also the perfect time to have a little fun before the stress of the holidays begin. While some destinations require long travel times and extended periods away from work and school, these 10 spots can be done in a long weekend (if that!). And the best part? Since school will be back in session, you probably won't have to battle such huge crowds as you would in the Summer. Keep reading for the best Fall travel spots to start planning your next adventure!
11 Weekend Getaway Ideas For Families That Will Make Your Kids Say "Fri-yay!"
When your weeks start to feel repetitive and longer than usual, it's time to treat yourself to a weekend getaway. And if you have little ones, you have more to take into consideration when planning a vacation. Are there enough things for the kids to do? Will they actually have fun? What do we need to bring?! To make the planning part of that a little bit easier, we came up with a list of 11 fun ideas that are perfect for weekend trips with the whole family. Not only will they take away the stress of that Monday to Friday life, but they'll also bring your brood closer together with some quality bonding time. Keep reading to see them all now, and get your wallet ready to book.
50 States of Hip and Healthy Food Spots
If traveling is a part of your regular routine, sometimes you get sick of doing the touristy thing and indulging in everything the city has to offer. Maybe you're traveling to a new place and you're excited to sample anything and everything fried, fatty, and sweet, but you also crave something healthy here and there to balance it out. Whatever your goals are, we pulled together a roundup of fresh and healthy restaurants and cafes to check out in every state the next time you're in town. Healthy has never been so easy. Let's take a tour around the states plate by plate!
50 Foods, 50 States: The Must-Eat Roadfoods Across America
After four decades traversing the country in search of America's best food, Jane and Michael Stern know a thing or two about eating well on the road. The pair first met as grad students at Yale in 1970, and after they'd earned their diplomas, they decided to pursue their passion for food by hitting the road in search of the best America had to offer. They captured the results in the revered, award-winning Roadfood books, which became the go-to, indispensable guides to the best bites along America's freeways and backroads alike. In 2017, the Sterns marked the series' 40th anniversary.
As lifelong road-trippers, the Sterns have a few pieces of tried-and-true advice when it comes to scoping out a worthy place to stop for a meal - and what to order once you do. "One (somewhat irrational) tip is to look for restaurants with giant statues of whatever it is they serve on the roof: a cow, a chicken, a crab," Michael says. Once you're seated? "Look around at other people's plates. If nine out of 10 customers are all eating the same thing, that's a good indication that there is at least one very alluring regional specialty on the menu."
Before you hit the road this Summer, scope out the Stern's picks for the can't-miss food in every state - and visit Roadfood for even more of their enthusiastic expertise.
10 Epic Theme Parks to Take Your Kids to That Aren't Disney
No one is questioning the amazingness of Disney and all of its parks. It's called the happiest place on earth for a reason, and with the recent opening of the new Toy Story Land, it's rightfully earned its magical stripes. But sometimes you might want to spread your wings and experience other places (or save some money and hit up some less expensive places). Scattered across the country are numerous theme parks, each one with something special to offer you and your family. Some are great for older kids while others perfectly blend attractions for all ages. But no matter what, they all look like so much fun! Keep reading for the 10 best non-Disney theme parks in the US.
Pain After Rough Sex? See a Doctor's Advice on What to Do Next
So, you and your partner just got done with your bedroom marathon and the pain is finally settling in. But before you freak out over burning urination, you may be experiencing something far less serious than an STI or a medical condition. Although pain during or after sex can be attributed to more serious health issues, it's likely that you simply received some cuts while getting it on. "Yes - it's actually quite common to get small tears on the vaginal walls during sex," One Medical provider Navya Mysore, MD, told POPSUGAR.
Oftentimes, this occurs when the vaginal area isn't sufficiently lubricated. Dr. Mysore added that other conditions, including lichen sclerosis, eczema, psoriasis, or lichen planus, can make getting vaginal tears more common. So, how do you differentiate pain caused by an STI vs. a vaginal tear? You may see a small amount of spotting or feel minor irritation or burning with urination, but other symptoms can indicate a potential infection: different colored discharge, itchiness, pus from the site of the tear, vaginal lesions, or pelvic cramps or pain. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see your primary care provider.
