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3 therapists explain why a drop in temperature leads to an increase in loneliness

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Cuffing season is upon us, and with it comes seasonal depression.

According to licensed psychotherapist Janet Doveaddressing “loneliness” may be difficult since it isn’t one-dimensional. He believes that seasonal changes affect mood, causing, for instance, seasonal depression (SAD), which can even affect feelings of loneliness. “People living in areas exposed to drastic temperature changes may feel lonely. For example, during the summer, residents of Nevada and Arizona experience days of over 113° for over 100 days and unusual humidity,” Dove states.

He believes extreme weather conditions are causing people to retreat and stay indoors. People living alone at home can experience enormous feelings of loneliness, taking us back to the pandemic once we had to isolate and shelter in place. Conversely, colder weather often forces people indoors, limiting social interactions. Additionally, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can affect your mood, leading to feelings of isolation.

ESSENCE: Do you think that the change in temperature contributes to an increase in loneliness?

Żaneta Dove: Without a doubt, temperature drops can contribute to increased loneliness. From a clinical standpoint, I can consider a few things which may explain this. As the colder months of fall and winter approach, the times turn out to be shorter, leading to less natural sunlight. This reduction is important because sunlight is crucial for mental and emotional health. Sunlight provides us with vitamin D and plays a key role in regulating the production of serotonin and dopamine, two key neurotransmitters.

These neurotransmitters are essential for improving mood and reducing levels of depression and anxiety. Not getting enough sunlight can reduce the quantity of those “happy chemicals,” making people more susceptible to sadness and loneliness. In fall and winter, this problem often takes the shape of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD include, but should not limited to, lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, social withdrawal or isolation, increased sensitivity to rejection, feelings of hopelessness, anxiety, and increased irritability.

In addition to biochemical changes, lower temperatures often discourage people from spending time outdoors. Less time outdoors may mean more time indoors in isolation. Social isolation is a breeding ground for loneliness, and a sudden decline in social engagement can leave you feeling disconnected and depressed.

Finally, two of our biggest holidays fall in the colder months. While Thanksgiving and Christmas can bring holiday cheer for some, lots of my clients find these celebrations emotionally charged and exhausting, often exacerbating feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. Complicated dynamics between members of the family, unmet expectations and unresolved conflicts can aggravate seasonal symptoms at the moment of 12 months. As a result, some may retreat from isolation in an attempt to avoid the extra stress, anxiety and depression that will include this season.

This time of 12 months is infamously referred to as “cuffing season” – the increase in people in search of company throughout the colder months. And while finding the proper cuff partner can aid you avoid seasonal blues, it isn’t the one solution. Here are some additional approaches to consider from Dove, Ashley McGirt and Meagan Watson:

  1. Connect with others: Contact friends or family via phone calls, texts or video chats. Plan to catch up commonly.
  2. Join groups or clubs: Get involved in local people events, clubs or online groups that share your interests.
  3. Volunteer: Helping others can create a sense of connection and purpose.
  4. Practice self-care: Engage in activities that promote well-being, reminiscent of exercise, hobbies, or mindfulness.
  5. Seek skilled help: Consider talking to a therapist or counselor if the loneliness is overwhelming.
  6. Be lively: Regular physical activity can improve your mood and energy, making social interactions easier.
  7. Discover latest interests: Learning something latest can connect you with like-minded people.
  8. Prioritize connection and seek spaces of belonging. Ask yourself: give attention to scheduling time with people, planning activities, and finding communities that nurture connection and belonging throughout the colder months. When we search out people, places, and spaces where connection and belonging exist, it becomes easier to prioritize and remember (especially in moments of loneliness) the environments that already nourish and support us.
  9. Remind yourself that loneliness is a natural a part of the human experience: We are designed to feel and process loss and loneliness. To experience the total spectrum of feelings, we want to create space for whatever we’re fascinated by without the pressure to immediately change or eliminate it. As the months get colder and the vacation season approaches, it is simple to compare all of the stuff you do not have in your life to the stuff you do have. Building a gratitude practice focused on self-compassion that helps you see loneliness as the typical person’s experience may be a grounding practice. You do not have to transform your loneliness into gratitude or suppress it in favor of self-compassion. Instead, allow solitude to exist alongside what you’re grateful for and practices that supply you a compassionate space in which to feel what you’re feeling.
  10. Engage in group activities that distract and contribute: Volunteering, hobbies, group exercise, group therapy, etc. are great examples of activities that temporarily distract you from the sensations and feelings related to loneliness. Some activities, reminiscent of community volunteering and group therapy, allow you to hold space for other people’s feelings, make a helpful contribution to others’ lives, and feel supported while you support others. It is crucial to be mindful of how long and the way often you’re distracted from solitude. Watching a comfort show or FaceTiming together with your best friend overseas may ease your feelings in the moment, however it probably won’t do away with them completely. Commit to returning to feelings of loneliness after they arise, and in doing so, observe them with intentional care and self-compassion. If you discover this difficult, contact a skilled who can aid you take care of the complex emotions you might be experiencing.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Cardi B had another series of butt injections removed and she wasn’t the only one

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Cardi B, Cardi B butt injections removal, plastic surgery trends, theGrio.com

After updating fans on how she’s approaching postpartum fitness for the third time around, Cardi B gave an update on her butt injection reversal.

