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.
mardi 10 juillet 2018
10 Postpartum Hospital Stay Survival Tips Every Mom-to-Be Should Know
Giving birth is the hardest part of a hospital stay, right? Not always. After delivering my son recently, I found the postpartum period before I was released to be even more challenging than pushing him out! Between fending off overeager visitors and struggling to get more than a few consecutive hours of sleep, I was in misery in the days after the birth.
The good news is that after some fails, I figured out a few tips and tricks to make my postpartum hospital stay more bearable. So if you're about to welcome a little one, keep reading to see how you can get through the recovery time post-birth with fewer bumps along the way.
All the Stuffed Animals You Can Get For As Little as $1 at Build-a-Bear's "Pay Your Age Day"
If you heard the how-is-this-not-too-good-to-be-true news that Build-a-Bear will have a "Pay Your Age Day," in which you can get nearly any of the retailer's popular stuffed animals for as little as $1 (or, say, $5 if you come with your kindergartner), you have probably already cleared your schedule for Thursday, July 12. But do you have a game plan?
From classic collections to specially licensed characters - we're talking Marvel's Black Panther to Frozen's Elsa to everyone's favorite Troll, Poppy - you'll be able to choose from hundreds of furry friends in store, most of which regularly retail for $25 to $35. To help you prepare for the big day, we've rounded up some of the store's most popular plush playthings.
Finding Your Mom Tribe Is Harder Than Dating - Here's What I Learned
Image Source: UnSplash / Dani Vivanco
Thirty-something/Female/Palo Alto.
Seeking other amateur, irreverent new mom who walks the line between reading every study about how to develop your newborn's optimal gut flora and just NGAF.
Bonus points if your dog's on Instagram.
"Mom tribe" is this term that people have been using around me ever since I got pregnant. "You'll need a mom tribe," friends would insist. "I'd DIE without my tribe," others would admit.
Your what? Your tribe? Why would I need "other" friends than the ones I already had? Plenty of my pals have kiddos. Granted, they live hundreds if not thousands of miles away, but I didn't see the need in replacing them or shoving them down to the bottom of the list to make space for fresh meat.
I nodded, though, accepting that these people - these experienced moms who had advice to give - knew a thing or two. And if they said I needed a tribe of moms, then I needed to find one. But where?
The hunt started while I was pregnant. I went to local baby stores in my town and asked the cute salesgirls where other moms hung out; I signed up for several prenatal yoga classes (even though I dislike yoga) and lurked after class to see if anyone was, say, taking their sugar test soon and wanted to connect over how gross the drink was. I even posted on the neighborhood social network site Nextdoor, a posting that I nervously edited several times for fear of looking desperate. By the time it went up, I'd whittled it down to essentially nothing: "Mom-to-be here, what's up?" I found no one at the yoga classes, and my Nextdoor message went unanswered.
From there I pushed harder, joining several Facebook mom groups and interacting with other people's postings. Finally, I read that someone was looking for other moms. I screamed at the screen. Me too!
This woman was new to the neighborhood and looking to meet other new moms or moms-to-be. I messaged her, we exchanged surface-level information, and we agreed to meet up. But then, like it happens in the dating world, she canceled on me. Something came up.
The quest continued, forcing me to respond to even more messages. I even joined a mom matchmaking app! Finally, after I had my baby, I found some momentum. A handful of moms who'd recently delivered were meeting for coffee in my neighborhood. I laced up my shoes and went. The experience was a perfect mix of helpful and odd. As a new mom, you're sort of fast-tracked to a level of intimacy that would ordinarily take months to get to. Things got honest very quickly.
I get it now. I get the concept of the mom tribe. These mothers are going through things only I can understand. And because our babies are so close in age, we can talk about the most boring of things, like sleep sacks with Velcro and tummy time. And even if I'm not everything they hoped for in their mom friend, at the very least, I'm in their zip code. So I have that going for me.
But if you're in a similar situation and searching for your group, here's everything I learned.
It's supposed to be awkward.
Just own it. It's basically blind dating.
It's fine if you forget their name . . . or their kid's name.
No matter what you forget about your new friend, you can blame it on the new mom fog (which is very much a real thing).
It's super easy to cancel. So don't.
It's understandable that you might not have had a good night's sleep. You're probably tired. Whatever it is, it's SO easy to cancel, and no one would sympathize more than another new mom. Which is why you have to force yourself to go sometimes. It's worth it.
Offer someone something.
The tribe isn't only about you. I remember the first time a new mom friend offered me an old diaper bag to use on a walk because I didn't have anything to hold my milk bottle in (I'd been sticking them in various pockets like a boss). I was touched because we really didn't know each other. But it meant so much. Weeks later when she mentioned she needed some formula, I rushed to offer to give her extra. It felt rewarding taking a walk to her house and dropping it on her doorstep.
It's OK to talk about nonmom stuff.
You don't have to just talk about poop and pacifiers. Talk about your careers, your families, the weird things people are posting on Nextdoor!
You're not married. You can cheat on your mom tribe if you want.
I have to accept that my mom friends might be cheating on me. At this very moment. I may not fulfill everything they need, and that's perfectly fine. As long as they keep responding to my texts every now and then and are available for stroller walks, I'm just happy to be there.
I Just Gave Birth, and These Are the 10 Things I Regret Not Packing in My Hospital Bag
I thought I'd covered all my bases when I went to pack my hospital delivery bag for the upcoming birth of my son. Baby's coming-home outfit? Check. Camera? Check. Toothbrush. Duh. Besides, this was my fourth baby. I had this, right? Wrong.
There were several things I didn't pack that I really, really wish I had. I'm hoping that by sharing what I regret failing to include in my hospital bag, I can help other soon-to-be mamas enjoy the most comfortable, convenient hospital stays possible. Keep reading to find out what I wish I had packed along with the essentials everyone tells you to have on hand when you head into labor and delivery.
Mom Is the Only One to Survive a Crash That Tragically Killed Her Husband and 4 Daughters
A New Jersey mom has tragically lost her entire family following a car crash on the way home from a Fourth of July holiday in Ocean City, MD. Mary Rose Ballocanag and her family - husband Audie Trinidad and daughters, Kaitlyn, 20, Danna, 17, and 14-year-old twins Melissa and Allison - were headed north on Route 1 in Delaware when a southbound truck clipped another car, crossed the median, and T-boned the family's van, which then flipped over. Although Mary Rose and Audie were wearing their seat belts in the front of the van, police said at least some of the girls were not.