Related: Doctors Weigh In on Why Sex Can Be Painful and How to Work Through It
How to Treat Vaginal Tears Caused by Sex
"Most often, small vaginal tears will heal on their own," Dr. Mysore said. "Vaginal mucosa is very well innervated with blood flow and tends to heal very quickly." She also advises you clean superficial cuts with warm water once or twice a day and avoid using harsh or scented soaps on the area. I've personally found coconut oil to be a miracle worker when it comes to soothing and healing painful cuts caused by too much friction during sex. Just apply a small amount onto the skin surrounding the vaginal opening and on the inner labia for instant relief.
If the pain is significant, Dr. Mysore recommended taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. In the meantime, it's best to wear cotton underwear and to avoid wearing tight clothing. You also may want to give sex a break for a day or two until the pain subsides.
How to Prevent Them From Happening
Lubrication is key! Make sure you're fully aroused before penetration and go slowly at the start. "Make sure fingers are clean and fingernails are trimmed, so there are no inadvertent cuts with possible foreplay," she said.
How to Tell If You Have Chronic Inflammation: Experts Explain Why It Can Be So Dangerous
You may have heard the buzz about eating an anti-inflammatory diet and how combating inflammation can help you lose weight, ease joint pain, fight fatigue, and be overall healthier. But what exactly is chronic inflammation?
Since chronic inflammation isn't exactly something you can see or even experience specific symptoms of, it's hard to pinpoint. Although it's talked about a lot in wellness and naturopathic circles, many Western doctors agree that chronic inflammation can be an underlying condition for other ailments including eczema, Crohn's disease, migraines, and possibly even obesity.
We spoke to doctors, who gave us the scoop on what it actually means to have chronic inflammation, how it impacts other aspects of your health, and how to prevent it.
What Is Chronic Inflammation Exactly?
Since the word "inflammation" is thrown around a lot, what chronic inflammation - and, in turn, anti-inflammatory - actually mean may be confusing. To understand what chronic inflammation means, it's important to know how it compares to acute inflammation. Acute inflammation is your body's response to fight off infection or heal itself after trauma. Chronic inflammation, however, is much more nuanced.
"Acute inflammation is good, fast, and resolves completely in a way that it solves a problem for the host," Raymond J. Tesi, MD, CEO and cofounder of INmune Bio, told POPSUGAR. "Chronic inflammation refers to the sustained presence of an elevated but low-level response where immune cells or immune-related cytokines are active, but do not have an adaptive purpose of resolving the problem; they become the problem because they start to kill normal cells and cause abnormalities in the function of both the tissue and the immune system." In other words, the body is slowly attacking itself.
Chronic inflammation is a general term, and it can refer to a specific organ or system in the body, explained allergist and internist Tania Elliott, MD, chief medical officer at EHE. People with eczema or psoriasis have chronic inflammation of the skin; people with inflammatory bowel disease have inflammation of the digestive tract; and people with arthritis have chronic inflammation of the joints. It could be triggered by a bacterial infection, allergy, or food.
It also varies from person to person, said Niket Sonpal, MD, adjunct assistant professor at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine based in New York. "[Chronic inflammation] may manifest as heart disease in one person and then obesity or irritable bowel, migraines, and other ailments in another," he said. "When it's chronic, it means there is ongoing inflammation in the body that is just lingering there unnoticed, silently eating away at tissue. Over time, there's a decline in health."
What Are the Symptoms and How Do You Test For It?
Since chronic inflammation varies so much depending on the person, the symptoms are broad and can encompass a wide range of conditions and ailments. Dr. Sonpal said some signs of chronic inflammation include weight gain, especially around the midsection; brain fog, lack of focus, and forgetfulness; high blood sugar; bleeding gums; colds that never seem to go away; sluggishness and lethargy; lingering dull pains that don't go away; skin issues such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema; and allergy-like symptoms.
