Healthy lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to keep and improve people's health and well-being.Many governments and non-governmental organizations have made big efforts in healthy lifestyle and health promotion.
Mental Health
Mental health can be considered a very important factor of physical health for the effects it produces on bodily functions. This type of health concerns emotional and cognitive well-being or an absence of mental disorder.
Public health
Public health can be defined in a variety of ways. It can be presented as "the study of the physical, psychosocial and socio-cultural determinants of population health and actions to improve the health of the population.
Reproductive Health
For the UN, reproductive health is a right, like other human rights. This recent concept evokes the good transmission of the genetic heritage from one generation to the next.
Health
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.
vendredi 10 juillet 2020
Serena Williams Is Donating 100% of Profits From Her New Jewelry Collection to Black-Owned Businesses
If you have yet to check out Serena Williams's eponymous jewelry line, get ready to be wowed by the brand's ethically sourced and beautifully simple pieces. Inspired by the tennis pro's own personal style, Serena Williams Jewelry (SWJ) launched late last year with unique yet practical accessories the tennis pro herself would sport on the courts. And as if gorgeous fine jewelry wasn't enough, the brand is giving back to Black-owned businesses with its newest capsule collection.
The Unstoppable collection introduces two matching pieces - a sterling silver bracelet and necklace - each featuring a simple polished circle with a glittering round diamond. In an Instagram post announcing the launch, Serena explained that the circle "represents serenity and unity, and is a reminder that your optimism and strength are unstoppable." From now through Aug. 5, SWJ is donating all net proceeds from the collection to the Opportunity Fund's Small Business Relief Fund, which will directly support Black business owners.
The tennis superstar also revealed in an interview with People that the pieces were inspired by a necklace she often wore during her record-breaking year back in 2015. "I wore a circular necklace the last time I won all four Grand Slams in a row," she said. "I had won four in a row wearing that necklace. I was just really unstoppable." Shop the chic jewelry below, and prepare to hit "add to bag" immediately.
The Biggest Hair Trend to Emerge From Quarantine? The Lob
As the last three months have perfectly illustrated, there's just something about staying at home for an extended period of time that's inspired loads of people of undergo significant hair transformations. Celebrities in particular have spent a great deal of time while social distancing experimenting with their own looks, cutting and coloring their hair without any help from their glam squads. While pink and blond are two changes that have ruled the color category throughout this period, the long bob (aka the "lob") has risen in popularity as well.
The lob haircut has long been a celebrity favorite, worn in many iterations by people like Kylie Jenner, Khloé Kardashian, and Demi Lovato, but we're seeing it pop up a lot more now that many of them have taken a temporary break from seeing their stylists.
Check out a few stars we've noticed wearing the lob haircut trend ahead.
Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Experts Break Down the Correlation
Many people who use birth control experience unpleasant side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, and changes in sex drive. But not all side effects are physical - doctors say birth control can also affect your mood, noting that studies have found a correlation between hormonal contraception and depression. So, could your birth control be to blame for your symptoms? Experts say that, while there's a link, it's a bit more complicated than that - and other factors certainly play a role.
Kim Langdon, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Ohio, told POPSUGAR that the hormones in birth control could worsen a mood disorder or unmask a latent depression or anxiety disorder. However, Dr. Langdon explained that it's unlikely birth control is the sole cause of depression or anxiety because these conditions are caused by low neurotransmitters in the brain which are influenced by many factors, including genetics.
"There's a complex interaction and balance of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, or the 'happy hormones' in the brain," Dr. Langdon said. Low estrogen and testosterone play a role in depression and, as Dr. Langdon explained, even though birth control pills contain hormones, "[many] actually lower the overall production of hormones from the ovaries by stopping ovulation." She added that, conversely, too little progesterone is linked to anxiety because progesterone has a sedating or calming effect.
Carla Marie Manly, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author, told POPSUGAR that any form of hormonal birth control - such as birth control pills, patches, and certain IUDs - can certainly affect a person's mood. "In fact, the use of hormonal contraception was associated with a later use of antidepressants," said Dr. Manly, citing a 2016 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which found that people who used hormonal contraception were 23 percent more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant later on than those who didn't. "Although the study falls short of stating that hormonal birth control causes depression, the correlation is clear," Dr. Manly said.
She also cited a 2019 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, which found that teens who used oral contraceptives were up to three times more likely to suffer from depression in adulthood. However, she acknowledged that there's some controversy surrounding the research on the connection between birth control and depression because correlation doesn't equal causation. "Although studies may not be able to show definitive causality between the use of hormonal birth control and depression, many do show definitive associations between the use of hormonal contraception and depression," Dr. Manly explained.
Both experts told POPSUGAR that certain people are more susceptible than others to these specific side effects. "Any underlying psychiatric diagnosis can be aggravated by a change in hormone status," Dr. Langdon explained. Similarly, Dr. Manly said that individuals who have a preexisting mental illness are often more likely to have birth control affect their mood.
Although there isn't conclusive evidence that birth control causes depression, it's worth discussing with your doctor when you're making a decision about what type of contraception to use - especially if you have a history of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health conditions.
This Creamy Avocado Lime Ice Cream Is Inspired by the Flavors of Mexico
Summer is my personal excuse to try even the most surprising ice cream flavors, and this Helados La Neta Avocado Lime Ice Cream has my taste buds ready for a treat. Helados La Neta - which takes its name from the Spanish phrase "la neta," meaning "the truth" - is ice cream inspired by Mexican culture, and that aims to bring people together with nostalgic flavors. "La Neta is a unique journey of flavor honoring Mexican roots and traditions, a celebration of the differences that enrich us as a nation, and a recognition to the strong force we all are united as just one vibrant multicultural community," the brand said in a press release.
