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.
dimanche 16 septembre 2018
6 Reasons to Visit Disneyland Alone
As my 31st birthday crept up on me, I knew I wanted to feed my travel bug. I tossed around ideas like a train ride to San Diego, a trip to Salt Lake City to hang out with my little sister, or a road trip to San Francisco. After going over those ideas, I decided to stay close to my new home in LA and go to Disneyland. Since my friends weren't able to make the trip with me, I decided to go solo. Yes, this single 30-something went to Disneyland with no children and no friends and had more fun than I've had in years. The Disney brand has a special place in my heart since it's where my family and I spent time at least one family vacation per year. We (OK, my dad) would pack up our van and drive eight hours to visit the most magical place on earth. We even went on a Disney cruise! So spending the day at Disneyland not only helped me create new memories but also helped me relive memories from my childhood.
Of Course These Surf Shop Owners Threw the Chillest (and Prettiest) Wedding in the Keys
Florida saw nothing but rain in the first few months of 2017, but for one incredible day, the skies cleared and the sun shined just for Nikki and Matt's big day. As the owners of JIVA Active, the beautiful couple live and breathe all things ocean. So it's no surprise that the two decided to marry in the Keys at the gorgeous Coconut Palm Inn. The ceremony and reception were both outdoors by the water, and they were the perfect combination of laid-back and chic.
Matt and Nikki originally planned to tie the knot in September, but called their photographer, Sara, to let her know that they had bumped the date to Spring because somebody special would be joining them. She even captured a shot of the bride's growing baby bump as she got ready to walk down the aisle. On May 23, 2017, Matt and Nikki were surrounded by friends and loved ones, and officially became husband and wife under the sun.
See the photos!
This Sleep Mask Is Also a Pair of Headphones
I love listening to music or podcasts to help me quickly drift off into sleep. Most nights I spend a bit of time before bed to set up a soundtrack of relaxing or inspirational music, something that will help me sleep better and allow me to wake up refreshed. According to a study done by the Sleep Foundation, 45 minutes of relaxing music before bed is shown to help people fall asleep faster and sleep better.
But you know what I don't love so much? All the discomfort that comes along with lying down with headphones on. I usually wake up in the middle of the night with my headphones thrown across the bed, the wires wrapped around my arms, and the music still playing. Yes, it does look as awkward as it sounds.
So when I found out about this awesome Music Sleep Mask ($35) from Urban Outfitters I became very excited. Not only does its thick lining block out any light, but it also has headphones integrated into the actual eye mask. This means that you can lie down or relax without having to worry about any headphones poking into your ears. It also comes complete with audio cable and volume controls so you can truly customize your experience.
Convinced this multipurpose eye mask will help you comfortably doze off to dreamland? Shop it ahead.
I Haven't Eaten Dairy For 4 Years, and I've Experienced These 12 Massive Health Benefits
As a young animal lover, I stopped eating meat when I was 13 years old, and dairy was an absolute staple. I didn't think anything was wrong with it because it wasn't like the cows were being killed, right? Wrong. So wrong. It wasn't until four years ago, when I watched the documentary Vegucated, that I found out how inhumane the dairy industry is. I had no idea! Cows are artificially impregnated at an alarming rate, and after they gave birth, their babies are brutally taken away from them immediately and hooked up to a machine to give their milk to us. I was sobbing watching a farmer drag a newborn calf away from its mama while she screamed and tried to chase after it as they held her back.
I live in Vermont, where the joke is that there are more cows than people. I spoke to tons of small family farms to find out the truth. They all nodded. I was shocked that one very well-known organic farm explained, "The reason we separate the calf right away is so they don't bond. Already you can hear the moms and calves mooing to each other, and it'd be much worse if they stayed together." It made me sick. As a mother of two, my heart ached, and I felt compelled to give dairy up overnight.
Aside from feeling good about not supporting the cruel dairy industry, I had no idea how dramatically my life would improve over the past four years. Here are the amazing health benefits I experienced after going dairy-free.
This Is How You Calculate Net Carbs For Weight Loss
Whether you're following the keto diet or just want to eat low-carb for weight loss, you are probably all too familiar with counting your carbs and staying within a certain threshold for the day. But what about net carbs? Usually reserved for people who are diabetic, net carbs can actually be helpful if you want to know how the food you eat will impact your blood sugar.
The most basic way to calculate net carbs is by subtracting the dietary fiber from the overall carbs. (Net Carbs = Total Carbs - Dietary Fiber.) For example, an apple has 25 grams of carbs and four grams of dietary fiber, which means a apple has around 21 net carbs. Another way to calculate net carbs is by subtracting the fiber and sugar alcohols from total carbohydrates (Net Carbs = Total Carbs - Dietary Fiber - Sugar Alcohols); a Quest Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough protein bar has 21 grams of carbs, 14 grams of fiber, and three grams of erythritol, so it has just four grams of net carbs. The problem with this is many foods don't list the amount of sugar alcohols on the nutrition label.
Since fiber isn't fully digested by your body, proponents of counting net carbs say it's a more accurate way of determining how food will affect your blood sugar. A high-fiber food, such as black beans, won't spike your blood sugar as much as a food made of more simple carbs, such as a slice of white bread. However, net carbs is not a term recognized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
While some diets, such as the Atkins diet, rely on calculating net carbs as part of the program, it's not typically advised for the keto diet. If you think counting net carbs would be helpful for you, be sure to speak to a registered dietitian or your doctor about it. Otherwise, it's best to stick to counting total carbs as part of your macros or calorie counting and staying within your daily target.
If You Struggle to Lose Belly Fat, These 9 Tips Can Change That
Exercise alone, especially doing hundreds of crunches or hours of treadmill miles, isn't the key to reducing belly fat. Although we can't spot-reduce fat from our bellies, all it takes is the right combo of lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise, and you'll have a leaner tummy - and you can keep it that way! Incorporate these nine simple, doable, expert-recommended habits to ditch belly fat for good. Start with one or two of these at first, and losing belly fat will feel easy.