Inflammation is generally tested with a blood test to check for C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), or plasma viscosity (PV) markers.
What Can Chronic Inflammation Lead To?
Aside from the unfortunate symptoms listed above, chronic inflammation has been tied to such serious diseases as rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and Alzheimer's.
How Do You Treat and Prevent It?
"Prevention is worth 10 pounds of cure," Dr. Tesi said. The best way to prevent it is through diet by loading up on anti-inflammatory foods (vegetables, leafy greens, berries, oats, salmon, etc.) and avoiding sugar and processed food. It's also important to exercise, not smoke, get enough sleep (seven to eight hours a night), and reduce stress.
Since stress makes inflammation worse, practice de-stressing techniques such as meditation, exercise, reading, taking a bath, or another form of self-care that will lighten your mood and help you feel better.
Ashley Dropped Over 120 Pounds Doing This Twice a Day, 3 Times a Week
After a breakup, many people find going to the gym becomes a kind of therapy to boost their confidence, help them through feeling sad and lonely, and mend their broken heart. That's just what happened to Ashley Foster, 27 years old, and aside from healing after being heartbroken, she lost an astonishing 122 pounds. Keep reading to hear her inspiring transformation story and to see her incredible before-and-after photos.
A Trainer Says This Is How Many Squats You Should Do Each Day For a Bigger Booty
Knowing the right exercises for a rounder backside is only half the battle, because you can't achieve booty gains without consistency. It also helps to know how often you should be working out your butt to see a difference in shape and size. Luckily, the answer is totally doable. Clarence Hairston, Ignite master trainer, NASM certified personal trainer, and AGM of Fitness at The Bay Club Company, told POPSUGAR that "women who are trying to build fuller glutes should start with 50 bodyweight squats a day."
And you don't have to complete all 50 in one set. Clarence says you can split them up in ways that best fit your schedule. Once you've got the basics down, start adding weights and resistance, and try other squat variations and lower-body exercises. "Most importantly, don't stop challenging yourself and you'll see the results," he said.
Lastly, just like any other body transformation, growing a bigger butt also requires changing your diet. You'll want to increase your caloric intake as well as your daily amount of protein. Combine all of these tips and continue to challenge your body as you go!
Back to Basics: This Fundamental Workout Will Help You Strengthen at Any Level
Introducing strength training into your workouts can definitely seem like an intimidating move, but there are plenty of ways to ease into this new part of your fitness journey. For one, you don't have to jump straight into barbell work. Strength training encompasses bodyweight exercises that can also be enhanced with dumbbells. To help you narrow down your routine to the best beginner moves, Corey Phelps, nutrition expert, NASM personal trainer, certified BASI Pilates teacher, TRX and Spinning instructor, and creator of the fitness app Cultivate365, shared a strengthening workout that can help any level master fundamental movements.
Corey's biggest recommendation: "Keep it simple, start small, and build from there," she told POPSUGAR. "If you do too much in the beginning, you may end up overly sore, which can be discouraging and ultimately hinder you from keeping a consistent schedule."
Her workout below targets major muscle groups and serves as a helpful way to measure your progress. Once you're able to complete 15 reps with ease, it's time to move onto heavier weights.
The workout:
- Squats
- Walking lunges
- Shoulder presses
- Bicep curls
- Overhead triceps extensions
- Reverse abdominal crunches
Complete 10 to 12 reps for each move for a total of four sets. Not challenging enough? Increase your reps to 12 to 15 for a total of five sets.
See the moves ahead!
I'm a Trainer, and These Are My 16 Favorite Ab-Sculpting Exercises
As a trainer, one of the most common areas my clients and friends always want to strengthen and tone is their abdomen. I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't let them - and all of you - know that spot reduction won't help you lose fat and build muscle anywhere, especially in your stomach.