Other flavors in the line include Mexican Vanilla, Classic Horchata, Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate and Cinnamon, Coconut Cream, and Rum Raisin. The ice cream is currently available for $7 per pint at Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Shoprite, The Fresh Market, and other specialty grocery stores nationwide. Keep reading to take a closer look at what's under the lid of each flavor, and shop the flavorful desserts for yourself online ahead.
The New Generation of Ladies in Reggaetón and Latin Trap Demand Your Attention
It can take some women well into their 30s to unlearn lifelong lessons of subservience and demand what they desire in the bedroom, but 26-year-old Cazzu is already making music that prioritizes her sexuality. The Argentine singer-rapper's airy voice is often heard alongside reggaetoneros in songs where they stunt their sexual prowess – yet her verses are routinely the edgiest of all.
"Como yo, ninguna, yo le gano a todas / Ven cómeme toda," ("Like me, there isn't another, I beat all of them / Come eat all of me"), she sings in the 2018 hit "Toda (Remix)," which helped catapult her to international fame. The ascending sensual voice in el movimiento credits her ability to openly express her carnal cravings through song to the growing force of women in Latin trap and reggaetón.
"We now feel more comfortable and liberated to say what we want to say in our music. I feel like I'm not always trying to talk about how to be a woman, but just making music, simply making art," Cazzu, born Julieta Cazzuchelli, tells POPSUGAR during a phone call from her home music studio in Buenos Aires.
While women have always had a role in reggaetón, up until recently, it was largely limited to dancers and back-up singers. In the days of paris de marquesina of the late '90s and early '00s, women's tantalizing moans and twists authenticated the male artists' claims of corporeal mastery.
Although legendary rapera Ivy Queen fiercely challenged her contemporaries' overt objectification and misogynistic lyrics, she was long the only woman given a mainstream platform to do so, to such an extent that the early contributions of fellow female rappers like Puerto Rico's Lisa M and the Dominican Republic's Demphra are habitually forgotten. She wasn't the only woman in the game, but in a male-dominated genre, Ivy, the undeniable reina del reggaetón, was the only one who was allowed to shine.
During the genre's second coming, there are several female faces. Singers like Natti Natasha, Karol G, Anitta, and Becky G have not only infiltrated the old boys' club, but they are among reggaetón and trap en Español's most dominant voices.
Last year, Colombiana Karol G and Dominican-born Natti Natasha became the first women in more than four years to be nominated for Best New Artist at the 2019 Latin Billboard awards. During the Premio Lo Nuestro award show that same year, Natti had more nominations than any other artist, male or female, and she nabbed four awards, two of them alongside California-based Chicana Becky G for their joint hit "Sin Pijama."
Together, the women [...] are taking up space. They are present. They are bold. They are sexually explicit. They are powerful. They are united.
Together, the women, who have bangers throughout Billboard's Hot Latin charts, are taking up space. They are present. They are bold. They are sexually explicit. They are powerful. They are united. Yet, they are also just four women.
"There's more than before, but there's still not enough. Look at the men. Count them. You can't. But you can count the girls on one hand," Catalyna, an emerging Orlando, Fla.-based singer signed to reggaetón heavyweight Yandel's Y Entertainment, tells POPSUGAR from her recording studio. "But there are a lot of girls out there. I see them. We just haven't blown yet."
The folky soul-voiced Puerto Rico-born songstress is among the newer generation of talented and energetic female artists sizzling in el movimiento's underground that have yet to detonate into the mainstream. They are singers and rappers inspired by the genre's tra-tra originators and empowered by the solidarity of current pop matriarchs.
They are blending boom-bap reggaetón beats with slowed-down trap sounds, R&B runs, pop appeal, and punk-rock aesthetics. They hail from the genre's birthplace in the Caribbean as well as Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru, and the multitudes of Latinx-populated cities in the US.
They make music for the mamis que mandan, for the self-assured girls who don't "change for no d*ck," for the boss ladies who hustle to pay their own rent, for the autonomous shorties who have their "cuerpos y almas desnudas," and for the independent women who'd rather be shaking their ass than waiting at home for cheating lovers to act right. But they each offer something fresh and distinct to the genre.
"Hearing amazing music and talent from several women gives you variety. With only four, you're getting the same sound over and over. Even if it's good, that's not enough," says the Dominican-born and New York-raised Jenn Morel from her home in Los Angeles.
The blistering dancer-rapera is inspired by the OGs: Ivy, Daddy Yankee, and El General. Their influence is conspicuous in her hard delivery of lightning-fast rhymes. "Preferiste jugar, ahora me va a conocer / Yo me voy con mi combo a fuego / Nadie no' va a parar, aquí vamo' a amanecer / Que se prenda este sandungueo" ("You preferred to play, now you're going to know me / I am going with my combo on fire / No one is going to stop, we're going till dawn / Let this party light up"), she raps in her April bop "No Quiero Novio" featuring fellow soaring acts Mariah and Elisama.
