Latest news with #stress
Times
11 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Times
How to divorce-proof your summer
Yes, yes, isn't it lovely. The sun belting down. All that. But unofficially we're all aware that a hot British summer, an actual 'it's going to hit 30C' summer that doesn't start on a Monday and stop on a Thursday, places strain on the average marriage on a par with those other legendary stress points, Christmas and moving house. Only, the difference with summer marital stress is that it's never acknowledged because there can be no downside to summer in a country that doesn't get much sun. Although now that that looks like it's a thing of the past, there's all the more reason we should get divorce-proofing summer asap. Let's start with the obvious stress points to be aware of: In films, hot summer nights are hot in every sense. IRL they are the stifling, sleep-depriving No 1 enemy of marital harmony. They make you regret everything from the position of your bedroom (south-facing on a main road) to all your life choices (much later on in the night), including your choice of life partner. The fact is you will have talked about your infernally hot bedroom the last time you were lying awake with wet flannels on your faces. At that point there was a plan in place to solve the problem for ever (ceiling fan plus Dyson) and then it cooled down suddenly and, unbeknown to us, the funds were allocated to a bigger TV. What women feel in these circs is that we are sharing a bed in a hellhole with someone who doesn't care and is unreliable. See how this can go? • Read more expert advice on sex, relationships, dating and love We're fine on holiday when we can wear the floaty thing and flip-flops and sit on a veranda, but we're living our normal lives in this oven. It's harder to juggle work and motherhood and public transport and parent care in a hot summer, and if you want to maintain your dignity it involves twice as much effort and financial outlay. Being a woman in the heat means endless expenditure (hair removal! Pedicures!) and rinsing out and crisping up and rotating heat-appropriate footwear. It means a gulf of envy opening up between the women who drift around looking at ease with a smooth ponytail and a dry upper lip and the rest of us, who look as if we're sitting on a smelter. And the point is women in this state feel under pressure (bloody everyone is on Mounjaro! Gwyneth Paltrow is cooking topless in boxer shorts! Sixtysomething women are wearing bikinis!), defensive and disappointed in their lot. Tinderbox. High summer comes with expectations and memories of the time when you pottered around in a string bikini, eating figs, and your husband was forever whisking you off for a largely bed and a bit of beach summer hol. Now if you go on a holiday (and you may not; see gardening, below) it must involve a bicycle with a very narrow seat; a battlefield tour (Waterloo?); some serious hiking to somewhere of cultural significance; padel in the heat of the day; or learning how to make polenta. This leaves us feeling old and heifery (we agreed to it but whatever) and mourning our lost youth and all the lie-ins and attention we used to get. • The new summer holiday etiquette Will basically be in their element (very annoying). • They get ultra cooking ambitious (should be welcome but not really because it always involves a last-minute frenzied drive around in search of black garlic and preserved lemons). • They get the barbecue out (too many frustrations to list, culminating in always lighting it too early or too late, and most importantly not being able to contribute anything else because they are 'watching the barbecue'). More work for us. • They get experimental fun times in the clothes department, which means anything from Brad Pittish louche combinations (seersucker jacket, yellow trousers) to Brian Wilson tribute outfits (big shorts, Hawaiian shirt) or maybe a towelling polo shirt and some off-white jeans. Either way (see 'women feel like heifers', above) it feels passive-aggressive. They often spend money you might have spent on your wedding dress on a pair of sunglasses. • They get David Beckham fiefdom ideas. Maybe not the beekeeping, maybe not the roses of kings, but they may fancy a pizza oven and growing vegetables and … now they are serious gardeners and that's what's happening in any spare moment. Used to be 'Sorry, got to sort out this work thing'; now it's 'Sorry, need to do something in the garden'. • They go entertainment crazy and are constantly suggesting the Whatsits come over for an alfresco supper for which they will rustle up several 100 per cent home-grown courses (apart from the cheese, but never say never). Again, should be great news for their partners but feels undermining since all anyone now talks about is his green fingers and cooking and how nice he has made everything look. And it's not just us: Posh is dealing with David's summer garden boy phase, and note, she doesn't have time for fannying around thinning the lettuces either. • They are never off the mower. It's like a man cave but mobile, and they have ear defenders so … • … they get a birdsong app. Lovely. But you never hear the end of it. They may stop you in mid-sentence when you're explaining the emergency with your mother's carer and say: 'Sssh … goldfinch.' Bottom line: your needs are no longer being met because it's all about summer. • How to get divorced: can anyone even afford to split up any more? • Drinking at lunch. We used to be good at this; now it means we have to sleep all afternoon and most of the next day, and in between we may feel in the mood for a fight. • Too much exposure to Mr and Mrs Mounjaro.• Missing a highlighting appointment (in the mistaken belief that it's summer and it will take care of itself).• Trying on a bikini if have not worn a bikini since before lockdown. • Letting it be known that you have no interest in going anywhere now that the garden (veg) is in full flight.• Suddenly taking an interest in cooking (after all these years of saying you were only a scrambled eggs man) and taking over.• Wearing sandals but not bothering to sort out your feet.• Refusing to wear suncream and burning. Applying suncream carelessly to wife so that she burns.• Being extremely complimentary about your neighbour Susie's new 'shape'.• Falling in love with the mower, barbecue, vegetable patch, birds, bird.