It's also important for me to remind you that ab workouts alone won't transform your stomach. As annoying as it may be to hear, "abs are built in the kitchen." Better yet, ab visibility is built in the kitchen. It's going to take a combination of clean eating and the right workouts (I prefer high-intensity exercises to burn fat) to begin to see a change in your abs.
The options of exercises to strengthen and sculpt your core are endless, and these are my favorite to program into my clients' and my own workouts. Make your very own ab workout by choosing four to six of the following moves, completing each exercise for 30 seconds each for a total of four rounds.
Got a Desk Job? You Need to Do These 3 Resistance-Band Moves Before Your Workout
Whether you're aware of it or not, you probably have "dead-butt syndrome," a symptom most common in those who sit at a desk all day, have just sat through a long flight, or sleep in fetal position. Sound familiar? Many of us are constantly going from one place to the next, including the office to the gym or fresh off the plane to a hotel or meeting. In an effort to help you maintain your health and wellness routine while you're on the road, Westin Hotels partnered up with Goop to bring you a fitness experience called G. Sport Sessions. POPSUGAR recently had the opportunity to join the Chicago stop, where we sweat it out with Tracy Anderson and learned a lesson about this so called "syndrome."
According to Westin's Global Run Concierge Chris Heuisler, such lifestyle factors minimize glute activity, resulting in tight hips and perhaps even related knee pain or lower-back issues.
"You're basically turning off your glutes 75 percent of the day," Chris told POPSUGAR. "Then you get out of your desk and go right to your SoulCycle class or go right to your run without warming up at all. What you're doing is running with a dead butt; you're now running with your largest muscle group asleep, putting more pressure on your knees and lower back."
An effective way to wake up the glutes is to utilize a resistance band, aka the cheapest and most underrated piece of fitness equipment. Not only are you properly warming up your lower body, but you're also naturally getting a mini leg-and-butt workout in the process.
See three warmup band exercises from Chris that will fire up your glutes and open up your hips.
Related: All You Need Is a Resistance Band For This Killer Full-Body Barre Workout
Making This 1 Change to My Diet Helped Me Quickly Lose Belly Fat
Last year, I saw a pretty incredible transformation in my body. There was a particularly stressful period of my life where I gained 40 pounds, so when I was ready to get my health back on track, I knew I had my work cut out for me. I wanted to lose weight everywhere, but especially around my midsection, because that's the part of my body I'm most insecure about. For example, I'd never been comfortable just wearing leggings and a sports bra.
After trying all kinds of rigorous exercise, different diets like Paleo or Mediterranean, and even juice cleanses, I still wasn't seeing my stubborn belly fat go away. That all changed when I started doing intermittent fasting, though, where I eat all my meals in an eight-hour window (I chose 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and fast for the rest of the day.
My belly fat started coming off quicker than I ever thought possible, and it turns out there is a very real explanation for that. Certified dietitian Leslie Langevin, MS, RD, CD, of Whole Health Nutrition says that intermittent fasting "gets your body out of 'storage mode' and mobilizes fat stores for energy." This means that without having a constant food source, your body will dip into the fat it already has stored as its energy source, and in my case, that fat was in my belly.
Similarly, Dr. Daryl Gioffre, a celebrity nutritionist and longevity expert, adds that when you fast for 16 hours, "Your blood sugar and insulin levels lower," and the human growth hormone increases. He says this increases your metabolic rate "by up to 14 percent in some people." When this happens, your body has no other choice but to start burning your body's stored fat for energy - and my body started burning fat around my belly.
"Belly fat can be stubborn to lose because the abdominal area contains more alpha-2 receptors that slow down your ability to burn fat, compared to beta-2 receptors that increase your fat burning potential," Dr. Gioffre continued. IF lowers insulin levels, "activating your b-2 receptors and shutting down your a-2 receptors, allowing you to burn targeted fat in your belly area."
Pretty amazing, right? IF isn't necessarily for everyone, but it could work for you. Speak to your doctor before making any significant changes. If you find that IF is a good fit, you might just find that it blasts away your belly fat sooner than you expected, as long as you're still maintaining a healthy calorie deficit and also exercising regularly.