As Jenn reintroduces the old-school gruff to a genre she says has gotten "un poquito suave" ("a little soft"), others are embracing the gentler stylings, blending unhurried rhythms with R&B lush. Paloma Mami is the proprietress of the soul and reggaetón musical crossroad. The New York City-born, 20-year-old Chilena effortlessly places her buttery rifts over slowed-down, pan-Caribbean rhythms, delivering Spanglish hits that incite confidence in their millennial and Gen Z femme listeners.
"Mi cuerpo es un arte / Nadie lo toca, soy como la Mona Lisa" ("My body is art / No one touches it, I'm like the Mona Lisa"), she sings in "No Te Enamores," her first single under Sony Music Entertainment. In 2018, she became the first Chilean artist to snag a deal with the record label.
"Having multiple females in the game is inspiring. You have different points of views you can connect with. We haven't had that," the entrancing singer, born Paloma Rocío Castillo, tells POPSUGAR from her hotel room in Miami, adding that she wants to bring elegance to a genre that's more often associated with vulgarity.
Meanwhile, Cazzu thrives in the obscene. When she's not bragging about having a "doctorate in sex," she's rapping about drugs and violence. But, as a woman, she says her foul-mouthed musical storytelling isn't expected, welcomed, or even believed most of the time.
"It's weird that a girl is talking about drugs. But to be a woman doesn't take away the possibility of living a bad, dangerous, or ugly life," she says. "It's my dream and expectation that women can be free from conditions. I want us to be free to make music that we want to make, sound how we want to sound, and dress how we want to dress without being prosecuted or seen as fake."
Like her, a wave of young artists are on the come up in rap en Español. In Colombia, Farina's hard-hitting, accelerated flow helped pave the way for the South American country's musical explosion that birthed the global careers of Karol G, J Balvin and Maluma. But her talent, steadily gaining recognition after she was signed by Sony Music US Latin in 2018, hasn't crossed borders like her contemporaries – yet.
It's my dream and expectation that women can be free from conditions.
In the US, a handful of bilingual rappers are also flirting with Latin trap. Some, like Harlem-based Dominican-Cuban hitmaker Melii, naturally tosses Spanish bars into her mostly-English bangers like "Nena" and "HML." Others, like Miami-born Puerto Rican-Cuban hazy trapera Mariah spits chiefly in Spanish, occasionally sprinkling slow-pounding rhymes in her second tongue.
For Peruana Anna Mvze, who has been making "Latina heat" in Washington DC, for several years, flowing uniformly between both languages has become a hallmark. "Soy la mas dura, ella es feca. She might be cute, but her attitude fea," she raps in her single "Sí o No."
As el movimiento reemerges on the international stage, women's names are as prominent as many of the genre's leading male performers. But their force has yet to be realized, or even fully imagined. While men are entering the scene almost daily and landing collaborations with major talents like Daddy Yankee and Bad Bunny just as quickly, the feminine voices in the mainstream remain barely a quintet. For the hungry young ladies next up, that's not enough. Their thunderous arrival, they say, is long overdue.
"Women deserve the same. It's wack that it's always been the guys moving. It's about time. It's past time. After all, who run the world? Girls," Paloma Mami says.
This Creamy Avocado Lime Ice Cream Is Inspired by the Flavors of Mexico
Summer is my personal excuse to try even the most surprising ice cream flavors, and this Helados La Neta Avocado Lime Ice Cream has my taste buds ready for a treat. Helados La Neta - which takes its name from the Spanish phrase "la neta," meaning "the truth" - is ice cream inspired by Mexican culture and aims to bring people together with nostalgic flavors. "La Neta is a unique journey of flavor honoring Mexican roots and traditions, a celebration of the differences that enrich us as a nation, and a recognition to the strong force we all are united as just one vibrant multicultural community," the brand said in a press release.
Other flavors in the line include Mexican Vanilla, Classic Horchata, Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate and Cinnamon, Coconut Cream, and Rum Raisin. The ice cream is currently available for $7 per pint at Walmart, H-E-B, Kroger, Safeway, Shoprite, The Fresh Market, and other specialty grocery stores nationwide. Keep reading to take a closer look at what's under the lid of each flavor and shop the flavorful desserts for yourself online ahead.
Bad Bunny Gets Real About Tackling Machismo in Reggaetón in Historic Playboy Cover
Bad Bunny continues making history, this time becoming the first man - other than Hugh Hefner - and first Latino man to appear solo on the cover of Playboy. The whole feature, written by Venezuelan American E.R. Pulgar and photographed by STILLZ, is as eccentrically real as Bad Bunny is, seamlessly navigating through his artistic persona and Benito Martínez while addressing each topic of discussion with incomparable authenticity.
One of those topics happens to be something Bad Bunny has been very vocal about for the past few years: tackling machismo not only in Latin music, but in Latin culture. "The music industry and society in general [treat women] like they're nothing," he said. "Women are human beings and deserve respect and the same treatment as anybody else."
He's used his platform to get the conversation going. Bad Bunny showed up at the Latin Billboards last year with neon yellow stiletto nails, saying he got them done because he wanted to feel pretty for such an important event. He advocated for trans rights during an appearance on The Tonight Show. And in his song and music video for "Yo Perreo Sola," he sings about women reclaiming their power while dressed in drag - and looking amazing.
Everything he does, he says is to make reggaetón enjoyable and accessible to everyone. "There's nothing worse than being somewhere and feeling like you don't belong," he said. "I've been trying to make sure everybody feels part of the culture of reggaetón. I want to make sure they feel that they have someone there, that friend that can stand up for them."