Forbes
21 hours ago
- Health
- Forbes
The Unsung and (Often Exhausted) Heroes: Moms
The young mother was visibly exhausted. She had been up for two nights as her six-month-old ran a fever and cried nonstop. She had thought about going to the ER but worried about the long wait, especially without childcare for her two-year-old as her husband was out of town. Now she was in the pediatrics office with an air of despair. 'Please help me. I don't know what's wrong with my child". Parenting Can Be Stressful Being a parent is a journey, even in the best of times. Whether it's a sick infant, a clumsy toddler with a broken arm, a 9-year old starting the soccer season with a concussion, or a teen struggling with anxiety at school, the potential challenges can be endless. Unfortunately, the weight of parenting and supporting kids through this myriad of issues often falls disproportionately on moms. Almost 25% of women leave their jobs in the first year after having kids. After five years, only about 30 percent of these moms have returned to work. Over three-quarters of moms report they are the ones responsible for managing their children's healthcare. It is not surprising to see that JAMA recently published a study about the stress and decline in mental health that moms are experiencing. This seems to be relevant to many professions. In a Healio survey of physicians, 64 percent of women reported that they had caregiving responsibilities, and greater than 50% reported that this had a significant impact on their stress levels. Mental Health is Often Impacted Maternal stress and mental health can have rippling effects and impact kids' own mental health, affect their social skills, educational success, and even their weight. These consequences may begin even before birth – infants of mothers dealing with depression, anxiety, or stress while they were pregnant have been shown to struggle more with social and emotional development. Parental mental illness is one of the adverse childhood experiences that the American Academy of Pediatrics flags as high risk for leading to poor health as adults. Community is Key Stress and mental illness do not exist in a vacuum - a multitude of external factors exert stress on a parent's day-to-day life, from financial instability and food insecurity, to lack of childcare and mental health services. Policies that protect and expand social services for families would help to alleviate many stressors that parents may face, including protections for SNAP, Medicaid, and legislation to support affordable childcare. Guaranteed robust and paid maternity leave policies would allow new moms to heal, rest, and adapt to this next chapter. In Europe, for example, many countries offer up to a year of parental leave, with much of it paid. Online community support can be helpful and some resources do exist. The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline is available at 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) via text or call as a 24/7 service for pregnant people or moms to talk to counselors who can provide support and refer them to local resources. Self Compassion Can Buffer Stress But an essential change to help our moms, often the 'Chief Health Officers' of the family, is a culture shift. Moms and caregivers should be encouraged to get off the treadmill, pause, take care of themselves and support systems should be in place to allow this to happen. This concept of 'self compassion' has been studied extensively and has made a difference in teachers, healthcare professionals and parents. The 'reset' includes breathing techniques, visualization, guided meditation and mindset shifts. To allow for these pauses, our essential caregivers must also have an inner team of family and friends that they can hand off to, or lean on, so they can take time to reset and breathe. Imagine this - the young mother calls her neighbor, who watches her toddler while she takes her baby to urgent care. The doctor diagnoses the child with an ear infection, prescribes antibiotics and shows her how to suction her baby's nose so he (and she) can sleep soundly. Everyone wakes up the next day rested and calm. Self compassion, connection and a village are essential parts of helping our most significant caregivers- moms. When we uplift our moms and other caregivers, there is a rippling effect to the health of the children now and longterm. Written with Alice Gao, MD.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Health
- Telegraph
‘My adult acne dictated my life for a decade – until I realised it was caused by stress'