Trinidad's brother, Daniel, is grappling with the loss of his oldest brother and nieces. "How are you going to bury five people at the same time? There's no answer . . ." he said to the New York Post. "Now my sister-in-law is all by herself. What will she do? This is like a tragedy 100 times over."
Mary Rose, who is currently undergoing care at Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, reportedly suffered multiple fractures, but is expected to survive. The mom of four is aware of the fact that her family was killed. "Right after the accident, she called her friend," Daniel said, adding that the mom cried, "They're all gone," to said friend.
Larry DuHadaway, an off-duty firefighter and paramedic who witnessed the crash, says it was "the worst one" he's seen in 28 years on the job. Despite his recount of the "horrific" scene, there's no way of knowing whether any of the girls who weren't properly restrained could have survived had they been buckled - a sobering reminder to all parents to encourage wearing a seat belt no matter what.
A GoFundMe has been started to help Mary Rose with hospital and funeral expenses. Its original goal of $10,000 was far surpassed and, at press time, has raised over $199,000 of its new $250,000 goal.
This Mom Won't Force Her Kids to Hug Their Relatives Because "It's OK to Say No"
Even though it can be tremendously awkward in the moment, Laura Mazza, a mom and writer at Laura Mazza - Mum on the Run, doesn't feel obligated to make her kids hug anyone, whether they're related to them or not. In a Facebook post, she explained that although it might seem rude at the time, teaching your kiddos the importance of boundaries and forcing them to hug an aunt or uncle is more than a little bit contradictory.
"Recently relatives came to visit and asked for a goodbye hug, and my son promptly said no," wrote Laura. "This person said 'Ohhh, come on!! Just one big hug,' and I was looked at by the relative like I should encourage him by saying, 'Go on, give her a hug!' But instead, I said, 'That's Ok, you don't have to' . . . And what may have been considered as slightly awkward or rude on my part, it's something I'm proud as a parent to say or do."
Despite the disapproving looks shot in her direction, Laura didn't change her decision. After all, it's her job to keep her children's best interests in mind.
"Because I'm teaching my kids that no means no and that's it's OK to say no."
"My responsibility first and foremost is to my children. As their mother, it's my job to stand up for them when they can't and teach them to learn to stand up for themselves," said Laura. "I am their safe place, one that they trust, and I won't abuse that by insisting that they do something that makes them feel uncomfortable to be polite."
And this sentiment doesn't just apply to her son's interactions with his relatives. Laura believes that the "no means no" mentality should be honored across the board.
My son gets too much sometimes and wants to hug other kids, or his sister, a little too much. I can't tell him "You can't hug her/him if they don't want to be hugged, but if Uncle Albert demands a hug, you should give him one." Because I'm teaching my kids that no means no and that's it's OK to say no. It means no when I say "you can't have an extra cookie". It means no when your sister doesn't want to wrestle. It means "no" when your girlfriend/boyfriend says "no" to sex or if you or they say, "I'm not ready." It means no when you say you don't want to do something with your body that you don't want to do. So it definitely means no when someone asks you for a hug and you don't want to give them one.
Laura believes there are many ways to still be "nice and a good person" without giving into someone else's demands for a hug or kiss.
"Unfortunately, I know all too well what it's like as a child to be obliged to do something and be polite as you were taught, and we only have to spend 10 minutes on social media to see the statistics of children being forced into situations isn't a low one."
For the time being, Laura's planning on taking the awkward conversations in stride for the sake of her kids.
"But for now, I'm their voice and I'm their advocate and I'll make it count, and hopefully that'll give them the strength in all situations to remember my words and to know that they don't have to do anything they don't want to with their body and that no means no and walk away."
Starting Your Baby on Solid Food Early May Help Them Sleep Better, According to a Study
Attention, overtired parents! A study recently published in JAMA Pediatrics may offer a solution to your bedtime woes: starting your baby on solid foods.
Researchers from the US and the UK evaluated 1,303 3-month-old infants between 2008 and 2015 and had their moms either exclusively breastfeed them or introduce them to solids early. They found that the children who were introduced to solid foods like peanuts, eggs, and wheat at 3 months old - in addition to being breastfed - were more likely to sleep better than those who exclusively breastfed.
Gideon Lack, a professor of pediatric allergy at King's College London and a co-author of the research, said that though there wasn't a huge difference between the two categories, infants who were introduced to solids came out on top in terms of sleep.
"An added benefit (of early introduction of solids) is that it seems to confer better sleep for the children," he told The Guardian, adding: "We believe the most likely explanation for our findings of improved sleep is that that these babies are less hungry."
Although some parents deviated from the feeding schedule slightly, moms and dads in the breastfeeding group introduced their babies to solids, on average, at 23 weeks (about 6 months old), compared with the solid food set, who let their children try solids at 16 weeks.
The researchers also discovered that infants who were eating solids slept an average of two hours more per week at 6 months old than babies who were breastfed exclusively. Moreover, the study found that 6-month-old babies who were eating solids were 9 percent less likely to wake up in the middle of the night, compared with breastfed children of the same age. Parents who opted to breastfeed were also twice more likely to report a serious issue with their infant's sleeping patterns.
However, though the researchers believe that kiddos who eat solids are most likely less hungry throughout the night, which would make any mom want to reach for the bananas, the study's findings do conflict with the World Health Organization's recommendation of exclusively breastfeeding for six months.
No Joke, Prince Louis's Christening Gown Is a Replica of a Dress Royal Babies Have Worn Since 1841
As with most things concerned with the royal family, Prince Louis's christening on July 9 was rooted in tradition, from how his godparents were chosen to the gown he wore. Photos of the young prince at the Chapel Royal on the grounds of St. James's Palace, the same place where Prince George was christened, show Louis wearing an intricate lace gown (and Kate Middleton beaming in white), which isn't just a hand-me-down from his older siblings, but a replica of a dress royal babies have been sporting since 1841.
According to the royal family's website, Prince Louis was in "the handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe, made by Angela Kelly, Dressmaker to The Queen." The original Royal Christening Robe was made in 1841 for Queen Victoria's oldest daughter, Victoria, and was from then on worn at all royal christenings until the christening of the Queen's youngest grandchild, James.
"The Queen commissioned Angela Kelly to make a handmade replica of the Royal Christening Robe in order to preserve the original," reads the information page for Prince Louis's christening on the royal family's website. "James, Viscount Severn, was the first member of the Royal Family to wear this replica gown at his christening at the private chapel at Windsor Castle on 19th April 2008."