He added that he has a responsibility to educate people to make the Latin community a more inclusive one. "I think I have an audience split in two: fans of Bad Bunny and fans of reggaetón itself, and I want to merge the two," Bad Bunny said. "I feel I have a big sector to educate. There's a lot of people who won't pay attention to other people calling them out, but they follow Bad Bunny. If he tells them what's good, maybe they can grow as people and come to accept others."
From loving and being intimate with whoever you choose, to identifying however you want to identify, Bad Bunny says we should all be accepted for living our most authentic lives. "In the end, we are human beings. Everybody feels, everybody falls in love with whoever they're meant to."
15 Linen Tops That Will Make Your Summer Wardrobe Feel So Much Cooler
Summer clothes should be breathable, lightweight, and so adorable, and that all basically describes a linen top. We believe wholeheartedly that every closet should be filled with tops, because they're such essential layering pieces. Whether you like jeans, shorts, or skirts, they all need to be paired with a top. Linen is also one of our favorite fabrics because it's super breathable and insanely comfortable. In other words, it's always a winner.
These 15 picks will be on permanent rotation all season long. From classic t-shirts to flirty smocked tops and long-sleeved button-downs, there's a linen top to suit everyone's style. If you need a new top this season, make it linen. We know we will.
Serena Williams Is Donating 100% of Profits From Her New Jewelry Collection to Black-Owned Businesses
If you have yet to check out Serena Williams's eponymous jewelry line, get ready to be wowed by the brand's ethically sourced and beautifully simple pieces. Inspired by the tennis pro's own personal style, Serena Williams Jewelry (SWJ) launched late last year with unique yet practical accessories the tennis pro herself would sport on the courts. And as if gorgeous fine jewelry wasn't enough, the brand is giving back to Black-owned businesses with its newest capsule collection.
The Unstoppable collection introduces two matching pieces - a sterling silver bracelet and necklace - each featuring a simple polished circle with a glittering round diamond. In an Instagram post announcing the launch, Serena explained that the circle "represents serenity and unity, and is a reminder that your optimism and strength are unstoppable." From now through Aug. 5, SWJ is donating all net proceeds from the collection to the Opportunity Fund's Small Business Relief Fund, which will directly support Black business owners.
The tennis superstar also revealed in an interview with People that the pieces were inspired by a necklace she often wore during her record-breaking year back in 2015. "I wore a circular necklace the last time I won all four Grand Slams in a row," she said. "I had won four in a row wearing that necklace. I was just really unstoppable." Shop the chic jewelry below, and prepare to hit "add to bag" immediately.
Can Birth Control Cause Depression? Experts Break Down the Correlation
Many people who use birth control experience unpleasant side effects like nausea, breast tenderness, and changes in sex drive. But not all side effects are physical - doctors say birth control can also affect your mood, noting that studies have found a correlation between hormonal contraception and depression. So, could your birth control be to blame for your symptoms? Experts say that, while there's a link, it's a bit more complicated than that - and other factors certainly play a role.
Kim Langdon, MD, a board-certified ob-gyn in Ohio, told POPSUGAR that the hormones in birth control could worsen a mood disorder or unmask a latent depression or anxiety disorder. However, Dr. Langdon explained that it's unlikely birth control is the sole cause of depression or anxiety because these conditions are caused by low neurotransmitters in the brain which are influenced by many factors, including genetics.
"There's a complex interaction and balance of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and norepinephrine, or the 'happy hormones' in the brain," Dr. Langdon said. Low estrogen and testosterone play a role in depression and, as Dr. Langdon explained, even though birth control pills contain hormones, "[many] actually lower the overall production of hormones from the ovaries by stopping ovulation." She added that, conversely, too little progesterone is linked to anxiety because progesterone has a sedating or calming effect.
Carla Marie Manly, PsyD, a licensed clinical psychologist and author, told POPSUGAR that any form of hormonal birth control - such as birth control pills, patches, and certain IUDs - can certainly affect a person's mood. "In fact, the use of hormonal contraception was associated with a later use of antidepressants," said Dr. Manly, citing a 2016 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, which found that people who used hormonal contraception were 23 percent more likely to be prescribed an antidepressant later on than those who didn't. "Although the study falls short of stating that hormonal birth control causes depression, the correlation is clear," Dr. Manly said.
She also cited a 2019 study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, which found that teens who used oral contraceptives were up to three times more likely to suffer from depression in adulthood. However, she acknowledged that there's some controversy surrounding the research on the connection between birth control and depression because correlation doesn't equal causation. "Although studies may not be able to show definitive causality between the use of hormonal birth control and depression, many do show definitive associations between the use of hormonal contraception and depression," Dr. Manly explained.
Both experts told POPSUGAR that certain people are more susceptible than others to these specific side effects. "Any underlying psychiatric diagnosis can be aggravated by a change in hormone status," Dr. Langdon explained. Similarly, Dr. Manly said that individuals who have a preexisting mental illness are often more likely to have birth control affect their mood.
Although there isn't conclusive evidence that birth control causes depression, it's worth discussing with your doctor when you're making a decision about what type of contraception to use - especially if you have a history of depression, anxiety, or any other mental health conditions.
Yes, Your Pilates Workout Can Counts as Cardio - Here’s How
Pilates isn't all about toning. If you're doing Pilates moves at a "cardio pace" (think running, biking, jumping rope), you're getting a high-intensity, low-impact cardio workout, too - just ask ACE-certified group fitness trainer and certified Pilates instructor Amy Jordan.