The medical explanation for how how stress impacts skin This link between psychological stress and skin health is now well supported by science, says Dr Ahmed. Stress alters the immune response in the skin, increases inflammation, and disrupts the skin barrier – making it more reactive to heat, fragrance, pollution, even sweat. 'When you're stressed, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is activated, flooding the body with cortisol, a hormone that slows down wound healing, reduces immunity, and increases inflammation,' Dr Ahmed explains. 'Even the microbiome on your skin changes under stress,' she adds. 'Because the skin itself contains its own stress response system – meaning that even over-cleansing or exposure to pollution can cause visible flare-ups. So stress is really not just in your head, it's in your actual cells. What's more, people don't realise, or perhaps forget, that your skin is a sensory organ, so it reflects how safe, or unsafe, your body feels.' Dr Ahmed believes several factors lie behind the rise in her patient numbers: burnout, increased screen time, poor sleep, dietary shifts, and the pressure of constant self-surveillance through social media. 'We're living in high-alert mode, and our skin is reflecting it,' she says. Taking a deeper, holistic approach In Kiara's case, it wasn't until she began working with a nutritionist that things started to shift. 'I'd dismissed nutrition as irrelevant,' she admits. 'But once we looked at my gut health, inflammation, and hormones – and yes, stress! – it all made so much more sense. Kiara also radically simplified her skincare routine – ditching aggressive acids and focusing on calming, barrier-supporting products instead. But, even more importantly, says Kiara, was shifting her mindset. 'It wasn't just about skin. I had to sort out the decade-long relationship I had with my self-esteem that was the very thing causing the stress and anxiety.' The emotional scars that last longer than the spots Interestingly, even when symptoms improve, patients often take far longer to recover emotionally, says Dr Ahmed. 'There's something we call 'psycho-lag,' where the skin clears before the person feels safe or confident again. They've lived with fear, shame, trauma. It doesn't vanish overnight. But it can be worked on.' For Kiara, the final turning point came when she began speaking openly about her experience. 'I started an Instagram account, initially anonymously, no face, just words. And the messages came flooding in from other sufferers: 'Me too', and 'I thought I was the only one.' That's when I realised this isn't just about skin – it's about connection, confidence, and finally being seen. That's instant stress relief.' Today, Kiara's confidence – and her complexion – is so vastly improved she's changed careers. After qualifying as a master NLP practitioner, the psychology graduate now works as a skin confidence coach, helping people with the mental and emotional scars of acne. 'Looking back, the most damaging part of my experience wasn't the spots themselves, but the lonely silence around them. No one talked about how spots made you feel, so I thought I was the only one dealing with it as an adult. I want to get the message out that talking helps relieve stress, and stress relief can only be a good thing for your skin.' How to support stressed skin Dr Alia Ahmed's evidence-based tips for protecting your skin during times of stress Sleep matters – as does timing Sleep deprivation elevates cortisol and delays healing. The skin regenerates overnight. Aim for seven to nine hours, starting before midnight, because your circadian rhythm matters, so eight hours starting at 2am is not the same as sleeping from 10pm. Your cortisol needs to drop for proper healing. Stay hydrated Aim for 1.5–2 litres of water daily. Not just for 'plump' skin, but for gut health, detoxification, and microbiome balance. I also recommend good fats (like omega-3s), probiotics, and vitamin D, especially in darker-skinned individuals, or during UK winters. Feed your skin from the inside There's actually no strong scientific evidence that chocolate or dairy directly cause skin conditions. But we do know high-glycaemic foods can trigger acne in some people. So if someone cuts something out and sees a difference – great. Just make sure they're replacing nutrients properly, and willing to reintroduce them if there's no improvement. Prioritise healthy fats (like omega-3s from fish or flax), fibre-rich vegetables, and probiotics or fermented foods to reduce inflammation Watch alcohol intake I don't say 'never drink, 'just be realistic. If you're flaring up, don't stack back-to-back nights out and then wonder why your face is inflamed. Alcohol is a clear trigger for rosacea and psoriasis, and it dehydrates the skin. But I'm no killjoy, live your life as you want to, just understand the consequences. Keep it simple Avoid aggressive acids or actives when your skin is inflamed. Stick to a gentle cleanser, barrier-repairing moisturiser, and daily SPF (sun protection factor). For Kiara, I advised Tolpa Sebio CICA night cream. Laser treatments More people are asking about these. AviClear is an FDA-approved treatment for acne which is available in the UK, and evidence has shown it can effective when used on its own, or alongside oral and topical treatments. I don't use it in clinic currently, although am looking into it. At-home red light treatments don't have as much research behind them yet, and can be expensive, so discuss with a professional before investing. Rethink how you relax You might think it's too 'woo woo,' but I do recommend journaling, breathwork, walking, or even ten minutes of solitude on your commute, because these things all help regulate the nervous system. Not everyone needs to meditate if they don't fancy it; but everyone needs to decompress. Ask the right questions If your skin condition is affecting your mental health, raise it with your GP. You can request integrated support or referral to psychodermatology services, where available. Don't suffer alone.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Health