Then Prince George wore the gown at his christening in 2013, and Princess Charlotte sported the dress in 2015. Like the original dress before it, this one is sure to be worn for years to come once Louis's finished with it!
Hurry Up - Amazon Has Already Started to Discount Baby Clothes For Prime Day
If you have July 16 at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET circled in your calendar then consider yourself one of the smarter online shoppers because that's when this year's Amazon Prime Day kicks off. In just one week, Prime members will get deep discounts for a whopping 36 hours. So if you need to stock up on clothes for your growing toddler or have a mama-to-be in your life who could use some new baby clothes, this will be a key time to shop.
In celebration of the fourth annual Prime Day, Amazon Fashion has already started to reveal deals! Check out our top picks.
This Instant Pot Spaghetti Is Easier Than Frozen Pizza, and SO Much Tastier
As a mom with a full-time work schedule, there are plenty of kitchen hacks I rely on to make weekday cooking and cleaning less of a nightmare. I'm addicted to recipe-hunting on Pinterest, always searching for the next tasty, low-maintenance meal to bang out on the nights I'm in charge of dinner duty. The fewer ingredients, faster cook time, and less dirty cookware I have to wash, the better. If it's healthier and cheaper than ordering a pizza and my toddler happily devours it, that dish becomes a regular in my rotation.
My husband and my son have a soft spot for Italian-American comfort food: pizza, spaghetti, lasagna, you get the picture. And while I genuinely enjoy the process and taste payoff of making fresh pesto, hand-rolling meatballs, and simmering sauces, those activities are filed under a totally different cooking category that my weeknight self can't be bothered with. Survival, not leisurely passion, is my meal-planning mantra.
When I spotted The Salty Marshmallow's recipe for Instant Pot spaghetti, I immediately noticed the high rating (just under five stars) and the 15-minute prep and cook time. That's faster than preparing a frozen pizza when you account for preheating! Naturally, I clicked. The recipe takes only 15 minutes because everything cooks together in the Instant Pot, including the pasta! After sauteing the meat, and adding spices, a jar of your go-to marinara sauce, a can of diced tomatoes, and water, you snap a pound of spaghetti in half, lay it across the top, and close the lid. The entire dish is ready in 10 minutes.
The result is fat and juicy strands of spaghetti soaked in pasta sauce. The meat is tender and flavorful. Because the pasta is cooked in the sauce, every bite has the perfect ratio of carby, saucey, meaty goodness. Depending on what you like (and have on hand), you can throw in anything from fresh garlic to mushrooms during the cooking process, and top with grated Parmesan, red pepper flakes, or fresh herbs. Clean up is as easy as recycling the diced tomatoes can and marinara sauce jar, and cleaning the Instant Pot when you're finished - making it fuss-free in every aspect.
Check out The Salty Marshmallow to try out this delicious and easy recipe for Instant Pot spaghetti!
10 Stylish Sweatshirts You'll Want to Live in - Starting at Just $9
Gone are the days of settling for a boring sweatshirt from the sporting goods store. With cheeky crewnecks and embellished options, there's just no reason to keep wearing that old zip-up. If you don't think sweatshirts can be styled in modern ways, think again. Tuck them into the waistband of your jeans, or try a larger size worn over a dress. We have 10 options that will encourage you to ditch the lifeless hoodie and pick up something chic that can stand on its own.
This Little Boy Butchering "Body Like a Back Road" Is the Epitome of Our Monday Mood
Sorry Sam Hunt my son doesn't understand the lyrics 🤦🏼♀️😂😭😯
Posted by Lauren Lonsdale on Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Lauren Lonsdale, a mom from Mississippi, knows firsthand that kids say the darndest things, and unfortunately for her son, she has the footage to prove it. In a hilarious video she uploaded to Facebook back in 2017, the mom captured her kiddo belting out the lyrics to Sam Hunt's popular song "Body Like a Back Road" in the car. But there was one problem: he didn't exactly get the words right.
The now-viral video, which has amassed 13 million views since last year, is making its rounds on social media again, and boy, are we grateful. Lauren captioned it: "Sorry Sam Hunt my son doesn't understand the lyrics," and to say her kiddo butchered the chorus would most definitely be a hilarious understatement.
Viewers who listen closely can hear the, ahem, remixed version, and it's nothing short of hysterical. He puts his own spin on the tune by singing: "Body like a backhoe driving with my assh*les," and we have to admit, that might actually be better than the original version!
I Finally Found the Hyaluronic Acid That Fixed My Rosacea
I've always had combination skin. Oily in the T-zones and normal-to-dry elsewhere, and save for a few hormonal breakouts here and there that I've treated with drying lotion, my combo skin has been relatively easy to deal with. But once I got pregnant things did a 180.
Within the last few weeks of my pregnancy I developed inflamed micro-pimples all over my cheeks. I was able to cover them with concealer and tinted moisturizer, but when I washed my face in the privacy of my own home, I was left to face the horror: rosacea. A total first for me. I wasn't that surprised, though, because my hormones were raging and I knew that it was common for pregnant women to experience complexion changes. I was, however, disappointed to see the inflammation still there months after I delivered.
After a visit to the dermatologist and a prescription for a topical gel failed to make a difference, I turned to hyaluronic acids. Known for their ability to reset moisture and create balance in the skin, I gave Cosmedica Skincare Hyaluronic Acid ($11) a shot because it was paraben-free, vegan, and made for people with sensitive skin. And my new skin was being very sensitive.
After a few weeks of using it as my base morning and night (I applied it immediately after washing) I saw a noticeable difference in the redness. The bumps on my cheeks just all about vanished. I still use it regularly because it feels light on my face; it's effective while still feeling gentle. If you're looking for a surge of hydration or trying to calm irritated skin I recommend giving this a shot.
Guy Who Went Viral For Destroying His First Kit Kat Wins the Internet Back With an Epic Proposal
Evan Wilt had no idea the ridicule he was to receive from the masses simply for taking a bite of a Kit Kat - the whole Kit Kat. His then-girlfriend, Haley Byrd, snapped a photo of Evan's attempt at eating the chocolate treat, apparently his first one ever, and didn't sugarcoat (pun intended) how insane his approach was.
"'I don't think I've ever had a Kit Kat before,' my boyfriend remarks before doing THIS," she wrote on Twitter on May 31, alongside a photo of a huge bite taken out of all four sections of Evan's Kit Kat. "He had no idea why I laughed so hard," she wrote in a reply to the original tweet. "Oh, sweet summer child."