Resistance-training exercises, like Pilates, increases your body's muscle tissue and permanently cranks up your calorie burn, Jordan says. When you complete Pilates moves at a cardio pace, you're furthering the benefits of your workout because your body can burn calories during the session and even after you finish.
Because Pilates is a weight-bearing and resistance-training activity, Jordan says it's beneficial for conditioning the heart and lungs and weight loss, too.
While Jordan suggests practicing Pilates 3-4 times a week to gain the long-term cardio benefits, she also says it's really all about keeping attainable goals. "Sustainability is key - if you do more than you were doing before, that's a win."
Here's a five-move Pilates plan she's created to help you get started - remember to keep at a comfortable cardio pace in order to advance the benefits of each move.
Plank
- Begin in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor and your feet parallel to each other - about four inches apart.
- Draw your navel up and in.
- Broaden your collarbones on every inhale to take pressure off your wrists (or your elbows if you're modifying the move).
- Narrow your outer hip bones without tightening your booty. This activates your low belly for healthy conditioning and flat abs.
- If this is the first time you're trying a plank, start in 10-second intervals, aiming to hold it longer every time you try, eventually reaching 1-2 minutes of a hold.
Lunge and Arms Raises
- Start standing with your feet parallel and about 4-6 inches apart.
- Inhale and step your left foot forward while shifting your weight into all four corners of your left foot and raising your right heel.
- Exhale and bend both knees as your torso lowers straight down. Allow your left knee to glide just in front of your ankle.
- Inhale and think about the torso lifting up and off the hips to return you to a standing position.
- Add small dumbbells (or soup cans!) in each hand and lift out to the sides in a wide T as you lower down to pump up your cardio and weight loss effort.
- Complete 12 reps per side.
Downhill Ski
- Start in a plank position and place your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor with your feet parallel about four inches apart.
- Exhale and shift your torso back behind your arms as your knees bend to the left.
- Inhale and shift back into your starting plank position.
- Exhale and shift your torso back behind your arms as your knees bend to the right.
- Place a five-inch playground ball between your legs a few inches above your knees with your feet still four inches apart to help tone your inner thighs.
- Complete 12 reps per side.
Criss-Cross
- Lay on your back with your legs in a table-top position. Your hands should be interlaced below the base of your skull.
- Slowly lift your head, neck, and shoulders into a shallow curl while keeping lots of length on all sides of your spine.
- Inhale as your right shoulder blade peels off of the floor and ribs rotate to the left. As you rotate, your right leg should extend at a diagonal.
- Exhale and return your ribs to the center while keeping your head and shoulders raised.
- Inhale as your left shoulder blade peels off of the floor and your ribs rotate toward the right. As you rotate, your left leg should extend at a diagonal.
- Don't touch your elbow to your knee - keep the front of your body long.
- Complete 12 reps per side.
Single-Leg Bridges
- Lay on your back with your knees bent, both feet flat on the floor, and your outer thighs magnetized to keep your legs closed. Hold three-pound dumbbells in each hand with your arms reaching straight to the sky.
- Exhale and roll the pelvis slowly towards your navel to peel your hips off the floor and follow with the rest of the spine. Lift with length until you are in a bridge with no creases on the front of your hips and lengthen through your low back.
- Inhale while keeping the knees glued together, extend the right leg at a 45-degree angle.
- Hold this single-leg bridge; exhale as both arms open to the sides with a soft bend at the elbows until your hands hover over the floor.
- Inhale while your arms bend to a 90-degree angle with your elbows hovering over the floor. Sweep your arms back to your starting position straight to the sky.
- Exhale and slowly lower down starting from your upper back to your pelvis while keeping your back long and your leg extended.
- Complete four reps per side.
- For an added challenge, do six reps each side, but for the last two reps, hover the standing heel one inch off the floor throughout the entire range of motion.
Click here for more health and wellness stories, tips, and news.
If Your Gym Is Reopening, Is It Safe to Go? Here's What Doctors Say
Update, July 9: Gyms and fitness studios remain closed in many areas due to the coronavirus pandemic, though they've reopened in some parts of the country. Depending on your area and level of vulnerability, many doctors still recommend working out alone or only with people in your home. This post has been updated to reflect the CDC's latest recommendations.
Updated post: Right now, the open-or-closed status of nonessential businesses depends on your zip code. In some areas, businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, and gyms are still closed; in others, they're reopening; and in yet other cities and states, they're closing again after a second outbreak. With the gym especially, there are even more factors to consider; due to the nature of gyms and exercise itself, you may be at a higher risk of catching the coronavirus at a fitness facility. With that in mind, experts are now encouraging people to follow local guidelines and stay at home as much as possible, including for workouts.
POPSUGAR spoke to three doctors about staying safe while exercising and whether a trip to the gym is worth it, even if your local facility is open.
Is It Safe to Go to the Gym During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
"Right now, it's probably best not to go to the gym," said John Whyte, MD, MPH, the chief medical officer at WebMD. Many communities are experiencing high rates of infection and asymptomatic spread, meaning that people who have COVID-19 without any symptoms may be unknowingly infecting others in public places, including fitness studios.
As doctors learn more about the disease, emerging research shows that gyms may be more dangerous than other public facilities. "Consider that gyms are usually closed spaces where air conditioning is used," said Anne Liu, MD, an immunologist and infectious disease doctor with Stanford Health Care. Many experts agree that being indoors with little ventilation and constant air recirculation (from air conditioning, for example) can facilitate the spread of coronavirus.