The Tone It Up Girls Share an Exclusive 10-Minute HIIT Workout - No Equipment Needed!
You've likely heard of Katrina and Karena, the mastermind powerhouse women behind Tone It Up, the online program that has helped thousands of women lose weight and feel their best. Whether you love Tone It Up or you've never heard of the program, you're in for a treat. Katrina and Karena have provided an exclusive HIIT workout for POPSUGAR, and it only takes 10 minutes to complete!
"High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is one of our absolute favorite workouts! HIIT combines short bursts of high-intensity moves with total-body toning exercises to boost your metabolism and sculpt your entire body fast!" Tone It Up told POPSUGAR. "With HIIT workouts, your metabolism will also be revved long after your workout ends so you'll be burning up and glowing all day long!"
Karena and Katrina like to incorporate HIIT sessions into their routine "at least twice a week." This particular session doesn't require any equipment whatsoever. "All you need for this routine is a mat and your A game!" they said. "You'll feel absolutely amazing after!"
"Do each move for 30 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds," they told us. "Repeat the circuit for a total of three rounds. Rest for up to one minute in between rounds." If you want some more support in your diet and fitness routine, check out the Studio Tone It Up App for "tons of booty-kicking workouts, including HIIT, strength training, yoga, barre, dance cardio, and more."
Ana Ate This Many Meals a Day to Lose 37 Pounds and Get Shredded Abs
In 2017, Ana Aguilar was sick of the "quick fix" diet and fitness programs she had tried in the past. She was ready for something that would last. As a busy mom with a full-time job, she needed something that would work. She decided to sign up for Renaissance Periodization and ended up losing 37 pounds. Here are the details of Ana's amazing weight-loss story.
43 Low-Fat Recipes to Help You Lose Weight the Old-Fashioned Way
The keto diet may be all the rage right now, but there are inevitably some people out there who are skeptical that eating more fat will help you become more skinny. If you're one of those people who prefers to lose weight the old-fashioned way - with low-fat meals - we have plenty of recipes for you. Inside, you'll find mouthwatering meals packed with colorful veggies and lean proteins.
From bright, zingy zoodles to flavorful oven-fried chicken, click through for 43 low-fat recipes that will give more traditional dieters peace of mind.
Here's How Long It Takes to Get a 6-Pack, According to This Celebrity Trainer
A six-pack may seem impossibly unattainable, but we promise you can get there with the right tips in your back pocket. As for how long it takes to see results, the answer really varies from person to person. It all depends on your body type and how much dedication you're willing to put in. According to celebrity trainer and BodyArmor Sports Drink spokesperson Don-A-Matrix, whose clientele includes stars like the Kardashians and Fergie, some may see changes in as little as a month, whereas others may need to stick to a strict regimen of diet and exercise for six months. Unfortunately, there isn't a single timeline that applies to everyone.
Personal trainer Lauren Clare always tells her clients that "abs are made in the kitchen." When it comes to decreasing body fat in your midsection, eating clean, whole foods and training regularly will help you make progress. Additionally, Lauren suggests working your abs in all directions, including flexion, extension, and core rotation.
Here are three moves that Don likes to incorporate into his ab workouts:
- Mountain/step climber: "Using a Bosu ball, hold a plank position, with the dome side of the ball on the floor. Pushing your hands down on the platform, draw one knee in toward your chest and then extend back into the plank position. Repeat for the opposite leg and alternate for 20 to 30 reps."
- Bosu crunch: "Place your lower back and butt on the Bosu ball. Bring your legs and chest upward while keeping your hands in a locked position on the floor. Repeat for 20 to 30 reps."
- Bosu twist: "Sitting on the floor with your feet planted, hold the Bosu ball in your hands and lean back to a 45-degree angle. Twist to one side and lower the ball to the side. Then raise the ball back up to the middle. Repeat and alternate sides for 45 seconds."
