.png)
A positive outlook might help women slow down physical decline as they get older, according to a new study.
This research, led by Harvard and published in JAMA Psychiatry on March 20, 2024, looked at data from nearly 6,000 postmenopausal women, with an average age of 70, who were part of the Women’s Health Initiative. These women joined the study between 1993 and 1998 and were followed for six years. At the start, researchers measured their optimism using questionnaires. Their physical abilities were tested four times during the study, including grip strength, a timed walk, and how many times they could stand up from a chair in 15 seconds without using their hands.
The study found that women with higher optimism had better grip strength and could stand up from a chair more times compared to those with lower optimism. They also experienced slower declines in walking speed and chair stands over the six years. While the exact reason for this link is unclear, researchers think that optimistic people might be more active, social, and eat healthier.
If I told you how angry I was while taking these photos, you’d probably laugh. My partner was putting in his absolute best effort, trying to capture good shots, but I was so focused on the pictures not turning out how I imagined. I wanted to look chic, but somehow, I ended up looking more sexy, which was not the plan at all!
At one point, I honestly felt like I had no photos that I could post, but he kept encouraging me the whole time. When we got home and relaxed, I ended up finding plenty of photos I liked. He looked at me and said, “If only you had let me take more shots and stopped frowning, I could’ve taken even better ones.” If you're a fashion blogger, you know the frustration of photos not coming out as planned. It can be draining because you want to look beautiful and have your outfit appear stylish, just like it does in real life... lol.
Halfway through the shoot, I realized that my shoe choice wasn’t the best, but honestly, it was still an okay option for the outfit.
So, how did this look come together? Well, I wanted something different to pair with my black stretchy slim round neck knit vest from Prepreworks. I didn’t want to go with pants, which would have been a more expected styling. I just wanted something unique.
What I love about the top is that it’s airy and slim-fitting. The material is lovely and has a great texture, not the usual fabric you see. Can you guess what I like most about the skirt? Definitely the length and the vintage prints! I’m a sucker for vintage prints because they always stand out in such a cool way. I paired the two pieces with my blue heels from River Island to finish the look.
What are you up to today? Got any weekend plans? I’m staying home all day, and I’m so happy about it because I’m watching Selling Sunset on Netflix!
The “fight or flight” response, also known as the stress response, is how our body prepares to face or avoid danger. While this response can help us tackle challenges, it becomes problematic when triggered by everyday issues like money problems, traffic, work stress, or relationship troubles.
.png)
This constant stress can lead to health issues such as high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease. It can also weaken the immune system, making us more prone to colds and other illnesses, and contribute to anxiety and depression. While we can’t avoid all stress, we can learn healthier ways to respond to it. One effective method is the relaxation response, a concept developed in the 1970s by Dr. Herbert Benson at Harvard Medical School. This state of deep rest can be achieved through techniques like meditation, yoga, and progressive muscle relaxation.
A key part of these techniques is breath focus, which involves learning to breathe deeply.
Benefits of Deep Breathing
Deep breathing, also known as diaphragmatic, abdominal, belly breathing, or paced respiration, involves taking air in through your nose until your lungs are full and your lower belly rises. Many people find deep breathing unnatural due to cultural pressures to maintain a flat stomach, which leads to shallow “chest breathing” and increased tension and anxiety.
Shallow breathing limits the diaphragm’s movement, reducing oxygen intake and causing shortness of breath and anxiety. Deep abdominal breathing promotes full oxygen exchange, which can slow the heartbeat and lower or stabilize blood pressure.
Practicing Breath Focus
Breath focus helps you concentrate on slow, deep breathing and distracts you from stressful thoughts. It’s especially useful if you tend to hold it in your stomach.
First Steps:
Find a quiet, comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Take a normal breath, then a deep breath: inhale slowly through your nose, letting your chest and lower belly rise as your lungs fill. Let your abdomen expand fully.
Exhale slowly through your mouth (or nose if that feels more natural).
Regular Practice:
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, practice controlled breathing regularly. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, combine deep breathing with calming imagery, and use a focus word or phrase to help you relax.
Social media and stores are full of products that promise perfect skin. These products are increasingly marketed not just to adults but also to teens and tweens. While many are harmless, some can cause skin irritation and be expensive. Even if they are harmless, do they promote unhealthy ideas about beauty?
From a medical perspective, most teens and tweens don’t need specialized skin products, especially expensive ones. But let’s discuss when they might be useful.