Your Arms Will Transform After Doing This 10-Move Workout
This workout combines dumbbell and bodyweight moves to give you the ultimate arm burn. Each move targets different areas of your upper body including the deltoids (shoulders), biceps, triceps, and traps. This workout will leave you feeling sore for days, and will also help you get lean, sculpted, strong arms.
The Workout
Directions: Grab a pair of light to medium weight dumbbells and perform each exercise for 10 reps. It should take you about six to eight minutes if you don't take any rest between reps. Repeat this 10-move workout two to four times.
Overhead shoulder press
Bent-over row
Upright row
Overhead triceps extensions
Wide bicep curl
Bent-over reverse fly
Man maker burpee
Chaturanga push-up
Dolphin dive
Triceps dips
Explanations for each move are below, followed by a quick six-exercise stretch session for your upper body - you won't want to skip that!
Sculpt a Lean 6-Pack With the Help of These 30 Ab Workout Videos
Make working your abs easy by just following along to these videos! From five minutes to 30, all these workouts focus on your entire core including your upper and lower abs, obliques, and back muscles. As a bonus, many of these videos include total-body moves to sculpt your arms, legs, and butt, and they'll also get your heart rate up to burn fat.
Some of these videos require zero equipment, and some need weights, a booty band, or towels, so you can choose the workout that suits your needs. You'll definitely want to bookmark this to have for the gym, at home, or when traveling.
Don't Be a Tight Ass - Make Your Hips Happier With These 7 Glute Stretches
If you're working toward booty gains, chances are your glutes are feeling it. A little soreness is great; it's a sign you're building muscle and getting stronger, but tight glutes can cause hip and lower-back pain. Here are seven stretches to keep your backside flexible and feeling good. Heck, you might even want to foam roll the muscles too.
Better Than a Pumpkin Spice Latte: How to Make Healthy, Sugar-Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee
I'm a walking cliché of someone who is obsessed with Fall: I love layering sweaters and scarves, practically live in my riding boots, and eat and drink everything that's pumpkin-spice-flavored. (I even dragged my husband to a sad little pumpkin patch in the middle of Queens one October, but that's a tale for another time). The problem with indulging in all the treats of the season, however, is that they're usually packed with sugar and calories.
Take Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Latte for example. If you order a traditional Grande how, made with whole milk and whipped cream, the drink contains 420 calories, 18 grams of fat, 52 grams of carbs, and 50 grams of sugar - yikes! And while there are ways to make it healthier, that's still a lot of sugar for a breakfast beverage. Consuming that much sugar first thing in the morning is sure to spike your blood sugar, only to make it crash by mid-morning, leaving you with hunger pangs and craving more simple carbs.
Since I love the flavors of pumpkin spice, especially in my coffee, I have found a simple way to make it healthier. I start with pumpkin-spice-flavored coffee grounds, such as Joe's Harvest Pumpkin Spice Coffee ($10 for a 12-ounce bag on Amazon). Instead of whole milk or my beloved unsweetened almond milk, I add another punch of pumpkin spice flavor with Pumpkin Spice Nutpods ($15 for a four-pack on Amazon). When I did Whole30 a couple years ago, Nutpods were a life-saver: they're sugar-free, dairy-free, and made with coconut cream and almond milk, which means they are Paleo, Whole30-compliant, and keto-friendly. The Pumpkin Spice Nutpods have just the right amount of Fall flavor without being too overwhelming.
If I'm craving something a little sweeter I'll add a drop or two of liquid stevia, but usually I don't need it. And then I top it off with a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice (I use the one from Trader Joe's). One cup of my pumpkin spice coffee is about 12 calories, one gram of fat, and zero grams of sugar. Since I usually have more than one cup - which is just a measly eight ounces and who can survive on just eight ounces of coffee in the morning? - I typically consume about 25 calories, two grams of fat, and zero grams of sugar in my morning Fall coffee.
And since I'm a ride-or-die iced coffee fan, I typically drink it cold, even in chilly temps. I use the coffee grounds in my Hario Cold Brew Coffee Wine Bottle ($23 on Amazon) to steep overnight, then add my Nutpods creamer and pumpkin spice the next morning.
If you're craving a Fall coffee with a fraction of the calories and no sugar, try making this concoction at home. It pairs nicely with a blanket scarf and puffy vest.
Want to Try the Whole30 Diet? Here's Everything You Can and Cannot Eat
With so many diets out there today, it can be overwhelming choosing the right nutrition regimen for yourself. If you're not sure which one to go with, the Whole30 plan might be a good place to start since it's only a 30-day commitment. The goal of the Whole30 diet is to eliminate certain food groups that might have a negative effect on your health - not just weight - from mysterious aches to chronic fatigue. Then, after the 30 days are up, you'll hopefully have a better idea of which foods you should permanently cut out and which ones you can reintroduce to your diet.
Unlike many diets that focus on eating less, the Whole30 diet emphasizes eating healthier, which might make it the most sustainable diet yet.
Lose Weight With These 50+ Protein-Packed Vegan Breakfasts
Get energized with the power of plants! These vegan breakfasts offer protein, fiber, and healthy fats to keep you satisfied all morning, which can prevent the mindless snacking that leads to weight gain. The chocolate coconut almond overnight oats and the sweet potato and kale tofu scramble are must-try recipes!
Allison Made This 1 Tweak to Her Diet, and It Completely Transformed Her Butt
Allison Murphy always had a hard time gaining weight and maintaining it, regardless of what she ate. "As I got older, I began to despise how long and lanky I was," Allison told POPSUGAR. She realized that working out (something she already loved to do) would give her body more of a shape by adding muscle mass - and that's exactly what she did. Continue reading to learn exactly how Allison transformed her butt.