The internet was quick to jump onto the trolling bandwagon, as it usually is ready to do at a moment's notice, and Haley's tweet quickly went viral. However, the devoted girlfriend ended up defending Evan in the end, saying that though she understood everyone's outrage over his near-criminal activity, Evan is "a keeper."
A month later, however, Evan took the situation by the horns and won the entire internet back. "'I don't think I've ever proposed before,' I said before doing THIS," Evan's July 3 tweet read. "Sorry folks, [Haley] is forever taken."
That's right - Evan got down on one knee to propose to the woman who gave him embarrassing viral fame . . . with a gorgeous ring hidden inside a Kit Kat bar.
See the couple's Kit Kat journey ahead, from Evan's first bite straight to their adorable candy-themed proposal.
A Pediatrician Weighs in on the Milestones Your Baby Should Reach Each Month
Six weeks after giving birth, I finally got a smile from my newborn baby girl. For over a month, I lived in an endless cycle of feedings, diaper changes, and power naps. The smile jolted me out of my stupor, and I finally felt like, hey, this parenting thing could be fun.
I'll also admit I felt a sense of relief. This "social smile" (as opposed to a reflexive milk-drunk smile) is an important milestone for newborns. Subconsciously, I had worried that she wouldn't meet the mark. Knowing that many more milestones lay on the horizon, I told myself that I needed to change my attitude. So long as my daughter's pediatrician said everything was on track, I shouldn't pay too much attention to how she progressed. Instead, I should look at lists of recommended milestone as something to look forward. Each month, I would check out a list to see what exciting new "trick" my daughter would learn. And I wouldn't worry too much if it took her a little longer.
"Most children are normal and will thrive in a loving, happy home."
Dr. Robin Jacobson, a pediatrician at NYU Langone Pediatric Associates, said that's a healthy approach. "The best source of developmental milestones is your pediatrician," she told me. Dr. Jacobson admitted that it can be scary for a parent when you see a child younger than yours speaking or walking better. But, she said, parents must remember all children are different. "Parents hear a lot about autism and developmental delay," she told me, "but most children are normal and will thrive in a loving, happy home."
Even if you have a laid-back attitude about your child's development, it's still nice to know when you can expect a new advancement. So Dr. Jacobson helped break down the most exciting milestones that happen in the first year of life. Read on for her insight.
The Best Products to Help You Prevent - and Treat - Those Stretch Marks
Expecting moms probably feel that, in many cases, stretch marks are unavoidable. Your stomach is growing to support your ever-growing fetus, and your skin needs to expand along with it. But if you're worried about developing those lines on your body, you can apply creams, salves, and oils to help maintain the elasticity of your skin. Up ahead, we have some of the more popular preggo products according to users.
I Checked Off a Huge Bucket List Item With 2 Young Kids in Tow, Because Why Not?
I try to live life without regrets. I like to think I do a pretty good job at that when it comes to parenting and being a wife, but when it comes to doing things for myself, I'm severely lacking. When I kept finding myself having regret over the same thing multiple times, that's when I finally said to myself, "Life is too short! Enough is enough!" So, after many missed opportunities to check something off the top of my bucket list, I finally took the plunge and did it with both of my young kids in tow.
Now that I've done it, I encourage all moms to throw away all the reasons why they shouldn't do something and instead focus on all the reasons why they should.
It may sound silly as a 34-year-old to have an obsession with a musical icon, but I do. I'm a HUGE Kelly Clarkson fan. I've seen her in concert countless times, usually at least twice each time she's on tour. My biggest dream in life (aside from becoming a mom) has been to see her live from the front row. The closest I've come is the fifth row, but that was until a few weeks ago. I was done letting my excuses hold me back, and I packed up my 11-month-old and my 4-year-old, grabbed my mom, splurged on a hotel room, and went to New York City to see her live on the Today show. It was quite the whirlwind, but it was 100 percent worth it. I never jumped on that "YOLO" bandwagon (I feel so weird even saying that phrase) - I was tired, the kids' schedules kept me busy, I couldn't find the time, and so on - so this was the biggest "what the hell" moment I've ever had. And now that I've done it, I encourage all moms to throw away all the reasons why they shouldn't do something and instead focus on all the reasons why they should. My kids' first concert was my favorite singer, someone they've both been listening to since they were in the womb. We made memories, we had meltdowns, but we made it happen.
But let me start at the beginning. Before I was married and had children, I lived about 45 minutes from Manhattan. Every time I'd see that Kelly was scheduled to be in NYC for something, I would dream of dropping everything and hopping on the train to see her. I never did it because I was working, in school, couldn't take time off, etc. I had all of the excuses. And in my current life, I have two young kids and a now over 90-minute commute to Manhattan, so my dream of hopping on a train to see her felt like it was slipping further away. I mean, you have to be in line at Rockefeller Plaza by at least 5 a.m. (some people camp out the night before), and with an almost two-hour trip to get there, that would mean getting myself ready, waking my kids up, and getting out of the house by 3 a.m. Then you have to wait in said line for hours before they even begin to let people into the plaza without a guarantee you'll be anywhere near the stage. THEN, once you're in, the actual concert doesn't begin until 8 a.m. (and lasts until 9 a.m.). Doing this as a young, single person doesn't even sound appealing, but with two kids? Impossible! Or so I thought.
So, maybe find a place to stay in the city for the night so the wake-up call comes a little before 5 a.m. instead of 3? But NYC hotels are expensive. And how do you make it around the city with a giant double stroller? Car seats in cabs? Nope. You're probably asking yourself, why not just leave the kids at home? Well, my husband works, my son is still nursing, and it's a lot to ask a babysitter to take care of a preschooler overnight or with a 3 a.m. start time. See what I mean when I say I had all of the excuses?
I don't know what came over me, but I finally said "Screw it!" and asked my mom (who I've turned into a Kelly Clarkson fan) two days before Kelly's scheduled Today show Summer Concert Series appearance if she wanted to go. She looked at me like I was crazy, but had a sly smile that gave me the feeling she wanted to be crazy with me. We decided to splurge on a hotel near Rockefeller and make the most of our trip to NYC. I went to the grocery store and bought any and all snacks for the kids. Then I headed to the Dollar Store and bought new toys, trinkets, books, crayons, markers, stickers, and anything small that would fit into the diaper bag. And as a last resort, because she doesn't get a lot of screen time, I downloaded my daughter's favorite shows on my mom's tablet and grabbed her fun cat-ear headphones. We packed everything we'd need in two backpacks, a big purse, and the diaper bag, threw them all in the double stroller, and headed to the train station.