There's also the fact that when you work out, you start breathing harder, Dr. Liu said. Respiratory droplets - the major mechanism for coronavirus transmission - "fly a lot further than they would if you're just breathing normally," she said. And some people find it difficult or uncomfortable to exercise with a mask on, so they're more likely to wear it incorrectly or skip it altogether, allowing for more spread.
If you have a chronic medical condition that puts you at high risk of infection, or if you're the primary caregiver for someone at high risk, working out at home is better, said Aruna Subramanian, MD, an infectious disease doctor and clinical medical professor at Stanford University. If you personally are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, tiredness, and dry cough, "You need to seek medical care and be tested," Dr. Whyte said. The situation may call for you to self-isolate and avoid coming into contact with other people. "Do not go to the gym or anywhere else if you have symptoms," Dr. Whyte advised. If you've come into contact with someone who's tested positive or is showing symptoms, you should quarantine as well. (Here's more on how to differentiate between COVID-19, the flu, and a common cold, as well as the currently approved ways to treat it.)
My Gym Is Still Open - Should I Go?
If your local government recommends staying at home, you should do so. If you aren't under a stay-at-home order and gyms are re-opening, "Weigh the risk of going to the gym, particularly when you can exercise at home," Dr. Whyte said. "If you do go, be sure to go when it is not crowded. Ask about their cleaning process, which should be at least a couple of times an hour. Don't linger, don't socialize. Get in and get out." Here are more safety factors to consider, including your gym's screening process and capacity limitation.
Dr. Liu added that you should wear a face mask as much as possible if you go to the gym. (Here are some breathable, workout-friendly options.) Stay away from others at a distance of at least six feet, wipe down surfaces before and after you use them, and use hand sanitizer "generously," she continued. It's also a good idea to shower right when you get home.
If your gym is open, it's going to be up to you to make the call. "If you have to do all of that, is it still worth it?" Dr. Liu said.
Can You Transmit Coronavirus Through Sweat?
According to Dr. Whyte, there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through sweat. "It is a respiratory virus, so the lung is where the virus attacks," he explained. "Sweat doesn't contain respiratory droplets, so there's no current beliefs that sweat is a source of the virus." That said, a sweaty surface could still be contaminated if it's been touched by an infected individual; there's simply no evidence as of yet that the sweat itself transmits the disease.
Should I Still Exercise During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
"One of the ways to effectively fight the virus to be healthy," Dr. Whyte said. "Being active is one way to do that, along with healthy eating." In fact, exercise may actually boost your immune system. With many gyms closed, at-home workouts are likely your best choice to keep your health up in this way. You can pull up a bodyweight routine or workout video to exercise right in your living room or garage. The workout may even boost your mood and relieve some of your anxiety.
Depending on where you live, it may also be safe to walk or run outdoors on your own, Dr. Subramanian told POPSUGAR. "It's a good idea to stay healthy and to exercise as much as possible, and being outdoors and getting fresh air is definitely recommended," she said. This is because you're not in a closed environment where recirculating air could continuously distribute the virus. Make sure to stay six feet away from others and check your local guidelines to see if outdoor walks or runs are safe in your area. If you know you won't be able to social distance, bring a mask along as well. Here are more tips on running outside safely during the outbreak.
POPSUGAR aims to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information about the coronavirus, but details and recommendations about this pandemic may have changed since publication. For the latest information on COVID-19, please check out resources from the WHO, CDC, and local public health departments.
Fresh Express Recalls More Salad Products in Over 30 States as Cyclospora Outbreak Grows
Fresh Express has issued a precautionary recall of products containing iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and carrots that may be linked to a Cyclospora outbreak in the Midwest, the Food and Drug Administration announced. As of July 9, 509 people have gotten Cyclospora infections after consuming bagged salad mixes, which were first recalled on June 23; the recall has since expanded to include other Fresh Express salad products.
Cyclospora, a parasite that affects the intestinal tract, can cause diarrhea, nausea, cramping, and loss of appetite in infected people, and it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to begin; here's the CDC's full list of Cyclospora symptoms. Infections linked to the salad products have only been reported in the Midwest so far, but the recall affects over 30 states where potentially-contaminated products may have been distributed. Recalled brands include:
- Fresh Express
- ALDI Little Salad Bar
- Giant Eagle
- Hy-Vee
- Jewel-Osco Signature Farms
- ShopRite Wholesome Pantry
- Walmart Marketside
You can identify recalled products via the product code in the upper-right hand corner of the package. "The recall includes products marked with the letter 'Z' at the beginning of the Product Code, followed by the number '178' or lower," the CDC said. The recalled products were all produced a Fresh Express facility in Streamwood, IL. See the FDA's full recalled product details by state and salad brand for more information.
Since May 11, 509 people with Cyclospora infections have reported eating bagged salad mixes before getting sick, all from Midwestern states. The CDC, the FDA, and state health officials are continuing to investigate the origin of the outbreak, but have cited "bagged salad mix containing iceberg lettuce, carrots, and red cabbage produced by Fresh Express" as a "likely source." The Public Health Agency of Canada is also investigating a Cyclospora outbreak in three provinces that's believed to come from Fresh Express salad products. Note that while bagged salad mixes appear to be the source of the outbreak, Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling other salad products from the same facility as a precautionary measure.