How Her Diet Changed
Instead of counting calories and obsessing over her diet, Allison said she focused on eating clean and listening to her body's hunger cues. "My meals often consist of all vegetables (there's not one I don't like), rice or quinoa, beans, lentils, and chicken or fish," Allison said. In order to maintain her weight and physique, Allison had to increase the amount of food she was eating, specifically her protein intake, drinking plant-based protein shakes with peanut butter.
The Workout She Did For a Bigger Butt
Allison said that she was very active growing up, participating in activities like dance, horseback riding, and running. "I never really knew much about working out as far as weight training was concerned," Allison explained. Once she started working with her personal trainer, Ryan Read, her knowledge about weightlifting expanded. "When I started, I could only lift or squat the bar by itself, but you've got to start somewhere!" Although her strength was minimal, she began to lift weights three to fives times a week, eventually impressing herself with the progress she had made.
The Workout She Stopped Doing
Allison cut back on the amount of cardio she was doing because it caused her to lose too much weight and muscle mass. Instead, she began to do 15 to 20 minutes of cardio on the StairMaster or walks around her neighborhood a few times a week. She credits Ryan with showing her "the dos and don'ts, as well as certain routines to alter my body in the ways I wanted." As far as her results, Allison said, "The results are addicting; lifting heavier and feeling stronger is one of the most rewarding feelings around."
No Need to Stand! This Arms and Abs Dumbbell Workout Is All on the Floor
While we are fans of full-body workouts, sometimes you just don't want to stand and lift. We get it. We've created a simple workout for your arms and abs that can be done on the floor for those days when being upright is just too, too much. And all you need is set of dumbbells, between five and 10 pounds, and a comfy space on the floor.
Directions: Warm up with shoulder circles, seated scarecrow, and a 30-second plank. Then perform this six-exercise circuit three times, resting for one minute between circuits. Cool down with a spinal twist and a hip-flexor stretch.
Build Your Booty Without Lifting a Single Weight!
Looking to build your booty without heavy weights? This workout from Los Angeles's Bünda studio is for you. All you need are a StairMaster (or a set of stairs!) and a booty band, so get ready to build up your backside. Remember: you want the workout to be challenging, but form is the most important part, especially in the variations.
StairMaster Series
Directions: Repeat the StairMaster series three times, totaling 15 minutes. Increase the level by one with each round, but do not sacrifice form - decrease the level for the variations as needed. You want the workout to be challenging, but form is the most important part, especially in the variations. For the floor series, you will need a green mini band.
1 minute: Single step
- Just like walking upstairs, one step at a time.
1 minute: Skip a step
- Take bigger steps, like walking upstairs two steps at a time.
- This is great for your hamstrings, but avoid it if you have any knee injuries.
1 minute: Side step right
- Face the side of the machine so both hips are facing to the right; bring your hands to the right-side handlebars.
- Your right foot will cross over your left.
- Focus on engaging the outer right hip and glute.
- This will lift your booty from the side as well as strengthen the muscles that stabilize your lower back and knee.
1 minute: Side step left
- Switch sides and face left, bringing your hands to the left-side handlebars.
- Your left foot will cross over your right.
- Focus on engaging the outer left hip and glute.
1 minute: Alternating kickbacks
- You want to stay leaning forward throughout the movement. As you skip a step (like stepping two stairs at a time), lift the opposite leg straight back, pausing at the top to feel the glute muscle engage.
- This is best at level five or six.
Strength-Training Series
Repeat this five-exercise circuit three times, resting one minute between each circuit. Cool down with these booty stretches.
This Dietitian Eats These 5 Foods Every Day - and You Should Too
Whether you're trying to lose weight or you just want to take better care of yourself, a healthy diet is essential. But picking and choosing the most virtuous foods can be tricky on your own. How can you ensure you're getting the vitamins you need? Enough fiber? The right nutrients to slow aging or keep your system running smoothly?
POPSUGAR asked Mascha Davis, MPH, RDN, a registered dietitian and nutritionist and the national media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, to help us sort through the clutter. Here, you'll find five foods she recommends eating at least once over the course of the day. And whether you want glowing skin or a healthy digestive system, her picks deliver. "These foods all promote different aspects of health and provide a balance of nutrients you need," she said. "I eat them every day, and you should too."
Fortunately, they couldn't be simpler to add to your menu - keep reading to see for yourself.
We're Calling It Now: These Are the Most Popular Halloween Costumes For Kids This Year
Year after year, little ghosts, mummies, and witches run around screaming "Trick or treat!" as they wander through their neighborhoods carrying pumpkin-shaped candy buckets - but every year, there's a slew of costumes that make everyone say, "Yup, expected as much," for a different reason. Between all of the popular new movies, TV shows, books, and video games from the year, there are always a ton of new favorite characters to pretend to be each Oct. 31. From Fortnite characters to a select few trendy animals, we're calling it now: the following costumes are going to be the most popular of the year.
Just be sure that if your child's asking to dress in one of these costumes that they're sure it's the one they truly want - because shopping for a Halloween ensemble with indecisive kids is one of the worst parts of the holiday.
Everything You Need to Know About the Fresh Hell of a Toddler Phenomenon That Is "Baby Shark"
There's a new catchy-as-hell kid jingle in town, and it's taking the parenting world by not-so-pleasant storm. The culprit? "Baby Shark." In fact, the tune gets stuck in parents' heads so easily, even Kylie Jenner isn't safe from still singing it hours later. So where exactly did this song come from? It was created by the Korean YouTube channel Pinkfong, and obviously, little kids love it.
Pinkfong is an educational channel that publishes dances and sing-a-longs that are super popular among the 5-and-under group. And with more than 10 million subscribers, it seems like the brand certainly knows its audience.
But the "Baby Shark Dance" video is definitely its most successful clip with 1.6 billion views. The video, which was released in November 2015, recently made the top 40 most viewed videos of all time list on YouTube.