In a recent Instagram live, the rapper and mother of three, who gave birth in September, shared that she went under the knife earlier this 12 months.

“In January, right after filming ‘Like What,’ I went into surgery. I had a few more injections removed from my butt. Because, you know, it takes a round to remove butt injections. I had several injections removed from my butt. I also went to get treatment for some things related to fibrosis,” Cardi said, per People Magazine.

The “Bongos” rapper said during a previous Instagram Live event in December 2022 that she had 95 percent of previously injected biopolymers removed from her buttocks in August. Biopolymers are the silicone injections Cardi was talking about GQ got into the basement in 2014 for $800.

However, Cardi B isn’t the only one that has had cosmetic surgery reversed. Several famous women, including Blac Chyna, Ayesha Curry and SZA, have also recently spoken out about having their teeth extracted and reversing the procedure. Plastic surgeons are also noticing a major change in patients’ desires.

According to the latest report prepared by American Society of Plastic Surgery“In 2023, there has been a continued movement towards a more natural and athletic silhouette.” The organization has named the latest trendy aesthetic “Ballet Body.”

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More and more patients are choosing procedures aimed toward “slimming” and reversing the Brazilian butt lift and extreme augmentations which have turn out to be fashionable over the last decade or more. The organization said liposuction remained the most in-demand procedure last 12 months, with almost 350,000 procedures performed, a seven percent increase over 2022. While breast augmentation saw a two percent increase and breast lift a seven percent increase, implant removals breasts increased by nine percent.

Trends in body aesthetics are consistently changing. This data comes as the availability and use of GLP-1 drugs comparable to Ozempic and Wegovy have increased, which many individuals in Hollywood and beyond have turned to in large numbers for his or her weight reduction potential. Experts and doctors agree that the growing popularity of drugs is changing trends.

In an interview with the Washington Post, a dietitian Nyemb-Diopa monkey stated that they felt that society was “going backwards”.

“Women’s bodies in society are products, and like all products on the market, they go through a cycle: starting, then maturing,” Nyemb-Diop said publication. “And I think the ‘BBL body’ was mature.”

She added: “The cycle was ready for the introduction of another body – and at the same time, Ozempic was there.”


This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
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Health and Wellness

Black women are at higher risk of breast cancer. The new FDA ruling gives hope

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October is breast cancer awareness month. Black women are roughly 40% more more likely to die from breast cancer than white women and are more likely than white women to be diagnosed with breast cancer at younger ages, in later stages, and for more aggressive types of breast cancer.

Earlier this month US Food and Drug Administration issued a final rule that requires summaries of mammography results, including a press release of breast density, to be prepared at the start. This rule could save lives within the Black community because Black women are inclined to have denser breast tissue than white women, which might increase the risk of developing breast cancer and make it harder to identify early symptoms on a mammogram.

Susan G CommentsThe world’s leading breast cancer organization issued a press release on the new ruling: “Knowledge is power, and all women can now have informed conversations with their doctors about the right screening plan for them based on the factors that influence their risk of breast cancer.” including breast density,” Molly Guthrie, vp of policy and advocacy.

“Knowledge is power, and all women can now have informed conversations with their health care providers about the screening plan that is right for them based on factors that influence breast cancer risk, including breast density,” said Molly Guthrie, vp of policy and advocacy at Susan G. Komen. “This may mean that additional tests are recommended to accurately detect breast cancer.”

Breast density is a mammogram measurement of fibrous and glandular tissue, including the lobules and ducts that produce and transport milk, in comparison with fatty tissue within the breast. Dense breasts are common, affecting roughly 40-50% of U.S. women aged 40-74. However, breast density is just one factor that affects a girl’s risk of breast cancer. Age, gender, genetics, family health history and lifestyle aspects all play a big role in an individual’s overall risk. Women with very dense breasts are 4-5 times more more likely to develop breast cancer, and dense breast tissue can hide lumps on mammograms. Komen encourages women to refer to their health care providers about their breast density and whether additional breast imaging could also be appropriate for them.

By September 10, 2024, mammogram reports must include an assessment of breast density. The reports will include general findings – the breasts are dense or the breasts are not dense – and extra details concerning the density level:

  • Breasts are almost completely fatty (not dense)
  • Breasts have scattered areas of fibroglandular density (not dense)
  • Breasts are heterogeneously dense, which can obscure small masses (dense)
  • Breasts are extremely dense, which reduces the sensitivity of mammography (dense)

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), tens of millions of people have universal access to annual mammograms starting at age 40, without having to share the price for the patient. However, let’s assume that breast imaging is required along with screening mammography. When this happens, patients often face out-of-pocket costs of lots of and even hundreds of dollars, which poses a big financial barrier to accessing the care they need.