If you have one of the recalled products, the CDC recommends throwing it away immediately. If you don't know whether your product has been recalled, and it is a Fresh Express brand with iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, and/or carrots, the CDC recommends throw it away without eating.
If you have symptoms of a Cyclospora infection, talk to your doctor and writing down what you ate two weeks before you started feeling sick, the CDC says. You should also tell your local health department about your illness to help track the outbreak.
This post was originally published on June 23 and has since been updated with the most recent information.
Yes, Your Pilates Workout Can Counts as Cardio - Here’s How
Pilates isn't all about toning. If you're doing Pilates moves at a "cardio pace" (think running, biking, jumping rope), you're getting a high-intensity, low-impact cardio workout, too - just ask ACE-certified group fitness trainer and certified Pilates instructor Amy Jordan.
Resistance-training exercises, like Pilates, increases your body's muscle tissue and permanently cranks up your calorie burn, Jordan says. When you complete Pilates moves at a cardio pace, you're furthering the benefits of your workout because your body can burn calories during the session and even after you finish.
Because Pilates is a weight-bearing and resistance-training activity, Jordan says it's beneficial for conditioning the heart and lungs and weight loss, too.
While Jordan suggests practicing Pilates 3-4 times a week to gain the long-term cardio benefits, she also says it's really all about keeping attainable goals. "Sustainability is key - if you do more than you were doing before, that's a win."
Here's a five-move Pilates plan she's created to help you get started - remember to keep at a comfortable cardio pace in order to advance the benefits of each move.
Plank
- Begin in a push-up position with your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor and your feet parallel to each other - about four inches apart.
- Draw your navel up and in.
- Broaden your collarbones on every inhale to take pressure off your wrists (or your elbows if you're modifying the move).
- Narrow your outer hip bones without tightening your booty. This activates your low belly for healthy conditioning and flat abs.
- If this is the first time you're trying a plank, start in 10-second intervals, aiming to hold it longer every time you try, eventually reaching 1-2 minutes of a hold.
Lunge and Arms Raises
- Start standing with your feet parallel and about 4-6 inches apart.
- Inhale and step your left foot forward while shifting your weight into all four corners of your left foot and raising your right heel.
- Exhale and bend both knees as your torso lowers straight down. Allow your left knee to glide just in front of your ankle.
- Inhale and think about the torso lifting up and off the hips to return you to a standing position.
- Add small dumbbells (or soup cans!) in each hand and lift out to the sides in a wide T as you lower down to pump up your cardio and weight loss effort.
- Complete 12 reps per side.
Downhill Ski
- Start in a plank position and place your hands shoulder-width apart on the floor with your feet parallel about four inches apart.
- Exhale and shift your torso back behind your arms as your knees bend to the left.
- Inhale and shift back into your starting plank position.
- Exhale and shift your torso back behind your arms as your knees bend to the right.
- Place a five-inch playground ball between your legs a few inches above your knees with your feet still four inches apart to help tone your inner thighs.
- Complete 12 reps per side.
Criss-Cross
- Lay on your back with your legs in a table-top position. Your hands should be interlaced below the base of your skull.
- Slowly lift your head, neck, and shoulders into a shallow curl while keeping lots of length on all sides of your spine.
- Inhale as your right shoulder blade peels off of the floor and ribs rotate to the left. As you rotate, your right leg should extend at a diagonal.
- Exhale and return your ribs to the center while keeping your head and shoulders raised.
- Inhale as your left shoulder blade peels off of the floor and your ribs rotate toward the right. As you rotate, your left leg should extend at a diagonal.
- Don't touch your elbow to your knee - keep the front of your body long.
- Complete 12 reps per side.
Single-Leg Bridges
- Lay on your back with your knees bent, both feet flat on the floor, and your outer thighs magnetized to keep your legs closed. Hold three-pound dumbbells in each hand with your arms reaching straight to the sky.
- Exhale and roll the pelvis slowly towards your navel to peel your hips off the floor and follow with the rest of the spine. Lift with length until you are in a bridge with no creases on the front of your hips and lengthen through your low back.
- Inhale while keeping the knees glued together, extend the right leg at a 45-degree angle.
- Hold this single-leg bridge; exhale as both arms open to the sides with a soft bend at the elbows until your hands hover over the floor.
- Inhale while your arms bend to a 90-degree angle with your elbows hovering over the floor. Sweep your arms back to your starting position straight to the sky.
- Exhale and slowly lower down starting from your upper back to your pelvis while keeping your back long and your leg extended.
- Complete four reps per side.
- For an added challenge, do six reps each side, but for the last two reps, hover the standing heel one inch off the floor throughout the entire range of motion.
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This Dentist's Face Mask Hack Is a Must For Anyone Who Can't Get a Tight Fit
@oliviacuidmd Highly requested 60s version of my viral mask hack #fyp #doctorsoftiktok #masktutorial #covid19 #viral #maskhack #learnontiktok
♬ original sound - oliviacuidmd
Face masks are the most effective when they're nice and snug against your face. It makes sense: if yours is loose, with big gaps on the sides and top, it's easier for respiratory droplets (which can carry coronavirus particles) to slip out and potentially infect others, which is exactly what the mask is supposed to prevent.