And parents who have been subjected to listening to "Baby Shark" on repeat opted to have a little fun with it themselves by creating a Baby Shark Challenge, where moms and dads act out the song and dance and share their own renditions to social media. Creative, huh?
Skeeter Syndrome: The Mosquito-Borne Illness Every Parent Should Know About
Mosquitos: the ruiner-in-chief of camping trips, pool parties, and late-night bonfires. And although these pesky little critters are no strangers to parents, thanks to threats of Zika and West Nile virus, there's another mosquito-related ailment parents should be wary of called skeeter syndrome.
So what exactly is skeeter syndrome? It's an allergic reaction to the proteins in mosquito saliva that can cause large areas to swell and become red and sore. And, of course, kids are the most likely to be affected by the illness.
Think your little one may have a case of skeeter syndrome? Scroll through to see what you should do about it.
49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child
The following story, written by Renee Jain, was originally published on GoZen.
It happens to every child in one form or another - anxiety. As parents, we would like to shield our children from life's anxious moments, but navigating anxiety is an essential life skill that will serve them in the years to come. In the heat of the moment, try these simple phrases to help your children identify, accept, and work through their anxious moments.
12 Easy Costume Ideas For Moms Who Don't Want to Put in Too Much Effort - or Be a Party Pooper
You plan your kids' costumes weeks in advance (right?), but your own Halloween ensemble is, at best, an afterthought. If you're a mama who likes dressing up but doesn't have time to plan an elaborate costume, you're in luck. Here are 12 beyond-simple ideas that will get you in the trick-or-treating spirit quickly, inexpensively, and painlessly.
Spoiler alert: some of these are so easy that you probably already have everything you need lying around!
These Disney Halloween PJs Are Putting Us in a Seriously Spooky Mood
If you've ever crossed paths with a small child (let alone a toddler), you know that wearing costumes, capes, and disguises is in no way limited to Halloween - dressing up is an everyday activity. That's why we're certain that these Disney Halloween pajamas are going to be your kids' newest obsessions. Forget October, they'll want to wear these "costume" jammies all. year. long.
Check out the cutest Disney Halloween PJs for kids below (as well as a few adult pairs so that moms and dads can get in on the action!).
50 States of Scary: The Most Terrifying Haunted Houses You MUST Visit in America
You know what time of year it is?! Just kidding, it doesn't matter if it's Halloween or not, the people who are truly committed to the holiday are always ready for a good scare. We have scoured every corner of the country to bring you the most terrifying and entertaining haunted houses you must visit in America.
Why Do We Love to Scare Ourselves? An Expert on Fright Has Some Surprising Answers
Image Source: Everett Collection
For some, Halloween is a time for sweaters and pumpkin spice everything. For others, it's a time for gory films and haunted houses. Did you ever wonder if there's a reason some people are thrill seekers and others always choose to sit it out?
Sociologist Dr. Margee Kerr did. She built her research and lecturing career out of a childhood fascination with scary stories: "I was intrigued by the unknown. I knew getting into my academic career I still needed to incorporate some of that adventure, otherwise I would be miserable." That adventure led her to globe-trot for scares to write a literal book on the topic before serving as the researcher for Pittsburgh's Scarehouse, and even appearing as herself in the sequel to the haunted house horror flick The Houses That October Built. Whether fear is your goal or enemy this Halloween, Dr. Kerr has the answers to how and why we react to things that go bump in the night - and how thrill seekers can amp up the scare power.
Dr. Margee Kerr says the "fun scary" kind of fear's physical and psychological effects can be highly rewarding. Photo courtesy of Jake Bradbury.
POPSUGAR: For starters, why do we love haunted attractions so much?
Dr. Margee Kerr: We do love it for the physical high. Our body, when it's thrust into that fight or flight mode, releases all sorts of chemicals. In the right context, mainly one of choice and entertainment, that physiological response can feel really good. We feel euphoric and strong and kind of primal. Also, when we're scared, our brain reprioritizes, so it's focused on all our physical elements. We're not getting caught up in what we have to do in the future. We're grounded more in the present. There's also this big social component. Being scared with friends creates stronger bonds. It enhances the experience. We get a sense of accomplishment. Even though we know we're safe, it feels like we've completed a challenge and made it out the other side. It also can increase our resilience and our tolerance in the moment. When we face something really challenging and intense, everything else is not going to upset us as much.
PS: Do you have any insight into the history of haunted houses?
MK: They have a varied history. A big part of it was Haunted Mansion at Disney. That was actually based off of the Winchester Mystery House after Walt Disney toured it and wanted to create something similar. The Winchester Mystery House was this house that this woman kept building on. After her husband passed, she was the heir to the Winchester estate. She had a house, and she believed all the people who had been killed by Winchester rifles, that she could act as a conduit [to channel them]. And then the Haunted Mansion influenced the creation of modern attractions today. Jaycee groups played a big role in it, too. Then volunteer firefighters started making charity haunted attractions. And so it was the big influence from Disney and then the backyard attractions that started sprouting up. Today you can see that packed history of the sort of DIY backyard attractions and then the big amusement side of it. Now there is that middle type of attractions that do, say, over 50,000 people a year. That's like Terror Behind the Walls or Netherworld.
PS: What separates those who love haunted attractions and those who won't go near them?
MK: A lot of it is our history. Some of it is genetic. Even the way our genes are expressed is so tied into our experiences and our childhood. All the different moments in our childhood when we experience fear go into creating how we give meaning to different experiences. So, if you never had any folder in your mind for "fun scary," then you might not like it too much. I grew up going to haunted houses from a very young age, so my experience with fun scary is very long and rich. I always encourage people to test themselves every few years because we do change.
PS: You helped develop the Basement at Scarehouse, Pittsburgh's premiere haunted attraction. What research was involved there and what trends do you see in immersive haunts?