The 1 Change You Need to Make to Your Lunges to Really Tone and Sculpt Your Butt
If you want a move that will strengthen and tone your abs, butt, and legs all at once, look no further than the lunge. Lunges are great for correcting any muscular imbalances you may have, and they can help increase your strength and overall power.
Hands down, my favorite variation of the lunge is the walking lunge. Regardless of how fit I think I am, they still manage to fatigue my legs. Because of that, I always recommend people implement this exercise into their workouts, especially if they're looking to burn fat and build muscle in their lower body.
As a trainer, I've noticed that people tend to omit what is in my opinion the most important step to properly performing walking lunges: stepping up and over the opposite knee. Stepping up and over the opposite knee recruits and activates the hip, core, and gluteus medius muscles, as opposed to solely working the quadriceps when there is no step over.
The following image demonstrates how to perform the step over.
- Stand upright, feet together, with dumbbells at your sides. Take a controlled step forward with your left leg, lowering your hips toward the floor by bending both knees to 90-degree angles. Your back knee should point toward but not touch the ground, and your front knee should be directly over your ankle.
- Press your left heel into the ground, and push off with your right foot to bring your right leg forward, stepping with control into a lunge on the other side. This completes one repetition.
This 1 Piece of Fitness Gear Will Make or Break Your Next Run
For all the research and development we put into finding the perfect pair of running shoes, our socks are normally an afterthought. But that shouldn't be the case. Wearing the right socks is just as important as wearing the right shoes; they should provide comfort, be breathable, and, most importantly, prevent blisters. We've rounded up some of our favorite running socks; having the right pair will change your life.
Jillian Michaels Says You Should Lift Weights This Often For Fat Loss
You may have heard your fair share of claims that weightlifting can speed up fat loss and help you lean out faster. Well, that's not a myth. We confirmed with Jillian Michaels, health and fitness expert and creator of the My Fitness by Jillian Michaels App, and she agreed that lifting weights can help you efficiently shed fat.
"Lifting weights absolutely speeds fat loss because it burns more calories during and after your workout if done right," Jillian told POPSUGAR. Part of doing your workout the right way is doing "circuit training with HIIT intervals included in that circuit," according to Jillian. You can include both strength training and cardio into a circuit like this, ensuring you make the most of your time.
But here's the million-dollar question: how many times a week should you strength train to see positive results? "Women should lift four times a week if possible," Jillian explained. "Train each muscle twice a week with two days of rest between training days."
This is the example Jillian gave us. On Mondays and Thursdays, work on muscle groups that are primarily responsible for pushing movements, like "chest, triceps, shoulders, quads, and obliques." Then focus on the "pulling" parts of the body, such as your back, biceps, hamstrings, and upper and lower abs on Wednesdays and Fridays.
If you have no idea where to start or you don't know how to do basic exercises, consider working with a trainer for a few sessions. For more inspiration, here are some workouts to get you started.
50 States of Hip and Healthy Food Spots
If traveling is a part of your regular routine, sometimes you get sick of doing the touristy thing and indulging in everything the city has to offer. Maybe you're traveling to a new place and you're excited to sample anything and everything fried, fatty, and sweet, but you also crave something healthy here and there to balance it out. Whatever your goals are, we pulled together a roundup of fresh and healthy restaurants and cafes to check out in every state the next time you're in town. Healthy has never been so easy. Let's take a tour around the states plate by plate!
Ballet Meets Boxing in This High-Intensity 30-Minute Workout
Challenge your body with this high-energy cardio boxing workout from Mazi Dance Fitness, which combines ballet technique with boxing moves to burn calories and build strength. The workout mixes elements from the studio's signature classes - intense, high-kicking cardio from Ballerina Fight Club and toning moves from Ballerina Bum Bootcamp. You don't need any equipment for this one, so press play and get ready to sweat.
If you love this workout, be sure to check out Mazi Dance Fitness at the Propel Co:Labs Fitness Festival in Chicago (Aug. 11). Get your tickets here.