Kelly preformed three songs, and I rocked out to all of them while simultaneously jumping up and down, singing along, holding the baby, and throwing snacks at my daughter.
We walked from Grand Central through Rockefeller to our hotel so we could see how long the walk would take in the morning. We checked into the hotel, went swimming in the rooftop pool, had pizza in bed for dinner, decorated a poster to hold up for Kelly, and went to sleep early with our alarm set for 4:30 a.m. When that time came, my mom and I got ourselves ready, gently woke the kids, and headed to our destination with the 4-year-old walking and me wearing the baby. We were lucky to have a family member with a connection at NBC and ended up with VIP tickets, which meant we didn't have to wait in line as long, and we were among the first group let into the plaza. We walked in, and the stage was right in front of us. I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a mistake and at any moment someone would snap, "You can't stand here." But no one did. We set up our spot where we'd reside for the next four hours, resting the diaper bag on the big amplifier in front of the stage, and waited as the crowds piled in. We chatted and made friends with some other concertgoers while my daughter ate cookies for breakfast (because it kept her quiet, and what the hell) and in the sea of people, I discretely nursed the baby. I became a little worried when the whining started less than an hour into our four hours of standing, so I pulled out some silly putty, bubbles, and more snacks, which kept my daughter occupied a little longer. The baby was content to be worn for a while until he wasn't anymore, so I unstrapped him and just held him until . . . wait for it . . . Hoda Kotb came over and asked to hold him! He went to her, they smiled at each other, and she danced with him a little while my mom tried to grab some good pictures.
Then the big moment came. Kelly came out, and I thought I might lose it. She was RIGHT in front of me. I could see the sparkle of her jewelry; I could see the texture of her hair; I could see the wires from her ear piece. I could have touched her if that wasn't an inappropriate and weird invasion of space. I got a glimpse into her behind-the-scenes routine while she and her band and music manager worked out the kinks during sound check for the live show. She even looked out into the crowd between songs, pointed to my son and said, "Look at that baby!" That's right - Kelly Clarkson was talking about my baby. The fact that my daughter was sitting on the ground pouting and whining about wanting to ride the subway couldn't have bothered me less in that moment.
Kelly preformed three songs, and I rocked out to all of them while simultaneously jumping up and down, singing along, holding the baby, throwing snacks at my daughter and picking her up so she could see, too. If she hadn't been woken up before the sun, she probably would have enjoyed herself more as well, but she'll always be able to say her first live concert was in the front row for Kelly Clarkson on the Today show in New York City, and that's pretty cool. My mom and I had an awesome time, and we were both pleasantly surprised at how well both kids held up. It was an amazing experience that would have only been made better if Kelly and I got to chat and she realized we'd be instant best friends like I've always known we would be. But, hey, I need a new dream now anyway, right?
This Is the CBD Oil I Use When I'm Feeling Super Anxious, and It's a Lifesaver
I've struggled with anxiety since I was a kid. I remember driving in the car when it was raining and being terrified our windshield wipers would stop working and we would get in a crash. I never learned how to do a cartwheel because I was convinced I would fall and break my neck. As an adult, my anxiety can sometimes be crippling; it feels like I'm a prisoner trapped inside my own brain.
And while I take a cocktail of medication for my bipolar II (bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum and anxiety can be a symptom), sometimes my anxiety is particularly rough. Since my psychiatrist's office doesn't prescribe benzodiazepines (think: Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) - and I personally don't want to take them - I have needed another quick fix to curb my anxiety and calm me down ASAP.
Enter cannabidiol, or CBD oil. I had read about how effective CBD oil can be to treat anxiety. Even though I'm lucky enough that I don't get panic attacks, I was hoping CBD could treat the anxiety symptoms I do have: dizziness, racing, catastrophic thoughts. increased heart rate. nausea, etc. So when Charlotte's Web sent me a variety of hemp oils, I was eager to try them.
Since I was new to CBD oil, I started with the regular Hemp Extract Oil ($40-$100 at cwhemp.com), which has 10 milligrams of hemp extract per one milliliter serving (about two full droplets' worth). After using that dosage a few times, I didn't see much difference in my anxiety symptoms. It wasn't until I started using Charlotte's Web Hemp Extract Oil Plus ($75-$189 at cwhemp.com), which has 25 milligrams of hemp extract per one milliliter serving (about two droplets' worth), that I started noticing a difference.
When I'm starting to feel anxious, I take two droplets of the Hemp Extract Oil Plus under my tongue: I start with one droplet, let it set under my tongue, and wait about a minute for it to absorb. Then I repeat with the second droplet. After a few minutes, I can notice my anxiety symptoms slowly start to go away. It's not instantaneous, and it doesn't completely cure my anxiety, but I can certainly feel a difference.
Now, I keep a bottle of Charlotte's Web Hemp Extract Oil Plus with me at all times: in my going-out purse, in my gym bag, and in my work bag. I like the mint chocolate flavor the best, but also take the olive oil flavor, too. As neuroscientist and cannabis expert Josh Kaplan, PhD, told POPSUGAR, you don't necessarily feel CBD working for anxiety like you would feel the sensation of getting high with THC; it's more like a relief of symptoms.
That's exactly how I feel when I take it, and it's my new secret weapon. Not that taking hemp oil is a replacement for psychotropic drugs - this is a conversation you should have with your doctors before making any changes - but if you are looking for an all-natural anxiety relief remedy, try Charlotte's Web Hemp Extract Oil Plus. And if you're looking for an even more potent option, check out Charlotte's Web Hemp Extract Oil Advanced ($150-$275 at cwhemp.com), which has about 43 milligrams of hemp extract per one-half milliliter serving.
10 Ways You Can Enjoy Yourself at Disneyland - and Still Stay Healthy
Theme parks are rarely synonymous with healthy habits, but we're here to tell you that it is possible to have fun at the Happiest Place on Earth without throwing your efforts out the window. Luckily, Disneyland makes it easy to enjoy yourself while staying healthy, thanks to its many park offerings, from food to visitor perks. Check out our 10 tips before your next visit!
The Reason You Should Stop Doing Crunches, According to an Expert
Whether you work out every single day or hit the gym every blue moon, you're probably familiar with the popular ab exercise crunches. If you had to take a guess, how many crunches do you think you've done in your lifetime? Hundreds? Thousands? You more than likely did them in your high school gym class, during a quick at-home ab workout, and you probably do them during your favorite group fitness class. It's understandable why crunches are such a popular exercise - they're simple and can be done anywhere, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're good for you.