MK: I haven't been at Scarehouse for a couple years, but in working with Greg Siegle, the cognitive neuroscientist, we set up the lab in the Basement and we were able to measure people['s moods] before and after they went through. Our first year of data collection will be coming out this month in the journal Emotion. But we found that mood did improve and people did feel better. In terms of haunted house trends and what I've been seeing over the past few years, a lot of people are going for more interactivity and more sense of immersion, making it more personal in a scalable way. Like at Terror Behind the Walls, you can opt in with the glow necklace if you want the more interactive experience, but if you don't, you just take it off. But there's been a lot of work in trying to make it more interactive. Incorporating puzzle elements, making it more gamified like escape rooms.
PS: The Basement allows guests to utilize a safe word. Some extreme haunts don't. Where do you think the line should be drawn in extreme haunts?
MK: I think that any commercial business that doesn't have a safe word is essentially violating the law. If they don't allow people to exit an experience, they're essentially holding someone hostage at that point. There's a range: some places don't have a safe word because they didn't think that they would need one, but if someone said, "I have to get out of here," they would respect it and let people leave. The places that don't let you leave - I don't know if they even really exist beyond tall tales and folklore - but any place that doesn't let you leave is violating the law. It's not fun anymore, and your attention shifts to actual survival. The boundaries should be communicated to guests up front. You can do that without giving anything away.
PS: How can those who hate to be scared still enjoy the season, and how can those who love thrills get the most out of it?
MK: For those who don't like to be scared, there are so many cool harvest specials and pumpkin patches. You can feel the nostalgia and the connectedness without any of the fear. And those who are really looking for a good scare, I would recommend taking the approach of saving all your money and trying to get to a really well-known and highly rated attraction, or to mix it up and do a handful of backyard attractions that aren't going to break the bank and compare them at the end of the season. For those looking for something good or new or unique, it's worth doing some research.
There you have it! Whether you'll be scaring yourself silly or playing it safe, now you have some insight on how your brain works when you're afraid . . . and how to make the most out of Halloween.
Black Women Are Exhausted
June 17, 2015, was the day I knew I was tired. One week before the first day of Summer, a white supremacist walked into the historical Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, and was welcomed with open hearts by members of the church during a Wednesday evening Bible study. Then he opened fire on the black men and women as they stood to pray.
I first read about the hate crime where many of us discover news of the latest surprise album drop, a friend's engagement, or mass shootings: on social media.
I immediately wanted to stop what I was doing and go home. But I couldn't; I was just four months into a new job. Instead, I continued drafting light-hearted social media posts for TV shows that have long been forgotten, even though the weight of the event and the attack on a group of people - people who could have been members of my own black, Southern, Christian family - felt as if it had just happened to me. I felt powerless. After years of working to design a coping mechanism against never-ending microaggressions and stereotypes in my own life, all while struggling to make sense of how the senseless deaths of those like Trayvon Martin, Eric Garner, and Aiyana Jones regularly go unpunished, I was emotionally depleted.
"Having to wake up daily and feel like the world around you is crumbling, then going into these hyperwhite spaces and feeling like no one understands . . . I'm exhausted."
Adrienne Thomas, a 26-year-old powerlifter and student studying urban elementary education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, knew she was exhausted when she began crying midsentence during a 7 a.m. meeting at work. "People asked me what was wrong and I said, 'It's everything,'" Thomas recalled. "Having to wake up daily and you feel like the world around you is crumbling, then going into these hyperwhite spaces and feeling like no one understands . . . I'm exhausted."
In her 2005 book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America's Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing, researcher and historian Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary explores how centuries of trauma and post-traumatic stress from oppression and systemic racism directly affect descendants of slaves. This theory has been explored in several studies on how abuse and trauma might actually alter human DNA and be passed down through generations via a process called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance. The theory - while scientifically controversial - has been studied in populations including black Americans and descendants of Holocaust survivors.
Cheryl K. Webster, an LA-based clinician studying at the California School of Professional Psychology, points to research suggesting the trauma black women experienced during slavery, Jim Crow, and the civil rights era may still have a compounding impact on black women today. "We have a lot of stress because we put so much on our shoulders," Webster said. "Whether it's with our black men being attacked and now our black women, it's just a little too much to deal with."
The feeling of simply being overwhelmed by factors that are out of my control returned when Nia Wilson was murdered this Summer. Wilson was an 18-year-old black woman on her way home following a family gathering when a white man fatally stabbed her at a BART station in Oakland, CA. At first, I avoided reading the details of her attack; I also refuse to watch any video of a black person being killed by a police officer. But as soon as I could bring myself to do so, that familiar feeling of sadness, anger, and exhaustion returned. I felt alone in my frustration, but it didn't take long to realize I wasn't.
The day after Wilson was killed, teacher, lecturer, and activist Rachel Cargle posted an image of the words "You OK Sis" on her Instagram page. The gesture was meant to provide women of color with an opportunity to share how they were feeling and coping - not just with Wilson's death, but in their own day-to-day lives.
#YouOKSis was originally created by activist and author Feminista Jones in 2014 as a response to the street harassment black women face. The image Cargle shared was of an art piece by Kate Just, which served as a tribute to the movement. Hundreds of women shared how Wilson's death impacted them on Cargle's post - only for the post to be taken down by Instagram because it was reported as being in violation of the platform's hate speech guidelines. (It was restored two days later.)
These feelings aren't just feelings. They are rooted in hard data and a reality that affects black women in nearly every aspect of their lives.
In the post's nearly 600 comments, women wrote that they were fearful for their safety and the safety of their children. Others addressed having anxiety. A common theme, however, was simply that black women were tired. "I'm feeling anxious and exhausted," wrote Régine Kalala, a newlywed who lives and works in Texas. "I'm feeling invisible at work and [to] white people who are blissfully unaware of this and other murders of black people and people of color in this country."