.png "When should teens and tweens use specialized skin products?")
When should teens and tweens use specialized skin products?
1. When a doctor recommends it. If your child has a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, over-the-counter products might help. For eczema, fragrance-free cleansers and moisturizers are usually recommended. Always ask your doctor which brands to use and how to use them.
2. If they have dry or sensitive skin, Fragrance-free cleansers and non-irritating moisturizers (creams and ointments are better than lotions) are good choices. If you have questions or the products aren’t helping, consult your doctor.
What about acne products?
It’s rare to go through adolescence without a pimple. If your child is bothered by pimples, acne products from the pharmacy might help. Mild cleansers are better than those with alcohol. Look for cleansers for dry skin or eczema. Over-the-counter acne treatments often contain benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, azelaic acid, or alpha-hydroxy acids. Adapalene can help with stubborn pimples. Avoid astringents or exfoliants,, as they can irritate the skin. Talk to your doctor about the best options, especially if over-the-counter products aren’t working. There are many prescription treatments available.
Many of us first learned of mpox (previously known as monkeypox) in 2022, when the largest known outbreak affected approximately 100,000 people across more than 100 nations. While mpox is commonly seen in central and western Africa, the 2022 outbreak expanded fast from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to previously unknown locations. Before the epidemic was contained, the United States alone reported over 32,000 infections and 58 deaths.
A new outbreak of mpox has brought it back into the spotlight. What should you know and do about the latest global health emergency? What are your risks? Are vaccinations available? How do you avoid spreading mpox?
What is unique about the 2024 mpox outbreak?
This time, the virus has a new variant known as Clade 1b that is spreading swiftly. That is why the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a second global health emergency in August 2024.
More than 15,600 cases and 500 deaths have been reported so far, with the majority occurring in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And mpox has been discovered in countries where no cases had previously been reported, such as Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Recent instances in Sweden and Thailand have prompted public health officials to prepare for further international spread, potentially to Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Mpox: 6 Things You Should Know
What is mpox, and how is it transmitted?
Mpox is a viral infection caused by viruses from the same family as smallpox. Certain animals in central and western Africa, such as squirrels and rats, are prone to it. People can become infected by interaction with sick animals. Mpox can be transmitted from person to person via close physical contact, including intercourse.
What are the symptoms of mpox?
Mpox causes flu-like symptoms, fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes, and a distinct rash. The rash normally appears a few days after the infection, as little flat areas. Over the course of a week or two, the spots develop into little fluid-filled bumps (vesicles) similar to chickenpox, followed by bigger pus-filled blisters. The blisters will scab and recover over the next week or two. After then, a person is no longer contagious.
Although the condition is often minor, some patients have problems. Serious problems include pneumonia, eyesight loss from an eye infection, and sepsis, a potentially fatal infection.
What are your chances of having mpox?
Location and activities influence your risk of contracting mpox.
Risk rises if you
possess bedding, clothing, or other items or surfaces touched by an infected person; live in or travel to an area where the mpox virus is endemic, meaning it is present in the environment, such as in the soil; be a man who engages in frequent sex with men and has multiple sexual partners.
When patients develop mpox, the risk factors for experiencing more severe disease or consequences, including pneumonia, are:
Pregnancy, young age (particularly for children under 1), compromised immune system, and eczema can all weaken the skin barrier.
Why is the mpox outbreak so concerning?
The present outbreak of mpox is particularly concerning because the virus strain is more deadly than in 2022. The virus is spreading faster and reaching areas where mpox had not previously been discovered.
Furthermore, the current outbreak has disproportionately affected children and teenagers, many of whom are already malnourished or have other infections like cholera.
Are there any mpox vaccinations or treatments?
There are two vaccines available to prevent mpox in the United States:
- Jynneos is licensed for the prevention of smallpox and mpox. It requires two injections, four weeks apart.
- ACAM2000 is a vaccination that is authorized for the prevention of smallpox and is thought to be effective against mpox. It could be made available if necessary, but its probable negative effects make it a secondary option.
Tecovirimat, an antiviral medication, is approved to treat smallpox. Animal research indicates that it may be useful in treating mpox as well. The medication is now being studied as an mpox treatment and may be available by joining a study. A 2024 study indicated that tecovirimat did not shorten the duration of symptoms in adults and children with Clade 1 mpox. However, the death rate (1.7%) was half that what was predicted. However, it remains unclear if the low fatality rate was related to drug treatment.