World-renowned professor of spine biomechanics, Stuart McGill, PhD, found that crunches and sit-ups place 3,300 newtons (340 kilograms/749.60 pounds) of compressive force on the spine when it's in a flexed position. The repeated force of crunches can cause the discs in your back to bulge (the gel nucleus of the disc bulges), pressing on nerves causing lower-back pain and potentially causing a herniated disc. Whether you're a regular at the gym or love to do cardio dance workouts every now and then, a disc injury can sideline you for quite some time.
If you're currently experiencing lower back pain or would rather not run the risk for injury, Dr. McGill came up with the "Big 3" exercises to strengthen the core, focusing specifically on stability and control. If you're looking to expand your repertoire of ab exercises that are back-friendly, consider the following moves for a strong core and a healthy back.
I Found the Cause of My Chronic Bloating, and the Cure Is So Simple
I bloat easily. Always have, and felt like I always would. It's an annoying thing that our female bodies do, but my body doesn't only bloat before my monthly period, either. Nope, I'm blessed to bloat all month long, all-year round. In the Summer, I never wanted to put on my bathing suit because I often looked like I'm three months pregnant. In the Winter, when my bloating is out of control, zipping up those skinny jeans could be a challenge. I was self-conscience about my appearance, and honestly, it often seemed like I looked worse than I felt.
I tried everything to eliminate my bloating, but it took a while to find my cure. I increased my water intake and then just had to pee all the time. I eliminated carbs, but although I lost a couple pounds, I did not lose the bloat; plus, I was moody. I avoided alcohol and sodium and still felt bloated. I decreased the amount of acidic foods I ate. I tried upping the fiber in my diet to help me more easily go number two, but to no avail - the bloating was persistent. Finally, I asked a friend, who also happens to be a dietitian, about my issue. She asked me, "Are you eating big meals? Are you exercising portion control?"
My eyes grew wide. "Nope," I answered. I come from a big Greek family, and our lives revolve around food. While sitting around the table devouring dinner, we discuss what we'll be eating at our next meal. And we always lick our plates clean. "Portion control?" I joked with my friend. "This doesn't sound like fun." She laughed back at me, but then urged me to eat smaller portions. "How can your belly ever go down if you're stuffing yourself at every single meal? When you eat several small-portioned meals throughout the day, your stomach won't bloat like it does now."
Her response made sense to me, so I tried this thing called "portion control." Essentially, I cut my meals in half and tried to listen to my belly - when I felt full, I stopped eating. I ate healthy snacks between meals, too, so that I'm wouldn't be starving at mealtime and then overeat. After the first week of simply eating smaller portions, my bloating finally subsided. My dietitian friend was right!
The smaller portions helped keep my stomach where it should be rather than chronically distended forward. Yes, there are still times when I overindulge like holidays, special occasions, or when my mother makes homemade Greek food. But overall, I've been doing a good job at eating smaller portions so that my stomach doesn't explode. Eating a handful of almonds or an apple helps keep my appetite in-check so that I don't overeat. And my body is thanking me for it, too. I no longer dread putting a bathing suit on in the Summer and, in the Winter, my skinny jeans are much easier to zip.
If You Want Strong and Tight Abs, This Is the Exercise You Need to Be Doing
Most people train their abs for vanity (hello six-pack!), but having a strong core is essential to doing every day activities, even walking. A strong core (with or without a six-pack) is the secret to having great posture, running faster, and preventing injuries like lower-back pain. Improve your core strength (and get sexy, toned abs while you're at it) with this twist on the classic plank.
Here's how to do it:
- Start resting on all fours.
- With your palms flat, raise up off your knees onto your toes. Keep your hands directly below your shoulders.
- Contract your abs to keep yourself up and prevent your bottom from sticking up. Remember to keep your belly button pulled in.
- With your head and spine in line, keep your back flat - don't let it curve. Picture your body as a long, straight board.
- With control, slowly tap your left knee to the ground without moving your hips. Lift your left knee back up, returning to the starting position. Repeat the same movement with the right leg. This completes one rep.
- Complete two sets of 10 reps.
Feeling Bloated? Eat These 12 Foods to Flatten Your Belly
Whether you're preparing for a beach day, a special event, or you just want to feel your best, incorporating certain foods into your diet can make all the difference when it comes to banishing bloat. To prevent a balloon-like belly, you'll want to limit or avoid dairy products, sugary foods, excess salt, carbonated beverages, and fatty items - and instead opt for the following 12 foods.
This Trainer Explains Why Stretching Might Actually Be Doing More Harm Than Good
Mobility is a buzzword that's being thrown around pretty often these days. Most of us think it's interchangeable with flexibility and that stretching on a regular basis will make you more mobile, which will in turn improve your overall fitness, especially in the weight room. But Vishal Kumar, B.S., multicertified trainer, functional movement expert, and general manager at Epic Hybrid Training Center in San Francisco, is here to set the record straight.
"I define mobility as strength through flexibility and fluidity of the joints. It's the ability to actively control your joints through all ranges of motion and really own that end range of motion," Vishal told POPSUGAR. "This requires a person to communicate with their body and recruit strength through a full-body isometric contraction (also known as irradiation) and use that strength to move the joint or body through whatever capacity that area is designed to have."
That means the classic stretching we're used to doesn't actually create comprehensive mobility in the body. "Typically, the thought process is that passively stretching means you are getting mobile. However, when something is done passively, then it lacks control," he continued. "It can actually be more harmful for the body because now there is a new passive range that a person may try and load yet may not be able to control that position, and this is where injury can occur."
In other words, if you passively stretch your hamstrings (like this seated straddle) over and over again and think you've become more flexible, you might injure yourself the next time you try to deadlift a heavier weight because that range of motion isn't ready to actively accept a heavy load.
That doesn't mean you shouldn't stretch at all, though. "Passive stretching does have some benefits and plays a role when looking to gain active mobility, but it shouldn't be the focus of most people and their training," Vishal explained. Isometric contractions are a better way to successfully increase your mobility. "For example, if you have a shoulder that should be able to rotate all the way around because it's a ball-and-socket joint, then making sure it is able to achieve that rotation without any other body part helping should be the goal," he said. "This is a very isolated approach to mobility training, but the more detailed the approach, the easier for the body to move efficiently as a whole."
When working on his own mobility rather than passive stretching, Vishal uses a "flow-based structure, which integrates the whole body through different positions I can move and breathe through." He added, "Whether you're looking to move a barbell or move apartments, you would want the foundations of your body to be strong so you can lift and move things with the most prepared version of [your] physical self."