5 Moves to Build a Stronger Core - and Not 1 of Them Is a Crunch
Your core is truly the central part of your body. "It embodies all the muscles in your torso from your shoulders down to your hips. This complex series of muscles controls almost all of your body's movements. Therefore, a strong core equates to a strong body," said Sarah Chadwell, NASM, CPT, a certified trainer. In fact, having a strong core helps combat injury and back pain and improves your posture.
A strong core does not necessarily mean a six-pack. It means fortifying the muscles in your torso so you can do everyday activities without strain - think about it, you use your core when you swing a bat or golf club, and even when you stand up from a chair. The simple answer to strengthening those muscles is to consistently do exercises that work them. While your head might immediately go to dreaded planks and crunches, there are other moves that can have a great impact on your core, in particular the deep internal muscles. We asked Chadwell to share her go-to exercises that work the area.
dimanche 5 août 2018
Here's How Many Carbs You Can Actually Have on the Keto Diet
If you're thinking about trying the ketogenic diet, you've likely already started thinking about the foods you're going to have to restrict in order to successfully lose weight. The keto diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet in which the body produces ketones in the liver to use as energy in place of of carbohydrates. This state is called ketosis to describe the presence of ketones, a chemical produced when the body burns stored fat. While the thought of indulging in high-fat foods might cheer you up about your impending lifestyle change, we don't blame you if your initial first thought is, "Just how many carbs can I actually have?"
According to Dr. Josh Axe, a certified doctor of natural medicine, chiropractic doctor, and clinical nutritionist, in order for the body to successfully transition to and remain in ketosis, you should aim for about 30 to 50 daily net grams of carbohydrates. Once your body has gotten used to the reduction in carbs, you can opt to further reduce to about 20 grams of net carbs per day, which is considered the standard "strict" amount most keto dieters stick to. (More details on calculating net carbs can be found here.)
Shauna Sacco, a registered dietitian in Houston, finds it much more effective to simply put the calculator away, because unlike other diets, the keto diet restricts macronutrients rather than calories. "I encourage my clients to follow a 'food as medicine' approach to the keto diet, emphasizing the importance of getting plenty of antioxidants from leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, as well as whole foods from high quality, anti-inflammatory sourcing such as pasture-raised, antibiotic- and hormone-free meats and eggs," she said.
And we hate to break it to you, but yes, you do have to say goodbye your favorite comforting carbs like bread and potatoes when following the keto diet. "There is no room for any carbohydrate-heavy foods in the keto diet," Sacco said. "That means eliminating fruit, grains, starchy vegetables, and, of course, all sweets and sweetened beverages."
A Trainer Shares an Effective Strength Training and Cardio Schedule to Get Rid of Fat
Although a magical formula for losing body fat doesn't exist, we may have come pretty damn close. To be fair, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution, nor is it easy by any means, but Corey Phelps, NASM-certified personal trainer, certified BASI Pilates teacher, and TRX and Spinning instructor, shared an effective combination that could help guide you in the right direction. For starters, there is no definitive exercise that will end your weight-loss woes. Instead, you'll want to incorporate both strength training and cardio into your fitness regimen.
"Cardio-based exercises, otherwise referred to as aerobic exercise, use fat as the primary source of fuel, but cardio alone isn't likely to give you the lean, defined physique you're looking for," Corey told POPSUGAR. "A combination of strength training and cardio is what is needed."
According to Corey, the "ideal combination" includes the following:
- Strength training - three to four times a week
- HIIT (high-intensity interval training) - two to three times a week
- LISS (low-intensity steady state) - two times per week
And, of course, the advice above won't work without clean eating and "minding your macros," as Corey explained. Her top cardio picks are rowing, jump rope, and swimming because "they target the whole body and burn major calories and fat," she said.
As for strength training, Corey recommends performing compound movements that work multiple areas at a time and changing the tempo to keep your body guessing. "For instance, when performing a squat, a varied tempo would look something like: lower for a four count, pause at the bottom for a three count, explode out of the squat on one count," Corey said.