Kalala told POPSUGAR that while she's trying to remain hopeful, she can't help but feel defeated. Like Thomas, continuing on with daily tasks and having to be enthusiastic about her job after a troubling event in the news cycle affects her on a personal level. "Having to go to work and continue to exist while white coworkers don't understand why this particular week is extra hard. People talking about their plans for the weekend and just talking about things where you feel like you can't relate. It never stops being heavy," she said.
These feelings aren't just feelings. They are rooted in hard data and a reality that affects black women in nearly every aspect of their lives. Black women are undervalued at work, where they are paid 38 percent less than white men and 21 percent less than white women. Statistics show that black women are three times more likely to die during childbirth than white women, a reality that impacts even wealthy, famous black women like Serena Williams and Beyoncé. According to an extensive report by Mic, one in 2,600 young black transgender women are murdered annually vs. one in 12,000 in the general population of young adults. Is it any wonder that, along with the daily tasks of combatting racist stereotypes and confronting microaggressions, many black women are emotionally, spiritually, and physically drained?
Kalala remembers the moment three years ago when she broke down crying in the middle of a flight. She was on a plane in the Summer of 2015 when she read about the death of Sandra Bland. Bland was arrested that July 10 in Prairie View, TX, during a routine traffic stop. Three days later, she was found dead - apparently hanged - in her jail cell. Her death was ruled a suicide, but many suspected foul play. Not only did the arresting officer use physical force in arresting Bland, the disturbing footage of which was captured on a dash cam, but her family and friends said she was not suicidal. On the contrary, they said, she was excited for a new job that brought her to Texas from Chicago. Bland's arrest and subsequent death left many women like Kalala feeling angry, confused, and vulnerable.
The constant stress and exhaustion of simply existing as a black woman can pose very real psychological and physiological responses that can threaten one's mental and physical health
Black women are not alone in feeling vulnerable under the weight of discrimination and prejudice. We live in a time when the man who is the President of the United States has a history of demeaning women; who publicly said there were "very fine people on both sides" of the 2017 Charlottesville Unite the Right white nationalist rally; who regularly positions Muslims, Mexican immigrants, and refugees as a threat to American safety; and who has hired, endorsed, or nominated individuals with anti-LGBTQ+ rights track records.
Sociologist Patricia Hill Collins, a leading voice of black feminism and author of Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge, Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment, explains, however, why the impact of our culture takes a particular toll on black women. Collins pioneered the theory of "matrix of domination," or the "matrix of oppression." This paradigm posits that systems of inequality as they relate to race, class, and gender - as well as sexual orientation, religion, and age - compound exponentially. "Race, class, and gender represent the three systems of oppression that most heavily affect African-American women," writes Collins in Black Feminist Thought. "Race, class, and gender may not be the most fundamental or important systems of oppression, but they have most profoundly affected African-American women."
The oppression is compounded even further for black transgender women. Antitransgender bias has lead to a rise in reported violence against transgender people, according to the Human Rights Campaign, which suggests many more instances go unreported. Fatal violence disproportionately affects transgender women of color who may be more vulnerable due to factors related to antiblack racism, misogyny, transphobia, and, often times, socioeconomic disparities.
Twenty-nine-year-old Pia K. Murphy says the violence that some trans women like her have suffered, with often little to no mainstream media coverage or public outcry, makes her "want to change the narrative around transgender women." The social media talent manager, who is based in LA, says the realities of hate crimes toward trans women affect her on a personal level. Still, she has found that being a source of strength for others during difficult times has helped her throughout her own journey as she works to be more vocal about both the beauty and challenges of the trans community. Finding an online community of women who can relate to her experiences has also proven to be invaluable. Murphy mentions #GirlsLikeUs, the trans women of color empowerment movement created by author, advocate, and Pose producer Janet Mock: "It's connecting all of us and our supporters."
Atlanta-based psychologist Dr. Joy Harden Bradford created an online community called Therapy For Black Girls in 2014 to encourage black women to make mental health a priority. She said, among other challenges, setting healthy boundaries in relationships can be a challenge for women she works with. Dr. Bradford said "saying yes to too many things and people, and not having enough time and energy to really refuel themselves and cultivate good self-care practices" are just some of the contributing factors that have caused many black women to feel emotionally tired on a recurring basis.
Feeling overwhelmed isn't reserved for black women in America. For Canadian Jessy Thermil (below), the January 2017 mass shooting at a mosque in Quebec - which occurred blocks from her home - was a turning point. In that moment, she realized that hate-driven violence could occur in her own neighborhood. "This can happen in Canada. It has happened and it might happen again," Thermil said. For outsiders, Canada is often painted as a bastion of safety in contrast to America, but Thermil said it's not that simple. "My life is not struggle-free. There are microaggressions daily, and for me, it's a matter of always having to prove my humanity."
Black women have found safety in online communities like #GirlsLikeUs and those created by Cargle and Dr. Bradford, especially as the importance of a safe space for women of color to address their concerns, even if it's virtual, continues to grow.
"'You OK Sis' was a microcosm of group think, so that black women don't feel alone," Cargle said of her Instagram post, which drew both praise and backlash from some men and white women for being only open for the voices of women of color. Cargle has seen her following balloon by 70,000 since the Spring, and while most of her followers are white women who look to her for guidance on how to speak about race, feminism, and intersectionality, her voice has helped her black followers feel more prepared to address issues surrounding race and intersectionality both on and offline. "I get a lot of messages from people telling me how they use my work in real life, and it makes me so happy."
As social media continues to be a tool for healing among black women looking to connect with likeminded people, Dr. Bradford suggests defining your relationship with the platforms on your own terms to avoid making exhaustion or anxiety worse.
"I think everyone's relationship to social media is different, and so much of how it impacts us is an individual reaction," she said, noting that the platforms we seek out to find community can also be the source of the information we seek refuge from. "The constant news and images related to injustice and oppression are not healthy for us and can absolutely lead to feelings of overwhelm. I encourage people to be very careful of the media they're consuming."