Fruity, Refreshing and Low-Calorie Cocktails and Mocktails That'll Make You Go "Yum"
Summertime opens the door to a whole range of fun outdoor activities: beaching, picnicking, backyard barbecues. What do all of these have in common? They all call for some appropriately summery cocktails or mocktails.
The best Summer drinks not only take advantage of what's in season, which right now includes a bevy of juicy fruits, but are also refreshing and light, in both flavor and calories. We've culled some of the most delicious and refreshing Summer drink recipes that are packed with fresh fruit flavor but low on calories. Click through for the recipes and start planning your next outdoor get-together.
Our Editors Rounded Up the Year's Best Running Shoes - Shop All 52 Pairs!
If there's one universal gym essential, it's a great pair of sneakers. They're not all created equal, and different people want different things from a shoe. Whether you're looking for a pair that's super supportive, has a sock-like fit, or just looks really good on your foot, we found the pair for you. Just keep reading to shop all 52 pairs!
A Trainer Says This Is How Long You Have to Lift Weights to Lose Weight
Whether you're lifting weights, doing HIIT workouts, or another style of training, you're going to need to be consistent with your program and eating clean in order to lose weight. If you've been lifting weights for more than a month and feel like you aren't seeing results, don't fret. Weight loss doesn't happen overnight, and the amount of weight each individual loses will vary based on genetics, their initial weight, the style of training they're doing, and their diet. Stephen Cheuk, New York City based personal trainer and founder of S10 Training, spoke with POPSUGAR about the best weightlifting practices one should follow to lose weight.
"Under the assumption nutrition is 100 percent during this process [weightlifting], it really depends on the weight and body fat of each woman," Stephen told POPSUGAR. If a woman is already lean (18 to 28 percent body fat) and at a healthy weight range, she can lose anywhere between 0.5 and 0.8 percent of body fat in a week and lose 0.5 to one pound of weight in a week. After doing the math, this means if you're trying to lose 10 pounds, it can take anywhere from 10 to 20 weeks.
If you're new to strength training and have a body fat percentage higher than 28 percent, you'll "typically drop body fat and weight quicker in the beginning," Stephen said. Being that each person will adapt differently, there's no exact amount of weight you'll lose a week, but Stephen said it can be a minimum of one percent of body fat or one pound per week.
In order to lose fat and build muscle, Stephen said absolute beginners should start with two sessions a week, doing three to five sets of 10-15 reps per exercise. If you have experience strength training, Stephen advised training three times a week, doing five sets of 10 reps per exercise, and focusing on your tempo - taking 45 to 60 seconds to complete a set. A program for someone more advanced would require "more variation and periodization (strategic training phases) . . . training five times a week, working with strict tempo, rest time, and variations in sets and rep schemes," Stephen explained.
When it comes to exact exercises, Stephen said that beginners should do compound exercises (multiple muscle groups being utilized at the same time) "that hit all the major movement patterns" like squats, push-ups, and rows. For those that are more advanced, Stephen suggested doing exercises you typically don't do (this will help prevent a plateau), along with variations of exercises you have been doing. For example, if you always do squats try advancing to single-leg squats, and once your body adapts, switch it up again.
Start strength training today with any of the following programs:
Want to Lose Fat? This Trainer Says You Should Plan Your Strength-Training Sessions Like This
There are a lot of differing opinions out there in terms of how often you should strength train. Even if you're a beginner, you might be surprised at how strong you are - and how much stronger you can get. Vishal Kumar, B.S., multicertified trainer, functional movement expert, and general manager of Epic Hybrid Training Center in San Francisco, gave POPSUGAR some inside tips that he uses with his clients.
"I recommend women strength train at least four times a week," he said. "This can be broken up in various ways, but for a full-body effect, I would go with a full-body approach." Rather than focusing on one part of the body at a time (legs, arms, back, etc.), Vishal recommends doing more of a full-body workout every time you go to the gym.
Two days should be "focused on pushing-based movements" and and other two days should be "focused on pulling-based movements." Some of Vishal's favorite pushing movements include single-arm overhead press, back squats, chest press, and sled push. He suggests the following as pulling movements: deadlifts, pull-ups, sled pull, and staggered stance rows.
"The four days can be broken up into two lower-body focused days and upper-body focused days but still making sure there is a full-body approach each day," he explained. "This split will allow you to hit every inch of your body and have a well-balanced training routine for optimal results."
But even if you're working hard at the gym, Vishal urges you to be real with yourself. "If you're trying to lose weight, there is no secret. Consistency is key!" he reminded us. "With that means balanced nutrition (consume less than what you expend), hydration, sleep, and mental clarity." Follow these rules and work hard, and you'll reach your goals.
Yes, Experts Say You Do Need to Stretch Before AND After a Workout
Finding the energy to make it to the gym or a workout class is sometimes hard enough without the added expectation of stretching before or after. Touching my hands to my toes or twisting my body left and right is the pre- and post-workout step that I always forget - fine, or just totally skip because who has the time or energy? Sadly, I don't have that luxury anymore. As I've gotten older and the fitness classes I take have become harder, I've started to notice that without a good stretch session, my body cramps up and feels tighter than ever the next day.
Ready and in need of making stretching part of my workout routine, I found myself wondering how long should I really take to stretch and if I should do the same for every workout. Turns out you don't need that much time, and I'm out of excuses.
Steph Wilberding, founder and lead trainer at HK Fitness, said you only need to add a few minutes of stretching before and after taking a class or going hard at the gym. "It will not only help you in your workouts, but it will also help with recovery," Wilberding said.
You can go easy, she added: "If you're already super flexible, work on finding stability in that range of motion rather than working on more flexibility." But you should still aim to work your entire body, even if you're just focusing on one body part during your workout. "Taking a holistic approach is great by stretching and mobilizing the entire body. If you are focusing on a specific area, you could definitely isolate your work there a bit more, but don't leave the other parts out."
So what can kind of stretch should you do? Armen Ghazarians, personal trainer and the CEO of Finish Fit, said dynamic stretches (those that involve movement) should be done before a workout to loosen up things, and static stretches should be done after, because those moments help with overall flexibility and reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Here are a few stretching sequences you can practice for three popular workouts:
Running
When you go for a run, prepping your body for the pavement is important. Dr. Alexia McClerkin, a chiropractor and founder of 9 Months of 5K, said that when it comes to running, you want to get your body up and moving for at least five to 10 minutes prior to your workout. "I recommend stretching the major muscles in your legs with a light jog," she said. You can also try a fun yoga sequence.