Try her fat-blasting HIIT workout:
Directions: Perform each move for 45 seconds for a total of four to five sets. The entire workout should take around 27 to 34 minutes.
- Jump rope
- Squats
- Jump rope
- Push-ups
- Jump rope
- Split squats
- Jump rope
- Plank jacks
See each move broken down ahead!
I Had No Idea This Light Therapy Lamp Would Help My Postpartum Anxiety
When my therapist suggested I try a light lamp to handle my raging postpartum anxiety, I paused. It sounded a little bogus. A lamp? I'm around lamps all day long, from standing to overhead and everything in between. How was that going to calm my mind so that I could breathe?
It was eight days after I'd delivered my first baby. Exactly five days since we'd come home from the hospital. My daughter was healthy and hungry, and I was an absolute mess. My anxiety had soared to new, unfamiliar levels. Prior to delivering, I'd been working closely with my therapist on maintaining a good headspace, and to my surprise, I got through my entire pregnancy with manageable levels of anxiety and panic. It was there, ebbing and flowing right along aside me, but it was reasonable.
Nothing could have prepared me for the round-the-clock fear that I experienced once entering my home following delivery, though. There was a mixed bag of things at play. A series of new and very serious responsibilities, from trying - and failing - to breastfeed, to having to make constant decisions about the health and wellness of my baby, all cascading into one another.
It was the middle of Winter, and these paralyzing sensations, for whatever reason, were peaking around 4:30 p.m. every day just when the sun was setting-when the house was quiet, and I felt most trapped inside of it.
My therapist noticed the way light exposure was impacting my mood - I was having trouble eating anything at night because the anxiety was so debilitating it was giving me intense gastrointestinal issues - and among the many things we worked on together, she suggested I try a Verilux HappyLight ($99). She explained that light therapy at the right time of day could possibly improve my mood and energy, and reset my circadian rhythm to improve sleep. It could, at the very least, help.
Desperate, I ordered it immediately. Every day at 3:30 p.m. - about an hour before I'd typically trigger - I sat in front of the lamp. We started off slowly with just 20-minute sessions. I placed it on my bedside table (though you can put it anywhere) and sat next to it so that the light hit my eyes from the side. As much as I wanted to do other things while using it, it works best when you look forward. It wasn't exactly relaxing, but it was therapeutic. Like an extension of my healing.
The first day I completed a session I was noticeably energized immediately. More awake. I turned off the lamp and went on a walk, which was great to get outside and get some fresh air. I even walked to the market and ate dinner. Something about eating outside helped. And when I returned home from the walk I felt a little different, too. Rather than the suffocating feeling I was experiencing at home, I was a little less anxious. I looked forward to the next day, when I could use the light again. Whether it was the lamp or my belief in the lamp, I didn't care. That's the way anxiety works sometimes.
While the HappyLight doesn't make any medical claims, and I wouldn't have tried it without the guidance from my therapist, it was a useful tool in addressing and treating my postpartum anxiety. It gave me a regular thing to look forward to every day, and it reset how I felt about the evening. It didn't completely cure my postpartum anxiety, but it was a critical piece. It calmed me just enough, and I believed in it.
Yes, sometimes a lamp is just a lamp. But other times, though, it's kind of like Xanax.
Scotty McCreery Turned His Wedding Footage Into a Music Video, and Now We're Tearing Up
There's just something about country wedding songs that makes us incredibly emotional, and Scotty McCreery has officially taken it up a notch. After tying the knot with his girlfriend of six years, Gabi Dugal, on June 16, the country singer decided to turn his wedding footage into a romantic music video for "This Is It" from his album Seasons Change. Not only does the video showcase their nuptials at the scenic Twickenham House & Hall in the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, but it also gives fans a glimpse of the couple's undeniable bond as Scotty tears up when Gabi walks down the aisle. Honestly, it will make you tear up as well. See the heartwarming video above, and get ready to add this song to your 2018 wedding music playlist.
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