When feelings of exhaustion begin to surface, she recommends taking a few minutes to exercise, dedicating the start of your day to journaling, praying or meditating, learning how to say "no " with conviction, and keeping a gratitude list.
For Cargle, her responsibility as an activist and her role as a public figure have reminded her just how important it is to lean on likeminded people while also making routine self-care a habit. "Be each other's space of comfort and sharing," she said. "Remind yourself of who you are, and reclaim yourself, even if you have to do it every day."
7 Nontouristy Travel Destinations For Those Who Hate People
Some of us just don't like people, and that's OK. But the struggle of not wanting to be surrounded by crowds becomes even more real when it comes to travel - unless you know where to escape to. We've searched for stunning destinations that aren't overridden by tourists so that you don't have to sacrifice your sanity on your next vacation. The next time you really need to get away from everyone, look to these seven spots around the world.
10 Urban Outfitters Tech Gadgets That Are a Blast From the Past
Throughout recent years we have witnessed many different comebacks - from those on the television screen (hello, Will and Grace) to those in fashion (like the resurgence of '80s sportswear and '90s scrunchies). However, one of our favorite blasts from the past may be the one involving tech gadgets. Princess phones, cassette players, CD players, and vintage Polaroid cameras are all re-emerging, and we are so excited for it.
Many of these tech gadgets from yesterday can be found at Urban Outfitters, which is kind of bonkers but awesome. It has a whole section dedicated to audio and cassette, so you can pick up your boombox or tape recorder all in one place, and it also has other amazing tech goodies, like clear CD players and pastel pink corded phones. Click through to see some of our favorites!
50 States of Unbelievable Tourist Attractions
It's amazing how much there is to get out and do in the United States. Whether it's beautiful beaches to relax on or national parks to admire, there really is something for everyone. So pack your bags for a beautiful Fall vacation and check out one of these tourist attractions wherever your destination may be.
6 Reasons to Visit Disneyland Alone
As my 31st birthday crept up on me, I knew I wanted to feed my travel bug. I tossed around ideas like a train ride to San Diego, a trip to Salt Lake City to hang out with my little sister, or a road trip to San Francisco. After going over those ideas, I decided to stay close to my new home in LA and go to Disneyland. Since my friends weren't able to make the trip with me, I decided to go solo. Yes, this single 30-something went to Disneyland with no children and no friends and had more fun than I've had in years. The Disney brand has a special place in my heart since it's where my family and I spent time at least one family vacation per year. We (OK, my dad) would pack up our van and drive eight hours to visit the most magical place on earth. We even went on a Disney cruise! So spending the day at Disneyland not only helped me create new memories but also helped me relive memories from my childhood.
Of Course These Surf Shop Owners Threw the Chillest (and Prettiest) Wedding in the Keys
Florida saw nothing but rain in the first few months of 2017, but for one incredible day, the skies cleared and the sun shined just for Nikki and Matt's big day. As the owners of JIVA Active, the beautiful couple live and breathe all things ocean. So it's no surprise that the two decided to marry in the Keys at the gorgeous Coconut Palm Inn. The ceremony and reception were both outdoors by the water, and they were the perfect combination of laid-back and chic.
Matt and Nikki originally planned to tie the knot in September, but called their photographer, Sara, to let her know that they had bumped the date to Spring because somebody special would be joining them. She even captured a shot of the bride's growing baby bump as she got ready to walk down the aisle. On May 23, 2017, Matt and Nikki were surrounded by friends and loved ones, and officially became husband and wife under the sun.
See the photos!
This Sleep Mask Is Also a Pair of Headphones
I love listening to music or podcasts to help me quickly drift off into sleep. Most nights I spend a bit of time before bed to set up a soundtrack of relaxing or inspirational music, something that will help me sleep better and allow me to wake up refreshed. According to a study done by the Sleep Foundation, 45 minutes of relaxing music before bed is shown to help people fall asleep faster and sleep better.
But you know what I don't love so much? All the discomfort that comes along with lying down with headphones on. I usually wake up in the middle of the night with my headphones thrown across the bed, the wires wrapped around my arms, and the music still playing. Yes, it does look as awkward as it sounds.
So when I found out about this awesome Music Sleep Mask ($35) from Urban Outfitters I became very excited. Not only does its thick lining block out any light, but it also has headphones integrated into the actual eye mask. This means that you can lie down or relax without having to worry about any headphones poking into your ears. It also comes complete with audio cable and volume controls so you can truly customize your experience.
Convinced this multipurpose eye mask will help you comfortably doze off to dreamland? Shop it ahead.
50 States of Scary: The Most Terrifying Haunted Houses You MUST Visit in America
You know what time of year it is?! Just kidding, it doesn't matter if it's Halloween or not, the people who are truly committed to the holiday are always ready for a good scare. We have scoured every corner of the country to bring you the most terrifying and entertaining haunted houses you must visit in America.
No Worms or Eyeballs in This Adults-Only Halloween Menu
Halloween parties don't have to be all about the kitschy hot dog ghosts and eyeball deviled eggs. Instead, plan a menu that highlights pumpkin, squash, apples, and other fresh Fall produce. Yes, black and orange colors make an appearance, but naturally and not artificially. Have a happy adults-only Halloween!
These Are the Perfect Gifts For Your Own Personal Ina Garten
As much fun as it is to go out to eat, home-cooked meals are usually our favorites. For the heroes in our lives, aka the awesome chefs, you want to get them something they'll love for the kitchen. These are the perfect presents for your resident Wolfgang Puck or Rachael Ray. Plus, if you give them something from this list, they'll probably be inspired to cook. Everybody wins!
7 Nontouristy Travel Destinations For Those Who Hate People
Some of us just don't like people, and that's OK. But the struggle of not wanting to be surrounded by crowds becomes even more real when it comes to travel - unless you know where to escape to. We've searched for stunning destinations that aren't overridden by tourists so that you don't have to sacrifice your sanity on your next vacation. The next time you really need to get away from everyone, look to these seven spots around the world.