“We want everyone to know that dense breast tissue itself does not require additional imaging – it is just one risk factor for breast cancer,” Guthrie added. “For those who need imaging beyond mammography, out-of-pocket costs are often a barrier. That’s why we have advocated for state and federal legislation to eliminate these expenses. We have the technology to detect breast cancer earlier and save lives, and financial barriers should not stand in the way. It is crucial to understand and affordably access the breast imaging tests they need based on their individual risk.”

“The new federal breast density regulations provide women across the United States with meaningful and more consistent information concerning the density of their breasts. Women with very dense breasts are 4-5 times more more likely to develop breast cancer than women with fatty breasts, and a few studies show that black women are more more likely to have dense breasts. Breast cancer health disparities have a profound impact on Black women, and having more information may help women speak up for themselves and have informed conversations with their healthcare providers. Susan G. Komen encourages women to refer to their health care providers about breast density, in addition to their risk of developing breast cancer, and to contemplate which breast imaging test is correct for them,” said Natasha Mmeje, director of community education and outreach at Susan G. Komem.

The Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy is working with state and federal lawmakers to pass laws that may eliminate out-of-pocket spending on imaging tests beyond screening mammography. So far 26 states have eliminated out-of-pocket costs patients covered by state medical health insurance plans for diagnostics and/or additional imaging tests. At the federal level Access to the act on breast cancer diagnosis has been introduced within the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, but is unlikely to be passed on this Congress. Komen calls for legislative motion to remove financial and administrative barriers to breast imaging, ensuring all patients can follow advisable screening guidelines based on their risk.

Additionally, Komen’s ongoing health equity initiative within the Black community, Stand for HER. This health equity revolution is a targeted initiative to scale back breast cancer disparities among the many Black community by 25%, starting in U.S. metropolitan areas where disparities are highest; read more Here.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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Health and Wellness

Level Up: Top October Events for Black Women – Essence

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Medium shot of three friends drinking cocktails and dancing together on a terrace within the north east of England. They laugh and have a good time together.

Fall is not just sweater weather – it is also the right time to lift your skilled game.

October is filled with dynamic events for Black women designed to support growth, spark creativity, and construct networks that really matter. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned corporate skilled, or a creative powerhouse, these events provide you with the prospect to attach with like-minded women, learn from industry leaders, and gain tools to aid you navigate the world of business.

Here are among the events value keeping an eye fixed out for in October.

BLK Pod Festival – Atlanta, Georgia | September 30 – October 1, 2024

The BLK Pod Festival is tailored to the needs of Black creators within the podcast industry. This two-day event features over 120 speakers who cover all the things from making a profitable podcast to marketing strategies and monetization techniques. It’s the right space to attach with other audio creators and share best practices that may aid you turn your passion right into a thriving business.

CultureCon – Brooklyn, New York | October 5-6, 2024

CultureCon is the last word intersection of creativity, culture and skilled development. A favourite event amongst Black creatives, this two-day conference features workshops, networking sessions, and keynote addresses from among the most influential voices in business and media. With topics starting from “How to Make a Career Change” and “Finance and Investing Tips,” this yr’s event guarantees to be a dynamic experience for professionals from every industry.

Black Founders Summit – Little Rock, AR | October 10, 2024

For Black Women in Technology and Entrepreneurship Black Founders Summit it is a must-attend event. The goal of this summit is to empower people through workshops, panel discussions, and pitch competitions that highlight the unique experiences and challenges facing Black entrepreneurs. If you need to connect with like-minded founders and investors, that is where you’ll want to be.

Black Journey Summit – Fort Lauderdale, Florida | October 10-13, 2024

If you’re obsessed with the travel industry or simply love discovering latest cultures, this one Black Travel Summit it’s the right combination of business and leisure. The goal of this summit is to empower Black travel professionals through networking events, panels and immersive travel experiences. From the rooftop pool party to the Black Travel Awards, that is the right place for each skilled development and private enjoyment.

Chicago Mixer Black Professional Network – Chicago, IL | October 14, 2024

If you are looking for a more intimate setting where you’ll be able to connect with other like-minded professionals, look no further Chicago mixer by Black Professional Network. This evening event, organized in one in every of the trendiest places within the Windy City, goals to ascertain real connections in a nice atmosphere. From casual conversations to potential collaborations, Chicago Mixer is ideal for those that need to construct relationships that transcend business.

Mass Black Expo – Boston, MA | October 25-26, 2024

Massachusetts Black Exhibition is an annual event that brings together Black-owned businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals from across the state. It is a possibility to ascertain contacts, study resources that increase your potential and present your organization to a wider audience. This two-day exhibition also features panel discussions and workshops focused on economic empowerment and navigating Boston’s skilled landscape.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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