- Forbes
Garmin Ditches Screens For Dedicated Sleep Tracking Wearable
Garmin Index Sleep Monitor Sleep tracking is hugely popular these days, and Garmin is out to cater for just that audience with the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor. Quite a departure from Garmin's Forerunner and Fenix watches, the Index Sleep Monitor is a screen-free device worn around the upper arm, and is only meant to be attached when you go to sleep. While the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor initially appears to have little in common with a Garmin watch, plenty of the stats on offer here are shared with the brand's watch series. Each night you'll get a sleep score, out of 100, and see a graph that outlines the stages of sleep you were in as the hours rolled by. That's deep, light, REM and awake. Garmin's algorithms are pretty good at noticing when you're under the weather, or drank enough alcohol to affect your sleep quality. The Garmin Index Sleep Monitor will report your breathing rate, skin temperature and blood oxygenation. Skin temperature readings are also used to power menstrual cycle tracking, including estimates as to when you will begin ovulation. Similarly, from heart rate data, the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor can extrapolate stress scores. And the entire breadth of stats will feed into Body Battery, one of Garmin's most engaging stats. A conventional optical heart rate reader harvests metrics Body Battery looks into how worn out your Garmin thinks you are. One of the interesting elements to see in the Index Sleep Monitor is how useful the Body Battery and stress scores will be, in the context of a band you only wear overnight. Stress? Most of us reach the peak of our stress levels while awake, and the Body Battery feature usually is only useful when your Garmin is worn all the time. It sounds like Garmin is primarily pitching Body Battery for those who also own a Garmin watch, and just don't want to wear it overnight. 'Users who wear a compatible smartwatch while awake can get a more complete picture of their energy levels—day and night,' says Garmin. Garmin Index Sleep Monitor comes in two sizes The Garmin Index Sleep Monitor also features its own version of one of Garmin's latest features, smart wake. This uses a vibrate motor to wake you up when you're in a sleep stage that won't leave you feeling groggy. But it works within a window, so you won't be late for work because of it either. 'Wearing this smart sleep band every night can provide in-depth sleep insights and a more complete picture of fitness and recovery so users can wake up ready to seize the day,' says Susan Lyman, Garmin's Vice President of Consumer Sales and Marketing. As with heart rate chest straps like the Garmin HRM 600, the brain module of the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor can be removed, letting you safely wash the strap. It's made of a stretchy fabric that is 70% nylon and 30% spandex. Garmin says you'll be able to use the tracker for a week before needing to recharge the battery, based on eight hours of sleep a night. The Garmin Index Sleep Monitor comes in two sizes, costs $169.99. It's currently listed as available in '3-5 weeks' on the U.S. Garmin store.
Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Can Stress Cause Postmenopausal Bleeding?
Yes, in some cases, stress can cause postmenopausal bleeding. This is because stress can result in hormonal imbalances which can lead to changes to the vaginal lining. If the lining becomes too thick, thin, or inflamed, it can shed and cause bleeding. It's important to note, however, that stress is a rare cause of postmenopausal bleeding. The most common causes include: a thickened vaginal lining, which can be caused by excess estrogen in the body cervical polyps, which are noncancerous growths on the cervix inflammation or thinning of the vaginal lining, caused by low estrogen levels » Learn more about how postmenopausal bleeding is treated. When to speak with a doctor about postmenopausal bleeding You should always speak with a doctor about any vaginal bleeding that occurs after menopause, even if it is just spotting or has only happened once. In some cases, postmenopausal bleeding can be a sign of uterine cancer. While this is rare, a doctor can run some tests to check for any cancerous cells. Remember, an early diagnosis of cancer can increase the chance of successful treatment and improve the overall outcome. How can I manage my stress levels? There are several way you can manage your stress levels, including: Learn your triggers. It can be helpful to identify what may be triggering your stress and work to reduce these stressors where possible. Ensure you're getting enough sleep. Not getting enough sleep can often make daily stressors more difficult to manage. Make time for things you enjoy. Consider scheduling time for activities that bring you joy and allow you to relax. Seeking support from loved ones. Speaking about your worries with loved ones may help you feel more supported. If you are finding it difficult to manage your stress levels, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can work with you to put together a suitable treatment plan.