20 Hocus Pocus-Inspired Etsy Products That Will Put a Spell on Your Home
Indisputable fact: Hocus Pocus is one of the greatest Halloween films of all time. So why limit yourself to watching the movie a few (or more than a few . . .) times each October? Whether you're throwing a Halloween bash or simply want to get your home looking freshly festive, some Hocus Pocus-inspired decor is the perfect way to celebrate the spookiest time of the year. From handcrafted signs to inexpensive decals, these 20 Etsy products are guaranteed to look way cooler than the boring plastic pumpkins you were planning on recycling from last year.
This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe Is So Tasty, Your Whole Family Will Love It
Who says chili always has to be made with ground beef and tomato sauce? There are so many varieties of chili you can make that can be just as delicious and possibly even lighter. I think white chicken is amazing to try in your chili. Not only is it a leaner cut of meat, but you can even play around with the flavor profile of the dish, too.
Even though this white chicken chili is a play off the American classic, by no means does that mean it is not as hearty and warm to the soul. It's packed with protein, fiber, and of course, lots of spices. So the next time you want to cozy up to bowl of chili, try this one out and maybe it'll be a new favorite of yours. Bring the whole family together for this Instant Pot recipe too, that's if you have it in your heart to share something so good.
50 States of Unbelievable Tourist Attractions
It's amazing how much there is to get out and do in the United States. Whether it's beautiful beaches to relax on or national parks to admire, there really is something for everyone. So pack your bags for a beautiful Fall vacation and check out one of these tourist attractions wherever your destination may be.
This DIY Dog Crate Furniture Piece Will Transform Your Living Room
Disclaimer: I am a crazy pet parent. I've wanted a baby Golden Retriever for years, so when the time finally came to start "nesting" before my furry baby would be coming home, I really invested myself into it. And that included some heavy-duty DIY.
The crown jewel in my living room is the crate for my pup that looks like a piece of furniture - I get endless compliments on it, and you'll almost never notice that the inside is just a standard dog crate! I live and die by a clean, polished aesthetic, and while I had every intention of crate-training my pup, I didn't want my living room to have a black wire dog prison as its centerpiece . . . so I decided to make my own piece.
Better-looking crates - ones that look like furniture - exist for purchase out there in the world but are typically less sturdy and definitely not chew-proof. What's more is that they're absurdly expensive, and I wasn't looking to drop $500 (or more!) on something that might be chewed apart within minutes of putting it to use.
After an embarrassingly extensive amount of unfruitful research, a little light bulb went off: I could create my own happy medium! Get the wire crate, and build a simple frame and lid around it to give it a furniture aesthetic and tabletop functionality.
I promptly called my dad - a retired construction exec and Home Depot frequent flier with a Tim Allen-status toolshed - and asked if he thought it would be doable, and if so, if it'd be affordable. A few screenshots and specs later, and we were meeting up at the hallowed halls of hardware, orange aprons, and sawdust.
Why It's Rad
Aside from being infinitely more aesthetically pleasing than the wire dog prison, this is a safe choice for your dog. The crate goes inside the wood frame, so the puppy never gets a chance to chew up the wood while they're teething. Paint can sometimes be toxic to dogs, and you don't want splinters getting lodged in their little gums, so this is a way for you to get the look you want while still protecting your pup.
Additionally, this serves as a more functional piece of furniture than a crate (while taking up the same amount of space in your home), making it great for storage, decor, and lighting. It also adds more of a den-like quality to the crate so your dog can feel safer and cozier when they camp out inside.
This is a frame construction; there is no bottom piece, and the wire crate is not attached to the "furniture" in any way. You're building a basic frame and a lid, so it's very simple and one of the least complicated furniture DIYs you'll ever try.
The Materials
We decided to make the entire piece from melamine that my local Home Depot had in stock. This saved us from having to (1) buy paint and (2) use paint, therefore saving time and money. Melamine is also cheaper than wood, so there was even more money saved. You don't have to use melamine - especially if you're looking to make your furniture piece a different color - but if you're into plain white and a good bargain, then boy do I have the materials for you!
Also, a heads-up: you'll need to have the melamine pieces cut. As in, sawed. If you don't have a saw and don't have any desire to use a saw, then fantastic! Me either. You can have the friendly folks at your hardware store make cuts so you can take home the perfectly sized pieces for your project.
Aside from the melamine, we used the following:
- Melamine finishing tape
- Melamine finishing dots
- Screws
- Drill (to make holes for the screws)
- Power screwdriver, if you have it. Otherwise, biceps.
The Specs
The sizing of the wood pieces will depend on the specs of your crate. I opted for a 36-inch crate, which was the average size for a fully grown female Golden Retriever (joke's on me if she outgrows this). Keep in mind that when you get a puppy, you can partition the larger crate (most crates come with one!) to make them feel more snug and secure in a smaller space, and then move the partition as your pup grows. If you want to get the most time out of your furniture piece, I'd strongly recommend getting the largest crate necessary for your pup's expected adult size - then you never have to make another one!
Here are the sizes of the pieces we bought:
- One 42x29x1-inch piece of melamine for the lid
- Four 38x2.5x0.75-inch pieces for the long top and bottom crossbars
- Four 26x2.5x0.75-inch pieces for the short top and bottom crossbars
- Four 28x2.5x0.75-inch pieces for side A of the corner posts
- Four 28x1.5x0.75-inch pieces for side B of the corner posts
Cost and Time
This took roughly six hours to put together, broken up into two days. The out-of-pocket cost for the melamine materials was about $100. I scored the crate on mega sale at PetSmart for about $25. There are plenty of bargains for inexpensive but well-rated crates on Amazon, too!
Keep reading for the instructions!
Articles