After, McClerkin said, you can pretty much do any stretching move, but the key is to not rush to sit down. "You always want to do 10 to 15 minutes of cool down to allow your heart rate to come down" and your muscles to stay loose.
Weight Training
Before you pick up the dumbbells and pump some iron, McClerkin recommends a combination of dynamic and static stretches. She's a proponent of warming up your full body by taking a 10-minute jog on the treadmill or hopping on the elliptical, then following with stretches that target the muscles you're looking to weight train that day, like chest openers if you're working your shoulders and a pigeon twist for your quads.
Dance
Dancing is a full-body workout that gets every part of you engaged in movement, and because of that, Darren Jacobson, the senior vice president of instructor programming for Zumba Fitness, said that doing dynamic movement stretches as a warmup is the best way to prepare your body.
"Allowing the body to move through full range of motion in the warm-up for four to six minutes creates the blood flow, muscle elasticity, and elevated heart rate that prepares the participant for the demands of the class ahead," Jacobson said. "Similarly, a slower dynamic cooldown of around four to six minutes with some static stretching at the end of the cardio dance workout allows the heart rate and breathing to return to normal levels."
5 "Lazy" Summer Workouts For Those Days When the Heat Is Just Too Much to Bear
Let's be honest, sometimes it's just too hot to go beast mode in your workout, especially if you are trying to spend some time outside. If you don't want to skip a day completely (though skipping every once in a while it's totally fine), just try to get moving, enough to lubricate your joints and promote blood flow by elevating your heart rate.
On those days, replace your regular challenging workouts with a less intense, active recovery session. No, that doesn't mean you won't sweat. It just means your body won't be overtaxed.
Try one of these five great options to get the most out of a "lazy day workout."
Why You Should Never Ignore Painful Sex
If you ever find sex to be a painful experience, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. Frustratingly, it's often dismissed as a mental health issue rather than an actual physical problem. Whatever your pain is stemming from, one thing is for sure - it's best not to ignore it. Donna Begg at YourTango helps explain why painful sex may occur and what steps to take if it does.
When sex hurts, it's tempting to just "grin and bear it" or have a drink to get through. Don't.
A great number of publications can be found on male sexual health, explaining commonly experienced sexual dysfunctions among men and how these can be treated with medication, therapy, and other techniques.
Unfortunately, for women, there is quite a lack of information related to female sexual dysfunction.
The majority of publications will describe female sexual dysfunctions as a symptom related to relationship issues, emotional distress, and mental health problems - declaring that female sexual dysfunction revolves around the women's psychological health and not with her physical well-being.
Even healthcare providers often advise a woman complaining about experiencing issues during sexual intercourse, like painful sex, to have a drink and try to relax.
While mental issues are a possible contributor to sexual dysfunctions among women, it should be noted that there are physiological factors that may also become an attribute in problems such as sexual pain disorder, a low sex drive, and poor self-lubrication.
Unfortunately, the majority of doctors will dismiss the possibility of a physical factor contributing to a woman's sex-related issues and rather refer her to a therapist or advise her to implement better stress management techniques to help her mind calm down.
In this article, we want to stress the importance of looking at pain during sex as a possible alarm for an underlying health issue in women, instead of immediately dismissing the complaint as a mental health problem.
Painful Sex: A Signal For Underlying Health Conditions in Women
A report published by Cosmopolitan explains that a recent survey found as much as 10 percent of women experience pain during sexual intercourse. The survey also found that women in the age group of 16 to 24 were more likely to experience pain while participating in sex than women who fall in other age groups.
Additionally, the survey also concluded that, among those women who do experience this problem during sex, there were some common conditions also present, including:
- Vaginal dryness
- Sexual anxiety
- A lack of sexual pleasure
This is just one of many studies and surveys that have been conducted on sexual dysfunction among women. The majority of these reports find that there is a strong connection between painful sex and mental health issues.
This provides an appropriate overview of why so many healthcare providers would immediately dismiss painful sex as a mental problem instead of viewing it as a possible sign caused by an underlying health condition.
This is where the problem comes in. Yes, there is a connection between painful sex and mental health, but the connection is very complicated.
The fact that a woman may experience sexual anxiety might be a contributing factor to her painful sensations during sex, but, at the same time, she may be experiencing anxiety because she fears the fact that sex could be painful.
Medical News Today explains that there are quite a large number of physical causes that need to be considered. To better determine the possible cause, it is first important to determine whether the woman is suffering from pain during entry or at a deeper level in her vagina.
When a woman experiences painful sensations during entry when participating in sex, then common physical causes may include vaginal dryness, as well as an injury to her genital region.
Infections, including those caused by sexually transmitted infections, can also cause entry pain. Additionally, it is also important to consider the fact that inflammation, skin irritation, skin disorders, and birth abnormalities can also contribute to pain during entry.
Vaginismus, a condition where the pelvic floor muscles are contracted involuntarily, also causes this type of sexual pain disorder.
If the pain is experienced deeper in the vagina or at a specific location, then it may be due to a medical condition that the woman is suffering from - often without even knowing it.
Common medical conditions that cause deeper pain include cystitis, endometriosis, fibroids, interstitial cystitis and ovarian cysts. It has also bee found that pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome can cause these symptoms
Additionally, uterine prolapse is also found in some women who complain about pain during sexual intercourse.
Mental health is known to play a crucial role in the sexual well-being of women, with depression, relationship issues, anxiety, and high-stress levels greatly contributing to poor performance in the bedroom.
Physical health can, however, also be to blame in many cases, but is often overlooked by doctors as a possible factor in certain conditions women tend to complain about, including sexual pain disorder.
Looking at both the physiological and psychological well-being of women experiencing pain during sex is vital for uncovering the underlying factors that are causing these symptoms, instead of simply advising the women to "relax" and work on her relationship.
Donna Begg is an expert editor, a mentor, analyst, and a researcher.
Check out more great stories from YourTango:
25 Store-Bought Keto Snacks You Have to Get Your Hands On
If you're already in ketosis, you know things can get repetitive at times. Snacking on an avocado or celery sticks can get boring fast! Since keto limits carbohydrate intake and promotes eating tons of healthy fats, a lot of foods immediately go into the do-not-eat list, while the list of approved things to munch on seems shorter and shorter as the days go by.
The good thing is there are a lot of of keto-approved options to pick up at the supermarket, and while it takes some digging to find them, you won't have to do that, thanks to this list of snacks. Wishing you a happy and smart keto snacking!
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