If face mask fitting is a challenge for you, dentist Olivia Cui, DMD, shared this genius hack on TikTok last month to help you out. In the video, Dr. Cui shows how simply folding your mask in half, knotting the ear loops, and tucking in the edges can result in a snugger, more protective fit. The entire process takes just 60 seconds, and the video has already been viewed over three million times and was shared by both Kristen Bell and Katie Couric on Instagram. Dr. Cui demonstrates on a surgical mask, but you can make it work on a cloth face mask as well. It's definitely worth a try if your mask feels loose - it'll be more protective and more comfortable, too.
If Your Gym Is Reopening, Is It Safe to Go? Here's What Doctors Say
Update, July 9: Gyms and fitness studios remain closed in many areas due to the coronavirus pandemic, though they've reopened in some parts of the country. Depending on your area and level of vulnerability, many doctors still recommend working out alone or only with people in your home. This post has been updated to reflect the CDC's latest recommendations.
Updated post: Right now, the open-or-closed status of nonessential businesses depends on your zip code. In some areas, businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, hotels, and gyms are still closed; in others, they're reopening; and in yet other cities and states, they're closing again after a second outbreak. With the gym especially, there are even more factors to consider; due to the nature of gyms and exercise itself, you may be at a higher risk of catching the coronavirus at a fitness facility. With that in mind, experts are now encouraging people to follow local guidelines and stay at home as much as possible, including for workouts.
POPSUGAR spoke to three doctors about staying safe while exercising and whether a trip to the gym is worth it, even if your local facility is open.
Is It Safe to Go to the Gym During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
"Right now, it's probably best not to go to the gym," said John Whyte, MD, MPH, the chief medical officer at WebMD. Many communities are experiencing high rates of infection and asymptomatic spread, meaning that people who have COVID-19 without any symptoms may be unknowingly infecting others in public places, including fitness studios.
As doctors learn more about the disease, emerging research shows that gyms may be more dangerous than other public facilities. "Consider that gyms are usually closed spaces where air conditioning is used," said Anne Liu, MD, an immunologist and infectious disease doctor with Stanford Health Care. Many experts agree that being indoors with little ventilation and constant air recirculation (from air conditioning, for example) can facilitate the spread of coronavirus.
There's also the fact that when you work out, you start breathing harder, Dr. Liu said. Respiratory droplets - the major mechanism for coronavirus transmission - "fly a lot further than they would if you're just breathing normally," she said. And some people find it difficult or uncomfortable to exercise with a mask on, so they're more likely to wear it incorrectly or skip it altogether, allowing for more spread.
If you have a chronic medical condition that puts you at high risk of infection, or if you're the primary caregiver for someone at high risk, working out at home is better, said Aruna Subramanian, MD, an infectious disease doctor and clinical medical professor at Stanford University. If you personally are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, tiredness, and dry cough, "You need to seek medical care and be tested," Dr. Whyte said. The situation may call for you to self-isolate and avoid coming into contact with other people. "Do not go to the gym or anywhere else if you have symptoms," Dr. Whyte advised. If you've come into contact with someone who's tested positive or is showing symptoms, you should quarantine as well. (Here's more on how to differentiate between COVID-19, the flu, and a common cold, as well as the currently approved ways to treat it.)
My Gym Is Still Open - Should I Go?
If your local government recommends staying at home, you should do so. If you aren't under a stay-at-home order and gyms are re-opening, "Weigh the risk of going to the gym, particularly when you can exercise at home," Dr. Whyte said. "If you do go, be sure to go when it is not crowded. Ask about their cleaning process, which should be at least a couple of times an hour. Don't linger, don't socialize. Get in and get out." Here are more safety factors to consider, including your gym's screening process and capacity limitation.
Dr. Liu added that you should wear a face mask as much as possible if you go to the gym. (Here are some breathable, workout-friendly options.) Stay away from others at a distance of at least six feet, wipe down surfaces before and after you use them, and use hand sanitizer "generously," she continued. It's also a good idea to shower right when you get home.
If your gym is open, it's going to be up to you to make the call. "If you have to do all of that, is it still worth it?" Dr. Liu said.
Can You Transmit Coronavirus Through Sweat?
According to Dr. Whyte, there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through sweat. "It is a respiratory virus, so the lung is where the virus attacks," he explained. "Sweat doesn't contain respiratory droplets, so there's no current beliefs that sweat is a source of the virus." That said, a sweaty surface could still be contaminated if it's been touched by an infected individual; there's simply no evidence as of yet that the sweat itself transmits the disease.
Should I Still Exercise During the Coronavirus Outbreak?
"One of the ways to effectively fight the virus to be healthy," Dr. Whyte said. "Being active is one way to do that, along with healthy eating." In fact, exercise may actually boost your immune system. With many gyms closed, at-home workouts are likely your best choice to keep your health up in this way. You can pull up a bodyweight routine or workout video to exercise right in your living room or garage. The workout may even boost your mood and relieve some of your anxiety.
Depending on where you live, it may also be safe to walk or run outdoors on your own, Dr. Subramanian told POPSUGAR. "It's a good idea to stay healthy and to exercise as much as possible, and being outdoors and getting fresh air is definitely recommended," she said. This is because you're not in a closed environment where recirculating air could continuously distribute the virus. Make sure to stay six feet away from others and check your local guidelines to see if outdoor walks or runs are safe in your area. If you know you won't be able to social distance, bring a mask along as well. Here are more tips on running outside safely during the outbreak.
POPSUGAR aims to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information about the coronavirus, but details and recommendations about this pandemic may have changed since publication. For the latest information on COVID-19, please check out resources from the WHO, CDC, and local public health departments.
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